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Harmony EDA elects 2021 officers, approves annual report and backs Chamber cash‑flow aid
Summary
At its Jan. 7 meeting the Harmony Economic Development Authority elected board officers for 2021, approved its 2020 annual report, authorized several financial claims including an early operating payment and a potential $25,000 line of credit to the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce, and recommended extending the new‑home rebate through 2021.
The Harmony Economic Development Authority elected its 2021 officers and approved several administrative and financial items at a meeting on Jan. 7, 2021.
Steve Donney called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. and, by motion of Steve Sagen with a second from Kerry Kingsley, the board unanimously nominated and cast a unanimous ballot naming Kerry Kingsley president, Steve Donney vice president, Andy Batstone treasurer and Greg Schieber secretary. Kingsley then assumed the gavel.
Chris Giesen presented the EDA’s 2020 annual activity report. The board reviewed the document and approved it by motion (moved by Donney, seconded by Sagen); the motion carried unanimously.
The board also approved routine minutes and financial items. Members voted to accept the financial report and approved claims including $75 for Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce dues, a $26,500 2021 operating contribution to the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce and $8,034.50 for first‑quarter economic development staffing services. The board approved, by motion of Donney with a second from Sagen, the payment claims and the request to provide a line of credit to the Chamber if needed.
Melissa Vander Plas, representing the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce, told the board the Chamber had about $31,000 in marketing grants that require spending before reimbursement. She asked the EDA to provide the full 2021 operations payment up front and to consider a $25,000 line of credit to manage cash‑flow while the Chamber spends grant funds and waits for reimbursement; the board approved the request.
During an annual program review, the board examined business subsidy policy and program guidelines for the revolving loan fund, commercial rehab loans and the new‑home construction and rehab rebate program. Giesen recommended no changes to the guidelines at this time. The board agreed to recommend to the city council that the new‑home rebate program be extended through the end of 2021 (motion by Sagen, second by Donney; motion carried unanimously).
The meeting concluded with a brief request from President Kingsley that members think about 2021 goals and objectives before the next meeting. The board adjourned at 8:55 a.m.; the next regular meeting was scheduled for Feb. 4, 2021 at 7:30 a.m.
Votes at a glance - Election of officers: motion to nominate and cast unanimous ballot electing Kerry Kingsley as president, Steve Donney as vice president, Andy Batstone as treasurer and Greg Schieber as secretary; outcome: approved unanimously (board members present: Kingsley, Donney, Batstone, Sagen). - Approval of 2020 annual report: motion by Donney, second by Sagen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approval of financial report, claims and Chamber line of credit: motion by Donney, second by Sagen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Recommendation to city council to extend new‑home rebate program through 2021: motion by Sagen, second by Donney; outcome: approved unanimously.
