Albert Lea, MN                                                                              November 27, 2000

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 Marvin Wangen.

ROLL CALL

Present were Councilors Warren Amundson, David McPherson, Donald Mathison, Ron Sorenson, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Marvin Wangen. Also present were City Manager Paul Sparks, Public Works Director David Olson, City Attorney Steven Schwab, Council Secretary Sandi Behrens and a representative from the Albert Lea Tribune.

CONSENT AGENDA

(a) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 2000.

(b) LICENSES AND BONDS APPROVED:

Linda Crom d/b/a A Touch of Class, 137 E. Clark St.

Linda Crom d/b/a A Touch of Class, 137 E. Clark St.

Linda Crom d/b/a A Touch of Class, 137 E. Clark St.

Schweigert Foods, 702 13^th St., for the Armory December 16

Wendy Ackland, Freeborn, for the Armory November 25

Jeff Fjelstad d/b/a Aragon Bar, 130 W. College, for the Armory November 25

(c) RESOLUTION 00-214 ADOPTED – APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION: Resolution 00-214 approves an Application for Exempt Permit for the St. Theodore’s Catholic Church Parrish Center, 323 E. Clark Street, for a raffle on February 10, 2001.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-214 included with these minutes.)

(d) RESOLUTION 00-215 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 00-215 presents the financial claims of the City.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-215 included with these minutes.)

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

Mayor Wangen opened a public hearing for the adoption of Miscellaneous Assessments Roll 27. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on November 3, 2000. There was no public discussion.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-216 included with these minutes.)

ON-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE APPROVED – A TOUCH OF CLASS – PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Wangen opened a public hearing for the approval of an on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Linda Crom, A Touch of Class, at 137 E. Clark Street. The necessary notice for the hearing was published on November 17, 2000.

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that the Application for On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license from Linda Crom d/b/a A Touch of Class at 137 E. Clark Street, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried, the license approved and the public hearing closed.

REQUEST TO USE LAKEVIEW PARK FOR SOCCER TOURNAMENT APPROVED

Mayor Wangen stated that the City had received a request from the Albert Lea Youth Soccer Association for permission to use the Lakeview Park fields for a soccer tournament to be held in the summer of 2001.

Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the request of the Albert Lea Youth Soccer Association for the use of Lakeview Park fields for a summer 2001 soccer tournament, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the park usage authorized.

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that Resolution 00-217 accepting the results of the Municipal General Election on November 7, 2000, be approved as presented. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-217 included with these minutes.)

SECOND DECEMBER COUNCIL MEETING DATE CHANGED

Mayor Wangen stated that the Council’s regular meeting for December falls on Christmas Day and stated that the Council would need to designate the following Tuesday as the regular meeting date. Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the Council’s second meeting in December be held on December 26, 2000. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the date changed.

ORDINANCE 45, 3d INTRODUCED – AMENDING ZONING CODE FOR EXTENDED STAY HOTELS

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron introduced Ordinance 45, 3d which amends Section 74.2 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance by adding a provision to permit extended stay hotels and motels in the City. Ordinance 45, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing pursuant to Charter requirements.

(See Secretary's Original Ordinance

45, 3d included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this Resolution adopts an amendment to the Transportation Section of the Comprehensive Plan to provide for a change in the circulation system of the City by providing an arterial system parallel to I-35 and around the I-35/TH16 interchange. The amendment opens an opportunity for developers to make plans based on an identified access system and for MN/DOT to consider participation in these transportation elements. He noted that the Planning Commission has recommended Council approval of this resolution.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that Resolution 00-218 amending the Transportation Plan for the City, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-218 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks reported that this resolution approves the Comparable Worth Report for 2000. He explained that with this report we are currently in compliance with comparable worth rules.

Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 00-219 approving the Comparable Worth Report, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-219 included with these minutes.)

This resolution approves the rental agreement with the Albert Lea Hockey Association. Ice time rentals will be $100 per hour for prime time and $70 per hour for non-prime. The anticipated rental will be 700 hours and the terms and conditions remain the same as in previous years.

Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 00-220 approving the contract with the Albert Lea Hockey Association, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-220 included with these minutes.)

This resolution approves an amended compensation plan for part-time firefighters by increasing the monthly compensation for training by $15 per month. The emergency response payment will not be increased. It has been four years since the monthly compensation for part-time firefighters has been adjusted.

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 00-221 amending the part-time firefighters compensation plan, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-221 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution sets the fees for the coming year. The recommended amounts are those requested by the various City departments.

Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Mathison seconded, that Resolution 00-222 approving the fees for 2001, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-222 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution calls for a public hearing for Job 2009, Cracking, Sealing and Bituminous Overlay of Stevens Street, Job 2016, Bituminous Overlay in the Northeast area of the City, and Job 2017, Bituminous Overlay of Clark Street from Bridge Avenue to Main Street. He noted that the projects are complete and that the final payments have been made on these projects and the jobs are currently ready for final assessment. The recommended hearing date is December 26.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-223 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution increases the health insurance rates for the coming year. He noted that the City will monitor the rates carefully to assure that the claims history does not increase more rapidly than anticipated. If necessary the City can revisit the rate structure to determine if a more substantial increase is necessary for the 2002 year.

After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Mathison seconded, that Resolution 00-224 authorizing a health insurance rate increase for 2001, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-224 included with these minutes.)

UNLISTED ITEMS

Mayor Wangen clarified the Council’s December schedule as follows: Monday, December 4 at 7:00 P.M. is the Truth-In-Taxation Initial Hearing; Monday December 11 is the Council’s regular meeting and the Truth-In-Taxation Hearing Subsequent; and Tuesday, December 26 is the last regular meeting in December.

ADJOURNMENT – 7:52 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, December 11, 2000. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

Filed and attested November 28, 2000.

________________________                                         _____________________________

Secretary of the Council                                                     Mayor