DATE: July 27, 2009
Members present: Marty Krueger, Al Dippel, Don Stevens, Joel Gaalswyck, Marcy Huffaker, Gerald Lehman, Kathy Zowin
Members absent: none
Others present: Kathy Schauf, Ashley Nedeau-Owen
The meeting was called to order and certification of Open Meeting compliance was given at 6:30 p .m. The agenda was approved on a motion by Zowin, second by Dippel, and a unanimous vote of the Committee.
Public Comment: None
Communications: Lehman brought forth information on rural grant opportunities from the USDA. Requested that at some point in the future a representative attend and present to the committee.
Business Items
Update on Merrimac Bridge Study . Ken Lucht has arranged for a site visit on July 17. Final portion of the bridge study will be conducted at that time. Preliminary and below water analysis show no immediate problems.
Update on Hilbert Communications agreement . Agreement is being finalized as technical details are being worked on. Timeline and build-out are being worked on cooperatively. Basic principles and MOU have been signed.
Consideration and discussion of EDA grant application . Discussed why a resolution did not move forward to the Board for approval. Environmental requirements have been waived. We will continue to work at resolving the issues with the application requirements. Project will be beneficial to Hilbert initiative and others looking to establish connectivity within the County. Motion by Zowin, second by Huffaker to forward to the Capital Improvement Projects Team. Motion carried.
Discussion and update on transportation sector initiative . Definition of transportation: The movement of people and goods. Discussion regarding future direction. Discussion of the variety of transportation needs and focused on targeting known needs. Krueger will invite Raphael Carbonera to join the committee at the next meeting to discuss what Thrive is doing regarding their assessment of assets, gaps and development of initiatives.
Overview of property inventory . Information was distributed for discussion at the next meeting.
Next meeting date: August 24, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. M otion by Stevens, second by Gaalswyck, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Zowin
Economic Development Committee Secretary