HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Economic Development Corporation - 12/17/1991 (3) CITY OF KENT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
December 17, 1991
Proper legal notice having been given, a special meeting of the Kent
Economic Development Corporation was called to order at 5 : 00 p.m. at
Kent City Hall .
PRESENT: Boardmembers Jim White, Judy Woods , Ron Banister, Morgan
L eewe17yn, City Administrator Ed Chow, City Attorney Roger Lubovich,
Assistant City Administrator Hansen, EDC Treasurer Tony McCarthy,
Steve Burpee, Dee Moschel , Scott Jackson, Tony Th44e and X+10 Walling.
Boardmember Johnson was not in 9ttendance. ^T-hie-n rn;lard
APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Woods noted that the minutes of July 3 , 1990 and
August 7, 1991 stand approved.
TEN-YEAR FORECAST OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES : McCarthy explained that
ands are available for items such as promotion expenses if desired.
He noted that in 1984 it was decided that $8400 should be allowed.
1992 KING COUNTY EDC BILLING: McCarthy noted that the City has been
notified by the King County EDC that their assessment for 1992 will be
$3 ,965 .
REQUEST FOR FUNDS - TEAM DOWNTOWN: Steve Burpee explained that Team
Downtown is working toward creating a consensus vision to guide a col-
lective effort to preserve and enhance the vitality of downtown Kent .
He noted that over one hundred surveys have been distributed with results
to be completed by the end of December. He requested $5000 to be used
to hire The Gilmore Research Group to prepare an analysis of the results .
He stated that he feels it is important to use an outside party who is
experienced with revitalization of downtowns to provide an objective
viewpoint. He noted that they have worked with the Gilmore Group pre-
viously.
Lubovich noted that he has not seen the proposal and explained how funds
can be used. Woods expressed concern that no background information
had been provided and pointed out that she and Jim White are on the
Team Downtown task force . White pointed out that EDC Boardmember Johnson
is not in attendance at this meeting, and that his vote is important
since he and Woods would not be voting. He suggested setting up another
meeting to discuss this item when Johnson can attend and when more infor-
mation on the issue is available. Hansen noted that an estimated break-
down of costs and a fee schedule would be regtired. .White noted that he
would discuss a meeting -date with Johnson, possibly in early January.
EDC Minutes
December 17, 1991 Page Two
1-0
REQUEST FOR FUNDS - INTERNATIONAL MARKETING ASSESSMENT: City Adminis-
trator Chow exp aine that in June, 1990, Mayor Kelleher formed an
International Trade Committee and that the committee has met with
Tradec and asked them to draft a proposal for developing a trade promo-
tion action plan. Scott Jackson of Tradec noted that Kent has no
foreign trade zone designation so that Kent' s businesses can utilize-
existing facilities for foreign trade . He added that although Kent
has several Sister Cities , there is no system of working with them on
an economic basis . He explained that their proposal is to design and
execute an international trade promotion survey to solicit feedback
from public and private sector organizations and to develop a series
of recommendations regarding trade promotion and marketing activities .
He noted that this would occur over a two-month period and the cost
would be based on the expected number of hours , which would total
approximately $3 ,000 . Chow noted for White that the request for funds
came from the International Trade Committee.
Steve Burpee explained that the Chamber of Commerce is currently form-
ing an international trade task force, and that if this were handled
with EDC as the lead agency, it would also be beneficial to the Chamber.
Chow indicated that he has asked to be included on the Chamber' s task
force .
Woods noted that she has not received any background information and
White suggested discussing this item at another EDC meeting as soon
as possible after the first of the year. All were in agreement .
ADJOURNMENT: There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned
at 5 :35 p .m.
Brenda Jaco er CMC
City Clerk
Secretary of the Board