Town of East Hampton
Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
November 17, 2009
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Present: Chair Richard Leone, Vice Chair Alan Pawlak, Todd Schrager, Kimberley Fontaine, Cindy Rooth (6:38 p.m.)
Also Present: Kerry Nielson, Director of Community and Environmental Planning, Chris Edge, Connected to Connecticut, Jennifer Carducci, Recording Secretary
Absent: Jack Solomon
1. Call to Order
Chair Leone called this regular meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
Vice Chair Pawley made a motion to approve the October 20, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes as corrected; seconded by Mr. Schrage. Vote: Yes (4); No (0), motion carried.
Vice Chair Pawlak made a motion to approve the Minutes of the November-5, 2009 Special Meeting; seconded by Mr. Pawlak. Vote: Yes (3) No (0), Abstained (1-Fontaine-due to absence), motion passed.
Craig Stevenson, Connected to Connecticut joined the meeting by cell phone.
3. Announcements – None
4. Town Manager’s/Town Council Liaison/Community Dev. Director’s Report
Community Development Director Nielson spoke regarding Salmon River Watershed Partnership Land Use Summit on 12-5-09 she will be attending. Due to the Holiday events, EDC members will be unable to attend.
Ms. Rooth arrived at 6:38 p.m.
Ms. Nielson also spoke to the Commission regarding the walk on 11-7-09 with Planemetrics and others. Graphic sketches and schematic master plan could be done up for $5,000 for visualizing possible future of Village Center
Craig Stevenson expanded on discussion, explaining what Planemetrics was hired to do (since the Town obtained a $50,000 grant); discussed incentive and affordable housing and the need for P&Z to identify, create, and adopt an incentive zone.
Ms. Fontaine stated that the Town, commissions and consultants must be transparent in their processes of items. Many criticisms have been made of the lack of at least informational outreach to neighboring residents.
Ms. Nielson will email Glen’s report to the Commission members.
Mr. Stevenson commented that Glenn basically would like to do design guidelines for the Village Center. Chair Leone questioned the specifics since the Design Review Board did work previously.
Ms. Nielson will ask Glen to attend next month, possible James Carey as well, to discuss.
5. Public Comments
Diane Bohmiller, XChange for Change, stated that she received a lot of good feedback regarding the Business of the Month sign in front of her shop. There was also some confusion, or possible lack of knowledge. Ms. Edge will get the word out.
In general, in the Village, Ms. Bohmiller stated, that the customer base has turned over (seasonal). Her store has begun sporting goods consignment.
6. Presentations
- Connected to Connecticut Activities Report
Chris Edge was presented, reporting to the Commission (handout made part of the record) the contacts, visitations, and meetings during the last month. (See handout for details).
Mr. Edge suggested that the waterfall behind the municipal parking lot in the Village Center be opened up.
Mr. Edge covered the information in the handout and some discussion ensued.
Parking in the Village Center was discussed. Many were under the impression that the lot next to 82 Main Street was Town property and therefore provides municipal parking.
Chair Leone and Mr. Edge will re-tool the Holiday event list. The Rivereast was not receptive to giving EDC free advertising space, but did allow a deep discount.
Tinkling Teacups and Suvee’s Market have closed.
Craig Stevenson (by cell phone) spoke regarding improving the website. Vice Chair Pawlak stated he would like to be involved in the website’s improvement. Mr. Pawlak mentioned the Town of Chester’s website as a good one. Mr. Stevenson discussed the difference between a site such as East Hampton’s (Virtual Town Hall) being an extension of Town Hall and a marketing type site.
Mr. Stevenson discussed the types of buildings, business, development for the future of East Hampton; Epoch Arts was discussed in regard to artist’s housing. Mr. Edge will talk to Elizabeth Namen of Epoch Arts, and Mr. Schrager will obtain the name of the developer of artist’s housing similar to Middletown and/or New London.
Discussion continued around medical office space, office condominium space, Rte. 66 corridor, American Distilling, as targeted industries.
Mr. Stevenson recommended that the Town should pursue a grant for the Farmer’s Market.
A Brownfield inventory was discussed. Specific projects have been studied in the past and not knowing presents a problem for potential investors.
b. CT Film Office Presentation
Due to budget restraints, the CT Film Office has travel restrictions and must only present during business hours. One or two members will visit during business hours, possibly after the holidays.
Mr. Stevenson concluded his cell phone call attendance at this meeting. (7:49 p.m.)
7. EDC Liaison Reports - None
8. Old Business
- Business Community Events (Halloween, Holiday, etc.)
Mr. Schrager brought in a bell decoration for the lamp posts in the Village Center and on the Main Street bridge. There are no lamp posts on the bridge as yet.
Chair Leone has 40 strings of C6 lights coming in (each 23 feet long, low voltage) as well as 6” ornaments. Mr. Schrager will purchase 5 bells, 5 wreaths; and will speak to Public Works Director Hayden regarding hanging these items.
(This item was discussed after 8h). Chair Leone mentioned that there is confusion as to who is actually running the craft/vendor fair at the church. He will attempt to clear up these matters, along with Ms. Rooth.
b. Rivereast advertisement(s) to support Holiday Event and “Shop Local”Holiday initiative
Discussed earlier.
c. Blight Ordinanace Plan Update
Mr. Nielson is working on this Plan and will have a draft ready for the Commission by the first meeting in December.
- Home Based Business Regulation
Mr. Pawlak will meet with the incubator person with assistance from Mr. Edge.
e. Village Center Action Plan Update
Covered previously
- EDC sponsored Breakfast or After Hours Event
All are urged to check their calendars for February 10 or 11th.
- Business of the Month nomination for December
Mr. Schrager made a motion to nominate Island Traders and Red Door as businesses of the month, seconded by Vice Chair Pawlak, Vote: Yes (5); No (0), motion carried.
Vice Chair Pawlak has volunteered to work on this item along with Chairman Leone and Mr. Schrager.
9. New Business
- Fitness Center in Village Center
This business will go as long as he can get some investors. Mr. Edge will be working to be of assistance. He needs loans up to $400-$500,000.
- (To be discussed at the end of the agenda)
c. (To be discussed later in the agenda)
Ms. Fontaine left the room to take a call 8:10 p.m.
d. Other
Vice Chair Pawlak discussed the continuation of the Airline Trail - did we obtain grant, when is it occurring, etc. He talked to the owner of Pedal Power in Middletown who would love to open a satellite location in East Hampton. He was interested in possibilities of advertising, cable spots, marketing of the area, etc.
- Approve 2010 Meeting Dates
Vice Chair Pawlak made a motion to approve the 2010 EDC Meeting Dates, seconded by Mr. Schrager; Vote: Yes (4); No (0) Abstain (1) (Ms. Fontaine out of the room), motion carried.
Chris Edge left the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
- Measurable goals and minimum acceptable results – CTC
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the CTC contract content and requirements and the actual delivered items. Chair Leone will bring concerns to Town Manager O’Keefe.
Ms. Fontaine rejoined the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
A motion was made by Ms. Fontaine to establish a formal, mandatory RFP process, to begin in 2010, for an EDC consultant; seconded by Ms. Rooth; Vote: Yes (5); no (0), motion carried.
10. Pubic Comments – (discussed earlier)
11. Adjournment
At 9:20 p.m. a motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Rooth, seconded by Mr. Schrager.
Respectfully submitted:
Jennifer Carducci
Recording Secretary
11-21-09
All Handouts available at Town Hall
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