05/12/1982 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. e e V. EUGENE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAM--QUARTERLY REPORT (memo, additional information distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Susan Smernoff, Planning. Ms. Smernoff gave a report on activities that took place in February, March, and April 1982 as part of the City's Economic Diversification Program. She said that on April 20, 1982, the Joint Committee on Economic Diversification (JCED) announced the opening of the Business Marketing, Recruiting, and Assistance Program. She said that the program was being implemented by the Business Assistance Team, composed of City staff members and volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce, Lane Community College (LCC), and University of Oregon (U of 0). She said that under the policy direction of the JCED, the team will carry out four actions: a) develop- ment of a consistent and coordinated information program; b) assistance to local firms; c) recruitment of non-local firms; and d) proposed methods to improve Eugenels image as a place to do business. Ms. Smernoff gave examples of activities that would occur in each of these broad categories. She said that initial funding for the work of the team would include $20,000 from the City and $5,000 from the Chamber of Commerce and that in-kind services provided by the City included provision of four paid staff people, office space, data processing services, and volunteer staff time. Ms. Smernoff then reviewed and explained work that had been done in conjunction with the Investment-Capital Assistance Program and the Small Business Training and Technical Assistance Survey. She said that the reorganization of downtown boards and commissions would be brought to the council for action on May 24, 1982. Ms. Smernoff said that phase one of the Development Assistance and Information Center was under way and that implementation of four more phases was expected through 1983. She said that efforts were being made to enhance the ability of connecting existing computer programs through a new program, to be called *CEUSE, which would allow retrieval of information regarding the zoning, ownership, and permitted uses on land parcels within the City. She said that staff was also working on major improvements to streamline the City's permit and regulatory processes. Ms. Smernoff also reviewed and provided information on the proposed use of Community Development Block Grant funds for economic diversification, the update of the City's Economic Diversification Program, the progress of the Willow Creek Refinement Plan, and the April 10 opening of the Eugene Conference Center. She noted that the Performing Arts Center would be opening on schedule in September. Councilor Obie congratulated staff on the progress that had been made. He offered the strong support of the council for efforts being made to streamline City permit processes, particularly the building permit process. Mr. Gleason said that much positive work was being done in this area. He noted that staff would bear in mind the suggestion made a number of times by Ms. Schue that the language used in application forms and explanatory material be clear and easy to understand. MINUTES--Eugene City Council May 12, 1982 Page 9