IEDC Minutes - 09/23/2023INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
MINUTES
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
7:00 a.m. at Monticello Community Center
Members Present: Chairperson Sarah Kortmansky, Vice Chairperson Luke Dahlheimer, Liz
Calpas, Eric Olson, Joni Pawelk, Darek Vetsch, Andrew Tapper, Randy
Skarphol, Rob Stark, Jared Merchant, Corry Ritter, Liz Kokesh
Members Absent: Wayne Elam, Kevin Steffensmeier, Tony Velishek
Liaisons Present: Rachel Leonard, Jim Thares, Marcy Anderson
Guests: Laurie Hanson, Jill Kedrowski
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 SEPTEMBER 5, 2023, REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES. ROB STARK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda:
Luke
2. Regular Agenda
A. Table Topic — School District Facilities and Programs Update
Eric Olson, Monticello School District Superintendent, introduced the STEM
program as a value not only to students but for industries by allowing students
to discover a variety of fields of study. Over the last 5 years they have received
grants for $3.2 million.
Jill Kedrowski presented synopses of the Monticello Middles School (MMS) STEM
Lab program. In 2022 the MMS repurposed an unused space to house the STEM
Lab program which provides students the opportunity for hands-on experience
in 18 fields of study. The most popular are Structural Engineering, Alternative
Energy, Dentistry, Biomedical Engineering and Sports Medicine.
The module format includes background knowledge, terminology, tools, hands-
on activities, and career research.
One example of a lab in one of the most popular fields, Sports Medicine, consists
of students' learning diagnostics, therapeutics, education and prevention of
injuries to athletes along with performing "spine boarding".
The STEM Lab program provides the opportunity to use tools in industry as well
as practicing technical writing, planning, calculating, and logical reasoning.
There is a great amount of positive feedback from parents and students.
MMS is welcoming and encouraging Support Partners and Sponsors including
mentoring, field experience, financial and item donations. It was also noted that
the 2024 Monticello High School Career Day is May 8, 2024. The presentation
handout is posted online.
Reports
a. Economic Development
i. IEDC Event Updates
• Business Roundtable Event — September 14
Mr. Thares reported the event was a successful initial event. There
were about 44 attendees with a nice opportunity to network.
Another roundtable is being discussed for 2024.
• Manufacturer's Appreciation Breakfast
October 12, 7:00-8:30 a.m. Roughly 150 invites were sent. Mr.
Thares is in the process of trying to schedule a tour of a local
manufacturing business.
ii. Prospects List Presented
• Ron Hackenmueller, Chief Building Official and Zoning
Administrator, and Mark Gerber, Building Inspector/Code
Enforcement, presented construction status of current projects
including Block 52, Wiha, West Metro Ophthalmology,
Headwaters Villa Townhomes and Apartments, and Monticello
Lakes.
• Childcare Contact
• 2 Large Industrial Contacts
iii. Planning Commission
Mr. Thares reviewed the Planning Commission 10/03/2023 agenda. Prior
to the meeting is a special joint meeting of the Planning Commission and
the City Council to review the Concept Stage Planned Unit Development
submittal for the proposed Public Works Building.
Mr. Thares also highlighted the scheduled Public Hearings.
• 2 separate Public hearing requesting of CUP for accessory
structures — residential
• Amendment to code Land Usage - off -Street Parking surfaces and
materials
• CUP for Cross/Joint Parking Easement in the Riverfront sub-
district
• Amendment to code Land Usage — Public Uses
• Amendment to code Land Usage — Native Landscapes
b. City Council
Rachel Leonard, City Administrator, presented current projects and actions of
the City Council including interviews of Construction Managers process update
and the Preliminary 2024 Levy was passed.
c. Wright County Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP)
Mr. Thares noted that Jolene Foss, WCEDP Executive Director, provided a written
summary of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership's activities.
d. Chamber of Commerce
Marcy Anderson, Chamber of Commerce Director gave an update for the
Chamber. The Puzzelpalooza event was a huge success.
Due to downtown construction activities, cancelation of the Downtown
Halloween event is a strong possibility.
3. Next Meeting Reminder — Date: November 6, 2023
4. Adjournment (8:03 a.m.)
DAREK VETSCH MOVED TO ADJOURN. ANDREW TAPPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
MEETING ADJOURNED.