HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-10 ACE MINUTESf
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ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD
October 1 O, 2002
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Alliance for Commerce in Englewood meeting was called to order at 11 :35 a.m. in the
City Council Conference Room of Englewood Civic Center, Jan Johnson presiding
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Alternate Member:
Liaison Members Present:
Staff:
Guests:
Guinther, Schalk, Taylor, Young
Ashenfelter, Panetta, Van Der Zwaag
Rees
Brenengen, Yurchick
Robert Simpson, Director of Community Development
Jan Johnson, Business and Redevelopment Coordinator
Frank Gryglewicz, Director of Finance and
Administrative Services
Councilperson Olga Wolosyn
Ms. Johnson stated that Chair Van Der Zwaag was out of town and Vice Chair Panetta was
recovering from minor surgery. At their request, she will be facilitating the meeting.
Frank Gryglewicz, Director of Finance and Administrative Services presented information
on instituting a licensing fee and reducing sales tax vendor fees. Mr. Gryglewicz stated that
City Council requested the matter be brought to ACE to discuss how the proposed changes
would impact businesses.
With the downturn in the economy, the City has been hit hard. Sales tax revenue, which
generates 67% of the general budget, has decreased this year and the trend is expected
through next year. In order to maintain service levels and reserves, City departments cut
their budgets by two percent for the remainder of this year. In addition, departments cut
an additional two percent for next year.
City Council is considering instituting a $25 processing fee for sales tax and use licenses. It
would be a one-time fee and would only be collected on new licenses, not renewals.
Secondly, each vendor that collects sales tax is currently allowed to keep 1.6%. City
Council is considering reducing that to .5%. Mr. Gryglewicz stated that 19 cities do not
allow a vendor fee. The reduced vendor fee would generate approximately $253,000 in
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revenue. If City Council approves these two proposals, the change would be effective
January 1.
Mr. Young asked if Littleton was considering the same type of proposal. Mr. Gryglewicz
responded that he hadn 't heard anything from Littleton. Ms . Wolosyn stated that due to
Aspen Grove, the City of Littleton has had less of an impact. Mr. Yurchick sugges t ed
eliminating the vendor fee and reducing the sales tax. Discussion ensued .
Mr. Young stated he was not in favor of the processing fee; he didn 't feel it was sending t he
right message to new businesses wanting to locate in Englewood. Mr. Gryglewicz
explained that the licensing fee covers administrative costs for processing the application.
Mr. Rees stated that he didn't like taxes of any kind, but $25 should not be prohibitive for a
business .
Mr. Gryglewicz clarified that the two proposals had not been approved by City Council yet,
and they would like to hear the Commission 's thoughts on the two proposals. Discussion
ensued regarding the removal of the vendor fee.
Mr. Schalk moved;
Ms . Guinther seconded:
TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL REDUCE THE SALES TAX VENDOR FEE FROM
1.6 % TO .5% WITH A REVIEW IN JUNE, 2004. ACE FURTHER SUGGESTS THAT A
STRATEGY BE DEVELOPED TO REDUCE SALES TAX AND ELIMINATE THE
VENDOR FEE.
Motion carried.
Mr. Schalk moved;
Mr. Taylor seconded :
TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL IMPLEMENT A $25 PROCESSING FEE ON
SALES TAX LICENSES.
Motion carried.
Ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Schalk moved;
Mr. Taylor seconded:
THAT TH E MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 12 , 2002 BE APPROVED .
Motion carried .
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IV. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Ms. Johnson stated the City Council study session with ACE is scheduled for November 12.
Discussion ensued regarding the presentation of the priority items to City Council. Mr.
Young suggested developing benchmarks. Ms. Brenengen suggested developing
implementation strategies. Mr . Young asked what the approximate timeframe was for all
the action items .
Mr. Simpson responded that the action items were derived from the business forums. He
foresees the implementation process being a minimum of 2 years. He suggested before the
end of the third year, community input be gathered again to determine if the priorities have
changed.
Ms . Johnson stated she would like to hold the first lender/broker forum before the end of
the year.
Discussion ensued regarding educating the community . Ms . Wolosyn requested the
Commission be provided with resource material on redevelopment at the next meeting.
She suggested asking Steve Burkholder, Mayor of Lakewood to speak at a future meeting
regarding redevelopment.
v. OTHER BUSINESS
Ms . Johnson stated the November meeting would be held on Thursday, November 7,
rather than November 14.
Mr . Ta ylor moved ;
Mr . Schalk seconded:
TO ADOPT THE SHARED CITY LINE DEVELOPED BY THE SUBCOMMITIEE .
Motion carried .
Secretary's Note: A copy of the shared city line is attached to these Minutes.
The "Meet ACE Event " is scheduled for Monday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m . at the Gothic
Theatre. Ms . Johnson encouraged members to attend. Invitations will be sent to City
Council. The event was advertised in the Englewood Citizen as well. Mr. Yurchick
suggested someone make a brief presentation on ACE and its membership . Mr . Simpson
stated it would be beneficial to share what ACE has accomplished since its inception, to
share the priorities ACE will be working on , and to make the business community aware
that members want their input.
Ms. Johnson distributed the first edition of Business Matters, a bi-monthly newsletter which
Community Development will be faxing on Wednesdays to Englewood businesses .
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Ms. Brenengen stated the Chamber's annual business gala event is scheduled for February .
The awards committee has asked ACE to make nominations for the "Englewood City
Employee of the Year " award. Criteria is on the nomination form which will be faxed to the
members .
Regarding the "Always Buy Englewood" campaign, Ms . Bren en gen stated the Chamber
already has a "Shop Englewood" campaign, and she would like to see the two programs
tied together. Mr. Simpson encouraged the Chamber to provide City Council with
information on the "Shop Englewood" program.
Ms. Johnson reminded everyone that the next meeting is on November 7.
VI. ADIOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1 :05 p.m .
~ecretary
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M EMORAN D u M
Shared City Line / Mission Statement
The City of Englewood and the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood are
invested and committed to excellence by enhancing and improving the long-
term economic well being of the business and residential community.
We accomplish this by:
• Promoting and marketing existing business to strengthen and support Englewood 's
standing as home to more jobs and businesses per square mile than any other city
in the Rocky Mountains.
• Promoting new business development by partnering public and private funding to
foster dynamic and diversified investment.
• Promoting diversified housing to include the higher-end housing market quality and
size to meet the growing needs of both current and future Englewood families .
1000 Englewood Parkway Englewood, Colorado 80110 PHONE 303 -762-2342 FAX 303-783-6895
www.ci.e nglewood .co.us