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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 Page 1 of 3 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 January 17, 2017 Page 2 of 3 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 Page 3 of 3 COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AGENCY ADJOURNMENT