Board of Directors

Western Ontario Local Community Development Corporation

Friday, October 28, 2011

9:30 a.m.

Bloomfield Village Hall

Bloomfield, New York

 

 

Attendance: Wayne Houseman, John Champlin, Bruce Harter, Dotie Huber, Dan Kwarta, Fran

                      Overmoyer, Glenn Cooke

 

 

Minutes of the July 20, 2011 WOLCDC Board Meeting were reviewed. A motion to approve the minutes was made by John Champlin and seconded by Dodie Huber. Motion carried.

 

Fran Overmoyer reviewed the WOLCDC Balance Sheet as of October 27, 2011and the Profit and Loss Statement for the period of January 1 through October 27, 2011. Total assets are $17,624.68.

 

The Board discussed the status of the kiosks and it was noted that all have been installed. Glenn Cooke indicated that he will be submitting a voucher for his services and expenses before the next meeting. He noted that there has been a certain ramp up period since his tenure started and that his fees and expenses will be somewhat below what was budgeted.

 

A motion to accept the Financial Report was made by Jon Champlin and seconded by Dan Kwarta. Motion carried.

 

 

a. Kiosk Sales and Update

 

Mr. Harter reported on Kiosk Sales and noted that two more units have been sold. They include sales to Grounded by Yoga and Bristol Mountain. He advised the Board that incentive pricing was needed to secure Bristol Mountain’s participation including the Waterpark in Canandaigua. He asked if this was a matter that should have received attention from the Board and was advised that he was free to use his own judgment in such decisions and not delay making a sale. Everyone felt confident that Bruce would use due diligence in such matters and would ensure that the best interests of WOLCDC were served.

 

Mr. Harter also reviewed commitments that had been made to Finger Lakes Visitors Connection for free boxes as well as the Bristol Trading Post. The Board also discussed sale of boxes to out of area businesses and some problems relating to unpaid use of some boxes. However, the Kiosk operation is generally going smoothly.

 

A motion to accept Mr. Harter’s report was made by Dodie Huber and seconded by Jon Champlin. Motion carried.

 

b. Loan Program Update

 

Mr. Harter reported on a couple of loan fund inquiries. One potential borrower is looking for the maximum WOLCDC loan but additional investor money is also needed. The Board briefly discussed the makeup of the Loan Committee.

 

Fran Overmoyer stated that since the last meeting he has searched various records to find how much was owed to the Village of Bloomfield for services related to the loan fund. He said that the records indicated that the loan fund has had income of $950 and Bloomfield has been paid $190.00. He also noted that the loan fund has had five (5) successful loans and one (1) had been withdrawn.

 

Mr. Kwarta suggested that when we get fees from the fund, we should send 20% to the Village and keep it up to date. The Board also discussed the origin of the loan fund and decision’s made in the past about not going after CDBG funds.

 

A motion to accept the loan fund report was made by Dodie Huber and seconded by Dan Kwarta.

 

c. Network Group Update

 

Glenn Cooke reported on a meeting with Travis Piper regarding past networking efforts. Glenn is rebuilding the previous network list and will reach out to businesses and the community as to their desire and need for networking in the towns comprising WOLCDC.

 

d. Membership Status

 

The Board discussed the status of each municipality’s membership in WOLCDC. Mr. Champlin did not anticipate problems in West Bloomfield regarding membership and noted that the same level of funds is budgeted for WOLCDC next year as this year but no more. He also discussed some changes in representation that will be required. Representatives from other WOLCDC members also voiced confidence that their respective legislatures would continue to support WOLCDC in 2012.

 

e. Discussion of By-Laws

 

Chairman Houseman led a discussion of potential revisions to the WOLCDC by-laws and noted that he will get a copy out to the Board for review. The Board then discussed the following potential changes:

 

Section 1.4 Board Member Selection Process – need to clarify terms of business people and elected officials. Also need to clarify status of Treasurer – should the treasurer be formally appointed as a non-voting member. Mr. Overmoyer would prefer to remain a voting member. The Board discussed the difficulties in dealing with terms for business representatives and decided that the by-laws should be left as is.

 

Section 3.3 – Honorary Ex-Officio Members. It was felt that the organization should keep the existing members including David Brien, William Compton and Joel Steele

 

Section 5.2- Special Meetings – It was felt that the chair should be empowered to call special meetings and that all requests for such meetings should go through the Chair. There was discussion of e-mail voting and the Director was asked to look into the legality of such a voting procedure. Mr. Houseman registered his objection to e-mail votes.

 

Section 5.3 - Quorums – There was extended discussion of an existing requirement that a quorum has to consist of a majority of voting members and one (1) elected representative or designee from each municipality. It was generally felt that this requirement should be continued.

 

Section 5.4 – Voting – The Board discussed the requirements for a quorum and felt that the existing requirement be continued

The Board will continue discussion of by-law changes at a future meeting.

 

f. Declaration of Bookcase as Surplus

 

The Board discussed a bookcase that was no longer needed and declared it surplus. A motion to this effect was made by Dodie Huber and seconded by Dan Kwarta. Motion approved.

 

 

 

        a. Staff Activity Report

 

Glenn Cooke distributed a Staff Activity Report which reviewed his activities for the period from early July through October. This report will be updated at every WOLCDC meeting.

 

       b. Status of Regional Economic Development Plan

 

Glenn noted that he has been attended various briefing and workshop sessions on the Regional Economic Development Strategies being prepared statewide. He advised the Board that the Finger Lakes Strategy is due in the beginning of November and that he will keep the Board apprised of its content and the implications for the WOLCDC area.

 

        c. Identification of Businesses Targeted for Visitations

 

Glenn will be contacting the chief elected official of each municipality for input on projects. those firms and businesses that should be considered priorities for visitations. This will help ensure that our limited resources are put to the greatest use.

 

        d. Request for Assistance from Antique Wireless Museum

 

Glenn reported that he has been approached by the Antique Wireless Museum with a request for assistance in dealing with various issues such as a drainage problem at their site on Rts. 5 & 20. He felt that because there may be significant effort needed, the WOLDCD board should approve of his involvement. A motion to authorize the Director to assist the Museum was made by Dan Kwarta and John Champlin seconded. Motion approved.

 

        e. Identification of Potential WOLCDC Area Projects

Glenn indicated that he would like to contact the chief elected officials from WOLCDC’s communities and request them to identify any projects where they would like assistance. The Board felt that this was appropriate and Glenn will report back any and all projects identified.

 

         f. Reassessment of WOLCDC Goals and Objectives

 

Glenn felt that it might be appropriate to spend some time at a future WOLCDC meeting on a reexamination of the organization’s goals and objectives. This would provide the membership and the Director with an opportunity to either confirm the existing direction of WOLCDC or to make changes in course as needed.

 

        g. Status of New WOLCDC Web Site

 

The Director reported on the status of the new web site and indicated that while it was a work in progress, it will definitely be an improvement as far as keeping the community apprised of our work.

 

        h. Program for December Meeting

 

The Board discussed the invitee list for the December WOLCDC Meeting and Local Government Luncheon. The meeting will be held on December 1^st at the Bristol Fire Hall starting at 11:30 a.m. with lunch to follow. Robert McNary, Director of the Finger Lakes Office of Empire State Development, will be a speaker.

 

 

            As there were no other items of business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.