HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 12/03/2008For Reference:
Minutes
City of Fort Collins
Economic Advisory Commission
Regular Meeting
300 Laporte Ave City Hall
December 3, 2008
11:00-1:00 p.m.
Christophe Fabvre, Chair 227-0282
Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Council Liaison 416-2154
Mike Freeman, Staff Liaison 416-2253
Erin Gill, Minutes 221-6505
Commission Members Present:
Blue Hovatter, Bill Timpson, Christophe Febvre, Rick Price, Beena Bawa, Stu
MacMillan
Commission Members Absent:
Jim Clark, Kevin Shaw
Guests:
Ann Hutchinson, Chamber of Commerce
Citizen Steve Yurash
Citizen Tom Clevenger
Staff Present:
Erin Gill
Mike Freeman, Chief Financial Officer
Agenda Item I — Meeting Call to Order
Meeting called to order 1 1:03 a.m.
Agenda Item 2 — Approval of Minutes
Unanimous approval of minutes November 12, 2008
Agenda Item 3 - Public Comment
Steve Yurash commented on the economic viability of tracking hotel occupancy rates in
Fort Collins.
Tom Clevenger commented on how the Owl Canyon Corridor Project could benefit The
City of Fort Collins
Agenda Item 4 — Member updates and discussion
Bill Timpson referenced an article highlighting how Thorns located in Northampton, Ma
seems to be a very successful story of local small business incubation.
Agenda Item 5 — 2009 Work Plan and Agenda
Economic Advisory Commission — 2009 Workplan
The Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) met in November of 2008 to discuss goals
for the upcoming year. Following is a summary of the Workplan. The EAC identified
key economic themes that support overall economic health in Fort Collins. EAC will use
these themes to organize their workplan and as a filter to evaluate and screen ideas and
issues that will surface in the next year.
Economic/Finance Policies
• Review City incentives and approaches for retaining and attracting businesses
• DDA/URA's/Metro Districts/TOD Overlay Zone: These are all different tools used
by the City to help encourage economic development. How are they working and
should there be future expansions?
• Review City revenue and tax policies to evaluate opportunities for diversifying
revenue streams
• Review recommendations for addressing poverty in the community.
• Study current recession impacts on downtown Fort Collins.
• Study and comment on forthcoming tax increase proposals from City Council.
• Provide recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the Economic Clusters
approach.
Transportation/Infrastructure Issues
• Mason Corridor Continued Discussion — Review the city's latest plans for the Mason
Street Corridor if specific plans can be presented. Discuss redevelopment of some of
the "big box" spaces such as Wal-Mart and Target. Discuss possibly of some of the
new mixed use ideas at the comer of College and Prospect for example.
• Transit Strategic Plan
Land use and Long Range Planning
• Buildable lands inventory
• Targeted industries land inventory
• Harmony gateway
• CSU Business Park
Community Amenities/Quality of Life
• Community Marketplace
Arts and Culture
• Arts Alliance Proposal
• Beet St
• Bohemian Project
Projects
• Presentation on 2009 Downtown Development Authority initiatives
• Presentation on 2009 UniverCity Connections initiatives
• Presentation on Campus West redevelopment potential
• Presentation on Foothills Mall redevelopment potential
• North College Ave Urban Renewal Area Plan
• DDA Projects Presentation
Agenda Item 6 — Discuss next meeting time, location and agenda
Next meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2009 posted on the
Fort Collins main web page event calendar http://www.fe�,,ov.coin
Agendas: http://fcgov.com/cityclerk/economic-advisory.php
Submitted Erin Gill, Executive Administrative Assistant