Title
Chief Administrative Office, Office of Economic Development, recommending the Board of Supervisors 1) reformulate the Economic Development Advisory Commission by adopting Resolution 025-2009 renaming the Economic Development Advisory Commission as the "Economic Development Advisory Committee" (EDAC) and revising the membership of the body; 2) approve the Fiscal Year 2008-2010 EDAC Work Plan; and 3) receive and file the Annual Economic Development Strategy Update for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 and the Goals for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: None
Background:
The Board of Supervisors established the Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC) through Board Resolution #103-2006 on May 9, 2006 and amended by Resolution #213-2007 on July 3, 2007. Currently, EDAC is an advisory commission comprised of eight Board-appointed volunteers, one of whom is a non-voting ex-officio member. The purpose of the commission is to advise and recommend to the Board of Supervisors policies and actions that will facilitate business retention, expansion, and attraction in the county in order to create sustainable economic growth. The General Plan tasks the EDAC and the Office of Economic Development to report annually on the status of implementation of the Economic Element.
Reason for Recommendation:
The economic development strategy of El Dorado County, as adopted by the Board of Supervisors on October 2, 2007, identified three main goals for the County's Economic Development program: Regulatory Reform, Business Retention and Expansion, and Entrepreneurship/Attraction. In the current and projected economic environment, there is consensus that regulatory reform and business retention are the most critical elements of the county's economic development program. In order to retain and attract jobs, new investment, and improve the quality of life for the citizens of El Dorado County we must identify and eliminate barriers to business development and economic growth.
The attached workplan and reformulation plan for the EDAC were prepared in cooperation with the current members of the EDAC and were informed by input gathered from other business related stakeholders. The recommendation is to reformulate the EDAC appointment and representative structure, change its name, and refine and reaffirm the EDAC work-plan. These actions are necessary for continued improvement of the effectiveness of this body and the regulatory and business development assistance it's providing to businesses seeking to locate in, expand, and grow in El Dorado County.
EDAC Reformulation
The resolution establishing the Economic Development Advisory Commission will be superseded by the new resolution to rename the body as the "Economic Development Advisory Committee". The composition will be expanded from 7 members to 13 members: 5 direct Supervisorial appointments (one per district each), 7 at large industry members, Director of Development Services, and the formation of a supporting Technical Advisory Group comprised of local chambers and other business and industry stakeholders. The Assistant Chief Administrative Officer will be a liaison from the Committee from the CAO and will oversee the Economic Development Coordinator who will act as staff to the reformulated EDAC. The 7 at-large industry members are recommended below:
-Two education representatives- one from Folsom Lake College El Dorado Center and one from Lake Tahoe Community College;
-One banking representative;
-One health/medical technology representative;
-One small business representative;
-One building industry representative;
-One recreation and tourism industry representative;
EDAC Workplan
The attached workplan calls on the Committee to meet at least quarterly, continuing to focus their efforts on regulatory reform. By approving this workplan, the Board will also affirm the EDAC and economic development staff's continued charge to provide customer service and technical assistance to businesses experiencing General Plan or zoning issues by
-Working with the Development Services Department and other regulatory bodies;
-Reviewing and initiating recommendations for regulatory relief for individual businesses with General Plan or zoning ordinance issues;
-Affirming a regular feedback pathway for draft zoning ordinance updates by formally designating EDAC as a Official Representative Public Participation and Outreach Group, as needed in the zoning ordinance update process.
Designating EDAC and the CAO's economic development staff as recommended above allows for a community feedback mechanism during the comprehensive zoning ordinance update ensuring that an economic element is present and articulated during the process.
Annual Economic Development Strategy Update and 08-09 Goals
The attached report outlines the status and success of the programs and initiatives contained within the Board-adopted economic development strategy and the goals set for FY 08-09.
Action to be Taken Following Approval:
Staff will return to the the Board on March 3, 2009 for appointments to the Economic Development Advisory Committee.
Contact: Sam Driggers, (530) 621-5570