COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

OF THE STEUBENVILLE OHIO AREA

as amended 

Meeting of the Board of Trustees – April 20, 2010

CALL TO ORDER   

President Kenneth Perkins called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.  The meeting was hosted by Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7017 at that facility.

ROLL CALL              Present:  President Ken Perkins; Vice-President David Skiviat; Treasurer Edward Florak; William Blake, Immediate Past President; Trustees Jim Emmerling, Patrick Hyer, Tom Timmons, Kristin Cantrell, Nick Caccicario, Jay Phillipone, Frank Bovina, Fred Brower, Derek Ferguson, Billy Petrella, Chuck Robinson, Commissioner Tom Gentile, Commissioner Thomas Graham, Commissioner David Maple, Steubenville Mayor Domenick Mucci, Toronto Mayor John Geddis, Wintersville Councilman Tom Bottorf

Absent but represented:  Anthony Mougianis represented by Chrissy Taylor, Dr. Laura Meeks represented by Tracee Joltes

Absent:  Secretary Alex Marshall; Trustees B.J. Smith, Karen D’Anniballe, Ross Patten, Deborah Venci, Joe Luckino, Joseph Glaub, Lou Petrozzi, David D’Anniballe, Richard Delatore, Huberta Siciliano, Kyle Brown, Steve Bohach, Robert Chapman, John Riley, Sevy Petras, Thomas Minor, Lisa Quattrochi, Sam Shorac, Sheila Milic, Jon Rogers, Don Snyder, Dave Hindman, Gary Folden, Susan Hershey, Cathy Davison, David Lalich, Trustee Geno Morelli, Mayor John Abdalla, Mayor Dominic Chappano, Trustee Sam Grafton

Others in Attendance:  Jim Conrad and Joe Miller,Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters; Janele Spann and Andrea Sheeler, The Laurels; Suzanne Kresser, Tri-State Financial; Paul Giannamore, Steubenville Herald-Star; Executive Director Ed Looman and Ruth Casey, Progress Alliance

President Perkins welcomed Jim Conrad and Joe Miller of the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters, expressing his thanks to the OVRCC, which became a  member of the CIC Board of Trustees as of this meeting.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS

10-04-01          Following the board’s review of the minutes of the CIC meeting of March 16, Trustee Bottorf made a motion to accept the minutes as presented.  Trustee Bovina seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

REPORTS OF TRUSTEES AND COMMITTEES

Fundraising Committee:  President Perkins reported that the committee has 22 active prospects for membership.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 11 at 8:30 a.m. in the Progress Alliance conference room.  He said that his goal is to acquire 12 additional members, one per month, it the year 2010 and that we are currently on track to achieve that goal.  Prior to the meeting, copies of the tri-fold brochure used to recruit members were distributed.  President Perkins said that everyone who is on the board of trustees is a member of the fundraising committee, and the brochures are excellent for providing potential members with information about the CIC and Progress Alliance.  He invited everyone to attend the May 11 meeting.

REPORT OF TREASURER

Treasurer Ed Florak reported that he reviewed all reconciled bank account reports for the month of March with Ms. Casey prior to the meeting as well as the RLF records, and that all accounts were accurately reconciled and all expenditures appropriate.  He commended Ms. Casey on her maintenance of the funds records.  He also said that the EDA RLF semiannual report is due on April 30, 2010. 

Mr. Perkins said that the CIC currently has three active loans, all of which are being repaid in

a timely manner, and that we are prepared to make low-interest loans for developing new businesses and expansion of existing businesses.      

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Ed Looman introduced MaLinda Lewis, Assistant General Manager of Wal-Mart Distribution Center #7017.  Ms. Lewis welcomed the board to the “Browns Room” and to the facility.  She said that the distribution center currently has 700 associates and 45 managers at the site, which serves 125 stores in its service region.  She said that the employees take pride in moving cases to the stores at a low cost, and cited the “cubing” program in place which maximizes use of space in the trailers used to transport materials.  She said that fewer trucks on the road mean cost savings and a lesser ecological impact.

Ms.  Lewis also said that safety is a primary concern with the company and employees. Wal-Mart has a Personal Sustainability Program (PSP), where associates are encouraged to walk on their lunch hours and use other means of maintaining good health.  Prizes are awarded for achievement through the employees’ PSP challenges.

Wal-Mart is involved in many community improvement projects, and has just completed a 15-month renovation project at the YWCA.  It also supports the Special Olympics, and is engaged with the Urban Mission and A Caring Place.

The largest expense for the facility is wages, $1.6 million per month, with utilities at $114,000 per month.  The center is open 24/7, except for Christmas Day. 

The distribution center has 855,000 square feet under roof.  The ice cream freezers are maintained at -10◦, and the remaining freezers at -20◦.  The dry goods and perishable items are stored at 55◦ and below.  She commented that bananas are the top income producers for Wal-Mart, and said that those who attend the tour will have an opportunity to see the “banana room.”  Two operations managers will conduct the tour.

Executive Director Ed Looman thanked Ms. Lewis for the warm welcome.  He advised the board that the distribution center currently has a tax incentive agreement in place with Wal-Mart which expires in 2012.

Mr. Looman welcomed Janele Spann and Andrea Sheeler of the Laurels, as guests for the meeting.

Mr. Looman said that he was happy with results of the Best of County dinner, stating the need for the BOC dinner and the annual golf outing to be fundraisers to fund both external and internal marketing projects.  Mr. Looman said that the Progress Alliance marketing programs set us apart from any other economic development organization, as we do more to promote Progress Alliance and its projects than many large counties.  The receipts for the BOC dinner were $27,000 and expenditures $15,000, creating a $12,000 profit for the event. He thanked the BOC committee members, Billy Petrella, Lisa Quattrochi, Sheila Milic and Matt Parise, and said that they are looking forward to the event next year.  The marketing plan for the second quarter of the year was approved by the Executive Committee. 

Mr. Looman provided updates on various projects he is working on, saying that a local a business has an exciting expansion project on the books which will see a $6 to $7 million dollar investment, and create 200 to 400 jobs.  He will provide further information in the upcoming months.  Mr. Looman said that this area is once again being considered for Project 21, being specifically selected by ODOD because of the proximity to the Ohio River.  He has submitted two additional sites for this project, and ODOD is interested in two sites in Jefferson County.  The third project is in the southern part of the county, and will create over 100 jobs.  He said that these projects are moving through the pipeline, saying that development moves at a slow pace.  He said that more information will be upcoming in the next few months.  Financing is the key, and Mr. Looman has a meeting scheduled for one project to finalize assistance from the state, which can then be submitted to the bank.

He had a meeting recently with Buckeye Power, which asked for assistance through economic recovery bonds.  The company partners with AEP on three scrubbers at the Cardinal Plant.  Their proposed project would create about 500 construction jobs which would last a couple years.  Buckeye Power was on a really tight application deadline of April 1, and Mr. Looman thanked all three county commissioners for passing an essential resolution on April 1; because of this, Buckeye Power was able to get its application in by the deadline. 

Mr. Looman told the board that his monthly report was included with each meeting packet, and they were welcome to contact him with any questions after reading it.

President Perkins asked Trustee Emmerling for a report on the status of planning for the golf outing.  Mr. Emmerling said that, at this point, the committee is comprised of him, Trustee Marshall and Walt Ziemba, Wintersville Village Administrator.  He said that the outing has previously been held on a Friday in August, but the date has not yet been set.  Prior to now, Progress Alliance issued invitations to the golf outing to people from outside the county, so they could come here and become acquainted with the area.  He said he needs to schedule a meeting soon.  Mr. Perkins commented that the format will have to be changed, now that this event is to be a fundraiser.  Mr. Looman said that we have one sponsor for the event at this point.  Mr. Emmerling said that he would appreciate any input, as there is a difference between competitive golf and a “fun day.”  Volunteers were asked to contact Mr. Emmerling.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mr. Perkins said that the Trails and Greenways committee is trying to get walking and riding trails in Jefferson County, commenting that we don’t have a Rails to Trails program because our railways are active.  He said that the group is working to create a walking trail from the Wal-Mart area to the area of the marina.  He said we need to create trails in order to have more things to do here to improve the quality of life, to promote Jefferson County.  He said that Trustee Hershey was unable to attend today’s meeting to provide an update on the Trails and Greenways.

Mr. Looman said that the chamber’s next quarterly luncheon will be held April 29, and that the speaker will be Mike Kachilla.  He advised anyone interested in attending to contact the chamber.

Mr. Emmerling asked if it would be possible to develop a park on Fort Steuben Bridge, as it will not be used for traffic.  Mayor Mucci said that the bridge will be demolished unless someone will take over responsibility for its maintenance.  Commissioner Maple said that ODOT is the organi-zation to contact regarding the bridge.  Commissioner Gentile said Rails to Trails usually runs along the water way, as does the railroad, negating the need for rights-of-way, which can be an issue when creating trails.  Commissioner Graham inquired who would have ownership of the trails for insurance purposes.  Commissioner Maple said that property owners would have to be involved in trails planning, as trails would require easements.

Mr. Looman said that he attended the Pew Foundation seminar recently held at Franciscan University.  He said the speakers stressed the importance of quality of life, and that economic development, community development and civic development must overlap in creating a good quality of life which is essential to promote the area.  Commissioner Gentile said the issue is not about the population number, it is about serving the existing population.  He said that we must present Jefferson County as an ideal place to live, and start to focus on the quality of life.  He said we want to attract jobs, but we also want to attract people to live in the county.

NEW BUSINESS

Under new business, the board considered three resolutions:

Resolution 2010-03     In Support of Third Frontier Renewal (Issue 1)

Resolution 2010-04     In Support of City of Steubenville Safety Levy (Issue 5)

Resolution 3010-05     A Resolution Supporting Local Labor Organizations

10-04-02          Trustee Timmons made a motion to approve the resolutions, as provided to the  board previously.  Trustee Gentile seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Perkins said that the next CIC Board of Trustees meeting will be held on May 18 at the Red Cross in Wintersville.  He then asked for a motion to adjourn.

10-04-03          Trustee Gentile made a motion that the meeting be adjourned.  Trustee Graham  seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

President Perkins declared the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m., and invited all those in attendance to participate in a guided tour of the distribution center.

Kenneth R. Perkins, President                                                            Date

Community Improvement Corporation

   of the Steubenville, Ohio, Area

                                                                     Minutes prepared by Ruth Casey