Burnett
County Development Association
December 8, 2004
Minutes
Members Present: Mark Crowl, John Richards, Kelly Hibbs, Steve Zelinski, Derek Zeiler, Dwayne Emery, Stan Peer, Rick Anderson, Ed Peterson
Members Absent: Ted Gerber, Chuck Melberg,
Others Present: Michael Kornmann, John Stroschine, Marleen Seul
Press: Chet Newman(BC Sentinel), Nancy Jappe (Leader)
CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting called to order by Steve Zelinski at 3:03 p.m. in Room 165 of the Burnett
County Government Center on Wednesday, December 8, 2004.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion made by Crowl, seconded by Anderson to approve the November 3, 2004 meeting
minutes with the following corrections: The CDBG grant application is to Greg
and Cheryl Odden. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF TREASURER'S
REPORT:
Kornmann handed out the treasurers report and explained the deficit in the county
account for consultant services. He said the reason for the deficit is extremely
late billing by the NWRPC. The auditor said that the 2003 expenses could not
be charged back to 2003 because of the late filing. In future years, the Finance
Dept. will ask for carry over funds.
VOUCHERS:
Motion made by Peer, seconded by Hibbs to approve vouchers totaling $600.00.
These vouchers will be charged to the 2005 fiscal year. Motion carried.
Break down: Webpenguin $300.00 and WEDA $300.00
NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING
COMMISSION REPORT:
A potential CDBG application is being pursued. A company is looking at moving
into the Grantsburg Enterprise Center once McNally's is entirely moved out.
Richards asked Strochine about IRB (industrial revenue bonds) and whether there
is new financing tools available from the state.
DISCUSS & APPROVE
ORGANIZATIONAL OPTIONS:
Kornmann summed up previous discussions regarding the lack of a IRS status and
other issues including liability insurance for board members. Corporation Counsel
Dave Grindell said that it was his opinion that Burnett County Government has
no responsibility to cover BCDA because the county does not control BCDA's decisions.
A motion was made by Anderson and seconded by Hibbs approve a ad hoc committee
of Peterson, Anderson, and Zelinski to recommend a direction to proceed to obtain
nonprofit status. Motion carried.
DISCUSS AND APPROVE
UTILIZING A COMMITMENT LETTER:
Richards presented the proposed commitment letter. The letter describes expectation
of board members and included attendance and financial expectations. A motion
was made by Peer to adopt the commitment letter and have each board member sign
it at each annual meeting, seconded by Peterson. Motion carried.
NOMINATION COMMITTEE
REPORT
Chair of the committee, John Richards reported that contacts have been made
in identifying potential candidates for the Danbury Representative vacancy.
Work has also been done to determine available meeting times for all board members.
Most people could meet the regular schedule meeting except for Chuck Melberg
at Polk Burnett Cooperative.
REVIEW COUNTY ADOPTED
BUDGET
Kornmann handed out the 2005 county government approved budget for information
purposes.
DEVELOP 2005 WORK PLAN
Kornmann explained the work plans listed in the 2005 budget and reference the
10 rural strategies listed in a rural development publication. Discussion included
adding a business plan competition to encourage entrepreneurship and quality
business plan development. Consensus was that a strong education component would
be needed and that the UW Extensions Small Business Development Center could
be part of the program. Crowl explained that growing the farm system is an important
strategy. He suggested a business symposium to help existing business become
more efficient and increase their competitive edge. The board concurred. Kornmann
explained the new LOIS economic development web page data base and how it works.
A formal work plan will be brought to the January meeting.
TECHNOLOGY ZONE APPLICATION/MCNALLY
INDUSTRIES UPDATE:
Kornmann announced that the Department of Commerce has verbally communicated
that McNally Industries has been awarded BCDA's recommendation of $335,000 in
tax credits for their on-going expansion that will include 23 new jobs at an
average wage of almost $20.00.
SET ANNUAL MEETING DATE
Zelinski said that the annual meeting in the past has been held in February,
March and April. Discussion included holding the annual meeting on February
2nd. It was mentioned that the WEDA Conference began that day. It was decided
to have the annual meeting on February 2, 2004.
MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED
SESSION TO DISCUSS CONTRACTS WITH WEBPENGUIN INTERNET SERVICES AND NORTHWEST
REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Motion by Richards, seconded by Hibbs to go into closed session to discuss contracts.
Motion carried.
ACTION DEEMED NECESSARY(Open
Session) :
Motion made by Peer, seconded by Anderson to communicate to NWRPC scope of services
language as following:
1. Conduct a Business Retention program focused on the major employers in the county. Provide a written report and follow through on issues identified. This project will be the primary responsibility of NWRPC. A formal set of questions will be presented to the board for review prior to the program interviews. Meetings will be arranged and includ one BCDA board member, NWRPC contact, and a local government official.
2. Operate as a contact for any business development opportunity in Burnett County. This will include presenting key marketing materials including key contacts, community information, and financial options.
3. Maintain an inventory of available business land and buildings sites. The inventory will be available through LOIS and also provide relevant property data and contact information with the listing.
4. Develop at least one new Wisconsin Development Fund Loan Application during 2005 (actual application preparation not included in this contract).
5. Provide business technical assistance and financial packaging assistance for Burnett County businesses and coordinate county-wide development initiatives on an ongoing basis.
6. Provide semi-annual reports on the state of the Burnett County Revolving Loan Fund to include, but not limited to current balance of fund, loan activity, and pending applications.
Motion carried.
Motion made by Richards, seconded by Peterson to approve a contract with Webpenguin Services for 2005 with services provided to be web hosting and page maintenance with carryover hours from 2004. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn by Anderson, seconded by Hibbs. Motion carried.