Session 09-08, a Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Ravin on November 10, 2009 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: COMMISSIONER ERICKSON, FAULKNER, NEECE, RAVIN
COUNCILMEMBER: WYTHE
STAFF: SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR HOLEN
VISTA REPRESENTATIVE BEVIS
DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
ERICKSON/FAULKNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
There were no public comments.
RECONSIDERATION
There were no items for reconsideration.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Meeting Minutes of August 25 and September 17, 2009
ERICKSON/NEECE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 25 AND SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 MEETINGS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
VISITORS
Carol Swartz, Director, Kachemak Bay Campus, UAA-Kenai Peninsula
Ms. Swartz provided the Commission with some hand outs that outlined the college benefits as an economic engine for the city and addressed some of the impacts of the college on the community. She said the campus provides a skilled, trained workforce and future leaders for this community and she sees people all around town who have benefitted from this campus over the last 23 years. There are several teachers, many welders, business owners, city employees and especially people in the health care industry and the marine trades that have taken classes and received degrees. Education and training is quickly transferred to economic return for the community. College related revenues contributed to local government include sales tax paid by students and students who move to Homer. She noted that a third of the students enrolled in nursing classes starting up in January are moving to Homer from other places in Alaska. There is a significant amount of money injected in the community. Ms. Swartz commented that their annual events like Elder Hostel and the Writers Conference benefit the community by attracting visitors from all over the United States. The campus participated in a comprehensive impact study by the McDowell Group. It showed that 2.3 million dollars were spent with businesses on the peninsula. The economic impact is significant and rivals the other well known industries. With the increase in students taking part in distance education she is hiring more people to teach students all over the state. It is becoming a sub-industry for the higher education and vocational training industry.
In response to questions Ms. Swartz commented that student housing would help the area become a college community. She explained that there are trainings for Crowley and the Coast Guard where they have to organize and schedule around housing availability for a block of time. Housing is a full time commitment for two and four years at a time, not an on again off again thing. There would also need to be meal plans available. She talked about UAA on Kachemak Bay for marine technology and marine science programs. She said that this semester there are 505 students enrolled and 50 are enrolled full time. 20% of this semester’s credit hours are distance delivered. She said the college is not in a position to build housing. Other colleges outside generally work with contractors who do owner builder type projects and have an MOU with the college. Over the years discussions have been that people don’t want the college to be a landlord. That is part of the economic development goal or strategy. Ms. Swartz commented briefly about the college expansion project and that funds which were going to be used to purchase and remodel the City Hall building are now being used to develop a new building of approximately 7400 square feet on their property adjacent to City Hall. Regarding program expansion Ms. Swartz said some of their priorities are welding in the marine and construction trade, arts programs, business development, and marine biology.
STAFF AND COUNCIL REPORT
Special Projects Coordinator Holen commented that her report was included in the packet.
Councilmember Wythe said there was nothing in particular that the council is working on specific to the EDC.
PUBLIC HEARING
There were no items for public hearing.
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Lease Policies
ERICKSON/FAULKNER SO MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no objection and discussion ensued.
It was noted that the information in the packet did not include their suggested amendments to the ground lease. They would like to review it one last time with those amendments and move it on to the Port and Harbor Commission for their review.
ERICKSON/FAULKNER MOVED TO POSTPONE TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
There was brief discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Motion carried.
B. CEDS Development
VISTA Representative Bevis reminded the Commission that the next community meeting is Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Council Chambers. She said there is information available on the economic development web page.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Spit Comprehensive Plan
ERICKSON/NEECE SO MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no objection and discussion ensued.
The Commission discussed that the Spit Comp Plan needs to be broader than tourism and parking on the spit, which seemed to be the main focus at the last public meeting.
Individual comments included:
· The Commission needs to provide language that gives recommendations of what should be happening on the spit, making it as broad as possible.
· Between Happy Face Restaurant and the Seafarers Memorial is some of the most prime property on the spit looking out at the ocean. It has become a parking lot for across the bay. It would be encouraging to see in the plan 4 hour, ten hour, and no overnight parking areas that are enforced seasonally.
· Lots from Happy Face to Fish Dock Zone be rezoned from marine industrial to marine commercial. Marine commercial is more in line with how they have been used over the years and is more favorable to tourism.
· A parking area where the busses that bring tourists to town could pull over and sit for a short time to allow passengers to load and unload. There is some creative planning that needs to be considered.
The Commission agreed that they will wait for the opportunity to review the draft when it is presented and then provide their input. Dissatisfaction was expressed about the way the consultant dealt with input at the public meeting.
B. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Vice Chair Ravin opened the nominations for Chair and then for Vice Chair. Commissioner Erickson accepted the nomination for Chair and Commissioner Ravin accepted the nomination for Vice Chair.
There was no objection raised.
C. Amending EDC Bylaws to allow telephonic participation
ERICKSON/NEECE MOVED THAT WE AMEND THE BYLAWS SO WE CAN HAVE TELEPHONIC PARTICIPATION AT THE MEETINGS.
There was brief discussion.
VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
It was noted that this will be forwarded to the Council for their approval.
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
A. Bradner’s Alaska Economic Report
B. Local Newspaper Stories
C. Items of Interest from recent City Council Meeting Packets
There was brief discussion regarding the present issues with Enstar getting natural gas to Homer based on their obligation to meet the supply need to fulfill current obligations up the road.
COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE
There were no audience comments.
COMMENTS OF CITY STAFF
Special Projects Coordinator Holen wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL MEMBER
Councilmember Wythe had no comment.
COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR
Vice Chair Ravin had no comment.
COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Faulkner had no comment.
Commissioner Erickson confirmed that she is scheduled to attend the next Council meeting.
ADJOURN
There being no more business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.
MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Approved: