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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1995 1206 CC REG ITEM 11BAGENDA REPORT MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL Gc y • `t I T ;_... l ON: ?7 � Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Steven G. Hayes, Economic Development Manager DATE: November 30, (CC meeting of 12/06/95) SUBJECT: Consider Appointment of Councilmember to Sit on the Organizing Committee for the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura Non - Profit Corporation BACKGROUND During the last several months, there has been an effort by Council on Economic Vitality and Ventura County Economic Development Association to form a non - profit County Economic Development Corporation. Supervisor Frank Schillo is requesting that the City Council appoint a Councilmember to sit on an Organizing Committee, which is in process of structuring this Corporation. RECOMMENDATION That if there is interest, the City Council appoint a member to this Committee. SGH336- 11/30/95- November 30, 1995 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF VENTURA CIVIC ARTS PLAZA 2100 E. THOUSAND OAKS BLVD., SUITE C THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA 91362 Mayor Paul Lawrason City of Morpark 799 Moorpark Moorpark, CA 93021 Dear Paul, — RECEIVED - mEMBERSMAGGIE KIOLDEE Nov 14 1995 Chair SUSAN K. LACEY FRANK SCHILLO City of Moorparw JUDY MIKELS JOHN K. FLYNN FRANK SCHILLO SUPERVISOR, SECOND DISTRICT (805) 371 -8388 (805) 373 -2564 FAX: (805) 373 -8396 November 9, 1995 Thank you for the time and input you have given to the development of this concept paper. The Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County, EDC VC will be this region's premier public private partnership of business, government and industry. Its activities will only serve to enhance your existing economic development efforts. The ideas that you discussed with me have been incorporated into this proposal. The five goals identified in the proposal are the common threads which surfaced time and again in my meetings with elected officials and staff across the county. While each city has its own character, as well as in the type of business desired, all agree that a thriving economy in one area is beneficial to the surrounding areas. Combining resources to effectively work together in retaining and developing our local businesses, is the best approach to counter efforts that are courting our businesses away everyday. This new partnership, EDC VC, is vital to the future of our County. As you can see by the implementation steps, your Council should identify a member to sit on the Organizing Committee. Alternatively, should your council concur, this effort could be delegated to the City Managers' ICAO committee. Your support in placing this on your council agenda at the earliest possible date is appreciated. Please call me if I can address any questions or concerns you may have. Sincere , FRANK SCHILLO Supervisor, Second District G, Gi CONCEPTUAL PROPOSAL FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE OF VENTURA COUNTY INTRODUCTION The purpose of this document is to provide: first, a vision of a new regional organization; second, general background on how this vision developed; third, an outline of the proposed organizational structure; mission and goals; and fourth, an outline of implementation steps. Elected officials from all ten cities and the County have met and agreed that now is the time to create a new regional organization, dedicated to providing the community with economic development tools, and services currently unavailable or underdeveloped. As a group, they concurred that economic development and enhancement of this effort for the Ventura County region is vital to our communities' collective well- being. Envisioned as a unique public/private partnership, the organization's functions and activities will complement the existing economic development activities of the cities. It was agreed that the organization should be known as the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County or EDC VC. This organization will strengthen our current economic development efforts and improve our prospects in successfully confronting the challenges of the future. EDC VC activities will complement the business enhancement activities of the cities, chambers of commerce, VCEDA, CEV, special districts, utilities, and educational institutions. EDC VC will augment existing programs, assist in building a positive business climate, and promote Ventura County BACKGROUND Over the last few years there has been substantial discussion regarding the need for a region -wide organization, which working collaboratively with existing organizations would improve Ventura County's competitive edge in business retention and attraction. Attempts at creating such a synergistic organization have not been successful to date. Cities are key to any successful economic development effort. Due to the "Guidelines for Orderly Development ", development in this region occurs substantially in cities, where municipal services are provided most efficiently and cost effectively. Cities house the businesses and industries which are the economic foundation of the region. Enlisting the cooperation of the region's cities, the primary stakeholders- in economic development, maximizes the potential for success of this current effort. 1 This project started with an invitation to all Council Members, City Managers, Board Members and economic development staff to attend an informational meeting entitled Economic Development Collaboration Forum, structured to introduce participants to various collaborative economic development initiatives which have come into being throughout the state. At least one elected official from every city attended along with two members of the Board of Supervisors, some city managers, as well as staff from the cities and county. Attendees heard from a former mayor and a staff person who were active participants in the creation of Joint Venture Silicon Valley (JVSV), the most acclaimed regional economic collaborative in the nation. They shared the vision of a collaborative effort, identifying the revitalizing initiatives brought to reality by a private /public effort. Initiatives that grew out of JVSV include the Enterprise Network: to improve the success rate of new business start-ups in Silicon Valley; Environmental Partnership: to stimulate development of the environmental industry and solve environmental problems; Defense /Space Consortium (DSC): to promote the transition and continuing vitality of Silicon Valley's defense and space firms and workforce; and 21st Century Education Initiative: to spark a renaissance in K -12 education in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Some of these initiatives resulted in the creation of additional nonprofit organizations to bring the efforts to fruition. Consequently, the Silicon Valley region as a whole, working collaboratively, has rallied against outside competition and continues to create high paying jobs. After discussion regarding the information presented, it was suggested that Supervisor Frank Schillo meet with representatives of each city individually to determine specific interest in forming a regional collaborative for Ventura County. This was a three month process involving discussions with, and amongst council members of each city and staff, on the value in participating. When all ten meetings were completed, the comments and results were compiled and compared at a subsequent group meeting of city council members and city economic development staff. Out of that effort, a unity of purpose, and the outline of the proposed organization was developed. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Board of Directors: The organization will have a board of directors composed of: a city council member appointed by each participating city, two appointed members of the Board of Supervisors: and up to eleven business representatives (one designated by the Board of Supervisors and by each participating city). With each city and the Board of Supervisors committed to this collaborative partnership the EDC VC would have a 23 member board of directors. 2 General Membership: Membership will be available to individuals, businesses, industry organizations, and others interested in the economic health of the community. Dues: This will be a membership organization. The amount of dues has not been determined; however, there is conceptual agreement that cities would be assessed dues based on the formula created for and agreed to in the establishment of VCOG. The County's dues will equal one sixth of the total paid by the cities. A dues amount for business prepresentatives and General Membership will be established by the Organizing Committee. Fiscal Year: To be determined by the Organizing Committee, must maximize EDA grant opportunities. Legal Structure: To be determined by the Organizing Committee, possibilities may include creation of a nonprofit corporation as a 501c 3, 501c 5, a 501c 6 or a Joint Powers Authority. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the EDC VC is to enhance economic development in Ventura County, complementing local and individual organizations' efforts. GOALS. STRATEGIES, ACTIVITIES Goals: Five goals have been identified for EDC VC. Each will require development and implementation of a variety of strategies and tasks to accomplish. Evaluation methods and tools will also need to be developed for the organization to quantify success or failure. The initial five goals of EDC VC are: 1. To have government, business, and industry collaborate 2. To administer and secure additional economic development funding 3. To provide assistance for the retention of existing businesses 4. To attract new business to the region 5. To serve as a clearing house for business relocation inquiries Strategies - While strategies will have to be developed systematically, by EDC VC participants once the organization is formed, preliminary discussion suggests the following strategies will assist in accomplishing some of the goals: 1. Marketing the region for the mutual benefit of the participating entities 2. Preparing grant proposals for funds to assist in economic development efforts 3. Providing venture capital information 4. Providing technical assistance in local economic development efforts 5. Addressing regional economic development concerns 3 Scope of Activities - The suggested first year work plan includes: 1. Administration of a revolving loan program 2. Provision of expert assistance for business retention efforts 3. Representation at trade shows 4. Inclusion of city representatives in the cluster development effort 5. Participation in other collaborative efforts IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Prior to moving forward on all of these economic development efforts, there is a series of organization development steps which must be taken. These include: 1. Circulation of this concept paper to all the cities for their Council's review; 2. Identification of an appointed representative with authority to work as a member of the Organizing Committee (eventual Board of Director member); 3. Development of by -laws, incorporation documents, etc. (alternatively, referral of concept paper to city managers' ICAO committee for further development); 4. Finalization of organization development activities; 5. Adoption of final program by cities and County 6. Securing dues commitments from cities; 7. Designation by cities and County of business representative to Board of Directors; 8. Hiring of Executive Director 9. Redefine, prioritize, and initiate first year work plan activities !I