Economic Development Commission Minutes 01/08/2015

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 8, 2015        

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chair Mark Deming called the regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission to order at 7:35 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015. The meeting was held in the main meeting room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. Also in attendance were the following commission members: David Balboni, Kristen C. Barnett, James R. Devivo, Louis N. George, Charles A. Minor and Allan Richard Raphael Sr. Staff in attendance included Director of Administrative Services Tom Cooke.

2. REVIEW/ADOPT MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 2014 

A motion was made by commissioner Lou George to approve the Dec. 11, 2014 minutes, which was seconded by commissioner Allan Richard Raphael Sr. All were in favor and the motion passed.

3. PLANNING DIRECTOR UPDATE: HIRAM PECK

Director of Community Planning and Development Hiram Peck could not be at the meeting, but he left an update and budget recommendations for the commission.

4. REPORTS AND BUDGET REQUESTS: FVVA, SMSP

Farmington Valley Visitors Association Executive Director Nancy Anstey presented her requested budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 of $4,000. She stated that the organization does not receive any state or federal funding. The organization, among other activities, prints an annual visitors’ guide; in 2014 50,000 copies were printed. The new guides were due out shortly.

Simsbury Main Street Partnership Executive Director Sarah Nielsen presented her requested budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 of $50,000. Ms. Nielsen discussed the many accomplishments and contributions of the organizations and the partnerships it has formed. The organization applies for and receives grants to supplement its budget and holds various fundraisers. She said membership in the organization continues to increase.

Main Street board members Tom Horn, Jackson Eno and member Bryan Devoe all spoke in support of Main Street. Mr. Devoe also gave the example of trying to run a Small Business Saturday program on his own saying it was much more successful when he partnered with Main Street.

Ms. Nielsen informed the commission that the organization was going to become the official fiscal sponsor for the Simsbury Veterans Memorial due to Main Street’s status as a 501 (c)3 nonprofit.

There was a discussion about the idea of creating a central hub for community organizations/tourism in town.

5. BUDGET DISCUSSION

Commissioners discussed the budget as presented in Mr. Peck’s memo.

Commissioner Lou George made a motion to recommend that the board of selectmen allocate $50,000 in the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget toward implementation of a hub for community groups as had been discussed. Chairman Mark Deming seconded. The vote was four commissioners in favor, James R. Devivo, Louis N. George, Charles A. Minor and Mark Deming, and one against, David Balboni. (Commissioners Kristen C. Barnett and Allan Richard Raphael had left the meeting due to prior commitments.)

6. EDTF: ANNUAL SUMMARY OF PROGRESS

Director of Administrative Services Tom Cooke and Ms. Nielsen discussed the reworking of the town website. The plan is to continue working with Virtual Town Hall, but the site will be completely overhauled. Ms. Nielsen said broad scope beta testing would start soon

7. ADJOURN

Commissioner George made a motion to adjourn 9:02 a.m. and commissioner Devivo seconded it. All were in favor and the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephanie Riefe