IEDC Minutes - 6/6/2023INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
MINUTES
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
7:00 a.m. at Monticello Community Center
Members Present: Chairperson Sarah Kortmansky, Vice Chairperson Luke Dahlheimer, Tracy
Hinz, Jarred Merchant, Eric Olson, Joni Pawelk, Corey Ritter, Darek Vetsch,
Kevin Steffensmeier, Andrew Tapper, Randy Skarphol
Members Absent: Wayne Elam, Ryan Schmitz, Rob Stark, Tony Velishek
Liaisons Present: Rachel Leonard, Jim Thares, Marcy Anderson, Jolene Foss
1. Call to Order
Chairperson Sarah Kortmansky called the regular meeting of the Monticello IEDC to
order at 7:04 a.m.
Approve Minutes:
LUKE DAHLHEIMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 2, 2023, REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES. COREY RITTER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
None
2. Regular Agenda
A. Consideration of Accepting resignation of Ryan Schmitz
None
B. Table Topic — Wright County Workforce Pathways Update
Jolene Foss, Wright County Economic Development Partnership Executive
Director, presented an update on the Wright County Pathways. MS Foss is
serving as Executive Director for 9 years.
WCEDP is a Non -Profit corporation. It is supported by local and county
govenrnments as well as area businesses.
The Wright County Economic Partnership (WECP) has been collaborating with
the Wright County Technical Center (WTC) and Central MN Jobs and Training
Services (CMJTS)/Career Force Center on the Workforce Pathways Initiative to
create long-term community through education, training, and collaboration.
The 4 main objectives are to create a database of major employers and add
manufacturers in Wright County, help citizens find jobs, connect existing assets
Wright County including the MCJTS, WCT, and regional schools.
MS Foss presented a resource on the Workforce Pathways website which helps
citizens and businesses navigate through different careers in Wright County.
There are 6 career fields and 4 different resources listed. Each selection will lead
you to a pathway of resources for education, training, and the current climate in
Wright County of that selection.
Upcoming training this summer includes Welding, EMR, and EMT.
3. Reports
a. Economic Development
i. Business Round Table
Jim Thares provided an update of the sub -committees' planning efforts.
The event is scheduled for September 14, 2023, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Location is Nordic Brewery. This event is informal with representatives
from the Initiative Foundation, MNDEED, WCEDP, and Mr. Thares as
Economic Development Manager will be there to answer questions and
present Financial Options for Small Businesses. Mr. Thares is asking for
assistance in getting the word out.
ii. Project Update
Mr. Thares presented updates on several projects.
• Block 52 Mixed Use Commercial -Residential Redevelopment —The
next building phase includes The roof, HVAC, Plumbing and
electrical.
The Business Subsidy component of the Purchase and TIF
Development Contract requires 53 new jobs to be created by the
development (by the new businesses that are located in the
building).
• Wiha Tools Warehouse Facility Development — Wiha broke
ground on it's new 74,000 square foot facility in early May. Site
excavation and grading is near completion and footings have been
poured.
An additional 21 FTE jobs are expected to be created in the phase
2 project increasing the total workforce at the facility to
approximately 142 +/-.
• Scooters Coffee Shop - Broke ground on May 251h
• Deephaven 3rd — West Metro Ophthalmology - This 10,000 square
foot building is on the corner of Chelsea and Cedar. West Metro
will be relocating from it's long time home at 504 Pone Street
(adjacent to Papa Murphy's).
• Sunny Days Therapy — Construction of the Sunny Day's Therapy
occupational and speech therapy facility is progressing and in the
final phase.
• Headwaters Villa Twin homes —This housing project is for ages 55
+. Currently, excavating and grading for infrastructure (utilities
and roads) is occurring as well as pad sites being prepped. The
placement of 10 units are planned to be completed by late July
with balance of the 50 units would be placed and finished
throughout the remainder of 2023.
• Headwaters Apartments — The 102 -unit apartment building for
ages 55 + is expected to begin in the fall of 2023 and progress
through the entirety of 2024.
• Monticello Lakes Apartments — This is a 2 building, 200 unit
apartment development is in the Pointes At Cedar (PAC) Master
Plan Planned Community District and is expected to begin
construction mid -summer.
iii. Prospects List
1. Mr. Thares highlighted the prospect list. During the past month five
hotel developers contacted the city regarding potential hotel
developments concepts. The 2020 Hotel Study results showed
Monticello needs hotel space of at least a hundred rooms.
2. One new prospect on the list Project Flower M&M — Conceptual
manufacturing
3. Continue to receive prospects from DEED for large projects.
iv. Planning Commission
Mr. Thares reviewed the Planning Commission 06/06/2023 Agenda. Prior
to the meeting there is a special joint workshop City Council/Planning
Commission, a concept review of a 100 unit multifamily home. Followed
by the regular meeting which includes 3 Public Hearings. The first for an
Accessory Structure Conditional Use Permit. The second for a Home
Occupation for Manufacturing. The third is an Amendment to the
Monticello 2040 Vision + Plan to add flexibility for industrial designation.
b. City Council
Rachel Leonard, City Administrator, highlighted a few items the council and staff
have been working on. Approved an Economic Impact Study Analysis for
BCOLAP, authorized the bidding process for the Downtown Project, approving a
Parks Needs Assessment, seeking federal funding for a new water treatment
facility, and continued planning the roll out of the LOST program.
c. Wright County Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP)
Jolene Foss, Wright County Economic Development Partnership Executive
Director, highlighted upcoming events:
• WCEDP Golf Open — September 13t", 10:00 a.m. Albion Ridge
• The BRE will be visiting Cargill to see how they are addressing the
demands of childcare.
d. Chamber of Commerce
Marcy Anderson, Chamber of Commerce Director, highlighted the upcoming
events including;
Walk and Roll June 11th
Art in the Park- July
Party in the Park —July 13
Royal Ambassadors Candidate and Sponsorship —June 20
The Golf Tournament was a success.
4. Next Meeting Reminder — Date: September 25, 2023
5. Adjournment (7:34 a.m.)
6. LUKE DAHLHEIMER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ERIC OLSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Recorder: Vicki Leerhoff
Approved: August 1, 2023
Attest:
Ja es Thares, Economic Development Manager