HomeMy Public PortalAboutMIN-CC-2017-01-17MOAB CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JOINT GRAND COUNTY COUNCIL
MOAB CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 17, 2017
The Moab City Council held a Special Joint Meeting with the Grand County
Council on the above date in the Grand County Council Chambers, located at
125 East Center Street, Moab, Utah. A recording of the meeting is archived at
http://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html.
Grand County Council Chairperson Jaylyn Hawks called the meeting to order at
2:00 PM. In attendance were Moab City Councilmembers Rani Derasary, Heila
Ershadi, Kyle Bailey and Kalen Jones. Also in attendance were Interim City
Manager David Everitt, City Recorder/Assistant City Manager Rachel Stenta, and
Community Services Director Amy Weiser. Grand County Councilmembers
Jaylyn Hawks, Curtis Wells, Mary McGann, Chris Baird, Greg Halliday, and Evan
Clapper also attended, as well as Grand County Council Administrator Ruth
Dillon and County Clerk Diana Carroll. Dean Steve Hawks and Economic
Development Liaison Cynthia Gibson from Utah State University -Moab were
also in attendance. Councilmember Ershadi departed at 2:55 PM and Grand
County Councilmember Rory Paxman arrived at 3:25 PM.
The Meeting began with a brief update on the Affordable Housing Plan by
Weiser. She invited comments or questions from the Councilmembers.
The discussion turned to Economic Development. Councilmember Baird
described earlier efforts between the City and the County to avoid redundancy
and to increase efficiency with a shared position.
Councilmember Ershadi asked for an update on the Area Sector Analysis
Program (ASAP), including efforts by Utah State University (USU) to create a
small business hub. Dillon briefly described ASAP.
Cynthia Gibson, USU economic development liaison, stated that former City
Manager Rebecca Davidson held the role of moving the ASAP process forward,
and that the process was now in limbo. Gibson went on to describe the local
Economic Development Committee, which hosts the annual business summit.
Councilmember Ershadi asked if the City needs a designated full-time position.
Gibson expressed her opinion that it should be a full-time position. Discussion
January 17, 2017
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MEETING & ATTENDANCE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
UPDATE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ensued with Steve Hawks, Dean of USU-Moab and Baird, about whether the
position could be shared, in-house, orjointly-funded. Interim City Manager
Everitt described options for creating local oversight of economic development.
Councilmember Bailey stated that goals for such a position need to be in place
before hiring personnel. He indicated that former efforts were aimed at
business retention rather than promoting the area to new industries.
Baird noted that in the past, infrastructure needs were discussed to woo new
businesses to town. He cited Internet and the airport as needing upgrades.
Further discussion ensued about grants that have been obtained to assist local
businesses to expand, the need for a local government representative to take
charge of economic development efforts, and the need to diversify our
economy beyond the scope of the Moab Area Travel Council. Councilmember
Wells added that the ASAP process was limited in that it is not in Grand County's
best interests to rely upon the limited scope of the 50-60 people involved in the
process. He stated that the structure of the economic development program is
important.
Councilmember Jones added that accountability is important.
McGann asked about models in other locales that have County -City overlap.
Gibson cited Box Elder County as an example, and discussed the role of USU.
Wells stated that USU and the Small Business Center is key, and communication
between USU, the City, and the County is imperative. He noted that private
sector involvement is important.
Baird stated that the growth of USU-Moab represents significant economic
development for the community.
Resident Joe Kingsley asserted that the local governments are missing a
marketing role.
Discussion followed regarding the role of USU, the Innovation Center, and
public -private partnerships. Councilmember Jones supported a shared position
between the County and the City with equal accountability. Jodie Hoffman of
Moab Chamber of Commerce voiced a concern that economic development
information should be in one place, or that consistent information is put out to
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the public from various entities.
There were suggestions for Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) to assist
with economic development staffing, a Citizen's Task Force, and positions in the
local governments. Baird asked if the existing committee could create a job
description.
The agenda moved on to discussion regarding creating a Community
Reinvestment Agency (CRA) for the purpose of establishing funding for the USU
campus and/or infrastructure. Baird described it in terms of repaying the
Community Impact Board (CIB) loan. Carroll asked about tax liability if there is
negative growth. Dean Hawks noted that Zion's bank has specialists that deal
with this funding mechanism.
Councilmember Jones noted his interest in the prospect of a CRA and indicated
economic development staff could work on it. The County's Director of
Community Development, the County Treasurer, and the City's Director of
Community Services have interest or experience in the CRA model.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 PM.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
David L. Sakrison Rachel E. Stenta
Mayor City Recorder
January 17, 2017
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COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT
AGENCY
ADJOURNMENT