01/20/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e IV. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN City Manager Mike Gleason introduced the item. Mr. Rutan presented a report. He said since the council's last update a draft strategic plan has been released. Committee members have held over 15 public presentations of the plan to various community and private groups. Mr. Rutan said the Council Committee on Economic Diversification (CCED) has been assembling the vast amount of information gathered at the public meetings and has produced a first version of a revised plan. He said CCED members have had two successful meetings with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the revised plan as well as other concerns. He predicted the council and chamber will have improved relations as a result of those meetings. Mr. Rutan said the biggest task facing the committee is refining Chapter 4 which contains CCEDls plan for the future. He said CCED is proceding with the view that the community should build on its existing strengths and opportunities. This includes becoming a regional center for government, finance, education, research, transportation, and distribution. e He said CCED is hoping to present the revised draft to the council February 17 and hold a public hearing February 22. However, he said CCED is committed to doing a good job and will take the time it needs to produce a good quality document. He said the committee ;s trying to achieve a balance between ideas and specifics. Mr. Holmer said the committee is taking its time because it wants to achieve a document that represents a long-range strategy. Mr. Bennett said he hopes the revised draft does not recommend that the City avoid marketing and recruiting. He said he would like the draft to address the duplication of services and recognize the efforts of local businesses in economic development. He said he would also like the revised draft to separate the metropolitan area and the City of Eugene. He said economic efforts will not be successfull unless Eugene has a strong downtown. Mr. Bennett added he would like clarification in the document about the Southern Willamette Industry Council's role in job retention. Ms. Wooten said CCED has addressed concerns over the City's involvement in marketing and recruitment. She said the real issue is the need to subcontract the work versus adding new staff. She said the City will be doing nonindustrial recruiting in conjunction with other agencies. In addition, it will be taking part in marketing the Riverfront Research Project. She said the downtown area is not specifically addressed in the plan. However, she said the committee is open to suggestions regarding that issue. Mr. Bennett said he is interested in the cultural as well as e MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 20, 1988 Page 11