VENTURA : Flavin May Become Economic Consultant

The Ventura City Council will vote today on a contract to hire Tom Flavin, a former mayor of Burbank, as a consultant charged with mapping the revitalization of the city’s economy.

The contract calls for the city to pay Flavin $6,000 per month for six months, after which he will be eligible for the permanent job of economic development coordinator. The coordinator will work to bring new businesses into Ventura and retain those already in the city.

The council recently selected Flavin, now a resident of Camarillo, from among three other candidates for the consultant’s position. Today’s action will formalize that selection and describe the work Flavin is to perform for the city.

Flavin will be required to:

* chart a strategy for reinvigorating Ventura’s business climate;

* work with other staff members to publicize the city’s efforts to rework itself as business-friendly municipality;

* direct an effort to identify Ventura’s economic base;

* interact with other public and private agencies on issues relating to economic vitality.