Economic Development---April 2007

City of Evansville
Economic Development Committee

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 19, 2007, 5:30 pm
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chair Tony Wyse. Present: Tony Wyse, Roger Berg (left at 7:00), James Otterstein, Dave Olsen, Gene Bass, Cheryl Dickert, and Fred Juergens (left at 6:45). Also present: Dan Wietecha, Bridgit Larsen, and John and Sandy Decker.

Approve Agenda. The agenda, as distributed, was approved without objection.

Approve Minutes of March 20, 2007 Meeting. Juergens moved, seconded by Olsen, to approve the minutes. Motion approved unanimously.

Citizen Appearances. None.

Update on City Website. Juergens said that the Common Council recently approved a contract for Litewire Internet Services to host the city’s website. Juergens also distributed a draft policy for website linkages and posting on the calendar of events; the committee will discuss the policy at its May meeting.

Update on CDBG Application for Main Street Streetscaping. John Decker indicated that preliminary indications for the grant application were favorable; we expect to know more in a couple weeks.

Update on Downtown Task Force. Wyse said that additional bricks will be required if the grant application is successful. The cost for the bricks is $46,000 to $69,000. The task force also discussed how best to clean, sort, palletize, store, and transport the bricks; the engineer will be discussing the issue with a contractor with extensive experience in brick street projects.

Review of Economic Development Strategy RFP’s. Wietecha indicated that five consultants had been solicited for proposals; three responded. The whole committee, with input from visitors, discussed the three proposals. It was noted that although this is now larger than the summit originally envisioned; an economic development strategy is needed as a foundation for future projects to be effective. This is an implementation goal identified in the Smart Growth plan, and we do need help from a facilitator. All three are strong and capable candidates. The whole committee, with input from visitors, discussed the applicants. Whalen and Associates has already been interviewed. Juergens made a motion, seconded by Dickert, to schedule MCL Group for an interview. Motion approved unanimously. MSA Professional Services was dropped from further consideration.

Update on Trade Market Analysis. Otterstein said that there would potentially be some overlap between the trade market analysis and the strategic planning project. They are inherently interlinked and should be coordinated. He recommended waiting on the trade market analysis until the strategic process was further developed. He noted that the grant could not be used for the strategic planning.

Discussion on Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Wietecha noted that the Finance and Labor Relations Committee had indicated that the fund should be retained for economic development but had asked to see the proposed policy for it. The committee agreed that the 1999 policy should be updated and streamlined for contemporary needs; it should also be kept flexible. Berg made a motion, seconded by Bass, that Otterstein and Wietecha draft an updated policy and seek input from a commercial lender. Motion approved unanimously. After the policy is finalized, the RLF will be used to assist businesses expand or locate in Evansville. Having the RLF available will also serve as an effective marketing tool for the city.

Adjournment. On a motion by Bass, seconded by Olsen, the meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.