Community Development Authority (CDA)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES VILLAGE OF EAST TROY April 25, 2022 Page 1 of 2 Call Meeting to Order Roll Call Chairperson Jim Holm called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Chairperson Jim Holm, President Seager, Trustee Alexander, Commissioners Johnathon Biersack, John Isleb, and Tyler Olson Excused: Absent: Elizabeth Shearbarth Others: Eileen Suhm, Administrator/CDA Executive Director Public Comment None Approval of Minutes Minutes dated March 28, 2022 Motion by Seager, second by Commissioner Isleb to approve the minutes dated March 28, 2022. Motion carried with Trustee Alexander abstaining. New Business 1. Discussion and possible recommendation to Village Board regarding potential partnership on marketing and tourism efforts with the Chamber of Commerce/Tourism Entity Executive Director Suhm explained the background of discussions beginning with a potential grant program to assist businesses with lost revenue due to the impacts of COVID and the Main Street/Square reconstruction project in 2021. She reviewed the subsequent discussions with the Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism. The CDA is now considering a marketing/tourism promotion effort to assist businesses in lieu of a grant program because it would likely be more impactful. Vanessa Lenz, Executive Director of the East Troy Chamber of Commerce presented options for marketing and tourism efforts to the CDA. She discussed recent events, the holiday lights and the potential East Troy will be featured in Midwest Living right before December of 2022. Ideas presented for a partnership opportunity included: • A scavenger hunt that includes virtual interactive components to engage visitors and encourage them to explore what East Troy has to offer. They are currently working on an option that would utilize the interactive candy canes from the East Troy lights display. • The visitor guide and potential for the CDA to sponsor a pull-out map • A billboard, the preferred option was option 3 with a location near the Hale Interchange. o Pricing for four weeks at this location is $2,500 and May through October $13,125  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES VILLAGE OF EAST TROY April 25, 2022 Page 2 of 2 QR codes at businesses were discussed by the CDA and integrating them with a platform featuring East Troy’s offerings, social media such as Snapchat, and through the interactive scavenger hunt were discussed with Ms. Lenz. Trustee Alexander stated he would like to see signage or advertising at the Railroad Museum to help director visitors to the square and downtown area. At conclusion of the discussions, it was suggested the CDA treat this as a two-step approach. Step one, to get visitors to East Troy and the downtown area. Step two, engage visitors through a scavenger hunt/”gamification” to keep them here. Ms. Lenz told the CDA she will keep them apprised of progress on the scavenger hunt and provide more concrete opportunities to sponsor a portion, etc. Motion by President Seager, second by Trustee Alexander to advise the Village Board to invest a dollar amount of $13,125 for a billboard chosen and designed by the East Troy Chamber of Commerce that will be located between Highway 164 and Hale Interchange and also recommend designating a portion of ARPA funds to assist the East Troy Chamber of Commerce in developing a scavenger hunt once those numbers are presented to the Board. The CDA discussed clarifications on the motion and this first step will help accomplish connecting those on I43 with our downtown and other businesses within the entire Village. Motion carried. Old Business 1. Review of priority list with possible recommendations for future projects Chairperson Holm suggested the billboard item be moved to the closed items list. He reminded members to review the Economic Development Strategy Document to prepare for the next meeting. Next meeting dates were discussed. Chairperson Holm suggested setting dates for May and September and meeting only if necessary during the summer months. Meeting dates were set for May 23 and September 26. Commissioner Biersack will need to call in for the May meeting, as he will be out of town. Adjourn Motion by Trustee Alexander, second by Commissioner Olson to adjourn at 7:08 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted: Eileen Suhm, Administrator/CDA Executive Director