Minutes of Evansville Economic Development Committee-11-15-2005

CITY OF EVANSVILLE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Council Chambers

6:00 p.m.

1. Roll call. Present: Thayne Anderson, Dean Arnold, Gene Bass, Roger Berg, John Decker, James Otterstein.

2. Approval of agenda. Motion by Bass, seconded by Arnold, to approve the revised agenda, as distributed. Approved by voice vote.

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

4. Request to Mayor re: vacancy on committee. Following discussion, Mr. Decker agreed to contact Mayor Ringhand to request her early attention to appointments to fill vacancies on the committee.

5. Interim committee organization. Pending the appointment of a second Common Council member to the committee, and the committee's election of officers, Mr. Decker agreed to serve as interim meeting coordinator.

6. Direction for committee activities. The following items were discussed:

Survey responses. Mr. Otterstein noted that results of a survey on economic development activities had been prepared, and that they may be in the possession of former Ald. Kooyman. The survey results might be used in a constructive fashion.
Mr. Otterstein also noted that the committee previously undertook a project to analyze development activities and opportunities. This program might be reviewed and reinstituted.
Visits to Evansville employers. Committee members agreed the visits made by the committee to the large employers in Evansville had been informative and productive, and that additional visits should be conducted. Mr. Berg agreed to make arrangements with Metal Culverts, and Mr. Decker agreed to make arrangements with Evansville Manor. Visits to Landmark Services Cooperative and to small-scale retailers and service providers also would be desirable.
7. Follow-up on new business inquiries to City, Chamber, ECP, etc.. The following items were discussed:

Mr. Otterstein suggested a joint meeting might be held, to include the City Administrator, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Evansville Community Partnership and the Economic Development Committee, specifically to discuss follow-up to inquiries on behalf of potential new businesses. A written protocol for such activities was developed in the past, and Mr. Otterstein believes he has a copy available.
Chamber of Commerce President John Williams reported that the Chamber has set a priority for 2006 to revitalize the recruitment process for potential new businesses in Evansville, and reviewed programs existing in other locvalities. He observed that most communities assign a designated "point person" for new business inquiries, and also assign backup individuals. Mr. Williams agreed to attend next month's Economic Development Committee meeting for further discussion on this topic.
Mr. Berg suggested that the Committee might wish to interview parties that have made applications to the City to conduct business or otherwise engage in activities which would add to the tax base or to the local economy, so as to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the City's responses.
8. Contribution to expenses of street dedication event. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Williams asked the Economic Development Committee to reimburse the Chamber one-half of the cost of rental of a portable toilet utilized at the East Main Street dedication event, and advised the City Administrator had assured the Chamber that the City would make such payment. Bass moved, seconded by Arnold, to authorize the requested payment, subject to confirmation that funds are available and that a previously-agreed reimbursement of FFA expenses has taken place. Approved by voice vote.

9. Participation in Rock County Visitors Guide. Mr. Williams reported on the 2006 Rock County Visitors Guide, and asked the Economic Development Committee to continue its practice of contributing with the Chamber to the cost of Evansville's full-page entry in the Guide. Anderson moved, seconded by Otterstein, to contribute $475.00, from the Committee's 2006 budget, to pay for one-half of the cost of the Evansville page in the 2006 Visitors Guide. Approved by voice vote.

10. Report on proposed development project at 7 East Main Street. [Note: Mr. Berg stepped down from the committee for this agenda item.] Ed Francois reported to the Committee that a newly-formed partnership has negotiated an option to purchase the historic Economy Store, located at 7 East Main Street, and presently occupied by Dave's Ace Hardware. The partnership proposes to perform a historic restoration of the property; to develop the basement and first-floor levels as commercial space; and to construct up to 10 one-bedroom apartments on the second floor. The magnitude of the project will require significant public participation including TIF financing to the maximum permissible level; allocation of parking spaces in the municipal parking lot adjacent to the building; coordination of the City's Main Street reconstruction activities with those of the partnership's demolition and construction contractors; and cooperation in the staging of construction materi! als.

Committee members expressed strong and enthusiastic support for the project.

11. Adjournment. Arnold moved to adjourn, seconded by Bass. Approved by voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

John Decker, Member

Note: Committee minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent meeting.