Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager
CC:	Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Britt Crum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator
DATE:	September 8, 2015
RE:	Continued Economic Development Policy Discussion

At the June 9, 2015 study session, the City Commission discussed economic development topics, including potential changes to the Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA), Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) and the City application for incentives.

At the July 7, 2015 City Commission meeting, staff outlined discussion issues related to the NRA.  The Commission provided the following input:

· Commission requested more information on how NRAs are being used by others

· Commission requested NRA Application fees be added into the NRA policy based on different thresholds for lower and higher capital investment projects.

· Commission requested adding language addressing additional analysis into the NRA policy, including City-selection of vendors and applicant’s responsibility for related expenses 

NRA follow up information is provided below.  In addition, materials for discussion on IRBs and the incentives application are included.

Requested Action

Continue discussion on requested changes to NRA policy, IRB policy, and incentives application.  Direct staff as appropriate.

Next Steps

Materials presented to JEDC and PIRC for feedback on changes. Feedback Matrix

List of Attachments

1. Additional information on how NRAs are being used by neighboring communities

a. NRA Table for Neighboring Cities

b. Neighboring Cities NRA Brochures/Information Sheets & Maps

2. Added NRA Application Fees, tied to project capital investment amounts, into NRA policy. Added language addressing additional analysis into policy. Draft  NRA Policy-Redlined, Draft NRA Policy-Clean

3. Public Assistance Application: Draft Application-Highlighted Changes

a. Public benefits added at front of application

b. NRA application fees added at back of application

c. Correspondence on Application

4. Industrial Revenue Bonds:

a. Supplemental IRB Information

b. Current IRB Policy