Minutes; Economic Development: November 21, 2006

CITY OF EVANSVILLE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

5:30 p.m.

1. Roll call. The meeting was called to order by chair Wyse at 5:33 p.m. Present: Gene Bass, Roger Berg, John Decker, Tony Wyse. Absent: Cheryl Dickert, Fred Juergens, Dave Olsen, James Otterstein. Also present: Jeff Farnsworth, Mayor Sandy Decker.

2. Approval of agenda. The agenda, as distributed, was approved without objection.

3. Approval of minutes of Octber 17, 2006 regular meeting. So moved by Decker, seconded by Berg. Approved by voice vote.

4. Citizen appearances, other than on items listed below. Jeff Farnsworth appeared on behalf of the owners of the Eager Building (old Ace Hardware) and displayed the drawings and specifications, which have been approved by the Department of the Interior for purposes of historic restoration. Project costs are $2,300,000.00, of which $330,000.00 was aquisition price.

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce will grant the City $300,000.00, of which $280,000.00 may be lent to the project developers for construction of the second floor apartments, and $20,000.00 may be used for grant adminstration. The Evansville Housing Authority will be able to administer. Mayor Decker reported that amounts repaid may be retained by the City for a revolving loan fund for future moderate-income housing projects.

5. Motion to approve expenditure from 2006 budget in the amount of $475.00 (or 1/2 of total cost) toward cost of the "Evansville" page in the Rock County Visitor's Guide. So moved by Decker, seconded by Bass. Approved by voice vote.

6. Motion to approve expenditure from 2006 budget in the amount of $850.00 (or 1/4 of total cost) toward the cost of reprinting the 4-color Evansville Visitor's Brochure. So moved by Bass, seconded by Decker. Approved by voice vote.

7. Discussion of a possible grant application for a "Community Development Block Grant - Public Facilities" for additional streetscape funding. Jeff Farnsworth reported on possible availability of Department of Commerce grant funding which may be available to assist in the funding of the 2007 Main Street reconstruction project. He and Chris Eager have completed the required survey of residents in the project area. John Decker has drafted a narrative for the application, which focusses on the handicapped acccessiblity and economic development aspects of the project.

Berg moved, seconded by Bass, to recommend to the Common Council the adoption of an authorizing resolution to accompany an initial application to the Department of Commerce for additional CDBG grant funding for the Main Street reconstruction project. Approved by voice vote.

8. Update on trade market analysis. Deferred.

9. Update on downtown promotional activity for Main Street reconstruction. John Decker reported that the advertising fund has received contributions and pledges to date of $3,775.00. Billboards have been contracted, and artwork is currently being drawn.

10. Report from Downtown Reconstruction Task Force. John Decker reported that the Task Force is considering a further promotional activity which would recruit community volunteers to assemble and distribute bags of printed materials developed by Downtown businesses in anticipation of the street reconstruction project. The Chamber and Evansville Community Partnership will be contacted to learn of interest in cosponsorship. Roger Berg suggested formation of a second Task Force to promote Main Street business opportunities which are anticipated once the reconstruction project is completed. The existing Task Force should continue to concentrate on promotion and problem-solving activities before and during the construction work. The second Task Force would concentrate on post-construction activities.

11. Initial review of Chapter 8 of Smart Growth Plan, "Economic Development." Tony Wyse distributed copies of Chapter 8 of the Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan, and observed that many of the recommendations pertaining to Downtown Evansville were being addressed by the Main Street project and the Reconstruction Task Force. Mayor Decker noted that preparation of an overall Economic Development Plan for the community was a Smart Growth goal. She suggested holding a day-long "economic summit" at the High School, to involve all segments of the Evansville business community in development of such a plan. Roger Berg said the time was right for such an activity, given the the Downtown activities, the creation of a new industrial/commercial district and the potential industrial developments on Landmark Services' property. He believes it is important to solicit participation by the full range of businesses, from day care centers to manufacturers. Tony Wyse suggested that Bert Stitt might be interested in serving as facilitator, and he will contact Bert to learn of his interest and availability. The potential schedule and agenda for the "summit" will be addressed at a future meeting of the committee, in anticipation of holding the session in March or April 2007.

12. Adjournment. Berg moved, seconded by Decker, to adjourn to the next regular monthly meeting in December. Approved by voice vote at 7:37 p.m.


Respectfully submitted,

John Decker, Secretary