Minutes: Economic Development: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006

CITY OF EVANSVILLE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

6:00 p.m.

1. Roll call. The meeting was called to order by chair Wyse at 6:05 p.m. Present: Gene Bass, Roger Berg, John Decker, Fred Juergens, James Otterstein, Tony Wyse. Absent: Cheryl Dickert, Dave Olsen. Also present: Becky Heimerl, John Morning, Mayor Sandy Decker.

2. Approval of agenda. Juergens moved, seconded by Berg, to approve the agenda as distributed. Approved by voice vote.

3. Approval of minutes of August 15 meeting. Deferred.

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

5. Presentation by Chamber of Commerce. Becky Heimerl and John Morning appeared on behalf of the Evansville Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber's Board of Directors has noted that several neighboring communities have identified a "go to" person who responds to inquiries of potential new businesses or industries. Evansville does not have such an individual, at least on any kind of formal basis. The Chamber is concerned that potential new businesses may be "lost" to other communities unless Evansville hires an "economic development czar."

Discussion ensued as to pending efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, the Evansville Community Partnership and the Economic Development Committee to coordinate activities in areas of mutual interest or concern. Several participants in the discussion suggested that ECP's interests were of a broader nature than those of the C of C and the EDC, and that the latter two entities were most appropriate for sponsorship of an economic development coordination function.

Mr. Otterstein pointed to Milton's recent resolution of its coordination issues: three of its community organizations, including its tourism board and chamber of commerce merged into a single entity. He urged consideration of a similar merger in Evansville. Mr. Bass responded that all three of Evansville's entities are experiencing a resurgence of interest and activity, and that merger discussions at the present time are premature and potentially counterproductive. Ms. Heimerl observed that the ECP is having its annual planning retreat this coming Saturday, and that the topic of a better partnership with the Chamber and the EDC is on the agenda; the Chamber is also committed to its own similar examination.

Mr. Wyse asked for elaboration on the type of position the Chamber was suggesting. He noted the delay and difficulties inherent in creating a new position on the City payroll. Mr. Otterstein suggested the City could engage an independent contractor, rather than an employee, to serve as coordinator. Mayor Decker proposed that any employment or engagement decision await the hiring of a new city administrator; that search is now under way. Mr. Berg responded that time is of the essence in view of new industrial development activities, and that an economic development coordiator should be found as soon as possible.

Mr. Morning said that the Chamber Board hoped that the EDC would be able to work out a cooperative arrangement on the subject, and that the retention of existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses were central to the Chamber's mission. Mr. Juergens responded, saying that the EDC was eager to assist the Chamber, but that a better understanding of how the function is to be fulfilled would be helpful to the discussion.

Mr. Decker observed that the EDC would like to have a more-specific proposal from the Chamber. The Chamber may want to consider how an economic development coordinator position would mesh with the Chamber's other administrative functions.

Juergens moved, seconded by Decker, to request the Chamber of Commerce to produce a position description for Economic Development Coordinator, and bring it to the next EDC meeting with a proposed budget. Approved by voice vote.

6. Status of ECP, C of C and EDC Coordination efforts. Ms. Heimerl referenced ECP's planning retreat, and said the Chamber has a similar activity under discussion. The Chamber remains committed to a joint planning session, but concurs with ECP's approach of self-evaluation of each organization as a useful first step.

7. Status of TID #6. Mayor Decker advised that a special meeting of the Common Council is scheduled for September 26, and that approval of TID #6 is on the agenda for that meeting. A meeting of the Joint Review Board, for its approval of TID #6, is scheduled for October 16.

8. Update on Streetscape/Bicycle Trailways grant application. Mr. Decker reported that Secretary of Transportation Frank Busalacchi was in Evansville on Monday, September 18 to present the City with a symbolic check in the amount of $398,800.00, representing the award of the full amount of Evansville's grant request. The Department of Commerce staff has approved the form of the income survey for a potential Community Development Block Grant for additional streetscape funding, and Jeff Farnsworth and Chris Eager are undertaking the work of the survey. In addition, private fundraising efforts have been renewed.

9. Update on Trade Market Analysis grant application. Mr. Otterstein reported that Department of Commerce staff had responded favorably to the initial proposal he had worked up for staff review. He will now develop and submit the final grant proposal for funding of a proposed trade market analysis. If the grant application is approved (possibly as early as October), a 25% local cash match will be required when the contract is let to the UW-Extension. The total budget for the TMA is $19,000.00, so the local match would be $4750.00. Mr. Otterstein cautioned that, in view of the number of CDBG grant applications under development from the Evansville community, it would be best to seek staff guidance as to the expected amount of overall CDBG funds during the current cycle. It may be necessary to prioritize the applications.

10. Discussion of committee organization, projects and budget. Brief discussion was had, due to the time constraint imposed by scheduled commencement of the monthly meeting of the Redevelopment Authority. Consensus was reached that a special meeting of the committee must be held next week to conclude this item of business. In addition, Mr. Wyse will inquire whether the Redevelopment Authority would be willing to exchange meeting times with our committee.

11. Possible project to inventory local industry for subcontracting needs. At the August meeting Mr. Olsen noted that local manufacturers may be interested in subcontracting certain processes to outside, local shops. Mr. Otterstein said that such an inventory would fit well within the proposed Trade Market Analysis, and that he will incorporate such a section in it.

12. Update on proposed biodiesel facility. Deferred.

13. Update on web site changes and maintenance. Mr. Bass reported on the contacts he has made with businesses capable of providing such services. The committee will need to decide what revisions to make to the web site before proceeding further on selection of a contractor. Mr. Juergens circulated a proposed outline for revisions to the site's organization, for ease of navigation. Mr. Bass and Mr. Juergens volunteered to serve on a subcommittee to propose web site changes and maintenance, and were so appointed by the chair.

14. Update on web based training session. Mr. Juergens reported that he and Mr. Decker participated in the initial training session at City Hall, and found the program to be informative and efficient. For those interested, the Power Point slides from the session are available online. The title of the program was "Chasing the Dollars or Funding the Vision." Our local attendees concluded that our committee has been guilty of the cart-before-horse sins suggested by the seminar title, but that conveyance and draft animal can be gotten back in proper sequence at next week's special committee meeting.

15. Adjournment. Whereupon, Berg moved, seconded by Juergens, to adjourn to a special meeting of the committee on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Approved by voice vote at 7:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

John Decker, Secretary

Note: Meeting minutes are not official until approved at a subsequent meeting of the committee.