HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES EDA 06.21.16MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JUNE 21, 2016
Chair Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm.
PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Weidt.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator
Rachel Juba, Planner
Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF May 17, 2016
Klein made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of May 17, 2016.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
WASHINGTON COUNTY UPDATE
Fran Miron, Board Chair of Washington County Commissioners spoke to the EDA. Miron spoke on
general county information, tax base and population growth, residential survey, road construction and
maintenance, aquatic invasive species grant, resource recovery, economic development & bonding, and
public health. In regards to economic development, he stated that the County has been increasing its
role in economic development. Miron stated that Washington County knows that that it is important to
help both businesses that are already located in our County and those that might be looking to move
here. Miron described that having more jobs and good jobs in our communities is vital to our economic
health at the city and county level. He stated that Washington County will not be duplicating what cities
already do, but will be in a support role to help communities that may not be large enough to have their
own economic development staff. Miron stated that Washington County asked the Legislature to grant
their Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), which are additional powers related to economic
development. Washington County believed that was a more efficient way than creating an entirely new
organization to do economic development. The HRA already has much of the infrastructure and support
to bring in this new function and is more cost effective for our taxpayers. That bill was passed and
signed by the Governor so Washington County continues to move forward and has since hired an
Economic Development Director, Chris Eng.
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment.
ADJOURNMENT
Klein made a motion, seconded by Puleo, to adjourn at 6:24 p.m.
All ayes. Motion carried.