Chapter 2.28
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Sections:
2.28.010 Establishment.
There is created and established an economic development commission for the city. This commission shall, initially, consist of nine members, not officials of the city, representing city groups including, but not limited to, retail, financial and banking, real estate and land use planning, agriculture, and manufacturing. After the first four-year term of the commission, the council shall have authority, by resolution, to increase or decrease the number of members on the commission. (Ord. 92-05 § 1: Ord. 91-04 (part): prior code § 2-5.501)
2.28.020 Appointment.
The mayor shall establish a rotating list from which council members shall be appointed to serve on a two-member council committee to conduct interviews and recommend among prospective commission candidates. The committee shall submit its recommended candidate to the full council for approval at the next regular council meeting. Commission members shall serve for a four-year term at the end of which they may apply for reappointment by submitting a letter to the council who will consider the reappointment request at their next regular meeting. The council may reappoint or consider other candidates in the same manner as an original appointment. At the end of a second four-year term the mayor shall establish another two-member council committee to conduct interviews and recommend among prospective commission candidates. Any commissioner who has served two four-year terms may request consideration for another appointment and shall be evaluated in the same manner as any candidate seeking appointment. If a vacancy occurs other than by expiration, it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. (Ord. 91-04 (part): prior code § 2-5.502)
2.28.030 Compensation.
The members of the economic development commission shall receive no compensation except such expenses as are authorized by law. A mileage expense at the approved city rate for use of private vehicles to attend meetings and incidental costs incurred in carrying out the responsibilities per Section 2.28.060 shall be submitted to the city council for approval pursuant to council-approved travel policy. (Ord. 91-04 (part): prior code § 2-5.503)
2.28.040 Removal.
Members of the economic development commission shall serve, during their respective terms, at the pleasure of the city council. Any appointed member of the economic development commission may be removed at any time by the mayor, but such removal shall be subject to the approval of the council. Also, any appointed member may be removed by a majority vote of the council. Any appointed member who misses three consecutive meetings without city council approval shall be deemed to have automatically resigned, and a new member shall be appointed. (Ord. 91-04 (part): prior code § 2-5.504)
2.28.050 Procedure.
A. Each year in January, the commission shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the appointed members. The members so elected shall take office at that time.
B. The commission shall establish a regular monthly meeting day and time.
C. Minutes of the commission shall be filed with the city clerk as soon as possible after a meeting. The city clerk shall submit a copy of the minutes to the city council at the next available regularly scheduled council meeting. Recommendations of the commission involving expenditures of city funds shall have no force and effect until approved by the city council. (Ord. 91-04 (part): prior code § 2-5.505)
2.28.060 Functions.
The economic development commission shall recommend to the city council and planning commission as follows:
A. To the city council:
1. Yearly recommendation in March of each year on projects which the council may undertake to further economic activities in the community;
2. Recommend fee levels for the business improvement district and evaluate programs and projects recommended by the Chamber of Commerce;
3. Prepare and maintain an economic profile of the community and assist new businesses in locating in appropriate locations in the city and assist existing businesses in maintaining and enhancing markets;
4. Recommend on redevelopment agency projects.
B. To the planning commission:
1. Review all development proposals involving commercial development and recommend on conditions thereof;
2. Assist commercial developers in making presentations to the planning commission. (Ord. 91-04 (part): prior code § 2-5.506)
2.28.070 Duties.
The economic development commission shall advise the city council and planning commission in the following capacity:
A. Promotion of economic development:
1. Focus on advertising the city’s overall quality of life and its unique natural and human resources;
2. Recruiting enterprises to the city by recommending to the city council packaging incentives such as tax abatement, site preparation, financing, and favorable regulatory policies to accommodate the targeted enterprise.
B. Targeting economic growth to defined areas of the city:
1. Review and make recommendations on the location of public infrastructure and investment;
2. Assisting enterprises in grant application preparation.
C. Helping the disadvantaged of the community:
1. Assist enterprises, schools, Chamber of Commerce in improving education, work experience, and training programs;
2. Improving transportation access;
3. Developing employee assistance programs, such as child care, and drug and alcoho1 rehabilitation.
D. Improving job quality: reducing cyclical instability. (Ord. 91-04 (part): prior code § 2-5.507)