June 2, 2010 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
June 2, 2010
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
7:30 a.m.
Albert Lea Business Development Center
1) The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. by President Ellen Kehr. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: President Ellen Kehr; Commissioners: Al Brooks, Jerry Ehn, Keith Fligge, Mike Moore, Vern Rasmussen Jr., and Nancy Skophammer.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Randy Kehr, Business Community representative; John Kluever, Freeborn County representative; Jim Norman, City of Albert Lea representative.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Christopher Shoff.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; Nancy Jensen, Board Secretary.
STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
2) President Kehr asked Board members to vote for a new Board vice president due to the resignation of Paul Field. Commissioner Rasmussen volunteered for the position. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to appoint Commissioner Rasmussen as the new Vice President of the Albert Lea Port Authority Board, seconded by Commissioner Moore. The motion carried by 6 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention by Commissioner Rasmussen.
3) President Kehr welcomed new member Jerry Ehn to the Port Authority Board. He is an administrator with the Mayo Health System – Albert Lea Medical Center and has been with the Mayo system for 13 years. The City Council ratified his appointment to the Port Authority Board in a previous City Council meeting.
4) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 7, 2010 REGULAR MEETING.
The minutes of the May 5, 2010 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Skophammer. The motion carried with 7 in favor and 0 opposed.
5) RESOLUTION PA-10-10 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.
The claims were presented for review by Executive Director Dan Dorman. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to approve Resolution PA-10-10 authorizing the payment of claims as presented, in the amount of $16,668.58, seconded by Commissioner Skophammer. The motion carried with 7 in favor and 0 opposed.
6) RESOLUTION PA-10-11 AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF AN OPERATIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORT AUTHORITY AND GREATER JOBS INC.
Three years ago, the Port and Greater Jobs entered into an operation agreement for ALEDA. Executive Director reviewed the previous operational agreement and noted updates. Board member reviewed a copy of that agreement and a draft of the new agreement. The current agreement states that each entity shall support the ALBDC, sharing capital costs and operating subsidies, 60% to be paid by Port and 40% to be paid by Jobs. Jobs will make a staffing reimbursement payment to the Port for 50% of the Assistant Director’s salary, benefits and expenses and 50% of the administrative assistant’s salary, benefits and expenses. The Port will provide an Executive Director Supervisor to Jobs and the ALBDC at no cost. Jobs will continue to make payments on the debt to the Port in the amount of $2000 per month to repay the financing for the original capital improvements financed by a loan from Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services. The new agreement renewal will go to 2013.
Commissioner Mike Moore made a motion to accept Resolution PA-10-11 as presented, seconded by Commissioner Fligge. The motion carried with 7 in favor and 0 opposed.
7) PALLETON PALLETS – UPDATE.
Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that Palleton Pallets continues to put their plan together to construct a building. They are currently trying to negotiate a purchase price with Freeborn Mower. Director Dorman said that Freeborn Mower is trying to recover their costs for the extension of utility service, taxes, etc. The Freeborn Mower lots they are considering for their new building contain right of way for storm water dedication, which may be an issue. Palleton Pallets is looking at two lots in the ALEDA Industrial Park.
Palleton has requested a TIF agreement and has made application to the City of Albert Lea.
8) VISION UPDATE.
Director Dorman informed the Board that the company from Litchfield, MN began their relocation process by looking at a building in Owatonna. This prospect fell through and so they came to Albert Lea. Company officials have been here three times to tour the new spec building in the ALEDA Industrial Park. Dorman is awaiting a decision by VISION management.
9) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.
- Wind Power 2011.
Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that he attended a Wind Power Conference in Dallas, Texas on May 24th – 26th. Dorman said that he met with a company from Denmark at the conference who would like a Midwest presence. Dorman also gave Board members comparison information on tax liabilities between Minnesota and Iowa.
Director Dorman said that ALEDA had included a Lou-Rich ad in our marketing piece given out at the conference. Lou-Rich paid for their inclusion in the marketing piece.
- Revolving Loan Fund.
Executive Director Dorman said that he had met with Nancy Skophammer and Mike Moore to discuss the City’s revolving loan fund procedures. He is going to get other information from other cities to compare their policies to the Albert Lea revolving loan fund.
In reading the current procedures for the loan fund, Dorman found that the policy stated that the Revolving Loan Fund application process begins here at ALEDA.
- Gametec Windows? Carpenter Parking Lot.
Executive Director Dorman said that both he and Director Nolander had met with Gametec management, and suggested a long term lease agreement, so that the building could be updated with new windows, etc. Dorman said that he had ZRT look at the cost of replacing windows, etc. on the building, and that it would cost about $13,000. There is a door which is also a problem. The two big items are the roof, and the electrical service on southeast corner of the old building needs to be moved into a transformer. Tuck pointing is also necessary.
The Carpenter Parking lot should be almost completed. Carpenter is also objecting to road assessments for Hershey Street, but it states in their triple net lease that the assessments should be paid by Carpenter.
- Nancy’s Future Plans.
Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that administrative assistant, Nancy Jensen has given notice that she is planning on retiring after the Board Retreat in July. She has agreed to help in training the new person and would also be willing to help on projects on a limited basis. Dorman said that he and Assistant Director Nolander will work with the ALEDA Board Executive Committee as far as plans to fill her open position. The Board thanked Nancy for her years of service and all she has brought to ALEDA.
10) EX-OFFICIO UPDATES.
John Kluever – Freeborn County.
- The final budget numbers have been received from the State. The lack of county program aid has resulted in a $1.2 million shortfall. The June figures will give the County Commissioners a better projection. The basic message to elects and departments heads will pretty much look the same as the 2010 budget.
- The County has some flat roof problems which need to be addressed.
- Changes have been made to the DHS building entrance for security purposes, especially in the reception area. The building has gone from two reception areas to one reception which has added a better security system.
- There are 12 cement pads poured out at the Bent Tree Wind Farm site. On July 7th, the ‘big stuff’ (blades, etc.) begins to arrive.
- The County Board made a decision on the SHIP position. Congratulations to Ellen Kehr.
- The Board did approve a wind development agreement, and have already had a request for it. The Shell Rock Wind Development seems like it will go forward, but not all land owners are on board as yet.
Jim Norman – City of Albert Lea.
- The State legislative session ended with no further cuts for LGA in 2010.
- Jerry Ehn went through the selection process to be a Port Authority Board member and was ratified by the City Council.
- The ground breaking takes place today at 777th Avenue.
- A meeting was held with Steve Waldhoff from the Mayo Health System regarding the Freeborn Bank Building. They are reviewing the numbers for rehabilitation of the building to meet clinic needs.
Randy Kehr – Chamber of Commerce.
- The Chamber Board of Directors passed a resolution which commended ALEDA Executive Director Dan Dorman for his efforts in keeping Interstate Packaging in Albert Lea.
- The Bent Tree Wind Farm committee of the Chamber has provided information to citizens and also to workers on the project through their website.
- Friday is the Fireworks Fund Raiser on Broadway and Main in conjunction with KATE and KCPI.
- Minnesota Chamber events include a meeting at the medical center on the 9th (a regional listing session) and another on the 10th in Owatonna. The meeting with the Minnesota Chamber is to discuss the Alliant Energy rate increase request of 20%. The Chamber would like to restructure the request so that it doesn’t hit the businesses so hard.
- The Chamber Board has made a decision to relocate. The announcement of location will be made after the lease is signed.
- The Eddie Cochran street dance is scheduled for June 12th. On June 8th, there will be an ID training session for the street dance.
11) COMMISSIONER ITEMS.
None.
12) PUBLIC COMMENTS DISCUSSION.
Executive Dan Dorman opened up the subject of how to handle public comments for discussion. On the advice of the City Attorney, and seconded by the City Manager, that the person should be allowed public comment, but that a response is not needed. Some suggestions made were:
– Change the portion of Commissioner Items on the Agendas to read: “Commissioner & Public Items”.
– To set up a time limit of 2 minutes for comments.
– It was suggested that a policy be put together with guidelines as to handle public comments.
– Nancy Jensen said that the Agenda is always published for review on the website prior to the meeting day.
13) ADJOURNMENT.
Commissioner Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by President Kehr. The motion carried with 7 to approve and 0 opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 a.m.
Filed and attested June 2, 2010.
Ellen Kehr, President Nanciana Jensen, Secretary