2. Approval of the Minutes – June 6, 2007 EDAC Meeting
EDAC Commission members discussed the draft minutes of the June 6, 2007 meeting.
Motion: Gary Wiessinger moved and Mark Green 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. Update on City Economic Development Plan & Staff Implementation
City Council received copies of the Economic Development Plan as well as the EDAC minutes and comments on the plan. The Council voted to keep the five priorities developed by EDAC. The Council also placed them in a different order (although the availability of resources and what is required to work on each project may affect the order in which they are completed.)
1. Wheeler Plaza development
2. Bell Market development
3. Cal Train along El Camino corridor (The JPB has already submitted plans and this could be done sooner rather than later)
4. Hotel facility
5. Attract mid/large plate retailers along Industrial Road corridor
Brian Moura shared with EDAC that during the City Council meeting Councilman Grocott expressed interest in refining the mid/big box retail proposal to be in a specific area of the City such as the Industrial Road corridor rather than something that might apply Citywide. Vice Mayor Lewis said he has some more creative ideas on how to generate money for City services and would make looking at mid and large plate retail a later on priority. Mark Luckenbach suggested that we have Vice Mayor Lewis attend a future EDAC meeting to talk with us about those ideas.
In the spirit of working together, the City Council is interested in having the City General Plan and other efforts integrate with the Economic Development Plan. This language was added to the final version of the plan by the City Council.
An RFP was issued for a consultant to work with the City to implement the Economic Development Plan. Two firms submitted proposals for this assignment - Keyser Marsten and RSG. The interview panel consisted of Brian Moura, Sheryl Pomerenk, and Al Savay. The panel recommended RSG as the most responsive firm for this assignment and the City Council approved this recommendation.
Mark Green asked if the Economic Development Plan should be revised to reflect the revised order to the five EDAC priorities that City Council chose. Brian indicated that the changes made by the City Council will be added to the final version of the Economic Development Plan. Mark Green also suggested that we have RSG attend the EDAC meetings to provide an update on implementation progress. Brian added that EDAC will have the opportunity to make comments/feedback/suggestions regarding the Economic Development Plan tasks and projects as they proceed in the months ahead. Scot Marsters stated this is why he wants the Economic Development plan to be a standing agenda item for our meetings. It will help us determine how we’re doing and where we’re going.
4. EDAC tasks outlined in Economic Development Plan
The Commissioners discussed the City’s $3M budget shortfall and how much of a role does Economic Development play in this budget shortage. Economic development is more of a long term approach and service cuts are a short term solution. We then reviewed items listed in Appendix B of the Economic Development Plan. RSG made suggestions regarding what roles EDAC commission can play. These included:
· Mission Statement
· Grant opportunity Research for small business loans
· Business recruitment with Chamber of Commerce
· Green Business support
Scot felt, as did others, that the Mission Statement is done. Mark Lockenmeyer shared that we should invite a Chamber of Commerce representative to talk about grant opportunities, and Mark Green suggested that we not be a lead in any category, since we are an advisory committee. Gary suggested we discuss the grant issue with the Economic Development Partnership since there may be someone with more experience that can assist. Brian shared that Chamber has resources from the SBA that may also be willing to assist with grant opportunities for small businesses. Mark Green then suggested that there may be someone in the community with Grant experience that may be able to assist in this effort. Scot said we can always create a sub-committee if the Grant activity requires more time and effort.
Brian Moura shared that Menlo Park residents approved a Utility Users Tax to assist with their budget shortfall. The City Staff talked with Menlo Park to find out how they were able to pass this measure in that City. Basically, the City of Menlo Park told the story to the community so the residents were informed of how the budget shortfall would affect the services provided to them.
The commissioners also discussed the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) proposal. If the project is approved by the City Council and constructed, the community will receive $91 Million over the 50 year life of the agreement. EDAC Commissioners asked the question: Can the City possibly get $3M of the funding earlier than 2013? Brian suggested we discuss this next month when our meeting will be entirely focused on the Economic Development and Financial impacts of the PAMF proposal.
5. Report on Liaison with Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Sub Committee
A meeting with the Chamber Economic Development Sub Committee, the EDAC Liaison Sub Committee and Chamber and City Staff occurred on June 19. Mark Green said a Harbor Industrial Association contact was identified, Michelle Margiotta, and will attend the next meeting. He said during the next meeting Appendix B of the Economic Development Plan will be reviewed and the sub-committee will determine structure – who will do what – from each organization. Gary shared that is a long term project, and the sub-committee needs to also review tasks from Appendix A.
6. Updates from Staff
Brian Moura provided EDAC with an update on economic development projects and items of interest.
a) EDAC Vacancy – Geoffrey Stern resigned from EDAC due to his successful business requiring more of his time. July 25 is the deadline for EDAC applicants. Gary suggested that we ask EDAC Commissioners again in September if a Commissioner is interested in filling Geoffrey’s slot in the Economic Development Chamber sub-committee.
b) Redevelopment and Housing Manager Position - Brian shared that there are a third round of interviews currently being accomplished for the Redevelopment and Housing Manager position and he is optimistic that the City will choose a candidate soon.
c) City Council Elections – Applicants may file starting Monday, July 16 for the City Council election on November 6, 2007. Mayor Tom Davids is not running for re-election.
d) New Business on Laurel Street – A kitchen cabinet remodeling store may be going in to 633 Laurel Street. This is the former location of the fresh produce store.
e) City General Plan – Community Development Director Al Savay will be forming a group of citizens to coordinate the new City General Plan. He may be seeking a representative of EDAC to join this effort.
f) San Carlos Green –14 San Carlos businesses have applied for county certification to support the City’s Green efforts. The next Solar City workshop meeting in the library will occur July 14. Solar City will offer San Carlos residents and businesses a 15%-20% savings on solar panel installations if residents and businesses sign up for systems that generate 50kW or more of solar power. The offer ends on August 27, 2007. The solar energy payback may be faster for businesses than residents due to depreciation and tax write-offs.
g) Yahoo Green City Contest – San Carlos ranked first in the state of California and third in the nation for this contest. Our prize was 5,000 free fluorescent light bulbs. The first 500 already arrived by bus and the remaining 4,500 will be coming soon from Minnesota. Hastings, Nebraska was the first place winner in the contest, home of the inventor of “Kool Aid”.
h) Broadband – Wireless Silicon Valley –This project will soon begin advertising with miniature signs – run advertisements via TV within the businesses that support this project. This will help pay for broadband service. One benefit: everything is taped in Hi Definition.
i) CalTrain El Camino Site – CalTrain submitted an application to City Council on a mixed use project. The retail portion of the project is not specific. There is more emphasis at this time on housing. An EIR will be required.
7. Discuss Next Meeting Date & Potential Agenda Topic Items for Future EDAC Meetings
There was no public comment.
9. Adjournment
The EDAC meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m. The next EDAC meeting is scheduled for August 1 at 7:00 in the Hiller Aviation Museum.
