East Hampton Economic Development Commission
Minutes
January 24, 2008
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room, Town Hall
1. Call to order
Chair Mary Ann Dostaler called the meeting to order at 6:47 PM
Present: Chair Dostaler, Commissioners Patience Anderson, Jon March, Richard Leone; Linda Parquette, Craig Stevenson and Christopher Edge, CTC
Not Present: Vice Chair Jack Hesen; Commissioners Brian Jackowitz and Cindy Rooth
2. Approval of Minutes:
a. Regular meeting: November 20, 2007 Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2007 meeting. Mr. Leone seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Mr. Leone, Ms. Anderson, and Mr. March. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
3. Announcements & Communications
a. STEAP Grant Deadline, application materials.
Craig Stevenson discussed the STEAP process/program. Mr. Stevenson presented the commission the process of obtaining the STEAP Grant. Upon the budget approval, Mr. Stevenson advised this can move forward. Letters of Support. Chair Dostaler provided the commission members with copies of the letters of support that were submitted to the East Hampton Planning & Zoning Commission Members. The first letter dated 12/18/2007 was in support of Dream Developers site plan to construct a medical office building at 142 East High Street. The second letter also dated 12/18/2007 was in support of renovations and expanding the present commercial building located at 35 West High Street. ATTACHMENT 1
b. Route 66/196 road improvement project.
With the map available for the EDC to review, there was discussion on the road improvements at this intersection.
c. Tax deferral applicant.
This application has been received by the EDC. At the time of this meeting the members of the commission had not had enough time to review. Chair Dostaler asked the members to review the application and the program for consideration of the request. Mr. Stevenson will distribute the application to members along with an objective evaluation/analysis that he has developed and uses with other Towns when considering tax deferrals.
d. Town, CMSC, Chamber and other.
• The Chamber of Breakfast meeting will be held at the Crown Plaza in Cromwell. Mr. Leone expressed interest in attending. Chair Dostaler will coordinate registration
• The Chamber division meeting will be at a location TBA, 2/6/08, at 8 am.
• Connecticut Main Street newsletter was received and is available.
e. Other
4. Special Presentations
a. Joan Tally, Pam Amodio regarding Festival of Light recommendations for holiday promotional event. ATTACHMENT 2
Pam Amodio presented the EDC with details of holding a month-long winter event beginning with the Festival of Lights and culminating with a 1st Night in East Hampton. The commission members received the presentation as a positive event for the town and requested Ms. Amodio and Ms. Tally contact some of the business in town to see how the event is received. EDC suggested attending an Old Home Day commission meeting to see how they operate. In addition, Mr. Stevenson will bring this before the current Town Council for their input.
b. Linda Schroth, Epoch Arts
Ms. Schroth reported to the EDC on the recent purchase of 27 Skinner Street by the Epoch Arts. Ms. Schroth asked to come back before the EDC in a few months with an update.
5. Public Comments
Melissa Engel, Chair Town Council, made reference to the Town Code of Conduct, which Chair Dostaler previously distributed to members. She also stated there is an existing Arts and Cultural ordinance that was passed by the prior town council.
6. EDC Budget / Consultant / Liaison / Committee Reports
a. EDC Current budget update
Chair Dostaler reported that the budget for 12/26/07 year end is about 50%.
b. Connected to Connecticut: summary of activities ATTACHMENT 3
i. Provided Assistance and Input Regarding Economic Development Policy: Ms. Parquette discussed the phone conversations and meetings that took place with the town staff to discuss the Home-based Business Regulations and PZC workshop, the date of which will be announced. In the meetings, town staff encouraged the EDC to communicate their plans to the PZC. Ms. Parquette discussed from her attendance at the Village Streetscape Committee.
ii. Business Visitations: Mr. Edge reported on his visits to Bella-Victoria, Tinkling Teacups, and the Red Door Boutique. All visits were well received by the business owners. Mr. Edge met with Mr. Wayne Rand off site to discuss a number his different areas of his property in addition to a discussion of a few properties that are not currently developed.
iii. Other Items: Village Business Concerns:
• Request for better signage on Route 66 and for customer parking in the village itself
• Clean-up / Enforcement of cleanliness
• Return of Christmas tree lighting and Santa in December Chair Dostaler requested looking into a grant for ‘way finding signage.’ She also stated on several attempts having discussed with the town for assistance with clean up in the village, and placement of garbage cans for convenience. The town replied the trouble with keeping the units used strictly by the village businesses is difficult. Chair Dostaler asked Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Edge to have further conversations regarding this issue.
iv. Some Ideas for the Village:
• Create a visitors map
• Using poles (light & power) for planters and flags
• Quarterly meetings with local businesses and property owners
• Coordinated marketing to bring customers to the village
• Placement of garbage cans on Main Street. (see above)
v. Radio Shack Update: Mr. Edge has begun the process for contact with Radio Shack
vi. Other Issue of Note:
c. Streetscape Steering Committee
Chair Dostaler provided a project status report along with a cost estimate with a design that is in discussion.
d. Brownfield Steering Committee
Nothing to report
e. Liaison reports from : Redevelopment Agency; DRB, PZC; WPCA
Chair Dostaler reported for PZC Chair Dostaler reported for WPCA on the repairs that are moving along and the Marlborough sewer is on track and proceeding
7. Business Updates – Chris Edge
a. Business outreach & items of interest
b. Grand opening for Center Cut
Mr. Edge stated he was coordinating with the businesses and stop by Town Hall to examine the banners for what is available to provide.
8. New Business – Consider, discuss and take possible action on the following:
a. Election of officers (Chair and Vice Chair)
Mr. Leone made a motion to elect Mary Ann Dostaler to the Chair position of the Economic Development Commission. Mr. March seconded the motion.
Ms. Dostaler made a motion to elect Ms. Anderson to the Chair position of the Economic Development Commission. There was no second to the motion.
Ms. Dostaler accepted the nomination of chair seat. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Ms. Anderson, Mr. March, and Mr. Leone. Yes votes: 4. No voters: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
Mr. March made a motion to elect John Hesen to the Vice Chair position of the Economic Development Commission. Motion was seconded by Mr. Leone. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Ms. Anderson, Mr. March, and Mr. Leone. Yes votes: 4. No voters: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
b. EDC 2008 meeting schedule ATTACHMENT 4
The EDC will hold their regular scheduled meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Ms. Anderson made a motion to accept the meeting dates presented as the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Motion was seconded by Jon March. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Ms. Anderson, Mr. March, and Mr. Leone. Yes votes: 4. No voters: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
c. Assignment of EDC liaisons
Chair Dostaler will continue to liaison the PZC. Mr. March was assigned to liaison the Design Review Board, Ms. Anderson will liaison the Lake Pocotopaug Commission in addition she will attend a Town Council Meeting, Vice Chair Hesen will continue to liaison the WPCA.
d. STEAP Grant Application See above.
9. Old Business – Consider, discuss and take possible action on the following:
a. Village Center zoning regulations analysis and recommendations
b. Design Development Zone economic analysis
Mr. Stevenson stated at this point there is nothing new to report on these two items. On item 9a, Mr. Stevenson will provide copies to Jim Carey for further discussion. Item 9b Mr. Stevenson will create a cover letter addressed to the PZC. Mr. Stevenson will report back to the EDC at their next regular scheduled meeting with an update.
10. Public Comments None
11. Adjournment
Chair Dostaler made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Leone seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chair Dostaler, Mr. Leone, Ms. Anderson, and Mr. March. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
The meeting adjourned at 9:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Kamey Ahrens Recording Clerk
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