Albany public meetings in 2023
13 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Albany City Council held a public hearing and discussed the proposed 2024 budget and property tax levy, which would increase from $1,320,424 to $1,524,701 (a 16.83% increase). The council also approved several contracts and appointments, including a bid for City Hall roof repairs and a settlement for damaged equipment. The final budget and levy resolution will be considered at the December 20 meeting.
- Proposed 2024 levy of $1,524,701, up $222,277 (16.83%) from 2023
- Approved $57,192 bid from St. Rosa Lumber for City Hall roof shingling
- Accepted $30,000 settlement from MJ Electric for damaged blower control panel
- Approved conditional job offer to Jeffrey Kociemba at $28.00/hour for Public Works Assistant
- Reappointed Nathan Ronning to EDA and appointed Craig Magnus to Planning Commission
City Council
The Albany City Council approved resolutions and payments, including supporting a grant application for the Railroad Avenue/CR 157 reconstruction and delaying the project to 2025. They also approved a rezoning for a duplex, certified an unpaid water bill, and purchased a new skid steer.
- Resolution 2023-26 supporting LRIP funding for Railroad Avenue/CR157 from 8th to 14th Street
- Approved rezoning of 151 7th Street from C1 to R1 for a two-family dwelling
- Certified $273.04 unpaid water bill at 1101 Forest Avenue to Stearns County
- Approved $62,471 purchase of Kubota skid steer from Arnold's of St. Martin
- Approved $78,266.70 and $65,071.09 payments to Breitbach Construction for capital projects
Planning Commission
The Albany Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a request by Barkers Holdings, LLC to amend the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map, rezone property at 151 7th Street from C1-Core Commercial to R1-Low Density Residential, and obtain a Conditional Use Permit to remodel an existing commercial building into a two-family dwelling or duplex. Written comments may be submitted before the hearing.
- Amend Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map from commercial to residential designation
- Rezone 151 7th Street from C1-Core Commercial (Section 80.19) to R1-Low Density Residential (Section 80.05)
- Conditional Use Permit (Section 80.15, Subd. 3 (a)) for a two-family dwelling in R1 district
- Public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on November 13, 2023, in Council room at 400 Railroad Avenue
City Council
The Albany City Council approved a resolution for a preliminary engineering report on Railroad Avenue/CR 157 improvements, accepted bids for the golf clubhouse project, adopted a zoning ordinance amendment, and certified a lawn mowing assessment. They also discussed funding for public safety aid and approved compensation terms for the new Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer.
- Resolution 2023-25 for preliminary engineering report on Railroad Avenue/CR 157 (8th to 14th St), with city cost estimated at $663,720 plus $40,000-$60,000 for utility relocation
- Approved low bids for Albany Golf Club 2023-24 Clubhouse Improvement Project, total bids $1,289,112, with an estimated $225,000 kitchen renovation addendum
- Adopted amendment to Zoning Ordinance 80 allowing metal siding and roofing with color-matched fasteners in certain districts
- Certified $575.00 unpaid lawn mowing charge at 201 1st Street to Stearns County as a 2024 special assessment
- Approved compensation terms for Gary Winkels as Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer: starting salary $85,280, increasing to $88,400 after 6 months
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission recommended denial of a front yard variance for a new single-family home at 800 2nd Avenue due to wetland and sidewalk concerns. The Commission also recommended approving amendments to Zoning Ordinance 80 regarding building and roofing material standards.
- Denied variance request for ATC, LLC at 800 2nd Avenue to reduce front yard setback from 25 to 15 feet
- Recommended approval of Zoning Ordinance 80 amendments for building and roofing material standards
- Proposed metal siding rules allow color-matched or non-exposed fasteners but prohibit corrugated, galvanized, or unfinished metal
City Council
The Albany City Council will consider a conditional job offer to Gary Winkels for the position of City Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer and authorize the interim administrator to negotiate compensation. The agenda also includes project updates from the city engineer, reports from department heads, and routine items like bill approval and minutes.
- Conditional job offer to Gary Winkels for City Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer
- Authorize interim city administrator to negotiate compensation terms
- Update on proposed 2024 street repair improvements (map)
- TEP inspection of North Park Improvements
- Grinder installation at Wastewater Treatment Plant main lift station
City Council
The Albany City Council will convene for a regular meeting to review the 2022 audited financial statements, hold a public hearing on special assessments for unpaid refuse fees, and consider payment applications for capital improvement projects. They will also receive reports from department heads and discuss a snow removal agreement with MnDOT.
- Presentation of 2022 Comprehensive Audited Financial Statements by City Auditor Molly Thompson
- Public hearing on special assessment for unpaid refuse fees to be certified to Stearns County for 2024 collection
- Payment application No. 5 to Breitbach Construction Co. for 2023 Capital Improvements
- Payment application No. 1 to Shamrock Lane Rentals for 2023 Shamrock Lane Sidewalk Improvements
- Recommendation to approve 2023-2024 MnDOT Snow Removal agreement for TH238/Railroad Avenue
City Council
The Albany City Council discussed a potential $1.6 million street repair project for 2024, funded partly by an interfund loan, and approved forwarding a 2023 property tax levy of $1,542,701 to the county, with public hearings set for December. The council also approved a variance for a detached garage, a snow removal agreement, a cable franchise ordinance, and a raffle/liquor license for a school event.
- Considered $1.6 million street repair improvements for 2024, with funding options to be revisited after audit
- Approved 2023 property tax levy of $1,542,701 (16.83% increase), public hearing Dec 6, adoption Dec 20
- Approved variance for Alan and Dana Amdahl, 250 6th St, to build 24'x28' detached garage with reduced side yard
- Authorized two-year snow removal agreement with Custom Waste Irrigation for Railroad Avenue
- Adopted Ordinance 2023-01, 10-year cable franchise renewal with Albany Mutual Telephone (5% fee)
Planning Commission
The Albany Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted to recommend approval of a variance request by Alan and Dana Amdahl at 250 6th Street to relax the corner side yard requirement from 25 to 16 feet, allowing construction of a 24' x 28' detached garage. The commission also discussed a forthcoming zoning ordinance amendment regarding exterior material requirements, including metal roofs and siding, and directed staff to schedule a public hearing on it.
- Variance request by Alan and Dana Amdahl, 250 6th Street, to reduce corner side yard from 25 to 16 feet for a 24' x 28' detached garage
- Public hearing held; no written comments received; notice published in Star Post on August 30
- Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the variance
- Zoning ordinance amendment planned to clarify exterior material requirements, including prohibiting corrugated, galvanized, or unfinished metal steel siding and roofs on residential homes
- Public hearing to be scheduled for the zoning amendment
Planning Commission
The Albany Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council three related actions for 150 4th Street: rezoning from C1-Core Commercial to R1-Low Density Residential, amending the Comprehensive Land Use Plan map accordingly, and approving a Conditional Use Permit for a two-family dwelling. The recommendations include conditions such as a privacy fence, downcast lighting, enclosed dumpster, no basement sleeping quarters, and a Knox Box for emergency access.
- Approved recommendation to council to amend Land Use Plan Map from commercial to residential for 150 4th Street (unanimous).
- Approved recommendation to council to rezone 150 4th Street from C1-Core Commercial to R1-Low Density Residential (unanimous).
- Approved recommendation to council to grant a Conditional Use Permit for a two-family dwelling at 150 4th Street, subject to conditions (unanimous).
- Approved minutes of May 10, 2023, as presented.
Park Board
The Albany Park Board will convene and act on minutes from March 8th. Chair Sonya Hoffarth will update the board on a North Park workshop planning meeting, covering soil borings, a proposed six-court pickleball facility, and Phase 1 master park improvements.
- Soil borings authorized for Pedestrian Trail TH238 improvements and future amenity sites in North Park
- Proposed six-court pickleball facility east of tennis courts, pending council rescission of March 15th location approval
- Park dedication fees for pickleball site to remain in park fund for other amenities
- Phase 1 improvements: soccer fields, dog park, fishing pier, trail improvements, wetland cleaning, vegetation clearing
- Discussion of future park amenities for planning after Phase 1
Economic Development Authority
The Albany Economic Development Authority recommended approval of a Commercial Rehabilitation Deferred Loan/Grant for storefront improvements at 411 Railroad Avenue, with the EDA's share capped at $18,000. The board also discussed the CRDL fund balance and received an update on the Forest Avenue reconstruction project.
- Recommended CRDL approval for 411 Railroad Avenue: $36,000 total improvements, EDA share $18,000
- Loan/grant terms include repayment if property sold within 4 years, with 25% reduction per year until forgiven after 7 years
- CRDL fund balance for storefront improvements along Railroad Avenue is $44,000+/-
- 2023 Forest Avenue Capital Improvement reconstruction project ($3.2 million) to begin in May, complete in fall
- Future reconstruction likely between 8th Street and 12th Street
Planning Commission
The Albany Planning Commission voted to recommend amendments to Ordinances 30 and 31 that would change how water and sewer trunk charges are calculated for developers, basing them on developable acreage rather than total acreage. The commission also received updates on various projects, including a proposed sidewalk, a TIF district for a new manufacturing building, and a pedestrian trail. The meeting included introductions of new members and election of officers.
- Recommended amendments to Ordinances 30 and 31 to calculate trunk fees on developable acreage, excluding wetlands and public right-of-way
- Bid opening for 2023 Forest Avenue Improvements scheduled for February 1
- Cost-sharing partnership with Joseph Peternell for a 5-foot sidewalk on Shamrock Lane (approx. 1,400 lineal feet)
- RS Tooling, LLC proposes new manufacturing building at 499 Huskie Drive; public hearing for TIF District No. 17 on March 15
- Xcel Energy proposes installing two EV charging stations in city hall parking lot at no cost