2004-01-26 Study - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1910 January 26, 2004 Mr. Sharpe saw this group performing tasks and services which are similar to those already performed by existing boards and commissions. He questioned some of the requests in the charge for information because he saw the function of this group somewhat differently, as dealing with development and reviewing neighborhoods for potential development. He sees the proposal under discussion giving the task force the opportunity to apprise work done by existing bodies, so that the task force can pass opinion on that work. Ms. Welsch countered that she thinks the new task force should be able to benefit from studies and work already undertaken by the City, so that the proposed task force are not starting at "ground zero." She argued for the need to build upon work already completed, from an educated viewpoint. The idea of this task force is to bring "a new set of eyes" to take the steps we have to take and to do what you are talking about, from the vantage point of what has been done before. She sees the proposed task force as a "kitchen cabinet "for Lehman Walker and a benefit to him. She believes information about potential plans should be disseminated to citizens. Mr. Lieberman pointed out that a new comprehensive plan was under development at the moment, which will replace the previous one, and asked what the point was in looking at the superceded plan. He also asked if she has considered the amount of staff time needed to monitor and participate with this proposed group. Ms. Welsch said she visualized participants as volunteers. Mayor Adams asked if the premise of the task force was that plans made in the past were not actualized, and Ms. Welsch responded that her platform was the belief that there was not enough of a concerted effort to expand economic development in a way that would benefit our City. She acknowledged that "an item or two in the reports have been implemented" but a report from the City Manager issued a year or so ago, looked at "all the reports and came up with another 'to do" list." She argued that the potential expressed in the reports has not "been used." Mayor Adams asked if she meant "used" or "accomplished" which he sees as different. She sees it as the same thing. Mayor Adams said that Ms. Welsch's philosophy is based upon having the Council say "A, B, and C will be at this location" and "A, B, and C will happen at that location." Mayor Adams said that this is the role he sees Ms. Welsch proposed for the task force. The next question, then, is who is responsible for making sure that these things happen? He asked if she blames the City Council or the City administration for not accomplishing these events? He reiterated that the first question to be settled is what the City Council's philosophy of economic development is, and pointed out that until there is a philosophy, the other steps are useless, unless the City Council agrees to make things happen. Page 2