IDC Minutes 05-03-2005MINUTES
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MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 3, 2005 - 7:00 a.m.
Academy Room -Monticello Community Center
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Dan Olson, Vice Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Tom Lindquist, Mary
Barger, Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Don Roberts, Mike Benedetto,
Lynne Dahl, Tom Feaski, Kelli Huxford, and Sue Struckness.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Barb Schwientek and Don Tomann.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: Mayor Clint Herbst and Council Member Wayne Mayer.
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 Olson called the IDC meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. declaring a quorum. The Chair
expressed a sense of frustration among the IDC in the past with the process of acquiring land
for industrial development and commended Mayor Herbst and Council member Mayer for
attending the IDC meeting which has added value to the IDC meetings. He also thanked the
council members, the small special groups, and Koropchak for carrying out the mission of the
IDC.
2. Vote to approve the April 5, 2005 IDC minutes.
SUE STR UCKNESS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APRIL 5, 200 IDC
MINUTES. SECONDED BY BILL TAPPER AND WITH NO CORRECTIONS OR
ADDITIONS, THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.
Follow-up and discussion on the development of the Monticello Business Center (Otter Creek
Crossin
A. Status of the relocation of AVR - Mayor Herbst and Council Member Posusta
continue to meet with Pete Fischer and Steve Line air.
Mayor Herbst informed the IDC that staff and himself met with an Xcel representative from
Denver and Darrin Lahr to discuss the need for an interchange at I-94 and Orchard Road.
Xcel representatives had some reluctance to the proposed site for the interchange due to
increased security after 9/11. However, with an interest to partner with the city, Xcel
suggested the city research alternative sites for the interchange and requested a summary on the
process for siting an interchange. WSB Engineering to follow-up on this. In the relocation of
the AVR, the city agreed to assist AVR in finding site options. AVR being most interested in a
site nearest the proposed interchange, as well as, the need for an interchange with the build-out
IDC Minutes - 05/03/05
of the proposed Heritage development, the I-94/Orchard Interchange (identified within the
Comprehensive Plan) has come to the forefront.
• B. Court hearings on AVR condemnation have bean, public purpose not ruled byjudge
90-day quick take in process.
Mayor Herbst stated the court hearings for the AVR condemnation have started and it is
anticipated the public purpose for the 90-day quick take will be ruled on May 11, 2005. The
AVR can stay on their present site until November/December 2005.
C. Bids will be received on Friday, May 6, for Chelsea Road extension and utility
improvements. Council to award bid at meeting, of Monday, May 9.
D. Marketing Committee
In addition to the written report on the Marketing Committee within the Director's Report,
Koropchak noted she'd be leaving immediately following the IDC meeting for the Expo at the
Minneapolis Convention Center. Additionally, she expressed her thanks to Brad Barger who
helped set-up the booth at the Convention Center, Xcel for use of their floor-display, Tapper
for use of his slot-o-chine and getting the prizes, and Lynne Dahl for printing the display
materials. Lynn showed the IDC members copies of the maps for display at the expo and for
use on the web site.
4. Mayor's City Update:
A. Proposed I-94 and County Road 18 Interchan~ject. Covered under Item 3.
B. Jefferson at Monticello and Popular Hills residential developments.
Mayor Herbst reported the proposed apartments within the Popular Hills concept are
questionable but the town houses will likely stay. Kleinwachter asked about the absorption rate
of multi-family housing. Is that based on the market today or future market, or is it a
perception of the community? The Mayor noted the Jefferson's at Monticello concept shows
a phased-out housing/mixed use development over seven years with the development of the golf
course completed in eight years. This is comparative to the City taking six years to complete
Chelsea Road within the industrial park which wouldn't fly. Heritage has sites locked up for
Jefferson's at Monticello.
Benedetto expressed his appreciation to Herbst and Mayer from the school for their support
for quality housing and a ratio of mixed housing.
C. Status of YMCA~roperty.
A meeting is to be scheduled with the County with the City to put together a proposal.
Heritage is interested in the property.
D. Fiber Optic update -Educational Workshop scheduled for May 23, 5:00 p.m. (Wayne
Ma er
Mayer expressed an opportune time for installation of the fiber optic conduit with the installation
of the sanitary trunk line. The Windom's $8 million project required a referendum as they
established the Windom Enterprise to provide data, voice, and video. Our local company
provides voice, not data.
E. Team Building and Goal Setting Session held April 18.
Mayor Herbst felt the city has a good team; although, the Council does discuss items before
taking a vote. With a new council comes a new direction. In meeting with an outside
consultant, the first thing noted by the consultant was all the committees. One suggestion was to
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IDC Minutes - 05/03/05
look at possible merger of the HRA and EDA and another suggestion was to look at an
organizational study. Plans are for afollow-up meeting to the April 18 meeting.
F. I-94/Orchard Road interchange. Covered under item 3.
Reports:
A. Economic Development Report.
Lindquist questioned the $.95 per acre and $1.58 per acre offers to Dahlheimer's as noted in
the written report. Koropchak apologized for the error and appreciated the correction to read
per square foot. Additionally, Koropchak reported on the EDA's year-end financial report
stating assets and liabilities/equity equal over $1.6 million and cash balance over $978,000.
Since the EDA's beginning in 1990, the EDA has approved 20 industrial loans for over $1.9
million and wrote-off $28,000. Loans ranged from $30,000 to $350,000. In addition, they
approved 9 downtown facade grants and one loan. Sources of funds yet available to the EDA
is the principal and interest payback from the UMC and TCDC grants/loans for a total of
approximately $700,000. Report accepted as noted and corrected.
6. Review the draft cobv of the Mav 3, 2005 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related
items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary.
5. Continued Public Hearing -Amendment to Ordinance for Open and Outdoor Storage
Members of the Task Force have been notified on the proposed amendment. Tapper noted
the difficulty in understanding the ordinance. Not as simple as could be, needs more work to
be workable. Roberts, a member of the Task Force, stated the intent of the ordinance was to
clarify for understanding. Are they reasonable with a request for a CUP? Herbst felt the
fencing was for security and the trees for screening, curb appeal. IDC members were
encouraged to attend the Planning Commission at 6:00 p.m., tonight.
8. Public Hearing -Consideration of a request for a Conditional Use Permit for Open and
Outdoor Storage for the stora~;e of scrap metal and similar materials associated with business
use in an I-1 District. Applicant: Integrated Recycling. Staff recommends approval.
Members asked about the street lighting policy. It refers to spacing and if the developer pays
for street lights.
7. Other Business.
A. Chamber Updates -Chair Sue Struckness reported on an excellent bus tour by and of
the city and pointed out the importance of physically seeing the housing sites. About
1,500 people attended the welcome home for the guards which drew media coverage
due to the state dignitaries present. The Chamber regular luncheon meeting is May 12
at the Silver Fox, a week early due to the golf outing. The Golf Outing scheduled for
May 19 currently has 88 golfers registered with room for 140 golfers. The hole-
sponsors are sold-out.
B. School Update -Mike Benedetto informed members of the installation of eight new
tennis courts and the property on the western edge of Pinewood has been sold for a
single-family housing development. The ballfields along School Blvd are being lite
through the efforts of Xcel and the community.
IDC Minutes - 05/03/05
C. Monticello Power Plant - Huxford reported on the poor attendance of a public meeting
on re-licensing the local Power Plant. People in this area are not concerned unlike the
special groups from Lake Elmo and Prairie Island.
D. Next IDC meeting -Tuesday, June 7, 2005.
Adjournment
The IDC meeting adjourned by a consensus of the group.
Ollie Koropchak, Recorder
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