REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY OF ALBERT LEA
Monday, September 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Rich Murray, Councilors Rachel Christensen, Larry Baker, Jason Howland, Robert Rasmussen, Brian Anderson. Also present were, City Manager Ian Rigg, Public Works Director Steven Jahnke, City Attorney Joel Holstad of Lake National Law LLP, and City Clerk Daphney Maras.
ADDITIONAL STAFF PRESENT: Sergeant-at-Arms-Public Safety Director JD Carlson.
ABSENT: Councilor Sherri Rasmussen
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 – Levi Hanson and Ally Johnson are the owners of a new business slated to open in a couple of weeks located at 1311 W. Front St. They introduced their new business, iBin. This is a retail store that will eventually also offer a car wash. Mr. Hanson and Miss Johnson stated they are excited to bring their new business to Albert Lea.
CONSENT AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A. Approve Minutes of the August 28, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
B. Approve Minutes of the August 28, 2023 Work Session
C. License & Permits
D. Resolution Declaring Home Town Pride Fall Clean Up Day and Authorizing Reduced Rates at Transfer Station
E. Resolution Authorizing the City of Albert Lea to Submit Information to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) and Enter into a Grant Agreement with MPFA
F. Resolution Accepting Donation as Presented to City of Albert Lea
Motion made by Councilor Baker, seconded by Councilor Howland. On roll call vote the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-159 through 23-161
Included with these minutes)
PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS – None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution 23-162 Approving the Issuance of, and Providing the Form, Terms, Covenants and Directions for The Issuance of its Taxable Tax Increment Revenue Note,
Series 2023B in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $1,375,474
Rigg explained the City of Albert Lea and Vortex Cold Storage entered into a development agreement in May of 2021 that would provide $1,375,474 in Tax Increment Financing upon the completion of a 150,000 square foot cold storage warehouse and distribution facility at 311 14th Street.
This resolution acknowledges completion of the project and authorizes the issuance of a TIF note not to exceed $1,375,474 of which payments will start in September 2023.
Motion made by Councilor Baker to approve, seconded by Councilor Anderson. On roll call vote, the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-162
Included with these minutes)
B. Resolution 23-163 Amending Conditional Use Permit at 1311 W. Front Street
Levi Hanson, on behalf of Mad Liquidation, applied for a Conditional Use Permit to re-use a vacant construction contracting office to turn into a retail merchandise store with a carwash component at 1311 W Front. Mad liquidation will operate an iBin store which offers trendy, over-stock items at efficient and/or reduced prices.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 5, 2023 and forwards the following findings to City Council:
1. The proposed re-use does not increase the bulk of buildings, population or employment from the previous use.
2. The proposed re-use will meet the conditions of a Planned Development District related to density, size and open space.
3. The proposed re-use is not dissimilar to previous uses of the property.
4. The proposed re-use will bring activity, business and employment to an underused site.
Planning Commission recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit with conditions as stated in the attached resolution.
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. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-163
Included with these minutes)
C. Resolution 23-164 Approving Conditional Use Permit at 1721 W. Main Street
Aaron Bomgaars, on behalf of Bomgaars, applied for a Conditional Use Permit for a retail store with outdoor seasonal and permanent storage at 1721 W Main Street. Bomgaars is currently operating under a 1987 Conditional Use Permit which was approved in part of the Skyline Mall Subdivision and does not meet the current needs of the property.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 5, 2023 and forwards the following findings to City Council:
1. The application is consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
2. The application will meet the conditions of Planned Development District related to traffic, noise, density, and size.
3. The application is not dissimilar to previous uses of the property.
4. The application will allow continued activity, business, and employment to the site.
Planning Commission recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit with conditions as stated in the attached resolution.
Motion made by Councilor Howland to approve, seconded by Councilor Anderson. On roll call vote, the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-164
Included with these minutes)
D. Resolution 23-165 Authorizing Advertisement of Request for Proposals for the Sale and Development of City Properties
Rigg stated 610 4th Street East was a house obtained through tax forfeiture in 2021. The house was so bad it had a significant cost to clean up the junk throughout the house and layers of dog feces in one room in addition to standard asbestos removal and demolition. Staff would like to see if there is a private interest in buying the lot. It is approximately 65’ x 130’ so a modern build could fit on it or could make for larger more modern lot(s) if adjoined in full or split between neighboring properties.
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, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-165
Included with these minutes)
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS:
First Ward, Councilor Christensen report:
• Ward Items – Reported after the last council meeting, she was contacted by several residents responding to the blighted property problem in the community. She encourages a special session to review options to tackle this problem. Mayor Murray noted now that the HRA has a Director in place, the City and HRA could perhaps work together on this issue.
• Committee Update – None
Second Ward, Councilor Baker report:
• Ward Items – Inquired if council is considering donating money to the Veteran Freedom Riders as they requested several weeks ago. Asked if the information City Engineering Jahnke shared with him regarding copper sulphate could be added to the City’s website. Asked why the parking lot on the north side of the courthouse was removed. Jahnke responded because the County requested it be installed at one time, and then later they requested it be removed.
• Committee Update – Attended a budget meeting and ALEDA meeting.
Third Ward, Councilor Howland report:
• Ward Items – None
• Committee Update – None
Fourth Ward, Councilor S. Rasmussen report: Absent
• Ward Items –
• Committee Update –
Fifth Ward, Councilor R. Rasmussen report:
• Ward Items – None
• Committee Update – None
Sixth Ward, Councilor Anderson report:
• Ward Items – Responded to a ward item and continues to encourage residents to report nuisance issues.
• Committee Update – None
MAYOR REPORT:
Attended the following meetings and/or events:
• Taste of Albert Lea
• ALEDA/Greater Jobs meeting where they discussed many projects that are in the works.
Announced all the upcoming events.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
• Budgets continue to be reviewed as well as union negotiations
• Working on a few business loans
• Reported of collaboration on grants with SEMCAC to assist residents in home repairs in an effort to combat housing issues
• Spoke of developing a committee to create a Blight Action Plan
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
A. Resolution 23-166 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 the claims as presented, seconded by Councilor Anderson. On roll call vote, the following councilors voted in favor of said motion: Christensen, Baker, Howland, R. Rasmussen, Anderson, and Mayor Murray. Mayor Murray declared the motion passed.
(See Secretary’s Original Resolution 23-166
Included with these minutes)
Councilor Howland motioned for adjournment, Councilor Christensen seconded. 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, September 25, 2023. On roll call vote, all councilors voted in favor of said motion.
Mayor Murray declared the motion passed and the meeting adjourned.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:26 P.M.
____/s/________________________
Mayor Rich Murray
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Daphney Maras
Secretary of the Council