JDA Board Meeting: January 16, 2024

Members present: John Carns, Clint Wold, Joel Brown, Matt Beard, Pete Edis, Shilo Chavez, Aaron Pelton, Calli Thorne, Rex Korslien
Members absent: Gene Veeder, Tyler Fixen
Others present: Daniel Stenberg, John Suter, Keith Olson, Jake Walters

Chair John Carns called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with quorum having been achieved.
The meeting was at the Missouri Room of the McKenzie County Courthouse and available remotely via zoom. Calli Thorne and Rex Korslien were welcomed as the newest members of the JDA board. Brown made a motion to approve the agenda, financial report and meeting minutes as presented, Pelton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Stenberg presented the JDA Conflict of Interest policy document and asked board members if they had any questions regarding the policy. He noted all board members need to sign the document and will need to sign it once a year. ||

Stenberg reviewed open meeting rules and requirements. ||

The board discussed the election of officers for 2024. Korslien made a motion to reappoint John Carns as board chair, Aaron Pelton as vice chair and Matt Beard as the Secretary/Treasurer, Brown seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Stenberg discussed the possibility of board members to attend a group trip to Ponca City, Oklahoma, an area that is oil and gas dominant and going through a boom much like Watford City went through. Along with other visits, the trip will include visiting Ponca City’s “Pioneer Tech Center’, a tech training center that the Bakken Area Skills Center would like to mimic. Stenberg is requesting members to attend this trip with other McKenzie County leaders. After discussion, the board would like Stenberg to move forward with a solid date (February, March or April), find the right individuals to bring with on the trip and coordinate a time that works for everyone to book a flight. Stenberg will bring this request to the February County Commission and JDA meetings. ||

Stenberg updated the board regarding Doug Bolken’s 2024 renewal of tourism contract and requested that the board approve the contract. Brown made a motion to approve the 2024 renewal of tourism contract, Wold seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Stenberg and Jake Walters discussed the Shovel Ready Lot program and noted that developers won’t reach the requirements of houses built by the June 2024 deadline due to a number of different variables. Stenberg will ask representatives from Stenehjem Development and Stepping Stone to present at upcoming JDA meetings to better understand the hurdles they are facing getting lots sold and built upon. ||

Stenberg gave an update on the Bakken Area Skills Center (BASC) and its post-secondary class implementation. The board discussed the pros and cons of having a well pad and equipment placed on the grounds of the BASC. ||

Suter updated the board on the JDA’s RWIP project, the Community Marketing Publication, and shared its progress and outline of the project. || Suter also shared the December 2023 Technology and Communications report and went through items of interest. ||

Suter and Stenberg updated the board on the Main Street Summit and how they are in the beginning stages of planning the event with the Department of Commerce. The summit will most likely be scheduled for August 27-29 in Watford City. Stenberg asked members to think of potential speakers that could be headlined for this event. ||

Stenberg shared the Economic Development Year in Review for 2023 and plans for 2024, which included everything he and his office accomplished this year along with goals and plans for 2024. ||

Stenberg shared the December update from the End of the Rope movie and its distribution offers. ||

Board members shared items of interest. ||

Wold made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Korslien seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

Signed: ____________________ Date: __________