IEDC Minutes 09-06-2016MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, September 6th 2016 — 7:00 a.m.
Boom Island Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Steve Johnson, Joni Pawelk, Wayne Elam, Luke Dahlheimer, Dick Van Allen, Don
Roberts, Darek Vetsch, 011ie Koropchak - White, Jason Kisner, Mari Lou McCormic,
Andrew Tapper, Pete Gardner
Absent: Don Tomann, Jim Johnson
Other: Jeff O'Neill, Jim Thares, Jacob Thunander, Marcy Anderson, Dave Tomber
1. Call to Order
Steve Johnson called the meeting to order at 7 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
a. August 2, 2016
OLLIE KOROPCHAK MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE
AUGUST 2ND, 2016 IEDC MEETING. DICK VAN ALLEN SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 12 -0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
None.
4. Reports: (Verbal Reports)
a. Economic Development Report
Jim Thares provided the economic development report by first explaining the
Dahlheimer Beverage expansion project. The project is to expand the facility
97,150 square feet with the creation of five new jobs following the expansion.
Thares then explained about a small area study that will be completed for the
downtown area; Blocks 34 and 52, among others, will be included in the study.
He noted that Block 34 has environmental contamination issues and is in the
process of a study and assessment.
Thares also mentioned residential land sales were approved at two locations: 413
West 4a' Street and 1022 West River Street. The EDA also approved the sale of
349 West Broadway to We Thrive Fitness. The closing of all three properties
should occur over the coming months.
b. Planning Commission Agenda — Report
i. Interviews for vacant P.C. position on Sept. 6, 2016
Jim Thares provided an update on behalf of the Planning Commission. Thares
stated two public hearings will be held including: the Monticello High School
Campus additions and a request for amendment to the Monticello Zoning
Ordinance pertaining to native landscapes.
A special meeting will also be held prior to the regularly scheduled meeting to
conduct interviews for the Planning Commission.
c. City Council
Jeff O'Neill summarized the City Council meetings held on August 8th and
August 22"a
The Hwy. 25 Coalition has agreed to allocate $150,000 to study Highway 10 and
Interstate 94 for river crossing improvements. A request for proposal will be
advertised soon. O'Neill also stated that the City of Monticello's Northwest
Corridor River Crossing will be on hold until the best point of crossing can be
determined.
O'Neill then mentioned the City Council authorized a facility needs study for the
Monticello Fire Department.
He also explained the overpass along Fallon Avenue near St. Henry's Catholic
Church is moving along.
O'Neill encouraged IEDC members to visit the Bertram Chain of Lakes. He noted
that irrigation was a concern, but with the amount of rain that has occurred, the
area with the new grass is healthy and off to a nice start.
Lastly, he mentioned that IRET Apartments have completed the first phase of
construction and are filling up with tenants.
d. Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Marcy Anderson provided an updated on behalf of the Monticello Chamber of
Commerce and Industry. She noted they are preparing for the 2016 Chamber
Downtown Trick or Treat Event, which is scheduled for October 27th, 2016.
Anderson then stated the Chamber Lunch will be held on September 20th and
participants will be hearing from Wright County Law Enforcement. In the past,
this event has had high attendance.
Anderson also stated Hybrid Martial Arts LLC has joined the Chamber.
Consideration of allowing limited outside storage in Otter Creek Business Park
Jim Thares provided background on allowing outdoor storage in Otter Creek Business
Park. Currently, the park has restrictive covenants prohibiting outdoor storage. The EDA
directed staff to seek feedback from the IEDC regarding their support/concerns for the
possibility of allowing limited amounts of outside storage in the covenants.
The consideration stems from a request by Groebner, Inc. to explore the possibility of
building a new facility in Otter Creek Business Park, if they can obtain permission for
limited outside storage. The concern is balancing the concept of being more flexible and
allowing outside storage versus the original vision of a Park featuring complete
restrictions against outside storage.
Don Roberts expressed support for flexing the covenants and felt a few of the
recommendations were in need of review for the degree of restrictiveness. He
encouraged staff to review some of these standards.
DON ROBERTS MOVED TO SUPPORT THE EDA IN RECOMMENDING THE
CITY COUNCIL ADOPT RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS THAT WILL ALLOW
OUTSIDE STORAGE OF UP TO 50 PERCENT, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING
THAT CITY STAFF WILL FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE STANDARDS SET
FORTH IN EXHIBIT A (OUTDOOR STORAGE — POSSIBLE STANDARDS)
REPORT. ANDREW TAPPER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 12-
0.
6. Consideration of an update regarding 2016 City Construction Proiects (Verbal
Report)
Jim Thares noted the IRET Apartments and Aspen Dental construction continues to
progress. He responded to questions about Mills Fleet Farm's construction start date
indicating that it is currently in Mill's control and they have previously indicated that
they want to be in the ground yet this fall and be open by the 2017 Fishing opener (early
May, 2017).
Thares also stated Sherburne State Bank is proposing developing a new bank on the lot
just north of the Pizza Ranch. This proposal will be brought forward at the October
Planning Commission Meeting.
7. Industry of the Year Planning Update — Note a 2nd IEDC Meeting to be held on
Sept. 26
Jacob Thunander updated the IEDC on the progress of the 2016 Industry of the Year. He
noted that nominations were due on September 1st, 2016. The City received nominations
for JME, Vector Tool Manufacturing, and WSI. The IEDC subcommittee is currently
waiting to receive written surveys from each of the businesses and will be scheduling
tours for the IEDC members to participate in.
The Industry of the Year event is scheduled for October 5", 2016 at 7 a.m. in the
Mississippi Room of the Monticello Community Center.
Steve Johnson called for a special meeting to be scheduled on September 26th at 7 a.m.
This meeting will be to vote for the 2016 Industry of the Year finalist.
Consideration of a report regarding Wright County Minnesota Cities Participation
Program - First Time Homebuyer Lending Program (Verbal Report)
Jim Thares discussed the Minnesota Cities Participation Program (MCPP) as it relates to
Wright County. He noted MCPP is both a program and a funding source for first -time
homebuyers. The MCPP is administered by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. For
2016, Wright County received an allocation of $2,262,463 and has exceeded this amount
by $1,681,977. The oversubscribing by Wright County (23 loans as of 7 -31 -2016) is not
an issue as MHFA uses other available funds to continue to make the loans to borrowers
(the program has changed from the past years, so in effect it does not run short of
funding). Their niche market is low and moderate income households wanting to
purchase their first homes. The first point of contact is through the local financial
institutions in the community. That can be found on the MHFA website via a zip code
search or by calling the local financial institutions.
Mari Lou McCormic mentioned that RiverWood Bank participates in the program and
she is involved in teaching the first -time home -buyer classes sponsored by Wright
County Community Action (WCCA). Unfortunately, due to a lack of participation,
several recent sessions have been cancelled. It was asked if the City of Monticello could
place the information on the City newsletter or its website to help market the program.
Jeff O'Neill stated the City would be willing to do that.
9. Adiournment
DICK VAN ALLEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:11 P.M. DON
ROBERTS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 15 -0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander
Approved: October 4, 2016
Attest: �G�w
6Ti,�` h ares, Economic Development Director