Economic Development Committee

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Calendar Date:
Monday, April 22, 2013 - 6:30pm

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Meeting Information

  • Agenda
  • Minutes
PDF icon 04/22/13 Agenda (19 KB)

REASON FOR MEETING:             REGULAR

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION:

  1. Call to Order and Certify Compliance with Open Meeting Law
  2. Adopt agenda
  3. Approval of minutes from prior meetings.
  4. Public Comment
  5. Communications
  6. Update on Rails and Trails
  7. Discussion and consideration of potential uses /re-uses of the closed landfill property.
  8. Discussion of projects and priorities.
  9. Discussion and consideration of request of the Fox Heritage Parkway.
  10. Meeting date and agenda items for next meeting.
  11. Adjourn

TO:

County Clerk

Fish

Krueger

Lehman

Peper

Polivka

Riek

Stehling

Corporation Counsel

 

Department Heads

 

 

 

 
DATE NOTICE MAILED:   Thursday, April 18, 2013
PREPARED BY:                Office of Administrative Coordinator
PDF icon 04/22/13 Minutes (195 KB)

Members present:  Marty Krueger, Donna Stehling, Joe Fish, Brian Peper, Dave Riek, Gerry Lehman, Dennis Polivka

Members absent:   none

Others present:     Kathy Schauf, Laurie Hasenbalg

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 Fish, second by Riek.

The meeting minutes from the prior meeting were approved on a motion by Fish, second by Riek.  Motion carried.

Public Comment
None.

Communications
None.

Update on Rails and Trails
Chair Krueger continues to monitor status with state budget.   Offered clarification regarding the surety of funding in the state budget for rail, with the understanding that the budget is still in the works.  The bonding is not in jeopardy.

Donna Stehling reported on visits with legislators that highlighted the importance of rail purchase and trail development.  Legislators indicated that the county has support for this endeavor.  Dana White-Quam updated local interest groups in the Sauk Prairie area.

Discussed future vision for potential trail and how the county would interact with other partners to encourage and participate in trail creation and development.

Discussion and consideration of potential uses /re-uses of the closed landfill property. 
Chair Krueger updated on next steps – meeting with Town of Excelsior.

Request of Fox Heritage Parkway
Donna Stehling updated the committee on research regarding what is meant by a “National Heritage Area”.  Riek also offered support.  Supervisors agreed that Sauk County has a lot of heritage and conceptually developing heritage opportunities is important in the County.  Concerns were raised by Polivka, Lehman, Fish, Peper, and Krueger regarding the intent and purpose of inclusion in the parkway as proposed.  Motion by Peper, second by Polivka, to deny the request for $150 and partnership support for the Fox Heritage Parkway.  Motion carried.

Discussion of projects and priorities:
Krueger updated the committee on strategic issues, and talking points as a way to introduce the topic.

Economic Development

Working with Sauk County Development Corporation to market Sauk County as a preferred place to live, work and visit.

  • SCDC hired new Exec Dir, begins 4/29;
  • SCDC Board visioning and strategic planning, identified goals and performance benchmarks to attain next year;
  • Continue and build on fall leadership theme, “Economics of Place”;
  • Now is the time to take the concept and begin promoting Sauk County with professional marketing effort.  Joint expenditure by SCDC partners – branding.
  • Bring SCDC, UW-Extension, and County resources together  ($$’s and staff);

Economic Development

As a key economic driver for the future:  Work with Public Service Commission, state, and other partners to identify need for broadband and mobility access.  Analysis of where broadband services within Sauk County are either lacking and/or under served.

  • Different opinions about need for availability and level of service across the county;
  • Assessing need and link to future development;
  • ED in rural areas will probably not occur without access to high-speed internet and broadband;
  • Working with partners  to identify gaps in service – attract providers to fill in holes;
  • UW-Extension, Andy Lewis, & PSC, “Linking Rural Wisconsin to Global Marketplace”;
  • Committee believes that necessary funds should be committed

 Peper will ask for the Highway and Parks Committee to consider working with Economic Development to investigate options for Wiedman’s Woods.

Motion by Lehman, second by Peper, to adjourn the meeting to May 22, 2013.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Stehling
Economic Development Committee Secretary