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Members present were: Mayor Jamie Thelen, Councilors Dennis Sand,
James Beuning, John Greer, and Tom Kasner. None were absent.
Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise, James Stueve, Police
Chief, and Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, 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 bills:
Check Numbers 57515 to 57538 and 12391 to 12401. 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 April 18th and hearing
none declared them approved.
David Drown, David Drown Associates, appeared before the Council to
present information pertaining to financing the proposed Capital
Improvement Plan and the impact of such improvements on the City’s
financial position including tax rate. Mr. Drown noted that
assessments on improvement projects stabilize the City’s tax rate.
The City took notice of a Resolution to establish Tax Increment
Financing District No. 12 and related plan for those properties
within the Albany Business and Industrial Park. After due
discussion, a motion was made by John Greer who introduced the
following Resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION
CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
CREATION OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT NO. 12
AND THE ADOPTION OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCE PLAN RELATING THERETO
The motion for the
foregoing Resolution was seconded by Tom Kasner 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 said Resolution is
on file at the office of the City Clerk/Administrator for public
inspection during regular office hours. The public hearing will
be held at 6:30 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, June 20th,
at the Albany City Administration Building, 400 Railroad Avenue.
Susan Dege, City
Attorney, and Jay Bretto, Prosecution Attorney, with the firm of
Rajkowski, Hansmeier, Ltd., St. Cloud, MN, were present for the
meeting. Ms. Dege introduced Mr. Bretto as the new Prosecution
Attorney for the City of Albany and past history in this field.
Matt Mohs, City Engineer with the
firm of Bonestroo, Williamson, Kotsmith, Inc., St. Cloud, MN,
presented to the Council a summary of the bid results that were
publicly opened at 11:00 o’clock in the morning on April 30th
at the Stearns County Administration Center, St. Cloud, MN, for the
6th Street (CSAH 53) and 3rd Avenue
reconstruction improvements. Mr. Mohs noted that the Engineer’s
estimate was $2,229,384 and noted that there were nine general
contractors who bid the project. Mr. Mohs presented the top three
low bidders:
Contractor Total Base bid
and Alternate 1
R.L. Larson
Excavating $1,832,579.90
Kuechle Underground,
Inc. $1,839,302.71
Larson Excavating,
Inc. $1,910,560.36
Mayor Jamie Thelen
directed Mr. Mohs to provide the City with a breakdown of the soft
costs on the proposed improvements which are estimated to be
$480,000. After due discussion, a motion was made by Tom Kasner who
introduced the following Resolutions and moved their adoption:
RESOLUTION CALLING HEARING ON
ASSESSMENTS FOR THE
2007 6TH STREET (CSAH 53)
& 3RD AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION
IMPROVEMENTS
(6:30 PM, Thursday, May 24th)
RESOLUTION DECLARING COST TO BE
ASSESSED AND ORDERING PREPARATION
OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT IN CONNECTION
WITH THE 2007 6th STREET
RECONSTRUCTION (C.S.A.H. #53)
AND 3rd AVENUE
RECONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS
The motion
for the foregoing Resolutions were seconded by John Greer 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 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 regular office hours.
Mayor Jamie Thelen announced the
next regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 and adjourned the meeting at 9:35 PM.
Tom
Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
Pursuant to due call and notice
thereof a regular meeting of the Board of Review in and for the City
of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota, was called to order by Mayor
Jamie Thelen at 6:00 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, May 2,
2007, in the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Members present were: Mayor Jamie Thelen,
Councilors James Beuning, Dennis Sand, Tom Kasner, and John Greer.
Jeff Johnson, Stearns County
Appraiser, the City Assessor, was present for the meeting.
Terry Oehrlein, 101
Co. Rd. 10, Parcel No. 40.25041.100, appeared before the Board to
inform the Board that the estimated market value increased from
$638,400 to $688,200, an increase of nearly 8%. Mr. Oehrlein
questioned why the large increase having had difficulty in finding
tenants to lease in his new building which was constructed two years
ago. Mr. Johnson provided the Board with information relating to
all the buildings on the site and recent sales of existing buildings
of similar square footage. Mayor Jamie Thelen noted that due to the
lease vacancies, the sales approach or income and expenses should be
considered which had been done on other properties in the City when
dealing with vacancies. Mayor Jamie Thelen, with the consensus of
the Council directed Mr. Johnson to meet with Mr. Oehrlein to review
the rental income and expenses for the new 15,000 square foot
building.
Wendy Tamm, 502 Highlands Drive, Parcel No. 40.25353.035, appeared
before the Board to object to her 2007 estimated market value of
$201,800 and presented an appraisal dated April 3rd which
showed a value less than the proposed market value. Ms. Tamm
noted that she paid less than the proposed market value and
requested that the proposed market value be lowered. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Dennis Sand and seconded by James
Beuning to reduce the total 2007 estimated market value from
$201,800 to $189,000, a reduction to the building only and not the
land value, for the aforesaid property. All voted for the motion
and it carried.
The Board took notice
of a letter received from Jeanne A. Flynn, Power of Attorney, for
and daughter of Auralia R. Klimmek, 1013 Court Avenue, Parcel No.
40.25649.000, requesting the Board to consider changing the proposed
2007 tax classification from residential non-homestead to
residential homestead for the year 2007 and subsequent. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Tom Kasner and seconded by James
Beuning to restate the tax classification to residential homestead.
All voted for the motion and it carried.
The Board took notice
of a letter received from Kevin Schiffler, Executor of the Henry
Schiffler Estate, 121 8th Street, Parcel No.
40.25123.000, requesting the Board consider changing the proposed
2007 tax classification from commercial to residential non-homestead
for the year 2007. Mr. Johnson noted that he reviewed the property
and agrees with the request. After due discussion, a motion was
made by Dennis Sand and seconded by Tom Kasner to change the tax
classification to residential non-homestead. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
The Board took notice of a letter received from Michael C. Sundby,
354 Countryside Lane, 40.25900.004, requesting the Board reduce his proposed 2007 estimated
market value from $96,700 to $88,800, the purchase price of his
property. Mr. Johnson informed the Board that he reviewed the
property and would recommend that the market value be reduced to
$94,800 having considered other similar properties. After due
discussion, a motion was made by Dennis Sand and seconded by John
Greer to reduce the total 2007 estimated market value from $96,700
to $94,800. All voted for the motion and it carried.
A motion was made by Tom Kasner to
recess the Board of Review meeting to
6:00 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, May 16th at the Albany City Administration Building to
consider final action on the request by Mr. Oehrlein to review his
property. All voted for the motion and it carried. Mayor Jamie
Thelen adjourned the meeting at 7:10 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
Pursuant to due call and notice at
6:00 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, Mayor Jamie
Thelen continued the regular meeting of the Board of Review in and
for the City of Albany, Stearns County, Minnesota in the Council
Room at 400 Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Members present were: Mayor Jamie Thelen,
Councilors James Beuning, Dennis Sand, Tom Kasner, and John Greer.
None were absent
Jeff Johnson, Stearns County
Appraiser, the City Assessor, was present for the meeting.
Mr. Johnson informed the Board that
he met with Terry Oehrlein, owner of property at 101 Co. Rd. 10,
Parcel No. 40.25041.100, to discuss the estimated market value on
his property which increased from $638,400 to $688,200. Mr. Johnson
noted that he was directed by the Board to review the income
approach in conjunction with the other approaches to value and the
possibility of applying a discount factor to recognize the lease-up
and absorption period on the new multi-tenant building that came on
line during 2005. After due discussion, a motion was made by Jamie
Thelen and seconded by Tom Kasner to reduce the 2007 estimated market value from $688,200 to
$677,500 (the total estimated market value for land and buildings)
based upon the market evidence that was presented. All voted for
the motion and it carried.
Mayor Jamie Thelen adjourned the
meeting at 6:15 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 7:10 o’clock in the
evening on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, in the Council Room at 400
Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Members present were: Mayor Jamie Thelen, Councilors Dennis Sand,
James Beuning, John Greer, and Tom Kasner. None were absent.
Mike Kosik, Editor, Stearns Morrison Enterprise, James Stueve,
Police Chief, and Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, were
present for the meeting.
After due discussion, a motion
was made by Dennis Sand and seconded by James Beuning to
authorize the payment of the following bills:
Check Numbers 57539 to 57574 and 12402 to 12415. 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 April 18th and hearing
none declared them approved.
Gene Bueckers, Pam Nissen, and Janine Kutter, Bueckers City Sanitation,
were present for the meeting.
Gene Bueckers, owner of Bueckers City Sanitation, appeared before the
Council to update the Council on the refuse collection services that
his company provides for all residential customers of the City as
per contract. Mr. Bueckers noted that the City’s Spring Clean Up
held on May 12th was a great success and many appliances,
furniture, and other items were collected. Mayor Jamie Thelen
thanked Mr. Bueckers for attending the meeting and recommended that
each year an update be provided to the Council on their refuse
collection services.
Mark Wallis, the City Engineer, and
Matt Mohs, City Engineer with the firm of Bonestroo, Inc., St.
Cloud, MN, were present for the meeting.
Mr. Wallis appeared before the
Council to discuss Pay
Application No. 12 for the Water Treatment Plant Improvements
submitted by Robert L. Carr,
Marshall,
MN. After
due discussion and upon the recommendation from Mr. Wallis, a motion
was made by John Greer and seconded by James Beuning to approve Pay
Application No. 12 in the amount of $240,972.70. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
Mitch Anderson, Stearns County Highway Engineer, was present for the
meeting.
The Council took notice of a proposed amendment to the Agreement prepared
by the County between the City and Stearns County Highway Department
for the
6th Street Reconstruction Improvements (CR No. 53). Mayor Jamie Thelen questioned
the engineer responsibilities being Bonestroo, Inc. will represent
the City and County. Mitch Anderson noted that the contract for
the improvements is between the County and the Contractor and that
the proposed amendment is language that they will be using with
other cities for future improvements. Mayor Jamie Thelen, with the
consensus of the Council, directed the City Clerk/Administrator to
forward the proposed amendment to the City Attorney for review and
comment.
The Council took notice of a proposed Professional Services Agreement
between the City and Bonestroo, the City’s engineering firm. Mr.
Mohs noted that the proposed agreement can be drafted any way the
City considers either as a master agreement for all projects or done
on a project by project basis which would outline the services to be
provided of the City Engineer and responsibilities of the City.
Councilor Dennis Sand questioned if any other cities enter into
these agreements and requested that the City Clerk/Administrator
conduct a survey of nearby cities. Mayor Jamie Thelen, with the
consensus of the Council, directed the City Clerk/Administrator to
forward the proposed amendment to the City Attorney for review and
comment.
Mr. Mohs informed the Council that notices of the public hearing on the
assessments for the 6th Street and 3rd Avenue
reconstruction improvements have been mailed to the adjoining
property owners and the public hearing will be held on Thursday, May
24th at 6:30 o’clock in the evening at City Hall. Mayor
Jamie Thelen noted that David Drown, the City’s Financial
Consultant, and Jodi Teich, Assistant County Highway Engineer, will
be attending the meeting.
Mr. Mergen presented the following quotes he received for a new camera
system to televise the sanitary sewer pipes for routine maintenance
of the system:
Flexible Pipe Tool Company,
St. Joseph $14,938
ABM Equipment & Supply, Hackensack, MN $23,594
After due discussion and upon the recommendation from Mr. Mergen, a motion
was made by James Beuning and seconded by
Tom Kasner to
purchase the camera system from Flexible Pipe Tool Company at a
purchase price of $14,938. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Councilor Dennis Sand, Park Board Liaison, reported to the Council that
James Mader was elected as the Park Board Chairman and that all
Board members at their last meeting toured the City Parks.
Councilor Tom Kasner informed the Council that the 1963 GMC Tanker which
is used by the City Public Works Department on minimal occasions and
by the Fire Department as a back up in an extreme emergency is no
longer needed as per Mr. Mergen and the Fire Chief; whereby both
recommended that the vehicle be sold as surplus equipment. After
due discussion, a motion was made by James Beuning and seconded by
Tom Kasner to authorize the City Clerk/Administrator to publish an
advertisement for bid for the aforesaid vehicle to be sold as
surplus property. All voted for the motion and it carried.
Mayor Jamie Thelen, 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 Jamie
Thelen and seconded by James Beuning to authorize the payment of the
following bills: Check Numbers 31841 to 31999. Voting for the motion
were Mayor Jamie Thelen, Councilors James Beuning, and
John Greer
and none voted against. Councilors Dennis Sand and Tom Kasner
abstained and the motion carried.
The Council directed the City Clerk/Administrator to prepare the
necessary documents to allow the City to sell surplus property for
residential development formerly known as Well No. 2 at
1030 6th Street.
Mayor Jamie Thelen announced the
next regular Council meeting for 6:30 o’clock in the evening on
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 and adjourned the meeting at 8:30 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm.
May 24,
2007, Special City Council Meeting Minutes
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a special 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 Thursday, May 24, 2007, in the Council Room at 400
Railroad Avenue for the said City.
Members present were: Mayor Jamie Thelen,
Councilors Dennis Sand, James Beuning, John Greer, and Tom Kasner.
None were absent.
James Stueve, Police Chief,
Matt Mohs, City Engineer with the firm of Bonestroo, Inc., St.
Cloud, MN, Dennis Miranowski, Bonestroo, Inc., Jodi Teich, Assistant
Stearns County Highway Engineer,
and Joseph Mergen, Public Works Supervisor, were present for the
meeting.
David Drown,
David Drown Associates, the City’s Financial Consultant, appeared
before the Council to present information pertaining to financing
public improvements. Mr. Drown noted that the City as per policy
assesses 35% of the costs for reconstruction improvements to the
benefited properties and the remaining 65% is paid by property taxes
collected in the community which has worked well the past few
years. Mr. Drown also presented information on how the City’s tax
rate would increase if the City did not assess and would pay 100%
for reconstruction improvements.
Mr. Mohs
appeared before the public to present the scope of the project, bid
results and assessments for the aforesaid improvements.
Pursuant
to due notice, at 7:10 PM, Mayor Jamie Thelen called the public
hearing into session to consider objections, if any, to the proposed
assessments for the 6th Street (CSAH 53) and 3rd
Avenue Reconstruction Improvements.
Bruce Winter, 720 6th
Street, appeared before the Council to question when it would be
appropriate for homeowners to upgrade their water and sewer services
and how access to properties would be maintained during
construction. Mr. Winter also questioned if existing driveway
openings may be enlarged and noted that he is opposed to a new
sidewalk in front of his house.
Al Groetsch, 421 6th
Street, questioned what the interest rate would be on the proposed
assessments and opposes any new sidewalks.
Delbert Clark, 240 6th
Street, questioned if 6th Street would be designed for a
9 ton road or greater for the amount of traffic on the street and
objected to property owners having to pay for sidewalks. Mr. Clark
also questioned why the residents are required to sign a Temporary
Easement for the construction of the improvements.
Pat Johnson, 330 6th
Street, appeared before the Council to question what the annual
payment including principal and interest would be for an assessment
and how many years for payoff. Mr. Johnson noted that if the
proposed sidewalk on 6th Street north of Lake Avenue is
not constructed, he would recommend that a new sidewalk be installed
on the east side of 6th Street beginning at Lake Avenue
and ending at Linden Avenue or Lions Park.
Dale Hamann, 740 6th
Street, informed the Council that he is opposed to a sidewalk in the
front of his home and would like to see as many boulevard trees
saved as possible.
Gary Groetsch, 831 6th
Street, informed the Council that the improvements should be paid
100% by the City being the street is used by the entire public. Mr.
Groetsch noted that 6th Street is primarily used for
Hospital and The Highlands development traffic and strongly objects
to paying 35% of the reconstruction improvements. Mr. Groetsch
also questioned where the contractor will begin the project and why
the contractor is required to close the trench before leaving at the
end of the day which adds considerably extra expenses to the
project.
Mike Blonigen, 810 6th
Street, informed the Council that he objects to a new sidewalk in
front of his home being his home is fairly close to the street
compared to others in the community. Mr. Blonigen also noted that
several trees would have to be removed if the power poles were moved
back and requested that the improvements be paid 100% by the City.
Patricia Winter, 1011 6th
Street, appeared before the Council to question what the intentions
are for the City property across the street which is currently being
used as a municipal well pumping station. Ms. Winter noted that
when the well is abandoned and if the property is sold for two new
residential homes, the homes will decrease her property value.
Tom Heinzel, 910 6th
Street, informed the Council that his home is already too close to 6th
Street and the installation of a sidewalk in front of his home would
reduce his front yard; whereby he opposes the sidewalk.
Randy Pelzer, 830 6th
Street, questioned how the boulevards would be restored to their
original condition and opposes a new sidewalk in front of his
residence.
Mary Zenner, 820 6th
Street, informed the Council that she opposes a new sidewalk in
front of her residence.
Joyce Winter, 130 6th
Street, questioned how the sidewalk costs were determined.
Stephanie Nelson, 650 1st
Avenue, appeared before the Council to question why she is required
to purchase new water and sewer services from 7th Street
when she already has a connection to 6th Street. Ms.
Nelson also questioned if she would have to pay for new water and
sewer connections when 7th Street is reconstructed in the
future.
Dan Ebensteiner, 220 6th
Street, informed the Council that he does not benefit from the
improvements on 6th Street because
his access to his residence is from the rear alley. Mr. Ebensteiner
noted that charging 2% over the bond interest rate for City
administration and bonding expenses is too high and would not object
if the sidewalk in front of his property was removed.
Marie Dobmeier, 920 6th
Street, informed the Council that she opposes the proposed sidewalk
in front of her residence.
Marlene Douvier, 901 6th
Street, also informed the Council that she opposes the proposed
sidewalk on the east side of 6th Street.
Don Fischer, 900 5th
Street, appeared before the Council to inform the Council that his
assessment is too high and is opposed to paying for a 9 ton street
which is mainly used for Hospital traffic including the heavy
imaging semi-truck.
Tammy Ebensteiner, 220 6th
Street, questioned why the City is not paying 100% for the new
street improvements being it is traveled by everyone and not just
specific to those who reside along the street. Ms. Ebensteiner
noted that she opposes the sidewalk in front of her residence and
the 2% charge above the bond rate.
Mary Ann Rueter, 601 1st
Avenue, questioned where the mailboxes would be temporarily placed
during construction.
Geraldyn Dirkes, 411 6th
Street, questioned if the contractor had been hired for the project.
Ed Watry, 601 6th Street,
recommended that the City pay 100% of the improvements being
everyone uses the street and noted that the assessment was too high.
Jodi Teich, County Highway Assistant
Engineer, informed the Council and public that the trench at the end
of the working day will be closed by the contractor due to liability
issues for the County and City. Ms. Teich also noted that the
County will install new swing arm mailbox posts (urban style) for
those existing mail boxes located along 6th Street.
Mayor Jamie Thelen closed the
public hearing at 8:40 PM.
Councilor Tom Kasner informed the
other Council members that he is in favor of installing a new
sidewalk on the east side of 6th Street from Lake Avenue
to Linden Avenue (Lion’s Park) and the City paying for the sidewalk.
Mr. Drown noted that the interest
rate for the bond is estimated to be 4.1% and explained how one
would pay off the assessment within 30 days from the adoption of the
final assessment roll or before November 15th of each
year to the County Auditor or City Treasurer.
Councilor Dennis Sand noted that he
would be in favor of charging 5.1% or 1 % over the bond rate to
cover administration costs and to extend the assessment payments to
15 years.
Mayor Jamie Thelen noted that
typically the City has reinstalled existing sidewalks in those areas
that currently have sidewalks and for past reconstruction projects,
as per City policy, assessed 35% of the costs to the adjoining
property owners. Mayor Jamie Thelen also noted that in order to
maintain stability in the City’s tax rate, assessments are a way to
accomplish this task as per Mr. Drown financial analysis of the
City. Mayor Jamie Thelen informed the Council that if the proposed
sidewalk is removed on the east side of 6th Street from
Lake Avenue to the north, all assessments would be reduced a bit and
the City would mail out the final assessment for each affected
property depicting an amount less than previous mailed.
After due discussion, a motion was
made by Mayor Jamie Thelen who introduced the following Resolution
and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION
ADOPTING ASSESSMENT ROLL
6th Street (CSAH 53) and 3rd
Avenue Reconstruction Improvements
The motion for the
foregoing Resolution were 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 were 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.
After due discussion, a motion was made by John Greer and seconded
by James Beuning to recommend to the Stearns County Commissioners
that the 6th Street
(CSAH 53) and 3rd Avenue Reconstruction Improvements be
awarded to R.L. Larson Excavating, St. Cloud, MN. All voted for the
motion and it carried.
Mayor Jamie Thelen adjourned the
meeting at 8:55 PM.
Tom Schneider
Clerk/Adm. |
