ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES
May 10, 2007
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at timeMinute37Hour77:37 AM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Chairman Louis George and Commission members PersonNameNancy Haase, David Balboni, Mark Deming, Jon Barney, Alan Levesque, Thomas Rechen and Charles Minor were present as well as other interested parties.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The following corrections and additions were made to the dateMonth4Day12Year2007April 12, 2007 minutes.
Page 2, Reports – Paragraphs 5 & 6 – Correct addressStreetMain Street President to: Nancy Felanger. Correct new Main Street Board Member to: Melissa Brett (Welden Hardware)
Commissioner Rechen made a motion to approve the minutes from the EDC meeting held on dateMonth4Day12Year2007April 12, 2007, with the above changes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Balboni and passed unanimously.
III. KONOVER UPDATE
Lou reported that there is no update to report on the Konover Project.
IV. DISCUSSION
WIFI – Commissioner Levesque reported on the placeCityNewton, StateMA WIFI conference that he plans to attend. Jeff Vose of MHA also plans to attend. The cost for Alan to attend will be $325, plus accommodations (if he attends both days). Jeff indicated that Alan could apply for a MHA Scholarship to help offset the cost of attendance.
An update will be provided to the EDC at the meeting following the conference.
Alan will pursue discussion with Hiram Peck regarding the IT Master Plan.
Website – What data is currently available and what data is needed on the Website was discussed. This discussion was generated by comments and questions that came up at the Business Owners Breakfast regarding what properties were available in Town. This data was at one point maintained by addressStreetMain Street. Jeff Vose reported on a service (Site Finder) that can be coordinated through the MHA. The challenge is the ability to gather and accurately maintain the data. The cost is $550. minus 25% for MHA members. Lou asked Jon Barney to help Tom Rechen develop a list of available properties. placeCityNancy will contact Sarah at addressStreetMain Street to see if she can obtain a copy of the last list that existed.
The EDC will vote on adding Site Finder to the website at a future meeting.
Nancy asked that Natalie @ MHA contact Rick Bazzano to discuss what needs to occur if a decision is made to add Site Finder to the Town’s website.
Jeff Vose commented that the easiest and best way to expand the website is to add additional links.
V. REPORTS
Selectman Update – Dave Ryan provided updates to the EDC on the following:
Public Hearing regarding the proposed Fees Ordinance that will take place next Monday.
Ferg Jansen commented that the Planning Commission voted 5 to 1 against approving the Fees Ordinance in its current form. He also indicted that he felt that it represented a big economic development issue.
addressStreetMain Street – Sara Floroski provided the EDC with an update on the following addressStreetMain Street activities:
Sarah, Rich Correia and Bob Stevens attended a symposium on downtown design and the redevelopment of downtowns. placeCityDarien was used as a model. It was an excellent session. One of the best, most interesting presentations was a Parking Lot Study that highlighted placePlaceNameWest Hartford PlaceTypeCenter, Avon etc. Excess parking was an item that was highlighted and is something that placeCitySimsbury should think about.
The Main Street Awards ceremony will take place at the Gilson Theatre in Winsted on June 11th. Sarah will be awarded the Main Street Executive Director of the State.
TMM Festival is moving forward. At least five dates are scheduled for this year, with more planned. Some additional highlighted midweek concerts are Allison Krause and placeStateKansas. It will be a busy summer for Simsbury Meadows. Area restaurants are planning to offer concert specials.
Second annual sidewalk sale is planned for July 20th and 21st.
Main Street is applying for a supplemental state CLG grant for $30,000 that will be used to match the Preserve America federal money that has been applied for a already.
The Preserve America Gala will be held on June 1st at the Simsbury Inn at timeHour17Minute305:30 PM. This Gala will kick off the Heritage Tourism Campaign.
addressStreetMain Street has requested money from the Town through the EDC for $3,000 for the Happy Birthday Simsbury Banners. These banners will be utilized on an ongoing annual basis.
After discussion amongst the Commission members regarding the EDC’s current available funds, Commissioner Haase made a motion to approve the $3,000 request from addressStreetMain Street for the banners. Lou clarified the motion to state that every effort will be made to pay the $3,000 in this fiscal year but, it may be necessary to pay a portion in the following fiscal year. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barney and was unanimously passed.
Commissioner Barney made an additional motion to approve the Sight Finder website fee of $550 (minus 25% discount from MHA). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levesque and was unanimously passed.
Discussion ensued regarding the maintenance of the list on the Site Finder site. PersonNameSarah Floroski indicated that Rick Bazzano has already agreed to maintain the site if he is fed the updated information.
Diane Nash asked why only available properties currently offered by brokers are being listed. Why can’t we see what is zoned commercial and then go to the property owners and ask if they want to be listed as available and then include them on the site? Lou responded that currently this is done and it is found that many property owners do not want to be listed as available. PersonNameSarah Floroski was in agreement with this response.
Director of Community Planning and Development Update – Hiram Peck reported that the Fees Ordinance was discussed with the Chamber and a number of comments were made regarding points that require clarification. Hiram will be discussing these items with the Town’s Attorney so that the questions can be addressed at the Public Hearing. Hiram gave examples of areas of the ordinance that require clarification.
The Commission discussed the ordinance with Hiram and each member formulated an opinion. Questions that were raised included:
JB - What other towns have implemented an Ordinance of this type? HP - Of the seven surrounding towns, five have fees ordinances of varying length and complexity.
LG – Who will decide if the request for fees goes to BOS for resolution? HP - The Commission(s) that is making the decision will decide if there is a need for the application to go to BOS for approval of the peer review. Safeguards have been built in to prevent abuse.
DB - Why can’t this process be handled informally without an ordinance? HP - The process can easily fall apart when done on an informal basis. Fees may not get paid and the costs can ultimately become the responsibility of the Town.
DB – How are fees determined? HP – It depends on the application and the fees are set from a list determined and approved by the Selectmen.
MD – Should there be a definition of peer review vs. new study included in the ordinance? HP – Yes
JB – How can we be assured that this ordinance will not be abused by a Commission member to stall or stop a project? HP – Need for a peer review would first be determined, then a scope of work would be set, then it would go to the BOS for approval. The consultant hired to perform the peer review would be held to the constraints of what was approved.
NH – Who sets the scope of the work required? HP – Hiram would perform this function. If the BOS wanted a change he would have the ability to make recommendations.
MD – Is the fee structure well known in Planning circles. HP – yes, relatively speaking, fee structures for like services are similar and consultant’s fees should be fairly consistent for the same study. We would be careful to select consultants carefully.
After hearing the responses from Hiram Commission members were asked by Chairman George to make comments and formulate an opinion on the ordinance. The following reflect each member’s opinion and comments:
Dave Balboni – Not in favor of the ordinance. Hasn’t heard any examples of where the current process isn’t working. Why do we need a peer review?
Chuck Minor – In favor of the ordinance. Feels that a formalized process is important to protect both parties. Likes new draft better then the first. Likes the checks and balances.
Tom Rechen – Not in favor of the ordinance. Mistake to set long term policy based on a few large, emotionally charged projects that are currently being reviewed. This is another hurdle and expense that we are placing in front of potential developers. Town staff is responsible, intelligent and well educated. These individuals should be allowed to do their job and make good decisions. The ordinance as drafted needs to have the concept of peer review added. The concept of large and complex project also needs to be more clearly defined.
PersonNameNancy Haase – Not in favor of the ordinance. Agrees with comments made by Tom Rechen.
Mark Deming - Not in favor of the ordinance. The concept of peer review should be added to the ordinance and the town must share in the cost of it so that they have a vested interest in the process.
Jon Barney – Not in favor of the ordinance. This is over legislating something that doesn’t need it. There is still potential for abuse. Makes placeCitySimsbury a less desirable place for developers to do business. Take out 150% language.
Alan Levesque - Not in favor of the ordinance. Concerned about slippery slope. Why not add to staff instead of adding this ordinance. If adopted he hopes that funds can be used to hire a Part-time Economic Development Coordinator.
Public Comment:
Ferg Jansen – Agrees with Chuck’s comments on fees. Feels Tom Rechen’s comments should be presented to BOS.
Bob Stevens, EBR – Agrees with Tom Rechen's comments and made additional comments regarding the definitions of Administrative and Legislative approvals. As a developer he is not opposed to peer review as long as the process is not used as a vehicle to be able to turn a project down, using the applicant’s money. A way to safeguard against this type of abuse would be to refund the applicant’s money if the application is ultimately denied.
Dave Ryan, Selectman - Questioned why last August Tony Giorgio was asked to hold his application because there was going to be a zone change? Hiram responded that many conversations have occurred with this applicant and that they have been told that they are free to move forward with their application, but that in order to do that they would have to develop the regulation on their own. The process is time consuming and should be done within the next 60 days.
Bob Stevens, EBR – He indicated that he didn’t feel that the ordinance was ready to go to Public Hearing.
Lou Geroge – Not in favor of the ordinance. Agrees with Tom Rechen’s comments. It sends the wrong message from a town that is clearly already at a disadvantage and it undercuts the recent economic development accomplishments. The new draft of the ordinance has improved but, he still feels that the introduction of this ordinance is a reaction to the two large projects that are currently under consideration. He still feels a slippery slope exists.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rechen to oppose the ordinance in concept and as written and he added that the EDC should include a message that reiterates the comments that were expressed today that explain why the EDC is opposed to the ordinance and why they do not feel it is right for Simsbury at this time. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barney. The vote was 7 to 1 in support of the motion. The following Commissioners voted to support the motion: George, Haase, Balboni, Rechen, Barney, Deming and Levesque. Commissioner Minor voted to oppose it.
Commissioner George will compose a letter to Tom Vincent and the PersonNameBoard of Selectmen, from the Commission and it will go out today, May 10th.
Lou or Tom Rechen will try to attend the next PersonNameBoard of Selectmen meeting to represent the Commission.
Project review
Business Owners Breakfast – It was reported that 50+ people attended. Jeff Vose gave a well received presentation after Lou opened the event. Feedback was good. The EDC felt that the event accomplished what was intended, and was a good start towards their goal of connecting with and reaching out to the local business community. Comments indicating that there was more that could be done to encourage economic development, i.e. updating the website etc.
Overall it was a good effort on the part of the EDC members and an event that should be revisited in the future.
placeCityNancy expressed thanks to addressStreetMain Street for moving their meeting, for their attendance at the event and for their continued support of the EDC.
Developers Day –Tom Rechen reported that the plans for this event are being finalized. This event will showcase selected available placeCitySimsbury commercial and industrial properties with a presentation and a tour. He has been working with Jeff Vose of MHA. Dates in early June are being discussed, as well as a list of invitees and what properties will be identified. The event will begin at Evergreens restaurant at the Simsbury Inn @ timeHour9Minute09:00 with a continental breakfast (cost to EDC $8.25 pp - $310. total) provided, following a brief presentation, there will be an approximately 1 hour bus tour of the selected sites. Presenters will be Tom Vincent, Lou George. There is a door prize and raffle (a room at the Simsbury Inn and TMM Festival tickets are
possibilities) planned. The bus will have audio capabilities and will cost approximately $450. to rent.
Tom has provided Lou with a draft of the invitation letter.
A letter will also need to go out to the property owners that will be highlighted on the tour.
The choice of a date is key to being able to continue with the arrangements.
Metro placeCityHartford placeCityAlliance – Jeff Vose provided the EDC with an update on the MHA’s latest activities: Lou and placeCityNancy plan to attend MHA’s upcoming strategic planning session today, May 10th and tomorrow the 11th in Mystic. The inaugural flight from Bradley to placeCityAmsterdam will take place on July 1st, and the Travelers Championship Golf Tournament, June 18th – 21st.
Lou commented on the contributions of time and energy that the MHA has made to the EDC.
Airport Fly-In – Lou met with PersonNameSarah Floroski and PersonNameBill Thomas to discuss the Fly-In that will take place over Columbus Day Weekend. The Fly-In is part of the National Pilots Convention that will be held in placeCityHartford. placeCitySimsbury has been designated as one of the reliever Airports where planes will be able to land for the event. The EDC discussed how the event could economically benefit the area. Anther meeting with PersonNameBill Thomas will be needed to evaluate the level of participation that the airport and the Town will be able to handle. A concert in conjunction with the Fly-in was discussed. The placePlaceNameSimsbury PlaceTypeAirport can accommodate a maximum of 100 planes. This event will bring 4,000 plus
people into the area. Challenges continue to include how to staff volunteer positions, the possible lack of local accommodations because of “leaf“ season and the coordination of a shuttle service.
Chuck Minor will continue to head up the EDC’s participation in this event and will work with Lou.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Ferg Jansen commented on the recent informal preliminary presentation to the Planning Commission that was made by the Simsbury Fire District. It was regarding the possibility of switching land with the placePlaceNameMasonic PlaceTypeTemple, adding to the Central Fire Station Facility and giving them space down in Weatogue. It has been tabled for now, but Ferg noted that this idea is contrary to the current “Center Zone” plan. Commissioner George recused himself because he has had professional legal conversations with the Fire District and asked that PersonNameNancy Haase represent the EDC in any further discussion regarding this matter. addressStreetMain Street is in support of moving the Fire District off of addressStreetHopmeadow St.
Chairman George commented on how important the Iron Horse area is and that there is a continued need to focus on the development of this area. It needs to become a cultural and recreational destination.
Rich Correia commented that this is the 5th year of the Chamber’s Music Festival at Eno Memorial every Tuesday night in May. He also commented on the cost that the Chamber has to occur for a Fire Marshall. He also noted and wanted to bring to the EDC’s attention that the upper floor of the auditorium may soon be closed due to a new fire safety regulation, written by the Fire Marshal.
Dave Balboni asked that at the next meeting the EDC discuss changing their monthly meeting day from Thursday to Friday.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Rechen made a motion to adjourn; it was seconded by Commissioner Haase and the dateYear2007Day10Month5May 10, 2007 meeting of the EDC unanimously adjourned at timeMinute40Hour99:40 AM.
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