IEDC Minutes 09-01-2020MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 — 7:00 a.m.
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
The IEDC Meeting was held remotely.
Members Present: Joni Pawelk, Randy Skarphol, Kevin Steffensmeier, Steve Johnson, Wayne Elam,
Luke Dahlheimer, Dick Van Allen, Andrew Tapper, Elizabeth Calpas, Kari
Moorhouse, and Thomas Conboy
Members Absent: Brian Stumpf, Darek Vetsch, Don Roberts, Mike Carr, and Meghan Hanson
Liaisons Present: Angela Schumann, Jim Thares, Marcy Anderson, Jolene Foss, and 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. August 4, 2020 meeting minutes
ANDREW TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 4th, 2020
MEETING MINUTES. STEVE JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 11-0.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
None
4. Consideration of 2020 Manufacturers' Recognition Activities (Early October 2020)
Economic Development Manager Jim Thares presented a list of activities that are options
for recognizing manufacturing firms in the City of Monticello during Manufacturers
Week which the State has designated as October 1 through October 7, 2020. The
proposed activities include: a Certificate of Recognition, accompanied by a nice cover
letter; recognition messages on the City owned electronic billboards at the Fire Hall and
the Liquor Store, similar recognition messages on the electronic media system (TV
monitors) located at the MCC and an article in the newspaper. The estimated cost is less
than $500.00. The EDA will be asked to approve funding for the activities at their
September 9, 2020 meeting. The primary cost is the Certificates.
5. Consideration of Economic Development Chapter - Monti 2040 + Comprehensive
Plan Update
Angela Schumann, Community Development Director, provided an overview of the
Monti 2040 + Comprehensive Plan and the economic development chapter's goals and
objectives. There is a proposed large increase in the amount of land being guided for
industrial use. The draft plan designates three industrial areas. One is for light industrial
uses, a second area is designated as employment campus for industrial firms that have
Industrial and Economic Development Committee Minutes — September 1, 2020 Page 1 13
higher numbers of employees, while a third area is designated as general industrial for
warehouse and more transportation intensive industrial development.
Schumann also mentioned the dovetailing of the Central Mississippi River Regional
Partnership (CMRP) which is the regional planning effort that is currently occurring as
adding more insights and understanding into the City's Comprehensive Planning efforts.
The EDA will be holding a workshop on September 9, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. where the
consultants, the Lakota Group and WSB, will lead a review of the draft economic
development chapter via GoToMeeting. The IEDC members are invited to login and
watch the meeting and ask questions as well. The goal is to have the entire draft plan
available for review and approval by the City Council in December 2020.
6. Reports (Verbal Reports):
a. Economic Development
Jim Thares provided an update on the Small Business Emergency Funding Grant
Program which is utilizing CARES Act funds to provide grants of up to $5,000
for businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic shutdown and
restrictions. There has been a good response and to date the EDA has approved
19 grants with several more applications submitted for the September 9, 2020
EDA meeting. The prospect list was also reviewed. Thares noted that UMC is
realigning their schedule for its 53,000 square foot expansion project and is
expecting construction to begin in early November and the new building to be
open and ready to use in early to mid-July, 2021. All other components of the
proposal are the same, with a total of 43 new FTE jobs to be created.
Staff has also spent a lot of time on the Project Gia -Saurus prospect. This firm
makes medical gloves and is looking for a site for a two phase 385,000 square
foot facility. The total number of new jobs would be about 205 FTE. The City is
looking at applying for grant funding from the U.S.-EDA (Economic
Development Administration) and MN -DEED. A land feasibility study has been
completed and it identifies three sites that could work for the proposal. The total
cost of phase 1 is estimated at $55,000,000. The second phase would be similar
in total cost.
b. Planning Commission Agenda (attached)
Angela reported that items on the Planning Commission Agenda for September 1,
2020 were all public hearings for mainly minor code amendments and smaller
development amendments. There is also a public hearing for a preliminary and
final plat for a two -lot subdivision. One of the sites is where the developer is
proposing a child daycare facility. The EDA also reviewed a preliminary GMEF
loan application from the developer for the child care facility.
c. City Council
City Administrator, Jeff O'Neill, was not able to attend the IEDC meeting though
Angela Schumann and Jim Thares both provided comments on the City Council's
Industrial and Economic Development Committee Minutes — September 1, 2020 Page 2 13
approval of a preliminary 2021 budget and property tax levy. The levy is
projected to increase by about 3.1 percent +/- under the proposal. The final budget
and levy will be set in December, 2020.
d. Chamber of Commerce
Marcy Anderson, Monticello Chamber of Commerce Director, gave an update on
the upcoming annual Chamber Golf Tournament. The fundraiser was postponed
in May due to COVID and is set for September 24, 2020. All sponsors and golfer
slots have been filled. The Chamber Board is optimistic that it will help raise
funds to support the Chamber of Commerce programs.
7. Ad_i ournment
LUKE DAHLHEIMER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:59 A.M. TOM
CONBOY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 11-0
Recorder: Jim Thares
Approved: November 2nd, 0
Attest:
J' Thares, Economic Development Director
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