August 4, 2010 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | August 4, 2010

August 4, 2010

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY

 MINUTES

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

7:30 a.m. 

 

  1. The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. by Vice President Vern Rasmussen, Jr.  Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Al Brooks, Jerry Ehn, Mike Moore, Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Nancy Skophammer and Keith Fligge.

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:  President Ellen Kehr

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:  Jim Norman, City of Albert Lea representative

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT:  Randy Kehr, business community representative and Christopher Shoff, Freeborn County Representative

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:  Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary

STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT:  None

GUESTS:  John Kluever, Freeborn County Administrator

Executive Director Dorman introduced Julie Dandrea, the new administrative assistant, to the commissioners.

2.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JULY 7, 2010 MEETING 

The minutes from the July 7, 2010 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the minutes as  presented, seconded  by   Commissioner Fligge.  The motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

 

3.  RESOLUTION PA-10-14 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

The claims were presented for review.  Commissioner Fligge moved to approve Resolution PA-10-14 authorizing payment of claims in the amount of  $19,255.66, seconded by Commissioner Al Brooks.  The motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

 

4.  RESOLUTION PA-10-15 TO ADD ACH PAYMENT FOR DEBT SERVICE ON SPEC BUILDING

Director Dorman explained this would allow automatic payment on the debt loan on ALEDA Spec building #1 each month.  The City has requested payment be made the same day every month so the amortization schedule stays on track.  The payment of $11,363.17 will show each month on the claims and move from the 10th to the 15th of each month.  Commissioner Fligge moved to approve authorization and Commissioner Moore seconded.  The motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

 

5.  FOLLOW-UP FROM BOARD RETREAT  

Blazing Star Comments:  Executive Director Dorman distributed a handout addressing the feasibility of some of the ideas given at the recent retreat for this property.  He met with Steve Waldhoff to discuss the idea of a regional commercial laundry facility to take health linens in the area there or to another location.

Regarding a retail outlet shopping center, water-park/hotel, RV park, marina, or resort with restaurant, ALEDA will do what it can to support such development.  The key is finding an equity investor.  Hotel developers are always given information for this area, but they seem more interested in sites on the interstate.  A summit is being planned to discuss possibilities and vision for this property.  A river walk along the channel is also great idea and should be part of the overall plan, although, funding would have to be found for this.  We are in alignment with the city to the extent we can be; however, there are differences in vision and goals between the two entities.

A Canadian Pacific maintenance center would have been a good idea; however, Director Moore said Mason City spent close to twenty million dollars twenty years ago to “cook” the land first in order to build a rail maintenance center.  There have been a few light industrial inquiries over the years, but the response from the City is the community is not ready to go in that direction as yet.

Core Competency Comments:  Albert Lea’s core competency areas are food processing and manufacturing, metal working, and distribution.  ALEDA will put forth more effort to promote other food processors or help expand local food processors.  Director Moore added Albert Lea also has a major player in the retirement plan industry.   Director Ehn discussed the regionalization of medical specialties and that we are the only local facility with a hyperbaric chamber and also a large chemical dependency treatment center.

Advertising in different mediums was discussed   along with participation in community events and trade shows.  We plan to develop an email data base and send out a quarterly newsletter.    We welcome ideas on community events we could participate in and also trade shows we may attend.

Concerning retreat discussion regarding competing with private developers, the Port Authority owns buildings which help create jobs and we will also sell land at a lower cost to compete with other cities in greater Minnesota.  Most private developers outside the metro area are not willing to lose money for what is involved for infrastructure to develop industrial areas.  We have most of the county’s available property on our website and we will partner with private developers to find property to best suit a customer’s needs as our mission is to create jobs for the community.

6.  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

  • We are working with two viable prospects for Spec Building #1 in ALEDA Park.
  • We are getting bids for repairs and paint on the Ring Can building.  There was discussion concerning uses for this property and what is needed to modernize it.  If we put in some capital improvements, it may be more leasable.
  • Bids have been received to replace windows in the building Game Tec leases.
  • The Alliant rate hike was discussed and the Port Authority will join the City of Albert Lea in sharing the costs for legal representation to oppose the rate increase.
  • We will have rough copies of the 2011 budget to look at next month.
  • Executive Director Dorman attended a two day retention class with DEED people in July.  He learned 80-84% of growth in communities comes from established companies.

 

7.  EX-OFFICIO UPDATE:

Freeborn County

  • John Kluever discussed the upcoming budgeting process.  There are three workshops scheduled.
  • The radio expansion project will now move forward as the county received funds from Homeland Security and should be in use by November.
  • John discussed the procedure for election of a new county commissioner for the fifth district.  A new commissioner cannot be appointed because there is more than two years left on the term.

City of Albert Lea

  • Jim Norman requested the Port Authority give the City a formal commitment to join the coalition against the Alliant rate increase.
  • The City is assembling information for an RV park layout and putting together a ballpark price for a river walk on the Blazing Star Landing.  A summit will come in the next couple of months.
  • He also discussed a possible parking ramp to come under a federal grant as a transportation initiative to revitalize North Broadway and as part of a possible project for ALMC.  An announcement may come in September.
  • City Manager Norman said Blue Zones is an asset to our community and the rest of the state is asking how we did this.  They plan to write a mission statement with Blue Zone in mind.

 

8.  COMMISSIONER’S ITEMS:

  • None

Commissioner Fligge made a motion to adjourn the meeting seconded by Commissioner Brooks.  The motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.  The meeting was recessed at 9:05 a.m.

 

Filed and attested July 7, 2010.

 

Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Vice President                                                     Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary

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