July 10, 2013 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
July 10, 2013
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
July 10, 2013
Wedgewood Golf Club
1. CALL TO ORDER & NOTATION OF ROLL
The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. by President Nancy Skophammer. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Mike Moore, Jerry Ehn, Nancy Skophammer, Ellen Kehr, Keith Fligge and Al Brooks
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Chad Adams, city of Albert Lea representative
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Randy Kehr, business community representative and Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; and Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary
STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS: Mike Murtaugh-Freeborn Mower Cooperative and Rebecca Gisel-Alliant Energy
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 5, 2013 MEETING
The minutes from the June 5, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Brooks. President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
3. RESOLUTION PA-13-14 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $23,623.12, seconded by Commissioner Moore. President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
4. RESOLUTION PA-13-15 AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF TAX-FORFEITED PARCELS (34.033.0580; 34.035.0040; 34.033.0650)
The parcels are located on South Broadway Avenue. Commissioner Kehr noted there was a discrepancy on one of the parcels listed on the agenda compared to the parcels listed on the resolution. Julie noted the correct parcels are listed on the resolution and the agenda will be corrected for the official record. Executive Director Dorman explained that passing this resolution doesn’t require the Port to buy the parcels; however, it must be in place if the decision is made to acquire any or all of the parcels. With certain properties, it makes sense for the Port to acquire them as it has broader powers than the city and can acquire them more efficiently. The HRA may have interest with the apartments located above one of the properties. The other two parcels are vacant lots. A letter was sent to the county expressing the Port’s interest in the acquisition. We will work with city staff and will not proceed with the acquisition if the city doesn’t want the property. No costs will be incurred to the Port from the city. Without further questions or discussion, Commissioner Moore made a motion to pass Resolution PA-13-15 authorizing acquisition of the three parcels as listed in the resolution. Commissioner Ehn seconded and the resolution passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Rezoning Update –Plaza Street parcels – Port staff met with city staff earlier this week. The city is trying to find modifications that will work in the IDD. The Holiday Inn Express in the I35 Park might have concerns if outside storage is allowed next to them. However, ALEDA doesn’t have to sell a property if it will be detrimental to other lots. As was done with the Holiday Inn, Jensen will have one year from closing to begin construction for the intended purpose, otherwise the Port can take back the property. We won’t worry about the IDD storage expansion issues because the Port has control over what we allow. The city is working with Jensen on design standards and if Jensen is not comfortable, we may still want to rezone. Executive Director Dorman urged the city council to really think about it, talk to the community and ask for feedback. It’s been 90 days since we started searching for a solution for Jensen Excavating. Much discussion followed. Commissioner Rasmussen clarified the city is talking about one district, not the entire town, and the city is not trying to uniformly make building restrictions. Commissioner Fligge suggested the board and staff visit Larson Manufacturing on August 7th at 9:30 a.m. after the board meetings conclude. The purpose of the visit is to see their modern facility and view some of the IDD issues firsthand.
Freeborn County Cooperative – Executive Director Dorman talked with them again and they’re still interested in a one acre piece of the Enderes empty lot. They would store dust control product there within an earthen pit.
Assignment of Lease from Ring Container to Ventura – Ring Container makes the containers for Ventura’s products so there is always a plant near a Ventura plant. The Ring plant in Missouri services Ventura, Albert Lea and Ventura has decided they will handle the storage of their containers. We see no issues with Ventura taking over the Ring lease. Assistant Director Nolander has tried to contact Ray Roberts with Ventura to make sure he’s on board. No action is required at this time and this is for information only.
Website Discussion – Board Secretary Julie Dandrea attended the last county website meeting. We are interested in what the city will do since the Port is more closely aligned with the city. If we join with the county, we would have a more up-to-date and vibrant website. Ours would be a subset of the county’s and would look similar, be still be our own design. Port staff would like to access IT support from the city and/or county and believes this would show continued collaboration. It also makes better use of resources to partner with the city and county where possible. Chad Adams added the city now has an economic development tab on their website. He said most people would seek out economic development on a city website. He also said the city might join with the county at a later time, but now prefers to wait and see how the county’s new site turns out.
Discuss Proposed 2014 Budget – This topic will be discussed during the retreat.
6. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County
·In lieu of the absence of county representation, Chad Adams stated the county followed the city’s lead of offering $50,000 for CBOC project. Executive Director Dorman has been unable to find out who the bidders are, but informed the board the former JoAnn Fabric store and the Elk’s site were the locations being considered.
City of Albert Lea – Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea Representative
·St. John’s has submitted a formal plan. The city is putting together infrastructure costs. There may be state money available for abatement or a TIFF could be put in place. Options will be discussed tonight with the county board. The septic issues in the Stable’s area are a county issue. Chad and the city engineer have talked to Bancroft Township about this project to keep them in the loop. St. Johns would like to start grading this fall and opening is planned for January, 2015.
·The city is holding focus groups over summer to engage the public for their ideas on uses for the bank building. There are seven groups and they’re being asked what they would like to see in the building and be willing to support there. The groups are from different sectors and demographics which should bring a variety of ideas. There are 2 or 3 developers seriously interested in a project. The next RFP will also be advertised locally.
·The second reading of the DCD ordinance is scheduled for August. It’s good to receive feedback to report to planning commission.
·Commissioner Moore asked if the city has any plans to acquire any S. Broadway properties. None are set aside right now, but they plan to talk about it next week.
Chamber of Commerce
Commissioner Kehr gave an update on the Chamber’s behalf.
· Both the parade and the fireworks were great this year. The weather was good and brought large turnouts.
·The annual Ambassador Golf Tournament will be next Monday.
· The chamber will grill hot dogs every Saturday into September in the downtown area, moving to different locations every week. This is the chamber’s way of supporting the streetscape in a positive way.
7. COMMISSIONER ITEMS – None
8. RECESS & ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Brooks made a motion to recess the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Ehn. The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting recessed at 8:45 a.m.
After the retreat concluded Commissioner Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Moore. The motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m.
Filed and attested July 10, 2013.
_____________________________ __________________________
President Board Secretary