Economic Development Committee

05/22/13 Minutes (103 KB)

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

Members absent:    Brian Peper

Others present:       Kathy Schauf, Bill Stehling

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 Polivka, second by Lehman.

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

Public Comment
None.

Communications
Request from K. Lucht of the WSOR for County support of the grant application for the TIGER V program.

Update on Rails and Trails
Chair Krueger updated the committee on Joint Finance Committee action regarding the rail.  The JFC approved $52 million (reducing the Governor’s request by $8million). All areas of transportation were reduced to account for shortfalls.  It is anticipated that the amount will still be sufficient to fund the rail line purchase.

Meeting with the Town of Excelsior
Chair Krueger and Joe Fish updated the committee on action and discussion at the Town of Excelsior meeting.  Reception to recommendations was positive and reflected the input from the town.

Wiedman’s Woods.
Discussion and consideration of potential uses /re-uses of Wiedman’s Woods, and discussion of elements for Executive Summary.  We will make disks of prior work for each committee member and follow-up with Town of Reedsburg regarding re-use of the County Farm property to ensure that the recommendation is relevant.   Town of Reedsburg to attend July meeting.  Follow-up with Town of Dellona may also be scheduled for the same meeting to discuss Wiedman’s Woods pending action by Highway and Parks.  Completion date of September for presentation to the Property and Insurance Committee on the Executive Summary.

Letter of support for the 2013 National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER V)
Discussion and consideration of a letter of support for WSOR in regards to their application for grant funds submitted under the 2013 National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER V) program. The “Wisconsin Southern Freight Rail Service Improvement Project: Moving the Economy Forward by Rail!”  Moved by Lehman, second by Polivka to approve the sending of a letter of support.  Motion carried.

Meeting date and agenda items for next meeting:  Joint meeting with Sauk County Development Corporation, 06/24/13.  Agenda items include an update by Jim Allen on meetings with local businesses, a report from Gene Dalhoff of Thrive on the status of the region, and discussion of the future work of the Development Corporation and the Economic Development Committee including branding and investigation of broadband.

Motion by Fish and by Polivka, to adjourn the meeting to June 24, 2013, Joint meeting with Sauk County Development Corporation.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Stehling
Economic Development Committee Secretary