These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
APRIL 11, 2002
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:34 A.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Commission Members Lewis George, Scott Barnett, David Ryan, Sharon Craig, John Carroll and Alan Levesque, Richard Stoltz of Bartram & Cochran, and other interested parties.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 14, 2002
Mr. Carroll made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ryan and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2002 meeting as written.
III. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
The Commission members welcomed Scott Barnett as a new member of the Economic Development Commission.
IV. REPORTS
Mr. George reported on his conversation with Mr. Thomas Horan of the Main Street Partnership stating that the Partnership is currently advertising for the position of Director.
Mr. Richard Stoltz of Bartram & Cochran reviewed his written report
(Addendum I) highlighting contacts with a restoration, manufacturing and sales company, which currently has a building in town under contract; the inventory of Available Commercial Property in Simsbury; and comments from brokers, developers and landowners regarding current market conditions.
V. DISCUSSIONS
In response to Mr. Fergus Jensen's suggestions regarding the Route 185 bridge, Mr. Barnett said that the Design Review Board voted not to recommend the gray paint; and that consideration must be given to the ability to make visual rust inspections of the bridge when choosing a paint color.
Mr. Jensen said that the bridge is a major gateway to the Town and deserves a unique treatment.
Minutes
Economic Development Commission
April 11, 2002
Page 2
Mr. Michael Paine voiced his concerns regarding the Talcott Mountain Music Festival, stating that the Hartford Symphony is planning concerts in Windsor as well as Simsbury and that Simsbury will be in competition for attendance; that the concerts have an impact on economic development; and asked for the support of the Commission to ensure the success of the concert series.
Mr. Phillip Janes informed the Commission that the Symphony has a great deal of corporate support in Windsor and that Simsbury will have to support the Symphony administratively.
Mr. Carroll informed the Commission that a key reason for the purchase and development of the Iron Horse property was the Hartford Symphony.
The Commission discussed the economic impact of the Talcott Mountain Music Festival, the need to designate an individual(s) as a coordinator and marketer of the concerts, and the need to provide support for the Symphony.
Mr. Stoltz, said that last year, at the request of the First Selectmen, his company did a press release on the Talcott Mountain Music Festival from a business attraction standpoint, promoting it as one of the advantages of doing business in Simsbury.
VI. DISCUSSION OF PROJECT LEADER ASSIGNMENTS
Benchmarking - Mr. George reported on his meeting with Sandra Johnson of the Metro Hartford Alliance.
In response to Mr. George's questions, Mr. Stoltz said that at the present time there is no statewide effort to market the State of Connecticut but that requests for information regarding the Hartford area are passed along to the communities.
Mr. George said that, according to Ms. Johnson, Simsbury has not been as responsive as other towns in the area, regarding requests for information or in promoting the Town.
Mr. Barnett felt that the Economic Development Commission should be responsible for the oversight of the Town's responsiveness to requests.
Mr. George also said that Ms. Johnson said that there are Towns with "shovel ready" locations, which are already zoned and permitted for particular uses.
Minutes
Economic Development Commission
April 11, 2002
Page 3
Marketing - Mr. Levesque reported on the development of collateral material; his plans to contact existing businesses and business leaders; and a survey of web sites.
Ms. Craig said it is the Town's responsibility to develop and provide collateral information for the Hartford Growth Council for them to distribute in response to requests.
Mr. Stolz stressed that there needs to be sufficient information on the web as well as collateral information.
VII. DISCUSSIONS (continued)
Mr. Carroll stressed that the public be aware of the progress on the Plan of Development and exactly what the Planning Commission is discussing at each meeting to encourage participation.
Mr. Jensen felt that an outside consultant should be in charge of the Plan of Development in order to depoliticize the process.
Mr. Ryan said that the Planning Commission is reviewing the Implementation Plan step by step to bring the members "up to speed" on what has been done in the past; and that by law it is the responsibility of the Planning Commission to evaluate the land values throughout the Town and to address areas where values are decreasing.
Mr. Barnett informed the Commission that the town of Canton is considering creating "village districts" which formally divide towns for purposes of establishing different zoning regulations. Mr. Barnett also proposed that the Economic Development Commission draft the section on Economic Development for the Planning Commission.
Charity Folk, Executive Director of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, asked that the agenda of the Planning Commission be specific so interested individuals, boards and commissions are aware of what is being discussed.
Mr. Ryan said that at the present time, the planning Commission is committed to developing a schedule.
Ms. Folk said she would provide copies of current the Economic Development Section of the Plan of Development.
Minutes
Economic Development Commission
April 11, 2002
Page 4
Scott Barnett suggested that a member of the EDC attend the Government Affairs meetings on the second Tuesday of each month.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Ryan made a motion, seconded by Sharon Craig and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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ADDENDUM I
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