Approved Minutes
Economic Development Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Commissioners Present
Connie Barton Barba
Laura Battaglia (Secretary)
Bob Farkas
Mark Green
Mark Lockenmeyer
Mark Luckenbach
Scot Marsters (Chair)
Harold Schuette
Commissioners Not Present
Gary Wiessinger (Vice Chair)
Staff Present:
Brian Moura, Assistant City Manager
Al Savay, Community Development Director
Mark Sawicki, Redevelopment & Housing Manager
Mark Weiss, City Manager
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. by EDAC Chair, Scot Marsters.
2. Introductions
Brian Moura introduced new Redevelopment and Housing Manager Mark Sawicki and Commissioner Bob Farkas to the EDAC Committee.
3. Approval of the Minutes May 16, 2007 (Request for revision), July 11, 2007 and August 1, 2007 EDAC Meeting
EDAC Commissioners discussed the draft minutes of the meetings listed above.The only suggested changes were to the August 1st meeting: Gary Wiessinger was not present and the next meeting should indicate a start time of 4:00 p.m. No changes were made to the May 16, 2007 or July 11, 2007 minutes.
Motion: Hal Schuette moved and Connie Barton Barba seconded that the minutes be approved as submitted with suggested changes.
Action: The motion to approve the minutes of the previous meetings was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.
4. Discussion and Appointment of EDAC Representative and Alternate on the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) 2 Year Commitment
City Planner Stephanie Bertollo Davis discussed the creation of the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) and requested appointment of a primary and secondary EDAC representative. Meetings will occur the third Wednesday of the month tentatively from 6:30-9:30 for up to 24 months.
Motion: Mark Green moved and Connie Barton Barba seconded that Scot Marsters be the primary and Laura Battaglia be the secondary EDAC representative for GPAC.
Action: The motion to approve the GPAC representatives was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission.
5. Discussion of City Council Strategic Plan and Objectives
Brian Moura led the discussion of City Councils three-year goal: Increase Economic Development and Sources of Revenue.The first specific item is to identify City marketing opportunities.70% of city revenue is generated by commercial sites on the east side. EDAC commissioners asked of Brian Who owns the private property? What land is available? Brian indicated the research would be done by City Staff. EDAC shall advise as the process goes forward.
The midterm review of the five-year Implementation plan is due to City Council in January 2008. EDAC commissioners recommended we receive an update from Staff prior to City Council.
A potential revenue measure for the November 2008 ballot must be presented to City Council by February 2008. EDAC commissioners recommended we receive an update from Staff prior to City Council.
Wheeler Plaza is our downtown anchor location to draw people into the City. A conceptual plan is due to City Council by March 2008. EDAC commissioners recommend a dedicated January 2008 meeting to continue our advisory role on how to move forward. Al Savay shared with the commissioners that developers prefer to have community support before moving too far forward.Al explained deciding to sell or lease the land to the developer is part of the decision the City makes to recoup the costs of such an endeavor.
South Plaza Bell Market site will have a planned strategic alternatives presentation to City Council in March 2008. Scot Marsters asked if the legal issues would be resolved prior to EDAC discussion regarding this property. Brian indicated the legal issues are ongoing and continue to delay any potential action at this time.
6. Discussion of EDAC priorities going forward
This item will be postponed and added to the October 3rd meeting Agenda.
7. Update on City Economic Development Plan and Staff Implementation Activities
The City Economic Development Plan discusses economic development opportunities within our industrial community. Mark Weiss shared with EDAC that there is a plan to have City Staff interview key businesses on the East side to gather information and get to know our business owners better. EDAC commissioners recommended that the City work through key realtors in the area that may be able to assist with introductions and the information gathering process to ease any potential concerns local businesses may have regarding an interview request from the City.
Brian shared that retaining RSG will assist development of the City Economic Plan as this consulting firm assisted with its inception.The Plan represents the Citys blueprint for moving forward with Economic Development and will remain a living document, occasionally requiring revision.
8. Discuss, Review and Amend EDAC Tasks Outlined in Economic Development Plan
Brian Moura led a discussion and review of Appendix A Year 1 priorities and Appendix B -
Key items from list of Appendix A and assigns tasks to various organizations also known as workgroups.
After some discussion, the EDAC commissioners decided to choose an advisory role for EDAC for each category, as that seems most appropriate with the expectations of the Commission. The one exception that EDAC will remain in a lead role for is to create a mission statement and develop tasks for each entity.An EDAC support function in all other categories assumes that by definition a support role in most other categories is a review function.
Mark Sawicki agreed to bring a list of what tasks are missing from Appendix A and/or B to the October EDAC meeting.
9. Update on Liaison with Economic Partnership Group (City, EDAC, Chamber of Commerce, HIA)
The Commissioners discussed if it would be necessary to appoint an additional EDAC member to the Economic Development partnership meetings with the Chamber of Commerce since Geoffrey Sterns EDAC resignation created an opportunity to include another commissioner.With three EDAC members currently participating (Mark Green, Gary Wiessinger, and Hal Schuette) the commissioners decided we have ample participation from our Commission.
10. Updates from Staff
Brian Moura provided EDAC with an update on economic development projects and items of interest.
a) San Carlos Marketplace The developer indicates the site will open to customers prior to Thanksgiving, sometime in November 2007. All four stores will be ready for business.
b) San Carlos Marketplace Accessory building - Brian shared that sometime after the opening of the four stores, development of the accessory building will begin and shall include primarily food and beverage services.
c) Levitz site A new retailer announcement will be made in October 2007.
d) San Carlos Transit Village/Railroad property development Plans were submitted to the City and Brian suggests we dedicate the EDAC December 2007 meeting to this topic.
e) Wheeler Plaza A joint meeting between EDAC and City Council is planned for January 2008, where the subject shall be Wheeler Plaza potential development opportunities.
11. Discuss Next Meeting Date and Time and Potential Agenda Topics for Future EDAC meetings
The next meeting will be on Wednesday October 3rd from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in City Hall room 207. We are adding 30 minutes to the next planned meeting to assist in reviewing all the agenda topics in a timely manner.
The Commission listed the following agenda items for future EDAC meetings:
- Downtown Interim Emergency Ordinance - October
- Economic Development Plan Appendix 1 List of Potential Businesses November
- Economic Development Plan meeting with RSG (Frank Spevacek & Alexa Smittle) - November
- San Carlos Transit Village/Railroad Property Development presentation - December
- Wheeler Plaza Conceptual Plan and pro forma analysis/ joint discussion meeting with City Council January 2008
- South Plaza behind Bell Market strategic alternatives February 2008
- Economic Development partnership/EDAC joint meeting March 2008
- Economic Development Criteria discussion March 2008
- Parks and Recreation / EDAC Commission joint meeting April 2008
- Report from Barry Weiss regarding Athletic Events & Economic Development opportunities April 2008
- Chamber of Commerce Grant Opportunities presentation May 2008 or beyond
12. Public Comment
A man named Omar from Geranium Lane indicated that the Bell Market property site has the parking lot lights on 24 hours a day seven days a week. Brian indicated that he will look into the reason.
13. Adjournment
The EDAC meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m.The next EDAC meeting is scheduled for October 3rd from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in City Hall room 207.
