MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. Thursday, February 5, :00 p.m. Lompoc City Council Chambers

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1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Thursday, February 5, :00 p.m. Lompoc City Council Chambers Jenelle Osborne, Committee Chair Jeremy Ball - absent Gilda Cordova Maria Hall Michelle Hodapp - excused Debbie McComb Chuck Marquez - absent Ken Ostini - excused Don Pommerville Rick Rantz Luis Servin Wendy Twist - excused Justin Barrick - excused Tom Davidson Tim Harrington - excused Margaret Lau Robert Manning Carol Newsome Stephen Pepe Cecilia Ramos Luciano Santini - absent Dawn Thomas - absent STAFF PRESENT: Teresa Gallavan, Economic and Community Development Director/ Assistant City Administrator Lucille Breese, Planning Manager Angela Wynne, Staff Assistant ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Janet Rodriguez was introduced as a perspective Committee member and she discussed her work with the Chumash Casino s $165,000,000 expansion project. Chris Bellamy - introduced himself as the new owner of La Purisima Golf Course; indicated he purchased the course 18 months ago; discussed the upgrades and work to improve the course; indicated his focus is to bring more tournaments to the course and highlighted the week long PGA Canadian qualifiers, which will bring in many teams, coaches, and 150+ people to the area; stated that water usage on the course has been reduced; and, noted that course play is up 23%. STAFF COMMENTS: A. Recent Development Activity Ms. Breese reported the Solvang Brewery project had been approved by the Planning Commission. Chair Osborne noted the Planning Commission was informed that the Economic Development Commission supported the project and favored increased signage creativity.

2 Ms. Breese reported the Hilton Gardens project is moving forward and the Zoning Ordinance Update is progressing. AGENDA ITEMS: A. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 5, 2015 MINUTES MOTION: VOTE: It was moved by Member Pepe and seconded by Member Pommerville that the Economic Development Committee approve the Minutes of February 5, The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. B. VISION STATEMENT No discussion. C. SUB GROUP REPORTS FIBER FEASIBILITY STUDY GROUP Chair Osborne indicated there had been no subcommittee meetings since Nov 2014 but the group plans to initiate dialogue with Vandenberg Air Force Base and Lompoc Unified School District. RFQ Process Chair Osborne reported that the City Council voted 5-0 to move forward and negotiate an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) within 90 days which would cover a twelve month period with the California Space Center Consortium. The first part of the ENA process would be to provide the information missing in the RFQ response. INVESTMENT VEHICLE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES No report was given. ADDED CAPACITY 1. IDENTIFY POSSIBLE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Ms. Rodriguez stated that the Chumash are working to bring in an educational training program (in conjunction with Universities). It was indicated that Sid Haro (LUSD) would like to join and Ms. Gallavan noted she is working on the application process. Member Pepe asked for clarification if the aim for members was from the Hospital District or the Hospital employees and Chair Osborne indicated the Hospital District. Member Pepe stated he would discuss with Lompoc Valley Medical Center CEO Jim Raggio. Page 2 of 5

3 2. PARTNERS IN LOMPOC ECONOMIC VITALITY FORUM No report. PROMOTE AND PUBLICIZE LOMPOC 1. FACILITATE AND CELEBRATE REDECORATING OLD TOWN Member McComb reported that the Braun building and Michael s Bar will be re-painted. Member Pommerville stated that a new owner has purchased Jasper s and there was discussion that the Nikka Fish Enterprise is close to opening and the vacant Don Pepe building has new owners. Member McComb asked about Chipotle coming to Lompoc and Ms. Breese reported there is discussion about the site. Ms. Gallavan indicated that the project has been provided options for the site and is moving forward. Member Osborne reminded the Committee to provide updates to her for the Committee s newspaper column. 2. LOCAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE PROVIDNG HIGHLY SKILLED AND QUALIFIED WORKERS Chair Osborne discussed the LUSD s interest in creating a Hospitality program for the Adult Education Program that is being revamped by the school district. A grant application has been submitted to the State of California requesting funding to expand the current Adult Education Program which is the only one in the county provided by a local public school system. Member Newsome asked about the new airline to utilize the Lompoc Airport and Ms. Gallavan reported the first flight is scheduled for February PROMOTION OF LOCAL EXISTING BUSINESSES, FOSTER RETENTION AND EXPANSION There was no discussion. D. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 1. REVIEW ANNUAL STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING Chair Osborne reported the Committee s Strategic Plan document will be presented to City Council on February 17, EVA PROJECT Member Hall stated arrangements are being made to present awards to Central Coast Specialty Foods, T & T s Sweet Repeats, and Longoria Winery at one per month this quarter. Page 3 of 5

4 3. ANNUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL Chair Osborne requested assistance with the Annual Report. Member Pepe expressed concern with the Zoning Ordinance, challenges to the Ordinance, and asked Ms. Breese about the process. Ms. Breese stated she will review the responses to the RFP along with an ad hoc committee to select a consultant; staff and the consultant will meet with the City Council and the Planning Commission for policy direction; public workshops will be held to discuss the various sections of the proposed Zoning Ordinance and include the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. Member Pepe suggested the consultants review Santa Maria, Solvang, and Buellton s ordinances and noted Lompoc is way out of step with other municipality competitors. Member McComb asked if an ad hoc committee will be formed and have input into the development process. Ms. Breese stated this is a very public process with opportunity for input. Member Pepe asked Ms. Breese to clarify how the community is noticed for the process and Ms. Breese indicated notices will be placed on the City s website, in the Chamber s Friday Focus, provided to Board of Realtors, public mailings, and members of the community may request to be added to the mailing list. It was suggested to add the Economic Development Committee to the mailing list. Member Pepe asked about Economic Development Element for the General Plan and Ms. Breese stated that the Housing Element had just been completed and the Economic Development Element will be addressed next. 4. PENDING ITEM LIST Member Newsome asked if there were any statistics; economic impact, attendees, events, to report on the first year of operation for the Allan Hancock Safety Training Complex. Member Rantz stated a request for data has been made but he has not received it yet. He also discussed that he has received comments from local businesses noting an increase in customer traffic. Member Lau reported that 80 people had participated in a local disaster drill. The disaster drill was held in conjunction with Santa Barbara County. Member Rantz discussed enrollment challenges at Allan Hancock College, the building of a north county dispatch center to be utilized as a back-up center, the center will accommodate training and the opportunity to develop educational programs, and funding is materializing. Member McComb asked about the college offering a Bachelor s degree in Viticulture. Member Rantz stated that it had not been selected among the 15 programs accepted statewide and discussed the difficulty navigating nonduplication of what State Universities offer. Page 4 of 5

5 Member Cordova asked about the oil company training. Member Rantz discussed training with Exxon Mobile but participation was below what had been expected. He reported that the Center was selected as the exclusive provider of site orientation training for the western STEPS organization and is currently working to receive exclusive permit training. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -- None STAFF AND COMMITTEE REQUESTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS: Member Davidson announced Nikka Seafood Enterprise will open soon. Member Cordova asked about Chipotle and The Habit coming to Lompoc. Member Davidson stated nothing has been confirmed. Member McComb asked about the sale of Jasper s and Member Davidson stated that the business will remain in the same model. Member Servin announced that a Job Seekers event will be held on April 17, 2015 at the Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center. He noted that 350 people attended last year and is hoping to exceed that number this year. Member Servin also discussed the Explore Lompoc event on February 25, Member Cordova talked about combining Lompoc experiences for visitors, the availability of grants, and that Board Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month, 10:00 a.m. at the Chamber. Chair Osborne reported that the BMX project needs funds and volunteers and basic landscaping is taking place currently. The project is in its final stage of completion with a goal to open this spring. Member McComb announced the Lompoc Rotary is hosting a wine tasting fundraiser event on February 22, 2015 that will provide funding for a robotic arm for the local high schools. Chair Osborne announced that the YMCA is currently fundraising and details can be found on their website. Member McComb announced the Lompoc Fallen Warrior fundraising event will be held at the Lompoc Elks on April 11, Member McComb asked about the status of committee members who have been absent for several meetings. Ms. Gallavan stated she will be in touch with those members and report back to the Committee in March. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS -- None MEMBERS IN THE AUDIENCE: 4 ADJOURNMENT: The Committee adjourned at 7:15 p.m. to a Regular meeting on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lompoc City Hall Council Chambers. G: Econ Dev \ EDC \ Minutes \ aw aw Page 5 of 5