HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-21 Ecomomic Development Commission SummaryECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
September 21, 1989 7:00 P.M.
Homer Electric Association Conference Room
Vince O'Reilly, Chairman
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:20 by~Vince O'Reilly,
Chairman.
2. ROLL CALL:
Vince O'Reilly, Marion Nelson, Bob Scott, Barry Thompson,
Jim Elson and Mayor John Williams in attendance.
Absent: Shirley Wallingford
3. ELECTION OF NEW CHAIRPERSON:
Jim Elson nominated Barry Thompson for chairman of the EDC.
Bob Scott seconded the nomination. There were, no other
nominations. Mr. Thompson was elected unanimously.
Chairman Thompson thanked Mr. O'Reilly for his service as
Chairman of the EDC.
4. Chairman Thompson said the first order of business for the
EDC tonight would be to determine what projects the EDC
should be working on, and what direction the Commission
would be taking over the next year. To start with Chair-
man Thompson asked MayOr Williams to talk about his ideas
for the economic development of the City of Kenai.
5. Mayor Williams used the board to list several areas of
development for the City of Kenai. Some of the areas
have current projects under way and some potential projects
were also listed. The list of areas for development were:
the airport, the river system, tourism, senior citizen
areas and private enterprise. (A copy of the list of
projects is attached to these minutes.) Mayor Williams
discussed each area of development and answered questions
from the Commissioners.
Commissioners asked many questions and included some of their
own ideas for how the five areas could be developed.
6. Chairman Thompson then outlined some of his ideas for the
EDC and it's future direction. A general discussion
followed with everyone partiCipating. Three areas were
finally agreed upon as a basis for new direction and
goals for the EDC in the upcoming year.
a. The EDC needs to identify the assets of the City of
Kenai. What generates business in the evening? What
can we do to help bring in more private enterprise
within the City?
Page Two
EDC Commission Meeting Minutes
September 21, 1989
b. The Commission will work on special projects as directed
by the Mayor and City Council. Mayor Williams said
that no ~special project were being directed to the EDC
at this time.
c. Finally, Chairman Thompson suggested as a new goal for
EDC a project that would put together a vague plan of
where the City of Kenai will be economically in twenty
· years. The EDC would contact the people in the various
industries and "pick their brains" for where they
think the City will be in twenty years. The goal would
be to try to get an idea of what industry experts think
will be happening in 10-20 years and putting it in one
report.
Many ideas were discussed, but the commissioners
liked the idea of working on the twenty-year economic
projection and wanted to start on the project right
away. A work session will be scheduled to start
putting together a list of names of people to contact.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
The next meeting will be a work session on October 12th
at 7pm. Chairman Thompson thanked everyone for their
input and suggestions. The meeting was adjourned at
9pm.
Patti .... True~dei-I, Recording
Secretary for the City of Kenai
September 26, 1989
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