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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-14 ACE MINUTES, • • • ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD October 14, 2010 I. CALL TO ORDER rt] The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) was called to order at 11 :40 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Chair Lonborg presiding. Present: Absent: Lonborg, Vasilas, Schalk, Champion, Calonder Knoth (Alternate) Sarconi Also present: Joe Jefferson , City Council Liaison Jim Woodward, Mayor Colleen Mello, Englewood Chamber of Commerce Bryan Slekes, Economic Development Specialist, City of Denver Business Improvement District Board Members Nicole Jarman , HobNob Events Staff present: Alan White, Community Development Director Darren Hollingsworth, Economic Development Coordinator APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 9, 2010 Chair Lonborg stated that the Minutes of September 9, 2010 were to be considered for approva l. It was determined there was a quorum . Chair Lonborg asked if there were any changes or adjustments to the Minutes. There were none. Vasilas moved : Schalk seconded: THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 BE APPROVED AS WRITIEN. The motion carried unanimously. 11. ACE BUSINESS GUEST SPEAKER FROM DENVER'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ~ Mr. Schalk introduced Mr. Bryan Slekes, Economic Development Specialist with the City of Denver. Mr. Slekes discussed the Small Business Lending Programs he oversees for the City of Denver. The programs provide "gap" financing for businesses that are looking to expand or start up. They are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program . Before the downturn in the economy Denver was receiving $4 to $5 million dollars annua ll y; this year with the help of other fund in g about $3.5 million wil l be available. He distributed a brochure detailing the programs and a map showing the target areas. 1 , • • He noted the City of Denver is an entitlement city and as such are able to get money directly from the Federal Government. Mayor Woodward said the City of Englewood must go through Arapahoe County to obtain CDBG funds and the County Commissioners must approve the use . Englewood's portion has typically been $150,000. Mr. Slekes also provided information on Denver's Workforce Development program. Mr. Slekes held a question and answer session with ACE members. Chair Lonborg thanked Mr. Slekes for his presentation. Mr. Slekes exited the meeting. CITY FINANCIAL UPDATE !ll1 Director White distributed a chart listing stimulus program grants the City has applied for. Chair Lonborg asked Staff if Englewood 's allocation of CDBG money coming from Arapahoe County is based on per capita and if Englewood is getting what they are suppos e to be getting. Director White said the allocation has been stable at $150,000 per year for several yea rs . It is based upon low and moderate income population, not total population. Chair Lonborg asked how the City decided to spend the money on housing as opposed to business development or economic development. Director White said Staff takes the requests to City Council and they decide what is approved. The possibility of funding different projects in the future was discussed . Chair Lonborg said she would like to continue the discussion at the next meeting. She asked "a re we reall y here for business"? Could some of the money allocated to affordable housing be spent on eco nomic development and programs for the businesses that are here? Chair Lonborg said she would like ACE to have a conversation to figure out what we should be doing regardless of whether or not there is funding for it; come up with some different kinds of programs and determine if they are then worth considering asking for funding. BID DISCUSSION REGARDING 2011 DOWNTOWN EVENT lt11 The Business Improvem ent District (BID ) discussed the proposed event they would like to hold in downtown Englewood in early summer 2011. He introduced, Nicole Jarman , the eve nt coordinator. The BID requested assistance from the City. Schalk moved : Champion seconded : THE ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD SUPPORTS THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN HOLDING AN EVENT IN 2011. • The motion carried unanimously. 2 • • • Lonborg moved: Schalk seconded: HAVING ADOPTED SUPPORT FOR THE EVENT, THE ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD ENCOURAGES THE ENGLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO HOLD A LARGE SCALE EVENT IN 2011 . The motion carried unanimously. Chair Lonborg thanked the BID board for attending and hoped there cou ld be more joint meetings as she believes ACE and the BID share a v i sion and an agenda for the City. No further business was brought forth for cons id eration. The meeting was adjourned at 1 :11 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for December 9, 2010. ~L;rf;~ Barbara KreckloW,eCOrding Secretary 3