Albert Lea, MN
December 10, 2001
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.
Present were Councilors Warren Amundson, David McPherson,
George Marin, Ron Sorenson, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Bob Haukoos.
Also present were City Manager Paul Sparks, 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 NOVEMBER 26, 2001.
(b) LICENSES
APPROVED:
ANNUAL LICENSE
FOOD/BEVERAGE
Comfort
Inn, 810 Happy Trails Lane
SWIMMING
POOL
Comfort
Inn, 810 Happy Trails Lane
HOTEL/MOTEL
Comfort
Inn, 810 Happy Trails Lane
(c) RESOLUTION
01-263 ADOPTED – APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION:
Resolution 01-263 approves a lawful gambling application for the
American Legion Club at 142 North Broadway.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-263 included with these minutes.)
(d) RESOLUTION
01-264 ADOPTED – AMENDING DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Resolution 01-264 authorizes an amendment to the Deferred
Compensation Plan through ICMA Retirement Corporation required as a result of
changes in the internal revenue code.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-264 included with these minutes.)
(e) CALLS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE GUEST HOUSE INN ON-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR AND SUNDAY LIQUOR LICENSES FROM DUTTS LLC TO AEL CORPORATION FOR DECEMBER 20, 2001.
(f) RESOLUTION
01-265
ADOPTED – TERMINATING T.I.F. DISTRICT 5-3:
Resolution 01-265 authorizes the termination of collection of tax
increments from Tax Increment Financing District No. 5-3.
(See Secretary's Original Resolution
01-265
included with these
minutes.)
(g)
RESOLUTION 01-266 ADOPTED – TRANSFERRING T.I.F. FUNDS:
Resolution 01-266 authorizes the transfer of various tax increment
funds to repay advances from the General Fund or to provide funds for the T.I.F.
bond issue.
(See
Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-266
included with these minutes.)
(h) RESOLUTION 01-267 ADOPTED – APPROVING MINNESOTA
FESTIVAL THEATRE CONTRACT: Resolution
01-267 approves a contract with Minnesota Festival Theatre for its coming season
for three plays.
(See
Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-267
included with these minutes.)
(i) RESOLUTION 01-268
ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING MN DOT AGREEMENT FOR DETOUR ROUTE:
Resolution 01-268 authorizing an agreement with the Minnesota
Department of Transportation for use of City streets as a detour route.
(See
Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-268
included with these minutes.)
(j)
RESOLUTION 01-269 ADOPTED – CLAIMS:
Resolution 01-269 presents the financial claims of
the City.
(See Secretary's Original Resolution
01-269
included with these minutes.)
After Council discussion,
Councilor Brooks
moved, Councilor Marin
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.
RESOLUTION 01-270 ADOPTED –
APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF CHAPEAU SHORES 8TH
ADDITION
After Council discussion,
Councilor Marin moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that Resolution 01-270,
approving the preliminary and final plat of Chapeau Shores 8th
Addition, 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
01-270 included with these
minutes.)
RESOLUTION 01-271 ADOPTED –
CALLING
A PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDER TO DEMOLISH THE STRUCTURES AT THE
FARMLAND FOODS SITE
City Manager explained that the City staff has
communicated with Farmland Foods over the past several years leading up to the
fire in July 2001 expressing concern about the condition of buildings on the
property and as a result of the fire,
the concern has elevated and now constitute hazardous conditions that are of
danger to the public safety and the community health as well as constituting a
public nuisance. He noted that the
City Council retained the services of Short-Elliott-Hendrickson to conduct an
environmental assessment of the area and as a result of this assessment SEH
concluded that the City proceed with demolition of the stockyards and rendering
area prior to completion of their evaluation.
The
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has informed the City that the release of
asbestos on the existing site
as a result
of the fire
has made
that site
now eligible for the MPCA
The City Manager finds that
approximately 75 percent of the buildings located at the site are hazardous,
dangerous, dilapidated and environmentally polluted and, based upon the
aggregate of information accumulated to-date has recommended that the City
Council call a public hearing for the purpose of reviewing evidence on whether
or not the site should either be reconstructed or all buildings demolished.
After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Kron
seconded, that a public hearing shall be called for the January 14, 2002 regular
meeting to review evidence on whether or not the Farmland Foods site should be
reconstructed or demolished. On
roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of the motion.
Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried, the resolution adopted and the
public hearing called.
(See
Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-271
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-272 ADOPTED – ACCEPTING THE 2002 ANNUAL BUDGET
City
Manager Sparks recommended approval of the 2002 budget as outlined in the
resolution presented for Council consideration.
He noted two changes. Senior
Resources requested funding in the amount of $3500 towards a new bus. The group will save the remaining funds necessary to purchase
the new bus. Due to changes in the
funding by the Legislature, the City’s obligation would be reduced by $15,000,
which will provide a source for the $3500 requested.
Also, the Convention and Visitors Bureau requested $144,000 as their
portion of the three-percent room tax collection and Mr. Sparks commented that,
based on revenues received through December, the net tax receipts will be
$128,000. He is recommending that
the CVB budget be set at $128,000.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that
Resolution 01-272, accepting the 2002 Annual Budget with changes noted, 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
01-272
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-273 ADOPTED – APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR 2002
City
Manager Sparks noted that this resolution appropriates funds for 2002 in the
total amount of $17,043,051. This
appropriation provides funds to carry out the activities approved in the 2002
budget.
(See
Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-273
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-274 ADOPTED – ESTABLISHING 2002 TAX LEVY
City
Manager Sparks explained that he is recommending the total 2002 certified levy
be established at $1,375,000.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Council Brooks seconded, that
Resolution 01-274, establishing the 2002 tax levy at $1,375,000, 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
01-274
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-275 ADOPTED – APPROVING NON-UNION SALARIES FOR 2002
City
Manager Sparks explained that he is making recommendation for non-union salaries
for 2002. He noted that most of the
salaries were increased by the same rate as in union contracts, 3.25%.
Councilor
Kron moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 01-275, approving
non-union salaries for 2002 as recommended by the City 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
01-275
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-276 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYEE RULES RELATING TO SICK
LEAVE
City
Manager Sparks informed the Council that he is recommending an amendment to
Section 6, Subsection C (8) of the Employee Rules be changed to increase
severance at the time of retirement from 40 percent to 50 percent of unused sick
leave, as was previously approved in the public works and fire contracts.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that
Resolution 01-276, authorizing an amendment to Employee Rules relating to sick
leave, 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
01-276
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-277 ADOPTED – DESIGNATING STREET CONSTRUCTION FUNDS
City
Manager Sparks recommended that the Council designate $3,000,000 in the
Unappropriated Fund Balance of the General Fund for use in street construction
during 2002 and 2003, establishing our intent for these funds.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that
Resolution 01-277, designating $3,000,000 for use in street construction during
2002 and 2003, 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
01-277
included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE
50, 3d INTRODUCED – VACATING ALLEY IN BLOCK 2, ORIGINAL PLAT
City
Manager Sparks explained that this ordinance vacates an alley in the block of
the former East Clinic site reserving an easement for underground utilities.
Councilor
McPherson introduced Ordinance 50, 3d to vacate the alley in Block 2, Original
Plat, reserving an easement for underground utilities.
Ordinance 50, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing
pursuant to Charter requirements.
(See
Secretary’s Original Ordinance
50, 3d
included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE
51, 3d INTRODUCED – ACCEPTING STATE ANNEXATION ORDERS
City
Manager Sparks explained that this ordinance accepts the annexations orders from
the Minnesota Office of Strategic and Long Range Planning for properties in
Sections 10 and 11 including the Chadwick properties and the Haroldson property.
Councilor
Kron introduced Ordinance 51, 3d, accepting the State annexation orders.
Ordinance 51, 3d will lay over for a second reading and public hearing
pursuant to Charter requirements.
(See
Secretary’s Original Ordinance
51, 3d
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-278 ADOPTED – ACCEPT PROPOSAL TO UPDATE CITY CENTER HEATING SYSTEM WITH
TANDEM BOILER
City
Manager Sparks informed the Council that the staff has been looking into ways to
make the City Center’s heating system more efficient.
We currently have one large boiler which is more than adequate to heat
the building at any time during the winter, however, the boiler is quite large
and will heat the building when we need a minimal temperature increase or a
maximum temperature increase. In
the Honeywell proposal, a small tandem boiler would be installed in the system
to operate during minimal heating times requiring far less natural gas
consumption during the spring and fall.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that
Resolution 01-278, accepting the proposal of Honeywell at a cost of $61,219 to
update the City Center heating system with a tandem boiler.
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
01-278
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-279 ADOPTED – APPROVING BID FOR SEWER CAMERA AND TRAILER
City
Manager Sparks explained that the City had accepted bids for a sewer camera and
trailer to replace our old sewer camera. He
noted that the low bidder was Cues Equipment of Orlando, Florida in the amount
of $64,455. He explained that the
City staff uses the camera to televise sewers to see where we have problems in
mains and to perform regularly scheduled inspections.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that
Resolution 01-279, approving the bid of Cues Equipment for a sewer camera and
trailer at a cost of $64,455, 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
01-279
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-280 ADOPTED – APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR OSHA TRAINING
City
Manager Sparks informed the Council that this resolution approves a contract
with SafeAssure Consultants to provide a year of OSHA training for the City’s
employees. Because of stringent and ever-changing rules, it is very
difficult to provide training internally and attendance at seminars is costly
and time-consuming. SafeAssure has
proposed to provide training for City personnel in Albert Lea for $7956 for
2002. The training and
recordkeeping will assist us in complying with OSHA’s rules.
Councilor
Sorenson questioned whether other smaller companies could be included in the
training program. City Manager
Sparks responded that he would contact SafeAssure to ask about this possibility
and the procedure.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that
Resolution 01-280, approving a contract with SafeAssure for OSHA training in
2002 at a cost of $7956, 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
01-280
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-281 ADOPTED – APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR STREET LIGHTING
City
Manager Sparks explained that the City needs to install street lighting in the
Home Depot area. He noted that the
staff has discussed this matter with Alliant Energy and have concluded that
Alliant does not want to install the lights at its expense.
The lighting is necessary with the development occurring in the area and
would also enhance the appearance of the area.
Alliant Energy has agreed to a contract for installation in the amount of
$73,450.
Council
discussion centered around payment for the street lighting, when the lighting
would be installed and the type of equipment to be used.
City Manager Sparks told the Council that they could approve the project
and call a public hearing for an assessment for the street lighting at a later
date. City Engineer Olson stated
that the lighting would be on fiberglass poles, 27 feet tall, gray in color with
6-foot mast arms, 150-watt high pressure sodium light, similar to that used in
the North Bridge Avenue area. He is
recommending that the lighting be staggered so that there would be a street
light every 150 feet along the centerline of the street.
He also explained that a couple of the lights would be installed yet this
year with the remainder to be installed in the spring.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that
Resolution 01-281, approving a contract with Alliant Energy in the amount of
$73,450 for the installation of street lighting in the Home Depot area with no
public hearing called, 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
01-281
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION
01-282 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH MN DOT FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND
LIGHTING AT WEST MAIN AND FIRST AVENUE
City
Manager Sparks explained that this resolution approves a contract with MN DOT
for traffic signals and lighting at the intersection of West Main and First
Avenue. The City’s estimated share would be $106,650 which will be
provided by Municipal State Aid.
Miles
Pechacek, 324 East William, spoke in opposition to the installation.
Patrick
Corrigan, 814 Frank Hall Drive, spoke in favor of the installation.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that
Resolution 01-282, authorizing an agreement with MN DOT for traffic signals and
lighting, 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
01-282
included with these minutes.)
UNLISTED
ITEMS
WARD
ITEMS
First
Ward, Councilor Amundson:
(a)
Asked whether the staff had had an opportunity to check into burning
options. Mr. Sparks stated that the
only alternative would be to ban burning. We
already limit the dates and times. Picking
up leaves may be an alternative. The
City Manager stated that he would put together a report.
Third
Ward, Councilor Marin:
(a)
Congratulated Sandi Behrens
and Rhonda Krcil for their achievements.
Fourth
Ward, Councilor Sorenson:
(a)
Explained that he had received a report prepared by the City Engineer
relating to parking in the alley between the vacated Pillsbury Avenue and
Garfield Avenue and his original belief that one side of the alley should be
posted for no parking. Upon review
earlier today, he moved to remove parking on the east side of the alley to a
point 100 feet north of East Main Street. Councilor
Kron seconded the motion. 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
01-283
included with these minutes.)
ADJOURNMENT – 8:27 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
Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 5:30 p.m. 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 December 11,
2001.
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