City Council Minutes 2006 04 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes April 18, 2006 Page 12 of 16 MOTION: Council member Muckle moved that Council enter into an agreement with Wember Inc., for Project Management Services for the City Hall Renovation project, in an amount not to exceed $31,100, seconded by Council member Marsella. Roll call vote was taken. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0. BUSINESS RETENTION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (BRaD) STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS Deputy City Manager Boyd reported on the April 6 meeting of the Business Retention and Development Committee (BRAD). The committee discussed staffing priorities and recommendations with the goal of creating an economic development program. The Committee has reviewed various components of a position which would be filled by a staff person devoted to working with local businesses, regional organizations and business developers to provide assistance for existing businesses to enhance Louisville's business climate. In addition, the staff person would be charged with reaching out to the development community to attract new businesses to Louisville. As part of the 2006 budget process, $100,000 was included for economic development, with the goal of creating a program to be staffed either by a full- time employee or with consultants. Approximately $15,000 of that amount has been spent or committed in 2006 for development of the City's economic development web site. After a review of different job components, the committee recommended the City create a full-time position for Economic Development Coordinator to plan and implement an economic development program for Louisville. The following descriptions generally outline the tasks to be included in that job: Local Business Liaison; Business Development Ombudsman; Business Recruiter; Maintain and update Business Services Web Site and Regional Contact. In the future, the program could be expanded to include some or all of the following tasks: Redevelopment/Revitalization Expert; Economic Development Corporation and Training Services. The City's Human Resources Manager prepared a job description and recommended salary range, using comparisons from other cities. Staff recommended Council authorization to create a new full-time position of Economic Development Coordinator, funded from the budget established for economic development purposes, and recruit and hire staff to fill that position. COUNCIL COMMENT Mayor Pro Tem Brown voiced his support of hiring of an Economic Development Coordinator. There was Council consensus.