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NOTICE OF ALBANY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
There will be a
meeting of the City Council in and
for the City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota at
6:30 o’clock in the evening
on Wednesday,
December 2, 2009, in
the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
AGENDA
1.
Convene meeting
2.
Audit Bills
3.
Act on regular Council minutes of the meeting held on
November 18th
4.
Open Forum/Public comments
5.
Joe Mergen, Public Works Supervisor – present list of unpaid
water bill accounts and recommendation to discontinue water service
pursuant to Ordinance 30.
6.
Jeff Goebel – request for approval of on-sale liquor,
off-sale liquor, and cigarette license for The Well Saloon,
411 Railroad Avenue
7.
Stan Hanson, City Engineer – present preliminary cost
estimate for reconstruction of mainstreet (Railroad Avenue or State
HWY #238).
8.
Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm. – public hearing on proposed 2010
Budget
9.
Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor
10.
Daron Gersch, Utility Department and Community Education
Liaison
11.
Dennis Sand, Park Department, and Equipment
12.
Tom Kasner, Fire Department and EDA – present three-year fire
protection services agreement and update on firemen’s relief
association retirement change to defined benefit plan
13.
Jack Evens, Albany Golf Club
14.
John Greer, Police and Street Department
15.
James Stueve, Police Chief
16.
Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm – resolution to approve raffle
request by Albany Lions Club
- discuss 2010 Albany Schedule of
Charges and Fees
17.
Mayor’s announcements and letters
18.
Announce meeting date (December 16th) and adjourn
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2009, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Pursuant to due call
and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Council in and for the
City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota, was called to order by
Mayor Dennis Sand at 6:30 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday,
December 2, 2009, in the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the
said City.
Other Council members present were: Tom Kasner, Daron Gersch, Jack
Evens, and John Greer. None were absent.
Also present were: Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm., Stan Hanson, P.E. Bonestroo,
Inc., Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, James Stueve, Police
Chief, and Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise.
After due discussion, a motion was made by Daron Gersch and seconded by
Tom Kasner to authorize the payment of the
following bills: Check Numbers 59963 to 59990, and 13438 to 13449.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Dennis Sand called for any corrections or additions
to the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 18th and
hearing none declared them approved.
Paul Eisenschenk, the developer for the Whispering Oaks at
Two
River
subdivision, appeared before the Council to question taxable market
value for property taxes payable in 2010. Mr. Schneider informed
Mr. Eisenschenk that the Board of Review/Equalization meeting for
proposed market values is held in May of each year with notices
mailed by
Stearns
County in
April.
Mr. Mergen presented to the Council a list of unpaid utility bills and
recommended that they be discontinued pursuant to Ordinance 30.
Mayor Dennis Sand, with the consensus of the Council, directed Mr.
Mergen to make one last personal contact with each and if the
utility bill remains unpaid, he may proceed to discontinue the
individual’s water service.
Mr. Hanson appeared before the Council to present a preliminary cost
estimate for
Railroad Avenue
(TH #238) Improvements to pursue trunk highway local initiative
program funds from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN
DOT) for roadway improvements from
1st Street to 8th
Street estimated to be nearly $2 million dollars. Mr. Hanson noted
that the proposed construction includes a new road surface and
updates to the sidewalks, sanitary sewer system, water main system,
sanitary sewer services, water services, and storm sewer system.
Mr. Hanson also noted that the preliminary cost estimate does not
include removal of overhead electric wires and street lighting. No
action was taken by the Council.
Mr. Hanson presented to the Council the following bid results for
the proposed 2010 Capital Improvements (5th Street North, 7th
Street North/South,
Lynden Avenue, connecting Avenues):
Soil
Borings Amount
Chosen
Valley
Testing, Inc. $1,970
Independent Testing Technologies
$2,370
Braun Intertec
Corp $3,197
Televising Sanitary
Sewer Amount
Ritter & Ritter Sewer
Service $3,182
Infratech
Technologies $4,398
Councilor John Greer noted that only one-third of the streets
identified in the 2010 Capital Improvements would be televised to
determine the condition of the sanitary sewer. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Daron Gersch and seconded by John
Greer to approve the low bids received by Chosen Valley Testing in
the amount of $1,970.00 for the soil borings and Ritter & Ritter
Sewer Service in the amount of $3,182.85 for the televising of the
sanitary sewer. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mr. Hanson also presented to the Council final pay application
number six for the 2008 Capital Improvements submitted by R.L.
Larson Excavating, St. Cloud, MN. Mr. Hanson noted that RL Larson
submitted a check to the City in the amount of $1,500 to be held
until repairs can be completed in the spring on the settlement of
the roadway on Inspiration Lane. After due discussion and upon the
recommendation by the City Engineer, a motion was made by Jack Evens
and seconded by John Greer to approve said pay application in the
amount of $11,147.47. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Pursuant to due notice, at 7:15 PM, Mayor Dennis Sand called the public
hearing into session to consider the proposed 2010 Budget and the
amount of property taxes the City proposes to collect to pay for the
costs of services the City will provide in the year 2010. No
members from the public were present for the meeting. Mr. Schneider
informed the Council on the proposed employee benefits, wages,
operation expenses, revenues, capital equipment plan, and proposed
2010 tax capacity City rate. Mr. Schneider noted that the levy
increase for 2010 is 3%. Mr. Schneider presented to the Council a
financial analysis report for the water and sewer department. Mr.
Schneider also noted that the State reduced the City’s Local
Government Aid (LGA) in 2010 due to the States budget crises. Mayor
Dennis Sand closed the public hearing at
7:35 PM and noted that final action to approve the 2010 Budget will be Wednesday,
December 16th.
Councilor Tom Kasner, liaison to the Albany Area Fire Board,
reported that the Board approved a three-year fire protection
services agreement with the Albany Fire Department and a policy
establishing fees for emergency protection services.
Mr. Kasner informed the Council that
non-residents will be billed as in the past for fire and medical
services as per a rate schedule and the policy includes charging for
false alarms. After due discussion, a motion was made by Tom Kasner
and seconded by Daron Gersch to approve the three-year policy to
provide emergency protection services and related rate schedule
establishing the fees. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mr. Kasner also informed the Council
that the Albany Area Fire Board approved a recommendation from the
Albany Fire Department Relief Association to change the current
retirement plan from Defined Contribution to Defined Benefit. Mr.
Kasner noted that under the defined benefit plan, any fireman that
would retire would be paid $1,400 per year of service and that
annual contributions to the relief association by the participating
jurisdictions (City of Albany, Townships of Albany, Farming, and
Krain) would continue as in the past. No action was taken by the
Council.
Mr. Stueve appeared
before the Council to request authorization to advertise for sale a
1996 Chevrolet extended cab 4x4 pickup which was alcohol related
forfeiture. After due discussion and upon the recommendation of
the Police Chief, a motion was made by Daron Gersch and seconded by
Jack Evens to direct Mr. Stueve to publish an advertisement for the
said vehicle in the local newspaper. All voted for the motion and
it carried.
The Council took notice of a
Minnesota Lawful Gambling Off-site application submitted by the
Albany Lions Club to conduct a raffle on February 5, 2010 relating
to their annual Sweetheart Dinner at Paul’s Par-A-Dice. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Tom Kasner who introduced the
following Resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION 2009-022
APPROVING MINNESOTA
OFF-SITE LAWFUL GAMBLING
(Paul’s Par-A-Dice, 461 Railroad
Avenue)
The motion for the foregoing
Resolution was seconded by Daron Gersch and after a full discussion
thereon and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in
favor thereof: Mayor Dennis Sand, Councilors Daron Gersch, Jack
Evens, Tom Kasner, and John Greer and none voted against the same;
whereupon the said Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
The full text of the said Resolution is on file at the office of the
City Clerk/Administrator for public inspection during normal office
hours.
The Council took notice of the
current 2009 Appendix “A”, Albany Schedule of Fees and Charges. Mr.
Schneider recommended that no increases be considered in 2010 other
than specifically listing consultant fees in the aforesaid Appendix
“A”. Mayor Dennis Sand, with the consensus of the Council,
directed Mr. Schneider to prepare a resolution to be acted on at the
next Council meeting.
Mayor Dennis Sand announced the next
regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 and adjourned the meeting at 8:10 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Pursuant to due call
and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Council in and for the
City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota, was called to order by
Mayor Dennis Sand at 6:30 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday,
December 16, 2009, in the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for
the said City.
Other Council members present were: Tom Kasner, Daron Gersch, Jack
Evens, and John Greer. None were absent.
Also present were: Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm., Stan Hanson, P.E. Bonestroo,
Inc., Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, James Stueve, Police
Chief, Ryan Ulrich, Boy Scout, and Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns
Morrison Enterprise.
After due discussion, a motion was made by Tom Kasner and seconded by
Daron Gersch to authorize the payment of the
following bills: Check Numbers 59991 to 60025, and 13450 to 13475.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Dennis Sand called for any corrections or additions
to the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 2nd and
hearing none declared them approved.
Mr. Hanson presented to the Council pay application number five for the
2009 Golf View and Fairway Drive Improvements submitted by Larson
Excavating,
Holdingford,
MN. After
due discussion and upon the recommendation by the City Engineer, a
motion was made by John Greer and seconded by Jack Evens to approve
said pay application in the amount of $100,013.73 to Larson
Excavating. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mr. Schneider presented to the Council the proposed 2010 Budget and the
amount of property taxes the City proposes to collect to pay for the
costs of services the City will provide in the year 2010. Mr.
Schneider informed the Council that the State will be considering a
reduction in Local Government Aid payments in December and in 2010
to allow the State to balance their budget which will significantly
affect the proposed budget. After due discussion, a motion was made
by Daron Gersch who introduced the following Resolution and moved
its adoption:
RESOLUTION 2009-022
APPROVING THE 2009 TAX LEVY,
COLLECTIBLE IN 2010
Total Levy: $612,836
The motion for the
foregoing Resolution was seconded by John Greer and after a full
discussion thereon and upon a vote being taken thereon, the
following voted in favor thereof: Mayor Dennis Sand, Councilors
Daron Gersch, John Greer Jack Evens, and Tom Kasner and none voted
against the same whereupon the said Resolution declared duly passed
and adopted. The full text of the said Resolution and 2010 Budget
is on file at the office of the City Clerk/Administrator for public
inspection during regular office hours.
Mr. Mergen informed
the Council that the Water Tower interior is in need of minor
repairs and painting. Mr. Mergen noted that KLM Engineering, the
company that has been inspecting the tower, presented to the City a
proposal to prepare specifications and inspection services of nearly
$37,000. Mr. Mergen also noted that the interior was last painted
in 1990. After due discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and
seconded by Daron Gersch to authorize KLM Engineering, Lake Elmo, MN
to prepare the design services and construction management at a fee
not too exceed $9,800. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Dennis Sand directed Mr. Mergen to schedule a meeting with KLM
Engineering to discuss the construction management duties and
responsibilities and related proposed expenses.
Councilor John Greer,
Police Department Liaison, presented to the Council information
prepared by City staff related to the hiring process for the
position of Patrol Officer which include, but not limited to the job
description, employment application, hiring timeframe, public
notice, etc. After due discussion, a motion was made by Daron
Gersch and seconded by Tom Kasner to authorize the City
Clerk/Administrator to advertise the aforesaid position in the local
newspaper and on the MN POST Board website and approve the documents
presented which relate to the hiring process. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
The Council took notice of the
proposed 2010 Appendix “A”, Albany Schedule of Fees and Charges.
Mr. Schneider noted that the only addition is that consultant fees
are now listed on the schedule.
After due discussion, a motion
was made by Tom Kasner who introduced the following Resolution and
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION 2009-023
ADOPTING APPENDIX “A”
ALBANY SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES
The motion for the
foregoing Resolution was seconded by Daron Gersch and after a full
discussion thereon and upon a vote being taken thereon, the
following voted in favor thereof: Mayor Dennis Sand, Councilors
Daron Gersch, John Greer Jack Evens, and Tom Kasner and none voted
against the same whereupon the said Resolution declared duly passed
and adopted. The full text of the said Resolution is on file at
the office of the City Clerk/Administrator for public inspection
during regular office hours.
Mayor Dennis Sand presented the following proposed 2010 appointments:
Acting
Mayor
John Greer
Animal
Warden
Police Dept.
Weed Inspector
Dennis
Sand
Assistant Weed
Inspector Joseph
Mergen
Auditor
Schlenner Wenner Co.
Emergency Management
Director Steven Blenker
Community Education
Liaison Daron Gersch
EDA Board
members Dennis
Sand, Tom Kasner
Equipment
Commissioner Dennis
Sand
Fire Department
Liaison Tom Kasner
Golf Board
Liaison Jack
Evens
Health
Officer
Daron Gersch, MD
Labor
Commissioners
John Greer, Daron Gersch
Official Depositors
Stearns
Bank, Albany Credit Union
Official
Publication
Stearns Morrison Enterprise
Park Board
Liaison
Dennis Sand
Planning Commission
Liaison John Greer
Police
Commissioner
John Greer
Street
Commissioner
Dennis Sand
Utility
Commissioner
Daron Gersch
Albany Township
Liaison Dennis Sand
Mayor Dennis Sand questioned if any
Council members would consider any changes; whereby none were
recommended and no changes made to the aforementioned appointments.
Mayor Dennis Sand announced the next
regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 and adjourned the meeting at 7:00 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm. |
