President Lloyd Wallace called the monthly meeting to order at 7:30a.m. At the Washburn County Economic Development Conference Room.
Present: Lloyd Wallace, Rob Paine, Louie Villella, Carol Dunn, Rob Lester, Morris Gillett, Pete Paine, and Greg Krantz.
Absent: Chuck Jenkins, and Mark Krueger.
Others Present: Margie Quinn, and Dick Hartmann
Rob Lester made a motion to approve the agenda, Rob Paine 2nd the motion. M.C.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the previous meeting November 19, 2009 were circulated. Pete Paine made a motion to approve the minutes. Rob Paine 2nd the motion. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Treasurer’s Report by Carol Dunn- Carol read the monthly Treasurer’s report and reported on the monthly bills. The total expense for November/December was $17,495.09 with a checking account balance of $16,841.10 and an additional $13,047.46 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. Total available funds are $29,888.56. Marge Quinn has provided board members with a Treasurer Report, P & L report, balance sheet report as requested by board members. Louie Villella made a motion to approve Treasurer Report and pay bills, 2nd by Rob Lester. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Members/Directors Comments: Louie Villella stated he visited the Chrisman Meats located in one of the Incubators. Louie indicated the owner of Christman Meats may need some additional funding and suggested the WCEDC Director should meet with them and offer assistance. Louie suggested we have “Incubators” on the January Agenda to clarify the regulations on business owners renting space through NWRP Incubators.
Old Business-
Website update. Dick Hartmann stated Todd Keup cancelled his presentation to be held at the EDC meeting today. Dick stated we have completed the links for minutes, agendas, and newsletter links. Dick indicated there is a lot to complete for the website. Motion by Pete Paine to have Todd Keup from Magnifisites present the final changes to the website for final approval at the January meeting. Louie Villella 2nd the motion.
M.C. by unanimous vote.
Update on Membership Letters: Director Dick Hartmann stated he is in the process of putting together letters to 256 contacts with the additional 164 new contacts. Dick stated he should have all letters mailed out by early January.
Discussion on Special Meeting in January regarding Renewable Energy: Director Dick Hartmann stated he has contacted local Loggers in Washburn County, Mike Peterson from Washburn County Forester, Johnson Timbers, and will put together agenda for Thursday January 6, 2010 for Gary Isakson from Renew/Capital to do a presentation and discuss the feasibility of the use of Washburn County Public Private wood resources for purposes of promoting and attracting renewable energy economic development.
IRS Letter- WCEDC received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service on our 501c3 application. WCEDC has been assigned an Exempt Organization Specialist for technical review of our application.
New Business-
Discussion/Action on USDA/RD Grant Application- Dick Hartmann stated he is in the process of completing an application for Federal Assistance the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program application for additional assistance to expand our Revolving Loan Fund Portfolio. The pre-application is due by December 31, 2009.
Discussion/Action on a new Computer for Marge: Lloyd Wallace stated Marge has received an estimate from Spooner PC for a new computer, and Lloyd has also received an estimate from CCS from Hayward. Board members, after discussions, felt we should stay within Washburn County. Greg Krantz made a motion to WCEDC invest in a new computer for Marge and cap the amount at $1000.00. Rob Paine 2nd motion.
M.C. by unanimous vote.
Director Report-open
- Dick stated he will let board members know on the date and time.
Dick stated Mark Nutt from WITC has contacted him and indicated he will be hosting a Business Plan Seminar in the spring for any potential Business Owners interested. Motion to approve Director Report by Morris Gillett, 2nd by Rob Paine. M.C. by unanimous vote.
President Lloyd Wallace stated there is no need to move into closed session.
Other Concerns: Margie Quinn has received an estimate in the amount of $425.00 for the lighted sign in front of the WCEDC office to be changed from Community Bank to Washburn County Economic Development. Louie Villella made a motion to have Perfect Images install the new sign in the amount of $425.00. Carol Dunn 2nd the motion. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Louie Villella made a motion to adjourn, 2nd by Rob Lester. M.C. by unanimous vote.
Next Meeting – January 21, 2010- 7:30 a.m. (Monthly Meeting) at the Washburn County Economic Development located at 208 Vine Street – Spooner, WI 54801
Respectfully Submitted by,
Margie Quinn