Economic Development Commission 03/05/2015

Meeting date: 
Thursday, March 5, 2015

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

SPECIAL MEETING

MARCH 5, 2015 MINUTES

“Subject to Approval”

 

 

I.       CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Kristen Barnett, Co- Chair, called the special meeting of the Economic Development Commission to order on Thursday, March 5, 2015 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT.  The following members were also present:  David Balboni, Carolyn Bligh, Lou George and Chuck Minor.   Also in attendance were Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen, Christopher Kelly, Board of Selectmen Liaison, Hiram Peck, Director of Community Planning and other interested parties.

 

II.    ROLL CALL

 

Members listed above were present.

 

 

III.    DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION:  Status and next steps

 

Regarding recommended refreshing of existing Town website

 

Mr. Peck reviewed and discussed the Virtual Towns & Schools – Services Contract Addendum with Commission members.   He explained the “large cards” that would be made available to numerous groups to get their thoughts and suggestions on the Town’s website.  Mr. Peck also noted that Town managers have given their input as to what content they would like to see on the website for their departments.

 

Mr. Peck noted that the Agreement with Virtual Town Hall would include the following phases at a cost of a one project fee of $10,000:

Phase 1 – Town Main Website Design

Phase 2 – Site Implementation

Phase 3 – Content Development Remapping

Phase 4 – User Training

Phase 5 – Website Deployment

 

He stated that it would cost less to combine the Economic Development Commission website with the Town’s website. 

 

Regarding approval of Agreement for Services Contract Addendum for website work

 

Commissioner George made a motion to approve the Agreement for Services Contract Addendum for website work.  Ms. Bligh seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion passed.

 

Regarding recommended Project Evaluation Discussion Guide

 

Mr. Peck discussed the Economic Development Commission Project Evaluation and Discussion Guide with Commission members.  He noted that the Economic Development Commission can use this when looking at projects for the Town as a discussion guide.

 

Regarding the status of the Business incentive Policy draft document

 

Mr. Peck noted that this is a work in process and that has been sent to the Town attorney and returned with his comments.  He stated that he is currently working on the suggestions of the attorney. 

 

Mr. Peck noted that three items they are trying to incorporate into this policy are:

Tax abatement update

Potential for infrastructure rebates

Potential rebate for part of building permits

 

Commissioner George believes this is a good policy and would like to see it move forward.  Commissioner Balboni noted his concern from getting this done from the residential developments in Town.

 

IV.    CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Budget meeting with Board of Selectmen Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Ms. Barnett noted that she will be attending this meeting tonight and they will be voting on the website at this meeting.  Commissioner George voiced his concern that the 2016 Budget, which just made available yesterday, has never been reviewed by Commission members of what was ultimately put in for the Economic Development Commission recommendations. 

 

Commissioner George noted that this meeting is an opportunity for the Economic Development Commission to address the Board of Selectmen on areas the Commission believes are important to them. 

 

Commissioner members discussed the “Hub” issue.

 

 

V.     ADJOURNMENT

 

Commissioner George made a motion for approval for adjournment at 8:43 a.m.  Commissioner    Bligh seconded the motion.   All were in favor and the motion passed.