City Council Minutes 05-15-1995 SpecialMnvuTEs
SPECIAL JUINT MEETING - M~NTTCELLQ COMMISSIQNS
Monday, May 16, 1996 - ? p.m.
Members Present:
City Council: Brad Fyle, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Tom Perrault
Planning Commission: Dick Frie, Jon Bogart, Dick Martie, Richard Carlson,
Rod Dragsters
HR.A: Al Larson, Tom St. Hilaire, Everette Ellison, Brad Barger
Parks Commission: Bruce Thielen, Fran Fair, Larry Nolan, Steve Andrews,
Roger Carlson
Members Absent: Shirley Anderson, City Council
Others Present: Sheldon Johnson, School District; John McVay, TDC; Ken Maus, IDC;
Ron Hoglund, Chamber of Commerce; Bret Weiss, City Engineer
A special joint meeting of Monticello Commissions was held for the purpose of
identifying goals and objectives for the city in the area of housing and economic
development and to discuss a variety of strategies for accomplishing those goals.
Direction provided from the meeting will become the basis for major sections of the
comprehensive plan. Once goals have been established, the City will then review the
ordinances, decide if they accomplish the goals that have been set, and make any
changes accordingly.
3. City Planner Steve Grittman reviewed and the group discussed potential economic
development goal statements with the following results:
GOAL STATEMENTS
What is the primary purpose for the City's
economic development program?
A. Monticello should pursue economic
development to broaden the City's tax base.
B. Monticello should pursue economic
development for the purpose of expanding
the City's job inventory.
VOTES
16
3
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Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 5/15/95
GOAL STATEMENTS VOTES
C. Monticello should pursue economic development 1
as a means toward achieving other community
goals.
II. What quality of economic development should the City
pursue?
A. The City should facus its pursuit on new and 10
existing high quality, high investment businesses.
B. Monticello should focus an mid-level businesses. 0
C. Monticello should focus its efforts an expanding 1
or entry-level businesses.
D. Monticello should consider each potential 9
business individually on a case-by-case basis.
III. How should the City utilize its financial incentives?
A. The City should utilize its financial strength to 9
attract business.
B. The City should utilize its financial strength to ~
improve and maintain the city's infrastructure.
C. Monticello should utilize its financial strength to 7
improve its "quality of life."
D. Monticello should return the maximum amount 0
of its financial strength to the taxpayers without
spending it.
N. On what land uses should the City focus its economic
development incentives?
A. The City should facus its spending on housing 1
and redevelopment efforts.
B. The City should focus its spending on commercial 2
development efforts.
C. The City should focus its spending on industrial 1?
development efforts.
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Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 5/15/95
Economic Development Director Ollie Koropchak reported that the areas currently
considered in recruiting industry include employee salaries and benefits, financial
strength, tax base, community involvement, and spin-off benefits.
The group discussed potential housing goal statements, and it was noted by the
City Planner that more than two-thirds of the current housing in Monticello is
below the break-even point of paying for services and that it is difficult to
maintain a tax base if low-end housing is excessive. Following are the results of
the housing gaal discussion.
GOAL STATEMENTS
II.
III.
Haw does Monticello perceive the role of housing
growth in the city?
A. Is housing a support system For the City's
other uses?
B. Is housing an economic development sector
in itself?
What kind(s) of housing does the City wish to promote?
A. Monticello wishes to promote middle and
higher-end housing only.
B. Monticello wishes to promote low to moderate
market housing only.
C. Monticello wishes to promote a full range
of housing.
D. Monticello should monitor rather than promote
housing activity [and promote where a void exists].
What role does the City have in allocating housing
development to different locations?
A. Monticello needs to actively utilize its zoning
power.
B. Monticello should consider the provision of
residential land base on specific, requests,
case-by-case.
VOTES
18
0
4
Q
4.5
12.5
is
2
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Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 5/15/95
4A. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that Monticello is being considered by
the Minnesota Sports Federation as a site for a regional sports facility, which may
present an opportunity far a cooperative effort toward development of a
family/education sports center. The Sports Federation would solicit corporate
donations from throughout the state for funding of the center, and user fees would
pay for day-to-day operations and taxes. The City is asked to determine to what
extent development of a regional sports facility will contribute toward
accomplishing City goals.
O'Neill reviewed a list of current and potential activities in the community and
problems associated with each. He noted that the City and School District have
recently been attempting to jointly plan and combine resources for facilities such
as meeting rooms, community kitchen, etc.
Concerns were expressed regarding possible difficulties for the School District in
scheduling events at the sports facility and possible difficulties relating to the
facility being constructed on School District property. It was suggested that
additional information is needed regarding the Federation and the facility prior to
making a commitment to the project. O'Neill was directed to continue efforts
toward developing a cooperative City/School plan for development of community
facilities.
4B. Assistant Administrator O'Neill reported that Monticello has also been approached
as a possible site for an upscale outlet mall. A potential site for the mall would be
north of the Middle School, which is presently zoned business campus and
represents a major part of the industrial land inventory. He noted that a zoning
amendment would be necessary to support an outlet mall at that site, which
would require a 4/6 vote by the City Council.
City Engineer Bret Weiss reported that two major transportation improvements
would be needed to support this project: 1) a freeway off-ramp and on-ramp, and
2) realignment of the Oakwood Drive intersection. He noted that these
improvements are currently planned for the future but would need to be done 3-4
years earlier to accommodate a project such as an outlet mall.
Discussion focused on reviving the downtown area versus commercial development
in other areas of the city along with traffic problems that would occur on
Highway 25 if a mall was constructed in this area in addition to the recently-
platted Monticello Business Center.
Charlie Pfeffer, owner of the property being considered by the outlet mall,
requested feedback as to whether or not the City is interested in this type of
development, as he would focus his efforts elsewhere if the City is not comfortable
with this project.
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Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 5/15/95
Assistant Administrator O'Neill noted that he will be meeting with outlet mall
offiicials an Wednesday, May 17, to obtain additional information on the project
and will report back to Council accordingly.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
- ~~,r~ti ~~ lrv
Kure Doty
Ofl"ice Manager
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