Thursday, February 1, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
7:30 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Steve O’Malley, George Hammes, Barry Bertelsen, Don Brenengen, Vicki Burke, Judy Fuchsteiner, J. Terry Hanson, William Shepherd, John Wettstein, Audrey Kader, Mary Jo Werner (arr @7:35/exc @9:07), Brad Pfaff (arr @7:38), and Gary Ingvalson (arr @ 7:47)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Tara Johnson
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Jennifer Kuderer, Karl Green, Jan Gallagher, Jerry Hanoski, Greg Flogstad, Jason Gilman, Tim Brennan, Marcos Fredrick, and Cheryl Stephen
Chairman Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Hanson/Burke to approve meeting minutes of January 4, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused; Werner, Pfaff, and Ingvalson absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS
No vouchers needing board approval for this month.
UPDATE ON MARKETING/SALES ACTIVITIES
Brian Fukuda noted West Salem is hosting a Business Expo on Sunday, March 18th at the West Salem High School; the County plans to have a booth at a cost of $20; inform the community what’s happening at the Lakeview Business Park and promote the park. Barry Bertelsen suggested brochures on the revolving loan fund also be available at the booth.
In addition to the previously printed county-wide marketing booklet that was done last year, staff would like to do a one-page, possibly double sided, folded piece on just the Lakeview Business Park; this would be used as a professional marketing piece for just the park. The Blu Group did a fantastic job on the county-wide booklet and is willing to do additional marketing tools such as brochures and business-card type DVDs. There is $70,000 in the park development budget for marketing, and also noted per County purchasing ordinance, can purchase services/items at $10,000 or less without an RFP process and also the ability to sole source purchase. MOTION by Kader/Burke to approve up to $5,000 for purchase of promotional materials for the Lakeview Business Park. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused; Pfaff and Ingvalson absent.
At this time, Supervisor Terry Hanson noted the Village of West Salem needs to add a water tower in the area of the business park; need from 1-2 acres and the ideal site is east of the cemetery, north of Garland Street; the Village may request purchase of land at a reduced cost based on need and benefit to the business park and community. Charlie noted these types of expenses are TIF eligible at 12% and are in the TIF Plan; also waiting on EDA grant . General agreement to have Village staff work with County staff and bring back a proposal at a future meeting. Informational at this time.
REVIEW STAFF WORK PLAN and
WHAT IS COUNTY ROLE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and
GOAL SETTING – POLICY INFLUENCE GOALS AND ACTIVITY FACILITATION GOALS
Brian noted a copy of the staff work plan that was prepared for 2006 was sent with the agenda; staff was busy and progress was made on many; some will remain as on-going and staff will be preparing a new work plan for 2007 and additional items for their work plan will be based on committee goals.
Regarding County Role in economic development, staff asked committee for input. Steve O. said what county staff tries to do is to add value in relation to the other related organizations, such as LADCO, 7 Rivers Region, Downtown Mainstreet, City Planning Depts., etc. Chairman Doyle asked if there were any known gaps. O’Malley said per his perspective, there is gap in the area of housing and how that impacts development, and the need for mediator when a business needs to expand and it moves from one municipality to another. Charlie noted huge gap in rural and agricultural development. Brian agreed and also noted the importance of being a resource for the Towns. Suggestion to send a staff person to future Chamber sponsored legislative trip. In meantime, staff will work on 2007 work plan and will bring to future committee meeting.
Kader noted possibility of many home-based businesses in the County and concern regarding issues with zoning and how that affects economic development and fairness. She suggested to include in the goals, “education” – need to development an on-going relationship with the schools. Chairman Doyle asked how home businesses are handled. George Hammes, as Chair of Planning, Resources and Development Committee, noted by 2010, there needs to be consistency; currently not all decisions are consistent. Charlie noted currently over 750 conditional use permits in the unincorporated areas of the County; an employee is currently reviewing each as to validity. The City of Onalaska has an ordinance that if the in-home business does not have a negative affect on the neighborhood, then it’s not illegal and there’s not an issue of fairness. George said a time limit needs to be placed on conditional use permits. Greg Flogstad suggested another goal title of “transportation/telecommunications”. Any additional input can be emailed to Brian or Charlie. Chairman Doyle suggested a draft final version be emailed to the members within next couple of weeks asking for input prior to the next meeting.
AGENCY REPORTS
City of Onalaska – Jason Gilman, City of Onalaska Land Use and Development Director, distributed two informational sheets, one pertaining to “Recent Developments Influencing Onalaska’s Waterfront/Downtown Area” and the other “Menards Master Plan/Strategies for Development”. Jason reviewed in detail – some highlights as follows:
· City acquired 47 acres along the waterfront – securing public access from Great River Road to the waters edge.
· City entered into agreement with DOT to reconstruct State Highway 35 for water view enhancement – start 2010.
· In 2007, City appropriated $100,000 for a comprehensive waterfront/downtown master plan.
· Relocate Onalaska Tourism Center at junction of Great River Road and I90 by 2010.
· Re the Menards/Elmwood properties, total area is 275 acres of which 100 acres is developable land area. There were many requests for smaller developments, but the City determined the need for a future plan of the area so a 3-way partnership developed.
· The City provides the technical support for streamline review process and create financing strategies, such as TIF, lease revenue bonds, etc.
· Currently, six development companies looking at it. Timeframe is 1-3 years.
LOAN APPLICATION FROM RIVER STEEL
Tim Brennan, partner of River Steel, Markos Fredrick, Associated Bank Loan Officer, and Greg Flogstad, MRRPC, were present to review the loan application, River Steel business plan, and business initiatives relating to strong steel industry; the steel demand looks strong to 2015-2020. The current business will remain in Town of Campbell and the expansion project includes a 120’ x 360’ building, which includes 2-story office area, at the Lakeview Business Park to be occupied by the end of 2007; has committed to 38 new jobs over 3 years with hourly rate at $19.00/hour or better plus benefits. Noted that WTC offers an excellent training program in this line of work and there’s been no recruitment problems. Miscellaneous questions and answers.
CLOSED SESSION (8:47 a.m.)
MOTION by Ingvalson/Burke to enter into closed session pursuant to s. 19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats., deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, to wit: loan application from River Steel and discuss negotiations with prospects in Lakeview Business Park Phase 1B. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused.
OPEN SESSION (9:08 a.m.)
MOTION by Kader/Bertelsen to reconvene to open session. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson and Werner excused.
REPORTED CLOSED SESSION ACTION
MOTION by Werner/Fuchsteiner to approve a $200,000, 20-year loan to River Steel at 6% interest with a 5-year balloon. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson excused.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, February 27th at 3:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Hanson/Burke to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson and Werner excused. The meeting adjourned at 9:14 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder