March 7, 2012 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
March 7, 2012
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ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY MINUTES March 7, 2012 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 7, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. by President Vern Rasmussen. Roll was noted by the Board Secretary. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ellen Kehr, Vern Rasmussen, Jr., Al Brooks, Mike Moore, Jerry Ehn and Nancy Skophammer (arrived at 7:38) COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Keith Fligge EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Randy Kehr, business community representative; Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea representative; and Mike Lee, Freeborn County representative EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dorman, Executive Director; Ryan Nolander, Assistant Director; and Julie Dandrea, Board Secretary STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT: None GUESTS: Mike Murtaugh, Freeborn-Mower Coop; Scott Williams, Riverland Community College; Rebecca Gisel, Alliant; Chuck Paczkowski and Greg Steil 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2012 MEETING The minutes from the February 1, 2012 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Kehr made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ehn. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 5 in favor; 0 opposed. 3. RESOLUTION PA-12-05 AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS The claims were presented for review. Commissioner Brooks made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $9,614.38. Commissioner Moore seconded it. President Rasmussen asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 5 in favor; 0 opposed. 4. INTRODUCTION – DEAN SCOTT WILLIAMS President Rasmussen introduced Scott Williams. He recently moved here from Oklahoma and is Dean of Academic Affairs – Workforce Education Programs at Riverland Community College. He will be insuring the college fills the needs of the students and making the students well prepared to enter the workforce. President Rasmussen thanked Scott for coming to the meeting and offered ALEDA’s help in any way possible. (Commissioner Skophammer arrived.) 5. VENTURA • Seven-Year Lease – An updated lease was sent to them and we’re waiting for it to go through their chain of command. They are currently leasing 13,800 SF of refrigerated space at $4.50 SF and 10,200 SF of dry space for $3.00 SF. • Refrigeration Equipment Bids – The bid tabulation was handed out. Only two companies responded to the bid – Johnson Heating and Jim & Dudes. On the advice of ZRT, Alternates 1 & 2 will not be used. The low bid was from Johnson Heating with a base bid of $189,625 plus Alternate M-3 which is a deduct of $69,170 and Alternate E-3 which adds $1,290. The total is $121,745. The bid has expired, but Johnson will extend their bid price until Ventura returns the signed lease which is expected by March 31. 6. RESOLUTION PA-12-06 – APPROVAL OF REFRIGERATION BID Commissioner Brooks made a motion to approve the refrigeration equipment bid in the amount of $121,745 to Johnson Heating for the space rented by Ventura in South Building #1, pending a signed lease from Ventura Foods. Commissioner Ehn seconded and the motion carried 6 in favor; 0 opposed. 7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT • MCHS Project Update – Executive Director Dorman said Mayo is not going to move forward with the bank building project. ALEDA will work with the city to brainstorm other uses for the property. Housing could be a possibility and could generate low income tax credits. The city may issue an RFP for ideas on uses. • Mrs. Gerry’s – The project is exciting for the community and we are glad they are located in Albert Lea. We look forward to helping them and any others expand within the community. Currently, we’re working on a TIF package and a possible low interest loan with USDA through Freeborn Mower Cooperative. The TIF is scheduled to be approved by the city council at their meeting on April 9. Executive Director Dorman recently attended a workshop meeting of the county commissioners who are working on establishing an LDO. Dorman thanked Mike Lee for his help and comments. Although it was not applied for in time to receive a federal grant through an LDO for SAR, it may be possible for Mrs. Gerry’s expansion. • Sewer Improvement Plan – We continue to make progress to get this done. Governor Dayton committed to the mayor to get that done last year when he met with community leaders in our office. Dorman re-submitted the information to him again. • Spec Building Restroom – Zumbro River continues to warehouse in the new ALEDA spec building and is not ready to use space for distribution yet; however, a restroom is required to be in the building. It was agreed when they signed the lease to spend up to $30,000 to outfit the building. A couple contractors were brought in to determine the best location. The low bid was $15,900 for a single restroom. 8. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE Freeborn County – Mike Lee, County Commissioner • The county met on February 15th regarding the 12-county redesign of DHS. They have until May 1 to decide to take part. Randy relayed on behalf of the Chamber’s board of directors their concerns with local DHS services possibly being moved to another city which would cause a lot of travel for people. Mike said there are a lot of concerns about what changes that will bring. • At their March 27th workshop, the commissioners would like someone from DEED to come to Albert Lea to talk to them about setting up an LDO. Mike would like to move forward with this to see if Mrs. Gerry’s could benefit. • The county is asking for a180 day extension for the trail acquisition of the abandoned rail tracks along Highway 13. They did not get a state grant, but are looking at other options for money to pay for the project. Commissioner Moore asked Mike about the budget for the trail. The state grant the county didn’t receive would have been over $400,000. The county plans to negotiate with the railroad. More information will be forthcoming later. City of Albert Lea – Chad Adams, City Manager • Bank building – One option is to open the Vitality Center there. Or maybe hold some community education classes there. The project to put the building to use will be put on fast track • Blue Zone Walkway dedication on June 2. • Bridge Ave. – A meeting will be held to bring everyone up to speed. An application has been sent in to get federal funding for this project which would be awarded in 2017. • Community Survey – The city is participating in a national survey and is looking for feedback on the quality and usefulness of city services by randomly sending out a mail survey in a couple of weeks. The results will be in a final report to be used as a planning guide. • The sign ordinance was approved and is being proactively enforced. Violation notices have been sent out to portable sign owners. Billboards that are not up to code are next. A sign inventory of the city is being done to see what types are there. • MNDOT hosted a southeast regional meeting on bicycle planning in Rochester on how to move forward with implementing a plan. A wide range of people attended. Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr, Executive Director • Randy echoed Chad on the government affairs meeting regarding Bridge Avenue. In 2005, Sue Miller published the 2001-03 statistics. Many businesses north weren’t there before then. Businesses would like to be able to plan for impact to their facility and need to know what is planned. The Chamber will be sending out a letter urging the city to find a solution. An email marketing seminar is scheduled for tomorrow and it’s free at American Best Value Hotel from 12:30-3:30 pm. • Recently, Randy attended a meeting in the cities where Kathy Tunheim, who was the speaker at the Greater Jobs annual meeting, talked about the sewer improvement plan that came from Albert Lea. • The annual Ag Luncheon is in two weeks. Colleen Landkamer, USDA Rural Development State Director will be the speaker. It will be held at the Fairlane building. Tickets are selling well. 9. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Commissioner Ehn learned that Mason City is combining their TIF districts to make better use of its money. Commissioner Moore added to Randy’s comments about Bridge Avenue. MCB, Mrs. Gerry’s and Albert Lea Select Foods’ major truck traffic uses the I-90 Bridge Avenue exit. In addition, Commissioner Kehr said more traffic is likely to come with Riverland’s higher enrollment plus eighth graders that were added to the high school. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Kehr. The motion carried 6 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 a.m.
Filed and attested March 7, 2012.
___________________________ __________________________ President Board Secretary
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