Minutes: Econ Dev: July 15, 2008

Economic Development Committee

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 5:30 pm
Evansville High School, 640 S. Fifth Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

I. Roll Call. Chair Tony Wyse called the meeting to order at 5:30. Present: Tony Wyse, Gene Bass, Dave Olsen, Roger Berg, Janis Ringhand, James Otterstein, Rebecca DeMarb, and Matthias James. Also present: Mayor Sandy Decker, City Administrator Dan Wietecha, Chamber of Commerce Director Bridgit Larsen, consultant Judy Whalen, and members of the public.

II. Approval of Agenda. Bass made a motion, seconded by James, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

III. Minutes of June 17, 2008, Meeting. James made a motion, seconded by DeMarb, to waive the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

IV. Citizen Appearances. None.

V. Chamber of Commerce Report. Bridgit Larsen said that the Chamber raffle tickets are on sale; the drawing will be August 2. The Chamber has recently hired a student through the Co-op program to help in the office. An August meeting is scheduled with the Agriculture and Life Sciences College at UW-Madison; last year they received major funding for bioenergy research from the Department of Energy.

VI. Madison Street Construction. Wyse reported that the rest of the concrete work at the Four Corners intersection and the curbs and gutter would be installed later this week; the asphalt paving is scheduled for the week of the 28th. The project is on schedule for substantial completion August 15.

VII. Economic Development Plan. The Committee discussed the draft Economic Development Plan. The eventual creation of a partnership alliance is critical to the success of the plan. Otterstein will provide summary information on different types of alliance structures for the next regular meeting. The Committee can then narrow the list for the organizational structures that merit further investigation, intending to have a final decision this fall. In the meantime, several of the action items can begin immediately. The draft will be revised to reflect the immediate actions while researching the alliance; a special meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 10:45 to consider the final Economic Development Plan.

VIII. Adjournment. Berg made a motion, seconded by Bass, to adjourn. Motion approved unanimously at 7:10.