The Turlock City Council got serious about bringing new businesses to town on Tuesday night by establishing the Mayor's Economic Development Team, a specialized task force designed to create and sustain economic development in the Turlock community.
"This is a really exciting time," said Assistant City Manager for Economic Development Maryn Pitt. "As we start to see our economy boom, we are poised and ready to take the next step."
The task force will consist of 15-20 community members including citizens, economists and local business owners and one council member. The team will identify strategies including monitoring economic trends, fostering relationships with local businesses, attract jobs for local residents, and hold regular meetings with Turlock's businesses.
"I think it's an outstanding idea," said Councilmember Amy Bublak. "We can always help make this community be the best in the county and perhaps in Northern California. I'd love to contribute with innovative ideas."
Each councilmember will be able to appoint one member to the task force and the mayor will appoint the chair person. Applications to be appointed to the task force are due to the city clerk's office by 5 p.m. on Aug. 16. Appointments are expected to be made on Aug. 27 and the first meeting will be in September.
"I am very excited about this," said Mayor John Lazar. "What really convinced me that this was the right way to go was when I attended the graduation at Cal State Stanislaus. I could see the hopes and dreams of aspiring to have jobs in the eyes of these graduates. We are a community in the Central Valley where there's more job listings than anywhere in the state. We want to bring jobs and grow and provide for people and their families."
Also at Tuesday's City Council meeting, the Council:
•Had a final reading of repealing the Turlock Municipal Code regarding parking meter zones.
•Appropriated $2,422 on the Pavement Management Program Update to fund the survey of local city streets.
•Authorized the City Manager to sign and mail a letter of opposition regarding the Gambling Control Act Card Player Fees initiative.
•Designated vice Mayor Bill DeHart as voting delegate and Councilmember Steven Nascimento as the alternate voting delegate at the League of California Cities' Annual Business meeting to be held Sept. 20, in Sacramento.