HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Economic Development Committee - 08/23/2021
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Room 301 at 180 Market Street
August 23, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Minutes
Meeting Called to Order at 5:35 PM
Members in attendance; J. Wilking, S. Bowden, J. West, T. Bailey, L. Norris
Others in attendance; J. Baker, City Manager
1. Welcome, agenda review and approval
Added appointment of a member to the Climate Change Task Force to the agenda as a new item #6. At
the next meeting, there will be a reorganization discussion.
2. Discuss of previous minutes
J. Wilkings will prepare the June Minutes
3. Public comments on items not on the Agenda
None
4. Annual Report, FY22 Work Plan, and Council’s Policy Priorities and Strategies Conversation
The committee had a robust discussion on the Council Policy Priorities and Strategies process. Ideas
included a focus for the fiscal year on:
• Rezoning of airport land
• Assess decisions through an economic development lens – Impact on tax capacity of City
• Improve processes for Council to request and get feedback from Committees
• Streamline permitting process to more nimbly respond to high priority projects
• City should consider a staff person to support economic development
• Develop metrics for economic development
o Tax-base
o Grand List goals for future fiscal sustainability
o City budget projections
• Planning for ARPA funding and other Federal grants
• Maintain GBIC and Lake Champlain Chamber relationships
• Nimbly respond to future UMall property opportunities
5. South Burlington Land Trust request for a city meeting to consider four cents of the tax rate
for four years for land conservation (see materials presented at the Council on August, 17,
2021 and available here.
The Committee had a conversation about the SBLT request for 4 cents tax over 4 years and expressed
concern that this effort was being priorities ahead of other City initiatives. The Committee is interested
in more data to assist us with helping make thoughtful , strategic and tactical decisions as an Economic
Committee resource for SB. More communications across committees and CC where agenda items
warrant multiple inputs. And how are those inputs weighted? All equally?
6. Climate Change Task Force
Jessie provided an overview of the Task Force. John W. will reach out to John B about serving on the
Task Force. Tabled to the next meeting.
7. Other Business
Jessie provided an update on the Recreation Facilities discussion.
8. Adjourn (approx. 6:50 pm)