COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

OF THE STEUBENVILLE OHIO AREA

Meeting of the Board of Trustees – August 18, 2009

CALL TO ORDER   

President Kenneth Perkins called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m.  The meeting was held at Historic Fort Steuben, 120 South Third Street, Steubenville.

ROLL CALL              Present: President Kenneth Perkins, Vice President David Skiviat, Secretary Alex Marshall, Treasurer Dr. Edward Florak, Immediate Past President William Blake, Trustees Richard Delatore, Derek Ferguson, Kyle Brown, Robert Chapman, Severine Petras, Thomas Minor, Lisa Quattrochi, Sam Shorac, Billy Petrella, Thomas Gentile, Domenick Mucci, David Lalich, Susan Hershey

Not present but represented:  Lou Petrozzi (represented by Stephanie McVicker), Robert Gribben (represented by Patrick Hyer), Dr. Laura Meeks (represented by Tracee Joltes)

Absent:  Trustees Paul Prater, B.J. Smith, Karen D’Anniballe, Ross Patten, Robert Hargrave, Jim Emmerling, Joseph Glaub, Huberta Siciliano, Tom Timmons, Brad Blair, John Riley, Reese Slater, Fred Brower, Chuck Robinson, Jon Rogers, Jay Zatta, Don Snyder, David Hindman, David Maple, Dr. Thomas Graham, Ed Chanoski, Matt Parise, Geno Morelli, John Geddis, Gary Folden, John Abdalla, Sam Grafton

Others in Attendance:  Kristen Cantrell, Key Market Radio; Judy Vavrick, 106.3 The River and WEIR; Paul Giannamore, Steubenville Herald-Star; Executive Director Ed Looman, Ruth Casey and Joanna Styczenski, Progress Alliance

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

09-08-01          Following the board’s review of the minutes of the CIC meeting of July 21,                                   Trustee Mucci made a motion that the minutes be approved as presented. 

                        Trustee Florak moved to second the motion, motion approved unanimously.

MAYOR MUCCI’S INTRODUCTION OF MEETING HOST

Steubenville Mayor Mucci said that he was honored that the City of Steubenville had this opportunity to host the CIC, commenting that the City was one of the first agencies to come on board to create the Progress Alliance organization and continues its commitment of support by contributing $50,000 per year.  If economic development is going to happen, it is necessary to have an office which can move forward with those efforts.  Steubenville is the county seat, and has the largest population in Jefferson County.  Mayor Mucci said that Steubenville is a full-service city, with a law director, health department, water and sewer services, full-time police and fire departments, street, engineering and building departments and more. 

Mayor Mucci briefly described previous projects for the betterment of the city, including the Fort Steuben Mall upgrade and expansion of a portion of Sunset Blvd. to five lanes, and said that the entire city is extremely proud of Old Fort Steuben as a tourism attraction and for its free concerts every summer.  He said that the city has begun construction on its new city building and recently held an open house to celebrate the many changes to Belleview and Jim Wood parks.

Mayor Mucci then introduced Old Fort Steuben Chairman Jerry Barilla, host of today’s meeting. 

WELCOME REMARKS FROM MR. BARILLA

Mr. Barilla said he was pleased to welcome the CIC Board of Trustees to Historic Fort Steuben on behalf of himself and Director Judith Bratten.  The fort is a non-profit organization which has been in existence for twenty years, and its function is to promote and improve the community.  Fort Steuben has become a landmark for the tri-state region; it has had visitors from fifty states, and the countries of Japan, China, Sweden, Australia and Brazil, to name a few.  He said that  Fort Steuben was the birthplace of the mapping of America from the Ohio River west, and they are proud of the fort’s role in American history.  The fort lies along the Scenic Byway; Old Fort Steuben was selected as one of eight organizations in the United States to receive an award from the National Scenic Byway, for the fort restoration and the visitors’ center.  The late Richard and Elizabeth King started the fort project twenty years ago, and their perseverance and drive got it done.

Mayor Mucci said that at the BHJ Annual Dinner, Mr. Barilla will receive an award for his commitment to the fort and the concert series.  Mr. Mucci provided the board with handouts about the OMEGA executive board meeting to be held at the Steubenville Country Club on September 16^th.  Tickets for the luncheon meeting are $15.  The guest speaker will be Director Fred Deel of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia.  He commented that he would like to see Jefferson County well-represented at the meeting.  Reservations can be phone: 740-283-8568.

REPORTS OF TRUSTEES AND COMMITTEES

President Perkins announced that there will be a fundraising committee meeting at 8:30 a.m. on September 8^th at the Progress Alliance office.  He urged everyone to attend this meeting; he wants board members to begin contacting everyone they know who might be a potential board member.  Mr. Perkins said that his goal is to have fifty dues-paying members by the end of the year. 

Mr. Perkins recognized and welcomed Sam Shorac, Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Homes, a new board member.  Recent new members not in attendance are Karen D’Anniballe and Geary Bates.

Reporting on the “green machine” which will be awarded to a lucky ticket holder at the chamber’s annual dinner, Mr. Perkins said that tickets are selling and thanked Bob Hargrave of The People’s National Bank, which sold more tickets than anyone to date.  The car will be at the Jefferson County Fair and at the Progress Alliance Bridge Invitational golf outing.

Mr. Perkins said that the Industrial Park Committee is working toward getting street lights in the park, and to extend the roadway.

Mr. Perkins also advised the board that Ruth Casey, RLF Administrator, is working on a $40,000 loan for a local business.

REPORT OF TREASURER

Treasurer Florak said that he reviewed all deposits and disbursements of funds for the previous month with Ms. Casey and all were accounted for.  He again commended Ms. Casey for her excellent work.

Dr. Florak asked for a motion from the floor to accept the FY/CY 2008 audit as prepared and filed by S.R. Snodgrass and approved by the Treasurer of State.

09-08-02          A motion to accept the 2008 audit as presented was made by Trustee Skiviat.                                Trustee Brown seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

Dr. Florak brought to the board’s attention the fact that the monthly balance sheet as provided with the board packets contains all funds within CIC accounts, but that a large portion of that money is EDA money for RLF lending only, or in the funds set aside for extending the roadway at the industrial park.  He said that in today’s packet there is a report which indicates the actual balance of CIC/Progress Alliance funds available for operations.    He went on to say that he would support and encourage everyone’s attendance at the September 8^th fundraising committee meeting.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Looman began by thanking the City of Steubenville, Mayor Mucci, City Council, Mr. Barilla and Ms. Bratten for their hospitality in this wonderful facility.  He then welcomed Stephanie McVicker, representing Trustee Petrozzi of Fort Steuben Mall, Patrick Hyer representing Robert Gribben of Grae-Con, Tracee Joltes, representing Dr. Laura Meeks of Jefferson Community College, and welcomed Kristen Cantrell, Key Market Radio, and Judy Vavreck 106.3 The River & WIER.

Mr. Looman then introduced his guest speaker today is Alan Kukovich, Executive Director of Regional Visioning Project, a 32-county, 4-state region working to develop a shared vision for the future.

REMARKS BY MR. KUKOVICH

Mr. Kukovich thanked Mr. Looman for the opportunity to bring the message of the “Power of 32” presentation to the CIC Board of Trustees.  He also thanked the City for hosting the meeting and commented that he loves such a facility.  He said that historic facilities tie us together and unite us in so many ways. 

Mr. Kukovich said that there have been other efforts at creating regional divisions for economic development before.  The vision of the “Power of 32” began as a way for communities to band together for economic development in a changing economy.  Why, he asked, these 32 counties and four states?  There are four million people in the defined area, and there has never been an effort of this size before.  He said we shouldn’t look at political boundaries, but rather at what binds us together; the same natural resources, a media market which covers the entire region, the same economic and cultural environment.  He said we need to create a sense of optimism; wherever he goes in the region, he sees a lot of civic pride but pessimism about the economy.  In looking at programs done for regional efforts around the world, he thinks there is room for optimism.

Mr. Kukovich said it is necessary to build consensus to have a shared vision.  We must remind people what we have to offer.  He said they conducted a contest to name to organization, with prizes from all four states.  We can promote the quality of life in the entire region and foster communications.  The visioning process is different from planning.  You can’t begin with a predetermined agenda, you must seek the broadest possible public participation, and request cooperation across all sectors.  The organization has to be as well-prepared as possible prior to kicking it off.  It is necessary to gather data and use it for practical change, to determine how to create jobs, keep children in the community, “go green.”  The organization has funding for two years.  He invited the board to view the new Regional Visioning Project website and advised them of an ambassador program, where anyone can sign up for a mailing list.

Mr. Looman thanked Mr. Kukovich for his interesting presentation, and gave him a “Be Jefferson County Proud” pin.  Mr. Looman said that the speaker talked about things we have been trying to accomplish in building regional assets, as with the BDC partnership.

Mr. Looman said that Jefferson County has many assets, but ODNR is trying to close the recreational park facility at Jefferson Lake State Park, making it a nature park for wildlife, hunting, hiking, etc.  In marketing the county we talk about “quality of life,” and the park is something we can market for families to enjoy.  The county commissioners have been quoted as being outraged by this decision.  Mr. Looman said that Progress Alliance is not happy with what is being done with the park, and asked others to voice their opposition to state officials.  Tom Gentile, board member and county commissioner, said that he doesn’t accept the decision as a foregone conclusion, and plans to do everything he can to fight it.  Mr. Gentile has spoken with the county engineer to see if it’s possible to get permission from the state to operate the park through the office of the county commissioners.

Mr. Looman brought the board up to date on “Project 21,” telling them that Jefferson County is one of only two Ohio counties being considered for this project which could create as many as 260 jobs.  “Project 65” is for a developer looking for 65 acres of land, the principal requirement being access to a four-lane highway.  Mr. Looman will contact the developer in the next week or so.

President Perkins thanked the sponsors of the golf outing, emphasizing that contributions received for the CIC/Progress Alliance operations are not used for this event.  Funds are received separately from sponsors who are willing to contribute to support this free invitational golf outing.  He reiterated that he hopes to have a total of fifty contributing members by the end of this year, and sixty by the end of 2010.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

There was no unfinished business to place before the board.

NEW BUSINESS

The board having been previously provided with a copy of Resolution 2009-04, the following action was taken:

09-08-03          Trustee Mucci made a motion that the board approve Resolution 2009-04, Semi-                            Annual Revolving Loan Fund Plan Certification.  Trustee Delatore seconded the                            motion; motion approve unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

09-08-04          Trustee Mucci made a motion that the meeting be adjourned.  Trustee Delatore                              seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

President Perkins declared the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

___________________________________                                    

Kenneth R. Perkins, President                                                            Date

Community Improvement Corporation

   of the Steubenville, Ohio, Area

Minutes prepared by Ruth Casey