February 3, 2010 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | February 3, 2010

February 3, 2010

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY

MINUTES

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

New Spec Building – Margaretha and 14th St.

 

1) The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. at the new spec building by President Ellen Kehr and roll was noted.

MEMBERS present: President, Ellen Kehr and Commissioners:  Keith Fligge, Mike Moore, Vern Rasmussen Jr., Nancy Skophammer.

MEMBER ABSENT:  Paul Field, Al Brooks

Ex-Officio members present:  Randy Kehr, Business Community Representative; Lee Bjorndal, City of Albert Lea

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER ABSENT:  Christopher Shoff, County Board Representative.

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:  Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director.

STAFF MEMBER ABSENT:  Nanciana Jensen, Board Secretary

GUESTS:  None

2)  APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6, 2010 REGULAR MEETING.

After Board review, Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2010 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Fligge.   The vote was 5 to approve and 0 opposed.   Motion carried.

3)  RESOLUTION PA-10-05 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.

The claims were presented for review.  Executive Director Dorman made note of the $1000 for carpet under his expense report and stated that a down payment was needed on the carpet replacement project at the ALEDA offices.  Commissioner Fligge asked about the Paul Sparks expense and it was explained that this was payment for his consulting services for the final 5 months of 2009 and that this should be the final payment.  Commissioner Fligge made a motion to approve Resolution PA-10-05 authorizing the payment of claims in the amount of $9,449.16, seconded by Commissioner Moore.   The vote was 5 to approve and 0 opposed.   Motion carried.

4)  RESOLUTION PA-10-06 AUTHORIZING TRANSER OF LAND

Executive Director Dorman explained to the board that property from Geno and Carol Thompson was transferred in error to the Port Authority for construction of 777th Ave.  The document that was sent by JHS and City Engineer Steve Jahnke for the Thompsons to sign accidentally had the Port Authority on it instead of Greater Jobs.  This resolution will transfer the property to Greater Jobs from the Port Authority as required for the federal grant, and there is no cost to the Port Authority for this accidental clerical error.  President Kehr made the motion to approve Resolution PA-10-06 authorizing transfer of land from the Port Authority to Greater Jobs, seconded by Commissioner Moore.  The vote was 5 to approve and 0 opposed.  Motion carried.

5)  EX-OFFICIO UPDATES  (*Lee Bjorndal joined meeting here and was introduced to the board)

Freeborn County

  • No one present, no report given.

Randy Kehr – Chamber of Commerce

  • The Gourmet Auction was held at Wedgewood Cove last Friday night and raised around $13,000.
  • Tomorrow night is the MN Chamber legislative session priorities gathering in St. Paul.
  • The weekend of Feb. 13-14 is the Big Freeze winter event (passed around a flyer).
  • The Chamber held their board retreat last week to discuss planning for the upcoming year.

Lee Bjorndal – City of Albert Lea

  • The transition of City Manager Simonsen leaving and Lee taking over as interim City Manager is taking place.
  • The city will be hiring a fill-in attorney to handle criminal cases while Lee is serving as interim City Manager.
  • The goal is to make an offer to the next City Manager by the end of March.
  • Commissioner Rasmussen mentioned that the city saved more then they originally thought they were going to, so they should be able to add around $600,000 to reserves if projections are correct.
  • President Kehr complimented Lee on looking at the wind farm project and being proactive on the project’s impact on the community.

6)  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.

  • Spec Building Update – We are in it today and we will give the board a tour prior to the ribbon cutting at 10am.
  • Sewer and Water Rate Update – The City Council did adopt a new rate structure and Executive Director Dorman feels that the Council understood the issues and choices.
  • ZRT Invoice – Executive Director Dorman noted the ZRT invoice included in the board packets.  The invoice is billing the Port Authority for engineering work performed in 2006, 2007, and 2008 on the ALEDA industrial park.  City Attorney Lee Bjorndal stated that we should ask ZRT for justification of the bill and discussion followed on how do we know that we haven’t already paid for these services?  ALEDA will follow-up with ZRT for more clarification.

7)  COMMISSIONER ITEMS.

  • Commissioner Moore explained his thoughts on the City vs. Greater Jobs situation that came out of the developer’s agreement discussion for 777th Ave.  He stated that as board members we need to quit referring to us as the Port Authority or Greater Jobs, and accept that we are one organization, ALEDA.  He also mentioned that we need to tell our story when out in public and explain why this structure works so well.
  • President Kehr wanted to discuss Executive Director Dorman’s performance review.  Executive Director Dorman received 4.3 out of 5.0 on his evaluation in July.  He received a 2% COLA increase in January 2009, but will not receive a COLA increase for 2010.  Due to the economic climate, not his performance, the recommendation is a 0% salary increase for 2010 with his performance review moved to December 31st going forward.  President Kehr did note that with this recommendation of a 0% increase that Executive Director Dorman will not receive a raise for 2 years (January 09 to Jan 11).  President Kehr also mentioned that Executive Director Dorman’s current contract expires June 30, 2010 and that she would like the board to look at a 2.5 year contract starting July 1, 2010.
  • President Kehr brought up a discussion regarding ALEDA’s PTO policy and that after researching the program she is confident that things are being done correctly on both the agency and payroll side.  Board discussion followed and Commissioner Rasmussen explained his employer’s policy.
  • Commissioner Fligge asked why there is no COLA increase this year for Executive Director Dorman and why there are none this year at the city.  The response was due to economic conditions there was a COLA freeze at the city and that is also why there is a COLA freeze for Executive Director Dorman.

8)  ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Board, Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 a.m., seconded by Commissioner Fligge.  The vote was 5 to approve and 0 opposed.  Motion carried.

Filed and attested February 3, 2010

________________________________                     _______________________________

Ellen Kehr, President                                            Ryan Nolander, Interim Secretary

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