IDC Minutes 01-02-2007MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - 7:00 a.m.
Bridge Room, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Paul Kleinwachter, Vice Chair Mike Benedetto, Tom Feaski,
Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Don Tomann, Jim Johnson, and Zona Gutzwiller.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Barger, Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Don Roberts, Dan Olson,
Barb Schwientek, Kelli Huxford, and Patty Haiby.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak.
COUNCIL LIAISON PRESENT: 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 7:10 a.m. noting a quorum was not
present.
2. Vote to approve the December 5, 2006 IDC minutes.
No action taken, due to a lack of quorum.
3. Follow-up Business or Reports: Kleinwachter noted the subcommittee goals provided in the
agenda and requested the committees review for potential adjustment in 2007.
A. BRE/Town Hall Concerns/Issues -Van Allen. No report.
B. Marketing Committee -Kleinwachter reported the Marketing Subcommittee of
HRA/IDC members continue to market the existing industrial land; however, they also
took a step backwards and asked "what is the clientele the City is wanting to attract in
the future?" Barger, Kleinwachter, Tomann, and Koropchak were each given specific
assignments to research (ask questions for ideas) and upon reporting back, the
subcommittee agreed to explore the feasibility of attracting technology businesses with a
focus on the "life science" industry. In further research and after a meeting with Barry
Kirchoff, Director of the Small Business Development Center, SCSU, the
subcommittee is looking to partner with the Center and SCSU. Graduate and under-
graduate students would research and prepare data information which supports the
feasibility of development of a technology/life science business park. This information
valuable to the Comp Plan update and the efforts of the fiber optics task force.
Kleinwachter said, the subcommittee recognizes the importance of gaining the support
of the IDC, Council, and staff. Community support will create energy and buzz. The
feasibility report would look at regional and local resources available for
education/training, transportation, attracting workers, etc. Tomann noted the
IDC Minutes - 01/02/07
Feasibility Study would be a vehicle for creating a vision for the future, in addition to
being a tool for the existing businesses. Tomann restated this is an exploration/research
focus to create ideas or a vision. With no cost associated with the Feasibility Study,
Council member Mayer was supportive of the subcommittee's project and Dahl-
Fleming felt the high tech/life science research focus tied-in with the efforts of the Fiber
Optics Task Force. The Marketing Subcommittee is finalizing a letter of request for
submission to Mr. Kirchoff by Friday and plans to meet with the Mayor and
Administrator prior to updating the full Council. Members of the IDC who were
present were supportive of the subcommittee's project and focus. They also agreed it
was timely with the ongoing comp plan update.
C. Industrial Land/Outdoor Storage -Feaski reported the Industrial Land group had met
and concluded the only direction the city has to grow is to the south and west. They
foresee the importance of a westerly interchange and bridge across the Mississippi.
Benedetto asked how the Comp Plan preserves land for future industrial development.
Koropchak responded the Comp Plan is a land use guide for planning of transportation,
utility, and infrastructure growth based on the future vision of the City. The land use
map identifies industrial; however, Zoning Districts are not approved until after property
is annexed into the City.
D. Transportation -Tapper. No report.
4. City U dp ates:
A. Fiber Optics -Council member Mayer reported a little slow down in the fiber optics
process; however, the council has approved moving forward with the RFP for engineer
design and bonding process. A workshop is planned for January 22. The City was
awarded a $15,000 matching Blandin Foundation Grant to educate the public on
broadband.
B. Ouestion/answer period. Members asked about the status of the YMCA acquisition.
Mayer reported an offer was presented from the County/City and he didn't expect a
response from the YMCA for two/three months.
Feaski asked who would pay for the fiber optics and YMCA and if the taxpayers were
liable? The fiber optics would be funded by a bond paid for by user fees and not the
tax payers. Should there be a default on the fiber optics bond, the city's bond rating
maybe affected.
Jim Johnson, Monticello Supt., reported the School Board is looking at ways to cut
$600,000 from the budget.
New Business.
None.
6. Reports:
A. Economic Development Report -Report accepted as written. Koropchak noted the
annual IDC attendance report and highlighted the five members with perfect
attendance. Additionally, the agenda included copies of the IDC letters to the Council
and HRA.
IDC Minutes - 01/02/07
7. Review the draft copy of the January 2, 2007 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial
related items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary
Planning Commission meeting of January 2, 2007, was cancelled.
8. Annual Meeting: With a lack of a quorum, the four annual meeting items were deferred to the
February IDC meeting.
9. Other Business. Chair Kleinwachter informed members that he was resigning as President of
First Minnesota Bank effective Friday, the 5~'. He plans to attend a graduate program in
theology and hopes to stay involved in the IDC. Dahl-Fleming and IDC members thanked
Paul for his direction of the IDC in 2006 and encouraged him to stay involved.
A. Chamber Updates - No update.
B. Next IDC meeting -February 6, 2007.
10. Adjournment.
The IDC meeting adjourned by a census of the members present. Adjournment at 8:30 a.m.
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Ollie Koropchak, Recorder
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