IEDC Minutes 02-05-2013MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC) MEETING
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 7:00 a.m., Boom Island Room
Present: Joni Pawelk, Wayne Elam, Bill Tapper, Zona Gutzwiller, Jim Johnson, Don
Roberts, Tara Thurber
Absent: Luke Dahlheimer, Rich Harris, Patrick Thompson, Dick Van Allen, Dan Olson
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Angela Schumann, Clint Herbst, Glen Posusta, Sandy Suchy
1. Call to Order
Joni Pawelk called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. She welcomed Tara Thurber, a new
voting member of the IEDC, who will represent the Monticello Chamber Board.
2. Approve Minutes
a. January 5, 2013 — Not available
3. Consideration to addin¢ items to the agenda None
4. Reports
a. Economic Development - None
b. City Council - Bill Tapper asked about the status of the road improvements needed
near the Kjellberg Mobile Home Park. Clint Herbst acknowledged that City Council
had approved moving forward with planning for a full intersection south of the mobile
home park. The project had recently become a local priority because MllDOT had
committed to contributing $400,000 to build access points on both sides of Highway
25. Mobile Home Park property owner Kent Kj ellberg had asked that the City
purchase the portion of the property that would be affected by these road
improvements. The City has the authority however to utilize easements for such
projects. The intersection will provide improved access to the mobile home park.
c. Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Sandy Suchy reported that Cornerstone Caf6
business owner Sue Swiecichowski and State Representative Marion O'Neill had
been invited to testify at the Minnesota State Capitol to present their views on the
minirmun wage issue. Suchy also noted that the Chamber had sent a letter to City
Council and MnDOT fully supporting the Highway 25 improvements as a necessary
step in local growth and improved city safety. Jim Johnson will make a presentation at
the Chamber Luncheon scheduled for February 10'. Hospital staff will share their
perspective on the issue of the state legislature proposed mandate of staffing ratios at
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an upcoming Government Affairs meeting. Joni Pawelk provided further details about
the MN Nurses Association lobbying efforts.
d. TAC - None
5. Consideration to review draft of IEDC Mission Statement
In January, the IEDC had conducted an in -depth discussion regarding the benefits and
purpose of the IEDC. After reviewing three proposed mission statements the IEDC had
directed staff to prepare a mission statement focused on advocacy and which referenced
involvement with business communications. Several members indicated a preference for
the alternate version of the mission statement which stated, "The Monticello IEDC will
advocate for industrial and economic growth within the City of Monticello by promoting
awareness and communication efforts on behalf of the business community."
Angela Schumann pointed out that the updated mission would guide the IEDC to take on
the role of fostering economic development within Monticello and suggested that the
proposed Director position would take on a more external economic development role.
DON ROBERTS MOVED TO APPROVE A REVISED MISSION STATEMENT AS
DIRECTED BY THE IEDC AND TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AN
AMENDMENT TO THE IEDC'S ENABLING RESOLUTION. BILL TAPPER
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
A revised enabling resolution will be included as part of the next agenda for IEDC
consideration and adoption.
6. Consideration of 2013 IEDC Workulan
Staff outlined the 2013 workplan directed at accomplishing the IEDC's updated mission
statement and identified three areas of focus as possible objectives for 2013: on -going
efforts, projects and communications. There was some review of the various initiatives
involved in each area of focus. The Concierge Program, the Business Recognition Program
and Grow Minnesota were cited as examples of ongoing efforts that have been making an
impact in the way Monticello does business locally and beyond. Projects such as IEDC
networking and prospecting efforts, participation in the small group Comprehensive Plan
update, and active representation on the Transportation Advisory Committee, ReStoreing
Downtown, and Bertram Chain of Lakes Advisory Board have further involved the IEDC
in affecting City policies. The emphasis on communications through the creation of a
one -stop Economic Development resource online, the initiation of an e -news distribution,
reaching out to businesses through industry tours and the Mayor /City Administrator
breakfasts have made for strong connections throughout the community.
Jeff O'Neill suggested that the IEDC consider adding an objective related to hosting a
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FiberNet Open House to the workplan. He indicated that it would provide a great
opportunity to showcase this business community asset.
Sandy Suchy asked the IEDC to partner with the Chamber in conducting 20 site visits a
year as part of the Grow Minnesota business advocacy effort. Grow Minnesota works to
make sure resources are identified, needs are met and problems are solved in business
communities throughout the state. The program generally focuses on surveying small
manufacturing firms to obtain trend information. Survey questions could be customized to
obtain broader data which could be used to explore new business prospects.
There was some question about rolling over specific goals, such as the need for a second
industrial park and interchange location, from the 2012 workplan. Staff pointed out that the
data derived from many IEDC efforts would inform issues and enable action.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADOPT THE 2013 WORKPLAN AS DIRECTED BY THE
IEDC. WAYNE ELAM SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
7. IEDC Membership Update
While the IEDC has no set size requirement, broader community representation would be
desirable. Staff had contacted Aroplax, UMC, Bondhus Corporation, Electro Industries and
Suburban Manufacturing to invite the opportunity to serve on the committee. Mary Barger
of Suburban Manufacturing agreed to rejoin. Staff asked that the IEDC reach out to 2 -4
additional candidates for a total committee size of 16 -18.
8. Economic Development Position
City Council and the EDA had met to discuss next steps in hiring an economic
development director. Staff had suggested redefining the position to emphasize an external
sales and marketing role which would focus on lead development and prospecting outside
the community to attract businesses and jobs into the community. The IEDC discussed the
importance of clarifying an economic development vision and the potential value of
incentivizing the position and providing an appropriate marketing budget.
9. Adiournment
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:15 A.M.
WAYNE ELAM SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 7 -0.
Recorder: Kerry Burri
Approved: Apri129�
Attest: / Xj %,
Development Director