MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MARCH 11, 2004
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:40 A.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Chairman Lou George, Commission Members Dave Balboni, Scott Barnett, Sharon Craig, and Nancy Haase.
II. MINUTES – 1/8/04, 1/15/04 & 2/5/04
Scott Barnett made a motion, seconded by Nancy Haase and approved unanimously to approve the Minutes of 1/8/04.
Scott Barnett made a motion, seconded by Nancy Haase and approved unanimously to approve the Minutes of 1/15/04.
Corrections to the 2/5/04 Minutes were brought to the attention of the Clerk and are as follows: Under Call To Order on page 1 it should be noted that John Barney was in attendance (not John Carrol). Under Developers Showcase Discussion on page 1 the motion made by Scott Barnett was seconded by John Barney (not John Carrol), and under Project Reviews on page 3, paragraph 4, it should read 15,000 sq. ft. office building on the south side of town (not north side).
The 2/5/04 Minutes were approved unanimously by the EDC with the amended changes.
III. REPORTS
Sara Floraski introduced Mike Goman, President of Simsbury Main Street Partnership. Mr. Goman addressed the EDC members and explained the role of Main Street Partnership.
Mr. Goman has been involved in real estate for the past 25 years, and prior to moving to Simsbury in 1996, lived in Dallas for 8 years and was involved in the Main Street Partnership there.
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Mr. Goman gave some background history of the Main Street organization; how it became to develop in the 1970’s; explaining there is now a National Main Street Partnership, and Connecticut has a state level organization.
These two different levels do not provide any funding for the Town Partnerships, but do provide many resources.
Over the past 2 years Main Street has refocused; moved their office location in Town; and there have been leadership changes. Volunteer hours were logged at 2,000 and are necessary to maintain the Partnership. Main Street also works hand-in-hand with the Chamber of Commerce.
Marketing had been hit or miss, and now each fall there is a marketing calendar for merchandising events. Membership in 2003 was boosted to 130 members (about 75% of merchants) and the fundraising auction generated over $30,000.
The four areas that Main Street focuses on are 1) design element issues (done at MSP cost), 2) outreach and membership, 3) economic development, and 4) promotions/marketing.
Last year through the National Partnership, Simsbury was able to bring in experts to work with merchants on visual merchandising (tailored to each business). Ten businesses participated including, Bill Selig Jewelers and Gibbs Mobile.
The daily main focus of MSP is promotions and marketing. Promoting existing downtown businesses and to solicit and bring in new businesses (Hopmeadow St. – Holloways’ to Simsmore Square).
Last January Main Street presented for the Plan of Development to the Planning Commission, and a copy of that report will be given to the Economic Development Commission.
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Views expressed by merchants and people on the downtown area are that they would like to see it more pedestrian friendly, a more walkable environment, and see more businesses on the side streets running east-west toward Ironhorse Blvd.
Main Street has a meeting March 30th at the 1820 House from 6:00-7:30 pm where its members on Hopmeadow will attend to meet with the promotions/marketing chairs.
Mike would like to encourage EDC to have a liaison to attend their meetings every month, scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30 am.
The EDC would like to receive the Main Street meeting minutes in the future.
Sharon Craig reported to the Commission that Mike Goman had been a featured speaker at the Real Estate Exchange on Common Ground for Balanced Growth.
It was stated by Sara Floraski that the Town web site will soon have the latest and updated inventory of commercial real estate.
IV. PROJECT REVIEWS
Nancy Haase reported she attended the Zoning meeting regarding the Hopmeadow Street Office Building Developers, and this project has passed.
Lou George said the Plan of Development proposal was presented to Planning, and he and Scott Barnett came away realizing the Planning Commission wants to see actual ideas of what to change, add, etc. Scott will continue to look at the MAP and zones and propose changes re industrial and commercial. This will be discussed at the next EDC meeting.
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V. PRESENTATION ON HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS
Jeff Kezerian, a 3-year resident of Simsbury, and an Engineer who works on Herman Drive by the Simsbury Airport, spoke to the Commission about his research on Internet access. His business currently does not have high-speed Internet access.
He approached 16 of the approximate 40 businesses in that area over the past few months to see if they are interested in this Internet access. Twelve of the businesses were ready to sign up. He contacted various Internet companies, such as, ATT, SNET, COMCAST and SBC.
COMCAST has said the cost would be $26,000 to get set up and would like to have 4-year commitments from the businesses.
Lou George said the next step would be to contact COMCAST and SBC and have communication with them. It would then be determined if the infrastructure program fits.
Scott Barnett said a letter should be sent to the businesses in the area explaining what they are trying to provide and stating the requirements needed by the companies by these Internet providers. It was suggested that a town contact person or sub-committee be assigned to work with the Internet providers.
Jeff Kezerian will continue his efforts to contact the rest of the businesses to help EDC with this process. A form letter will be sent with the basic information on how to sign on, etc. with a copy given to the EDC. EDC will speak with the First Selectman on this issue and strategy.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
It was reported the Simsbury Public Library business resource center was flagged as a model for the Japanese Government.
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One of the outcomes of a presentation on this model given in Japan, is two people, one from the Japanese Business Library Assoc., are coming later this month to see firsthand how this works.
FVVA would like to be included on the next EDC agenda to discuss the next quarterly report, summer events and the Press Tour.
EDC was contacted regarding the building being built at Simsmore Square in the hopes of helping to move things along. There are still unanswered questions regarding the water situation and whether the certificate of occupancy will be given upon completion (scheduled for late summer/early fall).
Nancy Haase reported the “Corner Cupboard” is still optimistic about their business, in spite of the sewer problem, and said they expressed more guidance would have been helpful dealing with the Design Review Board on the approval of the store’s sign and more guidance in the overall process.
Nancy gave an example of the process stumbling in another matter. At the Zoning Meeting she attended, Don Tuller from Tulmeadow Farm addressed the Zoning members about removing two existing windows at his store and installing four windows to service his customers better. Zoning wanted him to amend his site plan, which there was no site plan.
Nancy also contacted the owner of IES, which moved the computer portion of their business to Granby. She said this move was created by a “family related” issue.
FYI for the EDC members – there is a “Good Morning Simsbury” Chamber meeting on March 31st at the Simsbury Inn from 8:00-9:30 am. Call the Chamber ahead if you plan to attend.
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On March 17th from 8:00-9:30 am at Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance, the topic is “Cellular Service in Simsbury”. Nancy Haase said she would attend.
The Metro Hartford Alliance has developed an expansion and relocation database. This is database throughout the State, and this can help to promote Simsbury.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The Economic Development Commission unanimously adjourned the meeting at 9:30 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Lungarini
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