Economic Development Commission Minutes 02/12/2015

Meeting date: 
Thursday, February 12, 2015

Economic Development Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes

February 12, 2015

“Subject to Approval”

 

 

1. Call to Order

Mark Deming, Chair, called the regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission to order at 7:35 am. on Thursday, February 12, 2015 in the Board of Education Conference Room located at 933 Hopmeadow Street.  The following members were also present:  David Balboni, Kristen Barnett, Carolyn Bligh, James Devivo and Allan Raphael.   Also in attendance were Christopher Kelly, Board of Selectmen Liaison, Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen and Hiram Peck, Director of Community Planning and other interested parties.

 

 

2. Approval of the January 8, 2015 minutes

 

Commissioner Raphael made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting of January 8, 2015 minutes.  Commissioner Balboni seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion passed.

 

 

5.    EDC Website Update

Ms. Haase summarized to Commission members on what has happened with the EDC Website as well as what the next steps will be.   She noted that they are getting ready to sign a contract with Virtual Town Hall.  Ms. Haase also discussed items that will be included on the website.  She noted that the current cost for the website is $12,500.

Ms. Haase discussed the parking issue and the proposed parking deck behind Eno Hall.  She noted that there will be a public hearing on March 17 to discuss this issue.

 

 

6.   EDTF:  Annual summary of accomplishment and budget request

 

Ms. Haase updated Commission members on the Economic Development Task Force.  She noted that they are finalizing the use of the $32,000 budget that they received. 

 

 

3. Planning Director update:Hiram Peck

 

Mr. Peck updated Commission members on the following items:

 

  • Drafting a code for the Weatogue Village
  • Northeast Utilities Property
  • Big Y property
  • Gathering public information for the Community Center/Senior Center
  • Draft for Simsbury Meadows available soon
  • Shared parking in the center of Simsbury
  • Former Webster Bank Building
  • PAD Development in Powder Forest
  • 275 Assisted Living units in Powder Forest
  • 2016 Budget

 

 

4. Weatogue Village Study Update

 

Mr. Peck discussed the Weatogue Village Study with Commission members.  He noted that this study started about a year ago and is presently out of funds.  He noted that he has put the Weatogue Village Study as well as the North End study into his budget for next year.

 

Mr. Peck also discussed adding the Northeast Utilities property study to the upcoming budget.  He noted that all three studies would be at a total cost of $57,000.

 

 

7. Reports:FVVA; SMSP

 

Nancy Anstey updated Commission members on the following items:

Member showcase

Tri-Simsbury Triathlon

Historic cabin tour – May 2, 2015

Governor conference on Tourism May 12, 2015

 

Sarah Nielson, SMSP, did not attend this meeting.

 

 

8. Update regarding property at 1 Old Bridge Road

 

This will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

 

9. Old/New Business

Commissioner Barnett discussed having a collaborative meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Commission and Main Street Partnership.