EDA Minutes 11-12-2008
MINUTES
CITY OF MONTICELLO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
6:OOpm
1. Call to Order:
Chairman Demeueles called the meeting to order and declared a quorum at 6:OOpm.
Roll Call:
The following Commissioners were present:
Chair Bill Demeules
Vice President Dan Frie
Treasurer Bill Tapper
Commissioner Bill Fair
Commissioner Bob Viering
Mayor Herbst
• Council Member Mayer
Also present Executive Director Megan Barnett
2. Approve minutes:
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TAPPER SECONDED BY FAIR TO APPROVE THE
OCTOBER 8, 2008 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED. 6-0 (Commissioner Mayer was
absent)
3. Consideration of additional agenda items: none were added
4. Approval of the EDA Invoices:
Commissioner Bob Viering questioned whether the EDA has been presented with prior
invoices related to Dalton Avenue. Executive Director Barnett stated they EDA has
reviewed and approved five prior invoices. Chairperson Demeules questioned why the
City has not signed the invoice.
Executive Director Barnett reviewed the invoice with the EDA. Barnett stated it was for
work completed related to signing, stripping, and a small portion of wear course. The
• City Engineer has signed off on the invoice and City staff will sign it upon EDA
approval.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FAIR SECONDED BY TAPPER TO APPROVE THE
EDA INVOICES. MOTION CARRIED. 6-0 (Commissioner Mayer was absent)
5. Public Hearing and approval to amend EDA Tax Increment Financing Business Subsidy
Criteria and continue public hearing related to GMEF Business Subsidy Criteria.
Director Barnett requested that the EDA open and continue the public hearing for the GMEF
criteria in order to allow staff time to complete further research on the Small Cities Loan
fund and how it relates to the GMEF.
MOTION BY HERBST SECONDED BY VIERING TO OPEN AND CONTINUE THE
PUBLIC HEARING REACTED TO THE GREATER MONTICELLO ENTERPRISE FUND
BUSINESS SUBSIDY CRTIERA. MOTION CARRIED. 7-0.
Director Barnett went through the proposed formatting and language changes related to the Tax
Increment Financing Business Subsidy Criteria. Barnett noted that the criteria and content of the
document stayed the same. A majority of the changes were simply grammar corrections to make
the statements more understandable and the document was reformatted to provide a better flow.
Director
• Barnett stated that reference made to $9.00 minimum wage was deleted and was simply
referenced as the rate set forth by the establishment of the federal minimum wage rate.
Barnett also commented that TIF consulting firm Ehlers and Associates advised that reference
made to the amount of subsidy given should not correlate to the number of jobs required to be
created. The established TIF subsidy should be based on the merit of the project and how it
relates to meeting the policy guidelines.
Commission Tapper commented that he would like to change 4.03 C to simply state "business
subsidy should create jobs when appropriate" and should not relate to date of occupancy.
Commissioner Frie stated he thought there was significant discussion related to requiring
businesses to be on the accountable at time of occupancy for creation of jobs.
The consensus of the EDA was to keep the statement as proposed.
Commissioner Tapper questioned section 5.04 A. He stated he thought the language should
reflect the proposed language given by Ehlers. Director Barnett read the proposed language.
The consensus of the EDA was to change the document to reflect Ehlers proposed language.
Commissioner Fair stated section 4.02 was confusing. Barnett suggested taking out the word
• "required."
Commissioner Fair noted a typo on 3.01 "included" should be "include."
• Chairperson Demeules opened the public hearing. No citizen input was received.
MOTION BY VIERING SECONDED BY TAPPER TO APPROVED THE BUSINESS
SUBSIDY CRITERIA AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED. 7-0.
6. TIF Management Analysis:
Barnett reviewed the staff report. Staff is recommending awarding the proposal to Ehlers. She
stated her reasons based on their knowledge of the City, the fact that they are completing the
records retention program, and they are the Cities financial consultant positions them well to
complete the project.
Herbst stated the bid process is an important process. He is uncomfortable going with the a
higher bidder when the lowest bidder is qualified to complete the project. He also stated he felt
Ehlers should have come in as the lowest bidder and it is good for the City to diversify in who
they use for consultants.
Mayer stated that Rusty was very well received and had extensive knowledge about Monticello
due to the fact he assisted in completing City's Comprehensive Plan. He echoed Herbst's
comments that it is good to get other consultants completing work in the City.
• Commissioner Fair stated that going with Ehhers would be a good option as it would most likely
be less staff time intensive considering the history Ehlers has in the City. Ehlers has the history
and the experience to make them a good consultant to complete the project.
Commissioner Frie sated he was in favor of going with Northland to get a different perspective.
Commissioner Viering stated he was in favor of hiring Ehlers to assist with staff transition.
MOTION BY MAYER SECONDED BY FRIE TO SOLICIT NORTHLAND SECURITIES TO
COMPLETE THE TIF ANALYSIS PROJECT. MOTION CARRIED. 4-2. COMMISSIONER
TAPER ABSTAINED.
7. Report of Committees
Executive Director Barnett reviewed foreclosure prevention and funding options through the
state and county. Barnett stated there was interest to create a Monticello Open House event.
Barnett discussed the efforts steps taken to make the Cities website more site selector friendly.
Director Barnett reviewed the Transformation Loan pilot period is coming to an end in 2008. She
requested that the EDA hold off on initiated the program another year until completion of the
TIF Analysis is completed.
• MOTION BY FAIR SECONDED BY HERBST TO ADJORN THE MEETING.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm.
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President
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