IDC Minutes 11-07-2006• MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, November 7, 2006 - 7:00 a.m.
Bridge Room -Monticello Community Center
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Mary Barger, Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Dan
Olson, Barb Schwientek, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Tom Feaski, and Zona
Gutzwiller.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Mike Benedetto, Don Roberts, Don Tomann, Kelli Huxford, Jim
Johnson, and Michele Hertwig.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
COUNCIL LIAISONS PRESENT: Mayor Clint Herbst and Council Member Wayne Mayer.
IDC MISSION STATEMENT: To increase the industrial tax base, to create jobs at liveable
wage-levels, and to maintain a favorable and desirable
industrial environment in the City of Monticello.
• 1. Call to Order. (Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.)
Chair Kleinwachter called the IDC meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.
2. Vote to approve the October 3, 2006 IDC minutes.
BILL TAPPER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 3, 2006 IDC MINUTES.
SECONDED BY DAN OLSON AND WITH NO CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS, THE
MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.
3. VIDEO: Cedar Falls, Iowa -Economic Impact of Fiber Optics. Followed b~pdate from Fiber
Optic Task Force and discussion. www.monticellofiber.com
A video highlighting the economic impact of fiber optics on the city of Cedar Falls, Iowa, was viewed
by the IDC. Cedar Falls has acity-owned 750-acre industrial and technology park The technology
park was developed in 1996 and between. 1990-2004 the industrial/technology park grew from 27
companies to 147 companies. Currently, the Fiber Optic Task Force is conducting an education and
information campaign which includes scheduled informal meetings and mailings via utility bills and
newsletter. The mailings include a return card of interest to receive fiber. In addition to the telephone
survey conducted within the Feasibility Study and to ensure the comfort level of the Council prior to
• it's next decision to move forward with acity-wide fiber optic system, the Task Force authorized a
IDC Minutes -11/07/06
firm to conduct a telephone survey of interest in receiving phone, interset and/or cable TV service.
The Task Force recognizes the complexity to disburse accurate fiber optics information and noted
numerous inaccuracies printed by the local media. Tapper who attended one of the information
meetings informed the IDC, once he was able to explain the objectives of fiber optics to his
employees they understood the benefits. It clearly is an educational process. The question remains:
At what point can the IDC or a business write a letter to the editor?
4. Follow-up Business: Chair Kleinwachter suggested subcommittees begin to prepare plans for 2007.
A. Discuss recommended Ordinance Amendment for Open and Outdoor Stora~~e (Barger) and
call for vote if necessarv. Barger reported a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
to review the history of the topic in order to ensure everyone is up-to-date and to focus on a
future strategy.
B. Town Hall Concerns & Issues and BRE -Van Allen reported the subcommittee had not met
in a couple of months. However, the subcommittee's plan remains the same to develop a
data base as a means for industrial leaders to communicate using MN Technology articles and
to share in confidentiality. Van Allen noted the article in the West Sherburne Tribune where a
group interested persons "leadership team" visit existing businesses to encourage community
business retention and expansion (BRE) recognizing the importance of local manufacturing.
C. Marketing Committee - Kleinwachter reported three of the four committee members met and
• compared 2006 budget/line items against expenditures/accomplishments. The group
discussed various journal marketing options to maximize dollars and to reach targeted
businesses. Koropchak to contact local manufacturers for list of trade journals they read.
Council has not approved 2007 budget including the $33,000 requested by the Marketing
Committee..
D. Reports from and goals of Subcommittees• Industrial Land and Transportation
Tapper reported the Transportation Committee had not met and inquired as to the status of
the round-about. The round-able is scheduled to open Tuesday/Wednesday prior to
Thanksgiving. The Highway 25 traffic study will occur after 2006 to ensure settlement of
traffic patterns following the opening of the interchange and round-about.
5. Mavor's City Update:
A. AVR ClosinglConstruction. AVR/City Agreement executed. Footing permit issued. Land
conveyance from Chadwick to City completed. Yet to be conveyed to AVR.
B. YMCA propertX City/County continue to work out details of the Memorandum of
Understanding. City/County agree in concept and purchase price offer. Offer to soon be
presented to YMCA.
C. Comp Plan Update. Final neighborhood meeting scheduled for November 15, 7:00 p.m. It
is anticipated Task Force meetings will begin sometime in December.
D. Questions/answer ep riod None.
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• IDC Minutes -11/07/06
6. Review the draft copy of the November 6, 2006 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related
items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary (Meeting held on MondaX,
November 6, 2006, due to Election Day)
Asked about the ordinance amendment for PUD's, Mayor Herbst noted the joint meeting between
Council and Planning Commission began discussions to establish a framework for residential PUDs.
This framework would be based on what the city wants to see and would give direction to residential
developers.
7. New Business: None.
8. Re orts:
A. Economic Development Report. In addition to the written report, Koropchak reported on a lead
fora 25,000 sq ft retail/warehouse facility, she met with the Tegra Group who specializes in real
estate project management and does some brokerage, and met with Don Tomann, UMC, about
future plans. Tapper noted from his prospective after viewing the Arch Aluminum & Glass Company
web site, the company appeared sound and as a national distributor with it's first and only facility in
MN, he questioned the overall scope or logic of the criteria given a proposed 72,000 sq ft building.
Koropchak noted the combined average wage levels did not meet the $16.00 per hour w/o benefits
for the discount price of $1.00 per sq ft.; however, the company was offered a site at the market rate
of $3.00 per sq ft plus trunk fees. Lastly, it was pointed out in an email from Brian Walker, his
comment about their potential investment being impacted negatively in a location adjacent to a readi-
mix concrete facility.
9. Other Business.
A. Chamber Updates - No report.
B. Next IDC meeting -Tuesday, December 5, 2006.
10. Adjournment.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY TOM FEASKI TO ADJOURN. WITH NO FURTHER
BUSINESS, DICK VAN ALLEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING OF THE IDC
ADJOURNED AT 8:50 A.M.
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Ollie Koropchak, Recorder
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