IEDC Meeting Minutes - 03/04/2025MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
March 4, 2025
7:00 a.m. at Monticello Community Center
Members: Chairperson Jarred Merchant, Vice Chairperson Mike Huey, Luke Dahlheimer, Shawn
Hafen, City Council Member Charlotte Gabler, Aaron Holthaus, Liz Kokesh, Sarah
Kortmansky, Sonja McElroy, Joni Pawelk, Cory Ritter, Rob Stark, Darek Vetsch, Andrew
Tapper, Tony Velishek
Absent: Eric Olson
Liaisons: Rachel Leonard, Angela Schumann, Jim Thares, Missy Meidinger, Deb Meyer,
Dave Tombers, Tim Zipoy
1. General Business
A. Call to Order
Chairperson Jarred Merchant called the regular meeting of the Monticello IEDC to order
at 7:00 a.m.
B. Roll Call
C. Approve Minutes
ANDREW TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 7, 2025, REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES. ROB STARK SECONDED MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
D. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
Mr. Thares informed the IEDC that Randy Skarphol submitted his resignation. He then
introduced Greg Schultz who is visiting as a guest today with intent to apply to fill the
IEDC seat that has been held Randy Skarphol. Mr. Schultz provided a brief history on his
background in banking and how he came to Monticello over 20 years ago.
Members then discussed the resignation of Randy Skarphol.
JONI PAWELK MOTIONED TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF RANDY SKARPHOL,
SECONDED BY DAREK VETSCH. MOTION CARRIED, UNANIMOUSLY.
JONI PAWELK MOTIONED TO APPROVE GREG SHULTZ AS A MEMBER OF THE IEDC.
SECONDED BY ANDREW TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED, UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Regular Agenda
A. Table Topic — PFAS Pollution Management Plan
City Engineer Matt Leonard gave an overview on PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances, a group of synthetic chemicals used to make products resistant to heat,
stains, grease, and water, and the effects on City sewer and water systems. A
presentation on PFAS Pollution Management Plan provided background information,
testing conducted at the wastewater treatment facility by means of categorizing
sampling results, sources of PFAS and the state Amara's Law for mitigation to change in
IEDC Meeting Minutes — 03/04/2025
2025. Mr. Leonard presented various reduction strategies for industrial, commercial,
and businesses within the City and how to best educate residents on PFAS, starting in
the summer of 2025 for public education. The summer/fall 2025 is earmarked to meet
with businesses, with additional PFAS testing slated for summer of 2026. Drinking water
testing results from the 40 different types of PFAS compounds captured a short chain
PFAS compounds were found in the drinking water system at trace levels, 90% below
the threshold levels requiring treatment.
3. Liaison Updates
A. Wright County Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP)
Darek Vetsch, County Commissioner, District 2, provided an overview of WCEDP
activities as well as a Wright County update.
B. Chamber of Commerce
Deb Meyer, Monticello Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, provided a brief
overview of recent and upcoming Chamber events.
C. Economic Development
Mr. Thares presented updates on the following economic development activities.
• Project Update
• Prospect List
• Planning Commission Agenda (March 4, 2025)
He noted several prospects that are actively searching for development sites or are in
the early pre -development action steps.
D. City Council Update
Rachel Leonard provided an update of the recent City Council activities.
• School Boulevard Improvements project awarded to OMG Midwest. Construction
expected to begin in late spring with estimated completion in early fall. Approved
joining the Coalition of Greater MN Cities.
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for the former General Rental property —
Rockstone will be establishing a vehicle sales business on the site.
• Approved use of a $30,000 grant from the IIJA Grants Technical Assistance
Program to review the City's Federal Roadway Classification System. This will
identify additional corridors that would qualify for the classification, opening up
additional funding support sources.
• Approved preliminary engineering for the future Fallon Ave Improvements project
between Chelsea Road and Fallon Drive. Improvements are expected to include
reconstructing the roadway from rural to an urban section with curb, gutter,
sidewalk, trail, etc. as well as installation of trunk water and sewer main
extensions.
• Approved development stage PUD and preliminary plat for the Meadowbrook
IEDC Meeting Minutes — 03/04/2025
neighborhood. This was originally part of the Hunter's Crossing neighborhood, but
it was never finished. The proposed neighborhood will include single-family homes
with a mix of detached single family and attached town homes. This is one of
several neighborhoods proposed in the southern part of the city: we're
anticipating 300-500 residential units/homes in phases over the next 5 years.
• Held a workshop about Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Athletic Park to confirm
current status and preliminary conversations about the use of upcoming sales tax
revenue. Also approved the design of pickleball courts as an initial improvement
with the tax revenue.
• City Council approved amendments to the Comprehensive Plan including a text
amendment to clarify the appropriate land use guidance for data centers. Text
amendment was adopted to establish allowing data centers in the Light Industrial
Park designation. Updates to the zoning code will be a future complementary
consideration. Additionally, a map amendment for land previously guided as
"development reserve." The map amendment creates consistent guidance for the
entire proposed development.
• City of Monticello has a bonding bill legislation requesting an additional $10
million for the construction of a water treatment plant as well as a bill requesting a
sales tax exemption on construction materials.
Members asked numerous questions about the processes and studies that are
connected to the concept data center.
4. Next Meeting Reminder— Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, as per new meeting schedule.
5. Adiournment
Meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:17 a.m.
Recorder: Anne Muelle
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Approved: May 6, 2025
Attest: '�Yv
Ji OThaes, Executive Director of the EDA