Community Vitality Center Board Minutes

January 15, 2009

Iowa Bankers Association Boardroom in Johnson, Iowa

Meeting called to order by Chairperson Carol Richardson-Smith @ 12:45 PM, followed by a review of the agenda.

Members Roll Call; 12 present, 3 Phone Conference

Staff and Guests in attendance – 8 Present

Guest Presentations:

1. Ellen Huntoon from Senator Harkin’s office reported that the Federal Government is operating under a Continuing Resolution.  The CVC request is included in the Senate Ag Appropriations bill.  Final resolution FY09 appropriations will not likely occur until February or March of 2009.
2. Buy Iowa Project – Lynn Adams, SW Iowa Coalition
   1. Launched an impressive website to market locally produced goods.
   2. http://www.buyiowaonline.com
3. School – Community Foundation Collaboration Project – Jim Collogan National School Foundation Association (NSFA)
   1. Leaders from 4 Iowa School districts were challenged to initiate a K-12 Foundation during the 2007-2008 school year; Riverside CSD-Carson, AHST CSD-Avoca, Odebolt Arthur CSD and Northeast CSD-Goose Lake.
   2. http://www.schoolfoundations.org

Discuss/Approve Minutes: Board minutes presented for approval for September 30, 2008 CVC board meeting

1. Motion: To approve board minutes as submitted.  Motion made by Menner and seconded by Heidt, as there was no discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Directors Report:

1. Federal Fiscal update
2. Review Initial budget recommendations
1. CVC newsletter has not met the ISU anti spam criteria and therefore is unavailable for issuing the CVC Minigrant Call for Proposals.  Therefore, the proposals received have been developed by those who have been in contact with CVC Board, and CVC networks.
3. Initial review of CVC Mini Grant proposals
1. Mayor Erb mentioned the need to develop committees to review the projects, discuss the evaluation process, and decide on how to proceed with the grant review process.
2. Edelman indicated that the Board had used committees in the past to provide a process so that each board member would not be required to read all proposals.  He suggested that the board could be divided into subcommittees to review and evaluate grant submissions.
3. Pantini advised that the CVC web page be updated in general and specifically in the area of grant proposal information.
4. Menner commented on the IDED Main Street proposal by suggesting that future collaboration for non main street locations be considered within the scope of the program.
5. Houghtaling asked whether CVC is setting a precedent by providing grant funds to pay for the writing of a grant.  Edelman responded that because of the commitment toward creation of a sustainable microenterprise intermediary, that CVC should consider drafting grant applications that can significantly improve availability of technical assistance funds and strategic collaborations that will assist in the sustainability of the intermediary as that is the only area of budget diversification where there has been any success during the past four years of efforts to diversify the budget.
6. Motion: To extend the CVC Grant proposal submission deadline to Feb. 15, 2009 and that the materials be placed on the CVC web site.  Motion made by Chojnowski and seconded by Mayor Erb, with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
7. Motion: To create a multi-committee structure to review and evaluate grant proposals for CVC board members to review, discuss and approve by April 2.  Motion made by Erb and seconded by Heidt,  no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
4. Next CVC Board meeting date
1. Motion: To schedule the next CVC board meeting date for Thursday, April 2, 2009.  Motion made by Heidt and seconded by Smith, with no discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Chairperson Smith Adjourned the meeting at 3:20 PM.