DANA POINT : 7-Person Economic Panel to Be Formed

The City Council voted unanimously this week to form a seven-member economic development commission to serve as the nearly 3-year-old city’s advisory board on business issues.

The council also approved spending $7,500 for administering the commission.

Members have not yet been appointed.

The commission is an offshoot of the city’s former economic development committee, which disbanded in April, 1990. In its 16 months of operation, the committee developed a report that identified economic needs of the city. It also did a financial analysis and a business inventory.

“The commission is really the next step in addressing the economic needs of the city,” said John W. Donlevy Jr., assistant to the city manager. “It will make some recommendations on programs and oversee their implementation.”

Among the commission responsibilities listed by the council are assisting local business in seeking financing, reviewing legislative issues, evaluating Dana Point’s resort needs, monitoring the city’s business registration program and serving as a liaison with the council.

People will have about 30 days to submit applications for the commission. The council will interview all qualified applicants and make their selections, Donlevy said.

Once the commission is chosen, it probably will meet twice a month or more often on an as-needed basis, Donlevy said.