March 6, 2013 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
March 6, 2013
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
March 6, 2013
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, March 6, 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, Ellen Kehr, Nancy Skophammer, Keith Fligge, and Al Brooks
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Randy Kehr, business community representative
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea 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: Greg Steil; Mike Murtaugh, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative; and Rebecca Gisel, Alliant Energy
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 6, 2013 MEETING
The minutes from the February 6, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Fligge made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Moore. President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
3. RESOLUTION PA-13-10 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. Executive Director Dorman noted the ACH payments for the ALEDA spec building are now shown as auto draws on the claims list. We will begin setting up routine bills as ACH payments as discussed at the last meeting. Commissioner Brooks made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $22,566.13, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen. President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
4. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Enderes Property Update – A plat map drawn by Jones, Haugh & Smith was handed out showing where the back parcel could be split into a one-acre lot for Freeborn County Cooperative. The map was sent to FCC, but no feedback has been given yet. Railroad Avenue would be their point of access. We will continue to work with them.
Marketing Leads spreadsheet – We’ve begun tracking our leads in a shared file spreadsheet for staff to use. It shows the interaction with leads, their contact information and what follow-up is needed.
Re-shored manufacturing webinar – Executive Director Dorman registered for a four-part monthly, online series. The first one was very interesting. The prediction is more manufacturing will stay in this country and become more competitive with foreign countries.
Local cold storage needs – According to Select Foods, their needs are temporary. It’s possible a variety of users would utilize additional cold storage if available and MN Freezer Warehouse would like to expand, but they would require long-term commitments which none of the companies spoken with were willing to do at this time.
Testified in Senate on Economic Development bills – Executive Director Dorman testified in both the house and senate on an internship tax credit which MNSCU supports. It was fairly well received including some bi-partisan support. The metro areas may receive training centers, but we don’t have the numbers to justify having one here so supporters would like Greater MN only to receive the tax credit. Payroll tax from qualified employers could pay for the program. Money could be placed in a state fund to go directly to a qualified company. The program would need to have flexibility as it’s hard to design a one-size-fits-all program. Much discussion followed.
Deferred comp plan – Last month a resolution was passed separating Executive Director Dorman’s and Assistant Director Nolander’s deferred retirement from the city’s plan into the Port’s name. However, they wanted to look at local providers to see if it was possible to have similar services at a similar price. They met with Rich Murray last week, but after review he said it would be hard to offer a lower price than a large plan like ICMA with so many members.
5. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County – no report
City of Albert Lea
·Commissioner Rasmussen reported in Mr. Adam’s absence. The city council has approved most of the feasible reports for road projects and they will go out for bid. The bid for the Streetscape project will be going out in April.
·The city continues working through hurdles on the bank building. The first floor has several prospects. Some challenging decisions will need to be made in the future before being able to move ahead.
·Dan expressed his gratitude for being invited to the city’s development meeting. He said it was a very productive meeting.
·Through negotiations, Kwik-Trip, will pay for the removal of the frontage road, adding the turn lane, and the design of the intersection. They will also pay $300,000 towards a traffic light if it is installed this year while they’re building, but won’t contest assessments if the light is installed in the future. Commissioner Rasmussen commended the city staff for thinking ahead to obtain an easement now from them. The county will have to work with Kwik-Trip if they decide the lights will be installed this year. The city doesn’t have the funds for their portion this year and would choose to wait until traffic warrants are met one so state funding could be obtained. Vern Eide Chevrolet will keep the portion of road in front of their business to park cars.
·The search for the new assistant city manager has been narrowed down to three people. Cross training will be done so the assistant can go between finance, planning and administration. This will free up some of the Chad’s time to enable more long-range planning.
Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, business community representative
·Senator Franken was here in February to talk about farm bill legislation.
·The apprenticeship program through the high school currently has two apprentices working with Lou-Rich and a third one lined up. There might be a non-manufacturing position lined up for next year. Albert Lea High School is the second school district in the state to implement apprenticeships. The idea is to train in the company first during high school, then go to secondary school for more training and come back to the business to work.
·The presidential candidates for Riverland have been narrowed down and one should be chosen by March 20.
·Randy Kehr, Senator Sparks and Andy Henschel testified before the senate in support of the Watershed’s bonding request.
·The Big Freeze collected 1,700 lbs. of food and $1,800. There were 167 people who jumped in lake.
·Steve Overgaard spoke recently at the Lions Club meeting and reported that much of the Enderes Tool business came back to them.
·The annual Ag Luncheon will be on March 19. Dan Hoffman, Executive Director of MN Agriculture and Rural Leadership, will be the speaker.
·This weekend the Green Committee is partnering with KATE radio for outdoor seminars at the KATE radio home show. The county will speak about radon and other items and Alliant will be there taking part also.
·Plans for their new gas station have been submitted to the city by Hy-Vee and Kwik-Trip has pulled their building permit already. Plaza Street will be realigned.
6. COMMISSIONER ITEMS – None
7. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Books made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Kehr. The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8: 15 a.m.
Filed and attested March 6, 2013.
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President Board Secretary