WYANDOT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
(WYANDOTTE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL)
MARCH 15, 2000, 11:00 A.M.

BONNER SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER

WCEDC Members Present: Mayor Ted Stolfus-Chairperson, Mayor Woody Berry, Commissioner Tom Cooley, Mary Ryan

Others Present: Marcia Ashford, Jackie Hampton, Weldon Padgett, George Powell, Dan Schenkein, Boris Sztorch

Mayor Stolfus called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. and introductions were conducted.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the January 19, 2000, meeting were unanimously approved by a motion from Commissioner Cooley and second by Mayor Berry.

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS TO SEPARATE THE

SECRETARY/TREASURER POSITION

Commissioner Cooley, who currently serves as the treasurer for the Wyandot Development Corporation (WCEDC), was appointed to the WCEDC board of directors by Mayor Marinovich. Therefore, his duties as treasurer and commissioner may conflict. Mr. Cooley stated that he would be willing to continue as treasurer, but that someone else should reconcile bank statements and sign checks. It was suggested that the secretary be responsible for this task, which would require that the secretary/treasurer position be split in the bylaws. The current slate of officers is as follows:

Chairperson – Mayor Stolfus

Vice-Chairperson – Mayor Marinovich

Secretary/Treasurer - Mayor Berry

The amended bylaws were provided for the board’s review and consideration for approval. The amendments were under Article III, Officers, sections A, F and G, where the one position of Secretary/Treasurer was separated into two positions.

Commissioner Cooley made a motion to approve the amended bylaws to separate the Secretary/Treasurer position. The motion was seconded by Mayor Berry and was unanimously approved.

Mayor Berry made a motion to nominate Commissioner Cooley for the position of treasurer. Mary Ryan seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. The new slate of officers is as follows:

Chairperson – Mayor Stolfus
Vice-Chairperson – Mayor Marinovich
Secretary – Mayor Berry
Treasurer – Commissioner Cooley

RESOLUTION NO. 2000-1

Resolution No. 2000-1 was presented to the board, which authorizes the board of directors to sign checks for both of the corporation’s checking accounts. Commissioner Cooley made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2000-1. Mayor Berry seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

 

CITIZENS PLANNING COMMITTEE UPDATE

Best of Wyandotte Celebration - Jackie Hampton, chair of the Citizen’s Planning Committee, reported that the Best of Wyandotte Celebration is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, 6:00 p.m. at the Reardon Center. The Best of Wyandotte Committee is still trying to finalize the guest speaker. It was decided this year to focus more on the awards ceremony and not so much on the guest speaker. A couple of names were suggested for the guest speaker. Citizenship awards will be presented this year, and the committee is hoping to have nominations from all three cities in Wyandotte County. She further reported that the judges have been confirmed, and that the KICKS Band will perform again this year.

A NEW CENTURY PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT

In Jim Thompson’s absence, Dan Schenkein, president and CEO of the Kansas City Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce, presented an Agreement for Economic Development Services to the board. He stated that he and Mr. Thompson have been working with Tim Evans to draft the agreement. In the past, funds received for the Toward a New Century (TANC) economic development program have been deposited in the Wyandot Development Corporation account because of the 501C3 status. The treasurer kept a separate accounting of those funds, provided bi-monthly reports, and wrote checks upon a written request from Mr. Thompson. The process has worked well in the past. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Schenkein requested that this same process continue with The New Century Partnership economic development program. Mr. Schenkein explained that the benefit of using the 501C3 status is that it allows a tax benefit for companies who contribute to The New Century Partnership.

The question was asked as to why they did not seek 501C3 status. Mr. Schenkein responded that they found out that the IRS and federal government limit the number of 501C3 economic development corporations that can be formed in a certain community.

Commissioner Cooley inquired about Item No. 5 of the agreement, which stated that the Council agrees to hold said funds in a restricted account, and any interest or earnings form the investment of said funds shall also be held in said account for the benefit of WDI and KCKACC. He stated that this might require the Wyandot Development Corporation to open another account. Mr. Cooley said that interest to date is credited to the Corporation for use of the 501C3 status. The question was also raised as to how many checks would be written each month. Mr. Schenkein said he will discuss these issues with Mr. Thompson.

Mr. Padgett inquired about Item No. 13 regarding the limit on the audit cost. Mr. Schenkein explained that the amount was an estimate for this type of audit.

Commissioner Cooley made a motion to approve the Agreement for Economic Development Services. Mayor Berry seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Tom Cooley provided a report for the Wyandot Development Corporation and the four different funds. The account had a balance of $52,474.84 as of February 29, 2000. He said there are still some outstanding bills from the NAITCP summit.

Mary Ryan inquired as to how many people attended the summit and about the cost per person for the meal at Davis Hall. Mayor Stolfus stated that she should contact either Bob Evans or Susan Rohrer to get the information.

Mayor Berry made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report as submitted. Mary Ryan seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

A. Director and Officer Liability Insurance for the Board of Directors – Due to the handling of money, Commissioner Cooley suggested that the board consider purchasing director and officer liability insurance. Members agreed and asked him to provide some information at the May meeting. Mr. Padgett said he would inquire as to where and what type of insurance was purchased by the Kansas Association of City Management. Commissioner Cooley said he will inquire to the Unified Government.

B. Corporate Legal Attorney – Commissioner Cooley also suggested that the board appoint a corporate legal attorney. The board was in agreement, and Mayor Stolfus asked him to provide a report at the next meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

A. Future Agenda Items

1. Corporate attorney

2. Director and Officer Liability Insurance

2. Outcome of Best of Wyandotte Celebration

3. CPC’s meeting on October 23 to discuss plans for the next 5-years.

B. Next Meeting Date – The City of Edwardsville will host the May 17 meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcia Ashford
Asst. to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk
City of Bonner Springs