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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-11 ACE MINUTES• • ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD August 11, 2011 Minutes and audio are available at: http://www.englewoodgov .org/Index.aspx?page:::771 I. CALL TO ORDER lt1l The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood (ACE) was called to order at 11 :45 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Vice Chair Knoth presiding. Present: Schalk, Champion, Calonder, Knoth, Weinberger Absent: Lind, Sarconi, Vasilas, Whyte (alternate) Also present: Joe Jefferson, City Council Liaison Staff present: Alan White, Community Development Director Darren Hollingsworth, Economic Development Coordinator APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 14, 2011 Vice Chair Knoth stated that the Minutes of July 14, 2011 were to be considered for approval. It was determined there was a quorum. Vice Chair Knoth asked if there were any changes or adjustments to the Minutes. There were none. Schalk moved: Champion seconded: THE MINUTES OF JULY 14, 2011 BE APPROVED AS WRITIEN The motion carried; 4 Ayes and one Abstain. II. ACE BUSINESS ACE EVENT/MIXER ltJ The members liked the idea of holding an open house for the community, but felt this is not the right time . This item will be discussed further at the November meeting. TOWN OF LYONS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT lt1l The report was discussed. It was decided to work on a plan and goals to take to a City Council study session. If ACE holds a community meeting the goals and recommendations • could be discussed with the attendees . This item will be discussed at a future meeting. 1 f • • • Schalk moved: Weinberger seconded: RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL TRANSITION FROM A The motion carried 4 - 1. Knoth moved: Schalk seconded: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT APPROACH TO AN ECONOMIC D EVELOPMENT APPROACH TO DRIVE BUSINESS AND CHANGE THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT D EPARTMENT TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D EPARTMENT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PLAN SIMILAR TO THE ONE FROM LYONS TO PRESENT TO CITY COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION ITEMS TO ACCOMPLISH SAID RECOMMENDATIONS The motion carried unanimously. Staff will assist in writing the recommendation . Schalk moved: THAT CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER BRINGING BACK THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RUN BY BUSINESS LEADERS The motion died for a lack of a second. Staff will research what ha p pened to the old Downtown Development Authority, what their specific powers are, how to go about forming one and what other cities do and report back to the members. REVOLVING LOAN FUND ~ Mr. Hollingsworth said there is no money to support such a fund and the City cannot directly lend dollars. Different ways of obtaining loans were discussed. Community Development Block Grant money that the City receives goes to housing. Expanding the City's current loan pool over time to include other types of loans was discussed. It was suggested a meeting be held with the Small Business Development Corporation. BUSINESS DATABASE ~ The Chamber of Commerce had asked at a previous meeting how they might be able to obtain a list of businesses in the Community. Mr. Hollingsworth stated the library has a free program, Reference USA, which allows one to search businesses by ownership, name, geog raphic location, business size, etc. He noted you do need a library card to access the site. He passed around a sample of a search he had done. It's a great marketing tool. 2 r • • • ~ Ill. PUBLIC COMMENT ~ There was no public present. IV. COMMENTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE !Ill Ms. Mello was not present. Mr. Hollingsworth reported the following : • Next After Hours is on August 16th at Englewood High School • The Hair Cut-a-thon will be h eld this Sunday at Chase Bank • Chamber is working on a pink ribbon eve nt for September-October for the Susan G . Komen for the Cure BID COMMENTS ~ Mr. Vasilas was not present. Mr. Schalk had nothing to repo rt. STAFF COMMENTS !Ill Mr. Hollingsworth noted that the budget for ACE lunch es has been proposed to be cut. Members discussed holding the ACE meetings at a different time of day. Further discussion will take place at a future m eeting . Mr. Schalk offered to bring in lunch for the September meeting . CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS ii?] Mr. Jefferson stated he wasn 't aware of how the budget cuts would affect th e ACE lunch budget, but the City is looking to save mon ey where we can. ACE COMMENTS ltll There were no further comments. V. UPCOMING ACE BUSINESS a. The n ext meeting is scheduled for September 8, 201 1 . No further business was brought forth for co nsid e ration. The meeting was adjo urn ed at 1 :00 p .m . 3