HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-08 ACE MINUTES•
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ALLIANCE FOR COMMERCE IN ENGLEWOOD COMMllTEE
March 8, 2012
Minutes and audio are available at:
http ://www.englewoodgov.org /index .aspx?page= 1103
I. CALL TO ORDER
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The regular meeting of the Alliance for Commerce in Englewood Committee (ACE) was
ca lled to order at 11 :35 a.m. in the City Council Conference Room of the Englewood Civic
Center, Vice Chair Knoth presiding.
Present: Vasilas, Schalk, Champion, Calonder, Knoth, Weinberger, Miller
Absent: Sarconi, Whyte (alternate)
Also present: Joe Jefferson, City Council Liaison
Randy Penn, Mayor
Colleen Mello, Englewood Chamber of Commerce
Staff present: Darren Hollingsworth, Economic Development Coordinator
Mike Flaherty, Deputy City Manager
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 9, 2012
Vice Chair Knoth stated that the Minutes of Februar y 9, 2012 were to be considered for
approva l. It was determined th ere was a quorum. Vice Chair Knoth asked if th e re were any
changes or adjustments to th e Minutes. There were non e.
Calonder moved :
Weinberger seco nded:
The motion carried.
II. ACE BUSINESS
THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 9, 2012 BE APPROVED AS
WRITIEN.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER
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Mr. Daniel Miller was introduced. He is the COO of Swedish M ed ical Cente r.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
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Vasilas moved:
Weinberger seconded: MR. KNOTH BE NOMINATED FOR CHAIR
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The motion carried.
• Schalk moved:
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Vasilas seconded: MR.·~NOT# BE NOMINATED FOR VICE CHAIR
The motion carried .
~ Mr. Jefferson suggested everyone introduce themselves to Mr. Miller.
BRINGING IN NEW BUSINESSES/INCENTIVE AND TAX BREAKS/COMMUNITY
MARKETING
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Mr. Jefferson stated that Economic Development no longer falls under the Community
Development Department of the City; it has been placed under the City Manager's office.
Mike Flaherty and Darren Hollingsworth will be working together to foster economic
development in the City. ACE members discussed the path they wanted to take to help
bring in new businesses to Englewood. Several members felt the Enterprise Zone is a very
useful tool. The use of social media, such as Facebook, was discussed. It was noted that
many businesses in Englewood do not have Facebook accounts, know how they work or
how it could benefit their business. Next month's meeting agenda will focus on different
types of incentives offered in other cities and what is currently being offered in Englewood.
Marketing will be discussed at a later date. Mayor Penn asked if any of the members knew
of someone who could provide Facebook instruction to the business community to let
Chair Knoth, Mr. Jefferson or him know .
Ill. PUBLIC COMMENT
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Mayor Penn stated Mr. Jefferson asked him to address ACE. He stated he is only one of
seven members of City Council and the following comments are his comments, and his
only. He said he believes ACE right now is at a crossroads. Do we go forward and do great
things for Englewood or do we continually look in the back and bring up things that just
haven't happened? No one can change the past. He said he felt part of the problem is that
City Council has not given ACE enough direction in the past. He stated he listened to the
last thee ACE meeting recordings and that if he was an outside business looking at moving
into Englewood and listened to those recordings they probably would not come to
Englewood. Changing things takes tim e and money. He said he believes ACE needs a one
item focus for each meeting. Mr. Jefferson wants to bring something back to Council, but
things have been so scattered lately that he really can't. He said if the meetings are going to
be nothing but a gripe session then the City does not need this group. We want economic
development to be a number one priority. He asked that ACE be positive and go forward
and find projects that the City of Englewood can do and to create a positive working
relationship with City Council.
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IV. COMMENTS
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ms. Me ll o sa id t he C h amb er is in th e process of crea t ing a "S h op Eng lewood " campaign.
The Gala wi ll be he ld on the 201h at the Meridian . She noted severa l ribbon cuttings are
scheduled in the nea r f ut u re .
BID COMMENTS
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Mr. Vasi las sa id the BID is rep lac in g seve ral of t h e banners along Broadway. They are
working on p laci n g secur ity cameras in the BID area. There was some opposition to the
BID last year, but it survived for 2012 . It has not been decided whether or not to hold the
Eats and Beats even t i n 20 12.
STAFF COMMENTS
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Mr. Holl ingsworth st ated the alternate member of ACE is now a voting member who will
vote on ly if there is n ot a q u orum of regular members. H e prov ided an update on new and
p roposed b u sin esses in t h e C ity.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
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M r. Jefferson reite rated City Council gave app rova l fo r the alternate member of ACE to vote
if t h ere is not a q u o ru m of reg ul a r m embe rs .
ACE COMMENTS
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Seve ral members comme nted on t oday's meeting. T h ey fe lt it was the most productive
meeting in a long t i me.
V. UPCOMING ACE BUSINESS
a. T he next meeti ng is schedu led for Apr il 12, 20 12.
No f u rth e r b u si ness was b ro u ght fo rth fo r co n si de rat i on. The meeting was adjo urn ed at
1 :OS p.m .
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