Pastor John Henriksen, Grace Lutheran Church, 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 Warren Amundson, Randy Erdman, George Marin, Jeff Fjelstad, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Jean Eaton. 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, the Albert Lea Tribune and KAAL-TV.

ANNUAL LICENSES

FOOD/BEVERAGE

Cheryl’s Diner, 1501 Bridge Avenue

TATTOO ESTABLISHMENT AND TATTOO ARTIST

Chapel Tattoos (Gilbert Johnson Jr.), 115 South Broadway

TEMPORARY LICENSES

FOOD/BEVERAGE

Destination Albert Lea, 522 Park Avenue, for the Farmer’s Market on October 8, 2003

(c) RESOLUTION 03-193 ADOPTED – APPROVES A LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION: Resolution 03-193 approves a lawful gambling application for the Albert Lea Amateur Hockey Association at the Cubby Hole, 721 Marshall Street.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-193 included with these minutes.)

(d) RESOLUTION 03-194 ADOPTED – APPROVES A LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION: Resolution 03-194 approves a lawful gambling application for the Albert Lea Amateur Hockey Association for operations at Eddie’s Bar, 719 Marshall Street.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-194 included with these minutes.)

(e) RESOLUTION 03-195 ADOPTED – CALLS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR SMALL CITIES GRANT APPLICATION: Resolution 03-195 calls for a public hearing for the Submission of a Small Cities Development Program application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for MetroPlains Development on October 27, 2003.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-195 included with these minutes.)

(f) RESOLUTION 03-196 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZES A LIMITING OF A STORM SEWER EASEMENT: Resolution 03-196 authorizes a defined easement for property at 338 James Avenue.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-196 included with these minutes.)

(g) CALLING A HEARING FOR THE TRANSFER OF PHILLY’S BAR & GRILL LIQUOR LICENSES FOR THE OCTOBER 27, 2003 COUNCIL MEETING.

(h) RESOLUTION 03-197 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 03-197 presents the financial claims of the City.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-197 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.

Ron Sorenson of the Albert Lea Eagles Club explained that the club has a Heart Fund which is available for expenditures such as defibrillators and following the presentation given by Sheriff Mark Harig set about to donate some money for this purpose. He introduced John King, President of the Eagles Club.

Mr. King presented a check to Sheriff Harig in the amount of $10,000.

Brad Niebuhr of the Albert Lea Ambulance Service brought a defibrillator before the Council and explained that they would like to provide 8-10 units for the Police Department and 4-6 for the County. The units will be placed in vehicles to provide emergency assistance to individuals having heart related problems. He also commented that there were some matching funds available.

City Manager Sparks explained that the Convention and Visitors Bureau has requested permission to hold a Christmas parade and other special events on Friday, November 29. Mr. Sparks asked Jill Koehler, the CVB Director, if it would be possible to leave Fountain Street open for traffic and use the north parking lot as a staging area. The City would then close Water, Washington and Broadway. Mrs. Koehler felt that this would be adequate space for the parade.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Erdman seconded, that the request of the CVB for a Christmas parade be authorized. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the parade authorized.

Mary Ellen Johnson appeared before the City Council on behalf of the Downtown Retail Association and Destination Albert Lea. She stated that the groups’ request is threefold. They are asking that the City continue the placement of a Christmas tree on an annual basis. The second request is for permission to place mini lights in the planter trees along Broadway and the third request is to continuously fly the American flags in the flag standards with the possibility of placing seasonal flags at such time as the Association and Destination Albert Lea are able to purchase them.

After additional discussion, Councilor Fjelstad moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that the requests of the Downtown Retail Association and Destination Albert Lea be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the requests approved.

City Manager Sparks reported that John Stevens has requested permission to place a bait shop trailer at Channel Park.

John Stevens, 810 Madison Avenue, appeared before the City Council. He told the Council that the Department of Natural Resources has no problem with the placement of the bait shop trailer and noted that the DNR requires that the trailer be placed on DNR property. He will place the trailer for the off-season months of November through February between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that the request to place the bait shop trailer at Channel Park be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the placement authorized.

City Manager Sparks noted that the church is requesting that the spots adjacent to the church on St. Mary Avenue and on Water Street be designated two hour parking and that three spots on Water be posted for 15 minute parking.

Dick Polley, 1704 Frank Hall Drive, explained that the church is serving the community in several ways and that the parking designations would permit more space for those participating in these activities including the ecumenical food pantry.

Councilor Erdman moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that the request of the Presbyterian Church for five parking stalls on St. Mary and four stalls on Water be designated two hour parking and that three stalls on Water be designated 15 minute parking. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the request approved.

City Manager Sparks explained that these ordinances accept the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning annexation orders for the Goette property in Section 18 of Albert Lea Township (Ordinance 67, 3d) and the Crossroads Evangelical Free Church property in Section 28 of Bancroft Township (Ordinance 68, 3d).

Councilor Amundson introduced Ordinances 67, 3d and 68, 3d. Ordinances 67, 3d and 68, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing according to Charter requirements.

(See Secretary’s Original Ordinances 67, 3d and 68, 3d included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks told the Council that this resolution approves a contract with Alliant Energy under the Shared Energy Savings Program. Alliant will provide the City with $185,000 at 1½ percent interest for a period of 60 months to carry out several energy conservation projects around the City including the installation of a rotary drum thickener at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and changing traffic signals to LED lights. He explained that this will pay for itself over a five-year period.

David Wentzel, Alliant Energy, told the Council that by approving this contract they are taking a proactive approach to energy conservation.

After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Erdman seconded, that Resolution 03-198, approving a contract with Alliant Energy for a Shared Savings Program, 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 03-198 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that the City had opened bids for the lift station to service the Crossroads Evangelical Free Church and the Freeborn County Shop (Job 0240). He noted that the bids came in higher than the engineer’s estimate because we underestimated the depth that the sanitary sewer had to be installed. He requested Council approval contingent upon renegotiating the contracts with the County and the Church to provide for the additional expense.

After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 03-199, approving the bid of Sorensen Bros., Inc. in the amount of $83,764.96 for Job 0240, 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 03-199 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks told the Council that the City had accepted quotations for disposition of sewage sludge. He explained that because of the molybdenum levels found in the sludge this year it is necessary to dispose of this sludge in a different manner. The only alternative allowed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is disposal of the sewage sludge in a lined landfill. City staff has been able to negotiate a lower rate with Steele County of $20 per ton for disposal and we would be able to use the City’s contractor for sludge disposal, Oyer Trucking, enabling the City to recoup some of the costs required under the three year contract with Oyer.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 03-200, authorizing a contract for sludge disposal at an estimated cost of $132,600 with the understanding that the staff will explore other options made available, 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 03-200 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this item is placed on the agenda for discussion. The City has received an offer to sell the Hanson Building from William Bjornnes for $220,000 until November 1, 2003. He noted that the appraised value of the property including the parking lot is $240,000.

Tim Miller, Manager of the Freeborn Holding Company Hanson Apartment Building, told the Council that there are 14 apartments in the building with 12 occupied and two occupied offices.

After Council discussion, Councilor Erdman moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that the acquisition of the Hanson Building be authorized. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of Resolution 03-201. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-201 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services has petitioned for annexation of property it owns in the NW ¼ NW ¼ of Section 12-T102N-R21W, formerly the Starlight Drive-Inn Theatre property. He noted that the township is aware of this petition and that the company is anxious to get this area developed.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 03-202, approving the orderly annexation of the Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services property in Section 12 of Albert Lea Township, 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 03-202 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Eaton:

(1)  Thanked the Fire Department for its Open House this past Saturday.

 

(2)  Thanked organizers and participants in the Big Island Rendezvous for a successful event.

First Ward, Councilor Amundson:

(1)  Has been received telephone calls relating to the leaf burning ban. The residents are requesting that the hours and the compost site area be expanded. City Engineer Olson told the Council that staff recommends extending hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and that the area is currently being expanded. Councilor Amundson requested additional Saturday hours and perhaps Sunday hours. City Engineer Olson told him that the staff must be trained by the MPCA and that the training is quite expensive. Councilor Amundson requested that the staff do anything within reason to accommodate the community.

Second Ward, Councilor Erdman:

(1)  Noted that the traffic lanes on First Avenue at West Main have only one set of directional arrows and that people are getting confused. He requested that another set of arrows be painted closer to the intersection.

(2)  Announced that Jill Koehler deserves a lot of credit for her work as the CVB Director.

Fourth Ward, Councilor Fjelstad:

(1)  Congratulated Perry Vining and the other organizers of the Big Island Rendezvous for a very successful event. He announced that this was the second largest event to date with 9,000 to 10,000 attendees and over 3500 children.

 

(2)  Requested the Council meeting be recessed and a Port Authority meeting be called. Mayor Eaton announced that the Council meeting was recessed at 8:30 p.m. The City Council meeting reconvened at 8:50 p.m.

Sixth Ward, Councilor Brooks:

(1)  Has also received calls relating to the leaf burning ban and believes that his questions were answered earlier.

Roger Bok, 1012 Cato Drive, asked how the Mayor can hold a special meeting under the open meeting laws without notice, told the Mayor that his road is supposed to be 30 feet wide, noted that the railroad boards are splitting on the Hawthorne crossing, the need for weed mowing in many areas around the City and why the striping has not been done on Railroad Avenue.

Steve Oman, 1706 Southeast Marshall, asked when the City Manager change will be effective, what the requirements are for the City Manager’s job, when the search for the new City Manager would begin, asked how Councilors Fjelstad and Amundson could meet in private under the Open Meeting Law and why this item wasn’t included on the agenda.

Don Sorensen, 72823 - 220^th Street, told the Council that their action was the most underhanded effort he has seen in 35 years.

Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Marin 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, October 27, 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 October 14, 2003.

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

Secretary of the Council                                                                         Mayor