Minutes IDC meeting 7/29/09

Minutes of the Industrial Development Commission meeting held on Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 at city hall pursuant to notice duly given.

1. Meeting called to order at 8:00 a.m. by Chairperson Doeren.
2. Roll call: Dick Doeren, Ken DePouw, Howard Schaden, Joe Stiloski, Vern Panske and Wayne Bostwick. Absent: Mike Trepanier. Jack Maas and Tom Fulton, advisory members also present as well as Mayor Nerenhausen and Linda Belongia, Administrator and as recording secretary.
3. Moved by Stiloski seconded by Schaden to approve of the agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 6 ayes
4. Moved by Stiloski seconded by Panske to accept as typed and place on file the minutes from the 6/24/09 meeting.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 6 ayes
5. Discussion/possible recommendation on:
a. Draft letter to Oconto County as to why the city of Oconto is not listed on the county website for our industrial park or this commission;
Moved by Stiloski seconded by Panske to authorize that the letter be sent as drafted.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 6 ayes

b. Request from Chairperson Doeren at looking into possibility of a full
time or part-time IDC & Tourism Director; Doeren stated he realizes the
times are tough, budgets tight….and he’s been on IDC for 5 years and
we’ve done nothing to promote…on one developer we were shot down by
council…look at getting some help; Maas stated right now is not the
opportune time...as city tax payers we are paying the county and not
getting anything for it…if we could take that money and apply it to our
budget; Doeren stated we have $24,500 in our budget now; Mayor
suggested we meet with the chamber of commerce; they are looking at
future options for the chamber, so now is the time when the chamber
would be willing to listen to the city; Fulton agree with Doeren, never better
time than now …also supports the Mayor on pursuing the chamber; Maas
stated we have nothing in the budget for this year….realizes it takes
money, but we are not getting anything from the county for the tax dollars
they are getting from us; DePouw stated agreement with the Mayor’s
idea…start through the chamber….referenced the Lakes County
Chamber…they do a lot of pushing…find out what they are doing up north;
Stiloski referenced Boulder Junction…he will find out who the contact is
for the tourism they do…also agrees with Mayor…through the
Chamber….cautious about adding anymore to the city’s payroll; DePouw
questioned if any funding would be available through the state? Doeren
suggested combining IDC & Tourism; Maas stated it should just be for
tourism;

Moved by Stiloski seconded by DePouw to pursue through the Chamber
of Commerce to see what is available for promoting Tourism and report
back for Sept meeting.

Belongia instructed to check with Atty. Mraz if we as the city can be exempt from contributing to the county budget for OCEDC and Tourism.

Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 6 ayes


c. Belongia stated the notice waiting period on the Rassmussen property at 314 Brazeau will be up 9/10/09; will keep IDC informed on status of this
property.

d. Update on and/or possible development/business issues:
1. Belongia stated she & Mayor had a meeting with Casey Stock and Mark Pederson regarding Cruiser Plant No 2 property and the proposed zoning change for that property and creating TID No. 4; Belongia stated that property currently zoned IG General Industrial will remain as such but will be included in the TID under the ½ mile jurisdiction;
2. Belongia stated a letter was sent by Mayor to Rob Lane offering whatever assistance the city can provide regarding his property at 174 Mott Street regarding the USH by-pass project.
3. Belongia stated that she & the Mayor have a meeting with a potential developer which asked for confidentiality at this time on Thursday, 7/30/09;
4. Belongia informed IDC of phone call from Bill Mead referred from
Nancy Rhode; information on two potential existing buildings was
electronically sent; followed up by three phone calls offering
assistance or willingness to schedule on site visits with the Mayor
and Belongia on the potential sites;
5. Belongia updated IDC with expenses thus far on the former Kelly Pickle Site. Handout provided
7. Next meeting 8/26/09 at 8 a.m.
8. Moved by Panske seconded by Stiloski to adjourn. M/C

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m.


Minutes submitted by
Linda M. Belongia
Administrator