Minutes: Evansville Economic Development: April 2006

CITY OF EVANSVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes

Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Second Floor, Evansville City Hall

6:00 p.m.




1. Roll call. Present: Dean Arnold, Gene Bass, Roger Berg, John Decker, Cheryl Dickert, James Otterstein. Absent: Chairperson Aikman, Ald. Anderson. Also present: Ald. Fred Juergens, Ald. Tony Wyse, Mayor Sandy Decker, Prof. Georgia Duerst-Lahti, Tess Gruenstein, David Hariman.

2. Introduction of new committee members and designation of chairperson pro tem. The committee welcomed Cheryl Dickert, who was appointed to serve Jeff Farnsworth's unexpired term, and welcomed Alders Fred Juergens and Tony Wyse, whose terms on the committee will begin on May 1. It was noted that a draft ordinance is in the hopper to change terms of Alders on this and other committees to commence on the date they take office (third Tuesday in April) rather than on May 1. Citizen members' terms would continue to run from May 1 to April 30. John Decker was drafted to chair the meeting.

3. Approval of agenda. The committee reviewed the agenda dated April 25, 2006. Without objection, the agenda was approved.

4. Approval of minutes. The committee reviewed the minutes of the March 21, 2006 meeting, as distributed. Without objection, the minutes were approved.

5. Citizen appearances, other than on items listed below. None.

6. Report and action re: trade market analysis. James Otterstein and John Decker reported on the discussions held with Prof. Andy Lewis and Community Business Development Specialist Bill Ryan of the UW-Extension Center for Community Economic Development. The most recent meeting took place in Evansville on April 24, and was attended by City Administrator Bill Connors, Sandy Decker, James Otterstein and John Decker. The Evansville participants provided background information on the Evansville and Town of Union Smart Growth plans, the existing and anticipated, near-term commercial and industrial development in Evansville, and the desire to have a trade market study that covers all of the commercial development areas identified in the Evansville and Union Smart Growth plans (all of which are in, or immediately adjacent to, the City).

The UW-Extension participants explained each of the component parts of the proposed trade market analysis, and discussed alternatives, including the elimination of any work which already may have been covered in the Smart Growth workups. The addition of a "First Impressions" component was suggested, as well as an abbreviated analysis of potential lodging development.

The UW-Extension will submit to the committee, via Mr. Otterstein, a revised draft proposal.

Mr. Otterstein also reviewed the grant funding sources available for underwriting the costs of the analysis. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce administers Community Development Block Grants for planning. There is not a deadline for the application, but there is a 25% local match requirement. Business Opportunity Grants are available through Wisconsin Rural Development. These grants have no local match requirement, but participation by other grantors will improve the likelihood of receipt of a grant under this program. The next application due date May 23, 2006.

Per previous directions of the committee, Mr. Otterstein has been communicating with the Department of Commerce on the CDBG grant, and marketing firm Sortis has been concentrating on the Wisconsin Rural Development grant. Mr. Otterstein has learned that the Departmant of Commerce will accept a "Phase I" abbreviated, no-obligation application, and will advise if prospects for a grant look favorable. A full "Phase II" application thereafter may be submitted, with a commitment for local match funding if the grant is awarded. There is usually a 60-day turnaround on Phase I applications.

Roger Berg moved to authorize the filing of a Phase I application to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce for a CDBG-Planning grant, utilizing the committee's own personnel, rather than Sortis. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.

It is understood that Sortis will continue its work toward completion of the Wisconsin Rural Development grant application, per previous authorization.

7. Report and funding commitment re: joint session with Chamber of Commerce and Evansville Community Partnership, to be moderated by Bert Stitt. Chamber of Commerce board member Jeff Farnsworth reported on the Chamber's proposal to have a team-building exercise held among the Chamber board, the City of Evansville Economic Development Committee and the Evansville Community Partnership board. Consultant Bert Stitt, who has had considerable experience in facilitation of long-range planning and similar exercises in Evansville is willing and available to moderate. His total fee is proposed at $900, which the Chamber proposes to be split equally among the Chamber, ECP and the Economic Development Committee.

Following discussion, Gene Bass moved to authorize the committee's participation in the joint team-building exercise with the Chamber board and ECP board, with a financial contribution of $300 from the committee. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.

8. Report on establishment of Main Street Construction Task Force. John Decker reported on the establishment by the Chamber of Commerce of a Main Street Construction Task Force to address concerns of downtown businesses and residents in advance of and during the reconstruction projects on Main and Madison Streets. The initial meeting was held at City Hall on Monday, April 24. Becky Heimerl, the Chamber's Promotions Director, was elected chairperson. Several subcommittees were appointed and have already begun work. Interested parties are asked to contact Becky Heimerl at Curves.

9. Discussion of possible agenda items for future meetings (not for action during current meeting).

a. Draft of EDC website revision. Beloit College co-op student David Hariman presented his draft of a proposed revision to the Economic Development portion of the City's website (a work in progress). It is anticipated a final draft will be submitted at the May committee meeting. The committee congratulated Mr. Hariman on the quality, organization and utility of his work product, and on his upcoming graduation.

b. Committee organization and elections. It was noted that the committee's annual organization meeting will be held in May. The committee will elect one of the alderperson-members as chair, and designate and elect additional officers, in its discretion, per city ordinances. Meeting schedules, including the possibility of more frequent meetings, will be discussed.

c. Proposed TID #6. The committee may be asked to offer advice to the Common Council relative to the proposed creation of Tax Increment District #6, the content of its Project Plan, and identification of the authorities to have oversight.


10. Adjournment. Roger Berg moved to adjourn at 7:08 p.m. The motion was seconded and approved without objection.


Respectfully submitted,


John Decker, Member