Albert Lea, MN                                                                                                                 September 25, 2000

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 Marvin Wangen.

ROLL CALL

Present were Councilors Warren Amundson, David McPherson, Donald Mathison, Ron Sorenson, Mary Kron, Al Brooks and Mayor Marvin Wangen. Also present were City Manager Paul Sparks, 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 SEPTEMBER 11, 2000.

(b) RESOLUTION 00-177 ADOPTED – APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING APPLICATION: Resolution 00-177 approves an Application for Exempt Permit from Lawful Gambling License for the South Central Pheasants Forever, Twin Lakes, Minnesota, for a raffle at the Union Center, 404 E. Main Street, on February 10, 2001.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 177 included with these minutes.)

(c) LICENSES AND BONDS APPROVED:

M.R. Walsh d/b/a Equity Construction Co., Excelsior, MN

Jacob Zamora d/b/a Casa Zamora, 2006 E. Main, for the Armory September 30

Jeff Fjelstad d/b/a Aragon Bar, Inc., 130 W. College, for the Armory September 16 and September 23

Isabel R. Guerra, Hayward, for the Armory September 30

Randy Steinhauer, Walters, for the Armory October 28

(d) RESOLUTION 00-178 ADOPTED - CLAIMS: Resolution 00-178 presents the financial claims of the City.

(See Secretary's Original Resolution

00-178 included with these minutes.)

Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that the consent agenda items be adopted. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the consent agenda items adopted.

Mayor Wangen opened a public hearing for the adoption of assessments for Job 9907, overlay on Wedgewood Road from West Main Street to T.H.13. The necessary notice for this hearing was published on September 12, 2000.

There was no public discussion. After Council discussion, Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 00-179, adopting assessments for Job 9907, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 179 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Wangen reported that Al Arends of Alliance Benefit Group is requesting an additional $125,000 to do building improvements to the building at 201 West Clark for the purposes of expansion of his business. He noted that this is in addition to the $125,000 loan granted at the end of last year and is in generally the same terms, four percent with payments based on a seven year payoff with a balloon payment at the end of five years.

After Council discussion relating to the amount of funds in the City’s Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, the interest in keeping these funds for an incubator building and an interest in promoting the addition of high paying jobs in the community, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 00-180, authorizing a loan of $125,000 with a seven-year amortization rate with a five-year balloon at four percent interest to Alliance Benefit Group Financial Services Corporation, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 180 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Wangen stated that the Freeborn County Family Service Collaborative has presented a new joint powers agreement to the City Council requesting continued City participation in the collaborative.

Marilyn Koprowski, project facilitator for the Freeborn County Family Services Collaborative, 203 W. Clark, appeared before the City Council to answer any questions.

Councilor McPherson moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 00-181, approving an agreement for Family Services Collaborative, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 181 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Wangen stated that he and the City Manager had met with the Pickerel Lake Township Board and had gained approval for an orderly annexation of the Hugh O’Byrne property known as Chapeau Shores Sixth Addition. This is a 15.62 acre parcel and the City has agreed to pay the Township an amount equal to two and one-half years of the existing taxes on the parcel.

After Council discussion, Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 00-182 for the orderly annexation of Chapeau Shores Sixth Addition, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 182 included with these minutes.)

Mayor Wangen announced that in the meeting with the Pickerel Lake Township Board that it had also agreed to an orderly annexation of the Milt Rosenberg property, a 26.36 acre parcel west of Lake Chapeau Drive. The City has also agreed to pay an amount equal to two and one-half years of existing taxes which would have been earned from the area subject to annexation.

After Council discussion, Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Amundson seconded, that Resolution 00-183 for orderly annexation of the Milt Rosenberg parcel in Pickerel Lake Township, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 183 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this resolution approves a change in the pavilion fees effective January 1, 2001, to permit facility rental turnover and to better serve the community in a more equitable manner. He noted that the changes would need to be considered and approved at this time to permit the preparation of the Park & Rec’s Winter/Spring brochure. The Park & Rec Department is recommending a charge of $8 per hour for public use and $6 per hour for non-profit use at the Edgewater Pavilions, $6 per hour for public use and $4 per hour for non-profit groups at the Bancroft Bay Pavilion, and $12 per hour for public use and $10 per hour for non-profit groups at the Edgewater Cottage. Additionally, a $2 charge will be added for out-of-town reservations.

Council discussion centered around the fact that the residents are paying for these parks and would pay a larger fee than non-profit groups. Councilor Mathison questioned the City’s definition of a non-profit group. City Manager Sparks responded that a non-profit group would include the service clubs and organizations such as the Red Cross. Mr. Mathison responded that there are more wealthy non-profit groups such as Naeve Hospital and felt that one rate, the public rate, would be appropriate for all usages with an additional $2 charge from groups outside of the City. After Council discussion, Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Sorenson seconded, that Resolution 00-184, amending Resolution 99-240 relating to fees to permit the following:

Pavilions at Edgewater (2-hour minimum rental)

$8.00 per hour - City residents $10.00 per hour - out of town

Cottage at Edgewater (2-hour minimum rental)

$12.00 per hour - City residents $14.00 per hour - out of town

Bancroft Bay Pavilion (2-hour minimum rental)

$6.00 per hour - City residents $8.00 per hour – out of town

On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 184 included with these minutes.)

City Manager Sparks explained that this is a resolution approving an agreement with HDR Engineering, the firm which prepared a preliminary design report for upgrading the South Water Treatment Plant in 1997. He noted that as a result of this report the firm has become very knowledgeable on the City’s water treatment needs. HDR has submitted a scope of engineering services agreement for the design of the replacement of the South Water Treatment Plant including a lump sum fee of $99,000 for design through advertisement of the replacement and a time and materials for construction oversight services. This is a 7.9 percent engineering fee which is within the normal range for those fees.

After Council discussion, Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Brooks seconded, that Resolution 00-185, approving an agreement with HDR Engineering for South Water Treatment Plant design services in the amount of $99,000, be approved. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 185 included with these minutes.)

UNLISTED ITEMS

Mayor Wangen stated that the City had received a letter from the facilitator for the Shell Rock River Watershed Advisory Committee requesting Council appointment of two individuals, one primary and one alternate, to serve on the committee. He noted that an organizational meeting is planned for September 27 at 6 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Room at the Freeborn County Courthouse. He is recommending that the City Engineer be appointed the primary appointee and Steve Jahnke, the Environmental Engineer, as the alternate.

After Council discussion, Councilor Sorenson moved, Councilor Kron seconded, that Resolution 00-186, appointing the City Engineer as the primary appointment to the committee and Steve Jahnke as the alternate. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.

(See Secretary’s Original Resolution

00- 186 included with these minutes.)

WARD ITEMS

Fifth Ward, Councilor Kron:

a) Thanked the Railroad for the "Do Not Stop on Railroad Tracks" sign on Ramsey.

PUBLIC ITEMS

Dan Freund, 701 Heritage Way, Farmington, appeared before the City Council. He informed the Council that Bette Berg, his grandmother, is terminally ill and requested that the Council name a street "Bette Berg Drive" in her honor. He noted that a gathering in her honor will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on October 14 between the hours of 2 and 4 P.M.

City Manager Sparks stated in order to change an existing street name the request would need to go through two public hearings, the Planning Commission and the City Council. He also mentioned that street name changes are difficult for residents living along the street requiring changes to checks, drivers license and mail, etc. Mr. Freund requested perhaps a park could be named for her and Mr. Sparks responded that this would require review and public hearing by both the Park and Recreation Board and the City Council. Mr. Froind then suggested the Council look at a new street in a new subdivision for this naming.

Mayor Wangen stated that the Council would take the request under advisement.

Jim Gustafson, 2010 Wilby Road, appeared before the City Council to request City maintenance of the road into the new subdivision. He noted that the Corps of Engineers would not permit the road to be wider than it currently is.

Mr. Sparks responded that the roadway is a condominium private driveway and the City does not do private driveways.

Mr. Gustafson requested the City accept the roadway as a public street.

Mr. Sparks responded that the City does not like to accept short driveways as public streets due to the difficulty in maintenance.

ADJOURNMENT – 8:03 P.M.

Councilor Mathison moved, Councilor Kron 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 9, 2000. On roll call vote, all Councilors voted in favor of said motion. Mayor Wangen declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.

Filed and attested September 26, 2000.

________________________                                             _____________________________

Secretary of the Council                                                         Mayor