IEDC Minutes 01-06-2009 1
MEETING MINUTES
MONTICELLO INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTE
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
7:00am, Boom Island Room
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Vice Chair Don Roberts, Bill
Tapper, Zona Gutzwiller, Dan Olson, Patrick Thompson,
Rich Harris, Dick VanAllen, Elaine DeWenter, Charlotte
Gabler, Clint Herbst
MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Tomann, Marshall Smith, Wayne Elm
LIAISONS PRESENT: Sandy Suchy, Monticello Chamber
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director, Megan Barnett
Call to Order
IEDC Chair Dahl-Fleming called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. declaring a quorum.
IEDC members welcomed new member Elaine DeWenter, she is replacing Jim Johnson who
represents the Monticello school district, and Charlotte Gabler, who also serves on the Planning
Commission. Individual members introduced themselves.
Vote to approve the December 2, 2008 IEDC minutes
MOTION BY DICK VAN ALLEN TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 2, 2008 IEDC MINUTES
WITH CORRECTION MADE TO THE NAME OF ZONA GUTZWILLER. SECONDED BY
DON ROBERTS. MOTION CARRIED. 13 – 0.
Economic Development Director Update
Economic Development Director Barnett stated the update included in the packet was comprehensive
and asked if anyone had any questions. Ms. Barnett asked if the IEDC would provide their view
about John Chadwick’s request for the City to purchase his property. Staff was contacted by John
Chadwick who owns a 13 acre parcel immediately south of the City owned industrial park,
Monticello Business Center, asking if the City would be interested in purchasing the property for
future industrial development. Staff reviewed with the IEDC that the property is currently located in
the Township and would require a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, and an orderly
annexation action.
The general discussion of the IEDC was to begin initiating discussion with the property owner. The
City should continue to look at purchasing industrial land at a fair price when opportunities arise.
It was suggested that the IEDC send Barb Schweintek a letter thanking her for many years of service
on the IEDC.
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Committee Reports
Sandy Suchy reviewed the upcoming March Business Network event. The event is set for March 17,
2009 at the Community Center. Businesses will have the opportunity to sign up for a booth to
showcase their business. City Staff and the Mayor will be the main speakers.
Approve Elaine DeWenter as a new member of the IEDC
MOTION BY LYNNE DAHL-FLEMING SECONDED BY BILL TAPPER TO APPROVE
ELAINE DEWENTER AS AN IEDC MEMBER SERVING A THREE YEAR TERM. MOTION
CARRIED 9-0.
Sub-Committee Policy
Director Barnett went through the proposed sub-committee policy. The idea of adopting a policy is
to implement term limits and number of total committee members for the Marketing Committee
and Higher Education Committee. Staff is proposing to dissolve the Housing Committee at this
point due to the fact the EDA now has HRA powers and can handle any topics or items directly.
The committee revised the proposed policy to allow a total of five members on the Marketing
Committee serving a two year term, with the option to serve another two year term. The five
members shall consist of 2 or 3 IEDC members and 2 or 3 EDA members to equal a total of five
members.
The IEDC generally approved the sub-committee policy. It was determined that the following three
IEDC members shall serve on the marketing committee; Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Bill Tapper, and
Wayne Elam. Don Tomann serves on the Higher Education Committee.
IEDC Planning Groups:
The IEDC broke into small planning groups consisting of Land Use, Transportation, and Business
Retention/Communication. Each group devised goals and objectives for 2009, which are as
follows:
Land Use:
(Don Roberts, Zona Gutzwiller, Marshall Smith, Charlotte Gabler, Don Tomann)
1. Review current Economic Development section within the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Review current inventory of City owned industrial land and determine if efforts should
begin to obtain additional industrial land for future use.
3. Review current zoning practices (participate in Zoning Code rewrite).
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Transportation:
(Dick Van Allen, Bill Tapper, Rich Harris, Wayne Elam)
1. Review benefit/location of third I-94 interchange.
2. Participate in discussion and research related to mass transit within Wright County.
3. Assist in efforts to begin implementing strategies to alleviate traffic on Highway 25.
4. Begin grass roots efforts to begin planning for an additional River crossing.
5. Support and participate in efforts to expand I-94 corridor.
Business Retention/Communication:
(Lynne Dahl-Fleming, Sandy Suchy, Dan Olson, Elaine DeWenter, Patrick Thompson)
1. Complete a Business Survey.
2. Further define purpose and structure for joint IEDC/EDA events.
3. Continue to assist City staff in the IEDC section of the Monticello Business Insider
The IEDC agreed in general that about a half hour per IEDC meeting (when possible) should be set
aside to meet in the planning groups. Individual groups may elect to meet outside of this allotted
time based on need.
The committee regrouped and reviewed objectives established by each planning group.
MOTION BY ZONA GUTZWILLER SECONDED BY RICH HARRIS TO ADJORN THE
MEETING. MOTIONED CARRIED. 13 -0.
Adjourned at 8:27am