Howard County Economic Opportunity and Prosperity Task Force met July 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the Task Force:
Members in attendance: Anne Brinker, Paul Casey, Ana Cisneros, Kim Flowers, Jason Jannati, Phyllis Madachy, Leonardo McClarty, Elizabeth Noble, and Jaykant Parekh. Additionally, Roger Barnes from subcommittees also attended.
Staff in attendance: Jim Meyd, County Auditor’s Office, Jeff Meyers, County Council office, and Jessie Keller, Council Member Weinstein’s office.
The audio recording of the meeting is available on the Task Force website1.
Chairperson Madachy called the meeting to order at 3:46 p.m.
The Task Force approved the minutes from its meeting on June 11, 20182
Mr. McClarty reviewed the plans for the public hearing3 , scheduled for 5:30 p.m. after the Task Force meeting. He also commented on the list of presenters that had address the Task Force and the various subcommittees, which had previously been distributed to the Task Force and which is appended below these minutes. He also reviewed the emerging topics, themes, and issues that are likely to be in the final recommendations. Mr. Casey wished to add to that list integration of immigrants and senior housing as issues. Ms. Noble added that the lack of good linkage between nonprofits, the business community, and the government should be included as well. The County should be more proactive in harnessing and promoting entrepreneurial innovation. Ms. Madachy noted that discussion of transportation issues should include all modes, not just transit and para-transit because the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists should be addressed.
Ms. Madachy noted that subcommittees should share information that they have uncovered that reveal best practices used by other jurisdictions.
Ms. Noble reported that the Education and Workforce Development subcommittee had not met since the last Task Force meeting but the subcommittee continued to be concerned about apprenticeships, soft skills, and hardening the linkages between job-seekers and employers.
Ms. Flowers reported that the Housing and Community Development subcommittee had heard from Kelly Cimino and Peter Engle since the last Task Force meeting. The subcommittee had more deeply explored the concerns over the lack of affordable and workforce housing in the County. The County’s Department of Housing and Community Development and the Howard County Housing Commission, which is not a County governmental unit, both lack sufficient funding to address the needs, which continue to grow. The recent changes to APFO are likely to further constrain housing affordability. She briefed the Task Force on the approaches taken by some other jurisdictions, particularly Montgomery and Arlington counties, which devote considerable local money to affordable housing matters. She also noted that Howard County does not have any measurable targets or goals related to workforce, moderate, or low-income housing.
Neither co-chair of the Economic Development subcommittee was present. Mr. McClarty noted that the subcommittee had met the previous week. The subcommittee is concerned about County purchasing practices, which should be modified to give preferences to businesses that have a physical presence in the County. The Equal Business Opportunity Commission had also discussed this issue. Mr. Parekh gave as an example the concerns raised by owners of local small liquor stores about the impact if a supermarket would be allowed to sell beer and wine. The local stores predict business failures, unemployment, and commercial vacancies.
The Task Force discussed what its final report might look like. Mr. McClarty recommended that the members review the final reports from other commissions available on the County website. He particularly commended the Equal Business Opportunity and Human Trafficking reports. See https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/About-Us/Commissions_Task-Forces_Special-Reports. Mr. McClarty suggested that the Task Force might wish to form a small committee to write the report, which is the approach used by the Spending Affordability Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
The Task Force reconvened at 5:30 p.m. for the public hearing, but as no one from the public appeared, the Task Force broke up around 6:05 p.m.
https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/Portals/0/EOP%20Minutes%20July%209%202018.pdf
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