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EDAC members press for clearer public updates; staff launches monthly online briefing
Summary
Commissioner Lewis urged the Economic Development Advisory Commission to focus more visibly on job creation and business recruitment; staff responded by describing a new monthly web update and said staff will respond to public inquiries and bring items to future agendas when appropriate.
Commissioner Lewis raised concerns that many EDAC agenda items read as project updates rather than strategic economic-development work focused on jobs, industry recruitment and measurable economic outcomes.
"I feel as though with this being economic development advisory commission, I feel like we advise on our projects more than we do anything related to economic development," Commissioner Lewis said, pointing to a public perception that the commission is not discussing business recruitment or workforce issues enough.
Bennett, the staff liaison, said staff had compiled a monthly consolidated update and published it to the city's website so commissioners and the public can track projects and click through for more detail. He described work with partners — including Retail Coach and university collaborators such as ASU — and said staff will respond to inquiries and, where possible, place items on future EDAC agendas.
Commissioners asked that staff consider providing short, regular updates on major commercial developments — for example, whether projects such as Hobby Lobby or a proposed donut shop are progressing, permitting status, and other indicators the public asks about. Bennett said staff would respond to inquiries and provide information that can be publicly released while noting some development negotiations and permitting steps limit what can be shared in public meetings.
The discussion did not produce an immediate action item, but commissioners expressed consensus that improved public communications and periodic development-status briefings would better connect EDAC's work with the community's expectations.
