Albert Lea, MN                                                                                                     December 11, 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 representatives from KATE Radio and the Albert Lea Tribune.

CONSENT AGENDA

(a) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE COUNCIL MEETINGS OF NOVEMBER 8 AND 22, 2000 CANVASS, THE NOVEMBER 27, 2000 REGULAR MEETING AND THE DECEMBER 4, 2000 SPECIAL MEETING.

(b) LICENSES AND BONDS APPROVED:

Jeff Fjelstad d/b/a Aragon Bar, 130 W. College for the Armory December 9 and December 16

Al Weisert d/b/a Hy-Vee, 2708 N. Bridge, for the Armory December 9

(c) RESOLUTION 00-225 ADOPTED – APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION: Resolution 00-225 approves a Lawful Gambling Premise Permit Application for the Knights of Columbus Council #1590 at A Touch of Class, 137 E. Clark Street.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-225 included with these minutes.)

(d) RESOLUTION 00-226 ADOPTED – APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION: Resolution 00-226 approves a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Application for Exemption from Lawful Gambling License for the Southern Gateway Chapter/Minnesota Deer Hunters Association to conduct a raffle on September 25, 2001, at the Eagles Club, 205 W. William.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-226 included with these minutes.)

(e) CALLS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SUNDAY ON-SALE LIQUOR LICENSE TO A TOUCH OF CLASS, 137 E. CLARK, FOR DECEMBER 26, 2000.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-227 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Amundson 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.

TRUTH-IN-TAXATION HEARING SUBSEQUENT – 2001 ANNUAL BUDGET – PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Wangen announced that this is the final public hearing for compliance with Truth-In-Taxation for the 2001 Annual Budget. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on November 26, 2000.

There was no public discussion. Mayor Wangen closed the public hearing.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 00-228, accepting the 2001 Annual Budget as presented, 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

00-228 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 00-229, establishing the 2001 Tax Levy as presented, 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

00-229 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Wangen stated that the City has received a request from the Freeborn County Family Services Collaborative Interagency Early Intervention Committee Expansion Task Force for designation as the governance structure for the Freeborn County Interagency Early Intervention Committee and implementation of Minnesota Statutes 125A.023 and 125A.027.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00-230 included with these minutes.)

ORDINANCE 45, 3d ENACTED – AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 74 – PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Wangen opened a public hearing for Ordinance 45, 3d which amends City Code Chapter 74 which adds a definition for hotel to the zoning ordinance permitting extended stay uses of City hotels and motels. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on December 1, 2000.

There was no public discussion. After Council discussion and on roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of Ordinance 45, 3d. Mayor Wangen declared the ordinance enacted and the public hearing closed.

(See Secretary’s Original Ordinance

45, 3d included with these minutes.)

Mayor Wangen stated that as a result of the 2001 Budget and Tax Levy approval that it is necessary to appropriate funds for the 2001 fiscal year in the amount of $15,874,935.00.

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Mathison seconded, that Resolution 00-231, appropriating funds for fiscal year 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

00-231 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Wangen stated that this resolution sets the gross receipts tax for 2001 for natural gas sales and electricity sales made by Alliant Interstate Power, electricity sales made by Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services and cable sales made by Charter Communications in the City of Albert Lea between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2001 at five percent.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00-232 included with these minutes.)

MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED

Mayor Wangen requested Council confirmation of the following appointments to various Boards and Commissions:

PARK & RECREATION

Kevin Dulitz (re-appointment)

Davis Gilbertson (re-appointment)

Jan Mattson (re-appointment)

ADVISORY PLANNING COMMISSION

Janet Birkhofer (re-appointment)

Anthony Samudio, Jr. (re-appointment)

Dick Polley (Chair) (re-appointment)

AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD

Jerry Morstad (re-appointment)

Carroll Sorenson (re-appointment)

Russ Anderson (re-appointment)

LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD

Jane Saunders (re-appointment)

Del Stein (re-appointment)

Apryl Gorton (new appointment)

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Joyce Erickson Olson (re-appointment)

HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Mary Kron (re-appointment)

Marilyn Tomczak (re-appointment)

Al Brooks (new appointment)

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Lupe Gasca (re-appointment)

Nancy Hockenberry (re-appointment)

Patti Hareid (new appointment)

JoAnn Barr (new appointment)

Diane Landaas (new appointment)

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Mathison seconded, that the appointments presented by Mayor Wangen be confirmed. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the appointments confirmed.

City Manager Sparks explained that the City Council requested County transfer for control of Richway Drive and County State Aid Highway 20 to a point just north of I-90 in Resolution 99-220. At its November 16, 2000 meeting, the County Board asked that the City take control and responsibility for a longer segment of roadway, that portion of the Bath Road from I-90 up to County Road 14. This would require additional snowplowing and maintenance and because of the condition of the roadway an expenditure for repair or reconstruction. He noted that adding the additional segment brings into question the value of taking that segment of Richway Drive and the Bath Road. The County Engineer has asked the City’s intentions as to whether the segment in its entirety will be accepted. The City Manager is recommending that the Council withdraw its original resolution effectively relinquishing control of that section of Richway Drive and the Bath Road originally requested to a point north of I-90. This would permit the County Engineer to program the segment for future construction and free up the City’s state aid funding for distribution to other projects.

After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 00-233, withdrawing Resolution 99-220 relating to control of County State Aid Highway 20 and Richway Drive, 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

00-233 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution establishes the non-union salaries for City employees for 2001. He noted that the salaries are basically set at 3.25 percent over the previous year and that this increase is in keeping with settlements for employees covered by the bargaining units. He noted that certain employees had received increases over the 3.25 percent for exemplary service and for previously established agreements.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Mathison seconded, that Resolution 00-234, establishing non-union salaries 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

00-234 included with these minutes.)

After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 00-235, accepting the bid of VanBergen and Markson for the year 2000 Ballast and Pin Socket Purchase for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $114,800.00, 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

00-235 included with these minutes.)

UNLISTED ITEMS

Mayor Wangen stated that the City Clerk has requested the issuance of Certificates of Appreciation to the High School students recently serving at the general election. He announced that the students serving as election judges on November 7 were Nick Cunningham, Angie Davis, Michael Goodwin and Kristin Halverson. He noted that Nick Cunningham was in attendance and acknowledged his service.

The City Clerk thanked Mr. Cunningham and the other students participating. She noted that she hoped we continued to experience working with these students.

WARD ITEMS

Fourth Ward, Councilor Sorenson:

a) Stated that he had been contacted by fishermen using the channel area regarding parking along Front Street. He noted that fishermen are requesting permission to park on Front Street to permit access to the channel on both sides of Front Street. He noted that the ice under the bridge is not always safe and that the fishermen would be able to access both sides of the roadway.

City Manager Sparks stated that the City could cover the no parking signs for the winter season.

City Engineer Olson noted that MN/DOT would require no parking again next summer.

ADJOURNMENT – 7:57 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 Tuesday, December 26, 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 December 12, 2000.

________________________                                                                     _____________________________

Secretary of the Council                                                                                     Mayor