July 1, 2015 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | July 1, 2015

July 1, 2015

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY

MINUTES

July 1, 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, July 1, 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: Ginny Larson
  • 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: Tim Reisnour – ZRT; Rebecca Gisel – Alliant Energy; Mike Murtaugh – FMCS

 

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 3, 2015 MEETING

  • The minutes from the June 3, 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-15-16 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

  • The claims were presented for review. Commissioner Moore made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $21,393.01, seconded by Commissioner Heinemann. President Kehr asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

 

4. RESOLUTION PA-15-17 ACCEPTING BID FOR DEMOLITION OF ENDERES TOOL BLDG.

  • Tim Reisnour gave a summary of the bid process. From the four bids received, Dulas Excavating from Wells was the lowest base bid. He said it was a good bid, but recommends having a contingency set aside for possible soil cleanup. The base bid included demolition of the building and hauling material away. The alternate was to grind the concrete on-site to use as a parking area. Dulas put the alternate as an addition instead of a deduction because without owning the equipment they would have to rent or subcontract to grind onsite. If the base bid is accepted from Dulas grass will be put down instead of a parking lot. State assistance can be requested if the cleanup turns out to be extensive. As a reminder to the board, Executive Director Nolander mentioned $100,000 was budgeted for the project. Reisnour will contact MPCA as due diligence. After discussion, it was decided to accept the bid, but not award it at this time until we have more information from the MPCA. We have 30 days to award the bid. Commissioner Jansen made a motion to accept the low base bid for the demolition of the Enderes building from Dulas Excavating from Wells as presented in the bid amount of $50,000, but not award the contract until ZRT provides more information. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Heinemann. President Kehr asked for any further discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.

 

5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Project Blazingwire – Executive Director Nolander sent an email to the board last week with an update on this project. The latest brochure from their last visit was passed around. There were two site visits the past month. Nolander thanked Rebecca Gisel for letting us know someone had contacted Alliant to meet with them at the Habben site so he could join them. A large factor in locating this project is a skilled workforce. Riverland can help with specialized training. Oronoco also remains a finalist. The power rates between the two localities are very similar and the property taxes almost identical. Our package was aggressive and we included the timeline needed for application deadlines, permitting, etc. Timing to get things done quickly was another important factor to them.
  • Mrs. Gerry’s/retention pond update – Chad Adams provided the update. A design change was made to the regional pond to help lower cost. The property owner has been very cooperative and is anxious to move ahead.
  • Downtown update/Hal Davis – Yesterday’s newspaper press release announced an agreement was reached with West End Salvage for short-term lease of the bank building for a pop-up store. It will begin on Wind Down Wednesday in July. Front façades are being done on The Marketing Plant and the former Reinertson buildings.
  • Closing for 9th St. property – Last week we closed on the property and netted $46,286 after assessments. The property was extremely over-valued on paper so we will show a large paper loss for 2015.
  • Fiber optic – Jaguar installing fiber along Y.H. Hanson and gave us a quote of the expected monthly charges.
  • Legislative session review – Dan Dorman had to cancel his attendance at today’s meeting to review the end of session report so Executive Director Nolander went over the highlights. Chad Adams had comments in the newspaper recently on the environmental regulation reform. This could cost local taxpayers $20MM and not guarantee less phosphorous in the water.
  • Budget – The budgeting process begins in August and must be approved and given to the city in September.
  • Market Rate Housing – Groundbreaking for the project was yesterday. It’s a good project. The units will have to conform to Wedgewood Association standards. The contractor will put up three units right away with Lloyd Management handling the leasing. Once the units are within two months of being finished, they will start taking applications. Schrom Construction said the city staff was great to work with. If they hadn’t received tax abatement, there wouldn’t have been a project.

 

6. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE

Freeborn County – Mike Lee, Freeborn County Representative

  • On June 19th, there was a ribbon cutting for new Shell Rock dam. He invited the board to go see the final product.
  • The county board appointed two new watershed board members.
  • The county is setting three workshops for 2016 budgeting.
  • There will be a public hearing on July 21st regarding the ½% sales tax to be used for county roads. It could be passed in August and if approved would take effect in January 2016. These funds would be added to the road budget and Bridge Avenue would be one of the roads to benefit.

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

  • The city is getting more proactive in acquiring properties. This includes the 300 block of South Broadway and acquiring the Christian Peterson law firm. The city will work with ALEDA on tenant management.
  • The South Broadway project will begin in July with new sidewalks down the corridor and sewer line upgrades by K&K Bakery before MNDot does the overlay. This will help, but not solve the water problems in that area.
  • The former Ramsey school is being looked at for redevelopment by an investor into market rate rentals. The rent will not be as high as the Wedgewood units, but will not be subsidized. Work could begin this fall.
  • The city is working with DEED on a small cities application for above and beyond the façade program. Funds could be used for forgivable loans, grants, etc. to help owners rehabilitate their downtown buildings.

The budgeting process is going on. A large capital improvement plan and a master plan will be included.

  • Tiger Hills has about 32 lots going through tax forfeiture. The city may obtain and hold onto them to sell to another development. The city now requires assessments to be paid upfront by the developer.
  • Roadwork has begun on Lakeview Boulevard with Edgewater Road and north of the bridge to be done next year.
  • The city is contemplating putting up a truck route sign on Margaretha in the Jobs Park area to direct drivers to turn right to go to South Broadway rather than left through the residential area.

Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, business community representative

  • They are in the process of moving to their new location in the Skyline Plaza, even though it’s not quite ready.
  • The parade is Friday night with the fireworks on Saturday night.
  • The annual ambassador golf tournament is July 20th at Green Lea this year.
  • The Blue Zones community visit will be July 16-17. They will be visiting businesses, stores, and restaurants measuring our progress. There is a lot of publicity keeping Albert Lea in the forefront.

 

7. COMMISSIONER/OTHER ITEMS

  • Commissioner Brooks asked how much ALEDA is contributing to the Greater MN Partnership (GMNP). Nolander said $1,500 came from the Port Authority and $1,000 came from Greater Jobs. The city of Albert Lea contributes to the larger group – Coalition of Greater MN Cities.
  • Randy Kehr gave kudos to Mike Lee for his work on the Shell Rock dam project.
  • Rebecca Gisel from Alliant said this was likely her last meeting since the sale to Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services will be finalized soon and she wanted to express her pleasure in working with ALEDA and local businesses.

 

8. ADJOURNMENT

  • Commissioner Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Heinemann. The motion carried 6 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

Filed and attested July 1, 2015.

Posted in Minutes