IDC Minutes 03-21-2002MINUTES
• MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 7:00 a.m.
505 Walnut Street -Academy Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Dick Van Allen, Kevin Doty. Bill Tapper, Mike Benedetto,
Susie Wojchouski, and Dan Olson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Mary Barger, Tom Lindquist, Tom Ollig, Don Roberts,
and Barb Schwientek.
COUNCIL LIAISON ABSENT: Mayor Roger Belsaas.
STAFF PRESENT: Rick Wolfsteller and Ollie Koropchak.
GUEST: Darrin Lahr, Xcel Energy.
IDC MISSION STATEMENT: To maintain and increase the industrial tax base and to
create jobs in the City of Monticello, Minnesota.
Call to Order. (Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.)
Chair Van Allen called the IDC meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Vote to approve the February 21, 200? IDC minutes.
Bill Tapper made a motion to approve the February 21, 2002 IDC minutes. Kevin Doty
seconded the motion and with no corrections or additions, the minutes were approved as
written.
Updates by Wolfsteller.
a) Open House/Workshop Date for amending Comp Plan is scheduled for Wednesday,
April 17, 4-7 p.m. It was suggested the IDC make its presentation at both the open house
and public hearing. The open house intended for discussion and the public hearing for
comments which are entered into Planning Commission minutes.
b) Public Hearing Date for amendin~Comp Plan is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 7:00
p.m.
c) Next mediation date for Gold Nuparcel. Wolfsteller reported they were getting
close to settlement through the court system. Then the township requested the court
system declare if an MOAA exist. This request was combined with the Gold Nugget
settlement which may slow down the process and final settlement. The MOAA's
insurance covers the court system costs. On March 1 1, the Council authorized an
appraisal of the 70 acres. Koropchak stated given the uncertainty of a settlement, land
prices, and the small pockets of proposed industrial land uses, perhaps the focus for future
industrial development is better served by considering the acquisition of the Orchard
Road property and to retain a consultant to lobby for the I-94 interchange.
IDC Minutes - 3/21/02
d) Otter Creek PUD Approval -The Planning Commission approved the Otter Creek
Business Park concept PUD based on the concept is consistent with the Comprehensive
Land Use Plan. Some highway like business uses were removed.
4. Followup on concern raised by some industries as to increased Power outages in
Oakwood Industrial Park by Darrin Lahr.
Darrin Lahr began by informing members that at one time the Lynn Street substation
served the City of Monticello. With the growth of the city became the need for more
capacity. Creation of new substations is becoming a thing of the past as people see
substations as anon-appealing neighbor. Excel Energy has two types of systems: a 12-5
system (substation) and 35,000 KB Volt system (bulk power). Using a map, Lahr
continued stating with the growth of Monticello, the city is now being served from the
south by the bulk power system located at Lake Polaski. The feeder line runs north to 85
Avenue and breaks into three fork-like legs. One leg running up Fallon Avenue to
Chelsea Road and the other two running up Highway 25 and Fenning Avenue. With
added miles of feeder lines comes more exposure, mostly from lightning. Another
system would not be installed in Monticello, unless a big user would locate in Monticello.
With the growth in the St. Micheal area, the Hassan system will tie into the Lake Polaski
system and Monticello via County Road 18 serving as a backup system. However, this
has not yet been completed. The Thomas Park Addition, a portion of Chelsea Road
between Oakwood Drive to Aroplax, and Dundas Road are served by the Lynn Street
substation. So in some cases, perhaps Rainbow's power was out and Remmele's was on.
Lahr then presented the OIP outage history between 2000 and 2001 stating 1996 and
2000 was not available. It appears that most outages result from lightning, animal
contact, and pole fires. Asked: what about the momentary outages which cause loss of
production time. Because of the length of feeder lines perhaps a storm hits Lake Polaski
and not Monticello or occurred during construction. A local business can consider a
battery back-up system. The question becomes '`What is the power worth?" In
conclusion, Lahr volunteered to talk with Rainbow and suggested any other questions be
referred to him. IDC members thanked Lahr for the informative information.
5. Review IDC questions for Planning Commission.
IDC members reviewed the questions for the Planning Commission and agreed the
questions were written as intended. Members agreed to present the questions to the City
Planner, City Planner Consultant, and Planning Commission prior to the workshop/open
house. Koropchak informed members of her visit with three members of the marketing
team from C B Richard Ellis, the firm marketing Otter Creek. It appears the owner
prefers not to develop the 141 acres and asked for suggestion of interested local parties to
purchase the property. $5.8 million for the 141 acres or $.95 per sq. ft.
Discuss elements of presentation lobbying the Planning Commission.
Several questions were directed to Administrator Wolfsteller. Who is responsible for the
overall planning of the City of Monticello? Does the City have goals for job and tax
base creation? What is the plan to meet those goals: tasks and time frame? How does
the City plan to replace the loss tax revenue from the Monticello Nuclear Generating
IDC Minutes - 3/21/02
Plant? Who is the representative from the city for transportation issues such as ensuring
future I-94 interchanges both at County Road 18 and Orchard Road?
Discuss changing the IDC focus to economic development (both industrial and
commercial.) With only a couple of members still in attendance, there was no discussion
relative to changing the focus of the IDC. Chair Van Allen did ask "Is the mission
statement of the IDC measurable and are we measuring it?"
6. Reports:
BRE Visit Followua. No report given.
Economic Development Report No action was taken on the written report. Koropchak
informed members of a meeting held between Weinand, Pfeffer, O'Neill, City Planner
Consultant, City Engineer Consultant, and Koropchak. The purpose of the meeting was
to discuss firture proposed projects such as the I-94 & CTY Road 18 Interchange and the
need to obtain easements or property to complete that project, others, and the I-94
bike/pathway bridge connection. Interchange access options were discussed stating it's
MDOT plan to complete the interchange by 2005 prior to commencing construction to
realign I-94 in 2006. During the meeting, the question arose as to the City's intent to
purchase Iand for industrial development. Staff responding to the question, the
developer was not happy with the idea of competition.
Mayor No report.
Followup from Dr. Nemec relative to providing the service of drug testin,,. Neither Van
Allen or Tapper had heard back from Dr. Nemec after their conversation relative to
providing the service of drug testing for new employees of the local businesses.
Wolfsteller reported that the City now uses Alliance Clinic associated with the Buffalo
Hospital. It was recommended that Bill Tapper contact Dr. Nemec.
Chamber decision on Industrial Banquet -Chamber Director Wojchouski reported that
Norm Coleman can speak as long as no campaigning is done. The Chamber is looking at
a June date for the banquet. The regular meeting of the Chamber is today 11:50 a.m. at
the Vintage Grill. The speaker is from the MN Retailers Association and will address
current issue at the Legislation.
7. Other Business.
Koropchak requested input as to whether the Marketing Subcommittee wanted to host a
bus tour and lunch for developers, builders, contractors, brokers in connection with the
Chamber Golf Outing scheduled for Thursday, May 17, Silver Springs. Members
suggested a presentation prior to the 11:30 a.m. golf outing. They agreed ;ack of change
within the community did not warrant a bus tour but felt it was importance to get the
developers/builders out here. The golf outing is gratis to those invited.
Adjournment.
• The IDC meeting adjourned due to a lack of quorum.
~~a ~.J~-- Ollie Koropchak, Recorder