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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Board - Minutes - 08/18/2021 ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR August 18, 2021, 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom 8/18/21 – MINUTES Page 1 1. CALL TO ORDER 4:00 pm. 2. ROLL CALL • List of Board Members Present − Renee Walkup − Ted Settle − Julie Stackhouse − John Parks − George Grossman − Aric Light − Braulio Rojas • List of Board Members Absent – Excused or Unexcused; if no contact with Chair has been made − Spencer Clark • List of Staff Members Present − Josh Birks, Director Economic Health and Redevelopment • List of Guests - none 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. There were some minor changes and typo corrections to the minutes. The board unanimously approved the July minutes as amended. 7-0-0 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Elect Vice Chair − John Parks volunteered to be a candidate for the open Vice Chair position. He has been on the board for over four years and would like to support the board as Vice Chair. ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 8/18/21 – MINUTES Page 2 − Braulio moved and Julie seconded a motion to elect John as the Vice Chair of the Economic Advisory Board. Motion approved unanimously 7-0-0. b. Finalize meeting locations/plans 2021 − Josh reported he attended the latest Larimer County COVID update meeting and their current guidance was that everyone should get vaccinated and mask up, even indoors. − The group discussed how they wanted to conduct the EAC meetings for the rest of the year. City Council has allowed that advisory boards may choose to meet in in- person meetings, hybrid meetings or remain in virtual meetings via zoom. After discussion, the board decided that, because COVID conditions are not getting better, they will remain in a zoom environment for the September meeting and consider having hybrid meetings after that, if the COVID situation allows. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Required board reports − Josh reported that Council requests that advisory boards submit the following reports each year: − The next year's work plan - due by the end of September (Due date later clarified to the end of November). − The current year's annual report - due by January of the next year. − Josh also reported that the EAC is scheduled for a Periodic Review in 2021. The board is asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding its work for Council's review and evaluation. The method to do that is left up to the board. Each member of the EAC could answer the questions themselves and then the group could incorporate them into a mutually-agreed upon report. Or the chair or other designated person(s) could fill out the form and the group could review it and finalizes it by vote. Josh will send the form to the board for them to work with. − Discussion: − Periodic review − Renee - 2021 was a unique year because of COVID and the main focus of the group was to help keep businesses alive. − Ted - Suggested having one person fill out the form for the group to review and finalize. − George - Q - Can you clarify the time period the review is to cover since it is not done every year? A - The periodic review takes place every three ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 8/18/21 – MINUTES Page 3 years. Josh will send the EAC's previous review to the board as reference. − John, Julie, and Ted volunteered to begin the effort to fill in the questionnaire and will present it to the board to review and finalize by the second week of September. − 2022 Work Plan − Josh will send the 2021 EAC work plan to the board for its reference. − 2021 Annual Report − Since it is not due until January 2022, Renee suggested the board table this report until the previous 2 reports are completed. Josh stated that staff traditionally compiles this report from actions in the year's board minutes and he will submit it to the board in November for the board to adopt. 8. BOARD AND STAFF MEMBER REPORTS a. Renee asked Josh to recap current City Council priorities. − City Council will discuss their 31 priorities at their August 31 Council Work Session. Council adopted these priorities by resolution to be in effect for the next 2 years. Staff will also report what they assess can be accomplished with milestones and metrics to accomplish them. If they can't attend/watch this meeting, EAC board members can also watch a video of this meeting later on line at https://www.fcgov.com/fctv/. − The City Council's resolution of their priorities will be made public August 28 and will become an on-line dashboard that can be accessed and worked on as progress is made on the priorities. − Josh pointed out the Council priorities he feels are germane to the EAC are: − Evaluate if a local minimum wage should be established. − Evaluate if the City should develop a circular economy and define what that means. − Work with PSD to create pathways for students into the workforce, given the labor supply issues the City is currently facing − George - If these 31 priorities are in addition to the City's regular Strategic Plan, shouldn't the dashboard be larger than the 31 priorities? − George - According to Council's six-month calendar he sees that there are only 2 items that would fall under economic health: October 26 - City ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 8/18/21 – MINUTES Page 4 Strategic Recovery Plan and December 7 - consideration to adopt the City's Strategic Recovery plan. What is the City's Strategic Plan for Recovery and shouldn't the EAC be reviewing and commenting on it? − Ted - was glad to see "regionalism" is on the priority list for the City to work regionally for better economic health. − Braulio - Q - Currently, the sales tax collection reports seem to be better than planned. Does that mean we are recovering? A - It seems that sales tax revenue is back on track, but it is not normal for many restaurants and other small businesses outside of the downtown area. It is also difficult for some restaurants to find staff. The City will be looking into how to help them. b. Renee - Q - What is the best way for the EAC to become more proactive to support City Council on the Recovery Plan? − A - Currently, the City is in an engagement phase that is gathering information for the Recovery Plan. Citizens can go to https://ourcity.fcgov.com/ and click on ForFoco - Recovery - that is a public forum to share ideas, take surveys, and engage in virtual town halls. The EAC can submit input here or submit it to Josh. − Josh also leads the Economic Strategic Initiative Group of staff focused on recovery. The October 26 City Council work session will be where the information and goals gathered so far will be shared with Council. That is also a good time for the EAC to give input. c. Julie asked Josh to report out on the City Manager Transition. − Josh reported that Darin Atteberry's last day will be Friday, August 20. City Council has appointed Kelly DiMartino as interim City Manager. Council has also created a sub-committee to work with a recruiter on the hiring of a new City Manager. d. Braulio - thinks the real estate market will continue to be a big challenge for the City's recovery. e. Renee - was happy to see the downtown area busy and active one evening when she was there but was concerned about reckless driving that she witnessed in the downtown area. f. Julie - Q - How much more in stimulus funds need to be allocated? Also, do you anticipate any funds coming in from the Federal Infrastructure Bill? A - The City received $28.1M from the ARPA state and local fund. We also received $6M through the Federal Transit Administration for Transport operations. Council has approved $4.3M to be allocated to be a bridge between CARES and ARPA from now through the end of 2022. $24M will be managed through the normal budget ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 8/18/21 – MINUTES Page 5 cycle for 2023-2024. There is someone following the opportunities from the Infrastructure Bill, but it is not known yet what will be coming to us. − Julie - Q - Can the EAC have a role in recommending where these funds will be allocated? A - The $4.3M will be part of 2022 budget process. The EAC can engage in the 2023 - 2024 strategic plan and budget process. The recovery plan will be a supplement to that plan. g. George - Q - Because of issues with supplies and staffing, he anticipates inflation coming to cover costs. He is also wondering if the parking spots in front of restaurants in downtown that were turned into designated patio areas should revert back to parking since restaurants are having trouble filling their spaces. This would help retail businesses. A - There is currently an outdoor dining survey designed to provide input. Josh will provide a link to the survey for the EAC's reference. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. 6-month Calendar review b. Agenda planning 10. ADJOURNMENT 5:27 pm.