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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-11 Economic Development Council MinutesCity of Bozeman Economic Development Council (EDC) Meeting Minutes August 4, 2011 10:30 am —12:00 pm Madison room, City Hall, 121 N. Rouse Members Attendin Chris Westlake (Midwest Welding and Machine), Tracy Menuez (Human Resource Development Council), Cheryl Ridgely (Bozeman Deaconess Hospital), Daryl Schliem (Bozeman Chamber of Commerce), Chris Mehl (City Commission) Anders Lewendal (Contractor) Members Absent: Wendy Bay Lewis (Career Coach/Corp. Trainer) Staff Present: Chris Kukulski, (City Manager), Brit Fontenot (Director of Economic Development), Aimee Kissel (Deputy City Clerk — taking minutes), Mark Johnson, Police Department Guests / Public Present: John McGlenn, Intern and student from Montana State University Jodie DeLay, Montana State University, Assistant Director of Public Relations NOTE: These minutes are not word for word and should be considered in addition to the audio recording of the meeting. A. Call to Order — Chair Chris Westlake Chris Westlake called the meeting to order at 10:34 a.m. B. Minutes — July '7, 2011 It was moved hl Daryl Schlicm, seconded by Stuart Leidner to approve the minutes of Jul 7 3 2011. The motion passed unanimously, B. Public Comment None. 1 of 9 Mimiles of the Eeonoi)dc Developmew Cowicilfiw August 4, 2011 C. Non-Action Items 1. Bozeman Police Business League (Mark Johnson, Police) Lieutenant Johnson spoke regarding the newly implemented Bozeman Police Business League. The League has about forty business members so far with the l" meeting happening August 1©`" in the City Commission room at 6 p.m. This meeting will explain to business owners the goals of the league and hear from business owners what they would like to get back from the business league. The purpose of this group is to reach out to businesses in town about crime prevention, safety, work place violence, theft, embezzlement, burglary, crimes of opportunity, etc. Lieutenant Johnson said they plan on having quarterly meetings for educational opportunities on subjects like how to avoid embezzlement. The Police Business League is also teaming up with a local architectural firm to do assessments of business buildings for safety concerns. They would like to teach business owners and employers how to prevent crimes of opportunity. Ultimately, a long term goal is to review crime statistics regularly and send out timely information to businesses. For example, if a stolen check is received from one business, an information exchange would take place quickly to prevent the next business from being a victim. Mr. Westlake said this will help to enable business owners and managers to pass information down to their employees about how to be safe and aware. Answering a question from Ms. Ridgely, Lieutenant Johnson said we have crime statistics for the last three years and comparisons to other Montana cities listed on the annual police report which is available on the city website. He likes to give new businesses a packet of helpful information, Lieutenant Johnson asked EDC members to inform him with any ideas they may have regarding what the police should add to that packet. Answering questions, Lieutenant Johnson stated Bozeman is the second lowest of big cities in Montana for index crime rates (right after Missoula) but when it comes to crime that affect businesses, these crimes can be fairly high in the summer. Lieutenant Johnson explained a neighborhood watch program is on his list to implement. Ile does attend InterNeighborhood Council meetings once a month, and shares information through the Council, but would like to also start a neighborhood watch program. Mr. Fontenot stated he .and Lieutenant Johnson were able to promote the Bozeman Police Business League on the radio recently and he is excited as this is a great opportunity for relationship building as part of a larger effort within the Police Department's Community Policing Strategy. 2. Live Demonstration of the Gallatin Business Resource Network http://www.g,brn.org (John McGlenn) RM Minittes of1he Economic Development Council,for A ugust 4, 2011 Brit Fontenot introduced Montana State University student and city intern John McGlenn who has been working on developing the new Gallatin Business Resource Network. Mr. McGlenn introduced the new website to EDC members. The available resources are continually growing and are close to sixty now. Mr. McGlenn explained some of the website resources include exploring new business concepts, advice on developing and executing a business plan, business consulting, financing, space and expansion. 60% of the resources are located within the Gallatin Valley. One piece they are stilling working on is testimonials. They would like to interview businesses in the valley that have done well. This part of the website will be more of an interactive, interesting area. Between MSU, the Chamber, Jodie DeLay and the City Commission we were able to put this together. The plan for the future is to present the website to MSU administration and then hopefully go through some promotional and marketing events. The business cards are helping with marketing. Mr. McGlenn announced he has also started developing I hone and I applications for GBRN. p Mr. Fontenot announced that GBRN was mentioned this morning in the Business Expansion and Retention Program meeting. Mr. Fontenot also said he would like to ask Greg Gianforte with RightNow to provide a testimonial for the site, Jodie DeLay with Montana State University said that within the next couple weeks, MSU administration will be taking a look at the website and making a decision regarding how much they will become involved in promoting the site. The goal is for the site to be sustainable, with resources that are part of the site keeping their own information updated. They would like promoting to happen through groups that are a part of it and through for profits, banks, business applications and renewals. The site currently comes up as number two in Google searches. Ms. DeLay explained they would like to give businesses on the site the opportunity to really take a look at the site and make sure their information is correct before heavily promoting. Anders Lewendal asked about video testimonials and Mr. McGlenn responded they would be included. Mr. Fontenot explained the link to GBRN is already on the city website and Ms. Kissel showed members where the link is located. The video tour book will also be available on the GBRN website and City site. Ms. Ridgely said she was impressed with the site and asked about details on how a resource would link to the site. Mr. Leidner requested that the link 'add a business' be changed to 'add a resource'. Ms. DeLay explained they are still working on the follow up plan for the site. Cr. Mehl suggested that a Google search function be added to the website. 3 of 9 Abintles r ihc Economic Developinent Council,&-Augusf 4, 2017 Ms. Ridgely mentioned that RightNow Technologies may be able to help optimize portions of the site. Ms. Delay spoke about the possibility in the future of adding a sponsorship element to pay for the cost of updating the site. EDC members thanked the web team for creating a great resource, completing one of the main goals the EDC identified a year ago. Ms. Delay said they will be presenting to MSU in the next several weeks and presenting to the Chamber of Commerce on August 24 1h Mr. Westlake asked that a quick update on the website be added to the next EDC agenda, Mr. Fontenot said this project is illustrative of the importance of the partnership with Montana State University that is continually being built. E. Action Items 1. Follow-up from the July ,nth EDC meeting wherein impact fees and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) were discussed and determine the Economic Development Council's action plan for involvement and/or representation in upcoming impact fee and capital improvement plan discussions (Westlake) Daryl Schliern clarified that the Chamber has no political motive in the candidates that are running for office. He spoke regarding an economic development story that ran in the Chronicle and how they did not mention the positive, current projects that have been developed to improve economic development that Mr. Schliem had mentioned. Chris Westlake said there have been a lot of great things done through the City and partnerships and he feels there is much that needs to be done to promote this progress and reflect back the positive impact the city is having with development. For example, we need to portray the positive economic impact of impact fees to the community. Mr. Kukulski said he would expect this group to talk specifically about how they will become engaged in the current impact fee discussion. The other element is getting the facts out. There is lots of data that can be pushed and driven by EDC members. Mr. Leidner referred to the group and consultant that are studying impact fees. Chris Mehl said the time line for the study to be finished is sometime within the first quarter of next year. A tour of the water treatment plant has already taken place and next week tours of the fire station and wastewater treatment plant will take place. (EDC members invited as well.) After a meeting with the contractor they'll come back with different ways to measure. The board will then make recommendations to the Commission. Sm Minutes of the Economic Developiiew Councilfi)r August 4. 2011 Ms. Ridgely said promoting the good stories is an important goal of the EDC even if they have to publish advertorials in the paper to get those facts out. Ms. Ridgely said it was very helpful to have staff explain impact fees at the last meeting. She said there is a task force assigned to look at this and expert staff and a consultant. She suggested the EDC recognize that this has a significant impact on businesses, and lend our voice to say this is important and don't let this slide while leaving it up to those who are looking at this exclusively. She also suggested focusing on target areas or zones within the city — key areas where things have blighted. If there is a new model she suggested the possibility testing in these areas to build on and move forward. Commissioner Mehl said the consultant was chosen because of their ability to present various options for a variety of zoning. Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding growth rates, specific needs of the community and the infrastructure systems and how they relate to impact fees. These differences within each community greatly affect the rates thus making it difficult to compare fees from municipality to municipality. Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding the background and expertise of the consulting firm hired, Mr. Kukulski said how we fund the transportation side is really where the big dollars come in and where the community is facing underfunded infrastructure. Cr. Mehl spoke to the city charging 60% of what was recommended on street impact fees as an example that the issue is not just driven by science. Cr. Mehl also asked whether the EDC would like to offer advice to the impact fee committee now or focus on offering CIF recommendations which no one else is focusing on. The impact fee committee meetings will be number driven and heavy and time consuming. All the meetings will be noticed with notifications sent through Ms. Kissel. Cr. Mehl confirmed he plans to keep EDC members informed. Anders Lewendal asked if there is consensus in the group whether there is a positive or negative aspect to impact fees for economic development, Mr. Westlake responded that the EDC has not discussed that one way or another. Mr. Lewendal said if there is a consensus, the EDC should discuss what numbers would make an impact and recommendations for how to fund it. Mr. Lewendal asked whether lower impact fees make a significant impact on who comes to town and who does not. Mr. Kukulski said it does have an effect but on the development side impact fees is not the end of what goes out particularly on road construction. Developers may spend much more on street infrastructure than on street impact fees. 5 of 9 Alinittes ref the Ecoiwmic DevelopneW ("Otinedfir A7t gi4st 4, 2011 Cr. Mehl spoke to looking at the question, 'Do well capitalized cities do better than undercapitalized citiesT Chris Westlake asked whether a scenario of a 0 impact fee is being studied and if so how the money would then be raised? Mr. Kukulski said the consultant's scope of work does not include the 0 question however Ms. Rosenberry showed the Commission what the utility rates would be if there was no impact fees. Mr. Leidner spoke regarding how speculations are very challenging in an impact fee study. Decisions are made on a whole variety of different elements. Part of the reason the Gallatin Valley continues to grow is because of the quality of life and the services available through the City, Mr. Leidner said the EDC as a body should recognize these have impacts and there are benefits of tweaking and looking at options while ensuring that services are still able to be paid all while still encouraging an approach that helps continue business growth. Members discussed the variety of different components involved and how they must be weighed. Cr. Mehl said the City Commission is not interested in tax reform at this time. This body can go to the City Commission with recommendations but Cr. Mehl doesn't know what the outcome would be. Tax reform is not within the scope of work for the impact fee study. The community should always review a structure that meets the needs of infrastructure and is least harmful to the community. The EDC may want to take a three to five year view for this type of proposal. Cr, Mehl said he would hope the EDC would look at revenue in a broad view. In the short run — do you want zones, should the city supplement impact fees with other revenue streams? Mr. Kukulski emphasized how the transportation impact fees are much more controversial and have much more of an impact than the other impact fees such as water, sewer and fire, Ms. Ridgely said based on what she is hearing, the EDC feels that yes this is important, it is being identified, addressed, contracts have been signed and it would make sense for EDC to move on and address other things knowing this is in place. The EDC would then be interested in presentations and reports when the study comes in unless Cr. Mehl or staff would ask for something from this group. Daryl Schliem asked if there are mechanisms in place to recommend a different time frame for paying fees. Cr. Mehl said what we need from all citizens is input - whether formal from a group or individuals. It is not a mistake that the EDC was invited to the impact fee committee facility tours. The broader questions that are related is are we targeted, timely and proportional? Are we building the right amount of infrastructure? flow can we incentivize or de-incentivize areas or zones while being very careful not to single anyone out? You need this money, a lot is being 6 of 9 Minutes qflhe Economic DeVelOpn7ei7l Cozincilfi)rAugust 4. 2011 used for future use; is there a way to influence timing to be more palpable to business while it works in a predictable way? Mr. Leidner said if you are really looking at new jobs coming in you need to look at wage rates and how this may relate to impact fees. Discussion occurred among members regarding what communities are doing to differentiate themselves from other communities. Ms. Menuez said some of this goes back to incentives. From an economic development perspective, the discussion should include separate systems that may be related to impact fees but include other rewards. The Council discussed how they would like to continue to be engaged in the impact fee discussion. Motion to wait and see what the experts report and proceed from there while also acknowledging that the EDC does think this subject is very important and while volunteering to be interviewed in the consultant phase. It was moved by Cheryl Rid ge!y, seconded by Anders Lewendal for the EDC to wait and see what the experts report and Procecd from there, while also acknowledging that the EDC does think this subject is veLy important and EDC members are available to be interviewed by the consultant. The motion passed unanimously. Leidner said we will look forward to reports from the dual Commissioner liaison. Ms. Kissel will forward any impact fee advisory committee meetings or information to EDC members. Motion that the EDC accept a role in the CIP Tans and get an understanding and possibly make a recommendation back. It was moved by Daryl Schlieni, seconded by Stuart Leidner that the EDC accept a role in the CIP plans and 2et an understanding and "o sibty make a recommendation back. Discussion on the motion. Mr. Fontenot explained that in October, staff will be looking at the CIP plan based on criteria and rankings that have been established in the past. He would suggest that the EDC add and define ranking criteria that would incorporate economic development related components. Mr. Fontenot will bring to the group the draft CIP so the EDC can weigh in on it. 7 of 9 Allimiles of Ecoiioufic Deivlopijienl Council far August 4, 2011 Mr. Kukulski spoke to the knowledge within the private sector the EDC can bring forward regarding where and when certain infrastructure may be needed to help spur economic development or further a specific project. Further discussion occurred regarding how this motion could be accomplished. Vote on the motion that the EDC accept a role in the CIP plans and get an understanding and possibly make a recommendation back. The motion passed unanimously. F. FYI/Discussion 1. Internal ED team is engaging with LigoCyte and Kenyon Noble. Brit Fontenot reported that the internal economic development team has been very worthwhile and engaged with several companies. 2. Question regarding disadvantage by city boundary — wondering about relationship with the County — should there be some County impact fee? Mr. Westlake brought up questions regarding County impact fees. Mr. Kukulski said those discussions have been ongoing especially regarding roads. 3. Next steps/agenda items for the September 1, 2011 EDC meeting. (Westlake) Mr. Westlake spoke regarding the summits the EDC put on and the feedback that the summits were valued by attendees. He emphasized the need for the EDC to be catalysts. He said one of the items on the next agenda is the manufacturing cluster and free trade zone and whether we should tie that in to a manufacturing cluster summit. He sees the value of the summits as bringing people together to talk and explore, in a very visual value added way. 4. Rocky Mountain Rug Mr. Kukulski said he and staff have been working to try and get the Rocky Mountain Rug issue resolved. S. Bridger Mobile Home Court Mr. Kukulski said he and legal are working on trying to get this issue resolved. 6. Meetings between MSU President Cruzado and City Manager Kukulski Mr. Kukulski reported he recently met with Montana State University President Cruzado and they have decided to meet monthly or every other month with one of the focuses in those discussions being economic development. Mr. Fontenot will attend the next meeting. 8 of 9 Minutes r ef Economi• Developinent Counciljbi•Augusl 4, 2011 G. Adjournment Chris Westlake adjourned the meeting at 12:12 p.m. *NOTE — Full audio of this EDC meeting is available at: hiip://wcblink.bozeman.nct/WebLink . . ........ di� is Westlake, Chair w a a I MAVOR W13 Aimee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk Approved on: September 1, 2011 Economic DevelQpinent Council nwetingv art open to all nienibers of the public. 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