East Hampton Economic Development Commission
Special Meeting
Minutes
Thursday, August 30, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room, Town Hall
1. Call to order
Chair Mary Ann Dostaler called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM.
Present: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair John Hesen; Commissioners Patience Anderson, Rich Leone, Jon March (via telephone), and Cindy Rooth
Not Present: Commissioner Bryan Jackowitz
2. Consider, discuss and take action on final consultant selection and recommendation to Town Council
Chair Dostaler said EDC narrowed down choices for an economic development consultant to 2 firms, Connected to Connecticut and Organization Dynamics, after a lengthy discussion at the previous Regular Meeting. She has followed through in the interim with reference checks, 2 for Organization Dynamics and 3 for Connected to Connecticut. The following is a synopsis of those reference checks:
a. Organization Dynamics
• Sally Haas, Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
Doug worked on a strategic plan and feasibility study. Ms. Haas spoke highly of Organization Dynamics. The conversation reinforced EDC's understanding that there had been no implementation. Ms. Haas said the focus was on planning. She spoke highly of Doug's perspective and insights. He is currently working with them as well to set up conferences for visioning and planning with various constituency groups.
• Bob Pucci, President of Maine Chamber of Commerce
Doug created a 5-year strategic plan and one of his efforts to create the plan was to hold interviews with key business people in the community. Mr. Pucci liked Mr. Doug's regional and international perspective and felt he had received more than expected. The plan was adopted by the Chamber in 2005 and Doug remained responsive by email to answer questions. He offered to help with implementation, but does not continue in that aspect.
• Jon Matnich was unavailable
b. Connected to Connecticut
• Sue Bransfield, Portland First Selectman on Chris
Ms. Bransfield worked almost exclusively with Chris. She was very pleased and found Chris easy to get along with. They heard no complaints from the community. Chris helped a hardware store to get their lease renewed. He also brought in Pro Mold to Portland. There were 2 initiatives. One was a signage initiative in which businesses received signs to indicate which were long-standing and which were new to Portland. A local Portland sign company made the signs. Chris also started a coupon program, which had much participation, but which did not run after Chris let the town. Ms. Bransfield said that Portland EDC wanted to continue with Chris but not with the firm because there were some reservations about follow through and attention to detail with Connected to Connecticut. Ms. Bransfield said that Chris defined objectives and he delivered.
Portland would go to the next level but will get another consultant.
• Matt Galligan, Town Manager, South Windsor on Craig
Mr. Galligan spoke highly of Craig who has worked since 2004 at the consultant level. Mr. Galligan described the relationship as fabulous and he still works with him on a retainer contract. Mr. Galligan said Craig knows players at the state level and he brought in ALDI, an international company, to South Windsor. Mr. Galligan heard no negative feedback. He characterized the work as implementation. Craig helped put together a business EXPO. Mr. Galligan said there were no conflicts and he thinks Craig is ethical and truthful.
• Bart Russell, CT Council on Small Towns on Linda
Mr. Russell had never heard of Connected to CT. He has known Linda for many years through her work with the Northwest Regional Council of Governments and the Rural Development Council. He said she is smart and nice and delivered objectives. She has worked in Litchfield, which has issues similar to those in rural communities like East Hampton. He described her as a "pro" with teams, and macro in nature. She could be counted on.
Chair Dostaler said neither firm has any ongoing litigation and she asked EDC for comments. Mr. Leone said the references have strengthened differences EDC knew already. Ms. Rooth said we have not said exactly what it is we want done. Chair Dostaler said we have prepared objectives in the budget and Strategic Plan and Village Center Revitalization Market Study, and the Plan of Conservation and Development. Ms. Rooth added the work of the Chatham Roundtable. Mr. Leone said we should come up with a goal based on those documents and sit down with the consultants and then try to attract appropriate businesses. Ms. Rooth said the first thing is to meet with businesses and ask what they need to keep going. Mr. Leone said it is not useful to start over to interview businesses. Chair Dostaler said that we have on the horizon much commercial space
and we must attract businesses to fill that space. Ms. Rooth said that things have changed since those studies. Chair Dostaler said our charge is to recommend a consultant to Town Council. Ms. Rooth noted that Portland did not want to work with Connected to Connecticut. Chair Dostaler said they reported to the Town Manager, which is not the same thing. Craig also reported to EDC and the Redevelopment Agency of Portland. Mr. Leone said nothing has happened to make the Village Center a destination, and he is biased toward action. Chair Dostaler said the Redevelopment Agency will put a plan together. Ms. Rooth said that there needs to be a clear view on what our priorities are, and we will have to go back to the RFD and prioritize and work as quickly as possible. Chair Dostaler asked if EDC would entertain a motion.
(Mr. March had left the telephone conference meeting.)
Chair Dostaler asked EDC members go back to the RFP so that we can prioritize and have a meaningful discussion at our next meeting.
Mr. Leone made a motion to make a recommendation to the Town Council to select Connected to Connecticut for economic development consultant. Vice-Chair Hesen seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Leone, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
3. Adjournment
Ms. Rooth made a motion to adjourn. Vice-Chair Hesen seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Leone, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Wright Recording Clerk
Note: Chair Dostaler asked members to attend the next Town Council meeting on 9/11/07 at 6:30 in the Eaton Smith Meeting Room, and she will let Craig know of their selection and invite Connected to Connecticut to make a special presentation at that meeting as well.
Attachments referenced in these minutes can be viewed at East Hampton Town Hall.
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