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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-12 ACE MINUTES• • • I. ALLIANCE F OR COMMER CE IN ENGLEWOOD February 12, 2004 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) was called to order at 11 :35 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Ci vie Center. Chairman Pa- netta presided . Present: Absent: Guest: Staff: Cook, Guinther, McDermott, Rees , Panetta Vasilas, Alternate Member Ashenfelter, Yurchick (both gave previous notice of absence); Schalk (no notice of absence given). Wolo sy n Darren Hollingsworth , Busi ness Development Specialist John Voboril , Pl anner II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 8 , 2004 Chairman P anett a called for consideration of the Minutes of January 8, 2004 . McDermott moved: Cook seconded: The Minutes of January 8 , 2004 be approved as written. The motion carried. III. NEW BUSINESS ACE Business Visitation Program Mr. P a netta stated that the propo sed Visitation Program was discussed at the previous meeting, and Ms. McDermott , Mr. Cook and Mr. Vasilas volunteered to undertake this project. Mr. Pa- netta asked for an update by the members . Ms. McDermott stated that she and Messrs. Cook and Vasilas met and discussed the purpose of the visitation program , and the need to develop procedures to be followed during the course of the program . The visitation team decided the purpose of the visitation program is to create an awareness of ACE within the business community, and provide a contact source for new busi- nesses . Any comments or concerns that may be voiced by businesses visited can then be relayed to the City and City Council for consideration and possible resolution. Ms. McDermott sug- gested that the visiting team could ask some questions on behalf of the City Council to determine what the business community may be thinking. Ms. McDermott stated in regard to the proce- dures , the team decided to keep the visits "short and sweet". The team also determined that they need to carry something with them to identify them as ACE representatives, as well as their per- sonal business card. The visitation team also decided to set aside one afternoon every couple of H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\Minutes\2004\ACE 02-12-04 .doc 1 • • • weeks to conduct the visits, and will encompass the downtown corridor, as well as extend into the industrial district and the medical campus area. Two ACE members will participate on each visit, and a Council member will be invited to participate on the visits. Ms. McDermott stated that the team suggests limiting the visit to no more than 10 to 15 minutes in length . She stated that the team now needs to develop standardized questions to be asked on all visits . Ms. McDermott stated that she has worked up a flyer for distribution to those they visit; copies of this proposed flyer were distributed to the members for consideration. On one side of the flyer is the "mission statement" of ACE; on the reverse side members of ACE are listed. Mr. Cook discussed the need for standardized questions to facilitate quantification of the re- sponses. Ms. McDermott discussed the importance of community support of the program to realize value from it. Mr. Panetta commended team members for the organization and thought that has gone into this. Whether results of the visitation program will be meaningful cannot be dete1mined immediately; but it will show the business community that the ACE membership is interested in what is hap- pening and is willing to offer assistance where they can. Mr. Hollingsworth discussed his efforts to visit with businesses new to the area, that want to ex- pand, or are experiencing some problems . He commented on one meeting he had last week with a bu s iness that will be outgrowing its present site in a s hort period of time , and the need to work with this business to try to retain them in the Englewood business community. He stated that if members get questions regarding issues such as job training he would be happy to provide assis- tance and information to the inquiring business. If ACE is interested in going forward with the business visitation program, he will communicate such to City Council. Mr. Cook reiterated that how a question is posed will be very important in eliciting the responses we are looking for. Is there some information that can be provided to the team before they begin the visits. This would help the visitation team respond to some questions "intelligently". Mr. Hollingsworth stated he would be happy to work with the visitation team and provide informa- tion they may need. Ms . Wolosyn agreed, and suggested preparation of a list of items for the visitation team -how does the city contribute to the success of a business , or what impediments to success does the City impose. She emphasized the need to get information on both sides of the issue . Mr. Cook questioned the Chamber involvement in this program; how does the Chamber interface with ACE. Ms. McDermott suggested that handouts the visitation te a m may distribute could have a small paragraph regarding Chamber activities and contact numbers. Ms. Guinther stated she felt the progress the three team members have made is great. She stressed the need to contact more people in the business community and to identify community H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\Minutes\2004\ACE 02-12-04 .doc 2 • • • leaders. This is a great opportunity to bridge the information gap. Ms. Guinther agreed on the need for a "script" for the team members to use in their meetings . Mr. Vasilas stated that he envisions the visitation program going on year after year, and the need to follow the progress of businesses . Mr. Vasilas discussed how well Sparks Restaurant is doing , and the fact that they have reservations well ahead of a weekend. Mr. Rees stated that new businesses should be contacted first, and proceed from there with the visitation program . Ms. McDermott commented that even if the visitors receive a "mediocre" response to the ques- tions it will provide an opportunity for members of the business community to greet new busi - nesses, or existing businesses, and to let them know they are welcome and we are interested in them . Mr. Panetta suggested establishment of time lines with an estimated number of contacts the visi- tation team would like to make within a given time period -three months or six months, as an example . Mr. Cook stated that the team hasn't gotten that far; the questions haven 't been formu- lated yet. Mr. Hollingsworth commented that opening lines of communication within the business commu- nit y, and between the business community and the ACE and the City is an important first step. If there are issues that emerge during the course of the visits, they can be brought up for discussion . Ms . McDermott reiterated that the visitation team has considered setting aside one afternoon every couple of weeks to do the visits. She stated that the visitation team will work on drafting questions , and will bring proposed questions back to ACE at the next meeting. Ms. McDermott gave staff a copy of the proposed flyer, and asked if some "art work" -the ACE and City logos - be included . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that he would handle this , and also procure name tags for the ACE membership to use when visiting other businesses. Ms. Wolosyn noted a correction on the listing of ACE members -she stated that she is not the official City Council liaison to ACE, and should not be so noted. Ms. Wolosyn stated she would be available to accompany the visitation team on some of their visits. IV. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Mr. Panetta stated that the ACE membership had agreed previously to continue review of the ED Strategy. He also noted that members were asked to review the total document, and note areas of particular interest or concern to them . Mr. Cook stated that he had reviewed the total document, and noted that use of consultants is noted on many topics. Mr. Cook stated in his opinion there is adequate "free consultation" ser- vices available through ACE, staff, and Planning Commission members. He stated that he does not feel the City needs to expend funds for consulting services when there are other resources H:\GRO UP\BOARDS\ACE\Minutes\2004\ACE 02-12 ·04.d oc 3 • • • available. He also suggested contacting Arapahoe Community College and making use of in- terns to do research or drafting of reports. Ms . McDermott stated that she had also reviewed the total document, and high lighted issues that she felt were especially relevant to the business community and the mission of ACE. She stated that in her thoughts ACE serves more as a "sounding board", and there is need for someone to pull the information together for ACE's consideration. Mr. Hollingsworth discussed the value of consultant assistance on occasion. He noted that the ED Strategy was done in-house by John Voboril, with input from ACE and the workshops that were facilitated by a consultant. Mr. Panetta stated that he went through the document. Many items are slated to be accomplished over a period of time. He tried to do an "overlay" of the ACE mission and how the various goals, strategies, and action items related to that mission. He came up with a "top five list " that he feels fits into the ACE program. He tried to group numbers of items that related to the mis- sion. Mr. Panetta 's top priority items are: • Items 28-30: Promote the City of Englewood to potential business prospects . • Items 37-41: Conduct a void analysis to identify complementary bu si ness and develop- ment opportunities. • Items 46-52: Increase workforce housing opportunities . • Items 55-58 and Items 143-144: Promote the downtown Broadway/CityCenter Engle- wood area as the premier site for educational, recreational , cultural and civic opportuni- ties (items 55-58); and identify potential locations for new sit-down restaurants and enter- tainment/cultural (items 143-144 ). • Items 113 -115: Ensure codes , regulations, and departmental processes reflect the City's reality as a first ring suburb. Discussion ensued. Ms. Wolosyn excused herself from the meeting. Mr. Panetta suggested the need for ACE membership to determine whether the ED Strategy is something they want to endorse . He noted that the document can be "tweaked" as needed . Mr. Vasilas commented that in his review of the document , he found nothing negative. It is hard to prioritize the goals, but he would like to see promotion of Broadway and CityCenter -this is a very important goal. Mr. Cook asked "what is unique in Englewood" that we can build on -why was Englewood cre- ated , what element is important to Englewood. Mr. Hollingsworth commented that Englewood has a rich transit history -beginning with use of the Cherrelyn Horse Car to the present day light-rail service. A shuttle service is slated to begin later this year between the medical campus and the downtown area/CityCenter area . H:\GRO UP\BOARDS\AC E\Minutes\2004\ACE 02 -12-04 .d oc 4 • • • Mr. Hollingsworth suggested using Mr. Panetta's priority list as a frame work, and "hang action items" under these priority items. This procedure would set out the goals of ACE and the strate- gies to realize those goals. Mr. Cook commented that using this procedure might be of assis- tance in wording the questions by the visitation team. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Panetta asked if ACE is ready to endorse the ED Strategy docu- ment, or do they want to "tweak it" some more. Mr. Cook stated he approved the "general cate- gory" approach. Mr. Rees also agreed that there should be five or six different general catego- ries, and condense the strategies. He advised that the membership keep in mind that the action plans will change with time. Ms. McDermott stated that she would like to see a couple of other items added to Mr. Panetta' s list. These include: • Item 90: Actively promote environmentally responsible business operations. • Item 122: Work to ensure that the city's business districts are served by state of the art technology. • Item 133: Address parking issues along key retail and industrial corridors. • Item 155: Define the boundaries of the City's official Central Business District in order to establish areas for development and enhance the City 's position to obtain transporta- tion funding. Ms. McDermott discussed her reasoning for addition of these items to the top priority items . Discussion followed. Item 154 was also added to the list. • Item 154: Expand Brownfield Loan Programs. Vasi las moved: Guinther seconded: The ED Strategy document be approved , and the top priorities be set forth as follows: • Items 28-30: Promote the City of Englewood to potential business prospects. • Items 37-41: Conduct a void analysis to identify complementary business and develop- ment opportunities. • Items 46-52: Increase workforce housing opportunities. • Items 55-58 and Items 143-144: Promote the downtown Broadway/CityCenter Engle- wood area as the premier site for educational, recreational, cultural and civic opportuni- ties (items 55-58); and identify potential locations for new sit-down restaurants and enter- tainment/cultural (items 143-144 ). • Item 90: Actively promote environmentally responsible business operations . • Items 113-115 : Ensure codes, regulations, and departmental processes reflect the City's reality as a first ring suburb. • Item 122 : Work to ensure that the city's business districts are served by state of the art technology. • Item 133: Address parking issues along key retail and industrial corridors . • Item 154: Expand Brownfield Loan Programs. H:\GROUP\BOARDS \ACE\M inutes\2004\AC E 02-12 -04 .doc 5 • • • • Item 155: Define the boundaries of the City's official Central Business District in order to esta blish areas for development and enhance the City's position to obtain transporta- tion funding. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Voboril noted that the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) has standards they use to determine "core area" boundaries; some of those standards include density and availability of transit to serve the area . Staff is working with DRCOG, and information will be provided not only to ACE, but to the Planning Commission and the City Council. Mr. Reese noted that the central business district has been enlarged several times. Mr. Cook asked if there is a list of homeowner ' s associations in Englewood. Mr. Voboril noted that there is few if any active homeowner's association in Englewood. The majority of Engle- wood's residential neighborhoods were constructed prior to the popularity of "gated communi- ties", or neighborhoods that are "covenant-controlled". The motion on the table was reviewed. Mr. Panetta asked for a voice-vote. The motion carried; no one voted in opposition. The Economic Development Strategy stands approved, with the top general categories set forth. Mr. Panetta extended a "thank-you" to Mr. Voboril for his work on the ED Strategy , and for the addi tion al effort that will have to be expended revising and prioritizing the top categories. Mr. Voboril stated that he will bring something more easily "digestible" back to the commission at the next meeting . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the ED Document will now be presented to the Chamber of Com- merce for comments, and then go to the Planning Commission and City Council for considera- tion and approval/adoption. Mr. Rees asked when Mr. Hollingsworth envisioned the document will be before the City Council. Mr. Hollingsworth suggested it would be before Council within three to four months; however, this will depend upon the public" input process . He reiterated the need to get public comments before presentation to Council. Mr. Voboril commented that staff has considered holding public meetings and invite the general public to attend to talk about the ED Strategy. Mr. Cook suggested that staff may want to delay the public meetings until the visitation team has had an opportunity to visit some businesses to let them know about the ED Strategy and that meetings may be coming up. Mr. Hollingsworth noted that there are several ways to get the word out to the public about the meetings. Mr. Vasilas suggested including a paragraph in the business newsletter or the Englewood Citi ze n. V. COMMENTS AND EVENTS Ms. McDermott provided an update on Chamber of Commerce activities. Mr. Panetta noted that he had attended the Governmental Affairs meeting recently , at which time the issue of license fees for various businesses was considered. He noted that this issue may come before ACE. Mr. Rees stated that the license fee increases have been approved by City Council. H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\Minu te s\2004\ACE 02-12-04.doc 6 • • • Mr. Panetta commended the Community Development Department for their annual report. He stated that the report is informative, and very well done. Mr. Panetta noted that the Minutes of the January meeting make note of the need to designate a member of ACE to sit on the ESBDC Board. He asked if anyone wanted to volunteer. Brief discussion ensued. Mr. Vasilas volunteered to participate on ESBDC . Mr. Hollingsworth stated he would let ESBDC know that Mr. Vasilas will be participating. Mr. Vasilas congratulated Ms. Wolosyn and Mr. Rees on their awards given at the Chamber of Commerce gala event on January 29th. Mr. Rees stated that he attended a City Council study session at which time the admission tax issue was discussed . He reported that this tax is applicable to only two businesses in Englewood -the Gothic Theatre and Nathan 's Funtastics . He suggested that ACE write a letter to City Council supporting repeal of the admissions tax. Rees moved: Cook seconded: Th a t ACE, through Chairman Panetta , write a letter to Mayor Garrett and members of the Englewood City Council s tating that the ACE membership supports repeal of the admissions tax. The motion passed unanimously . Ms . McDermott presented and reviewed a report she prepared on "Accomplishments and Goals for 2004" for ACE. M s. McDermott was commended for her report. Ms. Guinther asked if there is a "common line" or pro-acti ve position regarding the issue of emi- nent domain which is now before the legislature . What is the position of the City on use of emi- nent domain? Mr. Panetta noted that reference to eminent domain was made in the Broadway Plan 2004, and Senior Planner Graham agreed to remove reference to this procedure from the document. Mr. Panetta suggested that this be included on the next agenda as an action item for further discussion. Ms. Guinther stated that this is a very important issue, and she would like to be in a pro-active position. Mr. Rees emphasized the need for guidelines on the use of eminent domain . Mr. Hollingsworth stated that he would look into this issue ; he does not know what po- sition City Council may have taken regarding the subject. He agreed to put "eminent domain " on the agenda for discussion at the March meeting . Mr. Panetta cautioned that discussion should be in the context of applicability of eminent domain to the business community, and not to the residential community. Ms. Guinther stated that at one time a kiosk was to be placed at CityCenter that would have a listing of Englewood businesses. What is the status of this proposal? Mr. Hollingsworth stated that the kiosk is in place -it is right below the stairs to the light-rail station. It is a three-sided kiosk -one for use by the Chamber of Commerce, one for use by the City, and one for use by the public. Ms . Guinther suggested that an article be included in the Engl e wood Citi ze n regarding availability of the kiosk . H:\GRO UP\BOARDS \AC E\Minutes\2 004\AC E 02-12-04 .doc 7 • • • Mr. Hollingsworth distributed a "calendar of events" list. This is an effort to meet concerns ex- pressed by Mr. Schalk at the last meeting. He asked ACE would like to have Assistant City Manager Flaherty attend a meeting to discuss the calendar of events. Mr. Hollingsworth stated that he and Mr. Simpson will be attending a training session during the week of April 8th; this will necessitate rescheduling the ACE meeting to either April 1 or April 15. This is early notice for members, and an actual meeting date can be determined at the March meeting. There being no further business to come before the ACE, the meeting was decl ared adjourned. Gertrude G. Welty, Recording Se retary Action Items: • Visitation Team to proceed with development of questions. • Approved ED Strategy document • Mr. Vasilas volunteered to serve on ESBDC • ACE to communicate via letter to Council in support of admissions tax repeal Agenda Items: • Revie w of questions for visitation te am • Eminent Domain Discussion • Timeline for Economic Development Strategy H:\GROUP\BOARDS\ACE\Minutes\2004\ACE 02-12-04 .doc 8