March 4, 2009 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes

1) The Regular Meeting of the Albert Lea Port Authority was called to order on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. by President Ellen Kehr and roll was noted.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: President, Ellen Kehr and Commissioners:  Al Brooks, Paul Field (arrived at 7:40 a.m.), Keith Fligge, Mike Moore, Vern Rasmussen Jr., and Nancy Skophammer.

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:  Randy Kehr, Business Community representative; Christopher Shoff, Freeborn County representative; Bob Graham, City of Albert Lea representative (arrived at 8:10 a.m.).

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT:  None.

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Nanciana Jensen, Board Secretary.

STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director.

OBSERVER: Mike Lee.

2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 2009 REGULAR MEETING.

The minutes of the February 4, 2009 meeting were reviewed. As there were no questions or discussion, Commissioner Fligge made a motion to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore. The motion carried with 6 in favor and 0 opposed.

The claims were presented for review and discussion followed. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to approve Resolution PA-09-06 authorizing the payment of claims in the amount of $14,295.83, seconded by Commissioner Field. Discussion followed. The motion carried, with 7 in favor and 0 opposed.

4) PROJECT MAGNOLIA.

Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, ALEDA will have an opportunity to make a presentation in Cedar Rapids, IA to the Magnolia group. Project Magnolia has interest in the following Minnesota cities: Albert Lea, Lakeville, Austin and Faribault; as well as cities in Iowa and Illinois. Director Dorman informed the Board that the company represented by Project Magnolia would like a building that is ready to go. Lakeville has such a building, but it may not fit the company’s needs. Faribault does not have a building. Director Dorman believes that the competition between the Minnesota cities will come down to Albert Lea or Austin, due to the use of Federal New Market Tax Credits (FNMTC). The ALEDA Park is in a qualifying Federal New Market Tax Credit census track, and Austin also has property that could qualify. The interested company wants a 20 acre site and a 150,000 square foot building with the ability to double the building in size if necessary. Discussion was held regarding the possible use of T.I.F. or JOBZ, although JOBZ expires in 2015. The economic development T.I.F. would run for nine years.

A discussion was held regarding the cost and selling of a new building. Director Dorman suggested we could be the payee of T.I.F. We would then build the building and lease it back to the company. Discussions were held regarding incentives to build in Albert Lea. Director Dorman indicated that it the mission of ALEDA to create jobs and tax base for the community. Discussions followed as to what ALEDA could offer this company as incentives, and the negotiation of the price of land. President Kehr stated that the company would initially bring in 150 jobs, and with an expansion, it would increase to 300 jobs. She felt we should be as aggressive as possible to bring this company to Albert Lea.

5) EX-OFFICIO UPDATES.

Christopher Shoff – Freeborn County.

a) Commissioner Shoff was in Washington D.C. during the stimulus debate.

b) The Bent Tree Wind Farm went through the planning commission.

c) Commission Shoff discussed the Bike Trail, indicating that there was a need to work on funding for the bridge. We can build the trail with funding from the DNR.

d) The decisions regarding the building of a VA Clinic in outstate Minnesota should be made before June. Commissioner Shoff feels Albert Lea offers the best location for the clinic, and has kept in contact with Tim Walz in Washington.

Bob Graham – City of Albert Lea.

a) The City of Albert Lea received an email from MnDot regarding the Bike Trail. MnDot stated that they will work closely with Albert Lea and the Blue Zones project.

b) Blue Zones – There was a walk ability meeting held with 76 people in attendance. The next meeting is scheduled for March 19^th at the Senior Center.

                         Walking school bus – adults will consider walking with kids to school within a 1 mile radius.

                   April 2^nd at the high school, there will be a Qwest kick-off to try to encourage kids in schools to get more involved in Blue Zones.

                   May 14^th – will be the national kick-off date for the Blue Zones study in Albert Lea. As there will national news coverage, Albert Lea will do their best to impress the media. We need to show the world that our community can change and will make it happen. Individuals will have an opportunity to sign a pledge stating that they will change to a healthier lifestyle. People will also be encouraged to take the vitality compass, and have an opportunity to sign up for a coaching system.  People will need to change health habits that have been in place for years.

                                         In October, people will take the vitality compass again to see what’ healthy’ progress has been made.

                               People outside the area are very interested in Albert Lea as a Blue Zones community. Bob Graham indicated that there have been three organizations that have been looking at the Freeborn Bank Building for development.

c) Discussion was held regarding the Sunset Street extension. Most of the easements have been acquired.

d) A company is looking at housing in the senior market rate.

e) An investor called the City Offices and indicated that he would be interested in possible investing in projects.

                Board discussion followed regarding Blue Zones. Director Dorman suggested that we could add Blue Zones to our marketing piece for Project Magnolia. Bob Graham will email Nancy Jensen the information to be included. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of utilizing green technology dollars to build our new building, and make it a geo thermal project. Commissioner Field informed the Board of a possible 25% grant that may be available to us for putting in a geo thermal field. Commissioner Moore informed the Board that the City has invited Steve Lund, who is involved with the school district energy savings, to suggest ideas of conserving energy in order to make Albert Lea a more ‘green’ community.

Randy Kehr – Chamber of Commerce.

a) Director Kehr informed the Board that Dr. Leslie Leidal will meet with the CEO group next week to talk about nutrition in the work place.

b) There will be a transportation luncheon this Friday.

c) The Chamber website now has information on roads and infrastructure.

d) The Ag lunch will be held on March 17^th at Freeborn Mower.

e) Forty people attended the employee free choice seminar.

6) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT.

A. Spec Building Update – bidding and finance.

          The advertising should be out for construction bids for the new spec building.   Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that the Port Authority will have to sell a bond. Discussion was held regarding revenue bonds vs. G.O. bonds as they are two different financing options. The bids will be for a 62,500 square foot building on possibly the block 3, Lot 1of the ALEDA Industrial Park.

B. Ring Can Building

     Executive Director Dorman informed the Board that Doug’s Painting and Sandblasting should be completing the painting at Ring Can.

C. I35-I90 Business Park Update

            Director Dorman informed the Board that he nothing new to report regarding the application made for federal grant

        money to assist in the building of a road in the I35-I90 Business Park.