Albert Lea council approves consent agenda, grants, engineering contracts, plat and large claims

The Albert Lea City Council on Jan. 13 approved its consent agenda and a series of routine and project-specific resolutions, including property sales, grant acceptances, a professional services agreement and the preliminary/final plat for the Blazing Star development.

Key approvals included:

- Consent agenda items (minutes, licenses and permits, appointments and designations for 2025, depository and signatory resolutions, official newspaper designation, and other routine administrative resolutions). The council approved the consent agenda on a motion by Councilor Baker with a second by Councilor Holland.

- Sale of city-owned real estate at 1211 Newton Avenue South: Staff said three undersized lots will be combined into two lots as an incentive for redevelopment; council approved the resolution on a motion by Councilor Baker, seconded by Councilor Anderson.

- Broadway Ridge grant for 224 South Broadway: The council approved 50% reimbursement for roof replacement at 224 South Broadway. The total project cost reported by staff was $32,300; the city’s grant share is $16,150 and staff noted there will be a mortgage on the property until remaining code violations are corrected. Motion by Councilor Baker; second by Councilor Holland; approved.

- Loading-zone designation on Bridge Avenue (Job 2213): Council approved two loading-zone stalls to provide access for the kayak launch; staff said the DNR grant requires the loading-zone designation. Motion by Councilor Christensen; second by Councilor Holland; approved.

- Engineering services for Snyder Field bathrooms and concessions (Job 02/2017): ISG of St. Louis Park submitted the winning proposal at $29,500 to provide public-facility design and public engagement for concessions, bathrooms, picnic area, playground and ADA access; council approved the professional services agreement. Motion by Councilor Holland; second by Councilor Olson; roll call recorded ayes.

- Support for Active Transportation Act application (new paved trail from Albert Lea to Manchester, Job 02/2011): Staff presented a resolution supporting grant submittal; council approved the support resolution. Motion by Councilor Holland; second by Councilor Anderson; approved.

- FY2029 Blake Avenue resurfacing/MnDOT grant application authorization: Council authorized staff to apply for federal surface transportation funds via MnDOT for resurfacing from East Main Street to Trunk Highway 65, including overlay, sidewalks, curb and gutter.

- Preliminary and final plat for Blazing Star No. 2: Planning Commission recommended approval with Outlots A and B designated as outlots because of floodplain and intended park/open-space use; council approved the plat with the planning commission’s recommendations.

- Acceptance of donations: Waste Management donated $4,092.25 to cover 2024 citywide fall cleanup expenses; Servpro of Albert Lea donated $1,785.05 for dehumidification equipment and monitoring after water damage at the Vitality Center basement. Council accepted both donations.

- Approval of claims: The council approved claims including several large vendor payments listed by staff (amounts cited on the record included, among others, $3,608,060 to Bond Trust Service Corporation and $449,919.84 to Wapasha Construction Company). The clerk presented a list of claims over $25,000; council approved the resolution of living claims on a motion by Councilor Holland with a second by Councilor Anderson.

Quotes recorded on the record included a brief staff explanation that the loading zones were required by the DNR for the kayak launch and staff comments on project scopes and grant requirements for the Snyder Field and Blake Avenue items.

Votes at a glance (selected items):

- Consent agenda: Motion Baker; second Holland; outcome: approved. - Resolution: Declare no public interest in 1116 James Ave: Motion Christensen; second Baker; outcome: approved (see separate article). - Sale of 1116 James Ave: Motion Anderson; second Holland; outcome: approved (see separate article). - Sale of 1211 Newton Ave S: Motion Baker; second Anderson; outcome: approved. - Broadway Ridge grant (224 S Broadway, 50% of $32,300 = $16,150): Motion Baker; second Holland; outcome: approved. - Loading zones on Bridge Ave (Job 2213): Motion Christensen; second Holland; outcome: approved. - Snyder Field engineering services (ISG, $29,500): Motion Holland; second Olson; outcome: approved (roll-call ayes recorded). - Active Transportation Act support (Albert Lea–Manchester trail): Motion Holland; second Anderson; outcome: approved. - PFA lead-service-line financing: Motion Anderson; second Holland; outcome: approved (one abstention recorded). - FY2029 Blake Avenue grant application (MnDOT): Motion Baker; second Holland; outcome: approved. - Blazing Star No. 2 preliminary/final plat: Motion Holland; second Anderson; outcome: approved. - Acceptance of donations (Waste Management $4,092.25; Servpro $1,785.05): Motion Holland; second Christensen; outcome: approved. - Approval of claims over $25,000 (list presented): Motion Howland; second Anderson; outcome: approved.

Most items were routine and passed with unanimous or voice votes; several project-specific approvals (Snyder Field engineering, Broadway Ridge grant, PFA financing) included brief staff presentations describing scopes, grant requirements and next steps. The council did not identify additional public commenters on these items during the meeting.

Councilors also used the meeting to share announcements about ongoing housing projects (including the Blazing Star area and an "oatmeal" project referenced by councilors), board vacancies and upcoming community events.