EDA Minutes 07-14-2010ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 6:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: President Bill Demeules, Treasurer Bill Tapper, Bill Fair, Tracy Hinz
and Council Members Tom Perrault and Brian Stumpf
Commissioners Absent: Vice President Dan Frie
Staff Present: Executive Director Megan Barnett, Community Development Director Angela
Schumann
1. Call to Order
2. Approve Meeting Minutes
Tom Perrault requested an amendment to the second paragraph on page three of the June 9, 2010 minutes
replacing the word "expenses" with the word "funds." He also asked a question related to item 7 about the
I -94 coalition expenses. Barnett stated that the I -94 coalition expenses were from a fund balance from last
year from the marketing budget listed in the membership and dues section.
MOTION WAS MADE BY FAIR TO APPROVE THE JUNE 9, 2010 MINUTES AS AMENDED.
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0 WITH TOM PERRAULT
ABSTAINING AS HE WAS ABSENT FOR PART OF THE MEETING.
3. Consideration of additional agenda items: None
4. Approval of EDA Invoices
MOTION WAS MADE BY STUMPF TO APPROVE INVOICES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
FAIR. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
5. Marketing Update
a. Conferences
Barnett indicated that she had registered for the Medical Design & Manufacturing, the MNCAR Expo,
and the Life Science Alley conferences. She noted that she was approached by Positively MN to join
in on their exhibit booth for the Life Science Alley event. Although she is unable to participate due to
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training commitments, Barnett has arranged for Monticello representatives to partner with them for
this event to reduce the conference cost.
Barnett stated that she is looking for direction from the EDA as to the option of attending the CoreNet
Global Conference this fall in Phoenix. She noted that participation in this event would broaden
Monticello's exposure to corporate real estate industry leaders in many different markets and
potentially bring in out -of -state contacts. She pointed out that staff could partner with Positively MN
to attend the conference and walk the exhibit floor to make contacts rather than hosting a more costly
exhibit booth.
Barnett indicated that all of these conferences would cost less than the $10,000 the EDA had budgeted
for marketing expenses.
Stumpf asked for clarification on the role of Positively MN. Barnett stated that it is the Sate's
marketing department under the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
department. Their role is to partner with communities to help broaden their ability to attract companies
to the state through national conferences and networks. Barnett noted that she attends quarterly DEED
meetings to utilize their resources. Stumpf asked if there would be an opportunity to share information
about Monticello's amenities at such events. Barnett indicated that she would be able to market
Monticello to a broader audience of corporate industry leaders. Perrault asked how many cities go to
the CoreNet conference. Barnett stated that St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, and St. Cloud are often
among those in attendance.
MOTION MADE BY FAIR TO APPROVE THE ECONOMIC DIRECTOR ATTENDING
CORENET TRADESHOW IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA IN SEPTEMBER 2010. MOTION WAS
SECONDED BY STUMPF. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
Tapper asked Barnett for a brief report about her participation in the Wind Industry Supply Chain
Workshop. Barnett noted that it was a very technical presentation about wind turbines geared toward
the various manufacturing aspects of initiating such a project. She indicated that it was useful due to
the connections made with several manufacturing companies in attendance. She noted that staff would
get copies of the presentations and an attendance list of participants and do some follow up marketing.
b. Website
Barnett indicated that she has been working with local vendor, Bullfrog Sweatshop, to create a
proposed targeted Economic Development website which would focus on providing information that
is of most interest to site selectors. Information would include: demographics (population, workforce,
resources, etc.), financing incentives, and available property (for sale and lease/ public & private) in
Monticello. She noted that the City's website would still have an Economic Development presence
and a link would be created to direct people to this site selector focused site. Community Development
Director Angela Schumann pointed out that creating a separate website for Economic Development
would enable quick and easy access to very specific economic development information and provide
for a unique identity for the department. The site would be marketed as the main source of reference
for the EDA. Demeules pointed out that the site would be listed as a priority on the internet search
engine. Barnett confirmed that the number of hits to the new site would be identified. The City would
be Administrator and have full control of the site. The proposed cost to build the site would be
$2,899.00 and hosting costs are built into the quote at $200 per year.
Barnett pointed out that Bullfrog created the Loch Jewelers website. She also noted that they are
currently located in the old Monticello Times Building but plan to expand their services at a new site.
MOTION BY TAPPER TO APPROVE ALLOCATING UP TO $3,000 OF MARKETING
DOLLARS TO CREATE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE UTILIZING BULLFROG
SWEATSHOP. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY PERRAULT. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
6. Director Report
Barnett indicated that the City Council agenda that had been included in the packet was a draft agenda.
The final revised agenda can be found online. She also noted that she has some updated information
regarding the land inquiry status. She reported that the EDA will have a closed meeting in August to go
review updated information.
7. Adjournment
MOTION BY TAPPER TO ADJOURN. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
PERRAULT. MOTION CARRIED 6 -0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
J-,
1 Demeules, President
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