Council members and staff discussed strategies to attract retail and diversify the local economy, focusing on downtown/Main Street programming, proactive planning and a “yes” approach to business requests.

Participants suggested strengthening the Main Street program beyond events to include design guidance, grant opportunities and targeted recruitment of small retailers. One speaker urged development of a dedicated Main Street manager (or similar planning role) to focus on downtown retail recruitment and use state Main Street resources for grants and training.

Planning staff (Lynn, identified in the discussion as a city planner) and council members stressed the need to update zoning and the municipal code to align with the recently completed comprehensive plan so that the zoning map and code reflect the city’s stated goals. The planner noted that the comprehensive plan’s objectives are not yet fully embedded in zoning and that further work is needed to effect long‑term land‑use outcomes.

Council members said the city should be more “solutions‑based” and business friendly, with clearer guidance for applicants. Several councilors also discussed targeting diversified job opportunities (including tech and retail) to retain younger residents and grow the local tax base.

Why it matters: Aligning zoning and planning with economic development goals, and providing explicit downtown recruitment capacity, are actions that can change the city’s development trajectory and sales‑tax base. Staff agreed to fold these topics into the action planning that will follow from the workshop.

Next steps: Staff and council agreed to include planning/zoning updates and downtown/Main Street capacity in follow‑up work; staff will evaluate options (including using Main Street resources and pursuing grants) and return proposals for council consideration.