City Council Minutes 2018 06 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes June 5, 2018 Page 9 of 11 Mayor Muckle stated we should improve existing tools. He likes the idea of a use - friendly mobile application with ways for people to submit information to the City. Mayor Pro Tem Lipton agreed a mobile application is needed. We need to make it easier for people to reach us as well. We need a vision and to be strategic. He asked what municipalities are considered leaders in the area and what are they doing? Perhaps we need to budget some funds in the short term to jump start the effort. Councilmember Maloney stated most people use the phone for most things so we need to be able to push and pull information on a mobile platform. It is an investment in future technology. Councilmember Loo stated we need to be sure to not leave behind the part of the community who isn't technically astute. She noted the Erie website has a lot of impact. Councilmember Stolzmann would like to know from Erie how many people use their Open Budget item on their web site. Councilmember Stolzmann stated the options are dependent on budget. A web site redesign is difficult and we should spend time on finding out what we want on it. She stated perhaps we need to reorganize exiting staff. City Manager Balser stated staff will take this information back and determine next steps. She added there are resource questions that can't be met with reorganization and we need to be realistic about resources and expectations. Some of this will be informed by the strategic plan. Staff will bring information back and ask for direction. DISCUSSION/DIRECTION — ECONOMIC PROSPERITY PROGRAM Director DeJong reviewed the goals of the economic prosperity program including to promote a thriving business climate, being a point of contact for businesses, employer recruitment, and business retention. He added staff serves as a facilitator between the City and businesses and other agencies and local businesses and acts as the main point of contact with businesses at City Hall to help them through our processes. He reviewed how he works with primary employers for recruitment and retention as well as how he works on retail recruitment and retention. He detailed work with brokers and owners, how the business assistance program functions, and his work with the Urban Renewal Authority and the Business Retention and Development board. He asked Council for direction on the current services provided by the department, any desired changes, and long-term strategies. Public Comments — None