WYANDOT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
(WYANDOTTE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL)
JANUARY 20, 1999, 11:00 A.M.
BPU HUMAN RESOURCES BUILDING, 300 N. 65TH

WCEDC Members Present: Mayor Ted Stolfus-Chairperson, Commissioner John McTaggart, Mary Ryan

Others Present: Craig Gaffney, Bob Evans, Marcia Ashford, Sarah Willnerd, Brenda Shivers, Marla Newman, George Powell, Frank Viscek

Mayor Stolfus called the meeting to order at 11:07 a.m. and introductions were conducted.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the November 18, 1998, meeting were unanimously approved by a motion from Commissioner McTaggart and second by Mary Ryan.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The current officers were presented as follows:

Chairperson – Mayor Stolfus

Vice Chairperson –

Secretary/Treasurer – Mayor Berry

Commissioner McTaggart nominated Mayor Marinovich for Vice-Chairperson. Mayor Stolfus seconded the nomination, and it was unanimously approved.

Commissioner McTaggart made a motion to accept the current slate of officers for 1999 as presented. Mary Ryan seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

CITIZENS PLANNING COMMITTEE UPDATE

A. WCEDC Home Page Logo – Craig Gaffney presented 4 color selections of the WCEDC logo and 4 samples of new letterhead. The board selected the red logo and the red stationary. Marcia Ashford and Cheryl LaBrecque will obtain price quotes for having the stationary printed.

B. Report on Cooperative Effort with Housing Subcommittee and LISC – Brenda Shivers reported on behalf of the CPC Housing Subcommittee concerning the development of a strategic housing plan for the community in cooperation with the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC). Both groups are co-sponsoring a special housing project which involves the Urban Land Institute (ULI). ULI has been invited to the community to help develop a housing strategy for Kansas City, Kansas. They will help the public and private sector identify needs for a revitalization process, such as for the northeast area.

Ms. Shivers introduced Marla Newman who is the Kansas City, Kansas program officer for LISC. She is charged with raising $105,000 to bring ULI to the community. A team of 12-15 individuals from all over the United States is scheduled to arrive on February 28 to begin working on the first of March.

Ms. Newman distributed information regarding the Urban Land Institute and explained more about the program. Their primary thrust is land use planning. The individuals who work with ULI are not close in nature to this community so they will be objective and unbiased. Concerns and issues and problems will be identified to ULI, and they will interview 50-60 people while here. Their findings will be presented on the last day and recommendations will be provided.

Ms. Newman reviewed the fundraising efforts thus far and identified the sources of funding the $105,000:

Mary Ryan inquired about their track record. Ms. Newman stated that they have worked across the United States, citing Columbus, Ohio as one location where the city adopted their recommendations and a collaborative effort was formed. Mr. Gaffney also stated that Cincinnati, Ohio utilized their services and has experienced a rebirth in certain areas.

Ms. Ryan expressed concern about being able to implement their recommendations, the need to retain the current population in Wyandotte County and the need to bring in new residents so that our county will grow.

At the end of Ms. Newman’s presentation, Mayor Stolfus presented her with a $10,000 check from the Citizen’s Planning Committee in support of ULI’s visit to the county.

TREASURER’S REPORT

A full treasurer’s report was not available. However, a list of checks written since the last meeting were presented to the board for approval. Ms. Ryan inquired about the check to Quality Printing in the amount of $798.50 Mr. Gaffney explained that this payment was for the retail survey that was printed for the Retail Subcommittee. The expense was incurred in 1997, but the invoice had been lost. Therefore, that is the reason why it was not paid until December 1998.

Commissioner McTaggart made a motion to approve the checks written since November 18, 1998. Mayor Stolfus seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

OTHER BUSINESS

A. Fifth Mayors Summit Update – Commissioner McTaggart reported that the bi-state committee for the Fifth Mayors Summit regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement met on January 19. A proposal to host the event will be submitted to the North American International Trade Corridor Partnership (NAITCP) on January 26. St. Louis will not submit a proposal to host, so it is almost certain that it will be held in the Kansas City area. The summit is tentatively scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, September 23-25 at the Jack Reardon Civic Center. The opening event will be held on Wednesday, September 22, in Overland Park. Commissioner McTaggart explained that the NAITCP is an association that promotes international trade between Canada, the United States and Mexico and works to remove trade barriers.

B. Economic Development Reports – Written and verbal economic development information was provided by the Unified Government, City of Bonner Springs and Board of Public Utilities.

C. Future Agenda Items – Mr. Gaffney mentioned that the CPC and KCK Chamber will be working with the Mid-America Regional Council regarding the development of a transportation plan. They plan to bring individuals together from all over the county to discuss transportation. The first meeting will be held on February 18, 3:30 p.m., at the BPU Human Resource Center. They would like to have representatives from the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce, City of Bonner Springs and City of Edwardsville involved in the discussions concerning county-wide transportation.

D. March 17, 1999 Meeting Host – City of Bonner Springs – Mayor Stolfus indicated that the meeting may be held in Bonner Springs at the Community Center.

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.

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