Economic Development Commission Minutes 03/20/2014 SPECIAL MEETING ADOPTED
Economic Development Commission ADOPTED
Minutes 3/20/2014
Special Meeting
Simsbury Town Offices – 7:30 a.m. – Main Meeting Room
1. Call to Order
Mark Deming, Chair, called the special meeting of the Economic Development Commission to order on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:30 AM in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices. The following members were also present: David Balboni, Kristen Barnett, Carolyn Bligh, James Devivo and Allan Raphael. Also in attendance were: Hiram Peck, Planning Director; Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen, Lisa Heavner, Board of Selectmen Liaison, Nicholas Mason, Board of Finance, and other interested parties.
2. Approval of the minutes for February 27, 2014
Commissioner Raphael made a motion for approval of the February 27, 2014 minutes. Commissioner Balboni seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
3. Reports: FVVA; SMSP
Nancy Anstey stated that the FVVA held a historic site lecture on March 16th which had standing room only. She also reminded the committee that on April 24th there will be another lecture on One Room Schoolhouses. This will be followed by a bus tour, also on One Room Schoolhouses, on April 26th. Ms. Anstey stated that April 6th will be the annual trail cleanup day. She also noted the “Try Simsbury” River-to-Ridge Try-athlon is in the final stages. Ms. Anstey reminded the commission about the FVVA’s 20th Anniversary Gala “A Night at The Belle” on May 31, 2014.
Sarah Nielson, SMSP, stated that the Junior National Hockey Tournament from April 2nd to 7th will be held at the International Skating Center. Ms. Nielson noted that Simsbury will hold this tournament in 2014 and 2015 and could bring in estimated revenue of $2m for the greater Hartford area each year. Ms. Nielson also discussed the Try-athlon and how SMSP is working to get local businesses involved. She also stated that the first edition of Discover Simsbury is on May 15. Ms. Nielson also discussed the upcoming concerts at The Meadows this summer.
4. Budget request for $30,000 for marketing study/ Economic Development Task Force; discussion of the request, proposed allocation and specific deliverables to the Town
Ms. Heavner discussed a handout with the Commission that lists items that have been included as well as moved around in the budget.
Commissioner Deming had a discussion with Ms. Heaver and Ms. Haase as to whether the $30,000 for the marketing study will stay in the budget.
Commissioner Deming stated that he would like to see what the Economic Development Task Force intends to accomplish with Phase II of the marketing study and at what cost.
5. Simsbury Meadows Master Plan study; discussion of ad hoc committee constituents, process and time frame.
Commissioner Deming asked if the $25,000 for the Meadows Master Plan would include a consultant. Ms. Heavner believes that there would be funds available for a consultant. Commissioner Deming noted that, for the next three months, Commissioner George and he will be using a sub-committee of the Economic Development Committee to invite various land use commissions and boards to tell them what they think could be done with the area on a long term plan. Commissioner Deming stated that they would take this information back to a formal committee, appointed by the Board of Selectmen, to review. Commissioner Deming would then like to see the information brought to Planning for guidance to come up with a long term plan to best utilize the Meadows area over the coming years.
Mr. Gerry Wetjen, Culture, Parks and Recreation, voiced his concern that there is no interaction with the Economic Development Committee and his commission. It was discussed that his commission could send a liaison to the Economic Development Committee meetings to keep his commission updated.
6. EDC website; discussion of funding request and process
Commissioner Deming confirmed with Ms. Heavner that there is $1,000 in next year’s budget for the Economic Development Commission website. Commissioner Deming confirmed that this money will not be available until July 1, 2014. Ms. Heavner discussed with the Commission some options available to them to start the process before the money becomes available.
Commissioner Barnett voiced her opinion that the Town’s future depends on implementing some of the items that have been suggested as well as putting the systems in place to complete them. Ms. Heavner and Ms. Haase discussed some options for the Board to get things moving.
7. Old/New Business
Commissioner Barnett made a motion to vote for Carolyn Bligh as the Economic Development Commission Representative to the Economic Development Task Force. Commissioner Balboni seconded that motion and it was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Deming confirmed with Mr. Peck that the Landworks PAD Development was approved by Zoning.
Commissioner DeVivo voiced his concern regarding eVariant, a marketing analytics software provider, who has moved out of Simsbury to Farmington. He stated that he strongly believes that a Director needs to be hired by the Town to head Economic Development in Simsbury to keep businesses in town. Ms. Heavner stated that the Economic Development Commission did recommend to the Economic Development Task Force to look at a position for Economic Development and make a recommendation.
Commissioner Balboni asked for an update on Big Y and The Hartford property. Mr. Peck stated that the International Skating Center has not yet signed an agreement and everything the Town is responsible for has been completed. Mr. Peck stated that the new code for The Hartford property should be completed very soon and, as soon as it goes to the Land Use Commission, it will be adopted.
8. Adjournment
Commissioner Raphael made a motion for approval for adjournment at 8:55 AM. Commissioner Barnett seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.