February 4, 2015 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | February 4, 2015

February 4, 2015

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY

MINUTES

February 4, 2015

Regular Meeting

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 4, 2015 at 7:30 a.m. by President Kehr.  Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
  • COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Mike Moore, Ellen Kehr, Al Brooks, Nate Jansen, and Mark Heinemann
  • COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:  None
  • EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:  Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea representative; Randy Kehr, business community representative; Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative
  • EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT:  None
  • STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:  Ryan Nolander, Executive Director and Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary
  • STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT:  None
  • GUESTS:  Mike Murtaugh – Freeborn Mower Cooperative; Rebecca Gisel – Alliant Energy; and Ginny Larson – MCHS

 

2.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 7, 2015 MEETING

  • The minutes from the January 7, 2015 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Brooks.  President Kehr asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

 

3.     RESOLUTION PA-15-06 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

  • The claims were presented for review.  Commissioner Heinemann made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $33,671.79, seconded by Commissioner Moore.  President Kehr asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

4.     RESOLUTION PA-15-17 TRANSFER OF FUNDS – R/E FUND TO GENERAL FUND

  • Once per year a transfer is made from the real estate fund to the general fund.  Operating expenses come out of the general fund which doesn’t generate any income.  All revenue goes into the real estate fund.  There hasn’t been a transfer done for 1.5 years.  Commissioner Jansen made a motion to move $75K from the real estate fund to the general fund.  Commissioner Rasmussen seconded it and the motion passed 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

5.     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Streater Lease –Ruby’s Pantry was using the Ring Can south end space for food distribution once a month through the winter knowing they would have to vacate if a compensating tenant came along.  Streater needed short-term warehouse space immediately so notice was given to Ruby’s.  Streater will pay an all-in price of $7,200 per month January through March so meters won’t have to be changed.  This is the same arrangement Larson Manufacturing had last year.  Commissioner Heinemann made a motion to approve the lease as stated with Commissioner Moore seconded it.  The motion passed 6 in favor; 0 opposed.
  • W. 9th St. Property – This property was discussed last month.  With its location, it doesn’t fit our portfolio.  An offer was made to purchase for $75K and to split assessments.  The net would be $61K.  Staff countered with a sale price of $98K and the Port pays all assessments.  Staff will bring more information next month.  Usage for the property was discussed and the potential buyer doesn’t plan to use it for equipment storage, but would haul snow there in winter and lease it to a farmer in the spring.  The property is zoned I-2.
  • Mrs. Gerry’s update – The county assessor said they’re close to reaching an agreement on a property valuation.  An agreement is close to being reached on property nearby that would work for a long, narrow regional retention pond for the entire Northaire park.  ZRT is working on the design.  Executive Director Nolander will contact the state for availability of BDPI funds for the project.  Also, TIF money could be utilized for some of the pond expense.
  • St. Johns update – Chad Adams gave the update.  The city council had a special meeting Monday night and are very close to a developer’s agreement and TIF agreement for the full 26-year life of the district.  St. Johns will pay for all public improvements and the TIF will help reimburse some of that expense.  There is a lot of demand now for senior housing and the more they build, the quicker the property will get back on tax rolls.  The TIF will be capped at 20% over bid prices.  If they don’t build the infrastructure according to the city’s specifications, they won’t get the TIF.  Ehlers gave a “TIF 101” to the St. John’s board to help them understand the process.  St. Johns will pay for oversized pipes to be installed from the lift station which will help the Stables area when they join city water and sewer.
  • Bridon Project update – Bridon emailed the specs for their equipment and staff will work with ZRT to see if it’s feasible and not cost prohibitive to renovate the south Ring space.
  • Enderes Building update – Northbridge Tool is moving equipment out, but staff has not heard from Overgaard or been given the key.  They have not paid January or February rent.  We’ve communicated to him that an agreement would have to be reached on a monthly rate for equipment storage left until demolition and additional costs to demo around his equipment would be his responsibility.

 

6.     EX-OFFICIO UPDATE

Freeborn County – Mike Lee, Freeborn County Representative

  • The county is closing on the abandoned railroad property the end of February.
  • At the workshop next Tuesday they will discuss the 1/2 cent tax, market rate housing, and possible tax abatement for the housing project.
  • South Broadway overlay discussion will be in March.  Much discussion followed on the proposed road striping.

City of Albert Lea – Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea Representative

  • The South Broadway overlay was talked about during the county update.
  • The need for market rate rental housing appears to be on the same page with the county and school district.  There could be a 10-year abatement for developers.  Developers will work with utility companies on rates.  Construction on 24 units on 9th Street and Highway 69 will start this spring.
  • Developers for the Freeborn Bank building will submit an application for supplemental funds from the state and reapply a full application in June.  Their plan has changed somewhat.  Clint Jayne has left the firm and will be working in southern Minnesota.
  • Downtown activity will show many changes in 2015.
  • During Coalition Day, discussions were held with Senator Sparks and Representative Bennett to get their support on workforce housing and MPCA guidelines.
  • The facilities master plan concepts will be presented to the council, including the Blazing Star Landing site.
  • The new professional services tax abatement policy has brought a couple more businesses forward.
  • There was a meeting yesterday with MERC on a franchise agreement.  They will be as strong of a partner as Alliant, and are looking to build a facility here in the future.
  • A Subway between Hy-Vee and Arby’s is looking to break ground this spring.  A hotel may build near there also in the fall.

Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, business community representative

  • He and Ryan met with the Southwest Middle school leadership team to talk about “Educate the Educators,” where the teachers are brought into local industry sites.  Middle-school students begin looking at careers early on and the way to inform parents of other options is through the teachers.  This program is a long-term goal needing a lot of support.
  • Randy attended the recent public hearing on the Alliant sale with Ryan to offer their support.  The attendance was low.
  • A new ITC executive who was at the Greater Jobs annual meeting came to the Chamber office afterward.  She relayed the company is very happy here.

 

7.     COMMISSIONER/OTHER ITEMS

  • Commissioner Moore said Iowa is very aggressive about workforce training.  He added he had a discussion with a business in St. Cloud who’s had success with internships after having failed with traditional hiring.  Companies will need to self-train in order to get the skills needed to fill their jobs.

 

8.     ADJOURNMENT

  • Commissioner Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Jansen.  The motion carried 6 in favor, 0 opposed.  The meeting adjourned at 8:25 a.m.

Filed and attested February 4, 2015.

Posted in Minutes