EDA Meeting Minutes - 1/24/2024MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 — 7:00 a.m.
Bridge Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: President Steve Johnson, Vice President Jon Morphew, Treasurer
Hali Sittig, 011ie Koropchak-White, Rick Barger, Councilmember
Tracy Hinz
Mayor Lloyd Hilgart joined the meeting at 7:04 a.m.
Tracy Hinz left the meeting at 7:44 a.m.
Mayor Hilgart left at 7:46 a.m.
Staff Present: Jim Thares, Angela Schumann
1. General Business
A. Call to Order
President Steve Johnson called the regular meeting of the Monticello EDA to order
at 7:03 a.m.
B. Roll Call 7:00 a.m.
Mr. Johnson called the roll.
2. Consideration of Additional Agenda Items
None
3. Public Hearing
None
4. Regular Agenda
A. Consideration of Review and Discussion of Integrated Marketing and
Communications Plan (IMPC)
Jim Thares, economic Development Manager introduced the item calling on Angela
Schuman, Community Development Manager, to present a review of the Marketing
and Communications (IMPC), asking for discussion and recommendation from the
Authority.
Ms. Schuman began the presentation by pointing out how reaching out to new
residents, particularly the new multi -family units, ensuring they feel welcome and
people who love their community tend to talk about their community is a great
marketing tool. Staff has taken decisions from Council and EDA workshops to
determine their development priorities. Members of the EDA have approached staff
with marketing ideas. With those inputs in mind staff revisited the Integrated
Marketing and Communications Plan completed in the spring of 2022.
Excerpts from the 2040 Comp Plan shows the IMCP is on track with the 2040+ Vison
Comp Plan. This tool was used to determine which strategies would maximize the
relationship to the 2040 goals and correspond with those goals set by the EDA for
2024.
Staff see two focus areas as a starting point in this effort. The Relationship Building
and Deployment of Marketing and communication tools would be the responsibility
for staff to carry out, while on the Consultant side, staff is asking for trade area
market analysis to help determine who in commercial use Monticello is.
The goal is to support efforts related to Employee Leadership and Recruitment. It
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recruitment needs are and facilitate efforts in developing specific supporting
resources. I he IMPC; is suggesting turther examination of the types of internships
being offered in the schools and businesses.
The STEM program presentation at the Manufacturers Appreciation Breakfast was
well received. This year students will be encouraged to attend the Manufacturer's
Breakfast event to help build those relationships.
In addition, the AE2S strategy for marketing for Business Retention and Recruitment
proposes using testimonials from businesses as the most effective tool for
Monticello. Both the City and the consultants are currently updating the
information on the website for the community related to commercial and industrial
marketing outreach.
It should be noted that the Planning Commission recently incorporated the IMPC
and the Redevelopment, Reinvestment & Revitalization goals into their workplan
aligning with the EDA goals and objectives. A future Round Table is an opportunity
to bring together Builders, Developers, Residential, Commercial and Realtors for
conversation.
Staff believe that a focus on reaching out to both commercial and residential target
properties, include EDA properties on West 71" Street, Block 34 and sites available
along East Chelsea close to Fenning and 71" Street is a worthwhile effort and may
result in near term development.
Staff recommends that the AE2S team be utilized to create materials derived from a
potential Marketing and Trade area analysis to build better marketing and
communication resources. The next proposed step is to ask AE2S to provide a
proposal for materials that support this type of marketing strategy.
President Johnson feels sharing mass information on the web does not reach the
higher level of key decisions makers. As the mission of the EDA, he suggests
marketing efforts and expenditures should concentrate on the commercial and
industrial businesses and use a highly focused approach.
Mr. Johnson commented that The Downtown trade area study in 2011 should be
updated as the projections are outdated. Getting this type material into the hands
of key decision makers may produce tangible results.
MS Schumann addressed these comments; Staff is recommending getting our
marketing materials updated and this can include information from a market
analysis study.
Authority member Hali Sittig shared how citizens reach out on local social media to
share opinions on what retail they would like brought into Monticello. The reality is
the current size of the City is not yet appealing to these businesses. Ms. Sittig asked
if this marketing tool can be sent to chain retail businesses.
Ms. Schumann responded saying developers and realtors can reach can use this
material and reach out to their contacts who can then reach out to businesses.
Mr. Johnson suggested there be a workshop before the February EDA and inviting
Jim McCombs before giving staff direction further direction. Councilmember Hinz
supports the workshop.
Ms. Schuman shared staff's desire to focus on relationship building. Listening to
residents and business is important component of this effort. Ms. Sittig and Ms.
Hintz agree with Staff.
The EDA consensus is to have Staff schedule a workshop with Mr. McCombs to
consider learn about how a market analysis can be part of a focused marketing
strategy.
5. Other Business
A. Consideration of Economic Development Manager's Report
Mr. Thares provided an overview of the Economic Development Manager's Report.
6. Adjournment
HALI SITTIG MOVED TO ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MEETING
ADJOURNED AT 7:49 A.M.
Recorded By: Vicki Leerhoff
Date Approved: March 13, 2024
ATTEST:
imlThares, Executive Director