Special Meeting
February 26, 2007
The
Mayor and Council of the City of Fairbury met in regular session in the
Council Chambers, 612 D Street, Fairbury, Nebraska, on the 26th
day of February, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor E.M. Mueller called the meeting
to order.
Notice of meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the
Fairbury Journal News, Fairbury, Nebraska, the designated method of giving
notice, as shown by affidavit of publication. The Open Meetings Act is
posted in the Council Chambers as required by law.
Roll call found the following Council Members present: Brown, Phillips,
Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson. Absent: Byrd.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Economic Development for
Jefferson County. City Administrator Jim Ferneau stated the City’s contract
for LB840 administration with Jefferson County Economic Development
Corporation (JCEDC) expires as of April 30, 2007. Ferneau stated the
Council needs to look at economic development and determine where they want
to go with it. Ferneau introduced Jim Keeler, an employee of the Nebraska
Municipal Power Pool (NMPP) who assists communities with economic
development.
Keeler stated he was present to offer options only, not to give opinions.
Keeler worked through an outline of the following economic development
related items:
Working with JCEDC, present leadership, costs associated with program and
results.
Costs associated with working with JCEDC were determined by City
Administration to be $45,000 of LB840 funds, $4500 of Board of Public Works
funds, $12,000 contributed from Jefferson County, and $15,000 contributed
from private entities. SENDD membership costs $1600 per year and is
currently paid from the LB840 fund. Keeler asked for input on the pros of
working with JCEDC; no comments were received. Keeler asked for input on
the cons of working with JCEDC; comments Council named as cons included no
improvements to infrastructure, lack of business retention, and lack of due
diligence.
Developing a new Economic Development program for the area, what the
leadership would be, and costs.
Keeler provided examples of salaries and training costs expended by other
communities he works with, stating a new economic developer could cost
anywhere from $31,000 per year to $50,000 per year, depending on experience
levels and training needs. Keeler informed Council that NMPP Energy can do
community assessments and assist in putting together a plan for an economic
development program.
Working with Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) for
implementation of Economic Development program, plus costs.
Keeler stated working with SENDD for economic development program
administration is an additional option. Keeler informed the Council that he
did not know exactly what costs are associated with SENDD’s services. SENDD
is run by Dave Taladay in Lincoln, according to Keeler.
Keeler asked for pros of working with a new economic developer;
comments contributed by Mayor and Council were that a new developer would
bring a fresh perspective to economic development for the area, would bring
a more objective look at things, could be molded to the liking of those
involved and bring new development, and could develop good rapport and
positive contacts in the economic development industry on the local, state,
federal, and business levels. Keeler asked for cons of bringing in a new
economic developer; comments contributed by Mayor and Council were that
a new economic developer may have pre-existing methods and not listen to
what the Council wants, would have to start from scratch developing trust
from the community, may repeat old mistakes resulting from ignorance of
those mistakes, may not have realistic expectations, and may not be aware of
what is appropriate economic development for the area.
Keeler asked for pros and cons of working with an outside entity such as
SENDD. Pros were listed as lower training costs, high experience and
knowledge levels, a variety of ideas and methods, cost sharing, nation-wide
contacts, community marketing and cost-sharing of marketing expenses. Cons
were listed as a possible lack of accountability and accessibility, a
questionable commitment level due to fact outside organization is not
dedicated solely to our community, lack of historical knowledge of community
and established working relationships, and the continued need for
local-level oversight.
Polson stated he believed SENDD would be a good entity to work with. Brown
stated he liked the idea of working with SENDD. Bender questioned what
SENDD had done for the community in the past two years the City has
maintained membership. JCEDC Director Jim Frager stated SENDD membership
was maintained primarily for grant administration services. Fry stated she
is in favor of using SENDD for monetary reasons. Nelson stated SENDD
appeals to him due to the wide contacts they possess; Mayor Mueller
concurred with Nelson. Keeler stated that if the Council chose to work with
SENDD, they would need to determine what kind of local control they want to
maintain as well as what level of authority they are willing to grant SENDD.
Local oversite by either a Mayor-appointed committee or by the City
Administrator was discussed. Keeler advised one of the most important
aspects of an economic development plan was means by which to measure what
impact is being made by the program in place, i.e. number of jobs created,
number of businesses in town, changes in population, changes in sales tax
revenues.
Polson stated the Council needed to find out what the costs are of working
with SENDD. Keeler stated they could have Dave Taladay come to a council
meeting to discuss costs with them. Polson made a motion to have SENDD come
to a council meeting and provide facts and figures of working with SENDD in
order to further research that option. Motion seconded by Trimm. On roll
call, Brown, Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson voted “yes.”
Byrd was absent. Motion carried.
Joseph Casson, Attorney for the JCEDC, stated the JCEDC is willing to assist
the City in any way possible and that they want to be positive, not
negative. Casson also stated economic development will continue regardless
of who does it.
Bender
made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Phillips.
On roll call, Brown,
Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson voted “yes.” Byrd was
absent. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
E. M. Mueller, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tami Arnold, City Clerk
