HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 06/03/2009Minutes
City of Fort Collins
Economic Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
300 Laporte Ave City Hall
June 3, 2009
11:00-1:00 p.m.
For Reference:
Christophe Fabvre, Chair 227-0282
Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Council Liaison 416-2154
Mike Freeman, Staff Liaison 416-2259
Erin Gill, Minutes 221-6505
Commission Members Present:
Blue Hovatter, Christophe Febvre, Jim Clark, Bill Timpson, Kevin Shaw
Commission Members Absent:
Stu MacMillan, Rick Price, Beena Bawa and Tom Clevenger
Guests:
Ann Hutchison, Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce
Matt Robenalt, Downtown Development Authority Executive Director
City Staff Present:
Erin Gill
Mike Freeman, Chief Financial Officer
John Phelan, Utilities Energy Services Engineer
Agenda Item 1 – Meeting Call to Order
Meeting called to order 11:08 a.m.
Agenda Item 2 – Approval of Minutes
Unanimous approval of minutes dated May 6, 2009.
Agenda Item 3 - Public Comment
None
Agenda Item 4 – Member updates and 6 mo calendar discussion
Formal action by Council on the Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) is scheduled for July 7,
2009 per the 6-month planning calendar. The EAC plans to invite Kurt Ravenschlag,
Transfort/Dial-A-Ride Assistant Manager to present at the July 1, 2009 to hear the final
TSP to Council.
Following up on previous TSP presentations by Kurt Ravenschlag on Jan 7, 2009 and
May 6, 2009 to the EAC, Christophe Febvre motioned:
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) has actively reviewed the Transit Strategic
Plan (TSP) during the course of two plan reviews at EAC meetings. The EAC believes
that an effective mass transit system as proposed by the TSP can be an investment for the
future of the City and its economic vitality if it is incorporated into a broader vision and
plan for the City. The EAC strongly believes that planning for an effective transportation
system, with a quality transit system as part of the plan, can positively affect a vibrant
and sustainable economy in a number of key ways including but not limited to:
o Enhancing economic opportunities and real-estate values, particularly along
transit corridors
o Enhancing the competitiveness and high quality living environment of the City by
providing legitimate transit options for residents as part of the City’s Master Plan.
o Providing City residences options for minimizing their personal transit
expenditures (cost of living)
o Generating direct and indirect economic drivers based on capital and on-going
expenditures
The EAC recommends that the cost and benefits of the Transit Master Plan should
continue to be analyzed, and that the funding for the plan should be considered in context
with the City’s transportation plan, the City’s budget, and the City’s Master Plan. The
EAC would like to remain actively engaged in reviewing the economics and cost/benefit
analysis component of the plan as it proceeds.
The motion was seconded by Bill Timpson.
Kevin Shaw motioned to table the TSP motion by Christophe because not all commission
members were present to vote and that the EAC hasn’t received enough “solid evidence”
to support spending Mass transit funds that may stimulate the local economy.
The motion to table was seconded by Jim Clark.
Nay: Blue Hovatter, Christophe Febvre, and Bill Timpson
Beena Bawa, Stu MacMillan, Tom Clevenger and Rick Price abstained since they were
not present at the meeting.
After a brief discussion on commission member attendance Christophe suggest a vote on
his TSP motion:
Affirmative: Jim Clark, Christophe Febvre, Bill Timpson, Blue Hovatter
Nay: Kevin Shaw
Beena Bawa, Stu MacMillan, Tom Clevenger and Rick Price abstained since they were
not present at the meeting.
A passed written TSP motion/recommendation memo to Council will be included in the
read before packet on Tuesday June 9, 2009.
Part of the June 9, 2009 Council Work Session will be dedicated to Financial Issues
including the Foothills Mall Redevelopment or Midtown Commercial Redevelopment
Project. Following up on the EAC Special meeting held May 28, 2009 Blue Hovatter
motioned:
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) supports the City Staff’s Midtown
Commercial Redevelopment Project and its proposed Budget. The EAC believes that this
project fits with and enhances the City’s existing plans, projects, and values including;
City Plan, the Mason Corridor Project, the Economic Vision and Values that came out of
the Economic Vitality and Sustainability Action Group (EVSAG), and the City of Fort
Collins Economic Policy.
The EAC appreciates the City and City Staff taking a proactive approach to the City’s
economic needs. The EAC believes it is strategically important that the City create a
vision for Midtown that will provide future developers of this area a clear understanding
of the where, when and hows of the City’s possible involvement and partnerships in this
area. The EAC views this as an opportunity to inspire the type of redevelopment that fits
with the values of the Fort Collins community.
The motion seconded by Bill Timpson passed unanimously.
Affirmative: Jim Clark, Christophe Febvre, Bill Timpson, Blue Hovatter and Kevin Shaw
Beena Bawa, Stu MacMillan, Tom Clevenger and Rick Price abstained since they were
not present at the meeting.
A passed written Foothills Mall Redevelopment Project motion/recommendation memo
to Council will be included in the read before packet on Tuesday June 9, 2009.
Meeting adjourned 1:48
Agenda Item 5 – Follow up discussion regarding previous meetings
Christophe summarized an email by Tom Clevenger asking for consideration by the
commission in the following 3 areas:
• Electric Utility Rates
• Economic Development incentives along Mason Corridor
• Manufacturing use tax
No recommendations or decisions by the EAC were made.
Agenda Item 6 – General Update of DDA Activities
Matt Robenalt, Executive Director of the Downtown Development Authority presented a
high-level overview of the DDA functions that focus on projects that have benefit for the
entire community.
• DDA Funding
• Tax Increment Financing including examples
• Downtown Plans
• Public and Private Partnerships
• Current Projects Today
• Funding Guidelines
• Steps to complete a project
No recommendations or decisions by the EAC were made.
Agenda Item 7 – Energy Policy
The January 2009 adopted Council Energy Policy was presented as information only
covering the Policy Summary and Implementation Planning.
• Fort Collins Electric Use
• Reliability, Climate and Economic Vitality of Energy Policy Overview
• Energy Policy Goals
• Electric Reliability
• Electric Rates
• Policy Implementation
• Efficiency and Load Management Goals
• Efficiency Goal and Past Results
• Energy Efficiency Plan Savings by Program and Sectors
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure
• Renewable Energy
• Community Outreach
• Electric Use Comparisons
Discussion following the presentation focused on how energy use and savings may affect
large commercial businesses in Fort Collins. No recommendations or decisions were
made by the EAC.
Agenda Item 8 - Discuss next meeting time and location
The EAC plans to invite DeLynn Coldiron or Steve Dush to present at the July 1, 2009
meeting to discuss an overview of Development Review Fees.
The EAC may invite Kurt Ravenschlag to present his final TSP for July 1, 2009.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 1, 2009 posted on the
Fort Collins main web page event calendar http://www.fcgov.com
Agendas: http://fcgov.com/cityclerk/economic-advisory.php
Submitted Erin Gill, Executive Administrative Assistant