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City Council Minutes 09-23-2013 Joint EDAMINUTES SPECIAL JOINT MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL/ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Monday, September 23, 2013 — 5:30 p.m. Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center Present - Council: Clint Herbst, Lloyd Hilgart, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta, Brian Stumpf Absent: None Present -EDA: Rod Dragsten, Matt Frie, Tracy Hinz, Bill Tapper Absent: Bill Demeules Others: Jeff O'Neill, Angela Schumann, Rachel Leonard, WSB representatives John Uphoff and Brian Bourassa 1. Call to Order Mayor Herbst called the special meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Purpose of Meeting: Update on WSB's Market Matching Program Jeff O'Neill introduced WSB representatives, John Uphoff and Brian Bourassa, and turned the meeting over to them. John Uphoff led the presentation. He explained that 80% of their time has been spent on data collection so far. They found it took quite a bit of time deploying the project and making contacts. There are two parts to the market data report: complete data review and defining Monticello's unique selling proposition (USP). John Uphoff summarized some information from the EDAM conference in June, where the keynote speaker stated that most searches are done by people who are looking at your electronic resources. John Uphoff reviewed the website resources that are available for Monticello: city website, building business landing page, ReSTOREing Downtown Monticello, Wright County Economic Development Partnership, MNDEED Shovel Ready, Positively MN, CoStar. John Uphoff noted that there are about 15 shovel - ready sites in the state and Monticello's Otter Creek Business Park is one of them. However the information does need some updating. John Uphoff suggested that the home page of the city should reference the broadband potential as a high -tech city. He would like to promote that aspect a lot more. Next, John Uphoff talked about the materials review and suggested some of the types of promotional materials to be used. Some of the other areas under review are the city's comprehensive plan, retail market analysis, and reSTOREing Downtown. He recommended some market studies and data updates to be done between now and the spring. John Uphoff introduced the new data sets that have been developed, which he would like to see deployed on the city's website. He further discussed some of these such as: Labor Shed Analysis (distance from the site where labor will come from) and Housing Market Study (available units to provide labor for businesses in the community). Special Council Meeting Minutes — September 23, 2013 Page 1 John Uphoff explained the development of Monticello's Unique Selling Proposition (USP). The discovery process includes interviews with community professionals and various entities in the state. Some of the key features focus on high speed fiber optics, high quality of life, and geographic location. John Uphoff emphasized the need to develop the features that Monticello has to offer. John Uphoff asked the Council and EDA for feedback on the direction that has been taken so far. Glen Posusta asked about the value of land prices and taxes in site selection. John Uphoff said that is a consideration but not high on the list if they are getting appropriate value for their money. Brian Bourassa noted that incentives and subsidies are also not high on the list of concerns. Jeff O'Neill talked briefly about the gig initiative that FiberNet is working on. He noted that this will be a good marketing tool and will make Monticello a "gig (google) city." Tracy Hinz commented that she thinks it is good that FiberNet will be a good marketing tool, but said she has heard from residents of Monticello that are not very excited about FiberNet. She would like to make sure that WSB is aware of this in their marketing approach. John Uphoff noted that there is a difference in approaching businesses versus the residential users. He would hope that residents will see promotion of FiberNet to the business world as a more positive aspect of FiberNet. Bill Tapper pointed out that the key to both is the competition — it will encourage best prices and service. Bill Tapper also emphasized the great quality of life here in Monticello. Brian Stumpf asked if key features would include the Monticello -owned business park and low land prices. John Uphoff confirmed that is the case and that information will be in flyers. Under data deployment, John Uphoff said they have responded to three specific RFI's (request for information). There is some early interest from one of the responses and they will provide information as available. John Uphoff has also been meeting with state economic development contacts regarding possible technology firms and emerging firms that specialize in unmanned vehicles (drones). He also attended a site selector tour early in September which resulted in promotion of Monticello's industrial park. John Uphoff has been in touch with Angelos Angelou regarding high tech potential development. This connection was made through the site selection tour and networking with Greater MSP and Positively Minnesota. Brian Bourassa pointed out that they will continue to market match with Mr. Angelou. Another person that they will maintain contact with is Phil Schnieder who focuses on heavy manufacturing and high technology. John Uphoff displayed the flyer that has been drafted for promoting business in Monticello. There were some items that may need updating but the general theme is to promote with graphics rather than just words. A site flyer will be created for every business opportunity in Monticello. They will be working with local listing agents. Jeff O'Neill commented on the possibility of merging the gig capacity with a tech incubator /accelerator business campus. John Uphoff stated that they are working on Special Council Meeting Minutes — September 23, 2013 Page 2 developing that with their market matching. This would encourage new emerging technology utilizing venture capital and angel investors. Tracy Hinz asked how the Housing Study will be conducted. John Uphoff explained that they look at existing housing units within the market area and then lay out projections on what kind of housing stock will be needed over a certain time period. Site selectors and developers will want this information before they make commitments in an area. Some of the next steps for WSB are to get website resources updated appropriately, continue to respond to RFI's, and implementing their Info Tracker tool. 3. Adjournment TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 6:42 P.M. LLOYD HILGART SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0. Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman Approved: October 14, 2013 Attest: C' ministrator Special Council Meeting Minutes — September 23, 2013 Page 3