These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes please contact the Town Clerk's office.

REGULAR MEETING

APRIL 13, 2000

1. CALL TO ORDER

Jeff Blumenthal, Chairman, called the regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission to order at 7:32 a.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: David Ryan, John Levy, Bill Sweeney, Ron Eisen and Carol Cole. Ms. Latz arrived at 7:36 a.m. and departed at 8:34 a.m. Ms. Winship arrived 7:38 a.m. Also present were: William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development, Dick Stoltz, MBIA Bartram & Cochran, Joyce Howard, Tourism Committee, and Ferg Jansen.

Chairman Blumenthal requested that the June 8th meeting be changed to June 15th.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

March 9, 2000 Special Meeting

Mr. Levy moved to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2000 Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ryan and carried unanimously.

3. FUNDING APPROVALS SOUGHT

MBIA Bartram & Cochran Proposal

Mr. Sweeney moved to approve the MBIA contract, for consulting services, dated March 13, 2000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ryan.

Mr. Sweeney questioned whether there is overlap with the work done by Mr. Voelker and Ms. Mielert. Mr. Ryan stated that there is some overlap, but they need the consultant to determine the 5 or 6 key players. Chairman Blumenthal stated that the BOS and EDC members could also attend the meetings if they are interested. Mr. Sweeney suggested that the meetings operate as business person to business person, without politicians involved, so the businessmen will talk off of the record. Chairman Blumenthal noted that Simsbury needs development of Class A office space and they need to take steps to turn around the perception that Simsbury isn't business friendly. Mr. Stoltz noted that the list in the contract is preliminary and can be modified. Ms. Winship suggested that it is best to have an expert involved, and not a Town committee. Mr. Voelker stated that there is minor overlap, but he doesn't have the time to go on business visitations and there is an advantage to having a neutral party involved.

Mr. Levy moved the question. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sweeney and carried unanimously. The vote to approve the MBIA contract, dated March 13, 2000, was unanimous. The motion carried.

Refreshments for Facilitated Session

Chairman Blumenthal suggested that a light dinner be served.

Ms. Winship moved to authorize the Chairman to allow the First Selectman to pay for refreshments for the facilitated session out of the EDC budget, up to $500. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cole and carried unanimously.

4. REPORTS

Bill Voelker, Director, Community Planning and Development

Mr. Voelker stated that the decisions on the Meadowood project will be completed by the end of April. He noted that there is a possibility that the process will continue and some options may need to be decided. Mr. Voelker reported that a 15,000 square foot office building is proposed near the Spice Market. He stated that the building will be 2 stories and will have 1 tenant.

In response to Ms. Winship, Mr. Voelker discussed the role of an intervenor in the application process. He stated that during the Meadowood process the relationship between the citizens and the Town has been good and the commissions have worked well together. He noted the comments made by the Design Review Board Chairman to the Zoning Commission regarding design criteria for the site.

Ms. Winship questioned the status of the post office lease. Mr. Voelker confirmed that the lease will soon be up for renewal, but the Town has had no dialogue with the postal service. He suggested that this is an issue for Main Street. Chairman Blumenthal stated that a new post office for Simsbury is not in the postal service's 5 year capital plan.

Mr. Jansen questioned whether Ensign Bickford's proposal for a hotel in Avon was ever brought to Simsbury. Mr. Voelker stated that he has not had discussions regarding the building of a hotel in the past 2 years. Mr. Jansen suggested that the boards need to help with the Town's image. Mr. Voelker noted that it is difficult to market the Powder Forest due to its location. He stated that Ensign Bickford is considering construction of a cell tower. Mr. Voelker stated that during a meeting with the Siting Council it was determined that the Powder Forest is one of the best locations for a cell tower, but Ensign Bickford doesn't want to compromise the developability of the Powder Forest. Chairman Blumenthal noted that if a cellular company applies for a tower it diminishes the commission's power and would involve the Siting Council.

Dick Stoltz, MBIA Bartram & Cochran

Mr. Stoltz distributed and reviewed his report (Addendum 1). He discussed BIO 2000, a financial services firm seeking 200,000 square feet of office space in the area, and the termination of the CVS lease. Mr. Stoltz summarized the comments from landowners obtained during the inventory process. Mr. Voelker stated that access to staff in the Planning Department is never a problem and staff will advise potential applicants of items which are unlikely to be approved. He stated that the timing through the land use process is efficient and within the constraints of State Statutes. Chairman Blumenthal suggested that they discuss ways to change landowners perception of Simsbury. Mr. Stoltz noted that residents may want to pay higher taxes and keep things the way they are, but businesses do not want to pay higher taxes.

5. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

Business Attraction, Retention, Expansion (& Business Visitation): Dave, Bill, John

*Blue Ribbon Commission

Mr. Sweeney distributed his proposal for a Blue Ribbon Commission.

Ms. Winship moved to approve, in principal, the Blue Ribbon Commission proposal. The motion was seconded by Mr. Levy.

Mr. Sweeney noted the functions which will need to take place to put the Blue Ribbon Commission together. He suggested that Chairman Blumenthal be the program Chair. Mr. Levy stated that they will receive a list of 11,000 CEO's in the Greater Hartford area on paper and they will need to par this list down to a group of 50 invitees after cross-referencing with the voter registration list. Mr. Eisen suggested that they try to obtain a listing on disk from CBIA.

Ms. Winship suggested that they consider Westminster School as the location. Ms. Cole volunteered to be the Breakfast Chair. Chairman Blumenthal stated that Oz Griebel is willing to participate. Mr. Sweeney suggested that they schedule the event for September. Ms. Cole suggested that they implement a time period for a participant's term, which could be extended. She also suggested that the EDC send a mailing of commercial properties available and what is happening in town to the Blue Ribbon Commission members.

The vote was unanimous. The motion carried.

6. FACILITATED SESSION AMONG BOS, BOF, PLANNING, ZONING, DESIGN REVIEW AND EDC

Chairman Blumenthal reviewed the agenda for the facilitated session. Ms. Winship pointed out that the EDC's goal is to reduce taxes. Mr. Sweeney noted that there is not a lot of land in town to develop. Mr. Jansen suggested that the commissions need to focus on their authority and not go beyond their authority. He noted that it is okay to say they want someone's business.

7. NEW MATTERS

Ms. Howard presented her request for $680 to print 10,000 brochures promoting the farms in Simsbury. She stated that last year the Tourism Committee printed 5,000 of these brochures and they are all gone.

Mr. Ryan moved to approve the expenditure of $680 from the EDC budget for the printing of 10,000 tourism brochures promoting the farms in Simsbury. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sweeney and carried unanimously.

8. ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Winship moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 a.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Levy and carried unanimously.