COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

OF THE STEUBENVILLE OHIO AREA

Meeting of the Board of Trustees – May 18, 2010

CALL TO ORDER   

President Kenneth Perkins called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.  The meeting was hosted by the American Red Cross, Wintersville Branch, at that facility.

ROLL CALL              Present:  President Ken Perkins; Vice-President David Skiviat; Secretary Alex Marshall; Treasurer Edward Florak; Trustees Dave D’Anniballe; Kyle Brown; Bob Chapman; Andrea Sheeler; Sevy Petras; Joe Miller and Jim Conrad; Sam Shorac; Derek Ferguson; Keith Saltsman; Billy Petrella; Chuck Robinson; Susan Hershey; Dr. Thomas Graham; Domenick Mucci

Absent but represented:  Anthony Mougianis represented by Chrissy Taylor, Dr. Laura Meeks represented by Tracee Joltes

Absent:  William Blake, Immediate Past President; Trustees B.J. Smith, Karen D’Anniballe, Ross Patten, Deborah Venci, Bob Hargrave, Joe Luckino, Jody Glaub, Lou Petrozzi, Richard Delatore, Jim Emmerling, Rob Gribben, Huberta Siciliano, Tom Timmons, Steve Bohach, Kristin Cantrell, John Riley, Tom Minor, Nick Caccicario, Lisa Quattrochi, Jay Phillipone, Sheila Milic, Frank Bovina, Fred Brower, Jon Rogers, Don Snyder, David Hindman, Gary Folden, Commissioner Gentile, Commissioner Maple, Cathy Davison, David Lalich, Mayor John Geddis, Councilman Tom Bottorf; Trustee Geno Morelli, Mayor John Abdalla, Mayor Dominic Chappano, Trustee Sam Grafton

Others in Attendance:  Paul Giannamore, Steubenville Herald-Star; Executive Director Ed Looman and Ruth Casey, Progress Alliance

INTRODUCTION OF HOST; HOST’S REMARKS

President Perkins introduced Kathy Musso, Red Cross Chapter Executive Director.  Ms. Musso began her remarks by stating that the Red Cross is not a federal agency, but is chartered by the government, and is mandated to respond to disasters.  She said that the Wintersville chapter is manned entirely by volunteers, except for two paid staff members.  At the time she was reporting, there were almost 3,000 volunteers providing emergency services and supplies in Nashville.  She said that the local chapter responds to single family fires, and had responded to ten fires in April and May, which included a large brushfire.  The Red Cross does military contact services for family emergencies.  The Wintersville chapter conducts a blood drive every Monday, from noon to 6:00 p.m. at its building; a media day blood drive is scheduled for June 29.  Trinity uses approximately 12,000 units of blood per year.  Ms. Musso also announced that an Arts and Sports Auction to support the Red Cross will be held on June 18.  The Red Cross responds to 70,000 emergencies per year across the country. 

CIC Trustee Kyle Brown is the Red Cross chairman; the board is responsible for raising money so that the Red Cross can respond when needed.  Ms. Musso said that another CIC trustee, Ken Perkins, is a very active volunteer.  She distributed information about the recognition afforded to donors at various levels.

REPORTS OF TRUSTEES AND COMMITTEES

Fundraising Committee:  President Perkins said that the goal of raising $100,000 in 2009 was met; the goal for 2010 is one new member per month.  Today he was advised by Trustee Brown that Project BEST will be a new member in June.  Trustee Mucci commented that the new city building was completed on time and under budget, due in part to Project BEST and Cattrell Companies. 

The next meeting of the fundraising committee will be on June 8, 8:30 a.m., at Progress Alliance; at that meeting, they will discuss the Fourth Annual Bridge Invitational Corporate Challenge golf outing.  Mr. Perkins pointed out that a letter with the golf outing details was included in each trustee’s meeting packet.  Prior to this year, the bridge invitational was free of charge to all whom attended, and it was held for the purpose of showcasing Jefferson County to out-of-town guests.  This year, due to the loss of TANF dollars, the outing will be held to raise funds for marketing. 

Mr. Looman said that area businesses will be asked to enter a team; teams will compete for a traveling trophy which will go to each year’s winning team, with each member of that team receiving a small replica of the trophy.    Mr. Perkins said that we need three more title sponsors, as well as presenting sponsors, hole sponsors, team sponsors and business sponsors.

The Laurels of Steubenville will provide bloody marys and shrimp, and Sedexo will be approached about providing a lunch.

Mr. Perkins asked Trustee Petrella to inform the board about an organization which was begun recently.  Mr. Petrella said that a group, the Young Professionals, has formed, for business people between the ages of 21 and 40.  The group is not part of the chamber or Progress Alliance, but is rather a social networking group.  Mr. Perkins commented that it is important to get younger people involved in the community.

Trustee Hershey said that the Trails and Greenways committee is reviewing documented areas of interest and the criteria, and that the steering committee would be meeting the next day.  She said that information about the groups involved in the project is available online, with the next regular meeting scheduled for May 20.  Ms. Hershey also announced a chamber Business After Hours event, “A Taste of Downtown” on May 20 at Herald Square Park.

REPORT OF TREASURER

Treasurer Ed Florak reported that he reviewed all reconciled bank account reports for the month of March with Ms. Casey prior to the meeting as well as the RLF records, and that all accounts were accurately reconciled and all expenditures accounted for. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Executive Director Ed Looman introduced Scott Dressel, founder of the “Save the Grand” project, which is planning to restore the Grand Theater on South Fourth Street.  Mr. Dressel said that he has been restoring homes on North Fourth Street for 16 years.  His work can be seen on his website www.bayberryproperties.com.  Mr. Dressel said that saving historic sites has made a significant financial impact wherever it has been undertaken.  His goal is to raise about $125,000 by September to repair the roof which will provide protection to the interior of the theater.  Sponsors to date for the project are Franciscan university, WTOV-9, the Herald-Star and Trinity Health Systems.  He is seeking significant donations from individuals, as well as community support, and is possibly going to apply for a grant.  The City of Steubenville is going to help with grants; he is looking for a grant-writing volunteer and forming a fundraising committee.  An attorney is preparing the group’s 501(c)3 application, funded by WTOV-9.  The preservation group will receive ownership of the building when they have completed roof repairs.  Mr. Dressel provided the board with a brief history of the building and showed “before and after” photographs of the interior.  The Grand project website is www.historicsteubenville.org.   

Mr. Looman introduced Trustee Andrea Sheeler of the Laurels of Steubenville.  On May 27, the Laurels will host a “Cheers for Two Years” celebration, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Mr. Looman will be the keynote speaker.

Mr. Looman then introduced Keith Saltsman, who will serve as trustee for the most recently acquired board membership, the Upper Ohio Valley Building and Construction Trades Council on the board.

Mr. Looman said that May 19 is the second anniversary of his becoming executive director of Progress Alliance.  He began his report by saying that the support which Progress Alliance has received, both public and private, is nothing short of amazing, given the difficult economic times we face.  He thanked everyone who understands the important role an economic development organization can play during these times, as we try to reinvent this county we are all so fond of.  Some folks in the community don’t see the reason for this type of organization but our elected officials and public leaders realize it is important to support economic development as we try to push our program forward.  Mr. Looman said that their support puts the CIC board trustees in a class by themselves, as they recognize the need to help shape the future of the county.  As we are achieving the goal of one new member a month, he said he would like to see fifty new members.  He said he salutes the board for not letting negative people, who don’t understand what is going on in this organization, drag them down.

Mr. Looman urged the trustees to contact him with any questions they may have about what we have tried to do during the past two years.  He said he believes that we are going in the right direction.

Mr. Looman advised the board that he is in the process of hiring a new person to work with small businesses and maintain the inventory website information on Ohio InSite.

Discussion of the formation of a county port authority continues. The port authority would be part of this organization, with Progress Alliance and the port authority being under one roof.

The past two years have seen two new buildings erected in the industrial park and the installation of street lights, and we are getting ready for another road expansion.

Mr. Looman stressed the importance of inventory, which in economic development means a complete list of available land, buildings and office space.  In mid-June ODOD is going to a new system of maintaining inventory; the new employee will receive training and will update the Jefferson County inventory.  His goal is to have a complete inventory of everything for sale or lease, so we can put it on Ohio InSite.  To emphasize the importance of a complete inventory, Mr. Looman said that we are still in the hunt for a huge project from the state of Ohio.  The site initially proposed was rejected, but the project site selectors found two other properties on our website, which is why we are still being considered.  Mr. Looman warned that the new employee will hound everyone in the county until we have the information we need.  Mr. Looman said he has a meeting scheduled next month to continue on developing a relationship with area realtors.

Frank Zangara, ODOD business services representative and a guest at the CIC meeting, said that surrounding counties are envious of Jefferson County because of the amount of support and funding available for economic development here.

President Perkins reminded the board that the first project after Mr. Looman became executive director was putting a sign up at the industrial park.  He said progress starts at the top and that Mr. Looman has done a wonderful job, for which he expressed his thanks.

Trustee Florak commented on a lunch meeting recently and said that he is tired of the negativity some people in the county express.  He said we are committed to living here and improving this area, and he commended Mr. Looman for the work he has accomplished over the past two years, saying he anticipates success in the future.  He drew the board’s attention to the notation at the foot of the meeting agenda which said that the minutes of each month’s CIC board meeting is posted on the Progress Alliance website; commenting that all the board’s actions are made public and the information is updated regularly.  Dr. Florak said that commercial realtors need to be aware that by putting their properties on our website, we can help sell them.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Trustee Graham raised the matter of a correction needed in the minutes, which was duly noted as indicated below:

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS

10-05-01          Following the board’s review of the minutes of the CIC meeting of April 20, Trustee Graham noted a correction needed; Trustee Mucci made a motion to accept the minutes as amended.  Trustee Florak seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.  (Amendment noted on signed original.)

Trustee Graham said he was at a meeting where the issue of the state turning Jefferson Lake State Park over to the ODNR was discussed, the only instance in the state where this is happening.  The state has said it will turn the lake over to the county for the price of one dollar and continue to maintain the dam, but the county would have to maintain and insure the park itself.  Edison Local School District will keep the ball fields.  Dr. Graham said that all three commissioners are working to try to find ways to fund the park.  They haven’t seen maintenance costs yet from the state, which says it can’t afford to maintain the park.  He also advised the board that the groundbreaking will occur soon for the new county animal shelter.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business to place before the board.

ADJOURNMENT

10-05-02          Trustee Mucci made a motion that the meeting be adjourned.  Trustee Florak seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.

President Perkins declared the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

___________________________________                                     

Kenneth R. Perkins, President                                                            Date

 Community Improvement Corporation

   of the Steubenville, Ohio, Area

                                                                          Minutes prepared by Ruth Casey