Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2022 11 18

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Economic Vitality Committee Meeting Minutes October 21, 2022 Page 2 of 5 community would have benefited greatly from the opportunity to discuss this topic with the EVC. City Councilmember Chris Leh agreed with Mr. Oberholzer's statement that the EVC is meant to be a place for businesses to have an informal discussion regarding these topics. Councilmember Leh commented that the EVC may not need direction from City Council in order to discuss an item. Councilmember responded that he hopes to improve future engagement with the business community. City Manager Jeff Durbin added that Finance Committee sets their own work plan without direction from City Council. Chair Fahey requested that the EVC discuss setting a work plan at a future meeting. Councilmember Most suggested that this could potentially be an item of discussion at the Business Forum. 6. Discussion/Direction- Strategic Plan Action #2-5: Business Outreach: Specialist Brown gave an overview of Economic Vitality's current business outreach efforts. Chair Fahey commented that there needs to be more interaction with existing Louisville businesses. Councilmember Most agreed that there should be more two-way communication with businesses. Councilmember Dickinson commented that there needs to be one source of location for activities and events in Louisville. He continued that he's not sure if this should be the role of the City, but advertising and promoting the City should be a goal. It's important to get information to businesses and the business newsletter seems to accomplish this. First focus should be improving readership and interaction. Councilmember Most asked how large of an audience receives the newsletter. Specialist Brown responded that there are around 950 individual contacts on the mailing list. He clarified that this does not necessarily mean 950 different businesses. Chair Fahey asked whether any material is sent through the mail. Specialist Brown answered that there is not currently a print version of the monthly newsletter, but that Economic Vitality does contribute to the Quarterly City newsletters as well as utility bill inserts. Chair Fahey asked whether communications could include information about the EVC. Specialist Brown responded that we would explore that option. Public Comment from Mark Cathcart: Mr. Cathcart asked whether the previous Biz newsletters are posted online. Specialist Brown responded that archived newsletters are posted on the EV website. Chair Fahey asked whether the archiving information is included in the newsletter. 7. Discussion/Direction- Sustainability Incentives: Specialist Brown gave an overview of potential sustainability incentives that could be utilized by the City of Louisville. Agenda Packet P. 4