Another short meeting (go figure), we were done in an hour and a half. Alders Rhodes-Conway, Solomon and Gruber were absent.
We started off the meeting by honoring Si Widstrand. He wasn’t able to join us, so Keven Briski accepted his plaque. That was a little awkward I thought.
We then set the hearing for bus fare appeal for February 24. That will be the date we hear from the public on if we should raise the bus fares to $2.00 or leave it at the $1.75 or move it back to $1.50. Look for further notices on the buses and in your text alerts.
We then passed most of the agenda with a few exceptions for some items where Thuy Pham-Remnele had some “minor” questions – that probably could have been answered before the meeting, but with the holiday, there wasn’t much time to talk to staff before the meeting.
We attempted to confirm the new economic development director but he wasn’t there yet, so we moved on. Dealt with the facade grants questions, passed that and then went back to the “bring home the bacon” confirmation hearing. I call it that because several alders used it as an opportunity to tell the new Economic Development Director why the projects in their districts were most important. It was, kinda embarrassing.
I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Cooley earlier in the day. Here’s a few quick observations:
– When he talked about all the resources our community had and possible tools to get investments into our community – he didn’t mention TIF, at all. Although many have touted it as a major tool in our tool box for economic development.
– He pointed out that our Economic Development Plan was written, although recently, before the economic crisis and that was a different day. So, while there might be some things to be used out of the plan, there is also a need to re-evaluate. At the council meeting, he said we could that internally without hiring someone to re-do the plan.
– He seems interested in going out and meeting with large employers and neighborhood associations.
– He talked about small businesses and how we need to try to figure out how to retain the businesses that are not the “drivers” of the economy, but the “derivatives”.
– I had asked him what his relationship with the Community Development Director was going to be. He seemed really unclear about that. As are most people.
– He said that we have a local reputation for being anti-business, but nationally, our profile is mostly nothing. It’s a great University town that people seem to like – and that is about the extent of our reputation.
– If I were to guess, he’s going to place an emphasis on retention of businesses not attracting new ones. I asked him how our low unemployment rates would help or hurt recruitment activities – he didn’t really answer that except to say our unemployment rates were great!
The above are my perceptions from the brown bag lunch and council meeting. Alders Monson, Clausius and Clear were the other alders who joined us for the 12:30 meeting. He was confirmed unanimously.
We then went back to the public hearings, and dealt with the daycare issue. It seems like the two week break gave them enough time to work things out and we were given a list of eleven items the neighbors and the daycare agreed to work on. There was still a neighbor or two that were unhappy, but nothing compared to the people who showed up last time. The project then passed with Alder Kerr voting no.
That was about it for the notable items. We spent a little more time getting the minor questions answered and then adjourned. I had to run off to my fundraiser at the High Noon but I’m sure some went out to enjoy the evening.
