EDA Minutes - 06/28/2023MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, June 28, 2023 — 7:00 a.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: President Steve Johnson, Vice President Jon Morphew, Treasurer
Hali Sittig, 011ie Koropchak-White, Rick Barger, Councilmember
Tracy Hinz, and Mayor Lloyd Hilgart
Staff Present: Executive Director Jim Thares, Hayden Stensgard
1. General Business
A. Call to Order
President Steve Johnson called the regular meeting of the Monticello EDA to order
at 7:00 a.m.
B. Roll Call 7:00 a.m.
Mr. Johnson called the roll.
C. Consideration of Approving Special Meeting Minutes — May 10, 2023
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 101 2023, SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES.
HALI SITTIG SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0.
D. Consideration of Additional Agenda Items
None
2. Consent Agenda
None
3. Public Hearing
None
4. Regular Agenda
A. Consideration of Authorizing a Six -Month Loan Deferment to Rustech Brewing LLC
in connection with its 2017 GMEF Loan
Executive Director Jim Thares provided an overview of the agenda item to the EDA
and the public. The EDA was asked to consider authorizing a six-month loan
deferment for Rustech Brewing, in connection with their active Greater Monticello
Enterprise Fund (GMEF) loan. The deferment consideration was brought forward to
the EDA following an electrical issue downtown, that caused damage to the brewing
and refrigeration equipment. This would be the second deferment for Rustech
Brewing since receiving their GMEF loan in 2017.
Mr. Johnson asked if the accruing interest during the deferment period would be on
hold as well. Mr. Thares clarified that the deferment is related to the principal and
overall payments, and the interest on the principal of the loan will still accrue during
the deferment period.
Mr. Johnson said that the draft letter states the offer does not extend the maturity
date of the loan. Mr. Thares acknowledged the wording and noted that staff believes
to be consistent with the previous COVID-19 deferment, it is best to extend (push
out) the maturity date by six months. The wording will be revised to reflect this
view.
Hali Sittig asked if the draft letter language regarding the interest being accrued
would also be adjusted. Mr. Thares said that interest should be accrued during this
proposed deferment period, and that portion of the draft letter would also be
revised to make that clear.
HALI SITTIG MOVED TO AUTHORIZE A SIX-MONTH LOAN DEFERMENT TO RUSTECH
BREWING, LLC IN CONNECTION WITH ITS 2017 GMEF LOAN. LLOYD HILGART
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5-0, WITH ABSTENTIONS FROM JON
MORPHEW AND TRACY HINZ.
B. Consideration of Adopting Resolution No. 2023-06 authorizing the early
decertification of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 1-22 and submittal of final
reports to the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor
Mr. Thares provided an overview of the agenda item to the EDA and the public.
Redevelopment TIF District 1-22 was established in 1997, covering a majority of the
downtown area in Monticello. With the maximum redevelopment TIF District
duration allowed by statute being 25 years, the district is anticipated to expire in
2024. Since all outstanding obligations of the district are satisfied, the EDA is
required to decertify early, by December 31, 2023. Staff feel having the appropriate
paperwork completed now is a good first step in this process.
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2023-06 DECERTIFYING TAX
INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICT #1-22. OLLIE KOROPCHAK-WHITE SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 7-0.
C. Consideration of Authorizing a marketing expenditure for a "Site Selection"
(magazine) ad in the "Xcel Energy Intelligence Report" feature (September 2023) in
the amount of up to $3,300
Mr. Thares provided an overview of the agenda item to the EDA and the public. Xcel
Energy recently informed City staff that they are placing a leading multi -page story
ad in Site Selection Magazine. This is a pre-eminent corporate facility and real estate
development periodical catering to economic development activities in North
America. The circulation is between 40,000 to 55,000 decision -making readers. Xcel
is inviting communities in its service territory to join in on the ad buy through
placement of ads promoting their communities in the bi-monthly magazine. The
total cost of a third -page ad is $3,000. The magazine company charges an additional
$300 to format the ad if it is not print ready.
Mr. Johnson asked if the ad would be in all 6 magazine issues. Mr. Thares clarified
that the proposed ad would only be published in the September 2023 issue of Site
Selection. He also noted that this is only one option of multiple ways for the EDA to
market the Monticello community. The ad buy does comport with the Integrated
Marketing and Communications Plan (IMCP) in that it identifies target ad buys in
desired print media. The 2023 marketing budget has approximately $37,100
remaining.
Mayor Hilgart said it might be beneficial to reach out to communities who have used
the magazine for outreach, and if anything has come from their efforts. Following
discussion of the agenda item, the EDA consensus was to not participate in the
magazine advertisement through the "Xcel Energy Intelligence Report". EDA
members did articulate that they do want to market Monticello's attributes and
opportunities and asked staff to compile alternative advertising methods that could
subsequently be reviewed and considered at a future meeting.
Tracy left at 7:44 a.m., leaving 6 voting members to carry out the remainder of the
meeting agenda.
HALT SITTIG MOVED TO TABLE THE MARKETING DISCUSSION UNTIL MORE
INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ON MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES. JON MORPHEW
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 6-0.
5. Other Business
A. Consideration of Economic Development Manager's Report
Mr. Thares provided an overview of the agenda item to the EDA and the public.
6. Adjournment
HALI SITTIG MOVED TO ADJOURN THE JUNE 28, 2023, REGULAR MEETING OF THE
MONTICELLO EDA. OLLIE KORPCHAK-WHITE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, 6-0. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:02 A.M.
/W
Recorded By: Hayden Stensgard
Date Approved: August 9, 2023
ATTEST:
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Jirn�Thajes, Executive Director