Latest news with #AlbertLeaCityCouncil
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council approves grant application for new apartments on Blazing Star Landing
May 13—The Albert Lea City Council on Monday voted to support a grant application for funding for a new 60-unit apartment complex on the Blazing Star Landing. City Manager Ian Rigg said the grant, for $180,000, would be through the Housing Infrastructure Program of Minnesota Housing and would go toward capital costs associated with eligible workforce housing development projects. The city intends to apply for the funding on behalf of Tapestry Companies, which has proposed constructing the complex. Rigg said the grant program requires a commitment of 50% of the capital costs be covered by sources other than grant proceeds and that the matching funds include non-state resources. Eligible projects include construction of public roadways, bike lanes, sidewalks and trails, construction of publicly owned utilities and geotechnical and environmental testing and site preparation. Background information provided by the city states qualified housing developments may be in any state of planning, pre-development or development. Minnesota Housing in December announced $191 million for housing projects across the state, including the one in Albert Lea, which would build 60 new low- to moderate-income workforce housing apartments on the Blazing Star Landing, the former site of Farmland Foods that has sat unused for over 20 years since the plant burned down in 2001. The apartments are slated to be built south of the Kwik Trip that has been approved for the northeast corner of the property. In December, Minnesota Housing stated the total cost of the project was estimated at $24 million. Rigg said the developer was still interested in moving forward with the project regardless of the outcome of the grant. Construction would start in 2026, and he said the city would find out about the grant in late fall or as late as December. The grant application is due June 12. In other action, the council: —Approved support for the Shell Rock River Watershed District's application for funding from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for the restoration of the channel between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes. The project would help reduce erosion, improve accessibility and build upon past funding. —Authorized the Bayside Ski Club to rework the existing concrete pillows on the ski show site on Edgewater Bay and replace with sand to extend the landing area. The site has been the club's show site for 54 years. The club practices at the site multiple days a week and also regularly hosts the Midwest Regional Ski Show Tournament as well as an Ironwood Springs national wheelchair camp on the lake. The project as approved by the Department of Natural Resources, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and now the council. The ski club is funding the project, and Dulas Excavating is doing the work. —Accepted bids and awarded the contract for paving the gravel parking lot behind the Freeborn National Bank building. It would also include a landscaped space along the north and west sides of the parking lot, which could potentially be used for electric vehicle chargers in the future. The city received two bids for the project, with the low bid coming from Ulland Brothers for about $152,000. The number of projected parking stalls is slated to increase with the project to 32 stalls. —Accepted bids and awarded the contract for the cured in place pipe rehabilitation project. It involves installing a cured in place pipe liner inside the existing sanitary sewer mains on St. Peter from Sheridan Street to Johnson Street, Pillsbury Avenue from Main Street to Johnson Street, Garfield Avenue from Main Street to Johnson Street and Garfield Avenue from Johnson Street to Sheridan Street. The contract was awarded to Municipal Pipe Tools Company LLC of Hudson, Iowa, for about $144,000. The engineer's estimate was about $235,000. —Revised the city's municipal state aid street system to include Blake Avenue from East Main Street to Southeast Marshall Street. This will allow the city to use federal funding awarded through the 2029 State Transportation Improvement Program for a mill and overlay and construction of a shared user trail on the street. The vote also approved adding Southeast Marshall Street, from Prospect Avenue to Blake Avenue, to the system. The council approved removing Madison Avenue from Commercial Street to Third Street, Pearl Street from Front Street to Broadway, Third Street from Broadway to Newton Avenue and College Street from Washington Avenue to Broadway. —Accepted donations from the Friends of the Albert Lea Public Library for about $1,754 to go toward the library and Arcadian Bank $200 to go toward teen programming through the Recreation Department. —Approved a resolution to not waive the monetary limits on municipal tort liability as established in state statute. —Approved the first reading of a series of amendments to zoning ordinances.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council approves contract for downtown bathrooms
Apr. 29—After a tornado warning led them to shelter on the lower level of City Hall for a time, the Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved awarding the contract for the new bathrooms that will be built this summer near the splash pad downtown. The project cost, with added 10 percent contingencies, was approved at about $178,000, down from the initial budget of $250,000. The structure will be built with a combination of city staff and contractors, according to City Manager Ian Rigg. It will be 32 feet by 14 feet and will also include a mechanical room and storage room. Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker, who abstained from the vote because of his employment through Arrow Building Center, said the project had been a long time coming and that for many years, people have wanted a public restroom downtown. "This will be a welcome addition," Baker said. He and 3rd Ward Councilor Jason Howland credited the work of Assistant Public Works Director Ryan Hajek and others in his department for their hard work in getting the project put together under budget. They considered three designs for the project — one a prefabricated, modular design that would come fully assembled; a second design for prefabricated materials that the city could put together and a third option through Arrow Building Center that the city could build. The restrooms were part of the almost $10 million referendum passed in April 2024 on a 3 to 1 vote. Other work included was at City Arena, Marion Ross Performing Arts Center and Aquatic Center. In other action, the council: —Approved the appointment of seven people to the Human Rights Commission. The commission had stopped meeting during the pandemic, but based on requests from several residents was revived. Rigg said the city received applications from 14 well-qualified residents. The seven chosen were the following, Cesar Victorino, one year; Peggy Olson, one year; Jeremy Corey-Gruenes, two years; Angie Hanson; two years; Irasema Hernandez, four years; Aruna Evenson, from years; Charles Alkula, four years. The commission will focus on local issues and operate as nonpartisan. —Awarded the contract to Flint Hills Resources of St. Paul for bituminous material for the city for 2025. —Accepted a donation to the Recreation Department for $500 from Cargill for weekly programming for students ages 12 to 18 this summer. Programs will include an escape room, archery tag, basketball and swimming. —Heard a presentation from Human Resources Director Mike Zelenak about the city's award as a 2025 Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota by Workforce Development Inc. —Heard proclamations from Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month, REACT Month and Building Safety Month.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council votes to move forward with downtown restrooms, other recreational facilities improvements
Feb. 11—More of the improvements to Albert Lea's recreational facilities are moving forward after action by the Albert Lea City Council on Monday. First, the council voted 5-1 to approve plans and move forward with competitive quotes for the restrooms that are slated to be built downtown near the city's splash pad. Second Ward Councilor Larry Baker abstained from the vote because of his involvement with the bid through his employment at Arrow Building Center, and 1st Ward Councilor Rachel Christensen was absent. Assistant Public Works Director Ryan Hajek said staff considered three designs for the project — one a prefabricated, modular design that would come fully assembled through a company called Green Flush; a second design through RCP Structures for prefabricated materials that the city could put together and a third option through Arrow Building Center that the city could build. The option through Arrow Building Center was the lowest, for $196,295, with the fully assembled design through Green Flush estimated at $420,500. Some funds could be saved through city staff building the structure for the second and third options, Hajek said. The council ultimately went with the cheapest option through Arrow Building Center. The building would include a women's restroom with a sink and two stalls with toilets and a men's restroom with one toilet, one urinal and a sink. It would also include a storage and possible concessions area on one side with a mechanical room between the men's and women's restrooms. Hajek said the doors would open toward the parking lot in the North Broadway parking lot with the storage room on the east side with a potential roll-up window. He noted the Albert Lea Farmers Market would be able to utilize the storage area, and the building would be constructed in the same area as the existing red shed, in which the farmer's market stores items currently. Hajek said the budget for the project was $250,000. It would also include upgrading electricity at the site to a 400 amp service and the cost for cameras, lights and other security measures. "This has been a long time in the making," Baker said in the work session, noting people have wanted restrooms in the downtown area for many years. City Manager Ian Rigg said while porta potties would still have to be brought in for large events such as the Fourth of July, the facility would cover a lot of everyday use otherwise. The restrooms would be open year-round. Other projects The council also accepted a bid of $1.325 million from Brennan Construction of MN Inc. for remodeling at the city's arena and aquatic center. Seven companies submitted bids with the low bid from Brennan and the high bid from Dean Snyder Construction for $1.58 million. Of the cost, $296,500 is for the aquatic center, while $1,028,500 is for the arena. City staff recommended adding a contingency of $132,500 — or 10% of the project bid — and contracting with Apex to manage the projects for almost $286,000, bringing the total cost for the remodeling to about $1.743 million. This portion of the improvements is about $3,650 under budget. Cathy Malakowsky, enrichment and engagement director for the city, said projects already in the works include installing a new water heating system and electrical system in the arena and installing new LED lighting. In the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, the furnace in the lower level has been replaced, the air conditioning has been installed in the main dressing room, water conservation measures have been installed and the building has been sealed for energy efficiency. Work still needs to be done in the theater to install accessible front doors and front windows, to upgrade lighting to LEDs and to update HVAC controls. At the arena, frost testing has already been done and shower heads replaced. Water conservation measures are underway, and the building is being sealed. Work still needs to be done at the arena on the e-ceiling, to install the new Colstrup rink floor and on the structural reinforcements, dehumidification changes, refrigeration and drainage. A new sound system also needs to be added. Malakowsky said all of the recreational projects total about $9.795 million, which is about $177,000 over budget, even after a $250,000 donation from the Albert Lea Hockey Association. The hockey association presented its donation at the start of the meeting.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council approves engineering services contract for new stormwater ponds, trails
Jan. 28—The Albert Lea City Council on Monday voted to approve engineering services for a series of stormwater rain gardens and public use trails slated to be constructed off of Front Street between Maplehill Drive and South Fourth Avenue. City Manager Ian Rigg said the city received an almost $886,000 stormwater resiliency grant for design and construction of the project, which will take place on city-owned property at 1300 Front St. The area is prone to flooding. Rigg said the parcels were donated to the city to create stormwater storage. Third Ward Councilor Jason Howland said he was glad to see the project ahead. "This project — I want to forewarn — this isn't going to solve completely flooding, but this will help," he said. "Flooding in that area has been an issue for a long time. Looking forward to see this move forward." He said it will not only aid in the flooding but it will also provide some new opportunities for pedestrians nearby. The council approved a cost of $173,700 with HR Green of St. Paul to develop construction plans and a cost estimate for the project, including design, wetland delineation, stormwater modeling with Geotech coordination and ADA walkway and improvements, along with optional construction oversight. The total estimated cost of the project is $1.028 million. Howland said the project is slated for completion at the end of 2025 or spring of 2026. In other action, the council: —Accepted donations totaling about $6,500 toward a small changing room for referees and hockey players in a portion of the skate-changing area outside the Nystrom Rink at City Hall. Rigg said Recreation Department staff had expected to build the room themselves, but Attig Construction offered its services, along with Geneva Lumber, Rink Systems and Albert Lea Electric, which also offered supplies and services. The 9 1/2-by-17-foot room will display the names of the donors. Howland, Mayor Rich Murray and Councilor Brian Anderson thanked the businesses that donated their services and materials to the project. —Accepted the feasibility report and called a public hearing for the reconstruction of 11th Street, from Margaretha Avenue to the east end. Proposed work includes complete removal and replacement of the pavement, curb and gutter, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and watermain. —Accepted the feasibility report and called a public hearing for this year's state-aid overlay projects. The project includes bituminous mill and overlay on Garfield Avenue from Fairlane Terrace to Richway Drive. —Accepted the feasibility report and called a public hearing for the neighborhood improvement project for this summer. It includes two main components: bituminous mill and overlay in the Crossroads Boulevard area and a portion of Lake Chapeau Drive, and replacement of the bituminous surface on a portion of SE Marshall Street. —Appointed Marly Steele to the Senior Center Board.
