Council to take on orders for removal

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Monday, June 8, 2009

The Albert Lea City Council tonight will take on two orders for removal of dilapidated houses in the city.

The first, at 418 Ulstad Ave., has come to the council on at least two prior occasions.

During the first occasion in February, the council voted to order the removal of the house. In the second, Albert Lean John Ackland asked the council whether he could receive reduced landfill rates for getting rid of the demolition debris of the house and garage if he were able to purchase the property. The purchase agreement had not been finalized.

The issue will come before the council again Monday because on June 3 Judge John A. Chesterman ordered the council to raze the house, with the expense being assessed against the property.

Court papers stated the council found the building was hazardous because of reasons such as a bad foundation on four sides, damaged front steps, damaged and missing siding, damaged roofing, damaged and missing soffit, rotting windows and window trim, and improper wiring, among other reasons.

The second house to come before the council Monday is at 1009 S. Broadway Ave.

Regarding this house, the council will decide whether to authorize the order for removal as well, which would send the issue to the court system.

The property was deemed as unfit for human habitation on April 30, 2007. It includes problems with the foundation, windows, screens, siding, doors, railings, roof, garage, water and sewer, mold and flooring, among several others, according to the inspection department.

Most people would notice it as the house on Broadway Avenue with large holes in the foundation and basement.

The property has been in the ownership of several different parties.

During the meeting tonight, the council will also:

• Vote whether to authorize the submittal of a Regional Assistance to Firefighter Grant application for the purchase of 800 megahertz radios for 16 fire departments in Freeborn County.

The total grant request is nearly $1 million.

City Manager Victoria Simonsen said if the grant is awarded, Albert Lea would act as the fiscal agent for the grant through each community involved would be required to match 10 percent of the amount awarded.

Each community participating in the grant must also have a local resolution supporting the application.

• Vote on issuing $2.84 million in that will be used to finance seven street improvement projects in the city.

• Vote whether to accept the feasibility report and call a public hearing to put in a gravity force main from Manchester.

• Vote whether to authorize city staff to sign the necessary documents required to receive federal funding for the airport project. The grants are expected to arrive next week and need to be back to the state by June 15.

• Vote whether to amend the professional agreement with Mead & Hunt for task orders involved with the airport project.

• Vote whether to authorize the mayor and city manager to enter into a mutual aid agreement with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office during the month of May for drug interdiction projects.

• Vote whether to authorize a concessions agreement with the Albert Lea Community Baseball Association for exclusive rights to sell food and beverage at Snyder Field from June 1 through July 31.

If the agreement is approved, it would also include a payment of the association of $50 per month to the city.

• Vote whether to authorize the replacement of the Albert Lea Airport beacon. It cost about $10,500, with 80 percent paid by the state and 20 percent paid by the city.

• Hear a request from Apolinar Sifuentes of Blue Earth to operate a Taco Express stand out of a 14-by-6-foot trailer on Fridays and Saturdays in front of Tequila’s bar on Clark Street.

• Hear a request from James and Kathleen Lester of Fourth Ave. to sell food from a cart called “The Great American Dawg Wagon” in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot for three days a week from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. They’re also requesting to set up at the softball and baseball diamonds and at New Denmark Park.

• Hear a request from Richard Seelye, 914 Jefferson Ave., to discuss curb improvements necessary near his house.

• Hear a presentation from Scott Pirsig, with the U.S. Postal Service, about the results of the recent postal carrier’s food drive contest between Albert Lea and Austin.

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