June 3, 2015 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

By Tyler Golberg | June 3, 2015

June 3, 2015

ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY

MINUTES

June 3, 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, June 3, 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, Mark Heinemann, and Ginny Larson
  • COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:  None
  • 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:  Harold Kamrath, Mike Murtaugh – Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services

 

2.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MAY 12, 2015 MEETING

  • The minutes from the May 12, 2015 meeting were reviewed.  Commissioner Jansen made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Larson.  President Kehr asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.  Commissioner Heinemann abstained from the vote as he was absent from the meeting.

 

3.     RESOLUTION PA-15-14 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

  • The claims were presented for review.  Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $9,385.88, seconded by Commissioner Moore.  President Kehr asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.

 

4.     RESOLUTION PA-15-15 AUTHORIZING MATCHING FUNDS FOR SMIF GRANT TO BE SET ASIDE FOR THE ALEAP PROGRAM

  • The board previously agreed to match dollars for the SMIF grant, but didn’t formally pass a resolution.  The Port Authority will contribute $6,000 and Greater Jobs will contribute $4,000 to the ALEAP program over the next 18months; the grant from SMIF is $20,000.  The application for the SMIF grant was made through the Port Authority.  Commissioner Heinemann moved to approve Resolution PA-15-15 as presented.  Commissioner Brooks seconded it and it passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed.

 

5.     CONFLICT OF INTEREST RENEWAL

  • This policy was adopted last year on the suggestion from our auditors and was implemented in June.  Going forward, these will be renewed annually in January.  We are renewing now in order to have current ones on file for the 2015 audit.

 

6.     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • Enderes Building Update – The demolition bid opening is set for 6/16/15 at 2:00 p.m.  The bid was advertised a couple of weeks ago with a walk-through tomorrow.  An environmental survey was done.  Overgaard removed his presses from the building by having a wall knocked out to remove them.  He then built a stud wall to secure the building.  If we have to move quickly, a special meeting may have to be called to approve the bid.
  • South Building #1 Repairs – The old Ring building has had dock door damage.  Ventura will pay for repairs this time as it was clearly caused by a truck.  The Port paid for them last year.  A couple of roof repairs need to be done with an estimate of $3K.  The building has a rubber roof.  Staff will work on a capital plan to replace different sections at a time in the coming years.
  • Mrs. Gerry’s/Retention Pond Update – The beginning estimate for construction of a regional storm pond was $450K, but due to issues the latest numbers came in at $750,000, excluding the land price.  ZRT came up with three alternate options according to Chad Adams, with two being viable.  He should have the new cost estimates today.
  • Downtown Update – Discussions continue with Hal Davis.  His partner hasn’t given a green light on the agreement with the city yet.  Hal believes the best fit for his pop-up store would be to use the bank building’s first floor for a couple of weekends per month through the summer.  He is going to be at Wind Down Wednesdays.  The Marketing Plant opened their doors.  Judy Jensen has opened a yoga studio across the street.  Other businesses are locating in the former Reinertson Embroidery spot, the old Tax Refund building and possibly the Tone Music store.  An insurance business has opened on South Washington in the Holton Realty building.  Chad Adams commented that the Downtown Preservation Fair was a great success.
  • Also discussed was the three-lane design recommendation to South Broadway presented by Bolton and Menk last week.  Executive Director Nolander attended the meeting and noted that change is hard for many of the business owners just as it was for the downtown renovations.  The city council will make a decision Monday night.  President Kehr said SHIP has approved a contribution to bike lane painting for the project.
  • Summer Intern Project – The city hired a community development intern for the summer.  One project for her will be to collect information for a database for job openings at local businesses.  Once the database is set up, the Chamber will update monthly and will post on their website and send to secondary schools in the region.  Right now she is working at The Outlet with the ALEAP program and also worked on the downtown preservation fair.
  • Misc. – Nolander attended the recent open house for Advanced Family Dental.  They are very thankful for the help received through the city’s abatement policy.
  • On Friday, he will speak to the economic classes at the high school.  Next Tuesday is the State of Manufacturing event at 10:30 a.m. at Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services.  Randy Kehr added that a focus group from Albert Lea participated in the survey.

 

7.     EX-OFFICIO UPDATE

Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, business community representative

  • On 5/19, Randy Kehr and Executive Director Nolander hosted the business development day of the leadership program beginning at the ALBDC and then touring Select Foods, Lou Rich, and Agilis, with lunch at Crescendo.  It wraps up June 16th with graduation.  Applications for the program are on the Chamber’s website for next year.
  • The fireworks fundraising made their goal of $16K last Friday.  The parade is set.
  • A workshop will be held next Wednesday and you can register at the Chamber.
  • One of metrics for the Blue zone project is economic impact.  The downtown changes have clearly had an impact on the community.  Randy feels making the city parks tobacco-free will be a great addition.  Albert Lea has delivered every metric given to us.  The public exposure has been phenomenal.  (Randy Kehr left.)

Freeborn County – Mike Lee, Freeborn County Representative

  • The Blue Zone garden plots are filling up.
  • There will be a workshop next Tuesday regarding the ½ cent sales tax.  The vote will be taken before 9/1/15.
  • Also on Tuesday, the commissioners will be interviewing for the open position on the watershed board.
  • Since the public hearing on the proposed windfarm in Glenville, the county hasn’t heard anything.  Executive Director Nolander said he’s called a contact a couple of times with no response.
  • The Shell Rock water trail designation is tied up due to the governor’s vetoes.
  • The law enforcement’s union contract for 2015-16 has been approved

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

  • Many city items were covered previously.
  • Cohen Esrey is sending in their application for tax credits for the Freeborn Bank building which is due on 6/11.  They are looking for letters of support from businesses.
  • Market rate housing is moving ahead at Wedgewood with Schrom Construction.  The city is working on tax abatement for the project.  They want to be in the ground next week.  They will start out with two complexes done by mid-September, and others by the end of this year.  The project is part of the Wedgewood Homeowners Association so they will have to comply with colors, landscaping, etc.
  • The Downtown Preservation Fair went well, with good attendance.
  • A lot of work is being put into the Small Cities Grant Application.
  • The Facilities Master Plan is wrapping up.  A lot of enthusiasm is being seen for moving Front Street north so businesses could locate on the lakeside by Blazing Star Landing.
  • A splash pad is being discussed for north of the parking lot across from Fountain Lake Park.  It would be a water area for kids to play in and would have to be publicly/privately funded.  The city would pay for the operational cost, which would be mainly electricity as it would use recycled water.
  • The city is hoping for a positive outcome regarding the environmental and housing issues in the current legislation session.

 

8.     COMMISSIONER/OTHER ITEMS

  • Blue Zones Project – President Kehr invited everyone to come to the business afterhours that will be sponsored by Blue Zones on June 16th.  Freeborn County and Cargill are both celebrating their designations of being Blue Zones’ worksites.  Albert Lea Select Foods will be the next workplace.  The new community garden on the ALEDA Park site has been a huge success.  Commissioner Rasmussen noted the Albert Lea has never had national attention of any project like this before.  Commissioner Moore agreed it’s the largest thing for Albert Lea since Charlie Myers started Greater Jobs after WWII for returning soldiers and he gave President Kehr kudos for all her efforts with Blue Zones and Healthways.
  • The board policy of one topic for no more than three minutes was communicated to Harold Kamrath.  His topic was he would like to see more programming on the city’s government channel, including the Port Authority meetings.

 

9.     ADJOURNMENT

  • Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Jansen.  The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed.  The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.

 

Filed and attested June 3, 2015.

Posted in Minutes