West Central Mountains Economic Development Council
Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2018, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
McCall, Idaho—Idaho First Bank
Members in Attendance: Sherry Maupin (President), Gene Tyler (Treasurer), Cynda Herrick (Secretary), Donald Bailey, Lin Davis, Linnea Hall, Bill Willey, Julie Crosby, Scotty Davenport, Bob Giles, and Andrew Mentzer (Executive Director).
Members Absent: Blake Watson and Eric Borchers.
Guests: Cec Tyler
Maupin opened the meeting. She distributed, What’s in the ‘Secret Sauce’ flier. (attached)
Treasurer’s Report:
Gene presented the Treasurer’s Report and stated there was an ending balance of $64,033.44. Gene also presented the proposed budget for 2018. There was much discussion concerning the budget. Cynda moved to accept the treasurer’s report. Scotty seconded the motion. Motion carried with a nay from Don due to the carryover of $11,992.09 was not a budget line item. It was decided that the Executive Committee would meet at a separate meeting to detail the budget and bring it back to the full council.
Minutes: Lin moved to approve the minutes from December 7, 2017. Gene seconded the motion. Motion carried.
New board appointments and renewals: Discussed getting verification from appointing bodies for council positions. Lin moved to accept the appointment of Sherry Maupin as the McCall Chamber representative and Julie Crosby as the representative of the City of Cascade. Bob seconded. Motion carried. Don moved to accept the resignation of Kathy Hull, Bob seconded, motion carried. Cynda moved to accept the resignation of Tom Greco, Linnea seconded, motion carried. Discussed pursuit of a voice from the recreation community. Discussed keeping the number of current members at 12.
Fund authorization protocol update: Don said he would complete by the end of the month.
Budget Discussion:
Insurance policy review: were supplied documentation of proof of insurance. The next payment is due in July.
Fixed cost review: Cynda recommended the IEDA membership fee.
Scotty suggested using $86,000 of the Valley County recycling budget to pay Andrew’s salary. Discussed decrease in recycling of glass and plastic.
Strategic plan review and approval: Andrew will expand upon the specifics of EDO regular duties at beginning of the plan: training, business outreach, day-to-day operations, etc.
Will plan training and education in workforce development.
Discussed federal emphasis on apprenticeships, etc. Andrew stated Dept. of Labor has some leftover funds on state level if federal mandate is not funded past 2019.
Don commented on Recreation District initiative – we should do a survey to get community feedback.
Decided to remove Open Space Levy from the plan for the time being.
Sherry asked if we should do an ad in the Winter Carnival flyer. Don moved to approve up to $200 for ad in the Winter Carnival guide. Gene seconded. Motion carried.
Discussed Andrew’s white paper for providing opportunities, incentives, etc. for housing. It would have solutions and a “here’s what we have, where” matrix. Discussed Housing Strategy. We can provide information for developers and identify possible solutions and provide realities. Positives for housing: 1) okay on white paper, 2) Housing Trust must get 501©3 in place, 3) another tool on the website 4) consolidation of information. We have to be unbiased advocates of all things housing because it is integral to everything we are doing economically.
Chance and Barb from the Housing Trust joined the meeting:
Thought Steve Lord had submitted the 501(c)3 paperwork
Chance put together the application and will mail it tomorrow
Will file with WCMEDC on IRS this year
They have 4 homes in Donnelly
Approved for a $1,000,000 project in New Meadows, bought 3 homes, and 5 lots.
Submitting to IHFA for more projects
Informed on new members.
Cynda moved to have Andrew write a letters to:
IHFA to be put on the group of county’s that need financial support and funding for housing.
To write letter to McCall to recommend LOT taxes be directed to funding housing.
Woody Biomass: it is okay to develop a business plan and have Andrew attending meetings. It is a much smaller model. Gene moved to move forward on woody biomass on a modular level. Bob seconded. Scotty recommended we do the small stuff first. Motion carried.
Lin moved to approve work plan for 2018. Gene seconded. Scotty abstained. Motion carried.
Executive Committee would meet at 2:00 p.m. Monday to work up the budget.
Next Meeting: February 1, 2018, 4 p.m., Cascade, Idaho
Adjourned