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11/15/1988 - Packet AGENDA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1988, 7:30 A.M. DAVIDSON'S RESTAURANT — 12830 SW PACIFIC HWY. , TIGARD, OR PACIFIC HIGHWAY AT MAIN STREET 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: SAVORY CORLISS DE BERNARDIS HART PIERCE CLARK DOTY MOORE MONAHAN 3. APPROVE MINUTES 4. Issues for the November 21st Workshop with City Council • Discussion 5. Input to City Council 6. Other Business 7. Adjournment cn/7991D EC4mmwo1IC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEET�*,.01 Tuesday, October 18' 1988 MEMBERS PRESENT: John Savory, Amo DuBernardio, Susan Clark, Ormond Doty, Brian Moore, Bill Monahan OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Tobias, Peggy Weston Byrd, John Acker The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. and the minutes from the September 20 meeting were approved without comment. Bill Monahan opened the meeting with an explanation that the EDC work program included interaction with other organizations concerned with Economic Development. In view of that work program element, Mary Tobias, the newly appointed president of the Tualatin Valley Economic Development Corporation (TVEDC), was invited to address the committee, Mu . Tobias stated that she has two goals: 1) to create an environment that will foster good jobs; and 2) stop negative headlines coming out of Oregon and help create a positive image for 0regon. Creation of good jobs will allow graduating students the opportunity to stay in Oregon. Ton many high quality college graduates are having to leave Oregon in order to find good jobs . Having spent the past 18 months in Washington D.C. , Ms. Tobias has oeen an image of Oregon that is less than favorable. Many people who don' t live or work in the Northwest have no image or a negative image of Oregon. Mo . Tobias sees TVEDC as an "umbrella" organization which is not limited to serving a narrow geographic area such as the corridor organizations. The TVEDC functions more as a forum for idea exchange and proactive involvement on issues rather than being involved directly in recruitment of businesses. Mx . Tobias stated that TVEDC` y draft work program includes three major elemento . The first element is a regional strategic plan which will identify existing programs, coordinate between diverse organizations, and promote communication among those organizations to create a unified regional plan for economic development. The uuound element consists of issues management. TVEDC will facilitate building consensus regarding regional issues with a focus on private sector involvement. The other element is data dissemination and reuearoh. A wide—ranging discussion followed concerning Oregon' s ability to compete with other regions of the oountry . The discussion touched on higher education, perceptions of Oregon by others and perceptions of others by Oregonians, and wages versus "quality of life" in terms of what can be done at the local or County level. Orm Doty will be the EDC` o liaison to the TVEDC. Involvement will begin by attending the quarterly meetings and reporting to the EDC on issues that may be of interest, � ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CvewITTEE MEETING Page 2 October 18' 1088 Mr. Monahan asked the committee if they were willing to move the EDC/City Council workshop to after January 1, when the triangle issue may become more clear. The feeling of the committee was that the November meeting date would he better and that the workshop should proceed as scheduled. All other items on the agenda were postponed to the next meeting. on/7620D AMBASSADOR PROGRAM The Economic Development Committee is instituting an Ambassador Program to assist business development in Tigard. The focus of the program is to facilitate the flow of information among business persons, developers, land owners, regulatory agencies, and business development organizations. The goal of the program is to create a more helpful environment for business development in the City of Tigard. Ambassadors will provide an additional access point for business people who are considering locating or expanding a business in Tigard. Ambassadors will distribute information when possible and provide a link to those who can answer questions when necessary. The Ambassadors will be expected to refer people to the proper contact person, remain up to speed on the most recent local and regional information, and make themselves available to those business people who need or request assistance. Ambassadors will be provided with information from the City and the Chamber of Commerce. Ambassadors will also have a list of contact persons that will be ready to assist when contacted. In general, the City and the Chamber of Commerce can be viewed as resources for the ambassador. In addition, the ambassador can call upon his or her own experience in living and conducting business in Tigard. As a member of Tigard's Economic Development Committee and as an ambassador, EDC members will be viewed as a representative of the City of Tigard. Because of the high visibility it is expected that ambassadors will conduct themselves in a professional manner when acting in that capacity. Ambassadors must be careful that it is understood that they can provide information or make contacts but cannot "fix" things. This program is not intended to provide contacts for potential business dealings. Ambassadors who solicit business while acting in the ambassador capacity will be asked to resign. This program can provide a valuable service in which all citizens of Tigard can benefit. The key to its success is the easy flow of information and the ambassador's willingness to respond when asked or when an appropriate situation arises. Communication and cooperation will make the Ambassador Program work for the betterment of Tigard.