BOARD MEETING Minutes
March 23, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
President Jim Decker called the March 23, 2007, meeting of the Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone to order at 1:05 p.m. at Trappers Grill, Hermann, MO.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Byron Baker, Linn; Jim Decker, Gasconade County; Vince Sampson, Osage County; Jay Gourley, Hermann; Ron Jost, Gasconade County; Jerry Lairmore, Gasconade County; Gary Reynolds, Osage County, Russell Scheulen, Osage County
STAFF/GUESTS PRESENT
Bonnie Prigge, MRPC; Roger Schwartze, MODOT-5
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gary Reynolds made a motion to approve the Jan. 19, 2007, minutes. Jerry Lairmore seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
PRESENTATION—Roger Schwartze, Missouri Department of Transportation – District 5
Guest speaker Roger Schwartze updated the board on highway projects in the three-county area. He reported that the work on the Missouri River Bridge is ahead of schedule and should be completed by September 1, 2007. The 19/100 bluff has been knocked down for the construction of the new Hwy. 100 bridge, which will be completed this summer. Highway 19 will also be resurfaced from the bridge through town. Highway 50 will be resurfaced from Highway 63 through Linn and will include turn lanes. The contract was awarded to Donnie Mantle of Lake Asphalt and Paving. Another Hwy. 50 project from Linn to the Highway 19 junction will be bid this summer. Mr. Schwartze said that resurfacing projects will include rumble strips and paved shoulders. Missouri saw a 24 percent reduction in run off the road accidents due to the rumble strips. There are approximately 10 days of work remaining on the Highway 63 resurfacing project in the Vichy area. Some sections still need the final layer of asphalt. Sections where the final layer has been laid but is rough will be removed and relaid. The bridge on Hwy. D at Cooper Hill in Osage County will be replaced.
The Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce will be presenting to the Highway Commission in April and will include Hwy. 50 improvement. There will be 11 miles of 4-lane highway from St. Martin to California. These improvements will decrease the traffic flow on I-70 in Columbia. Mr. Schwartze said that 70,000 vehicles travel I-70 each day, 10,000 of those being trucks. In 2006, I-70 closed lanes twice per day on average caused by accidents. The final design for Highway 50 includes four-lane to Linn and will go around the city of Linn and back to Linn State Technical College. Financing is not available for this project.
Ms. Prigge said that the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce is considering the possibility of advocating the four-laning of Highway 50 from Union to Sedalia. The chamber is considering forming a transportation development district. The Chamber of Commerce will be presenting this idea to the commission. Prior to commission meeting, they would like to bring in the commissioners and legislators for discussions. Randy Allen is president of the Chamber of Commerce and sees the benefit of Jefferson City to look beyond Cole County. In talking with a Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce representative, MRPC shared that GVEZ had worked on this position and shared information prepared over the years. This may be a good opportunity for GVEZ and the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce to join forces.
The Highway 63 Environmental Improvement Study has started, Mr. Schwartze reported. The public meetings indicate support of improvements. There is public support to four-lane and improve safety and traffic flow. MoDOT is laying out alignments and looking at options. The advisory committee will meet in April.
Mr. Schwartze discussed the proposed bridge initiative. Proposals are being accepted to replace/repair 802 bridges. Technical proposals are due in April, and the final cost estimates are due in July. Three companies are competing for this contract. It will take five years to perform the work and the selected company must maintain the bridges for 25 years costing approximately $500,000,000.
FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT—Bonnie Prigge
Ms. Prigge presented the financial report ending February 28 and said the income for January and February was the bank interest of $81.06. The expenses for that timeframe were the fiscal contract and technical assistant contract with MRPC combined at $1,620.08. The travel expense noted was the farewell luncheon and plaque for Jim Kleffner totaling $86.08. There is $15,795.67 in the Operations Account. Mr. Scheulen made a motion to accept the financial report as presented. Mr. Gourley seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Prigge presented the Technical Assistance 501(c)3 contract with GVEZ, Linn Area Development Corporation and MRPC. Gary Reynolds made a motion to approve the contract. Byron Baker seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Prigge presented a resolution in support of Senate Bill 389, which includes the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. GVEZ promotes economic development efforts in Maries, Osage and Gasconade counties. GVEZ realizes the importance of a skilled workforce when recruiting new industry. Linn State Technical College has state approval for a Vehicle and Power Center to serve the training needs of Missouri companies, although state appropriations have not been forthcoming. The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative would provide $15 million of funding for the power center. The investment of dollars is critical to the State of Missouri and its ability to provide a trained workforce to new and existing companies. Gary Reynolds made a motion to approve. Byron Baker seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Prigge discussed the addition of new web pages to the MRPC site for GVEZ. MRPCs webmaster – 2SmartChix provided an estimate of $425 to create pages featuring GVEZ and the Chamois EEZ. Byron Baker made a motion to approve the addition of the web pages. Jay Gourley seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
ANNUAL FUND-RAISING DRIVE—Bonnie Prigge
Ms. Prigge explained the annual fund-raising drive process where each board member contacts businesses within their county to promote the enterprise zone and ask for contributions to support GVEZ’s economic development activities. The board reviewed and updated the list of businesses to be contacted and will being the fund-raising drive in April.
COMMUNITY/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE/BOARD MEMBER REPORTS
Mr. Decker said the Missouri Highway Commission Meeting will be held in Jefferson City on April 11, 2007 at 9:30. He said that transportation needs to kept in the forefront. Mr. Decker explained that Reid-Fleming is coming to St. James. The bowling alley project is moving forward in Owensville. He said that Grimco will be expanding. RR Donnelly has purchased Von Hoffman and it is the largest printing company in the United States and its employees are happy about that fact.
Jerry Lairmore reported that Taco Bell will build in Owensville at the Highway 19 and 28 junction. Mr. Lairmore said that the courthouse renovation committee continues to study the courthouse efforts.
Jay Gourley said that J.D. Lester is the new city administrator. Outgoing administrator Steve Mueller will be consulting for 30 days and will then work part-time. Mr. Gourley spoke about the proposed cheese factory. Orchelin’s will open early in April.
Mr. Gourley said that the city’s tourism department is trying to capture Branson tourists by the new bridge, focusing on bed and breakfast packages. He reports that Union Pacific railways runs 45 trains per day and will increase to 100 trains per day by 2012. They will be expanding the tracks between Hermann and Gasconade, MO.
Byron Baker reported that a 100-acre area is available near Linn. This property will have sewer lines in 2007. He says that a motel plans to build there and the Linn Area Development Corporation is interested in lots adjacent to the airport for an industrial park.
Gary Reynolds reported he is still working on the ferry project in Chamois. Ms. Prigge mentioned that a possible bio-diesel plant locating on the north side of the river in Fulton may help the economic feasibility of the ferry project.
Jay Gourley said that One Soy is selling shares in its plant located in Hermann. One Soy produces food grade soybeans and makes soy flour. The product is very fine like talcum powder and is used in the Asian market. The plant will be 50,000 square feet and will employ 30-40 personnel.
OTHER BUSINESS/NEXT MEETING/AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of GVEZ will be May 24, 2007, at 1:00 p.m., tentatively at Legends Bank, Belle, MO.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Minutes Approved:
Secretary Date
President Date