IEDC Minutes 08-17-2010 Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 8/17/10
1
MONTICELLO
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
7:00 a.m., Boom Island
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Don Roberts, Patrick Thompson, Dan Olson, Bill Tapper, Zona
Gutzwiller, Wayne Elam, Marshall Smith, Wes Olson, Luke Dahlheimer
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Rich Harris, Chris Kruse, Adam Stolpestad, Elaine DeWenter, Dick
Van Allen
LIASIONS PRESENT: Sandy Suchy, Chamber, Glen Posusta, City Council, Clint Herbst, Mayor
STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Megan Barnett, City Administrator Jeff O’Neill
Call to Order
Chair Don Roberts called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
Approve Minutes
MOTION BY THOMPSON TO APPROVE THE JUNE 1, 2010 MINUTES. MOTION WAS
SECONDED BY ELAM. MOTION CARRIED 9-0.
Consideration of adding items to the Agenda
No items were added to the agenda.
Economic Development Report
Barnett invited questions related to the Director’s Report. She gave a brief update about the Wind Supply
conference she’d attended and noted that the EDA had given authorization for her to attend the CoreNet
Global Summit conference in Arizona to further broaden Monticello’s ability to network.
City Council Report
1) Budget Status
Mayor Herbst reported on the recent Budget Workshop. He stated that, in general, the City has been holding
off on equipment purchases but that there is a need to keep up with budgeting for these items. He indicated
that next year’s levy may go up a small percent, however with values dropping it should not negatively
affect residents and businesses. He noted he would rather look at increasing rates instead of increasing a
levy. Monticello currently charges much less for utilities than surrounding localities. Increasing user fees
would be a fair way to deal with keeping infrastructure up to speed especially as Monticello works to attract
Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 8/17/10
2
business and industry.
FiberNet Monticello (FNM): Staff reported that over 1,000 customers hooked up with FNM as of two
weeks ago. There is the potential for 5,500 customers in the network. City Administrator Jeff O’Neill noted
that FNM has the ability to hook up 100 homes or businesses per week. He indicated that FiberNet is
making headway into the business community. He acknowledged that increased demand for installations
has caused a slight delay in responsiveness. There have been many compliments on service. Technicians
are the biggest sales representatives. Chairman Roberts asked if there is a break-even point. Mayor Herbst
stated that 27-40% would indicate a profit. At this time Monticello has just under 20% in FNM coverage.
O’Neill also noted that he would be hosting state legislators for a telecommunications visit on September 2
from 9-1 p.m.
2) Walgreens
O’Neill stated that the Walgreens project is moving forward and the applicants would like to be in operation
by next year. He indicated that the next few weeks are critical in terms of getting the intersection
improvements underway.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Report
1) Business Expo: Chamber Director Sandy Suchy reported that the Chamber is considering hosting a
manufacturing booth at the October 3rd Business Expo to mark October as Manufacturing Month and
highlight a number of local businesses in one focused area.
Other Chamber events of note:
A series of meetings are scheduled at 7:30 a.m. from August 20-27 to identify a format for the
candidate forum on October 18th
Tickets are available for Bowlarama to promote the Shop Local Program at River City Extreme on
Friday from 6-9 p.m. Play two poker bowling games and enjoy the taco bar.
Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E)
1) Number of surveys completed: Sixty out of 398 businesses of all sizes in Monticello were surveyed.
2) General feedback, Red Flags, Leadership Workshop
Barnett indicated that site visits and follow-up calls or visits have been completed. Chairman Roberts
mentioned that he was impressed with the July wrap up session at the U of M and encouraged others to learn
more about what to focus on to improve Monticello’s image at the meeting on the 28th. He also pointed out
that the IEDC should send a letter to thank the leadership committee for their work.
Some of the red flags noted in the study were: need for financing and sign ordinance information, need to
understand zoning codes; need to know where to find resources and get further education on issues; need to
understand workforce safety; and need to have visits from city staff.
Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 8/17/10
3
3) BR&E Taskforce Retreat September 28, 2010: Specific information to follow.
4) Future Schedule: Community Meeting in October
There will be a community meeting in October (date to be determined) at which the BR&E Leadership
Team will present 4-5 viable projects.
Review draft Ordinance establishing the IEDC in Chapter 2 of City Code
Barnett pointed out that the IEDC was formally organized as a committee in 2008 through the adoption of a
resolution which outlined the history and purpose of the IEDC. In order to be consistent with how the City
establishes advisory boards and commissions, staff has drafted an ordinance to establish the IEDC in
Chapter 2 of City code. The purpose, appointment of members, terms of office, attendance and duties
discussed and incorporated in the resolution will remain intact. The ordinance will not change the function
or the purpose of the IEDC. It is instead a housekeeping item which became a priority during cross checking
as part of the zoning code revision process.
Industry of the Year Award & initiate an Industrial recognition event
Barnett recommended formalizing an annual Industry of the Year award through the IEDC and EDA. She
included a draft outline which defined “industry” and provided general criteria for annually recognizing an
industry. She discussed the option of initiating a local industry recognition event as part of Manufacturing
Month in October and asked for input related to the type of gathering and the location. She indicated that the
IEDC would provide a recommendation to the EDA since they have the budget for business retention
efforts.
Barnett responded to questions from the IEDC Board about how this effort might work. There was concern
about how to determine which businesses to honor. She noted that it may be part of the role of the IEDC to
learn about local businesses so they know that they have a voice in the community. After much discussion,
the Committee determined that it might be most useful to spotlight one to three businesses in a breakfast
event with the Mayor in October at the Community Center. Barnett agreed to obtain a list of businesses for
the Committee to review.
Provide feedback on proposed North Hennepin Leadership training course
Upon completion of the BR&E survey, it became clear that businesses would like training classes to be
local for their employees if at all possible. City Staff met with Jamie Simonsen from North Hennepin
Technical College to discuss an opportunity to provide leadership and management training to our local
business leaders. The college put together a dynamic eight month, once a month, four hour per course
program. In order to make the program more affordable to the business community, city staff will be asking
the EDA to subsidize a portion of the registration fee. Upon EDA approval, the course will be launched in
October.
City Staff recommended that the EDA approve the course and subsidize up to $6,400 dollars for 20
participants in the 2010 budget and up to $10,000 in the 2011 budget.
Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 8/17/10
4
The Committee noted that participating businesses would pay about $495 each for all eight sessions as a
core partner. Additional employees invited would pay only $75 for portions of the course. The EDA is
being asked to pick up $325 of the cost of the class per core partner. It was determined that the optimal class
size might be 20.
Barnett provided a proposed L.E.A.D. Monticello program outline. She pointed out that many communities
have been successfully doing this for years and that North Hennepin has extensive experience working with
businesses. The Chamber has agreed to help promote the program through general announcements at
Chamber events, mass mailings, e-news and information on their website.
Staff asked for IEDC feedback as it relates to the proposed course content and the educational opportunity
in general. The Committee agreed to support this effort as it is forwarded to the EDA.
Rotary Event Announcement
Zona Gutzwiller announced that she is selling Taste of Monticello fundraiser tickets for the 5:30-8:30 p.m.
September 16th Rotary networking event.
Adjournment
MOTION MADE BY DAHLHEIMER TO ADJOURN. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY TAPPER.
MOTION CARRIED 9-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:16 am.