Fort Collins Economic Advisory Board Regular Meeting
Observer name: Matthew Liberati
Agency: City of Fort Collins
Agency website: Economic Advisory Board - City of Fort Collins (fcgov.com)
Date & Meeting time: 6/21/23 @4:00 PM
Members Present: Renee Walkup (Chair) John Parks (Vice Chair) Denny Coleman, Mike Colwell, Thierry Dossou, Erin Gray, Mistene Nugent, Braulio Rojas, Richard Waal
Guest: SeonAh Kendall City of Fort Collins Director of Economic Health
Relevant document links (agenda, meeting packet):
Notes
Economic Health Office Presentation- SeonAh Kendall
Split into 2 groups
Larger businesses for business retention
Smaller businesses restaurants/mom and pops
Board has the power to make recommendations
Chips Zone, 11 Semiconductor manufacturers
Her office is sharing memos that go to city council with the board
General Comment
Question why are people on the board some feel frustration about what is being done presentations are given and they are already done.
SeonAh: Ways to interact
Minimum Wage
Sustainable Funding
Board and city staff need to work together to share information and input
Minimum Wage and Economic Health Office inputs
Analyzed Data
Did not make official recommendation
Board has not been very proactive on issues
Land Use Code Phase 2 Commercial and Industrial opportunity to comment
Board uses the 6 month calendar to figure out engagement
SeonAh will share more detailed calendar with Renee (Chair)
For a topic discussion, memos should be given to council a week before first reading at council.
East Mulberry first reading will occur in September
The Board has been more reactive on SeonAh’s office relaying information. There is a desire to be more proactive which requires individual engagement.
Board is interested in monthly planning meetings and vice chair is open to having someone else participate in those meetings
Discussions about when to have the next board election
New Council Priorities will occur in January 2024
Board should be the eyes and ears of the community
Economic Health owns these council priorities
Circular Economy and Economic Health Strategic Plan
Workforce Development with Poudre School District
How can the board get councils attention
Speak during public comment at council meetings
Attend council listening sessions
Engage with finance committee
Engage with council liaison
Fort Collins Business Attraction Discussion
Focus on Manufacturing and Bio and Life Science
Fort Collins focused more on connections vs incentives
Fort Collins has additional rules and regulations
Is there data for businesses that are coming or not coming to Fort Collins?
Current discussions workforce retention and affordable/attainable housing
Diversity Equity and Inclusion and employee belonging
City manager and economic health office meet once a month for an hour
Request for new member intro guide and points of contact for the board
Regional Health Economic Initiative
Engage with city council liaison and participate in super issue meetings
Request for hyperlinks to specific board items
Request for more frequent communication
Internal Board Discussion about being more effective
Select 3-5 priorities to focus on from 31 council priorities
Develop relationships with council and city staff
Summary
Economic Health Office Strategic Plan discussion at July 12 (New Date) Meeting
Board Elections will happen in September and position descriptions will be provided
Follow-Up Questions
Specifically, how will board members be more proactive and engaging?
Who is going to develop a new member guide?
How will the board engage to encourage companies to come to Fort Collins or the general Northern Colorado region?
How will the board decide what to focus on specifically (Discussion around voting on council priorities but no final outcome)