Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library – West Salem
8:00 a.m.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Doyle, Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Barry Bertelsen, Don Brenengen, Steve Burgess, Vicki Burke, Joan Curran, Tara Johnson (exc/arr @8:15), Audrey Kader (arr @8:05), Dennis Manthei, Tom Rauk, William Shepherd, John Wettstein
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Mary Jo Werner
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
VILLAGE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Manthei, Diana Engel, Merlin Wehrs (arr @8:08)
VILLAGE BOARD EXCUSED: Helen Harold and Jim Leicht
VILLAGE BOARD ABSENT: Harold Hoffman II and J. Terry Hanson
STAFF & GUESTS PRESENT: Charlie Handy, Teresa Schnitzler, Jennifer Kuderer, Karl Green, Jim Brickl (Select Truss/Brickl Bros.), Carl Colsch (Kenrich Foods), Dan Pogreba (Select Truss), Tom Hanchette (Identity Works), Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Steve Doyle, County Economic Development Fund Board President, called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Introductions were made. No quorum present of the West Salem Village Board.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Manthei/Burke to approve minutes of June 5, 2008. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson and Werner excused; Kader absent.
APPROVE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS
Charlie Handy reviewed the following two (2) vouchers/check requisitions; staff concurs with payment:
MOTION by Burke/Rauk to approve, as presented, the above noted check requisitions. Motion carried unanimously; Johnson and Werner excused; Kader absent.
WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO BUSINESS OWNERS
Chairman Doyle thanked the business owners in Lakeview Business Park for attending the meeting and asked for comments relating to their business activities, etc.
Dan Pogreba (Select Truss) – Great location; business is down due to slower construction, but still maintaining business with the business and agriculture markets; currently have one shift - used to have 2 shifts.
Jim Brickl (Select Truss/Brickl Bros.) – Market down due to rising fuel costs; farm market is good.
Carl Colsch (Kenrich Foods) – Moved in the park two years ago; business has grown but not as fast as expected due to the economy; interstate access has helped.
Tom Hanchette (Identity Works) – Great park and location; business doing OK and keeping optimistic.
Additional Comments – Steve O’Malley noted the nice entrance into the park. Dennis Manthei also noted 250 employees working for Sprint - two shifts in the former Northern Engraving building; local businesses are seeing ripple effects.
LAKEVIEW PROJECT UPDATE
Charlie noted the voluntary tour of the business park following today’s meeting. Badger is finishing the 1700 feet of extension as needed for Amerhart’s construction. River Steel is almost done with their landscaping. Will receive bids on July 17th for the Fall railroad project and the Village water tower project is planned for completion by next Fall. There’s been a lot of interest in the park this past month.
MARKETING ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Charlie noted staff is working on a promotional flyer, in particular relating to sustainability for La Crosse County and looking for “green” businesses to move into the park. The economic development professionals group are pooling their resources and putting together a marketing package; currently working on a marketing display booth. Developers’ Day is Wednesday, July 16, in conjunction with LADCO’s Industry Appreciation Breakfast.
Teresa Schnitzler noted the promotional CD that the BluGroup prepared last year is now placed on the West Salem Business Association’s website - http://www.westsalemwi.org/.
COUNTY FARM MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Charlie noted Schreiber Anderson, the consulting firm, is still working on the draft master plan. Plan to present it at the August meeting.
AGENCY REPORTS
West Salem Economic Development Committee – Dennis Manthei noted for several years now they have applied for a grant from Pathways, but keep getting turned down. Audrey Kader suggested more focus on pedestrian/bicycle trails. Steve O’Malley suggested County staff meet with Village officials to brainstorm ideas that can be used in future grant applications.
Others – Jenny Kuderer noted LADCO’s Industry Appreciation Breakfast is July 16 in conjunction with Developers’ Day. Chairman Doyle noted members of the Economic Development Fund Board may attend with registration fees paid by the County.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Curran/Rauk to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Werner excused. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m. Members of the Economic Development Fund Board, West Salem Village Board, and interested others were invited to tour the Lakeview Business Park.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder