Economic Development Committee

min120314.pdf (135 KB)

Members present:  Marty Krueger, Donna Stehling, Peter Vedro, Dennis Polivka, Dave Riek

Members absent:     Nathan Johnson, Brian Peper

Others present:       Kathy Schauf, Dave Bangert, Bill Stehling

The meeting was called to order and certification of Open Meeting compliance was given at 4:30 p.m.  The agenda was approved on a motion by Polivka, second by Riek. Motion carried.

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

Public Comment  None

Communications  None.

Discussion and consideration of strategies for Sauk County Broadband / next steps.

Dave Bangert updated the committee on strategies and plans for how they are providing coverage.  Philosophically the approach this company takes are to provide the service and then build additional infrastructure.  Five customers per area is required for build-out.  Only a few clients at a time are added and existing infrastructure is utilized (silos).  Noted that there are pockets and valleys that are not covered by cellular service.  One area is northeast of Bear Valley, that Mr. Bangert will look to provide service.  The network is a wireless network.  Each site is dependent upon another site.  Market is the rural area.

Ways to partner:

-Access to maps

-Access to data

-Identification of underserved areas

-Joint grant for build-out smaller areas

-Public / private partnership

- Local broadband provider page to help spread the word on what is available.

Update on Great Sauk Trail Commission.  Stehling and Krueger provided an update from Wednesday’s meeting.  Stakeholders provided information on preferred options as to surface and route.  The commission is recommending a paved trail for the duration of the trail and discussed preliminaries on route(s) for biking and other activities.

Update on Sauk County Development Corporation

Krueger updated the committee on the withdrawal of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac from the Corporation.  The Leadership forum was a success, and may be used as a launch for future endeavors.

Discussion on Placemaking

Relational nature of placemaking between communities.  Discussion of next steps.  Committee decided to work on definition and inviting Greg Wise to participate in framing what placemaking is and does.

Discussion of “crowdfunding” as a tool for economic development initiatives.  Motion by Vedro, second by Riek to postpone to the next agenda.

Next meeting:  Motion by Vedro, second by Stehling, to adjourn.  Motion carried.   

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Stehling

Economic Development Committee Secretary