IEDC Minutes - 03/07/2023MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, March 07, 2023
7:00 a.m. at Monticello Community Center
Members Present: Vice Chairperson Luke Dahlheimer, Liz Calpas, Tracy Hinz, Joni Pawelk, Ryan
Schmitz, Rob Stark, Kevin Steffensmeier, Andrew Tapper, Tony Velishek
Members Absent: Chairperson Sarah Kortmansky, Darek Vetsch, Wayne Elam, Randy Skarphol
Liaisons Present: Rachel Leonard, Jim Thares, Marcy Anderson, Jolene Foss
1. Call to Order
Vice Chairperson Luke Dahlheimer called the regular meeting of the Monticello IEDC to order at
7:04 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
ANDREW TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 7, 2023, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES. TONY
VELISHEK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 9-0.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
a. Jim Thares invited members and liaisons to introduce themselves.
b. Mr. Thares noted Kathleen Massmann's resignation.
4. Table Topic — Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Infrastructure Overview
Don Hickman, Vice President of Community Workforce Development Initiative Foundation
presented an overview of the Initiative Foundation and its participation in promoting clean
energy. The IF was formed in response to the 1980s farm crisis. It serves 14 counties region
which includes 163 cities and 2 sovereign tribal nations. The main office is based in Little Falls.
The Initiative Foundation's great service role is in advocating for community needs and serving
as an intermediary, especially during a crisis. They were a distribution agent for COVID-19 relief
funding in 2020, 2021 and 2022. There is expected to be another round of main street
revitalization funding grants that will be offered later in 2023.
In the last 8 years they have been working with Sherburne County, the City of Becker and the
City of Monticello as the land scape of energy production is shifting. Sherco provides 77% of
Becker's tax base and comprises 15 % of Sherburne County's. Becker has been working
aggressively to diversify their economy. The McKnght Foundation has secured $500,000 to fund
feasibility studies and provide early seed money to see what kind businesses can be attracted to
the region to offset the losses from the large energy producing entities.
The IF provided a $45,000 grant for a level -3 vehicle charging station at the Becker Schools. Not
only is this a great resource for the community but it will also provide energy to electric buses.
As Sherco is winding down the McKnight and Morgan Family Foundations (St. Cloud) have an
interest in clean energy and the goal is to lift economic opportunities for this region.
The City of St Cloud hosted the 1st electric vehicle expo. St. Cloud is an EV friendly city. It has
many green jobs. It's wastewater treatment (sewer) plant is carbon neutral with a solar energy
garden. At the event 400 people test drove EVs. The IF gave a $10 donation per driver to area
robotics clubs. Elk River is hosting a similar event on August 5, 2023.
A clean energy resource team from the University of Minnesota has done a cross benefit analysis
for 3 food shelves to figure out opportunities for clean EV. The top costs for food shelves is
transportation.
Reports
a. Economic Development
i. Business Round Table
1. Jim Thares reviewed "6. Promote communications & engagement with
Monticello businesses and prospects" section of the IEDC 2023 Action
Statement. Mr. Thares requested a sub -committee be formed to help plan
and execute a Business Round Table to be held in June or early July. Sarah
Kortmansky, Kevin Steffensmeier, Marcy Anderson, and Tony Velishek were
selected.
ii. Prospects List
1. Mr. Thares highlighted the prospect list. Housing updates were provided. Jim
Thares pointed out the start and completion dates of projects. Project Love —
has not responded since additional information was asked about them and
their development proposal earlier in the year. Project Shepard (Wiha Tools)
is expected to break ground in May.
iii. Planning Commission
1. Mr. Thares, reviewed the Planning Commission Agenda highlighting the
Public Hearings.
b. City Council
i. Rachel Leonard, City Administrator, highlighted the consideration of a Vehicle fuel
ordinance, Public Charging Station Ordinance, approved Zoning Ordinance
updates and recodification. She also reviewed other City initiatives such as the
Parks' needs assessments, Council approval of a contract with a lobbyist to help
engage the legislature with the City's LOST (Local Option Sale Tax) request as well
as other items such as for infrastructure improvements. Ms. Leonard recognized
Jim Thares for all his work and accomplishments in providing economic growth in
the city of Monticello.
c. Wright County Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP)
Jolene Foss, provided a list of upcoming events and opportunities.
Ms. Foss is leading WCEDP efforts in requesting $9,500,000 from State Legislators for
overdue maintenance of Wright Technical Center (WTC) in Buffalo.
d. Chamber of Commerce
Marcy Anderson presented upcoming events. The Chamber is celebrating 75 years.
Currently over half the open golfer registrations are booked for the annual tournament.
Also, the Art in the Park vendors and artists are coming forward and slots are filling up
quickly.
5. Next Meeting Reminder — Date: April 4, 2023
6. Adjournment (8:06 a.m.)
ROB STARK MOVED TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTICELLO IEDC. LUKE
DAHLHEIMER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED BY CONSENSUS
Recorder: Vicki Leerhoff
Approved: April 4 2023
Thares, Economic Development Manager