pages: CityCouncil/2015-04-07.pdf, 12
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CityCouncil | 2015-04-07 | 12 | Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. *** Stated the Chamber's mission is to work with the City to support existing business and attract new businesses; the Chamber supports the staff recommendation: Michael McDonough, Chamber of Commerce. Stated that he supports the staff recommendation for an advisory panel: Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association (PSBA). Stated Alameda could be a great tourist destination; urged Council to add tourism as another strategic focus: Karen Bey, Alameda. Vice Mayor Matarrese stated the activities which the EDC had on its plate resulted in the 2000 Strategic Plan; that he would prefer a commission that would go through a regular process with agendas, minutes, reports, and receiving direction from Council. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated staff will be tasked with overseeing a commission; the presentation encompasses the Vice Mayor's objectives; the advantage of an ad hoc committee is the more flexible structure and approach; there is a process for assembling members to address specific needs; the two projects Vice Mayor Matarrese referred to have been successful; she does not support a Mayor's committee and prefers an ad hoc committee which comes to Council for approval; a City Advisory Committee is preferred, not a Mayor Advisory committee; she would like to hear feedback from the business community. Councilmember Oddie stated there is lots of overlap between roles of the EDC and the Mayor's committee; he is at odds about what to call it, and how much oversight and formality there should be; the goals of the EDC are more broad and membership is diverse; the goals of the Council referral and proposed Mayor committee are the same; he would like to find a way to marry the two; Alameda is becoming a tourist destination and adding goals is a good thing; that he is in favor of Vice Mayor Matarrese's proposal. Councilmember Daysog stated that he concurs with the staff recommendation for an advisory panel working with the Mayor; the two key issues are function and attributes; a commission's role is more planning and monitoring; a panel's role is implementation and closing deals as projects move forward; a task force could be nimble; he would like Economic Development working closely with Council, the Mayor, and key business leaders who are ready to quickly open doors and close deals; that he would choose the staff recommendation. Mayor Spencer stated the matter started in 2013 before she was Mayor; she would like a group that would be more flexible than a commission; staff is not asking for a group to set policies, but for an ad hoc group; there are business people waiting to step up and Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 12 April 7, 2015 | CityCouncil/2015-04-07.pdf |