HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-1984MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 12, 1984
The meeting was called to order at 5:53 p.m., by Mayor R. W. Luxem-
bourger in Room 510, City Hall, 20 Civic Center Plaza. Councilmem-
bers present were John Acosta, Gordon Bricken, P. Lee Johnson, Dan
Young and Mayor Luxembourger. Also present were City Manager Robert C.
Bobb, City Attorney Edward J. Cooper and Clerk of the Council Janice C.
Guy, as well as members of the City's Executive Management staff.
Councilmember Daniel E. Griset joined the meeting at 6:00 p.m.;
Councilmember Patricia A. McGuigan was absent.
MOTION:
Excuse Councilmember Patricia A. McGuigan's absence
due to her being out of the City.
MOTION: Acosta SECOND: Bricken
VOTE:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Acosta, Bricken, Johnson, Luxembourger, Young
None
Griset, McGuigan
WORK STUDY SESSION
The City Manager gave a brief overview of Santa Ana's current activities
with respect to economic development, indicating additional emphasis
would be placed on marketing the City and increasing the City's in-
dustrial base. Deputy City Manager Swanson reported staff capability
had significantly increased, and capability linked with investment
dollars would equal performance. He discussed several major compo-
nents of economic development including: local talent, "investor-
users," lending institutions, and government. Swanson noted that a
more intense marketing effort would be made by the City which would
include: high quality and professional contacts, a single contact
person for each project, follow-up on leads and positive media relations.
The City Manager reported that plans to improve economic development
would include: a strategy to help existing businesses, an inventory
of current businesses, an entrepreneur workshop, investigation into
possibilities for international trade, marketing which would extend
from within the City to outside the State, creation of a business
development center in Santa Aha and the addition of a business park.
He mentioned a new concept, "business incubators," had been developed
by such companies as Control Data and City Ventures, and that he would
be contacting these corporations in the near future to explore the
possibility of implementation in Santa Ana. He noted a need to diversify
the membership of the Economic Development Corporation to include cor-
porate leaders, financial leaders, venture capitalists, labor, and
higher education.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 68 MARCH 12, 1984
Councilmembers then commented regarding perceived needs for
economic development. Councilmember Young stated that increased
venture capital was needed in Santa Ana. He also thought that the
Economic Development Corporation Board needed to be reevaluated.
Councilmember Johnson expressed a similar opinion with respect to
the EDC Board and indicated his willingness to try "anything that doesn't
risk the taxpayers money." Councilmember Bricken expressed his opinion
that Council move cautiously with respect to the Economic Development
Corporation indicating the Board had been a successful "first step"
and that perhaps now it was time to broaden its scope.
Councilmember Griset expressed that he felt economic development needed
a "blockbuster approach" and should include a network of major busi-
nesses in the City. He stated that a need existed to develop focal
points and to fully utilize available corporate resources. Council-
member Bricken urged that economic development be acknowledged as a
reality, and noted that the Chamber, Economic Development Corporation,
and the City were "in step" which he felt was a positive indicator.
The City Manager stated that economic development would be approached
as if the City were in a depressed economy and that the program would
stress business retention interviews, new business start-ups, and a
major marketing effort. He cautioned the Council not to expect
immediate pay-back. He explained market reconnaissance would include
the Council and indicated that when opportunities to market Santa Ana
occurred, there would be a need to put a team together on very short
notice to promote the marketing effort.
OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY. By informal consent with Councilmember
Johnson dissenting, the Councilmembers present agreed to underwrite
$1,500.00 of the cost for an Olympic Torch Relay runner for Santa Ana.
At 7:10 p.m., the Council recessed to Executive Session, reconvened at
7:24 p.m. with the same members present, and immediately adjourned to
9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 17, 1984, in Room 510, City Hall, 20 Civic
Center Plaza.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 69 MARCH 12~'1984