IDC Minutes 08-01-2006MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 7:00 a.m.
Bridge Room -Monticello Community Center
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Vice Chair Mike Benedetto, Mary Barger, Bill Tapper,
Dick Van Allen, Dan Olson, Barb Schwientek, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Don
Tomann, Tom Feaski, Kelli Huxford, Zona Gutzwiller, and Michele Hertwig.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Roberts and Jim Johnson.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak and Jeff O'Neill.
COUNCIL LIAISON 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.
Call to Order. (Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.)
Chair Kleinwachter called the IDC meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. declaring a quorum.
2. Vote to approve the June 6, 2006 IDC minutes.
MARY BARGER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JUNE 6, 2006 IDC MINUTES.
SECONDED BY BILL TAPPER AND WITH NO CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS, THE
MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.
3. Mayor's City Update:
A. Status of AVR liti~ation/ne~otiations. Mayor Herbst reported the city and AVR came to an
agreement subject to final review of plans. Staff and a couple of council members will review
plans at a 11:00 a.m. meeting today. Mayor Herbst felt once constructed no one will know the
difference.
B. Status of the Comprehensive Plan Update. The mayor reported that the first neighborhood
meeting was held last week with about 30 people in attendance. He had hoped for a better
attendance. Koropchak encouraged IDC members and industrial businesses to attend the
upcoming neighborhood meeting for businesses scheduled for Wednesday, August 16 at 7:00
p.m. in the Community Center.
C. Status of Other: YMCA ~roperty, interchange, and housing, Mayor Herbst reported other
developers looking at YMCA property; however, city has a pretty good hold on property based
on annexation acceptance. City working on appraisal but not much negotiation. The larger
housing development to the west is no longer viable. The east I-94 interchange is scheduled to
open on August 29, ahead of schedule. Work on County Road 18 round-about will commence
thereafter.
D. Fiber Optics Task Force (Ma~er~ www.monticellofiber.com Council Member Mayer reported
the task force received a preliminary report of the feasibility study which suggests how city should
IDC Minutes - 08/01/06
participate based on the telephone survey. Why city? Triple-play meaning video, voice, and
data and no home left behind, only if city can provide at lower cost. City already operates two
utilities: water and sewer operations and operates a liquor store. Would require a referendum
with 65% approval. Given the city's population and projections, aleasing-out model is not
workable. Educating the public is key. Presentations to the Chamber and Rotary are scheduled
prior to Council presentation in September. Mayor Herbst was encouraged by the telephone
survey results. The task force continues to work with the consultants to finalize the feasibility
report.
E. Ouestion/answer enep rind. None.
4. Follow-up Business:
A. Discuss proposed lan~,iage for the IDC Mission Statement (Benedetto) and call for vote if
necessary.
Mike Benedetto summarized the June meeting stating key points and facts brought-up relative to
adding commercial as a focus point of the IDC Mission Statement. The subcommittee of Don
Tomann, Bill Tapper, Benedetto, and Koropchak has not met and he suggested the
subcommittee meet prior to the September meeting. Kleinwachter felt the focus should remain
industrial and not duplicate the role with the Chamber. Tomann noted the relationship between
industrial development, liveable wages, housing, and commercial development emphasizing
liveable wages as a strong point. The question was posed: What is the city's definition of
liveable wage? Koropchak noted the wage level criteria for the $1.00 per square foot discount
price for land in the city industrial park is $16.00 per hour without benefits. Given the tone o~
the park has changed, the property can now be purchased at the market rate of $3.00 per
square foot plus trunk fees if the criteria is not met. Covenants apply to the first 35-acres.
LYNN DAHL-FLEMING MADE A MOTION TO RETAIN THE IDC MISSION
STATEMENT AS IS. MICHELE HERTWIG SECONDED THE MOTION AND WITH
NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MOTION CARRIED. ELEVEN YEAS AND TWO
NAYS. OPPOSED TAPPER AND VAN ALLEN.
B. Discuss recommended Ordinance Amendment for Open and Outdoor Storage (Barg_er) and call
for vote if necessary.
The direction of the last subcommittee meeting was for Jeff O'Neill to schedule a meeting to
finalize the outdoor/open storage ordinance. Barger reported she has attempted to contact
O'Neill as to his plans to follow-up on scheduling a meeting. O'Neill is to pull a meeting
together.
C. Report by BRE group (Van Allen) on meeting with Community Development staff on
site/building_process commitment.
Van Allen reported that Tomann, Hertwig, Mayer, Van Allen, and Koropchak met with O'Neill
and Angela Schuman at UMC. At the July meeting, O'Neill presented the new ordinance
process developed by the city as a result of a survey mailed to 200+ developers with a return of
42. He also talked about the improved accounting for engineer fees. Tapper submitted annon-
itemized invoice for construction engineer in the amount of $1,210 he received June 26, 2006,
for work completed 2005. The problem being the loan closed and who remembers at this time
what it was for. Schwientek concurred with the difficulty in receiving late non-itemized invoi~
Mayor Herbst said the auditor had noted the same to the council. O'Neill, present at the IDC
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IDC Minutes - 08/01/06
meeting, stated the new process is a commitment to customer service between
developers/citizens and the city. The straight-line approach includes a free pre-design meeting
for team building and distribution of a new handbook with break-down sections such as variance
application. In other words, only certain sections apply to certain development projects.
Tomann noted the responsibility of the private sector, stating atime-saving incentive for
developers is to submit completed plans. Hertwig noted the new process is a good-faith effort
by the city.
D. Other reports by Subcommittees.
Dahl-Fleming reported the marketing committee meets Thursday morning to develop a budget
for 2007. A copy of the new flyer promoting the industrial park was distributed. Van Allen
requested the marketing committee take a look at the March 2002 Monticello Times which lists
the industrial businesses and an article of recognition. It was noted, Don Smith, a former IDC
member and newspaper editor, was committed to promoting local industrial businesses.
5. New Business:
A. Vote to appoint IDC alternate to the Comp Plan Task Force.
At the June meeting, Mary Barger was appointed as the IDC representative to the Comp Plan Task
Force. The task force will meet 3-4 times commencing after completion of the August neighborhood
meetings. Anticipated starting time 5:00 p.m. Mayer said he suggested alternates in order to maintain
continuity. Don Tomann volunteered to be the IDC alternate which was endorsed by the IDC
membership.
B. Discuss need to change IDC meeting format.
Chair Kleinwachter noted he felt the change in the format of the IDC and its subcommittees was working
and encouraged feedback from members. Discussions at the IDC meetings have merit; however,
meetings are beginning to run beyond 8:30 a.m. It was suggestion that members contact Koropchak
about a change in time or date of IDC meetings.
C. Discuss role of the IDC at the Chamber Industrial or IDC Luncheon.
Members discussed the history of the IDC Banquet and its evolution from afund-raiser for the IDC to a
non fund-raiser for the Chamber. The Chamber anticipates the Luncheion to be held in
September/October and will be determined by the availability of Governor Pawlenty or Senator
Coleman. A mini trade show is planned. The question: What role does the IDC want to play in the
luncheon? Chair Kleinwachter volunteered to be the liaison from the IDC to the Chamber and will
attend the next Chamber board meeting August 8 at 7:30 a.m.
6. Reports:
A. Economic Development Report.
Koropchak highlighted the infrastructure improvements authorized by the Council for the Monticello
Business Center and again, encouraged IDC members to attend the upcoming Comp Plan meeting for
businesses on August 16, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Lastly, Koropchak distributed a list of
issues and concerns identified and attendees at a Town Hall Roundtable for Manufacturers & Food
Processors on June 7. The event was sponsored by the Wright County Economic Development
Partnership in collaboration with the Monticello Chamber. The IDC members found the information of
value and requested this be an agenda item at their September meeting. Benedetto noted item no. 7 -
No promotion of manufacturing careers in middle and high schools. He suggested inviting the school
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career counselors to the Industrial luncheon as a means of exposure to the manufacturing businesses.
Others noted Rotary Career Day and the participation by local manufacturers.
7. Review the draft copy of the August 1, 2006 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related items.
Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary.
No industrial related items.
8. Other Business.
A. Chamber Updates -Chamber Chair Hertwig reported the Chamber formalized their name
change to Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Government Affairs Committee
addresses planning issues. At the August Chamber Luncheon, members will hear a presentation
on Fiber Optics by Wayne Mayer and Lynn Dahl-Fleming. Upcoming events are the IDC
Industrial Luncheon and Home for the Holidays.
B. Next IDC meeting -Tuesday, September 5, 2006.
9. Adjournment.
The IDC meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. by a consensus of the members.
Ollie Koropchak, Recorder
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