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IDC Agenda 04-18-1996• AGENDA MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Thursday, April 18, 1996 - 7:00 a.m. City Hall MEMBERS: Chairperson Bill Tapper, Vice Chairperson Tom Lindquist, Treasurer Ron Hoglund, Arve Grimsmo, Shelley Johnson, Jay Morrell, Don Smith, Ken Maus, Kevin Doty, Merrlyn Seefeldt, Tom Perrault, Jim Fleming, Dick Van Allen, Tom Ollig, and Bill Endres. CITY STAFF: Ollie Koropchak, Rick Wolfsteller, and Jeff O'Neill. 1. CALL TO ORDER. 2. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE MARCH 21, 1996, IDC MINUTES. 3. CONSIDERATION TO HEAR AND ACCEPT THE IDC MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT. 4. TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION: IS THERE A NEED FOR AN IDC? 5. OTHER BUSINESS. 6. ADJOURNMENT. • MINUTES MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Thursday, March 21, 1996 - 7:00 a.m. City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Bill Tapper, Treasurer Ron Hoglund, Don Smith, Ken Maus, Kevin Doty, Tom Perrault, Dick Van Allen, Tom Ollig, and Bill Endres. MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chairperson Tom Lindquist, Arve Grimsmo, Shelley Johnson, Jay Morrell, Merrlyn Seefeldt, and Jim Fleming. CITY STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak. CITY STAFF ABSENT: Rick Wolfsteller and Jeff O'Neill. CALL TO ORDER. Chairperson Tapper called the IDC meeting to order at 7:10 a.m. 2. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 1995 AND FEBRUARY • 1996 IDC MINUTES. Minutes were not prepared for approval. 3. CONSIDERATION TO HEAR AND ACCEPT THE IDC MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT AND YEAR-END FINANCIAL REPORTS Treasurer Hoglund reported a balance of $4,000.45 at First Bank and a balance of $10,311.37at Marquette Bank for a total monthly balance of $14,311.82. Monthly revenues of $1,000 from Marquette Bank and $75 from MN Depart of TED. Monthly expenditures of $2,000 to City of Monticello (1996 Sal/Benefits) and $150 EDAM membership. Tom Ollig made a motion to accept the IDC monthly financial report. Kevin Doty seconded the motion and with no corrections or additions, the financial report was accepted and filed. The year-end financial reports were not reviewed. U Page 1 • IDC MINUTES MARCH 21, 1996 4. OLD BUSINESS: a) Consideration to discuss for recommendation: Requirement of IDC members to be a member of the Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce. Chairperson Tapper informed members that Hoglund, Koropchak, and he attended the March Chamber Board of Directors meeting. At the Chamber meeting, Tapper reported the IDC accepted the invitation of the Chamber as a branch committee with two stipulations: One, the IDC spends its own money and secondly, IDC members are not required to be Chamber members. Although the Chamber tabled any action, he felt the Chamber was unlikely to change the membership requirement. Additionally, Tapper felt the Chamber had little understanding of the IDC, they perceived the IDC and the Merchants Association as equivalent organizations, and didn't appear to comprehend that IDC members are individuals wha volunteer their time and talent to further the industrial growth of the community. Chamber membership is through a pro-rated dues structure based on number of employees. The question becomes: What is the benefit of Chamber to industrial businesses? Ken Maus said that question has been asked more than once and felt the best response was a "return on investment" . • Bill Endres reported some retail businesses are being accepted as first-year members at $75. Businesses with an employment of 30+ pay annual dues of $700. Tapper gave an example: If a retired, specialist volunteered his/her expertise, would the IDC want to exclude that qualified person`? Maus suggested perhaps the current industrial individuals who serve on the IDC could be grandfathered-in or perhaps a subcommittee could analyze the long-term value or benefits to the IDC of input from industries and without industries. Don Smith viewed the IDC as a high-bred committee without a home and recalls its origination some 16-18 years ago by individuals who viewed Monticello as a location for industries. The IDC appoints its own members, unlike the City commissions which consist of appointed members or unlike the Chamber where members pay dues and the board of directors are elected by the membership. Upon review of the proposed 1996 IDC budget, members discussed the need for the annual contribution of $2, 800 from the Chamber. Perhaps, the IDC should be an advisory committee only, with no budget or banquet. Again, the question surfaced "What is the purpose of the IDC?" Koropchak noted the enclosed organizational structure for the position. of the Economic Development Director briefly describing the role of each commission or committee and percentage of contribution toward the Director's salary. • Page 2 . IDC MINUTES MARCH 21, 1996 Smith saw the objective of the IDC as two-fold: One, recruitment of new industry and second, the retention and expansion of existing industries. The IDC assisting to carry out the objective by serving as advisors and cheerleaders. Chairperson Tapper suggested the IDC define its goals, purpose, and mission statement. He further suggested City Council take the opportunity to decide if Monticello's long-term destination is a bedroom community or a real commercial/recreational community and perhaps not industrial. Tapper felt Monticello does not have enough resources to support both. He gave the example of the City of Deephaven. Some members agreed, maybe the City Council has never been approached and maybe that was the role of the IDC. Tapper felt if such decision was made, the commissioners and committees had the direction to pursue goals or a workplan to carry out the long-term destination. Ken Maus, a previous Mayor, responded: The decision is not so black and white but somewhere in between as both destinations have strengths and weaknesses. Dick Van Allen made a motion to table any action relating to the Chambers requirement that IDC members must be Chamber members for the IDC to be • branch committee of the Chamber. Tom Ollig seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Don Smith made a second motion recommending past and present IDC officers Kevin Doty, Ken Maus, Bill Tapper, and Tom Lindquist meet to determine the goals and purpose of the IDC. Dick Van Allen seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. 5. CONSIDERATION TO SELECT FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL AN IDC MEMBER FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE EDA. Koropchak informed members that the IDC needs to consider an individual for replacement of Mr. Kendall on the EDA. Prior to Mr. Kendall's resignation, the two individuals representing the IDC on the EDA were Mr. Kendall and Ron Hoglund. Ron Hoglund nominated Ken Maus. Tom Perrault nominated Arve Grimsmo. Kevin Doty seconded the nomination of Ken Maus. Without further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Ken Maus accepted. The City Council will need to ratify the IDC recommendation and appoint Mr. Maus. • Page 3 IDC MINUTES MARCH 21, 1996 6. CONSIDERATION OF SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED 1996 IDC BUDGET. Chairperson Tapper explained the format used for establishment of the proposed budget. Assuming annual revenues of $13,000 for this non-profit organization, expenditures were allotted first to the fixed expenditures of salary/benefits, and banquet and miscellaneous expenses. The remaining portion was disbursed equally between the three IDC subcommittees to carry out their planned activities. Koropchak presented the Education Subcommittee's request for IDC approval to endorse and spend $500 to $1, 000 for an IDC Technical Trade Scholarship to a senior(s) with good standings, apprenticeship program participant, and plans for career in the technical trades. A decision is needed at this time to allow the School District time to establish the criteria and process the selection of a recipient(s) of the 1996 scholarship(s). Ken Maus made a motion to table any action relating to approval of the 1996 proposed budget or any expenditures until the question "What is the purpose of the • IDC?" is resolved. Tom Ollig seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. 7. CONSIDERATION TO DISCUSS THE ADDITION OF AN IDC OFFICER: SECRETARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECORDING MINUTES Chairperson Tapper explained that with the reduction of the IDC contribution toward the Economic Development Director's salary/benefit, the position devotes more time to the City. Inorder to maximize the best use of Director's time from the prospective of the IDC, comes the request for discussion of an additional officer to the IDC. Namely, a secretary for the purpose of recording and preparing minutes of the meetings of the IDC. The Director will remain the City contact for industrial leads and will continue the efforts which carry out the goals and mission of the IDC and its subcommittees. Tom Ollig volunteered to record and prepare the minutes of the IDC for one year. By an executive action, Chairperson Tapper appointed Ollig as Secretary of the IDC for one year. • Page 4 • IDC MINUTES MARCH 21, 1996 8. CONSIDERATION OF PROSPECT UPDATES AND BRE VISIT REPORTS. Koropchak reported an increase of industrial leads within. the last month. Request for proposals or information was mailed. No strong interest to pursue Monticello as a site location resulted which would then require the involvement of the Prospect Team. Time no longer allows for good follow-up of new prospects or for BRE visits. Industrial competition is strong. No BRE visit reports were given. 9. Other Business. Chamber President Endres encouraged members to attend the Chamber luncheon meeting at noon at the Silver Fox Inn - Poolside. Program by Rita Rapoza & Associates. 10. ADJOURNMENT. • The IDC meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m. ,, Ollie Koropchak, Economic Development Director • Page 5 • IS THERE A NEED FOR AN IDC? Discussion of April 10, 1996 (Tapper, Lindquist, Doty, Maus, and Koropchak) * Local ownership of Oakwood Industrial Park -land developed, mission accomplished. * Less control with private ownership of industrial land. (TIF restriction on Green Acres Tax Classification} * What does the community want to be when it grows up? Bedroom community Commercial/recreational community * Close proximity of Rogers to the metro and 101 ring. Development of industrial parks in Albertville and Ostego. Where does the IDC fit? Self-standing, branch of the EDA (government), or branch of the Chamber. Evaluate the pros and cons of each. * IDC no longer active role in production of marketing materials, videos, advertising, etc. * What is the focus of the City? *IDC lacks focus - no clear direction. * Prospect Team. not as active. * Commitment of Councilmembers for industrial development, housing, or retail/commercial. * Commitment of IDC members for programs relating to the retention of existing business. * IDC members lobby Councilmembers to buy into the concept for development of a public industrial park for future use. Creates ownership, pride, and motivation. * Cost prohibitive for private development of an industrial park. * IDC members lobby Councilmembers for general industrial development interest. * IDC advisory board of the EDA, no need for budget or banquet. * Change in Council attitude toward the use of TIF to assist industrial businesses because of HACA Penalty. • * Council define quality business. * Are development costs and ordinance regulations more restrictive in Monticello and prevent Monticello from remaining competitive in the recruitment of industrial business? * Are there real benefits to the industries for the IDC-sponsored BRE Breakfast? * Perhaps IDC members should lend support to the efforts of the Monticello Community Partners. * Not enough resources (financial and volunteers) to support the various organizations of a community the size of Monticello. * Loss of communication between the IDC and City Staff. * Loss of communication between the City (IDC) and NSP. * Neighbor cities more aggressive and competitive for industrial development than in the past. * Changing role of the Economic Development Director. Less time for industrial contact follow-up and contact of existing industries. * Role of the Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce. •