City of Bloomington, Indiana City Council, 21 Sep 2020

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From YouTube: Bloomington City Council Sustainable Development Committee, September 21, 2020

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meeting agenda: https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/download?meetingFile_id=7642

A

Okay, good evening, everyone nice to have you all here. uh This.

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Is it is monday september 21st? It is 701 p.m. This is a meeting of the.

A

Sustainable development committee of the bloomington common council.

A

So welcome and thank you for being here. We essentially have one item.

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On our agenda this evening, and it is a chance to receive an update on a grant.

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Proposal that is under construction right now, um so, mr lucas, we do. We need a roll call or no we're a committee.

A

Right, uh no, there's no need for a roll call vote.

A

Okay or or just a a roll for the attendance.

A

Got it? Thank you so with that, why don't I.

A

Turn it over to mr crowley, and why don't you get us started.

B

Hi everyone uh alex crowley director of economic, sustainable development.

B

uh Forgive me I'm using my work computer and it has proven.

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Less than adept at uh strong audio, so I will, if you can't hear me at any.

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Point just put your hand up and I'll try to repeat myself. um So what we're gonna do tonight.

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uh Thank you for hosting us uh jen pearl with the bloomington.

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Economic development corporation and I.

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We're going to just take you through really two.

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Broad agenda items one a brief description.

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Of the grant that we are uh working collaboratively.

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Together to uh complete this week, an issue.

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uh I will take you through some some of the highlights of the grant.

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uh Itself and then jen will take you through.

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How we are addressing the the grant and uh the concept that we're proposing.

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We're doing it uh in part to keep you informed as to what we're doing.

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uh We also um would like to uh discuss with you the possibility.

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Perhaps of of having some sort of documented.

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Support from this committee to uh to insert into the into the grant.

B

uh Itself, we think that might be helpful um and we can maybe talk about that as.

B

Part of the q a process uh after our brief presentations.

B

So if, if it's okay with you, I thought I would share my screen.

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And I have a very brief uh presentation: I'll take you through.

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Quickly and again, my my part will be to just.

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High level about what what this grant is um and then jen will.

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Take you through uh what we're proposing uh to submit uh fourth grade. So let me.

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Share my screen, if I, if I may.

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Can everybody see this okay? Yes, I can okay spoiler alert. This is a design of a.

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Building that we're proposing but I'll let chen get into the details, throw the picture up. It's looking kind of cool, though.

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Okay, so let me start just just high level.

B

The economic development, administration or eda.

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Is an agency within the us department of commerce.

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That supports programs to help it help, make it easier for businesses to start.

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And grow in the united states, so this is kind of its broad mandate.

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It works uh hand in hand with the local economic development partners.

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To advance locally developed projects, so they will.

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Support financially projects that are developed locally.

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And and the objective of that investment is.

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To try to drive a region's long-term sustainable economic development.

B

Strategy what the eda announced back in the late.

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Spring as covid was settling in was that the cares act.

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Provided about 1.5 billion dollars to the eda in a program.

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Called the economic adjustment assistance program.

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Specifically, to help to really fund these grants to help.

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Communities like ours address the covid economic impact.

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So the cares act uh provided 1.5 million dollars.

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And again, it was to help communities prevent, prepare for and respond to.

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Coronavirus um the eda's determined that an economic injury.

B

From the pandemic constitutes what it called a.

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Special need and therefore they.

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Automatically made eligibility possible nationwide for these funds.

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And that the applicants did not need to demonstrate.

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Additional economic distress to be eligible.

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And broadly, the cares act, splits up the money.

B

Across a variety of different eda regions, we are sitting in the region, that's based out of chicago, if I'm not mistaken, so who's.

B

Eligible are state and local governments.

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Nonprofit organizations working in cooperation with local.

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Government institutions of higher education and.

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Native american tribal governments and the reason all of that's important.

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Is uh mostly because it's it's a very, very competitive.

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Process- um and so you know to some extent, this is a.

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Bit of a hail mary, we think we have a good concept as jen will take you.

B

Through but but this is uh going to be applied.

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For this somewhat limited money will be applied for a variety of different types of institutions, nationwide.

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So some you know, general examples of eda projects um are listed.

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Here um you know everything from capitalizing.

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Of revolving loans, um access to small capital for small.

B

Businesses, these are sort of typically the kinds of things that they do.

B

What we're most interested in and what we're what jen will take you through, and what we're pursuing is the bottom bullet, which is construction of of critical.

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Infrastructure and facilities that will support.

B

Economic recovery and job creation we'll get into the.

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Details of that.

B

So the way that the grant works is that the eda, via the karazak funding.

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Will match 80 of the total cost of a project.

B

So you have the grant, which is matching 80.

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The 20 local match, uh together total the total project costs we'll take.

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You through some of those numbers uh for our situation, so it's a very, very uh appealing grant.

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Of course, it makes it very very competitive. Typically, the.

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The eda match uh scenarios tend to be about 50 50.

B

So this skews much more heavily toward having them fund a significant portion.

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Of our project.

B

So there are various requirements in the.

B

In the application and and one of those and and a very significant one is what's.

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Called a comprehensive economic development strategy.

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Seds or an equivalent document, um that is a document that we have.

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Put together, uh we being bedc in the city and a.

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Number of different stakeholders: we can take you through some of those.

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Details if you'd like, but basically that document.

B

If you look to the to the right of your screen, you'll see that document has.

B

A traditional flow which includes, among other things, doing a swot analysis.

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For your area of of concentration and then having a strategic direction, an.

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Action plan stemming from that swot analysis with.

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With uh an evaluation framework and measurement uh approach for how.

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Those strategies and and actions might be implemented and.

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Whether or not they're being implemented successfully.

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So each project must be consistent with the region's.

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Current approved seds or eda accepted equivalent strategy and, as I.

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Noted the bdc and the city of bloomington have collaborated on an initial sets, equivalent document for the application.

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But that document will be updated and will in fact continue to be.

B

Updated well into the future, it's really meant to look out.

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Five and ten years and try to lay the groundwork for what kind of.

B

Economic development strategies need to be implemented to meet the goals.

B

Of the community, um I should note that the sed's equivalent document- that's.

B

Been put together somewhat hurriedly, for this plan has.

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Leveraged um many many plans that have already.

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Preceded it, the patel study a variety of different.

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Local and regional plans: a housing study, we referenced a variety of of plans to.

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Build it so it's not coming out of the blue, it's well researched um and it it reflects.

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In our opinion, uh the foundation of what we want to build here in bloomington.

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But there's more work to be done on it in the in the months and years ahead.

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So um you know, basically what we are trying to align with is.

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You know what the what the grants um are looking for, um and you know we need.

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To, among other things,.

B

Aligned with the priority that the eda has for recovery and resilience.

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um We need to very clearly explain how the project will prevent.

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Prepare for and respond to, coronavirus or.

B

Respond to the economic injury as a result of coronavirus.

B

And then there are other eda priorities that, in addition to the top two which.

B

Are really critical in the application are looked at really in the.

B

Competitiveness of a particular project or proposal.

B

So those are critical infrastructure, workforce development.

B

Manufacturing exports and fdi and opportunity zones and from our.

B

Perspective, we really think you know. First of all, the.

B

Workforce development component of ours is very strong. It's a.

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Somewhat unique project, as we understand it from our.

B

Contacted eda, so we hope that will increase the.

B

Competitiveness of the proposal, it also happens to sit uh where we're.

B

Proposing to locate the the project inside an opportunity.

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Zone and and there's very strong interest by.

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The eda, when you have that kind of overlap, uh so.

B

So we think that in those two areas in particular our.

B

Proposal um may be pretty competitive. Having said.

B

That uh and really to manage expectations.

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This is a very, very competitive process um and.

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You know a little bit of a of a hail mary, but we think that you know.

B

Absolutely worth doing, particularly given the uh percentage of.

B

Of funding that would come from the from the federal government.

B

So I'll stop there turn it over to jen and then.

B

We can perhaps come back if you like and answer any questions.

B

From from the two projects, I think you'll get a better understanding of what I'm talking about as jen goes through the specifics of our proposal.

B

So I'll stop sharing.

C

Thank you and if you don't mind I'll share my screen as well, it's good to see.

C

Everyone, I think, we're all acquainted and I'd.

C

Also like to thank the city of bloomington they've been remarkable partners to work with and.

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This is kind of an ongoing partnership. We've had over.

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Time we were able to partner on the launch of the mill and we just.

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Appreciated everyone's support, I should also say in this sue.

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This may speak to earlier this year. The process.

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That we went through in for esnr and building the policy.

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Document um for responding to the early pandemic.

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That process looks simple compared to what we're doing right now for eda.

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And so um just hats off to all of our partners at the city as well.

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As the many others that have been working on this, um because eda has a competitive process uh and they want to make sure things are.

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Well thought through um it is pretty rigorous, so I am going.

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To share my screen to talk about.

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The concept that we are proposing can everyone see that yeah all right so.

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In terms of what we're proposing here is something called the trades district.

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Technology center and what the vision is is to grow future.

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Tech, company growth and employment in the city of bloomington across monroe county, as well as extending to the region and.

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The way it will work is it will provide both programming and services for local.

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Tech companies to help grow the region's economic competitiveness through future focused diverse employment, as well as providing.

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Space where our existing tech companies can co-locate and essentially create synergy with one.

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Another the target for this project is.

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Technology companies that are beyond the startup phase.

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With services in space for growing and mature firms- and the idea here is that.

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We're picking up where the mill leaves off and creating synergy between the investment and the efforts that are.

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Happening with the mill and carrying it forward here, it's located in the trades district.

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Obviously- and it would be catacorner from the mill and.

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The managing entity is a non-profit that we've established.

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To operate this facility called the trades district technology center inc.

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The connection that alex made with covent recovery.

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Obviously, we have to express this in the grant is.

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You can see prior to the pandemic. This is a snapshot of our population.

C

Labor force employment in monroe county and we had a relatively low unemployment.

C

Rate prior to the pandemic, it was around for the metropolitan area is about 3.6.

C

Percent um it skyrocketed up to 10.3.

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In april, and then was down around 7.8 in july.

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And if you look at continued unemployment claims.

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You and what this means a continued claim is when.

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Someone um has an initial filing and then they re-up it.

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In additional weeks, so that means that their unemployment is continuing.

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If you look right before lockdowns in early march.

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We had 209 for monroe county and then it skyrocketed to.

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3200 in early may and settled into.

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About 1600 or so by mid-september, so obviously we've been very affected.

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Here and the industries that are most affected.

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Have included tourism through the university shutting.

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Down as well as some of health and manufacturing in our area,.

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The takeaway that we have from this is that diversification of the local.

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Economy is key and the more that we can make sure we.

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Have a diverse employment base where there's options you know across industries for many people, the better.

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Stabilized that you can keep over time is the theory.

C

And our economy has gone through pivots before so, if you think back to shower.

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Brothers, furniture company- then we went to manufacturing later.

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um And then, as de and others left, you pivoted again.

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Towards life sciences, this is um sort of the next step in that iteration, as we.

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Try to diversify options for our community um now, when we.

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Say why do we? Why do we want to build a technology center in the trades district? um This actually ties to a great deal of.

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Research and previous investment- that's happened in the community.

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So um alex mentioned the battelle study, which was.

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Conducted under contract by the regional opportunity initiative in 2014.

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And it identified technology as a key cluster for economic.

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Opportunity across the region- and we think that this cluster is best.

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Positioned to grow from this project, because tech is still growing technology.

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Also applies across almost all other sectors and can.

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Strengthen your existing industries in the region, so, for example, if you're applying technology to life sciences.

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Or other industries, it requires less infrastructure and resources.

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It also ties to two key public resources of technology development.

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One is indiana university and the other is crane.

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And iu has a partnership with crane and it's much.

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More cost effective for tech companies to locate in bloomington.

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Compared to the east or the west coast, what this also looks to do is build on.

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The momentum that we already have in our community.

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The certified technology park, where the trades district sits was first certified.

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In 2005., in 2013 we had the trades district.

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Master plan where there was growing recognition of the burgeoning tech center as of 2017, the city.

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And with partnership from the bedc launched, the mill.

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More recently, we've had investments in the kiln property, and this would.

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Further essentially provide investment in that region, while diversifying the.

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Economy um and then overall, if we talk about the.

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Types of services and I'm going to scroll back up to the.

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The overview here, the types of services that will be provided within this bucket, broadly speaking, tied to providing.

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Connections between our local tech companies, as well as regional assets, we had to conduct.

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A feasibility study for this project and we contracted with the iu public policy.

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Institute for that, that's a requirement of the grant and.

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Something they had found through data analysis as well as.

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Stakeholder interviews is that we're a community, that's rich in.

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Resources to support the growth of these jobs in these industries, but there's a.

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Bit of fragmentation, and so the finding from the feasibility.

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Studies not only is this feasible, but this is very much needed to take things to the next level in our community to promote.

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That growth moving forward so in terms of services that will be.

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Provided the broad buckets include connections with resources in the area.

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As well as support for talent, attraction and growth,.

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Many times tech talent don't realize that there are.

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Opportunities for them beyond, maybe the university or the larger institutions.

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And we would also be working with workforce development programs to ensure.

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The local talent is skills ready for these industries.

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Another bucket of support would be advisory services.

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Many times companies are great at their individual technologies.

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But they may need some support when it comes to.

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Knowing how to run hr or do marketing or other things like that, so.

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There would be support provided through the center for that.

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Another bucket is funding connections with.

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Local funding, whether it's angel, investing.

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Or other funds that are available and support for those companies that may.

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Wish to go after grants such as sbir and sttr, and then.

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The final uh section of or bucket of support- I guess you would say- would be.

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Federal information and connections, so tech companies may have opportunities.

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To go after federal procurement opportunities.

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And even if they wish to sell internationally, the.

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U.S federal government provides support for that, so this would really.

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Bring resources together under one roof within one place.

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uh And we have a number of partners that have already.

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Signed on both through the um board for this nonprofit entity,.

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As well as in-kind support for the center.

C

So at that, I'm going to stop, sharing and open up. If anyone has any questions.

A

Pearl. Thank you, mr crowley. I appreciate it.

A

I I want to ask one question: just to kind of that I think will help calibrate.

A

um If I'm understanding correctly you're sharing this with us as.

A

As kind of a prelude to an invitation to express.

A

Our overall support, but there's no request of counsel for funding.

A

Correct that's right so yeah! I should speak to that a little bit so.

B

The funding match, which is that 20 match for the building construction project.

B

Is an rdc, uh tiff, funded line so.

B

um So that that funding will be taken care of uh that way,.

B

And then the you know, the building is supposed to.

B

Be uh self-sufficient within a handful of years that the.

B

That I think it's three years that the eda require.

B

um The uh city would would come to council as part of the.

B

Regular appropriations process should there be operating.

B

Support for the building, but at this time, what we're looking for.

B

For council is and the building that you know won't.

B

Open until until 2023, but what? What the! What we're! Looking for.

B

From you and then we will also just so, you know, be doing a brief overview.

B

To the to the council meeting on on the 23rd.

B

But given the timing of the application, we're actually hoping to.

B

Submit the application in advance of our ability to do a a presentation to.

B

The full council, so what we were asking for from this committee to the extent that you would feel comfortable doing it.

B

Would be a uh either a letter of support or some other indication.

B

That you, uh you know, support broadly the objective of of the project and.

B

And then we would include that as part of a number of letters of support, we've gotten from various groups and and private.

B

Sector people and the university and others that that.

B

That sort of round out um uh the sort of public support message.

B

That we have in the grant and in the feasibility study great.

A

Thank you. That's actually kind of helpful in calibrating, so with that.

A

Let's go to council member questions council member volun. Yes, uh what's the.

D

Actual amount of money that you're seeking so the.

B

The grant right now um is going to be somewhere in the.

B

9.1 million dollars, um meaning that roughly seven point.

B

Something will be coming from the would be coming from the federal government.

B

If, uh if granted and just shy of 2 million.

B

Would be funded by tiff? um What will you do if the grant doesn't.

D

Come through the grant doesn't come through uh there.

B

Well, there are a couple of paths forward. First of all, you know one of the advantages of spending the energy which can be a.

B

Little depressing, if you don't get a grant. But but in the case where you spend a lot of energy towards a grant and are not awarded the.

B

Grant uh what you hope to get out of the process is better alignment, better uh clarity on what the need is.

B

And so actually the effort that's already been made just submitting for.

B

The grant um has been helpful in its own right.

B

It's aligned various parties, it's this feasibility.

B

Study that was commissioned and actually funded by iu to their.

B

Credit, you know all of that is really really helpful for us, uh regardless of the outcome, if we don't.

B

Yes, well, I guess maybe what I mean is.

D

Is this building gonna get built, no matter what, or is this a building that.

D

You're asking to build because there's an opportunity uh like.

D

In other words, is the land, could the land still be say bought by a.

D

Private entity or built on by a third party.

D

That's what I'm trying to get at yeah so are two actually two paths forward.

B

One one is that uh you know the the the possibility.

B

Of of the private sector, uh seeing the value of this and building it.

B

And then operating it as a sort of you know, traditional.

B

uh Building it's a somewhat inefficient building, so it's not.

B

Really appealing as a as a kind of traditional office, building by design.

B

um But but um frankly, I've already gotten inquiries about this, so so there.

B

Is you know, there's always a possibility of private sector uh involvement? um You know it would be a.

B

Bit of a stretch, but I think I think that's a possibility, the other one is that you know what we've uncovered in terms of need.

B

Might be able to be delivered uh in in another way, and and we haven't.

B

Really spent a lot of time on that, because, obviously we're concentrated on this particular proposal, but should we not be awarded this.

B

Certainly, one of the other paths forward would be to try to.

B

Determine if there's a if there's an option that could you know.

B

Deliver some parts of this that are needed um and, while not delivering the entirety of the project as conceived.

D

In other words, the uh the trades district tech.

D

Corporation will get formed even if the building doesn't get built.

B

Yes, that's uh that that non-profits have actually already been.

B

Formed it's in its final stages of being formed so that that entity will exist.

B

It's it's right now, you know, would be focused on the building if the building were built, but if it weren't that could be a that could be a vehicle for carrying forward some of the goals.

B

And some of the strategies that that uh you know to the extent we could.

B

Without that building, thank you. Thank you.

A

Council, member flaherty did, I see a no sure I I have questions so yeah.

E

uh Thank you both for the presentation.

E

Did I understand right, you're, you're, hoping uh alex to.

E

To have a letter of potentially a lot of support from the committee is that, like.

E

In the next day or two, uh I think you said in advance of.

E

Council's meeting on the 23rd, if it wasn't mistaken- yes, okay, so.

B

Breakneck speed here and I I in advance this- has been sort of the uh modus.

B

Operandi for this thing, but yeah yeah, if possible- and it may not be.

B

Possible, if possible, that would be the time frame.

E

Yeah just try and I have yet to go through the materials that were sent since along this afternoon, but I will um break dick speed.

E

To the extent I can um what what um I think you mentioned, that the idea.

E

Would be for um the operation of the facility to.

E

Become self-sustaining within three years, um can you, I guess.

E

I'm wondering about long-term kind of commitment, so if, if um we get the grant.

E

And and the city, you know opt-in that at the 1.9 million match that we would have.

E

What additional supports are expected from the city over time.

E

um I'm guessing mostly operational, but I'm sure there's some uncertainty here.

E

But if you could talk a little bit more about that, that'd be great.

B

Yeah there are different layers of that, so one one is because it's an eda grant.

B

And a grant, uh an eda grant has a fairly long.

B

Tale of reporting there's a basic grant management.

B

uh Responsibility that the the city is proposing to take on as part of the.

B

Of this proposals to to to really report out and manage.

B

Against the grant, the duration of the grant period.

B

So that's one: there is um there's going to be uh personnel.

B

Involvement in it uh not only during the early stages, the.

B

Construction and the early stages of the of the building operations.

B

It'll be more in kind than than hard costs in that particular.

B

Case that will uh that will be required from the city.

B

And really from a variety of different economic development partners.

B

To help stabilize the building and and get it going, you know hiring.

B

Executive directors that'll be done by the board, but but there's going to be a.

B

Lot of kind of the mechanics of getting a place like this going forward, much like there was for the mill a lot of effort was put in by staff before the mill ever opened and into the.

B

And in fact, I'm you know still working on some stuff into the early operations.

B

The mill to be able to to help that get off the ground, so there's a certain amount of in-kind. um You know support that the city would.

B

Put forward um for that and then um and then should.

B

There be a gap between the revenues that are coming in.

B

From the building, because it will be lease space and there will be revenues.

B

And there's also a possibility, although we haven't documented that in the grant.

B

Because the eda doesn't allow it there's, there's a you may see from and I can go.

B

Through some of the drawings, but you know, there's there's atrium space that that creates event, uh revenue possibilities. There's.

B

Possibility of things like contributed income so sponsorships and.

B

That sort of thing that can can help to bolster the operating costs.

B

But if there's a gap, then the city would uh come back to you as part of the.

B

Budget appropriations process and, and you know and and present the the.

B

You know the the request then so there could be a hard cost.

B

There could be in-kind and then there there's certainly.

B

um You know just the management of the grant through its.

B

Through its uh period, okay, if I could follow up a little bit on that thread,.

E

Still, if that's all right with you uh chairs, kimberly.

E

Thank you, that's helpful, uh and, and of course uh you know, an 80 20 match is.

E

Is a an appealing prospect and I'd like to yeah read a little bit more about the you know the the use case or the or the.

E

Feasibility study um and kind of, like once the building's.

E

Built do we have a uh a sense of scale still like, let's say.

E

There are revenue gaps, uh you know, and it's not going quite as well as we'd.

E

Like um what like, what type of money are we talking.

E

About just ballpark like what is the annual operational cost of a building.

E

Like this, you know if we can't lease half the space or you know I.

E

Don't know, I'm thinking kind of you know in the.

E

More negative scenarios: uh just what are our liabilities? Well, so uh the I and I'll look up the.

B

Exact number, but but what we we have done, some pretty tight.

B

Projections, conservative, but but uh detailed projections.

B

On you know: what happens if you have a certain amount of.

B

Of vacancy, uh what are the operating costs of the building.

B

uh What is the personnel associated with with.

B

The building um you know what are the: what are the potential revenues of.

B

Course and then what does that gap? Look like right? So we've done a fair and then the whole programming component is.

B

Really kind of separate from the cost of the building management itself, so you you have the possibility of.

B

You know you have the building itself running its own economics and then on top of it, you have the the cost of programming, this commercialization effort that jen was talking about.

B

um We projected out- um and it looked like about on average, it was about 150.

B

000 a year of gap spending that.

B

Our model uh built, you know, bakes in for the first.

B

Three years so on average it might be up and down.

B

um And that amount um you know again does not include any.

B

Any um revenue that the eda wouldn't accept as part of the model, so it.

B

Doesn't include event, revenue doesn't include, um uh you know sponsorships and that sort of thing, because those have not been committed to date. So um you know so if, if things go.

B

Terribly wrong, it could be higher than that, um and so you know I mean it sort of depends on how wrong you want me to.

B

Project it, you know, maybe it could be. You know.

B

Probably upwards of twice that amount if things go terribly wrong and then if things go, you know hopefully reasonably well that.

B

Amount may not even be necessary, it sort of depends on on.

B

The success of some of these other efforts, the mill itself, generates.

B

Not an insignificant amount of of its total income.

B

From event, rentals and and in fact, if you do a study of.

B

Of spaces around uh the state that we that we did at the time we were.

B

Building out uh the economics for the mill uh you you see that that's a normal, you know the defense revenues and.

B

Sponsorships are a normal, significant part of of the overall package of income.

B

So we're hoping that that'll be the case in this building and to mitigate the risk that you know that you bring up okay. Thank you I'll.

E

Let somebody else go for now, thanks, one of the other things.

C

um If it also helps is that eda is pretty.

C

Cautious, um the reason that they ask for budget projections is they want to make.

C

Sure that they're funding something that will be sustainable and not going into a black hole. And so we have to be able to.

C

Show financial capability um and sort of different line items so.

C

To alex's point where we did have conservative estimates around rent.

C

And other things like that, so that's part of the application.

A

Thank you other questions, councilmember sandberg.

A

If I could ask you, uh madam chair, what are we.

F

Needing to do this evening, uh at least this committee, I think I heard some.

F

Conversation earlier that uh it might be possible to just have a letter go out.

F

Of support that basically would be pinned by you on behalf of this.

F

Committee is that the fastest most expedient way.

F

To handle this are there other scenarios we need to consider.

A

Council member holland, I would suggest that.

D

A majority vote of the committee would be sufficient for the committee to.

D

Sign a letter and those who vote in favor of it would attach their names to.

D

The letter uh but yeah it doesn't require.

D

That it go to the full council right, we're not.

A

Talking about a full-blown resolution, or anything like that, I think this is just.

A

An expression of support for pursuing this.

A

And again, the commitment of funds is coming from the rdc.

A

Which we don't have any authority over that that's correct, mr crowley,.

B

Yeah the fund is coming from the. I think, if, if the rdc.

B

Crosses a threshold and I believe that threshold may be five million dollars. I.

B

Think that becomes elevated to the council, but this is well below that threshold. Okay, but it's with it's entirely within.

D

Our authority, as a committee to sign a letter like this does not require.

D

uh Resolution of the full council right and.

F

And I feel fully prepared to do that this evening.

F

If that will be helpful and getting this move forward, I understand.

F

It's competitive, but I would imagine like many grants the.

F

Sooner you can get it in the better right.

F

That's right! Councilmember volun! I have more questions.

D

Okay, well, if you wanted to ask questions, we're still in first round questions.

A

I know go ahead, okay, um don't we already have the equivalent of.

D

A sense in the form of a trade cystic master plan.

D

uh Did we really need to write a new sort of document that proves we have a.

D

Plan didn't we already have a plan for the trades district.

B

Yeah so well, first of all, we did leverage that this, the ctp master plan.

B

uh And and the battelle study and a variety of other plans.

B

um I think the way that I would answer that is, whereas.

B

The ctp master plan um looked around and said what was needed, and this is what.

B

The ctp could do. The seds is less focused as a document.

B

On one particular solution.

B

It does reference this. This is a component of a number of different.

B

Strategies this project that we're in this concept that we're developing- um but it's really a regional.

B

um You know strategy, so it's not. You know it's not.

B

Very geographically limited, like some of the uh some of the other.

B

Plans might have been, it really looks out on the broad and the broad need around the region and and highlights.

B

uh What kind of strategies um you know should be considered to help to address.

B

Some of the challenges that are out there, so so it's sort of like you can almost think of the ctp master plan as.

B

Sitting inside of the seds right as a one strategy, that's fine.

D

What is the deadline for this proposal? There is none. The deadline is when the.

B

Money runs out, our self-imposed internal deadline is.

B

D

Okay. Well then, that leads me to a harder question that.

D

Plays on a word that ms pearl said earlier, the question of diversification.

D

My first question on this topic is: um how is tech as in high tech really a.

D

Diversification of our economy- certainly we don't mind the tech sector.

D

But are we really diversifying our economy just by.

D

Doing more of the thing we've been pursuing for years.

C

Yeah, so that's actually addressed in the feasibility study.

C

um There there's what we've been pursuing and fostering, but then there's.

C

The actual proportion of the economy that comes from that.

C

And so, if you look, for example, at manufacturing.

C

Employment in our area, um let me just pull up.

C

Some numbers for reference here um or life sciences, for example,.

C

So uh our we have about 68 000 people who are employed in monroe county.

C

These were 2019 statistics and working in manufacturing, employment.

C

For example, you have around 7 200 accommodation and food service, sort of.

C

Hospitality uh 7 800 health care and social assistance, 9 000.

C

If we look at who is within tech, that's a relatively.

C

Smaller piece of the puzzle, but it's been identified.

C

As having a great deal of potential when it comes to things like.

C

Wage growth and also applicability to other industries.

C

In order to help other industries grow as well.

C

As well as having an attractive force, so one of the things that we found in a.

C

Number of earlier studies, such as the quality of.

C

Place and workforce attraction plan that the bdc and community foundation.

C

Did two years ago was that individuals might come here for.

C

A job at the university or you know another institution, but.

C

Sometimes they have trailing partners or sometimes they lack opportunities. You.

C

Know after that, first job and similarly for people who have lived.

C

Here for years, they may you know, lack opportunities to move.

C

Around and diversify their experience, so we have a growing number of tech.

C

Companies there's probably around 40, to 50 in our market right now,.

C

And the studies have shown that there's a great deal of opportunity that can.

C

Still be seized there, but the feasibility study found that.

C

These were sort of components that needed to be put into place essentially.

C

A hub that would help encourage it and bring.

C

Resources together and that's something that we had also.

C

Anecdotally heard from for years from tech companies as well is.

C

You know they're often working in silos in this market.

C

I think when the mill was launched, you have a great example of how all of a.

C

Sudden, it created a center of gravity for startups. This is a similar idea.

C

Where it creates a center of gravity for those who are working in tech and.

C

Building on the efforts that have happened earlier in this market.

D

In other words, for companies that have matured past the startup phase.

G

Correct um my final question on this topic:.

D

Is uh what effort is there in this application to diversify those.

D

Who are represented? Women? uh Black indigenous people of.

D

Color, uh you know, is what what does.

D

What do the application materials say about them?.

C

So the current list of partners that we have.

C

Include those like the mill which has code school, which I know has been.

C

Focusing on you know, training for individuals across.

C

All types of backgrounds, the.

C

Roi the regional opportunity initiatives um they have been working on.

C

Pipeline development for individuals in stem.

C

We also work regularly with other partners, like ivy tech.

C

And those are very strategically placed partners that help.

C

Individuals who may have been displaced, for example, in.

C

You know recent dislocations from the pandemic, etc.

C

And so the um in terms of the partners that we have at the table and.

C

The programs that they are bringing, in addition to the training programs.

C

That the city of bloomington has committed to as well um those are included under the umbrella of the concept.

D

Thank you. Thank you. Other questions from council member unmute. Please.

E

Thank you um so has the rdc already looked at this or committed.

E

Funds, if the grant is awarded or will that come to them at some future date,.

E

Or does that that happened two hours ago, okay, uh and they said yes, they said yes.

B

Yeah that we had okay, I've been talking to them for several.

B

For you know at least a month about it, and so it wasn't a surprise. But yes.

E

uh Can I ask what the vote was unanimous? Okay um and.

E

Let's see so the this, um this property is owned by the city. Right now is that.

E

Right, uh the the the redevelopment commission.

E

Redevelopment commission right um and would they continue to own both.

E

The property and the building, um if, if this uh grant is awarded and.

E

The project has uh goes forward yeah if, if.

B

If uh built uh the the land and the building would ret would remain with the.

B

Redevelopment commission um and but would be managed by.

B

Non-Profit entity, right, okay, and so our green building, ordinance.

E

Would apply to the building then as well? Is that right?

E

Yes, okay! um I have another question, but I can stop.

E

If there's others no go ahead, actually, okay,.

E

Yeah, just thinking a little bit more about the um the case and I'm sure this.

E

Is you know spelled out in in greater detail uh in.

E

In the uh supporting materials um but trying to think of of where exactly.

E

uh These sort of uh beyond startup phase medium size or.

E

Or whatever size tech firms are are coming from, is I'm kind of.

E

Thinking of three um potentials and and maybe it's a.

E

Combination of these, or maybe I'm missing something so the three categories I kind of identified were uh I mean some of these were mentioned.

E

um Like almost like a graduation space for.

E

um Companies that may start at the mill and kind of.

E

uh Graduate or move on from that uh a second might be.

E

Existing tech companies uh that are in our city or region now.

E

Relocating uh their space to be in kind of a hub.

E

And and try to you know capitalize on some of those synergies that you all.

E

Talked about, and the third would be um you know the potential for uh existing firms uh to move here from.

E

Outside our region, uh whether it's a uh you know, a branch.

E

Or the you know, uh headquarters of the company itself.

E

um A am I missing any possible. uh You know, um categories in.

E

That kind of quick analysis and and and b, um do you.

E

Have a rough idea of like what kind of breakdown we're expecting to see? I guess um there's a little bit of a it feels like.

E

There's a little bit of a if you build it, they will come kind of kind of argument here. Is that right that.

E

By creating the infrastructure in the space that hopefully, there will.

E

um Emerge sort of um some new new companies as well um so.

E

Yeah, if you could speak to that theme, a bit.

B

Sure so I I think I I would add, and maybe jen's got others, but I would add, you know, there's there's a kind of ip commercialization off the campus. So it's not an existing.

B

Build company, uh nor is it in the mill right now.

B

It's sort of an sbir kind of you know, phase two type companies that so so that.

B

That, I think, is a is a really interesting thing. That's that's actually.

B

Happened organically in town, but but not as I.

B

Think aggressively, as as other universities has have pursued that, so I would probably add that as a as a fourth.

B

Option um jen, I don't know if there's anybody else, that.

C

Yeah, I agree with you and uh one that I would add.

C

Is actually spin-offs from existing tech companies that are currently mature.

C

And so uh as part of the feasibility study, we.

C

Did interviews with local tech firms and one of them.

C

Actually noted how you know something like this could be.

C

Valuable to their current employees, who they are trying to encourage in.

C

Innovating and coming up with you know, spin-offs, etc, and so you can also help the existing.

C

Mature firms grow by innovating new products as well.

B

So to the question of of, if you build it, they will come.

B

Which, by the way, is a good movie, is uh you know the the the role of the.

B

Feasibility study is to is to put some teeth into that right.

B

It's it's again what jen was saying before the the.

B

Eda is not really interested in dumping money into pipe dreams, so.

B

They're they're pretty rigorous and I think primarily, the role of the.

B

Feasibility study is to say, is to do some deep research to say.

B

You know, will they come right essentially and.

B

And and so the the feasibility study has done, that.

B

Has has discovered this need, and so you know nothing is guaranteed, but.

B

But it certainly makes it much more reasonable.

B

To um project that a facility like this would be successful based on you know,.

B

The the extent of both literature research, but also.

B

Interviews that were done as part of the feasibility study, uh progress or.

B

Process, we sure, did a real estate analysis, so we worked.

C

With a local property appraisal, firm um that dug into um office spaces right.

C

Now what demand looks like now and what they're, anticipating two years from now when this would be built.

C

um So there was, there was data analysis on the clusters itself.

C

You know looking at the companies that are here, there was the interviews.

C

And then there was the real estate analysis, great.

E

And um just final question: if there's any related to that, if, if there's any.

E

Rough sense of of um yeah kind of percentage breakdowns among the.

E

Different categories we talked about, um do we feel like existing.

E

Firms in our market now will make up a significant port.

E

A portion of of you know occupants of the building, or is it.

E

You know half expected to be new from outside. You know.

E

Emerging companies or from outside our market, moving in like.

E

Is there any sense there like and again, maybe the feasibility study gets into.

E

This, but I haven't looked at that yet, generally speaking.

C

When we're looking at business retention, expansion and attraction.

C

You tend to get more job growth locally, and this is this is across all.

C

Industries more job growth when you're helping grow.

C

Your existing companies here and so for companies that may need to.

C

Use this space and you sort of hit on this with.

C

The mill graduates is those that are growing out of their space.

C

And could benefit from co-locating with other companies.

C

That would be a higher proportion. We would anticipate.

C

The other thing that we would say too is you would have.

C

Tech companies who are not tenants, who would also benefit from the building.

C

So there will be shared meeting room spaces that could be used for trainings.

C

Meetings, um you know we had a couple. Tech companies in the interview say we're good with working remote, but we.

C

Still need space for board meetings and trainings, and so.

C

That's actually built into the amenities for this, as well as the revenue streams that we would anticipate from the building.

C

And uh so you would have tenants and non-tenant tech.

C

Companies that would be able to cross-pollinate in this space.

C

And in close proximity to the mill as well.

E

A

Other question: council member holland: yes, uh uh when was the material for this.

D

Meeting made available to you, madam chair.

A

uh Just today, just earlier today, okay, this is a quick tip. You're right I mean.

A

And again, yeah from my perspective, I think we need to keep in mind what we're being asked if we were being asked for the 1.9 million dollars in matching funds.

A

I'd like a little more time, but that's not what we're being asked for this.

A

Evening so we're still being asked to.

D

Effectively vote. True, I mean by adding our late our names to a letter, we're.

D

Effectively endorsing and voting and I've had three hours.

D

These materials have been available to me for three hours: okay,.

D

I mean: is there going to be a follow-up meeting of the committee.

D

Or are we affected to endorse the project tonight.

A

um I would actually before answering that question. I would actually ask mr.

A

Crowley, um what exactly are the elements of a.

A

Letter of support from your perspective, I mean what kinds.

A

Of things would that need to include, because I think that will speak to.

A

Council member of olin's question about whether or not we could vote so.

B

We've had letters of support that could run the gamut, but but you know basically.

B

What this, what it says is um that the city.

B

And bedc are both capable of doing this uh that the community.

B

Would benefit from the project as proposed.

B

And um that's, you know and that's sort of it right.

B

That that's what that's! What generally the letters support have included so.

B

It's really a way to validate that. uh You know it's not a bunch of yahoos.

B

Doing this from the uh from the you know, uh grant management.

B

Perspective and that, broadly speaking, um a project.

B

Like this uh would benefit the community.

D

I have no doubt that this project would benefit the community.

D

But I, generally speaking, only vote on things that are in writing.

D

Signature is a form of a vote. I will sort of prematurely kick.

D

Off comments on this by saying, I am sure this is something that I am likely to.

D

Support but I'm not going to do it tonight if there's a second follow-up meeting, perhaps within a week it is time to read.

D

The materials where there's a letter that I can see.

D

And read before I agree to sign it then I'm.

D

Inclined to do so, but I'm not going to do it on three hours.

D

Notice, uh uh having said that, I I find.

D

The presentation to be mostly compelling.

D

I am probably uh I see myself supporting it.

D

But not under these circumstances, not tonight.

D

So if there is any kind of a vote tonight, I'll be abstaining.

A

Thank you, councilmember. I cannot pretend that I've read the.

F

Materials chapter and verse, but I have skimmed them prior to this meeting and the presentation.

F

On its own, merit has been convincing to me.

F

That this is a little enough thing that we can do with respect to just endorsing.

F

The money is, there. Rdc has apparently unanimously.

F

Voted in favor of supporting it, so it's not like we're speculating on do. We have.

F

The funding to be able to do this, so I would be.

F

More than happy to vote this evening to allow our chair to draft a letter, if we.

F

Need to see that before we actually sign off on it.

F

I I don't know if that's a suitable way forward here.

F

Because again, I don't think we're in a position here to micromanage the project.

F

Or or vote on its details, we're just basically saying to this grant source we're good for the.

F

Money, the tech tech industry is going to be.

F

Absolutely crucial going forward because many of the industries that are emerging.

F

Now are going to be virtual in nature and are going to be dependent on on more technology and more resources.

F

So, in terms of the whole diversity of the project, that's going to be an absolutely foundational piece.

F

So I really at this point see no grounds for.

F

Opposing it or not, being willing to sign off on a mere.

F

Letter of endorsement, which um you know many grants need- and we are a committee.

F

We don't speak for the entire council. Obviously we're a non-binding.

F

Operation here to begin with, but we're the sustainable.

F

Sustainable development committee and as such, this is in our wheelhouse.

F

So I am absolutely comfortable given the professionalism.

F

Of alex crowley and all the work that he's put in.

F

The professionalism of jen pearl, the bedc.

F

I think it's little enough that we can sign off on this tonight. That's how I.

F

Would be voting? Thank you, councilmember flaherty did I.

A

See him, please sure um I feel I see I see.

E

Both of my colleagues uh arguments and points- and I think they're, samaritan and.

E

I probably lean a little bit uh on the side of what what councilmember roland.

E

Said simply for the fact of um yeah wanting to I mean I don't feel like.

E

I need to wait a week because I understand you don't have a week and that you're wanting to submit this um tomorrow or.

E

Or the next day, perhaps the latest. um But I think without seeing a letter of.

E

Support and what it says, and just having just a few more hours to to.

E

Review uh review things um in the materials I.

E

Would feel uncomfortable uh voting in favor of a letter.

E

Tonight um and would abstain as well. uh I I I feel. Similarly, I feel like you.

E

um The the the project and and proposal are well.

E

Well, um have been, are well conceived and have have a high.

E

Level of professionalism- and I think I would support it- I just want a little.

E

More time to review- um and I guess I'm thinking of long-term.

E

Liabilities too, which is why I asked about them, uh and I don't think that they're overwhelming I I.

E

Liked the answers I got from mr carly, um but.

E

Even so, if, if um we're kind of creating, I understand this, isn't the council's.

E

Decision, of course, um it's it's uh other people beyond beyond this uh zoom.

E

Call are gonna, make decisions about whether we get awarded the funding or not, but it is um a commitment sort of a binding mechanism.

E

To a future path- and I think um and it will have implications on budget.

E

Things in the future, potentially that the council will be considering so.

E

I just think, as a matter of diligence, I do want to take a little more time to review things, and by that I mean like 24 hours,.

E

um So I I would be happy to look at a draft letter and decide on it by.

E

Tomorrow evening, for instance, if that's not um problematic,.

E

For for um the application, so I guess I'd be curious to hear.

E

If that is a problem from mr crowley or or miss pearl, but.

E

That's kind of how I feel at this time, yeah. Let me just let me say.

B

A couple of things so so, first of all, you know totally understand you. You have no idea how crazy.

B

This grant process has been in terms of getting documents ready.

B

A lot of documents in a very compressed period of time and so.

B

We withheld sending you documents even as late as friday, because those.

B

Documents were being actively worked on over the weekend, so you know we were.

B

Were were in a constant state of flux, totally.

B

Understand that it was a lot to throw at you- um and you know that uh you know point taken on that.

B

From the perspective of uh timing, um you know, I think, realistically, we.

B

Probably release this thing on wednesday. So if you know if it's.

B

Possible to have a letter by end of day tomorrow or even first thing.

B

Wednesday morning, I think we can probably find a way to slot it in.

B

And and look if, if this is not something that that.

B

Makes you comfortable, I think we, you know, as I mentioned before,.

B

We they're they're, we would love to have.

B

Your support, um and you know, uh would would would love to slot that in.

B

If it's available, but if it's not, then I think we we just have to keep proceed.

B

Without it great mr crowley, um mr lucas, I'm going.

A

To ask you to chime in here for a second welcome. There.

A

um Question if we just from a procedural standpoint, I.

A

Think there may be council members who feel more comfortable, obviously with a lot more time to review.

A

This project and what's gone into it and and would not feel comfortable.

A

Signing off on a letter prior to wednesday or prior to next week, even and.

A

That's fine. um We also have council members. If I'm.

A

Understanding, council member flaherty correctly, who needs a day to double, check it and spend some time with the material.

A

But may be prepared to make a decision tomorrow.

A

And we have some council members on this call who would be.

A

Willing to sign off tonight um what is our from your perspective? What's.

A

Our best way forward is it: is it.

A

Authorizing the chair to collaborate with mr crowley on a letter and then.

A

Sharing that with council members who may be interested in being part of it.

A

H

uh Councilmember vol may have some thoughts and I I know that the council.

H

In the past has uh has approved letters of support or or.

H

Advocacy letters by motion, I would be hesitant to suggest uh that.

H

The committee could uh sign off.

H

That a letter could come from the committee without a vote of the committee all right. I understand that, but could individual.

A

Council members, in their role as individual council members at their signature. uh Yes, although I'd caution.

H

uh Kind of uh the appearance of um of action of of the body of either.

H

This committee, or or the council as a whole.

A

Council, member and I would suggest the materials were sent to us at 3, 54 p.m.

D

And the standard by which we do business is uh two business days.

D

Notice we try to get well, we send our packets out on a friday for the next.

D

Wednesday's meeting 48 hours is the requirement for.

D

Open door, if we were to reconvene wednesday at four, I would feel.

D

Comfortable voting, but no earlier than that time, if that would uh make a difference, everybody.

D

We could uh do that way, but otherwise uh you know we've received budget.

D

Materials, the like back in 2014, we received them.

D

The night before budget hearings and so council took action to defer it.

D

Because normally we have, we have at least the weekend to look at.

D

Them, but we really should have 48 hours for any kind of.

D

Action of a committee or the council, it's not asking a lot.

D

But I think that's the appropriate thing. um Let me ask a question, then: let's go.

A

To council member sandberg after that, um mr crowley would a letter of support.

A

Wednesday evening, which is essentially what it would be to still be meaningful,.

A

Or does the do you plan on submitting the packet prior to that.

B

It would certainly be better to have it earlier. I you know what would.

B

Actually be happening at that point is we would be.

B

Holding up the release of the grant which, given the competitive nature of.

B

The grant you know there's just we. We in fact have.

B

Moved our release date forward.

B

On the concern that uh as time goes on, that works against us, so we would you.

B

Know we would uh prefer to be able to do it sooner than.

B

That, if possible, mr lucas and then council member.

A

Sandberg, uh responding to council member vol.

H

Suggestion that the committee meet on wednesday at four, um as he just noted, we have to have 48 hours notice.

H

For that committee meeting so at this point the earliest any.

H

Any action could take place if it doesn't happen tonight.

H

uh The council meeting at 6 30 would be the next.

H

Point of order, not if we continue this meeting.

D

Instead of adjourning it, if it's a continuation of a previous meeting,.

D

Then it does not happen, it doesn't have the same standard so.

D

I think that's a reasonable offer, but the idea that somehow.

D

Because this is, as mr crowley said, a self-imposed deadline.

D

The idea that somehow we can't even wait till four o'clock on wednesday.

D

Very much bothers me: uh 48 hours is not too much to ask.

D

For council's endorsement, I shouldn't have to beg for this kind of time.

A

Councilmember sandberg. I was just thinking that if we could continue this.

F

Meeting and still be within our.

F

Our ability to notice um could we meet sometime tomorrow after.

F

The two council members have had an opportunity to review.

F

Their their information, I've stated the terms under which I'm willing to to.

D

Put my signature on a letter so nothing before wednesday, 4 pm. I have a.

D

Lot to do myself so council, member flaherty.

E

Yeah, I understand councilmember volin's.

E

Concern and- and I also understand the need for.

E

For swift action here, I'm willing to to vote on this tomorrow if we wanted to.

E

Reconvene for a brief time, um I understand it's just not.

E

Perfect circumstances, but it also is a relatively minor action.

E

um I I I will do my best to read all the materials I received and make sure I'm.

E

Comfortable with everything, but but it's also not as as the number of.

E

People have pointed out, we are not the one ones committing the funds uh for the match. uh There are a lot larger.

E

Long-Term implications for a variety of things, but.

E

I I don't I I can try, I mean I can. I can be ready to vote.

E

On something by tomorrow afternoon, tomorrow evening, if we wanted to.

E

Consider it then, especially if we had a draft letter in hand uh from that that.

E

Sheriff's gambler worked out with mr carly.

I

Hi this this is kaiser, I'm doing the project management for this.

I

um I put it in the chat, but just um and first I just want to say thank you.

I

To all of you for your consideration- and we are fully cognizant of the breakneck.

I

Speed of this, so I I do understand some of those concerns.

I

But from um just a project management perspective.

I

In order for this to be feasible in terms of getting it into the packet.

I

For the application, we really would need it.

I

By the end of the day tomorrow, and um we do have some sample letters from other.

I

Organizations that I'd be happy to provide, we have a template as well as.

I

Several examples that I'd be happy to provide um to chair women's gambler. If that's helpful,.

D

I'm sorry point of order, madam chair is the thing due wednesday or is it not due.

D

Wednesday, I'm getting conflicting messaging here.

D

For the administration, let me parent mr crowley, if I understood you correctly,.

A

It is not, it would be accepted by the entity.

A

It would be accepted by the eda after wednesday as part of a rolling deadline.

A

But it's your assessment that our ability to be competitive for this.

A

Would require us to submit sooner rather than later, and that's where the.

A

Wednesday came from is that correct, yeah, that's right and.

B

What kaiser was bringing up is is really the mechanics of packaging.

B

Things together, so you can't just you know you just can't.

B

Throw something in you need to: you need to construct your grant submission.

B

uh Package, so what she was anticipating was some.

B

Advance to the time we actually release it.

B

To be able to make sure that we have everything in order and going out the door, so that's why I'm I'm suggesting that the sooner we can uh we can do it the better. From our perspective, we we are uh hoping to get this grant out the door.

B

On wednesday and and you know that that's been our deadline and uh again we move that up to try to.

B

uh Make sure that we get in there as quickly as possible.

A

Council, member flaherty, um my other thought, was if we voted on.

E

A letter of support and principle tonight and and sort of satisfied that.

E

Voting requirement, um I guess I don't know, I'm just thinking.

E

Out loud, uh I feel like I would want to reserve my right not to sign if I, if I again, if I reviewed a little more.

E

Thoroughly and felt uncomfortable about something, maybe that sort of moves the whole point of a boat tonight.

E

But just just thinking out loud about how we can get this done.

A

um Let me suggest, then, that, based on what I'm hearing there are.

A

Varying degrees of comfort, with finding off on something tonight.

A

Or voting in support of this project, may I suggest that we continue this.

A

Meeting until tomorrow afternoon, we'll find a time in.

A

The interim mr crowley and I can work together on a draft letter.

A

uh Is that possible, mr crowley, yeah, okay um and.

A

Get that to you as soon as we possibly can do you think we could do that by.

A

Noon tomorrow, yes, okay,.

A

uh And then we could have time to more fully discuss that.

A

Tomorrow afternoon, when we reconvene and then with the understanding council.

A

Member I volunteer what you're saying you would not be prepared to vote.

A

In that period of time, I understand that this discussion has changed my vote to a.

D

No, I I am not going to be taken for granted.

D

uh I don't appreciate that there was a possibility.

D

Of 48 hours notice for these materials to be given it's not a lot to ask.

D

48 hours noticed it could have been submitted on friday.

D

And we would have been, you know, I mean even that's not.

D

uh Enough time it's not two business days, but I would probably have shrugged.

D

It off, but uh I am accustomed to this from.

D

Economic development that all it's always a rush, it's always we.

D

Always have to do it now uh and I'm asking for two business days.

D

I'm asking for the standard amount of time to consider fully the materials that you've given us in order to.

D

Put my name on something to vote on something.

D

Because we are talking about this as a vote, it is within the purview of the.

D

Committee to have a vote, we don't have to have a resolution of the full council, but the majority can do what it wants.

D

And I I see that there is a likely majority for it if uh this committee waits till wednesday at four o'clock. I am likely to vote yes uh before that. I.

D

Will vote? No, I I do not want to see this happen again.

D

48 hours is not a lot of time time to ask for the materials.

D

That I am being asked to vote on, let alone.

D

Again, what mr sherman taught us uh many many years on council was: it should.

D

Be reduced to writing. I should know what I'm voting on.

D

I have a sense of it, but you asked me to vote on a letter.

D

Let me see the text, I'm not asking a lot. Thank you.

A

Thank you, council, member volun. What is the will of the committee? I'm.

A

I'm hearing a willingness to convene tomorrow afternoon, council member senior, would are we in a position to make a.

F

Motion to vote this evening, or are we more inclined to wait until.

F

Say what two o'clock tomorrow afternoon do we have it.

F

Behind I'd, be very somebody should make a motion.

A

So, um council, member flaherty- uh I I guess I'm uncomfortable voting.

E

Right now, I I in particular the second point that councilmember vollen just made. uh um I I would want to see something in.

E

Writing to know exactly what I'm voting on the.

E

Benefit of that is also that it will afford me an extra number of hours at.

E

Some point in the next 24 hours to more thoroughly review materials um and.

E

And therefore be more comfortable, uh I don't take council member bologna's.

E

Points you know lightly, but I I think if we all take it to hearts, you know I I.

E

Appreciate um the administration's efforts- and this is.

E

A this is a rapidly you know, um not evolving, but but a very.

E

Short timeline that they're working with so trying to be accommodating. uh I I would be willing and happy to to vote on a letter.

E

Of support that we see in writing by tomorrow afternoon, sometime.

A

With that in mind, may I suggest that we continue this meeting tomorrow afternoon.

A

At 2 30 free, what is everyone's availability? I have.

D

Meetings all afternoon.

F

Those times are fine with me. uh I could meet.

E

Anytime, after three, uh four or four thirty would be, that would be better.

E

Or five you know whatever yeah um I five o'clock and I start bumping into.

A

Things, may I suggest tomorrow you continue this meeting tomorrow at four.

A

uh And then in the internet should give people even even a few more hours.

A

To spend some time with the letter in the project, um I move that this meeting may continue tomorrow at four.

D

Seconds right, I move this meeting to continue to tomorrow at four.

A

And council member sandberg was that a second yes.

A

And do we need a roll call vote for this? Mr lucas.

H

Yes and after the votes taken I'll want to uh announce the location, obviously,.

H

This will take place on zoom, but the open door law.

H

uh For for the committee to be able to do this, I will need to announce the date time in place of the reconvene.

H

Meeting um and have that uh announcement reflected in the.

H

The memorandum that the clerk's office will prepare so I'm going to.

H

Go ahead and schedule a zoom link uh and announce that that'll be posted on the.

H

Council website for folks who are looking for the location if.

H

If this motion succeeds, we have a motion and a second.

A

Is there any discussion.

A

Additional discussion. Sorry, uh I'm running into some.

H

uh Issues with the technology, um we actually have a regularly scheduled.

H

uh Meeting at 4 pm tomorrow, I won't be able to uh schedule another.

H

Meeting on this same zoom account so um yeah.

B

May I propose we, our department has a zoom account. We can share those.

B

Credentials with you, if you'd like to use that as a is that something you.

B

Can do I believe the clerk's office also has an.

H

Account um sophia, are you able to uh to.

G

Yes, I just mentioned uh that we are able to host the meeting.

G

um And I can make myself available at 4 pm tomorrow. Can can you make that meeting now so.

H

That we can announce.

D

Okay, doesn't the announcement- or this is a.

D

Continuation of a meeting we've gotta announce the location of the.

H

Meeting so it's it's a little unusual in that we're not saying that the meeting.

H

Will be continued until tomorrow at four at the council chambers. We need to tell.

H

Folks, where it's going to be located, um how you want to determine location, I.

H

Don't know if it's enough to say it's on zoom and we'll post the link on.

H

Their website, I think, a better approach might be to say, here's the link where.

H

You can find tomorrow's meeting so I'd like to at least do that, while.

H

We've got this meeting going on and miss mcdowell am. I.

A

Understanding that you're working on that currently getting that set up. Yes,.

A

Okay, so miss mcdowell will work on getting a.

A

Zoom length prior to the end of this meeting for a reconvened meeting tomorrow at four.

A

We have a promotion and a second to that effect.

A

uh Is there any further discussion point of order? Madam chair, uh you don't need.

D

To have the clerk call the role you can call it. As a committee chair.

A

Thank you, member flaherty uh yeah. Only a related.

E

Comment that um about this situation, that.

E

Just to mr carly and ennis pearl, you know I don't we may not find ourselves.

E

In this exact exact situation in the future, um but I.

E

Think all of us would understand receiving materials that were still being um uh developed in some respects, so.

E

We're having received a 95 draft on on friday,.

E

I think would have been. We would have probably been in a position to all be feel comfortable voting tonight.

E

uh So just for future reference, I think um airing on on the side of.

E

uh You know adequate time to prepare with with.

E

A mostly complete draft is probably better from our perspective, so that's.

E

It thank you, councilmember, holland. I want a second. What councilmember.

D

Flaherty said it's not that uh I mean you're, letting the perfect be.

D

The enemy of the good send us what you have, but do it with a.

D

Sufficient notice, uh if you I mean you, don't need it.

D

Doesn't need to be perfect, but we need to know what it is we're being asked to do again. I've had three hours notice. I you know that's.

D

There's a reason we have a 48 hour, uh you know uh public notice, law.

D

um So uh whatever you have ready should ship.

D

And uh I wouldn't have this problem if I had been able to.

D

uh Review the documents in advance um uh to review the the bulk of it so he's.

D

Right 95 is better than a hundred. I sent us what you have like. Some of these materials were clearly made before.

D

uh Today they weren't being fit, they weren't.

D

Finished today uh next time, please give us.

D

48 hours two business days notice and this problem won't happen again. I'm.

D

Going to vote no tonight because I can't attend this meeting.

D

And I've said what time I would attend if the meeting were to be continued to.

D

Wednesday at four I am very likely to be a yes thank you.

A

For the comments, thank you.

A

With that, let's move to a vote and I'm just going left to right on my screen.

A

Council member, this is a motion to continue this meeting until 4 pm.

A

Tomorrow, uh at which time we will look at a draft.

A

Of the letter together so and that ms mcdowell will be.

A

Arranging a zoom link for us to be placed in chat before we park.

A

Company tonight, if this motion passes, is that correct, mr lucas.

H

uh She's, uh miss mcdowell has actually already sent me the link. I will display.

H

That so that, folks, at home, with, if they're watching on cats, they can also.

H

See the location I'll send it over the zoom chat as well. Okay, thank you very.

A

Much with that, let's move to a vote council member sandberg.

A

Yes, councilmember flaherty, yes, member no.

A

And council member scandal larry, I will add my yes vote to that.

A

We will continue this meeting until 4 pm uh tomorrow.

A

Tuesday, the 22nd, uh mr lucas, you have the zoom link.

A

Posted is there anything else we need to.

A

Accomplish tonight, thank you. Yes, uh madam chair.

D

Council, member holland, uh the issue is that uh I mean if we can keep the.

D

Meeting going for a few seconds so that people can copy it.

D

uh I mean I'm not sure how somebody would.

D

Access- I I guess by the screen up here, announced for the public too.

H

That this meeting link is is now posted on the city council's.

H

Website uh you can access the meeting simply by clicking this link. Once we have a an additional moment, we.

H

Will also add it to the calendar, so it'll appear on the.

H

Meeting sidebar on the main city council page: can you make sure that the word.

D

Continued appears in the meeting title.

D

Yes, very good, or maybe continued from the date of uh september 21st.

D

Thank you. May I make a quick comment please so uh between now and tomorrow's.

B

Meeting if, uh if you're still reviewing the information, uh know that I'm available.

B

uh I'm gonna offer gen pearl up as being a.

B

Available as well, uh that includes you, council, member volun. I mean this.

B

Building's, actually in your in your district, so we would be particularly interested in in you know, having having uh you at.

B

Least, understand what's going on, even if you can't make the meeting but but you know let us know if you have any questions about the.

B

Project, so we can um answer them as quickly as possible.

C

And I'll second, when alex said, uh I believe.

C

All the council members have my cell phone number um and that's.

C

Always the best place to reach me if you have any questions.

C

To echo something that alex said earlier, we originally.

C

Had wanted to get this in at the end of september,.

C

um The reason why we ended up moving up the application date.

C

Was we heard from eda that they were getting a wave of applications coming in.

C

And they said as soon as you can get it in the better.

C

um Just because when the funds are gone, they're gone.

C

And so um understand, it's very short notice.

C

um And you can call me late tonight too, because we're going to be.

C

Working on this tonight and tomorrow morning, etc,.

C

But we appreciate your consideration and we understand that it's a very busy time.

C

For everyone great thank you, council member one.

D

Question ms pearl: uh when did that phone call happen.

C

The phone call when we were speaking with eda.

C

um I think it was probably I'd have to go back and check my records. I'm not I'm.

C

Sorry, because I was out a few days last week, was it last week.

D

Was it two weeks ago, how long ago, roughly it was about three weeks ago.

D

Okay, so you knew three weeks ago and I mean I'm sorry that doesn't wash.

D

You know like, if you knew three weeks ago, you could still have sent us some material a couple days ago. I I I understand that you, your self-imposed.

D

Goal was the 25th or the 23rd rather, but uh I mean.

D

That just, unfortunately, that makes me even more disappointed.

D

uh That you, you knew that we did not have the documents from the.

I

Partners, um some of them until today we had we had.

I

Several different partners who were conducting various aspects of the study from feasibility to.

I

Environmental to architectural engineering to real estate feasibility.

D

So I got four attachments today: the concept the agenda.

D

uh Fiscal year, 20 pwea and then the td tech center, which of these documents, was.

D

Not ready well actually they're, all still working.

B

So I mean look, I think your point is well taken, which is you know? Sometimes we have to. Sometimes we want to try to get things.

B

As tight as possible, before we effectively go public with them,.

B

And you know, and and there are various stages of completion.

B

And these things have been, I mean literally, you know.

B

uh We're all burning the midnight oil here so.

B

We we tried to get as complete a set of documents as possible to get in.

B

Front of you uh to respect, you know the fact that you know we didn't want to put a bunch of you know: slap together drafts.

B

Literally, documents were being worked on over the weekend.

B

I was up at four this morning. We we've been working significant hours on this.

B

So, while I understand your concern, uh it's we, we were not sitting around.

B

uh Twirling our thumbs into the last minute and then firing them off. I know.

B

That's not your implication, but you should know a significant amount of efforts going into this. I have to say.

B

um You know we, we were not sitting on these documents just for the.

B

Sake, I I have not in any way implied or meant to imply.

D

That someone is twiddling their thumbs, we're delaying to the last minute.

D

I'm very glad to hear you say to recognize that.

D

uh You know you could have released something that was less polished.

D

uh Please err on the side of les paulis from now on.

D

We get this with the budget materials. We get this with legislation.

D

We have a you know, amendments the day of it's okay,.

D

It really is okay uh and what's not? Okay is being asked to look at something.

D

That's perfectly polished in three hours like what you didn't even.

D

Know uh what was coming or what? What what you.

D

Would need to read it's just impossible, like I literally didn't have I didn't.

D

Imagine that I have to read this right half time to do it.

D

So uh let me make crystal clear uh that what you just said please take.

D

It to her, like uh you know, send us what you have.

D

With enough time to look at it, uh don't let the perfectly enemy of the good.

D

Anymore, I appreciate it. Thank you for saying that. Thank you, councilmember mullen councilmember sandberg. um I want to.

F

Thank miss pearl and mr crowley and miss goodman. I.

F

Completely understand the position that you're in I'm going a little bit.

F

Uncomfortable with this wrist slapping of you at this point in.

F

Time miss madam chair. Can we adjourn this meeting.

F

We have our next steps, already organized and ready to go, and I would like to.

F

Get on with my evening, thank you. I finished my comment. Point of order.

D

Madam chair, I don't appreciate the comments from my colleague.

A

I will offer the comment that that uh dynamics of this committee aside.

A

Please know how much I appreciate mr crowley and mrs pearl. Your work on this.

A

And the work of the team, uh you know that I'm a fundraiser by.

A

Trade- and it is one thing to quibble over existing pots of money.

A

I so appreciate and admire entrepreneurial efforts to bring in new.

A

Resources and so thank you sincerely, thank you for your.

A

Good work in putting this together uh and barring.

A

Any objections shall we adjourn? No, no, we're not adjourning we're.

A

Continuing correct uh so with that, let us continue.

A

This meeting until tomorrow afternoon, thank you.

A

Everyone thank you.

J