Meeting Minutes

The Joint Economic Development Council of Lawrence & Douglas County

Thursday September 11^th, 2014

8:30 a.m.

Bio-Science and Technology Business Center

Members in attendance:  Brad Finkeldei, Mike McGrew, Mike Smithyman, Scott Criqui, Leslie Soden, Jon Josserand, Larry McElwain, Barack Matite, Colin Bielser, Tim Caboni

Ex-Officio Members in attendance: Dave Corliss, Craig Weinaug, Bob Schumm, Diane Stoddard

Also in attendance: Chad Lawhorn, Brady Pollington, Joe Jarvis, Bonnie Lowe, Diane Stoddard, Britt Crum-Cano

Mr. McElwain called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

Mr. McElwain briefly commented ion the importance of the JEDC and about the most recent draft of the Community ED Strategic Plan.

Mr. Finkeldei moved to approve the minutes. Scott Criqui seconded. Motion passed.

Mr. Pollington provided an update on economic development activities in Lawrence & Douglas Co and spoke about the recent entrep. Support initiative.  Mr. Finkeldei expanded on the entrepreneur initiative to comment about separate sub-committee meetings taking place.  Mr. Bielser mentioned his expertise in e-community and other opportunities for access to capital.  Also identified how e-communities have been provided for all the Douglas County towns except for Lawrence.

Mrs. Lowe provided an update on the ED budget and new line items to break out overhead.  Mr. Criqui appreciated the breakout/transparency of the new budget.  Mr. Schumm asked if the drop in salary is an actual drop.  Mrs. Lowe confirmed. Mr. McElwain advised that the EDC is taking its time regarding considering the hiring of a senior ED person and it is not the intent of the EDC to ask for additional funding for a senior ED person for FY15.

Mr. McElwain introduced the latest version of the community ED strategic plan and is asking for feedback.  Mr. McElwain also mentioned the SWOT analysis may be removed from the document as to minimize the exposure or advertisement of our weaknesses & threats.  Mr. McElwain said the SWOT frames the issues and guides the vetting process so others can better understand why we are doing what we are doing.

Mr. Weinaug thought the “Threat” of environmental regulations is in accurate and does not see anything positive in this statement being included.  Mr. Finkeldei agreed.  Weinaug mentioned the reliance of the residential construction for tax base is not going to change because of the state initiatives.  Mr. Schumm disagreed with some of the SWOT as well.  Mr. McGrew mentioned that if the plan is going to be marketed then the weaknesses and threats should not be published.  Mr. Corliss mentioned that current economic development resources are not in line with other communities, meaning other communities are better funded/supported.  He thinks we need to start the conversation on additional resources for economic development.  Dave asked “are we putting enough resources into economic development”.

Josserand mentioned KU is not mentioned in the SWOT.

Regarding the pyramid … Mr. Bielser mentioned that Baldwin & Eudora should not be mentioned as “other communities” … Larry asked for feedback from Colin & Barak to tell us what this should look like.

Schumm said this is the first time he felt the plan was a real community effort.

Additional comments from the committee were made in support of the ED plan as well as additional minor changes.

Mr. McElwain asked the committee for approval of the plan after the changes were incorporated.  The body confirmed his request. 

Having no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 10:05.

Respectfully submitted on this date:  September 11^th, 2014.

Brady Pollington, Vice President