Item B: Local Economic Development Plan - Part 2

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Local Economic Development Plan – Part 2 Meeting Date: May 27, 2009 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Jon Ruiz www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5336 ISSUE STATEMENT The work session is a follow up to council’s discussion on April 13, 2009, regarding potential responses to the current economic issues impacting the community. Staff will present next steps to develop a series of stimulus actions that emphasize the City’s role in supporting job creation and retention as well as investment and development in the community. BACKGROUND The council had an initial conversation regarding economic development at the January 28, 2009, work session and unanimously approved adoption of a City of Eugene Mayor and City Council Economic Development Statement. (See Attachment A for the statement.) At the work session, staff presented background information on 1) the structure of the local economy, income, and industry issues and 2) existing City efforts to support local business and economic development. The City Manager indicated that a slate of “local stimulus actions” would be assembled and brought back for council’s review and consideration. The economic stimulus discussion continued at the April 13, 2009, work session, during which the council discussed a list of local economic development actions. (See Attachment B for the lists.) The proposed local stimulus actions were organized into the categories of job creation and economic growth in alignment with the January 28, 2009 strategies. There was also a section targeted at Eugene’s downtown. The council reviewed a listing of almost 70 City actions that were subdivided according to current status: 1) actions that have been implemented, 2) actions that are being examined with respect to feasibility, and 3) actions for council to consider and discuss. Since the April 13 meeting, the council has acted or is scheduled to act on several of the items. The council took action to increase funding for affordable rental rehabilitation on April 27, 2009. The council is scheduled to take action on federal stimulus funding for homelessness and housing assistance on May 11, 2009. Federal notification of stimulus funding to supplement the Community Development Block Grant programs is anticipated in the near future. Once staff receives the notification, the actions to supplement the Business Development Fund and to support foreclosure counseling will be scheduled for council consideration. At this work session, the council is asked to consider three additional actions: 1) sale of surplus City real estate for identified development projects, 2) initiation of procedural code amendments, and 3) Urban