Title
Recommendation to Approve Proposed Structure of the Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel. (Community Development 7010)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Approve Proposed Structure of the Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel
BACKGROUND
On October 13, 2013, staff recommended creating a Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel to enhance the business climate of Alameda's business parks and commercial districts, and support the growth of Alameda's key commercial and industrial business clusters, by providing both strategic policy and tactical business attraction and retention advice. On April 5, 2016, City Council Members confirmed the Mayor's nominees for a Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel (Panel). The Panel is composed of nine (9) high-level Alameda business executives and one (1) ex-officio member.
The purpose of the Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel is to advise the Mayor, City Council and staff on key economic development issues and initiatives. To carry out its proposed role, it is important for the Panel to have the ability to be:
* Flexible: Intended to have a flexible structure that allows the City to tailor its approach to business development on a case-by-case basis; accessing resources and personal contacts within the business community as needed to help "close" the deal;
* Focused: Use of ad-hoc committees to study key issues or policies and advise Council and staff on recommended actions; and
* Ambassadorial: Work directly with business leaders and CEOs of key companies as ambassadors of Alameda for retention/expansion and recruitment of new companies.
The proposed key activities are as follows:
* Identify potential business retention, expansion and attraction leads, and specific initiatives or policies needed to retain, expand and attract important industry sectors;
* Participate in high value...
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