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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-12 Economic Development Council minutes/ City of Bozeman Economic Development Council (EDC) Meeting Minutes May 3, 2012 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Madison room, City Hall, 121 N. Rouse Members Attending: Cheryl Ridgely (Bozeman Deaconess Hospital), Teresa McKnight, (Montana State University Innovation Campus) Tracy Menuez (Human Resource Development Council), Deputy Mayor Jeff Krauss (liaison) Daryl Schliem (Bozeman Chamber of Commerce) Anders Lewendal (Contractor), Stuart Leidner (Prospera Business Network) Members Absent: John Hoagland (Vice-President of Simms) Staff Present: Chris Kukulski (City Manager), Brit Fontenot (Director of Economic Development and Community Relations), Aimee Kissel (Deputy City Clerk – taking minutes) Kenneth Stocks (Grants) Guests / Public Present: Chris Mehl (City Commission) Rob Gilmore, (Executive Director of NRMEDD), Jason Bacaj (Bozeman Daily Chronicle), Gary Gullickson (Mystery Ranch Backpacks) Warren Vaughan (Gallatin County) NOTE: These minutes are not word for word and should be considered in addition to the audio recording of the meeting. Call to Order Chairperson Daryl Schliem called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m. Public Comment Daryl Schliem opened public comment. Commissioner Chris Mehl announced that Jason Bacaj from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle was present. Seeing no further public comment, Daryl Schliem closed public comment. Minutes – March 1, 2012 and April 5, 2012 Motion and vote to approve the minutes of March 1 and April 5, 2012. It was moved by Anders Lewendal, seconded by Cheryl Ridgely to approve the minutes of March 1 and April 5, 2012 as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. D. Non-Action Items The Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District or NRMEDD. A discussion of the District goals, priorities and the CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) process. (NRMEDD Executive Director Rob Gilmore ~ 70 minutes) Mr. Fontenot introduced Rob Gilmore the new executive director of NRMEDD to the group. Mr. Gilmore began his presentation explaining that their mission is to do economic development strategy planning for Gallatin and Park Counties. The first step they are undertaking is getting a CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in place and ready to submit in September. This process requires a 30 day public comment period, so they need the plan in place in June to meet the time frame. Mr. Gilmore referred to a CEDS document done in Park County in 2002 and then to the hand-out CEDS Summary of Requirements (see attached). Prospera and Headwaters Economics have been helpful in providing local, social and demographics for the CEDS which is a requirement of the plan. The objective is to start looking at the economy, infrastructure, public works, etc. using a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis across the two county regions. Several communities such as Bozeman, Belgrade and Livingston held public meetings. Mr. Leidner spoke regarding the Economic Development Summit that served the CEDS process as a way to gather information from the economic community. The format was very successful. For each of the series of questions, each table provided a lot of discussion and feedback that will be compiled. Mr. Fontenot explained that on May 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. will be a follow up meeting from the Summit. Mr. Gilmore said a summary of data should be forwarded from the Local Government Center this Friday, May 4th. The plan is to put together a report of the Bozeman data and provide via email to everyone that attended the Summit. Livingston and Belgrade both had great turnout at the community meetings. Mr. Gilmore also held public meetings in Clyde Park, Wilsall, Emigrant, Gardiner, Cooke City, Big Sky and a significant event in West Yellowstone. Mr. Gilmore said another objective of the CEDS is to gather lists of projects from the communities. Mr. Gullickson asked whether the private sector could also submit projects. Mr. Gilmore said projects could come from the private sector. The CEDS process will help with planning for the future and to submit to the Economic Development Administration. We may be able to apply for money based on different criteria such as a community’s social economic status or ‘pockets of poverty’ which is based on demographic information within a larger area or for things such as declared emergencies. Mr. Gilmore stressed that all these funds are relatively competitive. Mr. Gilmore explained an input form available on the organization website. (See handout.) He said the month of April was used to gather information. Mr. Leidner was very helpful attending public meetings in outlying areas, gathering existing plans, etc. Mr. Gilmore asked that EDC members email plans, documents, projects that should be included in the CEDS. This can be accomplished through the provided form, or on the website, or via email to Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore explained the month of May will be used to write the CEDS with early June for distribution of the draft to stakeholders and the public for review and comment. Mr. Gilmore said they would like a list of all the projects whether the plans are complete or not. As we look at opportunities for funding, we will be looking for the projects that qualify. Mr. Gullickson asked about how to tie a private sector project into the public sector. Mr. Gilmore explained we can put private sector projects into the plan as partnerships can be built between the private and public sector with the same goals. He spoke further about this process as did Mr. Leidner. Mr. Gullickson asked further about what plans would be appropriate to submit. Mr. Gilmore said he is meeting regularly with all the economic development organizations and leaders to mutually use their combined expertise and resources. Mr. Gilmore encouraged EDC members to help engage the public in this CEDS project and to submit plans, projects, etc. Mr. Leidner emphasized that the cities and counties involved and a strategy committee from the NRMEDD have provided a lot of staff time and resources to get this CEDS moving forward. E. FYI/Discussion Summer 2012 meeting schedule (June – August); Daryl Schliem asked for input from EDC members regarding their summer schedule. Tracy Menuez spoke regarding meeting whether there are action items on the agenda or not with the understanding that there may not be quorums every time as the meetings may be more informational. Deputy Mayor Jeff Krauss spoke regarding the need to continue meeting through the summer, but that July 5th would not be a good meeting date. He spoke for the need for members to continue supporting what Mr. Fontenot is doing throughout the summer. After discussion, the Council decided to cancel the July 5th meeting. Consider a new regular meeting day and time (1st Thursday of each month, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm); and Council members said they are fine with the current meeting day and time. The Council spoke regarding the need to speak with Mr. Hoagland to determine whether he is planning on being a part of the Council and attending meetings or whether we should go forward with finding a member that can attend meetings. Mandeville Farm update The Commission will be discussing Mandeville Farm on Monday night. Housing Ms. Menuez announced that a draft of the cities Affordable Housing plan is now available on the cities website and the Commission will be meeting on this on May 21st and will be accepting comments. Economic Development Team Ms. McKnight referred to a recent article in the paper and asked Mr. Fontenot for an update on any companies that were in the application process. Mr. Fontenot said the ED team has met with several companies recently. Mr. Leidner reported he was doing a presentation and was approached by developers who said working with the city has become a breath of fresh air. The streamlining of the process through the ED team has been working well. Mr. Krauss spoke regarding the need for timeliness with the ED Team. Business Expansion and Retention Program (BERR) Mr. Fontenot said (BERR) has been gathering resources and using them effectively. Warren Vaughan with the County is the local coordinator. This group continues to grow. 7. Gallatin Valley Independent Business Association Mr. Fontenot reported there is interest in revitalizing a local independent group formerly known as the Gallatin Valley Independent Business Association to focus on local businesses. Airport Mr. Fontenot spoke regarding the expansion and rebranding the airport is going through and how to continue to support tourism and employees from around the world. Mr. Kukulski reported that he and MSU President Ms. Cruzado were before the Airport Board recently pitching MSU and Bozeman from an economic development perspective. The reception was mixed. They tried to show some other airport examples that have formed partnerships with a University or city. They will be putting more resources towards that. Mr. Leidner said that Montana PBS has the contract for the television ads at the airport. He asked how we approach PBS with this to get our own ad space. Mr. Kukulski said this is not about advertising but rather promoting this area. Bozeman and MSU are part of the four pillars of the future success of the airport and should be prominently located as you come into and leave the airport. (This portion of the discussion happened a little later in the meeting.) Ms. McKnight spoke regarding promoting Bozeman to business executives as they are waiting for a flight and that many are not aware of the services in Bozeman. She also said Montana Opticom will be partnering with the Innovation Campus. Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding the need to focus with the airport on the job and business expansion side of the airport’s customer base. He feels the airport will need to be presented with a plan. Ms. McKnight provided examples of promotional campaigns used by other airports. Deputy Mayor Krauss spoke regarding contacting PBS and about the possibility of using the promotional videos available on the cities website. (End of excerpt) Mr. Fontenot responded to a question from Mr. Gullickson about several vacant buildings in Bozeman. Mr. Gullickson spoke regarding how important low income housing is to the attraction of business to this community and challenges to housing. Ms. Menuez spoke towards workforce housing and the construction market. Mr. Krauss mentioned that the Mandeville project is one of the biggest assets we have and how we strategize in this group to bring people into it is very important. He would hope the EDC would begin to strategize on that more. Mr. Fontenot said a stakeholders meeting is planned for the Mandeville project later this month and would be a great way for members to know how this is moving forward and get involved. Upcoming Agendas / Schedules June for Mandeville Farm consultants July – meeting CANCELLED August for Airport F. Adjournment Daryl Schliem adjourned the meeting at 11:37 p.m. * NOTE – Full audio of this EDC meeting is available at: http://weblink.bozeman.net/WebLink8/0/fol/46967/Row1.aspx ____________________________________ Daryl Schliem, Chairperson PREPARED BY: ____________________________________ Aimee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk Approved on: Economic Development Council meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability that requires assistance, please contact our ADA Coordinator James Goehrung, at 582-3232 (TDD 582-2301).