Simsbury, CT - Economic Development Commission Minutes

The regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:35 AM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Chairman Louis George and Commission members David Balboni, Mark Deming, Thomas Rechen and Charles Minor were present as well as other interested parties.

Chairman George introduced Alison Sturgeon, the new Commissions Clerk. He also thanked Tina Labrecque for sitting in as clerk for the past several weeks. Chairman George also introduced new member, Derek Peterson.

Website – Dave Ryan stated that they would like to set up individual email accounts for each elected official. He stated this would be very easy to do, although, people would not be obligated to use them. Chairman George stated that the Chamber had wanted to be able to develop a list of properties or plots of land for sale on the website that could be updated regularly. There are several issues regarding who would maintain this information on the site. The Commission is still gathering information regarding this service, Site Finder, and will decide if this is something worth investing in. Jeff Vose stated that the Town could get up to five sites on Site Finder for free, although, the Town could get unlimited sites with a lot more information by joining.

Selectman Update – Dave Ryan stated that the Public Hearing for the Fee Ordinance is still open. The Commissions are in agreement as to the language for the ordinance, although, they do not have a definition of what “large” and “complex” means without using those words within the definition. He stated that although there are still some questions, the Public Hearing would be closed at the next meeting, which is to be held on July 23, 2007, at which time a vote will take place.

Mark Deming questioned if they had looked to other Towns for language regarding their fee ordinance. Dave Ryan stated that they have gotten language from several other Towns, although because they didn’t give any illustrations, it was not that much of a help as they first thought it might be. Derek Peterson stated that different people could see large and complex in different ways.

David Balboni questioned if there was a history of requests by the Zoning Commission to applicants to have extra presentations done where the applicant had refused. Dave Ryan stated that the problem is who decides if more presentations or studies need to be done; whether that would be the Commission, staff, etc. Chairman George stated that he feels that it should be done on a case to case basis.

Thomas Rechen questioned if the language of the ordinance is “large and complex” or “large or complex”. Dave Ryan stated that the language has been changed to “large and/or complex”.

David Balboni read a section of the minutes from the Zoning Commission’s June 26, 2007, meeting where Hiram Peck stated that all of the Commissions agreed that the fee ordinance was a good idea, except for the Zoning Board of Appeals which did not have any comments. The minutes also stated that Hiram said that aside from the Planning Commission suggesting a change in the excess fee percentage cap, the only other issue was the definition of “large and/or complex”. Chairman George questioned if Mr. Balboni was stating that the EDC does not agree with these comments in the June 26, 2007 Planning minutes. Mr. Balboni stated that this was correct. Chairman George stated that currently, this topic would be on the July 23, 2007, agenda for the Planning Commission.

There was some discussion by the Commission regarding whether or not EB Realty is being dissolved by the end of the year. Dave Ryan stated that he had not heard anything regarding this. Chairman George stated he would also look into this.

Main Street – Rich Correia stated that the Talcott Mountain Music Festival is coming together. They have many vendors for the other concerts, such as Allison Krause, Summer Music Festival and Kansas. He stated that they are also preparing for their 2^nd Annual Sidewalk Sale, which will be held on July 20^th and July 21^st. He stated that they will also be having “Touch a Truck” on July 21^st. This is an event where children can view, climb on, beep horns, etc. on fire trucks, ambulances and police cars, which will be in different locations around Town.

Rich Correia stated that they have had meetings with their Design Commission to form a stewardship of the downtown to help improve the landscape in public places and public spaces. He also stated that they are continuing the second phase of the Heritage Tourism Campaign. He stated that there would be drawings of different sites and landmarks in Town.

Mark Deming question if Main Street controls the food vendors at the concerts. Rich stated that Main Street controls them. He stated that any food vendor who is on the grounds of the TMM Festival has to be a Main Street member. He stated that the HSO controls the other vendors association with the orchestra. HSO makes 10% of the gross while Main Street makes no profit.

Chairman George publicly thanked Tom Rechen for setting up Developer’s Day. He stated that the site tour went very well. He also thanked Jeff Vose and the MHA for all of their help. He also stated that Rich Correia did a great job for directing that tour. Overall, the day was an extreme success. Tom Rechen will be working on a letter, along with a list of the developers, to send to all of the brokers who participated.

Chairman George stated that the EDC is holding a special meeting on Monday, July 16, 2007, at 7:30 AM in the Main Meeting Room. This meeting will be a River Oaks presentation on the economics of the project. He stated that this would not be a public hearing; it will be an opportunity for the EDC to ask questions.

Metro Hartford Alliance - Jeff Vose stated that the Travelers Championship Golf Tournament and the Amsterdam flight were very successful. He stated that the next Regional Economic Forum will be held on July 26, 2007 at the Hartford Public Library and invited the EDC to attend.

Jeff Vose handed a comprehensive study out to the Commission, which was written by CROG and the Department of Agriculture. Chairman George stated that, over the next few months, the EDC would be reviewing their own strategic plan regarding what the Alliance is going to look like for the next four years. This four-year strategic plan will be done by this fall to get it approved by the Board by the end of the year. He stated that this plan began as a result of the meetings down in Mystic, CT.

Airport Fly-In – Chairman George stated that he has talked with Bill Thomas and Sara. He stated that the airport will be working with the convention as a fly-in destination for conventioneers. He stated that there might even be shuttles from the airport to Hartford. In regard to a question, Chairman George stated that the Fly-In Club, Main Street and the EDC would be handling issues with regard to this event.

Nancy Anstey stated that they would be holding their 6^th annual City Country Canvases on July 20, 2007. She stated that there will be 26 artists painting in and around the Farmington Valley; they will be bringing their art to the TMM Festival where their work will be on sale to the public. Rich Correia stated that they have asked each of the artists to paint a 4x6 painting, which will also be on sale at a very affordable rate.

Nancy stated that the Tourism District has embarked on a new marketing media venture. “Tourism on Wheels”. would eventually be going up and down throughout 46 Towns, trying to stop at every Town and will hopefully get Town officials to come out and promote tourism.

A fundraiser will be held from 9/28 – 10/21, which will be called “Show House at the White House”. This will be a designer show house where six designers will each be designing a room in a white house located at 432 Hopmeadow.