April 7, 2010 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

April 7, 2010

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY 

MINUTES

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

7:30 a.m.

Albert Lea Business Development Center

 

1)     The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. by Interim President Mike Moore.  Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Treasurer/Stand-in President Mike Moore; Commissioners:  Al Brooks, Vern Rasmussen Jr., and Nancy Skophammer.

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Commissioners:  Paul Field, Keith Fligge and Ellen Kehr.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:  Randy Kehr, Business Community representative; Christopher Shoff, Freeborn County representative; Bob Graham, City of Albert Lea representative.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:  Dan Dorman, Executive Director;  Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; Nancy Jensen, Board Secretary.

STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

2)         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MARCH 3, 2010 REGULAR MEETING.

The minutes of the March 3, 2010 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Brooks.  The motion carried with 4 in favor and 0 opposed.

3)       RESOLUTION PA-10-08  AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.

The claims were presented for review.  Commissioner Skophammer made a motion to approve Resolution PA-10-08 authorizing the payment of claims in the amount of $23,306.03, seconded by Commissioner Brooks.  The motion carried with 4 in favor and 0 opposed.

4)      BRIDON UPDATE.

Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that Bridon Cordage has signed a three year lease with Rainbow Play Systems for the use of space in their building.  Bridon will be vacating the Ring Can space, which they now lease from the Port Authority, when their lease ends.  Dorman told the Board that he has had an inquiry about leasing this available space in the Ring Can building.

5)     JOBZ Audits.

Director Dorman informed the Board that Assistant Director Nolander has been working on the JOBZ audits over the past month as they needed to be completed and submitted to the State by April 1, 2010.  The Board reviewed the audit information and discussion followed.

6)     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.

• Broadband.

Director Dorman informed the Board that Google had a media push to get communities to compete for a Broadband demonstration project through Google.  Dorman said that he recommended that the City not apply for Google broadband as it was probably not the best use of City staff time, plus we did not fit the required criteria.  Ellen Kehr has suggested that he assemble a small group of people to discuss broadband for Albert Lea, so that we are prepared for the next opportunity.  Director Dorman complied and will schedule a meeting in the near future.

Director Dorman said that he has been working to get better Internet access to our (the Northaire) industrial park.  Jaguar Communications of Owatonna is reporting that they will bring fiber into this part of the industrial park.  From Bridge Street, it would be routed along Sykes Street and then down Y.H. Hanson Avenue.  Mike Moore said that Jaguar had talked with the IT Director of Minnesota Corrugated Box and told him that fiber would be installed the summer of 2010.  Fiber is a cost effective broadband option as putting in a T-1 is very expensive.

• Bent Tree/Vestas Update.

Director Dorman informed the Board that officials from the Bent Tree Wind Farm project held a meeting at Riverland Community College to discuss the impact the wind farm construction would have on the communities.  Several people were in attendance including city staff, restaurant and motel owners, etc.  April 15^th is scheduled date for the next Bent Tree meeting.

Vestas is the company who owns and develops the gear box on the wind turbines.  The company is looking for a 15,000 square foot building to lease which would have the capability to park trucks inside the building.  Director Dorman has suggested the possibility of the company using one of the Kleentec buildings.  Vestas will be transitioning to the Alliant maintenance building once it is built near Hartland.  Vestas staff told Mr. Dorman that jobs brought into the community by this project will be here for approximately three years.

• Building Maintenance Update.

Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that another repair had been made to the roof of the Ring Can building.  He also said that there had been an ice buildup issue on the roof of the ALBDC building.  He also talked about the north parking lot of the ALBDC building which gets very icy in the winter.  The gutters from the roof come down by the north doors and create a ‘skating rink’ in the back parking lot which can be very dangerous.  He will talk with vendors to see if they have any ideas as to how to alleviate the problem.

• Hometown Home Run Ad.

A billboard has been leased on I-35 for $375.00 per month which will herald the fact that Schweigert Foods (a subsidiary of Cargill, Inc. and an Albert Lea company) has been chosen by the Minnesota Twins to produce all hot dogs sold at the new Target Field.  Director Dorman felt that this is a good opportunity to promote Albert Lea with the hope that it would drive people into the community.  The Albert Lea Tribune offered their graphic design services for this project at no cost.  Director Dorman said that he has been working with them on the project and he will keep the Board posted as to the completion of the project.

• Palleton Pallets.

Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that business appears to be rapidly expanding for the Palleton Pallets Company.  The business is currently leasing space in the Sun Room Concepts building, but is now considering the construction of a new building in Albert Lea.  He said that a good location for the new building might be a lot currently owned by Freeborn Mower which is located near I-35.   Palleton staff informed Director Dorman that there have been some changes to the treatment of the wood in the pallets, and that they would heat their new building with scrap wood from the pallets.   He will keep the Board posted as developments occur.

• Vitality Center.

Director Dorman said that ALEDA staff has been invited to take part in the development of the planned Vitality Center, and will start attending meetings to catch up and add input.

• Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund.

SMIF has been a catalyst for economic growth in 20 Minnesota counties.  Under the leadership of CEO/President Tim  Penny, SMIF provides resources in workforce and business opportunities.

Executive Director Dorman distributed a flyer which highlighted SMIF accomplishments noting that the organization is trying to do more with immigrant populations.  Director Dorman said that Select Foods will be recruiting people from Thailand and that many of these new employees will be non English speaking people.  Director Dorman said that we are just making sure that we are taking advantage of an opportunity and prepare for changes it may bring.  Tim Penny will be a guest at the Port Authority meeting in June.

• B- 2 Design Standards.

Director Dorman attended a design standards meeting on Tuesday evening, noting that version 6.0 of the design standards seemed to address most issues and seems to be a more workable solution.  The only change that the committee made last night was that every new construction would need to be finished (painted) at the factory.  Bob Graham said the intent of design standards is to have a design standard ordinance in place for developers to follow.  He also said that we want to have good eye appealing entrances into the community.  Discussion followed.

7))     EX-OFFICIO UPDATES.

Christopher Shoff  –  Freeborn County.

• On March 24, Commissioner Shoff took park in the joint legislative meetings.
• He alluded to the Bent Tree meetings.
• The County Board will discuss the disrepair of Highways 65 and 69.  Currently the highway repair is scheduled for 2014 with only a thin overlay.  Commissioner Shoff is concerned that if the State waits too long, there may not be a road to repair as it is in such disrepair.  The County will address this issue with the State.
• The County Commissioners will be looking at a social host ordinance.
• A county road safety meeting was held at Wedgewood Cove on March 25^th.

Executive Director Dorman asked Commissioner Shoff as to the last time was that our area was redistricted.  Discussion followed.  The redistricting is based on population, thus the current census could trigger a change.  It was in 1990 that the city wards were adjusted.

Bob Graham – City of Albert Lea.

• The Northbridge Apartments (48 units) have given their one year notice to the City that they will be changing from subsidized to market rate per unit leasing.  (The market rate is for people who don’t qualify for the subsidized rate.)  The elimination of subsidized units will make more apartments available.
• HPC (Historical Preservation Committee) approved their new handbook.
• Broadway Avenue Streetscape – There will be a meeting open to the public on April 14^th to look at what changes might affect Broadway (from Front Street to Bridge) as to what the surface should look like, i.e. landscaping.
• Art Space is still in the process of looking for potential bonding from the State for $125,000 which would be put towards a pre-development analysis.  An additional $125,000 would need to be raised to complete the $250,000 cost of the analysis.  Discussion followed.  The preliminary pre-development analysis does not guarantee an improvement to the building.   It was suggested by Board members that the fundraising be done by the arts community instead of having the City pay for it.
• Vitality Center – The downtown Jacobsen building will be the physical location of the Vitality Center.  Al Larson has said that he will donate the interior construction.  Electrical and plumbing and heating will also have to be completed.  Gene Thompson of Thompson Electric has already donated many hours to the project; Tom and Jean Eaton of Granicrete Minnesota will be donating the floor resurfacing.  A pre-construction meeting will be held on April 14^th.   The Walking Moi is scheduled to kick off in May.
• America’s Best Value Inn has approached the City requesting an economic development loan from the City’s revolving loan fund.  Their main interest is that they would like to restore 24 rentable units to have available for workers from the Bent Tree project, plus do some exterior cosmetics to the building.  Discussion followed.  It was mentioned that the Country Inn and Suites (which was a re-development project) met the requirements to be a TIF project with the City.  Bob Graham informed the Board that the City would like to do a national Vitality Conference, but that Albert Lea does not have enough motel rooms to accommodate the 400 people interested in being a part of the conference.

  Further discussion was held as to criteria which would need to be met to receive a loan from the City’s revolving loan fund.  Job creation and base pay may be tied to the loan criteria.  Bob Graham asked Assistant Director Nolander to review the revolving loan fund application to see if any criteria might be missing. Director Nolander complied.  Executive Director Dorman suggested that the ALEDA Board and the City Council have a discussion as to how loans are processed.  A future meeting will be planned.

Randy Kehr  –  Chamber of Commerce.

• The Chamber had a water issue and thus had to move to temporary quarters at the Northbridge Mall.  Director Kehr said that the people at the Northbridge Mall have been very hospitable and would like the Chamber of Commerce to remain at the Mall, but that from the survey sent out by the Chamber, 80% of responses said that the Chamber should be located in the downtown area.  Chamber staff has looked at a couple of buildings in the downtown for a possible relocation.
• The Super 8 Motel and the Bel Aire Motel have been purchased by an outside source who plans to make significant changes to the facilities in order to set them up for long term stays (i.e. the Bent Tree Wind Farm workers).
• An Ag Lunch was held in March.  It was successful and well attended.  The farm family of the year was announced.
• Cargill is now hiring employees, as is Zumbro River Brand.  Zumbro is hiring people for 48 hours per week.

The new city manager, Jim Norman stopped by the Chamber office.  He will attend the CEO group meeting in April.  Mr. Norman and Mayor Murtaugh will attend the leadership program in May.

8)     COMMISSIONER ITEMS.

• None.

Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that he, Ryan Nolander and Nancy Jensen are working on a lead which was received from the State.  This company is looking for a 20 acre site and would employ 135 people.  Director Dorman wanted to get the Board’s input as to pricing for land that we own.  Discussion followed.  Commissioner Rasmussen said that the Board will trust Directors Dorman and Nolander to make the right decision as far as land pricing for the economic development of Albert Lea.   Any formal proposal would require the approval of the Board.

9)     ADJOURNMENT.

Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Brooks.  The motion carried with 4 to approve and 0 opposed.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m.

Filed and attested April 7, 2010.

Michael Moore                               Nanciana Jensen

Treasurer/Stand-in President                           Secretary