EDA Minutes 01-29-2003
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MINlJTES
MONTICELLO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, .January 29,2003 - 4:00 p.m.
City Hall - Academy Room
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair Bill Demeules, Ron lIoglund, Darrin Lahr. and Clint Herbst.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Roger Carlson and Barb Schwicntek.
STAFr PRESENT: Treasurer Rick Wolfsteller and Executive Director Ollie Koropchak.
GUEST:
Steve Grittn1an and Bob Kinnis, Northwest Associated Consultants.
Pam Campbell, OAT member.
1 . Call to Order.
Chair Demeules called the EDA meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
2.
Consideration to approve the December 16, 2002 EDA minutes.
RON Il0GLUND MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 16,2002
EDA MINUTES. SECONDED BY CLINT HERBST AND Willi NO CORRECTIONS
OR ADDITIONS. 'fHE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRIT"rEN.
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Consideration of adding or removing agenda items.
Koropchak asked to remove agenda item H6 and informed the coll1ll1issioners that the
City Council on January 27, 2003, appointed Clint Herbst to the EDA seat vacated by
Ken Maus after Mr. I Icrbst expressed interest to serve on the FDA. Herbst's six-year
term expires December 2008. The EDA had suggested the two out-going Council
members be contacted for the vacated scat. Rclsaas declined.
Koropchak requested the addition of an item: Consideration of a request by City Council
for commissions to review the City's Vision & Governing Policies for input and to
develop a list of goals.
4. Consideration to review cosmetic design sketches and cost estimates few rear facade
improvements on Block 35.
Koropchak noted at the last EDA meeting, the commissioners authorized Northwest
Associated Consultants to prepare design sketches and cost estimates flJr the rear facade
of buildings on Block 35 at a cost not-to-exceed $3,000.
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EDA Minutes - 1/29/03
Consultant Steve Grittman infonned commissioners that the sketches were designed as a
framework or idea to create an attractive and appealing rear entrance and plaza.
Grittlnan introduced Bob [(innis, an associate, who displayed a current panoramic photo
of the rear of the buildings noting elevations and functions. Areas identified: l. Signage
- no continuity. 2. Visual and exposure of trash. 3. Inconsistent building heights. 4.
Lack of visual entrance. 5. Doors and windows not consistent (uniform) with year of
construction. 6. Haphazard parking and trash areas. 7. Poor pedestrian connection
bctween vehicles and east/west connection. Grittman noted the site plan can be adjusted
to accomlnodate southerly parking.
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Kinnis continued presenting a design sketch to address the elevations and function.
Suggestions: I. Create a horizontal element for signage providing a sense of consistency
and eye focus. 2. Relocate and consolidate trash into closed and detached containers. 3.
Install parapets fiJr visual prOlninence and to screen roof mechanical units. 4. Canopy
options to defIne entrance and to screen physical elements. 5. With the use of wood or
transits alter existing doors and windows to the era of the building. 6. foacade color-
individual choice of color or material to retain small town look. The site would create a
pedestrian friendly plaza with cast/west walk area and plantings. The importance of the
door/window elements crcate a focus f()r customer entrance. Responding to the cost and
lnaterial of parapets, Grittman noted the material is similar to stucco I ike the cornicc on
Cub Foods. The rnaterial is hoth durable and aiTordable and can be design cd into a
drainage system.
Grittman did not have cost estimates available but estimated each building less than
$20.000. Perhaps would be a cost savings if constructed as one. Would all property
owners agree. It was noted that three buildings and one lot is under the same ownership.
The EDA requested NAC provide material and installation costs for each individual
building and as one project hased on the suggestions. NAC could have the cost estimates
hy the end of February.
5. Consideration of request from IDC to review G MEF Guidelines for busi ness/iob
retention.
The EDA received copies of the BRE Visit summaries and Business Suhsidy Criteria.
Koropchak noted as followup to the H&B Metal Stamping visit, the EDA was requested
to research to see if or should the l'l)A Criteria - GMEF Guidel i nes he amended to
include job retention for existing husinesses.
Demeules felt the purpose ofthe EDA loan was to increase value and jobs within the
conununity. Their experience is that automatization requires more elnployees, generally
higher paying wages. I-Ioglund agreed that automatization increases production which in
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EDA Minutes - 1/29/03
turn means nlOre materials moving in and out. Lahr noted the EDA discounts the interest
rate f()r growth. If the loan does not increase value orjobs to the community, then what is
the benefit to the EDA? Koropchak noted in her research that the current EDA Business
Subsidy Criteria - GMEF Guidelines states: In all cases, it is mandatory to create new
jobs. Per the EDA Attorney the Guidelines can be amended to mee1the Business
Subsidy Criteria - Public Policy Requirement: All business subsidies must meet a public
purpose in addition to increasing the tax base. Job retention may only be used as a public
purpose in cases where job loss is imminent and demonstrable. Imminent and
demonstrable is much like the "but fiJI''' test. A business must demonstrate ifnot for the
loan, the company will lay-ofT X number of people or move. ]'he Attorney warned in
some cases, this may be a red flag and a business must have a long-term plan to
demonstrate how they plan to increase productivity.
CLINT HERBST MADE A M(YJ'ION TO NOT AMEND THE EDA BUSINESS
SUBSIDY CRITERIA FORTI IE PURPOSE OF ./011 RETENTION FOR THE
REASONS STArED BY TIlE COMMISSIONERS. DARRIN LAI IR SECONDED
THE MOTION AND WITH NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. THE MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY.
6.
Update of 2003 FDA lllembership appointments.
Removed.
7.
Executive Director's Report.
In addition to the written report, Koropchak noted that the 11- Window building was
scheduled to close on January 29. The buyer a local individual looking to lease out the
building.
Crostini Grille is scheduled to open, February 10.
Lead from cn. Richard Ellis - 150,000 sq ft distribution. I,ooking for 12 acres,S acres
outdoor storage.
EDA accepted written report.
8. Other Business.
Add on item: The conunissioners were informed ofthe request of the City Council for
commissions to review the City's Vision & Governing Policies for input, comments, etc.
and to develop a list of goals or projects which would lead to or support the City's vision.
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EDA Minutes - 1/29/03
The conunissioners arc to prioriti7e or rank their list prior to submission to the Council
for their scheduled March 24 meeting. In addition to the City's Vision & Governing
Policies, Lahr requested a copy of the previous Project Priority List. Commissioners
agreed to give this sonle thought and agreed to develop an EDA list as a group at the next
meeting.
9.
Adjournment.
CLINT HERBST MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN TI IE I-:T)A MEETING.
SECONDED BY DARRIN LAHR, 'filE EDA MEETING ADJOURNED AI' 5:15 P.M.
o ~ ~ d) \) '\ j vJ:::.
Recorder
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