City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – 09-27-05 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, 09-27-05, in Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Richard Peterson, David Gottenborg and John E. Waller, III, were present. Council Member Ben Woessner was absent. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier and David Rein of Rein and Associates were also present. Mayor Runningen called the meeting to order. Park Board Report was deleted from the agenda. No items were added to the agenda. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert announced there will be an Economic Development Authority meeting on Friday, 09-30-05, at 8:30 a.m., in Council Chambers, City Hall. Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier and Dr. David Rein, consultant, reported on the lagoon ponds. The two smaller anaerobic ponds are not functioning properly, and they are not removing 50% of the load which was normal operation in the past. Currently efforts are being made to restore the condition of the ponds to increase their operation. Rein recommends insulating the smaller anaerobic ponds. The original straw insulation has degraded and needs to be redone. Council Members discussed eliminating the lagoons and taking the wastewater at the mechanical plant. This, however, would create additional sludge, which would raise treatment costs. It was pointed out that lagoons are more economical to operate. Mayor Runningen asked what the schedule is for covering the smaller anaerobic ponds. Frazier said he is waiting for a second bid and hopes to cover the smaller ponds this fall. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gottenborg to approve the Accounts Payable Listing of 09-27-05 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Runningen reviewed the situation at 40981 Hwy. 59. Annexation of the property is necessary in order for the City of Pelican Rapids public nuisances ordinances to apply. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to have Administrator Solga begin the legal process to annex property at 40981 Hwy. 59. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member and Planning Commissioner John Waller reported on the Planning Commission meeting on 09-26-05. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and authorize a zone change from Residential to Commercial by introducing the following resolution, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 05-04 ZONING, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9, PART 5-ZONING ORDINANCE. (A complete text of this ordinance is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office and will be published in complete form.) Mayor Runningen, Council Members Gottenborg, Waller and Peterson voted yes. No one voted no. Motion passed unanimously and ordinance declared duly adopted upon publication. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and deny a request for an ordinance change to permit sheet metal siding and roofing in Residential 1, 2 and 3 Zones. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and deny a request for an ordinance change to permit pier foundations in the Residential 1, 2 and 3 Zones. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Waller, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and have City Attorney Greg Larson draw up an ordinance change to require a 4/12 roof pitch in the Residential 1, 2 and 3 Zones. Motion passed unanimously. A resident has requested a change in the speed limit on 1st St. NW from 30 miles an hour to 10 miles an hour. Council discussed possibility of stop signs. Matter was tabled to next meeting. Council discussed the need for the police department to ticket cars parked on the streets with expired tabs. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Glenys Ehlert, CMC Clerk-Treasurer