Pastor Kip Jentoft, Our Father’s House, offered a prayer.

The regular meeting of the Albert Lea City Council was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the City Center Council Chambers by Mayor Jean Eaton.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Present were Councilors Randy Erdman, George Marin, Jeff Fjelstad, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Jean Eaton. Absent was Councilor Warren Amundson. Also present were City Manager Paul T. Sparks, City Attorney Steven Schwab, Public Works Direction David R. Olson, Council Secretary Sandi Behrens and representatives from KATE Radio, KAAL-TV and the Albert Lea Tribune.

Mystical Ink Tattooing and Body Piercing (Tobey Lee Masso), 126 East William Street, Albert Lea

(c) APPROVAL OF 2 A.M. CLOSING APPLICATION: An application for 2 a.m. closing was approved for Hot Shots, 1119 South Broadway.

(d) RESOLUTION 03-173 ADOPTED – SETTING TRUTH-IN-TAXATION HEARING DATES: Resolution 03-173 sets the hearing dates for Truth-In-Taxation as follows:

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-173 included with these minutes.)

(e) RESOLUTION 03-174 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 03-174 presents the financial claims of the City.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-174 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the consent agenda items be adopted. On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the consent agenda items adopted.

Mayor Eaton opened a public hearing to accept public input from individuals desiring consideration for funding of specific programs for inclusion in the City’s 2004 budget. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on August 29, 2003.

Jo Lowe, 1906 Johnson, Director of Arc, requested reinstatement of partial funding for the Arc Summer Program. The $3000 funding had been eliminated from the City’s budget during budget balancing for 2003. She noted that they would appreciate the entire $3000 but would settle for a portion of that funding.

Barb Collins, 72203 Wineglass Road, told the Council that she is the parent of a disabled child and urged Council approval of this funding.

Don Sorensen, 72823 220^th Street, told the Council that he has a granddaughter with disabilities and encouraged the funding be reinstated.

Mike Woitas, 1617 Elm Street, told the Council that he is a Freeborn County Fair Board Director and announced that the Midwest Coach Rally will be held at the fairgrounds from July 11-18, 2004. This event will bring 600 coaches to the community and they are requesting a temporary lift station to dump camper waste and a water tap for use by the participants. Mr. Woitas also told the Council that he had heard that the City was considering elimination of posting no parking signs around the fairgrounds during the Freeborn County Fair. He asked that this posting be continued and further requested that the City consider donating the services of the water truck ($1500) for use during the fair.

Marlys Webber, 20749 794^th Avenue, requested funding for the Pelican Breeze in the amount of $1000.

Ed Anderson, Low Bucks Car Club, requested a $1500 contribution to the Eddie Cochran Weekend scheduled for June 11-13, 2004. He noted that this will be the 18^th annual weekend and the money would be used for advertising.

Bev Jackson, Director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, requested $12,500 for 2004, no increase over 2003.

Mayor Eaton thanked those appearing at the hearing and announced that these requests would be considered for funding in the 2004 budget and declared the public hearing closed.

Mayor Eaton opened a public hearing to consider the application of Holiday Lanes, 522 Prospect Avenue, for a wine license. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on August 29, 2003. There was no public discussion.

Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the application of Holiday Lanes for a wine license at 522 Prospect Avenue be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the license approved and the public hearing closed.

Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Councilor Marin be named the City’s voting delegate to the National League of Cities Congress of Cities in Nashville, TN in December, 2003. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and Marin named.

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution approves the conditional use permit for Crossroads Evangelical Free Church with conditions recommended by the Albert Lea Advisory Planning Commission as a result of a public hearing on August 28, 2003.

Councilor Erdman moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that the Conditional Use Permit be approved. Councilor Marin then requested that the motion be amended to permit outdoor speakers and activities following notification to the City Council and the neighborhood. Councilor Erdman agreed to the change.

After Council discussion and on roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of Resolution 03-175. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-175 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks reported that the City Attorney has prepared an Order for Removal of the structure at 406 Main Court. He noted that the City Inspectors have re-inspected the structure and have declared the building to be in very poor condition and dilapidated beyond repair.

David Nelson, Mason City, Iowa attorney, appeared before the Council on behalf of the owners. He requested the Council give the Poole’s an appropriate time to complete repairs to the building specifically to the expiration date for the building permit of April 9, 2004.

After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Fjelstad seconded, that approval of the Order for Removal of 406 Main Court be delayed until April 9, 2004. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion with the exception of Councilor Kron who voted nay. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

City Manager Sparks reported that the City had taken bids and quotations for installation of paving and parking lot lighting in the Brookside boat landing area. The low bid for paving was received from Ulland Bros. at $120,469.48 and the low quote for parking lot lighting was received from Bowman Electric at $8470. He commented that the Department of Natural Resources would be paying $112,000 toward this project and recommended award to both low bidders.

After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 03-176, accepting the bid of Ulland Bros. for paving and the quote of Bowman Electric for lighting, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-176 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution establishes the proposed 2004 tax levy at $2,234,000. He noted that this proposed levy could be reduced at a later date but could not be increased and that the proposed levy must be certified to the County Auditor by September 15, 2003.

After Council discussion, Councilor Fjelstad moved, Councilor Erdman seconded, that Resolution 03-177, establishing the proposed 2004 tax levy at $2,234,000, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-177 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks told the Council that the Daisy Blue Naturals has applied for a loan in the amount of $60,000 at four percent interest to be paid back over five years. The loan will allow the company to have gap financing and accommodate their growth.

Pam Bishop, Executive Director of Greater Jobs Inc., told the Council that the company has been in the incubator building for just over one year and currently have 250 consultants with 13 people employed locally.

After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 03-178, authorizing the loan to Daisy Blue Naturals LLC, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-178 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution calls for a public hearing on proposed assessments for Job 0125, improvements in the Dawn Acres area, Job 0127, improvements in the Habben Industrial Park, Job 0202, James Avenue reconstruction, and Job 0239, Chapeau Shores Seventh Addition.

Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that a public hearing for the purpose of adopting proposed assessments for the jobs listed be called. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the public hearing called.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-179 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Erdman seconded, that Resolution 03-180, approving the 2003-2004 District 241 ice time contract for use of the City Arena, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-180 included with these minutes.)

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-181 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Eaton:

(a) Announced that Dave Olson would be retiring at the end of November and thanked him for his years of service.

(b) Announced that Peter Cox, the Tribune reporter, was leaving at the end of the week and thanked him for his service.

Second Ward, Councilor Erdman:

(a) Stated that he sorry to see Peter Cox leave town.

(b) Thanked Jill Slette for all of her work on the Celebrate Albert Lea event and the Mayor for her leadership of this celebration. 

Third Ward, Councilor Marin:

(a) Congratulated the Celebrate Albert Lea committee for its efforts and thanked the community for supporting the event.

(b) Requested that the City Council discuss economic development and restructuring options for the Port Authority at its next workshop.

Fourth Ward, Councilor Fjelstad:

(a) Commented that the Pelican Breeze may be old but that its admiral is not.

(b) Wished Peter Cox well in his new endeavor.

Sixth Ward, Councilor Brooks:

(a) Thanked Dave Olson for all of his efforts.

Tony Trow, 522 Park Avenue, questioned whether the City had taken into account all of the boats yet docked around the lake and whether adequate notice would be given to remove them prior to the work at the boat landing.

Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that there being no further business, the council meeting be adjourned until the next regular meeting of the Albert Lea City Council on Monday, September 8, 2003. On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

Filed and attested September 9, 2003.

_/S/ Sandi Behrens________________                                            _/S/ Jean Eaton____________________

Secretary of the Council                                                                         Mayor