IDC Agenda 12-21-2000
AGENDA
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, December 21, 2000 - 7:00 a.m.
City Hall - 505 Walnut Street -Academy Room
MEMBERS: Chair Tom Ollig, Vice Chair Kevin Doty, Don Smith, Tom Lindquist, Bill Tapper, Dick
Van Allen, Bob Mosford, Don Roberts, Mike Benedetto, Dan Carlson, and Jim
Ausex. S w~-e~ ~ o-:S
COUNCIL: Mayor Roger Belsaas.
STAFF: Rick Wolfsteller, Jeff O'Neill, John Simola, Fred Patch, and Ollie Koropchak.
Call to Order.
2. Consideration to approve the November 16, 2000 IDC minutes.
3. Continued -Follow-up discussion to the November IDC meeting relative to suggested strategies for
development to improve public perception.
November motion passed "The December agenda to consist of one item only: Discussion of
styles and structures for improvement of public perception."
4. Other Business. (Marketing and BRE Reports, iftime permits.)
Adjournment. Next IDC meeting, Thursday, January 18, 2001 (Election of officers and renewal
of three-year membership terms.)
MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, November 16, 2000 - 7:00 a.m.
City Hall - 505 Walnut Street -Academy Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Kevin Doty, Don Smith, Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Don
Roberts, and Mike Benedetto.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Tom Ollig, Tom Lindquist, Bob Mosford, Dan Carlson, and Jim Amundson.
COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: Mayor Roger Belsaas.
STAFF PRESENT: Rick Wolfsteller, Jeff O'Neill, and Ollie Koropchak.
GUEST: Tom Feaski, Triton, Inc.
Call to Order.
Vice Chair Kevin Doty called the IDC meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.
2. Consideration to approve the October 19, 2000 IDC minutes.
Bill Tapper made a motion to approve the October 19, 2000 IDC minutes. Seconded by Don
• Roberts and with no additions or corrections, the minutes were approved as written.
Consideration of updates:
a) Mayor Belsaas -Mayor's report.
Mayor Belsaas reported the Gold Nugget court case was solved. The judge dismissed the claim
and deferred costs to the complaint.
b) Koropchak -Economic Development report.
Tom Feaski informed IDC members of his recent purchase of the Value Plus building on Thomas
Park Drive for his business, Triton, Inc. The commerciaUindustrial builder has relocated from
Rogers and the majority of his clients are family-owned businesses. Much of his business is
repeat. He's excited about locating in Monticello because of its aggressive approach to
development. He and his wife have also purchased a home in Monticello. Members welcomed
Tom to the area.
Don Roberts informed members that Sunny Fresh is looking at a February breakfast for IDC
members. New president of Sunny Fresh is Mike Luker. More later.
See attachment for Koropchak's report. In addition, Koropchak noted Mary Barger, Suburban
Mfg., is interested in serving on the IDC and suggested adding her name to the list of candidates
for potential membership. The Chamber of Commerce has elected not to host a golf outing in 2001
as the event was not a money maker. Lenny Kirscht is now employed by First National Bank of
Elk River, Rogers Branch. The IDC membership requested a letter be drafted from the IDC and
mailed to the appropriate person or brokerage firm relative to comments made by Twin City Die
Casting management at the MN Development Conference. Copy TCDC.
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IDC Minutes - 11/16/00
c) Smith, Ollie, or Van Allen -Marketing
The Marketing Committee will meet in early December.
4. Continued -Follow-up discussion to the October IDC meeting relative to suggested strate ies for
development to improve public perception.
Included in the agenda was a list of suggestions made by the IDC in October for consideration as
possible strategies to improve the public's perception for development in Monticello. Using the
list, O'Neill agreed and suggested an IDC member be assigned as key contact person for projects.
In order to see the other side, O'Neill agreed that an IDC member attend weekly site reviews. IDC
members Dick Van Allen, Bill Tapper, and Don Roberts volunteered to attend site review meetings
at random. Koropchak to notify them only if site review is rescheduled or canceled. O'Neill
summarized the city's planning process as good and noted an engineer design manual is being
drafted. Attention to the process for answering questions is being addressed (focus point for
consistent answers from public works and engineer.) The process to address pro-activeness,
quality and standards. Smith liked what he was hearing from staff: improved communication "no
surprises" and "consistency" speak with one tongue. Tapper agreed in principal but questioned
the "how to solve." In order to solve, the assigned person must be one with clout, not the
Economic Development Director or IDC member, but the Mayor or Council member. Perhaps to
check-in once a week. Van Allen and Roberts agreed with Tapper. Other IDC members
• questioned the amount of time involved for officials and "if city hires staff for that role?" Doty
noted the agreement among industrial business representatives and recalled the IDC's mission
relates to industrial development and not commercial. Within the past year or two, this means two
projects: Twin City Die Casting and Sunny Fresh expansion. Guest Feaski added a few years ago,
10% of construction time was devoted to pre-construction and today, its between 50-60% in order
to meet requirements. He cited the City of Champlin and other northwest suburbs, 3-4 months to
obtain permits. Tapper understands the IDC's objective to be: "a perception that the City of
Monticello is a friendly place to do development" unlike the suburbs. Benedetto suggested the next
IDC meeting agenda consist of this one item only: Discussion of styles and structures for
improvement of public perception. Bill Tapper made a motion for the December IDC agenda to
consist of one item only: Discussion of styles and structures for improvement of public perception.
Dick Van Allen seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion passed
unanimously.
Continued -Consideration of an uudate on the nro~ress to actively pursue acquisition of land for
future industrial use.
a) Draft copv of Swap Agreement between City and Chadwick parcel.
O'Neill stated Chadwick has hired a third party "outsider" to negotiate, city focusing on control of
the entire 180 acres, and yet to be determined a method for gravel harvesting.
6. Other Business.
None.
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IDC Minutes - 11/16/00
Adjournment. Next IDC meeting, Thursday. December 21, 2000.
Tapper made a motion to adjourn the IDC meeting. Seconded by Van Allen, the IDC meeting
adjourned at 8:40 a.m.
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Ollie Koropchak, Recorder ''~:~
LJ
IDC Agenda - 11/16/00
E~cecutive Director's Report
Minnesota Development Conference -November 2 and 3 -Buzz words -work force development
and telecommunications. Shortage of high tech college graduate State of MN. Importance of
telecommunication.
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1 ~,y Twin City Die Castings -Why Monticello? Only city who showed interest. Cities need to sell or
~,~' ~c~' market themselves. State needs to improve communicate to businesses relative to process or
~,~;~ what to expect with obtainir~ funding such as IRBs. Excess construction costs due to
~~~ interpretation of building `casts. At disadvantage with competition. Their mistake, not to
mention magnesium die casting facility.
Telecommunication - As you recall in your September IDC update, the HRA suggested the IDC
host a meeting between the cable company, telephone company, and internet provider to insure
that Monticello businesses and residents have access to digital subscriber lines (DSL). What does
the IDC think? Perhaps contact Bill Coleman, Community Technology Advisors.
Fay-Mar -I've heard the company has been sold to an out-of--state company.
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Local industrial company in process of purchasing small machine shop in Anoka County.
HRA/EDA Business Subsidy Criteria now requires at least 90% of new jobs to pay at least $9.00
per hour ex;; cl/u~ding benefits. _
.~/4 C"n o"ti "
Prospects ~l
til ~ `~ c~~,'~.y
300,000 sq ft office/production facility. Relocation expansion from St. Cloud. Currently employ
800, additiona1200. $40 to $50 million capital investment in land, building and equipment. RFP
to Julien J. Studley, Inc., Chicago, IL., priority mail October 11. Message 10-17. Company
name Bankers Systems Incorporated. IDC suggested calling company. Contact name: Joel
Meyer, right hand man to President. 1-320-251-3060. Called company, left message.
Called from Chicago firm 11/1/00. Please call Chicago in future. Still evaluating cost to
stay or move.
100,000 sq ft, three-story office headquarter -Monticello continues to be in the running along
with St. Cloud. Company name unknown. 10 acre site south of I-94. 400 people. Message 10-
17. Milking St. Cloud.
25,000-30,000 sq ft facility -Likes Monticello. Maybe getting cold feet. Worked with Tricon,
Inc. Was invited to banquet. Nothing new.
Profile Powder Coating Company -Invited to banquet. Kind of cool. Nothing new.
IDC Agenda - 11/16/00
100,000 sq ft manufacturing of louvers. Currently 70 employees, additional 30. Average Wage
$12 per hour plus benefits. 14-16 acres of land. Currently have 58,000 sq ft in Delano, no room
to expand. Response date October 17. Heidi Peper. 11/9/00 George Schleckster, Vice
President of Operations. Strategy within Planning Committee. Paint line to expand. One
to two year plan. Monticello least desirable because of distance for workers. Not ruled
out.
10,000 sq ft building -Coffee bean roasting. Meeting with Tricon and company, October 13.
Met with Tom, Red Wing Foods owners. May build larger for lease. 7 full-time $12 per hour
average excluding benefits. Visited company early November. Tom Lindquist, Ron Hoglund.
Lead: Janice DeMars. Tom Feaski and Travis. Looking for site. Will complete city
application for funding.
5,000 sq ft office/warehousing for company specializing in in-store advertising. Looking for
existing or new construction. Currently, six employees, anticipate adding 4-5 more. Average
wage $30,000-$40,000 includes benefits. Same as last month. Responded a second time.
beeking-else ~-- ~-,=-r- ~ ~ ~ ~ K
6,000-7,000 sq ft office space -This is a manufacturing and distribution company. New space for
• sales and marketing. Purchase of lease, prefer lease. Want January 2001. 28 jobs and 5-10 more
in six months. Average wage $9 per h ur. Willing to increase. Responded. ~g
fie. ~--cm-ti- d~ 1 0 ~ --~
100,000 sq ft Fridley machine shop (sheet metal parts) 4,000 sq ft office. Lead from brochure.
Builder Warren Hokanson called. 150 employees. Relocation from Fridley. 15-20 acres. Invited
out or us in. Called President Tom Owczarzak 11/9/00. 763-571-2820. Construction next
year for sure. Concerns relative to retain employment. However, like I-94 and do business
for New Flyer. Grinder/Welder $13-$15 and other $16-$20. Will look at Monticello.
4,000 sq ft start-up machine shop. Looking to lease space.
200,000 sq ftnon-production facility. Collier International, Toronto. Questions: is land privately
or publicly owned? How far from St. Cloud? Labor rates? Population? Appeared to be cool
after City under negotiation to acquire land. Unable to find web site. Meeting with Times
11/13/00 for update.
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