Economic Development Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Commissioners Present
Connie Barton Barba (Chair)
Mark Green
Mark Lockenmeyer
Scot Marsters (Vice Chair)
Harold Schuette
Robert Stafford
Geoffrey Stern
Commissioners Absent
Chris Bianchini
Tory Hartmann (Secretary)
Staff Present:
Brian Moura, Assistant City Manager/Acting Economic Development Manager
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by EDAC Chair, Connie Barton Barba.
2. Approval of the Minutes – December 6, 2006 EDAC Meeting
EDAC Commission members discussed the draft minutes of the December 6, 2006 meeting.
Motion: Geoffrey Stern moved and Scott Marsters seconded that the minutes be approved as submitted.
Action: The motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.
3. Status Report & Discussion of Economic Development Plan Process and Community Meeting with RSG
Brian Moura of the City of San Carlos presented a Microsoft Power Point presentation that was developed by RSG. It is a draft version of what RSG intends to present at the upcoming Economic Development Plan meeting on February 28, 2007.
EDAC Commissioners provided comments and input to Mr. Moura as follows: add an introduction slide that explains the purpose and objectives of the meeting; provide examples of successful economic development projects in San Carlos (as per the draft Community Meeting announcement flyer handed out to the Commission; presentation must highlight the four general geographic focus areas (Laurel Street/Downtown, Northeast side [Highway 101 Interchange area], 3) Southeast side [Bruener’s area], El Camino Real) to be considered for economic development; and goal of revenue enhancement for City of San Carlos must be stressed.
The EDAC Commissioners also discussed the draft Community Meeting announcement flyer and recommended that the flyer be expanded and reworked to be more attention grabbing, thought provoking with the same type of recommended improvements as stated for the presentation. It was agreed that the next steps of this process include a redraft of the presentation and flyer.
The Community Meeting is tentatively scheduled for late February, 2007. RSG will then report back to EDAC in the first week of April, 2007. This will include what was learned from the community and local businesses in the Community Meeting and a draft Economic Development Plan. After receiving input from EDAC, RSG will present to City Council in late April or early May, 2007. EDAC Commissioners stated that the Economic Plan must have measurable goals and objectives.
4. Discussion of “What is Economic Development?”
After a brief discussion, it was agreed that a discussion of what economic development is, including appropriate goals and objectives for economic development would best be discussed at the April, 2007 EDAC meeting after the presentation of the draft Economic Development Plan by RSG.
5. Updates from Staff
Brian Moura provided EDAC with an update on economic development projects and items of interest.
a) Community Development Director Hired – Mr. Al Savay, formerly the Zoning Administrator for the City of Mountain View, has been hired as the Community Development Director in San Carlos. The Planning, Building and Housing Departments will all report into Mr. Savay. Liz Cullinan, the current Planning Director, will consult to the City two days per week.
b) Economic Development Manager - The City Manager is considering options to fill the Economic Development Manager position on a full time basis.
c) San Carlos Marketplace (former Bruener’s site) – The final EIR for this project has been released. To date, there has not been any public opposition to the project. The project proponent wishes to have the Marketplace open by October, 2007 if Planning Commission approval is received in January.
d) City Council Strategic Goals Retreat – The City Council and City Department Heads will participate in a retreat on February 26, 2007 in lieu of the second February City Council Meeting. It will be an update of their 6 month Strategic Goals and Objectives.
e) City Council Liaison – City Council has assigned commission/committee liaison responsibilities to each of the Council members. Tom Davids, the new Mayor is the EDAC Commission liaison and attended this meeting. Tom informed EDAC that it faces a real challenge. Tom indicated that it is smart for EDAC to obtain input from the community and that he hopes that EDAC will be able to recommend economic development strategies over a ten year period. He stressed increased revenues for the City must be an important component of the strategies. Tom wants EDAC to focus on conceptual, not planning issues. Tom will be available to EDAC for direction, but does not want to inhibit EDAC functioning in any way.
f) 767 Industrial Road – The mixed retail and residential project proposed for this site is still in conceptual design. There has not to date been a project submission to the City.
g) Palo Alto Medical Foundation Project – The Final EIR was released on January 2, 2007. Dates of three future public hearings to review the adequacy of the Final EIR have not yet been established. EDAC may be provided with an opportunity to formally review the Project during the merits of the project phase of the review.
h) Wireless Silicon Valley – San Carlos has applied to be one of the three Concept Cities. City staff is determining which square mile portion of the City will have a “template” version of the wireless network built ahead of the full project.
6. Discussion of and Setting Date for Special EDAC Meeting on East Side and City-Wide Economic Development Priorities, Strategies and Principles
After a brief discussion, it was agreed that EDAC’s February, 2007 meeting will be dedicated to discussing East Side and City-Wide Economic Development Priorities, Strategies and Principles.
7. Discuss Potential Agenda Topics for Future EDAC Meetings
It was agreed that the February, 2007 meeting will be dedicated to discussing East Side and City-Wide Economic Development Priorities, Strategies and Principles. The April, 2007 meeting will be dedicated to the presentation from RSG. No other potential agenda topics were discussed.
John Ward, a consultant, stated he liked the draft RSG announcement flyer but that the Power Point presentation needed more work. Sheryl Pomerenk of the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce stated the Chamber will announce the upcoming Community Meeting in the Chamber Newsletter and in an email blast to the Chamber’s newsletter distribution list.
9. Adjournment
The EDAC meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. The next regular monthly meeting of EDAC will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2007.
