IEDC Agenda 01-03-2012MONTICELLO
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, December 6, 2011-7:00 a.m., Boom Island Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rich Harris, Vice Chair Luke Dahlheimer, Don Roberts,
Patrick Thompson, Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Zona Gutzwiller,
Wayne Elam, Joni Pawelk, Dan Olson, Wes Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Elaine DeWenter, Chris Kruse
LIASIONS PRESENT: Clint Herbst, Mayor
Glen Posusta, City Council
LIAISONS ABSENT: Sandy Suchy, Chamber
STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Megan Barnett-Livgard, City
Administrator Jeff O’Neill
1. Call to Order
Rich Harris called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes
LUKE DAHLHEIMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 1, 2011 MINUTES.
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY BILL TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED 11-0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the Agenda None
4. Reports
a. Economic Development Report - A written update was included in the agenda packet.
b. City Council
Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park-Glen Posusta summarized some of the issues
that the Bertram Advisory Board has been working through in the effort to move
forward with acquiring the rest of the Bertram Park. The YMCA will prepare a
proposed site design and potential options for expansion of their facilities. The Board
has not yet determined a policy related to the use of motorized boats on the lake. Park
programming will be established once there are facilities to support it. A shared use
agreement has been developed for boat access on summer weekends. There continues
to be discussion about shared use of the beach.
IEDC Minutes 12/06/11
2
MYSA-Jeff O’Neill noted that the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) is
again interested in exploring locating their facility and fields just north of Bertram
Park. The City would have to make upgrading the sewage treatment plant and
extending sewer and water service to the site a priority to accommodate the complex.
Wright County may meet with the City of Buffalo to explore options for purchasing
incineration equipment.
Budget update- Glen Posusta pointed out that commercial taxes would increase due to a
state shift in valuation even though the city had only slightly raised the tax levy.
Ford dealership-Clint Herbst shared concerns about the ability of the developer to
follow through with proposed plans for the Ford dealership. There were questions
about the process by which the City chooses a developer and some discussion about the
accuracy of a recent article related to the project in the Monticello Times. The property
is currently owned by Chrysler.
c. Chamber of Commerce and Industry No report
d. TAC
Don Roberts summarized that the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) had
narrowed down proposals for a recommended Fallon Avenue Overpass and a second
River Crossing to three options. The Fallon Avenue options considered both regular
intersections and roundabouts ranging in cost from 2.5 to 5 million dollars.
Alternatives east or west off of Interstate 94 crossing on Washington by the hospital
seemed to make the most sense as they would add options for new development which
would align with the Embracing Downtown Plan. Although implementation of the
second River Crossing project is expected to be a long term plan, the projects directly
affect one another. Options will go before City Council in December for authorization
to bring alternatives to the public for input and further analysis.
5. IEDC Concierge Services
a. Breakfast with the Mayor/Administrator
1. Cornerstone Chevrolet
Clint Herbst and Jeff O’Neill had a good meeting with Cornerstone Chevrolet on
November 4th. Cornerstone has agreed to utilize the local DMV.
2. Walker In Store
Breakfast with Walker In Store is scheduled for December 7th.
IEDC Minutes 12/06/11
3
b. Site Visits
1. Aroplax Corporation - The site visit in November went well.
6. Consider approving Resolution#2011-109 recommending the City Council amend the
Monticello Comprehensive Plan adopting the Embracing Downtown Plan
The McComb Group consulting team submitted the final Embracing Downtown Plan for
public comment at a recent open house. Implementation will be dependent upon market
forces and is intended to remain flexible within established design guidelines. In this way
no single property owner will be forced to participate or can hold up the plan.
The EDA and City Council has authorized staff to negotiate the purchase of the
Montgomery Farms buildings. Acquiring these buildings will assist in improving the
intersection and opening up the block for future redevelopment.
Jeff O’Neill pointed out that the McComb Group emphasis on market analysis, urban
design, business community connections, and expertise with financing options will help to
leverage private dollars to revitalize Monticello. The plan will change the look of Walnut
Street by opening access with a pedestrian walkway from the community center to the
river.
The McComb Group underlined the importance of including a strong and positive mix of
business leadership by involving major employers such as Cargill and New River Medical
Center to partner in the effort to drive and implement the plan.
There was some discussion and agreement about how the timing of moving forward with a
traffic signal at 4th Street would be dependent upon the pace of redevelopment.
The plan will be considered as a component of the Comprehensive Plan at a public hearing
at Planning Commission on December 6th, EDA review and approval on December 14th,
and finally go before the City Council for authorization in January.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION #2011-109 RECOMMENDING
THE CITY COUNCIL AMEND THE MONTICELLO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
ADOPTING THE EMBRACING DOWNTOWN PLAN. MOTION WAS SECONDED
BY WAYNE ELAM. MOTION CARRIED 11-0.
7. Elect 2012 Chair and recommend re-appointment of IEDC members
Luke Dahlheimer had previously been nominated and agreed to chair for 2012.
IEDC Minutes 12/06/11
4
JONI PAWELK MOVED TO ELECT LUKE DAHLHEIMER AS THE 2012 IEDC
CHAIR. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY RICH HARRIS. MOTION CARRIED 11-0.
Staff recommended reappointment of Bill Tapper and Patrick Thompson for another term.
DICK VAN ALLEN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
REAPPOINT BILL TAPPER AND PATRICK THOMPSON TO ANOTHER 3-YEAR
IEDC TERM. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY LUKE DAHLHEIMER. MOTION
CARRIED 11-0.
8. Discuss rescheduling January 2012 meeting
The IEDC will meet on January 3, 2012 as scheduled.
9. Discuss and adopt a 2012 Work Plan
Industrial Park-The IEDC discussed the importance of establishing another industrial park
comprised of larger tracts of land to address the changing market.
Branding Process- Staff is interested in initiating a branding process to help the City
clearly and consistently market the many assets in the community.
Embracing Downtown-There will be many opportunities to support the implementation of
the Embracing Downtown project. One such effort may be to create a new downtown
leadership team.
Transportation-The IEDC suggested adding further objectives to the transportation
priority. Bill Tapper pointed out that the TAC is crafting some detailed options and that
once a plan is in place lobbying can begin in earnest. Clint Herbst indicated that it would be
useful if Big Lake and Sherburne County were on board with the effort. It was also
suggested that the IEDC market the transportation project to business owners in Big Lake
to gain support for moving forward. Staff will follow up with the new Economic
Development Director in Big Lake about this.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2012 IEDC WORK PLAN AS
AMENDED. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY PATRICK THOMPSON. MOTION
CARRIED 11-0.
10. Adjournment
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 8:29 A.M. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
LUKE DAHLHEIMER. MOTION CARRIED 11-0.
IEDC Minutes 12/06/11
5
Recorder: Kerry T. Burri __
Approved: January 3, 2012
Attest: _______________________________________________
Megan Barnett-Livgard, Economic Development Director