City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MINUTES 08-13-01 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session on Monday, 08-13- 01, at 6:00 p.m. in the Pelican Rapids Public Library meeting room. Present: Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members John Waller III, Paulette Nettestad, Denise Magnusson and Dave Gottenborg. Absent: none. Also present: Administrative Assistant Richard A. Jenson, Assistant to the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Julie Lammers, Superintendent of Streets and Parks Vern Benson and Superintendent of Utilities Brent Frazier, Richard Peterson, Gary Peterson of the Pelican Rapids Press, Mary Sorum, Scott Fox, Ryan Fox, and Bonnie Weaklend. Meeting called to order by Mayor Wayne Runningen. The following items were added to the agenda: Notice of Meeting, Letter of Support West Central Initiative Fund (WCIF). Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to approve the minutes of 7-9-01 and 7-25-01 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Magnusson to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 8-13-01 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Superintendent of Streets and Parks Vern Benson reported on his departments’ activities. Superintendent of Utilities Brent Frazier reported on the water and wastewater activities. Police Department Report was given to Council Members. Liquor Store Financial Report was given to Council Members. Financial Report which was mailed to Council Members was reviewed. Mayor Runningen asked Jenson to explain Comprehensive Plan. He explained to group that they have met as a committee and asked Gottenborg to explain his notes. Gottenborg explained that generally what they were looking for in a plan is something we could use everyday. WCIF is looking at writing a grant of all the different infrastructures of the city. If they get this grant they will have the equipment to do GIS mapping. Base maps will locate section corners; this is a very accurate map. As an overlay we would need a parcel map. We could look at undeveloped growth and areas around that we could expand to. Gottenborg explained that it would be best to put this out on bids. Two add on items: Parcel Map and a Utility Map. The initial estimated costs are between $10,000 and $15,000. A parcel map would be approximately $3.00 a parcel. We have around 1000 parcels. Jenson spoke with WCIF and they would use the map from Mn DOT. Priorities for WCIF will be for towns like Elizabeth and Erhard. If we are going to spend this kind of money we want to get something that is useful. They would use parcel descriptions to make the map. We need an accurate map to base everything in the future. This base map would be able to have everything else built on. The committee feels we could do a considerable amount of this work on our own. We can take quotes instead of bids if we need to. Recommendation from Committee would be to get quotes or bids for a base map. Timing of this would be late fall or early winter, it gives a better picture. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad to have the City proceed in getting quotes from Lake Region Surveying, and Larson Peterson and Associates for the purpose of developing a base map. Motion passed unanimously. Jenson asked Council to certify utility bill to the county. Motion by Magnusson, seconded by Waller to certify utility bill in the amount of $110.59 for parcel R76000990668000 to the County Auditor. Motion passed unanimously. Runningen explained to Council that a property owner has made a request for “Children at Play” signs at 3rd St NW a few months ago and was denied. They would like something to be done. One option would be to put a stop sign on this street. There are three intersections and an alley. We could put a stop sign at 3rd St NW and 3rd Ave NW. There are yield signs that feed onto the street but no stop signs. Nettestad expressed the need for our Police Department to look into this and report to council. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to have Police Department advise council on needs for stop signs, how many and how many children are in the area. Motion passed unanimously. Runningen explained that the Planning Commission minutes were in packets. Commissioners 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. The location of the property is described as follows: Lot 8, Block 3 of proposed Lake Region Electric Subdivision, more commonly known as the "pole yard" at the former Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC) facility on 5th Ave. NE, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572. Commissioners recommend granting special use permit with the following restrictions: a. Setback for the church shall be established from the future full width dedication of 66 feet for 5th Ave. NE adjoining the church. b. Water and sewer for the church shall be constructed by extending 8-inch sewer main and 6-inch water main from 3rd Ave. NE. Water and sewer services sized appropriately for the church shall be extended to the church facility from the aforementioned main extensions. Discussion continued after Midway Avenue Vacation Hearing. At 7:00 p.m. Hearing for Midway Avenue Vacation was called to Order by Mayor Runningen. Jenson explained the reason to vacate this street is to meet building codes for construction of the Library. Midway would be vacated directly behind library and an easement would be granted 24ft back. Physically you would not be able to see anything after completion. There still will be alley and parking off the street. With the assurance agreement, any changes would have to come back to the council before any other changes could be made. Mayor asked for any questions or discussions. Richard and Gary Peterson mentioned that there are already water problems with The Pelican Rapids Press and The Beauty Shop now. Runoff of the library is now causing problems and how is this going to make it better. Water and traffic flows are the main concerns. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller, to pass Resolution to vacate Midway Ave. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the City Clerk's Office.) Motion passed unanimously and resolution declared duly adopted. Adjourned hearing at 7:23 p.m. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Nettestad, to have Jenson and the Library board address water and drainage looking at making approvements along Midway Ave. Motion passed unanimously. Council went back to discussion of the Special Use Permit for First Christian Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Magnusson, to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve a special use permit to allow a church in the existing commercial zone to the First Christian Church of the Lord Jesus Christ but allowing a 6" sewer and 4" water to serve the Church and the County. Voting yes: Waller, Magnusson, Nettestad, and Gottenborg. Voting no: none. Abstained: Runningen. Motion passed. Jenson will write letter with information explaining they will have to pay special assessments if 5th Avenue decided to all go with City water and sewer. Requested a Budget Committee of Gottenborg and Runningen. Motion by Waller, seconded by Nettestad to appoint a budget committee of Wayne Runningen, and Dave Gottenborg. Motion passed unanimously. Charitable Gambling License – for Ray J’s needed to be approved for the next 2 years. Motion by Nettestad, seconded by Waller to approve renewal of a Charitable Gambling license to Ray J's. Voting yes; Nettestad, Waller, Runningen and Magnusson. Voting no: Gottenborg. Motion Carried. Notice of meeting Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Lake Region Electric Corp. regarding labor issues. What is happening in our labor force. Beneficial for everybody. This is for Council, Chamber, and Economic Development Committee. This is a one hour meeting. Letter of support to the West Central Initiative Fund. They are applying for a $50, 000 grant for infrastructure study. They have a form letter of support. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to support the West Central Initiative Fund through form letter. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Julie A Lammers Assistant to the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer