March 2, 2011 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
March 2, 2011
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
March 2, 2011
Albert Lea Business Development Center
- CALL TO ORDER & NOTATION OF ROLL
The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 7:35 a.m. by President Vern Rasmussen. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Jerry Ehn, Ellen Kehr, Mike Moore, Nancy Skophammer, Keith Fligge, Vern Rasmussen, Jr. and Al Brooks*
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Randy Kehr, business community representative and Pat McGarvey, interim City Manager
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Christopher Shoff, Freeborn County Representative
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary
STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS: Chuck Paczkowski, Greg Steil and Mike Lee, citizens and Rebecca Gisel from Alliant Energy
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2011 MEETING
The minutes from the February 2, 2011 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Kehr. The motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed.
3. RESOLUTION PA-11-05 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. Commissioner Ehn motioned to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $9,813.94, seconded by Commissioner Fligge. President Rasmussen asked for questions and hearing none the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed. (*Commissioner Brooks arrived)
4. ALMC PROJECT
Executive Director Dorman said they had hoped to have the Memorandum of Understanding approved in February. Rochester Mayo has informed ALMC there has been a change in how they spend their dollars. Ernst & Young is involved in helping ALMC review historic tax credits. There is a conference call planned for today to talk about concerns that have arisen. The project is not moving as rapidly as all would like.
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
- Broadway Ridge Fund Update – This was discussed at the last board meeting. It was approved at Monday night’s city council meeting to change from a loan fund to a matching grant program. The Port Authority will play a more active role by helping to administer the program, although it won’t entail too much on our end. If the ALMC project happens, some businesses will likely refurbish.
- Assessment hearings on Myers Road – Executive Director Dorman said the cost seems too low for the end user. He is concerned if the city portion is high it will drive up the debt service, in turn driving up property taxes.
- Sewer Rates – Executive Director Dorman and Mayor Rasmussen would like to attract another wet industry to Albert Lea by offering an incentive program. By having more wet industry to share in the sewer costs, prices will stay more stable.
- Sign ordinance – Executive Director Dorman was unable to attend the city planning commission meeting so he called upon Chamber Director Kehr to give the board a recap. Sign companies were also in attendance and were able to clear up misconceptions. Kehr is doubtful there will ever be dynamic signs permitted downtown and feels another workshop is needed to tweak the details of the ordinance.
6. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County – None
City of Albert Lea
- Interim City Manager McGarvey shared his thoughts on the sign ordinance and observations from visiting many other Minnesota historic towns that have no dynamic signs downtown.
- Streetscape – $684,000 would cover all surface amenities of phase one: Main Street to Fountain Street. The Fountain Lake Park improvements would cost $328,000.
- McGarvey has told the staff and council not to wait on LGA decisions; make a contingency plan and options before the state budget comes out.
- City Manager search is moving along. The council will look at around 12 resumes.
Chamber of Commerce
- Regarding signs, Randy Kehr forgot to mention he asked for consideration to grant temporary sign permits to small companies to use portable signs in advertising their specials.
- There will be an energy and recycle workshop tomorrow at the Moose Club to look at ways companies can be more efficient. The new operations manager from the Bent Tree Wind Farm will speak and Alliant Energy will be there.
- The Ag Luncheon is on March 15 at the Fair Lane Building at a cost of $10.00. Commissioner Dave Frederickson of the MN Dept. of Agriculture will be the speaker.
- On March 22, there will be a CEO luncheon at Wedgewood Cove at 11:30.
- On March 25, a Worksite Wellness Program round table sponsored by SHIP will be held 8:30-1:00 at Wedgewood Cove. It’s free to the entire community with reservations required.
7. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
President Rasmussen feels more importance should be placed on entrepreneurships locally and asked the group how can we develop and build that environment. Discussion followed.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Moore. The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting recessed at 8:15 a.m.
Filed and attested March 2, 2011.
Vern Rasmussen, President Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary