President Ken Schultz called the meeting to order at 730am at the Washburn County Economic Development office located at 208 Vine Street, Spooner, WI.

 

Present: Jim Bethel, Rob Paine, Ken Schultz, Jim Dohm, Bill Marx, and Tom Klassa.  

 

Absent: Lloyd Wallace, Connie Lester, Skip Fiedler, Dennis Stewart, and Morris Gillett

 

Others Present:  Margie Quinn, Mike Spafford.

 

Concerned Citizens:  Hugh Miller

 

President Schultz amended agenda to move Hugh Miller presentation before Treasurer Report.

 

Approval of Agenda- Rob Paine made a motion to approve amended agenda, 2nd by Jim Dohm.  M.C. by unanimous vote.

 

Approval of Meeting Minutes Rob Paine made a motion to approve minutes from September 19th, 2014 2nd by Tom Klassa.  M.C. by unanimous vote.

 

Hugh Miller Presentation on Broadband-  Hugh Miller stated WCEDC, UW Extension and Spooner District have set up a bandwidth Assessment Tool called (BAT) Training to better understand the benefits of broadband (high speed internet access) and the speed for your businesses, residents, on the needs to function properly and well.  Hugh stated the training is open to everyone and there is no fee for attending.  Who wants to improve broadband service in their community can benefit from this training.  The date of the training at the Spooner High school is scheduled for December 17th, 2014.  Director Mike Spafford stated he has received a quote from White Birch Printing amounting to approximately 950.00, and to send approximately 20000 surveys to WC tax papers to determine the needs of high speed internet access for business, residents, government facilities, medical institution, schools and library, and anyone in Washburn County area to learn and access the Bandwidth Assessment Tool to identify current or future requirements to compete in a global market.   Motion by Tom Klassa to approve $950.00 out of the advertising budget to pay for the Survey, Jim Bethel 2nd the motion.  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 August 20, 2014 – September 17th, 2014 were $8295.11 leaving a checking account balance of $78203.19 and an additional $9504.64 in the CD account to be used for marketing expenses, Web Site, and for business plan development.   RMAP fund is in the amount of $7596.23.  Total available funds are $95375.37   Marge Quinn has provided board members with a Treasurer Report, P&L, detail from QB and a balance excel spreadsheet for the qtr. on income with expense.   Jim Dohm made a motion to accept the Treasurer Report and pay all bills as noted, 2nd by Dennis Stewart.   M.C. by unanimous vote. 

 

Motion made by Tom Klassa to move RMAP funds into an Interest Bearing Account to receive interest on funds available.  Jim Dohm 2nd the motion.  M.C. by unanimous vote. 

 

 

 

 

Director Report - Director Mike Spafford discussed projects he is working on to include Broadband, attended the Heart of the North meeting in Rice Lake and the Fish organization he is working with.   Mike stated to attend the Heart of the North days in March; they ask to help fund this in the amount of $500.00.  Discussions were made on where the funding should come from.   Mike updated the board on the meeting with Civic Center and updates with Magnifisites on and new updated EDC Website.  Mike stated he has completed approximately half of the new website, and still working on when he has time.   Mike updated the board on the new sign and stated WCIDA has approved to pay for half of the sign.  Mike commented on the Education Advisory panel he is working on and stated he has talked with several businesses to have the kids tour the businesses in WC. President Schultz asked Mike to put together a report of projects in 2014 with the status on projects started, and plans for WCEDC in 2015 for the next meeting of WCEDC. 

 

Other Concerns/Discussions/Action – WCEDC Board Members made discussions on Director and Adm. Coordinator’s job descriptions. 

 

Agenda items for Next Meeting:  IDA/EDC Contract-EDC Activities with Job descriptions/

 

Next Monthly MeetingJanuary 21st, 2014.  

 

Motion to adjourn by Bill Marx, 2nd by Jim Bethel.  M.C.  by unanimous vote

 

 

Draft only!  Board needs to approve at the next Meeting.    Respectfully Submitted by Margie Quinn.