IDC Minutes 12-02-2003•
MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 2, 2003 - 7:00 a.m.
Academy Room - 505 Walnut Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Barger, Vice Chair Tom Lindquist, Bill Tapper, Dick
Van Allen, Mike Benedetto, Dan Olson, and Tom Feaski.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Tom Ollig, Don Roberts, Barb Schwientek, Kelli Huxford, and
Lynne Dahl.
COUNCIL LIAISON ABSENT: Mayor Bruce Thielen.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
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 Barger called the IDC meeting to order at 7:03 a.m.
2. Vote to approve the November 4 2003 IDC minutes.
TOM FEASKI MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 4, 2003 IDC
MINUTES. SECONDED BY MIKE BENEDETTO AND WITH NO CORRECTIONS
OR ADDITIONS, THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.
Follow-up and discussion of the City Council action to authorize a purchase agreement
for acquisition of industrial land
A. Results of meeting between Industrial Group and Chadwick
Chair Barger reported that the City Council tabled any action on the acquisition of
industrial land until February 9, 2004, in order to first review costs associated with the
proposed I-94/County Rd 18 interchange. They also noted to continue negotiations with
Chadwick. Barger continued stating the Small Group met with the Council prior to the
regular Council meeting. We were looking for more support from the Council and felt
their decision was already made. Since Council action, the Small Group met with John
Chadwick and he agreed to extend his Letter of Intent through February 10, 2004, with
the right to continue marketing the property. Administrator Wolfsteller prepared a non-
binding Letter of Intent (counter-offer) and this was submitted to Chadwick the
Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving. The following assessment was made: 1. Council
overwhelmed and confused, not against purchase. 2. Need to simply presentation. 3.
Purchase Agreement to progressive and binding for Council. 4. Council not convinced
government should own and develop land. 5. Financing method unclear.
B. Where to co from here.
The IDC agreed to lobby the Council Members individually and to request Council
representation on the Small Group. Members further agreed for the need to first sell the
IDC MINUTES - 12/02/03
Council on the concept and to develop bullet points for lobbying:
• Why city-owned industrial park is good for the community?
• How to finance the acquisition and improvements? An investment for the future.
• High cost of infrastructure discourages privately-owned parks.
• Along-term vision.
• Research competition.
Tapper noted with the American industries going to China, we need to look to the future
and what's next? Large buildings may not be the need. Feaski sees a successful and
desired industrial market at 10,000 to 25,000 sq ft, outside dumpsters, and asteam-line
Planning/Council process. Shawn Weinard still appears interested in swapping the
Monticello Commerce Center for the City/Remmele parcel. The undeveloped land of the
Monticello Commerce Center is proposed to be assessed for the interchange. Mike
Benedetto and Tom Feaski volunteered to lobby Council members. It was suggested to
start with Mayor Thielen and Council member Brian Stumpf and to involve Rick
Wolfsteller. Van Allen volunteered to lobby Carlson.
4. Updates by Mayor Thielen:
A. Progress of annexation agreement and future township/city council meetings.
With the absence of Wolfsteller and Thielen, Koropchak noted the meeting between the
'~ City, Township, and representatives from St. Michael and Frankfort was held as
scheduled. The visiting representatives shared their annexation experiences and
suggested the use of the word "merger" rather than annexation. Koropchak assumed
Wolfsteller was at the Wright County Board meeting this morning as the Board will
consider a resolution opposing Monticello's annexation.
B. Meeting of city officials to set 2003 Council's Community Vision & Governing
Policies.
Not scheduled.
C. Update and~rog_ress on the proposed I-94 and County Rd 18 interchange and I-94
realignment.
Traffic Study, estimated interchange costs, and sources of funds under study.
5. Reports:
A. Economic Development Report.
The IDC accepted the report as written. Additionally, Koropchak noted the January IDC
meeting is the annual meeting. Those individuals whose terms expire December 31 are
Mary Barger, Dick Van Allen, Dan Olson, and Barb Schwientek. Chamber
representative is either Chamber President or Chair. Election of officers are also held at
the annual meeting.
Van Allen reported he toured Cargill Kitchens in Big Lake and noted the review process
time by the City to accommodate the developer's desired shipment date. Additionally,
Van Allen reviewed the Performance Measure of the Big Lake Industrial Park.
B. Marketing Subcommittee.
Tom Lindquist reported the Marketing Committee partnered with the Chamber for
design and placement of a billboard along I-94 near Albertville. The billboard will
promote the Trumpeter Swans.
2
• IDC MINUTES - 12/02/03
6. Discussion on and to continue development of a list of potential tasks to accomplish the
goal of the IDC: To provide a continuous stream of available industrial land with
infrastructure potential.
A. Review the draft copy of the December 2, 2003 Plamiing Commission Agenda for
industrial related items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if
necessary.
With no industrial items on the Planning Commission Agenda of December 2, 2003, no
discussion or action was required.
7. Other Business.
Chamber Updates -Chamber Chair Feaski gave the following update: Home for the
Holidays is December 5; billboard promoting the trumpeter swans expected to be up
within a week; Chamber Banquet scheduled for January 24 includes silent auction and
casino night. This the Chamber's biggest fund-raiser.
Adjournment.
TOM LINDQUIST MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE IDC MEETING.
SECONDED BY DAN OLSON AND WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE IDC
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:40 A.M.
Ollie Koropchak, Recorder