IEDC Minutes 05-03-2011MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011- 7:00 a.m., Mississippi Room
Members Present:
Chair Rich Harris, Vice Chair Luke Dahlheimer, Dick Van Allen,
Dan Olson, Zona Gutzwiller, Joni Pawelk, Elaine DeWenter, Chris
Kruse, Don Roberts
Members Absent:
Patrick Thompson, Bill Tapper, Wayne Elam, Wes Olson
Liaisons Present:
Clint Herbst, Mayor, Glen Posusta, City Council
Liaisons Absent:
Sandy Suchy, Chamber
Staff Present:
Economic Development Director Megan Barnett - Livgard,
Community Development Director Angela Schumann
1. Call to Order
Rich Harris called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Approval of Minutes — April 5, 2011
LUKE DAHLHEIMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 5, 2011 MINUTES.
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY DAN OLSON. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda None
4. Reports
a. Economic Development Report
The EDA and John Chadwick have agreed upon a purchase price for the 13.6 acre parcel
located adjacent to Monticello Business Center. Staff will bring a purchase agreement
forward for EDA approval.
Staff plans to renew efforts to get involved with the Central MN Manufacturers
Association (CMMA). Local businesses are encouraged to join.
The McComb Group is reviewing comments from the Embracing Downtown project in
an effort to pare down the four concepts to one preferred alternative. The consulting
team will also be working on the Feasibility Study in the next few months.
b. City Council
1) Community food garden on DMV property
A community garden has been established at the Monticello Help Center under the
direction of a Master Gardener and with the help of volunteers. Vegetables grown
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will be given away at Food Shelf.
2) Application to Submit ETC (Eligible Telecommunications Carrier) Status
The City is applying for ETC status. This program reimburses telecom companies
$20 per customer per month to assist in providing technology to those that need it.
3) IRET Properties/NAPA
There was some discussion about Council's decision to deny the NAPA vacation
easement request. There were parking concerns with the limited configuration on
the site. The City will work with the business to identify a more suitable location.
4) Adult Uses
The City has updated its Adult Use ordinance to maintain legal code compliance.
5) Building and Safety presentation
Ron Hackenmueller had provided an overview of Department statistics at a recent
City Council meeting.
c. Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Joni Pawelk reported that Xcel Energy will present cost saving energy tips for
businesses at the Chamber Lunch at the Community Center on Tuesday, May 171h
Grants are available. The Chamber Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 19th. The
Chamber is also initiating a local business retention program called Grow MN.
5. BR &E
The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) will meet on Thursday, May 26th at 7:30
am in the Academy Room.
6. Concierge Team
a. Breakfast with Mayor /Administrator
The Production Stamping site visit was very productive. Staff is currently working to
schedule a breakfast meeting with Twin City Die Cast.
b. Suggestions for site tours
Staff will contact Precision Technologies to arrange a visit.
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c. Word on the STREET?
Angela Schumann noted that Cargill employees have agreed to donate funds for an
environmental restoration project at Bertram Lakes Regional Park.
d. Expansion — site review meetings
Staff will be working with manufacturers that want to expand their businesses and
locate in the industrial park this summer.
7. Discuss proiects staff is working on
a. Project Lead the Way
Staff will speak with Jim Johnson from the School District in an effort to determine
why local students are not participating in Project Lead the Way engineering classes.
Monticello businesses have manufacturing employment opportunities and would love
to hire skilled residents. Both the Wright County Technical Center and the CMMA are
supportive of the program. The EDA may be interested in providing funding to get
industries involved in supporting such education efforts.
b. Branding
Staff plans to launch a city branding project in the fall. This project would provide a
guide to marketing Monticello both in and outstate.
c. Technical training program
Staff will work with the Monticello School District, St. Cloud Technical, and North
Hennepin Technical schools to bring some technical training courses to town as
options for those employed in local manufacturing jobs.
S. Adiournment
DICK VAN ALLEN MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 7:41 AM. MOTION WAS
SECONDED BY DON ROBERTS. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0.
Recorder:
Approved:
Attest:
Kerry T. Burri KTIF)
June 7, 2011