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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/20/2010, C 8 - COMMENDATION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR ITS ECONOMIC VISION REPORT AND ENDORSE I council MfiwDo April 20, 2010 j acEnaa REpoln CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Manager Prepared By: April Richardson,Administration Executive Assistant SUBJECT: COMMENDATION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR ITS ECONOMIC VISION REPORT AND ENDORSE SIX-POINT ECONOMIC STRATEGY RECOMMENDATION Commend the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for its excellent work in developing the 2010 Vision of San Luis Obispo's Economic Future and endorse the six-point Economic Strategy contained within the Vision document. DISCUSSION Background In 1992, the Chamber of Commerce produced its first Economic Vision document. In response to the downturn in the economy, the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce recognized the importance of a clear vision for desired business growth and steps to sustain prosperity in San Luis Obispo. As in 1992, the community is now faced with unprecedented economic volatility in the global marketplace. During the creation of this document, therefore, the Economic Vision Task Force developed future strategies and focused on community investments to position San Luis Obispo to take advantage of forward-looking economic opportunities. This fourth iteration of the Economic Vision document was created through input from the Economic Vision Task Force comprised of community leaders and, for the first time, a City Council Member, Andrew Carter, and the City's Economic Development Manager, Claire Clark. In the past, the Vision Document has been used by the Chamber of Commerce to guide the Chamber's advocacy on issues that arise in the community. With the inclusion of a Council Member and City staff in the formulation of the Economic Vision, it was initially hoped that the document could be drafted for adoption by the Council as a policy document to be used in support of the City's economic development goals and outcomes. However, recognition of the distinct roles of each entity - as well as recognition of the rigorous process for adopting and endorsing policy by the City of San Luis Obispo — ultimately resulted in the document's formulation as a Chamber advocacy document not for formal adoption as City policy. CO — Chamber of Commerce Economic Vision Report Commendation Page 2 None-the-less, it is important to recognize that there are values that are common to both organizations where the Economic Vision is consistent with established City policy. The Six-Point Economic Strategy The Economic Vision includes the following six economic strategies: 1. Proactively protect and enhance San Luis Obispo's unique quality of life. 2. Nurture and protect existing businesses and jobs.. 3. Nurture and attract future-oriented companies, especially businesses that embrace sustainability. 4. Partner with Cal Poly and Cuesta College as a bridge to the future. 5. Use community_enhancing tourism as an economic development engine. 6. Modernize our physical and regulatory infrastructure and fairly distribute the costs. Both organizations value the balance between the social, environmental and economic facets of the community. The General Plan states that environmental, social, and economic factors must be taken into account in important decisions about San Luis Obispo's future. As a result of the Chamber's emphasis and advocacy, the Council adopted a goal that emphasizes collaboration with Cal Poly, Cuesta College, and the business community to develop strategies to increase economic development including emphasis on head of household jobs and environmentally sustainable business within the 2009-2011 Financial Plan. Collaborative work is underway between the Chamber and the City to achieve this goal with community partners and to achieve the economic strategies listed above. The City of San Luis Obispo supports the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce to assure the prosperity of the City of San Luis Obispo through advocacy for implementation of the goals and strategies enunciated in the Vision Document. By working together, City staff looks forward to active pursuit of this Vision for an economically sustainable future. Recognition of Document The San Luis Obispo City Council would like to commend the Chamber for its hard work in bringing the 2010 Vision of San Luis Obispo's Economic Future to fruition and endorses the six- point Economic Strategy contained therein. For the hours spent discussing and developing the Vision, the Council thanks all participants with particular recognition of the Chamber staff's role in pulling it all together into the beautiful form presented. Economic Vision Task Force Beth Marino Chamber of Commerce Board Chairperson, 2008 Tom Lebens Chamber of Commerce Board Chairperson, 2009 Jeff Buckingham Chamber of Commerce Economic Vision Task Force, 2009 Andrew Carter City of San Luis Obispo Council Member Claire Clark City of San Luis Obispo Economic Development Manager Kristin Johnson Moxie Market Share Development Tom Jones Cal Poly State University; Dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design Cg'02 Chamber of Commerce Economic Vision Report Commendation Page 3 Erik Justesen RRM Design Group Pierre Rademaker Rademaker Design Rob Rossi Rossi Enterprises Mary Verdin Verdin Marketing Ink Chamber of Commerce Staff Dave Garth President/CEO Ermina Karim Director of Governmental Affairs ATTACHMENT Council Reading File: Chamber of Commerce Economic Vision Document rr -