|
NOTICE OF ALBANY CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 7, 1009
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 21, 2009, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 21,2009, CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
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,
January 7, 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
December 17th
4.
Public comments/discussion
5.
Jan Schiffler, Deputy Registrar – present proposed resolution
2009-001relating to 2009 legislative initiative regarding handling
fees and collection of payments thereof
6.
Public Hearing for proposed 2009 Capital Improvements for
Golf View and Fairway Drive street improvements
-
Stan Hanson and Matt Mohs, City Engineers
-
Proposed Resolution 2009-002 ordering improvement
-
Proposed Resolution 2009-003 directing final plans and
specifications
7.
Stan Hanson, City Engineer – present Resolution 2009-004 to
Minnesota Transportation Enhancement Funding Program for Railroad
Avenue Walkability Improvements
8.
Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor
9.
Daron Gersch, Utility Department and Community Education
Liaison
10.
Dennis Sand, Park/Street Department, and Equipment
11.
Tom Kasner, Fire Department and EDA
12.
Jack Evens, Golf Club
13.
John Greer, Police Department
14.
James Stueve, Police Chief
15.
Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm
16.
Mayor’s announcements and letters
17.
Announce meeting date (January 21st) 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, January 7, 2009, in the Council Room at 400
Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Other Council members present were: John Greer, Jack Evens, and
Daron Gersch. Councilor Tom Kasner was absent.
Also present were: Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm., Joseph Mergen, Public
Works Supervisor, Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise,
Stan Hanson, P.E. Bonestroo, Inc., Matt Mohs, PE., Bonestroo, Inc.,
Diane Noll, Albany Township Clerk, and James Stueve, Police Chief.
Mr. Schneider administered the oath of office to Councilor elect Daron
Gersch.
After due discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and seconded by
Jack Evens to authorize the payment of the
following: Check Numbers 59101 to 59152 and 13071 to 13082. 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 17th.
Mr. Schneider noted that Councilor Jack Evens name was omitted in
Resolutions 2008-019 and 2008-021; whereby he voted in favor
thereof. Mayor Dennis Sand questioned if the 2009 Mayor
Appointments should have listed Councilor John Greer as Street
Department liaison rather than himself. Mr. Greer noted that
he would accept the appointment. Mayor Dennis Sand, hearing no
other corrections and/or additions declared the said minutes
approved.
Jan Schiffler, Albany Office Deputy Registrar, and Amy Andvik, Assistant
Deputy Registrar, were present for the meeting.
Ms. Schiffler appeared before the Council to inform the Council that the
Deputy Registrar Association is asking other Councils where private
offices are located to consider approving a resolution of support
that would allow them to receive credit card payments and an
increase in miscellaneous fees if approved by the legislature. Mr.
Evens noted that he is supportive of this request and acknowledged
the convenience to the citizens and surrounding area to have a
Deputy Registrar office in
Albany.
After due discussion, a motion was made by John Greer who
introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION 2009-001
SUPPORTING MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL TITLE
AND REGISTRATION SERVICES
The motion for the foregoing
Resolution 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 Daron Gersch,
Jack Evens, 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.
Randy Ronning, Rick Christensen, John Overman, Paul Wellenstein, Walter
Holmes, Ralph Blenker, Sally Melton, and Chris Peterson.
Pursuant to due notice, Mayor Dennis Sand opened the public hearing at
6:38PM to consider the proposed 2009 Golf View Drive and Fairway
Drive Street Improvements which
consists of: new curb & gutter, new
bituminous surfacing, new aggregate base course and related street
improvements and modifications to the existing storm water
management system along Golf View Drive from the cul-de-sac to CSAH
54; new curb & gutter, new bituminous surfacing, new aggregate base
course, and related street improvements along Fairway Drive in its
entirety. Mr. Hanson
appeared before the Council and public to present information on the
existing conditions of the streets and proposed new construction
once completed at an estimated cost of the improvement to be
$1,042,000. Mr. Schneider read to the Council and public two
letters the City received from Ervin Beutz,
113 Fairway Drive, and Oscar Kleman,
319 Golf View Drive, concerning the proposed improvements. Mr. Christensen questioned if any
of the aggregate or base beneath the road could be salvaged to
reduce the overall expenses rather than purchasing additional
materials. Mr. Ronning informed the Council that he prefers
the surmountable curb and questioned if by using a stronger
geotextile fabric could there be less aggregate removed from the
subgrade. Mayor Dennis Sand informed the public that the
number of years for payment of the assessments and interest rates
would be similar to previous reconstruction improvements.
Mr. Hanson noted that it is more cost effective to remove all the
curb rather than patching the curbs that have deteriorated and
questioned if the residents and/or Council would consider sod or
seed (hydro-mulch) for the boulevards. Mr. Mergen noted that he
would prefer a B618 curb design rather than the surmountable which
will be more efficient for drainage and adequately define the edge
of the street for snow plowing purposes. Mr. Greer noted that
the City is anticipating a large number of contractors bidding this
project being not many are being considered in the surrounding area
in 2009 and expect the bids received to be less than the engineers
estimate. Mayor Dennis Sand closed the public hearing at
7:55 PM.
Mayor Dennis Sand, with the consensus of the Council, directed Mr.
Hanson to include a B618 curb and seeding (hydro-mulch) for the
boulevards in his street design. After due discussion, a motion was
made by John Greer who introduced the following Resolutions and
moved their adoption:
RESOLUTION 2009-002
ORDERING IMPROVEMENT
2009 GOLF VIEW DRIVE AND FAIRWAY
DRIVE
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
RESOLUTION 2009-003
DIRECTING PREPARATION OF
FINAL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
2009 GOLF VIEW DRIVE AND FAIRWAY
DRIVE
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
The motion for the foregoing
Resolutions 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 Jack Evens, Daron
Gersch, 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.
Mr. Hanson presented to the Council cost estimates for the proposed
Railroad Avenue Walkability improvements relating to the Minnesota
Department of Transportation Enhancement Funding for Region 7W.
Mr. Hanson noted that the improvements relate to streetscape ideas,
historic preservation, pedestrian/bicycle improvements, and the Lake
Wobegon Trail. Mr. Hanson presented a total estimated cost of
$444,485, but the City would have to contribute a minimum 20% match;
whereby the application deadline is January 16th for
funding in the year 2013. Mr. Greer noted that Railroad
Avenue between 1st Street and 8th Street has
been identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan to be
reconstructed and that many residents including mainstreet business
owners would like to see improvements similar to what other nearby
cities enjoy along their mainstreet. Mr. Gersch recommended
that the Council consider a 30% match or $133,345 being that several
years ago the same expenditure was discussed at meetings for minimal
streetscape improvements. After due discussion, a motion was made by
John Greer who introduced the following Resolutions and moved their
adoption:
RESOLUTION 2009-004
RESOLUTION WHICH AUTHORIZES THE CITY OF
ALBANY TO
REQUEST
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT (TE) FUNDING FOR THE
RAILROAD AVENUE WALKABILITY PROJECT
The motion for the foregoing
Resolution 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 Jack Evens, Daron
Gersch, 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.
Mr. Stueve, at the request of the Council, presented a summary of
accidents at uncontrolled intersections from the years 2006-08 for
that area north of
Railroad Avenue and south of
Lake Avenue (old part of City). Mr. Stueve informed the Council that the addition of
“Stop” signs would reduce the number of vehicle accidents and noted
that many near misses have never been reported at these uncontrolled
intersections. Mr. Stueve also noted that if “Stop” signs were
installed for the north south traffic between the aforesaid Avenues
it may prevent someone from becoming seriously injured. Mr. Hanson
recommended that a traffic engineer attend the next Council meeting
to discuss this issue based on his experience at no cost to the
City. Mayor Dennis Sand, with the consensus of the
Council, directed Mr. Hanson to inform their traffic engineer to
attend the next Council meeting.
Mr. Stueve informed the Council that after the interview process for a
part-time secretary, the committee recommended Kristie Reetz to be
hired for the said Position. After due discussion, a motion
was made by John Greer and seconded by Jack Evens to offer the
part-time secretary position in the Police Department to Ms. Reetz.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
The Council took notice of an application for a Minnesota Lawful Gambling
Exempt Permit submitted by the Knights of Columbus to conduct their
annual raffle on April 27th. After due discussion,
a motion was made by Daron Gersch and seconded by John Greer to
approve the said application. All voted for the motion and it
carried.
The Council took notice of a Pay Equity Implementation and Compliance
Report prepared by Kathleen Murphy, Murphy Management Consultants,
for all full-time employees relating to salary ranges, job class,
and statistical analysis test. After due discussion, a motion was
made by John Greer and seconded by Daron Gersch to approve the said
Report and to authorize the City Clerk/Administrator to submit it to
the Department of Employee Relations. All voted for the motion and
it carried.
Mr. Schneider informed the Council that the Stearns County Parks
Department will be submitting grant applications to various agencies
at the end of the month and has requested a letter of support from
the City for the development of the Lake Wobegon Trail from
Albany to
Brooten for the following activities: bicycles, snowmobiling,
horses, walking, and hunting. Mr. Schneider noted that the
County’s Ordinance prohibits ATV’s to travel on the said trail and
that the former railroad bed will consist of a gravel surface.
After due discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and seconded
by Jack Evens to direct the City Clerk/Administrator to draft the
appropriate letter of support executed by Mayor Dennis Sand to the
Stearns County Parks Department for the development of the trail for
the aforesaid activities. Voting for the motion were
Councilors Daron Gersch, Jack Evens, and John Greer. Mayor Dennis
Sand voted against and the motion carried.
Mayor Dennis Sand announced the next
regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 and adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM.
Tom Schneider,
Clerk/Adm.
WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 21, 2009, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
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,
January 21, 2009, in
the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
AGENDA
1.
Convene meeting
2.
Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm. – administer oath of office to
Councilor elect Jack Evens
3.
Audit Bills
4.
Act on regular Council minutes of the meeting held on January
7th
5.
Public comments/discussion
6.
Bryan Benjamin, Traffic
Engineer – discuss traffic control signage for uncontrolled
intersections
7.
Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor
8.
Daron Gersch, Utility Department and Community Education
Liaison
9.
Dennis Sand, Park Department, and Equipment
10.
Tom Kasner, Fire Department and EDA
11.
Jack Evens, Golf Club
12.
John Greer, Police and Street Department
13.
James Stueve, Police Chief
14.
Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm
15.
Mayor’s announcements and letters
16.
Announce meeting date (Feb. 4th) and adjourn
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 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
Acting Mayor John Greer at 6:30 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday,
January 21, 2009, in the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the
said City.
Other Council members present were: Jack Evens, Tom Kasner, and
Daron Gersch. Mayor Dennis Sand was absent.
Also present were: Tom Schneider, Clerk/Adm., Joseph Mergen, Public Works
Supervisor, Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise, Stan
Hanson, P.E. Bonestroo, Inc., Matt Mohs, PE., Bonestroo, Inc.,
Melissa Schmitz, Patrol Officer, and James Stueve, Police Chief.
Mr. Schneider administered the oath of office to Councilor elect Jack
Evens.
After due discussion, a motion was made by Jack Evens and seconded by Tom
Kasner to authorize the payment of the
following: Check Numbers 59153 to 59190 and 13083 to 13096. All
voted for the motion and it carried.
Acting Mayor John Greer called for any corrections or
additions to the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 7th
and hearing no other corrections and/or additions declared the said
minutes approved.
Bryan Benjamin, a Traffic Engineer with the firm of Bonestroo, Inc.,
appeared before the Council to present information relating to the
MN Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices specifically the
installation of Stop signs which is an effective traffic control
device when used at the right place and under the right conditions.
Mr. Benjamin informed the Council that the fee for his services to
conduct a traffic survey at a specific area in the community can be
done at a cost not too exceed $7,900. No action was taken by the
Council.
Mr. Schneider presented to the Council information he received from Carrie
Rebar, Urban Conservationist, Stearns County Soil and Water
Conversation District, regarding the proposed North Lake Shoreline
Restoration Improvements. Mr. Schneider noted that the improvements
consist of additional planting along the shoreline of North Lake in
the Lions Park and south of the Jaycee Shelter in the North Park for
the purpose of improving water quality by slowing down stormwater
runoff and allowing pollutants to be filtered and settle out before
reaching North Lake. Mr. Schneider informed the Council that the
total the Board of Water and Soil Resources will contribute is
$15,939 and the City’s cash match or in-kind support is $5,313 for a
total improvement cost of $21,252. Mr. Schneider noted that a
perpetual easement will be executed that will prohibit mowing and
tilling in the planting areas. Mr. Greer noted that the City will
initiate an educational campaign with the assistance of Ms. Rebar to
educate residents about simple behavior changes they can make to
improve water quality and reducing the overall impact on
North
Lake.
After due discussion, a motion was made by Tom Kasner and seconded
by Jack Evens to authorize the Stearns County Soil and Water
Conversation District to prepare a planting plan and plant list for
the said improvements and approve a City cash match or in-kind
support in the amount of $5,313. All voted for the motion and it
carried.
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 Daron Gersch to authorize the payment of the following bills:
Check Numbers 33051 to 33117. Voting for the motion were Acting
Mayor John Greer, Jack Evens, and Daron Gersch and none voted
against. Councilor
Tom Kasner abstained and the motion carried.
Mr. Stueve informed the Council that Police Officer Melissa Schmitz while
off-duty assisted an individual in another community who needed
immediate medical attention; whereby Ms. Schmitz was very
instrumental in stabilizing the individual until additional medical
technicians arrived to transport the individual to a hospital. Mr.
Stueve noted that the immediate actions by Ms. Schmitz were greatly
appreciated by the victim and responding emergency departments.
Acting Mayor John Greer announced the
next regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 and adjourned the meeting at 8:00 PM.
Tom Schneider,
Clerk/Adm. |
