WCEDC Minutes January 1998

WYANDOT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

(WYANDOTTE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL)

JANUARY 21, 1998, 11:00 A.M.

KANSAS CITY KANSAS PUBLIC LIBRARY

WCEDC Members Present: Mayor Ted Stolfus-Chairperson, Commissioner John McTaggart; John Feeback

Others Present: Susan Rohrer, Craig Gaffney, Tom Cooley, Pat Brune, Bob Evans, Boris Sztorch, Terry Woodbury, Steve Nicely, Linda Lewis, Teresa Garrison, Jerry Verbeck, Mike Grimm, George Thomas, Ken Mai, Wendy Wilson, Mary Jane Johnson, Patty Dysart, Melissa Bynum, Sharon Cormac, Mishkat Az-Zubair, Tammy Clary, Diane Davis, Jim Whisler, Jared Sirna, Anne Boyer, Tamesha Lee, Terry Zewalk, Alvin McKeithen, Brandi McGill, C. J. Robinson, Marcia Ashford

Mayor Stolfus called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m. and introductions were conducted.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the November 19, 1997, meeting were unanimously approved by a motion from Commissioner McTaggart and second by Mr. Feeback.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Mayor Ted Stolfus was unanimously elected as chairperson by a motion from Commissioner McTaggart and second by Mr. Feeback.

Mayor Stolfus stated that all members of the Wyandotte County Economic Development Council serve in the capacity of vice-chairperson.

Mayor Woody Berry was unanimously elected as the secretary/treasurer by a motion from Commissioner McTaggart and second by Mr. Feeback.

ALL-AMERICA CITY VIDEO

Mayor Stolfus showed a video of the 1997 All-America City awards competition that was held in April at the Hiatt Regency in Kansas City, Missouri. He stated that he was a co-chair for the event which was the first ever bi-state competition. In order to host a competition, you must be a previous winner. Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, Bonner Springs and Edwardsville won the award in 1992 and Kansas City, Missouri won in 1994. Thirty cities from across the nation and 1,400 delegates competed for ten winning positions. The event is sponsored by the National Civic League and All-State Insurance Company, and the video is used as an advertisement for next year’s competition. Mayor Stolfus offered the video to Mr. Gaffney for use at the Best of Wyandotte celebration.

UPDATE ON 1998 BEST OF WYANDOTTE AWARDS

Craig Gaffney reported that Susan Rohrer, Pat Brune, Brenda Jones and Dean Katerndahl are the planning committee for the Best of Wyandotte Awards Banquet scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 1998. Lt. Governor Gary Sherrer will be the keynote speaker. Over 1,000 applications were mailed soliciting nominees for the Best of Wyandotte Award and the first-time citizenship award. The deadline for submittal is February 9.

Ms. Rohrer and Mr. Terry Woodbury are currently recruiting individuals to serve on the jury panel. Mayor Stolfus stated that the Johnson & Wyandotte Counties Mayor’s Association would be an excellent source for additional panelists.

The George Bridenthal Foundation will be a sponsor of the event, and letters will soon be mailed soliciting additional corporate sponsorships.

CITIZENS PLANNING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Mr. Gaffney stated that his report will focus on the Neighborhood Core Issue of the Vision 2000 Strategic Plan. He introduced Wendy Wilson, Mary Jane Johnson, Patty Dysart, Melissa Bynum and Sharon Cormac who represent Connect the Dottes, a United Way organization that strives to link neighborhoods county-wide and serves as an advisory group to the Wyandotte County Neighborhood Corps. Mr. Gaffney then introduced Mr. Terry Woodbury, interim president of United Way.

Mr. Woodbury stated that the Wyandotte County Neighborhood Corps was formally known as Americorps. They are in their fourth year in Wyandotte County and act as a community service peace corps which exists to assist community organizations in utilizing resources "to get things done" for Wyandotte County. He gave a brief overview on the history of how the connection was made between Connect the Dottes and the Neighborhood Corps. Ms. Bynum added that Connect the Dottes saw an opportunity to work with the Neighborhood Corps to even further stabilize neighborhoods. Mr. Gaffney introduced Mishkat Az-Zubair, director of the Wyandotte County Neighborhood Corps.

Mr. Az-Zubair spoke briefly on the appropriateness of having the swearing-in ceremony at the Wyandotte County Economic Development Council meeting, and thanked the board for allowing them the opportunity to have ten corps members sworn in. Mayor Stolfus administered the Corps pledge to the following individuals: Anne Boyer, Tammy Clary, Diane Davis, Tamesha Lee, Brandi McGill, Alvin McKeithen, C. J. Robinson, Jared Sirna, James Whisler and Terry Zewalk.

PRESENTATION BY HUB/HOME PAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Teresa Garrison, chairperson of the HUB/Home Page Advisory Council, showed the updated Wyandotte County Economic Development Council home page on the Internet. She said many changes have occurred due to the new form of government. Mr. Ken Mai provided an overview of the changes. A new format, information and pictures have been added to the Bonner Springs section. In addition, a county-wide calendar of events has been added. To call in events to place on the calendar, please contact Tom Brown or Bridgett DeSmet at the library.

Ms. Garrison reported that the home page is receiving approximately 830 hits per month. The average request is 30 per day. Users are looking at all files, but the top file is Bonner Springs with an average of 136 hits per month. The Community Links page also receives a lot of hits. It was noted that the Wyandotte County Neighborhood Corps and the Best of Wyandotte Awards Banquet should be added to the home page.

The WCEDC still has an e-mail link, and Ms. Garrison responds to inquiries.

A new WCEDC logo that could be used for the home page, stationary and promotional items is still needing to be designed. She suggested one source to complete this work which would cost approximately $350.00 to design. Ms. Rohrer provided another source for the design work. Mayor Stolfus referred this project to the Citizen Planning Committee to complete after the Best of Wyandotte celebration.

Copies of the Communication Hub brochure, "We’ve Got Connections", were distributed The brochure has been updated and is ready for printing.

REPORT ON LAND USE PLAN FOR SOUTHERN AND WESTERN WYANDOTTE COUNTY

Bob Evans reported that plans are underway to conduct an update of the comprehensive land use plan for the southern and western portions of Wyandotte County. The proposed race track has necessitated the plan to be updated quickly which may take 12-18 months to complete. Selection of planning consultant services is proceeding, and they hope to have a firm selected by next week. There are currently four comprehensive plans existing in the county that will be taken into consideration. All three governmental entities will be involved in this process.

Mayor Stolfus suggested that a joint meeting be held involving all three Planning and Zoning Commissions to inform everyone what is going on. He also suggested that the Unified Government development staff provide a calendar of events which would include public hearings, schedules, etc. so that the public will be informed.

Mr. Feeback stated that land use needs to be considered for all land and not just along streets.

Commissioner McTaggart said that he sees many different categories. What concerns him is the commercial development separated from the residential development.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Mr. Cooley distributed two budget handouts and provided an overview of the budget reports and financial statement as of January 15, 1998. The balance of the Wyandot Development Corporation account is $91,730.88.

Mr. Cooley presented Resolution 1998-1 which is a resolution of the board of directors of the Wyandot Development Corporation authorizing all officers of the corporation to sign checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation. He explained that the resolution is necessary due to the addition of Mayor Berry on the board. The Wyandot Development Corporation is the 501C3 designation which allows it to be a not for profit organization.

The treasurer’s report and Resolution 1998-1 were unanimously approved by a motion from Commissioner McTaggart and second by Mr. Feeback.

OTHER BUSINESS

A. Kansas Strategic Planning Grant Program - Mr. Evans reported that the state still has some planning grant money that has not been allocated. Therefore, they have conducted a mini solicitation for Strategic Planning Grants. The deadline for applications is February 12, 1998. The City of Edwardsville is applying for a grant. Mr. Sztorch, city administrator, presented a proposal for the City of Edwardsville’s strategic planning grant. The city would like to develop a strategic plan for the northern portion of Edwardsville along Riverview and for the older portion of town where residential subdivisions are on septic tanks.

Commissioner McTaggart made a motion to recommend the proposal for the City of Edwardsville Strategic Planning Grant application. Mr. Feeback seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

B. Discussion of March Meeting - Mr. Gaffney had previously requested that the March 18 meeting be moved to a night meeting to allow for better attendance by committees making presentations on behalf of the Citizens Planning Committee. Mayor Stolfus stated that the request would be denied, and that the WCEDC would continue meeting at 11:00 a.m.

The Board of Public Utilities will host the March 18 meeting.

C. Revised Wyandot Development Corporation, Inc. Bylaws - The revised bylaws were provided for the board.