HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-29-16 Economic Development Committee MinutesCouncil Economic Development
Committee
Council Chambers
City Hall
September 29th, 2016
1:30 p.m.
Members: Staff: Others:
Councilmember Coffey
Councilmember Gutiérrez
Councilmember Cousens
Cliff Moore, City Manager
Sean Hawkins, Economic Development
Manager
Randy Beehler,
Communications & Public
Affairs Director
Colleda Monick, Economic
Development Assistant
Maria Rodriguez
Luz Gutierrez
Joe Schmit
Nickolas Bumpaous
Michael Bosse
Executive Minutes
Examination of Possible Locations for Incubator/Public Market
Hawkins provided an overview of potential assessed locations based on findings from
the feasibility study that was conducted in 2015. The City is currently seeking $70,000
in planning CERB funds and will be presenting to CERB on November 17th, 2016. Prior
to presenting to the CERB board, Hawkins would like to receive direction from Council
on narrowing down the possible locations to two.
Next steps:
Schedule building tours for the Hellison, Wilson, Dragon Inn, and K&K Buildings
for council and interested staff
Find out building costs, seller interest and square footage
Coffey noted that the Capitol Theatre had recently done a retrofit analysis of the
Wilson Building and requested that the City pursue getting a copy of the analysis
Reach out to Burlington Northern regarding the North Front Street location as
well as the parking lot adjacent to the Hellison Lumber Building
Re-send out the completed feasibility study to council for re-review
Schedule tours of nearby incubators
CubCrafters SIED Application
Hawkins and Monick to finish application on behalf of the City for street expansion of Oak
Street to allow for the expansion and growth of CubCrafters. The application is due on
October 5th and will be presented to full Council on October 4th before being presented
to the SIED board.
2017 Legislative Issue – Low Income Housing Fund
Beehler presented updates regarding the City’s legislative priorities for 2017,
specifically the Real-estate Document Transaction Fee and how that fits into the City’s
larger legislative priorities revolving around homeless and low income housing issues.
Update Items
Economic Plan Updates – Larsen of Tadzo Consulting will be presenting her findings regarding
the City’s readiness for economic development on October 7 th from 1 – 3 PM at the Convention
Center. Follow up stake holder sessions are currently being scheduled to allow for community
feedback regarding the development of a city wide economic development plan.
Washington State Finance Commission – Hawkins and Beehler recently met with Sharon
Meeks of the Washington State Finance Commission to review available funding opportunities
that might be available to the community.
Apprenticeship Utilization – Bumpaous and Bossee have been invited to the next Economic
Council meeting to present on encouraging the city to adopt an ordinance that would necessitate
all city projects to require a certain percentage of skilled workers or apprentices be hired for the
construction of city projects. Other communities that have recently adopted similar ordinances
include; Spokane, Wenatchee, Longview and Kennewick. An ordinance sample was provided to
Moore.
Meeting adjourned