EDA Minutes 01-11-2012MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - 6:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: President Bill Demeules, Treasurer Bill Tapper, Tracy Hinz, Matt Frie,
and Council Members Tom Perrault and Brian Stumpf
Staff. Executive Director Megan Barnett- Livgard, Finance Director Tom Kelly, City
Administrator Jeff O'Neill
Other: Jim McComb
1. Call to Order
Bill Demeules called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
2. Approve Meeting Minutes
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 14, 2011 EDA MINUTES.
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0. (Bill
Demeules abstained.)
3. Consideration of additional agenda items None
4. Approval of EDA Invoices
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 2012 INVOICES. MOTION
WAS SECONDED BY TRACY HINZ. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
5. Consideration of approving allocating marketing dollars for a 2012 MNCAR
Sponsorship
The City has been a member of the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors
( MNCAR) for two years. This association allows Monticello to actively network with
commercial brokers at many events throughout the year. City involvement has resulted in
several broker contacts. Staff recently became aware of a sponsorship opportunity through
MNCAR which would provide more consistent and continual exposure to commercial
brokers who are well connected to decision makers. Sponsorship would cost $3,500 for
2012. There are marketing dollars are available in the EDA budget. Staff agreed to
determine if there are any less costly sponsorship levels available.
MATT FRIE MOVED TO APPROVE ALLOCATING $3,500 OF THE 2012 EDA
MARKETING BUDGET FOR 2012 MNCAR SPONSORSHIP. MOTION WAS
SECONDED BY BILL TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
Economic Development Authority Minutes 1/11/12
6. _Discuss authorizing appropriate consultants to assist in implementing the Embracing
Downtown Plan
Staff has been working with Jim McComb and Janna King to determine the best approach
to continue to solicit their consulting services to most efficiently and effectively implement
the Embracing Downtown Plan. It is important to evaluate the long term benefit of working
with experts at the forefront of the implementation process.
Staff briefly outlined Janna King's proposal for establishing and working with a
Downtown Leadership Team and assisting with the overall marketing of downtown. This
role would be key to crafting a strong level of trust among downtown stakeholders and
building the momentum needed to successfully market the project throughout the
community. There were some questions about the tasks involved in this implementation
phase, the cost, and the importance of reassessing the proposed contract after a certain
period of time.
Jim McComb described how his experience in retail and commercial development and
expertise in negotiating financial packages would help to determine the parking lot fee for
the downtown so that the City doesn't overpay for improvements. He indicated that the
parking fee will factor into how proposals are structured for department stores, grocery
stores, and other businesses. He also stated that it would be his role to help the municipality
and the retail entity speak the same language in terms of moving forward with development
of the downtown. He would make continued contacts with commercial realtors to bring in
anchor stores and work with existing city businesses to ensure that they are located
appropriately for their market. He has been assisting Ace Hardware with a plan for
relocation. Staff summarized that continued coordination with Jim McComb would likely
result in reduced projects costs, fewer surprises, and more direct access to end users.
There was some discussion about the importance of bringing a recommendation to City
Council prior to moving forward with EDA approval of these contracts. Tom Perrault
noted that the contract periods proposed would need be adjusted.
MOTION BY BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE ENTERING INTO A SIX
MONTH CONTRACT WITH JIM MCCOMB AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $35,000
AND A 6 MONTH CONTRACT WITH JANNA KING AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED
$25,000 PENDING REVIEW BY THE CITY COUNCIL. MOTION WAS SECONDED
BY MATT FRIE. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
Both Bill Demeules and Matt Frie noted the importance of following through with a plan
for implementation.
Economic Development Authority Minutes 1/11/12
Director Report
Greater MSP is getting the word out about Monticello. Staff received several inquiries
about key projects and has submitted proposals for properties which meet inquiry
specifications.
The annual EDA meeting is scheduled for next month. The meeting will involve the
appointment of officers, review of TIF funds, an update of the TIF management plan, and a
review of GMEF loan funds. Staff would like the EDA to consider utilizing EDA General
Funds to create a Downtown Revitalization Fund as a tool for implementing the Embracing
Downtown vision. The EDA will also be asked to consider establishing a New Business
Start Up Fund. Staff has initiated preliminary conversations with Kennedy & Graven to
consider guidelines for this type of fund. Bill Demeules noted that the Small Business
Administration has a micro loan program which might also provide some guidelines.
Staff will be discussing the opportunity to develop a city wide branding campaign.
The City Council will hold a workshop on January 23d to talk about the future organization
structure of the EDA. The EDA had some specific questions about which changes might be
made. Jeff O'Neill invited EDA members to feel free to stop in to talk with him at any time.
8. Adjournment
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:42 PM. MOTION WAS
SECONDED BY BRIAN STUMPF. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
Recorder:
Approved:
Attest:
Kerry T. Burn im