IEDC Minutes 09-26-2017MINUTES
ENDUSTRAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMM➢TTEE (UEDC)
Tuesday, September 26th 2017 — 7:00 a.m.
Boom Island Room, Monticello Community Center
Members Present: Darek Vetsch, Steve Johnson, Joni Pawelk, Wayne Elam, Dick Van Allen, 011ie
Koropchak-White, Jason Kisner, Andrew Tapper, Kevin Steffensmeier, Mike
Carr
Members Absent: Luke Dahlheimer, Don Roberts, Pete Gardner
Liaisons: Brian Stumpf, Jeff O'Neill, Jim Thares, Jacob Thunander, Marcy Anderson, Dave
Tombers
1. Call to Order
Darek Vetsch called the meeting of the IEDC to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
a. August 1St, 2017 (revised).
JONI PAWELK MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 1sT, 2017 (REVISED)
MEETING MINUTES WITH REVISIONS PER BRIAN STUMPF. OLLIE
KOROPCHAK-WHITE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 9-
0.
b. September 5th, 2017
STEVE JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2017
MEETING MINUTES. JONI PAWELK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED, 9-0.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
None.
4. Consideration of acceptance of Pete Gardner's (Xcel Energy, Inc.) resignation and
recommendation of appointment of Christopher Church, Xcel Enerav, as new
IEDC Member
WAYNE ELAM MOVED TO ACCEPT PETE GARDNER'S RESIGNATION FROM
THE IEDC. STEVE JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 9-
0.
OLLIE KOROPCHAK-WHITE MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL
THE APPOINTMENT OF CHRISTOPHER CHURCH TO THE IEDC BOARD.
STEVE JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 9-0.
5. Consideration of recommending appointment of Joe Hannmer to the IEDC
Dick Van Allen joined the meeting.
Jim Thares stated that the vacant position was previously held by Don Tomann from
UMC. The position has been open for several months.
WAYNE ELAM MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL THE
APPOINTMENT OF JOE HAMMER TO THE IEDC BOARD. ANDREW TAPPER
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 10-0.
6. Reports (Verbal Reports):
a. Economic Development
Jim Thares provided the Economic Development report, which included the
following updates:
• Project Novus: The City is waiting for more information to be provided.
• MN DEED Prospect: They are still interested in Monticello.
• Proiect 6580: The City is waiting for more information. It is the intent to
reconnect with the prospect and provide financing options for a 100,000
square foot manufacturing facility.
• Barry Fluth: Fluth will ask for consideration at the October EDA meeting
to extend the timeline of the Landmark Square project. The project would
be geared towards senior housing. Thares added that WSB and Associates
would be presenting the housing plan during the November IEDC
meeting.
• Rand House: Staff sat down with an interested party regarding a concept
plan to redevelop an area near the Rand House.
• Xcel Energy: Thares added that he is working on getting the Xcel Energy
Preferred Partnership Site paperwork completed for the old golf course
area (currently outside of the city limits). Joni Pawelk asked what the
program would accomplish. Thares stated that Xcel has a nationwide real
estate site that would better market the area for industrial development.
• Small Area Study: The plan was approved by the City Council on
September 25"'. Next, the City will work on how to implement the plan
with an advisory committee of city boards.
• Rustech Brewing: The facility received its federal license approval to
operate; they are now working on their State and City licenses. They are
expecting to open in February 2018.
• Shred n' Go: The company has decided to move onto other communities
due to the cost of land in Otter Creek Business Park.
b. Planning Commission Agenda (attached)
Jacob Thunander reviewed the Planning Commission agenda for the Tuesday,
October 3rd, 6 p.m. meeting. He explained that three public hearings would be
held including a proposal for a micro-brewery/taproom requiring conditional use
permits (CUPS) for the use and for outdoor seating as well as a text amendment to
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the Monticello Zoning Ordinance; a preliminary and final plat for Otter Creek 5"'
Addition, and finally a proposed amendment to the Monticello Zoning Ordinance
to accommodate small cell wireless facilities.
Wayne Elam added that Ryan Automotive is interested in purchasing two, five
acre sites for the development of two car dealerships (Otter Creek 5th Addition).
Thunander concluded that the regular agenda included a review of the "Business"
zoning districts and the Community Development Director's Report.
c. City Council
Brian Stumpf reiterated that the City Council adopted the Small Area Study on
September 25th. He also stated that a joint, closed meeting with the EDA was held
to discuss the potential purchase of a downtown property.
Jeff O'Neill explained that the Monticello Community Center hosted a North
America wide teleconference that Cargill Kitchen Solutions put on for its protein
division.
He also added that Xcel Energy is working to restore and manage a wooded area
consisting of 800 acres, 100 of which is in Monticello, near its facilities. The
project which would remove buck thorn and weeds is scheduled to start in the
winter of 2017-18. Andrew Tapper asked where they would be focusing these
efforts. O'Neill responded that most of the work would be north of the river.
Wayne Elam stated the Wright County Economic Development Partnership held a
broker event in the past week. There were approximately sixty attendees
consisting of brokers and city representatives at the event.
O'Neill added that the City continues working on the bridge design of Fallon
Avenue and with adjoining property owners.
The Highway 25 Coalition has continued to meet. The consultant will work with
communities to obtain traffic and growth patterns information and will build a
model to determine the best area for a river crossing.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant would be interviewing two candidates for the
operations position. The City Council will determine if will be under City
management or staying with Veolia on a contract basis.
Steve Johnson asked if there was any movement from the I-94 Coalition to
expand I-94 from Monticello to Maple Grove. O'Neill stated the group is very
active and that funds through the "Corridors for Commerce" program are
available. He stated that a lot of engineering has been completed, but no timeline
has been determined.
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d. Chamber of Commerce
Marcy Anderson explained that the Trick -or -Treat event is being held on
Thursday, October 26th from 4 to 6:30 p.m. There will be food trucks and KRNC
Entertainment will be at West Bridge Park.
7. Consideration of 2017 Industry of the Year Selection
Staff handed the ballots out to the IEDC members. Jim Thares explained that the three
nominees — UMC, Genereux, and Vector Tool and Manufacturing - for the Industry of
the Year were highly qualified for the award. IEDC members provided feedback
regarding the businesses qualifications for the award and the tours that each business
hosted.
The ballots were tallied with UMC receiving eight votes and Genereux receiving two
votes.
JONI PAWELK MOVED TO SELECT UMC FOR THE 2017 INDUSTRY OF THE
YEAR AWARD. OLLIE KOROPCHAK-WHITE SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED, 10-0.
8. Adiournment (8:OOam)
DICK VAN ALLEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:00 A.M. OLLIE
KOROPCHAK-WHITE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 10-0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander�T-
Approved: November 7',
Attest: elmhares,
Economic Development Director
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