IDC Minutes 03-17-1994MINUTES
• MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, March 17, 1994 - 7:30 a.m.
City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Jahn McVay, Vice Chairperson Kevin
Doty, Shelley Johnson, Arve Grimsmo, Don
Smith, Harvey Kendall, Jay Morrell, Ken Maus,
Dennis Taylor, Tom Lindquist, Dr. Glenn Nemec,
Cyndie Johnson, Bill Tapper, and Jim Fleming.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ron Haglund, Merrilyn Seefeldt, and Steven
Lemme.
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff O'Neill and Ollie Koropchak.
STAFF ABSENT: Rick Wolfsteller.
GtTEST: Steve Grittman, Northwest Associated
Consultants.
1. CALL TO ORDER.
Chairperson McVay called the IDC meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
2. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 17 1994 IDC MINUTES.
Arve Grimsmo made a motion to approve the February 17, 1994
IDC minutes. Bill Tapper seconded the motion and with no
additions or corrections, the minutes were approved as
written.
3. CONSIDERATION TO HEAR AND ACCEPT THE MONTHLY IDC FINANCIAL
REPORT.
In the absence of Treasurer Hoglund, Koropchak reported
monthly balances of $4,207.81 at Metropolitan Federal and
$1,239.90 at Marquette Bank for a total balance of $5,447.71.
Disbursements included the $500 authorized by the IDC to
subsidize the City's $1,500+ membership fee in the Wright
County Economic Development Partnership. Harvey Kendall made
a motion to accept the March IDC financial report. Seconded
by Kevin Doty and with no additions or corrections, the
financial report was accepted and filed.
4. CONSIDERATION OF PROSPECT UPDATES:
The IDC accepted Koropchak's written report of prospect and
BRE updates.
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IDC MINUTES
MARCH 17.1994
BRE UPDATES:
Chairperson McVay reported that the City of Becker is on
Advanced Food Sciences first list of communities with viable
sites. Additionally, McVay reported an the NSP Service Center
stating a change in management. Twelve-year NSP employee Jim
Roland was hired as the new regional service representative
replacing the once supervisor position. The new management
style promotes team building.
Kevin Doty reported on FSI, Inc. The company's expansion in
St. Cloud was driven by the available labor pool of college
students (part-time and cheaper wages). Kevin foresees the
company's headquarters to remain in Monticello because the
owner resides locally. The IDC was encouraged to tour the
facility in the future. Mr. Peach and Mr. Lilke are both
unable to attend the BRE Breakfast as they will be out-of-
town.
Additionally, Mr. Doty reported on Dahlheimer Distribution,
Inc. The company continues to do very well; however, the
market has changed due to the decrease of beer consumption and
the increase of carbonated or mineral water product
consumption. The company employs 20, awns six delivery
trucks, and has the potential to expand. Due to a conflict
with the IDC banquet date, company officials are unable to
attend; however, they do make a donation.
Dan Smith reported that Sunny Fresh would host a
groundbreaking reception in April or May. Sunny Fresh
continues to upgrade and expand their facility, this
investment into our community includes an employee's break
room and meeting/office/kitchen production space.
Arve Grimsmo reported on the H-Window stating they have
completed construction of the manufacturing area which doubled
its size. Patio door sales are going well.
April BRE reporter is Jay Morrell on Lintex Corporation and
May BRE reporters are John McVay on Standard Iran and Ron
Hoglund on the Tire Service Equipment Company and Decorative
Services, Inc.
5. CONSIDERATION OF SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:
In addition to the written subcommitte reports.
a) Legislative - Chairperson McVay informed members that
NSP is stepping slowly as to see what direction the dry
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IDC MINUTES
. MARCH 17.1994
cask storage bill takes. The Hause Committee presents
the biggest opposition.
b) BRE - Tom Lindquist reminded members to contact their BRE
business with an invitation to the gratis breakfast at
the Riverwood Metro Business Resort on Thursday, April
21, 7:30 a.m. Koropchak mailed sneak preview date
letters to the industries and stated the name of their
IDC representative.
c) Infrastructure - Dennis Taylor reported on the enclosed
subcommittee's recommendation for the rezoning of the
Kjellberg/Klein property and requested the IDC consider
approval of the recommendation. Jeff O'Neill introduced
Steve Grittman of Northwest Associates who would respond
to IDC questions and announced that the City Council
called a special rezoning workshop for March 30, 6:00
p.m., place to be determined. Due to the latest
development and with new information to be presented at
the special workshop, Don Smith suggested the IDC table
approval of the subcommittee's recommendation.
Steve Grittman cited zoning has moved away from old
traditions and today encompasses the importance of valued
development. Bill Tapper spoke of the importance of
long--term (40-50 years) versus short-term (1-5 years)
planning as it relates to access to I-94 off Highway 25
and that perhaps the interchange may be too tight to
support residential development with the potential of
industrial growth. Easy and safe access to I-94 is key.
With a hopeful positive EAS polling result, the members
anticipate continued industrial growth beyond the
planner's projections. McVay questioned if not the Klein
property, where next? Shelley Johnson suggested the IDC
call a special meeting following the workshop and prior
to April Planning Commission meeting for discussion of
the two key issues: Kjellberg/Klein rezoning and EAS
polling. Harvey Kendall made a motion to table approval
of the subcommittee's recommendation and called for a
special IDC meeting on March 31, 7:30 a.m. The motion
was seconded by Cyndie Johnson and without further
discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
6. OTHER BUSINESS.
a) EAS Palling - Koroprhak informed members that the EAS
ballots for exchange 295 would be mailed out April 28 by
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IDC MINUTES
MARCH 1'1.1994
the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and must
be returned by June 13, 1994. To avoid any conflict of
interest, the PUC suggested information calls be directed
to the PUC or Koropchak. Additionally, the PUC reported
other communities have not promoted voting "yes" as this
could stimulate marketing opposition. Arve Grimsmo
suggested the Chamber educate the public on EAS polling,
particular to the senior population. An article in the
City Newsletter highlighted the EAS petitian progress
since IDC Sponsorship, the proposed rate additives, and
encouraged ballot voting only.
Additional discussion centered on the need for a
subcommittee to plan a promotional strategy and to
develop a promotional funding source through perhaps the
previous PBX list which was originally coordinated by
Steve .Johnson. Arve Grimsmo made a motion to set aside
IDC dollars of not-to-exceed $750, expenditure after
:solicitation and expenditure of PBX funds, for EAS
promotion/education. Kevin Daty, IDC Marketing
Subcommittee Chairperson, was authorized the right to
expend the $750 and upon the need far additional IDC
funds must rzceive approval from Chairperson McVay. The
motion was seconded by Dr. Glenn Nemec and with no
further discussion, the motion passed unanimously. The
subcommittee to be chaired by Steve Johnson will include
Kevin Doty, Cyndie Johnson, Jim Fleming, Koropchak and
other volunteers.
b) Today's Chamber lunch and program will feature an
legislative update on the NSP's dry-cask storage bill.
Noon at the American Legion.
7. ADJOURNMENT.
Harvey Kendall made a motion to adjourn the IDC meeting.
Seconded by Kevin Doty, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
JIX~,~ ~~ c11 O ~ c.J
Ollie Koropchak, IDC Executive Director
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