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IDC Minutes 01-08-2008MINUTES MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - 7:00 a.m. Bridge Room, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mike Benedetto, Vice Chair Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Don Roberts, Dan Olson, Barb Schwientek, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, and Zona Gutzwiller. MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Johnson, Don Tomann, Patrick Thompson, and Sandy Suchy. COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: Council Member Wayne Mayer. STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak, Jeff O'Neill, and Angela Schumann. LEGAL FIRM REPRESENTATIONJoeI Jamnik, Campbell-Knutson Law Firm. 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.) IDC Chair Mike Benedetto called the IDC meeting to order at 7:07 a.m. declaring a quorum and welcomed Attorney Joel Jamnik. 2. Vote to approve the December 4 2007 IDC minutes BILL TAPPER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 4, 2007 IDC MINUTES. DON ROBERTS SECONDED THE MOTION AND WITH NO CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS, THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. 3. Old Business: A. Review the summary and strengths/weaknesses for the purpose to discuss and vote on the proposed three organizational structure options for the Monticello IDC B. • DOES THE CITY SEE A NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IDC)? THE IDC DESIRES THE CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR IDC Minutes - 01/08/08 City Administrator Jeff O'Neill stated the Council wants the involvement of the IDC and the three options outlined allows for the IDC to select or determine which option -what does the IDC want? O'Neill presented Option I (see attachment) noting with the reconstituted EDA consisting of seven members including two council members, the IDC would serve under the EDA. This option would strengthen both the EDA and IDC with some loss of confidentiality due to the open meeting law. O'Neill presented Option II (see attachment) noting the IDC would operate as a separate group except there would be an agreement between the City and IDC. The agreement would give some sense of formalization between the City and IDC while providing the City with documentation for the purpose of a legal compliance check (State Auditor). The documentation would include: how the IDC relates to economic development and its public purpose. According to O'Neill, this option appears to be the best of both worlds. Option III (see attachment) retains the current IDC structure which is to operate independently as a public action group. Strengths and weaknesses of each option were identified. Chair Benedetto opened up discussion among the IDC members relative to the three options. Van Allen asked: Who defines the agreement and the charge and mission of the IDC under Option II? How much support does the IDC get? The IDC gets the negotiation power and • staff expects to attend and support the IDC. Schwientek suggested athree-year perpetuating, one-page agreement to be reviewed periodically at the IDC annual meeting. Olson asked if the current IDC mission statement fits? Will the agreement work with the Council and EDA? Perhaps the word: "advisory" should be added to the charge of the IDC. In response to the question, if the Comp Plan would be referenced in the agreement; Attorney Jamnik stated it could show a link between the organization and its recognition of the Comp Plan. Benedetto noted the charge of the IDC as an "advisory board." The committee continued to look at the legal points for negotiation. Appointment of committee members by the Council formalizes or legitimizes governing of the board in such cases of misbehavior which is rare stated Attorney Jamnik. Indemnification of IDC members under Option II is consistent with the appointment by Council of other commission members. Members of the IDC should not be restricted to residency of the City and it was suggested the IDC nominate its members. Open meeting law: Regular meetings are open to the public. With the greater number of IDC members, the likelihood of a quorum and anon-noticed meeting is highly unlikely. Special meetings must be noticed three working days prior to the meeting date. IDC records become public or open documents. Posting of IDC minutes and membership on the city web site are negotiable items. If the IDC is not interested in compliance of the open meeting law then Option III is more likely noted Jamnik. • 2 IDC Minutes - 01/08/08 DON ROBERTS MADE A MOTION OF NO INTEREST OR TO ELIMINATE THE STRUCTURE IDENTIFIED IN OPTION I: THE IDC TO SERVE UNDER THE EDA. BILL TAPPER SECONDED THE MOTION AND WITH NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION CARRIED. BILL TAPPER MADE A MOTION OF NO INTEREST OR TO ELIMINATE THE STRUCTURE IDENTIFIED IN OPTION III: THE IDC TO OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY AS A PUBLIC ACTION GROUP. BARB SCHWIENTEK SECONDED THE MOTION stating the IDC would die without the support of Ollie and the Council. She was not in favor offend-raising and felt indemnification was important. Although Don Robert agreed with Schwientek's points, he felt based on his experience that separate committees, independent and supported by cities, and self-funded were far more effective and suggested the IDC explore formation as an independent group. Dick Van Allen agreed with Roberts noting the importance of the IDC to voice (lobby) an opinion as an advocate for the industrial businesses and developers. Koropchak noted organizational structures like the St. Cloud Economic Development Partnership, Wright County Partnership and others who through membership dues advocate for business retention and expansion, lobby legislators, and promote industrial development efforts. Van Allen noted the pro-business climate in Big Lake with astream-line and aggressive approach to economic development. Schwientek noted the support of the community in the recent development of the new clinic in Big Lake and the willingness of the city to use tax abatement. WITH NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION CARRIED. VOTE 6-2. ROBERTS AND VAN ALLEN OPPOSED. BILL TAPPER MADE A MOTION CREATING A SUBCOMMITTEE OF BENEDETTO, DAHL-FLEMING, ROBERTS, AND VAN ALLEN ALONG WITH KOROPCHAK TO DRAFT AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE IDC AND CITY BASED ON DISCUSSION AND SUPPORT FOR OPTION II: THE IDC TO OPERATE AS A SEPARATE GROUP (SIMILAR AS TODAY). DICK VAN ALLEN SECONDED THE MOTION AND WITH NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Jamnik stated he would draft a form as a resolution for the subcommittee. The subcommittee scheduled an independent meeting for Tuesday, January 15, at 8:00 a.m. The goal for IDC approval February 5 and the Council approval February 11, 2008. 4. New Business: A. Update on the proQxess to upgrade the electrical substation at Lake Pulaski near Buffalo which serves Oakwood Industrial Park/Monticello Commerce Center. (Rescheduled for February meeting.) B. Presentation of 2007 IDC membership and terms -discuss re-appointments of three- year term. Koropchak noted the three-year term of Benedetto, Roberts, Dahl- Fleming, and Gutzwiller expired December 2007. All four members agreed to serve another three-year term. Chair Benedetto read a letter of resignation from Mary Barger. Given Mary's resignation, Koropchak noted three positions in the area of 3 IDC Minutes - 01/08/08 manufacturer, health care, and service are open. Koropchak informed members of a call from the hospital and the interest by the new hospital administrator. Since the IDC represents industry and manufacturers, the members encouraged recruitment of an industrial leader and stressed the importance of the 75% attendance requirement. Koropchak was directed to proceed in recruitment of a hospital representative and others for possible IDC membership. 5. Reports: A. Economic Development Report. In addition to the written report, Koropchak informed members of the upcoming Comp Plan Update Open House, on Wednesday, January 30, 5-8:00 p.m. in the Mississippi Room. Also, the EDA and City Council are holding a joint workshop on TIF 101 and Development/Purchase Contracts on Wednesday, January 16. 6. Review the draft cony of the January 2.2008 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessarX. Not applicable, due to IDC change of meetin d The Planning Commission meeting cycle was held prior to the IDC meeting for the month of January. 7. Other Business. A. Next IDC meeting -Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Benedetto and Schwientek noted they would not be present at the February meeting. B. Other business. None. 8. Adjournment. The IDC meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m. by a consensus of its membership. Ollie Koropchak, Recorder • 4