IEDC Minutes - 08/02/2022MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, August 2, 2022 — 7:00 a.m.
Monticello Community Center
Participants who chose to attend remotely joined via Microsoft Teams.
Members: Chairperson Liz Calpas, Vice Chairperson Sarah Kortmansky, Joni Pawelk, Bill Fair, Luke
Dahlheimer, Wayne Elam, Don Roberts, Andrew Tapper, Randy Skarphol, Kathleen
Massman
Liaisons: Rachel Leonard, Jim Thares, Jolene Foss, Dave Tombers
1. Call to Order
Chairperson Liz Calpas called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
WAYNE ELAM MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 7. 2022, MINUTES. MOTION SECONDED BY SARAH
KORTMANSKY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
Chairperson Liz Calpas added an item to the agenda.
3.5 Announcement
JONI PAWELK announced that she is leaving CentraCare to start a new business called IFFI
Creative. Discussion was held to address the continuance of Ms. Pawelk's membership as she lives
west of the City of Monticello in the Silver Creek Township and will be working out of her home.
The consensus was that this situation would be addressed in Item 4.
4. Consideration of proposed Industrial and Economic Development Committee
(IEDUChanter 10, Ordinance Amendment (membership lanRuaF-e clarification
Chairperson Calpas introduced the item. Mr. Thares presented the consideration of amending
Chapter 32, Organizations, Section 32.077 Membership — Industrial Economic Development
Committee (IEDC) to clarify membership eligibility. Membership of guidelines includes "greater
Monticello". Mr. Thares suggested this would have an immediate impact as several current
members who have recently changed employment are seeking to remain involved with the IEDC.
The current Ordinance is somewhat confusing and more restrictive than the Organizational and
Membership Guidelines ("Guidelines") which provide a broader interpretation of residency. The
guidelines allow individuals engaged in key professions typically involved in economic
development to participate in the IEDC regardless of residency in the city limits.
The proposed amendment clarifies the membership criteria and a definitive status by deferring to
the "Guidelines" to broaden the eligibility criteria. The amendment would also be helpful as over
the past several years, the IEDC has struggled to keep its membership at the total of 16 members
(non -students).
It was also suggested that for new prospective members, it would be helpful to have them
participate in an interview process and clarify duties and expectations. This would be an
opportunity if the considered member does not live or work within the city limits to share how
they feel their profession -job is supportive to the IEDC and the city.
MOTION WAS MADE BY VICE -CHAIR SARAH KORTMANSKEY TO AMEND LANGUAGE CLARITY AND
CONSISTENCY IN THE TWO KEY DOCUMENTS, ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 32, SECTION 32.077 AND THE
ORGANIZATIONAL AND MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES, CHAPTER 210-3. SECONDED BY LUKE
1101-11 I -I F I KA F R
S. Table Topic — Guest Speaker, Brian Koslofsky, Executive Director, Wright County
Technical Center.
Mr. Koslofsky shared information regarding the impact that Wright County Technical has had on
the current lives of youth and their futures. The Wright County Technical Center serves District
School 966 as a vocational operative with eight -member school districts in both Wright and
Sherburne counties. The eight local districts include: Annandale, Big Lake, Buffalo -Hanover -
Montrose, Delano, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Maple Lake, Monticello, and St. Michael -
Albertville. The WTC provides students with fourteen different career and technical program
choices to meet their needs, skills, and career interests. It is also a grade 7-12 alternative s school
program servicing students from our eight member districts. It offers many different educational
options to meet the unique needs of students. Programs offered include automotive, early
childhood & elementary careers, construction technology, law enforcement, horticulture, and
welding to name a few.
WTC offers a Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) where students can learn through
hands-on job exploration activities. WTC provides job -simulation classroom experiences using
up-to-date equipment to prepare students for either a career upon graduation or to provide
students a first-time experience in a variety of career and technical classes. Students receive
postsecondary credits.
Cooperative agreements with Hennepin Community College and Bridgewater Community College
are aimed at supporting tarting Adult Technical classes as well as Bridgewater and St Cloud Tech
bringing other classes to WCT.
CEO program is different from the traditional classroom instruction. This gives student exposure
to real-world experiences provided by business leaders in the community.
Mr. Koslofsky offered to lead a tour of the WTC facilities -campus for the IEDC members after the
meeting.
6. 2022 Manufacturing Appreciation Breakfast - 7:00 a.m., Thursday, October 13t". Chair Liz Calpas
and Vice -Chair Sarah Kortmansky agreed to meet with staff to plan the event. Staff will report the
plans and status and the next meeting.
7.
8. Reports (Verbal Reports):
a. Economic Development
• Project List
Mr. Thares provided an overview of current projects prospects highlighted on the
staff report. Two key projects are:
Block 52 - The Purchase and Development Contract (TIF Development) will be
considered by the EDA at the August 10th meeting. If it is approved, building
demolition could begin in mid-September with construction activities excavation)
starting in October. The project completion goal is spring of 2024. The project
meets many of the goals outlined in the Small Area Plan adopted by the EDA and
the City Council in late 2017. The total project cost will be approximately
$26,000,000.
Wiha Tools New Facility Expansion — The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Job
Creation Fund (JCF) Grant have been approved. The MIF (Minnesota Investment
Fund) Grant application is under review by Minnesota DEED staff. Wiha Tools is
proposing to build a new 78,400 square foot warehouse and assembly facility and
add 61 new FTE jobs over 5 years. The total project cost, including land
acquisition, is approximately $13,000,000. A future second phase expansion of
the new facility would increase the size to approximately 156,800 square feet and
create an additional 35 new FTE jobs.
b. Planning Commission Agenda (attached)
Mr. Thares provided an overview of the Planning Commission Regular Meeting
agenda scheduled for August 6, 2022.
c. City Council
Rachel Leonard, City Administrator, presented an update on recent Council
actions including the budget process; Council Member Gabler and Ms. Leonard
went to Washington D.C. to advocate for funding to support 3 lanes from
Albertville to Monticello, Public approval for the Walnut Street Corridor to Block
52.
d. Wright County Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP)
Jolene Foss, Executive Director at Wright County Economic
Development Partnership provided a summary report of recent activities and
events.
e. Chamber of Commerce
A short report about Riverfest was and the upcoming August meeting was
provided.
9. Adjournment
LUKE DAHLHIEMER MOVED TO ADJOURN. JONI PAWELK
SECONDED THE MOTION, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY,
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:06 A.M.
Recorder: Vicki Leerhoff
Approved: Setember 6, 2022
Attest:
ares, Economic Development Manager