Episode #5: July 29, 2009
Ventura’s Fiscal Flash is an electronic newsletter with the latest information from the City of Ventura as staff and the City Council work with the community to achieve fiscal balance in these tough economic times.

Ventura’s Economic Summit “Community Action Plan” to be Announced at the Ventura City Council Meeting Monday, August 3

On Monday, August 3, Ventura City staff, together with the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and other partner organizations, will present a Community Action Plan – the 90-day follow up to Ventura’s Economic Summit. The plan will be unveiled during the 6 p.m. Council meeting Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street.

The Community Action Plan began with more than 125 community members – including art activists, business owners, Chamber members, community leaders, developers, economic experts and “everyday citizens” – who joined efforts at the May 2nd Economic Summit in identifying opportunities and obstacles to improve Ventura’s economic future. City Manager Rick Cole noted, “This Summit marked a departure from the polarization over ‘growth’ that has often divided our community. It showed a consensus around a compelling set of shared ideas to promote sustainable economic development.”

Summit attendees actively participated in one of five concurrent breakout sessions and identified 54 action items to refocus Ventura’s Economic Development strategy. The action items were further fine-tuned by Summit working groups who met in June and July preparing their Community Action Plan recommendations to Council regarding;

1. The Green Economy (promoting Green business, Smart Growth, job creation, and capitalizing on stimulus funding for Green projects) - PDF
2. The High-Tech industry (sponsoring High-Tech events and expanding incubator efforts) - PDF
3. An Economic Development Commission (formation of an Economic Summit Coordinating Council, led by the Chamber) - PDF
4. Workforce Development (creation of a Workforce Education Taskforce) - PDF
5. Establishment of a Citywide Ombudsman (defining the role and responsibilities of two Ombudsman positions, one for Development/Land Use and one for Business.) - PDF

Zoe Taylor, President of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, says “the Economic Summit was not a single event, but the beginning of a process for change that relies on all City departments and partner organizations, like the Chamber, DVO and VCB, and others, working together on behalf of Ventura’s fiscal future – truly a Community Action Plan.”

• View Aug. 3 City Council Agenda
• View Aug. 3 Summit Administrative Report - PDF
• View Community Action Plan Items - PDF
• View Customer Service Focus Group report - PDF

What you can do:

• Attend the August 3 City Council meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 501 Poli Street or tune in to local channel 15.
• Log into My Ventura Access to share your suggestions with the City Council.
• Set up a meeting with a Council member for your community organization, neighborhood group or club, by calling Anne Hallock at 805-658-4739 or e-mail ahallock@cityofventura.net.