WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008, 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, February 6, 2008, in the
Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Other Council members present were: James Beuning, Tom
Kasner, John Greer, and Jack Evens. None were absent.
Joseph
Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, Matt Mohs, City Engineer, with
the firm of Bonestroo, Inc., St. Cloud, MN, and Mike Kosik,
Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise, were present for the
meeting.
After due
discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and seconded by Tom
Kasner to authorize the payment of the
following: Check Numbers 58224 to 58278 and 12706 to 12719.
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 January 16th
and hearing none declared them approved.
Mr. Mergen
presented to the Council a list of individuals who have not paid
their utility bill and recommended discontinuance as per
Ordinance 30. After due discussion, a motion was made by Tom
Kasner and seconded by Jack Evens to direct the City
Clerk/Administrator to forward a letter to each of the following
that their delinquent amount will be certified to the Stearns
County Auditor to be collected as special assessments in the tax
year 2009:
-
103 County Road
10
-
151 3rd Street
-
381 Railroad Avenue
-
170 1st Street
All voted
for the motion and it carried.
Mr. Mohs appeared before the Council to present the Preliminary
Engineering Report and final draft plans and specifications for
the 2008 Capital Improvements consisting of the following
sections: A) Upgrade existing Inspiration Lane and Freedom Lane
to 10-ton capacity includes adding new cul-de-sac to west and
east end of Inspiration Lane, B) Install 12-inch trunk water
main and 8-inch watermain extended westerly at the west end of
Inspiration Lane, install 10-inch trunk sanitary sewer main, C)
Install 12-inch trunk water main and 6-inch sanitary sewer
forcemain between Golf View Drive and par Drive along County
Road 54. Mr. Mohs also presented a proposed construction
schedule and noted that he is working closely with Wells
Concrete Products to assure that the City’s construction does
not interfere with the construction of their buildings and site
preparation. Mr. Mohs noted that a site plan is
being prepared by Wells Concrete Products and it will be
presented before the Planning Commission on February 27th.
After due discussion, a motion was made by James Beuning and
seconded by John Greer to approve the following 2008 Capital
Improvements:
-
Preliminary Engineering Report
-
Plans and specifications
-
Bid Section A as an alternate
-
Authorization to advertise for bids
-
Authorize Engineer and Staff to select date to open bids
All voted
for the motion and it carried.
Mr. Mohs
informed the Council that the City received notice from the
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) that there is a
road failure or noticeable dip in the pavement occurring on
Interstate 94 where the City installed utilities (water/sewer
main) to serve Albany Golf Vistas and Albany Business and
Industrial Park. Mr. Mohs noted that MN DOT will
request that the City repair the roadway in both directions, but
at the present time MN DOT will verify the specific locations
and future discussions will be held as to how to correct the
surface of the road.
Councilor John Greer,
Planning Commission Liaison, informed the Council that the
Planning Commission at their February 4th meeting pursuant to a
duly held public hearing
recommended to the Council that the Conditional Use Permit
request by New Vision Alliance, 1121 County Road 10, be approved
for the following: 1) Increase the maximum height of thirty-five
(35) feet to seventy-four (74) feet to allow for the
construction of a sixty (60) foot diameter 150,000 bushel grain
bin; 2) Increase the maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet to
fifty (50) feet to allow for the construction of four (4)
sixteen (16) foot diameter 125 ton grain bins in a C2 Zone.
Mr. Greer noted that the addition of the said bins will improve
customer service, profitability and run their feed operation
more efficiently, but the larger 150,000 bushel grain bin won’t
be constructed for a year or two and no conditions were
considered on the aforesaid request. After due discussion
and upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission, a motion
was made by John Greer and seconded by Jack Evens to approve the
aforementioned conditional use permit for New Vision Alliance.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
The Council took notice of a
proposed Defined Contribution Plan Joinder Agreement between the
City and Hennepin County administered by ING Financial Advisers
for all full-time employees to participate administered by ING
Financial Advisers. Mr. Schneider noted that
enrollment is strictly volunteer and the program offers
additional benefits to employees. After due discussion, a
motion was made by Jack Evens and seconded by James Beuning to
authorize Mayor Dennis Sand and the City Clerk/Administrator to
execute the said Agreement on behalf of the City. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
Mr.
Schneider presented to the Council a resolution adopting a
policy regarding payments the City will receive by credit cards
having recently purchased a credit card machine. Mr.
Schneider noted that new credit card machine will allow the
public the opportunity to pay their utility bills, parking
fines, and other miscellaneous charges, but no payments
exceeding $750 will be accepted because the City incur a fee of
3% on each credit card transaction. After due discussion, a
motion was made by Tom Kasner who introduced the following
Resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION 2008-003
OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF ALBANY
ADOPTING A POLICY REGARDING
PAYMENTS BY CREDIT CARD
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, James Beuning, John Greer, Tom Kasner, and Jack
Evens 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 regular
office hours.
Mr. Schneider updated the Council on CAPX2020, a
Joint initiative of 11
transmission owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding
region working together to implement a strategic plan to expand
the electric transmission grid to ensure continued affordable
reliable service, increase local capacity in response to job and
population growth, and meet renewable energy requirements.
Mr. Schneider informed the Council that the City and surrounding
area is included in the proposed route for the new high voltage
transmission lines from Fargo, ND to Monticello, MN, but no
definite route location has been approved. Mr. Schneider noted
that in September of this year the utility group will submit a
proposed Route Permit and Certificate of Need to the Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) for a new high voltage transmission
line for their review; whereby the PUC will be the final
authority that approves the site location.
Mayor Dennis Sand announced the
next regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 and adjourned the meeting at 7:55
PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2008, NOTICE OF ALBANY CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
There will be a regular meeting of the Council in and for the
City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota at
6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday,
February 20, 2008,
in the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
AGENDA
1.
Convene meeting
2.
Audit Bills
3.
Act on Council minutes of the meeting of February 6th
4.
Public comments/discussion
5.
Jeff Johnson, City Assessor – discuss upcoming Board of
Review Meeting and 2008 Assessment
6.
Matt Mohs, City Engineer – update Council on bid process
for 2008 Capital Improvements
7.
Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor
8.
Dennis Sand, Park Department & EDA
9.
James Beuning, Utility Department and Equipment
10.
Tom Kasner, Fire Department
11.
Jack Evens, Golf Club
12.
John Greer, Street Department & Police Department
13.
James Stueve, Police Chief
14.
Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm. – present appraisal report on
former Well No. 2 property
15.
Mayor’s announcements and letters
16.
Announce meeting date (March 5th) and adjourn
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 Dennis Sand at 6:30
o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, in the
Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Other Council members present were: James
Beuning, Tom Kasner, John Greer, and Jack Evens. None were
absent.
Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, Matt Mohs, City
Engineer, Stan Hanson, City Engineer, with the firm of Bonestroo,
Inc., St. Cloud, MN, James Stueve, Police Chief, and Mike Kosik,
Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise, were present for the
meeting.
After due discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and
seconded by James Beuning to authorize the
payment of the following: Check Numbers 58279 to 58311 and 12720
to 12732. 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 February 6th
and hearing none declared them approved.
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 2008 Assessment
(market value) for property taxes payable in 2009. Mr. Johnson
informed the Council that residential properties will see no
increase and/or a slight decrease in market value and a 2% to 5%
increase for commercial/industrial property valuations. Mr.
Johnson noted that the City’s Board of Review/equalization
meeting will be held at
6:00 PM, on Wednesday, May 7th 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. Councilor Jack Evens appeared
for the meeting at
6:45 PM
during the discussion by Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Mohs appeared before the Council to discuss the 2008 Capital
Improvements Project. Mr. Mohs noted that the site plan for the
Wells Concrete Products Project has yet to be finalized and
expects a bid opening in April. Mr. Hanson also appeared before
the Council to update the Council on the progress of his review
of the site plan that is being prepared by Duffy Engineering,
St.
Cloud, MN, the engineering firm hired by Wells Concrete Products for their new
production facility to be constructed in the Albany Business and
Industrial Park.
Mr. Mergen presented to the Council two quotes for camera security
systems for the Water Treatment Plant for the Council to discuss
and review. No action was taken by the Council.
Councilor Jack Evens, Albany Golf Club Liaison, presented to the Council
the said Club’s Checkbook Register for review and
consideration. After due discussion, a motion was made by Jack
Evens and seconded by
John Greer to
authorize the payment of the following bills: Check Numbers
32395 to 32501. Voting for the motion were Councilors James
Beuning, Jack Evens, and
John Greer
and none voted against. Mayor
Dennis Sand
and
Tom Kasner
abstained and the motion carried.
Mr. Stueve informed the Council that the lap top computer in his squad
car no longer is operational and in need of replacement. After
due discussion, a motion was made by
John Greer
and seconded by James Beuning to authorize Mr. Stueve to
purchase a new lap top computer at an estimated cost of $3,000
which includes software. All voted for the motion and it
carried.
Mr. Schneider presented to the Council a land appraisal
prepared by Granite City Appraisal, St. Cloud, MN, for the
property formerly known as City Well No. 2 at 1030 6th
Street. Mr. Schneider noted that the lot with the well house
was appraised at $35,900 and the lot south at $34,000. After
due discussion, a motion was made by Tom Kasner and seconded by
James Beuning to offer to the public for-sale both lots at the
appraised value to be sold by the City. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
The Council took notice of three MN Charitable Gambling renewal
Applications for the Albany Area Jaycees to conduct charitable
gambling at the Albany Golf Club, Stubby’s Tavern, and Rookies
Sports Bar for a period beginning
April 1,
2008 through March 31, 2010
(2-year license). After due discussion, a motion was made by
James Beuning who introduced the following Resolutions and moved
their adoption:
RESOLUTION 2008-004
APPROVING MINNESOTA
LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISES PERMIT
APPLICATION
Albany Golf Club, 500 Church
Avenue
Albany Area Jaycees.
RESOLUTION 2008-005
APPROVING MINNESOTA
LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISES PERMIT
APPLICATION
Hillcrest Family Restaurant &
Stubby’s Tavern, 1004 Shamrock Lane
Albany Area Jaycees.
RESOLUTION 2008-006
APPROVING MINNESOTA
LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISES PERMIT
APPLICATION
Rookies Sports Bar, 481 Railroad
Avenue
Albany Area Jaycees.
The motion for the
foregoing Resolutions was seconded by Jack Evens and after a
full discussion thereon and upon a vote being taken thereon, the
following voted in favor thereof: Mayor Dennis Sand, Councilors
James Beuning, Tom Kasner, Jack Evens, and John Greer and none
voted against the same, whereupon the said Resolutions were
declared duly passed and adopted. The full text of the said
Resolutions is on file at the office of the City
Clerk/Administrator for public inspection during normal office
hours.
The Council took notice of two Minnesota Lawful Gambling Exempt Permit
Applications submitted by the Church of Seven Dolors for the
following: 1) annual Church Bazaar to be held on Saturday,
August 3rd, which activities include bingo, pull
tabs, paddlewheels, raffles, and 2) annual golf tournament at
the Albany Golf Club on July 7th, which activities
include a raffle. After due discussion, a motion was made by
John Greer and seconded by Tom Kasner to approve the said
Applications. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Dennis Sand announced the
next regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, March 5, 2008 and adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM.
Tom
Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
