Brown Deer Visioning Committee Minutes

January 23, 2003

Members Present: Marty Ball, Jeff Bersch, John Buckley, Mary Fitzgerald, Barb Fleming, Mike Ganzer, Margaret Hirschi, Bob Oates, Wayne Parker, Rick Stone, Gregg Umipeg, Carrie Weddle, Russ VanGompel and Barb Grant.

Members Excused: Anne Lutz

Barbara Grant, facilitator, called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Russ VanGompel introduced two new members appointed by the Village Board: Rick Stone and Gregg Umipeg. As Stone had attended and been introduced at the last meeting, Umipeg was asked to introduce himself and all committee members present were re-introduced in turn.

Grant asked for comments or revisions to the calendar. Wayne Parker questioned the process of holding community workshop and focus group discussions before the community survey. Grant explained that it was a deliberate choice to gather information about community needs and wants, quality of life and service issues before undertaking a survey. This order allows for issues raised by customers and the general community to be analyzed in subsequent survey questions mailed to newsletter addresses that are predominantly residential.

Barb Fleming confirmed that the March 1^st date was available at the middle school lunch room; the March 8^th date a great deal of activity at the gymnasium so was deemed not as appropriate. Grant confirmed that VandeWalle found middle or high school lunchrooms with a minimum capacity of 100 worked well around tables of 8 to 10. After discussion about developing a second workshop later in the process, the committee determined that holding one workshop would encourage maximum attendance at one important workshop and eliminate double-attendance issues.

Grant reviewed the list of customers and stakeholders developed at the January 11^th workshop and asked that the committee determine 6 to 12 focus groups that might have particular insights and needs important to consider in developing the Village’s vision of its future. [See attachment.]

Grant asked for names of suitable companies/organizations, contacts, and help in making follow-up contacts if necessary.Committee members asked that the Village President and Manager officially sign the invitations.

Committee members volunteered to help develop specific focus group contacts. Members also agreed to review invitations and develop draft questions with Grant as needed before the next meeting. Work will be done by e-mail, phone, fax, and/or mail.

Grant pointed out that focus group will need different meeting times that meet the customers’ work and life schedules. VanGompel will coordinate dates, invitations, facilities, RSVP’s, follow-ups if necessary, etc.

The meeting adjourned at 9 pm.

Assignments:

Barb: Assets Survey Summary; Middle School lunchroom facility coordination

Russ: Health Survey Summary

Committee Members: Support of Focus Group Preparations

Attachment: Focus Group Volunteer Table

Focus Group	Committee Liaison Member
Largest service and manufacturing employers	Marty & Mike
Commercial sector (selling services and goods to members of the general public)	Mary
Hospitality sector (restaurants, motels, bars)	Margaret
Realtors and apartment managers	Bob
Commercial property & development	Wayne
Health care	Carrie
Youth	Jeff
Seniors
Ethnic minorities	Gregg & Rick