IDC Agenda 10-02-2007• IDC Agenda -10/02/07
4. New Busmess•
A. Economic Development Report:
* Fiber Optics -Thanks to all for awell-orchestrated campaign and successful campaign to
provide acity-owned telephone exchange as part of the fiber optics package. Yes-1055, No-
354. Particular thanks go out to Lynne Dahl-Fleming who was hired for marketing, to Mayor
Herbst and Council Member Wayne Mayer, and to Cathy Schuman who served as contact
point person for the committee. The Fiber Committee will update you on what's next.
* Marketing Committee -Attached is a copy of the new billboard design. It will be displayed
along I-94, east of Rogers, on the right-hand side eastbound starting about October 1. The
committee purposely waited until after the results of the referendum to display a new message
including "fiber optics". The intent of the billboard is to spur "interest" and is not intended to
provide details as vehicles are traveling at 70 miles per hour. The committee, perhaps along
with the fiber group, needs to develop "how to market the fiber optics as an economic
development tool?" What is unique about our capabilities, pricing, one shop implementation
for phone, cable, and data/internet compared to other communities? The Business Facilities -
Site Location addresses telecommunication/data as an infrastructure item checklist.
* HRA/EDA consolidation - Following a workshop and at the regular September 24 meeting
of the Council, the Council called for a public hearing date of October 22, 2007 to adopt an
enabling resolution to consolidate the EDA/HRA. The recommendation is to transfer the
powers and assets of the HRA to the EDA. I'm unclear as to the final decision for five or
seven-member commission for the new EDA. Sandy Suchy was appointed as a temporary
commissioner on the HRA.
* Visit to Anoka-Ramsey Community College - On September 14, Supt. Jim Johnson,
Administrator O'Neill, Senator Amy Koch, SCSU Dean of Continuing Education John
Burgeson, UMC Mary Pettit, and myself met with Rosie Mortenson and Jill Snippen of Anoka-
Ramsey Community College. Our mission was to "explore the potential to establish an
educational/training facility/campus in the City of Monticello", an idea resulting from the
presentation by the SCSU students. (Creating a partnership between government, education,
and business.) Each educational institution gave an update of their current enrollment and an
overview of respective curriculum offered. Two contact names were provided if the City of
Monticello is interested in proceeding with the bio-sciences. UMC talked about their current
collaboration with the Monticello Work Force Center in seeking a grant for training. Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities do not own buildings but lease classroom and training space.
The focus appears two-fold: 1. Technical training 2. Continuing education courses. The
conclusion: The community needs to determine if it wants to proceed - Is there a need and
demand? What is the draw area? Assemble potential partners (the more partners the better).
* A HRA- Transformation Home Loan for rehabilitation of a home located at 312 East River
Street closed on September 26.
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IDC Agenda -10/02/07
* Sunny Fresh Foods as been renamed "Cargill Kitchen Solutions" by corporate. Great to
have the "Cargill" name associated with the City of Monticello.
* Again, congratulations to UMC on receiving the 2007 Secretary of Defense Employer
Support Freedom Award. Perhaps, Don will share with the IDC their experience in D.C.
* A Rotary connection - A University of Minnesota presentation consisted of product
development and application for a hydraulic pump design being tested in vehicles to save
energy. My question: How does the City of Monticello connect with research and development
in order to develop partnership with the university? They have a program called "Front Door"
which I'm anticipating an email with additional information.
* The public hearing date to adopt assessments for the public improvements constructed along
Chelsea Road (Fallon Avenue to County Road 18) is scheduled for October 22, 2007 at the
7:00 p.m. Council meeting.
* The 100,000-150,000 sq ft (2-3) story office/tech use building with potential of 10 to 100
acres. Monticello was removed from their site list (considered to far out). The Rogers/101 is
the line drawn for fear of losing employees with relocation. The company is looking at perhaps
relocating various facilities around the northwest metro area into one campus. They were the
business who particularly asked about fiber. I marketed our fiber optic capabilities to the real
estate agent. Because of confidentiality -the business name remains unknown -and we can not
• do our one-to-one sales pitch. I'll be watching the news for this announcement.
* No word from Washburn Computer Group as to the award of a large contract resulting in the
~- need to expand their building by 30,000 sq ft. The Wright County Economic Development
Partnership toured the facility on September 21.
* Walker In-Store is under construction on Dalton Court. You can see the block walls going
up. The 10,000 sq ft building is expected to be completed the end of December.
Groundbreaking recognized in upcoming City Newsletter.
* Congratulations to Barb Schwientek on her retirement as CEO of the Monticello-Big Lake
Community Hospital District. Barb is a chartered EDA commissioner and long-time member of
the IDC. At a reception on the 28~' of September in honor of Barb, I'm honored to speak of
Barb's involvement in economic development and value of volunteers.
* Attended a breakfast hosted by Xcel Energy on September 18. An annual communication
event among leaders of the Becker, Big Lake, and Monticello.
* With the Council's decision to move forward with transferring the HRA powers and assets to
the EDA, an event for past HRA commissioners and others interested in recognizing their
accomplishments and the end of an era in the City's history is being planned. The City Council
adopted a resolution declaring the need for an HRA in November, 1970.
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September 17t" 2007
Dear Mrs. Koropchak
Sunny Fresh Foods is a very proud member of the Monticello community. We
believe that working together; we have created an environment where Monticello, its
residents and Sunny Fresh have each benefited. We wanted to share some
important news for us -- and we believe the community and its residents.
Sunny Fresh is changing its name to Cargill Kitchen Solutions. This name change
will be official on 9/4/07... but you may see some evidence or activities relating to this
change beforehand.
Sunny Fresh was not sold, was not combined into another business, and has not
changed its management or any of its primary activities. We are simply realigning
our name to better fit within our parent organization -Cargill, Incorporated; and
positioning our business to better align to the needs of our customers. We are
changing our name to make our company even stronger!
Of course, you will see some change of signage at the plants, on our trucks...and
you may even see our stakeholders wearing some new'apparel with a different
name and logo on it. But you can rest assured; our people, our activities and our
commitment to the Monticello community remain as firm as always.
We look forward to a bright future working together - to the benefit of all.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely
Tim Sarracco
Plant Manager
Monticello, Minnesota
Cargill Kitchen Solutions Tel 763-271-5600
206 West Fourth Street Tel 800-247-5797 N"'°°°~
Qu~tliey
Monticello, MN 55362 Fax 763-271-5711 Aw~1z~{
www.cargillkitchensolutions.com ~"~
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AGENDA
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, October 2°d, 2007
6:00 PM
Commissioners: Rod Dragsten, Charlotte Gabler, Lloyd Hilgart, William Spartz, and
Barry Voight
Council Liaison: Brian Stumpf
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Staff: Angela Schumann, Gary Anderson, Kimberly Holien and Steve Grittman - NAC
Call to order.
2. Approval of the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of September 4`", 2007.
Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
4. Citizen comments.
Continued Public Hearing -Consideration of a request for Preliminary Plat for the proposed River
City Station, a commercial plat in a B-3 (Highway Business) District, and a request for rezoning from
B-3 (Highway Business) to B-4 (Regional Business).
Applicant: Chelsea Road, LLC
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6. Continued Public Hearing -Consideration of a request for Conditional Use Permit for Open and
Outdoor Storage in a B-3 (Highway Business) District.
Applicant: Olson Property Management
7. Public Hearing - Consideration of a request for Preliminary Plat and Concept and Development Stage
PUD for Quad Development, a commercial plat in a B-4 (Regional Business) District.
Applicant: Quad Development
Consideration to review an update regarding illumination of downtown signs.
Adjourn.
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