Town of East Hampton
Economic Development Commission
Special Meeting
July 27, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Present: Kimberley Fontaine, Cindy Rooth, Diane Bohmiller, Todd Schrager, Jack Solomon. Absent: Chair Richard Leon, Vice Chair Alan Pawlak
Also Present: Kerry Nielson, recording clerk, and one member of the public.
1. Call to Order
The clerk called this special meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. A motion was made by Mr. Solomon to nominate Ms. Fontaine temporary chair for this meeting; seconded by Ms. Rooth, vote: all in favor, motion passed.
2. Approval of Minutes – April 20, 2010 Regular Meeting
Ms. Rooth made a motion to table the approval of the May 18, 2010 minutes until the next regular meeting; seconded by Ms. Bohmiller, vote passed unanimously.
Ms. Rooth showed all the new banners for the Main St. Bridge/Village Center area. She was told by Finance Director Jylkka that the cost for the banners was charged to EDC. The consensus of the Commission was that this was never approved by them/never voted on. Ms. Rooth questioned who would be installing the banners/holders; assuming Public Works. Chair/Vice Chair will be asked to contact the Town Manager for answers.
Ms. Fontaine mentioned that all Commissioners should have received an emailed copy of the budget a couple of months ago from Jeff Jylkka. She will request the end of year budget also be emailed to Commissioners.
Antiques on Main is out of business. Rocco’s reopened.
Ms. Rooth noted that Ms. Nielson prepared a STEAP grant off for $475,000 for Rails to Trails, to rebuild bridge and progressing trail to Cranberry Bog. Letters of support came from Pedal Power, CT Forest & Park Association, DEP, and Mr. Schrager. For the record, Ms. Fontaine mentioned that Ms. Rooth was very involved in making phone call, etc., to put grant paperwork together.
Ms. Rooth asked how much money is left of the Streetscapes funds and can EDC use that money.
- Town Manager’s/Town Council Liaison/Community Dev. Director’s Report
Ms. Nielson mentioned that next time it would be optimal to start grant applications as early as possible, so staff and Committees are not so rushed. Shovel ready plans would help out a lot.
Ms. Nielson advised that Steve Motto, Dream Developers will be coming in for approvals on a mixed use (for property at corner, next to the White House Motel), for a Commercial Day Care Facility.
Jerry’s Market is open, in the old Pat’s Market.
Information has been coming in from OPM regarding ED Districts. Ms. Nielson will forward to all Commissioners.
Tom O’Brien, Board of Finance and State Tourism Board, was present to speak of opportunities in Connecticut. There have been delays in the filming project in the S. Windsor area. Mr. O’Brien suggested that in the future, we submit a “calendar” of events in East Hampton, six months before. The fall issue of their publication will feature the Comstock Bridge on the cover. The publication has nationwide coverage. Best Garden tours, etc., are covered in periodic flyers they publish.
The Commission agreed that inventorying available services for future endeavors would be useful.
- Presentations - None
- EDC Liaison Reports
A. Summary discussion of other Board and Commission Activity - None
8. Old Business
A. Blight Ordinance Plan Update
Ms. Nielson will email a copy of the proposed Blight Ordinance. Please respond to Kerri and copy other members before the next meeting.
The businesses of the month for June did not receive the signs. The signs are still at Paul’s and Sandy’s and Devine’s. Ms. Nielson will move signs to the Happy Paddler and Nelson’s Campgrounds for the month of August.
After discussion, a motion was made by Ms. Rooth for September’s Business of the Month: C & Z Equipment and Belltown Learning Center; seconded by Ms. Bohmiller, vote: Yes: 3; No: 0; Abstain: 1 (Fontaine); motion passed.
C. Princess of the Lake Parade
This event will take place 8-14-10; rain date is Sunday. A bus will transport people from parking area at high school to the park. Vendors are being sought for the Parade; booths will be 10 x 10. There will be an announcer with a sound system; publicity is planned, and the FLP will be sending out a mailer to half of the East Hampton residents. Ms. Rooth will contact Gladys Yeager to publicize request for vendors.
Ms. Bohmiller suggested that all involved be aware that this is a family-friendly event. Ms. Fontaine suggested that someone write up an article, with pictures, for publication prior to the event; and/or that a letter from a member of the EDC to the editor of the RiverEast explaining event.
D. EDC Website Planning/Overhaul
Ms. Bohmiller emailed approximately one month ago, a twenty (20) or so page document outlining changes, etc., asking for comments. The Commission members will receive it again, and are asked to review and send comments prior to the next meeting.
Ms. Bohmiller had spent time with Cathy Sirois at Town Hall and gained insight into the capabilities of our present platform. Ms. Rooth talked of obtaining an easthamptonct.org email address for EDC. Also, a workshop with others, like Park and Rec, or the Library, would be beneficial. During this process, listings and inventories and calendars can be developed, put on website and maintained.
E. Home-based Business Expo – Fall
Ms. Rooth will do an article in the RiverEast calling for interested parties. Possible dates and locations were discussed.
F. EDC Consultant/Community Development Director/Staff Position Discussion
Ms. Rooth mentioned that Connected to Connecticut was paid in full for the last period of the contract, even though they did not produce all deliverables.
Ms. Rooth circulated Ms. Nielson’s job description. Commission members are to review the job description and develop questions and needs for discussion at our next meeting. For example, job description, duties, responsibility, who would be supervisor, etc.
9. New Business
A. P & Z Discussion
After a short discussion, the Commission asked if Ms. Nielson could investigate the possibility of getting Planemetrics to present to us; or obtain the slide show handouts.
B. Holiday Event
Within discussion, it was mentioned that a smaller group to work on a “subcommittee” type basis. Mr. Shrager and Ms. Bohmiller will work to develop a calendar of events.
C. Other
Ms. Fontaine mentioned that as a Commission we have gotten caught up in ancillary events, which could be handled by local businesses. Brochures, the web site, photos, EDC consultant/part timer, etc. would be better projects. All East Hampton businesses should be served by the Commission’s efforts. Pooled loan funding, grants, State incentives, and other funding sources for possible business starts and attracting new businesses are all ideas to be further investigated.
Mr. Schrager noted that if the Village Center was thriving, it would bring in business for the entire Town.
Discussion followed regarding building owners, a “downtown business owners group”, and a possible meeting to find out what they need to fill their buildings. Also discussed were possible incentives, tax abatements, improvements, etc.
8:26 p.m. – Ms. Bohmiller left the meeting.
Tom O’Brien mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce would have the framework of a lot what this Committee could use to benefit East Hampton.
This special meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Carducci
Recording Secretary
8-1-10
All Handouts are available at Town Hall and are made part of these minutes.
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