2. Approval of the Minutes – March 7, 2007 EDAC Meeting
EDAC Commission members discussed the draft minutes of the March 7, 2007 meeting.
Motion: Connie Barton Barba moved and Hal Schuette seconded that the minutes be approved after one correction: Mark Green is the Chamber of Commerce Liaison.
Action: The motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.
3. Update on Economic Development Plan Process and Economic Development Survey Results
The Rosenow Spevacek Group (RSG) took the ideas from the February 28th community meeting and used them as a basis for the Economic Development survey of San Carlos residents, businesses and visitors. Brian Moura worked with RSG to promote the survey in the community during the month of March. The survey had healthy results with 947 responses. Most responses came in via the Internet, only 1% (nine survey responses) were on paper. The only concern was a mass emailing from a PAMF project opponent group that tried to affect the outcome by providing residents advice on how to answer questions 6, 34, and 38. These questions primarily reviewed the potential traffic impact of a new medical facility and encouraged survey responders to vote for a green retail and design district on the East Side of San Carlos.
RSG is still analyzing the survey results and will use this information as part of their Economic Development plan. That document will go to the City Staff in draft form in April and then to EDAC for review and comment during the planned May 9 meeting.
Scot Marsters feels we need more time to review the plan before presenting it to the city council. He wants to add a second meeting in May to focus on this topic. He asked Brian Moura to schedule a second EDAC meeting on the Plan in May. There was agreement by the Commission to hold a second EDAC meeting on May 16 that will be devoted to hearing comments from EDAC Commissioners on the draft Economic Development Plan.
The City Staff will then prepare the report along with EDAC’s comments for the City Council’s review in June. This timeline will hopefully allow for the plan elements to be put into the upcoming City budget process so that potential improvement suggestions can be funded.
Motion: Gary Wiessinger moved and Connie Barton Barba seconded that the Commission will add a second meeting on May 16 to discuss the Economic Development Plan.
Action: The motion to approve the second meeting in May was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.
4. East Side and City-Wide Economic Development Priorities, Strategies and Principles – Discussion, Development and Adoption of Report from EDAC
There was discussion about the EDAC Economic Development Priorities, Strategies and Principles item. The Commission agreed to drop the words “East Side” from the project description so that the priorities, strategies and principles apply citywide. This will be reflected in future agendas.
Mark Green, the EDAC liaison to the Chamber Economic Development Sub-committee, told the Commission there was a Chamber Economic Development Subcommittee meeting scheduled for April 6th where this topic will be reviewed. Geoffrey Stern said the meeting had been cancelled. Once a Chamber Economic Development subcommittee meeting occurs, the plan is for an EDAC discussion on the meeting outcomes. Since this meeting is likely in May, a review of the Chamber Subcommittee activities is likely at the June EDAC meeting.
5. City Council Strategic Goals and Objectives – 6 Month Update (February 2007 – August 2007)
Brian Moura provided the EDAC Commissioners with a copy of the City Council Strategic Goals and Objectives that were updated in February. EDAC members discussed the goals and objectives with particular focus on the section related to Increasing Revenue and Economic Development. There was also discussion and interest in three other areas: Parks & Recreation projects shared role, survey of the community on desired services and facilities – and what the community might be willing to pay more for to receive and financial planning for projects
6. Updates from Staff
Brian Moura provided EDAC with an update on economic development projects and items of interest.
a) Redevelopment and Housing Manager – April 27 is the deadline for accepting applications. Hal Schuette expressed concern that the expectations are overwhelming for the position.
b) San Carlos Marketplace (former Bruener’s site) – Of the four retail buildings, Pet Smart, TJ Maxx Apparel & Home Goods are three of the selected businesses. An announcement of the tenants in the last remaining retail building is expected soon. The foundation permit should be complete by mid-April. The developer has an aggressive schedule that could lead to the San Carlos Marketplace being opened as early as October, 2007.
c) Kroger Lease (former Bell Market Site) on Laurel Street – The developers of the 99 Cent Store have not been heard from for some time and may have dropped out of the San Carlos Bell Market location. The City Staff has been approached by several interested developers of the site who have offered many interesting development ideas for the property. No specific plans have been filed to date with the City. One EDAC Commissioner noted that the site is starting to get dirty and there is a lot of garbage in the parking lot. Geoffrey Stern mentioned that there are two new stores opening on Laurel by Arroyo: an upscale women’s shoe store, and a yogurt store.
d) PAMF Update – There is a City Council hearing on the PAMF Final Environmental Impact Report scheduled for April 23rd at Hiller Aviation Museum. At that meeting, the City Council will decide whether or not to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report.
e) Hot Harvest Nights – will be returning during the First Thursday in May. This year the city booth will be manned once a month (instead of twice a month last year). An EDAC Commissioner noted that there have been some objections from businesses regarding the Farmer’s Market. It was also noted that some businesses have been very enthusiastic about the Farmer’s Market. The community has also been very supportive.
f) Green Business Program – San Carlos will be one of the Pilot Cities on a project sponsored by San Mateo County to bring the Green Business Registry to this area. It works with our current businesses to certify their compliance with Green Business standards and it supports these firms though a Bay Area wide directory listing and other recognition.
7. Discuss Potential Agenda Topics for Future EDAC Meetings
In June, EDAC plans to discuss the work the EDAC Subcommittee is doing with the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Sub-Committee.
John Ward of San Carlos, a consultant to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, commented on behalf of PAMF that the entitlement process on the Proposed PAMF Project has many parts. In addition to the review and certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report, a second round of public hearings will be held later this year on the merits of the project.
9. Adjournment
The EDAC meeting was adjourned at 5:28 p.m.
The next EDAC meeting is scheduled for May 9 and another special meeting on May 16, both from 4:00 until 5:30.
