City to deal with stinky neighbors

Staff

Published Tuesday, June 29, 2004

By Ann Austin, Tribune staff writer

Portions of Albert Lea have smelled a little rank lately, and it's not from the lake.

Residents in the city's third ward have complained of a family of skunks which are wandering around their area. City Councilor George Marin has received nine phone calls from residents wanting the pungent neighbors removed. Marin called upon the council to do something about it, and make it one of their top priorities.

"It is a serious problem," he said.

One solution may be to mow the lot behind Shady Oaks Apartments, where the skunk family - a mom and her offspring - have been seen. Animal control will also be called in to resolve the problem.

In other city council news:

-Jaxx Inc. a bar and grill business on Clark Street which has taken up shop in the former Slammers location, was approved to have its liquor license transferred from Bueno Management.

-The closing of North Washington Avenue was approved for July 3 of this year, for theannual Shrine Club Oasis picnic at Christ Episcopal Church parking lot, following the parade.

-The city council, after months of deliberation, has decided to hold their pre agenda meetings in the council chambers. Future preagenda meetings will be held Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers the week prior to city council meetings.

City council members also discussed moving public items to the beginning of the meeting. They are currently at the end of the agenda, but there have been questions regarding the significance of public comments after decisions have been made. The motion passed, but only half of the council members voted for moving public items - Councilors Kron, Erdman and Marin. Councilors Amundson, Brooks and Fjelstad voted against the change. Mayor Jean Eaton broke the tie with her vote of "yes."

The third issue regarding council conduct involved allowing the public to speak at pre-agenda meetings. The council did not approve the motion: Amundson, Fjelstad, Kron and Brooks all voted against allowing public comment during pre agenda meetings. Erdman, Marin and Eaton voted to allow comments.

-The Hanson building item, considering use of the lot that the city now owns, was tabled until the first meeting in July, due to the absence of City Manager Victoria Simonsen.

-Deferred assessments totaling $141,000 and dating back to 1956 were approved by council members to be taken off the auditor's books. Councilor Fjelstad requested a list of deferred assessments.

- A public hearing was called for the revocation of Hot Shots' liquor license. The bar, located on South Broadway, has been issued many violations of alcohol sales to minors. Owners of the bar have faced more severe penalties, but remain in violation. The bar had been shut down for four weeks earlier this year and was warned of a license revocation if it did not comply with the law.

"It's been an ongoing problem," said City Attorney Steve Schwab.

The hearing was approved by council members and set for the July 12 meeting.

-Mayor Eaton noted that the water tower by Home Depot is completed.

-Councilor Erdman informed council members of complaints that free property such as couches are being left on boulevards for days at a time. Schwab said the property owners are usually ticketed after a few days if the items are not removed. The city will ask property owners on Fountain Street to get rid of their items.

Erdman also requested the billboard to be removed from the Hanson property, for weeds to be treated in the parking lot and part of the fire escape on the building to be removed.

-Councilor Brooks questioned who was paying for the street and sidewalk repair on Frank Avenue. Jahnke explained the City had been paying for some of them. Albert Lea resident Roger Bok said if the road had been inspected right, the problems wouldn't have occurred. He related the same cause to the problems at Leland Avenue. Brooks requested that a center line be painted on Frank Avenue.

-Bok also suggested that there be more enforcement against motor homes and trailers being parked in the streets.

-Albert Lea resident Art Anderson spoke of his frustration about semis coming down Margaretha Avenue. "It used to be a safe road," he said. He also said the road was in need of repair.

(Contact Ann Austin at ann.austin@albertleatribune.com or 379-3435.)

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