Albert Lea, MN January 27, 2003
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 City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilor Marin recited the Serenity Prayer.
PRESENTATION OF PEACE AND JUSTICE AWARDS
Mayor Eaton called Alexandra Shody and Krystal Kuchera forward to receive a Peace and Justice Award. Shody and Kuchera were two of four winners of the Peace and Justice Poem Contest which were read on Martin Luther King Day. Absent for the presentation were winners Kati Davis and Daniel Schindler.
Present were Councilors Warren Amundson, Randy Erdman, George Marin, Jeff Fjelstad, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Jean Eaton. Also present were City Manager Paul T. Sparks, Public Works Director David R. Olson, City Attorney Steven Schwab, Council Secretary Sandi Behrens and representatives from KATE Radio and the Albert Lea Tribune.
CONSENT AGENDA
(a) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 13, 2003.
(b) APPROVED TEMPORARY FOOD LICENSE FOR FREEBORN COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS FOR THE SPRING BARROW SHOW AT THE FAIRGROUNDS FEBRUARY 7 AND 8, 2003.
(c) CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE ON-SALE AND SUNDAY ON-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSES FROM VILLAGE CHATEAU MOTOR INN, INC. D/B/A BUDGET HOST ALBERT LEA INN TO J.K.D. LLC D/B/A DILLAN’S RESTAURANT, 2301 EAST MAIN STREET, FOR FEBRUARY 10, 2003.
(d) RESOLUTION 03-20 ADOPTED – CALLING A HEARING FOR MISCELLANEOUS ASSESSMENT ROLL 41: Resolution 03-20 calls a public hearing for Miscellaneous Assessment Roll 41 for February 24, 2003.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution
03-2 included with these minutes.)
(e) RESOLUTION 03-21 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 03-21 presents the
financial claims of the City.
(See Secretary's Original Resolution
03-21 included with these minutes.)
Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson 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.
ALBERT LEA PORT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REVIEW – PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Eaton opened a public hearing for the annual review of the Albert Lea Port Authority. No one appeared to be heard. Mayor Eaton declared no action required and the public hearing closed.
RESOLUTION 03-22 ADOPTED – ORDERLY ANNEXATION IN SECTION 18
City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution authorizes an orderly annexation of the Gary and Karen Goette property at 1430 Highway 69 South. He noted that the Goette’s are petitioning for annexation to obtain City sewer and water service and that they are requesting a 15-year spread of assessments for the extension.
After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Fjelstad seconded, that Resolution 03-22, authorizing orderly annexation for the Goette property and the extension of utilities with a 15-year spread of assessments, 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
03-22 included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE 57, 3D – AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 2 RELATING TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – PUBLIC HEARING
After Council discussion and on roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the ordinance enacted.
(See Secretary’s Original Ordinance
57, 3d included with these minutes.)
MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Eaton requested confirmation of her appointment of Councilor Fjelstad to the Blazing Star Trail Joint Powers Board and her appointment of Councilor Erdman to the Family Collaborative Board.
Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that the Mayor’s appointments recommended, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the appointments confirmed.
RESOLUTION 03-23 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING AN ENGINEERING CONTRACT WITH ZENK, READ AND TRYGSTAD
City Manager Sparks reported that this resolution authorizes a contract for engineering services with Zenk, Read Trygstad and Associates to perform the remaining engineering services for the water tower site including the construction phase and the supervision of the watermain, storm sewer and road installation. He noted that ZRT had performed the design phase of the project.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 03-23, authorizing an engineering contract with Zenk, Read and Trygstad for the construction phase of Job 0132, 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
03-23 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 03-24 ADOPTED – ACCEPTING BID OF JOB 0229
City Manager Sparks stated that this resolution accepts the low bid of Gridor Construction for the replacement of the east secondary digester cover at a cost of $512,900. He explained that we have four digester covers and this is the third replacement noting that the covers are 85 feet in diameter. He also commented that the previous covers lasted approximately 20 years and that he expects the new covers to last approximately 25 years.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 03-24, accepting the bid of Gridor Construction, Plymouth, Minnesota, at a cost of $512,900.00 for Job 0229, for the east secondary digester cover replacement, 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
03-24 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 03-25 ADOPTED – AGREEING TO JOINT SPONSORSHIP OF THE MARGARETHA AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
City Manager Sparks told the Council that this resolution authorizes the engineering staff to pursue a grant application jointly with Freeborn County for the improvement of Margaretha Avenue from T.H. 65 to Fourteenth Street. He noted that the City and County hope to be able to obtain federal funding for the project anticipated to cost approximately $1 million.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 03-25, agreeing to joint sponsorship of the Margaretha Avenue Improvement Project, 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
03-25 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 03-26 ADOPTED - AUTHORIZING CONTRACT FOR DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT EXPANSION STUDY
City Manager Sparks explained that the Minnesota State Historical Society has indicated to the City that they believe that the downtown historic district should be expanded. They have suggested that the best way to do this is through a historic preservation study for a larger area than the existing district. The consultant, Hess Roise of Minneapolis, is the same one we have used for historic purposes in the past and has provided a proposal to do the work at a cost of $33,880.
Councilor Marin questioned the time restrictions for this study and whether downtown businesses had been included in discussions. City Manager Sparks responded that this study needs to occur fairly quickly and that the downtown property owners and businesses had not been consulted prior to receipt of this proposal. Councilor Marin then moved to table this contract to the last meeting in February to permit discussions with owners and businesses interested in this designation. The motion died for lack of a second.
Mary Ellen Johnson, 331 Willamor Circle, suggested that this designation would increase the value of the buildings, bring in new businesses, increase tax revenues and enhance the downtown business district. She urged that the study include as many buildings as possible in this district. City Manager Sparks replied that the buildings must be contiguous and that no freestanding buildings would be included in the analysis.
Additional discussion included a need to involve people in the process, the Fisher Jewelry building and a general feeling that this is very valuable to the community and opens many alternatives for the downtown area.
Karen Trow, 522 Park Avenue, appeared in favor of the project. She suggested the City move ahead with a preservation ordinance as soon as possible. City Manager Sparks replied that a Preservation Commission would need to be established to benefit from the designation.
After additional discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Fjelstad seconded, that Resolution 03-26,authorizing a contract with Historical Consultants, Hess Roise, to perform the study proposed at a cost of $33,880. 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
03-26 included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE 58, 3D INTRODUCED – AUTHORIZING ORDERLY ANNEXATION ON STEVENS STREET
Councilor Marin introduced Ordinance 58, 3d. Ordinance 58, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing pursuant to Charter requirements.
(See Secretary’s Original Ordinance
58, 3d included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE 59, 3D INTRODUCED – AUTHORIZING ORDERLY ANNEXATION ON WEST NINTH STREET
Councilor Marin introduced Ordinance 59, 3d. Ordinance 59, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing pursuant to Charter requirements.
(See Secretary’s Original Ordinance
59, 3d included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE 60, 3D INTRODUCED – AUTHORIZING ORDERLY ANNEXATION OF A PORTION OF COUNTY ROAD 46
Councilor Marin introduced Ordinance 60, 3d. Ordinance 60, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing pursuant to Charter requirements.
(See Secretary’s Original Ordinance
60, 3d included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE 61, 3D INTRODUCED – AUTHORIZING ORDERLY ANNEXATION ON WEST NINTH STREET
Councilor Marin introduced Ordinance 61, 3d. Ordinance 61, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing pursuant to Charter requirements.
(See Secretary’s Original Ordinance
61, 3d included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE 62, 3D INTRODUCED – AMENDING ORDINANCE 24, 3D ANNEXATION OF SUNDANCE SUBDIVISION
Councilor Marin introduced Ordinance 62 3d. Ordinance 62, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing pursuant to Charter requirements.
(See Secretary’s Original Ordinance
62, 3d included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 03-27 ADOPTED – ACCEPT BID FOR JOB 0120
City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution accepts the bid of Schammel Electric, Austin, MN, for 2003 Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) System Improvement Project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (Job 0120), at a total cost of $267,000.00, which is well under the engineer’s estimate.
After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Erdman seconded, that Resolution 03-27, accepting the bid of Schammel Electric for Job 0120, 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
03-27 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 03-28 ADOPTED - WAIVING BLAZING STAR TRAIL JOINT POWERS BOARD ANNUAL AUDIT
City Manager Sparks noted that he had received a letter from the Austin Director of Administrative Services requesting a Council resolution waiving Section 8.8, the need for an annual audit, of the Agreement for 2002 due to the fact that only three expenditures occurred during the year and an audit would be expensive and unnecessary.
After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 03-28, waiving Blazing Star Trail Joint Powers Board requirement for an annual audit for 2002, be adopted. 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
03-28 included with these minutes.)
WARD ITEMS
Second Ward, Councilor Erdman:
(a) Has received calls regarding the closing of the North Edgewater Park access and ask the City Manager to explain the plans. City Manager Sparks stated that the road in North Edgewater would be open this year but that it may be necessary to close some access to the North Pavilion next year. In any event, the public will have access to the park this year. He went on to explain the intended project.
(b) Thanked City staff, engineering and Veit for the tour at Farmland. He noted that one man told him that there would be 800 million tons of concrete when the project is complete.
Third Ward, Councilor Marin:
(a) Requested the staff look into increasing the speed limit on West Ninth Street.
Fourth Ward, Councilor Fjelstad:
(a) Commented that the Farmland tour was very informative.
(b) Residents around the Garfield Avenue/Fairlane Terrace intersection have reported
speeding in the area before and after school and they are requesting a stop sign
on Garfield. A yield sign exists on Fairlane Terrace.
(c) With regard to the leaf burning issue, Councilor Fjelstad moved to not ban the burning of leaves. Councilor Brooks seconded the motion. On roll call vote, Councilors Amundson, Fjelstad and Brooks voted in favor of the motion with Councilors Erdman, Marin, Kron and Mayor Eaton voting nay. The Mayor announced the motion defeated.
Councilor Erdman moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that the Council declare its intent to ban the burning of leaves in Albert Lea. On roll call vote, Councilors Amundson, Erdman, Marin, Kron and Mayor Eaton voted in favor of the motion with Councilors Fjelstad and Brooks voting nay. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution
03-29 included with these minutes.)
Mayor Eaton:
(a) Thanked the public for attending the meeting.
(b) Thanked the County for putting the Farmland tour together.
(c) Invited everyone to the “Meet the Mayor and Council” event at 7 p.m. at the Elks on Friday, January 31.
PUBLIC ITEMS
Earl Christensen, 1008 Elmhill Drive, appeared in opposition to the change to monthly billing and the 20 percent increase for the change in billing. City Manager Sparks told Mr. Christensen that the cost for postage and handling is approximately a 1 ½ percent increase. The increase in cost is caused in part by the loss of a major customer and also by infrastructure aging.
Don Sorensen, 72823 220th Street, expressed a need for Council support and authorization for the Fountain Lake Planning Commission. Mayor Eaton explained that the Council has discussed this issue and she is looking at appointments.
ADJOURNMENT – 8:30 P.M.
Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Erdman 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, February 10, 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 January 28, 2003.
_______________________________ ________________________________
Secretary of the Council Mayor