IDC Minutes 08-07-2007IDC Minutes - 08/07/07
MINUTES
• MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - 7:00 a.m.
Bridge Room, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mike Benedetto, Vice Chair Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Don
Roberts, Dan Olson, Barb Schwientek, Tom Feaski, Jim Johnson,
Patrick Thompson, and Patty Haiby.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Barger, Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Don Tomann, and Zona Gutzwiller.
STAFF PRESENT: Ollie Koropchak and Angela Schumann.
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.
1. Call to Order. (Please read the minutes and information prior to the meeting.)
Chair Benedetto called the IDC meeting to order at 7:05 a.m. declaring a quorum.
A. New member: Patrick Thompson, Communications Manager, NMC.
Chair Benedetto welcomed new member Pat Thompson to the IDC. Pat informed members
that he was hired by NMC in May after Kelli Huxford transferred to Prairie Island. Pat stated
he worked eight years for an oil company and prior to that was a sports writer for the Pioneer
Press.
2. Vote to approve the June 5, 2007 IDC minutes.
DON ROBERTS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE JUNE 5, 2007 IDC
MINUTES. SECONDED BY BILL TAPPER AND WITH NO CORRECTIONS AND
ADDITIONS, THE MOTION CARRIED.
3. Follow-up Business or Reports:
A. Marketin~p -Report on meeting between Comp Plan Update Consultant Rusty
Fifield, Jeff O'Neill, Angela Schumann and the Marketing Group: Paul Kleinwachter,
Mike Benedetto. Lunn Dahl-Fleming, and Koropchak.
Chair Benedetto reported that the marketing group and city staff meeting with Rusty Fifield
went well and he particularly liked the consultant's reference to "more opportunity for head of
household jobs." The consultant noted his concern with the limited amount of available
industrial land with the recent re-zone and recommended designation the land use for job
growth along south Highway 25 at 85`i' and the expansion of Otter Creek Crossings(Monticello
~_ Business Center.) With the prepared bio-science/high tech vision for Monticello, Fifield
suggested a specific Chapter on Economic Development be prepared and added to the Comp
IDC Minutes - 08/07/07
Plan Update. Fifield noted the difficulty to site industrial land because of slow development
which results in property owners pressuring the city to re-zone. Generally, a city purchases
land for industrial development to control its use and must offer incentives to be competitive;
unlike, commercial property which is market driven. Schumann stated the revised draft copy of
the comp plan update should be completed the end of this week for staff. She expects council
and planning commission to review and discuss the update this month and thereafter a
community meeting will be set.
B. Report on visit with Eden Prairie Economic Development Director and tour of citX
Koropchak reported the Paul Kleinwachter, O'Neill, and herself visited the Economic
Development Director in Eden Prairie the end of June. The Director informed them that Eden
Prairie did not target high tech/bio science industries but the quality of life (image, parks, and
schools) sold itself. The City of Eden Prairie does not offer incentives nor market itself for land
development. They developed a "brand" which is used on its web site and other public
relations material. He said they have a "Meet & Greet" program in which the Mayor, City
Manager, and Economic Development Director meet with businesses and after some 180 visits
noted "businesses do not like surprises."
C. Marketing Committee
I-94 billboard commencement date delayed until October following the September 18
referendum for the purpose of a new design and message. The billboard will be at a new
location about a mile east of the Hwy 101 interchange along I-94 facing eastbound traffic, right-
hand side.
• 4. City Council Update:
A. Chadwick/Spike prop ,meeting.
The August 1St meeting with Chadwick was cancelled and will be rescheduled. Koropchak
showed members a map of the area to assist in identifying the property owned by Chadwick.
Without an interchange, Chadwick unable to compete for commercial users. An appraisal was
authorized by the Council with anticipation for completion the end of July. Asked about the
land use of the Spike property, currently it is R1 and R1-A.
B. YMCA property.
The appraisal by the city was completed and the two parties are a little ways apart. State
delegates are scheduled to visit the YMCA property next week in hopes of creating a
partnership with the city/county for funding.
G, C. Fiber Optics Network.
Council member Mayer reported the Council unanimously approved to proceed with a
referendum ballot to construct, purchase or proceed to acquire a telephone exchange. Again it
was stated the bonds are not paid by city taxes but by the fiber network rates/fees. The
investors are at risk not the city. The referendum must be approved by 65% of those who cast
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6 a ballot at the 18~' of September special election in the community center gymnasium, 7:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. Council will present a script on Channel 12 and educational information was
mailed in the city utility bills. Members of the IDC felt a fiber optics network would set
Monticello apart from other competing communities for economic development. Businesses
were encouraged to tell employees to "get out to vote" and were given additional educational
pamphlets. The IDC agreed the educational information was very informative and suggested
that continued educational materials be simplified by bullet points.
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IDC Minutes - 08/07/07
D. Other items not listed.
The Osowski property in the northwest corner of the orderly annexation area is for sale at a
premium price. Approximately 300 acres which currently has a land use designation of
industrial.
Construction underway by Bondhus Corporation and County Road 39 is for holding ponds
associated with storm water treatment.
5. Old Business. None.
6. New Business:
A. Update and discussion of the proposed merger of the HRA and EDA.
Koropchak noted a city council workshop has been scheduled for August 13 prior to its regular
meeting. Along with guidance of the HRA/EDA Attorney, the council will discuss and agree to
the merger and most specifically decide on the number of commissioners, residency versus non-
residency, and the powers of the new EDA. The general consensus is to transfer the HRA
powers and assets to the EDA. With the resignation of three HRA commissioners and two
vacant EDA positions, it is a good time to merge the two Authorities for work-load and
developer efficiency.
B. Discuss IDC mission statement, purpose, and plans for 2007/2008.
Koropchak noted the IDC mission statement, purpose, and plans for 2007/2008 were included
in the agenda package and suggested the IDC members review the information and their role.
To prevent surprises, Koropchak noted the goals assigned to the Economic Development
Director by the City Administrator/Council: a) Discuss strategies which allow the City Council
a greater role in setting economic development goals and the need to diminish the influence of
the IDC in setting goals and increase the IDC involvement in implementation. b) Merge the
EDA and HRA to create a powerful consolidated economic development organization. c)
Discuss the possibility of utilizing the membership of the IDC for assistance in implementing the
plans prepared by the City Council/EDA. Lastly, it was noted of the potential or actual shifting
of City directions away from economic development goals and ideals.
IDC members asked for clarification and summarized it appears the City wants the IDC to be
its rubber stamp. Council member Mayer noted that the city's legal firm has an issue with the
city providing staff support to the IDC, anon-city appointed committee. Feaski stated he liked
being a part of the IDC which consists of some the brightest people within the community and
felt the Council completely blew-off the recommendations of the IDC, Chamber, some
businesses, and Planning Commission for re-zone and comp plan amendment. As far as he was
concerned, the city spending dollars for a comp plan update was a waste of taxpayers money
and time, given it is a meaning-less document to the Council. The Council ignores its local
business leaders with expertise in the field of bio-science/high tech while trying to attract the
very same industries. Lastly, Feaski noted the need to improve the attitude of city
administration/staff toward businesses and industrial development and then resigned from the
IDC.
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IDC Minutes - 08/07/07
Mayer asked the IDC members if they perceived that the City Council's view of the IDC as a
"thorn-in-the-side?" The majority of the IDC members remaining said "yes". Haiby stated
Twin City Die Castings' position is to move-on and continue to stay involved and be a part of
the community. Roberts stated that both the Council and the IDC have won some and lost
some with the IDC being a strong advocate for the industrial businesses. Mayor Herbst felt the
IDC should look for solutions adding that the role of Koropchak was to find a site for AVR.
VanAllen stated the IDC endorsed the industrial businesses (household jobs) and the current
comp plan/zoning, and the IDC becomes the spoiler. In the past the IDC has not always had
representation from the Council, and Roberts complimented Herbst and Mayer for their
attendance. We listen but do not always agree, concluding disagreement can be healthy.
Tapper stated that he was responsible for writing the IDC mission statement and purpose.
With no tax exemption status, the IDC wanted no money. He was unaware of any legal
concerns. Additionally, he continued stating at the last major comp plan update he expressed
his vision for City of Monticello using its transportation system (I-94 & Hwy 25) as a natural for
a region center and utilizing the steam from the power plant to heat a large out-door water
park in downtown (north anchor). In conclusion, Roberts suggested city staff/Council come
back to the IDC with their plan for the IDC and then the IDC members can look at it and
discuss. Members concurred. ~ Ufa 0 ~C ~,
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7. Reports: .
A. Economic Development.
i No time for questions/answers.
8. Review the draft copy of the August 7, 2007 Planning Commission Agenda for industrial
related items. Discuss and vote on an IDC position or action if necessary. No industrial
related items on August 7 agenda.
9. Other Business.
A. Chamber Updates.
Koropchak requested on behalf of the Chamber Director that the IDC members think about
what role the IDC wanted to play at the Industrial Luncheon scheduled for October and if they
had an idea for a speaker. The Chamber Director was aware of an entertaining speaker who
spoke on "business body language" at a cost of about $300.
B. Next IDC meeting -September 4, 2007.
C. Other business. None.
10. Adjournment.
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The IDC meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m.