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Item 21 Staff Report Council Discussion and Direction on the Formation of an Economic Vitality Roundtableowiffn, Eg IIW tt 49S•roi DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: MEETING DATE: 1/21/03 ITEM NO. COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT JANUARY 13, 2003 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON THE FORMATION OF AN ECONOMIC VITALITY ROUNDTABLE RECOMMENDATION: Council discussion and direction on the formation of an Economic Vitality Roundtable BACKGROUND: The Town of Los Gatos is taking a more proactive role to support the local economy. In December 2001, the Town hired its first full-time Redevelopment/Economic Development professional to focus on local economic development issues. In July, 2002, the Council adopted the Town of Los Gatos Economic Vitality Program. The Program is intended to serve as one of the many tools to implement the Town of Los Gatos General Plan and enhance the fiscal stability of the Town. DISCUSSION: As one of the discussion areas for the Council retreat on January 11, 2003, staff provided the Town Council with an annual review of the Economic Vitality Program that discussed the accomplishments in 2002 and the goals and objectives for the year 2003. The Council expressed an interest in the formation of an Economic Vitality Roundtable to advise the Town on its economic vitality efforts. Attachment 1 provides a summary of similar types of advisory groups from local and other cities. As can be seen, there is no one model that stands out, rather, each is tailored to fit each individual city's needs. In forming an Economic Vitality Roundtable, the Council may wish to consider the following questions: (Continued on Page 2) PREPARED BY: Marty Woodworthn"(46' Redevelopment Manager Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager / Town Attorney Clerk Finance Community Development Revised: 1/15/03 8:36 am Reformatted: 5/30/02 PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: FORMATION OF ECONOMIC VITALITY ROUNDTABLE January 13, 2003 • . What should be the mission of the Group? What are the goals and objectives of the Group? What should the composition of the Group be? Should it be broadly or narrowly focused? How often should the Group meet? Is adequate Town staffing available? Should it begin on a "Pilot Project" basis? Should the name be the "Economic Vitality Roundtable?" The Council may wish to consider a Roundtable that is structured similar to that of Cupertino and Santa Clara. Both of these cities have groups that have two or three Council Members, staff from appropriate departments, and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce that represent the business community. They meet either monthly, quarterly, or as needed. Their mission is to enhance the business environment and address various economic development issues as they may arise. The Town Council may wish to expand the membership and more clearly define the role of the Los Gatos Economic Vitality Roundtable. The Roundtable could take the role of recommending policy to the Town Council or function more like a "roundtable" where different economic vitality issues are discussed. It is anticipated that such a Roundtable would be subject to the requirements of the Brown Act. CONCLUSION: Staff has provided information they may help the Council form an Economic Vitality Roundtable. Upon Council direction regarding the questions noted above, staff will further develop the concept, solicit prospective members, and return to the Council for formal approval. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. FISCAL IMPACT: The formation of the Economic Vitality Roundtable should be able to be staffed with existing resources. It is anticipated that the Economic Vitality Roundtable and other economic vitality efforts will have a positive impact on the Town and its resources. Attachments: 1. Summary of Economic Advisory Groups from selected cities Distribution: Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce N:\DEV1MartylEconomic Vitality Programladvisorycommitteecouncilreportjan212003.wpd SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC ADVISORY GROUPS FROM SELECTED CITIES, JANUARY 2003 Morgan Hill The Chamber of Commerce has an Economic Development Committee made up of chamber members. They have a sub -committee on each attraction and retention. They meet monthly and conduct business surveys and make business retention and attraction calls. Morgan Hill City staff attends the meetings and assists with the efforts. Morgan Hill also has formed a council sub- committee (two council members) who meet with city staff to review potential projects or development opportunities. They meet on an "as needed" basis. San Mateo An economic development advisory committee was formed in 1997 to work on a city-wide economic development strategy. Committee members represented the residential community (4 members), small business (2 members) and large business and developers (3 members). It was disbanded after the City Council adopted the strategy in November, 1998. They were called back for annual reviews for the next two years, but fewer and fewer people attended, so they have not been utilized since. Palo Alto The mayor has recently formed an Ad Hoc Committee on the City's Economic Base as a result of concerns about the currently loss of revenue to the city as a result of the downturn in the economy. The group has four council members as well as staff from City Manager's Office, Administrative Services, Planning and Community Environment and the Utilities Department. Staff will be putting together a strategy following the completion of business outreach visits and prepare a presentation to City Executive Staff. Santa Cruz Recently their chamber of commerce organized an Economic Development Committee which has yet to have its first meeting. It has representation from the city the form of the Mayor, Vice -Mayor and Redevelopment Director. There are also representatives from the Chamber, University of California at Santa Cruz and the Arts/Tourism community. One of the Chamber's objectives is to make some input into the Economic Development element of the General Plan. Mountain View Mt. View has a 14 member downtown committee (DTC) with 2 subcommittees: 1) economic development, and; 2) parking. Members of the DTC are appointed by the City Council and they must be a downtown business or property owner. The DTC also has a representative from the Chamber, Central Business Association, and one council member. Attachment 1 Page 2 The DTC is an advisory group to the city council on issues associated with the downtown that includes parking and economic development. A primary responsibility has been to look at zoning in downtown and strive for a good balance of commercial and residential uses. They also advise the council on programs to upgrade and attract new retailers to the downtown. Santa Clara The City of Santa Clara has had an economic development advisory group for several years. It is a sub -committee of the City Council with membership including three council members, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and representation from various city departments. They meet on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as needed. They advise the City Council on various economic development issues. Cupertino The Economic Development Committee consists of four city staff members, two city council members and four representatives from the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce. The primary goals of the committee are to enhance the business environment, recruit compatible businesses to the city, develop a sense of public/private partnerships through the development of business and community relationships, work with existing business to identify and eliminate any barriers to retention or redevelopment, enhance and promote a strong local economy to provide municipal services that business and residents desire and need to maintain the community's quality of life. Meetings are held at 8:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Vancouver The Vancouver Economic Development Commission is a non-profit organization created by the City of Vancouver. Working closely with the business community and with City Hall. VEDC's mandante is to promote economic development for the city by encouraging a healthy business environment. VEDC is comprised of a 15-member board drawn from Vancouver's business comunity, and a 5-member staff complement led by the executive director. Downers Grove, Illinois The Downers Grove Economic Development Commission facilitates balanced economic growth the enhances the quality of life in Downers Grove. The Commission is composed of 13 Board Members and staff. The Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Village Council, appoints members and the Chairperson of the Commission. Members serve staggered terms of three years. Staff consists of a Director, an Assistant Director and An Administrative Assistant. The EDC's regularly scheduled meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m. Page 3 Hartford, Connecticut Hartford Economic Development Commission is a public/private partnership created by the City Council in 1999 to serve as the principal economic development agent for the City. The City has entrusted HEDC with its vision for prosperous growth and has charged HEDC to lead the development of the new Hartford, HEDC provides one-on-one services to corporations and small neighborhood businesses throughout the city. HEDC is also an active partner with Hartford 2000 in the Neighborhood Training Institute to train Hartford's neighborhood leaders to help revitalize their communities. Jacksonville, Florida The Jacksonville, Florida Economic Development Commission is comprised of seven voting members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Supporting the Commission are twelve (12) Ex Officio Advisors including representatives from the City's independent authorities, the City Council, the Duval Delegation, Jacksonville Urban League, the local chapter of the NAACP, the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the beach communities. Additionally, the Commission utilizes a 17-member group of Technical Advisors that represent several City Departments and boards and committees housed under the JEDC. Educational issues are also represented through appointed Technical Advisors from the Duval County Public Schools, the University of North Florida and the Florida Community College of Jacksonville. N:IDEV\Marty\Economic Vitality Program\adviseattachjan212003.wpd Town Council Minutes January 21, 2003 Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California TOWN COUNCIL RETREAT (20.28) Pamela Jacobs, Assistent Town Manager, reviewed the following topics discussed by Council at the retreat: Council -Commission Relationship Issues; Economic Development Issues; Human Needs Assessment; Town Hall in the Neighborhoods; Resident Satisfaction Survey; Enhanced Communication Methods; and Youth Summit. Mr. Glickman suggested that youth participate in a facilitated youth summit without adult leaders of organizations present. He would prefer to have someone facilitate and enable the students to share their ideas. Mr. Wasserman asked for further information and review on e-mail networking and ways to communicate with the community on a wider level. Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council approve the minutes from the Town Council Retreat held January 10 and 11, 2003 and validate the directions Council has discussed with staff. Carried unanimously. ECONOMIC VITALITY ROUNDTABLE (21.27) Marty Woodworth, spoke of the research done by staff on this subject and the review of other cities' use of and success with these roundtables. The compilation of this information offered a variety of options for forming such a working group. He spoke of forming a committee to meet the specific needs of Los Gatos as a community. He asked that Council consider identifying the mission, goals and objectives of such a roundtable, and what the composition of this group should be to successfully meet its designated purpose. Council Comments and Consensus: It was suggested that the name of the roundtable be the Economic Vitality Advisory Committee with a mission to advise the Town Council on economic vitality policies and programs needed to support and enhance the quality of life in Los Gatos. Economic vitality ensures a diversification of businesses providing strength to withstand the economic fluctuations of the market place and it is the responsibility of the Town to recognize and encourage that balance. A goal of providing the goods and services needed and desired by our residents should also be included. This committee should be comprised of a geographical and industrial cross section of the Town representing all segments and components of the Town's economic strengths. The committee should meet at least quarterly but commence at first every other month. Jim Derryberry, representing the Chamber of Commerce, agreed with Council's comments and affirmed that the Chamber would be working on this program with Marty Woodworth. Council Consensus that staff pursue the formation of an Economic Vitality Committee and report back to Council. N:\CLK\Council Minutes\2003\M 01-21-03.wpd 7