1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

Town Council Members present: Council President deMedeiros, Council Vice-President Burk, Councilor Janick, Councilor Vieira, Councilor Perry and Councilor Edwards. Councilor Cook absent.

Planning Board members Chair Susan Gill, Rosemary Eva and Janice Gomes were present.

Zoning Board of Review Chair Lise Gescheidt was present.

Economic Development Commission members Chair Renee Jones, Martin Van Hoff and Barbara Pelletier were present.

Town Administrator Cotta, Planner Jennifer Siciliano and Town Clerk Chabot were also present.

Having a quorum, EDC Chair Renee Jones called her committee to order with a roll call.

3. NEW BUSINESS

A.   Review and discuss roles and expectations of each Commission/Board/Committee

(Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Tiverton Economic Development Commission)

B.   Discuss Improving Communication and Collaboration between and among

Commissions/Boards/Committees (Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Tiverton Economic Development Commission)

C.   Discuss Strategic Planning Opportunities Available through Connect Greater Newport

Councilor Burk commented that the meeting was intended to help all to meet the expectations built into the Charter and into the Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) and to investigate and address resource needs. With our recent membership in Connect Greater Newport, they can help us look at strategic economic planning. EDC wants to do their part in encouraging business. The CCP has an Implementation Plan with an action list that needs to be reviewed to see where we are tracking in the plan. The Planner and Town Clerk will distribute that action list. This meeting is to have a conversation and look at ways to move forward with collaborative meetings with planning, administration and EDC.

EDC Chair Renee Jones related her recent experiences in attending meeting with local and state organizations and could see potential opportunities in developing Tiverton Business Park. She had lots of questions and ideas but needs input from different stakeholders. She has kept the Planner and the Town Administrator in the loop.

Planning Board Chair Susan Gill commented on the role of the Planning Board regarding the development plan processs, ordinances and the CCP. They do not solicit business or entities. That is not their function.

Zoning Board Chair Lise Gescheidt commented on their role as a quasi-judicial board dealing with the law and the facts as cases come before them. At times, she wishes they could hire expects to assist them, a consultant to explain/read a plan or some backup services in term of preparing for a hearing so that they can ask probative questions. There was a brief discussion of what town resources were available – town solicitor, planner, DPW Director and the Town Administrator. She also commented the Zoning Ordinances need a good lookover by others and legal review. Town Administrator Cotta would like to see any pitfalls they have identified so that he can get them on a list to be addressed.

Ms. Jones mentioned Broadband in the state and activities at the state level.

EDC member Barbara Pelletier questioned communication so that it gets disseminated quicker and could it be simplified. OMA prevents discussion but information can be sent out through the Town Clerk to the rest of the committee. Councilor Burk mentioned listserv or BCC to send email without the possibility of replying in violation of OMA.

Ms. Jones mentioned the LEAN process and would like to be notified of new businesses in town. No business list of emails is available. The Town Clerk will check for a list of business emails and will continue research on the LEAN process that the town recently went through. Administrator Cotta reviewed some thoughts on getting and maintaining community information.

Planner Jennifer Siciliano commented that her first priority is applications since there are timelines and deadlines and doesn’t have a lot of time planning for economic development. She feels that getting the businesses in the Industrial Park followed by infrastructure is a good approach, but as a planner you want to be more thoughtful as to what businesses come into the park.

Councilor deMedeiros mentioned that there has been discussion over the years, a lot of the Industrial Park is not developable and was decided years ago it was more cost efficient to not to put in infrastructure.

Ms. Jones will continue to gather information on state bond opportunities.

Ms. Gill reviewed what is currently in the park and the incoming new projects. This would not be considered a business park taking into consideration what businesses are there already and what planned to be developed.

The park is really an Industrial Park.

Councilor Burk sees the Chamber and Connect Greater Newport as an opportunity to bring in resources to look at our economic development needs as a town, inclusive of the Industrial Park, EDC is looking for more information and guidance due to their role defined in the Charter and the CCP. Getting together was to start the process for a systemic solution, including branding, what types and where and improving communication.

Councilor Edwards related that regardless of the CCP, residents have rejected any large business. Part of the problem is to find a way to get residents to accept that to improve your tax base you need businesses, large and small. The Industrial Park will not solve our tax-based dilemma or employment problems. With efforts to identify businesses to come here, you still need to convince residents to accept them. Councilor Burk mentioned that part of a good strategic plan is to involve residents, focus groups, surveys, to address this concern.

EDC member Martin Van Hoff reiterated EDC is looking for guidance and direction. Ms. Gill mentioned that the use table and zoning could possibly direct what business can go where.

Discussion continued on a strategic plan for the overall town and using these agencies for a regional collaborative effort.

D.  Discuss Next Steps

EDC will be submitting agenda items to more forward with collaborative effort

EDC Chair Renee Jones called for her committee to adjourn. Motion made by Martin Van Hoff, seconded by Barbara Pelletier. The motion passed unanimously

4. ADJOURNMENT:

Councilor Burk motioned to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

For full discussion of this joint workshop, please refer to the video.

A True Copy.

ATTEST_________________________

                 Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk