City council OKs 15-minute parking stalls on Clark

Staff

Published Wednesday, December 26, 2001

Requests for additional 15 minute parking stalls downtown on Clark Street, funding for a new bus and additional operating funds for the Freeborn County Historical Society were approved at the Albert Lea City Council meeting last Thursday.

Wednesday, December 26, 2001

Requests for additional 15 minute parking stalls downtown on Clark Street, funding for a new bus and additional operating funds for the Freeborn County Historical Society were approved at the Albert Lea City Council meeting last Thursday.

Greg Jensen, one of the owners of Power 96, had requested three 15-minute stalls in front of his offices at 109 and 111 East Clark. The new studios for the radio station are located at 109 E. Clark. The additional 15-minute stalls would be for the convenience of radio customers, Jensen said.

After some discussion, the council approved two additional 15-minute stalls. During the discussion it was noted that an existing short term stall is located nearby, adjacent to Alliant Energy. Councilors expressed concern that approving so many short-term parking stalls in one location might set a precedent.

The motion to approve two additional 15-minute parking stalls was approved on a four to one vote, with Ron Sorenson casting the lone dissenting vote.

A request for $3,483.42 for Senior Resources was also approved, in a unanimous vote.

The money was requested for use toward the purchase of a new bus. Senior Resources manages the Lakeview Trolley in Albert Lea. The money was the same amount as the amount of surplus in a previous year, and which had been taken back by the city under the existing contract for bus services between Senior Resources and the City of Albert Lea.

The state has now taken over the funding for the city bus system, releasing the city from the $15,000 subsidy which had already been budgeted for 2002.

Also approved in a unanimous vote was a request for $3,500 in additional funds to be used for historical society operating expenses during 2002. The reason for the request was expenses related to a new alarm system. Taken together with funding for the historical society which had already been approved, this brings the city contribution to $10,000, according to City Manager Paul Sparks.

In other action, the council:

- Approved lawful gambling applications for Freeborn/Mower Habitat for Humanity and St. Theodore's Church.

- Called for a public hearing on January 14 about the demolition of a building located at 722 South Washington Avenue.

- Called for a public hearing about liquor licenses for Crescendo, located at 118 South Broadway, and Office II, located at 1118 South Broadway.

- Approved the transfer of the liquor license for the Guest House from Dutts LLC to AEL Corporation.

- Voted to make the annexation of the property where the Home Depot store is being constructed and the Darwin Haroldson property official.

- Voted to initiate the annexation a portion of Southeast Marshall Street.

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