Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2021 01 15

Home Browse Search

Cxty0f ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE Louisville COLORADO -SINCE 1.878 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION/DIRECTION- BUSINESS RETENTION & DEVELOPMENT (BRaD) COMMITTEE PURPOSE AND FUNCTION DATE: JANUARY 15, 2021 PRESENTED BY: MEGAN E. PIERCE, ECONOMIC VITALITY DIRECTOR SUMMARY: The City Council briefly discussed the ongoing role of the Business Retention & Development Committee (BRaD) in relation to reviewing the Economic Vitality Strategic Plan on November 10, 2020. The Economic Vitality Committee (EVC) was asked to review this in light of continuing that Council Committee, which was originally created to develop the strategic plan. DISCUSSION: The EVC discussed its purpose and function at its November 20, 2020 meeting. Ultimately the consensus of Councilmembers was that the Economic Vitality Committee had been effective in not only accomplishing the development of a strategic plan but in providing leadership in other areas of economic vitality and policy. The Committee voted to maintain the current structure of its Committee, which includes three Councilmembers. The conversation around the future of the EVC also touched upon the purpose and structure of the BRaD Committee. The EVC expressed concern about the overlap of BRaD with various other stakeholder groups as well as the workload for staff. Economic vitality staff is the liaison for BRaD, as well as to the Louisville Revitalization Commission (LRC) and the EVC. This role involves the communication with each of those groups, leading their associated projects, monthly preparation of meeting packets, and facilitating meetings. Staff is also the liaison to the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and Louisville Chamber of Commerce. There was a motion at EVC to recommend to City Council the dissolution of the BRaD Committee. It would take a Council action for this to occur. It was however suggested that it could send a poor message to the business community if one platform for their voice is eliminated, without first determining how to better ensure businesses have a stakeholder relationship with City Council. Ultimately EVC tabled the discussion about BRaD and directed the Committee to discuss its thoughts about a future evolution of the Committee. The BRaD Committee met on December 7, 2020 and at that time, three of the four members present supported that BRaD continue, but that it should receive a Council liaison, specifically someone who is a member of the EVC. The fourth member preferred a structure where membership of BRaD and the EVC would be merged. Agenda Packet P. 6