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IDC Agenda 10-17-2002AGENDA MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 7:00 a.m. Monticello City Hall, Academy Room, 505 Walnut Street MEMBERS: Chair Dick Van Allen, Vice Chair Mary Barber, Kevin Doty, Tom Lindquist, Bill Tapper, Tom Ollig, Don Roberts, Mike Benedetto, Susie Wojchouski, Barb Schwientek, and Dan Olson. COUNCIL LIAISON: Mayor Roger Belsaas. STAFF: Rick Wolfsteller, Jeff O'Neill, John Simola, Fred Patch, and Ollie Koropchak. IDC MISSION STATEMENT: To maintain and increase the industrial tax base and to create jobs in the City of Monticello, Minnesota. 7:00 a.m. 1. Call to Order. (Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.) Ask for volunteer to take IDC minutes. 7:02 2. Vote to approve the August 15, 2002 and September 19, 2002 IDC minutes. 7:06 3. Updates by Mayor Belsaas and O'Neill. a) Annexation hearing and ruling. b) Amendments to the Comp Plan as approved by City Council. Status of the Council recommendation to establish a task force for implementation of the Comp Plan. 7:20 4. Discussio^ on and to continue development of a list of potential tasks to accomplish the goal of the IDC: To provide a continuous stream of available industrial land with infrastructure potential. a) Feedback on O'Neill/Wojchouski/Osowski meeting. b) Establishment of a subcommittee to develop efFective ways to influence decisions (zoning/PUD) of the Planning Commission, City Council, and administrative staff. c) Clarify IDC's recommendation: To recommend use of committed reserve funds for acquisition of land for industrial development or to recommend use of committed reserve funds for interchange and/or street/utility improvements. 8:00 5. Vote to confirm the appointment of Kelli HuYford as a member of the [DC and to direct the Membership Committee to draft a policy of stipulations for IDC membership and to recruit candidates for Officers of the IDC. 8:10 6. Repo--ts: BRE Scheduled Visits -Attached Summaries. Unofficial BRE Visit with John Bondhus -Van Allen. Economic Development Report -Koropchak. C-~^~~ • 8:29 8. Other Business. 8:30 9. Adjournment. MINUTES MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE . Thursday, August I~, 2002 - 7:00 a.m. Academy Room -City Hall - 505 Walnut Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Mary Barger, Kevin Doty, Tom Lindquist, Bill Tapper, Susie Wojchouski, Barb Schwientek, and Dan Olson. MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Dick Van Allen, Tom Ollig, Don Roberts, and Mike Benedetto. COUNCIL ABSENT: Mayor Roger Belsaas. STAFF PRESENT: Jeff O'Neill and Ollie Koropchak. IDC MISSION STATEMENT: To maintain and increase the industrial taY base and to create jobs in the City of Monticello, Minnesota. Call to Order. (Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.) Vice Chair Barger called the IDC meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. ?. Vote to approve the June 2U. 2002 IDC minutes. Susie Wojchouski ~m~de a n~rotion to approve the Jzrne Z0, 20U21DC' miy~ules. Seconded by 13111 Tapper' used tiri~h no cor•recliorrs or additio~~s, the inintrtes were approved crs tii~ritten. 3. Updates by O'Neill and Mavor Belsaas. a) Annexation issue. O'Neill noted the decision as to the validation of the agreement is in a holding pattern until September 1 ~. On August 12, the City Council interviewed three legal firms for potential hiring. City A~~reement to annex by ordinance and Orderly Annexation Agreement to annex by OAA. b) Feedback from the Planning Commission meeting of August 6. O'Neill thanked IDC members for input into the Comp Plan amendment. O'Neill asked Susie for feedback from the Chamber as she attended the Planning Commission meeting. Susie responded notin~~ the concerns of the Chamber: 1. New council's aggressiveness toward plans for industrial development. ?. Comp Plan good plan but need aggressive plan. 3. Comp Plan didn't adds°ess all issues such as Van Allen's request for flexibility. 4. Council money not for industrial development but road fund. Planning Commission recommended bridy~e plan (research and cost). c) Review of recommended amendments to the Comp Plan for Council review and approval on Au~~ust 26. O'Neill then summarized the Planning Commission's recommended amendments: 1. NW Corridor (Silver Springs/Freeway) -IDC all industrial. MOAA all residential. • Now mixed. 2. West Corridor (Orchard Road) -All industrial Small amount of green IDC Minutes - 8/1/02 area added. 3. Otter Creek Crossing (Chadwick) -Same. 4. Highway 2~ Corridor East side -Was all residential. Now split industrial and residential. West side -Now industrial ~. Dahlheimer -Was industrial. Now Commercial. 6. R1 -higher density. R I A -Larger lots and higher standards. 7. South of Town -Low density. Preserve for urban development. Additionally, O'Neill informed members of a meetin~~ relative to a bride crossin;~ between Anoka and St. Cloud. MinnDT request a study to determine need through 2040. Some felt the current estimated projections of 30,000 to 35.000 for the regional area (Big Lake, Becker, Monticello) was high without a bridge. 4. Discussion on and to continue development of a list of potential tasks to accomplish the goal of the IDC: To provide a continuous stream of available industrial land with infrastructure potential. Koropchak noted the City Council was mailed Van Allen's prepared Comp Plan information and recommendations. O'Neill informed members of the City's plan (John Glomski) to contact other cities relative to ratio of industrial land compared to population. Example: Maple Grove - 700 acres of industrial land by population. Tapper asked the following questions: How does l~lonticello compare with commercial land? What does high density mean? Who will own land in the west? O'Neill noted in Maple Grove the commercial owners/developers put money toward development of the bridge. Susie suggested because of its minimum use perhaps the County Road 75 bridge over the railroad tracks could be removed. How motivated are Osowski's to sell'? Osowski have been contacted by lots of developers reported Susie. Perhaps JetT should talk to Osowski and Excel Enemy. It was suggested the City request a first right of refusal for land acquisition and to develop a plan for bridge development including infrastructure improvement costs and time frame. Doty suggested the city enter into a contract for purchase with a lease back, not a first right of refusal. All agreed to the need to adopt a plan and to authorize to proceed. The IDC suggested Szrsie contact Judv Os~n~~ski /o set up a meeting bettiveen O'Neill and GY"ojchouski to determine 1i•6~o the spokes person is aid ti>>ho makes the decisions for Osolrski 's. 5. Reports: BRE Visits - No BRE visits, need to schedule more visits. Koropchak noted the Council accepted the Street and Utility Feasibility Report for Dundas Road between Cedar Street and County Road 117 as prepared by WSB. Inc. Economic Development Report -Koropchak reported on the continued process to approve fimdin~ for the L1MC and Production Stamping projects. Contirnied work on marketing Monticello for Car~~ill Kitchen and a wind blade production company. Groundbreakin~~ for UMC. Tentative date -September 20. early afternoon. HRA request for matchin<~ industrial development dollars (2003 City BudQet). The HRA committed $100.000 for industrial land acquisition and are requesting the City Council match the HRA's commitment. Community Guide Advertisement. -Koropchak submitted a copy of the economic 2 IDC Minutes - 8/15/02 development ad in the Community Guide. 7. Other Business. None. Adjournment. The IDC meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m V~ \~ ~ m Ollie Koropchak, Recorder • • Industrial Development Committee Sept. 19r" - 7 a.m. Monticello Chamber of Commerce Bldg. Members Present: Dick VanAllen, Susie Wojchouski, Mary Barger, Bill Tapper, Mike Benedetto Special Guest: kelly Huxford, Xcel Energy Motion to approve the August minutes by Mike Benedetto, second by Mary Barger. Item failed due to lack of quorum. Item 4 was not able to be discussed, as Mr. O'Neill nor Mr. Belsaas were in attendance. Dick VanAllen asked if anyone knew "How does Monticello compare with commercial land compared to other like-cities?" This question is being researched by Jeff O'Neill and will be ready for next meeting. Item SB: The committee thought the greatest influence we could have on decisions, would be to attend initial meetings on subjects that affect the IDC and its mission. Often times we are too late to influence with our comments by the time decisions reach the City Council. A committee will be formed at next meet, as well as a Chair person to facilitate the time frames for important meetings. Item SC; Due to lack of duorum, the IDC could not act on this. Item for next months agenda, however, will be: A motion to retain funds already gathered by the HRA and City that were designated for industrial land, be retained for the purchase of industrial land period. That the fiends be held solely for the purchase of industrial land. Item 6: Dick VanAllen reported that visiting dates with four companies will be upcoming. Dick VanAllen reported he had an informal visit with John Bondhus. Item 7: Scheduled visits will be with Aeroplax, Bohndus, Generoux and one additional company. Item 8, other business; The IDC is invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for UMC on Friday, Oct. 4 from 3-6 p.m. Please RSVP to Ollie. Susie Wojchouski brought forward that she would like to see a replacement for herself on the IDC Committee. Mr. Tom Feaski has shown an interest, although there could be a conflict of interest, due to Mr. Feaski being a builder of Commercial space. Those in attendance agreed that we need to set a policy of stipulations on who can be a member regarding conflict of interest. Susie felt she did not have the expertise in the Industrial Development area, and that the position could be better served by someone who does. Meeting Adjourned. BRE VISIT SCHEDULE AND WRITTEN SUMMARY FORM IDC MEMBER INDUSTRY Name Van Allen/Koropchak Name Sunny Fresh Foods. Inc. Phone FAX E-Mail Mailing Address Primary Contact Mike Luker. President Phone 763-271-5600 E-Mail www.usae~ s Location 206 West 4`'' Street Monticello, MN X5362 Date of Visit Wednesday, October 2, 2002 Summary of Visit: FAX 763-271-5714 Time of Visit 1:00 n.m. Also in attendance was Don Roberts and Dennis Darnell of Sunny Fresh Foods. 1. Agreed to a two-way web site linkage with the city. 2. Somewhat interested in the Fallon Avenue building (60,000 sq ft on 4 acres) for expansion. They asked, would City financial programs be available? If it's intended use is manufacturing and/or warehousing, the City's revolving loan pro~~ram would apply. The amount of filnding is based on job creation with anot-to-exceed amount. Also available may be State and Regional funding pro~Trams. Koropchak reminded Sunny Fresh an added benefit to purchasing this existing building is the water, sewer, and storm sewer trunk fees have been paid. Up-front TIF was given to the ori~~inal owner. 3. Sunny Fresh noted its ~~rowth in Monticello and its three other facilities. Within the past few years, they purchased the previous Methodist Church and Veit Feed Process sites. The discussion centered on its existing site and the difficulties of expanding at a landlocked site. As a wet industr~~, wastewater remains an issue in Monticello. 3. President Luker talked about the philosophy of Sunny Fresh Foods and the importance of being a ~`ood corporate citizen. Koropchak complimented Sunny Fresh and its organizations on its $60,000 contribution for redevelopment and construction of workforce housing in Monticello. A partnership with the City and the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership. 4. As site locators for Sunny Fresh and Cargill, in comparison, Monticello is not pro business. Asked "How can Sunny Fresh help?" Van Allen said he would provide Sunny Fresh with information from the Chamber of Commerce Office: Voter's Guide 2002 and questions and answers of candidates for local office. And for Sunny Fresh to encourage their employees to get out and vote and to attend the Chamber's Candidate Forum, October 2, 7:00 p.m at the Community Center. 5. Visit completed by 1:50 p.m. • C, BRE VISIT SCFIEDULE AND WRITTEN SUMMARY FORM • IDC MEMBER INDUSTRY Name -Dick Van Allen Name_Michael A. Luker, president, Don Roberts -General manager Phone Primary Contact _Don Roberts FAX Phone 763-271-626 e-mail a-mail mike-luker~rricar<~ill.co~~~ Mailing Address 206 W -1 ' ST Location Monticello, IV1N „362 FAX Date of Visit 2 October 2002 Time of Visit 11:00 am Summary of Visit: • Ollie K presentation of what's happening in Monticello and planned that will affect the company and the town around. • General discussion that included Sunnyfresh is land locked, expanding across the tracks (primarily parking area to relieve on street parking congestion. • Sunny fresh being landlocked turned into a good discussion: The third Sunnyfresh person at the meeting had been the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Monticello's meeting 30 September addressing the general topic of security and what had been done since September 11. One graphic illustration was the damage done to the Sunnyfresh plant in July of 98?. The plant lost production for three days and was bacl: on line in large part due to a contingency plan. Sunny fresh customers were not incovienienced because Monticello is now one of four plants thorughout the country making basically the same product and extra shipments were made form the other plants without interuption. • Monticello is the home of Sunnyfresh corporate offices. • Mason City Iowa and another location underwent expansion during the last two years due to the Monticello being landlocked. • Sunnyfresh asked the logical question, Is there anything that the city can do because we do have interest in the Rite Choice ~jlant'? • It is on .l~'acres of land. • It has about ~10- 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space. (Dick's guess) • The existing offices along the front would serve as Sunnyfresh coporate offices very well. Dick's imrnediate answer was Y'es, there has to be. Notes from Uick's personal experience: • Once there is a need to build a plant, move equipment and operations, several miles is not a whole lot more trouble than 600 miles. • Consider UMC -moving to Monticello. - It is bricks and land, somewhere. • It would bean injustice to the residents of Monticello and surrounding community to have 1,0 - 200 jobs move away. Disrupted lives, flood of homes on the market, lost school children and revenue etc. etc. It is important to recognize what can within all reason be done and also not loose our perspectives. Dick Van Allen -IDC Chair 6 October 2002. C] BRE VISIT SCHEDULE AND WRITTEN SUMMARY FORM r~ U IDC MEMBER INDUSTRY Name Van Allen/Koropchak Phone FAX E-Mail Mailing Address FAX 763-29~-6379 • Date of Visit Monday. October 7.2002 Summary of Visit: Name Genereux Fine Wood Products/Westlund Distributing Primary Contact Bill and Barb Tapper Phone 763-295-422 E-Mail ~~~ww.westlunddistributin<~.com Location 212 Chelsea Road Monticello. MN Time of Visit 1:30 p.m. Arrived - 1:50 p.m. Agreed to link to Monticello website. Suggested a Monticello map showing the location of industries or find through the use of yellow pages. 2. Suggested a visit and adding Kaltec of Minnesota, Inc. to the manufacturers directory. The company is leasing a portion of the Fay-Mar building. The company, at the Monticello facility. produces a forster fork lift attachment. Corporate facility in Plymouth. 3. Discussed the pros and cons of TIF from the prospective of a business owner. An example: Up-front TIF considered equity by the lender makes the project doable. However, with up-front TIF there is a tax increment guarantee deficiency penalty clause. =1. Van Allen noted the efforts of the IDC are to continue to lobby for a different business attitude or an aggressive business attitude. • ~. Tapper spoke of the company's goal to increase sales through the purchase of machinery/equipment. This to increase capacity without bricks and mortar. 6. The group than viewed one of the new machines approved for funding in part by the Monticello revolving loan fund. 7. Visit concluded at 3:00 p.m. • • ~ IDC Agenda -10/17/02 6b.) Executive Director's Report. a) Letter from CompuCredit. Attachment A. b) Attended NAHRO Conference, following sessions attended: Fair Housing Facts; Big Box v. New Urbanism; marketing your community, large or small; selling you community to retailers; industrial/business park development 101; and avoiding icebergs. d) Cargill Kitchens -committed to Big Lake. Already grading. e) Manufacturer of wind blades, towers, and turbines -Per State representative, interested in communities with wind farms. f) Brochures -Another 100 mailed this month. Industrial leads very quiet. g) UMC -Thanks to IDC members who attended the Groundbreaking. Although a rainy day, under the tent was a great celebration hosted by UMC. The city was awarded the $290,000 grant for project. Construction has commenced with plans to occupy the building in April/May 2003. h) Production Stamping -may not construct until spring. i) Sunny Fresh hosted breakfast of October 3 canceled ,will be rescheduled. Sunny Fresh to present $60,000 check to CMHP for Drake Court project. Construction to begin by O ~~ October 30. Building permit requested. No plat or copy of Association Agreemen~ roves ~1~. ~ o 1) Management or monitoring items: Documents for UMG: TIF (Bank commitment, ~~ insurance evidence) GMEF, State. ~" Tapper -GMEF Closing. 10-1-02 Equipment not in or installed. Non-performance date is December 18, ?002. Record at County -Hans Hagen Assessment Agreement, Front Porch Contract. Monitor -Front Porch income level qualification documentation. Production Stamping - followup on TIF Contract. Create new TIF summary sheets for District 1-30, 1-31, 1-32. Meet with County Auditor relative to parcels to bring back into TIF 1-22. Still holding August TIF payment on Prairie West -City requesting as-built on lot via complaint by owner. Need to compile Adm expenses for new districts to invoice and compile Front Street costs for comparison with budget. Have not received invoice from Veit and City Engineer for Front Street grading. m) Met with Reliant Energy representatives on September 26: Arnie Hendrickson and Shelli Houde. "What can Reliant do for development of an industrial park? n) Crest Health Care -Looking for 10,000 sq ft office space. They manufacturer parts and equipment for health care facilities out of Dassel, MN. o) H-Window building -The real estate agent informed me the price of the facility has been reduced from $3.4 million to $2.8 million. A local investor is looking at the building for possible purchase for lease. p) Fallon building -selling price also reduced. Don't know the amount. EDA Agenda - 10/08/02 q) Minnesota Community Capital Fund - Again I was contacted by this agent of Monticello interest to become a member. I did not invite him to the EDA, since the adjustable and fixed interest rate is expected to be over prime and the application fee is greater than that of a lender. The program appears geared for gap financing (non- qualified lender funds). The Wright County Partnership is participating in the amount of $25,000 which means $250,000 is available for use by Monticello businesses or prospects. He did note for example Elk River participation along with Sherburne County Partner for available funds of $750,000. p) Notes of thank you and/or congratulations were sent to Sunny Fresh, Tappers, Rainbow, and UMC. • • 2 COMPUCREDIT ~'~V6 •~'~ortninY inlo~~~~O~ `°`o September 9, 2002 M5 Ollie Koropchak City of Monticello 505 Walnut Street, Suite 1 Monticello, MN 553362 Dear MS.Koropchak: n~~~~- --_...,,,,,__.__-_.. t ~~ ~ '' ~ ; sEP ~ 3 2002 ~~ On behalf of the management team at CompuCredit, I want to thank you for your warm hospitality. Since first coming to St. Cloud and Monticello, I have been impressed with the openness and warmth displayed by individuals with whom I have had the pleasure of meeting. I believe that we have entered into a mutually beneficial partnership that will . result in along-lasting relationship of trust, opportunity and openness. I envision a relationship that will continue to provide good employment opportunities for the people of St. Cloud and Monticello; a relationship that will contribute to the high quality of life for which Minnesota is known. It is particularly gratifying for me to know that 100 percent of the employees hired by CompuCredit in St. Cloud and Monticello are former Fingerhut employees. I speak for the entire management team in saying that we appreciate the opportunity to keep these hard working, capable individuals employed in their communities of choice as they raise their families and seek desired levels of self- sufficiency. CompuCredit believes in being a good corporate citizen. As business leaders, we accept our role in providing opportunities for communities like St. Cloud and Monticello to prosper from a healthy and diverse economy. Clearly from our conversations, I have much to learn about the area, though you have provided some important insight. I now know that the barrage of snow this Southerner experienced last February was not a blizzard because "St. Cloud doesn't have blizzards." I appreciated Commissioner Haws' optimism that winter months, though cold, keep the famed Minnesota mosquito in hiding. Having heard the term "Johnnie," I am relieved to know its derivation. 245 Perimeter Center Parkway - Suile 600 - Atlanta, GA 30346 - (770) 206-6200 - www.compucredit.com Most importantly, I learned that we share a common bond of concern and hope • for our fellow friends and neighbors. On behalf of CompuCredit President Rich House and myself, I extend warm appreciation for your support and interest in CompuCredit. I will keep you up to date as we proceed with our investment in maintaining a healthy work environment for our valued employees. n ~. ~(rd Gilbert Chairman • • ,:~- , .y~ ~~ _... .. ~+ ...~.'-""tee :~". r. y~; . rN~iL- ' ~•• r w• ~4 ~ ~A ~. M - ~, :~. ~ -: .~ ` FJ S ]~ %.~ .~ _ _.: ,- .. .,- . _..~•.... _ x..:.1"""'1 .'•:, ...f i_. ~a.•~y.. - .r ' Y ~.!~.Y. ::~~ Above Is An Architect's Sketch Of The Proposed 41,200-Square Foot Cargill Kitchens Plarrt. ^,~rgill Kitchens to brew soups and stew in BL park By Gary W Meyer Editor The ink was barely dried on the nd sale documents last Thursday orning as an anxious Cargill itchens development learn broke ound for their new business in g Lakc Industrial Park. Cargill Kitchens, a derivative siness of Csraill, Inc., is expcct- to be in its new 41,200-square ~r $6.9 million operation and ding packaged meals off the sembly line and off ro snpermar- s by April, 2003. Officials of Big Lake's newest ~d in labor force needs the most patting) industrial neighbor, had ped t et into the ground earlier s fabcgin meeting needs of su arkets. But the paper- ~rk between city and township icials and the Cargill folk went quickly as possible, culminating he official sale of the seven-acre rrt lath WrrlnrcrlAV ~ivhf h~ ttir ~e~ze•d Big Lake EDA. The same evening, ; the joint planning board consisting of city and township members rati- fied the sale of land, site plans and building permits. The site for the Cargill Kitchens business lies at the southeastern- most corner of the industrial pazk, along Hwy. 10. City and township subsidy to the company will be $182,952 in a land purchase write- down, plus about $108,000 in site preparation assistance. The city- township injection will be recouped KEVIN LOFTUS, formerly of Mitl City, IA, is the plant man by capturing a share of the annual er for the new Cargill Kitchens in the Big lake lndustriaf Pi $53,000 property tax levy against Thursday, he oversaw site work for the plant, being done the property over the next nine Julian Johnson Construction of Becker. (Photo by Gary years. The city and township have Meyer) marketed the park property at S! the Cargill Kitchens development, increase its staff to about 90 v per acre. reports the firm will work toward a a three to four-year period. Project tax capacity on the Cargill staff capacity of 60 over the first The Big Lake operation• will Kitchens development will be _ two yeazs of Sts operations, He told some degree a boilerplate $42,198, based on its building vale- 1:DA officials in a first meeting in kitchens firm Kersten and c alien of $2,!47,000. August that the intent will be to were partners in at Lake Mill Keith ,Gersten of Pine River, bus!- build the company to accommodate several years ago. At that I nrcc nnif lrarirr Anr~ xnnkr.~man fnr n 30.tNlt"1 xmtarE fnot addition and Cargill Continued on Pace a b6bbS6z6 O1 TZL~ TJ.~ S'~V.NfIT I.-la"'1~a1 I.1C7]IJ ~Al1. ~flC v i P1T.TT ~lrY L~ ,..,.-. ** ~0'3Jdd ~d101 ** '.~~ Sig •umnsual$ ytiax uo `u1 c~~r.Ac st1cA t+E .~~yc w.s>~n tlac sl+Cla'~icr+c 1 o led atrym a[o!va^ w,w3 '1 Page 1 ~~ '°P x °"~'~~'~~~, Continued From pauotd P~~~~~y` --- ~ tnpetitirnl. ri: Y • l ~.O gill f;1cili- from the co they took products of C`'r° acka ed The whole reason its a ttemptst to eat meals. Cargill Kitchens Q needs for tie• around t11e natto`O hd P dining . them into ready' era. serve the at.h°changinS American ; _ They were Involved in that oP, a continually-' lion for 15 years before selling tt• ublic. become tine- The B ig Lake plane will serve two p "ps our consumers In addition m producing ve interests other purposes. rmar- starved and hhomc-cooked tncals, roducts for sale to supe re arin° o demand for htgh- y~ food p e as a research than p p rowing . - '° kern, it wilt also serv we see a g uglily alcernattAvna ~1eresateooery __ and development kitchen for small- ~~ er processors across th ]armed to be Kersten said. industrial firms) put- - ~ "Originally. we had p to few pimple ~ lete (food) pro- smaller (have a smaller facility) ~ tin together comp gig Lake.' Kersten told the Trib oue grams „ his research of the Wednesday- "But m increasing.. 'j;ie noted contin- we're providing the flexibility ublic is that they • sine. enerator for America ` ke to eat at horne. to be a title solution g ue to ei one to tWO our customers." o to occur at Restaurants only g Son. And So, what s goin„ meals per week pet' P~;,14,, food line of soups they have the same toped 10 to 15 ~;argill Kitchens. a as they h there, They will produce a get electives rod Y will be marketed to Tar° a ears ago, Pizza ranks uP hie, that under their tram Y with macaroni and ~gupocstores will be along urkey sandwiches and the ether lines ' ,av~S . • ~ •.~,~; :.,sic rent Archer rarmS• eat" and "ceady to steak, t stews; "heat n cited up to like. is are stag- c~k' full meal dinners p gut gersten s mumbo citizens O I $4 retail. ~ Bring- The 214 million US a in 100 million households Their raw product will b r~uced svin° ^eating occasions ~ i vegetables and potatoes p ill facilities around create 1.2 bil son by other Carg That's a lot of room for S `~' the country- Those; products will be da'lJill Kitchens. e Bco ~kc Plant, Cara lens a gall for entploy- truck~ into tk- re aced for The firm p ~ {royen and P p licattons come MaQ~ci~s lckaoed• stores- merit aPP with lot By Ga phipment to grocery lso meeting ill Kitchens traffic may in ptanninn for the Carg The ink wa; G~cials say thatalf dozen a day. were Kevin Loftus, number ttP to a h rimenting will devclopmcnt who will assume land sale docu Meanwhile, eXpe Lake Mi115. IA, morning erations der lent, and Kitchens Bevel g° on i vadJaoEain°f°aus is finding the role o an Der of the p "Caraill's m ~. Kersten penzral m ground for the. solutions for custom~s• products Steve Grinnell, Montrose, dire~or k a Big Lake Indust •'We will loo veloptnent. Cargill Kitc said. will help our `ves °f de being made that business of Carg differentiate thetnsel ed to be in its r. t~'tners foot $6.9 millet sending package assembly line and - ]tern by April, zoo: Officials of 13i~, ..,a,ce-s newest (and in labor force needs the most impacting) industrial neighbor, had hoped to get into the ground earlier this fall co begin meeting needs of • its supermarkets_ But the paper work between city and township officials and the Cargill folk went as quickly as possible, culminating in the official sale of the seven-acre parcel Iast Wednesday ttighc by the ~0i~0'd ..,, wut DC recouped ~y capturing a share of the annual $53,000 property tax levy against the property over the next nine years. The city and township have marketed the park property at $! per acre. Project tax capacity on the Cargill Kitchens development will be $42,198, based on its building valu- ation of $2,147,000. Keith Kerstccr of Pine River, busi- ness unit leader and spokesman foz Foot Cargill Kitcl . ~ KEVIN LOFTUS, formerly of Mill City er for the new Cargill Kitchens in the E Thursday, he oversaw site work for tt Julian Johnson Construction of Bec1 Meyer) the Cargill Kitchens development, entree; reports the firm will work toward a a three staff capacity of 60 over the first The s two years of its operations. He told some EDA officials in a first meeting in kitchen August that the intenE will be to were p build the company to accommodate several a 30,000 square foot addition and Cargill b(]bbS6z6 fl I Z TJ.S tJ.~ S'4J.Nf1 T I ,J~"17a.1 L-IC~).!J 1 AIA IfIC 11J 1 T. T T ~ sc c~~ j \roa • ~O' Business News B ri efs ~ Sunny Fresh get Sunny Fresh Foods, which is headquartered in Monticello, has received the 2002 James R. Spicola Award. The award recognizes Cargill businesses that achive a high level of performance through continuous unprovement. Sunny Fresh, a manufacturer of .value-added egg-based food prod- ucts, is a subsidiary. of Cargill. This is the second time that Sunny Fresh has received a Spicola awazd, named after the president of Cazgill in s Cargill award the late 1980s when the Cazgill Qual- ity Process was implemented. The Spicola is the top achivement among Cazgill's business excellence awards. "The 560 stakeholders on the Sunny Fresh team are to be com- mended for making Sunny Fresh a second-time recipient of the Spicola Award," said Sunny Fresh President Mike Luker. "Among the factors cited for receiving this high awazd are the engagement and involvement of all employees in the business." ,~'' Rainbow gets ISO 9001 rating ~~' ~ Rainbow Enterprises of Monticel- The ISO registration pr - ~ to has recently received an ISO ~ 9001:2000 registration for the manu- a facture of high precision machined parts and assemblies. The designation requires undergo- ing anextensive audit for the Interna- tional Organization for Standazdiza- tion (known as the ISO). The three-day audit was per- formed by Perry Johnson Registrars. Rainbow, established in Monticello in 1979, specializes in equipment for the semiconductor, medical, defense and aerospace industries. ProComm relocates to Monticello 9 ~~ 0 _F" ~o ~, \~ v t i `_ ~y , ~~ ~~ 0 d.~ fie' ProComm started September with a move to a new corporate head- quaters in Monti o. Co-owner Sco enner said the move followed a n or a storefront location for ProCom 's satell' e retail products. The need w ed by the new office at 141 Eas oad- way, where the business s s~.pp shop. ProComm emplo s 45 techni- cians in Minnesota nd Wisconsin, but the Monticello ocation is home to just three-Be er, his friend and co-partner Jim t gedick and office manager Cindy Hilgedick. Benner said he has known Jim Hilgedick (Cindy is Jim's wife) since grade school and the two decided in ocess took four months to complete and involved writing a procedures manual, creating new personnel training records, estab- lishing agage calibration system and revising the company's quality manu- al. "There is better documentation of manufacturing methods and quality records," said Rainbow President Bill Harris of the new ISO rating. "We have taken a more disciplined approach to our manufacturing process, with better employee aware- ness of the need for customer ser- vice." 1992 to form a business after their load of side ' bs for private cus- tome to take off. e company focuses on installa- tion, consultation and repair of "any- thing low voltage," said Benner. That includes home theater sys- tems, public address systems, satell- tive television, cable television, tele- phones, data and computer systems and office networks. ~ ProComtn, which stands for "Pro- gressive Communications & Con- struction," can be reached at 295- 1110 or at www.procomminc.net. The business is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 ~.m., with telephone consultation available on weekends. Area Public Notices Statement of No In accordance with Feder Department of Agriculture ', prohibited from discrimina color, national origin, sex, (Not all prohibited bases To file a complaint of disc Director, Office of Civil Ric Whitten Building, 1400 Inc Washington, DC 29259=9~ (voice or TDD.) USDA is provider and employer. to/ecom Fatl Order I Winter Deli REBATE EVI~ ON SELECTED BUILDING; Looking for a high quality building for your backyard, fans or business? Then look to Lester Buildings, Inc. v are now in season! If you order NOW and opt for w and inrtallation you can eam back a rebate of up to 40C per square foot! Rebate levels vary by month anc building with best rebates scheduled for January! Hurry and lock in your winter delivery nbate today! Financing Arailabh to Qwlifi~d Buy~ra ~ 1JO Lk~wnpzyr-rent Required ^ Lev Monthly Pa}n1Nrt ~.,,,~. ~,~,., ~,.~ ~ ~; ~ ~~..~~„r LESTE'R Lester Buildings, Ino. w o»iim aa.wwr«a<wq cmp.ny www.l~aterbuildings.com 1-800-826-4439 RNUIe offer eppNee to teleME DWdlrp melerisl Pecks C wnb ro v Drano euflekge. rrwr a puraus< Inc.(u3p on • /ket-In, flnloul Duk. ll. wMpueM W o ewr rr~ nWtee, rWeb rAX W reEuoetl or arced ecoordln,y.: LENDER eoMduN, tsrtnseM rpulrenrnetllrww.Metabulldl NOTICE OF Pt Notice is hereby given that a public he Planning Commission at a special mee Monticello City Hall to consider the folloN PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of a concept and de' ment allowing exF service bay additi+ transport, sidewal Location: 206 W. 4th Street Lots 3;A~5., an_d paf ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT $ 517E SELECTION CONFERENCE •f SPECIAL INSER~ ns. mil- ligh- th of Wile. per It is estimated that commuter rail will create more than $1 billion in new devel- opment throughout the Northstaz Corridor. Builders in Elk River, for example, have already started plans fora $70 million development that will include a mix of workplaces, retail space and housing options. - Northstar commuter a., rail is the u. ~. ~•, ~. ~ n~ c... wpvu~. less Elk ~ car only uring early ~d~ ~i gs. Spur wazd rans- com- ccess attract who ~.a..._ .....~.. ,.,,.x `~v~ ,.1 ~~ „'~- ~ira w.re.,,a + ~..~ ~,.~...~ most economi- cal, reliable ~ ~ "~'~'r" transportation option for our area. Next session the legis- lature will debate whether to fund planning and construction for the Northstaz project. Strong, vocal support from residents and supporters will be critical. Get on board as a Northstar commuter rail supporter and let others know your opinion. After all, it just makes sense! ~1I •:.; Page 7 Elk Ibver Works Tovuard Removing Trolls ~emember the children's stories that had ^ olls living under bridges, collecting tolls or trying to scare away those who wanted to get across? Sometimes that's how it feels to work with municipalities when trying to move a client's development project forward. Local politics and landowners can make demands that make the scope of a straight- forward project difficult. Even the attitude of city staffers and their lack-luster attitude about processing your paperwork can make dealing with them more trouble than it's worth. Or maybe there are claims of a vision for a parcel of land, but when the community whines a little, the administra- tion's "vision" evaporates, leaving you standing in an empty, undevelopable field. Clearing the way "We have worked hazd to establish Elk River's three business parks to eliminate any probable external or internal road blocks using a defined process," states Cathy Mehelich, Director of Economic Development for the City of Elk River. She cites firm commitment of both the city and property owners to attract and support industry in the community. "Our citizens aze already aware of the industrial parks, but we continue to work with local media and sponsor events to drive home how important these businesses aze to our com- munity.,, Mehelich also notes that the city's finan- cial and other incentives for businesses are backed-up with a vibrant and growing community. Elk River has seen significant residential growth in recent years, drawing new commercial businesses and sparking a renewal of the historic downtown. "Peo- ple who haven't been here in a few yeazs, or only pass through on their way North, are very surprised when they look azound and see everything new," says Mehelich confidently. The process Elk River has implemented centers around the Location Site Guide that breaks down the specifics for working with TROLLS to next page ~, Cathy Mehelich • KONOMIC D~EVELOPNIQ~fT ~ SITE SElE~T10N tONfERENCE ~ SPECIAL INSERT Bidding as a Restraint tedevelopmer~t tion lion es") l by rop- run sses title res" vio- ticle lties ant a di~ ~d. 3 pct is nici- ~n, or shall man- ts of par- reof itract by a municipality for the sale or purchase of supplies, materials, equipment or the rental thereof, or the construction, alter- ation, repair or maintenance of real or personal property" Minn. Slat. 471.345, subd. 2. Contracts for public improvement projects such as the con- struction of streets, sanitary sewer sys- tems, storm sewer systems or other util- ities are subject to public bidding requirements. Soil remediation activi- ties on Redevelopment Property also arguably fall under the plain language of the statute. Public bidding laws would not apply if a developer were in title to the Rede- velopment Property because a developer would directly contract for the services, and there would be no public contract at issue. In addition, public improvements to private land, as part of a subdivision of property, are exempt from competi- tive bidding requirements under the sub- division statute. Minnesota Statutes regarding the subdivision of property states that "A municipality may, as a condition of approval of a subdivision, require the construction and installation of sewers, streets, electric, gas, drainage, and water facilities, and similar utilities improvements". Minn. Slat. 462.358, subd. 2A. That section further states, "Sections 471.345 and 574.26 do not apply to improvements made by a sub- divider or a subdivider's contractor." This means that if the Construction Activities were completed pursuant to a development agreement inclusive of sub- division conditions, bidding laws would not apply. RESTRAINT to next page • New 350 acre Airport Business Park that is shovel-ready with utilities in the ground for development • Conveniently located near downtown, major highways, the St. Cloud Regional Airport and the proposed Northstar Corridor commuter rail October 14, 2002 Greg Munson G .~ " a ~ c~ 3 u p .~ W o ~i ~ ~ ~ ~ ,~ v ~ :~ iv,. bin U ~ O ~ ~L v ~ ~.+ t~ ~ c ~ '-~ ~ '~ o a a ~° r" ~ ~ as °~ ~ ~ ~ ~ '~ "~ jV.i ~+" O ~" ~ ~ ~ .Yr ~ 'p .~vr ~ ~ ~ ~v, ~ V ..V. ~v, vi ~ ~"" i~.i ~.,'" V v O V v, ~' :.. ^~7y D .G ~~ ,5~,,, ~ H ~ '~'~ C C%~ ~ r3' O ~+ U ~ ~ ~i ~„ ~ i+ N"y ~~y ~ O ~ ~ YC t..l O y ~ ~i w ~ •~~ ~ ~ G C~ ~ "'~ "'~ ~ ~~r ..V, it ~' i~•r V1 ~ ~+ i.^'.i "U O V r~ O W ~ O ~ V .~ ~ ~ iw y 'p ~ .~ ..~i 6> V ~ ,~ ~ 'p~w" U i" ~ p"I ~ T~ CS +~`' .rni C~ C~ ,~ ~ ~ u F+UaH °WZ~AE-AdWv~WwUfx~~W~a.dWaW A x ° ~ • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••••••• •••••••• •••••O••• •• ••• ••••••••• •••••••• ® a o o a ° on ~ ~~ • ~ ~ °o ~ ti, U ~ o~ ~ aHW ~ M I s. ° N O~ > CC l~ Q W ~ ~ «i [~ ~ • w ~ h W ~ U w°~ ~wv w t •••••••••••s ••••••••••••• ••o•••••••••••••• ••••••••••••e ~ ~ y ~ c~ W ~ N •~ ~ O n~ -~ of O W w S~ ~ vi ~ U ~ C~ 1 ~ ~ ~~ ~ 9 ,~ ~~ J 6 `te11 ,~ ~ ~ ~1 ~ ~ VI 6 ~ O --~~ w .~' ~ w p ~ ~ 3 ~ o ~ 3 ~ 4- s ~n l---I ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~_ Q °~ 9 -U ~}-- o O `1 W O Q ~ 6 ~ ~ ,~ O v1 -: G , O ~ N ~ ~ -V U1 -S p 9 V~j y~ ~ _ O ~nv W ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~~ 6 > ~ ~ `4N-- ~ --~ Z' ~ o ~ ~ S' o ~ > ° s ~ h+M N V c5 4~- ~ ~~1 ~ y ~ ~ ~ Vl ~' o ~~ ~ ~ t ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ z W ~9 w ~ • ~ ~ ~ • • • • ~ b°'io .~ ~ e~ p '~ ~ ~ V~ ~ O ~ ~ .~ O C ~'' b ~ , o~j O ~ o ~ ` ^~ ~ a r ~ ~ O ~ ~ ~ O ~ r.+ r'' ~ , ~ ~ C ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ M ~~ ~ ~ C ~ ~ A ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ r