MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE CITY COUNCIL
The meeting was called to order by President Benincasa at 6:00 P.M..
Clerk Yost read the notice of the special meeting.
ROLL CALL: Alan Andreani, Larry Dordea, Steve Okey, Phyllis Phillips, Roger Rhome, and Larry Thompson.
Motion and second to excuse Councilman Clunk who is Out of town on family matters and unavailable. MOTION PASSED BY ACCLAMATION OF ALL MEMBERS.
Councilperson Phillips opened the discussion by addressing the highlights of the August 25, 2011 Community Development Meeting that addressed Ordinance 64-11. Councilperson Phillips stated that the committee agreed that a Jobs Fair is a good idea but questioned why legislation needs amended to accomplish it. Questioned if adding Ordinance 64-11 and amending existing legislation would create additional “red tape” to the process.
Councilman Okey also addressed the committee meeting and expressed concern that the additional requirement to obtaining UDAG revolving loans could hinder the system. Mr. Okey also addressed the system for some Congressional Job Fairs and stated some ideas from those formats could be utilized. Mr. Okey also wanted to make it a requirement that employers in attendance actually have jobs available or it would be futile to require them to be there. Mr. Okey expressed concern that employers there because they were required rather than because the actually had jobs available would reduce the credibility of the Job Fair.
Councilman Andreani stated that he is prepared to amend Ordinance 64-11 to include the attendance requirement on businesses that receive tax incentives. Mr. Marion was asked and stated that all tax incentives have a job creation component to them. Mr. Andreani stated that some discretion needs added to the requirement for small business that would not likely be hiring anyone and used the loan to the barber shop that was approved a few years ago as a good example of a business that is successful after utilizing a UDAG loan but would not likely be expanding and hiring employees.
Councilman Thompson stated that he didn’t think it was too much to ask a business to attend a Job Fair if they utilize the City Revolving loan fund to fund their business. Mr. Thompson also stated that even if a business is not hiring, a job fair is a great networking opportunity and it would build a resume base for perspective employees at a later time.
Councilman Dordea stated he sees a job fair as an opportunity for employers to see what talent is out there and employees to see what opportunities might be available. Mr. Dordea believes that good employers are always looking for good talent and may find a need they didn’t realize they had or an opportunity to fill a position at a later time with a qualified individual.
Councilperson Phillips addressed the tax incentive review committee and explained how the CRA agreements are reviewed annually to ensure the business is complying. Ms. Phillips again stated that she doesn’t believe the City needs to change legislation to hold a successful job fair.
Councilman Okey stated he believes that there are two separate issues at hand. The first is holding a job fair and the second is amending legislation. Mr. Okey stated everyone seems to be in favor of a job fair regardless of whether or not they are in favor of changing legislation and so council needs to address the “when” “where” “how” and “cost” issues of setting up the job fair.
Director Blaser stated that there needs to be incentive to get employers to attend and participate. Mr. Blaser stated that he believes it is important to get the word out to the available work force what opportunities might be available even if there are no current opportunities.
Mr. Okey and Mr. Andreani had a brief discussion about conceived ideas on funding (Private vs. Public) time frames to set it up and potential venues. Mr. Andreani stated that he would consult with the private entities that he has been in contact with that “do this sort of thing” and come back with some details. Mr. Andreani stated that he envisioned the matter being funded by the private sector.
Mr. Dordea commended Mr. Andreani for his work on the matter so far and the investigation into feasibility with private entities. Mr. Dordea also expressed concern over the matter becoming a Mayoral debate rather than working toward a successful job fair.
Councilperson Phillips questioned what penalties were envisioned for employers required to attend and do not. It was stated that it would be a term of the contract and penalty would be handled much like any other breach of the contract such as late or non payment.
Mr. Andreani distributed and discussed potential proposed amended language for the ordinance but stated he wanted to review it with the Law Director before actually moving to amend the ordinance.
Mr. Dordea addressed the concern of penalty for failing to attend the required annual job fair and stated that it would have to be looked at on a case by case basis depending on the situation of the employer
Councilperson Phillips question whether or not the City was establishing a precedent that would later require the City to fund an annual job fair and thus take money away from the loan fund to conduct the annually required job fair.
ADJOURNMENT: Noting no further business presented of discussed with Council, President Benincasa adjourned the special workshop meeting at 6:50 P.M.
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JOHN BENINCASA, PRESIDENT GERARD T. YOST, COUNCIL CLERK