Committee Minutes


MINUTES
Growth Fund Committee Meeting
Office of Urban Development Conference Room
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203

January 19th, 2010

1. Roll Call

Present: Eliot Glassheim, Terry Smith, Dwight Thompson and Doug Christensen via telephone. Also present: Meredith Richards, Klaus Theissen, Keith Lund, Steve Burien, Karl Bollingberg, Dave McFarlane, Bruce Gjovig, Rick Duquette, Jeff Kappenman, Sean O’Leary and Melanie Richardson.

2. Approval of Minutes – November 17, 2009: Motion by Terry Smith, second by Dwight Thompson to approve minutes from previous meeting on November 17, 2009. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

3. Other Business:

National Wind, LLC: They have asked for a one year renewal of their lease with the same terms as last year. As all are in favor of this renewal no discussion ensues.

Motion by Terry Smith, second by Dwight Thompson to accept the National Wind, LLC lease renewal. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

UAS Business Development Initiative: Klaus Theissen gave a brief presentation then introduced the Director of the UND Aerospace program, Jeff Kappenman, to highlight the economic opportunity of this particular business initiative. Klaus states that the EDC would like to add another full time associate who will bring additional business development resources and will allow the EDC to capitalize on this opportunity more effectively. Klaus indicates that this initiative will need at least five years and will require approximately $100,000 per year. Grand Forks County has agreed to fund $25,000.00 per year for the next 5 years, and EDC will contribute $50,000. This request is that the City of Grand Forks provide the remaining $25,000 each year over the 5-year period.

Doug Christensen asked about the need for additional staffing at the EDC. He requested a report with detailed information outlining: (1) the current duties of the business developers at the EDC; (2) the business opportunities expected to be generated by UAS; and (3) the need that requires the hiring of the UAS position. Klaus offered that EDC could provide a business plan of UAS opportunities. Subsequent discussion centered on this business plan and that it be included for consideration when the funding request is brought to the Council’s Committtee of the Whole meeting.

Motion by Dwight Thompson, second by Terry Smith to recommend moving the UAS Business Development Initiative request to the Committee of the Whole and that EDC provide a business plan for UAS opportunities with the request. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.


4. Executive Session:

Motion by Dwight Thompson, seconded by Terry Smith to go into executive session at 4:27 pm. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

Motion by Dwight Thompson, second by Terry Smith to close the executive session at 5:20 pm. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.


5. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:21 pm.



________________________ ________________________
Melanie R. Richardson Doug Christensen
Office of Urban Development Chairman