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Economic Vitality Committee <br />Meeting Minutes <br />August 20, 2021 <br />Page 5of6 <br />Mayor Pro Tern Maloney questioned whether square footage was an accurate <br />representation of the impact of a relocating business and was in favor of the <br />relocation incentive. He also stated that he was in favor of both the sign -permit <br />rebate and the long-term commercial vacancy bonus. <br />Mr. Oberholzer questioned the relocation incentive. Councilmember Dickinson <br />responded that the relocation incentive would be a standard and would be the <br />same for all businesses. Mark also questioned whether the City should be <br />involved in helping landlords fill vacant properties but sees the importance in <br />keeping vacancies low. <br />Mr. Kranzdorf stated that the relocation standard could be viewed as a gift <br />rather than an incentive. He also stated that the vacancy issues may be more of <br />a redevelopment discussion than an incentive discussion. Councilmember <br />Dickinson agreed that it is tough to separate the businesses who use it from a <br />gift from those who use it as an incentive. <br />Councilmember Dickinson concluded that the alignment of a City Council goal <br />(to fill vacancies) with a staff action (incentivizing filling vacancies) makes <br />sense. <br />Mayor Pro Tern Maloney agreed that land use and underutilization is an <br />important aspect of filling vacancies. He also agreed that he is in favor of <br />offering vacancy incentives that can be viewed as an investment and not a gift. <br />Councilmember Dickinson stated that the goal is to have a package of <br />recommendations for the September EVC meeting that will then go to City <br />Council. Director Pierce confirmed the outlined process. <br />VIII. Discussion/Direction- Strategic Plan Item #1-9: Create and Review Cost of <br />Doing Business/Development Scorecard to Better Understand Cost of <br />Doing Business in Louisville: Director Pierce suggested that this item be <br />continued to the September meeting. Mayor Pro Tern Maloney made a motion <br />to continue this item to the September hearing. The motion was seconded by <br />Councilmember Dickinson and the motion passed. <br />IX. Discussion — Economic Vitality Strategic Plan: Director Pierce mentioned <br />that she added a "parking lot" in order to keep track of items that may be <br />coming into the Strategic Plan. <br />X. Staff Updates: Director Pierce included updates on business openings and <br />closings as well as assistance agreements. She clarified that Marco's Pizza did <br />not close, but was sold to a new owner. She confirmed that a policy and <br />development section has been added to the newsletter which contains <br />information regarding items coming to City Council as well as current <br />developments and land use applications. <br />Agenda Packet P. 7 <br />