IDC Minutes 04-05-2005MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 7:00 a.m.
Sunny Fresh Foods Administrative Office Building, Monticello, MN
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Tom Lindquist, Mary Barger, Bill
Tapper, Don Roberts, Mike Benedetto, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Tom
Feaski, and Sue Struckness.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Dan Olson, Dick Van Allen, Barb Schwientek, and Don
Tomann.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
COUNCIL LIAISONS PRESENT: Mayor Clint Herbst and Council member Wayne Mayer.
GUEST: Dennis Darnell, Sunny Fresh Foods
IDC MISSION STATEMENT: To maintain and increase the industrial tax base and to
create jobs in the City of Monticello, Minnesota.
1. Breakfast.
Vice Chair Kleinwachter thanked Sunny Fresh Foods for hosting the breakfast.
2. Call to Order.
Vice Chair Kleinwachter called the IDC meeting to order at 7:25 a.m. declaring a quorum.
Vote to approve the March 1, 2005 IDC Minutes.
Bill Tapper made a motion to approve the March 1, 2005 IDC minutes. Seconded by
Lynne Dahl-Fleming and with no corrections or additions, the IDC minutes were
approved at written.
4. Follow-up and discussion on the development of the Monticello Business Center (Otter Creek
Crossin
A. Mayor Herbst reported on the meetings with AVR people stating he thought meetings
were going well with the AVR interested in a permanent site to the north of the
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IDC Minutes - 04/05/05
proposed I94/Orchard Interchange and a temporary site (3-4 years) on the City's
sludge property. Xcel not excited about an AVR site to the north. The 90-day quick
take is not in process.. Herbst noted the city's appraisal at $2.2 million (assets) and the
AVR appraisal plus relocation at $8 million ($4.4 for land.). The City's appraisal
based on I-2 zone, no interchange and their appraisal based on commercial zone with
interchange. At a special meeting of the Council April 4, a motion to order the
interchange project at County Road 18/I-94 failed with the unknown of the AVR
relocation and Weinend and Ryan agreements not executed. The Council can re-
consider the item again at the April 11 Council meeting.
B. Covenants recorded against the 35-acre city-owned business center.
C. Public Hearing on Order Project, Approve Plans and Specifications, and Authorize
Advertisement for Bids for Chelsea extension and utility work on the Council agenda
for April 11. It was noted that 90t" Street would intersect at Chelsea Road in a T
formation upon construction of the extension of Chelsea Road to the west. Members
received a copy of the improvement project schedule.
D. Lynne Dahl-Fleming of the Marketing Committee reported the web site:
www.monticelloland.com as been established, promotion include land for $1 subject to
criteria, participate in Chamber Golf outing with beverage cart sponsor, treats for
Chamber bag, and gratis invitations to developers. Billboard contract for 5 months in
three different locations between Rogers and Maple Grove beginning July, participation
at a manufacturer's expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center early May. Also
looking at radio talk shows.
4. Mayor's City Update:
Mayor Herbst noted the ratio of townhomes to single family homes within the concept plan for
Heritage Group's 2,600 unit residential/mixed use/golf course development. Additionally, he
noted concerns with the plans to construct the 18-hole golf course over eight years with the
staged development of housing. The City remains interested in the YMCA property and staff
will prepare a letter outlining the public purpose for potential purchase of the property.
Heritage Group interested in a piece of the YMCA property. State and Federal Funds may be
available, city talking with County, looking at long term benefits of 1,200 acres. YMCA wants
dollars for other projects.
Council member Mayer informed the IDC of a conference he attended: Minnesota FiberFirst
sponsored by Springsted. With his expertise in technology and previous experience as an
employee of TDS, Koropchak asked Mayer of his interest to attend the conference. Both
agreed the ability to market the Monticello Business Center with fiber optic access would be a
unique asset. Mayer provided some history of local fiber optic service and proceeded talking
about the conference. The City of Windom's launched a fast internet access through the $8.8
IDC Minutes - 04/05/05
million city-owned broadband network. Noting the use of Internet by the younger
generation and as a marketing tool for businesses, Lynne Dahl-Fleming made a motion
stating the IDC supports the concept to further explore the benefits and options to
provide fiber optic service to Monticello businesses and homes and requested the City
Council to approve further research. Seconded by Mike. Benedetto and with no further
discussion, the motion carried. This to be on the next Council agenda.
Economic Development Report.
The IDC accepted the report as written and suggested researching Medtronic's demographic
requirements for siting a business campus.
6. Review the draft copy of the April Sz 2005 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related
items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary.
10. Public Hearing -Consideration of a request to amend the City of Monticello Zoning
Ordinance relating to the regulation of Open and Outdoor Storage. -Don Roberts, Sunny
Fresh, had not received a copy of the amendment as prepared by the City Planner Consultant
or Attorney. Mary Barger was unable to attend the last meeting and also did not received a
copy. With the business representatives who attended the original meetings not mailed a copy
of the final draft for consideration, Koropchak indicated she'd check with the Community
Development Department to see if copies were mailed. If not, would recommend the Planning
Commission open and continue the public hearing until May to allow disbursement of the final
draft of the proposed amendment.
7. Other Business:
A. Chamber Chair Struckness noted the Chamber would host a Bus Tour of the City on April
21 and Jeff O'Neill would give an update on community development projects. The Gulf
Battery Parade will be held Saturday, Apri130, and donation are being accepted to purchase
red, white, and blue-pin wheels, etc. May 21 is the Walk & Roll Event and the Chamber is
looking for organizations to donate bikes. Feaski noted the Chamber Golf Outing at the
Monticello Country Club on May 19. The hole-sponsors went immediately. Chance to win 3-
4 cars. Sign up early, as maximum golfers is 144.
B. Next IDC meeting May 3, 2005.
Adjournment.
Lynne Dahl-Fleming made a motion to adjourn. Sue Struckness seconded the motion
and with no further business, the IDC meeting adjourned at 8: SO a. m.
ate. ~. ~.
Ollie Koropchak, Recorde