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PORTLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Minutes of Meeting - May 16, 2007


1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Fred Knous called the EDC meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL
Members present: Fred Knous, Peter LaMalfa, and Michael Elliott
Others present: Consultant to the EDC, Christopher Edge and Frank Winiski of the Brownstone Arts Association

3. MINUTES
MOTION BY Peter LaMalfa to accept the minutes of April 18, 2007 as read. SECONDED BY Fred Knous, UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.

4. CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence to discuss.

5. DISCUSSION
A. Roundtable Discussion regarding the Brownstone Arts Show.
As part of the Quorum Portland Brownstone Festival in September, Frank Winiski arranged for the Brownstone Arts Association show to be located at the Portland Intermediate School. Pending approval to sponsor the Brownstone Arts Association, in order to have umbrella insurance coverage under the Town of Portland, the EDC will clarify coverage and location requirements of the Town's policy. Peter LaMalfa and Fred Knous will follow-up with Town officials.


B. Consultant Update

Chris Edge reported:

  • There are now 41 properties on the Site Finder with 30 buildings, 10 sites and 1 business for sale.
  • Visits to local businesses: Wheeler Farm Gardens, Gifts from the Heart/Prehistoric Mini-Golf & Ice Cream, Quarry Ridge Restaurant.
  • The "Shop in Portland" coupon sheet will be advertised in the May 18th Rivereast. Chris Edge will send a letter with the coupon sheet to all businesses in town by May 22.
    Signage will be placed at 80 Licks Ice Cream to focus on the "New Business of the Month" and LaMalfa Realtors for recognition of his "Existing Business of the Month" (38 years).
  • The cost of the list of potential grants for Portland from Community Consulting is $1,500.
  • The Waste Management building, which is vacant in Industrial Park, is a specialized building with sizeable office space and drive-in doors.

Chris Edge:

  • Distributed a list of local, regional and state, private grant opportunities.
  • Met with town officials regarding STEAP grant activity for next year, such as completion of existing projects, greening near the bridge, parking improvements, mapping, and façade improvement.
  • Plans to meet with retail Main Street businesses regarding opening one night a week.
  • Attended the International Shopping Center convention, which featured various retailers. In particular, Aldi's may have interest in Portland.
  • Presented a draft of modifications to the web page for EDC review.

Fred Knous requested that Chris Edge advise the EDC of any potential new food businesses for Portland.

C. Grants and STEAP

The EDC agreed that Chris Edge would go forward with completion of this year's STEAP Grant projects and initiate next year's Main Street project.

The EDC has authorized funding towards a grants inventory, which would be provided by Ann Faust of Community Consulting. Fred Knaus will ask other Portland boards to fund the remaining $300. Chris Edge and Michael Elliott will develop and present a list of deliverables for the catalog to Ann Faust. A subcommittee will meet with Ann Faust to prioritize focus for the grants, identify Town staff to be involved, and provide viability and deliverability for the grants. Chris Edge will contact Ann Faust.

MOTION by Michael Elliott to reallocate $1,200 and procure $300 in additional funds up to $1,500 from other Town of Portland Committees towards a grants inventory, which will be provided by Community Consulting (Ann Faust). SECONDED by Peter LaMalfa and UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.

D. Insurance Coverage

Groups have had difficulty sponsoring events on Board of Education property due to the insurance fee of $900. In order to consider any new requests for EDC sponsorship of groups under Town insurance, the EDC will obtain more information on coverage and logistics under the Town's insurance policy.

E. MDC

The EDC would like to formally thank Senator Eileen M. Daily for her continuing efforts to ensure that Portland resident do not have to pay for additional water and sewer costs for services they do not receive.

F. Regulations

Peter LaMalfa and Michael Elliott are continuing work on the regulations.
Fred Knous will offer suggestions to the Planning & Zoning Department regarding development for Main Street.

G. Fiscal year 2007-2008

There will be further discussion on contracts for the upcoming year for consultant services when the full Committee is present.

A sub-committee will meet with the grant writer.

H. Budget

The EDC considered allocating funds in support of local businesses. They discussed purchasing signage at the entrance to Industrial Park. Michael Elliott will research cost, support, and logistics for the project. The EDC will explore other opportunities to support local businesses.

6. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to discuss.

7. NEW BUSINESS
In June, the EDC will present the "Business of the Year" award to Pine Ridge for beautification of the Portland intersection near the Bridge.

MOTION by Michael Elliott to elect Pine Ridge as "Business of the Year" for community beautification that they have done over the years at the intersection of Route 66 and Main Street. SECONDED by Peter LaMalfa and UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

MOTION TO ADJOURN by Michael Elliott and SECONDED by Peter LaMalfa. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Edwards, Board Clerk
5/18/07