TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON
Economic Development Commission
Regular Meeting
November 16, 2010
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
6:30 p.m.
MINUTES
Present: Chair Rich Leone, Todd Schrager, Cindy Rooth, Kimberley Fontaine.
Absent: Diane Bohmiller, Jack Solomon, Allen Pawlak
Also Present: Kerry Nielson, Director of Community and Environmental Planning; Jennifer Carducci, Recording Secretary, several members of the public.
1. Call to Order
Chair Leone called this regular meeting of the East Hampton Economic Development Commission at 6:42 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Schrager to approve the Regular Meeting of October 19, 2010 minutes as written; seconded by Ms. Rooth, Vote: Yes: 3; No: 0, Abstain: 1– Fontaine; motion passed.
3. Announcements
Ms. Rooth noted that a sign company is moving into the Middletown Plate Glass Building.
4. Town Manager/Town Council Liaison/Community Dev. Director
Interim Town Manager Robert Drewry not present. Kerry Nielson briefly discussed new building on West High Street (nail salon); incentive housing, day care on East High Street, sports complex on West High Street.
5. Public Comments
Danny Strong, Disaster Restoration Services, introduced himself to the Commission, explained his new business venture, opened in January. The business does insurance repair – cleaning, reconstructing, restoring, storing – after fire or other damage. Presently, he is home-based, but is attempting to locate 12-14,000 square feet of space. The Commission will assist with a press release.
Daren Coleman, owner of 82 Main Street introduced himself to the Commission. Mr. Coleman is interested in the Town’s vision for growth in the Village Center. He has approximately 3,000 total square feet of store front area available for rent and questioned why the Town had not gone through the RFP process for the relocation of the “annex” departments. Problems facing business owners in the Village as he sees it are (were) the Main Street Bridge being out for so long, parking, renovation difficulties, negative image, etc. Mr. Coleman still has three (3) housing rentals available.
Ms. Fontaine questioned as to where in Town (records) we keep an inventory of our rental stock and believes the Town should support this effort.
Discussion ensued regarding the parking lot; plowing, landscaping, liability, loitering, and possibilities for the future. Banners, window art/dressing, and publicity events were suggested to Mr. Coleman to publicize the improvements he has made to the interior of the building. Mr. Schrager will contact Dean Markham to discuss possibility of article highlighting historic past.
Several high school students were in the audience and expressed their desire to help in the community. The possibility of students helping with the parade on December 4th was discussed. The students gave Chair Leone contact information and these possibilities will be discussed with other commissioners further.
The owners of 70 Main (coffee house/art gallery) stated their opening will be in approximately two weeks. Ms. Rooth made a motion to write a letter of support to the Health Department regarding 70 Main’s opening, seconded by Mr. Schrager, motion passed 4-0-0.
6. Presentations - None
7. EDC Liaison Reports – None
- Summary Discussion of other Board and Commission Activity
8. Old Business
- Mary Dickerson presentation 12-2-10
Chair Leone stated Mary Dickerson will present at a Special Meeting of EDC on 12-2-10 in the Town Hall Meeting Room at 6:30 p.m. The EDC consultant position was discussed.
- Business of the Month/Grand Opening Banners – new sign business in Town
Chair Leone has reached out to Ms. Weintraub, Town Council, to inquire about using the new Town logo on EDC signs. Chair Leone will present letter to Town Council next Tuesday, asking permission to use logo on new signs.
After discussion it was decided that Ms. Nielson will deliver sign monthly to business of the month and do a press release.
- Holiday Events/Parade/Tree Lighting
Chair Leone will compile information from last year’s events. Ms. Nielson will locate the large prelit tree and ornaments purchased last year. Chair Leone will contact Monica Kangley and Ms. Nielson will coordinate police and other issues for Parade day. Mr. Schrager will reach out to the High School and Middle School regarding bands/choirs. Sheet music and a list of the day’s events may be generated and circulated. Electric power could be turned on through Center School for the Gazebo; rain/snow date will be Sunday. Chair Leone will contact Marty Swan to light tree.
After discussion, Ms. Fontaine made a motion to reimburse Chair Leone for publicity ads placed expenses for Halloween, not exceed $600; since there was not time to have a special meeting to approve, seconded by Ms. Rooth, motion passed 4-0-0.
Ms. Fontaine made a motion to approve expenditures not to exceed $1,200 for advertisement placement for publicize holiday calendar of events, two weeks - 11-27-10 and 12-4-10, seconded by Ms. Rooth, motion passed 4-0-0.
Chair Leone advised the Commission that the Goff House has requested reimbursement for their refreshments. After discussion, consensus was to decline request since they are sponsoring events of their own. Chair Leone will reach out for more discussion.
d. STEAP Grant(s) Implementation
Town staff has met to formulate RFQ for bridge design and it should be out within a month. Discussions ensued regarding the amphitheatre. Chair Leone stated that he sent an email to the members of the Town Council indicating that EDC was unhappy the last STEAP grant had essentially been “hijacked” by the Gov. O’Neill Memorial Committee, it was repurposed; and EDC was left out of the loop when decisions were made.
Ms. Fontaine questioned if policies and procedures could be put in place that could prevent the Committee from being left out of decision-making process.
Ms. Fontaine stated we need to have a list of priorities, which coincide with Plan of Development, ready to go for the next grant application time.
e. Home-based Business Expo – Spring - tabled
f. Blight Ordinance Plans/Comments/Suggestions - tabled
Ms. Fontaine suggested our February meeting be the deadline for the Ordinance to be ready to vote on. After a short discussion, consensus was enforcement needs to be discretionary.
9. New Business
The Commission discussed an article circulated by Ms. Fontaine regarding New London’s positive marketing campaign.
Ms. Rooth mentioned that, at the previous business breakfast, comments were that the businesses would like more networking/more businesses present, and local bank presentations. Chair Leone and Ms. Rooth will identify commercial contact people.
b. Approval of 2011 Meeting Dates
Mr. Shrager made a motion to approve the meeting dates as presented for EDC Meetings for 2011, seconded by Ms. Rooth, motion passed 4-0-0.
c. Other
Ms. Rooth would like the Town to fulfill their obligation to maintain the parking lot at 82 Main Street. Mr. Leone will speak with the Interim Town Manager. Ms. Nielson will speak to Police Department to control the loitering at 82 Main Street.
Ms. Fontaine proposed that EDC forward a plan to offer incentives based on the ratio of dollars spent to improve their property. Discussion ensued.
A short discussion occurred regarding the upcoming budget preparations.
10. Public Comments - None
11. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Carducci
Recording Secretary
11-20-10
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