City weighs economic development options

The Sisters City Council appears headed toward an interim appointment to fill the contract position of economic development manager.

Mac Hay recently announced that he will not renew his contract and continue in that role.

The topic dominated Thursday morning's council workshop, which started with a 5-0 vote to extend Hay's contract for two months to allow him to finish up several projects that he was working on: An Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) pub talk at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon on July 25, and the Made In Sisters tour of the industrial park on August 9.

The council worked from a memo prepared by City Manager Eileen Stein that outlined four options available to the council in fulfilling the economic development function: 1. Contract with EDCO for support; 2. Hire an in-house city employee; 3. Share an employee or a contractor with another agency or jurisdiction; or 4. Rely on current city staff to support economic development activities.

Councilors explored divergent opinions centered on the question of updating or recasting the existing economic development strategic plan.

Councilor Sharlene Weed said, "It is important that we have a better plan for whoever gets that position. (There are) a whole host of other (business) segments that we are not addressing. Our schools and empty storefronts need to be addressed. We have not provided a leadership role for our community. Hiring somebody to recruit new businesses into town is only part of the solution. Hiring somebody without a (revised) plan is a waste of money, and I'm not going to support it."

Councilor Pat Thompson does not want to focus on planning.

"I disagree that we need to have an update to the economic development plan," he said. "We do have a good plan and we do have a good direction. If we knew the answers we would already have them on paper. I don't see us needing to spend a whole bunch of money developing a piece of paper that tells us to do what we are already doing."

Thompson chided Weed for what he considers resistance to the city's efforts.

"Sharlene, you have done nothing but question it (economic development) and fight it the whole time. I've seen nothing but resistance from you since the day we started talking about this in the budget meeting three-plus years ago, no disrespect intended."

Mayor Lon Kellstrom said, "I agree with you Pat. We are not well served to say we are going to talk about how to figure things out here without having somebody on the ground covering what Mac is covering right now. Mac has given us a solid foundation with the businesses, with key contacts, and with the legislators."

Councilor Wendy Holzman weighed in: "I like the idea of a more active leadership role for the city. There is an attitude in the community that the city is perceived as more of a hindrance than a helper. I've heard that from enough people now that I have to say that we are not seen as a player in important community things."

Councilor David Asson reiterated his criticism of the existing economic development plan.

"The current strategic plan is worthless," he said. "It isn't a plan, it is a statement of intent. It isn't an action plan. It takes about 20 minutes to write (an action plan)."

Hay pointed out that he has been getting and following up on leads from the council and the community at a rate not seen in other Central Oregon communities. He said, "I think we are doing a lot here that people don't really realize. I believe the plan could be updated quickly, and that the outreach needs to be continuous. I believe you should hire an interim person on a month-to-month basis or contract with EDCO just to have somebody cover the phones on a month-to-month basis to give you time to think this out."

Patty Cordoni, a local Realtor and past Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce president, has covered for Hay on economic development issues when he was out of town. She offered an option for updating economic development plans.

Cordoni said, "When I was chamber president, Erin Borla (Chamber Executive Director) worked with Eileen to do this strategic plan. She pulled the whole community together. We had workshops for the different sectors.

"You've got the resources in the community to take that original plan that has the right sectors and the right people in the community to represent those sectors. Go back, take that original plan and have Erin update it at no cost and you will have your roadmap."

The initial impetus out of the workshop was to advertise for a replacement for Hay under essentially the same kind of contract.

On Friday morning, Stein indicated to The Nugget that the council had decided to slow the process down to get some better agreement on direction, possibly simply appointing someone to the position on an interim basis as Hay suggested. The topic may get some clarification at Thursday's council meeting.