IDC Minutes 02-07-2006MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
• Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 7:00 a.m.
Academy Room -Monticello Community Center
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Dan Olson, Mary Barger, Bill Tapper, Dick
Van Allen, Don Roberts, Mike Benedetto, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Tom
Feaski, Jim Johnson, Zona Gutzwiller, and Michele Hertwig.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Barb Schwientek, Don Tomann, and Kelli Huxford.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: Mayor Clint Herbst and Council Member Wayne Mayer.
GUEST: Darrin Lahr, Xcel Energy.
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 Kleinwachter called the IDC meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. declaring a quorum.
Welcome new members and introductions. Chair Kleinwachter welcomed new members Jim
Johnson and Zona Gutzwiller. Each IDC member introduced his or her self.
Recognize out-going Chair. Chair Kleinwachter then thanked Dan Olson for serving as 2005
Chair of the IDC.
2. Vote to approve the January 3, 2006 IDC minutes.
BILL TAPPER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 3, 2006 IDC
MINUTES. MARY BARGER SECONDED THE MOTION AND WITH NO
CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS, THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.
Electrical monitoring report by Darrin Lahr, Xcel Energy.
Due to the concern of the number of electrical outages or surges reported by some of the
Monticello industries; Darrin Lahr, Community Relations Manager, was invited to the IDC
meeting. Lahr distributed ahand-out and explained how typical voltage is transmitted from the
power plant via a substation to a business. He noted the area west of the Monticello-Big Lake
Hospital was served by the Linn Street substation and the Hospital and east, as well as, south of
I-94 is served by the Lake Pulaski substation. Xcel's record of outages for 2005 include 4
outages and 18 momentary outages. Generally speaking, the momentary outages or surges are
the result of friendly birds striking the power line causing the reclosure to momentary trip.
Currently, Xcel is installing diverters in areas determined by fault indicators and bird strikes. As a
point of information, Lahr noted that the Linn Street and Lake Pulaski substations are at capacity
and plans are underway to build a new substation in the Monticello Business Center. The new $7
million invested is proposed to be on line in 2009. Lahr informed people not to call. Deb Coffield
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or other local power plant numbers, but to call the lights out number of 1-800-895-1999. This is
an automated phone number. Council member Mayer asked if the on-line substation date could
be moved forward. Lahr was unable to answer that question. After the departure of Lahr, the
IDC discussed a plan of action. BILL TAPPER MADE A MOTION TO IMPLEMENT A
CALL-IN CAMPAIGN ADVISING INDUSTRIAL BUSINESSES OF THE CORRECT,
AUTOMATED PHONE NUMBER FOR REPORTING LIGHTS OUT AND MOMENTARY
OUTAGES. MARY BARGER SECONDED THE MOTION AND WITH NO FURTHER
DISCUSSION, THE MOTION CARRIED. A letter to be drafted and mailed to the Monticello
industries. Hertwig said the Chamber could also promote the correct telephone number for
reporting outages.
4. Mayor's Citv Update:
A. Proposed I-94 and County Road 18 Interchange Project.
Mayor Herbst reported the beams were set last week and the project appears to be on
schedule.
I . Status of AVR litigation/negotiations.
The AVR litigation/negotiations are on-going. City Attorney prepared letter noting that
the December concept plans submitted to the city had no revisions and were the same as
those submitted in October.
B. Status of Heritage and Popular Hills developments.
Heritage development is on-going O'Neill to push for YMCA property and discussion
have taken place with city engineer consultant to look at realigning School Blvd through
the YMCA property to Heritage and not through the Monticello Business Center to
Chelsea Road. Koropchak asked, if that meant the proposed realignment of Chelsea
Road along Otter Creek was no longer in the plans? The Popular Hills development is
on-going with elimination of town homes. Lastly, Herbst reported that Charlie Pfeffer
who represents Shawn Weinerd, the owner of some property behind the west trailer park,
has also reduced and shifted some town homes to single family homes.
C. Fiber Option Task Force (Mayer).
Dahl-Fleming reported a web site (www.monticellofiber.com) was set up for question/
answer to the request for proposal (RFP). The RFP is out and due back by mid-March.
D. Council direction on Comprehensive Plan Update (IDC letter attached.)
Mayor Herbst reported the Council approved NAC to submit a proposal and at the
following Council meeting, the council members moved forward to go out for bids (RFP).
Chair Kleinwachter noted the importance of the IDC to give input into the comp plan
update. Herbst said the process includes public hearings. Herbst noted the RFP decision
will not be based on money alone but the substance of the product.
Follow-up from annual meeting.
A. Election of 2006 IDC Vice Chair.
Chair Kleinwachter presented the name of Mike Benedetto for 2006 IDC Vice Chair, this the
recommendation of the subcommittee. TOM FEASKI MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE
THE RECOMMENDATION OF MIKE BENEDETTO AS IDC VICE CHAIR FOR 2006.
BILL TAPPER SECONDED THE MOTION AND WITH NO OTHER NOMINATIONS OR
DISCUSSION, THE MOTION CARRIED.
B. Tabulate top-ranked proposed 2006 IDC Mission Statement for discussion and approval.
Members submitted their completed survey. Schwientek and Tomann returned the form of last
• month. Tapper and Huxford's surveys were not returned.
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C. Tabulate the top three 2006 goals as ranked by each members for discussion.
The mission statement and goals will be tabulated for the Chair and Vice Chair to review and
recommend a plan of action at the March meeting.
6. Reports:
A. Economic Development Report
Koropchak reported that since the written report was prepared, John Lai, president of Viper
Powersports, Inc., had informed her that the company was unable to secure financing for
purchase of the Clow Stamping building and now plans to lease a 42,000 sq. ft. available building
in Big Lake. Koropchak noted she asked about the potential to lease the Clow building.
However, with the estimated improvement costs to the Clow building and their timing for a March
move-in date, this did not fit. Although the company has been in existence since November 2002,
their previous function was engineer and design work with the manufacturing farmed-out. This is
the first attempt for this publicly-owned company to actually manufacture their product.
Koropchak noted she spoke with the lease-hold company who plans to provide the necessary
machinery and equipment.
Dahl-Fleming reported the Marketing Committee met on Monday. The committee agreed the
marketing goal was to create "exposure" of the Monticello Business Park which is somewhat
difficult to measure. Recognizing a remaining fund balance of about $5,000, the committee
decided to design a visual brochure for direct mailing ($500 for 200 copies), to design and erect a
sign at the easterly entrance to the park along Chelsea Road (estimated $1,500 by Randy),
continue the classified ad in the Star Tribune through spring, and place an ad in the Wright County
Economic Development Partnership Directory ($300). Of the previous $30,000 budget, Xcel
contributed a matching grant of $15,000. At the next meeting, the committee will focus on future
marketing and funding efforts, as request for 2007 city budget starts in July.
Mayor Herbst suggested the potential use of one of four billboards along westerly bound I-94
located on the Country Club Manor property owned by the city. It was also noted that the old
buses located at the corner of Chelsea Road and 90~~ have not been removed.
Review the draft copy of the February 7, 2006 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial related
items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary
The amendment to the Monticello Zoning Ordinance regulating open and outdoor storage in I-1, I-
1 A, and I-2 areas is on the Planning Commission agenda for February. Tapper reported he
attended the January Planning Commission meeting and requested the item be tabled because a
copy of the proposed ordinance was not mailed to the committee as originally promised. After
receiving a copy and upon correction oftypo-graphic errors, everyone appears happy even
though the ordinance is somewhat looser than the committee proposed. Tapper plans to attend
the Planning Commission this evening. Mayor Herbst reported on his meeting with Pfeffer and
Weinerd. They were OK with the out-door storage for the I-2; however, they focused on the I-
l A as it relates to the need for berming (questioning if this is the highest and best use of land)
and the need for a variance request for the ability to park truck trailers. The City of Rogers has a
designated area for parking trailers. Charlie plans to be at the Planning Commission meeting.
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IDC Minutes - 02/07/06
8. Other Business.
A. Chamber Updates. Chamber Chair Hertwig reported the Monticello Showcase was held
at the High School on Saturday with 60-plus businesses participating. This was down
from previous years; perhaps, because Becker also hosted a showcase the same day. A
four-page survey was mailed to Chamber members for input and a new Chamber
directory has been printed for distribution.
B. Next IDC meeting -Tuesday, March 7, 2006.
C. IDC Tour of Bondhus Corporation Koropchak informed members that at the Chamber
Industrial Luncheon she had mentioned to the Mike Blackston, Bondhus Corporation, and
Ray Schmidt, Tire Service Equipment Mfg. Company, about the potential of the IDC
touring their respective facilities. Both cordially accepted. Two options were presented
by Bondhus: Friday, February 10 or Friday, February 17, 7:30 a.m. The IDC agreed to
Friday, February 17 at 7:30 a.m. Koropchak to email members a reminder.
9. Adjournment.
LYNNE DAHL-FLEMING MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE IDC MEETING.
SECONDED BY BILL TAPPER AND WITH NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 8:25 A.M.
V ~ \~ °~
Ollie Koropchak, Recorder
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