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City Council Minutes 04-22-2013 SpecialMINUTES SPECIAL JOINT MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTORITY Monday, April 22, 2013 — 5:00 p.m. Mississippi Room, Community Center, Monticello MN Present - Council: Clint Herbst, Lloyd Hilgart, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta, Brian Stumpf Present -EDA: Matt Frie, Tracy Hinz, Bill Tapper Absent: Bill Demeules, Rod Dragsten Other: Jeff O'Neill, Wayne Oberg, Angela Schumann, WSB Representatives: John Uphoff, Brian Bourassa, Bret Weiss 1. Call to Order Mayor Herbst called the Special Meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. 2. Purpose of Workshop: Listen to economic development proposal from WSB: "Market Matching" Bret Weiss introduced himself and talked about a handout provided on WSB. Jeff O'Neill introduced the presentation for the evening on an economic development proposal involving prospecting. After Megan Barnett Livgard left, the city has explored several options for economic development. The city was approached by WSB with an offer to present information on a program where they could provide economic development services for the city. 3. Discuss proposal and provide direction for staff Bret Weiss first talked about the WSB theme, "The WSB Way," based on the precepts of over - the -top customer service, integrity, and technical excellence. Bret Weiss gave an overview of their firm and noted they did not lose any employees during the recession; they currently have 174 employees on board. WSB deals in 16 service areas, all of which are geared around city needs. Bret Weiss introduced their economic development service area which includes a variety of emphasis topics. Bret Weiss noted that they provide similar types of services for other cities in Minnesota, so they feel confident in this new prograin. WSB focuses on being out in the public and has a number of partners that can help them develop leads for economic development. John Uphoff introduced himself and talked about what his role will be in the Market Matching proposal. Before John Uphoff came to WSB, he worked in management in the retail industry and has had many years of experience with businesses. He will bring the ability to work with businesses and bring them to the table. John Uphoff next reviewed the timeline that he would utilize for developing a program for Monticello. He would start out by analyzing data and then discuss that with the Monticello Economic Development Authority (EDA) and make recommendations. The next step is to review Special Joint City Council /EDA Meeting Minutes — April 22 2013 Page 1 and prioritize the data that has been collected and keep this updated over the next twelve months. The data will be deployed into the public arena using various technology tools. Brian Stumpf asked if this type of information would be available currently in the city's comprehensive plan. John Uphoff explained that the data is probably there but not necessarily immediately available or in a format that is easily accessible. John Uphoff noted that the information they collect will be made available with quarterly reports to the city. By utilizing the data, target prospects can be profiled. Bret Weiss noted that an advantage WSB has is they can put Jolm Uphoff on the street and then use other staff to compile the information that John Uphoff brings back. Bret Weiss explained that the objective of their efforts would be to present assets of multiple cities to developers and contractors amid build a partnership with these people to encourage development in the cities that they represent. WSB will build a strategy with city staff and EDA based on the data and profiles. Glen Posusta stated that he likens this concept to what he envisions for economic development. He asked John Uphoff to describe how he would find out what businesses are looking for in terms of expansion and build out. John Uphoff said he will be networking with as many businesses as possible through direct contact and through various associations that WSB is involved in. Brian Bourassa comment on his hope that the various organizations that they partner with will come to recognize WSB as a main contact when they are helping link developers with cities. John Uphoff noted that the more exposure they can bring for Monticello, the more value the city's assets will have in the marketplace. Bret Weiss stated that this is a new endeavor for WSB with the Market Matching concept. They are interested in this because it ties together some of their core business areas. John Uphoff wrapped up with summarizing the Market Matching sales process: potential business lead generation, initial market matching, follow -up market matching presentation, community development engagement, and community development process review. WSB nuns targeted prospects through the market matching and determines if they are a viable company. If they are, they attempt to bring them forward as a qualified lead and make efforts to closing a deal, working hand in hand with city staff. Glen Posusta asked how WSB had connected with John Uphoff. Brian Bourassa explained that they put the word out to their staff and people in the industry to find out what personnel resources would be available to fit their interest. They talked to a number of people and narrowed it down to John Uphoff, who brought both a business and plamiing background with him. Jeff O'Neill mentioned some of the advantages to utilize a program such as this to help the city generate leads. Clint Herbst asked Bret Weiss how they would deal with leads that come up but might be in competition with some of the other cities that might become part of this program. Bret Weiss commented that WSB would look at matching assets with an interested client and also share the assets available in all of their cities. Special Joint City Council /EDA Meeting Minutes —April 22 2013 Page 2 Steve Johnson asked Bret Weiss to talk about some of their projects that have been successful. Bret Weiss mentioned how much their company has grown and the relationships that they have developed with their clients over the years. Brian Bourassa talked about a project in Lino Lakes that he was involved with; this would be an example of the market snatching techniques that they are proposing. Bret Weiss explained that WSB is just in the early stages of getting this program off the ground. There is not really anything like this available right now, but he feels that this is the right direction for the future. Glen Posusta commented that he did not want to hire another economic development director without a better definition of what the city wants to accomplish with this position. He would like to see a greater effort made toward business prospecting. Steve Johnson asked if this would be more sales or marketing. Bret Weiss stated that he thought it would really be a combination of both. Matt Frie asked if WSB would consider building a hypothetical example to demonstrate how the process would work. Matt Frie explained that he would like to see samples of information and reports that are described in the Market Matching template, for example with "Closing the Deal." Bret Weiss felt that they could work on a sample report format to provide to the city. Jeff O'Neill discussed the potential costs of this program. WSB is asking for $4000 a month which would total $48,000 a year for their Market Matching services. Jeff O'Neill pointed out that the cost for an economic development director would run over $100,000 including benefits for someone that can prospect for new businesses. He noted that there would still be tasks that would be expected of staff in addition to what would be provided through WSB. Clint Herbst asked if there was an expectation that it would be necessary to bring on another staff person to help supplement. Angela Schumann did not feel that would be needed at this time. Jeff O'Neill cosmmented that it would depend on what the workload would entail if the Market Matching takes off. Bret Weiss thanked the EDA and Council for listening to their presentation. Brian Bourassa noted that they have talked to a few other cities but this is their first full presentation. Bret Weiss pointed out this is still a work in progress and they appreciate being able to roll out the presentation to Monticello. Lloyd Hilgart asked if it was WSB's intention to selectively pick areas and amenities so they have an attractive range of assets to present to prospects. Brian Bourassa stated they would attempt to be strategic and not pick groups of cities that are identical or very similar. Bret Weiss stated they would be cautious to not select too many cities so they can provide successful services for those cities. 4. Adjournment TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 6:22 P.M. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0. Special Joint City Council /EDA Meeting Minutes —April 22 2013 Page 3 Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman t' Approved: May 13, 2013 Attest: (1'40Wministrator Special Joint City Council /EDA Meeting Minutes —April 22 2013 Page 4