HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC Meeting Minutes 04-30-10o~ P~o~ ~ Economic Development Advisory Committee
,~ ~ Meeting Minutes
Apri130, 2010
DRAFT
MINNES~~P
1. Call to Order:
Chair Howard called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Present were: Joe Passofaro, Terry Gutowski, William Henry, Mary Viereck, Sandi Fleck, Adam
Blahnik, Ron Ciminski, Bob Facente, Troy Presley, Deno Howard, Mike Myser, Danette Pais,
Frank Boyles.
2. Approval of March 26, 2010, Meeting Minutes.
The minutes of the February 26, 2010 meeting were approved.
3. Old Business
a. Revised Marketing Piece
The Committee received copies of the marketing piece for their use in retention and
recruitment interviews. The Committee generally thought the piece would be useful.
A suggestion was made to remove the label of "Captain Jack's" next time. Copies of
the piece will be available at the Chamber of Commerce, Library and City Hall.
b. Upcoming Business Events
Committee members were reminded about the DARE Bike-a-thou on May 8 and the
Senior Luncheon at the VFW on May 3.
c. Land Inventory
Danette reported that questionnaires were sent out to property owners to update the
information. This is an ongoing effort.
d. Previous Retention Interviews
Factual Information
The staff will check to see if we can migrate the data from Excel to Access to provide
amore dynamic data base.
Pro/Con List
Chair Howard asked if the list provided met the Committee's expectations. There was
agreement it does. Chair Howard suggested that the list can be used to update or
modify Committee objectives. She suggested that members focus on three or four
concerns for the next meeting.
There was discussion about whether new members should be considered now. The
consensus was that consideration of new members should wait until October and, in
the meantime, interested parties can be encouraged to attend.
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Joe Passofaro reported that the business he interviewed is concerned about the
Farmer's Market. It hampers their business on Saturday. They believe that downtown
stores are neutral or negative regarding the event and that. about five support it. They
believe the Farmer's market would be better located at Pleasant or Lakefront Patk.
4. Other Business
a. Sign Ordinance Update
Danette Parr reviewed the process through which the existing sign ordinance will be
amended. Staff already met with downtown businesses to get their priorities. The top
priorities appear to be sandwich board signs downtown, sign size and directional
signs. One of the biggest challenges is addressing State and County prohibitions of
signs in their rights of way. On May 10, the Planning Commission will have a work
session. In June, the Planning Commission will have a hearing. At the next EDAC
meeting, Danette wants to solicit signage input from the membership. She asked that
EDAC members email her with any observations they have made.
b. County Road 21 Alternate #3.
Danette Parr outlined alternatives #1 and #2 which largely use the same right of way
alignment for an expanded CR 21. A third option has been offered which pulls the
downtown together, creates more developable property in downtown for business and
parking and eliminates the pedestrian block. Bolton and Menk will prepare a cost
estimate for alternative #3 as well as design drawings. Quotes are also being solicited
for a study to evaluate the economic impact of the three options. Mayor Myser added
that the alignment issue must be addressed because so many other decisions depend
upon that. Joe Passofaro indicated that this decision is an important one for the
downtown. Terry Gutowski asked if the EDAC will have input. Danette Pan• stated
that, hopefully, they will at the next meeting.
5. Staff Update
a. Development Status Report
Danette Parr indicated that Defining Design is the newest business downtown. They
refurbish for reuse many household furnishings. Some discussion ensued regarding
Defining Design and Camille on rouge and whether both are compatible. Rosy Posey
will be moving to Crossroads. She also discussed the opening of Sonnet Montessori
and the tree removal on the property to be developed by Bradford. Mayor Myser
stated that the tree removal was possible due to a loophole in the ordinance.
6. New Business
a. Final retention and recruitment surveys were included for members in the packet.
b. Retention interviews -members volunteered to interview various businesses to
complete the downtown area. List to be updated to reflect this.
c. Recruitment inten~iews -the Committee agreed the need a list of businesses. Some
businesses listed are Palace Buffet, Vinery, Defining Design and Rosy Posey. Danette
Parr asked how the Committee will handle recruitment surveys between meetings.
d. List of downtown businesses was reviewed.
e. Business loss -deferred.
Next meeting: Thursday, May 27, 2020 from 7:30 - 9 a.m.