City appoints staff to handle ADA issues

Talk about it

Alexandria Assistant City Attorney Tom Jacobson recently filled the Alexandria City Council in on his experience at the Minnesota City Attorneys annual conference in Bloomington.

One of the sessions Jacobson attended, which focused on amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prompted council action. Karin Tank, the city’s human resources assistant, was appointed to address ADA issues for the city, a requirement for cities with more than 15 employees.

In other action not previously reported in last week’s Echo Press, the council:

•Heard from Tom Chorley with KXRA Radio, who spoke during the public comment part of the meeting.

Chorley informed the council that Charter Communication’s public access Channel 6, which airs city council meetings and school-related events, was without sound for two weeks.

Chorley said he was able to get through to someone at Charter to finally fix the problem but the delay was frustrating. Because of this and other problems, Chorley questioned whether the city should renew its franchise agreement with Charter.

At least two other council members agreed with Chorley and thanked him for his comments. Mayor Dan Ness suggested drafting a letter to the company.

Park building is

nearly complete

•Received an update about the construction of the new park department building, located next to the city’s street garage.

The project is nearly complete. The only two items remaining are the installation of lockers in the restrooms and the final lift of the paved area between the new building and the street garage.

Police station to be discussed soon

•Scheduled a work session to review and discuss the proposed new police station. It will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 8 prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting.

Other odds and ends

•Was informed that the city council will meet as the board of equalization to consider property values appeals on Wednesday, April 28 at 10 a.m.

•Approved a request from Zion Lutheran Church to shut down three city blocks to accommodate its annual Easter Passion Drama.

The affected area includes the 300 block of Lake Street, the 600 block of 4th Avenue East and the 300 block of Maple Street.

The event will take place March 28 from 1 to 6 p.m. and also on March 30 from 4 to 9 p.m.

•Approved a final revised plat for Arabella Manor. Although the city had approved the final plat in September 2007, the developer never recorded it and has since revised the plat to create three conveyable parcels rather than two.

The city determined that the revision didn’t substantially change the planning commission’s review process.

•Approved the following charitable gambling permits – Ladies of the Lakes Ducks Unlimited to sell raffles for an April 9 event at the Broadway Ballroom; St. Mary’s Catholic Church to sell raffles and conduct bingo for an event on September 18-19 at the church; Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County to sell raffles for a May 29 event at Big Ole Central Park.

Tags: local news, city council, news, alexandria, ada