Business Retention and Development Committee Minutes 2008 03 03

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City Council Business Retention & Development Committee Meeting Minutes March 3, 2008 Page 2 of 4 nd Hogan noted that the 2 Quarter SL subcommittee meeting was scheduled for just after this meeting and invited the Chamber and DBA to also participate on the subcommittee. 2008 EDUCATIONAL FORUMS TOPICS & SCHEDULE Hogan gave a brief overview of the two past forums that BRaD had sponsored. One was on retail development and one was on office, industrial, and multi-use development. She added that the purpose of the discussions is to educate the boards and the public about economic development issues. For the previous forums, the City Council, BRaD, the Planning Commission, and the Revitalization Commission as well as the public were all invited to attend. Hogan suggested two topics for 2008: “How Do Public/Private Economic Development Organizations Work” and “What is the Impact/Affect of a Major Employer Moving to Town.” Members agreed to these topics. Hogan stated that the first forum would likely be in May and that we would work so that these forums do not conflict with the dates of the Historic Preservation/Economic Development Forums that the Mayor has requested. 2008 RETENTION VISIT LIST Muth reviewed the list of businesses for the 2008 retention visits. She noted that this year the majority of the visits will be in the downtown area and they will include both business owners and landlords. She added that visits should start in April. FEBRUARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING Hogan reported on the initial visits that were held with representatives from ConocoPhillips (CP). She noted that members of City Council, City staff, and the Chamber of Commerce were included in the visits. Fleming added that all discussions to date have been very informal and that CP does not yet have any specific plans other than the general idea that an international training center and renewable energy research site will be included. Dalton noted that in his conversations with CP they mentioned the need for a hotel on the site. Pritchard asked if there was any idea on the height that would be needed for the hotel and if CP had any thoughts on where they would like to see housing for their employees. He noted that such information would be helpful for the Comprehensive Plan update that is currently underway. Fleming noted that CP does not appear to have any specificity in their plans yet and so none of these details have been worked out. He said that CP does not appear to want any kind of residential development on the site. Lathrop added that the ancillary businesses that will come with this development could be a great benefit to Louisville.