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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-05; Economic Development Subcommittee; MinutesECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE Minutes March 5, 2025, 1 p.m. Special Meeting CALL TO ORDER: 1 p.m. ROLL CALL: Bhat-Patel, Blackburn. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting held Nov. 19, 2024 Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Motion by Mayor Blackburn, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously, 2/0. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. SUBCOMMITTEE COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. NEW BUSINESS: This item was heard before Item No. 1. 2. NORTH COUNTY ECONOMIC TRENDS -Receive an informational report from San Diego North Economic Development Council regarding economic trends for North County in 2025, discuss and provide feedback. (Staff contact: Matt Sanford, Economic Development Department) Recommendation: Receive the informational reports and provide feedback. President and CEO Eric Bruvold from San Diego North Economic Development Council provided a report on the projected economic trends impacting North County including opportunities and challenges expected in 2025 including review of a Power Point presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). The subcommittee received the report. This item was heard after Item No. 2. 1. CARLSBAD BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS UPDATES -Receive informational reports from Carlsbad business organizations, discuss and provide feedback. (Staff contact: Matt Sanford, Economic Development Department) Recommendation: Receive the informational report and provide a recommendation. Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brett Schanzenbach, Carlsbad Village Association Executive Director Christine Davis, and Visit Carlsbad President and CEO Kim Sidoriak provided brief informational reports. The subcommittee received the reports. March 5, 2025 Economic Development Subcommittee Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 This item was heard after Item No. 1. 4. FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 PROPOSED STRATEGIC ACTIONS -Receive a report on proposed economic development strategic actions for fiscal year 2025-26, discuss and provide a recommendation. (Staff contact: Matt Sanford, Economic Development Department) Recommendation: Receive the informational report and provide feedback. Economic Development Manager Matt Sanford and Senior Program Manager Rachel Maltz presented a report including a Power Point presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) on proposed actions for fiscal year 2025-26 and implementing 15 new actions. The subcommittee received the report. Motion by Subcommittee Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Subcommittee Member Blackburn, to provide a recommendation to the full City Council to include the following summarized strategic actions in the FY 2025-26 Economic Development Strategic Actions: Goal 1: Support Small Businesses, Startups & Entrepreneurs • Create a program to give planning and building staff better insight into operations in key industries, thereby giving a better understanding of development need. • In partnership with the local business organizations, hold a Carlsbad Employer Open House to showcase local businesses and connect them with potential employees. • Celebrate women, minority, veteran, and disabled-owned businesses by acknowledging and creating events around: Women's Small Business Month, Veterans Small Business Week, Black Business Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc. • Pilot a signage improvement program for Carlsbad small businesses. Goal 2: Workforce Development and Talent Attraction • Collaborate with regional partners such as SOCAL, Mira Costa College, TCI, and local businesses for workforce training for middle school, high school, post-secondary students, and transitioning adults. • Partner with K-12, school districts, and higher education institutions to enhance their existing programs that provide technical and soft skills to entry level employees. • Facilitate partnerships between Carlsbad's businesses and education partners to identify skills necessary to obtain employment in high wage industries. Goal 3: Supporting Key Industries • Use data to identify specific mobility issues and select projects from the city's Sustainable Mobility Plan that will result in a higher quality of life for Carlsbad residents and workers. • Create a site-selection tool to position Carlsbad for inbound investment. • Update information and mapping of Carlsbad's key industry clusters and patent intensity. • Partner with local universities and colleges to create workforce development opportunities in the hospitality, tourism, and entertainment sectors. March 5, 2025 Economic Development Subcommittee Special Meeting Minutes Page 2 Goal 4: Placemaking and Engagement • Develop a communications plan specific towards economic development efforts and celebrating the business community with consistent and cohesive messaging. • Develop and promote "how to" videos for select permitting processes. • Continue to celebrate local artists by enhancing the city's Public Art Collection. • Expand the city's parklet program to create additional green space and community gathering opportunities. And a recommendation for an increased budget allocation of $60,000. Motion carried unanimously, 2/0. This item was heard after Item No. 4. 3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC ACTIONS UPDATE -Receive an informational report on the implementation of current economic development strategic actions, discuss and provide recommendations. (Staff contact: Matt Sanford, Economic Development Department) Recommendation: Receive the informational report and provide feedback. Economic Development Manager Matt Sanford and Senior Program Manager Rachel Maltz presented the report with a Power Point presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Mayor Blackburn left the dais at 2:05 p.m. The subcommittee received informational reports This item was continued to a future date not certain. 5. 2025 ECON OM IC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING CAL EN DAR -Adopt the 2025 Economic Development Subcommittee regular meeting calendar. (Staff contact: Matt Sanford, Economic Development Department) Recommendation: Adopt the calendar. SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None. ADJOURN: Mayor Pro Tern Bhat-Patel adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 2:14 p.m. Executive Assistant