WestGate Authority Board — September 2023 Minutes

WestGate Authority

September 12, 2023

1:30 PM

Minutes

The meeting of the WestGate@Crane Authority was held on September 12, 2023 at the WestGate Academy and also virtually via zoom. The meeting was called to order at 1:34 PM.

Authority Board members in physical attendance include: John Mensch, Kent Parisien, Darrin Holder, Dana Strange (attended virtually), Joe Morris (attended virtually), and Jerry Braun.

Also in attendance were: Bryant Niehoff, Greg Jones (SIDC), Morgan Thewes, Samantha Nelson, Mark Dobbs, Mark Kitchens, Mark Wellman, John Farency, Jill Hahn, Brianne Jerrels, and Paul Quick (Smithville).

Jerry Braun made the motion to approve the minutes from August 8, 2023 meeting. Joe Morris seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Darrin Holder abstained.

Development Committee. Did not meet.

The Governance Committee — Did not meet.

The Tenant Committee — Did not meet.

The White River Military Coordination Alliance Report — Met on August the 18th. Introduced to Commander Martinez. There was a Hypersonic education session from Annie Bullock Yoder. Introduced to Adam Tscherne with IEDC Defense Missions and Assets. Mark Dobbs provided an update of completed missions from the Joint Land Use Study. The 5th anniversary session is planned for Tuesday November 14 at Club Lakeview from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Crane Regional Defense Group briefing. Kent Parisien gave the report.

· Up to 56 members

· August 1 — Connect to Crane event (Expeditionary Division of Crane). Good event and had people from as far away as Washington State attend.

· September 8- Key Leader Series Event

· October 12 — Connect to Crane (Small Business event)

Bryant Niehoff gave a monthly report. Bryant Niehoff highlighted the following;

· Key role of USTF is to market the Technology Park cohesively.

· USTF Board would like to better connect the USTF Brand with WestGate to alleviate confusion.

· Looking to create a family of brands for the Tech Park.

· Marketing Alliance has been reviewing the brand of WGA.

· Marketing Alliance is an Economic Development Marketing Firm.

· Completed discussions with local leaders and partners.

· Marketing Alliance showcased some logos and branding material.

· Logos had a variety of fonts but the color scheme mimicked the older branding efforts utilizing teal and black.

The Board stated they prefer utilizing the @ symbol in the marketing materials.

· USTF would like to add “Supported by USTF” to the Logos.

The Board was supportive of the branding alterations and encouraged closer overlap between Westgate and USTF.

Kent Parisien stated that USTF helped put together an ask for infrastructure in the Technology Park with IEDC.

Financial Reports were presented by Greg Joner. Jones provided an overview of the Tax Revenue, Building Maintenance, Non-Tax Revenue, and the Crane Federal Credit Union Certificate.

Tax Revenue

$112,462.39

Non-Tax Revenue

$899,232.25

Building Maintenance Acct

$ 41,285.96

Crane Certificate

$ 502,085.62

Kent Parisien made the motion to approve the financial report. Jerry Braun seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Samantha Nelson gave a program activity report.

· September 5 — First Tuesday — Dwayne Embree with Draper Labs

· October 3 — First Tuesday — Dynetic/Leidos — Hypersonic presentation.

· November 7 — First Tuesday — Mark Lewis with Purdue Applied Research

· Samantha Nelson and Morgan Thewes have been orchestrating a microchip day with all relevant industries and academia entities. Aiming for November timeline. Speaking with ARI, Rose-Hulman, Purdue among others. Hoping for a one and a half day event.

Samantha Nelson and Morgan Thewes gave the Facility Report

· Parking has been completed

· Shoals High School is planning to bring the picnic tables over.

· Flags have been ordered.

· Audio needs upgraded. Getting three quotes.

· Zax Creamery set up in the auditorium.

· Went to an industrial round table in Lafayette with over 400 companies.

Old Business

Tenant numbers have not been sent. Recertification is coming up. Samantha asked for assistance in the recertification process. PRF is working with UDWI to hang banners.

New Business — None

September Claims

Non Tax Revenue Account

UDWI REMC $14,198.47

Centerpoint $887.68

Eastern Heights Utility $146.64

McCloud $103.72

Purdue Research Foundation $981.04

SIDC $1,333.33

SIDC $1,500.00

Sewage Disposal Works $610.00

Purdue Research Foundation $4,522.34

Purdue Research Foundation $279.61

Building Maintenance Account

Lewellyn Lawn Care $858.00

Kickin’ Grass Lawn Care $2,500.00

E & L Services $5,313.22

Area One Protection $600.00

Commercial Service $489.03

Kent Parisien made the motion to approve the Non-Tax Revenue Account Claims and Building Maintenance Account Claims. Jerry Braun seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Jerry Braun made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Darrin Holder seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM.

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 1:30 PM via Zoom and in person at the Academy.

________________________

Kent Parisien

Secretary