In a split vote, the Albert Lea City Council voted to rescind the action they took at their last meeting to approve a boat rental operation at a residence owned by David Berg on Bridge Avenue.

Tuesday, January 29, 2002

In a split vote, the Albert Lea City Council voted to rescind the action they took at their last meeting to approve a boat rental operation at a residence owned by David Berg on Bridge Avenue.

The vote to rescind the council’s earlier action was taken in response to complaints from three of the neighbors adjacent to the property: Lorraine Provo, Ed and Edna Christian, and Bob and Elaine Sonka.

Berg, a current resident of Burnsville but a summer resident of Albert Lea, defended his boat rental business as a way to allow area residents who don’t own boats to fully enjoy the lake. He said he had operated a similar rental operation 10 years ago from the city beach without complaint.

Berg asked whether it would be possible to conduct the rentals from city property and just store the boats at his home. He currently carries $1 million of liability insurance, Berg said.

None of the neighbors were present at the meeting to voice their concerns publicly.

The council voted 4 to 3 to rescind their earlier action and thus deny permission for the boat rental business to operate out of Berg’s residence. Councilors George Marin, Al Brooks and Warren Amundsen voted against the motion.

Ron Sorenson asked that city staff report to the council at the next meeting on potential city liability of the boat rentals before seeking a public hearing.