Public hearing about Ridge Road project Monday

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Saturday, July 26, 2008

Area residents will have the chance to voice their opinions Monday during the Albert Lea City Council meeting regarding the proposed Ridge Road street reconstruction and water main replacement project.

In June, the council called the public hearing about the project, which is proposed to include reconstruction on about 1,120 feet of roadway on Ridge Road from The Fairway to Garden Road.

The street has many large trees growing on the curb line, which have caused the curb and pavement to heave. As a result, storm water ponds have formed in places and the roadway has become rough.

In order to ensure proper drainage in the future, many of the large trees growing alongside the road would have to be removed during the project.

Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said in June that several residents in the area had requested the project during recent years. But she was unsure whether they realized the trees would have to go if they moved forward with the project.

The project is estimated to cost about $230,000, with 44 percent being assessable to adjacent property owners and 56 percent being city costs.

The neighborhood park accounts for about 21 percent of the total assessable footage and would be included as a city cost.

Proposed assessments on residents range from a low of about $4,900 to a high of $9,800. The average assessment is almost $6,000.

First Ward Councilor Vern Rasmussen said the city conducted a neighborhood meeting about the project, during which affected residents were informed of the details involved.

Though there has been a little confusion along the way, he said, he still thinks a majority of the people want the project.

Simonsen said according to the headcount she received, there were six households in favor of the project and six against it.

Rasmussen said he explained to the group at the meeting that if this project does not come to pass this year it could be another 30 years before something is done.

“Personally, I think we should move ahead with the project,” he said.

Following the public hearing, the council will choose whether to order the improvements.

If approved, construction could occur yet this summer and fall.

On Monday, the council will also:

Vote on the purchase agreement of 124 acres of land for the Sunset Street extension.

If approved, the resolution would authorize the mayor and city manager to enter into a purchase agreement with Leland-Dress Realty Inc. and George Dress to acquire the land, which is east of Chapeau Shores and west of State Highway 13.

The cost for the property is $1.25 million. After the land is purchased, the city could develop a secondary access point to Chapeau Shores and City Arena.

The agreement is contingent on the approval of the council, a purchase agreement between the city and the Albert Lea Medical Center for a portion of the property and the approval of the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad Corp. for a crossing at Highway 13.

It adjusts about $71,000 in assessments pending against Dress on Blake Avenue, and deferred assessments on property owned by the seller on Sunset Street until the property is developed or sold.

Vote on whether to allow the city to develop a tax increment financing plan for the area at the corner of Fountain Street and State Highway 13, the site of the former West Clinic.

Simonsen said Mike Demmer, the president of Prairie Senior Cottages, is requesting the change to assist in the development of a 10,000-square foot assisted living, memory loss facility that would serve 16 people. The project would create between 20 and 25 jobs.

The developer made the request, Simonsen said, because of concerns about increased construction costs, property demolition and asbestos removal.

If the request is approved, a tax increment financing plan would be created in conjunction with the proposed development.

“Staff feel really good about making this a TIF District,” she said. “We think it’s certainly worth looking at.”

A public hearing would be Monday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. to hear input on the proposed formation of TIF District 5-19 and the adoption of the plan related to the project.

Vote on whether to accept a feasibility report concerning an improvement project on William Street and St. Mary Avenue. Specifically, it would include reconstruction on St. Mary Avenue, from West Main Street to William Street, and on William Street, from St. Mary Avenue to Washington Avenue.

The estimated cost for the 650 feet of repairs is about $417,000, with only 5.2 percent assessable to adjacent property owners.

The City Council identified the reconstruction as a priority when adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2008. The existing concrete pavement has been overlaid and patched several times, and money is spent every year to repair damage caused by winter freezing and thawing cycles.

The existing sanitary sewer and storm water systems also warrant reconstruction. The systems were constructed in the early 1930s.

If the feasibility report is accepted, a neighborhood meeting would be called for the week of Aug. 11 and a public hearing would be called for Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.

If approved there, the project would be completed by the end of November.

Vote on whether to approve a request that would allow overnight parking on Elizabeth Avenue in front of 121, 127 and 129 Elizabeth Ave. The area consists of four parking stalls along the curb line, which are currently posted as two-hour parking.

The request was being made to accommodate parking for a four-plex, and if approved, it would allow overnight parking from April 1 to Nov. 1 of each year.

Simonsen said the city’s engineering department looked at the request and didn’t have a problem with it, but when it was brought before the rest of the city staff, they identified that this multi-family dwelling is located in a Community Business District (a B-2 district), which is a nonconforming use.

The staff stated that by allowing on-street parking overnight this would be adding another nonconforming use to an already existing situation, she said.

Simonsen noted there is a lot that is up for foreclosure across the street that could be purchased and made into off-street parking.

Vote on a whether to approve an order for removal for a structure at 415 W. Clark St.

The property was placarded as unfit for human occupancy on April 13, 2007. It was empty with no utilities connected to it.

It was inspected again on April 22 this year and was missing a rear stairway, doors and windows; had a poor foundation on all four sides; had damaged siding, roofing and windows; and had rotting window trim along with junk and garbage in the yard. This was only on the exterior of the house.

On July 9 it was re-inspected and found to be continuing to deteriorate beyond repair.

The door was wide open, and a walk-through inspection of the main floor indicated it was uninhabited with fallen ceilings, improper wiring and mold.

Vote on the election details for the September primary and the general election in November within the city, including the appointment of election judges and the polling places.

Vote on appointing Mayor Pro Tem Al Brooks to the Freeborn County Canvassing Board for the primary and general elections.

Since current Mayor Randy Erdman has filed for the mayoral candidacy, Brooks would have to be appointed to the board to avoid a conflict of interest.