West Central Mountains Economic Development Council
January 2024 Board Meeting Minutes
January 9, 2024 3:00pm
Via Zoom Only
ZOOM MEETING LINK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88412171046?pwd=QWhaZGlDaHo4MUl1cHk4aUZuVytzQT09
Those Board Members in attendance via Zoom:
Linnea Hall, Julie Good, Sherry Maupin, Vonna Torrey, Kelly Hill, Joel Ockunzzi, Dylan Martin, Rachel Wessel, Delta James, Johanna Osterman, Judith Nissula
Guests: Melissa Hamilton, Tiffany Dobbs, Jerry Miller, Lindsey Harris, Trace McKellips
Executive Session 2:30 (Open unless otherwise specified)
- Review agenda items
Board Meeting 2:30pm
- Call to Order – Happy New Year! Welcome guests Forrest Stanley. Tommy from Region IV was unable to join us because of inclement weather.
- (15 Minutes) Guest Presentation by Forrest Stanley, PhD student re: A Rural school district Perkins V Comprehensive Local needs assessment Industry and Occupation inventory
- Discussion of Consent Form to participate
- Approval of January Agenda
- Julie moved to approve with removal of the line item clarifying $403.75. This was clarified in Executive Session.
- 2nd by Sherry
- Motion passes
- Approval of December Minutes
- Cynda moved to approve
- 2nd by Linnea
- Motion passes
- Treasurer’s report
- Approval of December Treasurer’s Report P&L for whole year, split out housing and housing needs assessment. Discussions ensued regarding fund raising for housing needs assessment, still awaiting determination on LOT funds, it was recommended for approval, but 30ish on the funding list. Lindsey will confirm placement on the LOT priority list.
- Uncashed musician check from the summit in 2022 not listed as an expense.
- Sherry motion to approve financials
- 2nd by Linnea
- Motion passes
- Letter(s) of support
- Weiser River Trail IDPR Grant LTR of Support
- Lindsey confirmed this grant application was being submitted directly by Friends of the Weiser River Trail organization
- Vonna moved to approve
- 2nd by Linnea
- Motion passes
- City of Cascade
- Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)N. Mainstreet sidewalk & TAP S. Mainstreet sidewalk
- Vonna moved to approve
- 2nd by Joel
- Motion passes
- Valley County
- TAP for Lakeshore Pathway project & Federal Bridge for Lake Fork Creek Bridge. Already approved prior by the Valley County Commissioners.
- Cynda moved to approve
- 2nd by Joel
- Motion passes
- Executive Director Update
- Chamber chat update positive, found out today we fall under Region IV Economic Development District. Looking for SW Idaho to have a new planning district in the future.
- SBA regarding workshop opportunities, renewed interest in support.
- Gaining rapport with citizens, community leaders to better understand who we are and what we do.
- Joni and Rachel will be helping with MDSD with mock interviews. Thank you to those ladies.
- Youth Advocacy Coalition – Adult community driven summit interest. Lindsey participating in that steering committee planning group.
- Lindsey will follow-up with the Board on upcoming spring conferences.
- Executive Items
- [Proposed] 2024 Strategic Plan
- Julie moved to approve with the removal of nonprofit round table since another group has taken this on.
- 2nd by Sherry
- Motion passes
- [Proposed] 2024 Budget
- Sherry moved to approve
- 2nd by Joel
- Motion passes
- Community Reports
- Valley County – New Forest Service Manager in McCall – Dennis, he is going to be great to work with regarding communication and recreation. Legislature starts today. Hiring is up, only 3 positions available at this time, just hired a wildfire mitigation specialist. Serving on the Governor’s GNA Stewardship Council. Plan is to relocate roads department from Fairgrounds Cascade area and improve the fairgrounds with an ice event arena type of venue. Public Lands emphasis – resource management plan conversations forthcoming
- Cascade – no report
- Donnelly – report
- McCall – no report
- New Meadows – Finishing up the water project, generator will not arrive for another month. Popup activities in the park for snow painting. Looking at creating a downtown association group. Lots of development. Annexation conversations. Community Fridge project conversations. Intern will arrive in February with a P&Z emphasis. Relocating the bike park that was supposed to be by the school. Plan is to move it closer to the Skate Park – youth center emphasis. Community Center has a new floor going in and should be done later this month. Looking for a community engagement conversation, needing support for Citizens for community enhancement.
- WCMEDC Updates
- Early Childhood Education (Trace) – Kindergarten workshops in plan in all communities, for parents to help engage them as educators – free to attend. 1st meeting this Thursday, Jamie Pinkerton – creating a collective group for sharing information regarding early education. Donnelly After-School program material funding discussion for needed educational supplies to help the Donnelly community Library After school program as submitted. Trace is joining the Board of Directors for Roots. Early learning day at the Capital February 6th.
- Julie moved to approve the Donnelly after school program materials
- 2nd by Delta
- Motion passes
- Payette River Scenic Byway – need to set up 1st quarter meeting for 2024
- Community Development
- Creative District Update (Delta) – Artrepeneur program being set-up with Idaho Arts, little local art galleries community project in process, artisans in the mountain tour subcommittee is working on that summer event
- CAT Updates
- Housing
- Regional Housing Assessment – final draft ready to send of housing survey. Will promote in January and February. Stakeholder meetings to follow. Lindsey is working on the promotional strategy for the survey.
- WCM Housing Trust-still moving forward, trying to organize, where we are and where we are going.
- Infrastructure
- Transportation
- Business Retention & Expansion
- Broadband
- Communications
- Housing
- New Business
- Melissa Hamilton – American Connection Corp – Digital Economy position has been filled. James should be connected with our Broadband Action Team
- Water Soil Conservation District is kicking off watershed planning to reduce the toxins, request to ask people to attend the meeting.
- Idaho Housing Conference has been set for April 22 -23.
- Idaho Economic Development event is being held in Boise – Lindsey would like to attend.
- Idaho Rural Success Summit will take place at the Fort Hall Casino in the near future.
- State has a new payment system, so ask for grant money early.
- Public Comment – none
- Adjournment at 4:54pm
- Early Childhood Education (Trace) – Kindergarten workshops in plan in all communities, for parents to help engage them as educators – free to attend. 1st meeting this Thursday, Jamie Pinkerton – creating a collective group for sharing information regarding early education. Donnelly After-School program material funding discussion for needed educational supplies to help the Donnelly community Library After school program as submitted. Trace is joining the Board of Directors for Roots. Early learning day at the Capital February 6th.
- [Proposed] 2024 Strategic Plan
- Weiser River Trail IDPR Grant LTR of Support