COUNCIL WORKSHOP
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
A Council Workshop was held on November 5, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. with Council President Williams presiding. Council members present were Mrs. Russell, Mr. Slavin, Mr. McGiffin, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Salters, and Mr. Ruane. Mr. McGlumphy was absent.
Council staff members present were Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Townshend, Mr. DePrima, Mrs. McDowell, and Mayor Carey.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hogan moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.
Council President Williams advised members that the workshop is being held specifically for presentations and discussions on economic development.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE (City Manager)
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, stated that the purpose of the workshop is to allow for presentations and discussions on economic development. He noted that there are many who are a part of both the downtown and general economic development in attendance, including Kent County officials as well as Chamber of Commerce and requested those in attendance to introduce themselves: Dennis Klima, Co-Chairman of the Central Delaware Economic Development Council; Tom Smith, Chairman of the Dover Parking Authority; Janelle Cornwell, Planner for the City of Dover; Jeff Stone, Infrastructure and Inter-Governmental Relations Director; Cindy Small, County Tourism Executive Director; Paul Lakeman, President of Main Street Dover; Gregg Moore, President of the Greater Dover Committee; John Rhodes, Economic Development Consultant for Moran, Stahl, and Boyer, LLC; Mike Petit de Mange, Kent County Administrator; Dick Ennis, Commissioner At-Large for Kent County Levy Court; Alan Kovitz, Chairman of Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce; Scott Koenig, Public Services Manager for the City of Dover; Lisa Ratliff, Executive Director of the Greater Dover Committee; Joe McDaniel, Member of the Downtown Dover Development Corporation (DDDC); Jim McGinnis, McGinnis Commercial Real Estate; Donna Mitchell, Finance Director/Treasurer for the City of Dover; Brian Bushweller, Candidate for the 17th District State Senate; Brad Eaby, Levy Court Commissioner; Gary Patterson, President of the Downtown Dover Development Corporation (DDDC); Ed Perez, Main Street Manager; Tom Holt; Jennings Hastings, and Dan Wolfensberg.
Mr. DePrima stated that during the most recent Council Retreat, members of City Council ranked the priority for the development of an economic development strategy for the coming year. He also advised members that the Citizen Survey’s have indicated that job opportunities ranked as one of the lowest for the City. He stated that the intention of the workshop is to introduce and address several issues that have been discussed.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSIONS
Mr. DePrima introduced Mr. John Rhodes, Economic Development Consultant, who recently worked on the Kent County Economic Development Strategic Initiative and who served as the principle author and researcher. Members were provided with the Final Report, which was presented to Kent County Levy Court in October 2006.
Kent County Economic Development Strategic Initiative Final Report with Q&A (John Rhodes, Economic Development Consultant)
Mr. Rhodes gave a presentation of the Kent County Economic Development Strategy Initiative (Exhibit #1). He recommended that the City define an economic development vision, work closely with economic development partners, and develop the Garrison Oaks property.
There being no objections, Council President Williams declared a brief recess.
Meeting Recessed at 6:56 p.m. and reconvened at 7:04 p.m.
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
Mr. DePrima advised members that a subset of the economic development for the City of Dover is downtown redevelopment. He reminded members that during the recent Council Retreat, another item that was prioritized by Council is the need for more incentives for downtown Dover.
Hyett-Palma Recommendation: A Consolidated “Downtown Partnership” How it Would Work (Greg Moore, Tom Smith, Gary Patterson, and Paul Lakeman)
Mr. Moore, President of the Greater Dover Committee, relayed appreciation to the City Manager, City Planner, and Public Services Director for the City of Dover as well as Mr. Smith, Chairman of the Dover Parking Authority, Mr. Patterson, President of the DDDC, and Mr. Lakeman, President of Main Street for their efforts during the past several months in the development of this presentation and bringing the “Downtown Partnership” closer to fruition. Mr. Moore advised members that the Downtown Partnership is a remnant of the Hyett-Palma Study, which recommended that the City implement a partnership that would combine the DDDC, Dover Parking Authority, and Dover Main Street. He gave a presentation on the Downtown Dover Partnership Corporation (Exhibit #2).
Mr. Ruane suggested that when this matter is brought before Council for adoption, that staff also include the actual budget and not a consolidation of budgets, which will allow members to know what additional funding will be necessary. He also suggested that they provide recommendations relative to specific budget and staffing necessary for the consolidation. Mr. Moore explained that the City Planner currently attends and, to some degree, leads all three (3) committees. By consolidating three (3) meeting systems into one (1) and organize the groups more efficiently, he stated that it should actually relieve the City Planner. He advised members that a consolidated budget of the budget for each of the three (3) groups will be presented to members which will be more effective and directive because there is less over-head. Although it will not necessary for the initiation of the partnership, he anticipates that there will be a recommendation for a new economic development staff person. An outline of the initial budget will be presented and an estimated budget for the partnership, which would include the economic development staff person, marketing strategy and materials, etc.
Mr. Patterson stated that it is envisioned that the Board of Directors will be a quarterly organization whereas the three (3) current organizations meet monthly.
Mr. Hogan noted the importance of inclusion with any Board of Directors and stated that although there is a representative of the State of Delaware, he questioned if there would be a representative from Kent County. Mr. Patterson advised members that such a suggestion had not been previously mentioned and concurred that a representative from Kent County should be considered.
Mr. Moore stated that he anticipates bringing forward the additional details requested in less than 60 days as well as approval to begin the consolidation.
Downtown Incentives - What is Offered and Currently Proposed (Tim Slavin and Ann Marie Townshend)
Mrs. Townshend and Mr. Slavin gave a presentation of the Downtown Incentives (Exhibit #3). Mrs. Townshend reviewed the incentives that are currently offered for downtown Dover. In addition, members were provided a folder containing the following information (as on file in the Office of the City Clerk): Appendix C of the Dover Code, which addresses the Downtown Redevelopment Incentives; Appendix D of the Dover Code, which is the Business Improvement District; sections of the Dover Code that address Tax Credits for Historic Properties; the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit; and two (2) maps and national registered districts.
Mr. Slavin moved to amend the agenda to extend the meeting adjournment from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried.
Mr. Slavin reviewed the opportunities to expand incentives in the downtown Dover.
Mr. Ruane indicated his interest in quantifying the fiscal impact of both the existing incentives and those that are proposed. Concurring, Mr. Slavin stated his expectation of this information being provided during the budget review.
2008 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: TOWARD AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (Ann Marie Townshend)
Mrs. Townshend gave a presentation of Toward an Economic Development Strategy: 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update (Exhibit #4).
Mr. Slavin moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:07 P.M.
TRACI A. McDOWELL
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances, and resolutions adopted by City Council during their Workshop Meeting of November 5, 2007, are hereby approved.
CARLETON E. CAREY, SR.
MAYOR
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Exhibits Attached to Original Minutes and File Copy
Exhibit #1 - Presentation - Kent County Economic Development Strategy Initiative
Exhibit #2 - Presentation - Downtown Dover Partnership Corporation
Exhibit #3 - Presentation - Downtown Incentives
Exhibit #4 - Presentation - Toward an Economic Development Strategy: 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update