Session 06-01 a Special/Regular Meeting of the Homer Economic Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by Former Chair Jeff Murphy at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: FAULKNER (arrived late), HOWARD, MURPHY, NEWBY, RILEY, SCHEER.

STAFF: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT HOLEN

CITY CLERK CALHOUN

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER: COREY (excused)

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Chair called for a motion for the approval of the agenda.

RILEY/SCHEER - I MOVED THAT.

Chair Murphy confirmed that approval includes the addition of the informational items: a. 1999 Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP) b. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Guidelines c. Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, Inc. (EDD) 2005 CEDS

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT)

There were no public comments.

RECONSIDERATION

None scheduled.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Unapproved meeting minutes of January 11, 2000.

HOWARD/SCHEER - MOVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

VISITORS

None scheduled.

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

None scheduled.

PUBLIC HEARING (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT)

None scheduled.

PENDING BUSINESS

None scheduled.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Memorandum EDC 06-01, from City Clerk, Re: Election of a Chair and Vice Chair.

HOWARD/SCHEER/NEWBY - MOVE WE OPEN NOMINATIONS FOR THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION.

No objection.

NEWBY/ - I MOVE WE NOMINATE JEFF MURPHY FOR CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION.

A member of the public inquired if he could make a comment.

Chair Murphy responded in the negative.

MURPHY/ - STATED THAT HE THINKS WE OUGHT TO NOMINATE MR. FAULKNER.

Chair Murphy inquired if anyone would like to be Chair.

Commissioner Riley inquired about what being Chair entails. She was informed that the duties and responsibilities are: Running the meetings, using common sense and judgement. Entails making sure that the business of the Commission gets coordinated between the City staff and the Commission and the public. It is not an onerous job. Make sure that the City Clerk knows about any special meetings, worksessions etcetera. To ensure that the Commission responses, findings of fact, and actions are timely in getting back to the City. To make reports to the Council and/or to the City Manager. Sometimes get interviewed by the newspaper as a spokesman for the Commission.

MURPHY/ - LIKE TO NOMINATE ANGIE.

Commissioner Newby declined.

Commissioner Howard volunteered to be Chair should it be offered and should he be selected. In response to inquiry about his background, Commissioner Howard advised that he is a resident of the City of Homer, is retired, and that his professional career has involved civil engineering, that he worked as a Director of Public Works and as a City Engineer, was the Chief of Operations for a major water utility producing drinking water for 1.5 million people, and that he retired as the President of a International Corporation.

There was some discussion regarding the commitment and time involved with being the Chair.

Commissioner Faulkner arrived 6:14.09 p.m.

Commissioner Murphy declined the nomination.

Commissioner Faulkner expressed deferment in the interest of harmony and starting out on the right foot.

Commissioner Newby expressed concern that, since Mr. Howard is an engineer, Mr. Howard allow the Commission to have comment and not truncate them as necessary.

Commissioner Howard relayed assurance that he has learned to be very collaborative, that he likes to keep harmony amongst the staff and make sure they are producing and that this only happens by assuring that everyone has their input and that they work for a common solution.

Acting Chair Murphy called for all those in favor of having Mr. Howard represent this group as Chair to say Aye.

The ayes were unanimous.

HOWARD/MURPHY - MOVED TO OPEN NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIR.

There were no objections.

MURPHY/ - NOMINATED MR. FAULKNER.

Commissioner Riley expressed her desire that the Vice Chair be a woman, since there are four women and four men. She was advised that Councilmember Wythe is not a member of the Commission.

RILEY/NEWBY - MOVED THAT WE NOMINATE GLORIA COREY AS VICE CHAIR.

There were a few comments about the credentials of Commissioner Corey and Faulkner.

There being no further nominations Acting Chair Murphy closed nominations.

RILEY/HOWARD - I MOVE THAT WE DO IT BY SECRET.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

Acting Chair Murphy asked the Clerk to distribute the secret ballots.

City Clerk Calhoun collected the secret ballots and reported the tabulation, that it is unanimous for Gloria Corey.

Commissioner Murphy stated that he was going to take the liberty of making a few comments about the Economic Development Advisory Commission before he hands over the gavel.

There were no objections.

Comment points:

• He was originally seated on the Commission and served during its entire history and still serving on it for its entire history.

• It is a Commission that has a great potential to help the City and it did help the City, in limited ways.

• It was the only Commission that made money for the City as opposed to costing the City money and it made the City a considerable amount of money.

• It procured grants that allowed enhancement and enlargement of the Fishin' Hole ⁽¹⁾ and to do numerous other things.

• Created the Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP) that allowed access to EDA resources and funding and allowed the City to do other things.

• The real challenge for this Commission and the reason the Commission ultimately voted to put the Commission on vacation was the lack of staff.

• By the nature of this Commission it does not, for the most part, have the latitude and the ability to go out and personally do research and do field work.

• It is a brainstorming Commission, with a lot of insight, background and energy and always has been, in the past.

• A lot of good recommendations come from the Commission.

• It is not a Planning Commission. It is not a Commission that does not want to plan, because that is the fundamental basis for economic development. It is not a Commission that does the day to day work of reviewing permit applications, etc, etc.

• It is not a Parks and Recreation Commission.

• It is not a Harbor Commission.

• It is a Brain Trust, and, if used properly and supported properly, there is no end to the positive resources that it can bring to the City.

Commissioner Murphy advised that when he represented Homer on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Economic Development District Board, as its president, when people found out he was from Homer the comment always was, "Oh, you're from Homer. You don't want anything down there." He told the Commission that he would always say that this was not true. He stated that any person that has studied economic development or economic development planning knows that not all economic development is right for all places, but some economic development is right for every place. He noted that the task of the Commission is to find economic development that is compatible with Homer's little corner of the world, that will work for Homer and to nurture it and bring it along. He commented that it is doable and it is possible. He emphasized that after having traveled with the Economic Development District to Washington D.C., to Juneau and to other places that the perception of Homer is that Homer does not want anything, this has been the perception for years and years and years, and not only does Homer not want anything, Homer wants to fight about what Homer does not want. He asserted that this is not true. He noted that he has lived here for about thirty years and that most people in this town have a lot more in common than they have to disagree about, by far. Everyone lives here for the same reasons. All could make a buck better somewhere else and easier. People live here for the quality of life, the fact that so and so is an environmentalist or a businessman has been one of the biggest injustices that have been visited upon Homer over the years, representing one element and that the individuals are also mothers, fathers, live here, sportsman, property owner, tax payer and on and on and on. Nobody wants to pollute their own nest. Everyone lives here for the same reasons. He stated that he is just wanting to tell the Commissioners that the Commission did not fail for lack of energy, it did not fail for lack of insight, ability or qualified applicants and background, adding that some wonderful people have served on this Commission over the years. He stated that failed due to lack of support, just that simple.

Chair Howard expressed his opinion that the Commission did not fail, that the Commission recognized that it was no longer providing a service that the officials at the time wanted.

Commissioner Murphy rephrased that to say that the Commission did not fail from a personal standpoint, but did fail in their mission to continue to enhance the economic atmosphere in Homer and were ineffective and unable to accomplish that and the Commissioners at that time stated that if they could not make a contribution they had other things that they would rather be doing and have gone to those other things. He emphasized that these are the kinds of people wanted on this Commission, likening it to working with race horses in that one wants them to go fast and hard, with the recognition that it is still a race horse.

New Chair Howard was seated, although did not switch physical seats with Commissioner Murphy, and handed the gavel from the Acting Chair.

B. Resolution 06-DRAFT, Of the City Council Amending the Homer Economic Development Advisory Commission Bylaws. City Clerk

City Clerk Calhoun advised the Chair of the action required by the Commission.

MURPHY/SCHEER - SO MOVED. TO ADOPT THE BYLAWS AS PRESENTED.

It was noted that these are basically housekeeping amendments.

Councilmember Wythe responded in the affirmative that it typical that Commissions act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and the City Manager, an either or. Although typically the Commission forwards matters to the Council through the City Manager.

VOTE: YES: NEWBY, FAULKNER, SCHEER, MURPHY, RILEY, HOWARD.

Motion carried.

Commissioner Riley inquired about staffing.

Commissioner Murphy provided the history of the staffing. Former part time Economic Development Staff person Sheri Hobbs, currently Personnel Officer for the City, was highly commended for her exceptional service to the Commission. He noted that a staff person would more than pay for itself. It takes staff time to write grants and to do the research. The Commission had no power to act, but was constantly being asked to act. He noted that which the Commission accomplished was directly attributable to Sheri Hobbs help. He expressed his opinion, and that of other former Commissioners, that if the City were to create a staff person it would more than pay for itself. On a net benefit basis government always costs money, but in terms of this piece of this piece of government it can make money for this government body, the town, the City. There is so much funding available through so many different channels if it is just pursued. Someone has to put the time into doing it, to write the grants, and do the research.

The question of staffing for the Commission was answered later in the meeting since this is not an agenda item.

C. Memorandum EDC 06-02, from City Clerk Re: Resolution 06-48, Of the City Council Providing Direction to the Economic Development Advisory Commission. Shadle

Chair Howard called for discussion on this matter.

Commission discussion included the following:

Expressed appreciation for the Resolution.

Preference for the Commission to be allowed to evolve and develop its own criteria rather than immediately adopt the criteria laid out in Resolution 06-48.

Councilmember Wythe advised that this Resolution has not been adopted by Council and was postponed for the Commission to review. She elucidated the reason for the Resolution and the request for Commission input and the scope that the Commission sees happening. She informed the Commission about the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee that is looking at, more of the implementation side of economic development, and are looking at several of the items listed in the Resolution. The Committee is asking that the Commission, potentially, expend the view to go beyond this list of items that they are already trying to attack and implement right now. The Committee is kind of a support for the Commission, whereby, if the Commission comes up with recommendations that Committee could, potentially, become available to the Commission to provide some of that outgoing support for getting things done. She responded to Commission inquiry about the specifics in terms of keeping the duties broad and discretionary among this Commission, that it does not need to be very specific at all.

Commission discussion continued:

Economic development should not center solely on tourism, which would be a mistake.

To encourage companies that provide year round, high salaried positions with full benefit packages something different needs to be done.

There is nothing attractive about Homer in terms of a high tech company.

This provides a starting point, not a mandate, but something to look at.

One of the previous complaints by the Commission was that it could not get any direction out of the Council, as noted in previous meeting minutes. All the input was one way.

It was expressed that there seems to be a general consensus of the Commission that it would like to focus on things beyond tourism, perhaps more sustainable and higher salary jobs and expand the basis of the economy of Homer.

There are a lot of people and Commissions already focusing on tourism and it is fairly well developed already. "We're" supposed to be getting the halibut quota this year, so that is kind of peaked out. The Commission needs to concentrate on other things.

Commissioner Murphy noted that there are five items in the Resolution and that items 1 - 3 seem to be getting all of the attention:

1. Develop incentives to bring more fishermen to town, sport and commercial.

2. Develop ways and means to create more tourism to town.

3. Create more sport fishing.

4. Look at the possibility of meeting twice a month to facilitate making greater progress and thereby have more frequent communication with the Mayor and City Council.

5. Commission provide input to the Mayor and Council on other economic development ideas and incentives.

Chair Howard stated that it appears there is a general feeling that, basically, the table is clear for new ideas, all things will be considered, the Council has submitted some things to be considered, but that is going to be just part of many things that this Commission will be looking at.

Commissioner Faulkner queried Councilmember Wythe if it would be helpful to generate wording that might fall along these lines: To pursue economic initiatives consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and overall goals of the Community. To allow the Council to formalize some direction that is broad.

Councilmember Wythe responded that she does not believe a Resolution is required, because the Economic Development Commission exists within the City's Ordinances and it has a very specific scope of work for the Economic Development Commission. There is not a necessity for the Council to provide the Commission with a direction. She expressed her belief that the Commissioners have ideas in mind and that they are going to come up with and flesh out a plan without receiving much direction from the Council. There is a lot more to Homer than the Homer Spit, need to get off the Spit and look at Economic Development. The Commission does not need to embrace or reject this Resolution.

Commissioner Faulkner further queried Councilmember Wythe regarding the undertaking of economic development outside the City limits, in that some of the initiatives the Commission will be discussing involve initiatives outside of the actual City boundaries, by necessity. Such as permanent water supplies, zoning, gas, and etc. Is the Commission restricted in any way by the Council to focusing on initiatives that are just within the City?

Councilmember Wythe responded that the essence of the Commission is that recommendations will be brought to the Council that are going to address the needs of the community. The City Council has no scope outside of the City of Homer.

Commissioner Riley interjected that the Commission is supposed to be part of the Borough as well, under Economic Development.

Discussion ensued.

Commissioners were encouraged to read the OEDP that was generated in 1999. The table of contents was read into the record: Identification of areas for potential economic development, fisheries, aquiculture/mariculture, forestry and forestry products, recreation and tourism, retirement, transportation, agriculture, home based industry, utilities, retail service industries, light advanced technological industries, government, education, Homer Spit Plan, health care, administration development, development plan.

The Commission tackles a whole host of things.

Council never asked the Commission to limit development to within the City, but to help the City develop economic things that benefit the whole area

The Community does not stop at City limits and never has.

The Commission has to think beyond the City limits, while working for the City and using City resources, tax money.

The criteria might be that there is a benefit to City residents, to area residents.

Former Commissioners (Faulkner, Murphy, Newby) want assurances of Council support for Commission ideas.

Do not want immediate direction from the Council. The Commission needs to bring its creativity to the table.

Not acting on this is not an issue. The Commission should thank Councilmember Shadle for his interest and that the Commission will keep him posted on how they are going.

Commission needs to develop its own direction, unfettered. Knowing that the Commission has a commitment from the City Council to follow through on ideas and to help them be implemented.

Councilmember Wythe pointed out that the Council has substantially changed since the Commission was on vacation. She confirmed Council's good solid support, with the caveat that it is not a blanket implementation of every recommendation that comes along.

Councilmember Scheer stated that in the interest of maintaining an open communication and an atmosphere of collaboration that it is important to ensure that the Commission is not spinning its wheels on things that the Council cannot support or that are not in their plans for the year.

City Clerk Calhoun responded to Commission inquiry regarding staffing by introducing Anne Marie Holen, Special Projects Coordinator in the Manager's Office.

Ms. Holen clarified that she is not an economist, but would be happy to address the whole question. She has been assigned to the Commission as part time assisting staff. She stated that she does not want to mislead anyone that she is any kind of an expert in Economic Development, that she was an English Major. She responded to inquiry that there will not be anyone who works for the City whose only job is to staff this Commission, however, emphasized that the City Manager is aware of the problems in the past with lack of staff support, that she will be attending every meeting for consistent support, she should have more time to devote to the requests and responsibilities of the Commission, and that she has some time since the Library Capital Campaign ended. She stated that she is happy to be involved and is interested in the topic. She noted that the City Manager hopes to bring other people in from time to time like from the Planning and Public Works Departments depending on what is being discussed and on what the Commission is working. She commented that she anticipates that she will be drafting the CEDS with the Commission input and guidance, providing drafts for further revision and improvement, as well as following up on other requests. She expressed her hope that she and the Commissioners would communicate through email or phone frequently and that she will do her best to get the answers.

Councilmember Wythe interjected that Ms. Holen is an expert in getting money.

Commission comments.

If the Commission does not accomplish things in short order, if not moving along the Commissioners will find better, finer things to do with their time.

Ms. Holen was commended for her work on Library Capital Campaign, noting that the Commission is fortunate to have her as their staff liaison. That she can find money in a rock garden and that she has a real clear commitment to the Community of Homer, holding the essence of the Community at heart and sees a real need for economic development.

There was $100,000.00 set aside for the Comprehensive Plan by the City this year. One thing this Commission really needs is an update to the economy section of the Comprehensive Plan. This is a way to update some of the seven year old information. A place to start.

Councilmember Wythe suggested making this one of the Commission's first requests, if they want to be charged with this segment of review. She offered to put this forward on the next Council agenda, May 22, 2006, as a Resolution to have that charged to the Commission to review and update.

FAULKNER/NEWBY - I WOULD MOVE THAT WE TABLE MEMORANDUM EDC 06-02.

There was no further discussion.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

11. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS (NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN ON THESE MATTERS, THEY MAY BE DISCUSSED ONLY, for no longer than 20 minutes.)

A. Ordinance 06-25, Of the City Council Amending Homer City Code Chapter 1.78 to delete all references to the Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP) and insert the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). City Clerk. Housekeeping type Ordinance. City Clerk.

Council adopted Ordinance 06-25 at their meeting last night. The mayor has signed the Ordinance effective today.

B. Letter from Commissioner Corey, Excused from First Meeting due to Previously Scheduled Engagement.

C. Memorandum 06-57, Re: Appointments to the Economic Development Commission.

D. Added under Agenda Approval: 1999 Overall Economic Development Plan (OEDP)

E. Added under Agenda Approval: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Guidelines

F. Added under Agenda Approval: Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, Inc. (EDD) 2005 CEDS

Commissioner Murphy encouraged everyone on the Commission to read these informational items. He noted that the Commission, along with Sheri Hobbs, created the OEDP and that this was a long and arduous process. It immediately started providing dividends/benefits back to the City in terms of things that could not be accessed before. In those days they could not talk to EDA unless there was an OEDP and it provided leverage. History is a great teacher there are some things that can be avoided and done better.

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE (3 MINUTE TIME LIMIT)

There were audience comments.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

Anne Marie Holen, Special Projects Coordinator, stated that she is looking forward to working with this Commission and that she thinks that the work the Commission will do will be of great value to the City.

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER

Councilmember Wythe thanked the Commissioners for volunteering to serve, that she is really excited to see this Commission come back into play, that she feels like economic development is the weight and balance for planning and zoning and that the two have to happen kind of simultaneously. She stated that planning and zoning has been happening right along, but there has not been focus on development for a while. She noted that she forwarded the recommendation to bring this Commission back into play, because she believes that if something serious is not done about economic development in the very near future there is not going to be anything to economically develop here and that this needs to move forward. She expressed her excitement to be the Council representative.

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

Chair Howard stated that the thinks the Commission is embarking on a very interesting task. He told Commissioner Riley that he shares her feeling that if they do not get jump started that it is going to die. He noted that the Commissioners will need to put in a lot of energy, early and see if they can get some positive feedback from the Council, of whom support is needed to be effective. The Commission needs to know that as soon as it can. He told the Commission that he is looking forward to working with all of them in this matter and that hopefully, the Commission can put together a program that will be of great benefit to this community.

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

Commissioner Newby stated that it is just great that the Chair and Vice Chair both represent a segment of the community, that did not exist in the Community in 1992 when the growth of the retirement community was seen as being part of the economic engine. She commented on Commissioner Riley's high tech company, something that the Commission always wanted to see and that it was included in the original plan, but there was no idea of how to get those companies here. She expressed her thought that the Commission is diversified and that it is going to be very exciting, since everyone seems to be real committed. So this is great.

Commissioner Riley stated that she just wants to bring a high tech edge to Homer.

Commissioner Faulkner expressed his assumption that Ms. Holen is the Commissioner's designated representative to the EDD.

She confirmed that this is the case right now, however, does not have to remain the case.

Commissioner Riley expressed desire to maintain continuity.

Commissioner Faulkner inquired if Ms. Holen were planning to change that, who in turn responded in the negative. He inquired if there is a regular meeting schedule and if it is in the Bylaws.

He was advised that the regular meeting day is the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

There were teasing comments about Commissioner Faulkner's late arrival this evening.

City Clerk Calhoun, at the request of Councilmember Wythe and approval of the Chair, advised of the process of placing items on the agenda. That the Commissioner should go through the Chair or bring these to her and she will contact the Chair. She was asked to get everyone each other's email addresses.

ADJOURNMENT

RILEY/MURPHY - MOTION TO ADJOURN.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

There being no further information to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 6 p.m. All meetings scheduled to be held in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

____________________________________

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Approved: __________________________

1. Current name is Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon.