HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1998-002WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 1998 - 26
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Orig. Dept.: County Council
1 /7/98
1/13/97
County Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT.•
Resolution supporting Economic Summit and an creation of Economic Develop Plan
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution, Attachments A & B
SUMMARYSTATEMENT,
Related County Contract #: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/1) N Requested Date:
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN
1998-26 1/13/98: Approved 6 - 0. Brown abstained. Res. #98 -002
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
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1 econplmms 1/0798 SPONSORED BY: Kathy Sutter
2 PROPOSED BY: Kathy Sutter
1 INTRODUCTION DATE: 1/13/98
2 RESOLUTION NO. 98 -002
3 IN SUPPORT OF SPONSORING AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT AND THE CREATION OF A
4 WHATCOM COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOP PLAN
5 WHEREAS, on March 22, 1994 the Whatcom County Council approved Resolution 94-
6 025, which states the Whatcom County CounciPs policy to encourage enhancement of a jobs-
7 based economy; and,
8 WHEREAS, the County Council recognizes a need for a coordinated effort among public
9 and private efforts to stimulate and support economic development in Whatcom County; and
10 WHEREAS, the County is the appropriate entity to lead such an effort.
11 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council hereby
12 requests that Attachment A, letter of request for information be sent to the agencies and
13 organizations listed in Attachment B.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Whatcom County shall work with the appropriate
agencies and organizations to sponsor a county -wide economic summit in 1998, the purpose of
which will be to produce an outline for an economic development plan for Whatcom County.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County will provide the necessary leadership to
finalize, adopt, and implement an economic development plan for Whatcom County by June 1999.
APPROVED this 13 day of January , 1998.
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24 APP VED AS TO FORM:
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26 Civil Deputy Prosecutor
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
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January 14, 1998
Heading
Dear
It is certainly no secret to anyone that Whatcom county has been and continues to be in
questionable financial times. The efforts to enhance the County's bottom line have been
effected by the GMA,. the lengthy adoption process.. of the Comprehensive Plan,
international exchange rates, dramatic infrastructure needs, and so on. While we can all
complain about the economy, the Council has the responsibility to provide public services
regardless of the economic climate.
It is that role and responsibility that requires us (the Council) to more effectively measure,
inventory, define, and enable the economic development process for Whatcom County. In
response to this task, the Council will initially be reviewing your individual part of the
process, and then sponsoring an Economic Summit to fully investigate the realities of our
community's economic potential and restraints.
Our purpose and commitment is to develop a "real" Economic Development Plan for this _
County that has _the capacity to work, to effectively enhance the tax base, and be measured
on a positive community impact scale. Your participation in this effort is essential.
The_ first. step toward the goal is a resolution adopted by the Council on January. 13, 1998.
Its purpose is to put in place the formal process to develop the Economic Development
Plan. In order to initiate that process the. Council needs to gather information from you,
and requests that the information (see attached list) come to the Council Office no later
than February 4, 1998 so that it meets the information deadline for our February 10th
meeting.
Sincerely,
11,
Thank you for your participation in this very important process. Please answer the
following questions as completely as possible. Include any additional information you feel
will be helpful.
By law, what is your agency of organization allowed to do (please site authority,
such as specific RCW, WAC, etc.)?
2. By law, what is your agency or organization required to do (please site authority,
such as specific RCW, WAC, etc.)?
What are you willing to-do to further economic development?
4. What resources does your agency or organization have available to devote to
economic. development?
5. How will you help organize an economic development summit?
6. What do you see as. the most pressing issues in regard to economic development?
7. What agencies and organizations are involved with or have an impact on Whatcom
County's economy?
We. look forward to working with you and rest-of Whatcom County to finally implement a
plan which will bring economic prosperity to us all.
Sincerely,
A7ffPVC-R PE—��
Send to list:
Economic Development Council
Council of Governments
Chamber of Commerce
Port
Public Utility District
Convention and Visitors Bureau