Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/11/1986CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 11, 1986 6:00 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor McKinley, Councilpersons Angel, Budak, Bowie, Lichty, Miller, Seeber and Wright. The Agenda, as proposed, was approved. Mayor McKinley opened the meeting by clarifying that the position of Economic Analyst had been approved by the Reorganization Committee of the Council and had gone through the Civil Service procedures as set forth by the Civil Service Commission. Mayor McKinley presented copies of letters, agendas and minutes reflecting the public meetings that this position had been discussed. An organizational chart was presented indicating those bodies in the communities of Cedar Falls, Evansdale and Waterloo working on economic development. Additionally, a chart of the Planning and Development Division was reviewed including how the position of Economic Analyst would relate to the overall structure of this division. Mayor McKinley also outlined several immediate projects the Economic Analyst would be involved in including work with the Clip Service, insurance comparison study with other states, incubator for small businesses, minority business incubator, traveling ambassadors follow-up, business retention task force and follow-up on business retention that the Mayor had initiated including Waterloo Tent & Awning, Palmer House Food Processing, George Shimek Custom Blacksmithing, Tom Anderson Specialty Company, Telecross Corporation, ASI Computer Systems, Inc., Chamberlain Manufacturing, Carl Schuler Masonry and Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad. Mayor McKinley urged the Council's vote on this position. He stated that whether or not this position is approved, the creation of jobs within the community will continue. Councilperson Lichty indicated that the Chamber of Commerce is already doing many of the things that the Mayor stated the Economic Analyst would perform. Mayor McKinley explained that Jim Wilson, Business Retention Manager for the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, deals mainly with those businesses that are to be relocated as a part of the Interstate Substitution Program and that economic development of the community includes much more than this activity. Mayor McKinley reiterated that follow-up to initial contacts is very important and will result in additional jobs for the community. Councilperson Miller added that the information presented at tonight's meeting is not new information and that this meeting could have been avoided. Councilperson Seeber also indicated that although the community has enjoyed the addition of several new industries, the jobs have not been U.A.W. quality jobs. The city must strive to obtain quality jobs for its citizens. Councilperson Budak expressed the need for the Council to discuss its goals in the area of economic development. He stated that perhaps the City Council goalsetting session scheduled for September 17 will be the first step in this goalsetting process. No formal action was taken by the Council at this Work Session. With no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned. Larry P. Burger City Clerk/Auditor