Economic Development Commission Meeting
Highlights
- 🧵 Opened with troubleshooting (literally): after a flurry of unplugged outlets, the hybrid meeting finally launched—an apt metaphor for the commission’s push to streamline tools and shared documents going forward.
- 🗂️ Chair Lawson will set up a central OneDrive/SharePoint space so commissioners, staff, and council can track action items from the July joint work session instead of letting ideas “fall into the ether.”
- 🛒 Grocery-store recruitment remains tied to the Glencoe Opportunity Area cleanup; staff confirmed the city secured Brownfield funding, but environmental work can’t start until spring 2026 because of weather and permitting windows.
- đź“‹ The business climate survey is on hold while the commission coordinates with Strong Towns and the Chamber to avoid duplicate questionnaires and align outreach goals.
Notes
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June Minutes & Future Guests
- The body approved June minutes, noting that speaker Lawrence Rivera (interested in a Glenoe business association and redevelopment of the old gas station across from King Torta) had to cancel last time. Staff will invite him back later this year so the commission can discuss corridor activation in depth.
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Document Hub Needed
- Commissioners want a running list of ideas/action items from the July 10 joint work session with city council. Rather than relying on email strings or personal notes, they opted to create a shared OneDrive/SharePoint folder linked to the city’s Microsoft 365 environment.
- Staff will confirm the best location (likely a Community Development site) so all members, plus council liaisons, can drop in drafts, cost estimates, and updates.
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Grocery Store / Glencoe Opportunity Area
- David Amanor asked whether the grocer (Remol Retail Partners) that looked at the Glencoe site is still interested. Staff reiterated:
- The city won the EPA Brownfield cleanup grant, but NPEA’s property won’t be fully remediated until spring 2026 because environmental contractors need a dry season to excavate and haul soil.
- Federal compliance slows procurement; staff is still working through scopes, so there’s little a developer can do until the site is clean.
- Commissioners acknowledged the longer horizon but want periodic updates so they can manage public expectations around grocery access.
- David Amanor asked whether the grocer (Remol Retail Partners) that looked at the Glencoe site is still interested. Staff reiterated:
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Business Survey & Strong Towns Coordination
- The commission already drafted survey questions for local merchants, yet Strong Towns announced a similar effort. Rather than saturate businesses with overlapping forms, members will reach out to Strong Towns (Linda Gallis-Merin, Emily Waldron) and the Chamber to explore a joint instrument.
- Staff highlighted the need for clarity on data ownership and privacy since Strong Towns is an independent civic group, not a formal city board.
Follow-Ups
- Chair Lawson to work with Rowan/IT on creating a shared OneDrive or SharePoint folder for EDC deliverables and action logs.
- Staff to invite Lawrence Rivera back to a fall agenda (business association + old gas station update).
- City manager’s office to keep the commission informed about Brownfield cleanup milestones and any renewed interest from grocery operators.
- Chair Lawson (or designee) to meet with Strong Towns/Chamber to determine whether the business survey will be collaborative or split into complementary efforts.