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IEDC Minutes 12-07-2010 IEDC Minutes 12/07/10 1 MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC) MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, December 7, 2010 7:00 a.m., Mississippi MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Don Roberts, Vice Chair Rich Harris, Bill Tapper, Wayne Elam, Luke Dahlheimer, Wes Olson, and Zona Gutzwiller MEMBERS ABSENT: Patrick Thompson, Dan Olson, Chris Kruse, Elaine DeWenter, Dick Van Allen, Marshall Smith LIASIONS PRESENT: Mayor Clint Herbst, Glen Posusta, City Council, LIASIONS ABSENT: Sandy Suchy, Chamber STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Megan Barnett-Livgard, City Administrator Jeff O’Neill Call to Order Chair Don Roberts called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m. Approve Minutes a. October 5, 2010 b. November 3, 2010 Summary MOTION BY TAPPER TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 5, 2010 & NOVEMBER 3, 2010 MINUTES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY DAHLHEIMER. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Chairman Roberts changed the order of the agenda to accommodate Barnett’s schedule as she had to leave the meeting early for training. She provided a report on the BR&E Implementation meeting and a brief economic development report. Consideration of adding items to the Agenda None Reports Economic Development Report Barnett-Livgard noted that Wayne Elam and Sandy Suchy would be attending the Life Science IEDC Minutes 12/07/10 2 Alley conference at the Minneapolis Convention on December 8th. She also pointed out that the City Engineer would be present at the January IEDC meeting to discuss transportation projects in depth. The meeting would specifically focus on the Fallon Avenue overpass and a second river crossing. These are key decision points that have held up the City from adopting a Transportation Plan. The BR&E Transportation Team would like to help resolve some of these issues to better position the City for future funding opportunities. City Council Report 1. West Bridge Park Ice Rink - O’Neill noted that the City Council had voted to flood the ice rink but not to staff the warming house as a cost savings measure. 2. Pizza Ranch SAC Fees - O’Neill discussed the issue of funding the operation of wastewater treatment plants through user fees. He noted that the City had looked at rates in other localities and found that the hook up fee is twice what it is in metro area because of economies o f scale. Herbst indicated that the City had been interested in a regional project with Big Lake and Otsego but neither city had interest at the time. Harris suggested that Albertville and Otsego might now be interested. O’Neill agreed that Monticello should work with other jurisdictions for long term planning. He noted that the City had initially held off with joint planning because growth had really slowed down but that this might be a good time to look into it. Dahlheimer asked if there would be a way to step down initial access fees and step up user fees. He noted that start-up costs are always difficult for business owners. Chairman Roberts highlighted a concern related to the significant increase in the water rate due to the change in the City formula and asked that the matter be considered by staff. 3. Wright County Sheriff Hours - O’Neill noted that the hours stayed the same. O’Neill additionally provided brief status updates on FiberNet Monticello, various development projects and the budget process. There was some discussion about the local economy. Chamber of Commerce and Industry Report There was no report presented. BR&E Project Implementation Follow Up Barnett-Livgard summarized that the BR&E Task Force had selected four potential priority projects to focus on and implement specific tasks over the next few years. Each group was to discuss and determine specific tasks and goals per project. She noted the following: a. Business Resource: The Business Resource group has clear objectives, tasks, and an ultimate vision about marketing Monticello. b. Business Round Table: The Business Round Table group did seem to not establish a clear purpose or vision. Barnett-Livgard suggested that, if the IEDC was not able to provide any IEDC Minutes 12/07/10 3 additional guidance, it may be best if the Business Round Table combine with one of the stronger groups. c. Transportation: The Transportation group quickly established clear tasks and began working with the City Engineer to accomplish both short and long term transportation improvements. There was some discussion about various traffic priorities. Herbst indicated that Monticello should discuss the river bridge issue with adjourning jurisdictions. MOTION MADE BY HARRIS TO ASK THAT CITY COUNCIL ADDRESS THE FALLON AVE BRIDGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS PART OF THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN. MOTION SECONDED BY ELAM. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. d. Recreation on the River/Improve Downtown: The Recreation on the River group struggled to establish a clear vision and tasks. They identified the need to work with the Community Center and Community Ed to establish recreation programs. Barnett-Livgard noted that the BR&E Community Commencement meeting had been set for January 18, 2011 at noon at the Community Center. This meeting will help to solidify the direction for these groups and priority projects. Concierge Team Barnett-Livgard gave an overview of the Concierge Team concept noting the highlights of the current plan below: a. Pictures schedule December 13th b. Majirs Advertising working on a logo/design theme c. Working with Chamber & BR&E team to develop a resource guide for businesses d. Putting together a process for assisting new and existing businesses e. Schedule 2 BR&E visits for January She emphasized that IEDC members would participate in the Concierge Team in whatever capacity necessary to assist in providing exceptional individualized service to the business community. There was some discussion about hosting quarterly meetings with businesses as part of the concierge team as a way to engage the community. After much consideration the IEDC determined that reaching out with one-on-one meetings with the Mayor and City Administrator would better address the current needs of local businesses. Officer Elections and Reappointment of IEDC Members Harris had indicated, in prior conversations with Barnett-Livgard, his willingness to serve as the IEDC Minutes 12/07/10 4 2011 IEDC Chair. MOTION BY DAHLHEIMER TO ELECT HARRIS TO SERVE AS THE 2011 CHAIR OF THE IEDC. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. MOTION BY TAPPER TO ELECT DAHLHEIMER TO SERVE AS THE 2011 VICE-CHAIR OF THE IEDC. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY ROBERTS. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The IEDC terms for Zona Gutzwiller, Wayne Elam, and Don Roberts are due to expire on December 31, 2010. The IEDC has the ability to reappoint these three members to another 3 year term. MOTION BY TAPPER TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF ZONA GUTZWILLER, WAYNE ELAM, AND DON ROBERTS TO AN IEDC TERM. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY OLSON. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Adjournment MOTION BY TAPPER TO ADJOURN. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY DAHLHEIMER. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 am.