City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 05-30-01 The City Council of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Wednesday, 05-30-01, at 4:00 p.m. in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Paulette Nettestad, Denise Magnusson, Dave Gottenborg and John Waller III were present. No one was absent. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, David Lysaker, Gene Miller, Dan Skinner, Ronna Laager, and Julie Tunheim of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Mayor Runningen called meeting to order. Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson explained that David Lysaker is present to discuss Council concerns regarding his plans to hold a six-day Tent Revival Event in August. These concerns are the number of cars, traffic control, noise and hours. David Lysaker explained his idea for a mission to the community of Pelican Rapids and how it evolved into this schedule of events for Tuesday through Sunday, 08-14-01 through 08-19-01. Council Member Nettestad expressed concern over the disruption six days and evenings of a tent revival will cause neighboring property owners. Jenson reported that City Attorney Scott Dirks said the Council may legitimately address public safety issues regarding noise and traffic. Neighbor Ronna Laager said these plans are very alarming to her. She works very early in the morning and five late nights of amplified music are a big concern. Mayor Runningen thanked Lysaker for his time and for letting the Council know of the plans. He restated concerns about noise and traffic. The police department will investigate noise levels or traffic problems if complaints are received. Gene Miller introduced himself to City Council and discussed his background as a civil engineer. His experience is to manage a group of people to reach a consensus and get a project done. He said he thought the Hiking/Biking Trail would have been a blessing to the City especially with ISTE funds. He said their rules are different, requiring a committee study. He said change is difficult. Comprehensive Plan normally is very quiet process. The difficult part is reaching a vision. The really good thing about this project is the Blandin Group’s ideas for community visioning. A Comprehensive Plan is a thought process for areas – a Crayon plan. He says the visioning meeting will be the kick-off and there will be additional meetings for the public to work together. Citizens are more likely to buy into the plan if they are involved in the process. Miller provided Council Members with a proposal about developing a Comprehensive Plan. Cost for proposed Plan would be about $25,000. This cost is about 58% of his usual billing rates. Council Members discussed project. Miller proposed a slow start through this summer gathering information and using the Blandin Group’s visioning process in the fall. During the winter and spring of 2002, the plan would be finalized and completed in June of 2002. Dan Skinner briefly discussed more detailed mapping for utilities and streets. He discussed rough ideas for his company, Lake Region Surveying, to provide a detailed base map for the Comprehensive Plan and other mapping needs in the water, sewer and street departments. Council requested time to review Miller’s proposal and agreed they would consider at next meeting. Jenson reported on Planning Commission findings regarding a request for a front yard variance by Jeanne Georger. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and grant a 7’ front yard variance to permit Jeanne Georger, 510 1st Ave. SE, to construct a covered open porch. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson presented the list of unlicensed vehicles identified during the Planning Commission Tour of 05-22-01. Six public nuisances were also identified. The public nuisance process will begin with a notice to correct the problem. The police department will process vehicle violations. Motion by Waller, seconded by Magnusson to have Jenson send letters on parcels and direct police to enforce vehicle removal. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve the property appraisal changes recommended by Otter Tail County Appraiser Robert Moe. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to approve renewal of a Non-Intoxicating Malt Liquor (3.2 Beer) License to Gary and Leah Deschene to sell beer for consumption on the premises at GLD Lanes and to Patrick H. Serquina for an off-sale beer operation at Pelican CND Enterprises. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Deputy Clerk-Treasurer