March 6 Policy Forums

[Vanessa Sarria]

Topic: Economic Development (including incentives and innovation zone)

Date: March 6th

Time: 9:00am – 11:00am

Context – Describe the issues the department is tackling and working on, solutions and tools the department is using to address the issues, and future Council actions related to economic development.
City Staff: Rodney Gonzales, Deputy Director, Economic Development Department will be presenting in Kevin John’s absence

Panelist and Questions
1. What tools, including Chapter 380 performance-based agreements, can the City use for direct job creation and how can the City maximize the benefit of those tools?
Panelist: Jon Hockenyos, Economist and Principal at TXP

2. How can Austin’s economic success and the development of an innovation zone be used to derive benefit to local, small businesses and to all residents and to propel girls and minorities to pursue STEM education and careers.
Panelist: Meg Wilson, Senior Lecturer, Executive Masters of Science, Technology Commercialization, IC2, UT Austin

3. What are the top two (2) economic challenges in Austin, and how can the City’s economic development policy be shaped to address those challenges?
Panelist: Martha Cotera, Member of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission

4. How can the City’s economic development policy be shaped to provide benefit to Austin’s cultural assets (including, but not limited to arts, music, film, digital media) artists, businesses, organizations, and industries?
Panelist: Nakia Reynoso, Artist and Member of the Austin Music Commission

[Don Zimmerman]

Ms. Sarria and Council Colleagues:
I have recommended Mr. Brian Rodgers from Change Austin for the panel; Brian has worked on campaigns against subsidies and authored many editorials on the subject of incentives and growth.

[Don Zimmerman]

I'd like to invite an expert like Jess Fields (TPPF policy analyst and former city council) to challenge the presumption that Chapter 380 performance-based agreements and other corporate incentives are good policy, even if they are legal under the 14th Amendment (Equal Protection under the Law) of the US Constitution.

[Leslie Pool]

Vanessa, I've contacted Grover Bynum with the Austin Technology Council about him participating on Friday's panel of Economic Development - specifically the Innovation segment. He and Julie Huls, president of ATC, may have time in their schedules, but we should check in with them both soonest. Either or both of them can offer insights about the role of technology in Austin's remarkable economic growth, and the future of tech generally.

Thanks,

Leslie

[Vanessa Sarria]

Context: Describe the issues the department is tackling and working on, solutions and tools the department is using to address the issues, and future Council actions related to economic development.
o City Staff: Rodney Gonzales, Deputy Director, Economic Development Department will be presenting in Kevin John’s absence

Key Policy Issues - Each panelist will have 5 to 7 minutes to present and then the panel with engage in a discussion with Mayor and Council moderated by Mayor Steve Adler

What tools, including Chapter 380 performance-based agreements, can the City use for direct job creation and how can the City maximize the benefit of those tools?
o Jon Hockenyos, Economist and Principal at TXP

What role should incentives to private corporations play in the City’s Economic Development strategies?
o Brian Rodgers, ChangeAustin.org

How can Austin’s economic success and the development of an innovation zone be used to derive benefit to local, small businesses and to all residents and to propel girls and minorities to pursue STEM education and careers.
o Meg Wilson, Senior Lecturer, Executive Masters of Science, Technology Commercialization, IC2, UT Austin
o Grover Bynum, Austin Technology Council

What are the top two (2) economic challenges in Austin, and how can the City’s economic development policy be shaped to address those challenges?
o Martha Cotera, Member of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission

How can the City’s economic development policy be shaped to provide benefit to Austin’s cultural assets (including, but not limited to arts, music, film, digital media) artists, businesses, organizations, and industries?
o Nakia Reynoso, Artist and Member of the Austin Music Commission

Other Voices - Each person will have 3 minutes to provide a different perspective.
o Bob Batlan, Austin Interfaith
o Ceci Gratia, Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
o Richard Halpin, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
o TBA, Austin Chamber

[Vanessa Sarria]

Clarification: There will be 2 policy workshops this Friday, March 6th at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers

Policy Workshop on Economic Development - 9 am to 11 am
Policy Workshop on Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Austin: Issues and Collaborative Strategies - 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Agenda for Policy Workshop on Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Austin: Issues and Collaborative Strategies
Begin with Context:
o Ryan Robinson, Demographer for the City of Austin, will present data and trends related to council districts, poverty, household income, etc.
o The City Manager’s Office will present on ways the City of Austin is working across departments and partner organizations to address quality of life issues.

Key Policy Issues - Each panelist gives a 5 to 7 minute presentation that informs a key policy question; panel then engages in a discussion with Mayor and Council moderated by Mayor Steve Adler.

What are key factors to consider in determining the cost of living? How does Austin’s cost of living compare to other cities in Texas?
o Frances Deviney – Center for Public Policy Priorities

What quality of life issues need our collective attention and action? What are ways the City can work across departments and with other community partners to address these issues?
o Erica Saenz, Community Advancement Network (CAN)
o Darryl Horton, African-American Quality of Life Advisory Commission
o Richard Jung - Asian Quality of Life Advisory Commission
o Diego Martinez-Moncada, Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission

Other Voices - Each person will have 3 minutes to provide a different perspective.
o Dr. Joyceia Banner, Huston-Tillotson University
o Teddy McDaniel, Austin Area Urban League
o Dan Pruett, Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force
o Emily Timm – Worker’s Defense Project
o Austinites for Fair Taxes