Session 08-04, a Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order by Chair Hogan at 6:01 p.m. on July 8, 2008 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:         COMMISSIONER ERICKSON, HOGAN, NEECE, RAVIN, SCARPITTA

 

STAFF:             SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR HOLEN

                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

                       

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

MINUTES APPROVAL

 

A.         June 10 and June 24, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes

 

The minutes were approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

VISITORS

 

There were no visitors.

 

STAFF REPORT & COUNCIL REPORT

 

Special Projects Coordinator Holen reviewed her staff report.

 

The Commission discussed the VISTA program and the benefits of recruiting a VISTA to help with the Commission with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).  Special Projects Coordinator Holen explained that the recruiting organization provides office space which is basically access to computer, fax, and phone. She noted that there is no office space available in City Hall.  A VISTA would be a virtual City of Homer employee, even though it is no cost to the City. They would be a full time staff person 40 hours a week for a year.

 

Discussion points included:

·         The office space Mark Gregory uses at the Chamber might be available.

·         It is a federally funded program. UAA Economic Development Center assists with placement of VISTA’s for Economic Development Projects.

·         City staff would have oversight over the VISTA.

·         One task could include working on the CEDS, but there would likely be more time for other tasks as well.

·         Based on discussion at the May EDC meeting, the VISTA could be an intermediary between the City and businesses interested in coming to the City of Homer.

·         UAA would do the initial screening of VISTA applicants, but the City would have the opportunity to review resumes, interview, and select the VISTA.

·          A cost share arrangement could be proposed to help with funding, as the VISTA program pays only a small monthly stipend.

·         There is other federal and state money. Denali Commission sometimes has funding for Economic Development programs.

·         The VISTA could work on a Port and Harbor Marketing Plan.

 

There was consensus among the Commission that they would like Special Projects Coordinator Holen and Councilmember Wythe seek to obtain a VISTA.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

There were no public hearings.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.         VISTA/Student Intern

 

SCARPITTA/RAVIN MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

The Commission discussed the benefits and challenges of working with a student intern, and the possibility of incorporating the VISTA to work with the student.

 

Commissioner Erickson raised the question of what they would task a student intern with. She suggested that they postpone discussion until the Commission has their strategic plan in place and have a better idea of their focus.

 

RAVIN/SCARPITTA MOVED TO POSTPONE DISCUSSION.

 

There was brief discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

B.         Bylaws Revision

 

RAVIN/ERICKSON MOVED TO DISCUSS BYLAW CHANGES.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Special Projects Coordinator Holen reviewed the proposed amendments to the bylaws that were presented in the packet.  Discussion ensued and further amendments included:

·         Line 26: Amend Homer High School Student to Homer Area High School Level Student so as not to exclude students who are home schooled or attend another high school.

·         Line 52: Change to incorporate review and provide feedback on actions of other Commissions, City Projects, and basically anything relevant to the City relating to Economic Development.

·         Line 117: Strike consensus.

·         Line 130: Change the last sentence to “The Chair, with concurrence of the body, may adjust the time limit.”

 

RAVIN/ERICKSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF INCORPORATE TONIGHT’S CHANGES AND BRING THEM BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

C.         Taxes

 

RAVIN/SCARPITTA I MOVE FOR OUR GROUP TO SUPPORT THE REDUCTION OF THE PROPERTY TAX MIL RATE BY ONE MIL.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Scarpitta commented that because of the tremendous negative impact the property taxes are having on businesses in Homer and on the economic health of its residents are reasons to support the reduction of property tax by at least one mil.

 

Commissioner Ravin noted whereas lowered taxes are inherently advantageous to economic development the Economic Development Commission supports the reduction of the property tax mil rate by one mil.

 

RAVIN/NEECE MOVED THAT THE COMMISSION SUPPORT THE MAYORS REMOVAL OF FOOD FROM THE SALES TAX IN THE CITY.

 

Comment was made that this is good in the event that the Borough initiative fails it will still happen in Homer. It was noted that it will be challenging for record keeping.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

There was discussion that the Commission is unclear on the intent of the application of the $500,000 of reserves to apply to the business water rates. The Commission requested more information regarding the intent of this proposal and agreed to discuss it further at their next meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.         Lease Policies

 

ERICKSON/NEECE MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Erickson commented that she has her first Lease Committee meeting on the 22nd of July.

 

Chair Hogan commented that the last revision of the lease policy was run by the Economic Development Commission and they decided they wanted to have input. He thinks that is a good thing because the lease policies have been an embarrassment for the City of Homer for a long time. One problem he sees is that the City has been winging it for a long time. Also, the policy, as it is, doesn’t have to be followed if there is a matter of expediency and someone is going to get what they want. There are a lot of leases where there is no uniform enforcement, special deals being made, and it is a little business enterprise that is operated out of the Manager’s office, which may or may not be appropriate. He pointed out that there are inconsistencies between the lease policy and HCC section 18 and the ordinance is the prevailing law. The City needs to have a simplified set of rules that everyone can follow.

 

NEECE/RAVIN MOVED TO DISCUSS THE LEASE POLICY AT A WORKSESSION TO BE SCHEDULED.

 

There was brief discussion and the Commission agreed that this is an important topic and that it would be a better opportunity for the Commission to have discussion at a worksession. They agreed it would be beneficial to hear from people who have dealt with leasing from the City at the beginning and the Commission could have their discussion after the public comment time.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

They agreed to set a date for a Tuesday in September at their next meeting.

 

B.         Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

 

There was consensus of the Commission to postpone discussion on the CEDS until after they hire a VISTA.

 

C.         EDC Representation at City Council Meetings

 

There was brief discussion on the schedule. Commissioner Erickson had a conflict with her date and Commissioner Ravin agreed to attend the July 28 meeting for her.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.                 Chamber of Commerce Video produced by Stephen Scarpitta

 

There was no equipment set up to watch the video so the Commission will see it at the next meeting.  He explained that it is a video to promote wintertime tourism in Homer.

 

B.         Cruise Ship Mooring Fees - New Info from Homer Port & Harbor Staff

 

The Commission commented that they would also like to have more information on the fees for long shoring and freight over the dock in Homer and fees from other communities to compare to. Commissioner Neece said he would be willing to do research and compile information. It was suggested this come back at a worksession to be scheduled in October for discussion.

 

C.         Kenai Economic Development Strategy

 

The Commissioners thanked Special Projects Coordinator Holen for this information. Chair Hogan noted that Juneau has a good Development Plan as well. Commissioner Erickson said she enjoyed reviewing the information from Kenai and saw items she is interested in considering for Homer. Special Projects Coordinator Holen said she would get a copy of the plan from Juneau and Commissioners could let her know if there are any others they would like to see. Commissioner Erickson suggested Kodiak.

 

Commissioner Ravin commented that the Kenai Peninsula Borough has a median age of 39.6 years, the national average is 36 and the Alaska average is 32. There is a huge hole in our demographics from ages 25 to 49 years old, people who are making babies, buying homes, and starting businesses. We are looking at a dying community and we need to import young, productive people into our town.

 

There was brief discussion that there is not enough support for young people to get jobs to support their families. They want to come, but they can’t get the jobs. Point was raised that for a long time in this town there has been a philosophy of preventing growth and earlier planning and zoning didn’t plan for growth. We have a greater population now but it is an aging population.

 

D.         Resolution 08-76 Re: Cook Inlet Salmon Task Force

 

Special Projects Coordinator Holen commented that copies were provided to all the Committee members, Governor Palin, Commissioner of Fish and Game, Representative Seaton, and Senator Gary Stevens.

                                                                                   

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

Members of the Audience may address the Commission on any subject.

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF CITY STAFF

 

Special Projects Coordinator Holen commented that she has binders for the Commissioners to keep key documents in so they won’t have to be re-copied.

 

Regarding jobs, she commented that she has lived in Alaska for 31 years and spent quite a few years in Anchorage and in Homer. She admits that it is quite a bit easier to get jobs in Anchorage, because there is a bigger variety of jobs. Anchorage is a bigger town and for the most part you will see better job opportunities in a bigger town with a diverse economy. One thing we are unconsciously asking for with more jobs is more population and a bigger town. It needs to be understood that there are not going to be the same job opportunities in a small town.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER

 

Councilmember Wythe was absent.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Hogan thanked staff for their assistance.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

Commissioners may comments on any subject, including requests to staff and requests for excused absence.

 

Commissioner Scarpitta commended Chair Hogan and the work of the rest of the Commission. He feels that we can pull people in to Homer. It is one of the most beautiful places, there are ways we can market it. He notices there were two things on the agenda that he didn’t get to do, one was the video and the other was discussion of the sound system.

 

Commissioner Ravin quoted from the Kenai Economic Development Strategy, “1. City of Kenai within 6 months will develop a list of underutilized properties and ready-to-build (shovel ready) sites in Kenai. The list will be updated every 3 months by the City of Kenai, posted on the city website and distributed to organizations and developers. 2. Identify issues constraining development, including identifying incentives for upgrading and renewing building exteriors inside the city.”  He said those where shunted off on local Realtors and their VISTA. It sounds like two proactive things that could be done in the City to help promote utilization of land resources. We can work toward that.

 

Commissioner Erickson commented that she would like to invite the new High School Principal to attend as a visitor. She said that her big thing in getting hired is that she wants to incorporate the kids who aren’t going college and get more of the tech classes back in the school. Mrs. Erickson would like the Commission to put their support behind that. Commissioner Ravin said he would contact the new principal. 

 

Commissioner Neece commented that he has watched how other small towns he has lived in have developed and grown, and he is hoping to see that in Homer as well. That is why he became part of the Economic Development Commission. He shared a template for a business he is working on for a film school and studio. He suggested the Commission review Alaska Economic Trends which includes information on unemployment that addresses some of the thought processes the Commission has been discussion. He thanked everyone for their work and said he is enjoying this Commission.

 

ADJOURN

Notice of the next regular or special meeting or work session will appear on the agenda following “adjournment”.

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

 

                                                                       

MELISSA JACOBSEN, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: