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IEDC Minutes 10-05-2010 Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 10/05/10 1 MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC) MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, October 5, 2010 7:00 a.m., Mississippi MEMBERS PRESENT: Patrick Thompson, Bill Tapper, Marshall Smith, Chair Don Roberts, Zona Gutzwiller, Dan Olson, Wes Olson MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Rich Harris, Chris Kruse, Adam Stolpestad, Elaine DeWenter, Dick Van Allen, Wayne Elam, and Luke Dahlheimer LIASIONS ABSENT: Sandy Suchy, Chamber, Glen Posusta, City Council, Clint Herbst, Mayor STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Angela Schumann OTHERS: Kathleen Poate, I-94 Corridor Coalition Call to Order Chairman Don Roberts called the meeting to order at 7:08 a.m. Approve Minutes MOTION BY TAPPER TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 17, 2010 AND SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 MINUTES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY SMITH. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Consideration of adding items to the Agenda No items were added to the agenda. Economic Development Report Economic Development Director Barnett had provided a written report to the Committee as she was not in attendance. City Council Report Community Development Director Angela Schumann gave a brief update about a number of City issues. She pointed out that the 3rd Street Parking Lot is under reconstruction. She noted that, after a series of budget workshops with staff, the City Council had adopted a preliminary levy with no increase. She indicated that City staff is in a pay and hiring freeze and has looked for creative solutions such as utilizing federally funded Workforce Center resources to help get the work done. Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 10/05/10 2 Chairman Roberts asked Schumann if there were any housing news. She said that although there are some positive signs, she didn’t expect much movement in the housing market within the next few years. She noted that the industrial and commercial sectors are busy and that national firms are buying land but that no permits are being pulled now. She cited that Pizza Ranch, Walgreens and Excel Energy projects are in the works and that there is movement with leasing at Town Centre. Marshall Smith noted that the findings of the Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) report were interesting. He pointed out that, according to statistics, Monticello has a fairly young average age in the community and that it would be wise to encourage bringing in businesses that would support that 30 something population as well as the 35% of the local population that is on Medicare. He asked how the Committee could provide resources to businesses that would promote healthy lifestyles for all generations. Schumann agreed that that was important and indicated that the City had just been awarded a LiveWright grant to address park and trails planning which supports active outdoor options for the community. Reschedule November 2, 2010 IEDC meeting MOTION WAS MADE BY THOMPSON TO RESCHEDULE THE REGULAR NOVEMBER IEDC MEETING TO NOVEMBER 3 AT 7 A.M. DUE TO THE ELECTION. MOTION SECONDED BY TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Presentation by I-94 Corridor Coalition Kathleen Poate from the I-94 Corridor Coalition gave an overview of the Coalition’s focus, provided a draft copy of their updated brochure, and answered questions about transportation planning. She pointed out that the Coalition utilizes signage along the freeway as well as their website to educate and promote interest in and funding for these issues. She noted that the Coalition seeks to both act as a resource for cities and businesses along the corridor from Maple Grove to Clearwater and an effective lobby in obtaining priority project status with MNDOT. She pointed out that, although both senators agree that transportation funding for projects along Interstate 94 is important, requests will not likely be considered before the election. There was discussion about the need to ease area road congestion along the corridor as a matter of public safety as well as economic development. She noted that this is the fastest growing corridor in the state. The Committee asked questions about various road projects. Poate clarified that MNDOT is primarily focused on westbound lane projects at this time. Schumann noted that transportation improvements significantly impact industry and housing in communities. Chairman Roberts indicated that although the IEDC does not have funding to help promote the Coalition’s effort perhaps they might consider adopting a resolution to demonstrate support. Bill Tapper noted that the BR&E Leadership Team includes transportation as a key strategy in their efforts and supports the Coalition’s work as well. He also clarified that the EDA and Chamber financially contribute to the Coalition but that the City does not. He suggested that perhaps Monticello form a task force to try to get more focused on transportation issues. Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 10/05/10 3 Chamber of Commerce and Industry Report It was noted that the Business Expo was held on Oct 3rd. Elect 2010 Industry of the Year Award Recipient The IEDC discussed the three candidates for Industry of the Year Award and the process by which they were selected. Chairman Roberts noted that industries were not required to be part of the Chamber to be nominated. The candidates involved were Midwest Precision Machining, Bondhus, and Electro Industries. Zona Gutzwiller indicated that the nominees were selected based on designated criteria. There was discussion about how long the industries have done business in Monticello and how some are more visible in the community than others. Several committee members shared their perceptions of the impact that the industries have had on Monticello. Gutzwiller noted that it may have been helpful to have had time to tour each facility. Chairman Roberts indicated that he thought each of these industries would be a good choice and hoped that they would continue to thrive and be an active part of the industrial community. It was noted that Barnett had scheduled the breakfast event honoring the award recipient for October. There was much discussion about making a motion to delay the vote until the end of the week so that the committee could do further research. After some consideration, the IEDC submitted votes to select the Industry of the Year. The vote count would be later reviewed and determined by Barnett. Zoning Code Rewrite Update Schumann summarized the ongoing zoning code rewrite process. She noted that the proposed zoning code had been simplified from the current 33 chapters to 8 chapters. She indicated that Chairman Roberts, Bill Tapper and Rich Harris had participated in a small group to contribute chapter by chapter input to the update and that the issues raised had been quite insightful. She pointed out that there would be an upcoming zoning code open house on October 20th, a joint City Council/Planning Commission meeting on November 8th, and a series of public hearings to obtain further input. She indicated that she was hopeful that the zoning code would be adopted in January of 2011. She stated that the revised code would not compromise the comprehensive plan goals. Schumann noted that, as part of the zoning code rewrite, the IEDC was formally adopted into city code with recommending authority in Chapter 2. She highlighted some of the issues reviewed by the IEDC subcommittee including: the organization of and distinction between districts, the potential creation of an Industrial Business Campus District and a Freeway Bonus District, how the zoning map looks and works, what are reasonable standards, and in what part of the code would it be appropriate to be lenient. The small group also asked questions about height, setbacks, screening, landscaping, fences and walls. She indicated that the City would implement a tree preservation code outside of the industrial zoning district. Schumann noted that Chapter 4 review, including consideration of parking and signage, was still underway. Schumann pointed out that the City would make sure it doesn’t eliminate development rights when revising zoning districts. Monticello IEDC Meeting Minutes 10/05/10 4 There was some concern that the code might be overly burdensome to execute. The Committee agreed that it should be easier for small and medium sized businesses to do business and to build or modify their property with less costly restrictions. Tapper stated though that he felt that staff and consultants have done an excellent job in making the proposed zoning code understandable. Schumann noted that a revised draft would be available on the City’s website by next Monday. Adjournment MOTION MADE BY WES OLSON TO ADJOURN. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 am. Kerry T. Burri __ Recording Secretary ________________________ Don Roberts IEDC Chair