Union County Economic Development Corporation
P O Box 1208 1119 Washington Avenue La Grande , OR 97850
Phone: 541-963-0926
Fax: 963-0689
e-mail: ucedc@eoni.com
website: www.ucedc.org
Minutes
July 21, 2006
Monthly Meeting: 7:30 a.m. at UCEDC Office 1119 Washington Avenue, La Grande
Meeting Facilitator: Tim Seydel , President
Board Reporter: Violet Trapp, Administrative Assistant
Executive Director: Craig Thompson
Members Present: Dale Case, Janet Hume-Schwarz, Tim Seydel , Howard Perry , Dennis Spray, John Howard , Bill Whittemore and Russell Lester
Absentees: Steve Rzonca, Mark Davidson, Sheri McDonald and Lori Hines
The meeting was called to order at 7.30 a.m. , by Tim Seydel , President.
Tim Seydel entertained a motion to approve the June Minutes .
Janet Hume-Schwarz moved the board accepts the minutes as written. Bill Whittemore seconded the motion. The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS:
General Liability Insurance Policy – LGB&T Park : - Craig Thompson
Following the June board meeting's decision, Craig talked with Wheatland Insurance about increasing the amount of liability from $300,000 to $1,000,000. The premium cost will go from $559 to $615 annually. The umbrella quote for an additional $1,000,000 will cost an additional $550 annually for a total of $1,165. The additional insurance went into effect July 10, 2006 . UCEDC now has $2,000,000 general liability coverage for the infrastructure construction which cannot be reduced until the policy expires. Craig said that he will come to the board at the time of expiration and the board can decide what coverage will be needed for next year.
Cricket Building : - Craig Thompson/ John Howard
This item went to Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The board came out of Executive Session
Dale Case moved that UCEDC make a counter offer to Jeff Oveson. Craig is given the authority to work out an agreement. Dennis Spray seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. John Howard abstained.
Downtown Retail Committee Update - Craig Thompson
Craig is continuing to meet with the retail committee. Initially the committee was marketing the downtown to bring in new retail businesses, now has expanded to looking at a comprehensive development for downtown. Craig will continue to work with the committee.
Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality - Craig Thompson/Janet Hume-Schwarz
Janet asked the board members that have not signed the confidentiality statement to please do so before leaving this meeting.
Janet presented to the board the recommended Conflict of Interest Policy that she and Sheri McDonald have formed. The first two pages of the policy come from the IRS recommended for non-profit organizations and a portion taken from Chapter 65 of the Oregon Revised Statutes which deals with non-profit organizations. UCEDC has no policy for the board members and should have a written Conflict of Interest Policy.
Janet moved the board accepts the Conflict of Interest Policy as presented. Dale Case seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
LGB&T Park Ground Breaking - Craig Thompson
Immediately following this meeting is the ground breaking at the La Grande Business and Technology Park at 9:00 a.m. at the Gekeler Lane e ntrance.
Those scheduled to speak are:
Colleen Johnson, City of La Grande Mayor
Tim Seydel , President of UCEDC Board
Steve McClure, Union County Commissioner
Ron Singel, City of La Grande Manager
LGB&T Park Listing - MLS - Craig Thompson
A part of the marketing effort of the La Grande Business & Technology Park is to place the park on the MLS. The park is presently listed on Loopnet and it would be effective to have the park listed on the MLS also. A 5% commission will go to a broker representing a buyer to UCEDC. John Howard will list the park on MLS and will not receive a 5% commission. Inquiries that come to John will either be responded to by John or John will forward inquiries to Craig for a response. The LGB&T Park sign could be painted to add “for information on land purchase, contact a local realtor” with a list of the local realtors on the sign.
A board member suggested that real estate brokers who are members of UCEDC could be listed on the sign.
Janet Hume-Schwarz moved that that UCEDC list the LGB&T Park on MLS with a 5% fee paid by the buyer. Bill Whittemore seconded the motion. Motion approved.
REPORTS :
Finance Committee: - Janet Hume-Schwarz
As of June 30 the Income was down compared to budget by $7,000 due to the $15,000 reimbursement expense not received. Expenses were down compared to budget by $11,000. Overall operating income was a net loss of $7,700.
Total net loss of $23,600 mainly due to property taxes paid on back farm deferral of $18,900.
As of June 30 the Balance Sheet shows $5,200 cash in bank for the Property Team and $1,075 for Operations.
Property Committee: - Mark Davidson
No report
Communications/Marketing Committee: - Tim Seydel
Covered earlier under LGB&T Park Listing – MLS
Membership Committee: - Janet Hume-Schwarz
Howard Perry suggested UCEDC include a thank you to the UCEDC membership and list the members along with the ground breaking newspaper article.
Executive Director: - Craig Thompson
Craig received a letter from Union County Commissioners that UCEDC's funding request presentation is scheduled for Wednesday August 2, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Craig has to get a letter of request to Marlene Perkins by July 28.
Administrative Assistant: - Violet Trapp
- April Minutes were sent to the membership and partnerships
- July Board Meeting Agenda was sent to board members, membership and partnerships.
- Financial Reports (Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss Statement and the Budget vs Actual), through June were given to Janet for the Financial Report.
- The membership list was updated.
- All the board member binders have been updated for the July Board Meeting.
- Renewals of membership invoices for the month of July were mailed.
- Thank you letters and membership certificates were prepared and are delivered to the members.
- UCEDC newsletter will be published and mailed out by July 31.
NEW BUSINESS:
July 24 City Council Work Session: - Craig Thompson
UCEDC is scheduled to meet with the La Grande City Council on Monday July 24 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is for establishing goals and objectives for the fiscal year of 2006-2007. At the end of the year this will be reviewed by the council to see if these goals and objectives have been met. The UCEDC representatives to attend this meeting are Janet Hume-Schwarz, Tim Seydel and Craig Thompson.
Anne Greenlee/OHSU Project: - Craig Thompson
This is a project that Donna Betts of NEOEDD and Craig are working on. Initially Anne contacted them about obtaining additional funds for equipment at the science center for her research. There are vacant spaces at the center that falls under OHSU. The project has expanded to looking into marketing efforts similar to what UCEDC is doing for the LGB&T Park . Anne is interested in this marketing concept and is going to approach her colleagues about doing a survey of what businesses will be compatible with the center. Craig, Donna and Anne will work together to form a marketing plan.
Oregon Business Tour: - Craig Thompson
Judy Loudermilk of the La Grande Chamber of Commerce gave Craig a copy of the Oregon Business Tour tentative plan scheduled for September 10-21, 2007 . The tour committee is asking for proposals from communities wanting to be visited by the tourists. The proposal has to be submitted by September 8, 2006 outlining how Union County plans to host the tour. Tourists will include Oregon Governor Kulongoski, Senator Wyden and business leaders. Judy Loudermilk , Jill Miles, Donna Betts, Mayor Colleen Johnson, Commissioner Steve McClure and Craig are meeting at 10:00 a.m. , July 21, following the ground breaking at LGB&T Park . It was suggested to hold a luncheon at the conference center for the tour group and invite the local business and community leaders. Judy asked Craig if UCEDC will be willing to split the cost of the luncheon with the chamber of commerce. When Craig gets the dollar figures for the cost of the luncheon he will come to the board for approval to split the cost with the chamber. Craig said that it will be good for the board to consider participating in the tour and the cost of the luncheon.
Off the Agenda Item:
Dennis Spray mentioned a state project “Project Sky”. It is a manufacturing company that is looking at the Northwest. Craig and Dennis will work on getting the needed information together and send it to the state.
Meeting Adjourned 8:40 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Violet Trapp
Administrative Assistant
Note:
Next Board Meeting: Thursday August 17 , 2006 at 7:30 a.m .
UCEDC Office at 1119 Washington Avenue . Executive Meeting: Tuesday, August 8 , 2006 at 7:30 a.m.
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