05/14/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Mr. Farkas said the CCED, the Economic Diversification Task Team, and the Joint Committee on Economic Development (JCED) coordinate and provide consensus for the economic development functions. The Business Assistance Networking Group (BANG) and the Southern Willamette Research Corridor also coordinate functions. Mr. Farkas cited 17 results of the City's Economic Development Program. They included the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network, the Eugene Business Development Fund, completion of the wastewater treatment plant and the widening of 6th and 7th avenues, the Buy Oregon Program, the expansion of Spectra Physics, and the development of the Riverfront Research Park. Mr. Farkas said the next step in the City's Economic Development Program should be a comprehensive economic development policy with an identified economic strategy for the next five years. He said the policy will give clear guidance about such things as destination-point marketing. He suggested that the process for developing the policy involve a community roundtable, organization of the data generated by the roundtable, formulation and adoption of the policy by the council, and release of the strategic document to the public. Mayor Obie said the councilors have different concerns and a consensus is needed to give the staff direction. Answering questions from Mayor Obie, Mr. Farkas said the community roundtable should be a Mayor's invitational luncheon attended by, at least, representatives of the 31 agencies active in economic development and the councilors. He suggested a nationally recog- nized speaker be invited to the roundtable. Ms. Wooten asked the staff for additional information about the Southern Willamette Research Corridor and the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI). She said the information should include the results of their actions and how the results are evaluated. She would also like information about the purpose and function of JCED and the City's relationship and the outcome of the relationship with other similar organizations. Mr. Hansen asked for information about overlap in the organizations involved in economic development. Mr. Gleason responded that the City withdrew from the Job Training Program and the Business Recruitment Program. Lane County and Lane Community College are now coordinating the Job Training Program and the Metropolitan Partnership is recruiting businesses. He said most of the City's funds are in the tax increment district. Deputy Development Director Cathy Briner said the City withdrew from two other programs and now contracts with Buy Oregon and the Willamette Valley World Trade Center for services. Mayor Obie, several councilors, and Mr. Farkas commented on the proposed community roundtable. Mayor Obie said the purpose of the roundtable would be to involve the community, as well as the council, in the City's Economic Development Policy. Mr. Farkas said many of the things mandated in the Six-Point program have been accomplished. New direction is needed. Ms. Wooten suggested representatives of all parts of the community be invited to the roundtable. She said the council should give direction to MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 14, 1986 Page 5