HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 12/15/20101
Minutes
City of Fort Collins
Economic Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
300 LaPorte Ave
City Hall
December 15, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
For Reference:
Christophe Febvre, Chair 227-0282
Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Council Liaison 416-2154
Mike Freeman, Staff Liaison 416-2259
Wendy Bricher, Minutes 221-6506
Commission members present:
Christophe Febvre; Tom Clevenger; Rick Price; Stu MacMillan; Bill Timpson; Beena Bawa
Commission members absent:
Blue Hovatter
Kevin Shaw
Jim Clark
Guests:
Eric Sutherland
Staff Present:
Mike Freeman, Chief Financial Officer
Josh Birks, Economic Advisor
Wendy Bricher, Minutes
Megan Bolin
Mayor Hutchinson – Council Liaison
Agenda Item 1: Meeting called to order
Meeting called to order 11:02 a.m.
Agenda Item 2: Approval of minutes
11/17/10 minutes to be approved at the January 2011 meeting.
Agenda Item 3: Public Comment
Eric Sutherland wished to follow-up on his counterpoint regarding the SMART Grid Project; he believes
the 15million spent on smart meters is a waste of money and that Utilities favorable rates come from
extreme tax advantages that are free from regulations. He believes that the decisions being made
regarding SMART Grid are based on misinformation. Rick Price asked that Mr. Sutherland provide, in
writing, his top two reasons why he opposed the SMART Grid project and 3rd party documents/studies
backing up his reasons.
Financial Services
300 LaPorte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
2
Agenda Item 4: Follow-up discussion regarding previous meetings
The EAC discussed the following tax diversification item: “Direct staff to research what other cities have
done to diversify, stabilize, “green”, and make more equitable and “intelligent” City tax and fee revenues.
After discussion, Tom Clevenger motioned that the item be tabled until the next meeting, and in the
meantime, EAC members will communicate to refine the proposal and bring it back in January for
follow-up and a possible motion.
The EAC also discussed the following tax diversification item: “Direct staff to research what other cities
have done to reduce leakage of dollars out of the city’s sales tax and fee jurisdiction”. Following the
discussion, Bill Timpson made the following motion, seconded by Tom Clevenger. After discussion and
unanimous approval, the EAC made the following recommendation to City Council:
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) recommends to City Council that the City explore the
benefits of a local preference policy for City procurement.
Agenda Item 5: Member Updates/ Future Agenda Items Discussion (6 mo planning calendar)
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) has had discussions during the course of several meetings
about the opportunity for positive economic impact from the I-25 corridor. The EAC feels signage would
have a positive economic impact on the City of Fort Collins by bringing in additional traffic that might
otherwise bypass the City for lack of awareness. The EAC, by unanimous approval (six in favor, three
absent), made the following recommendation to City Council:
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) recommends to City Council that one or more signs be
placed along I-25 welcoming visitors to Fort Collins, and that this be integrated with the proposed
Gateway Standards.
Agenda Item 6: Section 108 Loan Program – Megan Bolin
Megan Bolin provided information and answered questions regarding the Section 108 Loan Program.
The program is offered through a HUD_CDBG Block Grant and allows the City to leverage in the form
of a loan to third party borrowers. Typical areas for this type of loan include URA plan zones, enterprise
zones, and the downtown development Authority. Following discussion, The EAC, by unanimous
approval (six in favor, three absent), made the following recommendation to City Council:
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) recommends to City Council that the Section 108 Loan
Program be supported with emphasis toward primary manufacturing employment.
Agenda Item 7: Finalize Annual Work Plan
After review and discussion, the 2011 Work Plan was finalized and will be sent to the Council Liaison for
review (Mayor Hutchinson) in December.
Agenda Item 8: Economic Health Action Plan
Mike Freeman informed the EAC that Council has approved monies in 2011 to do a strategic
economic plan. This will be a long-term competitive analysis that looks further into the future and
will be incorporated into the Economic Action Plan as action items. It will include the vision,
focused strategies, goals, action items and outcomes. The EAC will be an integral part of this process,
will be involved in shaping the scope of the project, and be integrated in all key decision making
steps. The Economic Health Action Plan will look at whom we are competing with, how we compete
with them, and competition outside of the US in addition to many other things. This plan will be
more specific to strategies and details than Plan Fort Collins. The City Council would like the EAC
to be innovative, and not produce an old fashioned, 1950’s outdated economic plan.
Meeting adjourned at 1:32 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 19, 2011 from 11:00-1:30