City of Fayetteville Planning Retreat
Embassy Suites – Fayetteville
February 7-8, 2014
What Happened: The new City Council met for two days to listen to briefings and to decide on a strategic plan of top priorities that will be relevant for 2014/15.
General Comments:
- Placemaking – create an environment you want to be in. Third spaces (not work or home). There are lessons learned. An example would be the Crown Collisiuem. A ball field instead of jail downtown. These are two classic failed placemeaking errors to learn from
- Next property revaluation will be January, 2017
- There will be a “Crime Summit” April 11, 104
Economic Development – Deputy City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney gave a presentation on the possibllity of establishing an Economic Business Development (EBD) city department. The following information is from her power point.
- Establish an “EBD” fund @ $500,000 to assist with working capitol needs and to leverage private participation and to assist and incentivize city-wide business, recruitment, retention and expansion
- Develop guidelines for the use of EBD funds
- Develop an “Economic Development Strategic Plan”
- Establish a comprehensive marketing program for economic and business development plan
- Year 1, 2015 – create a Department of Economic and Business Development. Reclassify special projects. Hire a Director of Economic and Business Development. Add an administrative Assistant in July, 2015. Hire a business recruiter and development recruiter in the 3rd quarter of 2015.
What Was Said regarding the EBD:
Councilman Crisp – “We need an office, a central office. A point where someone who has $50,000 can go to an office to guide them to a grant/loan/license. A department to interact with all business out there…to direct a business on where they need to go.”
Councilwoman Jensen – “Starting my business at 40 was tough. People need education. They need training before we give them money.”
Deputy City Manager Small-Toney – “This is not an open door to Fort Knox. There will be guidelines and requirements for businesses to be considered.”
Sideline: There will be an upcoming worksession which will focus on this proposal.
City Council 2014/15 priorities:
- police staffing
- ex-offender 2nd chance
- customer service initiative (City Hall)
- economic development – local merchants
- trade school for ages 18-24
- parks and recreation funding
- Performing Arts Center (ie. DPAC in Durham)
- sidewalk improvement plan
- land use plan
- resurfacing streets
Other Comments from Council:
Councilwoman Jensen – “Expectations are high with this new council.”
Councilman Wright – “Let’s get about the works of the city’s business. Let’s see how we deal with disagreement and get things done.”
Councilman Hurst – “This is going to be a more business friendly council.”
Councilman Crisp – “We go so bogged down with personaility conflicts. This council understands each can give and take. We won’t go out in a parking lot after a vote or go back to our districts with sour grapes. We did have some setbacks.”
