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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic Development Corporation - 03/10/1988 (3) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CITY OF KENT March 10, 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 Wall Ramsey, Board Member Tony McCarthy, Treasurer Marie Jensen, Secretary of the Board. Also present: Brent McFall , City Administrator Laurie Murray, Finance Department David Bell , Seattle/King County Economic Development Council Steve Burpee, KDA Kathy Kleber, Market Data Company MINUTES Ramsey moved to approve the minutes of the last regular meeting of February 4, 1988. Knapp seconded and the motion carried. SEATTLE/KING COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Upon Biteman's question about insurance, David Bell noted that Sea/King did not carry insurance as it was found to be too expensive. He noted that many such corporations no longer carry this insurance. Bell explained his role with the Council noting that he dealt with business and development activities locally, out-of-state and overseas. He noted that the Council operates a business-help center and, in that capacity he counselled businesses regarding taxes and financing. Also, he assists in finding sites through brokers. He showed slides entitled, "The EDC Story This Year." Seattle/King County Economic Development Council has contracts with other jurisdictions in King County and part of his duties are to promote membership and to promote fundraising. Upon Biteman's question, Bell explained that the resources and services of the Council are free and members are not charged for information. He brought hand-outs with him of a marketing brochure, a "King County Atlas" and copies of "Local Transportation Issues of 1988." He pointed out that all reports were available for use of members. The Council is involved in local business issues providing support for local ordinances and solicits grass-root input from the public. Local issues which are important to the community are addressed. Bell pointed out that the Sea/King Council was formed late in 1984, and covers interests in the entire County. It does not focus on just downtown or on special areas. Snohomish County has had a Council such as this, since 1957. He described the 1988 Budget which totals $681 ,900. Members from the private sector pay a sliding scale in fees, members from the public sector, such as cities, pay $.10 per resident, with a maximum of $40,000. Twenty jurisdictions are 4 members under this category. Grants and other sources account for $104,000 of the budget. The Council has a staff of eight. Using slides, Bell showed the formation objectives, budget, membership, organization and accomplishments of the Council . He noted that the State designates one EDC per county. The Council works closely with communities, and conducts a one-day forum to set strategies for the future. Biteman noted that the Kent EDC was, at first, very active issuing industrial revenue bonds, but that due to the change in the tax law, no bonds had been issued in the past year. Bell noted that the Sea/King Council focus is much broader, so the change in the tax law regarding bonds, had not affected their Council as severely as it had Kent's. Under accomplishments, Bell noted that the Council had helped 2,500 local businesses; issued marketing publications, conducted business climate studies, participated in training seminars and was instrumental in the reform of the permit process for King County. Upon Biteman's question, Bell noted that the Sea/King Council refers businesses interested in a particular area, to a broker who looks over the area and makes contact with the local EDC. Bell described a project now underway, to find a four or five acre area with an existing 40,000 sq.ft. building, for the Brenda Company of Italy. They will be assembling 232 units for the bus contract with Metro. Copies of the brochures from Sea/King Council , have been filed. KDA Steve Burpee noted that the KDA survey is complete and that it consisted of over 200 pages. A copy has been filed with the City either with the Planning Department or the City Administration Department. It was determined that a copy would be provided to the City Clerk for filing in her office. Burpee introduced Kathy Kleber of the Market Data Company, who had supervised the survey. Using overheads, Ms. Kleber showed the primary shopping areas of the city broken down by areas: East Hill , Downtown and West Hill . She noted that 64 percent of those surveyed consider Kent their primary shopping area. Current purchasing patterns and comparison of shopping districts were shown. Statistics for Southcenter and Sea-Tac Malls were shown, as they relate to the frequency of shopping by Kent residents. The survey also found that: * Canterbury Faire was attended by approximately thirty-three percent of those responding. * Eighty-three percent of Kent residents favored a commuter rail system between Kent and Seattle. * Sixty-four percent of the respondents rated Kent City government as responsive • to the needs of the City. -2- Burpee noted that two additional surveys were planned which would deal with Kent's employment, base, and that an Information Source Library would be formed by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City . FINANCIAL REPORT The Financial Report was briefly discussed. It was determined that the Treasurer would seek information as to how many EDCs do not carry insurance. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m. Marie Jensen, ty Clerk Secretary of the Board 0150C-lC -3-