Minutes of Menno Area Development Meeting

October 17, 2006

The Menno Area Development Corporation held its regular meeting at the Open Door Café on October 17 with the following in attendance: Peg Thranum, Darlene Mehlhaf, Bill Headley, Dorothy Harnisch, Brent Haberman, Cindy Aisenbrey, Ken Stepanek, Judy Headley, Shannon Herrboldt, Teresa Anderson, Glenn Kirschenman, Calvin Hagge, Alice Hagge, Nancy Larsen, Cindy Nelsen, Ken Bertsch, Donna Zeeb, Gary Herman, and Dale Weiss.

President Dale Weiss called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m.

Darlene Mehlhaf made a motion to approve the agenda. Cindy Nelsen seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

Teresa Anderson made a motion to approve the minutes with the following amendment: A roll call vote was not called for on the motion concerning the motel property. Cindy Aisenbrey seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

Brent Haberman made a motion to approve the finance report. Donna Zeeb seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

SEFP Report: Nancy Larsen reported on the Avera Health Conference she attended. Jack Schultz, author of Boomtown, USA: the 7 ½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns was one of the speakers. His 7 ½ Keys are: 1) Adopt a “Can Do” Attitude 2) Shape Your Vision 3) Leverage Your Resources 4) Raise Up Strong Leaders 5) Encourage an Entrepreneurial Approach 6) Maintain Local Control 7) Build Your Brand 7 ½) Embrace the Teeter – Totter Factor

Dale Weiss made a motion to purchase Boomtown USA for the corporation. Brent Haberman seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

Committee Reports: Motel Property – Ken Bertsch reported the motel property has been sold to Jeremiah Welsh from Centerville for $8500. Mr. Welsh intends to build storage units on the property sometime next year.

Grocery Store – The committee is working to gather figures and is exploring ways to find someone to manage a grocery store for us. The goal is not to let Menno be without a grocery store at any time.

Ad Campaign – The ad campaign is put on hold until we find out if we will receive any grant money.

Congregate Housing –Judy Headley presented an informative housing comparison showing the difference between congregate housing, assisted living and a nursing home. She reported visiting housing in various communities in the area to gather information. The committee will continue to gather information and report again at the next meeting. The goal is to explore adding congregate housing in Menno.

New Business: A Town Hall Meeting is tentatively set for Friday, October 27 at 7 p.m. in the meeting room at city hall for a final report and discussion on issues and ideas that were raised by the survey and Town Hall meeting that was held September 18.

Our next meeting will be November 21 at the Open Door Café at 12:00 noon.

President Weiss adjourned the meeting at 1:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Thranum, Secretary