August 1, 2012 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
August 1, 2012
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
August 1, 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, August 1, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. by President Vern Rasmussen. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Ellen Kehr, Mike Moore, Jerry Ehn, Nancy Skophammer, Al Brooks and Keith Fligge
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Randy Kehr, business community representative; and Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Chad Adams, city of Albert Lea representative
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; and Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary
STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director
GUESTS: Terry Berg, city of Albert Lea; Mike Murtaugh, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative; Rebecca Gisel, Alliant
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 11, 2012 MEETING & RETREAT
The minutes from the July 11, 2012 meeting and retreat were reviewed. Commissioner Ehn made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Skophammer. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
President Rasmussen introduced and welcomed Terry Berg, the city’s new finance officer.
3. RESOLUTION PA-12-14 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. Assistant Director Nolander noted the final payment to Johnson Heating for the refrigeration upgrade in the Ring Can building and the payment to ZRT for the design and engineering for that project. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $51,800.15, seconded by Commissioner Fligge. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
4. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED 2013 BUDGET
Some changes were made from the proposed budget discussed at the last board meeting. In the General Fund the Memberships/Contributions were lowered to reflect the actual number. Included in the Real Estate Fund under Intergovernmental Revenue is the TIF payment for the new ALEDA Park spec building. Interest on debt service was increased to match our exact number for this coming year on the spec building. Also, in the Real Estate Fund the Sale of Fixed Assets of $100,000 was left in as that is close to our historic average. Commissioner Moore asked if there is no sale, would the cash flow be enough to carry the operation. The answer is yes, there is enough revenue from income and depreciation. Approval of the budget is needed according to state statutes to be able to submit to the city council. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to accept the 2013 Port Authority Budget as presented, seconded by Commissioner Kehr. The motion passed 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Assistant Director Nolander gave the report in Executive Director Dorman’s absence.
Zumbro River Brand & Vision Leases – ZRB leased 1/3 of the spec building which expires the end of August. They do not plan to move, but may possibly negotiate more space. Vision Technologies would like to vacate the middle section of the Ring Can Building, but are not ready yet. They have agreed to a three-month lease at $3.25 per SF, instead of $2.75 they were currently paying, and could possibly do another three-month after that or go month-to month at $3.50 per SF.
Enderes Tool – This was discussed last month. The County Auditor was given the resolution requesting the property be taken off the tax forfeiture sale in August. We’ll move forward with environmental work for our due diligence in order to make the final decision on whether to purchase the property. The six-month time period started last week. The building needs work; however, the lot behind with rail access is very nice.
Knights Inn – Both owners came here separately on Monday. The process as we’ve been advised from Kennedy and Graven was explained. Executive Director Dorman urged them to get good legal representation and to pay their taxes and penalties. Additionally, the County would have to agree to accept the payment and their plan to operate going forward should they bring the payment to the County.
Maintenance: Ring Can & Gametec – There is not a drain in the parking lot of the Ring Can building and now some of the block on the loading dock needs replacing. The cost to repair the block is much less than reconfiguring the parking lot to add a drain. The Gametec lot will be cleaned up and bushes over-running the sign will be trimmed.
6. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County – Mike Lee, Freeborn County Representative
· The County is working on their 2013 budget.
· The UP was in town on Monday and looked at the Highway 13 property. The County plans to apply for the park legacy money again.
· The cleanup of State Line Lake is coming along quickly. Ducks Unlimited might pay for the dam.
· The County is anticipating hearing about the Bridge Street Corridor study soon.
City of Albert Lea – (President Vern Rasmussen gave an update on behalf of the city.)
· The City will be meeting with downtown owners individually regarding their concerns on their assessments for the Streetscape Project. The bump-outs are the largest topic. People have suggested they should be reduced somewhat. People don’t seem to mind having stop signs at two intersections downtown instead of stoplights.
· The City is working on 2013 budgets and also holding property tax meetings with concerned citizens.
· Police Chief Winkels will be managing both the police and fire departments. The City continues to look at how the fire department will evolve. A new fire department building may be needed. The trucks manufactured now are too large to fit in the current doors and the doors can’t be widened so specialized vehicles would have to be custom built. Additionally, diesel emissions are a problem in the current building and there are no training facilities, among other issues.
· On paper it appears two police officers will be cut; one position is the school officer and the other through attrition over three years. Our police per capita, per 1000 was higher than other communities our size.
· Many of streets have been repaired this summer.
· City hall was built to accommodate the existing boiler that now needs replacing. The City is looking at HVAC systems and a new roof with an estimated cost of $1.4 million for both projects. Thankfully, through Alliant there are programs to help.
Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, business community representative
· The golf scholarship outing in July was very successful
· On September. 6, there will be a workshop, “Greening up your business and your home.” There will be different providers speaking at the half day seminar. Alliant & Freeborn-Mower are involved. More information will be forthcoming.
· Kwik-Trip is concerned about the county’s decisiveness regarding Bridge Street. They are beginning their planning process for next year and would like to build in 2013 rather than 2014. If they can be assured of a right-turn lane they would begin to build now.
7. COMMISSIONER ITEMS – none
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Skophammer. The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.
Filed and attested August 1, 2012.