EAST HARTFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 2, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the East Hartford Economic Development Commission was called to order at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 by Commissioner Marilyn Pet, Chair.
ROLL CALL
EAST HARTFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Present:
Marilyn Pet, Chair
Debra Arrieta, Vice-Chair
Patricia Harmon
John Ryan
Barbara-Ann Rossi
Susan Skowronek
Travis Simpson
Miguel Franco
Devorah Johnson
Absent:
Others in Attendance:
Jeanne Webb, Development Director
Aya Beckles, Economic Development Specialist
Alta Lash, CEDF
Roger Dupre, Childplan PEP Program
Cheryl Ehmke, Childplan PEP Program
Cindy Harvey, Childplan PEP Program
Maegan Senerth, Childplan PEP Program
Susan Kneip
Don Sugalski
MOTION by Travis Simpson, seconded by Ms. Skowronek to approve minutes
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY
- Alta Lash from CEDF handed out an update for the items that have become priorities for the Main Street Improvement Program and discussed the implementation of the items listed below.
The appearance of the side streets is critical in maintaining the perception of a clean, safe Main Street. Therefore, a windshield survey will be done of each street using a form created by Alta. Volunteers will be recruited by EDC. The results of the survey will be collated and a strategy for each street will be devised. Housing Code Enforcement, Public Works, and Police Department will partner in implementing the strategy.
Timeline: Prepare survey form - May Windshield survey – June, July Analyze results - July Meet with Town officials – July/August Implementation - August |
- Plantings for front yards on side streets
As an incentive for people keeping up their property, the project will make available perennial plantings for people on the side streets. The details of this piece of the project will be developed. These include: the types of plantings; cost, if any, to the participant; timeline; contract for maintenance;
Timeline: Develop guidelines for program – June Input from landscape designer – June Raise funds for plants – June/July |
A meeting with the owner of the building will be arranged and will include the Mayor, Jeanne, and the East Hartford Police Department. I will do additional research on why the nuisance abatement program did not work in previous attempts.
Timeline: Meet with owner - June |
- Plantings for Main Street
The Mayor would like additional plantings on Main Street. Perennials that would come back each year seem to be a good investment. These could be supplemented by the annuals that are planted each year. This would entail the purchase of the self-watering containers and the plants. Pricing will need to done.
Timeline: Meet with landscape designer – June Meet with Town officials regarding plan – June Prepare budget for plantings, including containers – June Raise funds for plantings – June/July Implementation – June/July |
Trash remains a problem on Main Street. The installation of the Big Belly trash containers at a cost of $2,000 - $3,000 per container is a priority. Roger Moss estimates that 30 containers would be ideal. However, the cost is prohibitive for this number in one purchase. I would recommend purchasing a few each year for the term of the project.
Timeline: Determine price of barrels – June Secure sponsors for barrels – June/July Raise funds for barrels – June/July Purchase barrels – July Determine placement of barrels – June/July |
- Joint Marketing of Businesses
The annual Podunk Bluegrass Festival will be held in August. This draws about 5,000 people over a four day period. About half of the attendees are from Connecticut and the rest are from out-of-state. Jeanne and I met with a representative from the Reminder regarding an insert where businesses could advertise before the festival. Additional inserts would be available during the festival at the site and the hotels. In order to keep the advertising cost affordable, the Town may put up to $3,000 toward the insert. Also a major advertiser is being sought that could lower this figure.
I am preparing a Tip Sheet for Small Businesses to take advantage of this event. This will be distributed to all the Main Street businesses.
Timeline: Prepare tip sheet – May Distribute Tip sheet – June Advertising outreach – June Insert – July Festival - August |
- Housing for Economic Growth Meeting Feedback
- Ms. Webb reported that the Incentive Housing zone text was being prepared by our consultant for the Main Street and Burnside Avenue areas.
- May 15, 2010, 9:30 a.m. at Alumni Park was very successful. We had over 30 volunteers. Pratt & Whitney donated gloves and supplies, Coca Cola donated drinks, Frito Lay donated chips and CEDF donated food.
- Online Business Directory
Ms. Beckles gave a progress report on the on-line business directory.
- Ms. Beckles explained that the Tourism Committee would like to meet with the Lunch club this month and we are working on a date.
- Hoffman Ford – Business Incentive. Ms. Webb explained the proposed business incentive requested by Hoffman Motors. The Commissioners asked questions.
MOTION by Travis Simpson, seconded by -----------Susan Skowronek, that the Economic Development
Commission endorse the Mayor requesting a tax incentive from the Town Council for
Hoffman Ford.
APPROVED 8-1-0 (Pat Harmon voted in opposition; no abstentions)
- Guests from the Childplan PEP Program came to the Economic Development Commission on the invitation of Director Webb. This group was concerned about the loss of a supermarket at School Street Square. The Development Department will work with the group to put together a survey that they can utilize to survey their neighbors and collect data on buying patterns for food and essential goods for the home.
MOTION by Ms. Arrieta, seconded by Ms. Rossi
APPROVED at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeanne Webb
Development Director / Acting Clerk
cc: Town Clerk
Mayor
Development Department
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