City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MINUTES – 08-30-00 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, 08-30-00. Present: Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members John Waller III, Denise Magnusson, Paulette Nettestad and Dave Gottenborg. Absent: none. Also present: Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Street and Park Superintendent Vern Benson, Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier, Bonnie Weaklend, Jack Grabarkewitz, Raymond Kratzke, Lillian Kratzke and Gary Peterson of the Pelican Rapids Press. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. No items were added to or deleted from the agenda. City Council considered the application of First Christian Church of the Lord Jesus Christ for a Special Use Permit to allow a church in the existing commercial zone. Administrative Assistant Jenson reviewed information gathered at the Planning Commission Hearing. Concerns expressed were noise, parking and traffic. Some suggestions regarding parking and traffic were the walking bridge connecting pedestrians to parking at the Senior Citizen Center and along First Street SW. Council Member Nettestad questioned what the concerns are about noise. Neighboring property owner felt the music and singing was loud. Council considered the possible adverse affects of the proposed special use and what additional requirements may be necessary to prevent such adverse affects as follows: WHEREAS, that the special use will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purpose already permitted nor substantially diminish and impair property values within the general vicinity; WHEREAS, that the establishment of the special use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding vacant property for uses predominant in the area; WHEREAS, that adequate utilities, access roads, drainage and other necessary facilities have been, or can be provided; WHEREAS, that adequate measures have been, or will be taken to prevent or control offensive odor, fumes, dust, noise and vibrations so that none of these will constitute a nuisance and to control lighted signs and other lights in such a manner that no disturbance to neighboring residents will result.  Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to approve the application of First Christian Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to allow a church in the existing commercial zone, subject to the following additional requirements: a. Park in orderly manner and use public parking available across the river. b. Don’t block residents’ driveways. c. Control dust. Voting yes: Mayor Runningen, Council Members Waller, Magnusson, Nettestad and Gottenborg. Voting no: none. Motion passed unanimously and special use permit granted. Council considered council salary increases. No action taken. Jenson reviewed a request that the Council permit businesses with Beer and Wine Licenses to open earlier, similar to Liquor License holders. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to have City Attorney Scott Dirks draft an ordinance change for Beer and Wine License holders to open at 11:00 a.m. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson reported that the street light poles will be here 10-01-00, a month later than expected. The League of Minnesota Cities requested the City of Pelican Rapids join with other cities in a commitment to “Building Quality Communities.” Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to introduce the following resolution. BUILDING QUALITY COMMUNITIES RESOLUTION Whereas, the top values and priorities of citizens include safety, family, job opportunities, health, the well-being of children, and recreational opportunities; and Whereas, many of the services cities provide directly enhance those citizen priorities; and Whereas, the connection between city services and how they benefit citizen priorities and concerns is not always understood by citizens; and Whereas, it is one of the responsibilities of city officials to ensure legislators, media and citizens understand their governments through open and frequent communication using various avenues and means; and Whereas, it is important to encourage citizens to actively participate in city government, to share their views, and to work in partnership with city officials to ensure that the needs of the community are met; and Whereas, partnerships developed between citizens and city officials can result in greater understanding of the connection between Minnesota’s high quality of life and the services provided by Minnesota cities, as well as in greater trust by citizens in the efforts of their city government; Now therefore be it resolved that the City of Pelican Rapids hereby declares its commitment to join in the “Minnesota Cities: Building Quality Communities” statewide educational effort in cooperation with our fellow members of the League of Minnesota Cities. We hereby designate Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson as the City of Pelican Rapids’ key contact for this effort, and will inform the League of Minnesota Cities of this designation. Voting yes: Mayor Runningen, Council Members Magnusson, Waller, Nettestad and Gottenborg. Voting no: none. Motion passed unanimously and resolution declared duly adopted. Council reviewed information from the Minnesota Environmental Science and Economic Review Board (MESERB) regarding water quality. League of Minnesota Cities Regional Meeting will be held in the City of Frazee on 10- 11-00. Council members should notify city hall if they wish to attend. Jenson reported that the City has experienced three breaks in the force main between the wastewater plant and the lagoon. The only change is that the line is under pressure now, but pipe is water line pipe and rated for 160 pounds of pressure. This line had automatic controls installed in February of 2000. Alternatives available for repair: 1. Replace line at cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars. 2. Install a liner in pipe. 3. Replace all elbows. 4. Wait and see. Frazier does not recommend waiting because a break in the winter would be a big problem. More information will be provided at next meeting. Superintendent Vern Benson received nine quotes on a new public works pickup. The lowest two quotes were from Superior Ford and Nelson Ford. Benson requested authorization to purchase a new vehicle for the street and park departments at a cost of $22,533.00. Utilities Superintendent Brent Frazier’s pickup is also scheduled for replacement. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Waller to authorize purchase of two pickups from Nelson Ford based on Vehicle Replacement Schedule and Capital Replacement Fund availability. Motion passed unanimously. Roger Schleske asked if any work has been done on 10th Ave. SW based on Council’s review of gravel streets in the City. After Council reviewed the streets, they increased maintenance of gravel streets with grading and dustguarding. Schleske said people in the neighborhood were not willing to pay the cost of improvements. Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer