February 1, 2012 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
February 1, 2012
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
February 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, February 1, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. by President Vern Rasmussen. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ellen Kehr, Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Al Brooks, Mike Moore, Keith Fligge, Jerry Ehn and Nancy Skophammer
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Randy Kehr, business community representative; Chad Adams, City Manager; and Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; and Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary
STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS: Mike Murtaugh, Freeborn-Mower Coop; Chuck Paczkowski and Greg Steil
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 4, 2012 MEETING
The minutes from the January 4, 2012 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
3. RESOLUTION PA-12-04 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. Nothing significant was noted. Commissioner Kehr made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $3,771.46. Commissioner Brooks seconded and the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
4. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
• Caterpillar announced plans to relocate a facility in Japan back to the U.S late last year. Staff was made aware of this by Board Members and a community member. We extended our interest to them and worked with the State of Minnesota to try to bring this plant to Freeborn County. However, they sent a letter thanking us for our interest and efforts, but said Minnesota was too far north of where they wanted to be. They have selected a site in Athens, Georgia.
• Distribution Center Update – This lead we were working on was Pioneer Seed who is currently leasing Al Larson’s warehouse for a year. The company wants to be closer to their regional center and said Albert Lea is too far east for them. It’s likely they will build in Storm Lake, Iowa.
• MCHS Project Update – Executive Director Dorman said there is concern this project may be put on hold due to cash flow and capital allocation requirements from Rochester Mayo.
• Possible Rail Project – Executive Director Dorman was contacted by C.B. Richard Ellis, a large national real estate firm, representing a company who needs an existing 40,000-50,000 SF building on 7-10 acres with rail access. Dorman told them we didn’t have anything like that; however, we could build something for them with rail in the Glenville corridor. The company was determined to find something right away, but called back after finding out the shortage of available options that met their needs. Dan will meet with the agent and his clients this afternoon and show them the area.
• Mrs. Gerry’s possible expansion – They are ready to make a decision on expanding their business. Executive Director Dorman feels if the sewer incentive was in place it would likely happen. We will do whatever we can to help them move forward, possibly with a TIF or loans through using Greater Jobs as an LDO.
• Regional Economic Development Group Forum – Executive Director Dorman handed out an economic outlook survey by the Federal Reserve Bank covering 2011-2012. It shows employment recovery becoming stronger and home prices remaining depressed in general for Minnesota. Most of the survey is positive for Minnesota. Other areas showed manufacturing growth and preschool costs and benefits.
5. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County – Mike Lee, County Commissioner
• The Shell Rock Wind Farm is unlikely to happen this year.
• The county recently held a workshop to look at ways to fix the sewer issue in the Stables’ area.
• The county continues to work on bringing the human services department in line and will need to look into how other areas report their figures as there is such a disparity in the numbers reported between Albert Lea and the region.
• Being the newest person on this board, Commissioner Ehn asked what the county’s strategy is moving forward to be involved with economic development. Mike Lee said he has been looking into the MN Investment Fund and will get Dorman on the next county workshop agenda to get issues resolved to move forward in their discussions with setting up a local development organization. President Rasmussen urged more collaboration and fostering between Freeborn County and ALEDA rather than the county re-creating economic development within its own division.
City of Albert Lea – Chad Adams, City Manager
• The water rates were approved by the council with an increase of 10% for the top 5 users; 3% for most others. There will be a couple long-term options for the council to explore by March or April.
• The contract financial manager is working on a financial management plan to be used 10-15 years out to see how LGA fits in and what the need for a tax levy will be at that time. Once the model is finished this year, new items can be plugged in for long-term planning.
• The fire services review analysis is finished. The consultant will return in March. More extensive interviews will be done then and there will be a town hall format. Other surrounding communities will also meet with the consultant to look at fire districts. It must be looked at objectively, not just budgetary, and at services as well. There are 16 fire departments in the county. The consultant will provide a work plan, not just a recommendation.
• A task force will be appointed to look at senior services. Currently, the city funds only the senior center and not senior resources.
• The city is working with a group to take more ownership control of the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center which would save the city money.
• The city has been funding 7th and 8th grade sports and may drop this as a budgetary component.
• Kwik Trip is planning a fall opening and the previous building has been torn down.
• St. John’s will be submitting a site plan this spring to the planning commission.
• The design engineer firm for the streetscape project will be appointed in February. Construction will initiate in 2013. This project is not only about aesthetic appeal; it is necessary because the street and sewer must be re-done in the near future.
Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, Executive Director
• The CEO and Business Education groups recently had a combined meeting with Bill Blazer of the MN Chamber. Doug Olson presented a matrix with K-12. The Minnesota Chamber position was explored.
• The Gourmet Food Auction was held last week. They netted $12,000 with 220 people in attendance and 13 cooks. This was the first time tickets were sold out.
• A diversity in the workplace workshop with Riverland will be held there on February 7.
• The Big Freeze will be on February 18.
6. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
• Commissioner Skophammer commended Chad on his recent speaking engagement with the Freeborn County bankers.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Skophammer made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Moore. The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
Filed and attested February 1, 2012.