PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

David R. Olson, Public Works Director

 

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

 

As the summary of year 2001 Public Works Department Construction Projects reflects, this has been a big year for the Engineering Department.  Our staff was able to keep up with project administration by assigning each one of the office staff to several projects at one time, requiring daily inspection of the work and daily coordination with the various contractors, subcontractors, consultants, material suppliers, other City Departments, and property owners.  We found that we could not have made the necessary fieldwork adjustments that frequently arose during the course of the projects without the continued cooperation of the City Utilities, Street, Park and Wastewater Treatment Department crews.  This level of aggressive construction schedule for the City can only be accomplished with all City Departments pulling together.  It is rewarding to be a part of such a great team effort.

 

The Engineering Department saw the retirement of Don Larson at the end of the year.  A 24-year veteran of the Engineering Department.  Don had a gift of being able to work well with contractors and the public in a way that seldom ruffled anyone’s feathers.  He was able to anticipate problems and dealt with the daily project administration and inspection in a professional manner as a representative of the City of Albert Lea.  We all will miss Don.

 

Because of limited City engineering staff time we have continued to call upon consulting firms to assist in the design and project development of Municipal State Aid construction projects, electrical and mechanical upgrades of water plants and lift stations, Wastewater Treatment Plant mechanical and structural repairs and replacements, and building construction.  We are finding that most consulting firms are themselves overloaded with work from other cities, counties, and private businesses and can not provide consulting staff to be on our projects on a daily basis to address the problems and changes that invariably show up.

 

The Wastewater Treatment Plant saw the replacement of the west primary digester cover and gas mixing equipment in year 2001.  Plans are underway for the replacement of the east primary digester cover in year 2002.  The structural steel supporting members inside the tanks were found to be severely deteriorated and deformed due to the harsh environment of digester gases and moisture.

 

The Utilities Department completed the electrical and mechanical upgrade of the Westside Water Plant, the 8th Avenue storm sewer pumping station, and the Hayek Field sanitary sewer lift station.  It has been increasingly difficult to find replacement parts for the aging electrical equipment.  The third and final large storm water pump at the Spark Avenue storm lift was repaired and placed back in service, and repairs were made to one of the large 12,000 gallon per minute sewage pumps at the main lift station.  Work began on the construction of the new South Water Treatment Plant.

 

One Municipal State Aid Construction project was completed with the total reconstruction of a two-block concrete surface section of Fountain Street from Park Avenue to St. Mary Avenue.  The three-block concrete section from St. Mary Avenue to Newton Avenue was reconditioned by only replacing smaller areas of deteriorated concrete, concrete joints and major cracks, and finally milling the entire concrete surface to improve rideability.  Consultant Yaggy Colby calculated the Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation (CPR) cost at one quarter the cost of new pavement.  The Engineering Department began working with Yaggy Colby on the development of repair options and costs associated with other concrete streets on the City’s Municipal State Aid routes, and the bituminous street overlay in the downtown area.

 

A major street project was completed with the widening and total reconstruction of a six-block section of Frank Avenue.  The scope of work included replacement of city sanitary sewer and water laterals to each home.  Several of the house water services were the old lead lines.  The City has made an effort to replace lead service lines whenever possible.  The project was done in two-block segments, provisions made for temporary ground level water services and sewer services.  The project required the commitment of one engineer and supporting staff on a daily basis for most of the spring and summer months.  In the fall, the engineering staff began field survey and cost estimate for reconstruction of other streets in the Frank Avenue area.

 

Other street projects included tiling, subgrade correction of bituminous surface replacement on Maplehill Drive from Plainview Lane to Front Street; new bituminous surfacing and new curb and gutter on one side along the East Main Street service drive from Morningside Road east to Syverson Drive; bituminous surfacing of Rowe Lane between Hills Lane and Pilot Street; and bituminous overlay of 42 blocks in the northeast area.

 

In preparation for the new Home Depot, the City contracted for the extension of sanitary sewer, watermain and storm sewer, and construction of new streets in the general area.  Sorensen Bros., Inc. of Albert Lea mobilized their underground Utility, Grading, and Road crews in late summer, completing the majority of the work before freeze-up and ready for the planned late-winter opening of Home Depot.  Sorensen Bros., Inc. also completed a sanitary sewer trunk line and watermain relocation south of the West Main Street viaduct.  The work was necessary to make room for new bridge construction by the Department of Transportation scheduled to start in late February 2002.

 

Several MN/DOT sponsored projects have required City Engineering staff time, meeting attendance and record searches throughout the year.   These projects included the bituminous milling and overlay of East Main Street (TH 65) from Broadway east to I-35; the planned replacement of the West Main Street (TH 13) viaduct, concrete roadway construction, and traffic signals at 1st Avenue; completion of the East Main Street bridge replacement project; and the planned bituminous milling and overlay and eventual turnback of old TH 16 (CSAH 46) from I-35 past Trails Travel Center.

 

The Engineering Department is in the process of upgrading the traffic signal controllers at several intersections.  In 2001, the controller at the intersection of Broadway and William was replaced.  In 2002, the controller at Broadway & Clark and Richway Drive & Bridge Avenue will be upgraded.  In succeeding years, the traffic controller at Marshall & Bridge Avenue will be upgraded.  The City is responsible for eight signaled intersections while MN/DOT is responsible for seven signaled intersections on the Trunk Highway system.

 

The Engineering staff continues to provide support to all City Departments on the computer network.  This commitment increases in manhours every year as other Departments realize the applications of changing technology.  Our staff began utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment on a rental basis this fall to identify and map manholes, valve boxes, hydrants, and inlets over several miles of City streets.  This data was then downloaded into the City computer base mapping.

 

A.    The following contracts were prepared and supervised by the staff of the Engineering Department:

 

1.     2000 Bituminous Contract No. 4                                                                                      $97,000.00

        Circle Drive and Circle Avenue – Street Reconstruction

        Contractor:    Ulland Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

2.     2001 Bituminous Contract No. 1                                                                                      $36,600.00

        Rowe Lane Curb and Surfacing –

          Hills Lane to Pilot St.

        Contractor:    Ulland Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

3.     2001 Bituminous Contract No. 2                                                                                    $313,000.00

        Northeast Area Streets Overlay Program

        Contractor:    Crane Creek Construction

                                Owatonna, MN

 

4.     2001 Bituminous Contract No. 3                                                                                    $773,000.00

        Frank Avenue Reconstruction –

          Front St. to 7th St. (95% Complete)

        Contractor:    Freeborn Construction

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

5.     2001 Bituminous Contract No. 4                                                                                      $98,600.00

        Mapleview Drive Bituminous Replacement –

          Plainview Lane to Front St.

        Contractor:    Ulland Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

6.     2001 Bituminous Contract No. 5                                                                                    $186,200.00

        East Main Street Service Drive –

          Morningside Ave. to Syverson Ave.

        Contractor:    Crane Creek Construction

                                Owatonna, MN

 

7.     2001 Bituminous Contract No. 6                                                                                      $33,100.00

        Airport Jet Storage Hangar Apron Reconstruction

        Contractor:    Ulland Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

8.     2001 Bituminous Contract No. 7                                                                                      $96,000.00

        Tiling and Bituminous Overlay – Greenwood Dr.,

          Lakewood Ave., Green Lea Lane, Michael Pl.,

          And Bancroft Drive – Phase I

        Contractor:    Ulland Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

9.     2001 Crack Sealing Contract No. 1                                                                                  $20,500.00

        Airport Taxiway and Aprons

        Contractor:    Bargen, Inc.

                                Mountain Lake, MN

 

10.     Skate Park/Beach Tennis Court                                                                                       $20,900.00

        Bituminous Surface Overlay

        Contractor:    Ulland Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

11.   2001 Curb & Gutter Contract No. 1                                                                                 $20,200.00

        Stevens Street

        Contractor:    Crane Creek Construction

                                Owatonna, MN

 

12.   2001 Sewer, Water, & Street Contract No. 2                                                             $1,411,000.00

        Home Depot Area – Blake Ave. and SE Marshall

        Contractor:    Sorensen Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

13.   2001 Sewer & Water Contract No. 3                                                                             $115,000.00

        Sanitary Sewer & Water Relocation Due to

          W. Main St. Bridge Replacement

        Contractor:    Sorensen Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

 

14.   Sidewalk Repair and Vault Backfilling                                                                              $6,100.00

        Fishers Jewelry, 202 So. Broadway

        Contractor:    Sorensen Bros., Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

15.   Demolition of Old Wastewater Treatment Plant                                                           $35,500.00

          Structures at Farmland Foods

        Contractor:    Larson Contracting, Inc.

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

16.   Tiling Area Around Old Beach Tennis Courts                                                               $2,600.00

        Contractor:    Morreim Drainage

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

17.   Dam Repairs – Concrete Aprons                                                                                       $3,000.00

        Contractor:    Larson Contracting, Inc.

                                Lake Mills, IA

 

18.   Dept. of Aeronautics Airport Cooperative Agreement                                               $60,000.00

          Projects – Obstruction Removal, Electrical

          Relocation, Equipment Replacement

                                                                                                                                                                       

TOTAL (Part A)                        $3,328,300.00

 

B.    The following contracts were prepared for the City by a consultant, and administered and inspected by the Engineering Department and consultant:

 

1.     2001 Sewer Contract No. 1                                                                                              $126,400.00

        Hayek Sanitary Lift Station –

          Electrical & Mechanical Upgrade

        Consultant    Bruce Palmer, Electrical Engineer, Albert Lea

                                Jones, Haugh & Smith, Albert Lea

        Contractor:    American Plumbing Co.

                                Winona, MN

 

2.     2000 Grading, Sewer, Water, Curb & Gutter Bit. Contract #9                                    $346,000.00

          Chapeau Shores 6th Addition (90% Complete)

        Consultant    Jones, Haugh & Smith, Albert Lea

        Contractor:    Crane Creek Construction

                                Owatonna, MN

 

3.        Fountain Street Reconstruction & Reconditioning –                                                $404,000.00

Park Ave. to Newton Ave.

Consultant    Yaggy Colby & Assoc., Rochester, MN

Contractor:    Sorensen Bros., Inc.

                        Albert Lea, MN

 

4.     City Garage Roof Replacement                                                                                      $194,000.00

        Consultant:   Zenk, Read, Trygstad & Assoc., Albert Lea, MN

        Contractor:    Larson Contracting, Inc.

                                Lake Mills, IA

 

5.     New South Water Treatment Plant & Well Modification                                          $312,000.00

          (20% Complete)

        Consultant:   HDR Engr., Inc., Minneapolis, MN

        Contractor:    Gridor Construction, Inc.

                                Plymouth, MN

 

6.     West Side Iron Removal Plant –                                                                                      $49,600.00

           Electrical Equipment Upgrade

        Consultant:   Bruce Palmer, Electrical Engr., Albert Lea, MN

        Contractor:    BMT Electric

                                Albert Lea, MN

 

7.     8th Avenue Storm Sewer Pumping Station –                                                                  $23,400.00

  Electrical Equipment Upgrade

Consultant:   Bruce Palmer, Electrical Engr., Albert Lea, MN

Contractor:    BMT Electric

                        Albert Lea, MN

 

8.     North Water Treatment Plant Filter –                                                                             $40,200.00

  Underdrain Replacement Phase II

Consultant:   HDR Engr., Inc., Minneapolis, MN

Contractor:    Moorhead Construction, Inc.

                        Moorhead, MN

 

9.     Wastewater Treatment Plant – Replacement of West                                               $552,400.00

  Primary Digester Cover, Gas Mixing Equip. & Gas Burner

Consultant:   TKDA Engineers, St. Paul, MN

Contractor:    Magney Construction, Inc.

                        Excelsior, MN

                                                                                                                                                                                               

TOTAL (Part B)                        $2,048,000.00

 

TOTAL 2001 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS                           $5,376,300.00

 

For comparison, Public Works improvements for the past five years have been as follows:

                                                2000            $2,825,700

                                                1999            $1,916,800

                                                1998            $1,384,200

                                                1997            $1,265,800

1996            $1,860,300

 

Statistically, the following miles of Public Works were installed:

 

                                                                                             2001           2000             1999             1998             1997

Concrete or Bituminous Streets-New (Miles)

1.25

1.40

2.41

0.98

0.64

Reconstructed Streets (Miles)

1.5

 

 

 

 

Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation (Miles)

0.07

 

 

 

 

Alleys (Miles)

0

0

0.06

0

0

Bituminous Overlays (Miles)

2.28

2.30

0

0

0.54

Sanitary Sewer-New (Miles)

1.30

1.87

0.92

0.42

0.25

Reconstruct Sanitary Sewer (Miles)

0.70

 

 

 

 

Watermain-New (Miles)

1.82

1.80

1.10

0.88

1.36

Reconstruct Watermain (Miles)

0.71

 

 

 

 

Storm Sewer-New (Miles)

0.55

0.72

0.29

0.17

0.10

Reconstruct Storm Sewer (Miles)

0.26

 

 

 

 

Sidewalk Repair (Sq. Ft.)

0

0

24,724

8,624

39,000

Reconstruct Sidewalk (Miles)

1.0

 

 

 

 

New Sidewalk (Miles)

0

0.26

0.23

0

1.5

Curb & Gutter (Miles)

1.87

2.44

3.30

1.01

1.48

Reconstruct Curb & Gutter (Miles)

1.92

 

 

 

 

Street Subgrade Drain Tile (Ft.)

21,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIRPORT

 

Projects

1.        Obstruction Removal (Trees) –  Tree removal and tree trimming on the Golf Course property at the south end of the main runway was completed, along with a few trees in residential lots.  The City continues to work closely with MN/DOT Office of Aeronautics to minimize the scope of tree removal, realizing the main runway will be relocated further from the trees in the near future.  Tree removal costs so far:  $28,500; 60% State costs and 40% City costs.

2.        Obstruction Removal (Overhead Electrical Lines) – Alliant Energy has removed overhead electrical lines along the north side of Hammer Road at the south end of the main runway, and installed new underground electric.  Electrical line relocation costs: $13,000, 60% State costs and 40% City costs.

3.        Crack Sealing Remaining Bituminous Surfaced Apron and Taxiways – Cost $20,500, 60% State cost and 40% City cost.

4.        Jet Hangar Bituminous Apron Replacement – Cost $20,500, 60% State cost and 40% City cost.

5.        Snow Plow Truck Blade Replacement – Cost $6,600, 60% State cost and 40% City cost.

6.        Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan Update – The City’s Consultant Mead & Hunt, Inc. began a $102,000 project to update the Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan.  Completion of the plans is scheduled for March of 2002.  Costs will be 75% Federal, 10% State, and 15% City.

 

Flight Operation

Accelerated flight training again accounted for most of the hours flown.  Hours were increased until September 11th when all flight training was suspended for a month, and primary flight training suspended two months.  With the airline cutbacks, pilot hiring and pilot training are down.  A bright spot has been the suspension of the flight-training program at Mankato State University due to contract problems with their training provider.  We have picked up a number of students from that program, but it is uncertain what will happen to that program next school year.

 

The airline industry has been recalling pilots faster than expected, but a number of airlines are in financial trouble.  Consolidation in the industry will mean that trained pilots are available from failed airlines.  I anticipate two-three years before pilot hiring and pilot training return to former levels.  We have cut the number of airplanes leased to flight schools from 14 to 9.

 

Courses available at Albert Lea are:

Private Pilot

Commercial Pilot

Instrument, Single and Multi-Engine

Flight Instructor

Ground Instructor

Instrument Instructor

Multi-Engine Instructor

Airline Transport Rating

Glider

Seaplane

Aircraft Multi-Engine Land

High Performance, High Altitude, and Complex Aircraft Endorsements

FBO Operations – Manager Jim Hanson

The year 2001 was not a good year for the FBO business.  The economic downturn produced a glut of used airplanes on the market, depressing prices, and increasing dealer inventory time and interest costs.  We do not broker any airplanes; we own our inventory.  There were a couple of bright spots:  interest rates were down, helping to keep our financing costs down, and the aftermath of September 11th saw many companies adding airplanes rather than traveling on the airlines.  We have sold several used propjets and jets since September 11th.  There is a demand for aircraft charter in the local area, but recent FAA rules have not made it profitable.  In fact, most local operators have turned in their charter certificates.  We have the inventory of airplanes to serve this demand, but we are limited to leasing airplanes for customers requiring 100 hours of aircraft use per year, as opposed to on-demand charter.

 

Outlook:  We are at maximum capacity for the facility.  Hangars are full, student training is at a maximum, and the FAA limits the scope of charter operations.  Absent a change in buildings or airfield facilities, we have reached our maximum utilization.

 

Airport Capital Improvement Plan

  1. Snow removal equipment building construction.
  2. Tractor/mower/blower/snow pusher replacement.
  3. Environmental assessment for runway relocation 500 ft. west.
  4. Completion of Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan update.  This is a re-requisite to any further Federal cost participation in runway reconstruction or other capital improvements.
  5. The State of Minnesota has agreed to provide a new instrument landing radio air navigation unit (VOR) as part of the new runway project.  The cost will be $600,000, entirely paid by the MN/DOT Aeronautics tax on aviation fuel and aircraft registration.  The new unit will replace a 35 year old unit all ready in place.

 

Fuel Sales

 

GALLONS OF FUEL SOLD

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

  100 Octane

41,029

38,006

32,724

30,109

25,124

  Auto Gas

4,504

6,256

7,000

6,069

6,498

  Jet Fuel

20,021

17,002

8,506

21,115

22,784

  Aircraft Stationed at Field

37

37

37

37

37

 

General Comments

Maintenance consists of work mainly on our own aircraft.  We have added an additional full-time mechanic for a total of three full-time mechanics, plus two part-time mechanics.  Outlook:  No change.

 

Aircraft storage is at full capacity as it has been for the past several years.  Building the snow removal equipment building will free up several aircraft hangars.

 

We have sold several turbo prop and jet aircraft in the past year.  Outlook:  See FBO Operations

 

Promotional Activities

Flight breakfasts were held in June (Lions) and July (Shriners).  Both of these events were some of the best attended in the State.

 

Albert Lea Airport, Inc. will again hold a glider regional championship competition in Albert Lea May 27th-June 1, 2002.

 

Young Eagles:  Albert Lea Airport and Elks Lodge #813 partnered once again with the EAA to give free airplane rides to children ages 8 to 17.  The national goal of the EAA is to give 1 million kids an airplane ride and an introduction to aviation by the year 2003 – the 100th anniversary of powered flight.  The local program was well received, and we surpassed our goal of 150 children in year 2001.  Our goal is 150 children in 2002.

STREET LIGHTING

 

A.    Alliant Energy performed the following work on the City street light system in year 2001:

  1. Relocated all the street lighting, including new wood poles and electrical lines, along the six blocks of Frank Avenue that were widened and reconstructed by the City.  This was a time consuming project for Alliant and committed a great deal of their manhours and equipment.
  2. Removed the tall, wood double-pole transmission line system that existed along Blake Avenue from SE Marshall to the north side of CSAH 46 in preparation for underground electrical in the Home Depot area.
  3. Installed over a mile of underground electrical for roadway lighting in the Home Depot area.
  4. Downtown Ornamental Lighting – inspected and re-lamped all the downtown fixtures.  A local electrical contractor will be making repairs to a number of the lights.
  5. Replaced temporary street lighting in the area of the West Main viaduct after city sewer construction and roadway removal.
  6. Replaced street lighting and underground electrical lines on Fountain Street in conjunction with the reconstruction of Fountain Street from Park Avenue to St. Mary Avenue.
  7. Hammer Road – Changed overhead to underground electrical at south end of Airport runway.  Installed three short roadway wood light poles beneath the aircraft flight levels.

 

B.    Alliant Energy installed new street lighting for the City at the following locations:

1.        Knoll Drive – 1 street light on wood pole

2.        Eastgate Road at Eastgate Park – 1 street light on wood pole

3.        Plaza Street and Ekko Avenue, Near Community Foot Clinic – 2 street lights on wood poles

4.        Blake Avenue and Consul Street Near Home Depot – 4 street lights on fiberglass poles

 

Alliant Energy is scheduled to install the remaining roadway lighting in the Home Depot area and along SE Marshall Street in early 2002.

 

 

UTILITIES DEPARTMENT – WATER DIVISION

 

Water demand for 2001 showed a 7.67% decrease under the water pumped during 2000.

 

Replacement of water main gate valves, fire hydrants, and lead service lines take priority in upgrading the water distribution system.  Seventy-five lead water service lines were replaced during 2001, leaving 632 lead services left to replace.

 

We have an annual leak survey of the entire City. This year we repaired twelve water service leaks as a result of the survey.

 

The Utilities Department started to replace water meters with the Sensus and Badger meters that have transpondits wired for reading through use of radio read equipment.