IEDC Minutes 06-01-2010 Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 6/1/10
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MONTICELLO
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
7:00 a.m., Mississippi Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Rich Harris, Patrick Thompson, Dan Olson, Bill Tapper, Dick Van
Allen, Zona Gutzwiller, Wayne Elam, Elaine DeWenter
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Don Roberts, Marshall Smith, Chris Kruse, Luke Dahlheimer, Wes Olson,
Adam Stolpestad
LIASIONS PRESENT: Sandy Suchy, Chamber, Glen Posusta, City Council
LIAISONS ABSENT: Clint Herbst, Mayor
STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Megan Barnett, City Administrator Jeff O’Neill,
City Engineer Bruce Westby
OTHERS: Rachel Gardner
Call to Order
IEDC Vice Chair Rich Harris called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.
Approve Minutes
MOTION BY TAPPER TO APPROVE THE MAY 4, 2010 MINUTES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
OLSON. MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Consideration of adding items to the Agenda
No additional items were added to the agenda. Barnett announced that the small group IEDC zoning
meeting scheduled immediately after this meeting had been cancelled and that Angela Schumann would
reschedule.
Economic Development Report
Barnett reported that the EDA approved a Preliminary Development Agreement with Dahlheimer Beverage
for the purchase of six acres to facilitate a future expansion. She also noted that the EDA had met to discuss
the downtown land inquiry forms received and directed staff to begin negotiations with one particular
property owner.
Barnett stated that the Wright County Economic Development Partnership would meet on June 2nd at the
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Monticello Community Center for a Wine and Beer Tasting to promote businesses and networking.
Barnett indicated that the Embracing Downtown Monticello Steering Committee had conducted the first
round of interviews for the project. The firms interviewed were: WSB, NAC, Cunningham, Bonestroo,
Place Dynamics, and McCombs.
City Council
1) Walgreens
City Administrator Jeff O’Neill stated that the City Council had approved plans and specifications for
improvements along the NW corner of Highway 25 and 75. He noted that the Planning Commission
would review land use applications for Walgreens at their June meeting. Councilmember Glen Posusta
pointed out that the project only improves one fourth of the intersection. He also stated that the council
had asked Walgreens for 10% or $26,000 of the total project costs as a down payment.
2) Feasibility Study for NE Quadrant Transportation
Barnett indicated that the City would like to utilize surplus TIF district to help spur development and ask
the EDA to authorize a TIF Spending plan at their regular June meeting.
3) River Street Re-Con Project
Posusta reported that River Street will not be a through street but rather a cul-de-sac to the East of 25 and
still accessible from the parking lot. He said that the traffic light would stay at 25 and River Street. He
indicated that there would eventually be a sidewalk along the Walgreens building.
Westby summarized the components of the project and stated a project end date of November. He
indicated that City Council had approved alternate bid items and requested lowering the grade of the
Walnut Street parking lot. Westby pointed out that the whole parking lot is being reconstructed and that
there will be no connection to west River from Walnut Street. He noted that the 3rd Street parking lot is
also proposed to be reconstructed. Staff will meet with business owners to talk about appropriate
financing. Westby has a preconstruction meeting with the contractor scheduled to determine the phasing
of the project. There is also a neighborhood meeting scheduled to provide an overview of the project.
In addition, Westby indicated that the resurfacing of Hwy 25 at River Street would take place after Labor
Day and that the work would likely be completed at night.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber Director Sandy Suchy noted that the Chamber Lunch is scheduled for June 15. She noted that
Amy Koch is bringing someone from the State Energy Office for the forum.
Review Illicit Discharge, Detention, and Elimination Ordinance
Westby pointed out that monitoring discharge of hazardous materials is a requirement for the city. Adopting
an Illicit Discharge, Detention, and Elimination (IDDE) ordinance is a critical part of the City’s Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). Illicit discharge means anything that is not in compliance (i.e.,
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motor oil or chemicals) going into the storm system. This ordinance gives the city some enforcement
ability. Incidents will be considered on a case by case basis. There was some discussion about the types of
businesses that should be aware of this ordinance and also how to increase community awareness of this
issue in general.
Business Retention & Expansion
a. Number of surveys completed
Barnett reported that 28 business surveys have been completed. The original goal was to be completed
with the survey process by June 1st.
b. Number of businesses remaining to survey
Barnett indicated that there are 52 businesses left to survey. Suchy stated that she has about 25 more
surveys completed but not yet submitted. Barnett noted that fifteen businesses have not yet been
assigned partners. She pointed out that the biggest issues are not enough volunteers available to work on
this project and not enough businesses interested in taking the time to do the interview.
c. General feedback, Red Flags, schedule
Barnett summarized the goal of the Leadership Team was to survey 80 businesses. She noted that the one
to one contact demonstrates community support of businesses. The deadline for this project has been
pushed out to July 1st. There will be a meeting at the U of M in August to go over the preliminary results.
Cancel regular July meeting
MOTION MADE BY GUTZWILLER TO CANCEL JULY MEETING. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
THOMPSON. MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
Adjournment:
MOTION MADE BY VAN ALLEN TO ADJOURN. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY THOMPSON.
MOTION CARRIED 8-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.