EDA Minutes 06-11-2014MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, June 11, 2014, - 6 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Bill Tapper, Tracy Hinz, Tom Perrault, Brian Stumpf
Absent: Bill Demeules, Matt Frie, Rod Dragsten
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Wayne Oberg, Angela Schumann
1. Call to Order
Bill Tapper called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes — May 15t}', 2014
The minutes for the May 15`h, 2014 meeting were not yet available for consideration.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
• Bertram Park
• Marketing in Monticello
4. Consideration of approving payment of bills
Bill Tapper asked about the following issues:
• Pizza Factory Relocation Expenses: Angela Schumann will contact Dan Wilson to
confirm final billing. She reminded the EDA of the time delay involved between
when expenses are incurred and when bills are presented for review.
• Utility Shut Offs: Water and Sewer Superintendent Matt Theisen conducted building
walk - throughs and arranged for utility shut offs as appropriate. Reduced utility costs
will be reflected in the billing. The electricity is still connected at Monticello Liquors.
• Sheet Metal Company Expenses: The HVAC system was divided so that only the part
of the building still occupied would be utilizing utility service.
• Legal Cost Recovery: Jeff O'Neill will request that Shafer Construction reimburse the
City for legal costs associated with accommodating their request to use city right of
way as part of the I -94 reconstruction project. O'Neill suggested that legal cost
recovery will be a consideration, as appropriate, in future.
• Consulting Costs: Expenses related to active relocations have been paid. There may
occasionally be additional expenses as staff sometimes consult with Dan Wilson.
Brian Stumpf said he thought that electricity would have been shut off already at the
Monticello Liquors property. Wayne Oberg explained that the contract had allowed the
previous owners to access the property for 60 days after the closing date (April 15") but
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that he'd extended that until the end of the month so that they could make arrangements
to remove the remaining equipment. Stumpf also asked about access to the building.
Oberg explained that the key is picked up and dropped at the DMV but that it wouldn't
be an issue to arrange for an escort to the property.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE PAYMENT OF BILLS THROUGH
MAY 2014 IN THE AMOUNT OF $111,458.15. TRACY HINZ SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -0.
5. Consideration to review Market Matching services to date and to request an
amended/updated contract with WSB & Associates for Market Matching Economic
Development Services
Angela Schumann recapped the scope of services included in the current Market
Matching contract and reported on the status of key deliverables over the past year. As
the contract is due to expire at the end of June, Schumann asked that the EDA provide
feedback relating to the existing contract and direction in regard to the option of
extending the contract for another year.
Schumann pointed out that both City staff and WSB consultants had learned much in the
past year about what works and what can be improved as it relates to the economic
development services contract. External sales efforts of the Market Matching team have
far exceeded what staff would be able to achieve with internal resources. O'Neill said
that, although it is difficult to point to a direct result, the Market Matching contract has
enabled good exposure and increased the odds of developing prospects.
The City has been able to respond quickly to potential leads from multiple sources and
markets with site specific materials developed by the Market Matching team. Once the
team had identified Monticello's Unique Selling Proposition (USP), it became clear that
the collateral materials would need to be revised to incorporate the USP to most
effectively market the city. The USP brands Monticello as a technology forward, amenity
rich destination for innovation.
Schumann indicated that this past year has been about building a mutual understanding of
needs and capabilities and laying the groundwork. Some deliverables (like the
Opportunity Tracking effort) have been completed and some are still in process as
economic development needs are clarified. Schumann expressed confidence that WSB
would meet Monticello's needs and recommended revising the contract to address the
following:
Revision/completion of the original contract's remaining tangible deliverables
within the first 45 days of the new contract
Coordinate EDA/City Negotiations Team work on City -held properties to
determine sale disposition and representation; produce sale pieces; develop and
present recommended sales strategy
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• Increase in sales /lead activity filling in the "gap" after deliverable
creation/deployment
• Assistance with financial package preparation in consultation with staff,
policymakers and financial consultant.
• Continue to identify and assist in realizing potential economic development
opportunities — land acquisition, financial incentive ideas, etc.
• Consistent integration of USP throughout all efforts
• Economic development website postings and management
• Dedicated focus on news release and development of economic
development/business features for City communication outlets
• Manage and report on SalesForce CRM
Tracy Hinz acknowledged that staff has done a tremendous amount of work and
suggested that WSB take more initiative to demonstrate accountability and make
themselves more available to the EDA.
Brian Stumpf and Bill Tapper indicated that they would find it useful to have more
details about Market Matching activities. O'Neill offered to share progress reports on a
more frequent basis.
There seemed to be a general agreement among commissioners that it is too soon to tell
whether or not Market Matching has made a significant impact on economic
development. Bill Tapper suggested that evaluating the concept if nothing concrete is
evident after two years.
Brian Stumpf asked how many other communities had contracted with WSB for Market
Matching services. Schumann agreed to find out.
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH WSB MARKET
MATCHING TO PREPARE A NEW 12 -MONTH CONTRACT FOR MARKET
MATCHING SERVICES FOR CONSIDERATION AT A JOINT EDA/CITY
COUNCIL MEETING ON JULY 14TH, 2014, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDED
CONTRACT AMENDMENTS AS NOTED BY STAFF, THE EDA AND THE CITY
COUNCIL. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -0.
6. Items Added to the Agenda
Bertram Park - Bill Tapper said that he'd recently toured the Bertram Chain of Lakes
Regional Park with the IEDC and had found that the property had not changed in 40
years. He congratulated the City Council for having the vision and fortitude to preserve
the land for generations to come rather than allow high end housing development. He
feels that the park benefits the entire community and will attract visitors to Monticello.
Tom Perrault suggested that the City is missing an economic development opportunity
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by choosing not to locate higher end housing in that area. He asked who'd pay for the
road through the northern portion of the park. Jeff O'Neill noted that, because the City
used Legacy grant funding to assist with land acquisition costs, the road through the
park is no longer a possibility. He said that the park is an irreplaceable amenity and
suggested that there are other options for upscale development in the area. Perrault
pointed out that the City would still have to maintain the property.
• Marketing in Monticello - Bill Tapper said he'd support a marketing effort to bring
back business to Monticello after the freeway reconstruction project has been
completed. He also pointed to examples of how small communities have established
events that regularly draws crowds on weekday evenings and suggested that Monticello
identify opportunities to attract attention. Angela Schumann indicated that there had
been some consideration of packaging some of the many events already scheduled as a
single identity such as a riverfront series. She agreed to encourage further discussion
of this idea with folks at the Monticello Community Center and ReSTOREing
Downtown.
7. Consideration of the Director's Report
There was no discussion related to items summarized in the Director's Report.
8. Adiournment
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:47 P.M. TRACY
HINZ SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -0.
Recorder: Kerry Burn
Approved: July 11 2.014
Attest:
EDA Rerosotive
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