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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-10 Economic Development Council minutes V 9x ip co. City of Bozeman Economic Development Council (EDC) Approved Meeting Minutes June 3, 2010 10:30 am— 12:00 pm Bozeman City Hall Yellowstone Conference Room Attending: EDC - Gary Bloomer (Tech Ranch), Cheryl Ridgely (Bozeman Deaconess Hospital), Chris Westlake (Midwest Welding and Machine), Tracy Menuez (Human resource Development Council), Daryl Schliem (Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce), Chris Mehl (Bozeman City Commission); Eugene Graf(Graf Construction/Real Estate) Absent: Stuart Leidner(Prospera Business Network) Staff: City Manager Chris Kukulski and Brit Fontenot, Assistant to the City Manager Public: Mr. Michael Blanck Mr. Tom Starner Unknown A. Call to Order Chairman Westlake called the meeting to order at 10:30 am. B. Public Comment There was no public comment. C. Action Items I. Brief overview of EDC direction from the May 20 EDC meeting. (Westlake— 10 minutes) 1 Chairman Westlake briefly reviewed the direction of the EDC from the May 20"' EDC meeting and stated that the EDC will continue to discuss each of the City of Bozeman Economic Development Plan (EDP) Section VII 1 —6 (see below): a. Support the expansion and retention of existing businesses and economic clusters that will continue to strengthen and diversify the economy and create higher paying jobs in Bozeman. b. Maintain and upgrade infrastructure to support current and future needs of business. C. Support education and workforce development initiatives to provide Bozeman with the qualified workers to meet the needs of business. d. Leverage local, state and federal economic development resources to enhance economic growth in Bozeman. e. Create a more collaborative and effective working partnership between the business community and the City of Bozeman and effectively manage the City of Bozeman's regulatory environment to accomplish goals without hindering business expansion and economic growth. f. Maintain the high quality of life that is considered an important asset to the business community. Discussion of City of Bozeman Economic Development Plan Section VII No. 1 a- f,Support the expansion and retention of existing businesses and economic clusters that will continue to strengthen and diversify the economy and create higher payingjobs in Bozeman. (Westlake/Schliem— 60 minutes) Mr. Schliem reviewed the Section VII,No. 1 (Support the expansion and retention of existing businesses and economic clusters that will continue to strengthen and diversify the economy and create higher paying jobs in Bozeman.) to highlight the work currently being done by the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) and in partnership with the City of Bozeman especially in the areas of business retention and recruitment. Currently, there are several areas of the Chamber's Economic Development Division work plan that overlap with the EDP's Goals and Strategies (Section VII). 2. EDC liaison duties and responsibilities discussion. (Kukulski/Fontenot— 10 minutes) Bozeman City Manager Chris Kukulski introduced Brit Fontenot as the staff liaison to the EDC and briefly outlined liaison duties and responsibilities. 3. Next steps/agenda items for June 17, 2010 EDC meeting. (Westlake — 5 minutes) 2 Chairman Westlake reminded the EDC that the topic for the June 17'1' EDC meeting is a discussion of the EDP Section VII No. 2 a—e: Maintain and upgrade infrastructure to support the current and future needs of business. a. Maintain infrastructure (city service or private service) at safe and efficient levels to satisfy the current and future needs for economic expansion. The condition of streets and sidewalks, water and sewer, gas and electric distribution, communications, and solid waste disposal all affect how efficiently businesses conduct their operations. It also contributes to business retention and recruitment efforts. b. Support and encourage the efforts to develop larger convention or conference center facilities to attract larger statewide or regional meeting and convention business to Bozeman. C. Support or lead efforts to develop an industrial park to meet the needs of existing and future manufacturing or industrial businesses. d. Support the efforts of the Gallatin Airport Authority and others to maintain and expand air service at Gallatin Field Airport in recognition of the importance of Gallatin Field Airport to Bozeman's economy. e. Support the further development of technology park areas to meet the needs of existing and future technology based companies. D. FYI/Discussion There was no FYI/Discussion. E. Adjournment Chairman Westlake adjourned the meeting at 12:25 pm. *Full audio of the meeting is available upon request. is Westlake, Chairman ATTEST: Brit Fontenot, Rssistantto the City Manager 3 PREPARED Brit Fontenot, ASV tant to the City Manager Approved on 4