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 business visitations;
• Advise and/or report to the Mayor, Council and staff on specific public policies or programs;
• Carry out special recruitment activities, which may be either site-specific or for market segments;
• Act as ambassadors of the City by providing third-party validation and testimony to assist staff with business retention, expansion and recruitment activities; and
• Conduct such special projects as Council and staff request from time to time.
At its April 15, 2016 meeting, Council directed staff to return with more information regarding the proposed structure for the Panel detailing how it will comply with the Brown Act and Sunshine Ordinance, including noticing requirements, agendas, public input and minutes. Staff was also directed to detail how the Panel will function and to indicate its obligations.
DISCUSSION
Staff recommends the following structure for the Panel:
• The Panel was created by City Council; it is, therefore, a policy body and must comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Public Records Act and Sunshine Ordinance.
• Each member is appointed to a two-year term.
• Panel members’ commitment and obligations will include performing key activities listed in the Background section of the staff report and attending scheduled meetings.
• The full Panel shall convene, at a minimum, once per year, and as needed based on City Council and/or Panel initiatives.
o Meetings must be noticed seven days prior to the meeting date.
o Agendas and reports must be published.
o The public must be allowed to speak at the meetings.
o Written action minutes and audio must be recorded and published. Video of the meetings is not required.
o At the initial meeting, the Panel would select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
• Four members or fewer may sit on Ad Hoc committees together.
• In compliance with the Sunshine Ordinance and Brown Act, individual members can meet with the Mayor and/or individual City Council members, businesses, and/or staff, where proprietary information may be confidentially discussed. Other non-confidential information can also be discussed in such meetings.
• Panel members are expressly exempt from Statement of Economic Interests, Form 700, due to the fact that Panel members were appointed because of expertise in their area of work experience.
• Panel members must comply with ethics training requirements.
• City Council may refer policy items to the Panel to obtain its input on future policy direction.
• The Panel may refer policy items to Council for its support and/or direction.
The intent for this Panel is to hold meetings on an as needed basis, engage individual members for critical economic development matters, hold business retention, attraction and other meetings at strategic intervals, and leverage the Panel and its members to assist staff and the Council to implement the City’s economic development program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds to support the Mayor’s Economic Development Panel are included in the Economic Development Division’s budget within the General Fund (Fund 001-7010).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The structure of the Economic Development Advisory Panel is not subject to environmental review because it is an organizational or administrative activity of a government that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change to the environment and hence, it is not a "project" under CEQA. CEQA Guidelines, Section 15378 (b) (5).
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the proposed structure of the Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Department
By,
Lois Butler, Economic Development Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director