Economic Development Committee

Minutes 05/13/10 (51 KB)

Members present: Marty Krueger, Joel Gaalswyck, Shawn Posewitz, Kathy Zowin, Don Stevens, Gerald Lehman, Peter Murray

Members absent: none

Others present: Kathy Schauf, Tim Stieve, Phil Raab, Mike Carignan, Rob Sinklair, Jodi Kapp, Ray Bolton, Karna Hanna, Bill Wenzel, Bill Lowe, Scott Stokes, Bill Stehling, Diane Wipperfurth, Jeremiah Tucker, Sam Landes, Chuck Cady, Barbara Cady, Lynn Rausch, Bill Lowe

The meeting was called to order and certification of Open Meeting compliance was given at 6:30 p.m. The agenda was approved on a motion by Zowin, second by Gaalswyck. Motion carried.

The minutes from the prior meeting were approved with a motion by Gaalswyck, second by Posewitz. Motion carried.

Election of Chair

Motion by Gaalswyck, second by Posewitz to nominate Krueger as Chair. Motion by Lehman, second by Zowin to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Krueger as Chair. Motion carried.

Election of Vice-Chair

Motion by Zowin, second by Stevens to nominate Gaalswyck as Vice-Chair. Motion by Murray, second by Lehman to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Gaalswyck as Vice-Chair. Motion carried.

Election of Secretary

Motion by Posewitz, second by Zowin to nominate Stevens as Secretary. Motion by Lehman, second by Murray to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Stevens as Secretary. Motion carried.

Public Comment

Bill Lowe – Ho Chunk Nation, Business Development Manager, Ho-Chunk is anticipating the development of the Highway 12 corridor.

Scott Stokes – Former president of the Village of Mazomanie, working as a member of the “Good Neighbor Committee”. Encouraged development of a trail from Middleton to Mazomanie; and Mazomanie to Sauk.

Chuck Cady – Questioned stakeholder input in rail process to ensure that snowmobile interests were represented. Clarification of upcoming stakeholder meetings was offered between Jodi Kapp and Schauf.

Communications

Notification of WCA grant award and project. WCA will be producing a documentary highlighting innovative businesses in the eight region area affected by the 2008 flood.

Notification of award of EDA grant.

Business Items

Background and History of the Economic Development Committee: Established mission, vision and goals.

Reviewed Rules of the Board description of the Economic Development Committee and composition. Relationship of the committee to other county committees and staff was reviewed. The focus of the committee is to work cooperatively to foster a climate for economic growth.

Review and update of ongoing initiatives.

• Fiber optic build-out (fiber lease). Krueger gave a brief update on Bug Tussel lease. Steve Schneider will be available to speak to the  status of their startup at the meeting on May 24. 2010.
• Broadband expansion (grant application). Stieve and Raab gave background and update on application details.
• Property study (Sauk County Health Care Center and Farm). This will be the topic of the meeting on the 24th. Details on the history of the study were briefly covered.
• Bridge study (Merrimac Rail Bridge). Krueger provided background and history.

Status of stakeholder interviews and next steps in county rail initiative.

The stakeholder meeting(s), process, and timeline were discussed. UW Extension has been surveying rail users in the County to refresh data. A facilitator will be hired to facilitate the stakeholder discussion process. Need to have additional discovery as part of the facilitation process. Compromise will be an important component in making a final resolution possible.

Next meeting date: May 24, 2010, update by Steve Schneider, HCC property discussion, and Form 1.

Motion by Gaalswyck, second by Zowin, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted: Donald Stevens, Economic Development Committee Secretary