PRESENT: Plan Commission Members: Ch. Mayor Wescott; Karen Aldinger; Lois Feldman; Ann Shannon; Dave Sowieja; Fred Steffen

Other Committee Members: Ald. Stroik, Rackow, Moore, Sevenich; Liz McDonald; Mark Seiler;

ALSO PRESENT: Comm. Dev. Dir. John Gardner; Police Chief Morris; Co. Planning Dir. Chuck Kell; Don Jankowski, Ch. Of Po. Co. Space & Properties Committee; Michael Pryor

Index of these Minutes:

1. Approval of the October 25, 2004 Minutes
2. County-city Partnership - Justice Center
3. Comprehensive Planning - Economic Development

1. APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 25, 2004 MINUTES

Fred Steffen moved, seconded by Lois Feldman, to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2004 meeting. Ayes all; Nays none; Motion carried.

2. COUNTY-CITY PARTNERSHIP - JUSTICE CENTER

Ch. Wescott noted this is an informational item for the Plan Commission and City alderpersons. The city and county have been working on an informal basis regarding the future needs of law enforcement. The Space and Properties Committee has requested the city join with the county in reviewing a new justice center which could include sufficient land for a police and sheriff's center. He has recommended that the city pursue this option.

Don Jankowski, County Space and Properties Committee, stated this is the first phase of a 5-phase plan with construction possibly in 2008. We are currently looking at what the justice center will be and offices will be in the building. In 6-8 months, we will be looking at where it would be located and the city will have to make a decision as to whether they (the police) will stay with the program and where the study will go from there. No decisions have been made. The county will cover the cost of the initial phase.

Police Chief Morris noted the city he came from, Rockford Illinois, went through a similar process. In that process, the city and county did not join together and the county is forced to go forward. They are designing a building that is not meeting everyone's needs. It is really important for us to do this. We are not committed but we need to all sit down together and work on this.

Lois Feldman noted the justice center has to be located in the County Seat which would have to be somewhere in the city.

3. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING - Economic Development

John Gardner reviewed the attached economic activity information with regard to labor force, earnings, and employment and noted the goal today is to complete the strengths and weaknesses lists in Section 6.5.

Section 6.5

A. Categories or types of new businesses and/or industries that are desired by the community:

B. Community strengths for attracting/retaining business and industry:

Diversified economy
Good Education - Public/Private - K-University and Mid-state
Pool of potential workers from UWSP
Broad range of Cultural activities
Central location in state - community distance from urban areas & central location for convention facilities
Quality of life - natural beauty of city, indoor/outdoor recreational facilities, access to affordable medical care, relative safety
Excellent Transportation network
High Work ethic
Abundant natural resources
Existing Clean industries
Cultural diversity
Price of land - relatively inexpensive

C. Community weaknesses for attracting/retaining business and industry:

High water table - north/west - bedrock North
Need better link between education and employees
Need to get our share of State investments
Stronger voice from community/region aimed at Madison
Not a "cool" community
Cuts to UW budget
Labor force availability
Need more land
Access to venture capital
Lack of private large foundations
Lack of incentive money
Budget reductions to public employers
Large amounts of tax exempt land not on city tax rolls
Direct Access to major metropolitan areas/airports

Goals:

1) Creation and retention of jobs

Identify emerging businesses/technologies
Upgrading work skills
Identifying expansion potential of existing employers
Connecting existing employers with incentive programs
Eliminate government red tape
Create better networking between businesses and education

2) Increase tax base

Maintain the livability of the city
Create family-supporting jobs
Maintain diversified economy
Maintain diversified tax base
Redevelopment of older commercial/industrial/residential sites and develop resources to do it
Central clearing house for economic development resources
Encourage unique retail support of Main Street Program
Economic health of city is critical to entire county

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

The meeting minutes reproduced on this website are derived from the computer files used to produce the official minutes for the City of Stevens Point, but are unofficial. The minutes on this web site cannot be certified under s. 889.08, Wis. Stats., and cannot be considered prima facie evidence under s. 889.04, Wis. Stats. Certain tables, maps, and other documents that are a part of the official minutes are not included in the files reproduced on this website. Please consult the printed minutes, available in the City Clerk's Office, for the official text. The decisions made by City of Stevens Point boards, committees, and commissions (other than the Police & Fire Commission) are advisory only and are not binding on the city until affirmed at a meeting of the Common Council. Some of the minutes on this web site might not be approved by the Common Council as of today.