Chamber President Brad Meier discusses upcoming events and the Chamber's efforts in the upcoming City Budget.
Appx. 20 min.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
BusinessConnection: Advertising Info
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011
City Council Notes-July 19, 2011
A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2011 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.
Approval of Labor Agreement Minnesota Teamsters and Law Enforcement Employee’s Union Local 320. Provides 1% increase in pay, additional $20 per month shift differential and incorporate health insurance language. Effective July 1, 2011.
Budget Impacts for FY 2011
1. Sergeants & Corporals $9226.00
2. Patrol Unit $16530.00
3. Non Union Employees $62461.00
Total $88217.00 for July thru December. Increase
Tax Increment Financing for Coca Cola.
Set hearing for plan modification. August 16 2011
“The City has encountered an administrative issue with regard to reporting the District’s financing activity to the Office of the State Auditor. The situation exists because there are variations between information in the tax increment plan, Development Agreement and annual TIF report to the State Auditor”
The City needs to modify the plan to allow Coca Cola to get $278,973.00 instead of 192,870.00. “In fulfillment of the development agreement as well as the intention of the TIF plan, the city will need to amend the TIF plan by modifying the budget. The plan modification amends the budget to provide $278,973 in reimbursement.”
Approve plans and authorize for bids airport paving rehabilitation project.
Cost to City approximately $12,000.00
First reading on changes to Adult Establishments, changes locations of such business to be allowed only in Industrial I-2 districts
Council Comments: Councilman Dotson reminded Council of the Chamber’s efforts to provide for a more transparent and accurate budget, as well as contingency of budget with LGA impacts.
Next Council Meeting to be held on Monday August 1 to allow for National Night Out on Tuesday Aug 2.
Approval of Labor Agreement Minnesota Teamsters and Law Enforcement Employee’s Union Local 320. Provides 1% increase in pay, additional $20 per month shift differential and incorporate health insurance language. Effective July 1, 2011.
Budget Impacts for FY 2011
1. Sergeants & Corporals $9226.00
2. Patrol Unit $16530.00
3. Non Union Employees $62461.00
Total $88217.00 for July thru December. Increase
Tax Increment Financing for Coca Cola.
Set hearing for plan modification. August 16 2011
“The City has encountered an administrative issue with regard to reporting the District’s financing activity to the Office of the State Auditor. The situation exists because there are variations between information in the tax increment plan, Development Agreement and annual TIF report to the State Auditor”
The City needs to modify the plan to allow Coca Cola to get $278,973.00 instead of 192,870.00. “In fulfillment of the development agreement as well as the intention of the TIF plan, the city will need to amend the TIF plan by modifying the budget. The plan modification amends the budget to provide $278,973 in reimbursement.”
Approve plans and authorize for bids airport paving rehabilitation project.
Cost to City approximately $12,000.00
First reading on changes to Adult Establishments, changes locations of such business to be allowed only in Industrial I-2 districts
Council Comments: Councilman Dotson reminded Council of the Chamber’s efforts to provide for a more transparent and accurate budget, as well as contingency of budget with LGA impacts.
Next Council Meeting to be held on Monday August 1 to allow for National Night Out on Tuesday Aug 2.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Employee Facebook Posting
DO EMPLOYEES' FACEBOOK POSTINGS CONSTITUTE PROTECTED CONCERTED ACTIVITIES?THE NLRB THINKS SO.
Following a recent trend, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed two more complaints on behalf of employees who were terminated after posting work-related comments on Facebook. In the recent complaints, the NLRB alleged that the employee postings constituted protected concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and that the related terminations were unlawful and had the intended effect of discouraging other employees from engaging in similar activities. Although the Board has yet to resolve the issue of whether or not Facebook postings constitute "concerted activity," the NLRB's recent activity in this area signals a growing focus on both union and non-union employees' rights to discuss job conditions with co-workers using social media.
Article provided by Leonard Street and Deinard, Jonathon Naples, (612) 335-7117, Jonathon.naples@leonard.com, www.leonard.com.
Following a recent trend, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed two more complaints on behalf of employees who were terminated after posting work-related comments on Facebook. In the recent complaints, the NLRB alleged that the employee postings constituted protected concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and that the related terminations were unlawful and had the intended effect of discouraging other employees from engaging in similar activities. Although the Board has yet to resolve the issue of whether or not Facebook postings constitute "concerted activity," the NLRB's recent activity in this area signals a growing focus on both union and non-union employees' rights to discuss job conditions with co-workers using social media.
Article provided by Leonard Street and Deinard, Jonathon Naples, (612) 335-7117, Jonathon.naples@leonard.com, www.leonard.com.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
County Board Notes-May 24, 2011
A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2011 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.
1) The first item of discussion centered around the RFP format for the 800-MHz Tower Station in Northeast Owatonna.
The discussion encompassed an upcoming school board meeting on June 13 in order to okay the construction of this tower.
Apparently Medford school district has already approved this tower and Owatonna School Board will most likely approve this tower.
It was asked of the board to send a letter that they feel the investigation and amount of work in assessing cost and
construction has been meticulous and the board agreed that they would send this letter.
Following the meeting on June 13 there will be quotes coming for work on the corresponding antenna which apparently will be very low cost.
There was extensive discussion regarding line of sight issues with a Federated building and required notification from any surrounding business of 6 to 9 months for any construction that may hinder the line of sight of the tower. it was stated that engineers have planned for any possible line of sight issues and can adapt to construction needs of surrounding businesses.
There was also discussion regarding the bottom line costs for which approximately half will include grants and the rest will come from the general reserve fund and the remaining portion of a bond. They did discuss raw numbers but I do not have those numbers at this time.
2) The second item discussed was regarding a local bridge replacement grant agreement and resolution.
This grant will be based off of bids received and it was stated that generally not all of the items in the bid will be eligible for the grant.
Apparently the bids that have been received so far were actually below engineer's estimates.
3) The third discussion centered around the fact that on the evening of May 23 the legislature adjourned and the Governor had vetoed the budget proposal so at present there is no budget currently available. there was also a question of whether a "lights on" resolution had been passed. the general consensus was that this had not happened.
The follow-up statement by Mr. Aziz addressed the fact that he will get the department heads together to plan for possible changes due to the lack of funding in the budget.
4) it was discussed and confirmed by Mr. Ebeling that Lisa Havelka had asked for funds regarding Tourism and that it was the board's policy to wait until July to see if the state has allowed for this type of funding.
The meeting adjourned at 3:55.
1) The first item of discussion centered around the RFP format for the 800-MHz Tower Station in Northeast Owatonna.
The discussion encompassed an upcoming school board meeting on June 13 in order to okay the construction of this tower.
Apparently Medford school district has already approved this tower and Owatonna School Board will most likely approve this tower.
It was asked of the board to send a letter that they feel the investigation and amount of work in assessing cost and
construction has been meticulous and the board agreed that they would send this letter.
Following the meeting on June 13 there will be quotes coming for work on the corresponding antenna which apparently will be very low cost.
There was extensive discussion regarding line of sight issues with a Federated building and required notification from any surrounding business of 6 to 9 months for any construction that may hinder the line of sight of the tower. it was stated that engineers have planned for any possible line of sight issues and can adapt to construction needs of surrounding businesses.
There was also discussion regarding the bottom line costs for which approximately half will include grants and the rest will come from the general reserve fund and the remaining portion of a bond. They did discuss raw numbers but I do not have those numbers at this time.
2) The second item discussed was regarding a local bridge replacement grant agreement and resolution.
This grant will be based off of bids received and it was stated that generally not all of the items in the bid will be eligible for the grant.
Apparently the bids that have been received so far were actually below engineer's estimates.
3) The third discussion centered around the fact that on the evening of May 23 the legislature adjourned and the Governor had vetoed the budget proposal so at present there is no budget currently available. there was also a question of whether a "lights on" resolution had been passed. the general consensus was that this had not happened.
The follow-up statement by Mr. Aziz addressed the fact that he will get the department heads together to plan for possible changes due to the lack of funding in the budget.
4) it was discussed and confirmed by Mr. Ebeling that Lisa Havelka had asked for funds regarding Tourism and that it was the board's policy to wait until July to see if the state has allowed for this type of funding.
The meeting adjourned at 3:55.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Green Enterprise Assistance Team
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From financial assistance to navigating legal and regulatory matters we'll guide you to the resources and expertise you'll need.
Contact Us
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development manages the GEA program. Call 651-259-7437 for more information or complete and submit this electronic form and we will contact you.
Eligibility
The GEA is looking for clean-technology and renewable-energy firms. By statute, we help companies whose technologies use energy from renewable resources and support energy efficiency and conservation. Businesses that are working to reduce gashouse gases, protect and conserve water and improve biofuel production may also apply for our services.
Help at Any StageThe GEA helps companies at any stage of development, from new ideas to business startups to established companies with products and services ready to market.
If you have a product or service ready to sell and want assistance, the GEA Team is happy to work with you.
The GEA is just as interested in hearing about your business startup and how our team of experts can facilitate your growth.
State Agency Involvement
The GEA is facilitated by the Department of Employment and Economic Development and includes representatives from the following state agencies:
The Office of Energy Security in the Department of Commerce
The Department of Natural Resources
The Department of Transportation
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The Department of Agriculture
Iron Range Resources
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
City Board Notes-May 3, 2011
A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2011 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.
The meeting was rather short with very little discussion regarding any of the
proposed ordinances or items on the agenda. I have attached a copy of the agenda
with some of my notes as well as the financial re-cap for your review. As you can
see, more than $221,000.00 of the money spent will be reimbursed by FEMA.
There were three parties that appealed their tax assessments for 2011 and the new
Assessor recommended reductions for all of them as well as others in the same area
that he deemed too high. He did not share any dollar amounts with us, but not sure if
he did with the council, but they were all approved.
All of the items listed under the Actions part of the agenda were approved by a
unanimous 7-0 vote.
The only thing discussed that was not on the agenda was the recommendation by
Jeff Johnson to install a lift station by Ag Power's new site. That was also approved
by a 7-0 vote.
The meeting was rather short with very little discussion regarding any of the
proposed ordinances or items on the agenda. I have attached a copy of the agenda
with some of my notes as well as the financial re-cap for your review. As you can
see, more than $221,000.00 of the money spent will be reimbursed by FEMA.
There were three parties that appealed their tax assessments for 2011 and the new
Assessor recommended reductions for all of them as well as others in the same area
that he deemed too high. He did not share any dollar amounts with us, but not sure if
he did with the council, but they were all approved.
All of the items listed under the Actions part of the agenda were approved by a
unanimous 7-0 vote.
The only thing discussed that was not on the agenda was the recommendation by
Jeff Johnson to install a lift station by Ag Power's new site. That was also approved
by a 7-0 vote.
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