Minutes of Menno Area Development Meeting

January 16, 2007

 

The Menno Area Development Corporation held its regular meeting at the Open Door Café on January 16 with the following in attendance: Peg Thranum, Wilma Liebl, Morna Anderson, Darlene Mehlhaf, Brad Letcher, Bill Headley, Judy Headley, Brent Haberman, Shannon Herrboldt, Larry Tolzin, Nancy Larsen, Cindy Aisenbrey, Donna Zeeb, Brenda Edelman, David Bender, Dale Weiss, Gary Herman, Teresa Anderson, and Glenn Kirschenman were present.

 

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

 

David Bender made a motion to approve the agenda. Wilma Liebl seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

 

Larry Tolzin made a motion to approve the minutes and the finance report. Shannon Herrboldt seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

 

SEFP Report: Nancy Larsen gave the SEFP report. She reminded us of the Career Fair on February 16 at the Marion High School. She reported 271 students have signed up along with 40 booths. Classic Collision and Farmers Union Insurance have signed up to have booths. Other Menno businesses are encouraged to join them! The SEFP Investors Reception will be held in Centerville on March 7. Invitations will be sent.

 

Committee Reports: Grocery Store – The committee is waiting for information from Affiliated Foods so they can put some figures together in preparation for a public meeting. Shannon Herrboldt reported paper work has begun to ask the National Guard to assist in cleaning up buildings. We would need to provide food, fuel and a place for the debris. The City committed up to $20,000 for the acquisition and clean up of property on the east side of 5th Street between Heil and Poplar Streets.

 

Ad Campaign – David Bender presented a price sheet from the Hutchinson Herald. Following discussion, Brenda Edelman made a motion to do a full-page “Shop Locally” ad every quarter. Teresa Anderson seconded, all present in favor; motion carried. The ads will begin the 1st paper in March and continue with the 1st papers in the months of June, September, and December. Members of the development corporation will be able to place an ad on the page at no cost to them.

 

Housing Development – Brent Haberman stated the committee wants to do a public survey to find out how many people would be interest in this type of housing or would be interested in purchasing a lot. The idea is to sell the lots ready to build on. He passed around a composite drawing of how the development might look if built east of the Care Center so people will have an idea of what we are proposing. The committee reported looking for land in other areas around Menno to offer other options for these plans. Brent proposed doing a survey on the housing development and grocery store projects together to see if we have public support for these projects. It would be a waste of time to pursue them if the public isn’t behind our efforts.

 

Band Day – Larry Tolzin reported Band Director Wenisch is sending out letters concerning “Band Day”. The date hasn’t been set at this time.

 

New Business: Judy Headley invited everyone to the Care Center on Sunday, March 18 to help celebrate their 35th Anniversary. This celebration will be held in conjunction with their annual meeting. They will have a program, a short business meeting and lunch.

 

Dale Weiss said he has been approached about having evening meetings, at least once a quarter. He asked the group to think on this until the next meeting.

 

Our next meeting will be February 20 at the Open Door Café at 12:00 noon.

 

Cindy Aisenbrey moved to adjourn at 12:55 p.m. Brenda Edelman seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Thranum, Secretary