IEDC Minutes 04-06-2021MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, April 6, 2021— 7:00 a.m.
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Participants attended remotely.
Members Present: Chair Randy Skarphol, Vice -Chair Liz Calpas, Joni Pawelk, Kevin Steffensmeier,
Steve Johnson, Brian Hudgens, Mike Carr, Thomas Conboy, Luke Dahlheimer,
Wayne Elam, Don Roberts, Andrew Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Sarah Kortmansky
Members Absent: Meghan Hanson, Darek Vetsch
Liaisons Present: Marcy Anderson, Rachel Leonard, Jim Thares, Dave Tombers
1. Call to Order
Randy Skarphol called the regular meeting of the IEDC to order at 7 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
a. March 2. 2021 meetine minutes
DON ROBERTS MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 2, 2021 MEETING MINUTES.
MOTION SECONDED BY LIZ CALPAS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 14-0.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
Discussion of a future presentation by state legislators.
4. Table Topic
a. Wright Tech Center (WTC) Presentation: Brian Koslofsky, Executive Director,
gave an overview of the programs and information about Wright Technical
Center. He noted that if anyone is interested in a tour of the facility to contact
him. The mission is to partner with member school districts and industry to
prepare students for careers, post -secondary education and lifelong learning.
Member districts include Annandale, Big Lake, Buffalo, Delano, Howard Lake -
Waverly -Winstead, Maple Lake, Monticello, and St. Michael -Albertville. They
offer a number of career and technical programs including:
• Automotive Technology
• CEO — Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities
• Construction Technology
• Cosmetology Careers
• Early Childhood & Elementary Careers
• Graphic Communications
• Health Science Technology
• Horticulture Careers
• Law Enforcement & EMR
• OJT— On the Job Training
• Welding Technology
• Youth Apprenticeship
It should also be noted that they're planning to expand the construction
program to include electrical, plumbing and HVAC which should be up and
running for the 2022-23 school year. It takes about 18 months to get a new
program up and running.
Wright Tech also offers transitional programs teaching career skills to
prepare students for competitive long-term employment. This is offered in
the automotive career skills, greenhouse careers, and general practical
assessment exploration system for skills that relate to many careers.
b. Monticello High School: Mike Carr, High School Principal, reiterated that the
Wright Tech Center is a great facility and well worth the time to visit. The
students' education is enhanced by attending there. Monticello School District
has a great working partnership with them. Carr noted overall for Monticello
High School that there have been a number of challenges this year due to Covid.
In the Summer of 2020, staff participated in virtual learning systems and
approaches training, getting up to speed on that technology. Not all kids are
succeeding and the failure rate is double what it typically is, so there is now
more effort in trying to find new ways to help kids. The High School added Focus
Fridays to bring in kids who are struggling to help them and get them up to
speed.
Wi-Fi has also been a big issue and they have tried to get hot spots out to kids
and find ways to get them in the school facility if they're having difficulty
connecting. They have also encouraged kids to even come in the evenings and sit
in the parking lot to use the school's Wi-Fi. Basically, there is a lot of energy put
forward trying to find better ways to connect with kids. Currently the students
are in a "full in -person" mode and classrooms are full but the close contact is
difficult to avoid and social distancing is a challenge. Safety is the number one
priority with a goal of trying to provide the safest environment.
The school nurses have been very busy in following up with kids who have tested
positive and then doing contact tracing to see who they were in contact with.
With the CARES Act Funding the district was able to hire some additional support
staff to assist teachers and students with extra programming. People are in place
to work with students who are failing and helping them catch up on their work.
Carr said they will more than likely have the largest summer program they've
ever had as so many students are struggling. They are continuing to provide
extracurricular activities while working to keep students safe. The goal is to have
prom this year and they also hope to have as normal of a graduation ceremony
as possible. Carr said that every plan requires a contingency backup option as
things have been changing on a daily basis.
5. Resorts (Verbal Resorts):
a. Economic Development
• Project Update: Jim Thares reviewed.
• Prospects List: Jim Thares reviewed.
• Building Permits Update: Jim Thares reviewed.
b. Planning Commission Agenda (attached): Jim Thares reviewed.
c. City Council: Rachel Leonard reviewed:
• Mayor Hilgart and members of staff met with Congressman Emmer last
week and outlined significant potential projects in the community which
would focus on the potential for federal funding for those projects.
Those projects are: a future water treatment facility, Fallon Avenue road
improvements and trunk sanitary sewer line which would support
development in the south of the community as well as the Chelsea
Commons project. It is exciting to learn that there are opportunities for
federal funding. Staff will follow up and continue to pursue those
opportunities.
• City Council held a workshop regarding the construction of a new Public
Works Facility. This has been on the City's task list for over a decade now.
The public works facility is currently split between their existing facility
and the old fire hall and along with other off -site storage areas. The
consensus from the council is to locate the new facility in the Otter Creek
Industrial Park off of 90t" Street. It is in the preliminary plan formation at
this time.
• There was a joint meeting with the Council, Planning Commission and
PARC to get a status update on the Chelsea Commons project and the
group had an opportunity to review three sketch concepts and to provide
feedback. Now the consultant and staff are incorporating the feedback
into the preferred plan and then they will it bring it forward with more
detail for the group in the future.
d. Chamber of Commerce: Marcy Anderson said that April 20t" will be the first in -
person luncheon at the MCC. The maximum capacity is 72 and 33 have already
registered. The golf tournament is planned for May 201" with registration now
open. It is filling up quickly. The tournament will be held at the Monticello
Country Club Golf Course. Walk & Roll is scheduled for Saturday, June 121" and
Party in the Park July 7t" as a kickoff for Riverfest from July 8-12t". Please
continue to watch for updates on the Chamber website regarding these and
other activities and programs.
6. Adjournment
JONI PAWELK MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:01 A.M. MOTION SECONDED
BY LIZ CALPAS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 14-0.
Recorder: Beth Green'
Approved: April 6, 2021
Attest:
ares, Economic Development Director