IEDC Minutes 09-07-2010MONTICELLO
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
7:00 a.m., Mississippi Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Don Roberts, Bill Tapper, Dick Van Allen, Dan Olson, Zona
Gutzwiller, Wayne Elam, Marshall Smith, Elaine DeWenter, Chris Kruse, Luke Dahlheimer, and Wes
Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Rich Harris, Patrick Thompson, Marshall Smith
LIASIONS PRESENT: Rachel Wernsing, Chamber
Glen Posusta, City Council
Clint Herbst, Mayor
STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Megan Barnett
Call to Order
IEDC Chair Don Roberts called the meeting to order at 7:02 a.m.
Approve Minutes
No minutes to approve at this time.
Consideration of adding items to the Agenda
No additional items were added to the agenda.
Reports
Economic Development Report
Barnett reported the EDA authorized initiating a L.E.A.D (Learn, Educate, Act, Develop) leadership
training course. The EDA will subsidize a portion of the registration fee for existing businesses who
participate in the eight month training course. The training course is being provided as a direct resul t of
the BR&E survey. The business community stated an interest in providing local leadership training. In
partnership with North Hennepin Community College, we have devised a very price conservative yet
effective course.
Wright County Development Partnership Wright County will be hosting their annual golf tournament on
September 13, 2010 at Wild Marsh Golf Course in Buffalo.
Economic Development Director Megan Barnett will be attending a Core Net Global (national association
for Real Estate industry leaders) Summit September 19-21.
The City Council and EDA have provided the necessary approvals to move forward with the Embracing
Downtown Project. A contract has been signed and a kick off meeting is anticipated to occur by mid
September.
Staff has had the opportunity to respond to several inquiries in the past month. Most of the inquiry
requests relate to users desiring existing vacant building space. Staff has had the opportunity to connect
several brokers with local building owners.
City Council is currently working on budget for next year. The Mayor and Council member Posusta
stated the many challenges they are facing with setting next year’s budget. The City Council realizes the
need to keep taxes low as to not adversely affect businesses and residents, while still needing to maintain
good working equipment and service levels.
FiberNet Monticello construction is on target with mainline construction anticipating to be completed by
the end of 2010. The response from the public is exceeding expectations and triggering reactions from
FNM’s competitors. Enhancements to the phone switch are underway and will continue to enhance
product lines available to the business community.
Finalize Industry of the Year Award Criteria & Manufacturing event
Economic Development asked the IEDC to approve the enclosed Industry of the Year criteria. The
Chamber of Commerce will continue its current Business of the year award. The Chamber only looks
within its membership for business of the year recipients. All businesses and industries within Monticello
are eligible for the IEDC Industry of the Year award. Discussion was held to have a subcommittee to
review nominations and make a recommendation to the full committee at their October meeting.
MOTION BY POSUSTA APPROVE THE INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR CRITERIA AND ESTABLISH
A SUBCOMMITTE TO REVIEW NOMIATIONS AND BRING FORWARD AN APPROPRIATE
NUMBER OF NOMINEES FOR FULL IEDC CONSIDERATION. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
VANALLEN. MOTION CARRIED.
Posusta, Elam, and Gutzwiller volunteered to be a part of this committee.
Business Retention & Expansion:
Adeel Ahmed updated the IEDC on the status of the BR&E program. A Monticello Business Retention &
Expansion survey tabulation sheet was distributed. The survey brought a broad spectrum of results. He
noted it is critical for IEDC members to attend the BR&E retreat on September 28th. This meeting will
determine which projects will be initiated for the next several years. Adeel stated one important piece of
information that was gleamed is that several industries are planning on expansion in 2-5 years. This
provides great opportunities for Monticello.
Adjournment:
MOTION MADE BY TAPPER TO ADJOURN. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY VAN ALLEN.
MOTION CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 am.