Minutes: Economic Development: March 2007

CITY OF EVANSVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
5:30 p.m.

1. Roll call. The meeting was called to order by chair Wyse at 5:36 p.m. Present: Gene Bass, John Decker, Fred Juergens, Tony Wyse. Absent: Roger Berg, Cheryl Dickert, Dave Olsen, James Otterstein. Also present: Mayor Sandy Decker, City Administrator Dan Wietecha, Chamber of Commerce Promotions Director Bridgit Larsen, Judy Whalen.
2. Approval of agenda. The agenda, as distributed, was approved without objection.
3. Approval of minutes of February 20, 2007 regular meeting as printed. So moved by Juergens, seconded by Bass. Approved by voice vote.
4. Citizen appearances, other than on items listed below. None.

5. Update on City web site. The new City of Evansville web site is up and running. Fred Juergens has been doing most of the input, but will be shifting that work to City staff. A copy of the old web site software has been retained on CD.

Discussion was had as to adoption of policies for listing of privately-sponsored events. Fred Juergens will draft a proposed policy for the Evansville web site and bring it to the next meeting for consideration.

The City web camera has been installed at Union Bank & Trust Co., and will be in operation soon. Viewers will be able to acccess images via a link on the City's home page.

6. Economy Store CDBG update. Roger Berg has reported that the grants are pretty much in place.

7. Update on CDBG for additional streetscape funding. Foth has finalized the additional project costs, and will submit the grant request in the amount of $200,000.00.

8. Report from Downtown Reconstruction Task Force. John Decker advised that a second informational meeting will be held at Hagen Insurance to give business owners and operators an update on the project scope, sequence and schedules. The initial phase of the project, beginning approximately April 9, and running until approximately July 1, will entail underground construction only. Curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement, and street paving, will not start until after July, due in part to state funding restrictions. The overall project should be completed by November. Street and sidewalk segments will be kept open to traffic to the greatest extent possible.

The outdoor advertising program will begin April 1, and run through September 30. Four different billboard locations will be used. The direct-mail program will utilize the April, May and June Water & Light bill mailings (and possibly other means). The ad program has been paid for by the City's Economic Development Committee, the Chamber of Commerce, and various business owners.
The Task Force is meeting weekly, and is concentrating on detour route, signage and parking issues.

9. Discussion of business development summit. Judy Whalen presented a written proposal for facilitation of the proposed summit, including planning, preparation and follow-up services. The committee discussed the proposal and the advisability of having a professionally coordinated activity. Interrelationship with the anticipated Trade Market Analysis was discussed, along with potential project scope, timing and cost. Juergens moved, seconded by Decker, to have the City Administrator prepare a Request for Proposals and distribute same to potential service providers for a business development summit, with the proposals to be due in time for review at the next meeting of the committee. Approved by voice vote.

10. Review of Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund. Dan Wietecha informed the committee that the Revolving Loan Fund was initially established in approximately 1999, in connection with development of the Water Street Industrial Park. The fuund has not been used in recent years. He also distributed an undated document setting forth requirements for applications and permitted uses of funds. The committee will review the document in the interim, and have further discussion at next month's meeting.

11. Review of Allen Creek Redevelopment Master Plan. As an information item, Dan Wietecha advised the committee about the proposed plan, which would pertain to properties in the vicinity of the Main Street/Union Street intersection, and northward on Union Street.

12. Adjournment. Bass moved, seconded by Juergens, to adjourn to the next regular monthly meeting in April. Approved by voice vote at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Decker, Secretary