Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 29 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Council rejects Legion’s request for sign
Electronic message board would have touted events
Published Tuesday, November 10, 2009
In a split 4-3 vote, the Albert Lea City Council on Monday denied a request from American Legion Leo Carey Post 56 to install an electronic message board on its building on North Broadway Avenue, in Albert Lea’s historic district.
Councilors who denied the request indicated they thought the sign would be considered outdoor advertising — essentially a billboard — which is only permitted in the B-2 and I-2 Districts.
Some also said they needed to consider what kind of character there needs to be in the downtown district, while others questioned the safety concerns that might rise out of it.
Mayor Mike Murtaugh, along with councilors Vern Rasmussen, Ellen Kehr and Larry Baker, voted to deny the request, while councilors Reid Olson, Larry Anderson and Al Brooks voted to approve it.
American Legion Club manager Todd Utpadel said the sign would have helped promote not only Legion events but events taking place for service organizations, schools and other groups across the city and county. It would also tie into Amber Alerts.
It was part of a commander’s project for Post Cmdr. Rex Stotts.
Utpadel said information on the sign would rotate every 10 seconds. It would not be a flashing letter-changing sign, but would instead be static, or fixed, for those 10 seconds. And it would be without fancy transitions.
The sign was earlier denied by the Heritage Preservation Commission but approved by the Board of Appeals and then sent back to the council.
Utpadel said he was frustrated with some of the rules of the HPC that were in place but over the years have not been followed.
City Attorney Lee Bjorndal raised the concern of whether the sign would be a outdoor advertising, which he said is not permitted in the city code. He said if it was a sign advertising only Legion events, it would be different.
Utpadel said if that were the case, that would take away the point of the sign.
Murtaugh said what troubled him about the request was not having a clear understanding of how the sign was going to work.
Rasmussen said he thought approving the request would open a can of worms to other downtown businesses.
Murtaugh noted he thinks turning down the American Legion’s sign request is in “the best long-term interest of preserving the nature of downtown’s historic district.”
He said though he did vote against it based on the uncertainty as to how the sign would be used, he hopes the Legion will pursue a different commander’s project.
In other action, the City Council:
• Went into closed session for at least one hour to discuss two topics.
The first was concerning the purchase of the Damman property, which is land adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant south of Albert Lea Lake.
In a summary of the session, Murtaugh said the council gave city staff the direction to pursue negotiations for purchase of that property.
The second topic was regarding union negotiations. Murtaugh said City Manager Victoria Simonsen and Human Resources Director Mike Zelenak updated about that topic.
• Authorized an agreement with the Albert Lea School District for rental of ice time at City Arena for the 2009-10 hockey season. The agreement will include use of the ice, dressing rooms, team showers and equipment area.
The agreement is for $50,000 in two payments, due on Dec. 15 and March 15, 2010.
• Voted to give Jose Soto-Gonzalez, owner of 316 Railroad Ave., an extension for completing work at the house, which was placarded as unfit for human occupancy in April 2007.
Soto-Gonzales has been working to bring the house up to code and has so far put on new siding and a new roof. He has yet to put in new windows and a new foundation.
The council gave him until Dec. 31 to have the windows put in.
• Approved a request by David Courey to waive the fee to use the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center for his event over the weekend to raise money for the Freeborn County Historical Society.
The vote was 4-3.
• Authorized membership in the Southeast Service Cooperative.
The membership will allow the city to go through this cooperative for health insurance for city employees during the 2010 plan year.
The Southeast Service Cooperative provides pooling opportunities with other groups in the region to leverage economies of scale, lower costs and achieve claim cost stability. It was established in 1976 by the Minnesota Legislature.
• Authorized the submittal of a grant application to the Office of the Secretary of State of Minnesota for federal funds available through the Help America Vote Act.
If obtained, the grant will fund six assessable polling booths and magnifiers.
• Approved an administrative survey of lots of record for the Carrington Companies, owners of Northbridge Mall.
• Authorized a transfer of funds from the PIR capital projects fund to the PIR debt service fund.
• Called a public hearing on Nov. 23 for Jobs Opportunity Building Zones tax exemptions for Alamco Wood Products LLC.
The owners are proposing a new operation in the facility that will result in an expansion and additional workers.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by metisman (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Albert Lea continues to give the impression that it isn't business friendly, imho. The Legion deserved better.
Thank you to all the vets who served to keep us free.
Posted by altaxpayer (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, the Legion does deserve better!! I think if Mike runs again for Mayor, he would NOT get my vote.
Posted by 240golferguy (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like a poll on this to see if anyone agrees with the councils decision. I cant believe that would be voted down. Come on, the Legion deserves better! I think a sign would look way better than the banners they have to put on there building telling us whats going on.
Posted by alhs1975 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The decision has nothing to do with patriotism or supporting the troops. It is only about whether to preserve the historic district of downtown Albert Lea by keeping it as close as is reasonable to the time period. A flashy LED light would impinge on the efforts to preserve the past - like putting putting a McDonald's in the middle of the pioneer village at the fairgrounds.
If the Legion wants to upgrade, I would suggest buying the Elks Club - there is no ordinance that would prevent them from putting up a glitzy bulletin board there.
Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If it had been a public vote the Legion would have a sign.
Give them a break. I don't understand why a sign would hurt the image of Albert Lea or what a few people think the image should be. Rediculous
Posted by GunnarBerg (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good decision.
Posted by 240golferguy (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
1975. That just brilliant, The Legion can vacate another downtown building so they can put up a sign. Maybe we could make The old legion another tatto shop.
Posted by knockerknock (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What about the churches that are going with the electronic signs?
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was very disappointed when they voted to reject the sign.
Right now, I believe the City owns 3 buildings along Broadway because they can't find a viable owner for the buildings. The sign would added some excitement and information to a very dead commercial district.
Posted by justmealmn (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to agree with the city councils vote on the sign....it would've looked tacky. Just like the two flashing church signs here in town. I don't know what Zion Lutheran Church thought with the one they put in front of their church. I thought the old one was just fine looking for in front of a church.
Posted by ALACTOR (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am very diappointed that the sign was rejected, I thought it would be an excellent idea, and they made it very clear they would be willing to put info for other organizations on the sign as well, we are in modern times, let's think of some modern advertising...
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The city council again shows it is anti-business. I don't see a lot of business trying to move downtown or expand. Also am I missing something is that building really that old to be called historical?
Posted by family60 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe the correct word for the voting booths would be accessible (not assessable).
When Utpadel moves to town, he should be allowed to speak to the Council. Until then, he is only the club manager. He has no vested interest in this city. Also, the message board changes messages every 10 seconds...that is nearing "flashing".
The city is thinking about purchasing more property??? When are they going to realize the residents are in a recession and consider tightening their belts as we have done.
Posted by Taxpayer_AL (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the city council wholeheartedly. The sign they (The Legion)wanted did not have a place in the Historic area of Downtown Albert Lea.
Everyone in town knows how poorly the American Legion is doing financially and I don't think for a moment a lighted sign is going to turn around their business. They don't have the business because they don't treat people right when they go in there. The lack of business has nothing to do with the smoking ban, Diamond Jo's or wether or not they have a sign or not.
That area is a cluster of motorized as well as walking traffic. Even at the city council meeting The Legion manager mentioned he was almost struck by a car in that crosswalk lately. Its a busy place. This is a simple case of a traffic hazard, or safety hazzard.
Keep up the good work City Council !
Posted by gander1 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Speaking of signs. How about the crooked 'Albert Lea, the good life' sign on the West side of S. Broadway across from Hardees. Talk about a pathetic looking sign. As you drive North & away from this sign (towards downtown), be sure to take a look at all of the empty buildings & stores. I realize that a few stores have stuck around this (from the Elbow Room to the Courthouse) corridor, but for the most part our town has developed out by the interstate. Yes, this brings in revenue & I can't argue that it does not help. It just seems odd to see how S. Broadway used to be (bustling) & how it is now (virtual ghost town).
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Look up old pictures of Albert Lea. There are lots of signs and lights on Broadway. If you remember the old Broadway and Rivoli Theaters, they had signs over the sidewalk that flashed. The town was lit up and properous. I recently drove down Broadway and never realized how many store fronts are rebuilt. It's all very beautiful, but not historic.
Posted by gander1 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WildBill.........I was speaking about Broadway south out of downtown. I agree about Broadway at Uptown as still thriving.
Posted by mpezuz (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's rediculas that they can tell someone what they can do with there own building. If everybody that didn't agree with this called and complained, every day, to the mayor himself maybe he would relize that they are not doing what we want them to do..
Posted by johnboy (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When the movie theaters were running didn't they have 'flashy' marquees?
Posted by brando (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So if all of you old folks would like to keep the downtown historic, let's block off the roads from cars and trucks and rip up the roads. Then we can go back to horses and buggies. Ok so that won't happen. Its really sad that the city thinks that we have anything historic here that produces money back to the city. Name a biz downtown that a vistor to Albert Lea would say yeah that sounds fun to vist or shop at. Check out towns like Duluth. They have action and lights that draws people in. Producing money and vistors and more biz to all. Maybe we should stop looking at only one way to live. By the way it's 2009 let's live it that way.
Posted by Taxpayer_AL (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was born and raised in Duluth. They are having many financial programs.Their population now is alot less than it was 25 years ago.
Yes, they have flashing lights, But they also have a casino downtown, drunks sleeping on the streets and and numerous other criminal activities.
Albert Lea doesn't need flashing, static or any other billboard downtown.
Posted by brando (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah I forgot Albert lea for the good life... Yeah if your 60 plus years old. Oh also talking about money problems look at good ol Albert Lea. We can't find a way to keep police on our streets but we sure can build a blue zone center and staff it and heat and cool it. Oh also that is another building that the city owns that has no activity to it. WOW historic downtown the city center that was. I know not everything is about getting people into Albert Lea but on the other hand if we don't get people to come to Albert Lea why are we preserving hostoric downtown and who is going to run this town when the old folks of this town are DEAD and GONE?
Posted by OldTrojan (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The glorious historic district of downtown is a dump! Few people go there. The City cannot afford to grow the downtown. The veterans got the shaft.
Posted by gander1 (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OldTrojan........I don't think the downtown is a dump, rather it is in transition.......some new businesses are trying & we'll see what happens. I do like the century old brick buildings though.
Posted by antibluehairs (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bravo brando, historical? More like hysterical on how they have managed to stay around long enough to keep running this city into the ground. Blue hairs, blue zones we surrender!!!! Now find something better to do. And people wonder why you leave after graduation for bigger and better! If giving them the sign makes them feel productive give it to them.
Posted by gander1 (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To you people against the Blue zone idea. Let it rest. It can only benefit the city. We have an aging population & I think the Blue zone plan was in part aimed at that. I have seen wonderful stories about how it has changed the lives of people (some younger!). I can see your angle in thinking the city is just concerned only about being in the 'Blue zone'. That may be the case in some aspects, but it does not take away what good the Blue zone has done.
Posted by johnboy (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 4:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a thought, if you are trying to preserve the look of the downtown wouldn't the city first have to stop condemning and removing buildings? I personal think its an epic fail when you are trying to save the looks of one building, but the one right next to it is gone.
Posted by 57boy (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 5:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
& now the city wants to buy more land?????
2 words...DEAD ZONE !!!!!
Posted by lkfrancisr (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stupidity. Plain and simple. It's a service organization!
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
The Tribune encourages healthy, respectful dialogue in the spirit of community enlightenment. It's OK to disagree, but be courteous and civil. Name-calling, vulgarity and claims of criminality are subject to removal.
(Requires free registration.)