January 2, 2014 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | January 2, 2014

January 2, 2014

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY

MINUTES

January 2, 2014

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, January 2, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. by President Nancy Skophammer.  Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
  • COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:  Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Jerry Ehn, Keith Fligge, Ellen Kehr, Mike Moore, Nancy Skophammer , and Al Brooks
  • COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:  None
  • EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:  Randy Kehr, business community representative; Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea representative; and Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative (arrived at 7:40)
  • 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

2.   ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2014

  • President:  Nancy Skophammer
  • Vice President:  Keith Fligge
  • Treasurer:  Ellen Kehr

Commissioner Fligge has agreed to fill in for Commissioner Ehn as Vice President and Commissioner Kehr will take over as Treasurer.  Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the officers for 2014 as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ehn.  President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

3.  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR 2014

  • Board Secretary:  Julie Dandrea
  • Assistant Treasurer:  Mardy Oyer (Hammer Dieser Mangskau)

Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to accept the officers for 2014 as presented.  Commissioner Brooks seconded and the motion passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

4.  APPOINTMENT OF EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2014

  • City Representative:  Chad Adams
  • County Representative:  Mike Lee/Chris Shoff
  • Business Community Representative:  Randy Kehr

Commissioner Fligge made a motion to accept the ex-officios for 2014 as presented.  Commissioner Moore seconded and the motion passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

5.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 4, 2013 REGULAR MEETING

  • The minutes from the December 4, 2013 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Kehr.  President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

6. RESOLUTION PA-14-01 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

  • The claims were presented for review.  Nothing out of the ordinary was noted.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $18,224.56, seconded by Commissioner Ehn.  President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

7.  RESOLUTION PA-14-02 DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES AND SIGNATORIES FOR WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDS

  • Depositories:  US Bank, 4M Fund, Farmers State Bank of Hartland, Produce State Bank, Wells Federal Bank, Clarks Grove State Bank, Home Federal Bank, American Bank, Security Bank MN and Wells Fargo Bank.
  • Signatories:  President, Treasurer and Executive Director

President Skophammer read the list of depositories and signatories.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to approve Resolution PA 14-02 as presented.  Commissioner Brooks seconded and the motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

8.  RESOLUTION PA-14-03 SETTING MEETING DATES, TIMES AND LOCATION FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY

  • First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. to be held at 2610 Y.H. Hanson Avenue.

Commissioner Fligge made the motion to approve Resolution PA-14-03 and Commissioner Moore seconded.  The motion passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

9.  RESOLUTION PA-14-04 SETTING AUTOMATIC ACH PAYMENTS FOR DEBT SERVICE ON SPEC BUILDING #1 IN ALEDA INDUSTRIAL PARK

  •  Executive Director Nolander reminded the board this resolution will be renewed annually since these automatic ACH payments are not listed on the monthly claims list.  Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept Resolution PA-14-04.  Commissioner Ehn seconded and the motion passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

10. RESOLUTION PA-14-05 AUTHORIZING ROUTINE CLAIMS TO BE PAID MID-MON

  • Commissioner Kehr made a motion to accept Resolution PA-14-05 as presented.  Commissioner Brooks seconded and the motion passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

11. RESOLUTION PA-14-06 RULES FOR ADDRESSING THE PORT AUTHORITY/RULES OF DECORUM

  • This was discussed at the last board meeting and it was decided to add “other” to the commissioner items section of the agenda.  If there is public comment, it would be heard at this time.  Executive Director Nolander briefly went over the rules:  Speaking time is limited to three minutes, one topic, addressed to the board as body and no one individually.  Commissioner Fligge made a motion to adopt the resolution as presented and Commissioner Ehn seconded.  President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

12. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Business retention-MCHS: Executive Director Nolander and Chamber Director Kehr met with Steve Waldhoff.  Mayo is not having a workforce issue of their own, but would like to see professional opportunities available in other fields for spouses of their employees who relocate here.  He also talked about how the medical community is changing and services are being consolidated.

Northbridge Tool Update – Included in the board packet was a list of repairs completed by Overgaard which doesn’t include all the labor spent on repairs.  He said if notice is given by the Port he will go month-to-month until he can move the operation into his Progress building.  We don’t have another fit for the building at this time.  Discussion followed regarding the specifics of the repair list.  Executive Director Nolander will talk with Overgaard again after holidays.  Nolander doesn’t want to go long-term on a month-to-month lease.  There will be the future cost of tearing down the building, plus the legal expenses are not over with getting the title cleared.  After speaking with Ventura, they have no interest in the property because of the cost of vacating the road, etc., and they have purchased three acres to the west for expansion and will add onto the north side of the building.

Freeborn County Co-op – They are still interested in purchasing 1.65 acres of the vacant lot of the Enderes site and asked Executive Director Nolander to attend their board meeting in January or February.  Nolander asked for board input on how to best utilize that property; if it would be better to have 6.5 acres with rail or 5 acres with a small piece with access to rail.  The Co-op only needs an acre to drop equipment used for dust control from rail into trucks.  The expense would be a side track for rail car parking.  Currently, they are using rail space in Glenville, but want to be closer to their main operation.  Commissioner Rasmussen feels we want to continue to be creative and proactive, if possible, but to put a premium on rail access.

State switching from GIS to LOIS – This is the state property search website.  We were informed of the switch a couple weeks ago and that it would go live by the end of the year.  We switched to the GIS system a few years ago to give our website property search the same appearance as the state’s and make it easier by having one less site to update.  The annual cost for us is $4,600.  By utilizing the LOIS website, furnished by Alliant Energy where we were already listing our properties, it’s a win/win situation.  It’s free and now will be the only place to list our properties.  The LOIS site is very user-friendly.

Flex space offices – Commissioner Rasmussen provided the news article that was provided in the board packet and wanted to revisit this topic again.  He believes there is opportunity to provide office space as several people have mentioned it to him.  For more exposure, the downtown area might work best.  Chad said having a business incubator downtown was high on list from the focus groups the city held last year.  Staff will look into it and get some ideas.

ABG – Executive Director Nolander is meeting with ABG today.  They are out of space and want to acquire a new business and have requested help on how to solve some of these issues.  ALEDA wants to help, but not sure how much can we provide.  Recent loans made have mostly depleted our loan funds. ABG could fill another building that is currently vacant like the VFW or Alliant buildings with their consultants.  The Knutson building wouldn’t work, but the City building could be an option if a new one is built since the fire department needs more space.

13. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE

Freeborn County – Mike Lee, Freeborn County Representative

  • The budget was set December 17, at $42,039,077; an increase of 1.5%.  The tax levy remained the same as last year at $19,457,478.
  • The county is still in negotiations with UP.  A letter was sent notifying the UP that the county’s offer contains all the grant money available for this project.
  • The Shellrock Watershed has a shortfall for the Albert Lea Lake dam replacement and will be looking for money.
  • Commissioner Shoff is the Vice President of the Association of MN counties and next year will be the chair.
  • Attended a meeting with John Kluever and the Administrator of Steele County to discuss solid waste consolidation.  Each will put together a list of wants and needs.
  • The new sales tax exemption could save the county $130K.

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

  • It was a good meeting on December 13, with the potential developers for the bank project, with six parties attending.  They toured the bank and had a Q&A regarding the rest of the process and the tools available.  The deadline to submit proposals is Jan 31.  Three tenants are interested in three of four stories and their information was passed along to the developers.  Developers are looking more at market rate or workforce housing, not low income.
  • Two forums were held with downtown businesses on how to revitalize downtown.  Two-story buildings could utilize historic housing credits if they develop their second floors.  A specialist will be coming here to explain in depth the downtown owners’ ability to petition the city to designate downtown as a special services district.  This would pay for flowers, holiday lights and decorative banners that the city currently doesn’t have in their budget.  There needs to be 25% of the owners, based on square footage, on the petition.
  • The city is setting goals and workplan for the next 18 months.  Let council members or Chad know if there are any ideas suggested they should work on.
  • He is still working with two market rate housing developers in two locations.  One is for 36 units and other is for 40 units.
  • The Blandin small group met in Mankato last month and in February will have the last meeting with alumni.  Chad will keep Ryan in the loop on their entrepreneur groups research and findings.

Chad asked if there any questions.  Commissioner Kehr asked if snow removal on the sidewalks would be part of special service district.  Chad said it has to be anything the city is not currently providing as a service.  Commissioner Fligge asked which locations are being considered for the market rate housing.  It’s the city arena area, which needs sewer access, and the corner of Hwy 69 and West 9th Street.

Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, business community representative

  • Randy is working on the re-accreditation process with the U.S. Chamber.  It gives an opportunity to review their systems and controls, but it’s six months of work for them.
  • In keeping with the focus on entrepreneurs, the high school intends on offering a class next year.  It is hoped to be approved by the school board this month.  Business owners will be part of the process.  The curriculum is well laid out.
  • The Senate Capital Committee came to Albert Lea in December.  They had a good tour through the community and heard three presentations.  They talked to government bonding person and hope to get on the governor’s list and then get on the House and Senate lists for the Lakes Foundation $50K grant for Albert Lea Lake.  The money would go through the Chamber Foundation and is project specific.  The proposal is due March 1.
  • The gourmet auction for the Rendezvous will be January 31.

14. COMMISSIONER/OTHER ITEMS

  • Commissioner Ehn announced his resignation due to his new employment opportunity and that this was his last meeting.  He enjoyed his time on the board and the board wished him well in his new position.
  • Commissioner Kehr reported on the Riverland Retreat she attended with Steve Waldhoff in Mankato. There was a presentation called “students and free enterprise.”   It’s about giving to the community in a business way.  Very few community colleges offer this.  Dr. Nuga wants to set a high bar and also wants to have a minority entrepreneur focus.
  • Steve Bowron is the official replacement for Terry Leas on the ALBDC board.
  • President Skophammer handed out copies of the Executive Director’s evaluation and reminded the board to turn them in by January 17.  Julie will also send it out electronically.

15.   ADJOURNMENT

  • Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Brooks. The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed.  The meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

 

Filed and attested January 2, 2014.

 

Posted in Minutes