At the meeting this Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Claude Lois called the meeting to order at 4:03 starting with a roll call: Mayor Claude Lois, David Torgler, Todd Schalinske, Matthew Russell, Bill Phenicie, Larry Dawley, Robin Vos, Paul Mueller, and Ann Flad-Jesion.

Excused: Frank Cannella, Wayne Evert, Ken Jager, Karen Schinke.

Also present was Gordon Kacala, Executive Director of Racine County Economic Development Corporation.

Approval of Minutes.

Motion by Robin Vos, seconded by Paul Mueller, the minutes of the August 21, 2002 meeting were approved.

Discussion regarding identifying a slogan for Burlington. Gordon Kacala, Executive Director of Racine County Economic Development Corporation was present to discuss identification of a slogan for Burlington. Mr. Kacala indicated that on April 1, 2002, the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) coordinated the development and publishing of the Racine County Strategic Economic Development Plan. The Plan was developed through input from numerous stakeholders throughout the county, and included input from Burlington residents. Seven challenges to addressing economic development were identified in the Plan, along with strategies to address those challenges.

Challenge Three of the Racine County Strategic Economic Development Plan is "To Transform the Image of Racine County." Mr. Kacala provided background on the strategy, indicating that RCEDC’s marketing committee, comprised of representatives from throughout the county, is responsible for this item of the Strategic Economic Development Plan. An international consumer branding company had been retained through funding from the private sector. The firm assisted in developing a vision for developing a brand, and conducted a brand-image assessment to ascertain the image of Racine County today, and interviewed over 500 people. Racine County’s personality factors were identified, and included: Small-town charm, Community, Middle of Everywhere, and Forward-thinking. develop the foundation for an image-building campaign for Racine County.

Mr. Kacala indicated that $200,000 has been secured from the private sector to undertake the next steps of the image-building campaign, which will include the retention of a Public Relations and Marketing team to implement the image-building campaign based on the consumer-branding efforts. Mr. Kacala indicated that RCEDC will keep the EDC involved in these efforts in order to ensure that Burlington’s development of a slogan for the community is consistent with the Racine County Image-Building Campaign. Mr. Kacala added that there may be opportunity for Burlington to work with the PR-Marketing firm to achieve develop their slogan.

Mayor Lois indicated that the EDC may have a role assisting the City in encouraging the development of a new hospital in the area. Mayor Lois reported that Aurora Health Care is contemplating closing Burlington Memorial Hospital and the hospital in Elkhorn and developing a new facility to serve the entire region. The City of Burlington has been working with area legislators, County Supervisors, Aurora Health Care Management, and Aurora doctors to encourage Aurora to consider developing the proposed new facility in close proximity to the current facility in Burlington.

Mayor Lois indicated that Aurora is looking for an 80-100 acre site. Because of the visibility and access Aurora has identified as important, the City is exploring the feasibility of Aurora developing their new hospital near the State Trunk Highway 11 Bypass that will be constructed in the near future. Information on the bypass schedule has been obtained, and acquisition is to begin in 2003, with construction beginning in 2006. The City’s engineer is developing water and sanitary sewer cost estimates in order to service the area.

Discussion ensued regarding potential locations that could be explored for availability. Discussion also ensued regarding the role that the prospect of competition could play in Aurora’s decision. Contacts with other health care organizations will be generated and leveraged if Aurora does not choose to build their new hospital in the Burlington area. The history of the Burlington Memorial Hospital and Aurora’s role in the current hospital was also discussed. Support from other communities was recommended by EDC members. Mayor Lois indicated a meeting of area municipalities and emergency service personnel will be held in the near future to inform them of this critical issue and solicit their support.

On a motion by Bill Phenicie, seconded by Robin Vos, the meeting was adjourned at 5:17p.m.

Recording Secretary,

Ann Flad-Jesion

RCEDC