Albert Lea, MN February 11, 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, Ron Sorenson, Mary
Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Bob Haukoos. Also
present were City Manager Paul T. Sparks, 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 MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2002.
(b) RESOLUTION 02-29 ADOPTED – APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION: Resolution 02-29 approves the Application for Authorization for Exemption from Lawful Gambling License from July 30 through August 4, 2002 from the Freeborn County Fantails to permit a raffle during the Freeborn County Fair.
(See Secretary's Original Resolution
02-29 included with these minutes.)
(c)
CALLS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE TRANSFER OF THE ON-SALE
INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSES FOR A TOUCH OF CLASS AT 137 EAST CLARK STREET FROM
LINDA CROM TO DAWN HANNA FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2002.
(d)
RESOLUTION 02-30 ADOPTED -
CLAIMS: Resolution 02-30
presents the financial claims of the City.
(See Secretary's Original Resolution
02-30 included with these minutes.)
Councilor Brooks
moved, Councilor McPherson
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.
AUTHORIZING DISCUSSIONS WITH BANCROFT
TOWNSHIP RELATING TO ANNEXATION
City
Manager Sparks explained that the Freeborn County Engineer has notified the City
of the County’s intent to expand the County Shop at 3300 Bridge Avenue and to
alert the City to future needs for sanitary sewer service to that area because
of the expansion as well as other planned construction in the area.
He informed the Council that annexation has been discussed earlier and
because of opposition to annexation, the matter was dropped. Now, due to potential development in the area, it may be
timely to pursue discussions again.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that City
staff be authorized to initiate discussions with Bancroft Township relating to
annexation and extension of utilities. On roll call vote, all councilors voted
in favor of said motion. Mayor
Haukoos declared the motion carried and discussions authorized.
CALLING
A HEARING FOR BOAT RENTAL BUSINESS
City
Manager Sparks explained that at the last Council meeting, David Berg requested
permission to use the City Beach for purposes of a boat rental business.
The City staff has investigated issues raised at that meeting.
Staff is recommending that Mr. Berg be required to provide the City with
liability insurance coverage and suggested that perhaps the Council may wish to
hold a public hearing to seek public input on the issue.
He noted that the many of the legal issues have been resolved but the
Council needs to address the operational issues.
David
Berg, Burnsville, told the Council that he intends to have four motorized boats
and two non-motorized boats for rent and that he intends to be open between the
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. each day.
He is requesting permission to store the boats at his residence intending
to deliver the boats to the beach when rented.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that a
public hearing be held to permit adjacent property owners an opportunity to
address the proposal including use of the south side of the beach for the rental
business and the storage at Mr. Berg’s residence.
Mr. Sorenson requested that individual residents adjacent to the areas in
question along Raymond, Johnson and Bridge be notified of the hearing.
On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the public hearing
authorized.
RESOLUTION 02-31 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FOR BLAZING STAR
TRAIL ACTIVITIES
City Manager Sparks told the Council that the City of
Austin, the other party in the Joint Powers Committee for the Blazing Star
Trail, has suggested that the City of Albert Lea and the City of Austin each put
$5000 into an account for miscellaneous purposes including drawings prepared by
Jones, Haugh & Smith that can be taken to the State for the purpose of
seeking support for the trail.
Councilor McPherson told the other members that at a
recent meeting of the Joint Powers Committee that a motion was made to invite
Freeborn County and the City of Hayward to membership in the Joint Powers group.
After Council discussion, Councilor
McPherson moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 02-31, authorizing
payment of $5000 into an account for miscellaneous purposes relating to the
Blazing Star Trail, 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
02-31
included with these minutes.)
MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED
Mayor Haukoos informed the Council that he has appointed Lois
Nelson-Olson as the Resident Member of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Advisory Board and Al Brooks to fill Ron Sorenson’s unexpired term on the Park
and Recreation Advisory Board.
Councilor Sorenson explained that
the purpose for his resignation from the Board was due to the fact that a new
meeting schedule had been released and that most dates were in conflict with his
schedule.
Councilor Marin moved, Councilor
Sorenson seconded, that the Mayor’s appointments be confirmed.
On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion with the
exception of Councilor Brooks who abstained.
Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the appointments confirmed.
RESOLUTION 02-32 ADOPTED – APPROVING A
CONTRACT WITH KAEDING & ASSOCIATES
City Manager Sparks told the Council that Fox Engineering Associates has recommended the City perform several instrumentation and flow measurement upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as the current instrumentation is outdated and does not provide accurate information and the upgrades would improve monitoring of the plant’s processes to ensure compliance with NPDES permit limitations and that Kaeding & Associates, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has submitted a proposal for a contract to provide professional services for the preparation of plans and specifications for improvements to the plant’s instrumentation and control system in conjunction with Fox Engineering Associates in the amount of $36,000.
After Council discussion, Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Kron
seconded, that Resolution 02-32 approving a contract with Kaeding &
Associates for engineering services for the preparation of plans and
specifications for improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s
instrumentation and control system in the amount of $36,000, be approved. On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of the
motion. Mayor Haukoos declared the
motion carried and the resolution adopted.
(See
Secretary’s Original Resolution
02-32
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-33 ADOPTED – ORDERING JOB 0217
City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution orders Job 0217, the
improvement of Todd Avenue from South Shore Drive to Ninth Street by replacement
of a six-inch watermain at an estimated City cost of $152,600.
He further explained that the Director of Public Works reports that the
watermain is 42 years old and has suffered a number of breaks which suggests
replacement of the entire 1400 foot line and that none of the cost would be
assessable.
After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Council Marin seconded,
that Resolution 02-33, ordering Job 0217, 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
02-33
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-34 ADOPTED – APPROVING
LEASES RELATING TO THE BLAZING STAR BIKE TRAIL
I & M Rail Link, LLC has submitted an Indefinite Term Lease No.
50,800,107 covering railroad right-of-way from Milepost 61.6 to 63.1 for the
purpose of a non-motorized recreational trail and a Consent to Sublease from the
City of Albert Lea to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be used
for the Blazing Star Bike Trail extension.
After Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Brooks
seconded, that Resolution 02-34, approving leases relating to the Blazing Star
Bike Trail, be approved.
Matt Benda, 1716 Gateway Drive, appeared before the Council commending
the City Manager and Council for its actions with regard to the trail.
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
02-34
included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 02-35 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF
BACKHOE
City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution authorizes the
purchase of a CAT 420D backhoe with options identified in the Council’s
background material. He noted that
the Utility and Park Departments keep the one we now own in constant use and the
City is renting equipment more often than is economical. The Purchasing Agent is
proposing that the CAT 420D can be purchased from Ziegler Caterpillar under the
State contract at a cost of $68,212.
After Council discussion, Councilor
Brooks moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 02-35, authorizing
the purchase of the CAT 420D Backhoe from Ziegler Caterpillar at a cost of
$68,212, 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
02-35
included with these minutes.)
CALL A HEARING FOR TRANSFER OF ON-SALE LIQUOR
LICENSES FOR ANDY’S ROADHOUSE BAR AND GRILL
City Manager Sparks told the Council that the applications for transfer
of the Sunday on-sale and on-sale intoxicating liquor licenses for Andy’s
Roadhouse Bar and Grill from Andy’s
Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor
McPherson seconded, that the transfer of the on-sale and Sunday on-sale
intoxicating liquor licenses for Andy’s Roadhouse from Andy’s Roadhouse Bar
and Grill, Inc. to Marvin Fuller be called to hearing on February 25, 2002.
On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the public hearing called.
UNLISTED ITEMS
WARD ITEMS
Third Ward, Councilor Marin:
(a)
Asked if the parking along Sibley School would be reinstated.
City Manager Sparks informed Councilor Marin that there would be no
change in parking until school is let out for the summer and that he was unsure
of the fall schedule. He noted that
there is a safety issue at that location with the loading and unloading of
children.
MEETING RECESSED AT 8:11 P.M.
City Manager Sparks asked that the meeting be recessed at this time to
permit a closed session with the City Council regarding a legal issue.
Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that the meeting
be recessed at this time. On roll
call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Mayor Haukoos declared the meeting recessed.
MEETING RECONVENED AT 8:43 P.M.
RESOLUTION 02-36 ADOPTED
– AUTHORIZING LEGAL ACTION
City
Manager Sparks explained that this resolution permits the City to pursue a
request to the District Court for specific performance of the supplemental
mediated agreement.
Councilor
Kron moved, Councilor Sorenson seconded, that Resolution 02-36, authorizing City
staff to pursue a request to the District Court for specific performance of the
supplemental mediated agreement, 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
02-36
included with these minutes.)
ADJOURNMENT – 8:45 P.M.
Councilor McPherson 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, February
25, 2002. On roll call vote, all
councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Filed and attested February 12,
2002.
________________________
_____________________________
Secretary of the Council Mayor