Response provided by Kelsee Jordan Lee, Economic & Business Development Manager:
Mission Statement, Goals - Support
smart growth in the City of San Marcos and a create a stable tax base through economic diversification.
A number of years ago “Smart Growth” had a particular meaning. Is that what the intent is here or just growth that makes sense?
If the latter, we need to CHANGE “smart growth” (even though it’s lower case, there will be people who will infer the old definition.
If the former, we still need to change it.
The intent behind the wording choice was not to reference the specific Smart Growth theory; however, this wording can be changed to avoid any unintentional inferences. Staff can use a different adjective as appropriate or simply remove the word “smart” and just have it read “support growth in the City…”
AMENDMENTS planned
Exhibit A – Incentive Policy Process and Scoring for Chapter 312 Agreements, Chapter 380 Agreements, Economic Development Supplemental Fund, and Fee Waivers
Applications for Chapter 312 Agreements, Chapter 380 Agreements, Economic Development Supplemental Fund, and Fee Waiver incentives [delete]
will be received by [add]
must be submitted to the Greater San Marcos Partnership on behalf of the City of San Marcos. Additional information may be requested for a holistic view of the proposed project. The Greater San Marcos Partnership shall run an initial analysis and economic impact report for the projects, bringing City of San Marcos staff into early discussions.
Staff can include this wording change.
Process
3. Applications scoring 60 or more points will be presented to the Economic Development San Marcos (EDSM) Board to make a recommendation of approval or disapproval to the City Council. [delete]
3. City staff will present applications scoring 60 or more points to the Economic Development San Marcos (EDSM) Board to make a recommendation of approval or disapproval to the City Council. [ADD]
It is not recommended to list City Staff as presenting the projects to the EDSM Board. The Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP) is currently responsible for presenting to the EDSM Board as part of its economic development services to the City; however, City staff will be active in working with GSMP on preparing materials and conducting a thorough review of information before it is presented.
Exhibit C – Downtown Co-Marketing Fund
Do we want to specify “Main Street businesses?” or “businesses in the Main Street District?” Some reading this who may not be familiar with Main Street programs may think as "Main Street Business" is a special designation.
Staff can include this wording change.
Estimated funding allocations. When will these be set? The sources and amounts of funding for each of these programs will be established following the City Manager’s budget review.
Exhibit A – Incentive Policy Process and Scoring for Chapter 312 Agreements, Chapter 380 Agreements, Economic Development Supplemental Fund, and Fee Waivers -- Rebate only?
Exhibit B – Business Improvement & Growth (BIG) Grant -- Amount? Source of funds?
Exhibit C – Downtown Co-Marketing Fund -- Amount? Hotel Occupancy Tax?
Exhibit D???
Exhibit D should be the Economic Development Supplemental Fund. It looks like the track changes version did not update this but the accepted changes version did have it correctly listed as Exhibit D and the Legacy Business Program as Exhibit E.
Exhibit E – Economic Development Supplemental Fund -- Amount? Source of funds?
Exhibit E – Legacy Business Program -- Amount? Source of funds?
Exhibit F – Main Street Incentive Grant -- Amount? Source of funds?
Exhibit G – Small Business Retention Incentive -- Amount? Source of funds?
Exhibit H – Speculative Buildings -- Rebate only?
Exhibit I – Sustainable Resources Grant Need to recognize and recommend the state-wide program Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
Texas PACE Authority – Serving communities. Improving properties. Increasing capital. -- Amount? Source of funds?
It is not recommended to include a non-City sponsored program into this City policy. The Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP) has created a “one-stop shop” online database with resources to assist businesses as part of its agreement for economic development services. City staff can request PACE information be included in that resource directory and has also included a link to the Hays County program on the City’s small business resource directory page.
