EDA Minutes 02-11-2015MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
Wednesday, February 111, 2015, Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Bill Demeules, Bill Tapper, Tracy Hinz, Jim Davidson, Steve Johnson, Tom
Perrault, Lloyd Hilgart
Absent: None
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Angela Schumann
1. Call to Order
Bill Demeules called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
a. Special EDA Meeting - December 10th, 2014
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 10, 2014 SPECIAL
EDA MEETING MINUTES AS CORRECTED. LLOYD HILGART
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
Lloyd Hilgart questioned the phrasing of a statement in the minutes related to the
cost of code compliance. Angela Schumann indicated that staff would provide
clarification.
b. Regular EDA Meeting - December 10th, 2014
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 10, 2014 REGULAR
EDA MEETING MINUTES. TOM PERRAULT AND BILL TAPPER
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
C. Special EDA Meeting — January 12'01, 2015
LLOYD HILGART MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 12TH, 2015
SPECIAL EDA MEETING MINUTES. TRACY HINZ SECONDED THE
MOT ION. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. (Bill Tapper abstained as he had not
attended the meeting.)
d. Regular EDA Meeting — January 14th, 2015
TRACY HINZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 14TH, 2015
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REGULAR EDA MEETING MINUTES. STEVE JOHNSON SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0. (Bill Tapper abstained as he had not
attended the-meeting.)
4. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
Land use process at 100 East Broadway property (Schumann)
Temporary use of 100 E Broadway property (Schumann)
Closed meeting related to property purchase (Schumann)
5. Consideration of approving payment of bills
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS THROUGH
JANUARY 2015. LLOYD HILGART SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 7 -0.
Bill Demeules suggested that the EDA revert to its previous policy of providing copies of
only the summary statements in an effort to reduce paperwork and staff time involved in
preparing the agenda packet.
BILL DEMEULES MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO INCLUDE ONLY THE BILL
SUMMARY STATEMENTS WITH EDA AGENDA PACKETS. TRACY HINZ
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
Bill Tapper stated that he likes to see the detail related to consultant fees as these involve
substantial amounts of money. Schumann pointed out that staff must redact details related
to negotiations involving sale or purchase transactions until these become public
information. She suggested that commissioners are welcome to contact staff to review and
ask specific questions related to the bills prior to the meeting.
There seemed to be general agreement among the commissioners that it was not necessary
to provide paper copies of the supporting data as long as the information was available
electronically. Steve Johnson suggested emailing the EDA the supporting information
rather than posting it on the website. Angela Schumann pointed out that any information
emailed to the EDA as a group is considered public information.
6. Wright County Economic Development Partnership Update
Director of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership, Duane Northagen
provided an overview of current Partnership initiatives and asked for input as to how the
organization might serve the Monticello community.
Northagen explained that the mission of the Partnership is to create a healthy and diverse
environment for existing, expanding and new businesses, which in turn creates
employment opportunities, enhances the overall economic vitality of the region thereby
benefitting the businesses, communities and citizens of Wright County.
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Northagen indicated that, although he has been heading up the Partnership for less than a
year, he has three decades of experience in economic development initiatives. He
acknowledged that it is a challenge for one person to serve 16 communities and 3,000
businesses but pointed out that he partners with regional organizations in an effort to
address both public sector and private sector economic development needs. He cited MN
DEED, Greater MSP, St. Cloud Development Corporation, the Initiative Foundation and
the SW Initiative Fund, Central MN Manufacturing Association (CMMA), Central MN
Jobs and Training Office, Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM),
and Minnesota Association of Professional County Economic Developers (MAPCED), as
some examples of such resources.
Northagen noted that, as a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counselor for the
Wright County satellite office, he has assisted 15 clients seeking financial resources and
enabled three businesses to obtain loans. He and other SBDC representatives asked
legislators to support area policy platforms related to infrastructure, broadband,
workforce development during the recent Economic Development Day at the Capitol.
Northagen said he had spoken to 40 -50 leads about relocating to Wright County. He said
that the Partnership had hired a consultant to assist with updating the member directory
on the website and to establish a regular newsletter. He emphasized that he would
continue to grow the effort to market Wright County's expanding manufacturing base and
talented workforce.
Northagen shared that the Partnership also supports the national Creating Entrepreneurial
Opportunities (CEO) program designed to engage students in obtaining school credit and
starting a business. Angela Schumann noted that School Superintendent Jim Johnson
suggested that IEDC members get involved with the program because they bring real
world experience to support the entrepreneurial expertise provided by Wright Technical.
Steve Johnson asked how Northagen measures success. Northagen stated that he plans to
incorporate formal tools to track progress within the year.
Lloyd Hilgart asked if there had been any inquiries related to solar panels. Northagen said
that there had not been but noted that he is familiar with issues surrounding solar energy
and offered to write letters to the legislature in support of Monticello's policies.
7. Consideration to Adopt a Letter of TIF Analysis Findings for 100 Broadway Street
East, Monticello, Minnesota, dated December 2, 2014, and to Adopt Resolution
EDA- 2015 -002 Designating a Buildine as Structurally Substandard Within
Redevelopment Proiect No. 1.
Angela Schumann summarized that the EDA had previously reviewed and accepted
LHB's Analysis Findings report indicating that the property located at 100 Broadway
Street East meets qualification requirements for a redevelopment or renovation and
renewal Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. She explained that the EDA must
formally adopt a Letter of TIF Analysis Findings related to that property evaluation
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before demolition of the structure and prior to creation of a new TIF district. She also
recommended that the EDA also adopt a resolution declaring the building located at 100
East Broadway to be structurally substandard based on those findings.
Decision 1: Adopt Letter of Findings
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADOPT A LETTER OF TIF ANALYSIS FINDINGS FOR
100 BROADWAY STREET EAST, MONTICELLO, MINNESOTA, DATED
DECEMBER 2, 2014. TRACY HINZ SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 7 -0.
Decision 2: Adopt Resolution EDA- 2015 -002
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION EDA -2015 -002, DESIGNATING
A BUILDING AS STRUCTURALLY SUBSTANDARD WITHIN REDEVELOPMENT
PROJECT NO. 1. STEVE JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 7 -0.
Tom Perrault asked about pro -rated valuation. Schumann explained that valuation is
determined at the time of certification of filing and that road right -of -way would already
have been conveyed to MNDot at that time. She offered to confirm that any increase in
value would relate only to the balance of the property.
Perrault also asked that the description of designated property in Exhibit A be corrected
to read 100 Broadway Street East. Schumann indicated that she would check the title
work to verify the legal street name.
8. Added 'items
• Land use process at 100 East Broadway property (Schumann) — Angela
Schumann asked that the EDA authorize staff to submit a land use application on
behalf of the EDA as property owner to combine Lots 14 & 15 on Block 34, Original
Plat of Monticello, and to subdivide the portion of the property needed for future
right- of-way purposes. Schumann also requested EDA authorization to work with
Kennedy c& Graven, the City Engineer, and MnDOT to prepare documents related to
conveyance of that portion of property to MnDOT. Schumann pointed out that the
EDA is required to hold a public hearing for any conveyance of its property.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO COMBINE LOTS 14 & 15,
BLOCK 34, ORIGINAL PLAT OF MONTICELLO, AND SUBDIVIDE THAT
PORTION OF PROPERTY NEEDED FOR ROAD RIGHT -OF -WAY PURPOSES.
TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH THE
APPROPRIATE PARTIES TO PREPARE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS
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RELATED TO CONVEYING THE SUBDIVIDED PORTION OF COMBINED
LOTS 14 & 15, BLOCK 34, NEEDED FOR ROAD RIGHT -OF -WAY TO MNDOT.
TRACY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
Temporary use of 100 E Broadway property (Schumann) - Angela Schumann
reported that the City's liaison from the Wright County Sheriff's Office, Sargent
Anderson, and Canine Officer Sargent Cotton (and dog "Saber ") had requested the
temporary use of the building located at 100 East Broadway for canine unit training
purposes. Schumann pointed out that the ERA's recommendation would move
forward for City Council consideration.
TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ALLOW THE WRIGHT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO UTILIZE THE
BUILDING LOCATED AT 100 EAST BROADWAY FOR CANINE UNIT
TRAINING CONTINGENT UPON VERIFICATION OF INSURANCE
COVERAGE AS APPROPRIATE. BILL TAPPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
Closed meeting related to property purchase (Schumann) - Angela Schumann
reported that she'd received a letter from a property owner asking that the EDA
consider acquiring the property.
BILL DEMEULES MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO SCHEDULE A CLOSED
EDA MEETING TO CONSIDER THE ACQUISITION REQUEST PRIOR TO
MARCH 11, 2015 REGULAR EDA MEETING. TRACY HINZ SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
9. Consideration of Director's Report
Lloyd Hilgart asked about participation in the upcoming State of the Cities event. Jeff
O'Neill indicated that the City of Monticello had participated last year and would do so
again next year.
O'Neill reported that staff plan to schedule a tour of the City in an effort to orient new
commissioners. Details will be provided as they become available.
10. Adiournment
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:04 PM. TOM
PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
Recorder: Kerry Burn
Approved: M 15
Attest:
ED r entat e