Mosquito fee to be on the water bill

Published 8:52 am Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Albert Lea residents will soon pay for mosquito spraying through a quality-of-life surcharge on their water bills.

On Monday, the Albert Lea City Council awarded the contract for mosquito spraying for 2009 to Mosquito Control of Iowa. The vote included the approval to apply the cost of spraying, $26,550, to the water bills of city residents.

Though the exact cost that will be applied to each bill has not been determined, Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said it will probably be a one-time charge of $4 or $5.

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Simonsen said mosquito spraying was one of the top priorities for city residents, according to a recent survey filled out by more than 300 residents. Applying the cost to utility bills was a recommendation by the citizen budget task force.

This year’s spraying contract with Mosquito Control of Iowa will include 10 spray applications, whether they be by ground or by air. Mosquito Control of Iowa has provided spraying services the last two years, and is the only company that bidded on the services that has the capability to provide aerial spraying.

Simonsen said bids for mosquito spraying are down about $10,000 this year.

Though the company did not have the low bid, it was the only company that could provide both aerial and ground spraying, which the council said they thought had been effective in recent years.

There’s a chance other quality-of-life services such as the fountains on Fountain Lake, Christmas lights downtown and the algae treatment of Fountain Lake will also be added under a quality-of-life surcharge.

In other action, the City Council:

 Approved an adopt-a-park policy designed to give people in the community an opportunity to keep the city’s parks and trails clean, attractive and safe.

The policy will be open to anyone in the community, whether they be individuals, families, neighborhoods, civic groups, religious groups, businesses, service groups or another community organization.

Though it includes three ways people can adopt a park, trail or flower bed, if an entity wanted to take on more responsibilities it could, Councilor Vern Rasmussen said.

The three ways indicated in the policy include performing basic maintenance, donating funds for new equipment or park amenities, or sponsoring annual maintenance costs.

Those wishing to adopt a park will have to fill out an application regarding their organization and the space it wants to adopt. After that, they will enter into an agreement with the city that outlines the rules and responsibilities of both parties.

Involved entities will be acknowledged by the city for their efforts.

Councilors emphasized the adopt-a-park policy only includes greenspace and not the buildings or facilities in those parks.

Murtaugh said this strategy was also recommended by the citizen budget task force.

 Authorized a notice of intent to amend the contract between the city and the Albert Lea School district regarding school resource officers.

Currently there are two school resource officers in Albert Lea, one at Albert Lea High School and one at Southwest Middle School. The school district pays 50 percent of the salary of one of those officers.

Because of anticipated budget constraints, the city is anticipating the need for the Southwest officer to be placed back in active duty on patrol.

The existing contract states it will be automatically renewed unless either party gives six months advance notice of their intent to terminate the agreement.

If grant funding is not obtained to cover this officer in this capacity, the officer would be pulled from the school and put back on patrol.

“We’re hoping this doesn’t have to happen, but we have to give notice in case it does,” Simonsen said.

 Awarded the concept for 2009 bituminous materials to Flint Hill Resources out of St. Paul.

 Authorized a resolution approving an administrative survey of lots of record combining all of First Lutheran Church’s parcels into a single parcel.

 Approved a request to block Frank Avenue, from East Front Street to James Avenue, and James Avenue, from Frank Avenue to The Children’s Center parking lot, for the Land Between the Lakes Kids Triathlon on June 6.

The triathlon is being hosted by the Fit Forever Collaborative in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Department. It would involve swimming at the Albert Lea pool, biking on the Blazing Star Trail and running around the boat landing and treatment facilities area behind Frank Hall Park.

Approved a request from Capt. Jim Brickson with the Albert Lea Salvation Army to consider waiving fees for the use of park shelters throughout the summer months for the Salvation Army to offer Wednesday meals at for children in their day camp.

This would allow the community meal service offered at the Salvation Army headquarters on Wednesdays to continue.

Approved a request to hold the fifth annual Albert Lea Land Between the Lakes Triathlon.

The event is scheduled for Sunday.

Because of construction happening on the west end of the park, Edgewater Drive will be closed except to thru traffic after the race begins.

Approved a request by the organizers of ShineFest to conduct a tractor parade starting at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds on July 18.

Approved a request to block Garfield Avenue from Fairlane Terrace to Hawthorne Street for the Thorne Crest Retirement Center car show later this month.

 Observed a proclamation being read by Murtaugh recognizing National Police Week.

 Observed a proclamation being read by Murtaugh regarding the Veterans of Foreign Wars poppy drive.

 Recognized Albert Lea resident Mark Anderson for serving on the city’s Charter Commission.