Albert Lea, MN                                                                                                 March 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 David McPherson, Ron Sorenson, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Bob Haukoos.  Absent were Councilors Warren Amundson and George Marin.  Also present were Assistant City Manager William L. Schmitt, City Attorney Steven Schwab, Public Works Director David R. Olson, 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 25, 2002.  

(b)               RESOLUTION 02-52 ADOPTED – APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION:  Resolution 02-52 approves an Application for Authorization for Exemption from Lawful Gambling License for the Freeborn County Fantails for a raffle at the Union Center, 404 East Main Street on March 9, 2002.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

02-52 included with these minutes.)

     (c)        RESOLUTION 02-53 ADOPTED - CLAIMS:   Resolution 02-53 presents the

                  financial claims of the City.

                                                       (See Secretary's Original Resolution

                                                        02-53 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Kron 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 02-54 ADOPTED – ORDER JOB 9925 – PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing to consider the improvements in the downtown area by street overlay.  The necessary notice for this hearing was published on February 25, 2002.

There was no public discussion.  After Council discussion, Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 02-54, ordering the street overlay improvements in the downtown area (Job 9925), 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

                                                     02-54 included with these minutes.)

BOAT RENTAL BUSINESS DENIED – PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing to discuss a boat rental business and City dock at the City Beach.  The necessary notice for this hearing was published on February 24, 2002. 

David Berg, Burnsville, appeared before the Council as the applicant for the business location.  He requested Council approval of his request noting that the residents of the City would appreciate the availability of the boat rental operation.

Councilor Sorenson noted that the Council had received letters in opposition to the business and that he had also received comments in opposition.  The areas involved in the request are zoned residential and the opposition to the request cite the operation of a business in a residential area.  As a result, Councilor Sorenson moved to deny the request for the boat rental business at the City Beach.

Anthony Trow, 522 Park Avenue, told the Council that this business would be an asset for the community and that those who couldn’t afford to live on the lake or own watercraft would be able to enjoy the lake.  He urged the Council to vote in favor of the request.

Councilor Kron asked what the cost of the City dock at the Beach site would be.  Assistant City Manager Schmitt responded that the estimated cost for purchase and installation is $9000.

Councilor McPherson seconded Councilor Sorenson’s the motion to deny the request.  On roll call vote, Councilors McPherson, Sorenson and Kron voted in favor of the motion with Councilor Brooks and Mayor Haukoos opposed.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the request denied.

RESOLUTION 02-55 ADOPTED – AUTHORIZING AEROBATICS CONTEST

Assistant City Manager Schmitt reported that the City had received a request from Minneapolis Chapter 78 of the International Aerobatic Club to hold its annual aerobatic contest at the Albert Lea Airport on September 6, 7 and 8, 2002. 

After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 02-55, authorizing the aerobatics contest as requested with practice permitted the week prior to the event, 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

02-55 included with these minutes.)

HOSPICE WALK/RUN AUTHORIZED

Assistant City Manager Schmitt informed the Council that the City had received a request from Crossroads Community Hospice to hold a walk/run in conjunction with Eddie Cochran Days on Saturday, June 15, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  The route would follow Fountain Lake beginning and ending at the fairgrounds with three refreshment stops along the route.

After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that the request of Crossroads Community Hospice for a walk/run on June 15 as outlined in their communication, be approved.  On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the walk/run authorized.

PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT

Mayor Haukoos noted that Gary Schindler has resigned from the Albert Lea Advisory Planning Commission and that he is requesting confirmation for his appointment of Woody Hestness, 1909 Riviera Drive, to assume the unexpired term of Mr. Schindler.

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that the appointment of Woody Hestness to replace Gary Schindler on the Albert Lea Advisory Planning Commission, be confirmed.  On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the appointment confirmed.

STREET CLOSING REQUEST HELD OVER TO NEXT MEETING

Assistant City Manager Schmitt explained that as a result of the MN DOT representative’s request for a commitment from the City Council for closure of Water Street, Winter Avenue and Washington Avenue at the railroad crossings at the last meeting, that he has included this item for consideration at this meeting.  He has talked with the representative and she stated that a response after the next meeting would be sufficient time to permit preparation of a program for crossing improvements.  He noted that the Council may wish to accept public input regarding these closings at the Council’s March 25 meeting.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that the street closing issue be held over to the next regular meeting to permit public input regarding the proposed closings.  On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion.  Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the issue held over.

RESOLUTION 02-56 ADOPTED – ACCEPTING BID FOR JOB 9925

Mayor Haukoos noted that the City had accepted bids on February 27 for street reconditioning in the downtown area (Job 9925).  Bids were received from Ulland Bros, Inc., Albert Lea, and Crane Creek Construction of Owatonna.

After Council discussion, Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 02-56 accepting the bid of Ulland Bros., Inc. for Job 9925, street improvements in the downtown area, at a cost of $562,361.95, 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

02-56 included with these minutes.)

RESOLUTION 02-57 ADOPTED – CALLING A HEARING FOR JOB 0123

Assistant City Manager Schmitt told the Council that the City Engineer had prepared a feasibility study regarding the construction of an alley between Minnesota and Freeborn Avenues and Sheridan and Johnson Streets (Job 0123) with costs as follows:

            Bituminous Surface - $11.49 per lin. ft. at an estimated cost of $12,900

            Concrete Surface - $25.04 per lin. ft. at an estimated cost of $28,100

After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 02-57, accepting the feasibility report and calling for a public hearing on April 8, 2002 for alley improvements (Job 0123), be approved.   Councilor Sorenson also requested that a neighborhood meeting be scheduled prior to the hearing to discuss the proposal with adjacent property owners.  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

02-57 included with these minutes.)

RESOLUTION 02-58 ADOPTED – CALLING A HEARING FOR JOB 0202

Assistant City Manager Schmitt explained that the City Engineer had prepared a feasibility report for the James Avenue reconstruction and has recommended that a public hearing be called for April 8, 2002. 

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 02-58, calling a public hearing for April 8, 2002 for Job 0202, the reconstruction of James Avenue between Second Street and Seventh Street at an estimated cost of $1,011,300, 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

02-58 included with these minutes.)

RESOLUTION 02-59 ADOPTED – ORDERING JOB 0214

Assistant City Manager Schmitt explained that the Director of Public Works has prepared a report with reference to the improvement of the recently acquired property adjacent to the City Garage site by the installation of a storm sewer system and storm water detention pond (Job 0214) at an estimated cost of $136,000.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Sorenson seconded, that Resolution 02-59, ordering Job 0214, the installation of a storm sewer system and storm water detention pond on property acquired for the City Garage at an estimated cost of $136,000, 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

02-59 included with these minutes.)

RESOLUTION 02-60 ADOPTED – WAIVING ASSESSMENTS

Assistant City Manager Schmitt explained that an item had come in late last week relating to the purchase of a small parcel of land near Albert Lea Electric to realign Olson Drive.  The agreement with Albert Lea Electric calls for a cash payment and the waiving of assessments in the amount of $11,890.67 on the property.

After Council discussion, Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 02-60, waiving assessments in accordance with an agreement with Albert Lea Electric in the amount of $11,890.67, 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

02-60 included with these minutes.)

UNLISTED ITEMS

WARD ITEMS

Sixth Ward, Councilor Brooks:

(a)   Requested a public hearing for a bituminous overlay in the New Hills area.  Mayor Haukoos told Mr. Brooks that this item would be discussed further at a later date.

ADJOURNMENT – 8:03 P.M.

Councilor Brooks 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 25, 2002.  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 March 12, 2002.

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