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, Connie Lester, Bill Marx, Lloyd Wallace, Romaine Quinn and Tom Klassa.  

 

Absent: Jim Dohm, and  Dennis Stewart

 

Others Present:  Margie Quinn, Mike Spafford and Linda Zillmer.

 

Concerned Citizens: 

 

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

 

Approval of Meeting Minutes – Tom Klassa made a motion to approve minutes from January 21, 2015 2nd by Connie Lester.  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 March, 2015 was $8312.70.   Leaving a checking account balance of $75841.36 and an additional $9600.00 in the CD account to be used for marketing expenses, Web Site, and for business plan development.  and expenses.   RMAP fund is in the amount of $7596.23.  Total available funds are $93037.69   Marge contacted the Chamber of Commerce for refund on the Heart of North Days as Washburn County had already paid them.  Marge Quinn has provided board members with a Treasurer Report, P&L, detail from QB and a balance excel spreadsheet for the annual income with expenses for 2014.  Bill Marx made a motion to accept the Treasurer Report and pay all bills as noted, 2nd by Rob Paine.   M.C. by unanimous vote. 

 

Correspondence Received- none

 

Director Report - Director Mike Spafford discussed projects he is working on to include Job Fair with 19 businesses so far to attend.  Mike discussed the Education Advisory Panels he has set up in Minong, Shell Lake, Spooner, and Birchwood.  Discussions were made regarding the job fair this year and Businesses to attend.  Mike asked for volunteers to help set up tables and take down tables.  Ken Schultz, Bill Marx and Rob Paine volunteered to help at the job fair and to be there by 930 on the 27th to start.  Mike updated the board on the updates with our Website/Magnifisites and stated he has not had the time to work on the Web Site.  Mike has schedule is Soft skill with students and the importance of courtesy skills applying for job and interviewing for jobs.  Mike would like to get certificates made for the students as well when they are completed.  Mike is also trying to put together Career Days and has sent information out to businesses interested. Mike updated the board on the 2015 Membership.  Mike updated the board briefly on the RLF through WCIDA and how it works to qualify for the loan.  Board Members have requested a print out of how RLF would be eligible for future applicants interested in a loan.  .  Mike updated the board on his plans for 2015 projects he is working on.    

 

Lloyd Wallace made a motion to convene in closed pursuant to 19.85 (1) (C), WI statues to discuss personnel issues of specific persons, and job descriptions, which if discussed in public would likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person, referred to in such data.  Tom Klassa 2nd the motion.  M.C. by unanimous vote.  Margie Quinn and Mike Spafford were invited to attend the closed session.

 

Roll Call was taken by Margie Quinn.

Jim Bethel-yes, Bill Marx-Yes, Rob Paine-Yes, Connie Lester-Yes, Romaine Quinn-yes, Tom Klassa-yes, Ken Schultz-yes, Lloyd Wallace-yes.  M.C.

 

 

Motion to reconvene in open session by Rob Paine, 2nd by Connie Lester.  M.C  

 

Discussions were made on filling the Birchwood and Minong representation for WCEDC Director positions.

 

Motion made by Bill Marx to allow Director Mike Spafford to hire for 2 days a week/(16 hours)and allow $1000.00 out of the budget to get employee started with the appropriate equipment. Jim Bethel 2nd the motion.    M.C. by unanimous vote. 

 

Other Concerns/Discussions/Action –

 

Agenda items for Next Meeting: Director Positions to fill for Birchwood and Minong. 

 

Next Monthly Meeting:  April 15, 2015  

 

Motion to adjourn by Lloyd Wallace, 2nd by Rob Paine.  M.C.  by unanimous vote

 

 

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