The Mandan City Commission wants public input on its strategies for retail recruitment, so Mandan residents and business owners are asked to participate in a special forum Wednesday.

City Administrator Jim Neubauer told commissioners at Tuesday's commission meeting that they had done a lot of talking about what the city should be doing to recruit retailers. The public meeting is to gather input

"I suggest a public comment period, a special meeting inviting the public to gather input," Neubauer said. "We have a job description for a potential contractual employee to do recruitment. The question remains what are the hopes and dreams of the community? We haven't done that yet, and that's the next step prior to discussion on the development director position."

"I wholeheartedly agree," Mayor Ken LaMont said. "The first step is to have a public hearing to give existing businesses a chance to express themselves. The Renaissance zone has been approved. There are going to be a lot of opportunities, particularly in the central business district."

Neubauer said it would be an input meeting and not a hearing. City attorney Sharon Gallagher suggested that the meeting not be open-ended and that an agenda be developed. LaMont agreed, saying just the ideas that have been discussed should be presented.

"There has been a debate about the city using dollars available to it to recruit retail or businesses that may compete with existing businesses," Neubauer said. "That discussion needs to occur. We've talked about funding sources for new businesses versus existing. We've looked at ways so taxpayer dollars are not used for recruitment.

"What we're asking the public is if they want the city to get involved," Neubauer said.

"We've got a lot of balls in the air," LaMont said.

"We've talked about the Renaissance zone having an impact and having a person designated to handle a number of functions, one of which would be recruitment of retail. We need to have a public meeting and share those ideas. Everybody at this table has ideas. We need to share with the public and get their input. We need to listen to those folks."

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)