Sweetgrass Development Quarterly Board Meeting
12:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2016, Women’s Club, East Glacier Park, MT
Call to Order at 12:45 by Chairman Tony Sitzmann.
Attending:Cheryl Curry, Gerald Wagoner, Deb Brandon, Jim Hodgskiss, Tony Sitzman, Cyndi Johnson
Staff: Sarah Converse; Cynthia Culver
Guests: Tara Mastel, MSU Local Government Center
Approval of Agenda
It was moved by Cyndi Johnson and seconded by Deb Brandon to approve the agenda as distributed, motion passed.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Deb Brandon and seconded by Cheryl Curry to approve the annual meeting minutes from March 8, 2016, motion passed.
Financials
Cyndi reported on the financials.
Cyndi and Sarah reported on the RLF payments as well as the year to date budget review.
It was moved by Cyndi Johnson and seconded by Jim Hodgskiss to approve the financials for March, April, and May, motion passed.
Administrative Report:
Hiring Plan - Sarah provided an update regarding the VISTA member hiring process. She also reported on the possible hiring of a part time Brownfields project manager, which would include admin of a Brownfields RLF. Cyndi Johnson moved and Deb Brandon seconded for Sarah to do what she needs in order to get what she needs as soon as possible, motion passed.
Grant updates - Sarah reported on the BSTF, EDA, EPA and CRDC grants and quarterly reports are due in the next month.
Schedule updates - Sarah updated the Board on her upcoming activities: July 13-14th in Billings for Innovate Montana (it is a huge SDBC type meeting, will be great); August 17-18 in Butte for a CRDC meeting and peer review; MEDA board meeting; September 27-30 in San Francisco for the EPA Region 8 Brownfields Conference (paid by grant); Sarah’s vacation/time off.
Business Items:
Audit/review
Sarah updated the board that this will be occurring in the next month.
Grant submission approvals
Sarah presented a quick overview of the upcoming grant applications: BSTF Planning grant for Teton County project, TCDC and ad hoc committee for branding project for Choteau; BSTF Job Creation grant for City of Shelby, submission and management for the City to assist a business – up to 15 jobs; CDBG-ED Planning grant for Cascade County started as BSTF – TBID pursue; CDBG-ED Job Creation for Glacier County for BCC.
Cheryl Curry moved and Cyndi Johnson seconded that Sweetgrass will only approve submission of requested grants subject of their appropriate guidelines and match verification, motion carried.
EPA Brownfield RLF funds – Sweetgrass Development
Sarah discussed the upcoming RLF grant application cycle and interest in pursuit.
Project request
Sarah presented intent to create a brochure for the region that includes walking trails and museums. Perhaps the MT Land Information Act would aid in the effort.
CEDS Planning Meeting - Regional Focus
Facilitated discussion with Tara Mastel from 1:40-3:04
Area reports and Public Comment
None.
Meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m. Next meetingSeptember 13th in Belt with a tour of the Belt Theater.