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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Board - MINUTES - 04/16/20254/16/2025– MINUTES Economic Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, April 16, 2025 – 4:00 PM 215 N Mason, EOC, or Microsoft Teams 1. CALL TO ORDER: 4:00 PM 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present – • Braulio Rojas (Chair) • Chris Denton (Vice Chair) • Thierry Dossou • Val Kailburn • Tim Cochran • Phillip Callahan • Brad Kreikemeier (arrived late) b. Board Members Absent – • Kim Palmer c. Staff Members Present – • Tyler Menzales, Staff Liaison • SeonAh Kendall, Economic Health Director d. Guest(s) – • None 3. AGENDA REVIEW Menzales noted the agenda could be reversed to have the presentation first. Chair Rojas made a motion, seconded by Denton, to adopt that change. The motion was adopted unanimously. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 2025 Chair Rojas made a motion, seconded by Denton, to approve the minutes of the March 2025 meeting as presented. The motion was adopted unanimously . 6. NEW BUSINESS 4/16/2025– MINUTES a. Welcome of New Board Members, Introductions, and Ice Breakers Chair Rojas welcomed new member Phillip Callahan and current members introduced themselves and discussed their business experience and time on the Board. New member Phillip Callahan introduced himself and discussed his business experience. b. City of Fort Collins Economic Snapshot – SeonAh Kendall and Tyler Menzales (**Secretary’s Note: The agenda was amended per the previous motion.) SeonAh Kendall, Economic Health Director, discussed her history with the Economic Health Office and service on various boards. Tyler Menzales, Senior Economic Health Manager and staff liaison, discussed his professional experience, time with the City, and service on various boards. Kendall discussed the role of the City’s Economic Health Office and presented the annual Community and Business Profile document to the Board Members. She noted Fort Collins is currently the fourth largest community in Colorado and includes 30,000 CSU students; however, Greeley is set to take that place in the next five to ten years. She went on to provide information about Fort Collins’ workforce and businesses, noting the top employers are Colorado State University, Woodward, Broadcom, City of Fort Collins, UC Health, and Poudre School District. Cochran asked if businesses that are wholesale only still have a retail sales license. Kendall replied they should. Callahan asked what percentage of businesses are manufacturing versus services. Kendall replied manufacturing businesses make up a lower percentage of businesses than restaurant/retail business; however, they are the largest employers. She also noted there is a NoCo Manufacturing Partnership of Larimer and Weld County businesses which includes over 125 active participants. Menzales noted the economic data by Council district holds interesting information, including the number of renters versus owners, percent of poverty, and other statistics. Kendall noted the Chamber of Commerce is hosting a talent summit next Wednesday and the City is one of the presenting sponsors. Additionally, she noted TIP Strategies has been hired to complete the Job Quality and Access Tool, which has been used since COVID to show the average wages and diversity mix across various job categories. Kendall commented on the importance of a resilient economy which includes primary employers and main street businesses. She discussed the City’s CHIPS Zone and Enterprise Zone. She noted economic health has never been a Council priority until 2024 and commented on the importance of 4/16/2025– MINUTES emphasizing an integrated and intentional approach to economic health. Kendall stated the Economic Health Strategic Plan was adopted in December of 2023 with a focus on business retention, expansion, and attraction in bio life sciences and clean technology. Menzales further detailed the Economic Health Strategic Plan and it’s focus on business support and workforce development. He noted the Plan’s priorities include policy and structural shifts for good business environment, business retention, expansion, and attraction, small business resiliency, increase employment representation, and innovation to meet community goals. Kendall and Menzales discussed the components that go into bidding for businesses and attracting businesses, including electricity and water availability. Callahan asked how successful the City has been in attracting start-up companies or venture capital funded businesses. Kendall replied the City partners with Innosphere to help support start-up companies. She noted CSU creates a number of start-ups. Menzales commented on the role of the Economic Health Office as a connector and convener for start-ups. Chair Rojas suggested including data related to rent amounts per room or per square foot. Cochran suggested another data point could be looking at the progression of getting into housing. Members discussed housing affordability and trade-offs with community services and opportunities, including commuting costs. (**Secretary’s Note: The Board took a brief recess at this point in the meeting.) Chair Rojas welcomed Kreikemeier to the meeting. c. Vice Chair Nominations Chair Rojas commented on the role of the Vice Chair. Chair Rojas made a motion, seconded by Denton, to call for a Vice Chair nomination. The motion was adopted unanimously. Denton expressed interest in the role. Denton made a motion, seconded by Cochran, to nominate Chris Denton as Vice Chair. The motion was adopted unanimously. Brad Kreikemeier briefly introduced himself and discussed his business experience. 4/16/2025– MINUTES 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Chair Rojas noted the City’s economic environment is not disconnected from the national and international economic environment and suggested it may be beneficial for the Board to have a review of how forthcoming tariffs will impact the City. Kendall noted the City has an internal group that is discussing the overall federal government impacts on the city and businesses. Menzales encouraged businesses who expect to be impacted by the tariffs to reach out to the City. Cochran stated he has been attending the meetings of the local legislative affairs committee of the Chamber of Commerce , which he has found to be very beneficial. 9. STAFF REPORTS Kendall outlined upcoming economic related Council items. She also noted there were a number of comments at the last Council meeting regarding a large methane user fee proposed by a community group which could impact 30 industrial users and 700 commercial buildings. She noted she has been asked to do some analysis on those impacted. 10. OTHER BUSINESS None. 11. ADJOURNMENT a. 5:52 PM Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on 05/21/2025