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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-11-18 Economic Development Commission SummaryECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE November 18, 1986 Kenai City Hall Vince O' Reiliy, Chairman 1. OPENING REMARKS BY MAYOR WILLIAMS Mayor Williams quoted the newspaper which called this body the "Blue Ribbon Committee" and hope it is perceived as such. The purpose of the group is multiple. Each person has been hand picked for individual talents which will contribute to the whole. The Mayor gave a summary of the financial condition of the state, relating to the body that he had met With Oral Freeman. Considering the financial problems of the state, the City will have to look to itself for our financial future. The City of Kenai is in a good financial condition, more so than some other Alaskan communities and it is unknown how long we can maintain that condition and it is here that the duty of the Committee will lie. Mr. O'Reilly stated that part of what the body will look at is identifying if there is a problem, if so, do we want to proceed to becoming a commission or committee; and next, identify what, who, and how. Mr. O'Reilly asked for a consensus of the Committee for a meeting date, preferably twice a month. The Committee agreed on the first and third Tuesday of each month with additional meetings as needed. Considering the deadline for the submittal and approval of the budget, Mayor Williams and the Committee agreed to redefine the deadline, setting it from April 1st to May 1st. 2. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN MOTION' Committee Member Carter moved to nominate Vince O'Reilly, seconded by Committee Member Scott. VOTE- Motion passed unanimously. 3. OPEN DISCUSSION Chairman O'Reilly asked for input from each of the. members present to ascertain an opinion from those present whether or not a .problem does exist. The Committee agreed that, indeed, a problem does exist, citing unemployment figures, rate of business failures, and other factors. ECONOMIC DEVELOP~.'.NT COMMITTEE November 18, 1986 Page 2 One suggestion was to have a survey done, either in-house or through an independent firm. The survey would be to develop a consumer preference data base. One such survey done in Ketchikan several years ago accomplished in 6 weeks, what the Council had attempted to do in 2 years. Another suggestion was to look into the investments made by the City outside the state. Could those investments be made within the' State or, ~preferably the City. The Committee agreed that Kenai has very good basics; paved streets, a sewer treatment plant, good schools, a good airport and transportation system, and many more all which contribute to a greater potential. The Committee voiced the opinion that 'had a Committee such as this existed 3 or 4 years ago, the City would no be in the situation it is now, and should it be on-going, another such situation could be avoided. 4. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Committee will be ~uesda¥, December 2, 1986 commencing at 7'00 PM in the Council Chambers. Janet A. Loper Secretary to the Committee MAYOR'S COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT I8 Committee is to- A) Analyze economic development B) What part of those activities are presently (or capable of) being performed by others 1. Federals - EDA, SBA 2. State - Dept of Commerce Dept of Community & Regional Affairs Others 3. Borough 4. Chamber of Commerce 5. Other business promotion groups C) Look at some method of unifying or strengthening present groups D) Find direction how should proceed a) Major economic promotion b) Small business promotion c) Examine retraints to economic growth of present business (way they are? by whom?) d) Find sources of economic data base for state and area e) Recommend innovative steps 1. small business incupators 2. form non-profit corps 3. form profit corps f) Recommendation to Council including commission POSSIBLE ,C~QMMITTEE MEMBERS Hugh Malone Mike Meeks Jim Elson Paul Weller Mrs. Rosanna Sheldon ? Coral Seymour George Miller Glenn Jackson Vince O'Reilly Dorothy Krzyzanoski ? George Ford Bob Scott Jim Carter Head of Chamber? Daryn Bond A representative of: youth? religious affiliation? state type? veterans group? native group?