PORTLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
September 19, 2007

1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Fred Knous called the EDC meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL
Members present: Michael Elliott, Fred Knous, Peter Lamalfa, and David Rintoul.
Others present: Ann Faust and Nancy Zimmer.

3. MINUTES

Minutes of the July 18, 2007 EDC meeting will be reviewed at the next meeting.

4. CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence received was discussed:

• Resignation letter from Sandy Boiselle, EDC member.

  MOTION BY Michael Elliott to accept the resignation of Sandy Boiselle and express appreciation for her past work for the Economic Development Commission. SECONDED by David Rintoul. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.

• Chris Edge will not seek an extension of the contract as Economic Development Consultant to Portland.
  MOTION BY David Rintoul to express appreciation for Chris Edge's efforts on behalf of the Economic Development Commission. SECONDED by David Rintoul. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.
• Paulette Buchanan donated $195.00 to the Town of Portland as a result of participation in the Brownstone Festival. The EDC expressed their appreciation.
• Next month, the EDC meeting will take place at Lamalfa Realtors, 255 Main St. in Portland.
• Tickets are available for EXPO.
• Site Finder: Various Sites have been renewed and the Commission will verify properties that are currently active with the Planning & Zoning Commission.
  
  • Rt. 66, #724 has been removed.
    
  • Hearings for Pickering Street properties regarding a hydrogen tank approval and a chemical storage approval.
    
  • Application for harvesting brownstone at the Brownstone Quarry.
    
  • Application regarding the soccer field near the Public Works area.
    
  • The Quickie Mart will open soon.
    
  • International Counsel of Shopping Centers Brownfield Workshop at Mohegan Sun.
    
  • On Sept. 21 there is a public hearing on the comprehensive changes to the zoning regulations.
    
  • Elmcrest application.
    
  • Connecticut Main Street regarding grant programs workshop.
    
  • CHIRC workshops for discussion at the next meeting.

   

5. DISCUSSION

A. Roundtable Discussion - Consultant Search for Portland Business Ambassador

• The Commission will begin a search for a Portland Business Ambassador, preferably a resident or someone who is familiar with Portland business owners.
  
• A Commission sub-committee will determine the role of the business ambassador, term of contract, allocation for salary from the coming year's budget, form of advertisement and start date.
  
• Suggested role: to attend the Chamber Breakfast (bi-monthly), welcome new businesses, visit Portland businesses, contact commercial realtors, update the Site-Finder, set up signs, and liaison with Town Hall staff.
  
• Contract duration: 300 hours/9 Months or 33 hours/month. To start before January if possible.

B. Grant Consultant Update

• Portland EDC's funding needs include streetscape upgrades, sewers, small business growth incentive, façade improvements, tourism promotion, recreational trail linkages, Brownfields inventory and redevelopment, and riverfront improvements.
• Grant Consultant Ann Faust gave a brief overview of recommendations from the Community Consulting report on funding opportunities that are available for the Town of Portland EDC. Twenty-five possible funding sources were identified and detailed. Ann Faust will provide another copy of the report for the EDC; however, the report is available to the public in the in the First Selectwoman's Office.
• Suggested next steps:
  1. Meet with the various grants program contacts and give them ideas so they can assisf with the best fit for each project.
  2. Find a cultural heritage tourism expert to provide a list of Portland's cultural assets from which a preliminary marketing plan could be developed.
  3. Conduct a workshop with various Portland groups such as the Historical Society, Brownstone Quorum, Seller Savers, garden clubs, American Legion, and Masons to come up with a common vision and a way to brand Portland as a destination.
  4. Find a way to disseminate the information and involve the best people.
  Suggestions:
  - Look into utilizing the billboard on Silver Street.
  - Post the Community Consulting report on the website.
  5. Nancy Zimmer feels that Portland is rich in grants possibilities. She is interested in pursuing the Certified Local Government Program.
• Action Plan:
  1. Before the next meeting, the Commission will develop a preliminary list of grants to pursue, discuss the approach, and allocate funds to support the plan.
  - Find more info on the State of Connecticut Urban Acts Grant and the CT Humanities Council Program.
  - After October 12, contact Diane Kelley regarding the US EPA Brownfields Assessment Grants.
  - Contact Mary Grasso at the US Dept. of Agriculture Community Development Office.
  - Michael Elliott will contact Mary Dunne and discuss the Certified Local Government Program with Nancy Zimmer.
  - Meet with Susan Bransfield, the Finance Department Head, and interested groups in October. Set up administrative/financial management of the projects.
  2. Develop a cohesive marketing plan for the Town. (Create a logo.)
  3. Contact Ann Faust for any grant writing.
  C. Budget
• Budget considerations for the upcoming fiscal year were discussed including Brownstone Industrial Park signage, business ambassador, and grant writing.

D. Business Signs

• The Commission is considering using sandwich board signage.
  
• Removal/set up of signs has become an issue. David Rintoul will check with Susan Bransfield's office regarding a staff person to remove/set up the signs. Another option would be to use a landscape company.
  
• There is no plan to award signage for businesses in October.

6. OLD BUSINESS
During the Brownstone Festival, Fred Knous and David Rintoul conducted the student art contest, which went very well. Business people from Colonial Framing, Floral Expressions and the library staff were extremely helpful and cooperative. And, there were donations from local merchants.

7. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to discuss.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.

9. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY Peter Lamalfa to adjourn the meeting of the Economic Development Commission. SECONDED by Michael Elliott. MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Edwards, Board Clerk
09/24/07