AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2018-01, on the first of two readings, amending Section 2.369 of the San Marcos City Code to require the City’s Economic Development Board (“EDSM”) to hold meetings at least four times per year, and at least once per quarter; providing a savings clause; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provisions; and providing an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: 1/16/2018
Department: City Manager’s Office - Kevin Burke, Economic Development Administrator
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Funds Available: N/A
Account Name: N/A
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Economic Development Board codes last amended in November 2015 by Ordinance No. 2015-47.
City Council Goal: [Please select goal from dropdown menu below]
Goal #4 Economic Development
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from below]
☒ Economic Development Opportunity created by Capital of University, Business, Civic, & Cultural Leaders
☐ Environment & Resource Protection Choose an item.
☐ Land Use Choose an item.
☐ Neighborhoods & Housing Choose an item.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities Choose an item.
☐ Transportation Choose an item.
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Choose an item.
Background Information:
The Economic Development Board (EDSM) provides advice to the City Council on economic development matters and policies. The board is composed of 12 members, consisting of 11 voting members and one non-voting members, eight must be residents of the city.
At inception, the board met only on an as-needed basis, ie. when specific economic development projects were presented to the city by the Greater San Marcos Partnership, and required a determination by Council as to whether economic development incentives would be provided.
In 2015, the Council changed the composition of the board and required the board to have “regular meetings on a quarterly basis, and as needed.”
Subsequently, the board held six meetings in 2016: four regular quarterly meetings, and two as-needed meetings to take action on specific projects.
In 2017, the board held five meetings: four regular quarterly meetings, and one as-needed meeting to take action on a specific project.
Due to the nature of the boards duties, on several occasions in the past two years, the board has convened with no action item on the agenda. Such meetings were held on August 4, 2016, September 7, 2017 and December 7, 2017.
The members of the EDSM board serve in a volunteer capacity and provide a valuable service to the community and the Council. They believe in the importance of their economic development advisory role and respectfully request Council consideration of the recommended change to the meeting schedule.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action: On December 7, 2017, the EDSM Board held a discussion and voted to recommend that Council amend the City code of ordinances, Division 19, Section 2.369(d) to state that the board will have at least four meetings per year, and will meet at least once each quarter, and as needed.
Alternatives:
Approve the ordinance as recommended by the EDSM Board.
Approve the ordinance with amendments.
Take no action.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance as recommended by the EDSM Board.