The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Present were Councilors Warren Amundson, Randy Erdman, George Marin, Jeff Fjelstad, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Jean Eaton. Also present were City Manager Paul T. Sparks, City Attorney Steven Schwab, Public Works Direction David R. Olson, Council Secretary Sandi Behrens and representatives from KATE Radio and the Albert Lea Tribune.

(b) APPROVAL OF 2 A.M. CLOSING APPLICATIONS: Applications for 2 a.m. closing approved for the Aragon Bar, the Nasty Habit and Harold’s Bar.

TEMPORARY LICENSES

OFF-PREMISES LIQUOR SALES

Aragon Bar, 130 West College Street, Albert Lea, for a

     wedding dance on August 23, 2003 at the National Guard

     Armory

Aragon Bar, 130 West College Street, Albert Lea, for a the      

     Celebrate Albert Lea Days dance on August 29, 2003 at

     the Freeborn County Fairgrounds

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-156 included with these minutes.)

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-157 included with these minutes.)

(f) RESOLUTION 03-158 ADOPTED – CALLING A HEARING FOR PARKING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ASSESSMENTS: Resolution 03-158 calls a public hearing for the adoption of Parking Maintenance District Assessments for August 25, 2003.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-158 included with these minutes.)

(g)  RESOLUTION 03-159 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 03-159 presents the financial claims of the City.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-159 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 with the exception of Council Fjelstad who abstained. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the consent agenda items adopted.

Mayor Eaton announced that the Big Island Rendezvous and Festival had submitted a request to the Council for permission to shoot live round cannon and a contribution to education days. She requested that these items be considered separately.

Linda Bottelson, Chair of the Big Island Rendezvous and Festival, appeared before the City Council to request permission for the New Ulm Battery to fire a cannon and set up a range at the Rendezvous and to request a donation of $2500 for education days at the Rendezvous. She explained that Freeborn Mower Electric will be donating and constructing a safety berm for the demonstration.

Scott Roemhildt, a member of the Rendezvous board, explained school days at the Rendezvous.

City Manager Sparks expressed a concern that posts would be drilled into the ground noting that there are Indian mounds at Bancroft Bay Park that cannot be disturbed. He also commented that there is no money budgeted for this purpose.

Councilor Marin moved to deny the request for funds. The motion died for lack of a second.

After Council discussion, Councilor Erdman moved, Councilor Fjelstad seconded, that Resolution 03-160, approving a contribution of $2500 to the Big Island Rendezvous and Festival education days, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-160 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Erdman then moved to approve the request to fire a cannon and construct a safety berm with the stipulation that the Park and Recreation Director supervise the location and installation and that the berm be completely removed with the park being brought back to its previous condition. Councilor Marin seconded the motion. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried.

City Manager Sparks requested that the City be named as an insured under the New Ulm Battery’s policy.

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution authorizes a biennial agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics for airport maintenance and operations at the Albert Lea Airport.

After Council discussion, Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 03-161, authorizing an agreement with MN DOT for airport maintenance and operations, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-161 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks reported that this resolution authorizes an order for removal of a dilapidated house at 1019 South Fourth Avenue. He explained that the staff has attempted to contact the owners and that they have been unsuccessful in locating them. The property appears to be abandoned.

After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 03-162, authorizing an order for removal of the structure at 1019 South Fourth Avenue, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 03-162 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks stated that the County Administrator had requested that this item be laid over to the next regular Council meeting on August 25 to permit further review by the County. No action was taken.

City Manager Sparks explained that the City had accepted bids for rehabilitation and reconstruction on Front Street between Broadway Avenue and Garfield Avenue (Jobs 0114 and 0231). The low bidder was Sorensen Bros. of Albert Lea in the amount of $993,357.95, which is roughly $150,000 under the engineer’s estimate.

Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 03-163, accepting the bid of Sorensen Bros. for the Front Street projects, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 03-163 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Eaton:

(a)  Reminded everyone to mark their calendars for the first Celebrate Albert Lea event scheduled for August 29 and 30 and noted the various events to occur on those two days.

First Ward, Councilor Amundson:

(a)  Asked why the trees along the channel are being removed. City Engineer Olson stated that it is part of the new boat landing project included in the cooperative agreement with the Department of Natural Resources. The area will be used for a new parking lot.

Second Ward, Councilor Erdman:

(a)  Reminded residents of the crosswalk law and urged them to be aware of and yield to pedestrians entering a crosswalk.

(b)  With the recent heavy rains, requested citizens voluntarily clean out the storm sewer outlets near their properties and reminded them not to place grass clippings in the street.

Third Ward, Councilor Marin:

(a) Expressed condolences to the Stieler family at the death of Lavonne Stieler.

(b) Asked about parking on the south side of Front Street near First Avenue.

(c) Asked about the whey powder emitted from Kerry Foods stacks and complaints received from Lou Rich employees. City Manager Sparks explained that as a result of the processing at Kerry Foods whey powder will occasionally blow out the stacks and settle on vehicles in the vicinity. Councilor Kron commented that she has had the powder land on her car and that when contacted Kerry Foods is very cooperative and will offer car wash coupons to affected individuals.

Fourth Ward, Councilor Fjelstad:

(a)  Noted that the Farmland property was to be turned over to the City on July 31 and asked for an update. City Manager Sparks explained that it would probably be September before the property is ready to be turned over and that the cost of the project is under the amount on deposit with the City.

Fifth Ward, Councilor Kron:

(a)  Received a complaint of tall grass at 718 Hawthorne.

Sixth Ward, Councilor Brooks:

(a)  Received a call that there is a storm sewer problem near the intersection of Frank Hall Drive and Eighth Street, running water is washing out the property.

(b) Reported that Virginia Place was flooded during the recent rain.

Pat Corrigan, 814 Frank Hall Drive, thanked the Council for their support of the Rendezvous.

Councilor Amundson moved, Councilor Marin 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, August 25, 2003. On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Eaton declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

Filed and attested August 12, 2003.

_/S/ Sandi Behrens________________                                            _/S/ Jean Eaton____________________

Secretary of the Council                                                                         Mayor