Albert Lea, MN
December 23, 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, on
Sorenson, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Bob Haukoos. Also present were City
Manager Paul T. Sparks, Public Works Director David R. Olson, Council Secretary
Sandi Behrens and representatives from KATE Radio, the Albert Lea Tribune, and
KAAL-TV.
The City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilor Marin recited
the Serenity Prayer.
CONSENT AGENDA
(a) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 2002.
(b) RESOLUTION 02-270 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 02-270 presents
the financial claims of the City.
(See Secretary's Original
Resolution 02-270 included with these minutes.)
Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Amundson 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 02-271 ADOPTED - POLICE AND FIRE PENSION FUNDS - PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing for the proposed allocation of interest
earned from the Police and Fire pension funds. The necessary notice for this
hearing was published on December 12, 2002.
After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that
Resolution 02-271, allocating the interest from the
police and fire pension fund to reduce the general fund cost for the fire
department and police department respectively based on relative earnings with
the additional money in the general fund to be used for the development of a
water plant and well security system, replacement of the storm alarm units,
replacement of the jaws of life rescue system and the remainder allocated to the
downtown tax increment project, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors
voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried, the
resolution adopted and the public hearing closed.
(See Secretary's Original Resolution 02-271 included with these minutes.)
ORDINANCE 56, 3D ENACTED - AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 74 RELATING TO ACCESSORY
BUILDINGS - PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing for Ordinance 56, 3d, amending the zoning
ordinance relating to accessory buildings and structures in residential
districts. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on December 12,
2002.
After Council discussion and on roll call vote, all Councilors voted in
opposition to Ordinance 56, 3d. Mayor Haukoos declared the Ordinance defeated
and the public hearing closed.
(See Secretary's Original Ordinance 56, 3d included with these minutes.)
MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Haukoos presented the following list of new appointments and
reappointments for 2003 to various City boards and commissions for Council
confirmation:
PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD (3-year term)
Heather Benda 1716 Gateway Drive
Reappointment
Thelma Foss 343 East Third Street
Reappointment
Greg Deyak 1021 Skylark Lane
New Appointment
(replacing Ray Madrigal)
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION (3-year term)
Paul Overgaard 1728 Bay Oaks Drive
Reappointment
Rachel Christensen 1126 Shore Acres Drive
Reappointment
Woody Hestness 202 Riviera Drive
Reappointment
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD (3-year term)
Don Petran 1212 Cedar Avenue
Reappointment
Bill Koza 1014 Cedar Avenue
Reappointment
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD (3-year term)
Richard VanderWaerdt 1434 Martin Road
Reappointment
Kristen McGivern 615 Grace Street
New Appointment
(replacing Veda Harris)
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS (5-year term)
Tim Hovde 1110 West Richway Drive
New Appointment
(replacing Derald Morfitt)
HUMAN RIGHTS COMISSION (3-year term)
Gary Williams 208 McArthur Drive
Reappointment
Diane Landaas 111 North Third Avenue
Reappointment
Dale Peterson 1909 Lakewood Avenue
New Appointment
(replacing Yolanda Martinez)
Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the above-listed
Mayor's appointments and reappointments be confirmed. On roll call vote, all
Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Haukoos declared the motion
carried and the appointments confirmed.
RESOLUTION 02-272 ADOPTED - AUTHORIZING TIF DISTRICT FUND TRANSFERS
City Manager Sparks explained that it is necessary to make specific transfers of
tax increment funds to the General Fund to repay advances and to the Bond Fund
to make bond payments during the coming year.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded,
that the transfer of Tax Increment Finance District funds be authorized as
presented. 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 02-272 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-273 ADOPTED - AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR FUNDING
City Manager Sparks reported that this resolution authorizes an application to
the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for the First Time Home Buyer Loan
Program. He noted that the City has participated in this program in the past
and recommended the City make application again this year.
After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Kron seconded,
that Resolution 02-273, authorizing an application for funding to the Minnesota
Housing Finance Agency for the First Time Home Buyer Loan Program, 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 02-273 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-274 ADOPTED - GRANTING VARIANCES TO FREEBORN COUNTY
City Manager Sparks explained that the County has requested several variances to
accommodate the new construction of the Criminal Justice Center. They are
requesting a variance to permit the construction of steps, a landing and
building footings within the alley right-of-way south of the proposed center and
a variance to permit the installation of telephone cable ducts under the
sidewalk on Newton Avenue. He noted that both variances are recommended by the
Engineering Department.
After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that
Resolution 02-274, granting variances to Freeborn County, 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 02-274 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-275 ADOPTED - APPROVING ICE TIME CONTRACT WITH I.S.D 241
City Manager Sparks told the Council that this resolution approves an ice time
contract for the 2002-2003 hockey season at the City Arena.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded,
that Resolution 02-275, approving the ice time contract with I.S.D. 241, 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 02-275 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-276 ADOPTED - AUTHORIZING YEAR-END BUDGET TRANSFERS
City Manager Sparks explained that it is necessary to transfer funds to balance
certain budgets due to unforeseen expenditures during the past year.
After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded,
that Resolution 02-276, authorizing various budget transfers 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 02-276 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-277 ADOPTED - APPROVING CONTRACT WITH ALLIANT ENERGY
City Manager Sparks reported that Alliant Energy has presented a proposed
contract with Interstate Power & Light Company for an energy savings program at
the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He noted that the energy savings will be the
installation of methane conversion generators which will allow the City to lower
its energy cost.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded,
that Resolution 02-277, authorizing a contract with Interstate Power & Light
Company, 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 02-277 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-278 ADOPTED - CLOSING TIF DISTRICT 8-1
City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution authorizes the closure of Tax
Increment Finance District 8-1, the district established for Michael Development
on Highway 13. Because the property was never developed, it is necessary to
close the district and authorize that the General Fund advance of $8095 be
written off.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded,
that Resolution 02-278, closing Tax Increment Finance District 8-1 and writing
off the fund advance to the district, 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 02-278 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-279 ADOPTED - AUTHORIZING PROPOSAL TO QUALITY PORK PROCESSORS
City Manager Sparks reported that he is requesting authorization to submit a
proposal to Quality Pork Processors for the construction of a pork processing
plant in Albert Lea. The project will be done in conjunction with the Port
Authority and will require City approval. Part of the process will include a
proposal for tax increment financing for the acquisition of the land and
supporting and authorizing the Port Authority issuance of bonds for the
construction of the building. Quality Pork would provide a lease that would be
co-terminus with the bond debt and at the end of the 15-year bond period the
company will own the plant. Greater Jobs, Inc. owns the property and will sell
the property to the tax increment district and receive its money over the life
of the district.
After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Marin seconded,
that Resolution 02-279, authorizing a proposal to Quality Pork Processors for
the construction of a pork processing plant in Albert Lea as outlined 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 proposal
authorized.
(See Secretary's Original Resolution 02-279 included with these minutes.)
UNLISTED ITEMS
WARD ITEMS
First Ward, Councilor Amundson:
(a) Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Second Ward, Councilor McPherson:
(a) Thanked the residents of the Second Ward for permitting him to serve as
their City Councilor over the past eight years. He enjoyed his term on the
Council. He also commented that the City employs very conscientious,
responsible people.
Third Ward, Councilor Marin:
(a) Thanked the retiring Council members and Mayor for their service to
Albert Lea.
(b) Thanked City Engineer Olson and City Manager Sparks for their work
during the year commenting that much of Paul's work is often behind the scenes
and not always recognized by the general public.
(c) Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Fourth Ward, Councilor Sorenson:
(a) Thanked the residents of the Fourth and Fifth Wards for permitting his
service to the City over the past 16 years. He noted
that the city has come together numerous times over those years to overcome
various problems, citing the Wilson closure, and thanked City Manager Sparks for
all the work he has done over the years with relation to that project. He also
acknowledged the many new industries and expansions in the community.
(b) Thanked the various City departments noting that the City has excellent
employees.
Fifth Ward, Councilor Kron:
(a) Commented that the three retiring Council members will be missed.
Sixth Ward, Councilor Brooks:
(a) Asked that a dumpster be placed at the channel instead of the garbage
cans currently at that site.
Mayor Haukoos:
(a) Thanked the citizens and employees of Albert Lea for permitting him to
serve a two-year term as Mayor.
(b) Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
SWEARING IN CEREMONIES
City Clerk Sandi Behrens administered the Oath of Office to Second Ward
Councilor Randy Erdman, Fourth Ward Councilor Jeff Fjelstad, Sixth Ward
Councilor Al Brooks and Mayor Jean Eaton.
These Councilors and Mayor were elected at the City's
municipal general election on November 5, 2002 and the terms are effective
January 1, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT - 8:11 P.M.
Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor McPherson 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, January 13, 2003. 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 24, 2002.
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Secretary of the Council
Mayor[Previous City Council Minutes]