April 4, 2012 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
April 4, 2012
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
April 4, 2012
Albert Lea Business Development Center
1. CALL TO ORDER & NOTATION OF ROLL
The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. by President Vern Rasmussen. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ellen Kehr, Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Al Brooks, Mike Moore, Jerry Ehn and Nancy Skophammer
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Keith Fligge
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea representative; and Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Randy Kehr, business community representative
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; and Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary
STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS: Mike Murtaugh, Freeborn-Mower Coop; Rebecca Gisel, Alliant; Chuck Paczkowski and Greg Steil
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 7, 2012 MEETING
The minutes from the March 7, 2012 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Ehn made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.
3. RESOLUTION PA-12-07 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. The $10,000 payment to Thompson Electric was for the refrigerated section of the Ring Can building for retrofitting the lighting fixtures for energy efficiency. A rebate has been applied for in the amount of $5,700 which will bring down cost. The payment to William Christensen, dba Royal Lawn, was for annual weed spraying at the ALEDA spec building. A check to pay off the loan was received from Daisy Blue Naturals for the Port Authority with a portion going to Greater Jobs. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $18,770.06. Commissioner Ehn seconded it. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.
4. RESOLUTION 12-08 OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL POLICY FOR BOARD MEMBERS
During the Port Authority’s annual audit, the auditors said to be in compliance with state statute, a resolution must be passed regarding out-of-state travel for its board members. To be in compliance, a resolution will be drafted and it will be in your board packets next month. In order for the board to have time to review the proposed resolution, Commissioner Moore asked to table this item until next month’s meeting.
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mrs. Gerry’s – The TIF will go to the city council for approval on April 9. Executive Director Dorman made a courtesy stop at both a school board workshop and a Freeborn County commissioner meeting to inform them of the impact of the TIF. The ground breaking is scheduled for April 18. Executive Director Dorman helped them to partner with Freeborn Mower Cooperative for a low interest USDA loan.
Ventura – The new lease should come today. We requested a maintenance contract, but will allow them to use their own documented preventative maintenance program unless any board member has objections of them doing it themselves. If not, no action is required. No one objected. We can have someone to go in on annual basis to make sure all the preventative maintenance has been done.
Plaza Street Sewer & Water – Kevin Kelleher from DEED has made the Port aware of an opportunity to apply for disaster relief money for infrastructure programs for qualified affected areas of the 2010 tornado/flooding. The Port is proposing extending water and sewer to Plaza Street. This would run by the Stables area and the new St. John’s project also. Three MN plans were submitted to the EDA of the US Department of Commerce and they liked Albert Lea’s plan so far. Live leads would be preferable; however, we need infrastructure to attract companies.
Bank Building – Executive Director Dorman continues to work with the city for ideas on uses for the building. One idea is to put out an RFP to find a private developer to do a project. The most viable idea at moment is low income housing because low income tax credits are available. Discussions should take place regarding expectations of an RFP as no one wants to see the property sold for $1 and have it come back and cost more money. Dorman expressed his appreciation of the much improved relationship between ALEDA and the city.
Daisy Blue Payoff – DBN recently restructured all their debt and, in turn, paid off their loans to ALEDA and the city. Going forward, they are still using the home party model, but are also moving into contract manufacturing for other businesses.
New Prospect – This lead came from the Chamber of Commerce and is an engineering firm doing site selection for a pet food manufacturing facility. The proposal involves 660,000 SF, which is more than ten times the size of the new spec building to put into perspective. They would co-pack for someone else, possibly for exportation and employ 100-130 people. Dorman pitched three sites. They liked the I35/I90 Business Park; however there is concern about enough sewer depending on their volume. They need 56 acres which would be almost the entire ALEDA Park. They also liked the Glenville corridor. The infrastructure is there and easy to carve out this size of an acreage and is close to I35. They wanted to pin down property tax costs and Ryan Rasmussen was able to provide a proposed property value. Minnesota income tax was also discussed. This was a good example of how we all work well together. Dorman gave cudos to Randy Kehr for bring to us.
Rail Study – Sue Miller, Freeborn County Engineer and Chris Shoff, Freeborn County Commissioner put Executive Director Dorman in touch with Dave Christianson from the MnDOT office. He was excited about the Glenville corridor and has been in contact with Union Pacific, who is interested in bring in a container yard. They don’t currently have one in MN. MnDot is going to do freight study and may hold a public meeting for this in Albert Lea.
6. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County – Mike Lee, Freeborn County Commissioner
• In the county’s workshop last week installing transverse rumble strips on county roads was discussed and they continued discussions on setting up an LDO.
• Wind Farm monies received were $524,292 and $105,000 of this was split between two townships – Hartland and Bath. The amounts received are based on how much turbines produce. This is a production tax in lieu of property taxes coming in and not as easy to plan for as property taxes. There will be a surplus in 2013.
• President Rasmussen asked Lee about the status of Bridge Street. Lee said it’s been put on hold until the next commissioner meeting. The commissioners are reluctant to spend any more money on a study that was done in early 2005. Dorman’s understanding was the county just needs an update of the old study, not a new one because traffic numbers have changed with new/expanded businesses on Bridge. The impact of traffic accidents needs to be looked at also.
City of Albert Lea – Chad Adams, City Manager
• A lot of downtown activity is going on. A steering committee has been chosen to work with the engineering firm, Bolton & Menk, on the design of the streetscape project. They are meeting a few more times before a public meeting will be held. The design is to be done this year, bid over the winter with construction starting next year. It will go from Fountain Street to Main Street.
• A three-year lease has been signed with Albert Lea Community Theatre group. The city will pull back expenses over next three yrs. The City will still own and maintain the building. It’s a win/win situation for both parties.
• Bank Building – The city is looking at utilizing the first floor of the Jacobsen building with the Vitality Center in the rear of the space. Prairie Wind coffee will occupy the front. Community Education is possibly interested in holding activities in the building. The city intends to be careful with any long-term leases and wishes to get the maximum benefit out of entire space.
• Two new grants for the Broadway Ridge Grant have been applied for – Addie’s Floral and the Great Grains location which will become a restaurant/bar. The funding is limited and may be exhausted after these two projects are completed.
• The Bridge Avenue improvement still remains in the county and city’s long-range planning. By February applications are due to federal transportation to do some or all of project by 2017. The vision needs to be for the next 25 years. Changes will mostly affect the north side. The city will acquire some housing as it becomes available and try not to use eminent domain down the road if possible. HyVee is talking about building a new gas station and KwikTrip wants answers for Bridge Avenue.
Chamber of Commerce – None
7. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
President Rasmussen expressed his appreciation for the time Rebecca Gisel and Alliant spent with ALEDA, the city and other community leaders on how they can all work together. It was a good meeting.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Moore. The motion carried 6 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.
Filed and attested April 4, 2012.