City Council Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 17, 2008
Albertville City Hall 7:00 PM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Klecker called the Albertville City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Mayor Ron Klecker, Council members John Vetsch, Dan Wagner, LeRoy Berning, and Tom Fay, Assistant City Engineer Adam Nafstad, City Planner Al Brixius, City Attorney Mike Couri, City Administrator Larry Kruse, Utilities Superintendent John Middendorf, and City Clerk Bridget Miller

ABSENT: none

RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS/INTRODUCTIONS – no comments

AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA

Council member Berning added an item under Administration regarding Street Names. City Administrator Kruse added an item under Administration also regarding Senior Housing.

MOTION BY Council member Berning, seconded by Mayor Klecker to approve the Monday, March 17, 2008 regular Albertville City Council agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZEN FORUM

Mayor Klecker asked if there was anyone in the audience that wanted to discuss an item with the Council that was not already on the agenda. There were no members in the audience that wanted to discuss an item that was not already on the agenda.

MINUTES

Monday, February 25, 2008 joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission minutes

March 3, 2008 regular City Council minutes

March 3, 2008 Committee of the Whole Workshop minutes

Mayor Klecker asked the Council if there were any changes to the Monday, February 25, 2008 joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission, the Monday, March 3, 2008 regular City Council, and the Monday, March 3, 2008 Committee of the Whole Workshop minutes.

MOTION BY Council member Wagner, seconded by Council member Berning to approve the Monday, February 25, 2008 joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission minutes as presented, and on file in the office of the City Clerk. Council members Berning, Wagner, Vetsch, and Fay voted aye. Mayor Klecker abstained. Motion carried.

MOTION BY Council member Fay, seconded by Council member Wagner to approve the Monday, March 3, 2008 regular City Council minutes as presented, and on file in the office of the City Clerk. Motion carried unanimously.

MOTION BY Council member Fay, seconded by Council member Wagner to approve the Monday, March 3, 2008 Committee of the Whole Workshop minutes as presented, and on file in the office of the City Clerk. Motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA
* CONSENT AGENDA
All items with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine in nature by the City Staff and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member or citizen so requests. In such event, the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

Mayor Klecker asked the Council if there were any items to be pulled from the Consent Agenda.

MOTION BY Council member Berning seconded by Council member Wagner to approve the consent agenda pulling item 8.C.1. Approve the Request for Council Action to Purchase of a 2008 Pickup for the Utilities Department, which required separate discussions and motions that will be on file in the office of the City Clerk. Motion carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENT BUSINESS

FIRE DEPARTMENT – no comments

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – no comments

UTILITIES DEPARTMENT (WWTP)

Approve the Request for Council Action to Purchase of a 2008 Pickup for the Utilities Department

City Administrator Kruse and Utility Superintendent Middendorf explained to the Council that the bidding process is done through the State; therefore the State has taken care of the requirements for municipality vehicles.

Council inquired what other Capital Improvement items such as vehicles are in the budget. City Administrator Kruse confirmed that the vehicle for the Utilities Department was included in the budget. Other items that have been budgeted for include a snowblower, which Council has put off allowing staff to purchase until a later date. Kruse continued by stating that there does not appear to be too many other major purchases. Council member Vetsch reminded the other Council members that the City hired additional staff for the Utilities Department. It is challenging for staff to do the job they are hired for with only two (2) vehicles. It would be beneficial and cost effective for the City to invest in another vehicle, which is included in the budget as the City Administrator has pointed out.

MOTION BY Mayor Klecker, seconded by Council member Vetsch to accept the two quotes, one from Denny Hecker’s Car/Truck City in the amount of $19,650.45, and second from ABM Equipment and Supply in the amount of $7,976.85 for the purchase of a City Vehicle in the Utilities Department. Motion carried unanimously.

Accept the Utilities Superintendent’s (US) Report

Mayor Klecker asked if there were any questions for US Middendorf in regards to his report. Upon hearing no additional comments, the Council members accepted the Utilities Superintendent’s (US) Report dated Friday, March 7, 2008 as presented in the March 17, 2008 City Council packet.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

* Accept the Building Official’s Monthly Report

MOTION BY Council member Berning seconded by Council member Wagner to accept the Building Official’s Monthly Report dated March 5, 2008 as presented in the March 17, 2008 Council packet and on file in the office of the City Clerk. Motion carried unanimously.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

* Approve the Monday, March 17, 2008 Payment of Claims (bills) for check numbers 025419 to 025474

MOTION BY Council member Berning seconded by Council member Wagner authorizing the Monday, March 17, 2008 payment of claims that included check numbers 025419 to 025474 as presented except the bills specifically pulled, which are passed by separate motion. Motion carried unanimously.

CITY CLERK

* Approve One-Day 3.2 % Malt Liquor License Application from the Albertville Lions for an event to be held at the Albertville City Hall on Saturday, April 19, 2008

MOTION BY Council member Berning seconded by Council member Wagner to approve the One-Day 3.2% Malt Liquor License applications submitted by the Albertville Lions for an event to be held on at the Albertville City Hall on Saturday, April 19, 2008, which has been submitted to the City Clerk for Council approval. Motion carried unanimously.

* Approve the 2008-2009 Annual Liquor License Renewals as follows:
a. Off-Sale 3.2% Malt Beverage for Coborn’s Inc. (Coborn’s Grocery Store)
b. Off-Sale Liquor License for C. L. Gentile Inc. (Geez Sports Bar & Grill), Holm Holdings Inc. (152 Club), Westside Liquor, Inc., Hackenmueller’s Inc. (Hack’s Liquor Store) and Coborn’s Inc. (Coborn’s Liquor Store)
c. On-Sale Liquor Licenses for C. L. Gentile Inc. (Geez Sports Bar & Grill), Holm Holdings Inc. (152 Club), D. Michael B’s II Inc. (D. Michael B’s), Northwest Metro Restaurant Ventures LLC (Major’s Sports Café), Cosmic Foods (Space Alien’s Grill & Bar), Rancho Grande Inc. (Rancho Grande), and Cedar Creek Golf Course LLC (Cedar Creek Bar & Grill)
d. Special Sunday On-Sale Liquor License for C. L. Gentile Inc. (Geez Sports Bar & Grill), Holm Holdings Inc. (152 Club), D. Michael B’s II Inc. (D. Michael B’s), Northwest Metro Restaurant Ventures LLC (Major’s Sports Café), Cosmic Foods (Space Alien’s Grill & Bar), Rancho Grande Inc. (Rancho Grande), and Cedar Creek Golf Course LLC (Cedar Creek Bar & Grill)
e. On-Sale Wine License for Hong Thai Inc.
f. On-Sale 3.2% Malt Beverage for Hong Thai Inc.

MOTION BY Council member Berning seconded by Council member Wagner to approve the Annual Renewal of the 2008-2009 Off-Sale 3.2% Malt Beverage Liquor License to Coborn’s Grocery Store; 2008-2009 Off-Sale Liquor License to C.L. Gentile Inc., Holm Holdings Inc., Westside Liquor, Inc., Hackenmueller’s Inc., and Coborn’s Liquor Store; 2008-2009 On-Sale Liquor License to C.L. Gentile Inc., Holm Holdings Inc., D. Michael B’s II Inc., Northwest Metro Restaurant Ventures LLC, Cosmic Foods, Rancho Grande Inc., and Cedar Creek Golf Course LLC; 2008-2009 Special Sunday Liquor License to C.L. Gentile Inc., Holm Holdings Inc., D. Michael B’s II Inc., Northwest Metro Restaurant Ventures LLC, Cosmic Foods, Rancho Grande Inc., and Cedar Creek Golf Course LLC; 2008-2009 On-Sale Wine License to Hong Thai Inc.; and 2008-2009 On-Sale 3.2% Malt Beverage License to Hong Thai Inc., which have been submitted to the City Clerk for Council approval. Motion carried unanimously.

PLANNING AND ZONING

Accept the City Planner’s Monthly Report

Mayor Klecker asked if there were any questions for City Planner Brixius in regards to his report. Upon hearing no additional comments, the Council members accepted the City Planner’s Monthly Report dated Wednesday, March 5, 2008 as presented in the March 17, 2008 City Council packet.

ENGINEERING

Accept the Assistant City Engineer’s Progress Report

Mayor Klecker asked if there were any questions for Assistant City Engineer Nafstad regarding his report or any other concerns.

Council brought to Nafstad’s attention Wright County has posted a “speed limit” sign on CSAH 19 South in Albertville near the St. Michael border. Council stated that an individual who is traveling from St. Michael into Albertville would be driving at a faster speed and then expected to slow down to 45 mph when they enter the Albertville city limits. Staff informed the Council they were unaware of the speed limit sign and would research the reason behind the posted speed limit sign and report the findings to Council at a later date. Council’s message for staff to relay to Wright County it would be their suggestion to keep the speed consistent along the entire stretch of CSAH 19 North and South for safety purposes. Council wanted it documented the concerns with the speed along CSAH 19 for future reference in the event an accident occurs that is speed related.

Following the discussion, the Council members accepted the Assistant City Engineer’s Progress Report dated Monday, March 10, 2008 as presented in the March 17, 2008 City Council packet.

LEGAL

Accept the City Attorney’s Monthly Update

Council expressed concerns regarding the number of homes that are being foreclosed on and how will this affect the future of property taxes. Couri commented by stating there may be the chance the banks would ask to temporarily hold on the payment of the taxes. The foreclosures most likely would go back to the State if they are not sold. The property taxes may potentially or eventually be paid by a third party when bought from the bank. Couri continued explaining that he did not foresee too much in the 2008 property value. Couri felt that the Council may see more of the house values going down in 2008.

Staff shared with the Council that they could obtain an estimated budget for the taxes to better prepare the City’s 2009 Preliminary Budget. Staff shared their knowledge of the property taxes to give Council a better understating on how to proceed or forecast the 2009 Budget. Staff reiterated that Council may not see much of a change in 2008 as compared to 2009.

Council then inquired about obtaining an update in regards to the Albert Villas Stormwater Pond Project. Staff reported that a list has been prepared and submitted to the STMA School District. Once staff receives an update or response from the STMA School District, staff will share the information with the Council.

Council questions the outstanding charges owed from the school, in which staff needs to sit down with all parties involved to review how the amounts were calculated. Again, once this has been accomplished staff will give an update to Council.

Council’s last request was an update on the Edina Development litigation, in which Council wanted to know what the status was. Staff shared with the Council that they did know to the best of their knowledge that it was put on hold. Staff has not heard anything since it was put on hold, but would look into the matter and report back to Council at a future meeting.

Council members accepted the City Attorney’s Monthly Report dated February 26, 2008 as presented in the March 17, 2008 City Council packet.

ADMINISTRATION

Grant Credit to Albertville Body Shop Nagell Appraisal

City Administrator Kruse briefly reported that Jamie Stevens has requested the Council to grant a $100 credit for the next five years on the Albertville Annual Sign Lease to reimburse the Albertville Body Shop for a $500 appraisal the was conducted by Nagell Appraisal and consulting for the 4,200 square-foot parcel of land that was donated to the City by Mr. Stevens. By granting the credit will allow Mr. Stevens to be eligible for an IRS Tax Deduction for the gift.

MOTION BY Council member Fay, seconded by Council member Wagner to grant a $100 credit for the next five years on the Albertville Annual Sign Lease to reimburse the Albertville Body Shop for a $500 appraisal by Nagell Appraisal and Consulting for the 4,200 square-foot parcel of land donated to the City so Mr. Stevens can be eligible for an IRS tax deduction for the gift, which has been submitted to the City Administrator for Council approval. Motion carried unanimously.

Accept the City Administrator’s Oral Report

City Administrator Kruse reported on the Albertville Premium Outlets berm and the fact that the dirt is slowly being removed. Kruse then noted some outstanding issues one of which is the outstanding utility bill for the Albertville Laundromat. Kruse encouraged the Council to take action on it; even if the action is to carry it as an outstanding UB. Last item Kruse brought up was setting a date to meet with the Personnel Committee to discuss the potential of having city staff serve as Day Responder Volunteer Firefighters.

STMA Ice Arena (discussion item)

City Administrator Kruse briefly reported that the STMA Hockey Board met Monday, March 10, 2008. The Arena Board would like to send out too all parties the information regarding the Don Barthel land purchase. The Board would like to put a Request for Proposal (RFP) together for the expansion of the STMA Ice Arena.

Senior Housing – March 10, 2008 Tour

City Administrator Kruse reminded the Council that on Monday, March 10, 2008 the City was invited to tour various senior housing facilities in Elk River. Members that attended were Mayor Klecker, Council members Berning and Fay, and Planning & Zoning Chair Leintz. Following the tour, Kruse suggested conducting a study to evaluate the need for a Senior Housing Development and the appropriate location within Albertville for such a development. Mayor Klecker informed the Council that the facilities in Elk River were clean and had a nice set-up.

Streets Names and or Signage

Council asked about the street signage located behind the Tile and Stone facility, which is also the same location of the WWTP and the PW Facility. Council recalled renaming the street a couple of years ago when Otsego re-aligned MacIver Avenue NE. Council noted that the utility bill still reads MacIver Avenue NE, when in fact it should say 63rd Street NE. Staff acknowledged the concern of the street name and would research the reason for the error on the bill.

ANNOUNCEMENTS and or UPCOMING MEETINGS

Mayor Klecker noted the upcoming meetings – calendar of events, which Council member Berning reported that he will not be able to attend either of the March 31 meeting.

March 2008
25 6:00 p.m. Joint Water Board meeting
31 6:00 p.m. Jt. City of Albertville; City of St. Michael and
STMA School Board meeting
31 7:30 p.m. City Council Workshop - Greenhaven Neighborhood mtg.

April 2008
7 5:30 p.m. Board of Appeal & Adjustments
7 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting
8 7:00 p.m. Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
14 6:00 p.m. STMA Ice Arena Board meeting
21 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting
28 6:00 p.m. Joint Water Board meeting
28 7:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole Workshop (tentative)

May 2008
5 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting
12 6:00 p.m. STMA Ice Arena Board meeting
13 7:00 p.m. Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
19 7:00 p.m. City Council meeting
26 all day Memorial Day observed – City Offices closed
27 6:00 p.m. Joint Powers Water Board meeting (TUESDAY)
28 7:00 p.m. Jt. City of Albertville-City of Otsego Workshop (Albertville)

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY Council member Vetsch, seconded by Council member Wagner to adjourn the March 17, 2008 regular City Council meeting at 8:09 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

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