Minutes of Menno Area Development Meeting
June 21, 2005

The Menno Area Development Corporation held its annual organizational meeting at the Open Door Café on June 21, 2005 with the following in attendance: Dale Weiss, Bill Headley, Lee Friesen, Darlene Mehlhaf, Dorothy Harnisch, Bruce Anderson, Glenn Kirschenman, Nancy Larsen, Shannon Herrboldt, Brent Haberman, Donna Zeeb, Marsha Schelske, Wilma Liebl, David Bender, Teresa Anderson, Dennis Aisenbrey, Calvin Hagge, and Alice Hagge. 

President Dale Weiss called the meeting to order at 12:15 p. m.

Marsha Schelske moved to approve the agenda.  Wilma Liebl seconded, all present in favor.

Darlene Mehlhaf moved to approve the May 17 minutes and the June finance report.  Shannon Herrboldt seconded, all present in favor.

Nancy Larsen reported that she was asked to add information to her paper report about failed businesses in the area as well as new startups.  She has done so and said the number of failed businesses in her coverage area is well below the norm, which is of course a good thing. 

President Weiss asked for nominations for two Board Member seats that were up for filling: 2 3-year terms currently held by Dale Weiss and Peggy Thranum. 

Dorothy Harnisch nominated Dale Weiss for another term, seconded by Teresa Anderson.  Glenn Kirschenman moved to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballet in favor of Weiss, all members present in favor.

Wilma Liebl nominated Teresa Anderson, seconded by Dorothy Harnisch.
Donna Zeeb nominated David Bender, seconded by Brent Haberman.
Marsha Schelske moved to cease nominations and take a vote, all members present in favor.

Ballots were passed, collected, and counted with a tie being the result.  A second ballot was passed, collected, and counted with David Bender being chosen for the second three-year term.

Committee Reports:  Three real estate listing were dropped and 1 new one added to the web page.  The events page was updated along with the Athletic club page.  Everyone is encouraged to email community events information to tjean@yahoo.com and Tammy Liebl will post it.  The web site had 1,146 hits in May and 1,352 so far this month.

Weiss reported that the Motel property purchase would take place on July 1.  Decisions need to be made about what to do with the property before demolition can be done.  Glenn Kirschenman stated that there are some Vocational Schools that might tear down the building for free.  It was also suggested that maybe they would like to bid construction or draw up plans for constructing a new building.  Bill Headley stated that there is an interested party looking to buy the property and build a unit for some agricultural sales site.  Other possibilities lie in the weeds.  Weiss stated that until bids or prices of using the property for a Motel business need to be seen by the group before any decisions can be made.

Lee Friesen brought up some ideas to be explored with helping the Grocery Store stay in town.  Dale Weiss moved to make up a committee to look into some alternative ways to keep the store running.  Bruce Anderson seconded, all present in favor.

Weiss appointed Lee Friesen, Brent Haberman, and David Bender to that committee.

Dale Weiss reported on the events for the Forth of July.  With the help of Bill Headley, everything should be almost ready to go.  Shannon Herrboldt stated that the poker run was pretty much set to go, but some helpers at registration are needed.

Our next meeting will be July 19 in the Open Door Café at Noon.

Wilma Liebl moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:13 p.m. Teresa Anderson seconded, all present in favor.

Respectively submitted,
Dale Weiss, president.