DRAFT: CDC Board Meeting Minutes: July 25, 2011
Minutes of: July 25, 2011 CDC Board Meeting
Meeting Came to Order: 6:20 pm, upon quorum.
Present: Dan Rosenberg, Sandy Chaille, Diann Miller, Julie Konno, Sarah Rah, Tom Burdette. Guests: Joanne Freemire, David Konno, Elissa Brown.
Past minutes: Not distributed.
Tonight’s Agenda: ADD: Brownfield Loan update; recycling in and around the CDC office; adjustment to Mariij Bowman’s office lease. Sandy made motion to add those items, Diann seconded, all approved
Public Comment:
Yosemite-Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council — David Konno presented a verbal and written report from on their activities since separating from US Department of Agriculture. RC&D has $500,000.00 in grants under contract. RC&D sent Steve Haze, David Konno, Don Loweburg, Brett Matzke and Brittany Dyer to the recent Sierra Business Council’s Southern Sierra Green Industry Business Leadership Team workshop. Outcome is YSRCD has launched an initiative “Sierra Economic and Educational Opportunities” (aka SEE-Opportunities) to assist at least four new ventures and to train and employ 20 unemployed or under-employed workers in activities that support green technology. YSRCD is forming cooperative alliances — e.g., Valley Small Business Development Center at UC Merced; Sierra Business Council; Economic Development corporation’s Fresno Energy Cluster; Regional Jobs Initiative’s Infrastructure Leadership Committee; Sustainable Forest and Community Collaborative; Dinkey Creek Landscape Collaborative.
Rural Business Enterprise Grant — Elissa Brown reported that the feasibility study underway by TSS Consultants is concluding that the Mill Site’s optimum opportunity is to pursue some type of biomass-to-energy operation. The report should be released in September.
Status Reports: Treasurer’s report was read and reviewed; no motioned for approval but accepted by general agreement.
Old Business:
Brownfield Loan Fund — Dan recapped status of Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund, with $570,000 still due to the County. Based on proposal NFCDC submitted to the County last year (but never officially accepted by the County), NFCDC began making partial payments this July at $750.00 per month for year-1; to be followed by $1,500 per month for year-2; $2,250.00 per month for year-3; $5,000.00 per month for year-4; and leveling off at $6,865.00 per month until paid off in 2021. Sandy moved and Diann seconded motion that $1,500.00 per month be set aside as a reserve for future loan payments, should the need arise; passed unanimously.
Crossroads Lumber Fire Suppression System— Bid to reactivate the sprinkler system came in at $2,870.00, approval moved by Tom, seconded by Julie, unanimous approval. Additional motion to negotiate with Crossroads that they pay for annual inspections and certifications, with future repairs to be covered by NFCDC; moved by Tom, seconded by Julie, passed unanimously.
Repair of leaks downstairs: Dan reviewed the bid from Novell Construction, as previously approved; discussed details and partial funding possible from Home Depot grant; grant to be pursued by Sarah and Dan.
Yellow Bricks — Old kiln bricks might be used for some combination of fundraising and/or to create a “Yellow Brick Road” associated with the History Project site, if volunteers step forward for an ad-hoc committee to carry out.
Trail report from Dan Rosenberg — Dan walked the trail with Harry Stott, observing areas that may require some tractor work.
New signage — Kirsten Englund was absent; no update.
Finance — More detailed budget and cash flow summaries will be made available to Board and posted on web site.
North Fork Arts Council — Joanne Freemire presented the NFAC’s suggestion that as they are disbanding as a club, the name might be held by designating it as an inactive committee of NFCDC. Idea was discussed but not adopted.
Real Estate and Planning Committee — Dan is still waiting to set up a meeting with Dave Wensloff of Integrated Engineering Company, to tour site and brainstorm development issues and purchase scenarios. Sarah reported she spoke with commercial real estate broker John Reed as potential source to assist with Wensloff negotiations. Sarah also commented that she and others are forming a steering committee independent of NFCDC to explore some type of investment coalition that may raise funds for the Mill Site and/or other projects around town, following the Iowa Case Study models as presented to the Board in June.
Facilities — Dan reported that Alpine Sierra is nearly 3 months behind on rent. Motion by Sandy, seconded by Julie authorizing Dan to discuss the delinquency with Erik Robertson as a final warning, to be followed promptly with a 30-day eviction notice if rent and late fees are not paid in full; motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
Personal use of NFCDC’s tractor — Board agreed unanimously that tractor cannot be loaned out, and can only be used by authorized persons directly connected to NFCDC and for the benefit of NFCDC.
Home Depot grant for HVAC repairs — Dan discussed heating-air conditioning problems and possible solutions. He and Sarah will explore a small grant from Home Depot to pay for materials. Discussion also covered discount to Mariij Bowman’s specific AC aproblems, with motion by Tom seconded by Julie and passed unanimously to offer retroactive discount of $55 for July rent as off-set to lack of air conditioning to her office, effective August first.
Repair of NFCDC copier — Dan reported that copy machine is out of order and repairs are questionable. Board reached general agreement to ask Yosemite Sequoia R&CD if and how NFCDC might share their copier; that failing, to purchase a smaller copier.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.