City Council

CITY OF PELICAN RAPIDS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-11-14-05 The City Council of the City of Pelican Rapids met in regular session at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, 11-14-05, in Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Wayne Runningen, Council Members Ben Woessner, John E. Waller, III, Richard Peterson and David Gottenborg were present. No one was absent. Administrator Don Solga, Clerk- Treasurer Glenys Ehlert, Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier, Police Chief Scott Fox, Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson, City Engineer Paul King of Moore Engineering, and Jerry Barney of the Pelican Rapids Press were also present. Meeting called to order by Mayor Runningen. Motion by Waller, seconded by Peterson to approve the minutes of 10-10, 10-25, and 10-27-05 as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Council reviewed the Accounts Payable Listing of 11-14-05. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to approve payment of the Accounts Payable Listing of 11-14-05 with the following additions: D. Brommenschenkel, Barley Straw, $1802 and Water Tower Clean & Coat, Inc., water tower cleaning, $5,100. Motion includes the approval of the Library Bill Listing of 11-1-05 as approved by Library Board Member Gary Lage. Motion passed unanimously. Police Chief Scott Fox presented his report. Utilities Superintendent Brent E. Frazier presented his report. He reported that In- Control was here for the semi-annual inspection of the water, wastewater and lagoon facilities. The water tower has been cleaned, painting touched up and a check valve installed. The phase monitor for the water plant wells has been replaced and this has eliminated the alarms that were being received on a regular basis. Frazier reported that the Wastewater Facility has been issued a new license and the facility is now a Class A Facility. This classification will require additional testing and reporting and the City has six months to be in compliance. The barley straw was wet and didn’t spread out as well as hoped. $10,905 will be the total bill for labor and straw for covering the anaerobic ponds. This straw cover should last for four to five years. Mayor Runningen said part of the agreement with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requires a Significant Industrial User (SIU) agreement with West Central Turkeys, Inc., and Pat Risenour of Interstate Engineering is working with the City on this agreement. Street and Park Superintendent Brian Olson presented his report. His department has received the winter supply of salt and sand and the trucks are ready for plowing. Engineer Paul King of Moore Engineering was present to review Street Improvement No. 70. He said the project is essentially complete. He recommended payment to the contractor, Central Specialties, Alexandria, for Pay Estimate No. 1, in the amount of $219,140.02. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Waller to approve partial payment to the contractor, Central Specialties, in the amount of $219,140.02, reflecting a retaining fee of $11,533.69 for the project. Motion passed unanimously. Paul King said he will process a permit if required by the State of Minnesota for the 9th Ave. SW curbing on the Hwy. 59. He will provide the letter to the City of Pelican Rapids regarding the curb. Administrator Solga presented the Planning Commission recommendations of 11- 10-05. The Planning Commission recommended denial of Ramon Saavedra’s request for a Special Use Permit to construct a manufactured home in the commercial zone at 609 North Broadway. The Planning Commission found that the special use request was not harmonious with the Comprehensive Plan and the commercial development expected in the area. Ramon Saavedra explained that he would not have bought the property if he had known it was in the commercial zone and that he would not be able to build on it. He looked at the line of houses and expected that he could build a house there. He wants to provide a home for his children. Mayor Runningen explained that the zone has been commercial for many, many years and this means that homes may be there until damaged by more than 75%. In this case the original house was demolished. Administrator Solga said that the Planning Commission felt that this has been unfortunate set of circumstances that the house was destroyed. The Planning Commission did not think it was in the City’s or Ramon’s best interest to permit construction of a new home in a commercial zone. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner, to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the application of Ramon Saavedra for a Special Use Permit to construct a residence in the Commercial Zone at 609 N. Broadway. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Gottenborg and Mayor Runningen discussed tax forfeited properties that might be available, but at the present time they don’t know of any. Ramon Saavedra said he will keep the property in question for a yard and he will live in his little house (next door) for many, many years. He will look for a different house or place for his family to live. Maybe someday someone will buy both properties for commercial use. Council assured Saavedra that he could remain living in his house as long as the house stays and he can sell the house as a residential property. Administrator Solga reported that the Planning Commission will be meeting again to reconsider Pete Lund’s request for a special use permit. Administrator Solga said the Planning Commission recommended increasing charges for special use permits and variances from $50 and no charge to $200 for each. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to charge a fee for variances by introducing City Ordinance No. 05-08, entitled AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 905.06, SUBDIVISION 4, RELATING TO VARIANCES. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously and ordinance declared duly adopted and effective upon publication. Motion by Gottenborg, seconded by Woessner to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to increase the Special Use Permit Fee by introducing City Ordinance No. 05-09, entitled AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 905.06, SUBDIVISION 5(B), RELATING TO SPECIAL USE PERMITS. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously and ordinance declared duly adopted and effective upon publication. Council Members discussed the Liquor Store reports and the need to reduce inventory to transfer funds to the General Fund as budgeted. Clerk-Treasurer Glenys Ehlert reported on the 10-31-05 Financial Statements. She updated the Council regarding Well No. 14 expenses. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to authorize the airport grant agreement with the State of Minnesota and to authorize the Mayor and Administrator to sign the agreement, by introducing the following resolution, entitled, RESOLUTION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT AGREEMENT FOR AIRPORT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION. (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. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Waller to introduce the following ordinance, entitled, ORDINANCE NO. 05-07, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 1001.04 RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM CERTAIN HOUSING REGULATIONS. (A complete text of this resolution is part of permanent public record in the city clerk's office.) Motion passed unanimously and ordinance declared duly adopted and in effect upon publication. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Gottenborg to accept the City Services Fee Schedule (fees for city equipment and services), effective 12-01-05, as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Council Member Woessner recommended that the City review license fees prior to January 2006 renewals. Truth in Taxation Hearing will be 12-05-05 at 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m., Glenys Ehlert, CMC, Clerk-Treasurer