EDA hears staff updates on grants, volunteer programs and summer events

City staff used the meeting's staff-updates segment to brief EDA members on pending grants, volunteer programs and community events.

Staff said the city applied to Hennepin County for three grants—one for the Balsam gateway sign, one for a small-area plan for Old Town and one for a small-area plan for the city center—and expects to learn results by June. Staff also confirmed the city's public app is functioning.

The EDA was asked to promote and help staff two volunteer efforts: an Adopt-a-Road program (two-mile segments) and a spring cleanup day on May 2 at Central Park; staff asked volunteers to contact Marty Farrell at the City of Dayton to participate. Volunteers who adopt segments will be eligible for small incentives, staff said.

Staff reviewed upcoming events and program sponsorships: a Mother's Day bouquet arrangement event on May 9, an open house on May 13, a city-wide garage sale in June, Family Fun Night on June 12 with music and inflatables, and the Dayton Community Car Show (weekly summer dates). A flower-pot sponsorship ($125 per pot) program currently has one pot adopted; staff also mentioned a $780 request for a sponsor dog-treat station and asked members to help publicize or fund these items.

Staff additionally noted routine items including recruitment of election judges for the August primary and November general election and a county-conducted land-value mapping project that staff plans to fold into the 2050 comprehensive plan.

No formal board votes were taken on these items; staff will follow up with grant outcomes and provide budget sheets and sponsorship details at future meetings.