HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-24 Economic Development Commission SummaryECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
September 24, 1987, Thursday, 7:00 pm
Held, Homer Electric Building
Minutes, Regular Meeting
Presiding: Vince O'Reilly, Chairman Pro Tern
1. ROLL
Present Absent
Vince O'Reilly
Darren Bond
Penny Dyer
Jim Elson
Bob Scott
Barry Thomson
Jim Carter (Excused)
In Attendance: Mayor John Williams
2. COMMISSIONERS SWORN IN
a. Commissioners were sworn in by Mayor Williams.
b. Mayor Williams welcomed the Commissioners and remarked
on the research done by the Economic Development Committee
and of their recommendation to establish a commission on
economic development. The agreement was made to set in
motion the plans for an Economic Development Commission.
The Mayor thanked the Commissioners for their dedication to
the City of Kenai, and advised them of the full support of
the City Council, administration and staff.
3. COMMENTS BY CHAIRMAN O ' REILLY
Chairman O'Reilly indicated the high sense of dedication the
commissioners have for the City of Kenai. They also bring
expertise and professionalism from their various fields.
Chairman O'Reilly thanked the Mayor and welcomed his counsel
at any time.
Mayor Williams mentioned to the commissioners that this
commission was far different that any other that the city
has and his desire that this commission stay above the
political spectrum, should stay remote from the politics of
the city. This gives a very independent status and the only
thing non-independent about the status is, the ultimate
decision of anything final, will still be brought to the
Council.
Chairman O'Reilly asked about selection of offices of the
commission. Mayor Williams indicated the choosing of the
officers are for the commission to decide. Mayor Williams
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
September 24, 1987
COMMISSION
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advised the Commissioners that ad hoc members and sub-
committees they may want to appoint, to be chaired by
members of this commission, will be at the commission's
discretion. Mayor Williams asked that their names be sent
to him so that he knows there is a sub-committee being
chaired, and by whom and who the members are.
4. WORK SESSION
Election of officers was the first item addressed, and under
Other Business, Chairman O' Reilly will report on his
conversation with Mr. Steadman.
a. Election of Officers.
Chairman O'Reilly opened nomination for Chairman.
Commissioner Bond nominated Chairman O' Reilly. The
nomination was seconded by Commissioner Thomson.
Commissioner Elson moved the nominations be closed and
seconded by Commissioner Bond. Passed by unanimous consent.
Commissioner Scott asked if the commission would have
Chairman. All agreed to have a Vice Chairman.
a Vice
Commissioner Scott nominated Commissioner Dyer.
Commissioner Bond seconded the nomination. Commissioner
Elson moved the nominations be closed and seconded by
Commissioner Bond. Passed by unanimous consent.
be
Possible Division of Responsibilities.
Chairman O'Reilly explained and gave examples of how this
division and responsibilities would take place according to
expertise and knowledge in that certain field. A committee
could be established with a Commissioner to chair the
committee with non-commissioned members on the committee.
This will have to be classified at a future date, with
specific areas and who would take responsibility for these
different committees.
Discussion took
Commissioner Elson
these projects and
place. Chairman O'Reilly appointed
and Thomson to develope catagories for
areas that need to be looked at.
Chairman O'Reilly also suggested
to identify the commissioners.
The commissioners also
commission meetings.
agreed to
business cards be printed
a 9:30 pm cut-off time for
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
September 24, 1987
page -3-
Commissioner Elson suggested a fifteen minute time for
discussion of current events and have this category as a
standard item on the agenda. All agreed.
c. Public In-put Policy.
Chairman O'Reilly suggested a fifteen minute segment for
public input, with the Chairman limiting speakers to fifteen
minutes. Discussion was held. It was agreed that Chairman
O'Reilly would be the public contact for persons wishing to
contact the Economical Development Commission for specific
concerns and issues of interest to economic development.
5. S.U. GGESTI..ON LIST MEMO - September 8, 1.98..7
Develope Goals and Objectives. Chairman O'Reilly explained
the purpose. This would establish a goals and objective
policy for the commission to go before Council. The Council,
Administration and the Mayor would know what the commission
is doing and what responsibilities are being addressed, and
if the Council passes the Commission's goals and objective
poliCies, then the Commission has license to operate.
The criteria for the goals and objective policy was
discussed by the commissioners further. Chairman O'Reilly
suggested a process of routing goals through the commission.
Commissioner Dyer suggested establishing support for the
commission. Commissioner Bond suggested the gathering of a
comprehensive data base to have an accurate resource to
establish credibility. Commissioner Thomson explained the
need to continue to update information and decisions.
Commissioner Elson suggested the time may come for the city
to establish a marketing effort for some specific
department, however, the commission should remain credible
at all times.
Discussion was held regarding the gathering of data and
establishing a procedure within the city for input and
retrieval of information as needed for planning.
Chairman O'Reilly defined the goals as the verbalization
and/or literalization (sic) of what the commissioner is
aiming for; an objective, in turn tries to qualify the goal;
and, the strategy and tactics tries to show how to get the
objective and goal accomplished.
Commissioner Elson suggested reviewing other municipalities
on how they gather information and manage their economical
development commission. Commissioner Thomson is going to
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
September 24, 1987
page -4-
Fairbanks in the near future and would be glad to look into
this and gather information to bring back to the commission.
The commission went on to examine the suggestions from the
Chairman's memo to the commissioners.
The possibility of a retail and wholesale trade center was
discussed with different opinions and evaluation of where
this can be improved upon for the future of the City of
Kenai.
Commissioner Dyer expressed the need for more industry.
Commissioner Scott commented on the need to get more people
employed. Sales tax revenue was discussed and comparisons
made within the Kenai Peninsula area.
Commissioner Elson remarked, as a goal, would be to enhance
the economic viability of the City of Kenai; The objective
would be to promote the development of expansion of retails
sales, the need to encourage the utilization of existing
labor force.
Chairman O' Reilly suggested also as an objective, the
encouraging of location of manufacturing.
Commissioner Elson added retailers, tourism and industrial
economic development to cover as a whole. Under data
gathering it was suggested to list economic viability and
quality of life.
Chairman O'Reilly gave the goals as: to enhance the economic
viability of the City of Kenai;
Under objective: a. Promote expansion of retail sales,
b. Promote stability and growth of labor force,
c. Encourage the location of manufacturing facilities and
jobs.
Land use and good land use implementation was discussed as a
consideration for future discussion.
Chairman O'Reilly indicated the possibility of a joint
meeting work session with Mr. Steadman of the borough on
November 19.
The Economical Development Commission will be meeting the
next four Thursdays at the Homer Electric Building.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
September 24, 1987
page -5-
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Niva A. Abur~o .......
dba/Niva's Clerical Services
for the City of Kenai