BERLIN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PARK AUTHORITY
Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
DRAFT MINUTES - WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE AUGUST BIDPA MEETING
BIDPA MEMBERS STAFF
Dick Huot, Chair Pamela Laflamme, City Planner
Paul Lozier Patrick MacQueen, City Manager
Terry Block
Andre Duchesne Norm Charest, Economic Development Director
Don Huot
Mike Caron
Members Excused: Jerry Dumoulin
Members Absent: Elizabeth Penney
Others present: Barbara Tetreault, Berlin Daily Sun; Katie Paine, KD Paine & Partners,
The board meeting began at 6:00 P.M
Minutes:
Ms. Laflamme pointed out two errors in the June minutes, Al McLain's new company is actually Green Nova, not Greenover and under the heading of Route 110 the minutes read there were no member or public comments, she indicated that line should not be there.
Mr. Lozier made a motion to accept the minutes for the June meeting, seconded by Mr. Huot, all voted in favor.
Financial Report:
There was no financial report for June prepared by the Finance Department due to year-end activity - the report will be available at the August meeting.
Economic Development Director's Report:
Mr. Charest asked for any questions. There were none.
Mr. Lozier made a motion to accept the report, Mr. Block seconded the motion; all voted in favor.
Marketing Discussion with Katie Paine of KD Paine & Partners:
Mr. Charest introduced Ms. Paine to the board and reviewed the board discussion from earlier this year that led to this evening's discussion. Ms. Paine reviewed the survey she conducted earlier this year for the agencies working with the county marketing steering committee (NCIC, BFA, and NHCTC). The results showed that many people were satisfied with the area, but wanted to see more opportunities. She indicated that the internet is the way to reach people looking at the area rather than traditional marketing. A marketing proposal has been given the county steering committee for the area and is currently under review. A comprehensive marketing approach for the county would be more effective than each entity in the area trying to market separately.
Ms. Paine suggested that the board think about frequent updates to the website either through a blog or by using a site such as Facebook that would keep content fresh. Ms. Paine has already developed a framework for such marketing ideas. She suggested developing a portfolio of successful entrepreneurs for the area and come up with a universal design that everyone will use to help get the message out to the public.
Board members asked Ms. Paine questions about the process and how they would participate. Ms. Paine answered questions and explained the process in detail.
Mr. Block asked how we would start the process. Ms. Paine explained the first thing to do would be to determine what the board's message is and what the board is trying to achieve. She indicated that the existing website would be one way to get out the message to the public and that the board should be thinking about a blog as well that can be frequently updated and would allow for dialoguing with interested parties.
There was discussion about timing and availability of space in the community currently. A few board members indicated that they would like to see something put together and start marketing now rather than later.
The board discussed the next steps, which included approaching the county marketing committee and the possibility of working with them. Mr. Charest suggested that working on developing an independent marketing plan first for BIDPA and develop it as a template for other entities to use later on. Chair Huot said he sensed agreement and the next step was figure out how to implement it and Ms. Paine agreed to have a proposal ready for the next meeting.
Warrenstreet Architects, Inc. Proposal Review:
The board reviewed the proposal and Mr. Block stated that adding up all the costs of the proposal is approximately $41,000 and he reviewed the deliverables that the contract proposed (see attached). Mr. Lozier expressed concern about the timing with the availability of land and this proposal, but Mr. Caron indicated that this plan could be used anywhere, not necessarily Georgia Pacific property. Mr. Charest indicated that the two most serious prospects that he has been working with have issues with finding available land that is able to be developed. Mr. Charest shared many concerns that he has when working with clients coming to the area about availability of land and buildings.
Chair Huot asked whether we could ask Warrenstreet about the timing and whether they would be willing to hold this proposal until we secured the land. The board agreed there were no problems with the proposal, just that we were not moving as fast with the land as we had hoped. Chair Huot asked that staff draft a letter to Warrenstreet with the board's concerns and see if we can wait until we have a commitment on the land.
Other: None
Public Comments: None
Non- Public:
Mr. Caron moved with a second by Mr. Duchesne to enter into non-public session, per 91-A:3, II(d) Land Matter. A roll call vote was taken of the board members; all voting in favor.
Mr. Lozier made a motion to go back into public session, Mr. Caron seconded the motion, and a roll call was taken with all members voting favor.
Mr. Huot, seconded by Mr. Caron made a motion to seal the minutes of the non-public session as releasing them would render the proposed action ineffective. All members voted in favor.
Public Comments: None
Member Comments: None
Adjournment:
Mr. Lozier made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM, seconded by Mr. Block, all voted in favor.
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