Minutes: Economic Development; Tues, May 16, 2006

CITY OF EVANSVILLE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Minutes

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Second Floor, Evansville City Hall

6:00 p.m.

1. Roll call. Present: Roger Berg, John Decker, Cheryl Dickert, Ald. Fred Juergens, Ald. Tony Wyse. Also present: Joe Bradley, Mayor Sandy Decker. Absent: Dean Arnold, Gene Bass, James Otterstein.

2. Approval of agenda. The committee reviewed the agenda dated May 16, 2006. Without objection, the agenda was approved.

3. Election of officers. The following committee officers were elected by acclamation: Chair, Tony Wyse; Vice-chair, Fred Juergens; Secretary, John Decker.

4. Approval of minutes. The committee reviewed the minutes of the April 25, 2006 meeting, as distributed. Without objection, the minutes were approved.

5. Citizen appearances, other than on items listed below. Joe Bradley reported that the Roller Rink property is now the subject of an accepted offer to purchase. The purchasers are the owners of the China Wok Restaurant, who plan to move the restaurant to the Roller Rink building after conducting a historic restoration of the building facade and other interior work. The work is tentatively scheduled during the Main Street reconstruction project. The committee discussed with Mr. Bradley the forms of financial assistance potentially available from the City and from the State of Wisconsin.

6. Report on WHEDA luncheon invitation. John Decker reported on an invitation to local lending officers and EDC members to attend a luncheon in Janesville on May 25, 2006, hosted by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Roger Berg expressed interest in attending on behalf of the committee.

7. Review of 1991 "First Impressions" survey. Mayor Sandy Decker distributed copies of th 1991 "First Impressions" survey of Evansville undertaken through the UW-Extension. The committeee plans to review the results of the survey in detail at the regular June meeting.

8. Motion to approve grant submittal(s) for Trade Market Analysis. Deferred. John Decker agreed to meet with City Administrator Connors to obtain clarification of the status of the Rural Development grant application and the likelihood that a competitive application can be submitted by the due date. Absent further action, the committee will not approve submittal of the application.

9. Discussion and possible recommendation re: TID #6. Deferred.

10. Discussion of committee organization and projects. Committee members briefly discussed the need for a special meeting to act on the Rural Development grant application, as well as the need for additional time at regular meetings.

11. Adjournment. Roger Berg moved to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. The motion was seconded and approved without objection.

Respectfully submitted,

John Decker, Secretary

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