Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

                                                                                    January 23, 2007

            A special meeting of the City Council was called to order in the Council Chambers of the City Administration Building at 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 23, 2007, all members of the Council having been notified of the meeting and the business to be transacted.

            Present:            Vice Mayor Matt Brenk; City Attorney William Briggs; City Administrator Richard Grabow; Assistant City Administrator Lynne Krieger; Finance Officer Louis Guzek; City Engineer Gary Nansen and Assistant Street Commissioner Terry Stiegel.

                                    Aldermen Anderson, Aune, Hannon, Heltemes, Imholte,  Tollefson, Tucker and Zeman

            Absent:             Mayor Larry G. Buboltz; Community Development Director Larry Remmen; Public Utilities Superintendent Curt Punt; Police Chief Kelvin Keena; Building Official Calvin Mayfield and Liquor Store Manager Bradley MacMaster.

            City Engineer Gary Nansen summarized the proposed 2007 Street and Utility Improvement Project advising that the following streets are being proposed for street reconstruction and utility improvements:

1)                  Minnesota Avenue, from Willow Street to West Lake Drive;

2)                  Langford Street, from Washington Avenue to Lincoln Avenue;

3)                  Lincoln Avenue, from Langford Street to North Shore Drive;

4)                  Lyndale Avenue, from Robert Street to North Shore Drive;

5)                  Parkview Street;

6)                  Front Street, from the Soo Line Railroad to Oak Grove Avenue

7)                  Oak Grove Avenue; from Holmes Street to Main  Street; and

8)                  State Street, from Rossman Avenue to Summit Avenue.

Mr. Nansen advised that these streets have been selected for reconstruction because of the age of the street, the condition of the utilities, when the most recent improvements were made and maintenance requirements.  The assessment policy was reviewed whereby the City pays 50% of the project costs and, for this project, will pay 100% of the sidewalks.  The total estimated project cost is $2,493,500.00 of which $1,263,750.00 would be assessable. 

            After all questions were answered, Vice Mayor Brenk then called for comments and Bill Fern, 1315 Minnesota Avenue, presented a petition to the City Council, signed by 36 residents and one business on Minnesota Avenue, objecting to the reconstruction of Minnesota Avenue.  Dennis Schurman, 330 Parkview Street, objected to the proposed street reconstruction on Parkview Street because there was a major reconstruction to Parkview Street in 1986.  Jim Kauffman, 1215 Minnesota Avenue, spoke in favor of the reconstruction to Minnesota Avenue, because he replaced his service line twice since 1999.  Chuck Trujillo, 1264 Minnesota Avenue, spoke in favor of the project if the assessments can be spread out over a 15-year period.  Bob Merritt, 1241 Minnesota Avenue, spoke in opposition and expressed his concern for the trees. Ruth Solie, 1220 Minnesota Avenue, and Sally Nester, 1223 Minnesota Avenue, spoke in opposition of the project at this time.  Mike Johnson, 1322 Lyndale Avenue, spoke in opposition of the proposed reconstruction project on Lyndale Avenue. There being no further comments, Vice Mayor Brenk advised that no action would be taken and this matter would be referred to the Street and Park Committee for review of all the comments and will be acted upon at the regular City Council Meeting February 13, 2007.

            City Administrator Richard Grabow informed the Council that letters had been received from Jean Poehler, 223 West Willow and Thomas Harper, 1305 Minnesota Avenue, in opposition of the street reconstruction project on Minnesota Avenue.                    

Alderman Imholte inquired of the people in attendance as to a timeline when they would want their streets improved.  Sally Nester, 1223 Minnesota Avenue, advised that according to the City Engineer’s Report, there are minimal problems on Minnesota Avenue and the City should wait until the street reconstruction and replacement of utilities is absolutely necessary.

Upon Alderman Heltemes inquiry, City Engineer Gary Nansen reviewed his report and proposed assessment policy for this street improvement project and advised that it has been the City’s policy, after reviewing, existing street and underground utility conditions, historical information, proposed improvements are recommended before the streets have major problems.     

Julie Sanders, 1241 Minnesota Avenue, advised the Council she would be in favor of the street improvements in a couple of years.   Vice Mayor Brenk closed the hearing at 6:40 P.M.

Upon the recommendation of the Street and Park Committee, a resolution was introduced by Alderman Imholte, who moved its adoption, appointing Bradley Green as the Public Works Director for the City of Detroit Lakes starting February 20, 2006.  The motion for the adoption of the resolution was seconded by Alderman Zeman and carried.  Alderman Heltemes and Hannon expressed their concern about the compensation package and benefits for the Public Works Director.

There being no further business to conduct, by general consent, Vice Mayor Brenk adjourned the meeting. (6:44 P.M.)

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Lynne Krieger

                                                            Asst. City Administrator