December 5, 2012 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
December 5, 2012
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
December 5, 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, December 5, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. by President Vern Rasmussen, Jr. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Jerry Ehn, Mike Moore, Keith Fligge, Nancy Skophammer, Ellen Kehr and Al Brooks
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Chad Adams, city of Albert Lea representative; Randy Kehr, business community representative; and Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary
STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS: Greg Steihl; Rebecca Gisel – Alliant Energy; Mike Murtaugh – Freeborn Mower Cooperative; Kevin Kiser – Freeborn County Cooperative
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2012 MEETING
The minutes from the November 7, 2012 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Ehn made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Kehr. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.
3. RESOLUTION PA-12-20 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $21,387.64, seconded by Commissioner Skophammer. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.
4. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Enderes Tool property update –Kevin Kiser with Freeborn County Cooperative spoke to the board about their plans for the rail parcel to this property if they were able to buy it. They want to expand their dust control business. They need rail and are currently offloading in Glenville on land owned by someone else. They believe it would be advantageous for their long term plan, would create jobs and bring in more tax dollars. They don’t want to lease. They currently employ about 70 people and will be moving the roll-off business they recently purchased to Freeborn County. Discussion followed about rail spurs. (Commissioner Brooks and Mike Lee arrived.) Mr. Kiser requested a pricing proposal from the board for him to bring to his board. The Port board decided more consideration must be given before deciding whether the two parcels should be sold separately. President Rasmussen wants a firmer cost on the building demolition and Commissioner Ehn suggested the board establish long-term vision for the parcels. More discussion will take place during the January board meeting. (Kevin Kiser left.) President Rasmussen directed staff to speak with Steve Overgaard regarding his plans.
There is still a dispute with American Bank over storage fees on the building. They have ignored our request to settle for $3,000. The only other option is to file with small claims court. After discussion, Commissioner Ehn moved to file with small claims court for the total amount owed to the Port. It was seconded by Commissioner Moore and motion passed 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
Bridge Avenue update & Freeborn Bank Bldg. update – Discussed below in the city ex-officio update
Tough Mudder update – They decided on another location.
St. John’s/Stables area update – Executive Director Dorman met with St. John’s Lutheran Home on how to possibly use a TIF to offset the cost of a sewer extension.
Accounting change – With the city updating their accounting system, the cost for them to continue to do the Port’s accounting exceeds the amount Hammer Dieser Mangskau will charge for it. The change to HDM will begin the first of the year.
VA Clinic update – There is no RFP out yet for this project. Some of their clinics are VA-owned and staffed and others are contract facilities. They want the clinic to be within 30 miles of the most veterans, ignoring the Iowa border.
Coalition of Greater MN Cities conference – Executive Director Dorman attended this conference two weeks ago. (Chad arrived.) There’s concern among the agriculture lobbyists about Greater Minnesota and the need for a comprehensive program for JOBZ replacement. There was discussion about inviting Shannon Savick to attend one of our future board meetings.
January 2013 board meeting date – Since the regular January board meeting is so soon after the holidays, the board was polled to see if there will be a quorum available. It was decided to keep the board meeting on January 2, 2013.
5. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County – Mike Lee, Freeborn County Representative
There will be a truth in taxation meeting tomorrow as well as the final workshop for setting the levy and budget. Pat Martinson will be filling out Dennis Distad’s term as auditor/treasurer which expires in 2014. The county commissioners are meeting with Kwik-Trip December 11. When asked if the $10,000 contribution to Greater Jobs is still in the county’s budget for 2013, Mike didn’t think so.
City of Albert Lea – Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea Representative
There will be a public hearing Monday regarding vacating the road easement for Kwik Trip. The developer’s agreement has been extended for another 60 days for more time. The city is looking at a 4.5% tax increase for 2013, with 3% of it for staffing the fire department and 1.4% bonding for street improvements. HRA is proposing a $50,000 levy to enable them to do more with housing rehabilitation. Water rates are looking at a 12% increase. A letter was sent to notify the biggest users. (Commissioner Kehr left.) The sewer fund looks stable with a 2% increase over the next two years. The sewer rebate program needs council approval. The city is working with labor unions on insurance costs. There is an upcoming conference call with the Phoenix Development Group on their preliminary numbers on the bank building. There have been a few interested retailers for the ground level. A retirement party for Bob Graham will be this Friday. The city decided not to replace the position, but have hired WSB to be a contract planner for land use as needed and they will help with the Kwik-Trip application. The Port staff will continue to help with economic development and they are looking into a possible administrative person to help Chad Adams so he can have more visibility within the community on projects. Specs will be approved late January for the Broadway Streetscapes Project.
Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, business community representative
This month there will be a CEO meeting with the school district working on a program to allow students to work as paid apprentices. They’ve partnered with Lou Rich already and hope to expand to other companies. The idea is that after high school graduation the student could get further education and come back to work locally. Riverland College, industry leaders and local chambers will work together to develop programs in high school and also with community education. There’s an upcoming legislative meeting with Senator Sparks and Representative Savick to work on our own community session priorities. The Chamber recently joined the Coalition of Greater MN Cities. Randy extended an invitation to go along with him, Executive Director Dorman and Commissioner Kehr to the MN Chamber Session Priorities meeting on January 9th.
6. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
In January, President Rasmussen will attend the CEO group meeting with Randy Kehr. President Rasmussen discussed new officers taking over the Port board positions. Commissioner Skophammer will be the next board president and Commissioner Ehn will move into the vice president slot. Commissioner Moore agreed to remain as treasurer. President Rasmussen asked if anyone else had interest to be an officer. It will be voted on at the January meeting.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Fligge. The motion carried 6 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
Filed and attested December 5, 2012.