December 2, 2009 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | December 2, 2009

December 2, 2009

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY 

MINUTES

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

7:30 a.m.

Albert Lea Business Development Center/Conference Room

 

  1. The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7:40 a.m. by President Ellen Kehr and notation of roll was made.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  President, Ellen Kehr; Commissioners:  Al Brooks, Paul Field, Keith Fligge, Mike Moore, Vern Rasmussen Jr. and Nancy Skophammer.

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:  None.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:  Randy Kehr, Business Community representative, Christopher Shoff, Freeborn County representative (arrived at 7:45 a.m.); Victoria Simonsen, City of Albert Lea representative (arrived at 8:25 a.m.).

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

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

STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

OBSERVER:  Mike Lee.

2)        APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 4, 2009 REGULAR MEETING.

The minutes of the November 4, 2009 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore.  The motion carried with 7 in favor and 0 opposed.

3)       RESOLUTION PA-09-27  –  AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.

The claims were presented for review.  Commissioner Fligge made a motion to approve Resolution PA-09-27 authorizing payment of claims in the amount of $77,072.05, seconded by Commissioner Field.  The motion carried with 7 in favor and 0 opposed.  

4)       RESOLUTION PA-09-28  –  BRIDON CORDAGE.

  • Inducement Resolution for possible bond sale.

Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that this agenda item will be tabled at this time..

5)      BUSINESS SUBSIDY UPDATE.

Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that a meeting took place last week to discuss the City’s business subsidy plan.  Those who attended were: Dan Dorman, Ryan Nolander, Victoria Simonsen, Daniel Otten, Mayor Mike Murtaugh, Bob Graham and Keith Fligge.  Director Dorman discussed the details of the meeting with the Board, noting that he would like to see ALEDA as the first point of contact in the process of a new business locating or expanding here in Albert Lea.  This would include revolving fund loans.  Board member discussion followed.  A comment was made by Commissioner Moore, “We need good financial minds looking at any new projects, and that there should be one or two people looking at any business proposal.”  Director Dorman suggested a committee be formed to do a credit review of any possible new revolving fund loan.  Commissioner Skophammer suggested that she felt it would be wise to do an outside credit review as a precautionary step, stating that “The more we do our back-up work, the better it would be.”  Discussion followed.  Executive Director Dorman said that the Business Subsidy committee will meet again in the near future to discuss the City’s revolving loan fund.

6)      EX-OFFICIO UPDATES.

Christopher Shoff – Freeborn County representative.

  • Commissioner Shoff thanked Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever for filling in for him the last couple of months.
  • There are three other businesses in the process of putting up wind farm test towers.
  • There will be a truth and taxation meeting on Thursday evening.
  • Commissioner Shoff asked for input from the Port Authority Board regarding the Armor radio system.  The government wants Freeborn County to put in a narrow band width emergency system.  The new radio emergency system is mandated to be in place by the year 2013.  The County will have to bond for the cost of the system as the cost has more than doubled.  Commissioner Shoff said that the county was looking at going to each county municipality but realized that the small towns do not have the funds to purchase the system, so Freeborn County will bear the cost of the new system.  With the Armor system, user groups can be set up.  Discussion followed regarding alternative radio systems.  Commissioner Shoff said that the Armor systems would award more privacy.  Olmsted County is part of the Armor System.
  • The County Commissioners passed a resolution in support of the bike trail.

Randy Kehr – Chamber of Commerce.

  • Director Kehr met with the CEO group this past month.  Senator Dan Sparks joined them.  The Albert Lea Medical Center will host the CEO group in December.  Senator Brown will attend the CEO meeting in January.
  • In February, the Bent Tree Wind Farm officials want to come down and meet with the Chamber Board, and also hold a luncheon meeting.
  • The Chamber Board of Directors passed a resolution to support the Bike Trail.
  • On December 10th, the Chamber is offering an unemployment insurance workshop through DEED.
  • Nine people are going to Washington DC next week to work on a $50,000 grant, which the YMCA has received.

Victoria Simonsen – City of Albert Lea representative.

  • The City is waiting for the forecast from the State to see how it will affect the LGA.
  • This week is filled with union negotiations.  They met yesterday for four hours in mediation with the Teamsters.  Today, they are meeting with the fire fighters and tomorrow the AFSME union representatives.
  • The City is working on finishing up year end details.

7)     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.

  • Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that a meeting was held on Tuesday, December 1st with representatives from four industries and three City council members (Vern Rasmussen, Jr; Ellen Kehr; and Al Brooks) to discuss sewer and water rates.  Director Dorman thanked the City council members for attending the meeting.  There will be a public hearing in the near future.
  • Spec Building – Director Dorman took banker Daniel Otten on a tour of the new spec building.  The building is 95% completed and looks very good.  Commissioner Field and Director Dorman chose the color for the door which will match the trim of the building.  There haven’t been any new inquiries regarding the building.  Bridon Cordage is still interested, depending on what happens with their expansion.  The Port Authority did bid for the sprinkler system in the building.  Director Dorman said it was more cost efficient to put in the fire pump which will result in a good system for a lower cost.
  • Carpenter – The work on the parking lot is completed for this year.  Work will resume on the lot in the spring.  Carpenter seems happy with it.
  • The City approved the ALAMCO JOBZ application at the last council meeting.  ALAMCO is required to invest $800,000 in capital and hire an additional 12 employees in order to be compliant with JOBZ.
  • Property tax – The property tax on agricultural land owned by the Port Authority is up 20%.

8)     COMMISSIONER ITEMS.

  • Marion Ross will donate $25,000 to the Marion Ross Community Theater.

9)     ADJOURNMENT.

Commissioner Fligge made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 a.m., seconded by    Commissioner Rasmussen.  The motion carried with 7 to approve and 0 opposed.  .

Filed and attested December 2, 2009.

Ellen Kehr, President                           Nanciana Jensen, Secretary
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