HomeMy WebLinkAboutCDN 2019-06-25 Item 2D - Discussion - Economic Development Plan Outreach ProcessCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Community Development and Neighborhoods
FROM: Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: June 19, 2019
SUBJECT: Economic Development Plan Community Involvement Process
ISSUE
Staff is seeking Council input on the community involvement process for creating an economic
development plan for the City.
BACKGROUND
The City of Tukwila's Comprehensive Plan includes a chapter ("element") on economic
development. The main goal of the economic development element is to enhance the
community's economic well-being and it includes policies and strategies to achieve that goal.
One of the implementation strategies is to develop an economic development plan. The
economic development plan will build on the economic development element by providing
additional context, options, and guidance to staff and policymakers.
DISCUSSION
Our goal for the community involvement process is to provide an opportunity for anyone who
would like to provide input to be able to do so. This includes residents, businesses, and
property owners.
One of the key concepts of our approach is to have an economic development plan page on the
City's website. The page would be a central place for the public to learn about Tukwila's
economy, understand the process, and provide input (via online survey). With the help of
interns, staff has been developing considerable information related to Tukwila's economy and
our approach will be to post this information on the website so that stakeholders can have a
shared understanding of key aspects of our economy. Since it would take someone
considerable time to digest all of the information, we will provide weekly "teaser" emails to
interested stakeholders to help them digest it in sections over a four or six -week period.
In terms of gathering input, we intend to ask questions that are fairly simple and open ended so
that it is easy for people to provide input. Staff would then summarize those results for public
review. We would include surveys in the top four languages spoken by Tukwila residents
(English, Spanish, Somali, and Vietnamese).
In order to gather input from residents who do not track the City's website and social media or
speak English, we would like to conduct a survey at a key location in the Tukwila International
Boulevard neighborhood such as Saar's Supersaver grocery store.
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In order to gather input from small businesses we may conduct a door-to-door survey in the
Tukwila International Boulevard neighborhood or host a listening session in the neighborhood,
such as at the Sullivan Center.
Following is the intended schedule:
Early July:
Early July:
Early July:
July/August:
July/August:
July/August:
July/August:
July/August:
July/August:
September:
October:
November:
Web page is up and running with background economic information
Introductory email is sent to invite participation
Announced via City website and social media
Staff attends City boards and commission meetings to gather input
Online survey available
Staff survey of key businesses and property owners
Community survey at a key location on Tukwila International Boulevard
Small business input from businesses in Tukwila International Boulevard
neighborhood*
All business "summit" in the Southcenter District*
Staff analyzes input and drafts recommendations
City Council review
City Council approval
The times above are subject to change since we may need to adjust as we receive input
through the process. Although there is no required time frame in which to complete the
economic development plan, staff would like to complete it in 2019.
*These steps will depend on available resources.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No additional budget is requested at this time; however, as we receive community input, we
may want to add additional steps in the community involvement process and may need
additional budget. The 2019 Economic Development division budget includes $8,000 for
developing the plan. The City has submitted a grant application to the Port of Seattle for an
additional $12,800 to develop the plan. If we receive that grant, we may need to amend the
budget to reflect the additional revenue and expenses.
RECOMMENDATION
The Council is being asked for input on the community involvement process described above
and to consider this item at the July 8, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
None
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W:12019 Info Memos\Econ Dev Plan Involvement,doc