EDA Minutes 07-14-2014 (Special Meeting)MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, July 14, 2014, 6 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Bill Demeules, Bill Tapper, Rod Dragsten, Tom Perrault, Brian Stumpf
Absent: Matt Frie, Tracy Hinz
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Wayne Oberg, Angela Schumann, John Uphoff (WSB), Eric Maas
(WSB)
1. Call to Order
Bill Demeules called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Purpose of Meetinp-: Review Proposal for Market Matching Economic Development
Services
The purpose of the special EDA meeting is to consider extending the Market Matching
contract for one year.
3. Consideration to approve a contract with WSB & Associates for Market Matching
Economic Development Services for July 2014 -June 2015
Angela Schumann reported that staff had worked with WSB & Associates to prepare a
revised scope of services for the Market Matching contract proposed for July 2014 -June
2015 as directed by the EDA. The EDA and the City Council are each asked to fund 50%
of the $48,000 cost of the new contract. A similar agenda item is included for City
Council consideration and action as part of the regular City Council meeting.
WSB's John Uphoff provided a brief overview of the results of the previous contract and
outlined services proposed under the new contract. The first year of the contract had
focused on data collection and clarifying Monticello's unique selling proposition as a
technology forward destination for innovation.
The new contract will focus on deliverables development, market engagement and project
management. The revised emphasis will be on communicating Monticello's brand,
reinforcing networks established and increasing prospect development. WSB will
additionally be responsible for tasks such as completing the housing demand analysis,
conducting the Business Retention and Expansion program, working with the EDA /City
Council negotiations team to facilitate a strategy for sales disposition of city owned
properties, assisting with financial consulting as related to TIF districts and further
engaging leads.
Special EDA Meeting: 7/14/14
Bill Demeules asked if Market Matching is a better value than having a staff person
handle economic development. Angela Schumann pointed out that staff are unable to
provide the broad external networking and sales prospecting of the Market Matching
team while also attending to internal and ongoing economic development initiatives.
Demeules also asked what other cities WSB is working with. Uphoff noted that
Clearwater had signed on in July 2013 and that he'd been working to reengage Big Lake
and Becker since there'd been staffing changes in those cities. He also said WSB had also
been working very closely with Wright County Economic Development Partnership.
Demeules also asked if Market Matching had been profitable for WSB and how long
they'd be committed to it. Uphoff replied that WSB is probably breaking even at this
point but noted that there is a strong commitment to providing services to cities as
evidenced by the significant growth in their municipal group.
Rod Dragsten asked what WSB had found to be of importance when looking to locate.
Uphoff noted that access to quality labor, availability of a sizeable acreage guided for
industrial use, and cost are often deciding factors. He also said that providing timely
responses to requests for information is critical.
Bill Tapper indicated support of a second year Market Matching contract but suggested
that it would be difficult to measure the outcome. He noted the importance of
documenting the prospecting process and the resulting level of interest in Monticello's
message.
Angela Schumann said that cultivating leads can be a 3 -4 year prospecting process. The
success of the new contract may need by measured by impact in the marketplace
characterized by the number and quality of prospects cultivated and the results of lead
follow -up in all sectors rather than by breaking ground.
Uphoff said that last year he'd had to lobby the state to get involved with the
familiarization tour when five site selectors visited Minnesota but that this year they
contacted him to confirm his participation. He pointed out that Monticello did not have
this level of access to leads before Market Matching. Uphoff indicated that raising the
profile of Monticello in this way is an indicator of success.
Uphoff noted that the Market Matching team had stepped up its communications
schedule and would report to the EDA and City Council on a bi- monthly rotating basis.
Staff plan to provide an online link to these updates.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR
SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF MONTICELLO AND WSB & ASSOCIATES
FOR MARKET MATCHING, INCLUDING FUNDING 50% OF THE ANNUAL
EXPENSE ($48,000) BY THE EDA, SUBJECT TO CONTRACT REVISIONS AS
SUGGESTED BY THE EDA. ROD DRAGSTEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Special EDA Meeting: 7/14/14
4. Adiournment
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:44 PM. TOM
PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Recorder: Kerry Burri
Approved: Augu , 13, 201
Attest:
EDA R es