Ark Valley News - PC council discusses economic development

PC council discusses economic development
By Matt Heilman
Last Updated: August 11, 2011

In July, the Park City council discussed priorities for the city. In a brainstorming session during a special meeting, council members mentioned more than 50 priorities, several of which were combined into attainable goals. Chief among the priority list was economic development.

At the Aug. 9 council meeting, former mayor Dee Stuart asked the council what it was doing to foster economic development in the city. While understanding the difficult economic times, she indicated city leaders aren't doing enough for business retention and attraction.

Mayor Emil Bergquist said the city is taking the same approach it has for the last few years to encourage new businesses to find a home in Park City. Stuart indicated the approach should change.

She discussed a concern with a few businesses leaving the city and felt that there hasn't been enough of an effort to market the city and draw interest from more local media.

“I think part of the problem is we're not in the news anymore," she said.

She also mentioned some of the positive qualities of Park City, including its financial stability and comparatively low water rates. She encouraged city leaders to bring more attention to some of the progress and growth that has gone on despite the down economy.

“We're not hearing enough about what Park City has to offer," Stuart said.

Bergquist thanked Stuart for her input and had City Administrator Jack Whitson discuss some expected progress on the economic development front.

Whitson said that Air Capital Delivery and Warehouse CEO Lou Robelli is working out plans to bring a business to a 300,000-square-foot warehouse in the industrial park at 61st North and Prospect in Park City, just west of I-135. The business, TMX Aerospace, is a supplier for Boeing.

Also on Park City's new business radar is Midwest Scrap Management, one of the largest metal scrap processors in the area. Whitson said a planned $20 million operation just north of the United Warehouse Company in the 900 block of East 45th North, would initially bring 50 jobs to Park City, a number that would eventually double.

Stuart said she was glad to hear the updates, but wanted to make sure that Park City kept its name out there to push for further progress on economic development.

“We need to put Park City's name in front of people all the time," she said.

In the binding action portion of the Aug. 9 agenda, the council approved a 2012 budget that called for a property tax mill levy of 37.347 mills. The budget, with a mill levy consistent with the mark approved over the past few years, was passed 7-1. Council member Tom Jones opposed the budget.

While he was glad to see the consistent tax rate, he feared the city was relying too heavily upon reserves to balance the budget and warned that over-supplementing reserves could cause problems down the road. To avoid raising taxes in 2012, the council subsidized $650,000 in available reserves.

In support of the budget, council member Keith Thomas said he couldn't find anywhere else to make up the shortfall, caused in large part by delinquent taxes and delinquent special assessments. He voiced disappointment that no citizens weighed in during the public hearing on the budget before its approval and advised residents that there are still a few days to give input on the budget before the state's deadline for the final draft.

Also at the Aug. 9 meeting, the council:

•Heard John Goyette, chairman of the city's convention and tourism board, discuss the upcoming Blacktop Nationals event that is planned in Park City on Aug. 27. The Black Top Nationals features a souped-up and exotic car parade on Park City's parade route on 61st North. Goyette said about 5,000 people showed up for the event last year and he expected more this year. The event will feature a motorcycle display before the parade. On Aug. 28, Goyette said the Fallen Heroes ride to honor military troops killed in action will start in Park City.

•Heard United Methodist Church of Park City Pastor Rob Schmutz say that plans were on track for a preschool to start at the church at 1510 E. 61st North on Sept. 6. Classes are planned for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

•Approved an ordinance adopting a procedure for attaching liens against real properties for outstanding invoices for mowing costs. A lien is the right to keep property owned by someone else until a debt is paid off. Real property differs from personal property. The ordinance was approved 8-0.

•Encouraged residents to attend a beautification committee meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at the new library, 2107 E. 61st North.