REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY OF ALBERT LEA
Monday, March 13, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Rich Murray, Councilors Rachel Christensen, Larry Baker, Jason Howland, Sherri Rasmussen, Robert Rasmussen, Brian Anderson. Also present were, City Manager Ian Rigg, Project Engineer Chris Lowe, City Attorney Joel Holstad of Lake National Law LLP, Sergeant-at-Arms-Public Safety Director JD Carlson, and City Clerk Daphney Maras.
ABSENT: Public Works Director, Steve Jahnke
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – Mayor Murray called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Clerk Maras administered roll call.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Murray asked all in attendance to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS – None
PUBLIC FORUM – None
CONSENT AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Approve Minutes of The February 27, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
B. Approve Minutes of The February 27, 2023 Work Session
C. License & Permits
D. Resolution Approving Application to The MN Public Facilities Authority Clean Water Revolving Fund
E. Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for The West and North Water Treatment Plants – Air Quality Improvement Project (WAT-E-23-01)
F. Resolution Authorizing an Interfund Loan for Advance of Certain Costs in Connection with Tax Increment Financing District No. 5-30: 201/211 Broadway
MOTION: Move to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Motion made by Councilor Baker, seconded by Councilor S. Rasmussen. On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, S. Rasmussen, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-042 through 23-044
Included with these minutes)
PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS – None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Ordinance 23-087 Amending Zoning and The Land Use Map from One-Four Family
Residence (R-2) To Community Business District (B-2) Located At 114 E Front Street (2nd Reading)
The final reading of this ordinance would rezone property owned by Vindokumar B. Patel at 114 E. Front Street from One-Four Family Residence District (R-2) to Community Business District (B-2) to allow for building and parking expansions at 701 S. Broadway locally known as the Clark Station.
Motion made by Councilor Christensen to approve, seconded by Councilor Baker. On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, S. Rasmussen, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Second Reading Ordinance 23-087
Included with these minutes)
A1. Resolution 23-045 Permitting Publication of An Ordinance Summary Amending Zoning and The Land Use Map from One-Four Family Residence (R-2) To Community Business District (B-2) Located At 114 E Front Street
Ordinance Summaries may be published if they reasonably inform the public of the effect and intent of the Ordinance. Summaries fulfill all legal requirements as if the entire summarized matter had been published and also directs the public how to obtain the complete Ordinance.
Motion made by Councilor S. Rasmussen to approve, seconded by Councilor R. Rasmussen. On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, S. Rasmussen, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-045
Included with these minutes)
NEW BUSINESS
A. Public Hearing Regarding Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans for the 2023 State Aid Street Overlay Project (Job 2302).
Rigg explained the proposed project calls for the bituminous mill and overlay, and miscellaneous curb & gutter and sidewalk replacement of several downtown area streets.
The streets are:
• Clark Street – St Mary Avenue to E. Main Street
• Washington Avenue – W. Main Street to Fountain Street
• Newton Avenue – Clark Street to E. Main Street
• Bridge Avenue – Clark Street to Fountain Street
New sidewalk is proposed on the south side of Clark Street from its existing terminus east of Lake Avenue to E. Main Street.
The proposed preliminary assessment rate is $36.65 per front foot. There are 71 properties proposed to be assessed as part of this project. A preliminary assessment roll is attached to this report. Following the assessment policy, the assessments will be over 10 years. The interest rate will be based on bonding in 2023.
The estimated project cost is $694,108.38 and would be paid for with bonding, State aid funds, assessments, and sanitary sewer funds.
The neighborhood meeting was held March 2, 2023 to discuss the project with affected businesses.
After City Manager Rigg read the details of this item, Mayor Murray opened the public hearing. He called three times. No one spoke. Mayor Murray closed the public hearing.
A1. Resolution 23-046 Approving Ordering Improvement and Preparation of Plans for the 2023 State Aid Street Overlay Project (Job 2302)
Rigg reported the comments from property owners and businesses most of which were concerns about scheduling. Rigg said communication to the affected property owners of when access may be limited and when roads will be torn up will be extended. Other concerns regarded parking. One particular business had concerns with losing parking spaces if the sidewalk is installed on the southside of the street as proposed in the resolution. He asked council for final direction on which side of the street the sidewalk should be placed. In addition, Lowe said he has received comments from retail businesses with concerns of interruption during downtown summer events. Lowe assured the event dates will be written into the construction contract in an effort to avoid interruption as much as possible. Councilor Sherri Rasmussen asked that the construction company also be cognizant of the religious holidays and parking at St. Theodore’s.
Councilor Baker made a motion to approve this project with the sidewalk on Clark Street to be installed on the northside and to enhance the crossing safety at the intersection of Bridge Avenue and Clark Street, seconded by Councilor Anderson . On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, S. Rasmussen, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-046
Included with these minutes)
B. Resolution 23-047 Adopting the Comprehensive Plan Update 2040
Rigg said in May of 2021, the City of Albert Lea released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consulting services related to the update of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan that would outline the community’s vision and direct the physical and social growth and development of Albert Lea over the next 10-20 years.
Bolton and Menk was selected to serve as consultant in August of 2021 and a steering committee of roughly 20+ community members was formed. Throughout the last 18 months, the steering committee honed in on land use and community design, housing, transportation, parks and recreation, economic development, public infrastructure and outreach to and services for underrepresented sections of the community.
Contents of the plan were determined through a community survey, SWOT analysis, round table discussions and outreach activities.
Encouraging leadership across generations, holding inclusive meetings at the forefront and promoting healthy living were high priorities throughout this process. Coupled with extensive outreach we better ensured that the plan will reflect many voices, viewpoints and backgrounds. The full document can be viewed online at https://cityofalbertlea.org/comprehensive-plan/ or a paper copy is available at the Albert Lea Public Library.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing in regard to the comprehensive plan update on February 7, 2023 and unanimously recommends its final adoption by the City Council.
Rigg commended staff, particularly City Planner Megan Boeck, for her hard work over the last 18 months on the Comp Plan. Baker and Howland also extended their appreciation to staff and the community for their input. Howland spoke of the assurance of positive changes happening in the community based on outcome results of the Comp Plan. Mayor Murray thanked staff and Boeck, as well as the community for their hard work. He implored staff and council to focus on implementing this road map for growth and to keep the City moving forward.
Motion made by Councilor Baker to approve, seconded by Councilor S. Rasmussen. On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, S. Rasmussen, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-047
Included with these minutes)
C. Resolution 23-048 Authorizing Pay Equity Compliance Assistance
The Pay Equity Implementation Report submitted by the City on January 31, 2023 was found non-compliant by the State of Minnesota Management and Budget. This report is due every three years and often small differences in compliance vs non-compliance can be easily adjusted. This non-compliance ruling is statistically large and may indicate the City’s classification and compensation system may need to be adjusted. The City Manager recommends hiring David Drowns & Associates (DDA) to offer a 3rd party look at the City’s pay system in comparison to the market. This is beneficial as we start union negotiations in addition to gathering data to address the non-compliant pay equity report.
Motion made by Councilor Christensen to approve, seconded by Councilor S. Rasmussen. On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, S. Rasmussen, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-048
Included with these minutes)
D. Resolution 23-049 Approving City of Albert Lea Logo and Authorizing Staff to Trademark the Design
Rigg said the act of changing this logo or not is seen as symbolic on whether we are serious about moving forward or not. Again, one of the threats or concerns brought up in our comprehensive plan update was the negativity and looking backwards in the community. The inability to look past what we used to have and not looking towards what we could have or do was a threat in our SWOT analysis. The logo change signifies the City agrees to move forward and seeks change, not passively taking it or taking half measures.
Rigg displayed the final design of the logo refresh. He explained the process of implementing the change on equipment, letterhead, water tower, etc. He said, if approved, the logo will be trademarked and submitted to the contractors who are waiting for the final design to paint on the new water tower. He noted the words Lake.Land.Life will not be included on the water tower, but rather used selectively on marketing tools going forward.
Councilor Sherri Rasmussen spoke of her opposition to the logo refresh and said time should be spent on actionable items. She thanked Rigg for explaining the misconception on the cost involved in refreshing the logo. Baker said after further discussion with his constituents he agrees an update is amiable. Additionally, he suggests donating the seal currently located in the council chambers to the Historical Museum in honor of the artist Marv Wangen. Councilor Christensen supports the logo update. She said at one time she worked with the artist of the original logo, Marv Wangen, and believes he would support a refresh at this time. Robert Rasmussen and Anderson noted support for the logo update. To Anderson’s question City Planner Boeck confirmed City branding expectation within the Comp Plan.
Motion made by Councilor Howland to approve, seconded by Councilor R. Rasmussen. On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. S. Rasmussen voted Nay. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-049
Included with these minutes)
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS:
First Ward, Councilor Christensen reported:
• Ward Items – None
• Committee Update – Commented that the Blue Zones initiative continues to be a beacon for the City.
Second Ward, Councilor Baker reported:
• Ward Items – Mentioned property on Vine Ave. and asked staff to follow-up. He spoke of parking on a Saturday at the new church on S. Broadway and the affect it will have on the retail businesses.
• Committee Update – Attended an HRA meeting. Mentioned the scheduled times of the HRA and HPC meetings conflict.
Third Ward, Councilor Howland reported:
• Ward Items – He emphasized the valuable asset the Home Serve Program is to City residents as he described his personal experience with sewer line replacement in his home. He reminded residents to call Home Serve first before calling a plumber should they experience any sewer issues in order to fulfill a claim.
• Committee Update – None
Fourth Ward, Councilor S. Rasmussen reported:
• Ward Items – She reminded her constituents that she stands with them and will vote accordingly.
• Committee Update – She was unable to attend the recent Senior Center Board meeting but received an update from other members. She reported they are considering relocating the Senior Center and also requested the floors receive a thorough cleaning at the current facility.
Fifth Ward, Councilor R. Rasmussen reported:
• Ward Items – Received emails regarding the water tower as well as the proposed street project affecting Ward 5.
• Committee Update – None
Sixth Ward, Councilor Anderson reported:
• Ward Items – He encourages residents to chop the ice around the street drains to avoid flooding.
• Committee Update – Attended the Shellrock Watershed meeting where a closed session was held regarding the sale of the previous Country Club site. He also attended an HRA meeting. He said until a new Director is hired, the powers have been divided amongst current staff at the HRA.
MAYOR REPORT – He attended the following meetings/events:
• ALEDA/Greater Jobs meeting last Wednesday and reports several projects are in the works.
• Wall of Inspiration at the High School. He reports 11 people have been added to the Wall.
• Senior and Junior High Choir as well as the Senior High Band. He commended the Choir and Band Directors as well as the students.
• Spent last Thursday at the State Capital. He testified with Senator Gene Dornink in front of the Bonding Committee. Also met with a key staff member of Governor Walz’ and spoke of the importance of rural Minnesota needs.
• He concluded with announcing the upcoming calendar of events in the City of Albert Lea, which can also be found on the City’s website.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
• Extended his appreciation to City staff and community members for their work on the Comprehensive Plan.
• Working on receiving direct federal appropriations for projects within the City for funding from either the USDA or the FDA.
• Extended his appreciation to Mayor Murray for attending the State Bonding meeting at the Capital in his absence.
• Announced the upcoming council retreat.
• Staff is working on ordinance amendments including the ordinances related to Taxi, Mobile Food Vendor, and Massage Parlors.
• Extended his appreciation to Public Safety and the Humane Society for coming up with a plan using Trap and Release in an effort to correct the feral cat population in the community.
• He described the collaboration of resources to enhance a “community challenge” to encourage and support buyers of local properties.
• Anticipates offers for development agreements in the near future for council approval.
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
A. Resolution 23-050 Approving Claims
(1). Presentation of Claims Over $25,000
The attached resolution directs the Mayor and City Treasurer to issue the payment of claims as presented in the Detail of Claims report. In addition, Maras displayed a list of claims over $25,000 for the public’s viewing, transparency and education.
Motion made by Councilor Baker to approve, seconded by Councilor R. Rasmussen. On roll call vote, the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, S. Rasmussen, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-050
Included with these minutes)
ADJOURNMENT: 9:02 P.M.
Motion made by Councilor Howland, seconded by Councilor Anderson. That there being no further business, the Council meeting adjourn until the next regular meeting of the Albert Lea City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023. On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Mayor Murray declared the motion passed and the meeting adjourned.
__/s/__________________________
Mayor Rich Murray
__/s/__________________________
Daphney Maras
Secretary of the Council