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Village of Fall Creek Community & Economic Development Committee Minutes 2/07/2020 Page 1 of 2 Village of Fall Creek Minutes of Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting February 7, 2020 1. Call to Order: 1:00 p.m., Village Hall Meeting Room, 122 E. Lincoln Ave., Fall Creek 2. Roll Call: Members Present: Chairman Dane Zook, Trustees Matt Mattoon and Karen Strasburg. Members Absent: None. Also Present: 1 citizen. 3. Certify Open Meeting Law Requirements Have Been Met: A notice of the meeting and an agenda was posted in the three public places and newspapers were notified. 4. Adopt Agenda: ▪ MOTION (Strasburg/Mattoon) to adopt the agenda as printed. PASSED, without negative vote. 5. Discuss Blue Ribbon Committee Future Suggestions: Chairman Zook noted this meeting is meant to update agenda items that the Community and Economic Development Committee have been working on as his term in office will be ending in April. One idea was to change the Blue Ribbon Implementation Committee to the Blue Ribbon Future Planning Committee to honor former President Len Madsen who created the committee. This committee will be comprised of a group of concerned citizens active in planning and developing the community. This 15-person group, with representatives from several Village entities, will meet semi-annually to help plan various projects of interest to the community. Karen Strasburg suggested revisiting the list of members to make it more current. Matt Mattoon suggested utilizing a format that would better address items that should be considered for future planning. ▪ MOTION (Mattoon/Strasburg) to recommend changing the name of the Blue Ribbon Implementation Committee to the Blue Ribbon Future Planning Committee, to update the list of 15 members on the committee, and to schedule a meeting to review the current plan. PASSED, without negative vote. 6. Discuss Zoning & Building Code Changes and Update: Chairman Zook commented the current zoning and building codes need to be reviewed and possibly updated. One example is §268-27. A-1 General Agricultural District. A statement should be inserted to reflect the recent changes by the Eau Claire County Land Conservation Ag Resource Committee. This committee voted to adopt some ag changes, including the county-wide NR151 Farmland Preservation Program. In order to comply and let the state statutes govern (removing the ag enforcement of these changes from the Village’s shoulders) the Village should add the statement “must comply with all state regulations (NR151)” to the code to make it clear whose rules to follow. ▪ MOTION (Mattoon/Strasburg) to recommend reviewing and updating the current zoning and building codes as needed. Specific to § 268-27, A-1 General Agricultural District in the Village Code, inserting the statement “must comply with all state regulations (NR151)”, and to use the League of WI Municipalities attorney to review the changes to the ordinance. PASSED, without negative vote. Committee discussed considering changes to the code that might make a more open market for housing such as slab foundations instead of basements, twin homes and condominiums, and garage requirements. Chairman Zook reported he has had recent conversations with realtors and developers who have indicated a desire to build in Fall Creek but can’t always comply with zoning codes. Strasburg felt the Village needs a certain amount of quality standards to insure future property values. Mattoon felt both plans could be satisfied with designated areas for each. The Committee discussed meeting with the realtors and developers to get a better understanding of their position and possibly negotiate mutual agreements that advance both segments. The Village of Fall Creek Community & Economic Development Committee Minutes 2/07/2020 Page 2 of 2 Committee will continue to work on this issue. 7. Discuss Cooperation Between Organizations: Committee discussed compiling a list of contacts from area organizations. Agendas and information for upcoming meetings could be directed to them via email to establish cooperation between all interested groups. ▪ MOTION (Mattoon/Strasburg) to recommend establishing a list of contacts to inform area organizations of upcoming meetings that might be of interest to them in an effort to promote cooperation between groups. PASSED, without negative vote. 8. Discuss New Promotion Items – Events, Civic Center, Kitchen, Stage: The Committee has been working on ideas for updating the Village Hall to promote the space as a venue for special events. Such updates include: - obtaining base cabinets and countertops (with electrical outlets) for serving food - remodeling the old public works office to function as a kitchen/serving space - installing a small stage for programs - upgrading the ventilation for food prep ▪ MOTION (Mattoon/Strasburg) to meet again to further develop a plan for updating the Village Hall kitchen area. PASSED, without negative vote. 9. Discuss Cub Scout Storage Shed: Committee reviewed new information. ▪ MOTION (Strasburg/Mattoon) to recommend not pursuing this issue further. PASSED, without negative vote. 10. Adjourn: ▪ MOTION (Mattoon/Strasburg) @ 2:00 p.m. PASSED, without negative vote. Dane Zook, Recording Secretary