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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-16-Development Committee Regular MinutesMINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 16,1996 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Jeff Downing briefed the Committee about what had happened at the last meeting,including the who was appointed as president,vice president,and secretary,and the four sub committees that were formed. Mike Lake of VendNet gave a presentation about his company located at 165 N 10th Street. VendNet has 110 employees -32 which are professional -the rest which are manufacturing.The Company,including its parent (the Wittem Group),has total employment of over 400.The Company is also known as Fawn Engineering.VendNet has all types of vending machines from, food to bait to machine parts.They also remanufacture used equipment.They recently changed their name because Selectiveend because it had lost its identity. The Waukee location also provides technical support,warranty support,servicing etc.One of the largest customers sectors is wholesale clubs.They have sold over 59,000 machines this way.Their company also has a division that services only professional vending companies such as ARA.Mike has been with the company for 26 years.The Wittem group is in the top 3 in the world. The Committee asked Mr.Lake about the advantages and disadvantageous about being in Waukee. Mr.Lake stated that labor is probably the biggest problem -there is no labor in Dallas County.They pull in employees from well outside the Des Moines Metro area.Mr.Lake stated that some of the advantages were the quality of the labor that was available,and that Waukee was a nice,quiet community. Joe Race of Dallas County asked how we could attract the labor pool.Mr.Lake stated that groups like this who look at such problems were a good idea. CASINO AMERICA Jeff Downing briefed the Committee about the gambling committee that was set up by Dallas County.The Gambling Committee only briefly looked at moral issues and the environmental impacts but knew that they had to focus on how to be prepared to make sure an agreement was prepared if the vote was yes and what will happen if the vote is yes.The County needs to be prepared by putting together a non-profit organization together.The Dallas Foundation was formed as that non-profit organization.The Casino has guarantee that 30 million dollars in taxable valuation would be generated.The Waukee School district would get over $484,000 in property taxes.The Foundation will have members from all over Dallas County. Chris Rice from Casino America briefed the committee about their proposal.Casino America is a public company -they have four locations.They are a home town company.The project is at Clearwater Lake.They have a contract on the property and will close the strip joints if they are given the license.They will build a 200 room hotel,parking garage,improve the beach,have three restaurants,an amphitheater,fitness and nature trails. They plan on hiring 1,200 employees.There are some places in Dallas County where employment is available (in Perry)would like to purchase their goods,whenever possible,in Dallas County.Mr. Rice also talked about the economic report from Section 2 of the Gambling Committee report and the types of grants that might be given. Dan Lugar asked if they have competition where their other locations are.Mr.Rice stated that they do have good competition in their four locations.Mr.Rice stated that most of their market would be from Des Moines.Casino America stated that the $0.50 head tax would be paid to Dallas County, even if West Des Moines annexes the facility.Sixty-seventy percent of the revenue is made during the weekend.The per head revenue is estimated to be around $40. Dr.Stalker clarified that they would not necessary receive $500,000 but it would have a larger tax base which may help lower the tax rate.Kurt Rueckel stated that he has some concerns about the affects on the City's Fire and First Responders departments and that they needed to talk with the City about how they City would provide them with services and also that Section 4A in the Committee Report was not submitted and filed as part of the report. BROCHURE SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT Jeff Minz asked what the budget was,what our target should be,what our community has to offer, etc.Kurt Rueckel stated that the City had $1,000 in the budget for economic development brochures.Dallas Gilreath stated that the main attraction of the City of Waukee was the schools. One of the things we need to decide is who is our competitors.Our main competitors is Clive,West Des Moines,Urbandale,and probably Ankeny.Jeff Downing stated that one our major needs was the need for heavy industrial zoning. DOVVNTOVVNDEVELOPMENTffiEDEVELOPMENTSUBCOMMITTEE They met on Monday and discussed that it might be a good idea to add an art structure to the triangle,maybe a mural on some of the buildings,matching awnings,flower pots,etc.The committee learned that current post office which will be vacated when the post office moves is tentatively filled,but it could not be said by whom .. HIGHWAY-6 RECONSTRUCTION COPING The committee had no report,but mentioned that they heard the presentation that IDOT gave to the City Council at their October 7 meeting about the construction project. CURRENT HAPPENINGS Jeff Downing stated that he has ben contacted by a business that deals with chemicals,which would require M-2 zoning.He believes that the Planning and Zoning Commission needs to review the need for M-2 Zoning and possibly pre-zone property if possible. The Meeting adjourned at 9:25.