IDC Agenda 04-19-2001•
IDC MEETING AND TOUR
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TWIN CITY DIE CASTINGS COMPANY
520 East Chelsea Road (Use Chelsea Road entrance)
Thursday, April 19, 2001- 7:00 a.m
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• AGENDA
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, April 19, 2001 - 7:00 a.m.
Twin City Die Castings Company - 520 Chelsea Road
MEMBERS: Chair Dick Van Allen, Vice Chair Tom Lindquist, Don Smith, Kevin Doty, Bill Tapper,
Tom Ollig, Don Roberts, Mike Benedetto, Mary Barger, and Susie Wojchouski.
COUNCIL: Mayor Roger Belsaas.
STAFF: Rick Wolfsteller, Jeff O'Neill, John Simola, Fred Patch, and Ollie Koropchak.
GUESTS: Greg Hansen and Ron Bonnevier, General Plant Managers, Twin City Die Castings.
Shelly Johnson, previous IDC member.
1. Call to Order.
2. Approve the February 15 and the March 15, 2001 IDC minutes.
3. Recognition of Charter IDC member Shelly Johnson.
4. Summarize the March IDC meeting and a report on the negotiations to acquire the
Chadwick/Goeman land for industrial development.
• 5. Approve the recommendation of the Membership Subcommittee.
6. How can the IDC improve on the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) activity?
a) IDC
b) IDC retirees
c) Chamber
7. Report from the Chamber relative to the status of the transferred IDC funds.
8. Report on the status of the Apri126 Industrial Gratis Luncheon coordinated by the Chamber.
9. Consideration of updates.
a) Marketing Committee
b) Economic Development Report
c) Mayor's Report
10. Other business.
11. Adjournment.
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• MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, March 15, 2001 - 7:00 a.m.
City Hall - 505 Walnut Street -Academy Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tom Ollig, Don Smith, Tom Lindquist, Bill Tapper, Dick
Van Allen, Mike Benedetto, Mary Barger, and Susie Wojchouski.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Doty and Don Roberts.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Roger Carlson.
COUNCIL ABSENT: Mayor Roger Belsaas and Council Members Clint Herbst, Bruce
Thielen, and Brian Stumpf.
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff O'Neill and Ollie Koropchak.
GUESTS: Darrin Lahr, HRA
Call to Order.
Chair Ollig called the IDC meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
• 2. Consideration to ayprove the February 15 2001 IDC minutes.
No action was taken on the minutes.
3 . Meeti ~ti Outline.
"HOW TO IMPLEMENT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE ADOPTED 1999
RESOLUTION?
The above question had been determined by the subcommittee as the desired outcome of the
meeting between the Council members and the IDC. The following questions are the means to
the desired outcome.
A. WHY IS THE "AC UISITION OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USE" IMPORTANT
TO THE CITY OF MONTICELLO?
First, to demonstrate `~vhy acquisition of land for industrial use is important to the City of
Monticello" as outlined in the resolution adopted in 1999 by the Council, HRA, and
EDA; Koropchak provided illustrations supporting why to control land prices, control and
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IDC Minutes - 3/15/01
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simplify development schedules, diversify ownership of industrial lands, and allow for
flexibility in deal structuring. Darrin Lahr addressed the competitive market of the
surrounding communities of Big Lake, St. Michael, and Buffalo. Big Lake -three year
focus objective, lots laid out, know what they want, $1 per lot, one stop "This is what I
want?" St. Michael - 400 acres zoned industrial, no access to I-94, paid $250,000 for
consultant to work with MDOT for interchange. Buffalo -same, know what your dealing
with when coming in. Lahr concluded "Monticello has the amenities, do they have the
will?"
Next, Van Allen provided data (collected from County) illustrating the economic impact
of industrial development (taxes and wages) in Monticello.
Lastly, Marketing Subcommittee members Smith and Lahr informed individuals of the
process and rational used to arrive at the decision to "delay a major marketing campaign
for industrial development."
B. WHERE IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR "ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR
INDUSTRIAL USE"?
Using a chart listing the industrial site options of Chadwick/Goeman, Remmele, Gold
Nugget, Pfeffer sites; Koropchak reviewed and rated the parcels by number of acres,
• estimated acquisition costs, infrastructure in-place, shortest time to develop infrastructure,
current zoning, estimated infrastructure costs, annexation required, most direct access to
I-94, closest access to I-94, and exposure to I-94. Wet land and soil conditions were not
part of the rating. O'Neill addressed the annexation process and described the land use
conflict of the Gold Nugget parcel. He continued stating the MOAA Land Use Plan
identifies the Gold Nugget parcel as industrial use and the Monticello Comprehensive
Land Use Plan identifies the parcel as residential. O'Neill informed members, the Planning
Commission has been asked on more than one occasion to consider addressing a land use
change. Their response has beenri`snoe Land Use Plane it7takes a 4/5 vote of the 1Councoil.
In order to amend the Comprehe
C. HOW CAN WE MOVE THE "AC IR STO MOVE FORW FARD? ~US~~ USE"
FORWARD AND IS THERE DES
Council member Carlson, speaking for himself, saw the "advantages" of the
Chadwick/Goeman property for industrial use and saw the Gold Nugget parcel as "not
likely" for industrial use. He agreed with the IDC members that perhaps the City is not
thinking big enough and the focus should be long-range planning with the township. He
mentioned the need for roof-tops which drives commercial development. Van Allen re-
affirmed the IDC is not suggesting to curtail housing and commercial development, the
IDC's focus is industrial development. The message of the IDC to Council members is
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IDC Minutes - 3/15/01
industrial land use planning has along-term impact on the City of Monticello. Benedetto
suggested the IDC consider a township board member as an IDC member as a means of
opening communication.
D. WHEN IS THE "AC UISITION OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USE" TO BE
ACCOMPLISHED (CLOSING DATEI?
O'Neill updated the group on the latest offer received yesterday from Chadwick. The
offer has the City retaining at least 110 acres of the 180 acres and Chadwick retains about
38 acres along I-94 and language relative to mining. Upon Wolfsteller's return from
vacation, staff will determine acounter-offer to be presented to Chadwick. It is doubtful
the industrial land acquisition item will appear on the March 26 Council meeting; however,
the goal is the first Council meeting in April.
Some IDC members were encouraged with the latest communication or action with
Chadwick but were discouraged on the focus of long-term planning. Tom Lindquist made
a motion encouraging staff and City Council to expedite the action to actively pursue the
acquisition of the Chadwick/Goeman property for industrial development. Dick Van Allen
seconded the motion. Target date to submit a proposal to the Council was April 9, 2001.
The motion passed unanimously. Wojchouski suggested IDC members attend the Council
• meeting.
4. Other Business.
Chair Ollig informed members of his conversation with Van Allen relative to the
chairmanship position. With Van Allen willing to chair the IDC, Ollig announced his
resignation as Chair and recommended Van Allen. Tom Lindquist made a motion to
accept Ollig's resignation as Chair of the IDC and to elect Dick Van Allen as Chair of the
IDC for 2001. Don Smith seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion
passed unanimously. Ollig also noted he received a letter from Olson General Contractors
relative to the positive services offered by Fred Patch during the construction of Twin City
Die Castings.
Industrial Gratis Luncheon coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce is Apri126, 2001.
Adioumment.
The IDC meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
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Recorder
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' MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 15, 2001 - 7:00 a.m.
Sunny Fresh Foods, Inc. - 4t'' & Walnut Street
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Kevin Doty, Don Smith, Tom Lindquist, Bill Tapper, Don
Roberts, and Mary Barger.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Tom Ollig, Dick Van Allen, Bob Mosford, Mike Benedetto, Dan Carlson,
and Susie Wojchouski.
STAFF PRESENT: Rick Wolfsteller, Jeff O'Neill, John Simola, Fred Patch, and Ollie Koropchak.
GUESTS: Jake Krob, Monticello Times
Prior to the meeting, President Mike Luker and Dennis Darnell joined the IDC members and staff for the
Sunny Fresh breakfast.
1. Call to Order.
Vice Chair Doty called the IDC meeting to order at 7:55 a.m.
2. Consideration to approve the January 18 2001 IDC minutes.
Bill Tapper made a motion to approve the January 18, 2001 IDC minutes. Seconded by Don
Roberts and with no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved as written.
Continued -Follow-u~of organizational items:
a) Consideration to accept attached letter of resignation from Dan Carlson.
Consideration to review attached letter of request from Bob Mosford.
Request Membership Committee to meet for search of new members .
Don Smith made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Dan Carlson and for the
Membership Committee to meet to review the request from Bob Mosford and to search for new
member(s). Seconded by Tom Lindquist, the motion carried. It was suggested a letter of
appreciation be mailed Carlson.
d) Consideration to elect 2001 IDC Officers• Chair vice chair and secretary.
Koropchak reported of her conversation with Tom Ollig relative to interest to serve a second term
as Chair of the IDC. His response was he felt that the position of officers should be a shared role
of the IDC members; however, he would step up to the plate if no other volunteers. Roberts said
perhaps in the future he would consider the chairmanship. Bill Tapper made a motion to elect Tom
Ollig, Chair; Tom Lindquist, Vice Chair; and Koropchak, Secretary, of the IDC for 2001. Mary
Barger seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the motion carried.
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IDC Minutes - 2/15/01
' e status of the transferred IDC funds.
e) Consideration to hear Chamber re ort relative to th
With the absence of Susie Wojchouski, the status report was tabled.
4. Contmued Follow up discussion to the January IDC meeting relative to review of the final copy
of the Cit Desi Manual and ro ress re ort on the develo ment of the flow chart.
O'Neill reported that the Design Manual was assembled and used/presexrted to a couple of
developers. The subdivision ordinance was reviewed and drafted into the manual. Still need to
pull together the flow chart portion; however, as busy developmenrt season begins time becomes
scarce.
5. Consideration of industrial updates:
Marketing Committee: Don Smith
Smith reported that the marketing committee met on February 2 and agreed to not move forward to
expend large amounts of money for marketing. The question still remains: What do we have to
market? What land? With the purpose of the IDC being an independent lobbying organization,
Smith, Ollig, and Van Allen met with Mayor Belsaas to discuss industrial land options and how to
move forward with this difficult and stalled issue. Van Allen is in the process of gathering
information relative to the benefits of industrial growth for use as an educational tool. The IDC
members agreed with the Position of the marketing committee and stated the IDC can go away if
• we have nothing to market. The IDC's been dealing with this same issue for over a year. O'Neill
felt the City has something to market "amenities" and industrial land. Koropchak noted the
original objective was for the City to acquire land for industrial development. O'Neill mentioned
St. Michael's 400 acres of industrial land. Koropchak noted Big Lake's appraisal for
consideration to acquire additional land and the $1 per lot, write-down of site improvement costs,
and no assessments. Tom Lindquist made a motion to support the efforts of the marketing
committee, requesting one agenda item only "acquisition of land" for the March IDC agenda, and
to invite all council members. Don Roberts seconded the motion and with no further discussion, the
motion carried.
6. Adiournmerrt.
The IDC meeting adjourned at 8:25 a.m. and members and staffwere given a tour of the new
expanded 17,000 sq ft production area of Sunny Fresh.
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Recorder
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U
O~SON
Planners • Designers • Builders
March 6, 2001
Monticello Industrial Development Committee
Mr. Tom Ollig, Chairman
TDS Telecom
316 Pine Street
Monticello, MN 55362
Dear Mr. Ollig:
Olson General Contractors has developed numerous large commercial and industrial projects
throughout the metropolitan area. We are presently celebrating our 92"d year in the construction
industry and it is highly unusual for us to write letters commending the work of public officials.
...~.
However, it has come to our attention that rather serious misunderstandings resulted from
unfounded and incorrect remarks made regarding the services provided by city staff during~ie '~
r eat:. F ._ ....;
development and construction of the Twin City Die Castings Comp/'p ~] ~ ....,
Contrary to these statements and the ill-advised opinions expressecf;~~ro { ave~crun~dsy~~ b t the
staff to have been extremely helpful, most resourceful and committed to >~.p~_
project and Twin City Die Castings Company. `'
This project is unique, in that the building's design is to house a specialized process for the die
casting and machining of magnesium. Because magnesium is categorized as a hazardous
material, Building and Fire Code issues required extensive research, expert knowledge and
prudent application. In this respect, we have been most fortunate in our association with Mr.
Fred Patch, your local Building Official. His knowledge, experience and common sense
approach helped us immensely in the resolution of numerous Code related issues. Mr. Patch is
indeed a credit to his office and an asset to your community.
My purpose in writing this letter is twofold. 1. To set the record straight regarding our
relationship with the city staff. 2. i would also like to encourage t .e IDC to recognize both the
excellent service and the extraordinary effort provided by city staff as key to the success of this
project.
V "Truly Yo s,
Jack rr
Projec anager/OGC
cc: Mr. Roger Belsaas, Mayor
Mr. Rick Walfsteller, City Adm.
Monticello City Council
Mr. Fred Patch
OLSON GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC.
5010 Hillsboro Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55428
Phone: 612/535-1481 • Fax: 612/535-1484
IDC MEMBERS
BECAUSE EACH OF YOU ARE BUSY INDIVIDUALS,
HERE IS AN ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE NEXT IDC MEETING
Thursday, Apri119, 2001 - 7:00 a.m
TOUR AND MEETING
AT
TWIN CITY DIE CASTINGS COMPANY
520 EAST CHELSEA ROAD
(Use front door entrance)
Agenda mailed later and prior to meeting.
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