HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 - Economic Advisory Commission - Annual ReportEconomic Advisory Commission
2009 Annual Report
The EAC consists of nine members meeting regularly the first Wednesday of every
month. The board receives regular updates from staff and advises City Council on matters
pertaining to the economic health and sustainability of the city. The board continues to
gather community input on economic issues and represent the ideas expressed.
Members who served in 2009 include Chair, Christophe Febvre, Vice-chair, Kevin Shaw,
Beena Bawa, Blue Hovatter, Stu MacMillan, Jim Clark, Bill Timpson, Tom Clevenger
and Rick Price.
In 2009, the EAC hosted a panel on entrepreneurship in the community. The EAC has
expressed interest in hosting additional community forums in 2010.
2009 Year in Review:
The following are items the Economic Advisory Commission was briefed upon with
formal action taken and a recommendation forwarded to the City Council:
Transit Strategic Plan – Recommendation 08/18/2009
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.
Foothills Mall Redevelopment – Recommendation 6/8/2009
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 how’s 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.
2010 Economic Health Budget – Recommendation 10/20/2009
The Economic Advisory Commission considered the City Manager’s 2010-2011
Economic Health Recommended Budget at a special meeting October 9, 2009.
Commission members expressed their support of the entire 2010-2011 Recommended
Budget and recognize the financial challenges facing the City right now. In the EAC’s
review of the budget, the Commission identified two offers that the group strongly urges
the City Council to consider funding. These include the River District Redevelopment
Action Plan and second, supporting full funding to the Uniquely Fort Collins/Software
Cluster. The EAC strongly believes that planning for a vibrant downtown Fort Collins,
with quality cultural entertainment as part of the plan, can positively affect the Economic
Health of Fort Collins.
Poverty and Economic Health in Fort Collins – Recommendation 10/29/2009
In order to introduce a systemic approach to address poverty in the City of Fort Collins
the EAC recommends the following:
1. City Council should review (and encourage City staff to do the same) policy
recommendations that come before it with a view to reducing poverty and
improving the economic conditions and opportunities for people in the lower-
income segment of the City economy.
2. City Council should make a proactive effort to include agenda items and
discussions that address the needs and solutions for people in poverty.
3. In considering membership for the Economic Advisory Commission, Council
should seek and consider among the qualified applicants members of the
community who have experience in the economics of poverty, are advocates for
low-income members of the community, or have direct experience with poverty
issues.
4. The mission of the EAC should be amended to include consideration of poverty
issues as appropriate.
5. The City should explore ways in which to amend current tax policies that
disproportionately burden the lowest income members of the community.
Mason Corridor – Recommendation 11/5/2009
The Economic Advisory Commission was presented the Mason Corridor Study summary
of findings, corridor development potentials, and public finance options. All commission
members present at the meeting unanimously agreed to make the following
recommendation to Council:
The Economic Advisory Commission recommends to Council that City staff take a pro-
active position towards implementing economic development incentives along the entire
length of the Mason Street Rapid Transit Corridor with the intent to achieve development
and re-development for the Economic Health of the City.
The following are items the Economic Advisory Commission was briefed upon but no
action was taken:
1. Parks and Recreation Policy Plan Update
2. Ongoing Financial Updates
3. Overview of City Economic Incentives
4. Overview of the Downtown Development Authority Programs and Services
5. Priority Redevelopment Sites Discussion
6. Buildable Lands Inventory
7. Manufacturing Use Tax Overview