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New community and economic development department focuses on housing, online permitting and downtown projects
Summary
City staff described the newly formed Community and Economic Development department, noted progress on housing and redevelopment projects including the Alta Ross (former Kmart) site and EP&L online permitting rollout, and requested modest supplementals for memberships, projector devices and trail cameras used for pedestrian/bicycle counts.
City staff presented a summary of work from the newly formed Community and Economic Development department at the May 13 work session, focusing on housing initiatives, public outreach, and the rollout of online permitting and contractor licensing.
What staff said: the department consolidates planning, building/code administration, environmental health and code enforcement; staff emphasized public outreach, contractor licensing modernization and housing‑focused projects such as the redevelopment of the former Kmart (referred to as the Alta Ross or “Home Base” project).
Key items covered: - Department formation and public outreach: staff said the consolidated department allows coordinated work on development, permitting and code enforcement and highlighted recent outreach at farmers markets, contractor licensing workshops and engagement on the reconnecting communities grant. - Housing and redevelopment: staff described work on multiple housing projects (site preparation, lot sales in Turner Tract, Fourth Street project) and said the Alta Ross redevelopment has filled most spaces, a sign staff said indicates progress on downtown revitalization and taxable activity. - Online permitting and contractor licensing: staff reported the EP&L e‑permitting/platform rollout is complete for initial modules and that contractor licensing has migrated online, delivering time savings after initial transition issues. - Small supplemental requests: staff asked for about $4,800 in modest adjustments for dues/memberships, casting/projector devices for presentations, a light meter to support enforcement of lighting regulations, trail camera equipment to count pedestrian/bicycle activity, and small office supply adjustments tied to the restructuring of departments.
Council response: councilors thanked staff for outreach and for progress on housing and permitting. Councilor Fried suggested the traffic safety commission would be interested in the pedestrian/bicycle count tools. Staff noted the department budget is modest (about $1.4–1.6 million overall) and that most of the cost is personnel.
Next steps: staff will continue housing‑related project work, advance contractor licensing efficiencies and pursue outreach and technical tools (trail cameras, light meter) to inform planning and transportation decisions.
