IDC Minutes 10-19-1995• MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, October 19, 1995 - 7:00 a.m.
City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chairperson Ken Maus, Treasurer Ron Hoglund, Arve
Grimsmo, Don Smith, Jay Morrell, Harvey Kendall, Merrlyn
Seefeldt, Tom Lindquist, Bill Tapper, Jim Fleming,
Councilmember Tom Perrault.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairperson Kevin Doty, Shelley Johnson, Dick Van Allen, and
Tom Ollig.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Ollie Koropchak.
1. CALL TO ORDER.
Vice Chairperson Ken Maus called the IDC meeting to order at 7:03 a.m.
2. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 20 1995 IDC MINUTES.
The minutes were distributed at the IDC meetings. Ron Hoglund made a motion
to approve the September 20, 1995, IDC minutes. Arve Grimsmo seconded the
motion and with no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved as written.
Tom Perrault noted he attended the September meeting.
3. CONSIDERATION TO HEAR AND ACCEPT THE MONTHLY IDC
FINANCIAL REPORT.
Treasurer Hoglund reported a monthly balance of $6,667.26at Marquette Bank and
a balance of $3,958.95 at First Bank for a monthly total balance of $10,626.21. This
includes the disbursement of $500 to the Economic Development Partnership of
Wright County. Harvey Kendall made a motion to accept the October IDC financial
report as given. Bill Tapper seconded the motion and with no corrections or
additions, the financial report was accepted and filed.
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4. OTHER BUSINESS:
a) Follow-up on the consideration to purchase the Fuller Property -Vice
Chairperson Maus reminded members of the IDC's decision to take a
leadership role in the exploration of industrial land for the future. In the
absence of Mr. Doty, Koropchak reported that Mr. Doty did research the
availability of the Fuller/Agric American property and determined the
property had been sold to a Mr. Wurm from Maple Lake. Upon further
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• IDC MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 1995
research the property did not have the best accessibility. The committee then
discussed the Dan Goman/Greg Smith approximately 80-acre parcel. Jim
Fleming volunteered to research the availability of the Goman/Smith
property. Koropchak informed the group that the HRA can not purchase
land outside the Redevelopment Project Plan No. 1 boundary or city limits;
therefore, the city would be the purchaser. Additionally, the comprehensive
plan update earmarks industrial land to the south of the I-94 and Orchad
Road area. Grimsmo inquired if annexation and road construction was the
intent. It was recommended to invite Steve Grittman of Northwest
Associates, Inc. ,City Consultant in Planning, to the November IDC meeting
to review the Comprehensive Plan Update as it relates to industrial land use.
b) Update on the meeting for discussion to consolidate the EDA and the HRA
with IDC Prospect Team as a subcommittee -Maus and Hoglund reported
the discussion of consolidation went a full circle starting with the idea of an
IDC subcommittee to either the IIRA or EDA which might link the IDC to
the City for purposes of tax exempt status, greater acceptance, and less
meetings. No group approvals were adopted. The general feeling at the joint
meeting was that the best route for the IDC maybe as a branch of the
Chamber of Commerce for utilization of the tax exempt status. If the
Prospect Team was a branch of the IIRA or EDA, they would be subject to
the open meeting law and restriction of funds. Members voiced their opinion
to the need for monthly IDC meetings: Maus started the discussion by
suggesting bi-monthly; Perrault felt no continuity if less than monthly;
Grimsmo said if no agenda, cancel meeting; Smith said if it works, continue
with monthly (less groundbreaking or breakfast), and Kendall spoke infavor
of monthly meetings. IDC member received a copy of the HRA letter to
Counciimembers.
c) Status of the Monticello Industrial Survey - A good share of the surveys have
been returned.
d) Summary of Oakdale Financing Program - Koropchak indicated the City of
Oakdale avoids the TIF Penalty by not creating a TIF District; however,
approves assistance at a level not greater than the TI generated by the City's
portion of the tax rate.
e) Update of the Wright County Industrial Networking Group meeting attended
by local industries - Merrlyn Seefeldt reported it was too technical for her
and would benefit their employee, John Smith. Bill Tapper saw the structure
not as it should be for a meaningful cohesion to share (trust). The county
group was wide open to a variety of business types (radio station) with
people from Annandale and Sauk Rapids.
Jay Morrell inquired, "Why does Monticello appear to be lagging behind in
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• IDC MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, i 995
industrial development when compared to Becker and Buffalo and in the
retail development when compared to Elk River or Buffalo`?" Yet,
Monticello is on the main transportation artery. Are we lacking in I-1 or I-2
zoning? One individual saw development costs within Monticello as
prohibitive. Koropchak indicated a change of the TIF rules relating to
penalties has caused a reluctant by Council to utilize TIF as a financial
incentive.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Quad County Networking Report of October 18 -did not attend. The group
was working of development of afour-county overall economic plan of which
Wright County elected not to participate in. Without a staff person for the
partnership and the County Commissioners' denial to support the efforts of
the partnership, the partnership at this time has no available personnel with
the expertise necessary to participate.
b) Wright County Partnership - Hire staff, develop loan program, and
membership. Wright Transportation Plan proposes Mississippi River bridge
crossing at County 19 and 8.
c) Update of the availability of industrial land -Submitted report as an
• informational idea. Available industrial land in Monticello at 150 acres.
d) Public information meeting (MNDOT Mississippi River Crossing) -Traffic
study report and preliminary discussion relating to future river crossing.
Monticello City Hall, October 26,1:00 p.m. or St. Cloud City Hall, November
2, 9:00 a.m.
6. C9NSIDERATION TO FINALIZE BANQUET DETAILS AND
ACCOUNTABILITY OF BANQUET TICKET SALES.
A quick account of ticket sales was completed. The IDC officers, Rusty Demeules,
and Brad Barger will promote the banquet and talk about industrial development
within Monticello on KRWC-AM Radio, October 26, 10:06 a.m. air-time.
7. CONSIDERATION OF PROSPECT UPDATES.
The prospect update was distributed and accepted by the committee. It was noted
the prospect team will visit Talon Engineering and the Gary Singer business on
October 20.
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IDC MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 1995
8. CONSIDERATION OF BRE REPORTS.
No scheduled reports were given. Don Smith reported that Sunny Fresh recently
acquired the Denny's food chain menu. The 1,600 restaurants will utilize the Sunny
Fresh trademark of egg-beaters.
9. OTHER BUSINESS.
Chamber meeting today at noon, American Legion. Program: Hospital Expanion
and Mississippi Shores Update by Barb Schwientek.
10. ADJOURNMENT.
A motion was made by Tom Lindquist to adjourn the IDC meeting. Seconded by
Ron Hoglund and with no further business, the IDC meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.
X~, \~T Ol
• Ollie Koropchak, Economic Development Director
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