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Members present were: Mayor
Jamie Thelen, Councilors Dennis Sand, James Beuning, Tom Kasner,
and John Greer. None were absent.
James Stueve, Police
Chief, Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise, and Joseph
Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, were present for the meeting.
After due discussion, a
motion was made by Tom Kasner and seconded by John Greer to authorize
the payment of the following bills: Check Numbers 57268 to 57321
and 12321 to 12332. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Jamie Thelen called for any corrections or additions
to the minutes to the regular meeting held on January 17th.
Mr. Schneider noted that in the Resolution adopting a
policy for determining residential sanitary sewer usage, the words
“previous year” and “prior year” should have been deleted
and the word bi-monthly added.
Mayor Jamie Thelen acknowledged the correction and hearing
no others declared them approved.
Steve
Blenker, Emergency Management Director, appeared before the
Council to update the Council on the preparation of the City’s
Emergency Management Plan.
Mr. Blenker noted that once the said Plan is approved, he
will arrange a meeting with the Mayor, medical facilities, school,
and large employers to discuss emergency preparedness.
Mr. Schneider presented to the Council a proposed Job
Description for the aforementioned position.
After due discussion, a motion was made by
John
Greer
and seconded by James Beuning to approve the Job Description for
the position of Emergency Management Director.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
Chad
Schmidt
appeared in behalf of the Albany Area Jaycees to discuss the
organization’s annual Ice Cup Challenge on
North
Lake
which is scheduled for Saturday, February 24th.
Mr. Schmidt noted that this event is a fund raiser for
their organization and that a liability certificate will be
forthcoming. Mayor
Jamie Thelen thanked Mr. Schmidt on behalf of the Council for
hosting this event which attracts many individuals to the
community and their on going donations to the community for
various improvements. After due discussion, a motion was made by
Dennis Sand and seconded by James Beuning to approve an Event
Permit for the Albany Area Jaycees for their annual Ice Cup
Challenge to be held on Saturday, February 24th, on
North Lake. All voted
for the motion and it carried.
Matt
Mohs, City Engineer, with the firm of Bonestroo, Williamson,
Kotsmith, Inc.,
St.
Cloud
,
MN
,
appeared before the Council to discuss the Preliminary Engineering
Report for the reconstruction of
360th
Street
.
Mr. Mohs noted that the proposed project is estimated to be
$486,000, a rural road reconstruction, and as per the Development
Agreement, Lumber One of Avon has agreed to pay for one-half of
the costs to pave that section of roadway which abuts The
Highlands II, III and westerly to the edge of their property.
Mr. Mohs noted that the road would be constructed to a
9-ton capacity which includes base similar to the
2006
230th Avenue
construction and that the water and sewer mains would be extended
northerly beneath the road to service future residential
subdivisions. Mayor
Jamie Thelen, with the consensus of the Council, informed Mr. Mohs
that at this point in time, no action will be taken until there is
further development to the west and north of 360th Street and to
direct the City Clerk/Administrator to meet with the Albany
Township Supervisors to determine their interest in participation
of road improvements for that section of 360th Street
which lies west of the Lumber One subdivision connecting to 230th
Avenue.
Mr. Mohs informed the Council that the plans and
specifications for the
6th
Street
(CR #53) and
3rd
Avenue
Improvements have been submitted to the Minnesota Department of
Transportation for final approval.
Mr. Mohs noted that once approved, the County will set a
bid date and begin advertising the improvement.
Mark Wallis, the City Engineer, with the firm of Bonestroo,
Rosene, Anderlik, Associates,
St. Paul
,
MN
,
appeared before the Council to update the Council on the
construction of the Water Treatment Plant.
Mr. Wallis noted that the construction is approximately two
months or more behind schedule and it’s of his opinion that the
general contractor will not meet the April 5th
substantial completion deadline.
Mr. Wallis also noted that the workmanship is good and will
discuss the construction schedule at the February 13th
progress meeting .
Ron Utsch, Manager of the Shamrock Mobile Home Park, was
present for the meeting.
Councilor
John
Greer
,
Planning Commission Liaison, informed the Council that pursuant to
a duly held public hearing by the Planning Commission that was
held on January 25th on a request by the City to
consider approving an amendment to Zoning Ordinance 80 relating to
penalties for Signs, amendment to Ordinance 65 relating to
permissible occupancy of dwelling units, and new Ordinance 67
regulating building moves in and out of the City.
Mr. Greer recommended that the Planning
Commission approve the aforementioned amendments and Ordinance 67.
Mayor Jamie Thelen, with the consensus of the Council,
directed the City Clerk/Administrator to clearly define in text
the number of individuals that would be permitted in a dwelling
unit, and to insert language in Ordinance 67 that would require
the applicant to obtain a conditional use permit which would allow
the City to impose additional conditions or requirements for the
permit. After
due discussion and upon the Planning Commissions recommendation, a
motion was made by
John
Greer
and
seconded by
Tom
Kasner
to
approve amendment Ordinance 80.11 (Signs), Subdivision 24,
Violations and Penalties. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
The complete text of the said amendment is on file at the
office of the City Clerk/Administrator for public inspection
during normal business hours.
Councilor
Tom
Kasner
presented to the Council the following two quotes that were
received for a storm water improvement on
7th
Street South
:
Kotzer Excavating,
Albany
$17,610
Lange Trenching,
Avon
$17,905
Mayor Jamie Thelen, with the consensus of the Council,
informed Mr. Mergen that no action will be taken on this matter
until additional information can be obtain and presented to the
Council on the amount of storm water that flows through the
existing pipes and what can be anticipated during heavy storm fall
periods to assure improvements are completed satisfactorily.
Councilor Dennis Sand, Park Board Liaison, informed the
Council that
Ross
Voit
,
720 5th Street, submitted his name as a potential
candidate for the City’s Park Board which would replace the
position formally held by James Kastanek whose three-year term had
expired after serving 36 years on the Board.
After due discussion, a motion was made by
Dennis Sand and seconded by
John
Greer
to appoint
Ross
Voit
as a Park Board member for a three-year term.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mr. Kasner reported that the Albany Fire Department will
receive $25,250 from
Stearns
County
to purchase 800 MHz radios for the said Department.
Mr. Stueve presented to the Council a lease cost comparison
between the
Albany
Chrysler
Center
and Travel Management (State of
MN
)
for a Dodge Charger Police Vehicle.
After due discussion, a motion was made by Dennis Sand and
seconded by
John
Greer
to authorize Mr. Stueve to enter into a lease agreement with the
Albany Chrysler Center for a 2007 Dodge Charger Police vehicle.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
Ted Boran, Patrol Officer, was present for the meeting.
Mayor Jamie Thelen welcomed Mr. Boran to the Council
meeting and as the new full-time Patrol Officer for the Albany
Police Department.
Mayor
Jamie Thelen announced the next regular Council meeting for
6:30
o’clock
in the
evening on
Wednesday,
February 21, 2007
and
adjourned the meeting at
8:55 PM
.
Tom
Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
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 Jamie Thelen at
6:30 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, in
the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Members present were: Mayor Jamie Thelen,
Councilors Dennis Sand, James Beuning, Tom Kasner, and John
Greer. None were absent.
James Stueve, Police Chief, Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns Morrison
Enterprise, and Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, were
present for the meeting.
After due discussion, a
motion was made by Tom Kasner and seconded by James Beuning to
authorize the payment of the following
bills: Check Numbers 57322 to 57361 and 12322 to 12343. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Jamie Thelen called for any corrections or additions to the minutes
of the regular meeting held on February 7th and
hearing none declared them approved.
John Hoefs,
Administrator, Mother of Mercy Campus of Care, appeared before
the Council to introduce himself as the new Administrator for
Mother of Mercy Campus of Care and related background. Mr.
Hoefs informed the Council that he is very excited to take over
the leadership at the aforesaid facility and realizes its
importance to the City’s economy. Mayor Jamie Thelen, with the
consensus of the Council, welcomed Mr. Hoef to the community and
noted that over the years the City has worked together on many
improvements projects.
James Czajkowski, President, Albany Fire Relief
Association, appeared before the Council to inform the Council
that the Fire Board had reviewed and provided no additional
comments on the proposed amendments to the by-laws of the said
Association as recommended by the State Auditor’s Office.
Mr. Czajkowski noted that there have been several amendments
over the years and the current draft presented is a clean
document which incorporated all amendments into one document.
After due discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and
seconded by Dennis Sand to approve the restated by-laws for the
said Association and directed the Mayor and City
Clerk/Administrator to execute the document on behalf of the
City. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Jeff Johnson, Stearns County Appraiser for the Stearns County Assessor’s
Office, the City’s appointed Assessor, appeared before the
Council to present information pertaining to the upcoming 2007
Assessment (market value) for property taxes payable in 2008.
Mr. Johnson noted that he is estimating a 3% to 5% increase in
residential properties and 5% to 7% increase for
commercial/industrial properties. Mr. Johnson noted that the
City’s Board of Review/equalization meeting will be held at
6:00 PM,
on Wednesday, May 2nd at City Hall and notices mailed to all
property owners in the month of April. Mr. Johnson also noted
that he will make himself available at City Hall a week or so
before the Board of Review meeting if any property owners wish
to review their property details privately. Mayor Jamie Thelen
noted that all the information presented at the meeting is
available for public review at the City Clerk/Administrator’s
office during regular office hours.
Mr. Mergen presented to the Council information relating to hiring a
full-time Laborer in the Public Works Department. Mr. Mergen
noted that the funds have been budgeted and recommended that the
Council authorize the City Clerk/Administrator to proceed with
the application process. After due discussion and upon the
recommendation from Mr. Mergen, a motion was made by James
Beuning and seconded by Tom Kasner to direct the City
Clerk/Administrator to publish a notice in the local newspaper
for a full-time Laborer position. All voted for the motion and
it carried.
Mark Wallis, the
City Engineer, with the firm of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik,
Associates, St. Paul, MN, appeared before the Council to inform
the Council that a construction progress meeting was held on
February 13th with Robert L. Carr, Co, the General
Contractor, and several sub-contractors regarding the
construction schedule of the Water Treatment Plant. Mr. Wallis
noted that the substantial completion date, April 5th,
will not be met by the contractor, but was assured that the
project would be completed by July 31, 2007, the final
completion date. Mr. Wallis also noted that specifications,
construction schedules, completion dates, quality of work, and
liquidated damages were discussed. Mr. Wallis informed the
Council that CenterPoint (Minnegasco) Energy will charge the
City $5,800 for natural gas installation to the site and having
researched options for other heating sources, it appears that
this is the most practical. After due discussion, Mayor Jamie
Thelen, with the consensus of the Council, directed Mr. Wallis
to inform CenterPoint (Minnegasco) Energy to schedule the
natural gas installation in the spring.
Councilor John
Greer, Street Commissioner, informed the Council that he, Mr.
Mergen, and Mr. Schneider met with the City Engineer to discuss
a proposed Capital Improvement Plan for various street
reconstructions, seal coat, and other routine improvements.
Mr. Greer noted that a proposed Plan will be presented to the
Council at a future meeting and that David Drown, the City’s
Financial Consultant, will prepare a computer model to determine
the financial capability and timeframe to complete the
improvements. Mr. Greer also noted that one of the larger
improvement projects discussed is Railroad Avenue or Mainstreet
(State HWY #238) reconstruction which would possibility include
sidewalk, curb/gutter, ornamental lighting, water main, sewer
main, services, electric wire relocate, etc. Mayor Jamie
Thelen, with the consensus of the Council, directed Mr. Greer to
continue to prepare a proposed Capital Improvement Plan and
schedule an informational meeting with all property owners
abutting Railroad Avenue (Mainstreet) to determine what
improvements should be considered and options for paying for
improvements.
Mr. Greer
presented to the Council a proposed cost to replace several
street signs that are in need of repair. After due discussion,
a motion was made by James Beuning and seconded by John Greer to
direct Mr. Mergen to purchase the street signs from M-R Sign,
Fergus Falls, MN at a cost of $3,321.89. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
Councilor Dennis Sand, Park Board Liaison, informed the Council that the
City received a letter from Cindy Dirkes informing the Council
that she is resigning from the Park Board effective
immediately. Mr. Sand noted that Ms. Dirkes has been a member
of the Park Board for twenty-two years and that two years remain
on her three-year term; whereby a notice should be published in
the local newspaper soliciting any interested residents for the
position on the Board. Mayor Jamie Thelen thanked Ms. Dirkes
for her many years of unselfish dedication and commitment to the
development of the Parks in the City. After due discussion, a
motion was made by Dennis Sand and seconded by John Greer to
accept the said letter and to direct the City
Clerk/Administrator to publish a notice in the newspaper
accepting applications for the position on the City’s Park Board
for those who reside within the City limits. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
Councilor Tom Kasner, Fire Department Liaison, informed the Council that
pursuant to a duly held public hearing on February 15th
by the Albany Area Fire Board, the said Board approved the 2006
Fire Department Operations Reimbursement schedule and 2007
Capital Equipment Fund payment.
Mayor Jamie Thelen, Albany Golf Club Liaison, informed the Council that
the Golf Club recently approved the membership and green fees
for the year 2007 and will present 2007 budget information to
the Council next month.
Mr. Stueve appeared before the Council to present information relating to
a Liquor Ordinance violation which occurred at Paul’s
Par-A-Dice; whereby an Officer while on routine patrol witnessed
nudity in the establishment involving two women. Mr. Stueve
outlined the penalties as per Ordinance that the Council may
consider against Sean Artley, owner of Paul’s Par-A-Dice. Mr.
Stueve also noted that he would like to see what measures are
taken by Mr. Artley to assure that a similar incident does not
happen in the future. Councilor Dennis Sand noted that he
objects to a penalty for the owner due to the fact that the
owner was not at the establishment when the incident occurred
and recommended that before the Council considers any penalties,
the owner should be invited to a Council meeting to discuss the
incident and related penalties. Mr. Stueve informed the
Council that the licensee is responsible for the conduct of the
place of business and the condition of sobriety and order in the
building which include employees. After due discussion and
careful consideration, a motion was made by John Greer and
seconded by James Beuning to impose a fine to Sean Artley, owner
of Paul’s Par-A-Dice in the amount of $2,000 with $1,500 of it
stayed provided no similar violations occur within a year of the
date of the incident and the owner must provide evidence or a
plan within 30 days on how he will prevent a similar violation
in the future. Voting for the motion were
Mayor Jamie Thelen, Councilors James Beuning, John Greer and Tom
Kasner. Councilor Dennis Sand voted against and the motion
carried.
Mr. Schneider presented to the Council proposed Ordinance regulating
building moves in and out of the City as reviewed and
recommended by the Planning Commission. Mr. Schneider noted
that any buildings greater than 130 square feet will require a
conditional use permit, a public hearing, insurance, building
code compliance, and licensed mover. After due discussion, a
motion was made by Mayor Jamie Thelen who introduced the
following Resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION
OF ORDINANCE 67
REGULATION OF BUILDING MOVES
The motion for the
foregoing Resolution was seconded by Dennis Sand and after a
full discussion thereon and upon a vote being taken thereon, the
following voted in favor thereof: Mayor Jamie Thelen,
Councilors Dennis Sand, James Beuning, 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 aforesaid Ordinance 67 is on file at the office of the
City Clerk/Administrator for public inspection during normal
office hours.
Mr. Schneider
presented a proposed draft of a Large Gathering Permit for the
purpose of obtaining information from an organization that will
be conducting an outdoor event such as
musical, racing, political,
promotional, social entertainment or other similar type of
activity. Mr. Schneider noted such
information included in the application would be the number of
days, maximum number of participants expected, name of
coordinator, cell phone numbers, certificate of insurance,
security, noise, alcohol, etc. After due discussion, a motion
was made by Tom Kasner and seconded by John Greer to approve the
Large Gathering (outside) Permit for those outside events that
exceed 150 participants and to include on the application the
definition of “large gathering”. All voted for the motion and
it carried.
The Council took
notice of a proposed Arrangement Agreement between the City and
Schlenner Wenner Company, St. Cloud, MN, for audit services to
prepare the City’s annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the
years 2006, 2007, and 2008. Mr. Schneider presented to the
Council a survey of audit fees that other nearby cities pay.
Councilor Dennis Sand recommended that the City consider bidding
these services. Mayor Jamie Thelen noted that the proposed
agreement depicts a six percent increase each year. After due
discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and seconded by
Mayor Jamie Thelen to approve the said Agreement.
Voting for
the motion were Mayor Jamie Thelen, Councilors James Beuning,
John Greer and Tom Kasner. Councilor Dennis Sand voted against
and the motion carried.
Mr. Schneider informed the Council that the City will no longer have a
need to retain the property at
1030 6th Street, the present site of Well No. 2, once the Water Treatment Plant is
on-line and recommended that it be surveyed and sold as surplus
property for two single family residential lots. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Jamie Thelen and seconded
by Dennis Sand to authorize Bonestroo, Williamson, Kotsmith,
Inc.,
St. Cloud,
MN to survey
the property at Well No. 2, at a cost not to exceed $1,000. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Jamie Thelen announced the next regular Council meeting
for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 and
adjourned the meeting at 8:40 PM.
Tom
Schneider
Clerk/Adm. |
