IDC Minutes 07-20-2000MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, July 20, 2000 - 7:00 a.m.
City Hall - 505 Walnut Street -Academy Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Torn Ollig, Vice Chair Kevin Doty, Don Smith, Tom Lindquist,
Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Don Roberts, Mike Benedetto, Dan
Carlson, and Jim Amundson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Shelly Johnson and Bob Mosford.
COUNCIL LIAISON ABSENT: Mayor Roger Belsaas.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
GUESTS: Jim Eastwood, Cookstown Enterprise Centre
John Bondhus, Bondhus Corporation
Call to Order.
Chair Ollig called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
Consideration to approve the June 15, 2000 IDC minutes.
Tom Lindquist made a motion to approve the June 15, 2000 IDC minutes. Seconded by Dan
Carlson and with no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved as written.
Consideration to hear message from Northern Ireland by Jim Eastwood.
Don Smith introduced Jim Eastwood of the Cookstown Enterprise Centre stating Jim and he
developed a friendship over the years through the Northern Ireland Children's Program. Jim's
job is not unlike that of the Monticello's Economic Development Director. Interest for
development of a "Sister City" Program between the Cities of Cookstown and Monticello exist
as the cities share similarities.
Eastwood informed members the Cookstown Enterprise Centre is a private company to serve
business start-ups and foster business growth. In the last six years, he has made 3 trips to the
US. Their current issues are rural in-nature with the decline in agriculture. The agency goal is
job creation through BRE (growth within) with hands on support from ideas, training, one-to-one
mentor, rental space, and administration and staff. Their district covers a population area of
35,000. Because of the co~mtry's geographic size not much relocation occurs between cities. A
recent high profile business located in Ireland from Iowa constructing a 100,000 sq ft building
and creating 200 jobs. The Council is equal to Monticello's City Council which is active in
economic development: I. Business retention. 2. Strong new businesses. 3. Outside
investment.
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IDC Minutes - 7/20/2000
Consideration to hear concerns of John Bondhus, Bondhus Corporation.
.lohn Bondhus introduced himself stating at one time he was a me-nber of the IDC and felt of fate
he's been out-of--the-touch. Therefore he elected to appear before the IDC prior to consideration
of addressing the City Council. His concern is one of process: How projects are done within the
city such as storm sewer improvements? Are projects developed by the city engineer for a fee or
percentage basis? It appears the more you do, the more in-the-pocket. An examples: Easement
on Bondhus property for pipe under County Road 75, want to finish pond by school, want new
easement for (sanitary sewer interceptor) pipe to extend under freeway. Bondhus stated perhaps
the pipe may never be needed, as the City could not give him a date or time. To incur costs for
improvements which may not be needed is costly for business said Bondhus. Bondhus is OK
with easement if needed. Perhaps, the City needs to consult with two engineers, one to oversee
projects.
Smith noted several years ago, the City discussed the need to add another city staff or another
engineer consultant due to the growth of the community. Tapper mentioned the trunk fee
approach. Upon expansion by existing business, the existing business is assessed. For new
businesses, the fees disappear through a creative financial package.
Koropchak, as a point of information, informed Bondhus and others that the final section for
design and build of the sanitary sewer interceptor has been put on hold. She expressed her
concern relative to marketing of the Chadwick property and the need for this line to serve that
area. It is her understanding this is a major linkage for the system. After crossing the interstate,
the pipe will h•avel westerly along East and West Chelsea Road to the Chadwick property. This
pipe replaces the gravity pipe for full development of the Chadwick parcel. That won't happen
in one day. Granted no one knows that date.
IDC members agreed to invite Rick Wolfsteller, Jeff O'Neill, John Simola, and Mayor Belsaas to
the next IDC meeting to review contracts and fees and to discuss how the city oversees public
improvement projects. If all can be in attendance, call John Bondhus.
Consideration of updates:
Mayor Belsaas - Mayor's report
In absence of Mayor - no report.
Koropchak -Prospect and BRE
See Attachment.
Smith, Ollie, or Van Allen -Marketing
No repo--t.
6. Continued -Consideration of an update on the progress to activelypursue acquisition of land for
fi-ture industrial use.
Grading Study for Chadwick parcel.
b~ Draft copy of Swap Agreement between City and Chadwick parcel.
Planning Commission Update of June 6 relative to Gold Nugget parcel.
Update on Chelsea Road West Development.
IDC Minutes - 7/20/2000
Less amount of gravel to mine than first anticipated by Bowers/Chadwick. Negotiation on-
going.
7. Consideration to hear options or plans fo-- a reliable power source to the proposed future
industrial park and recommendation if so necessary. (Bret Weiss and John Simola)
Removed from agenda by Koropchak.
8. Consideration of the Chamber/IDC October Banquet: Speaker'?
A brief discussion was held relative to the Industrial Banquet of 1999 and the IDC Minutes of
November 1999. The [DC agreed to appoint the [DC Marketing Committee and Joanne
Forbord, Susie Wojchouski, and Jim Amundson of the Chamber to further evaluate the banquet
for continuation.
9. Other Business.
None.
10. Adjournment. Next IDC meeting August 17, 2000.
Kevin Doty made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Don Roberts, the IDC meeting adjourned at
8:35 a.m.
Ollie Koropchak, Recorder