Albert Lea, MN                                                                                                                             September 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.

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, Public Works Director David R. Olson, Council Secretary Sandi Behrens and representatives from KATE Radio and the Albert Lea Tribune.

The City Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilor Marin recited the Serenity Prayer.

ANNUAL LICENSE

CATERING

Your Place, 137 East Clark Street

CIGARETTE

Main Street Liquors, 1320 East Main Street

Your Place, 137 East Clark Street

FOOD/BEVERAGE

B & B Café, 321 Sibley Avenue

TEMPORARY LICENSE

OFFPREMISES LIQUOR

Aragon Bar, 130 West College, at the Freeborn County

Fairgrounds on September 28, 2002

TEMPORARY DANCE

Shana and Scott Iverson, 109 North Third Avenue, for Armory on September 21

Freeborn County Snowmobile Association, 26004 725th Avenue, Albert Lea, for the Freeborn County Fairgrounds on September 15

(d) RESOLUTION 02-198 ADOPTED - APPROVE A LOT SPLIT/CONSOLIDATION: Resolution 02-198 approves a division and consolidation of Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 1, Chapeau Shores Sixth Addition requested by Hugh O'Byrne.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 02-198 included with these minutes.)

(e) RESOLUTION 02-199 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 02-199 presents the financial claims of the City.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution 02-199 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Brooks moved, Councilor Marin 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 the adoption of special assessments for street, construction and utilities along Township Road 105 (Job 0108), sanitary sewer extension along Southeast Marshall (Job 0111), 2002 bituminous overlay project in west part of City (Job 0201), Downtown Street Improvement Project (Job 9925), Frank Avenue Reconstruction (Job 9705) and Fountain Street Reconstruction (Job 2001). The necessary notice for this hearing was published on September 13, 2002.

Ann Taylor, 905 Frank Avenue, told the Council that they had two trees in their boulevard and only one had been replaced. She requested another tree be planted in the boulevard.

Ethel Moen, 117 Adams Avenue, told the Council that her boulevard and lawn are in bad shape and requested that some repairs be made. With no one else appearing to be heard, Mayor Haukoos closed the public hearing.

Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that Resolution 02-200, adopting assessments for Jobs 0108, 0111, 0201, 9925, 9705 and 2001, be approved.

Councilor McPherson noted that he had received a letter regarding Job 2001 requesting that a tree be replanted in the boulevard on the Southwest Corner of Fountain and St. Mary. He has also spoken to the City Engineer with regards to the rough boulevards in the overlay area (Job 0201).

Councilor Brooks stated that he had received some phone calls from residents on Frank Avenue indicating that the boulevards on the south end of Frank between 5th and 7th Streets were no seeded and remain bare ground.

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 02-200 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that he had received a letter from Robert Lovelady, a deacon at Grace Christian Church requesting permission to hold an outdoor concert in the church's parking lot at the corner of College and Euclid on October 12, 2002 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and permission to close a portion of College Street from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. between the church and the parking lot.

Councilor Kron moved, Councilor McPherson seconded, that the request of Grace Christian Church be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion with the exception of Councilor Marin who abstained. Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and permission granted.

Mayor Haukoos opened a public hearing for Ordinance 55, 3d, rezoning property located at Pelican Pointe Subdivision from R-1 Single Family Residential to PD Planned Development as requested by Brad Wright and approved by the Albert Lea Advisory Planning Commission. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on September 12, 2002. No one appeared to be heard. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of Ordinance 55, 3d. Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried, the rezoning approved and the public hearing closed.

(See Secretary's Original Ordinance 55, 3d included with these minutes)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution authorizes the advance of $30,000 to Tax Increment Finance District 5-7, the East Main Redevelopment Area, for the purpose of carrying out the final portion of the tax increment activities.

Councilor Kron moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 02-201, authorizing a $30,000 fund advance to Tax Increment Finance District 5-7, be adopted. 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 02-201 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks told the Council that this resolution directly correlates with the adoption of assessments from the six public hearings held earlier and authorizes the reduction of the general fund allocation for 2002 street projects by $1,750,000 and increases the reserve for deferred assessments by $639,000. He noted that the City's share of costs on the projects are $1.1 million with deferred assessments of approximately $640,000 which will be carried by the City until such time as the improvements may be charged against the benefiting properties. After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 02-202 authorizing the reduction of the general fund allocation for 2002 street projects and increasing the reserve for deferred assessments, 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 02-202 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that Alliant Energy is proposing that the City participate in a Minnesota Conservation Improvement Program project with Interstate Power and Light (Alliant), including IPL installation and maintenance of two Capstone MicroTurbines, gas treatment equipment and heat exchangers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for a period of five years with an option to purchase the equipment at a reduced price at that time. Alliant is also offering an option to purchase two additional micro turbines immediately to maximize the savings to the City of approximately $60,000 per year.

After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 02-203, approving City participation in the Minnesota Conservation Program project with Interstate Power and Light (Alliant Energy) including the purchase of two additional micro turbines at a cost of $62,000, 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 02-203 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks reported that this resolution authorizes a stormwater detention project in the area near the City Arena in Chapeau Shores. He is recommending approval of the project because of the increase in stormwater runoff in the area and the need to provide for detention and sediment settling noting that the project will be beneficial to both the City Arena and the surrounding residential neighborhood.

After Council discussion, Councilor Marin moved, Councilor Sorenson seconded, that Resolution 02-204, receiving report and ordering Job 0215, 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 02-204 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Haukoos informed the Council that he is recommending the appointment of Gail Batt, 71622 325th Street, Hartland, to fill the vacancy on the Library Advisory Board created by the resignation of Apryl Gorton with the term expiring December 31, 2003. He noted that the appointment of a County resident has been requested by the County Board due to its support of the Public Library.

David Mullenbach, County Commissioner, appeared before the Council to commend them on this appointment stating his feeling that this is a very good idea and his belief that Mrs. Batt will serve the Board well.

Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Marin seconded, that the Mayor's appointment of Gail Batt to the Library Advisory Board be confirmed. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Haukoos declared the motion carried and the appointment confirmed.

Second Ward, Councilor McPherson:

(a) Noted that two weeks ago the City Council approved an agreement with Farmland and he questioned whether City staff had received a response. City Manager Sparks explained that the agreement was submitted last Wednesday and that we are currently waiting for a response from the bankruptcy court.

Third Ward, Councilor Marin:

(a) Thanked City staff for inlet on Fourth Avenue South.

PUBLIC ITEMS

Patrick Corrigan, 814 Frank Hall Drive, informed the City Council that the educational days for the Big Island Rendezvous will be held on October 3 and 4, 2002 and that they are expecting between 4000 and 4500 students to attend. The public days are scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2002 and everyone is welcome.

ADJOURNMENT - 8:02 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, October 14, 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 September 24, 2002.

_______________________________                                  ________________________________

Secretary of the Council                                                                  Mayor