IDC Minutes 10-03-2006MINUTES
• MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 7:00 a.m.
Bridge Room -Monticello Community Center
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Vice Chair Mike Benedetto, Mary Barger, Bill Tapper,
Dan Olson, Barb Schwientek, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Don Tomann, Tom Feaski,
Jim Johnson, and Zona Gutzwiller.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Dick Van Allen, Don Roberts, Kelli Huxford, and Michele Hertwig.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak, Jeff O'Neill, and Angela Schumann.
COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: Mayor Clint Herbst and Council Member Wayne Mayer.
IDC MISSION STATEMENT: To increase the industrial tax base, to create jobs at liveable
wage-levels, and to maintain a favorable and desirable industrial
environment in the City of Monticello.
Call to Order. (Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.)
Chair Kleinwachter called the IDC meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. declaring a quorum.
2. Vote to approve the September 5, 2006 IDC minutes.
BENEDETTO MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 IDC MINUTES.
SECONDED BY TAPPER AND WITH NO CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS, THE MINUTES
WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.
3. PRESENTATION: City Permit Process by Jeff O'Neill, City Administrator.
Chair Kleinwachter congratulated Jeff O'Neill on his appointment as City Administrator. O'Neill
introduced Angela Schumann, Community Development Coordinator, and proceeded to share the
history and results of a 2004 survey to evaluate the status of development services at City Hall. Next,
he outlined the steps implemented by the city as a result of the survey. See attached. He concluded
stating the goal of the City is to provide excellent service to citizen customers and the development
community. He noted the city staff needs positive support from the IDC. Tomann suggested to identify
an annual audit process (preferably an outsider) because with a new process as you move forward, in
time, you will fall back. Schumann noted the handwork is on-line and is a large document. Kleinwachter
noted the guidelines will encourage consistency. In the absence of Van Allen, Kleinwachter speaking on
behalf of the BRE Committee, requested a quarterly report to the IDC from O'Neill. Members
expressed appreciation of his time.
•
IDC Minutes - 10/03/2006
4. Follow-up Business:
A. Discuss recommended Ordinance Amendment for Open and Outdoor Storage (Barged and call
for vote if necessary. Barger reported O'Neill, Schumann, Koropchak, Tapper and herself met
and reviewed the history of the task force and decided to move forward with a small group made
up of an industrial business owner from each zoning district and one outsider. In addition to the
open and outdoor storage for the I-2 zone, they will look at the I-1 and I-lA zones. She
anticipated it would take six months. The results of the task force would be forwarded to the
businesses, IDC, and Planning Commission.
B. Town Hall Concerns & Issues and BRE - In the absence of Van Allen, Kleinwachter outlined
ways to address BRE concerns: Expose young people to job opportunities in manufacturing such
as the efforts of the Chamber tomorrow, school to work program, and manufacturing day at the
school. A goal is to create a data base for direct communication among manufacturers.
C. Paul Kleinwachter and Chamber -Kleinwachter reported he and Koropchak attended the
Chamber Board meeting relative to planning the Industrial Luncheon, October 4. All invitations
to the luncheon are out and he encouraged IDC members to attend. The expectation is 80-90
kids will be bused to view the business booths prior to the luncheon. He also suggested
members of the IDC to tour the Wright Technical Center, an outstanding school, as a means of
support to remain open.
D. Reports from and goals of Subcommittees: Dahl-Fleming reported the Marketing Committee has
not met recently; however, the billboard is up, fliers were mailed out, and Koropchak is exploring
the means of the St. Cloud Industrial Insert in the Business Journal. Koropchak reported the
marketing budget request within the 2007 City Budget has not been cut; however, the budget has
not been finalized by Council. Benedetto commended Koropchak for the article in the recent
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal -Commercial Land Insert.
- Barger reported that Industrial Land Committee had not met as the task force for the Comp
Plan update has not convened
- Tapper reported that the Transportation Committee had not met and inquired as to the status of
the Highway 25/River Street closing. Mayor Herbst reported that Bruce Westby, City Engineer,
is working with MNDOT on a traffic study of the Highway 25 area after traffic circulation settles
out from the opening of the eastern interchange and the round-about on County Road 18.
Kleinwachter noted Highway 25 is like a parking lot. O'Neill reported the number one concern
raised at the comp plan neighborhood meetings was traffic. The County 18 round-about is
expected to be completed by Thanksgiving and the proposed Fallon Avenue bridge has the
support of the Mayor. Benedetto noted the increase in traffic from Big Lake via Highway 25
compared to County Road 11 traffic. Tapper concurred stating last week his workers from Big
Lake noted they were late for work due to traffic backed up into downtown Big Lake. It takes
them longer than his commute from Deephaven.
5. Mayor's Cit~pdate: Mayor Herbst noted an error on the agenda: Deputy Administrator O'Neill should
be City Administrator. Koropchak noted at the time the agenda was prepared it was accurate.
• A. AVR Closing. Herbst reported the conveyance of the land has not taken place and there are
other issues to look at.
B. YMCA propertX A meeting is scheduled between the City and County on October 23 to
2
IDC Minutes - 10/03/2006
• review the Memorandum of Understanding and appraisal for purpose to establish an offer.
C. Fiber Optics Task Force (Mayer) www.monticellofiber.com
Council Member Mayer reported the Council voted to move forward with the city-wide fiber
optics after hearing the results of the Feasibility Study. The next phase is education and
information and advanced sign-up of interest. The advanced sign-up is for bonding purposes.
The recommendation was to wholesale the first few years which buys time and eliminates the
need for a referendum. Mayer invited IDC members to the task force meeting on October 6,
stating the work of the task force is complete and with the goal to collect signatures of interest by
the end of the year, the help of organizations is needed. Mayor Herbst said the goal of the city is
to provide fiber to everyone. TDS is one option for the switch. The proposed fee structure for
residents is 15% less then current and for businesses down to $70 for a T1 plus greater speed.
The project is not funded by property taxes but by user fees. Task Force member Dahl-Fleming
noted the meeting of October 6 is for the task force to define the education and information
message and process, thereafter will organizations be asked to assist.
D. Questions/answer period
Mayor Herbst reported a conversation with Seefeldt who expressed his concern with the
increased assessed value to his industrial land and his ability to market the five acres along the
interstate. Herbst noted the potential interest of the city to explore the purchase of the property
for the future westerly interchange.
6. Review the draft conv of the October 3, 2006 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related items.
. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary.
With no industrial items on the October 3 Planning Commission Agenda, no action was required by the
IDC.
7. New Business
None.
8. Reports:
A. Economic Development Report.
In addition to the written report, Koropchak noted the Pre-Con meeting for the construction of Dalton
Avenue, Dalton Court, and Dalton Way is scheduled for October 4. She pointed out the email from
Karlsburger noting the four wheelers and dirt bikes within their building and outside. Koropchak
encouraged the Council to install street lights for safety and security reasons. Council Member Mayer
requested Koropchak advise Wolfsteller and the Police Commission. Written report accepted.
9.. Other Business.
A. Chamber Updates -Chamber Luncheon, October 17, Dr. Mahoney from Monticello Clinic:
"How to stay well in the flu season." Candidate Forum: October 18, 6:30 p.m. Mississippi
Room.
Senator Coleman, October 20, 8-10:00 a.m. continental breakfast $10 ,Silver Springs.
• B. Next IDC meeting -Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Members OK with same day as election
day.
IDC Minutes - 10/03/2006
10. Adjournment.
FEASKI MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECONDED BY DAHL-FLEMING AND WITH
NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE IDC MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:55 A.M.
~~~
Ollie Koropchak, Recorder
4