HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic Development Corporation - 02/04/1988 (5) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
CITY OF KENT
February 4, 1988
The regular meeting of the City of Kent Economic Development Corporation was
called to order at 7:30 a.m. by Chairman of the Board Berne Biteman.
Present: Berne Biteman, Chairman of the Board
Ted Knapp, Board Member
Walt Ramsey, Board Member
Steve Dowell , Board Member
Sandra Driscoll , Corporate Counsel
Tony McCarthy, Treasurer
Marie Jensen, Secretary of the Board.
Also present: Brent McFall, City Administrator
Mike Webby, Assistant City Administrator
MINUTES
Ramsey moved to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting of
August 13, 1987. Dowell seconded and the motion carried.
AGREEMENT SEATTLE/KING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL / CITY OF KENT
Brent McFall noted that the renewal for the existing agreement has been
received and that the fee of $3,009 is based upon the City's population. It
was determined that the Seattle/King County Council had been instrumental in
referring the Raleigh Cycle Company to Kent, and that subsequently their plant
was located here. Knapp reported that although US West did not choose a
location within Kent, they also were referred here, having first gone through
Team Washington. He noted that a firm requiring a 100,000 square foot area
was referred to Kent this week. The Seattle/King Council is trying to do more
through the Kent Chamber of Commerce. Dowell noted that a Japanese fish firm
and Mitsubishi had located in Fife and that Kent was second choice for a
Boeing facility that went to Auburn. McFall noted that under the new rules,
in order to qualify for IRBs the business must be manufacturing.
Dowell moved to approve the annual agreement. Knapp seconded and the motion
carried. It was noted that at the last meeting it had been determined that
annual expenditures for this corporation would be set at $8,000. McCarthy
noted that this fee of $3,009 had not been included in the $8,000, but was
included in the long-range forecast. He stated he would furnish a financial
statement for the next meeting.
KDA
Questions arose as to the progress of the KDA project. McFall noted that he
could ask Steve Burpee to present results of the KDA survey at the next
meeting. Knapp so moved and Biteman seconded. The motion carried.
INSURANCE
Webby noted that liability and errors and omissions insurance have been
obtained for this corporation through the City's insurance program. We paid
$3,500 for a $1,000,000 policy in November. He explained that we required
- "claims made" coverage which means the policy must be in place when the claim
is made. Liability coverage has been secured through the Fred S. James
company which will provide protection for the past, through "tail coverage."
It was determined that due to the change in the tax laws it was probable that
no IRBs would be issued in the future. Dowell moved to continue the insurance
coverage. Ramsey seconded and the motion carried.
KENT VALLEY CORRIDOR
Knapp noted that a meeting was held in December and 140 people attended.
"Kent 2000" was discussed and goals for 1988 were established. These include:
1. Establishing a resource library for information on zoning, utilities,
manufacturing sites etc.
2. Computerizing information for networking
3. Arranging a bus tour and lunch to visit various industrial areas
4. Holding a seminar to present the step-by-step process of a developer
seeking a rezone or a plat
5. Producing a graphic marketing tool such a flyer
Upon Dowell 's question about Seattle-King County Economic Development Council ,
McFall noted he would request information showing the source of their
funding. Knapp noted that the Port of Seattle and Metro contributed. He
stated that the Green River Valley had these advantages:
1. Land costs are much less than land on the East Side
2. Proximity to the airport
3. Our regulatory processes run smoothly
Biteman noted that he had had a phone call regarding establishing an
incinerator some miles above Enumclaw where Weyerhaeuser had closed a mill .
The caller suggested that the railroad which comes down to Auburn could be
used to transport the garbage.
Dowell asked if consideration could be given to creating a loan fund for this
corporation and that he would try to get more information on this. Biteman
asked about public/private ownership, under which land is leased to the
private party. Driscoll noted that Washington's rules on this are different
from most other states, and require a fair market exchange. Knapp noted that
maybe some thought should be given to changing the state law. Bitemen
suggested that the Association of Washington Cities could be contacted on
this. McFall noted that such a program had been established in Kansas with
grants, but that the City could never be the primary source of funding.
NEXT MEETING:
It was determined that the meeting for March 3, 1988 would include:
1 . A report from the Seattle/King County Economic Development Council
2. A report from Steve Burpee on the KDA marketing survey
3. A report on the financial statement
There was no further business to discuss and the meeting adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
Marie Jensen, City Clerk THE DATE FOR THE NEXT MEETING WAS LATER
Secretary of the Board CHANGED TO MARCH loth
0150C-IC