Minutes of Menno Area Development Meeting

August 15, 2006

 

The Menno Area Development Corporation held its regular meeting at the Open Door Café on August 15 with the following in attendance: Peg Thranum, David Bender, Darlene Mehlhaf, Judy Headley, Bill Headley, Larry Tolzin, Brent Haberman, Shannon Herrboldt, Bruce Anderson, Glenn Kirschenman, Donna Zeeb, Teresa Anderson, Dale Weiss, Wilma Liebl, Cindy Nelsen, Gary Herman, Ken Bertsch, Calvin and Alice Hagge, Dennis Aisenbrey, Lee Friesen, Morna Anderson, Dorothy Harnisch, Donna Friesen, Cindy Aisenbrey, and Nancy Larsen.

 

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

 

David Bender made a motion to approve the agenda with the following addition: Congregate Housing. Wilma Liebl seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

 

Larry Tolzin made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 18th meeting and the August finance report with the addition of a voucher for MD Engraving. Shannon Herrboldt seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

 

Committee Reports: Grocery Store – Lee Friesen reported the board and committee have met with the owners of the grocery store and the owners of the hardware store to gather information to do a feasibility study. They are in the process of putting together several scenarios to present to the group.

 

SEFP Report: Nancy Larsen showed the group the Orientation & Process Manual that intern Erin McDonald put together. The manual provides a step-by-step resource for future individuals who become involved with SEFP. In 2006, Nancy has had 3 inquiries from Menno, she has 3 clients, had 1 business start-up, 1 business expand, and has helped start or complete 3 business plans.

 

New Business: Shannon Herrboldt stated they need help at the car show for registration, counting ballots, and parking cars. If it’s really hot, registration will be held in the new fire hall meeting room, as it is air-conditioned. If that happens, signs will be made directing participants to the new registration area. He stated a church group had asked if they could sell baked goods during the car show. The consensus of the group was that would be okay. If anyone else would care to do this in the future, they need to ask for permission from MADC. Shannon asked to have Fifth Street blocked off the afternoon of August 26 and received permission from the mayor to do so.

 

It was the consensus of the group to advertise the car show in the Missouri Valley Shopper and the Star Advertiser. Teresa Anderson will contact Donna Walter about advertising in the “What’s Up”.

 

Dave Bender presented some ideas for an advertising campaign to encourage people to shop locally. It states some of the advantages of shopping in your hometown. This will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.

 

Judy Headley spoke to the group about congregate housing in Menno. We need housing that offers more than one bedroom. If housing would be located near the Care Center, residents could be offered extra services [if needed], such as physical therapy, laundry, meals, and other assistance. Land is needed to do something like this, regardless of the location. She is looking for feedback and asked for a committee to help gather information to see if this is viable for Menno. The committee will consist of the following: Judy Headley, Cindy Aisenbrey, Lee Friesen, Glenn Kirschenman, and Darlene Mehlhaf.

 

Weiss mentioned the house the school owns next to Aisenbrey-Kostel funeral home is for sale.

 

If you haven’t paid your dues, PLEASE do so immediately!

 

Our next meeting will be September 19 at the Open Door Café at 12:00 noon.

 

Gary Herman made a motion to adjourn at 1:10 p.m. Shannon Herrboldt seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Thranum, Secretary