IEDC Minutes 02-06-2018MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMETTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, February 6th, 2018 — 7:00 a.m.
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Members Present: Kevin Steffensmeier, Darek Vetsch, Steve Johnson, Wayne Elam, Luke
Dahlheimer, Dick Van Allen, Don Roberts, Jason Kisner, Andrew Tapper, Mike
Carr, Christopher Church, Joe Hammer
Members Absent: Joni Pawelk, 011ie Koropchak-White
Liaisons Present: Jeff O'Neill, Jim Thares, Dave Tombers, Duane Northagen
1. Call to Order
Kevin Steffensmeier called the regular meeting of the IEDC to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
a. January 2nd, 2018
DAREK VETSCH MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 2ND, 2018
MINUTES. STEVE JOHNSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED, 12-0.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
None.
4. Consideration of 2018 Economic Development Marketing Plan
Jim Thares explained that this item was a courtesy review of the EDA's marketing plan
of $20,000 - $23,000. The EDA approved this plan at a previous meeting with four focus
areas, including: industrial, downtown (commercial & residential), housing, and general
marketing.
Thares stated that the previous year was budgeted for $5,000.
5. Consideration of Employment/Employee Survey
Kevin Steffensmeier explained that two surveys were provided in the agenda packet for
employees and Human Resource Departments. These surveys would be sent to local
businesses. Steffensmeier asked the IEDC to provide comments on the surveys.
Christopher Church suggested adding future expansion possibilities to their workforce.
The IEDC discussed fine tuning the survey to reduce the amount of pages to the survey.
Steve Johnson asked how the questions were developed and what the information would
be used for. Thares explained that it was developed by City staff with the intent to gain an
understanding of employer workforce relative to housing and daycare needs.
Johnson suggested including more specific information in the introduction for what the
City is trying to achieve. He also suggested looking into upper management level
questions.
Steffensmeier asked how the employees would receive the information. Thares explained
that City Staff have talked to several businesses already and that the survey would be in
collaboration with Human Resource departments.
Thares explained that City Staff hoped to send this survey out this month yet, and
recommended the IEDC approve the concept survey with staff tweaking based on
comments offered by members. Steffensmeier asked the IEDC to send all comments or
changes to Thares or himself by the end of the week.
CHRISTOPHER CHURCH MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT OF THE
EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYEE SURVEY. DAREK VETSCH SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 12-0.
6. Table Tonic — Monticello H.S. Programing — Mike Carr, H.S. Principal
Mike Carr stated that the High School would like to partner closer with the Workforce
Center to help students with career searching. He also explained that through the Wright
Technical School program, there are two programs that students can utilize including a
CEO program and an apprenticeship program. Carr also explained that students are
required to take a `careers' class to help students learn about different vocations and how
to take tests.
Carr stated that he would send out more information about the career programs offered at
the school.
Vetsch explained that he would like the community to work on bringing accredited
college classes to the area for students to be able to take that would be transferrable
towards college degrees.
7. Reports (Verbal Reports):
a. Economic Development
Jim Thares provided the Economic Development Report. He explained that the
prospect list remains the same as the previous list.
Thares explained that the EDA has been focused on redevelopment of the
downtown. He explained that staff is working on a list of developers to send
updates and proposals to. Thares added that the EDA has also been working on
site control measures/processes for several key development areas in the City.
Thares stated that a future meeting with downtown business and property owners
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would be occurring this month. It would be used to discuss their interest in
participating in a fagade improvement or renovation loan/grant program. Thares
extended an invitation for the IEDC to also attend these meetings.
Thares stated that at the last IEDC meeting, it was suggested that building permits
be tracked. An update will be provided at the next meeting for commercial and
residential building permits.
Thares also asked the IEDC if City Staff would be able to send marketing packets
to the IEDC board's contacts or vendors that may be worth sending information
to.
Steffensmeier asked if the IEDC members would hand out these packets to
prospects or if the IEDC should provide prospect information to City Staff to send
out information directly. Thares stated that both could be done. Jeff O'Neill
reminded members that a lot of economic development occurs via networking and
connecting to the extended networks of groups like the IEDC is a key step in
growing the economy and bringing in new business.
b. Planning Commission Agenda (attached)
Jim Thares explained that the Planning Commission would be meeting tonight.
Thares noted that there is one Public Hearing. Wayne Elam explained that the
application is for preliminary and final platting in the Otter Creek Addition
adjacent to the south boundary of the I-94 right of way.
The regular agenda includes items for the Planning Commission review of the
EDA's intended purchase of 224 - 4th Street East and 255 East Broadway as to
conformance with the comprehensive plan.
An update on the floodplain ordinance and the director's report would also be
presented.
C. City Council
Jeff O'Neill provided an update on behalf of the City Council. He stated that on
February 13th from 5 to 7 PM the Highway 25 Coalition would be holding an
open house. Feedback would be collected and analyzed from the meeting.
The Fallon Avenue overpass project continues moving forward.
There is continuing follow up by City staff regarding the Fire Hall expansion
study completed last year, which identified concepts for an expansion. Proposed
construction of a facility would begin in 2019.
O'Neill also explained that the City is in the process of selling the bio -solids site
to two prospective buyers. A closed meeting would be held to consider selling the
property.
Three final candidates for the City Engineer/Public Work's Director are in the
running. The position would be starting in early April.
The Chelsea Road feasibility study has been completed. The next step is to
consider plans and specs and then authorize bid solicitation. This project would
upgrade Chelsea Road east of Cedar Avenue to Fallon Avenue.
O'Neill stated that there is a residential development in the planning stages for
additional lots for housing.
d. Chamber of Commerce
No Report.
8. Adiournment
ANDREW TAPPER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:59 P.M. DAREK
VETSCH SECONDED THE MOTION CARRIED, 12-0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander
Approved: March 6th, 2018
Attest.
, Economic Development Director
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