Economic Development Commission Minutes 07/10/2014 ADOPTED
Economic Development Commission
Adopted Minutes 7/10/2014
Regular Meeting
Simsbury Town Offices – 7:30 a.m. – Main Meeting Room
1. Call to Order
Mark Deming, Chair, called the regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission to order on Thursday, July 10, 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, Lou George, Chuck Minor and Allan Raphael. Also in attendance were: Hiram Peck, Director of Community Planning; Lisa Heavner, Board of Selectmen Liaison, Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen and other interested parties.
2. Approval of the minutes for June 11, 2014
Commissioner Raphael made a motion for approval of the June 11, 2014 minutes. Commissioner Balboni seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. Commissioner George abstained.
Commissioner Barnett made a motion to move agenda item #7 “Economic Development Task Force Report” prior to item #4 “EDC website update” on the Agenda. Commissioner Bligh seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
3. Reports: FVVA; SMSP
Sarah Nielson, SMSP, noted that the SMSP will be sending other Board members every other month to the Economic Development Commission meetings. Ms. Nielson spoke on the Economics class being held for Simsbury High School students by Mr. Rich Correia.
Ms. Nielson noted that the Step up Program, that was recently held, had 70 people registered before the Thursday conference. She stated that this was held for existing small businesses. She reminded the Committee members of the Simsbury Farmers Market that is held every Thursday at Simsmore Square from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Ms. Nielson discussed the Innovation Core committee and noted that the public schools are engaged in the program and they are working with the private schools in town to join in. Ms. Nielson is also working with the Veterans groups on the Veterans Memorial that was recently passed by the Zoning Board. She stated that they are helping the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars with the publicity for their fund raising.
Ms. Nielson reminded the members of the annual Taste of Simsbury to be held on August 28th and noted that every year it is sold out. She stated that tickets will be available shortly both on-line as well as all Simsbury Bank locations and other local businesses in Town.
Ms. Nielson discussed the new website recently released by the State of Connecticut, data.ct.gov, which is an open data website, providing raw data to the business and resident community.
Nancy Anstey, FVVA, discussed the upcoming car show on July 13th as well as the Dream Ride to be held in August. She also noted that they are planning for the Fall 2014 and for a Tavern Bus Tour planned for April 2015.
Ms. Anstey also discussed the beginning of the lecture series with a lecture for historic sites which will be centered around cemeteries. She noted that this lecture would be on the history of headstones.
4. Economic Development Task Force report: Nancy Haase
Ms. Haase discussed the Economic Development Task Force meeting held on June 17th and the three working groups: Process, Programs and Marketing. She noted that the Commission and Task Force members will receive an updated e-mail, which will also include attachments. Ms. Haase did a recap of the working group’s discussions, leading to the website discussion and asked Commission members for their support.
Ms. Haase noted that the Task Force has a two year time frame to complete their tasks but stated it may be completed sooner. She said that future meetings will be scheduled for one a month.
5. EDC website update: Kris Barnett, Carolyn Bligh
Commissioner Barnett discussed the conference she and Rick Bazzano had with Virtual Townhall regarding the three options presented to Commissioner Bligh a month ago for the Economic Development Commission’s website. She stated that the question came up with Virtual Townhall and Task Force members as to why the Economic Development Commission is doing a separate website instead of revamping the Town website.
Commissioner Bligh discussed the three options for the website as well as the pros and cons of each. The three options are: (1) using the Town’s website and create a special banner for the Economic Development Commission, which would also include some pictures; (2) a new website, separate from the Town of Simsbury, which would be fully customizable. This option would also include a custom/separate URL; (3) a hybrid of option 1 and 2, which would have a custom home page for the Economic Development Commission website.
Commission members discussed the options for the Economic Development website. It was noted by Commissioner Deming that the Commission has looked at several other Economic Development Commission’s websites across the country and noted that they were much better looking and have more functionality with a lot more information. Commissioner Deming believes that the Economic Development Commission needs to move ahead on this and cannot wait for the Town to revamp their website. Available funding was also discussed for the website.
6. Chalk Festival, an idea: Gary Dornbush
Commissioner Dornbush was absent from the meeting due to a death in the family.
7. Planning Director update: Hiram Peck
Vibrant Communities Grant/Weatogue Village District Reg.
Mr. Peck reviewed and discussed the projects that are under consideration currently in Town:
Dorset Crossing had their ground breaking ceremony for 48 units of special needs housing.
East Point Housing will have seven buildings with a total of 168 units to be built out over a two to three year period.
Big Y should complete their closing this month and are scheduled to start their land clearing in August.
Simscroft property has an Inland/Wetlands application for delineation of where the flood plain/wetlands are located.
Webster Bank is still working with the Town with regard to housing at the old Webster Bank building with 15 units or more.
Mr. Peck brought up the issue of the significant parking issues in the downtown area and for business owners to understand the “pooled” parking. Commissioner George stated that, as a business owner in the downtown area, he does not understand this concept and the way it is being implemented. Mr. Peck discussed the “pooled” parking concept to Commission members.
The Hartford FBC Adoption Status
Mr. Peck noted that The Hartford Form Base Code was adopted on Monday, July 7th and stated that the marketing for the property can begin and people have already started to call to ask about the new code.
Mr. Peck stated that there have been discussions regarding the Northeast Utility’s property and the three different components of the property. He discussed the Open Public Hearing that took place on Monday night regarding the Pool Barn property on the south end of town. Mr. Peck noted that the barn is proposed to be completely rehabilitated into a retail and/or possibly a residential and business facility. He asked the Economic Development Commission members if they thought this was a good project for the Town. Mr. Peck also noted that a Cumberland Farms/Gas Station is also proposed for this property.
Mr. Peck informed the members that the Town is applying for a $50,000 Vibrant Communities Initiative Grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation which is due on Tuesday, July 15th. He asked for a letter of support from the Economic Development Commission for this Grant that will allow the Town to continue and finish the Form Base Coding for the Weatogue area.
8. Step Up Program report: Mary Glassman
Ms. Lisa Heavner discussed the Step Up Program in place of Ms. Glassman. She stated that it is program that is sponsored by the Connecticut State Department of Labor and done throughout the state with multiple programs.
Ms. Heavner informed the Commission members that the town of Simsbury is in a contest with the state Tourism office and is currently in 8th place to get the most “fan favorite” throughout the state of Connecticut. The winners will receive packages that will help support and brand their towns. She stated that there is a video that is on the tourist facebook website that highlights Simsbury. Ms. Heavner also noted that Simsbury was ranked number one as a bike friendly community in a survey of Connecticut towns and discussed signage being added on the bike trails.
Commissioner Raphael inquired about any additional money found for other projects. Ms. Haase and Ms. Heavner noted that there should be some transfers coming up.
9. Old/New Business
Commissioner George believes that the Economic Development Commission is not hitting on the most important items in their meetings. He noted that Griffin Land informed the Commission of nine acres of land they will be putting up for sale and he believes that this is something the Commission should be focusing their efforts on.
Commissioner Balboni stated that items do not get presented to the Economic Development Commission in a timely manner. Ms. Nielson suggested that the Commission send liaisons to other boards and commission meetings. She stated that the developers have to pay for their lawyers and architects to attend any meetings that they do a presentation and said that presenting at several meetings would put an extra burden on them.
Commissioner Deming stated that he would ask Mr. Peck to give the Economic Development Commission a heads up on the various items that are coming up.
Commissioner Deming noted that the August 14th meeting will take place but will poll Commission members to see if there will be a quorum.
10. Adjournment
Commissioner Raphael made a motion for approval for adjournment at 9:07 AM. Commissioner George seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.