Albert Lea, MN                                                                                       January 28, 2002

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 Bob Haukoos.

ROLL CALL

Present were Councilors Warren Amundson, David McPherson, George Marin, Ron Sorenson, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Bob Haukoos.  Also present were Assistant City Manager William L. Schmitt, Public Works Director David Olson, City Attorney Steven Schwab, Council Secretary Sandi Behrens and representatives from KATE Radio, the Albert Lea Tribune and KAAL-TV.

CONSENT AGENDA

(a)               APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2002.

(b)               LICENSES APPROVED:

TEMPORARY LICENSE

FOOD/BEVERAGE

Stacy Steele, 63322 180^th Street, Alden, for the Fairgrounds on February 8-9, 2002

ANNUAL LICENSE

P LUMBER

Joseph Esser d/b/a Esser Plumbing & Heating, Inc., 542 West Main, Perham, MN

(c)               RESOLUTION 02-20 ADOPTED – CALLING A HEARING FOR MISCELLANEOUS ASSESSMENTS:  Resolution 02-20 calls a public hearing for Miscellaneous Assessment Roll 35 for February 25, 2002.

                                                        (See Secretary's Original Resolution

                                                        02-20 included with these minutes.)

     (d)        RESOLUTION 02-21 ADOPTED - CLAIMS:   Resolution 02-21 presents the  financial claims of the City.

                                                        (See Secretary's Original Resolution

                                                        02-21 included with these minutes.)

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

PORT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REVIEW – PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing to accept public input regarding the Port Authority and its operations.  The necessary notice for this hearing was published on January 17, 2002. 

There was no discussion.  Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the public hearing be closed.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the public hearing closed.

RESOLUTION 02-22 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING DEMOLITION AT 722 SOUTH WASHINGTON - PUBLIC HEARING

Assistant City Manager Schmitt announced that late Monday afternoon the property owners had signed a quit claim deed to the property at 722 South Washington and a public hearing is not needed at this time.  The appropriate action is to authorize demolition of the structure at that address.                        

City Attorney Schwab told the Council that the property owner was offered two options, one permitting the structure be demolished with the cost assessed to the property and the other giving the City a quit claim deed with the City paying for demolition of the structure.  He noted that the property owner obviously didn’t want anything more to do with the property and had signed a quit claim deed to the City.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 02-22, authorizing the demolition of the structure at 722 South Washington, be approved.  On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the demolition authorized.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

02-22 included with these minutes.)

RESOLUTION 02-23 ADOPTED – RESCINDING RESOLUTION 02-9

Assistant City Manager Schmitt informed the Council that the residents adjacent to 137 Bridge Avenue have petitioned opposition to a boat rental business or any other business at that address. Based on the zoning for the property involved, with the objections from the neighbors, it would be necessary for the Council to rescind Resolution 02-9 which granted permission for a boat rental business to the property owner.

David Berg, Burnsville, owner of the property at 137 Bridge Avenue, stated that he had previously rented boats from the beach area and would be willing to do this again.  He suggested that he be permitted to dock the boats in the area north of his property owned by the City.

Council discussion centered around the fact that the City-owned property would also be affected by the residential zoning, a question of whether the residents adjacent to the beach would object to the business and a matter of liability on behalf of the City if it permits the rental business on City property.

After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 02-23, rescinding Resolution 02-9, be approved.  On roll call vote, Councilors McPherson, Sorenson, Kron and Mayor Haukoos voted in favor of said motion with Councilors Amundson, Marin and Brooks opposed.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

Councilor Sorenson requested that prior to calling a public hearing for permission to use the beach area for the boat rental business that the City staff review the zoning, liability and other issues and present that information to the City Council.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

02-23 included with these minutes.)

RESOLUTION 02-24 ADOPTED – ORDERLY ANNEXATION OF THE PRO TRUCKING/MANUFACTURING PROPERTY

Assistant City Manager Schmitt told the Council that the City had received a request from Dan DeBoer, owner of Pro Trucking and Pro Manufacturing, Inc. for annexation into the City and the extension of sewer and water services to his property.

City Engineer Olson stated that Jones, Haugh and Smith had performed a study on the utility extensions and costs for this project.  Mr. Olson will review the information and make recommendation to the City Manager.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 02-24 authorizing orderly annexation of the Pro Trucking/Manufacturing property and a feasibility study for sewer and water extension, be approved.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of the motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

02-24 included with these minutes.)

G.F.O.A. AWARD PRESENTATION

Mayor Haukoos asked John Bennett and Rhonda Krcil to come forward.  He then presented them with the award which recognizes that the City’s annual reporting meets GFOA standards and told the Council that the City is one of three or four percent of the communities in the country that meet this level of financial reporting and record keeping.

MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED

Mayor Haukoos recommended reappointing Wally Winegar, 419 Ridge Road, to the Board of Zoning Appeals, reappointing Ron Sorenson to Housing and Redevelopment Authority, appointing George Marin to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and appointing Chuck Foster, 420 Garden Road, to the Airport Advisory Board.

After Council discussion, Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the appointments and reappointments recommended by Mayor Haukoos be confirmed.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion with the exception of Councilor Marin who abstained.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the appointments confirmed.

RESOLUTION 02-25 ADOPTED – ESTABLISHING CITY’S POSITION ON GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID PAYMENT REDUCTION TO THE CITY

Assistant City Manager Schmitt told the Council that this resolution expresses the City’s opposition to the Governor’s proposed state aid reductions. He informed the Council that the City would experience a loss of $250,000 to $300,000 under the Governor’s plan which is approximately six percent of the state aids the City receives.

Mayor Haukoos added that the proposed cuts are not fair to outstate cities, that LGA has always worked well for the cities in the State of Minnesota, that the metropolitan cities do not receive LGA but the property values in the metro area are much higher than in the outstate area and the City will be joining with other outstate cities to strongly oppose LGA cuts.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Council Marin seconded, that Resolution 02-25, establishing the City’s position in opposition to the Governor’s proposed local government aid payment reductions to the City of Albert Lea, be approved.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

02-25 included with these minutes.)

CITY MANAGER’S ANNUAL REPORT ACCEPTED

Assistant City Manager Schmitt reported that the City Council had received the City Manager’s Annual Report and noted that the report reflects the activities of the City during 2001 and its financial situation at the beginning and end of the year.

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the City Manager’s Annual Report be accepted.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the report accepted.

RESOLUTION 02-26 ADOPTED – APPROVING ROAD LAYOUT

Assistant City Manager Schmitt explained that this resolution approves the road layout for the area near Trail’s Travel Center.  The State of Minnesota has requested City approval of the layout before they proceed with the work.  The Engineering Department has reviewed the layout and feels that it can only improve safety in the area.  Ultimately, the City will assume responsibility for the roadway.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 02-26, approving the road layout proposed by the State of Minnesota, be approved.  On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

02-26 included with these minutes.) 

RESOLUTION 02-27 ADOPTED – APPROVING ICE RENTAL CONTRACT

Assistant City Manager Schmitt explained that this resolution approves a contract with Roy Nystrom and Joe Dragich for a hockey school and rental of ice time at the City Arena.  The rental contract is for $4800.  He noted that with the new ice sheet the City can offer the ice rental at the proposed rate because of the lower operational costs in the summer.

After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 02-27, approving the ice rental contract with Albert Lea Hockey Schools, be approved.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

02-27 included with these minutes.)

RESOLUTION 02-28 ADOPTED – APPROVING TRANSFERS FOR TIF DISTRICTS

Assistant City Manager Schmitt explained that this resolution approves transfers from the General Fund to two TIF districts to provide funds to carry out activities and a repayment from TIF District 5-1 to the General Fund to help repay an advance.

After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that Resolution 02-28, approving transfers for tax increment finance districts as identified by the Assistant Manager, be approved.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

 02-28 included with these minutes.)

UNLISTED ITEMS

WARD ITEMS

Fifth Ward, Councilor Kron:

a)      Reported a complaint from the liquor store owner at 101 South Newton regarding a vent on the west side of the building at 212 East Clark Street is dripping on her car.

ADJOURNMENT – 8:05 P.M.

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, February 11, 2002.  On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

Filed and attested January 29, 2002.

________________________                                     _____________________________

Secretary of the Council                                          Mayor