ERIC Committee
Minutes
6:30 Boonville City Hall

September 18, 2008

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Attendance: Megan McGuire, Todd Lorenz, Judy Stock, Karla Terry, Tom White, Candy Sorrell, Ken Edwards, Jeannie Anguaoui, Ted Bleil, Dennis Ficken, Chris Holliday, Phil Blom, Autumn Lisko, Jackie Hickam, Dudley Kaiser, Michael Goldschmidt and Ronn Philips.

Michael Goldschmidt opened the meeting at 6:45 with a discussion of the activities since our last meeting.  The selection process was revisited for purposes of discussion as follows:  Members of the committee visited each of the eigh sites and each was reviewed from the GIS data available at www.cares.missouri.edu. The committee then discussed and ranked each proposal according to five criteria:  topography, buildability, access (to I-70), visibility (to I-70) and affordability.  Each of the committee members reviewed the proposals according to the information submitted and utilized a location map that showed each property along the I-70 corridor. Each member also had access to a topographic and boundary site plan for each property. The committee also identified proposals that suggested infrastructure improvements that would be part of the negotiations if chosen for the ERIC building. The committee selected three sites in the first round of discussions that had high scores in many of the ranked criteria. The committee then formally voted to accept one proposal for the Charrette. After the vote was held, the closed meeting was adjourned and no further issues were discussed.  The committee has selected the Holliday property as the model location for the Charrette at this time.

Todd Lorenz gave an update on proposed Charrette date as November 19-23.  The Knights of Columbus Hall has been contacted on their availability.  They are available during this timeframe but will need us to vacate at 3:00 on Friday for their bingo night.  Ronn Phillips indicated that we would be able to accommodate this stipulation by having a working evening meal at another location in order to continue the progression of the Charrette.  We can then reconvene at the Hall when bingo night concludes.  He went on to give preliminary itinerary of the Charrette Crew’s progression:  They will likely get to town sometime on Wednesday and set up their equipment and materials, then do an on-site visit due to the fact that they will not have time during the Charrette.  Thursday through Sunday will have all-day activities of the Charrette itself.  As we get closer to the Charrette, a more detailed itinerary will be developed but Ronn indicated that we should keep Monday open as well if we choose to do the “roll-out” presentation at that time.

Ronn gave more details of what is expected of the committee at this time.  The Design Programming committee will now need to prepare more detailed supporting documentation that correspond with the bubble flow chart that has been discussed for the past four meetings.  More detailed area and site location maps will need to be located.  The Fundraising Committee will finalize details of the location, logistics, schedule when things will take place, meals, finalize commitments, and prep the Kick Off meeting.

Members of the finance committee gave updates on their progress since the last meeting: 

·         Jeanie Anguaoui:   Is in the process of finding accommodations for the out-state Charrette Crew, has discussed the possibility of ATT assisting with our connectivity needs during the Charrette, and gave a report on the presentation of ERIC at the area Retailer’s Breakfast. 

·         Dudley Kaiser:  Was able to initiate communications with MFA Oil/Insurance; MO Beef Council; MO Pork Producers and others.  (Note:  we will have to feed people so that might be an option for the meat producers.)  A meeting date has been set for a formal presentation to as many of the group that can attend.

·         Paul Davis (was unable to attend due to his commitments at the Festival of Lights and Todd Lorenz gave his update):  Paul has given a presentation to the local Rotary Club and has made initial connections with representatives from Monsanto.

·         Todd Lorenz:  Has made connection with Missouri Farm Bureau who indicated that they were unable to contribute at this time.   Ameren has been contacted and paperwork has been moved forward.  Michael and Todd visited DNR earlier in the day and welcomed them to the Charrette process.

·         Michael Goldschmidt:  Checked the football schedule and found our date selection to be acceptable.

Robert Stinnett and Todd have been discussing the ways to make the Cooper County website more user friendly to those that would like to participate in the Charrette process but are unable to get away from work, are out of state, etc.  The current discussions include setting up a blog and possibly video links during the Charrette.  More details will be presented as we progress.

Chris Holliday and Phil Blom of WPW Development, LLC presented to the committee.  Chris thanked the committee for selecting their site and presented a document for committee consideration.  They offered to provide the remaining funds for Charrette, provide a meeting place and catering of meals for the committee and planners.  Additionally, they proposed helping the committee develop a marketing plan and materials to set the stage for the capital fund raising needed to make the project a reality.

Michael thanked Chris as this alleviates much of the concerns that this volunteer committee has been working through and indicated that the ERIC committee was not finished soliciting partners and that the finance committee still had outstanding commitments to follow up.  It was discussed that a site visit of his buildings would be necessary to assess the suitability for a Charrette and would be considered along with the previous offer from the Knights of Columbus hall.  Michael and Todd will visit the buildings prior to the next meeting.

With nothing further on the agenda and the necessity to proceed more methodically in preparation of the Charrette, the next meeting date was selected for Tuesday, September 23, 6:00 at City Hall.

Respectfully submitted:

Todd Lorenz

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