Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation
Meeting Minutes
June 12, 2007

  1. Call to Order:

    John Petersen, President, called the June 12 meeting of the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation to order at 11:40 a.m.

  2. Approval of minutes from March 13, 2007 meeting:


    George Gruendel made a motion to approve the March 13, 2007 MCEC minutes. Russell Schuelen seconded the motion. Motion passed.

  3. Approval of Financials:

    Linda Loughridge presented: Revenues and Expenditures, Balance Sheet, Capitalized Assets, all ending May 31, 2007.  She also presented the Revised Budget for July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 and the Homeownership Program Budget for 2007-2008.                      

Linda stated that MCEC purchased the Mapleshade property in Cuba and it is currently under rehab. The rehab will be complete by the end of June. The Madison property in Owensville is also near completion, and is currently being shown by Cathlee Real Estate.

The Madison property should sell at $70,000, with a conservative projection of $65,000. The Mapleshade property needs to sell at about $68,000 to break even. Program management and administration costs will continue until the property is sold.

Chuck Cantrell reported that he spoke with MHDC concerning income guidelines. He was told that the state medium income of $57,000 could be used to qualify a family for the home. However, MDHC had a change in personnel and when they were contacted for written information, he was told by new employees that state statutes require the income limit be $28,500 for a family of four. This restriction is making the homes harder to market/sell. Russell Scheulen noted that families cannot make the house payments with such a low income. Chuck is currently working with one family, however, interested in the property.

Byron Baker made a motion to approve the financial statements as presented. Ed Mitchell seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Linda Loughridge presented the proposed budget for the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Budget figures are based upon:

Since funds are dwindling, the board must decide to either discontinue the program or seek future funding.

Larry Stratman made a motion to approve the budget, as presented. Ed Worley seconded. Motion passed.

  1. Business:

    1. Election of Officers:

      Nominations were made to elect officers for the board. After discussion, Russell Scheulen nominated Wayne Langston to serve as president (with his acceptance of the nomination), Byron Baker to serve as vice president, Ed Mitchell to serve as treasurer, and John Petersen to serve as secretary.  Russell Scheulen made a motion to end nominations. Ed Worley seconded. Motion carried.

      A motion was made by George Gruendel to accept the nominations of the board and elect the officers as presented. Russell Scheulen seconded. Motion passed.

    2. Annual Report:

      Connie Willman presented the annual report.

      Summary of activities:

      During the past year, MRPC staff submitted one funding and/or designation application on behalf of MCEC. This application was to the Missouri Housing Development Commission for $203,500 to rehabilitate homes across the region. The grant was funded for $150,000.

      MRPC closed out the 2006 MHDC region-wide HOME Repair grant in the amount of $143,000. Staff provided administration for the 2007 MHDC region-wide HOME Repair Program grant in the amount of $150,000 for this fiscal year. When completed, nine homes will be repaired/upgraded with this grant.

      MRPC staff also provided administration of the MCEC Homeownership Program. The home in Owensville, on Madison Street, is nearly complete and ready for sale. Another home was purchased on Mapleshade in Cuba, and rehab is nearly complete. Approximately 714 persons were provided with homeownership counseling through group and individual meetings at MRPC, Potosi, and Cuba. Chuck Cantrell speaks to Section 8 briefing groups twice per month. The HUD Section 8 program now has a homeownership program in which the mortgage is subsidized, rather than rent payments. This program can work in conjunction with the MCEC Homeownership Program if interested buyers wish to purchase one of the program homes.

    3. Ft. Wood Transit:

      Connie Willman reported that staff worked with Ft. Leonard Wood and the Missouri Transportation Institute, and MoDOT to provide a feasibility study regarding the need for a commuter services among Rolla, Ft. Leonard Wood and Lebanon. The numbers indicated there was a definite need for the service. The service began on May 1 with 15 passengers from Rolla and 17 from Lebanon.

    4. Federal Home Loan Bank:

      Bonnie Prigge reported that staff prepared two FHLB Affordable Housing Program applications – Leasburg and Cuba  – and are awaiting news of funding. Curt Heidt of Federal Home Loan Bank said that a second round of Rural Development applications are due July 8. Dixon and Vienna wish to participate in the program.
    5. Child Care:

      Bonnie Prigge reported that the Community Child Care and Development Corporation met on May 31. 3CDC is a Phelps County based group that was originally formed to operate a proposed MCEC childcare center. Steve Bowles of Pepsi Cola has accepted a board position. President Ted Day is seeking two additional members.

      The focus of the May meeting was childcare in Phelps County and the Meramec region. Kathy Edwards works with the Phelps County Community Partnership (PPLC) out of Rolla. The PCCP assists day care providers with supplies, toys and training. The Partnership plans to make legislators aware of low subsidy rates and its impact on the state and working families. Missouri will pay a maximum of $10.00 per day. The Department of Social Services recently completed a survey of childcare providers in the area. The survey average for 75 percentile is $20 per day. Some daycare providers will not accept children subsidized by the state. This makes it difficult for parents to work. Ms. Prigge will keep the board apprised of any activity on this matter.

    6. Child Care Grant:

      Connie Willman presented a draft of a MCEC grant application for childcare providers. The grants are being made as a result of remaining $3,485 in donations made to MCEC for a childcare center project that that is not completed. In a previous meeting the MCEC Board decided to publicize the information and allow childcare providers to submit a grant application. After discussion, the board decided to discuss the childcare program needs of Phelps County Community Partnership to determine if the funds may be better used by its existing program.

      Byron Baker made a motion to have staff contact PCCP for this information. George Gruendel seconded the motion. Larry Stratman opposed. Motion passed.

    7. Next Meeting:

      The next meeting will be held September 11, 2007

    8. Adjournment:

      There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
     

Approved by Board __________________________, 2007

____________________________________________
President