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CAT Review Committee Minutes - July 9, 2020

ENHANCE IOWA
COMMUNITY ATTRACTION & TOURISM REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES

Iowa Economic Development Authority
Telephonic Meeting Only: +1 515-348-6300 
Conference ID: 416 097 874 #
Thursday, July 9th, 2020
9:30 a.m.
 

Committee Members in Attendance

Other Board Members in Attendance

Mike Broshar

Mary Wells

Kyle Carter

Rita Frahm

Doug Boone

Angie Pfannkuch

Pat Deignan

Lisa Hein

Valerie Van Kooten

John Burns

Emily Ginnebarge

Staff Members in Attendance

Alaina Santizo

Jessica O’Riley

Maicie Pohlman

Lisa Connell


CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Broshar called the meeting to order at 9:35. Four Committee members were present. The agenda was approved. The minutes from the September 11, 2019 meeting were approved.

REPORTS
Ms. Santizo gave the Program Manager’s Report dated July 1, 2020:


Pending CAT Applications 
There are currently 15 pending application requesting approximately $7,368,529:

 
APPLICATIONS
Note: due to technology issues, applications were reviewed in a different order than was shown on the agenda

Linn County Conservation // Morgan Creek Park Development – Phase I 
Project representatives provided a second presentation of the project to the Board. This application was originally submitted in July 2019, but not awarded at that time. Discussion included the scope of the project and location of the park related to the Cedar Rapids metro area. The committee complimented the applicant for the increase in fundraising from initial presentation, and asked about continued fundraising, if less than the requested amount were to be awarded.

Pat Deignan joined the meeting at 9:53 am.

Red Oak Grand Theatre, Inc. // Expand the Grand – Phase II
Project representatives provided an initial presentation of the project to the Board. Discussion included plans for closing the fundraising gap. The applicant indicated that a local bank has offered to provide financing to close the gap for the project. The Board asked that a letter stating this be provided.

Madison County Conservation Board // Madison County Conservation Center
Project representatives provided an initial presentation of the project to the Board. Discussion included questions related to the physical attributes of the proposed building and windows. Discussion also included operational costs.

Winnebago County Conservation Board // Winnebago County Environmental Education Center
Project representatives provided an initial presentation of the project to the Board. Discussion included building design and accessibility. Specifically, the building plan does not include an elevator, but would have stairs and an exterior ramp to meet handicap accessibility requirements. The Board was not satisfied with this response and asked that the applicant revisit the plans. Discussion also included the CAT request represents 20% of the total project, which may be higher than the Board will likely award. The project representatives have discussed additional fundraising and a potential bank loan to close a fundraising gap. 

Iowa Railroad Historical Society // All Aboard! Capital Campaign
Project representatives provided an initial presentation of the project to the Board. Discussion included the existing facility and lack of storage. Discussion also included questions related to the projected revenues at the facility after the project is completed. Project representatives will provide an update and/or explanation as follow up.

Doug Boone left the meeting at 11:30 am.

OTHER BUSINESS
No other business.

CLOSING BUSINESS
The next CAT Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 21, 2020, telephonically.

ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Mr. Deignan seconded by Ms. Van Kooten, with no objection, the meeting adjourned at 11:42 am.
 

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