Albert Lea, MN
February 26, 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.
ROLL CALL
Present were Councilors Warren Amundson, David McPherson, George Marin, Ron Sorenson, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Bob Haukoos. Also present were Assistant City Manager William L. Schmitt, 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 MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 2001.
(b)
LICENSES AND BONDS APPROVED:
ANNUAL LICENSE
Melanie L. Holmes d/b/a
Albert Lea Tobacco, 1601 W. Main Street
TEMPORARY LICENSE
Luis Alvarez, 2400 Clayton
Avenue, for the Knights of Columbus on March 17 and March 24
(See Secretary's Original Resolution
01-52
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 Haukoos declared the motion carried and the consent agenda items
adopted.
Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing for Job 2001, the proposed improvement on Fountain Street, Park Avenue to St. Mary Avenue by street reconstruction and Fountain Street from St. Mary Avenue to Newton Avenue by pavement repair at an estimated cost of $477,100. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on January 28, 2001.
Michael Miller, 303 W. Fountain, appeared before
the City Council objecting to the large assessment to his property.
He doesn’t feel that his property will benefit in the amount of the
$1700 assessment against it. He
feels that the improvement will only increase traffic flow on his street.
Mayor Haukoos responded that the assessment is only 5 ½ percent of the cost of the project with the remaining 94.5 percent being paid by State Aids. He also noted that Mr. Miller has a side-yard credit included on his bill.
Council discussion centered around the fact that
the City’s policy is to assess adjacent properties for any street
improvements, a discussion relating to the 25 year guarantee for the street and
the obvious need for the improvement.
Bill Leland, owner of the property at 326 W.
Fountain, questioned whether this is an arbitrary assessment or how the City
came up with the percentages. City
Engineer Olson explained the City’s procedure for assessing adjacent
properties noting that the center section of the roadway is paved through State
Aids.
After
Council discussion, Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Sorenson seconded, that
Resolution 01-53, ordering the improvement and preparation of plans for Job
2001, 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
01-53 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 01-54 ADOPTED – ADOPTING MISCELLANEOUS ASSESSMENTS ROLL 28 – PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing for the adoption of Miscellaneous Assessments Roll 28. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on February 2, 2001. There was no public discussion.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that
Resolution 01-54, adopting Miscellaneous Assessments Roll 28, 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
01-54 included with these minutes.)
RECONSIDERATION
OF HARRIET LANE PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Mayor
Haukoos explained that the City had received a request from Bob Scrabek, a
resident on Harriet Lane, requesting that he be placed on the agenda to address
the Harriet Lane parking restrictions.
Bob
Scrabek, 508 Harriet Lane, appeared before the City Council.
Mr. Scrabek presented a petition with 13 signatures requesting that the
seasonal parking restriction on Harriet Lane be removed.
He noted that the “no parking” zone is an inconvenience to residents
and guests and that the signers have agreed to voluntarily support a snow
emergency plan where all residents and guests would remove vehicles from the
street for 24 hours following an ice storm or snowfall of more than one inch.
Jean
Hendrickson, 417 Park Avenue, appeared before the City Council requesting that
parking be restored to the north side of Harriet Lane noting that they have no
parking available around her property.
Kevin
Siefken, 512 Harriet Lane, noted that there must be some compromise.
Voluntary no parking would only encourage hospital employees to park
along Harriet Lane. He suggested
posting the street for no parking Monday through Friday 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. which
would permit enough time for snow removal crews to access the street during the
daytime hours and permit the residents to park on the street at night.
Vickie
Hise, 525 Harriet Lane, appeared before the City Council in favor of no parking.
She stated that the improvement to the street with no parking has been a
definite asset. She noted that her
husband had passed away in January and that the ambulance could not get to her
house.
Amy
Kennedy, 515 Harriet Lane, commented that she rents the property and that she is
in favor of no parking.
Mike
Murtaugh, 511 Harriet Lane, presented a petition with seven signatures in
support of the parking restrictions.
Bill
Robertson, 800 Fourth Avenue South, told the Council that his fiancé lives on
Harriet Lane and that it is difficult to park in the area with the restrictions.
He requested some compromise.
Councilor
McPherson stated that the parking restriction ordered at the last meeting was a
compromise and he doesn’t feel any other action is necessary.
Councilor
Marin noted that he had driven down the street and it looked as though every
house has off-street parking.
Mike
Murtaugh, 511 Harriet Lane, noted that people living on Harriet Lane have
off-street parking. He has a
single-car garage with three vehicles and that the parking restriction is worth
the inconvenience.
Jean
Hendrickson, 417 Park Avenue, stated that they have no on-street parking
available.
The
council discussed the fact that there is no parking on the west side of Park
Avenue during the winter months and a suggestion was made that perhaps the west
end be posted for no parking with parking permitted on the east end.
Mayor
Haukoos suggested a meeting with the neighborhood.
Patrick
Corrigan, 814 Frank Hall Drive, suggested that the residents should have parking
on one side only.
Councilor
Brooks questioned whether any residents could say that the streets are not
cleaned to the neighborhood’s satisfaction.
After additional Council discussion, no action was taken on this request.
TAKE-A-KID
FISHING APPROVED
Mayor
Haukoos announced that the City had received a request from the Fountain Lake
Sportsman’s Club requesting permission to use New Denmark Park and Katherine
Island for the annual Take-a-Kid Fishing event on June 9, 2001, from 9:00 A.M.
to noon.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that the
request of the Fountain Lake Sportsman’s Club to use the park and island for
the fishing event, be approved. On
roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and permission granted.
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY REQUEST TABLED TO NEXT MEETING
Bev
Jackson, Executive Director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, appeared
before the City Council requesting financial assistance to replace the heat
sensor/burglar alarm system at the museum.
The heat sensor no longer works and the burglar alarm needs updating.
The board has accepted a bid of $38,725 for replacement and has applied
for a grant of $7500 from the Minnesota Historical Society.
Paul
Overgaard, 1728 Bay Oaks Drive, stated that the board has let a contract for the
system and told the Council that the Board would appreciate some indication of
the City’s willingness to participate.
Patrick
Corrigan, 814 Frank Hall Drive, appeared in favor of a contribution.
Frank
Nellis, 1020 Bridge, appeared in favor of community support for the museum.
Bill
Leland, 205 Lee Place, spoke in favor of City support.
Councilor
Marin indicated a desire to review the museum’s annual report prior to a
decision.
After
council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Sorenson seconded, that
this request be tabled to the next council meeting to permit additional study
and consideration. On roll call
vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the item tabled.
Ms.
Jackson invited the Council to visit the museum building.
RESOLUTION 01-55 ADOPTED – LAND SURVEYOR’S CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION TO PLAT
Mayor Haukoos explained
that the City had received a Land Surveyor’s Certificate of Correction to Plat
for Chapeau Shores Sixth Addition from John Schulte of Jones, Haugh and Smith.
He noted that this certificate permits the correction of an error in the
original plat for Chapeau Shores Sixth Addition.
After
Council discussion, Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that
Resolution 01-55, approving a Certificate of Correction to Plat for Chapeau
Shores Sixth 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
01-55 included with these minutes.)
RESOLUTION 01-56 ADOPTED – APPROVING QUOTE FOR BACKFILLING
Mayor Haukoos announced
that the City had received quotations from contractors for backfilling the
sidewalk vault, blocking the wall openings and removal and replacement of the
sidewalk at 202 South Broadway Avenue with costs to be assessed to the property
owner, Fisher Jewelers. The low
quote was received from Sorenson Bros. in the amount of $6,135.77.
Councilor McPherson
moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 01-56, accepting the quote of
Sorenson Bros. Inc. for backfilling the vault at 202 S. Broadway (Job 0104) with
costs to be assessed to the owner of the property, Fisher Jewelers, 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
01-56 included with these minutes.)
UNLISTED ITEMS
WARD ITEMS
Second Ward, Councilor
McPherson:
a)
Moved
to call a public hearing for March 12, 2001 to consider parking changes in the
Grace Street/Vinehurst Avenue area including the possibility of a one-way
restriction for Vinehurst. Councilor
Sorenson seconded the motion.
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 called.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution
01-57 included with these minutes.)
ADJOURNMENT
– 8:43 P.M.
Councilor
Amundson moved, Councilor Sorenson 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, March 12, 2001.
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 February 27, 2001.
________________________
_____________________________
Secretary of the Council Mayor