IEDC Minutes 08-04-2020MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 — 7:00 a.m.
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
In keeping with safe practices and minimizing contact and potential community spread of the COVID-19
virus, the IEDC meeting will be conducted as a virtual online meeting.
Members Present: Joni Pawelk, Randy Skarphol, Brian Stumpf, Darek Vetsch, Kevin Steffensmeier,
Steve Johnson, Dick Van Allen, Andrew Tapper, Elizabeth Calpas, Meghan
Hanson, Thomas Conboy
Members Absent:
Liaisons Present: Jeff O'Neill, Angela Schumann, Jim Thares, Marcy Anderson, Jolene Foss, Dave
Tombers
1. Call to Order
Joni Pawelk called the Regular Meeting of the IEDC to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
a. June 2nd, 2020 meeting minutes
LIZ CALPAS MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 2ND, 2020 MEETING
MINUTES. MEGHAN HANSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED, 11-0.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
None.
4. Consideration of Discussion of the 2020 Manufacturers' Week Breakfast Event
(Early October 2020)
Jim Thares noted that the Manufacturer's Appreciation Breakfast typically falls during
the first week of October. Due to the pandemic, staff would like to begin planning the
event or an alternative -activities per the direction of the IEDC. IEDC members noted that
instead of an in-person breakfast event, a certificate of "thanks" could be sent out to all
businesses in the community. Another suggestion was to have an all online/virtual event.
Members also mentioned having an in-person food delivery and thank you for local
manufacturers and their employees. Another suggestion was providing Monticello
branded items for all businesses in appreciation for their contributions to the community
in 2020.
Staff would consider these options and provide an update at the following IEDC meeting.
5. Consideration of Update of Coalition of Utility Cities (CUC) Organization, Goals
and recently completed Electrical Generating Facility Closure Impact Studies
Industrial and Economic Development Committee Minutes — August 4, 2020 Page 1 1 3
Jeff O'Neill provide an update regarding the Coalition of Utility Cities (CUC). He
noted that Monticello, along with seven other cities in Minnesota, belong to this
organization because they host large power plants owned by investor-owned utilities.
He mentioned that the organization focuses on lobbying, legislation, and
communication.
O'Neill stated that these host cities, including Monticello, are unique and that the
power plants present significant impacts to communities in areas such as
infrastructure, safety & preparedness, and land use & economic development
challenges. O'Neill noted that these power plants are often the largest tax payer, and a
significant and critical employer.
O'Neill stated that when conditions change in the energy industry, there could be
major repercussions in the host communities and for the people that live in these
communities. The CUC seeks to support any transitions and advocates for areas such
as protecting local taxpayers, adapting communities for post -plant life, and
maximizing assets for the future.
O'Neill noted that two critical studies, formed into the Host Community Transition
Study, have been created for the organization to provide a comprehensive view of the
economic and social impacts of hosting a large-scale utility. O'Neill noted that
community engagement was important in the creation of the plan. Many meetings,
surveys, and interviews were conducted to help build the study findings.
O'Neill provided a few quantitative and qualitative highlights as well as key
takeaways.
O'Neill also noted that the study was unveiled in a statewide webinar and as
testimony in front of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
O'Neill mentioned that the CUC was able to successfully work with Minnesota
legislators to establish a grant fund program of $2,000,000 to offer help for planning
and infrastructure projects to prepare for decommissioning. He also noted that the
PUC also recommended that facility decommission planning includes a community
impact component.
Next steps for Monticello were also discussed. O'Neill discussed continuing to
strengthen planning for employment center uses, continuing legislative efforts related
to transition funding, and learning from other nationwide and CUC communities as
they transition.
6. Reports (Verbal Reports).
a. Economic Development
Jim Thares provided the Economic Development report. He noted that the EDA
authorized a Small Business Emergency Grant Program to help support small
Industrial and Economic Development Committee Minutes — August 4, 2020 Page 2 13
businesses impacted by the pandemic. The grants total $5,000 and utilize the
Federal CARES Program funding. To date, there have been 17 grants approved
for small businesses in Monticello. The total fund is $200,000, equivalent to 40
grants.
b. Planning Commission Agenda (attached)
Angela Schumann noted that the Planning Commission meeting would begin at
6:15 p.m. with one public hearing for consideration of amendments to the
Monticello Zoning Ordinance. These amendments were only housekeeping items.
She also noted that she would provide an update on the 165 -unit (Deephaven)
apartment complex construction schedule, Monti 2040 + Comprehensive Planning
process, and the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership's
(Framework 2030) work.
c. City Council
Jeff O'Neill mentioned that the Monticello City Council is currently in the 2021
budget process. The preliminary figures indicated an approximately 4.8 percent
increase to the property tax levy.
d. Chamber of Commerce
Marcy Anderson provided an update on behalf of the Monticello Chamber of
Commerce & Industry. She explained that the annual golf tournament scheduled
for September 24, 2020 has completely full registration and sponsorship.
Anderson also added that the Chamber delivered approximately 14,000 masks to
businesses to -date.
7. Adjournment
DAREK VETSCH MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:02 A.M. STEVE
JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 11-0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander
Approved: September 1 st, 202
Attest:
Economic Development Director
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