JDA Board Meeting: March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes

Members present: John Carns, Clint Wold, Gene Veeder, Rex Korslien, Shilo Chavez, Tyler Fixen (virtual), Joel Brown, Calli Thorne, Aaron Pelton, Pete Edis
Members absent: Matt Beard
Others present: Daniel Stenberg, John Suter, Keith Olson, Katie Walters, Jake Walters, Vawnita Best, Tony Mazza (via phone), Sara Fitzpatrick, Greg Richins, Pat Fitzgerald

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. Korslien made a motion to approve the agenda, financial report and meeting minutes as presented, Chavez seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

No member reported a conflict of interest. ||

Sara Fitzpatrick (RRC), Greg Richins (RRC) and Pat Fitzgerald (Hockey Club) presented to the board on the need to place bathrooms in the hockey area of the Rough Rider Center. There currently are no bathrooms in that area and hockey fans must use the main level bathrooms or downstairs bathrooms during hockey games. This is a problem when there are tournaments or games happening when the Rough Rider Center main level is closed and the doors to the bathroom area are locked. Fans must then use the basement bathrooms, which could pose a risk to older or handicapped people if an elevator shuts down. The Rough Rider Center and Hockey Club requested the JDA to approve taking this request of a grant of $220,000+ for the project to the County Commission. Chavez made a motion to approve sending the request for a grant to build a bathroom in the hockey area of the Rough Rider Center to the County Commission, Korslien seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Tony Mazza with Stepping Stone Development gave an update to the board on their progress in the Shovel Ready Lot Program and proposed a new idea to build 45 new homes in Watford City. The proposition included the JDA using the leftover funds from the Shovel Ready Lot Program, about $3.5 million, and loan $75,000 for each home (45) which will bring the price of the house down to under $400,000. ||

Katie Walters continued on with Tony Mazza’s presentation and proposition, stating that the JDA should consider the closing costs or down payment assistance program which could encourage more buyers to buy houses and, in turn, encourage more builders to build homes. The Dunn County JDA has a similar program, and board members agreed to learn more about their program and if McKenzie County should create a similar program. ||

Keith Olson presented the SBDC Annual Budget and noted that he usually requests $35,000 from the JDA, but this year could be between $35,000 and $60,000. Olson is waiting on hires and the direction of the program before he will formally request a specific amount, most likely at the May JDA meeting. ||

John Carns updated the board on McKenzie Electric Cooperative’s two new projects for safety and intelligence. Carns is requesting the JDA approve signing a Good Neighbor Agreement to support these two projects. Veeder made a motion to approve signing a Good Neighbor Agreement for McKenzie Electric Cooperation’s update project, Pelton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Vawnita Best requested the JDA sign a letter of support for the Watford City EDC’s Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) application for marketing funds for the efforts of their Workforce Opportunity Watford City project (WOWC). The extra marketing funds would help expand target marketing from June 2024 to June 2025 to reach more candidates. Brown made a motion to approve sending a letter of support for the EDC’s RWIP application, Edis seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Stenberg gave an update regarding the Vision West ND’s Behavioral Health Summit (scheduled for June 19-20) and their needs of sponsorships. Stenberg asked if the board would like to sponsor the summit for $5,000, which would include the JDA receiving two free tickets to the event. After discussion, the board decided it would be better if the JDA just bought tickets to the event at $200 per ticket and sent individuals from around the county to attend the important event. Brown made a motion to sponsor 25 individuals from around the county (no more than 2 people from each organization) and pay for their tickets to attend the Behavioral Health Summit, Thorne seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Edis abstained from voting – stated a Conflict of Interest as he is a part of the Visionwest ND behavioral health committee.

Suter presented the February Technology and Communications report and the March Economy at a Glance and noted the high use and views of the economic development websites and social medias in February 2024. Suter gave an update on the Community Publication and noted that The Good Kids, a graphic design and editing company out of Bismarck, were hired to help edit and beatify the publication. ||

Stenberg updated the board on the Alexander Day Care project and noted the bid will be opening on March 28. ||

Stenberg updated the board on the Bakken Area Skills Center and noted a ribbon cutting will be held on April 16 at 2:30 p.m. ||

Stenberg gave a Cerilon update stating that they have announced a partnership with Chevron and that he would be attending a Williams County Planning and Zoning meeting to share the positive experience . ||

Stenberg gave an update on the trip to Ponca City, OK and Hobbs, NM where the group will be traveling there April 7-11. ||

Board members shared items of interest. Brown made a note for board members to keep an eye on the push to get the state property tax eliminated and the negatives this would bring to county governing. ||

Pelton made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Edis seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Signed: ____________________ Date: __________