[0:02] Call order, the regular meeting of the overtly city council for Monday, September 14, 2020, 26, clerk, please call the roll.

[0:38] Welcome to everyone tonight, whether you're here in person or online, we're glad you're with us.

[0:44] Next item is a ceremonial item tonight.

[0:47] We have a proclamation.

[0:49] Seetrax, think, train, rail safety week.

[0:52] So I will go ahead and read the proclamation.

[0:55] Minnesota Operation Life Savor, declare.

[0:58] Seetrax, think, train week is September 21 through the September 27.

[1:02] We're as a state of Minnesota as a leader in supporting highway, rail, grade crossing, and pedestrian safety programs, and we're as first held in the U.S. in 2017, this collaborative effort, formerly known as rail safety week, is now called sea tracks thing train week throughout the U.S.

[1:21] This includes preventing railroad crossing and trespass incidents across North America and concentrating public attention on the need for all safety education.

[1:30] And whereas during the week of September 21st, September 27th and throughout the year, all citizens

[1:36] are encouraged to observe additional caution as motors to pedestrians, near tracks or trains.

[1:42] And whereas it's never safe to stop closer than 15 feet from the rails and the train is at least

[1:47] three feet wider than tracks on both sides, 95% of all rail-related deaths involved drivers

[1:52] trying to beat a train or people trespassing on railroad tracks. And whereas our train volunteers

[1:58] tell people trains are quieter and moving faster than they appear, and because it can take

[2:03] a mile or more for, I'll fully load a train to stop by the time an engineer sees a person or

[2:09] vehicle on the tracks, and applies the emergency brakes. It is often too late to avoid a collision.

[2:15] And whereas this important observant should lead to greater safety awareness and reduction in highway

[2:20] rail, great crossing crashes and pedestrian railroad incidents. Now therefore, I rich Marine Mayor

[2:27] the City of Albert Lee do hereby proclaim September 21st, 27th, as C tracks think train

[2:33] week and encourage all citizens to participate in activities to reduce crossing crashes

[2:39] and pedestrian railroad trespass incidents during this week and throughout the year.

[2:44] With that, I'll present this proclamation.

[3:19] the location side, looking for every real problem in here, and so in the United States.

[3:27] Thank you.

[3:27] Thank you so much.

[3:29] Thank you.

[3:43] Next up, public forum.

[3:49] Thank you.

[3:51] You're not there, right?

[3:54] And tonight we have Don Blake.

[3:56] You're going to talk to us about the Eddie Cacher in 2027 car show and statue project.

[4:02] Come on up.

[4:04] Welcome.

[4:05] Very good.

[4:06] Thank you. Well, my name is Don Blake and a member of the Lakes Corvette Car Club here in Albert Lee,

[4:17] and I've been working with John Schipper who put together this year's Eddie Cochrane Car Show.

[4:24] I am also on a committee of a group of people here in Albert Lee on the design and construction

[4:32] of the Eddie Cochran Statue. And as you know, all of you are fully supportive, 100% support

[4:41] and having this statue made and put in the northwest corner of Marion Ross Street and North

[4:49] Broadway. In any event, in my discussion with John Schipper, after this year's event, he told

[4:56] me that he had about 490 cars show up for this year's event, and he had the turn away over

[5:07] 120 of them, winded up with 368, and so he's very concerned about having available parking

[5:18] area for next year's event, which is scheduled for Saturday June 12, 2027. And so anyway,

[5:28] what we talked about was where we might be able to accommodate additional cars, especially

[5:36] that's when we're going to have the unveiling of the statue at noon on that Saturday the 12. Anyway,

[5:45] John is estimating that we are going to have probably close to seven to eight hundred cars for next year's event and we are going to have people from not only in all over the United States, but also from England and possibly other countries.

[6:08] We already have commitment from the Baldi Holley Band in England that they are going to be back here for the events that week and

[6:18] In addition, there was a hour and a half documentary that came out on June 23rd in England called

[6:27] Don't forget me, and it was a documentary about

[6:31] Eddie Cochran and in this documentary

[6:35] over 30 famous musicians talk about the huge impact that Eddie Cochran had on their musical careers.

[6:45] In that documentary, Alice Cooper, Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones,

[6:51] Rod Stewart and a host of other individuals.

[6:56] And as a result of that, one of the members of our committee has already reached out for Alice Cooper

[7:04] and spoke with his manager, conveyed to him what we have planned for the unveiling of the statue next June 12.

[7:15] And so they're excited to hear that.

[7:18] We anticipate we're going to have a lot of very famous musicians and attendance here for next year's event.

[7:27] So, uh, that bro-

[7:30] Court up the issue with available parking, especially with John Estimating about 7,800 cars. He has been going all over the United States attending various events, and communicating our event next year, and especially with the unveiling of the statute.

[7:50] So, as a result, I figured what we needed to do was to take a look at having the available

[7:58] parking, which, of course, kind of centers on the north, Broadway parking lot, especially

[8:06] with given, that's where the statue is going to be, and having all those famous people

[8:12] on attendance.

[8:13] So, what I figured I needed to do was to meet with the committee for the farmer's market.

[8:20] And because on Saturdays, they've got their event scheduled there.

[8:26] So I happened to drive by on Wednesday, August 19th, and I happened to see they had a sign up.

[8:36] So I'd stopped, and there were just a few vendors, but the very first table I went to,

[8:41] to find out when I could go and talk with the committee, that manages that.

[8:47] She told me that the meeting that they were going to have their monthly meeting was scheduled

[8:53] for the following Thursday on August 27th.

[8:58] And of course, that was the same event as the Wedgewood Cove car show.

[9:04] So I had my wife pick me up and take me up there for the meeting at 4 o'clock that afternoon.

[9:11] So I went up and they were gathered at picnic table there and I went up to talk to them

[9:17] about the Eddie Cochran Statue Project, as well as the Eddie Cochran Card Show.

[9:25] And as I introduced myself and I started the talk, I was immediately interrupted and told to shut up.

[9:35] And I went, excuse me, but I'm here just to convey information and talk to you about this project,

[9:42] it's gonna have a huge impact on our community.

[9:45] And so as I started to talk and can be more information, one after another, I was told

[9:53] shut up that's it. We don't want to hear anymore. And it was just so rude. I just thought,

[10:00] my gosh, you know, this is for a benefit of the community and that we needed to look at what

[10:06] we could do. I have had a discussion with Rich, and we talked about the parking lot off of

[10:14] Mary's to utilize that, but it's going to be critical and they told me, as I was talking,

[10:20] and they said, why don't you just do it out to the Fairgrounds? I said the statue is going to be

[10:25] right here next to the North Broadway parking lot. I'm sorry, Rich. Go ahead. No, one minute.

[10:31] Oh, if you could. Oh, I made up for us. Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. So anyway, I said in a discussion that we had,

[10:38] We, the option came up of having you folks move to the old high school parking lot on West

[10:49] Clark across from where Bonnerups used to be and they said, nobody would even know that

[10:55] we're there.

[10:55] I said, you got nine to ten months to convey that message to everybody and they just said,

[11:02] just shut up, we don't want to talk about it.

[11:04] One of the other members then came up and spoke up and said,

[11:08] if we were to do that the only way we would do that is if you paid us $500 per vendor to move to a different location.

[11:19] I said, we're not a business, we're not an organization, we don't have dues coming in.

[11:24] The money we are taking in is strictly for the construction of the Eddie Cochran statue.

[11:30] And they just said, that's it, we don't want to hear any more, we're not even going to consider it.

[11:37] And I just kind of went on and talked about the information.

[11:42] They said, why don't you just go out to the Fairgrounds?

[11:44] I said, because the statute's right there.

[11:47] So, anyway, I figured the only other thing that we could do for the event coming up and how huge we expect us to be is to come and talk with you.

[12:00] folks to come up with an option that's going to be available to have them move to that old high school parking lot for just one day out of the entire spring summer fall and don't know what can be done.

[12:19] I don't know what their contract looks like that they have with you folks, but it's of

[12:25] huge benefit to our community, for the growth, the amount of information that we heard from

[12:32] people visiting, Albert Lee at this year's event, from people from Florida and the Carolinas.

[12:39] Pennsylvania was like, wow, what a great community. The more we can expose this especially

[12:45] if we get famous people here to help in the honor of Eddie Cochran and the Statue.

[12:55] And for those of you that weren't aware, Eddie's family moved to Albert Lee from Oklahoma

[13:02] in the summer of 1938.

[13:05] Two and a half months after they had moved to Albert Lee and the father Frank was working

[13:11] at Wilson Company.

[13:12] And any event, two and a half months after they had moved Albert Lee, Eddie was born October 3, 1938,

[13:21] and they lived here in Albert Lee until 1951.

[13:26] And so to take advantage of the historical value of that, I think is going to be a huge benefit for this community.

[13:37] Don, thank you for presenting tonight. Sounds like we have some more work to do.

[13:40] very good. Okay, well thank you, Rich. Thank you. Thank you. City Council.

[13:46] All right, you're on that? Could I add one thing? Yes, before I forget,

[13:52] somebody should maybe try and reach out to the baseball association. I don't know if they have

[13:56] their tournaments and stuff to set up for next summer already. But I know like last year, they'd

[14:01] usually have a tournament around that time. It would alleviate a lot of hotel problems because they

[14:07] in, you know, to bring in 20 teams and probably, you know, they're probably filling up 50 to 100

[14:13] hotel rooms themselves. So if we could alleviate some of that congestion, might be worth

[14:19] reach out if they have the scheduled tournaments with the state already. Good point. Thank you.

[14:24] Yeah. All right. Okay. We'll move a line too. Yep. Thank you.

[14:28] Consentant approval of the agenda, A is the approval of minutes of the August 24, 2021,

[14:33] regular council meeting and it'll be as the approval of minutes of the August 24,

[14:37] 2026 work session.

[14:39] Item C as license and permits.

[14:40] Item D as a resolution of proving the gambling permit for the Twin Lakes Firemen Relief

[14:44] Association and Resolution declaring.

[14:48] Item D as a resolution declaring 2026 hometown pride fall cleanup day is October 10th from

[14:55] 9 till noon.

[14:56] Council.

[14:57] Won't you approve your honor?

[14:58] Motion by Councillor Baker, is there a second?

[15:00] Second year. Seconded by Councillor Herman, any further discussion? All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. Opposed, nay, motion carries. Item 7 is petitioned. There are six as petitions request and communications. We have none tonight. Seven is unfinished business. We have none tonight. Eight, new business. Item A is a public hearing and resolution regarding the main corridor, urban, renewal grant and revolving loan funds agreement with the Karen Tune Company.

[15:28] We'll open the public hearing with the staff report, City Manager.

[15:32] Thank you, Your Honor.

[15:34] While not legally required, the resolution for the corridor grant is going to be held,

[15:39] and a will be, we'll hold a public hearing for that.

[15:43] And as for the corridor grant renewal, it is intended to assist property owners in making facade

[15:48] and site improvements that preserve the architectural character of the property,

[15:52] improve the curbside appeal and other and or spur economic development,

[15:56] along the C's main commercial corridors.

[15:58] Carrington Capital LLC, a limited liability company

[16:01] under the Lawson Minnesota applied for matching grant

[16:03] for lighting upgrades and improved parking areas.

[16:07] The total project cost is $30,400

[16:09] and the property owners are eligible

[16:11] to receive a matching grant of $50,200.

[16:16] Item A2 is a resolution permitting an agreement

[16:18] for the economic development revolving loan

[16:21] to Carrington Company.

[16:23] The city of Albert Lee considers loans

[16:25] for up to 10 years on a case by case basis with a criteria of creating and retaining permanent

[16:29] private sector jobs, and a field above average economic growth increased tax-based

[16:34] and improved employment and economic opportunities within the community.

[16:38] The character company is sought to ensure an agreement the city of Albert Lee for an economic

[16:42] development revolving loan fund $50,000 over five years at 5.23% interest per annum to

[16:49] and retain five jobs until November 1st, 20, 31.

[16:54] The reason why it's five jobs is that these are

[16:57] considered the upper management jobs within the

[17:02] Ross Dress for less company moving in.

[17:08] All right, any questions for the council?

[17:13] Can we do these two resolutions together?

[17:16] Do we need separate hearings?

[17:17] I would do.

[17:18] You can do one hearing for both,

[17:20] Because the public can comment on either or both at the same time, but they should be two separate votes as resolutions.

[17:28] Okay, great.

[17:30] All right then.

[17:32] We will talk about both of these, and so first of all, would anyone like to speak regarding either the resolution authorizing a main corridor urban renewal grant agreement,

[17:42] with Carrington Capital LLC 2016-32618 Bridge Avenue or the Resolution Permitting and Agreement for an Economic Development Revolving Loan with the Carrington Company.

[17:56] For the second time, would anyone like to speak?

[18:01] For the third time, would anyone like to speak?

[18:05] What clause of public hearing?

[18:08] I would entertain a resolution first of all for A1, the resolution authorizing the main corridor of Urban Renewal Brand Agreement.

[18:14] Moving toward the relating.

[18:18] Second, by Councilor Hermann, and any further discussion on resolution,

[18:24] all in favor, Secondly, I oppose any motion carries.

[18:30] Afterward, then, Also,

[18:31] Ent 않'd

[18:32] Moving, options for the classified council.

[18:39] Motion that theNotary nationally

[18:42] I'll second you on a second by Councilor Herman any further discussion city manager.

[18:49] Yes, thank you, Honour. I would just like to say that the amount and type is not a

[18:53] precedence that we are setting or will be likely continuing in the future and I would

[19:00] just like that expressed in the minutes. Okay. Thank you. Any other Councillor Crichton says?

[19:06] I want to thank the city manager for mentioning that because we did discuss this in our

[19:11] work session and I think there was some some concern and hesitation, but given given these things

[19:19] I'm going to be able to support it this time.

[19:27] No further discussion.

[19:28] All in favor of the motion signify by saying aye.

[19:31] The falls nay.

[19:32] Motion carries.

[19:34] Item B is a resolution approving the joint letter with Hayward and Freeborn County to the

[19:38] Minnesota DNR to finish the blazing star trail.

[19:41] City Manager.

[19:42] Thank you, honor.

[19:45] As explained in the resolution and drink letter with the City of Hayward, Freeborn County,

[19:49] the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has delayed completion of the Blazing Star

[19:54] Trail once again.

[19:55] Cheryl reads to Major milestone in 2025 when the DNR connected the segments between Meyer

[20:01] Big Island State Park and Hayward, including the bridge over absolutely lake.

[20:05] However, the DNR pulled the last half mile of gravel from last year's project leaving a major

[20:10] school to attract more trail users, attracting more visitors to our communities and boosting our tourism industry.

[20:19] The trail has been more than actually 30 years in the making, and the total of 8.1 miles has been completed.

[20:26] There's only half mile left to pay if the resolution and letter urge the DNR to finish the job for everyone's benefit.

[20:32] The Hayward City Council is also voting on the resolution tonight on September 14,

[20:37] with three-born county board voting on its September 15th tomorrow.

[20:43] Concentrate.

[20:43] Staff recommends approval.

[20:45] All right, Guzzle.

[20:45] Move to approve your own.

[20:46] Motion by Councillor Anderson.

[20:48] Is there a second?

[20:49] Second.

[20:50] Second by Councillor Christensen.

[20:52] Any further discussion by the council?

[20:56] I would just like to say that this has been going on for an awful long time.

[21:01] I've been out to the park probably four or five times for celebrations for the completion of this trail.

[21:08] it is still not been completed. I won't mention any names but we have people in our

[21:13] midst tonight that have worked on this trail for over 30 years and they would

[21:18] like to see it get done and so thank them for being part of this for all these

[21:22] years we appreciate it but it's time to talk to the DNR we are having a

[21:27] conference tomorrow will be the County will be there hopefully the city of

[21:38] It's been in the works way too long.

[21:41] The DNR has developed and the engineered this whole project out there and so they should be able to find a way to wrap this up.

[21:50] So we'll be talking tomorrow and with that any further discussion.

[21:55] Hearing none all in favor of the motion signify by saying aye.

[21:59] Bosnian motion carries.

[22:01] Item C is the approval of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.

[22:07] Thank you, Honour.

[22:08] This is the final draft after our suggestions from the Council with changes to the

[22:12] vision statement.

[22:13] There are also some final edits from staff that were more grammatical

[22:16] experience or spelling, city commission and board members had ample time to review

[22:23] and provide responses or questions to the plan at the suggest the mayor.

[22:30] However, a few of the implementation items were deleted or edited, as they no longer match the goals

[22:36] or were redundant. And then staff are set to meet and late October to go over the final stages

[22:41] of the implementation and the dashboard to track implementation. A strategic plan is a living

[22:47] document that can be updated, changed and reported on to the council. It starts with the council's

[22:53] high level view, goes to the city manager's mid view, and is better defined and implemented

[22:58] it by the staff on the ground level.

[23:01] Staff recommends approval.

[23:02] Council?

[23:03] Move to approve your honor.

[23:04] Most of my concert bakers are second.

[23:06] Second year.

[23:06] Second by concert hermen.

[23:08] Any further discussion by the council?

[23:13] I have a question for the city manager.

[23:16] So you know how I like studies.

[23:18] And I like to see them actually be used.

[23:22] How are we going to monitor this going forward?

[23:25] And how often can we expect that staff for yourself

[23:28] will be coming back to us?

[23:30] See, and here's what we're working on, here's what we're at, so that we get a little update from time to time.

[23:36] City Manager?

[23:37] There should be a quarter layer by annual reports given to the Council based on that implementation plan and the dashboard that we are looking at finishing up by the end of this year.

[23:49] So, starting either within three to six months of next year, we should have our first report on what has been done.

[23:55] to meet those goals what implementations have taken place and also to show what remains.

[24:04] And I think, annually, the council should most definitely review, not just only the report given,

[24:12] but then have a discussion in general as a group to talk about any other potential future changes

[24:18] or any other questions or concerns about implementation as we continue to report.

[24:24] It is by the actions of both staff and council, it's what makes it a living document, and that is the goal to keep that going.

[24:36] Yeah, so just as the city manager said, this is a living document.

[24:39] We will be monitoring it, we'll be making changes as we go.

[24:44] But I definitely want to see a hidden behind it.

[24:46] We put a lot of time into putting this together.

[24:48] There's some really good things in here that the city should be working on.

[24:51] So let's the staff to keep working on it and the council's keep working and make making suggestions as to how we can continue to

[24:59] improve it and expand on it with that. Alright don't have a whole lot tonight just anyone.

[25:18] And it was all the football game last Friday, the taggers beat the Packers, which is always

[25:22] nice.

[25:24] And again, always get out and try and support our youth kids when they're out doing their

[25:29] sports.

[25:29] Sit your honor.

[25:31] All right.

[25:31] Ward 5, constant band beat.

[25:33] Thank you, Your Honor.

[25:34] I have two four items I'm currently working on.

[25:37] And last thing, September 19th, the creative flags will be here in Albert Lee, honoring

[25:43] the nation of Patriots.

[25:44] it will be leaving bond gars at 1230 on Saturday and arriving at Bergdale's Harley Davis at

[25:51] one PM on behalf of the Glenville Legion rioters and everybody involved who would like to invite

[25:57] everybody out and witness two to four hundred more cycles rolling through Albert Lee.

[26:03] So all I got. Thank you. Ward six, consider Anderson.

[26:06] Your honor since the last time we were up here we had a had an HRA meeting. I thought it was a very

[26:14] on that a little bit, but I finally feel like the HRA has gotten past the point of putting

[26:17] out fires and maybe we're moving on to more of being productive. I'll let him characterize

[26:22] it in any way he sees fit since he's the man that holds the gavel in that committee.

[26:27] We also had a budget meeting. I'm on the budget committee, so we've been working on this a

[26:31] lot of small meetings leading up to the point where the whole council was brought in on the budget

[26:35] and after we're looking at the numbers on Thursday night, we obviously we have some more work

[26:40] do, but we have, we still have time. And then I hope everybody had a happy

[26:47] Labor Day. I don't have any ward items, so that'll be all your honor.

[26:49] All right, thank you. Ward 1, Councillor Crestenson.

[26:52] Thank you, Your Honor. No ward items for me at this time.

[26:59] Some things that are upcoming.

[27:01] Thursday, a cradle to career meeting. At the high school, it's a collaborative effort

[27:08] together with the Blue Zone's committee, Riverland, and Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Fund,

[27:15] looking at initiatives to help with education and up to not only just early childhood, but also

[27:28] into young adult and job placements and such. So that's going to be an interesting opportunity

[27:34] to learn. Age-friendly free-born county is meeting this Thursday and on Friday, Mayo Health

[27:41] System is providing a lunch to certain people to provide organizational updates, talk about their

[27:48] priorities and initiatives.

[27:52] And then I want to give a shout out to the class of 76, which had their

[27:56] 50th Class reunion this last week, this last weekend, I should say. And that's my class. I was happy to

[28:03] part of it. It's wonderful to have people come back to town to hear their impressions and I heard lots

[28:10] and lots of positive comments about Albert Lee and honestly we've got a lot of great great people

[28:16] that have come through here and they're out in the world doing wonderful things. So thank you class of

[28:22] 76 for for gathering. That's it, Dr. Hunter. Thank you. War 2, Councillor Baker. Thank you, Your Honor.

[28:30] I have a couple of ward items, but I've already talked to the city engineer about them, and I have another one I have talked to the city manager about, I will do that at a later date this week, hopefully.

[28:43] Other than that, I only have, as Counselor Anderson spoke with the Natchari meeting, and he's right.

[28:52] We were finally starting to, the board is starting, and the HRA body is starting to work together and get things focused as to what our goals are and which way we want to go.

[29:10] And I have to, I really have to say that Dr. Mitchell, the executive director, she has really come around as to what our goals as a board are and actually what the goals of the city.

[29:25] And so that Mary just kind of working out right now. So I just have to say I appreciate the work that everybody else has done and helping us move this thing forward.

[29:38] One thing I would like to report on, and that's the house that the HRA is putting up.

[29:43] They were putting up the forms for the foundation being today wrangled all day.

[29:49] I would imagine sometime this week the foundation would be finished.

[29:54] I know they have some other things I got to do before they set the house.

[29:58] But if anybody wants to look at the house.

[30:00] Well, it's sitting out on the old farmland property. The house was finished earlier than the foundation. So, they had to put it someplace. They couldn't leave it at the factory. They don't have room. So, they brought it here and it's sitting out there. So, if anybody wants to go out and look at it, to see what it's going to look like. Help yourself. It's a nice looking house. So, we're really excited about the fact that we can be part of the city's effort.

[30:29] And everybody else is effort to start working on this housing shortage that we have to kind of coincide it with the new businesses that we've had in the last five, five and a half years.

[30:42] And with the possibility of new businesses coming in, there's a lot going on and people that are going to as time goes on.

[30:51] people have been understand what the involvement with all of the entities that are working toward

[30:59] the same goals. I just tell you a little story that when I first got on the council, they were

[31:07] the same entities. They had the same goals in mind, but they had different directions and how

[31:12] to get there. And it was really kind of tough because nobody was going, everybody was going the same

[31:18] directions but on a different road. It just seemed like a time-something. Things never really

[31:23] got done. So from that point to this point, it's light years away. I'm really proud

[31:33] to be a part of this and I'm proud to be on this board with the people that I work with.

[31:39] I have a great deal of respect for everybody on this console and everybody that I work

[31:43] throughout the city.

[31:45] That would be your honor.

[31:47] Thank you.

[31:48] Thank you.

[31:48] Work.

[31:49] I have no ward items at this time, but I did attend several events throughout the city.

[31:56] September 5th, I attended the Daisy Festival Central Park.

[31:59] There are numerous vendors with handcrafts, hand-made crafts, live music.

[32:04] September 5th, I also attended the flea market.

[32:06] That's a freeborn County Fairgrounds.

[32:08] They met with two blacksmiths out there.

[32:10] They could have been older than 20.

[32:12] And they're making handcrafted knives and horseshoes and other things out there. It's very interesting and then September 10th

[32:19] I attended the a luncheon that was put on my pastor, Marin, and

[32:23] Coordinated with the breakthrough ministry for the EMS for throughout the Freeborn County.

[32:29] They provide us a free lunch, which is very nice. Appreciate that.

[32:33] That's it. You're on it.

[32:34] All right. Thank you. So a busy couple weeks, lots going on.

[32:38] And Albert Lee had three elite of project updates during the last three weeks.

[32:43] And then on August 25th, we had a combined HRA EDA Alita joint meeting where the HRA and

[32:51] the leader were all together there talking about housing in the community.

[32:54] But things we could work on together on August 27th, I was on a tour of the oatmeal.

[33:00] And we had the USDA Undersecretary Glen Smith here in town.

[33:04] He'd been in office, I think for five days.

[33:07] So he just getting acclimated to things, but he came on for a tour.

[33:12] We were able to go all the way through the building all the way to the top.

[33:16] It's up there a long ways.

[33:17] Let me tell you, you can see a lot of the city from up on top of the oatmeal,

[33:20] but they're going to start moving some product through there, some testing of it,

[33:24] and hopefully we'll see full production coming up very soon.

[33:28] After we were done there, we also went on a tour with the WTCA,

[33:32] So the Winnebago Telecom and the USDA Secretary and his staff also went along and they're

[33:40] working on a project called the Reconnect Project and it's a $25 million project where

[33:46] they're hooking up fiber optic line for everybody in this area and so they were out they took

[33:53] us out, showed us where they were laying some cable and how they put it in the ground and it was

[33:59] pretty remarkable how fast they could leave cable going down the the farm ditch there.

[34:04] So then also attended a Thursday's on Falton.

[34:07] I believe there was one more after that and so we're at the end of that season now but

[34:11] what a great season. A lot of great concerts during the past dozen or so Thursdays here in

[34:17] Albert Lee. We had a lead a monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of September and just talking

[34:24] about projects that are going on wherever we're at with them and how we can move some more things

[34:28] forward. On the 5th of September, I also attended the Daisy Fest and there was a lot of people

[34:35] there. A lot more boost and even the last couple years. And so it was great to see all the people.

[34:41] I talked to several people from Rochester, the Twin Cities, different places that they'd come

[34:46] down for me just for this Daisy Fest. So it was very nice to have that. And that also made our

[34:51] farmers market very busy that morning. As some of the people that were here for the Daisy Fest,

[34:57] were also attending the farmers market and checking that out.

[34:59] So good for both groups.

[35:01] Monday, the seventh Labor Day, the Bayside ski show,

[35:04] final show of the season.

[35:06] That was a lot of fun to watch all the skiers out there.

[35:08] They put on about a two of our program.

[35:11] And then like Councillor Herman,

[35:14] I attended the law enforcement appreciation lunch.

[35:17] This passed Thursday, put on by breakthrough ministries

[35:20] and Pastor George Breen.

[35:24] And anyway, for law enforcement,

[35:25] So the Sheriff's Office, the Police Department, EMS, Firefighters, all the groups were all together

[35:32] there for a meal.

[35:33] So just a nice way to show our appreciation for them.

[35:37] And then last Thursday night we had the Albert Lee City Council budget meeting and met for

[35:43] about, I think, we're there for about three hours.

[35:45] What have been shorter, but the City Manager wanted to keep a talk of this so.

[35:50] All right, anyway, I think we had a great presentation.

[35:54] and we've got a lot of work to do yet on the budget but I think the council was ready to

[35:59] dive in and continue to work on that. And then this past Saturday I was at a recovery event

[36:04] in Central Park and it was very interesting. I got to spend a half hour in the dunk tank so that

[36:11] wasn't so interesting, but it was a little cool about on Saturday with that wind hauling.

[36:16] So myself and then the see certain strong, he was also in it. So he did it for half an hour too,

[36:22] But just the stories that you hear from these people that have gone through drugs in their life,

[36:27] for other addictions, alcohol, different things of that nature, and they're turning their lives around.

[36:34] It's just, you know, it's heartbreaking what they went through and what they took their families through,

[36:39] but it sure is nice to see them coming out the other side.

[36:42] And some of them have been clean for six years and some for three years and one guy for six months.

[36:47] And so anyway, we have to keep encouraging them, and hopefully they stay on that road to recovery.

[36:54] And then yesterday I went out to Conninson Place, and they had a celebration out there for grandparents' week and also assisted living week.

[37:02] And the House of Prayer did a church service at 3 o'clock for an hour, and then they did a concert for an hour, and then they fed everybody.

[37:11] So, a lot of people that visit with and both from that house of prayer group and then also

[37:20] people living there at a condinson place, so that was a good time, a lot of people out there,

[37:25] it was a very nice day, beautiful day out there. And with that, I think I move along then.

[37:30] 2. The calendar of events coming up. A constant of Christianson mentioned the cradle to career, which will be out at the fieldhouse this Thursday.

[37:39] And the city recreation department along with police and fire are also hosting safety day. In more and part tomorrow, September 15th from 4 to 6 p.m. This is a community building event where residents can learn about the different services provided throughout Oberley. Kids can explore emergency vehicles, meet police firefighters and first responders.

[37:58] on Friday, September 18th, from 12 to 8 p.m. It's Viva in Independence Day. Celebrating

[38:05] the Independence of the Latin American countries, there will be food trucks in the North

[38:08] Broadway lot from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., crafts, games, and from 4 to 6 p.m., and then also

[38:15] music from 4 to 8 p.m. So get on out there and enjoy the food and the music and the good

[38:21] time. Saturday, September 19th, there are a few events. So the walk to end Alzheimer's will

[38:28] going on at Frank Hall Park. Registration is at 9, the opening in the ceremonies at 10 and the

[38:33] walk starts immediately, following the opening ceremony. Every dollar raise will help those affected

[38:40] by Alzheimer's disease right here in our own community. Then also that day, the out of darkness

[38:45] walk for suicide awareness will be at Central Park this year. Events starts at 9 a.m. with walk,

[38:51] starting at 10 a.m. Resort of Spruce will be set up at Central Park for support and suicide awareness.

[38:57] And then, as a counselor of Ann Beek mentioned, the nation of Patriots, homecoming starts

[39:04] about noon where the motorcycles be gathering out at bomb guards.

[39:08] And then they will be heading across, they coming down West Maine and then heading north

[39:14] on Broadway and out bridge Avenue.

[39:17] Let's get the community out there and cheering these guys on.

[39:21] That's a big path that they'll be making through the community.

[39:24] Let's get out.

[39:25] bring your flags. Let's wave some flags and just show them our community support. We announced

[39:31] this group leaving back in the middle of May. Correct. And so it's been May. June July

[39:37] August four months they've been out riding them. They've been to all 50 states carrying this

[39:42] flag. So let's get out and support them. They're doing something very important. They're raising

[39:47] money to help veterans. And so there's a lot of veterans out there that need our help. And so let's

[39:52] out and support the group, and it'll be out at the Harley Davidson Bergdale Harley Davidson

[39:58] will be where the program will be, and a luncheon program will follow once the motorcycles

[40:03] get out there. And then on Friday, September 25th, it's the Albert Lee homecoming parade in downtown

[40:08] Albert Lee. The parade will leave Central Park at 3pm and travel from Central Park to Broadway

[40:13] Avenue, from Broadway Avenue to West William and from West William to Euclid. Homecoming

[40:18] Royalty sports teams and school club teams will be on the floats, and as

[40:23] consular hosts, Olson mentioned, Albert Lee not only beat Austin, they

[40:28] smeared Austin on Friday night. That's one of the best games I've ever seen.

[40:33] What was it final? 35 to six? 42 to six. I think yeah 42 to a lot. It was a great

[40:40] game. I can't wait till I see the mayor of Austin again. I will be a

[40:48] So we've got football going on, soccer, cross country, there will be concerts and different

[40:54] choir things going on throughout the fall here.

[40:58] These kids are out there working hard to entertain us and let's get out and support them.

[41:03] And with that, we'll move along to the city managers report.

[41:08] Okay, thank you, honor.

[41:10] Currently working on a couple of different items related to blazing star development.

[41:14] And I've got a punch list to go over on the two houses that we have constructed with GFY.

[41:21] We continue to work on the budget and simultaneously or going hand in hand is also our

[41:27] union negotiations and contracts.

[41:30] There's some other economic development items I'm working on with the county and the school

[41:34] board and or the school administration and the county administration.

[41:40] And internally, we are going to start looking at some succession planning and development of like in place development of staff as well.

[41:55] So we've got a lot of things going on internally that are going to keep us very busy.

[42:00] All right. Thank you. Item 11 is approval of claims. A is a resolution of proving claims and one is a presentation of claims over 25,000 city manager.

[42:12] Thank you, honor. We have 26,600 and 70 dollars and one cent to free from our electric cooperative for the sanitary storm list stations.

[42:19] We have $30,081 in three cents of platinum plumbing solutions.

[42:23] This is the lead service line replacement project.

[42:26] $34,155 in four cents to our really convention visitors and bureau.

[42:31] This is lodging tax.

[42:33] $42,204 in 12 cents to H&M underground solutions.

[42:36] This is lead service line project replacement.

[42:39] This is $47,030 to trust and corporate for a 26 GM CCRF 1500 for the street department.

[42:47] 48,221 dollars, 44 cents, to 10,424, Incorporated for a 26,410, for the wasteware

[42:58] treatment plant, 48,221 dollars, and 44 cents, to 10,424, I'm hoping I'm saying that

[43:05] correct, 10,424, okay, 10,424, Incorporated for a 26 and a sector for the engineering

[43:14] Department 48,825 dollars and 75 cents the Bolton Inc.

[43:18] Corporate.

[43:19] This is the A was replacement phase three final payment.

[43:24] $50,080.090 to mid-west place capes in corporate.

[43:28] This is which would part playground equipment.

[43:30] $50,0215.080 to free more morale like your cooperative for electricity, the waste

[43:35] for a treatment plant.

[43:36] $77,030,317.070 and $17.010.

[43:40] and brothers. This is the street aid overlay payment number three.

[43:45] 99,196 dollars to League of Minnesota City's insurance.

[43:48] This is our fourth quarter worker's compensation insurance premium.

[43:56] 226,388 dollars and 76 cents to South East Service Cooperative.

[44:01] This is our health insurance approximately 87% employer 13.349,420 dollars and 43 cents to icon LLC.

[44:09] This is St. Valley, Marshall Street Reconstruction.

[44:12] A herring 29,000, 220,000, 2,000, 2,000, 2,000, 2,000, 2,000, 1,

[44:14] since, you're your brother, this is the neighborhood improvement project.

[44:18] Council?

[44:19] Move to approve your own.

[44:20] Most of my concert Anderson, is there a second?

[44:22] Second.

[44:23] Second by Councillor Herman, any further discussion?

[44:26] On the favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.

[44:29] Opposite.

[44:30] Motion carries.

[44:32] We are now going to go into a closed session and we will be discussing,

[44:37] in union negotiations under state statute 130g.03.

[44:44] And you're on it.

[44:46] Just so that way everyone knows in advance if you want to stick around, you can.

[44:50] But at the conclusion, it will just basically be stated that council will have given me instruction on proceeding with the union negotiations.

[44:59] Great.

[45:00] All right. Is there a motion to go in a close session? Motion to make answer Baker, is there a second? Second term. Second, second, second,

[45:08] second, second, second, second. Opposed. Clerk, please call the roll.

[45:11] Councillor Cursington. Aye. Councillor Baker. Aye.

[45:13] Councillor German. Aye. Councillor Olsen. Aye.

[45:16] Councillor Van Beek. Aye. Councillor Anderson. Aye.

[45:18] Councillor Mayer. Aye. Aye. We are not on close.

Albert Lea City Council Meeting 9-14-26

Transcript