CC Minutes - 01/30/02 Work Session

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Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Pap~, moved to direct the City Manager to continue discussions with Hynix based on the direction provided by the City Council and mayor, as well as exploring alternative 1 as proposed by Ms. Nathanson. The motion passed, 5:2; Ms. Nathanson and Ms. Bettman voting no. B.Work Session: Eugene/Springfield Metropolitan Partnership Referring to an agenda item summary, copies of which were included in the meeting agenda packet, Planning & Development staff member Cathy Briner explained that the purpose of this agenda item was to review the proposed new focus of the Eugene/Springfield Metropolitan Partnership (ESMP) and to consider a request for additional financial support. Ms. Briner stated that the Metro Partnership has provided marketing and business recruitment services for the City of Eugene, City of Springfield, and Lane County since its inception in 1985. She said that over the years, the scope of services has expanded to include business assistance, business retention and other economic development services. Ms. Briner explained that when the partnership's executive director, Lee Beyer, resigned in September, discussions were initiated on the future focus and funding of the organization. She said it was currently being recommended that the Metro Partnership divest itself of some of its services so that its staff can more effectively and aggressively focus on supporting the expansion of local businesses, as well as on community marketing and targeted business recruitment. In addition, Ms. Briner stated that it was also being recommended that the partnership secure a stable funding base to attract a highly qualified executive director to lead the organization. She said that as a result of that recommendation, the public partners were being asked to increase their financial support and to make three-year commitments, as detailed in Attachment A of the meeting agenda packet. Ms. Briner explained that the City of Eugene's financial support to the Metro Partnership in FY01- 02 is $30,000, which includes Sten,000 for the Lane Venture Forum. She said the current proposal calls for the City to increase its support in FY02-03 to $50,000 and to continue the Sten,000 for the Lane Venture Forum. Ms. Briner stated that the City of Springfield was being asked to increase its annual support from $26,000 to $50,000. She said the Springfield Mayor and Council President have indicated that it is likely that Springfield would respond favorably to this request. Ms. Briner noted that the Lane County Board of Commissioners was also asked to increase its annual support from $64,000 to $70,000 during the next fiscal year. She said initial indications were that this request would be granted. Mr. Kelly stated that he had been a member of the Metro Partnership Board for the past year. He said that if the Metro Partnership ceased to exist, City staff would have to assume the work of the partnership at a higher cost. Mr. Kelly expressed support for the new focus and targeted recruitment proposed by the Metro Partnership. He noted that according to a survey, 78 percent of Eugene citizens support the City taking an active role in economic development. Ms. Bettman said she would not support increasing Eugene's contribution to $50,000 because industry recruitment is a regional issue. She said State lottery funds, rather than City General Fund dollars, should be used for recruitment. Ms. Bettman stated that the City of Eugene's best tool for recruiting business is the creation of a safe and liveable community. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 30, 2002 Page 5 Work Session