Council approves assessments for some work

About a half dozen people expressed anger and frustration over Albert Lea street projects Monday night at a public forum.

The forum was held in front of the Albert Lea City Council on assessments in connection with several projects.

Albert Lea residents Danielle and Terry Johnson of South Washington Avenue said they have had car damage from concrete work tied to the construction.

“I feel they wrecked my driveway, and I shouldn’t have to pay for something that I didn’t wreck,”  Terry Johnson said. “It’s a sore subject for me and I just want to yell. I feel I am just being ignored, and they are stealing money from me.

“They took our driveway, took what worked and turned it into something that doesn’t work for us,” Danielle Johnson said.

Lakeview Boulevard resident Paul Luttrell also expressed frustration.

“It’s been heck trying to get in and out of there,” Luttrell said. “It has not been very well supervised.”

Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker apologized to the public for the projects’ inconvenience and pledged to have yards returned to their previous state.

The comments came as the council considered assessments for street work done on South Broadway and Lakeview Boulevard, along with various streets included in the city’s neighborhood improvement project and state-aid street project.

The tax increases have been necessary, Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said.

“We want to continue to maintain our infrastructure and that’s what our tax increases have come from in the last three to four years,” Adams said. “If we don’t maintain our roads, they’re going to fall into a constant state of disrepair, which will cost taxpayers more.”

Assessments for the 2015 neighborhood improvement project and Lakeview Boulevard project were tabled until the next City Council meeting. The proposed assessments are over 10 years at 4.52 percent.

The interest rate for the Broadway Avenue and Minnesota Highway 13 project will be 4.52 percent over five years after the council approved the assessment Monday night. The measure passed 6-1 with 3rd Ward Councilor George Marin voting no. Property owners are being assessed for a portion of sidewalk and parking work in connection with the project.

The council approved proposed assessments for 10 years at 4.52 percent interest for the 2015 state-aid street project that involves work on Vine Avenue from Abbott Street to Fountain Street and on Clark Street from West Avenue to St. Mary Avenue.

The assessment for the St. John’s on Fountain Lake project was postponed until next year so the council can receive final cost estimates of the project. The proposed assessment will be over 10 years at 3.52 percent interest. The northwest sewer and water extension for the St. John’s on Fountain Lake project involved the construction of a sanitary lift station, water main, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and bituminous and gravel street construction to serve the new St. John’s facility. The project also lays the groundwork for infrastructure to the Stables Area, north of Edgewater Park and will provide future service to properties along Country Club Road.

Marin expressed appreciation to the public for attending.

“I want to say thank you for your courage and bravery in asking your elected officials questions,” Marin said. “We are accountable to you as local taxpayers. This isn’t our money; it’s your money.”