May 1, 2013 Albert Lea Post Authority Minutes
May 1, 2013
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY
MINUTES
May 1, 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, May 1, 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, Nancy Skophammer, Ellen Kehr, Keith Fligge and Al Brooks
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT: Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea representative; Randy Kehr, business community representative; Chris Shoff, 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 Cooperative; Rebecca Gisel-Alliant Energy
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL 3, 2013 MEETING
The minutes from the April 3, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Commissioner Ehn made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen. President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
3. RESOLUTION PA-13-11AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
The claims were presented for review. Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion to accept the claims as presented in the amount of $98,231.79, seconded by Commissioner Moore. President Skophammer asked for any discussion and hearing none, the motion carried 7 in favor; 0 opposed.
4. REZONING DISCUSSION
A large zoning map of the city was displayed. As background information, ITC preferred to build on the Port’s lot in Habben Park, but it was zoned IDD which doesn’t permit outside storage so they located on their current site. There doesn’t appear to be uniformity in the enforcement of the IDD ordinance. The Port owns a lot of property in IDD zones. The first hotel interested in building in the I-90 Park did not like that it was zoned IDD. Home Depot is located in planned development zoning because wouldn’t fit into IDD. Jensen Excavating is interested in a parcel on Plaza Street and asked about outside storage. Staff told him what the ordinance says, but he noticed both Freeborn Lumber and Plaza Landscaping have outside storage. We’re not sure what to tell potential buyers. Zone I-1 would be a better zone for the Plaza Street area. IDD doesn’t appear to have a clear difference between it and I-1 other than extra review steps. Jensen may not build for couple years, but doesn’t want any surprises later if they buy the lot. The businesses on Plaza back up to the landfill which will never be developed. Executive Director Dorman would like to see the ordinance reflect what the city really wants and will accept. He believes Jensen Excavating would be a nice fit and there are mature trees there to screen their storage. The city needs access on the parcel east of Plaza Landscaping so we will accommodate them.
Chad Adams said he and the city staff agree on some points indicated and that language needs to be clarified. He said they’ve discussed possibly making an IDD-1 and IDD-2 or the option of a conditional use permit if certain tests were met. The city is fully aware of issues and inconsistency and will meet with the planning commission in June. Dorman said planned development (PD) might be the way to go, but Chad said usually that’s for larger areas like Blazing Star.
Commissioner Moore asked why not rezone the area south of Plaza Street to I-1? Dorman affirmed this is what’s being recommended. Commissioner Moore gave background on the cell tower by I-90. A Burnsville man said he wanted to have a body shop on that property and then put a cell tower there. He asked if there was anything that can be done in the future to ensure zoning ordinances are followed. The board gave permission to move forward to request the city rezone the IDD area south of Plaza Street. A resolution is not needed unless there is opposition.
5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
· The Clifton Allen Larson audit results were originally thought to be today, however, it will be presented at the June meeting. The results are done, but some details were still needed.
· Staff had a lunch meeting with our USDA representative and Daniel Otten on Monday. While there we met Julie Wood-Lobb, the new Director with Prairie Senior Cottages. She had brochures along for the new facility which were passed around to the board today.
· A marketing piece to partner with the CVB and Chamber was also passed around.
5. EX-OFFICIO UPDATE
Freeborn County – Chris Shoff – Freeborn County Representative
· The county has received a notice that the VA CBOC Request for Proposals will come out in May. It will be tied in with the SW Metro RFP being proposed. The preference is for one provider contract for both facilities rather than one of each. Sterling Medical Association already has two other facilities in MN. Executive Director Dorman said the site selector has contacted us regarding the VA clinic.
· Chris Shoff is a member of the National Association Transportation committee which met last week in Omaha with the major railways attending. Chris briefly met the UP official who has authority over the property the county wants to purchase. It’s hard to get answers from them. The official said he had the mapping on his desk to review.
· The county is discussing a bonding proposal on a couple roads in the county that do not get state dollars. They are also looking at purchasing a machine that grinds up the asphalt and reuses it. It’s costly, but the payoff would be longer road life.
· The AMC board is looking at a local sales tax exemption which is preferred by the counties. The county was audited by State of MN five years ago on sales taxes and had to pay the state back.
City of Albert Lea – Chad Adams, City of Albert Lea Representative
· A pre-construction meeting was held yesterday with the contractor who was awarded the streetscape project. The focus will be on the north end first. A press release will go out the end of the week, followed by flyers mailed out. There will be an on-site manager for the project. The city is thinking it may do a bench donation, whereby businesses or people could have their name on a bench for a specified contribution. The details are being worked out. The contractor will use the bank building for their on-site office and will pay for the utilities.
· The city has parted ways with the Phoenix Development Downtown on converting the bank building to housing. The funding gap was too large. The city will begin to talk about strategies to move forward and ways to get the public more involved.
· There was a zoning amendment meeting last night about creating more density downtown and possibly create more flexible uses there to make more use of the infrastructure. It will go to planning commission this month.
· There was a meeting last week on the Stables/St. Johns project. It will go to the planning commission in July. Details need to be worked out with some infrastructure issues. Executive Director Dorman said the perception is that the project is being done for the city of Albert Lea, but it’s for the property owners.
· Kwik Trip’s intersection plans are 90% complete. It is a county-led project, but Kwik-Trip is funding most of it. Had they not funded it, the project would have to be bid out and Kwik-Trip did not want to be slowed down. Hy-Vee’s new station should also be done in the fall. Plaza Street to Plaza Street will not be aligned this year, but looking at next year.
Chamber of Commerce – Randy Kehr – Business Community Representative
· The Business Economic Development Day for the leadership class is being planned. They will again tour Agilis, Albert Lea Select Foods and Lou-Rich.
· The fireworks fundraiser will be May 31.
· Governor Dayton’s staff called yesterday to say his visit that was canceled last month because of weather will be rescheduled after the session ends.
7. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
· President Skophammer reported Earl Thompson approached her on whether we or the city are interested in leasing his billboard for $200/month. This has been discussed before and the board agreed they are not interested. The billboard is partially obscured by pine trees that can’t be trimmed.
· Commissioner Fligge toured Larson Contracting with Steve Wagner recently and proposed the board also tour the facility. It was decided to go after the next meeting on June 5. Commissioner Fligge will arrange it for approximately 9:30 a.m.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Brooks made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Kehr. The motion carried 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.
Filed and attested May 1, 2013.