IEDC Minutes 08-02-2011MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011- 7:00 a.m., Mississippi
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Luke Dahlheimer, Patrick Thompson, Bill Tapper, Dick
Van Allen, Dan Olson, Zona Gutzwiller, Wayne Elam, Joni Pawelk,
Don Roberts, and Wes Olson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Rich Harris, Elaine DeWenter, Chris Kruse
LIASIONS PRESENT: Sandy Suchy, Chamber
Glen Posusta, City Council
Clint Herbst, Mayor
STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Megan Barnett - Livgard, City
Administrator Jeff O'Neill
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4.
Call to Order
Luke Dahlheimer called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m.
Approve Minutes
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MONTH JUNE 7, 2011 MINUTES. MOTION
WAS SECONDED BY WES OLSON. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
Consideration of adding items to the Agenda None
Reports
a. Economic Development
Suburban Manufacturing: Suburban Manufacturing hopes to begin construction on a
new facility in the City's industrial park in September and move in by year end. The
EDA and City Council will hold a public hearing to authorize a TIF plan in August.
TIF District 1 -22: The EDA and City Council will hold a joint meeting August 10th to
consider how to best utilize surplus TIF from District 1 -22 for projects related to the
downtown study. Legislation extended the Jobs bill which provides the opportunity to
assist in kick starting private development with less restriction until July 2012.
Greater MSP: City staff was contacted by Greater MSP, a private /public organization
recently established to promote economic growth statewide, in an effort to engage
Wright County in this effort. Local business leaders met with Greater MSP to strategize
about working together to market the Wright County area. Megan Barnett - Livgard and
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Wayne Elam have indicated they will represent Wright County on the Partnership
Board.
Project Lead the Way: Staff met with Monticello School District representatives to
discuss how a Project Lead the Way program might provide manufacturing job skills
for the school age kids. There was some discussion as to whether or not the curriculum
was the right fit for the district at this time. Staff agreed to work with the district to
bring high school students, and possibly teachers, into local manufacturing companies
for tours. District representatives plan to attend the October IEDC meeting. Staff was
encouraged to brief the school board on this effort.
Training for Existing Businesses: Staff has been working with St. Cloud Technical
College to establish training opportunities for Monticello manufacturing companies.
Local business owners suggested a number of technical courses but there was little
initial response to implementing classes. Staff will consider offering a pilot class this
fall.
Zoning Code Rewrite Group: Staff asked that the zoning code rewrite group reconvene
on September 6th after the IEDC meeting to begin discussing acceptable building
materials in the industrial district.
b. City Council
FiberNet (FNM): FNM has achieved 26% of the available local market and expects to
capture additional market shares next year. Co- locations have become a revenue
source. Ben Ranft has been hired as the new general manager. A new phone system is
now in place throughout City offices.
MCC Report Community Center building improvement: There was a brief overview of
the natatorium repair project and some discussion about the option of expanding the
fitness center while making improvements to the building.
New Development: Jimmy Johns and Napa broke ground for new buildings in town.
c. Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Legislator Amy Koch will attend the Chamber Luncheon on August 16th to provide an
update on this legislative session. There will be a new Chamber website in place by
August 20th. The Chamber has established a downtown committee to help run events.
Two local businesses are closing in August: Strategic Equipment and Paeonia.
d. TAC
The Transportation Advisory Committee met to consider statistics gathered during a
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destination and origination study regarding Fallon Avenue and a potential second river
crossing. Staff will email the report to the IEDC.
5. Concierge Team
a. Breakfast with Mayor /Administrator
Site visits will resume in September.
b. Word on the Street?
This item was not specifically discussed.
6. 2011 Industry of the Year Event
The event will be held in October to coincide with manufacturing month.
a. Speaker
Staff asked for recommendations for speakers for this event and several options were
considered.
b. Partnership with Monticello school
This item was not specifically discussed.
c. Award subcommittee
Staff will meet with the subcommittee to begin to discuss this year's award.
7. Lego League
Staff recommended soliciting donations $5,000 from local businesses to fund necessary
upgrades for the First Lego League (FLL) program in the Monticello schools. The FLL
will provide hands on experience with computers and robotics among students in grades
4 -9. Participation in the FLL has dropped as equipment has aged. The IEDC agreed that it
is important to support programs and initiatives that help foster a skilled future workforce.
There was some discussion about perhaps conducting a demonstration of the project at a
Chamber luncheon and utilizing the Chamber newsletter to solicit donations. Patrick
Thompson agreed to contact the Xcel Energy Foundation about a donation.
8. Embracing Downtown
The Embracing Downtown Plan has received a positive response from the business
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community despite some concerns about timing and rent structure proposals. Staff will
work to facilitate progressive redevelopment to enable them to continue to do business as
the downtown plan takes shape.
The preferred plan is a land use plan supported by a number of different concept plans
which indicate where redevelopment could occur. There was considerable discussion
about how the plan could be implemented and the importance of resolving traffic patterns
in the downtown. The EDA authorized $5,000 for Jim McComb to work directly with
several private entities looking at building in Minnesota. The EDA will continue to review
opportunities to purchase property downtown in a strategic manner taking into
consideration the availability of TIF funds, land price, location, and compliance with the
Embracing Downtown concept plans with the goal of investing wisely to leverage private
investment.
Staff will meet with the McCombs Group on August 24th to review a draft of the final plan
and the steering committee will meeting the week of August 29th. The plan will be brought
to the EDA, Planning Commission, and City Council in September /October for final
adoption and initiation of implementation strategies.
9. Adiournment
WES OLSON MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 8:23AM. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
BILL TAPPER. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
Recorder:
Approved:
Attest:
Kerry T. Burri
October 4, 2011
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