August 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

by | Feb 27, 2026 | Meetings & Minutes

 

West Central Mountains Economic Development Council

August 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

August 12, 2025 3:00pm

McCall Public Library Herschberger Room, 218 Park Street, McCall
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88234961292?pwd=nSUrhBKZK9aumQR7GdPECJcnE0PDTl.1

In-Person attendees: Sherry Maupin, Dylan Martin, Delta James, Rachel Wessel, Julie Good

Guests in-attendance: Trace McKellips, Lindsey Harris, Bri Zach (Housing Coordinator – City of McCall), Ron Coate, Forest Atkinson (City Manager – City of McCall)

Online Attendees: Cynda Herrick (Board Member), Kelly Hill (Board Member), Mindi Anderson (Cascade Chamber)

 

Board Meeting

  • Call to Order, Welcoming of Guests at 3:05pm
  • Approval of August Agenda
    • Motion by Sherry
    • 2nd by Rachel
    • Motion Passes
  • Approval of July Minutes
    • Motion by Sherry
    • 2nd by Kelly
    • Motion Passes
  • Treasurer’s report
    • Approval of August Treasurer’s Report
    • Next month we will see budgets vs actuals
    • Motion by Sherry
    • 2nd by Rachel
    • Motion Passes
  • Letter(s) of support: None this month
  • Executive Items
    • New at large Board Member Consideration for Ron Coate
    • Motion by Sherry
    • 2nd by Dylan
    • Motion Passes
    • WCMEDC Bylaws Update – Special review meeting set for 8/19 at 10am on Zoom
  • Executive Director Update
    • Rural Ed Pro Grant Status – still waiting on word from Department of Commerce
    • July 21-25 Northwest Community Development Institute Recap
    • November 2025 Economic Summit Update
      • Theme confirmed, “From the ground up, foundations for a thriving future together.” Potential Venue – Elk Creek Church, proposed date 11/13, ticket pricing forthcoming
    • Early Childhood Education (Trace)
      • Asked for interest in attending the BSU early learning conference
      • Parent Café Facilitator training planned for next month for Trace and 2 others.
      • Position funding next year is in question for Trace’s position. We have some carry over funds.  Dylan believes we could look to grant funding as well in support. Julie believes there could be additional funding from New Meadows as well. Ron Coate has a connection with a family that might have local funding options for this project as well – Lilly Endowment.
      • Two new early childhood centers – Cascade & New Meadows
        • Funding request for $2,500 to each center to supply educational materials and outdoor learning equipment ($5,000 total)
          • Motion by Vonna
          • 2nd by Julie
          • Motion Passes
        • Community Events
          • Funding request for approval of $100 for materials needed at community event booths
            • Motion by Dylan
            • 2nd by Delta
            • Motion Passes
          • Community Reports
            • Valley County
              • Working on Transfer station, full review was completed on Wednesday. Expect a new flow, very viable in the future, should be complete in the next 6 months. Still seeking a long-term solutions for a waste site.
              • Almost complete is a proposal for woody chip solution.
              • Updating ordinances, looking for input, will be connecting with local officials
              • Comp plan is almost done and submitted for public hearings in November ish..
              • Approved the Samson Trail pathway extension.
              • County is changing the way they do grant funding. Trying to create a pool of funds.
              • Highway 55 Corridor study is forthcoming and happening soon.
              • Sherry is attending a Housing meeting in Sandpoint this week.
              • County puts aside funding specific to economic development, looking for those submissions.
            • Cascade
              • Hogwild Awards dinner forthcoming October 18th on community awards will not be a fundraising event as in years past.
              • Southlake Sewer & water district is having viable conversations.
              • Economic impact of Lake Cascade information forthcoming.
              • Long standing sewer & water employee passed away this last week, missing historical information.
              • Raven Ridge is active and people are moving in.
            • Donnelly
              • Prepping for Huck-fest this weekend.
              • Still pursuing a light in Donnelly for Tamarack exit.
            • McCall
              • LOT collections are in up to June, modestly up from prior year.
              • Street collections same as last year.
              • Building permits are up from last year.
              • Chamber connections regarding a presentation with Kristin Dahl, specific to destination management conversations. Looking for options to reduce impacts.
              • Communicating managing expectations about what it is like here in Valley County when participating.
              • Deinhard/Boydston Loop study is underway, well attended.
              • Local Chamber business event planned for fall.
              • Short Term Rental plan was ruled in favor of the City that the regulations are in compliance. Noise ordinance was struck down.
              • Urban Renewal District approved a 1.2M for housing. It will take a couple of years.
              • City of McCall 2026 Budget is finalized and has monies for housing.
              • MHP grant has been received.
            • New Meadows
              • Mehen Memorial Skate Park concrete is pouring on Thursday
              • Ridership on Gold line is higher and continue to increase
              • Youth Center has cabinets being put in today. Should be open on 9/8/25. Childcare side will open later.
              • Floor of the site is epoxy and will take longer to be ready and open for business.
              • City met with County Commissioner, looking to expand the impact area.
              • Fall Festival is forthcoming
              • Ambulance District is currently under the county and they may remove Brundage from the district and add a new district.
              • First National Night out was a great success.
              • Depot Open House was a huge success. Historical Society is very happy.
              • Labor day event is forthcoming.
            • Partners in Attendance – none.
          • WCMEDC Updates:
            • Creative District Update (Delta) meets 9/2/25.
            • Community Action Team (CAT) Updates:
              • Community Development (Lindsey) Northwest CDI, mural was a success. 530 people took the survey on the mural. Interest in focusing on the Main Street programs in the future.
              • Housing (Kelly) – looking to collaborate with Bri and furthering the connection. Raven Ridge applications are ready.  Looking to utilize additional funds available with Agnew Beck to create materials to facilitate community housing conversations between public and private sectors, and also educate the public on the complex dynamics that are a part of creating housing.
              • Infrastructure (Julie) – summit will be infrastructure focused.
              • Workforce Development (Lindsey) – meeting was today, excel class is forthcoming this fall and plans including partnering with regional chambers. Other trainings discussed with a more youth focus – such as a series leading up to summer job preparation. Entrepreneurship competition was discussed for both adults and kids – “Shark Tank” inspired with guest judges and perhaps some sponsorship money.
              • Broadband (Lindsey) Middle Mile project just reached Clear Creek, coming into Cascade in the next few weeks.
            • New Business – none
            • Public Comment – none
            • Adjournment at 4:58pm