West Central Mountains Economic Development Council
Meeting Minutes
April 4, 2019, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Donnelly City Hall
Members in Attendance: Sherry Maupin (President), Julie Good (Treasurer), Cynda Herrick (Secretary, VP), Nicole Musgrove, Patty Wold, Linnea Hall, Blake Watson (telephonically), Lindsay Harris(telephonically)/Jill Chapman, Thom Sowers and Andrew Mentzer (Executive Director).
Members Absent: Dave Bingaman, Heather Soelberg, Gene Tyler, and Eric Borchers.
Agenda: Welcome visitors & guests
Eric Borchers has submitted his resignation. Nicole moved to accept the resignation. Patty seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Idaho Power: Blake’s resignation, Dylan’s appointment consideration. Blake talked about the Idaho Power reorganization. Dylan will be a more local presence. Nicole moved to accept Blake’s resignation. Julie seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s report: Julie presented the Treasurer’s report. She will endeavor to send it out the Monday before the meeting. She will move pathway kiosk funds to the Rec District fund. Nicole moved to approve the transfer. Linnea seconded the motion. Motion carried. Cynda moved to approve the Treasurer’s report. Patty seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approval of March minutes: Julie moved to approve the minutes of March 7, 2019. Nicole seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Star News $165 invoice: A number of financial items were listed for approval, as follows: $600 IMBA for plan revisions; $5,000 for Fiber Optic conference to be reimbursed by Valley County; $1,570 for byways website build; $3,490 to BSU Policy Institute; $1,000 McCall Area Chamber reimbursement; and, $500 marketing Rec District funds. Julie moved to approve the payments. Patty seconded the motion. Motion carried. Ben Stauss may need to have his payment resubmitted due to change of address.
Fundraising update: Each person needs to work in communities to raise funds. Patty will go to the Cascade Chamber. Sherry will go to Donnelly. Gene is working on the LOT funds. McCall is a signed contract. Lindsay will work with McCall Chamber. Julie will go to New Meadows and Adams County. Sherry and Andrew will go to Valley County. Sherry stated we need to focus on businesses that will help, such as Midas Gold. Blake said he will continue to champion for funds with Idaho Power. Need to approach Tamarack, Brundage and other big business. Discussed asking for both support and summit funds. Nicole recommended we prioritize those that benefited from our activities in the past and those that will benefit from future projects.
Electric vehicle charging station in McCall, other cities? Lindsey has received 3 inquiries in the last few months. Closest location for charging are Boise – Grangeville – Coeur d’Alene. It takes 8 hours to charge a vehicle. Blake talked to the point. Described various levels and the cost to increased charging speed. Andrew stated that once we have the facts it is easy to pass that information to all the communities. McCall is having internal discussions. New Meadows is also discussing.
Weiser River Trail letter of support for connection into town (ITD): Andrew read letter as proposed. Nicole moved to approve the support letter. Linnea seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Bylaws signatures for posting to website: got the signatures of people in attendance.
Youth engagement in government: Talk to teachers about who might be interested in sitting on the council. Discussed other outreach, senior project, youth voices that will grow into leaders.
Strategy 1 – JOBS
o Ponderosa Center Update: Andrew distributed a flyer. Nicole described process out to ECONorthwest and the results. Information was based on various scenarios, costs, perform, etc.
- Spring Apprenticeships and Job Fairs have been scheduled with Labor.
Strategy 2 – EDUCATION
o Culinary apprenticeships: Class starts Monday. 16 people have signed up with 6 people in a waiting list. This is the 2.0 of the GAP Analysis. We need to brand our projects. 3.0 will be full blown apprenticeship program.
o BSU grad students–Gap analysis 2.0 update: They are in schools now (3 BSU students) completing stakeholder interviews from staff for expanded educational levels.
Strategy 3 – INFRASTRUCTURE/ASSETS
o Northlake Sewer upgrade update GEM grant and Yellowpine water GEM grant: Andrew submitted final information from Keller and Associates. Submitted Yellowpine water GEM grant, also. Both grant applications are strong candidates.
o Cascade ADV biking: Sharon Bixler will send layout. Current grant cycle might be for Peppershock to do some digital marketing and signage for parking areas.
o IMBA road tour: Andrew and Steve Stuebner are meeting with agencies on April 30 to get feedback and then in May will be going to communities.
Strategy 4- PROSPERITY
Round Table, Upcoming Events & Public Comments