IDC Minutes 01-23-1985
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MI TES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRI DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, J nuary 23, 1985
Monticell City Hall
Members Present: Chairman Jay M rrell, Co-Chairman Gary Wieber,
Arve Grimsmo, on Hoglund, Shelly Johnson,
Bud Schrupp, D n Smith, and Allen Pelvit.
Chairman Morrell opened the meet'ng asking for approval of the
December 20, 1984, minutes. Ron Hoglund moved to approve said
minutes and was seconded by ArveGrimsmo.
Jay Morrell asked for nomination for 1985 Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
After a lengthy silence, Don Smi h stated that Jay had done
such a good job during 1984 that he should continue as Chairman
in 1985. Arve Grimsmo also stat.d that Jay did a good job in
1984. Although activity in Mont"'cello is low at the present
time, we should not lose site of the fact that over the long
term (3-5 years), Monticello has a lot to be proud of. Chairman
Morrell asked if Gary Wieber wou d also consider acting as Vice-
Chairman for 1985, with the fact that Jay might be unable to
attend meetings because of trave commitments. Wieber indicated
he would act as Vice-Chair for 1 85.
.
Don Smith moved to re-appoint Ja
and Gary Wieber as Vice-Chairman
thanks for serving in 1984. He
reasons, he had come prepared to
Committee Chairman, as did most
should support Jay and Gary in t
seconded the motion above and wa
Morrell as Chairman for 1985
for 1985, with the Committee's
tated that because of business
turn down a nomination for
ther Committee members, and
eir efforts. Shelly Johnson
passed unanimously (8-0).
The next item on the agenda was onsidering a new day for monthly
meetings. Chairman Morrell stat d his appreciation for the
summary of attendance throughout the last 12 months. He further
stated that he didn't realize at endance was so good. He then
opened it up for discussion. Al en stated that only two individualS
indicated a preference to either Wednesday or Thursday and that
one of the individuals was prese t. Don Smith indicated that
his preference for Wednesday was because of personal conflict.
He stated that if attendance was good on Thursdays, he would
alter his racquetball time or co tinue to come a little late
to the meetings. Don reflected n past years attendance records
of 3-5 and if having 8 of the ci y's busiest people attend the
meetings, then maybe Thursday sh uld remain the regular meeting
date. After some discussion, it was suggested that the agenda
add the next regular meeting dat. Arve moved to keep the meeting
day on Thursdays and was seconde by Gary Wieber. Passed 8-0.
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The remainder of the meeting was
of prospective business and the d
to such a firm. Allen stated tha
the competitiveness that is takin
point does the City stand fast at
Don Smith indicated that if a fir
considering leaving the state, th
powers and ability to retain them
point was well taken. FSI's deci
in MonticellO city limits rather
a case in point. But what if an
explained their needs and asked f
under the sun, or would we stand
contribute to the project in orde
Gary Wieber suggested that it wou
guidelines or policies for this t
should be judged on its merits.
IDC Minutes - 1/23/85
sed as an informal discussion
gree of incentives to be given
he had some concerns with
place. He asked at what
not giving away the farm.
such as IXI or Bondhus were
city would use all of its
Allen stated that Don's
ion to expand and relocate
han move to Wisconsin was
utside firm came to us and
r every incentive available
ast and require the firm to
to form an equity type relationship?
d be very difficult to set
pe of activity and each project
Chairman Morrell stated that the ity should not give the ship
away. An example was Dickinson B s Lines, which moved from
St. Cloud to Princeton. Montice~ 0 felt bad because we did
not or could not give Dickinson w at Princeton did. Two years
after the fact, the building is almost idle. They have filed
Chapter 11 and received very bad ublicity. This would not
have been a good firm to bring i to MonticellO. He also stated
that if you only require the buy r of a house to pay $500.00
down and the payments are equal 0 apartment rents, there is
nothing holding the individual t stay.
.
Don Smith stated that Monticello
but as a whole we should be prou
made. Although some businesses
we have good solid businesses al
we should take a little more tim
has missed a few businesses,
of the progress that has been
ay have slipped away from us,
eady in Monticello and possibly
and effort to tell them that.
Arve Grimsmo stated that it was mportant to be critical of
ourselves once in a while, but n t to get discouraged when we
lose a business. For example, L ttle Falls has been chosen
as the home for a $90,000,000.00 cheese plant. That plant will
be close to their raw materials; whereas, Monticello lacks dairy
farmers. He added that being pr pared is essential and have
that part out of the way. The r st will fall into place. Grimsmo,
too, felt that we should show ou industry leaders more appreciation.
It was the Committee's consensus to look further into this.
It might get them to tell us the'r true needs, etc. It was
also suggested to have each busi ess owner come to our meeting
and blow their horn about their usiness.
Don Smith indicated that when BU Garth decided on Maple Lake
instead of Monticello, his impre sion of his business was that
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Garth didn't think much of long t
might be a little higher class th
to deal with. Gary Wieber stated
the CPA business, he did 1040 tax
get started. After becoming esta
selective. He compared his start
Monticello is established and can
in the firms wanted. Gary indica
Committee's existence was due to
our tax base would have eroded to
would have gotten desperate. Our
but increased substantially, and
Allen thanked the Committee for t
etc., and stated that it gave him
Morrell stated that Monticello sh
and everything that comes along.
Monticello but for financial ince
a serious look at it.
IDC Minutes - 1/23/85
rm benefits. Don felt Monticello
n Garth's operation was willing
that when he first was in
returns for $10.00 just to
lished, he became much more
to Monticello in that now
be more selective or targeted
ed that the reason for the
SP's decrease in value. If
such a low point, maybe Monticello
tax base has not decreased,
result can be selective.
eir thoughts regarding incentives,
a sense of direction. Chairman
uld take a look at anything
When it comes down to choosing
tives, then we should take
A discussion took place among Co ittee members concerning Monticello's
existing businesses and the fact hat several of our businesses
expanded and created jobs during 1;984. Don Smith moved to have
Allen return to the February 21. 1985, meeting with a plan of
action describing the times, plac s, and objectives of having
industry leaders attend our meeti gs. Don added in his motion
that if possible, the first invit tion might be for the March
meeting. He felt that Allen and Jay should get together on
this prior to the next meeting. he above motion was seconded
by Bud Schrupp and passed 8-0.
.
Chairman Morrell began a discussia about the Promotion, Publicity,
and Prospect Sub-committee regardi g advertising. He stated
that his firm was willing to donate the land for the sign, but
went on to say that perhaps it wo ld be the wrong place for
such a sign. He suggested the Co ittee consider placing a
sign 1-2 miles before the 1-94/1-494 exchange. The suggested
message would inform motorists that they are only 20 minutes
away from Monticello and that as i dustrialists, maybe Monticello
is the place to expand and/or relo ate their business. The
Committee suggested looking into t e feasibility of placing
a sign near the 1-94/494 site.
Chairman Morrell stated that the C
the annual banquet at the February
has secured NSP's Chairman of the
Bud Schrupp stated that a minimum
Committee's goal for 1985.
.
Allen L. Pelvit
Director of Economic Development
mmittee should start planning
meeting. Harvey Kendall
oard, Mr. McCarthy, as guest speaker.
f $10,000.00 should be the
t e meeting was adjourned.
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