January 6, 2010 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | January 6, 2010

January 6, 2010

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY

MINUTES

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

7:30 a.m.

Albert Lea Business Development Center

 

The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. by President Ellen Kehr and roll was noted.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  President, Ellen Kehr and Commissioners:  Al Brooks, Paul Field, Keith Fligge, Vern Rasmussen Jr., and Nancy Skophammer.

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Mike Moore.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:  Randy Kehr, Business Community representative; Christopher Shoff, Freeborn County representative; Victoria Simonsen, City of Albert Lea representative.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:  Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; and Nanciana Jensen, Board Secretary.

STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

GUESTS:  John Kluever, Freeborn County Administrator; Steve Jahnke, Albert Lea City Engineer.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2010.

In January of each year, new officers for the Port Authority are elected.

  • President – * Ellen Kehr
  • Vice President – * Paul Field
  • Treasurer – * Mike Moore

Executive Director Dan Dorman informed the Commissioners that current President Ellen Kehr would like to serve as president for a second term.   Commissioner Fligge made a motion to accept the slate of officers as presented, seconded by Commissioner Field.  The motion carried with 6 to approve and 0 opposed.

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR 2010.

  • Board Secretary – Nancy Jensen
  • Assistant Treasurer – Rhonda Moen

Commissioner Field made a motion to approve the aforementioned candidates for office, seconded by Commissioner Skophammer.  The vote to approve was 6 in favor and 0 opposed.  The motion carried.

APPOINTMENT OF EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2010.

  • City Representative – City Manager
  • County Representative – Christopher Shoff
  • Business Community Representative – Randy Kehr

Commissioner Fligge made a motion to accept the Ex-officio Board members as presented, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen.  The vote to approve was 6 in favor and 0 opposed. The motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 2nd , 2009 REGULAR MEETING.

The minutes of the December 2, 2009 meeting were reviewed.  President Kehr made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Skophammer.  The motion carried with 6 in favor and 0 opposed.

RESOLUTION PA-10-01  AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.

The claims were presented for review.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to approve Resolution PA-10-01 authorizing the payment of claims in the amount of $86,892.22, seconded by Commissioner Brooks.  The motion carried with 6 in favor and 0 opposed.

RESOLUTION PA-10-02   DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES AND SIGNATORIES FOR  WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDS.

  • Depositories = US Bank, 4M Fund, Farmers State Bank, Produce State Bank, and Wells Federal     Bank.
  • Signatories = President, Treasurer and Executive Director

Resolution PA-10-02 designating depositories and signatories for withdrawal of funds was introduced and discussed.  Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that the transfer or withdrawal of funds on deposit in the aforementioned institutions, whether by check or otherwise, shall be by the signature of the following officers:  President Ellen Kehr, Treasurer Mike Moore, Executive Director Dan Dorman, or Assistant Treasurer Rhonda Moen.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to use the depositories and signatories as recommended,  the motion was seconded by Commissioner Brooks.   The vote to approve the resolution was 6 in favor and 0 opposed.  Motion carried.

RESOLUTION PA-10-03   SETTING MEETING DATES AND TIMES FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY

  • First Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m.

Resolution PA-10-03 setting meeting dates and times for the Port Authority was introduced.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to approve dates and times for the Port Authority meetings, seconded by Commissioner Brooks.  The vote to approve the resolution was 6 in favor and 0 opposed.  Motion carried.

RESOLUTION PA-10-04    INDUCEMENT RESOLUTION FOR BOND SALE TO BE USED FOR BRIDON EXPANSION.

Resolution PA-10-04 was introduced and discussed.  Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that this resolution was drafted by Kennedy and Graven, noting that this does not obligate the Port Authority to issue bonds, although it does allow Bridon to accept commitments for the project.  He also discussed the differences between Revenue bonds vs. General Obligation bonds.  The source of repayment for the Revenue bond can only come from the criteria stated in the revenue bond.  The City is the only entity that can issue a General Obligation guarantee.  Discussion followed.  Commissioner Field made a motion to approve the resolution as stated, seconded by Commissioner Fligge.  The vote to approve the resolution was 6 in favor and 0 opposed.  Motion carried.

EX-OFFICIO UPDATES.

Christopher Shoff  –  Freeborn County.

  • The Freeborn County commissioners approved the final budget and levy.  Staffing has been reduced by the equivalent of 10 ½ full-time staff.  The preliminary levy was set at 4.3%, but the final levy result for 2010 was 3.7%.
  • The commissioners approved the Armor contract.  They also approved purchasing radios for the fire departments in Freeborn County and the City.  The Medical Center will purchase their own radios.  They approved 3.575% bonding for the Armor System.
  • Freeborn County should hear within the next two months from the Veteran’s Administration as to the location for their new facility.
  • Commissioner Shoff was voted to be the 2010 Board Chair for the Freeborn County Commissioners.
  • John Kluever updated the Port Authority board members on the Bent Tree Wind Farm.  Alliant personnel were in Albert Lea to meet with Freeborn County staff.  Kluever said that there were some very good discussions and that staff were able to meet people that they would need to contact regarding various parts of the project, i.e. the building of the road.  Late in June or early July, parts and pieces of the wind turbines will begin arriving in Freeborn County.  Chamber of Commerce Director, Randy Kehr informed the Board that David Engels of Alliant Energy will meet with the Chamber Board in February, and that they will also hold a public meeting in late February.  Kluever said that the number of workers could reach between 150-200 at the height of the project next summer.

Victoria Simonsen  –  City of Albert Lea.

  • The City of Albert Lea 2010 budget has been approved.  The levy includes staff salaries stay at 0% increase.  There is still an outstanding contract to be approved with the Teamsters.
  • The Brimeyer Group will begin the search for a new city manager.  The City Council will appoint someone to be in place during the interim.
  • The City’s streets remain a challenge for city workers in the removal of snow.
  • The City will continue to partner with the Vitality Project.  Dan Buettner will again be active with the project in 2010.
  • Ms. Simonsen informed the Board of the changes in city services due to budget cuts, i.e. the library will be open five days a week instead of seven.  She said that the City lost about 14 ½ positions due to budget cuts.  She commended the City Council for the good job of putting the budget together.  The firemen are now cleaning City Hall as there is not a maintenance worker at this time due to a budget cut.

Randy Kehr  –  Chamber of Commerce.

  • Director Kehr informed the Board that Business After Hours will be held on January 19th at Diamond Jo’s Casino.
  • The Chamber is working on Operation Respect (Conflict in the Workplace) which will be held at Riverland.  The conflict management workshop can accommodate up to 60 people.
  • The 30th Gourmet Auction will be held at Wedgewood Cove on January 29th.  This event is supported by the Big Island Rendezvous Education Days and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.
  • On February 13th, a Big Freeze will be held in cooperation with the City of Albert Lea.  The CVB also supports this venture.
  • At the end of March, the Business Expo will be held at Diamond Jo’s Casino.  There are spots for about 40 businesses.
  • Randy Kehr commended the police and fire departments for the quickness in their response when the canopy in front of the Chamber office went down from the heaviness of the snow.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.

  • Spec Building Update.

Director Dorman informed the board that everything is done that could be completed this year.  The Port Authority will soon receive the keys to the building from the contractor.  Director Dorman will begin seeking a tenant for the building.  He suggested that the February ALEDA meetings be held in the Spec Building in February, along with a ribbon cutting.  He said the building looks good aesthetically on the front with glass and stone.  The Port Authority also added 6 feet to the height of the building.  Discussion followed.

  • Sewer Rates.

Director Dorman informed the Board that the City Council is still taking a look at the sewer rate structure.  The issues were clearly debated; the final decision rests with the City Council.  The area of concern is for 30 or so small businesses as the fixed cost will increase for them.   Director Dorman said that “Everyone wants to make sure it’s done right to stand the test of time.”

COMMISSIONER ITEMS.

  • None.

ADJOURNMENT.

Commissioner Field made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen.  The motion carried with 6 to approve and 0 opposed.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 a.m.

Filed and attested January 6, 2010.

Ellen Kehr, President                 Nanciana Jensen, Secretary

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