MINUTES FOR THE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TAC AD HOC COMMITTEE

February 10, 2010

Siskiyou Room

51 Winburn Way

CALL TO ORDER

Staff Member, Adam Hanks called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Committee members present:  John Rinaldi, Jr., Bill Molnar, Sandra Slattery, Ron Fox, Mallory Pierce, and Larry Holtzgang.

Staff members present: Adam Hanks, Diana Shiplet.

Council members present: Kate Jackson

DEFINITION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ASHLAND

Hanks presented a list of definitions by other communities, and draft versions submitted by  John Rinaldi, Jr. and Ric Holt.  Hanks gave overview of the Policy Group's last meeting and their vision and values statements.  He asked that the group give input on the definitions submitted so he can take go back and create a combined workable draft.  Group discussed the challenges in dividing what is "city" definition and what is "community" definition, i.e. are we creating a definition only for use by the City government or are we creating a definition for use by the community and its partners (SOU, OSF, Hospital, etc.)

The group liked both Ric and John's submittals, especially that they focused on the idea that the strategy must enrich the lives of those in Ashland.  Group requested that Hanks take those two definitions and combine them into one draft.  They will review at the next meeting.

REVIEW OF SWOT

Hanks explained how he broke the SWOT information into the suggested categories, and why he found it necessary to alter some of the categories to fit the draft SWOT.  The group reviewed the statements, discussed which ones needed revisions, which needed to be shifted into different categories (or placed in multiple categories), and which needed to be translated into more realistic ideas.  The group asked that Hanks continue the same work on those items they did not have time to review.

The group discussed their concerns about a lack of discussion happening in the Policy Group regarding traded sector and/or light manufacturing jobs.  The group decided this means it is all the more important that they not forget this when they "feed" information to the policy group.

Group discussed challenges within the community regarding perception.  There are those who believe that Ashland needs no external anything and those who believe participating in a global economy is necessary.  How do we mesh these very different perceptions of the future of Ashland?  Is this an opportunity to educate each other?  How do we continue to preserve the community's uniqueness and still work within the larger framework of the regional, state, national and global economies?  All these seemingly disparate ideas, ultimately, can and should live together in a good economic development plan.

PC DECISION ON CROMAN

Bill Molnar and John Rinaldi, Jr. gave an overview of what discussions have been going on with the Planning Commission regarding the Croman Mill Site Redevelopment.  They highlighted some of the challenges, concerns, and opportunities raised through these discussions.  The group discussed the advantages of master planning and their overall hopes for the outcome.  They also discussed the "green" opportunities they are excited to see in the current plan.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Shiplet, Executive Secretary