"Expand the Tax Base and Create New Jobs"
Washburn County Economic Development Corporation
MONTHLY MEETING – Wednesday January 15, 2014
V. President Bill Marx called the meeting to order at 730am at the Washburn County Economic Development office located at 208 Vine Street, Spooner, WI.
Present: Jim Bethel, Bill Marx, Connie Lester, Ken Schultz, Tom Klassa, Skip Fiedler, Rob Lester,
Absent: Lloyd Wallace, and Morris Gillett.
Others Present: Margie Quinn
Concerned Citizens: None
Approval of Agenda- Ken Schultz made a motion to approve agenda, 2nd by Skip Fiedler. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Approval of Meeting Minutes Skip Fiedler made a motion to approve minutes for December 18th, 2nd by Rob Lester. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Presentation from Spooner Development by Randy McQuade- Randy discussed the importance of a job fair for Washburn County area. Randy is the Director of the Spooner Development and would lead the job fair, and ask for the assistance from WCEDC Board to encourage Employers in their specific area to contact either Marge Quinn from WCEDC, or Randy himself. The process would include approximate 4 hour session and hopefully get at least 15 employers to participate in WC. Randy requested the assistance in WCEDC with help on the financial part. Motion made by Tom Klassa to help fund the job fair in the amount of $600.00, 2nd by Skip Fiedler. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Presentation by Northwest Regional Planning- Sheldon Johnson, Jeff Dietrich, and Rick Rousar were present for the presentation. Literature was circulated to the WCEDC Board on what Northwest Regional Planning has to offer and what they do for surrounding counties, to include Washburn County. Rick Rousar spoke on their RLF and the amount that is available. NWRP would like to work with WCEDC to help out Washburn County.
Nomination of WCEDC President- V. Chair Bill Marx open the floor for nominations for President. Bill Marx nominated Ken Schultz for President, 2nd by Rob Lester. M.C. by unanimous vote. Nominations were closed.
President Ken Schultz took over on WCEDC meeting as the President.
Minong Representative- Bill Marx made a motion to table to February meeting, 2nd by Skip Fiedler. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report by Jim Bethel- Jim Bethel read the monthly Treasurer’s report. Jim B. reported on the monthly bills. The total expense for December 18th – January 15, 2014 were $14539.42 to include 2014 Rent paid annually, leaving a checking account balance of $68281.73 (partial membership for 2014 in our budget) and an additional $9504.64 in the CD account to be used for ½ marketing expenses, ½ for business plan development, and 501 (c) (3) expenses to the IRS and Anderson Hager and Moe. RMAP fund is in the amount of $7596.23. Total available funds are $85418.19. Marge Quinn has provided board members with a Treasurer Report, P&L monthly and a balance detail from QB. Bill Marx made a motion to accept the Treasurer Report and pay all bills as noted, 2nd by Skip Fiedler. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Discussion/Action on New Director-Discussions was made by Board Members. WCEDC Sub Committee created a job description comparable to surrounding counties. Bill Marx made a motion to accept the job description after the amended job description to add at the end, “Maintain a two week floating/flexible schedule”. Skip Fiedler 2nd the motion. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Motion made by Tom Klassa to accept the Director ad with the amendments made on date due, to be changed to March 1st, 2014 and eliminate probationary period. Interviewing to be the first 2 weeks in March, and offer the Director position to the appropriate candidate on the March 19th monthly meeting Skip Fiedler 2nd the motion. M.C. unanimous vote.
Motion made by Skip Fiedler to accept questions proposed for interviewing, Tom Klassa 2nd the motion. M.C. unanimous vote.
Motion made by Connie Lester to advertise Director position for 2 weeks in the Shell Lake Register, Yellow Paper to the North, Spooner Advocate, and CEP Office, 2nd by Jim Bethel. M.C. unanimous vote.
Marge Quinn stated she will be on vacation during the process of interviewing from March 4th – March 12th. Board Members ask Marge to find someone willing and trustworthy to sit in the office approximately 5 hours a day while she is on vacation. Marge has agreed to find someone that would be trustworthy and dependable.
Correspondence Received-
Vacation Request- Bill Marx made a motion to let Marge Quinn carry her vacation hours over into the 2014 year due to no Director for the past three months, Marge was not able to take vacation. Tom Klassa 2nd the motion. M.C. by unanimous vote
Motion made by Tom Klassa to convene in closed pursuant to 19.85 (1) (C), WI statues, which if discussed in public would likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person, referred to in such data. Skip Fiedler 2nd the motion.
Roll Call was properly taken by Margie Quinn.
Motion made by Jim Bethel to reconvene in open session to discuss issues and take action on matters discussed in closed session. Skip Fiedler 2nd the motion.
Marge Quinn is to research Administrator Coordinator wages/job descriptions comparable to hers with surrounding counties and present to board members at the Feb. meeting.
Other Concerns/Discussions/Action - None
Agenda items for Next Meeting:
Minong Representative.
Next Monthly Meeting: February 19th, 2014.
Skip Fiedler made a motion to adjourn, 2nd by Jim Bethel. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Draft only! Board needs to approve at the next Meeting. Respectfully Submitted by Margie Quinn.