Thursday, June 5, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
7:30 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson (arr @7:36), Barry Bertelsen, Don Brenengen, Steve Burgess, Vicki Burke, Joan Curran, Tara Johnson (exc/arr @7:40), Audrey Kader, Dennis Manthei, Tom Rauk, William Shepherd
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Mary Jo Werner
MEMBER ABSENT: John Wettstein
STAFF & GUESTS PRESENT: Brian Fukuda, Charlie Handy, Tim Kabat, Jennifer Kuderer, Greg Flogstad, Karl Green, Phil Hutchison, Paul Limberg, Jeff Wieser, Sharon Hampson, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Steve Doyle, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Manthei/Kader to approve minutes of May 1, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson and Werner excused; Ingvalson and Wettstein absent.
APPROVE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS
Charlie Handy reviewed the following four (4) check requisitions; staff concurs with payment:
MOTION by Burke/Curran to approve, as presented, the above noted check requisitions. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson and Werner excused; Ingvalson and Wettstein absent.
RESOLUTION RE CERTIFICATION OF FEDERAL EDA FUNDING REVOLVING LOAN FUND
MOTION by Manthei/Kader to approve the resolution. Brian Fukuda noted this as yearly requirement of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce/EDA for the Board to certify the Resolving Loan Fund (RLF) Administrative Plan and that the RLF is operated in accordance with the policies and procedures within the Plan. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson and Werner excused; Ingvalson and Wettstein absent.
COLLABORATION CONFERENCE 2008 SURVEY RESULTS AND FUTURE TOPICS
Brian reviewed. He noted a survey was completed by collaboration conference participants with feedback on sustainability and County’s role, including topics for future conferences. Some of the suggestions: 1) develop a sustainable business cluster, 2) develop a brochure on recycled paper, 3) provide government incentive for developing green buildings and help them to better understand. Suggested topics for future conferences: focus on economic development, poverty issues, transportation issues. Supervisor Kader suggested a preparedness plan in case of bridge closure(s) with best alternative route(s) and less impact.
APPROVE ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY FOR LA CROSSE SCHOLARSHIP PARTNERSHIP PROJECT
Brian noted there was a briefing on this subject at last month’s meeting. Based on Kalamazoo, Michigan Promise Program, which offers every student who resides in a specified area and graduates from one of three public high schools and meets certain minimum requirements, is eligible for a scholarship (up to 100%) for college tuition; it’s based on sliding fee scale based on number of years within the school system. The program started due to serious economic and social decline and funded by a large endowment setup by anonymous donors. In order to get similar program in La Crosse County, further investigation, including economic impact analysis, is needed; general agreement between the County, the City and La Crosse School District to solicit a Request for Proposal (RFP); the RFP was sent to various consultants and groups who might be interested. Two vendors returned proposals, those being from UpJohn Institute at a cost of $26,324 and Northstar Economics at a cost of $30,000. An evaluation team made up of staff from the County, City and School District, evaluated the two proposals based on qualifications & experience, understanding & approach to scope of work, and cost. The evaluation team recommends the procurement of UpJohn Institute based on highest score rating of 90 points; noted that they had experience with working with Kalamazoo and other areas. Pointed out that the County, City and School District would pay $5,000 each with balance coming from other non-profits and businesses. Also noted that Northstar received a rating of 70 points. MOTION by Burke/Ingvalson to approve the RFP as submitted by UpJohn Institute in amount of $26,324, of which $5,000 will be paid from La Crosse County Economic Development budget, Special Projects account. Discussion followed. Steve Burgess noted Northstar is WI based. Steve O’Malley and Charlie reviewed the scoring process. Motion carried unanimously; Werner excused; Wettstein absent.
LAKEVIEW BUSINESS PARK PROJECT UPDATE
Brian noted the EDA finally gave approval and the Village can now proceed with advertising for bids for their new water tower project and the County for its rail project. Bill said the issue was with getting an agreement with Soo Line and the EDA was uncomfortable with Soo Line being able to terminate the agreement if the County failed to meet obligations; the County had to convince EDA that the rail is critical for future of all properties in the business park. Supervisor Kader noted the Park Development Review Board has met and realizes the need to changes the covenants relating to fencing and lighting; plan to meet again in September and they welcome board input.
At this time questions on status of La Crosse Footwear. Jenny noted LADCO, City and County staff worked long and diligently on retaining La Crosse Footwear. At the end, could not compete with incentives being offered to them. Also noted the State does not offer incentives for distribution centers. Charlie noted a lot was learned from the process. Joan Curran asked if the “lessons learned” could be shared with the board at a future meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF REFILLING THE TRENCH ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE MARSHVIEW PROPERTIES SITE
Charlie reviewed, noting at the last two meetings, the board approved the abandonment of the temporary storm sewer easement as located on the Amerhart property on which Amerhart will be paving the area. The temporary overflow ditch was refilled. Amerhart and County staff were not satisfied with the refilling of that trench as done by Badger Environmental and as inspected by Foth. Representatives of Amerhart and Wieser Bros. were present. Charlie used a large map to show the area in question and noted concern with compaction of the type of soils. Badger put the soils in without proper compaction or couldn’t get compaction due to moister levels, etc., and they were trying to meet a May 15 deadline.
Brian handed out an informational sheet that showed the cost for additional work to remove the soils, refill with dry dirt and compact, and inspected by engineer during construction for total estimated cost of $8,300. Charlie noted concern with Foth, as the County & village engineer, and concern with the main contractor (Badger) in relation to their work on this particular project, but at the same time the County wants to be good stewards to Amerhart to make sure this is done correctly. Doyle asked if quality control is stated in the contract agreements; Bill offered to check this out. MOTION by Shepherd/Johnson to approve the refilling of the trench on the east side of the Amerhart property, as presented, in an amount not to exceed $8,300, and authorize staff to negotiate a lesser amount based on contractual agreements. Motion carried unanimously; Werner excused; Wettstein absent.
CONSIDERATION OF RELOCATING THE UTILITY LATERALS TO THE MARSHVIEW PROPERTIES SITE
Charlie reviewed. Based on the developers agreement, the County provides utility laterals to the center of property lines; this obligation was met. Because of the Amerhart site layout, they have requested a different layout based on their utility needs. Jeff Wieser noted the need for the location change. Estimated cost of $16,500 to relocate the utility laterals to the Amerhart site, though this is not recommended by staff. MOTION by Bertelsen/Ingvalson to deny the request to relocate the utility laterals to the Amerhart property. Motion carried unanimously; Werner excused; Wettstein absent.
AGENCY REPORTS
LADCO – Jenny Kuderer noted they are planning the next Developers Day as co-sponsored with the County and City. The annual Industry Appreciation Breakfast and Promotion Day are planned for July 16, and the next Economic Forum is planned for September 17, with focus on the Airport and future air trends.
NEXT MEETING
Joint meeting with West Salem Village Board on Thursday, July 10 at 8:00 a.m. at the Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library in West Salem, followed by tour of the Lakeview Business Park. Steve Burgess suggested inviting the park business owners to the meeting to make brief presentations.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Rauk/Kader to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Werner excused; Wettstein absent. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder