Title
Authorizing the Department of Planning and Economic Development to accept funds from Living Cities, for Ellen Muller, Economic Development Manager, to attend a meeting hosted by Living Cities on February 7, 2012 in Washington, DC.
Body
Whereas, The Corridors of Opportunity, an initiative promoting sustainable, vibrant, and healthy communities, using the region's emerging transitway system as a development focus and funded by loans and grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Living Cities; and
Whereas, Living Cities, a collaboration of 22 of the largest foundations and financial institutions engaging a broad consortium of policymakers, foundations, community organizations, and leaders are engaged in these efforts <<http://www.metrocouncil.org/planning/COO/partners.htm>>;
Whereas, Ellen Muller, Economic Development Manager in the Department of Planning and Economic Development has been invited to attend this Living Cities learning community meeting titled, Small Business as an Engine of Economic Development; and
Whereas, the meeting will be held on February 7, 2012 in Washington, D.C.; and
Whereas, Living Cities will pay for all costs associated with attendance and participation in the meeting by Ms. Muller, with an estimated value not to exceed $1,000; and
Whereas, thriving small businesses contribute to low income communities in a variety of ways by anchoring neighborhoods, creating jobs, and generating wealth and understanding how to support a robust small business sector can be a complex task, as the term small business encompasses enterprises as small as a one-person food cart to a medium-sized manufacturer, and can range from rapidly growing "gazelles" or stable, family-owned enterprises; and
Whereas, the public purpose is to discuss and share with this learning community best practices around analyzing small business needs for capital, technical assistance, efficient and predictable public sector processes and on strategies for meeting those needs; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that upon recommendation of the Mayor, the Council of the City of Saint Paul does hereby approved the acceptance of the payment of all costs associated with the participation of Ellen Muller in the Living Cities learning community meeting titled, Small Business as an Engine of Economic Development on February 7, 2012; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to take the appropriate actions necessary to facilitate Ms. Muller's participation in the meeting.