IDC Minutes 12-05-2006MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 5, 2006 - 7:00 a.m.
Bridge Room -Monticello Community Center
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Mary Barger, Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Dan Olson,
Barb Schwientek, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Don Tomann, Tom Feaski, Kelli
Huxford, Zona Gutzwiller, and Michele Hertwig.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Mike Benedetto, Don Roberts, and Jim Johnson.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: Mayor Clint Herbst.
COUNCIL LIAISON ABSENT: 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.
1. Call to Order. Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.)
Chair Kleinwachter called the IDC meeting to order at 7:03 a.m. declaring a quorum.
2. Vote to approve the November 7 2006 IDC minutes.
Dan Olson made a motion to approve the November 7, 2006IDC minutes. Seconded by Mary
-~~zger and with no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved as written.
3. Follow-up Business: (Subcommittees give year-end summary)
A. Discuss recommended Ordinance Amendment for Onen and Outdoor Storage (Barg_er and call
for vote if necessary
Tapper reported that the Outdoor Storage Group had not met. A meeting was scheduled but canceled
due to his own conflict.
B. Town Hall Concerns & Issues and BRE
Van Allen summarized that the BRE played a role in the city's development of a permitting process and
will continue to monitor the process. Relative to the manufacturer's concerns, the group looks to gather
ideas and develop a data base.
C. Marketing Committee
Kleinwachter reported the Marketing Committee and the HRA/IDC Comp Plan Task Force
representatives had a productive meeting, assessing the past and looking to the future in a broader
concept. Ideas were discussed for the purpose to create a "new vision" and to get the city involved.
IDC Minutes -12/05/06
D. Reports from and goals of Subcommittees: Industrial Land and Transportation.
Barger reported the Industrial Land Group has not met and will be part of the Comp Plan Task Force.
Their goal is to provide a continuous stream of available industrial land with infrastructure potential and
with that, a discussion followed as to the need for the Ciry to preserve dollars for future land acquisition.
Mayor Herbst saw the need to roll-over the revenues from the land sales in the Monticello Business
Center. Mary Barger made a motion recommending the HRA preserve the revenues from the land
sales of Otter Creek Crossing less development expenditures for the purpose to acquire additional
land for industrial and information technology development. Dick YanAllen seconded the motion
and with no further discussion, the motion carried.
Tapper reported the Transportation Group has not met and expressed his like for the round-about.
Herbst noted the stripping resulted in somewhat narrow lanes but few, if any, complaints.
4. Mayor's Cit~pdate:
A. AVR Closing/Construction. No report.
B. YMCApropertX Herbst reported the city and county representatives will present a proposal to
the YMCA on December 11.
C. Comp Plan Update. Mayor Herbst reported the final neighborhood meeting for the Comp Plan
Update was held and well attended.
D. Fiber Optics Task Force. Dahl-Fleming noted comments submitted by Van Allen that were from
~ a program on public TV noting fiber was better than copper and faster among other things.
Lynne continued stating in addition to the Feasibility Study and survey via mailings, the task force
• is conducting a telephone survey. The telephone survey, a bonus and added confidence for
Springsted, the bonding consultant. The task force will recommend the Council on December 11
proceed with bonding and preparation of an RFP for design. Lastly, Lynne stated the task force
on behalf of the city applied to the Blandin Foundation fora $15,000 matching grant for
broadband education. Bill Tapper made a motion recommending the City Council proceed
with bonding for fiber optics. Seconded by Dick i~anAllen and with no further discussion,
the motion carried.
E. Questions/answer period.
Kleinwacher asked about the local housing market. Mayor Herbst reported it is quiet, like
everywhere else. The city has a good inventory of lots as land prices readjust. The city is looking
at its current residential PUD and the need to develop a point system to encourage higher
standards. VanAllen asked about the ratio of housing mix in Monticello: single-family to
townhouse to condominium to apartments. The city planner consultant should have that
information; however, it appears there is ample start-up housing and the need for step-up
housing. It was noted that higher-paying jobs spur ahigher-end housing mix. The IDC again
discussed the need to re-invest long term in land for future industriaUtechnologydeveiopment.
Areas mentioned were next to the YMCA, across the river, and Highway 25 south. Don
Tomann recommended the first motion under 3D. be amended to include the following: A
motion recommending the HRA and the City Council, beginning in budget year 2008,
commit to an annual matching fund for the purpose of establishing a fund for future
acquisition of land for industrial and information technology development. Mary Barger
agreed to the amendment and seconded the motion. With no further discussion, the motion
carried.
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IDC Minutes - 12/05!06
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7.
6. New Business:
None.
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By a consensus of the members, the IDC meeting adjourned at 8:35 a.m.
~;~ KUoR~
Koropchak, Recorder
Review the draft copy of the December 5 2006 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related
items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary
With item 8. on the Planning Commission agenda related to residential front-yard setback averaging, no
action was necessary by the IDC.
Reports:
A. Economic Develovment Report.
In addition to the written report, Koropchak expanded on the telephone conversation with her counter-
part from Cedar Falls, Iowa. Their goal is tax base and not wage-levels. However, he noted that the
industrial wages average about $13.90 per hour and the technology wages ranged from $18 to $22 per
hour. They offer TIF and tax abatement and for projects in excess of two million dollars, they receive
both incentives. Between 1990-2004, they grew from 27 companies to 147 companies and the
Technology Park opened in 1996. Their list of companies includes both commercial, industrial, and
technology. Of the 147 new companies, approximately 15-20 companies located to Cedar Falls solely
because of fiber optics.
8. Other Business.
A. Chamber Updates -Chair Hertwig reported that about 500-600 people attended the Home for
the Holidays Celebration last Friday and that the Lion's Club did a wonderful job at decorating
West Bridge Park. The annual banquet was held last night and the Business of the Year went to
Cub Foods. The Chamber now has 286 members. The 2007 Chamber Chair is Bill McLaughlin,
Cub Foods, and new board members are Tom Ollig, TDS Telecom, and Nikki Mercer,
Presbyterian Homes and Services, owner/manager of Mississippi Shores. Next monthly meeting,
December 19, noon, Community Center.
B. Next IDC meeting -Tuesday, January 2, 2007. Members received a copy of IDC membership
and terms. Four member's terms expire December 2006. Chair Kleinwachter expressed his
appreciation and thanked Mayor Herbst and Council member Mayer for attending the IDC
meetings. It is helpful to the IDC and Kleinwachter hoped input from IDC members can be of
help to them.
9. Adjournment.
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