Clearbrook Council has many items at June meeting
Tue, 06/18/2019 - 10:17am
admin
By:
Bonnie Kirchman
The Clearbrook City Council addressed topics including street and pool repairs, the upcoming street project, tax break offers for new businesses, and requirements for new building at the regular meeting on Monday, June 10th.
Curt Meyers, engineer with WSN, requested input from the council on several questions. He suggested, and the council agreed, that additional water main looping be added to the project plan at three specific locations. Although this change would not be critical to the system’s functioning, it would help it be more efficient. Jason Bakke will help with marking the natural gas lines to provide more detailed information for planning. The council also discussed assessing the sewer line to Elim church. In Curt’s opinion, the church should be treated the same as other city buildings, as this project gives the same benefit of improved service rather than new service.
Bryce Torgerson, local representative for Garden Valley Technologies, informed the council on the availability of free, public Wi-Fi that could be placed in the Legion Room of the community center. Garden Valley would provide the service. In exchange, the city would be required to hang a banner advertising the Wi-Fi. The council opted to accept the Wi-Fi service from Garden Valley, noting it would be beneficial to city staff when meetings are held in the Legion room.
Police officer Zach Karayel gave the police report in Chief Dan Gazelka’s absence. The department is dealing with the continued problem of thefts in the city. One juvenile has been arrested and is under investigation for other crimes. The thieves are targeting items in unlocked vehicles and garages. The city will include a notice in the newsletter reminding residents to lock their vehicles and garages and secure their valuables.
Adam Krog, fire chief, provided the council with an update on fire department personnel, training, and maintenance issues. A new member has joined, bringing the number of fire department volunteers up to twenty. Adam attended the Clearwater County Hazard Mitigation Plan meeting and seven fire department members attended a training burn in Fosston. Lights have been replaced in the truck bays at the fire hall but office and restroom lights still need to be replaced. The department will seek bids for installation of the new gear washer and dryer. Adjustments to the apron are needed in order to park the new truck without damaging it. The council indicated that this issue could be dealt with during the upcoming street project. Great Plains Fire provided the maintenance on two trucks that was necessary to pass testing for insurance ratings. To make costs more even across years, the department will look at servicing one truck each year in the future.
Joy Walberg reported on the liquor store. The revenue report showed a loss for May, due mainly to a purchase of beer at a volume discount. June activities are underway, with a meat raffle for Kloster park on June 22nd and music events for Friday and Saturday of Summerfest weekend. In addition, the liquor store will serve a wedding and a retirement party in June. Joy will continue pursuing quotes for window repairs and an outdoor sign.
Frost, truck traffic, and the age of the streets have combined to cause damage to areas of some city streets. Jason Bakke and Mark Snobl, maintenance and utilities, will do temporary repair work to street areas that will be repaved in the street project. The city will look at placing weight restriction signs on specific streets that are not built to accommodate the heavier trucks. The council also discussed enforcement of weight restrictions. Street issues caused by the culvert near the dam will need to be looked into as well.
City staff is addressing several pool repair issues. The council approved a motion to replace a worn-out pump at a cost of approximately $15,000 for parts and labor. Funds from the Community Club will be used to pay for the pump replacement. The pool was professionally winterized, but is showing evidence of leaks. The city’s attorney will be consulted on options for action from the city as the company that provided winterizing services is not providing assistance on this issue. Pool painting will be postponed to prevent further delays in scheduled activities at the pool. The council also approved pool rates for 2019, with no increases from 2018 rates.
Lucie Thompson, city clerk, reported that the owner of Gloria’s Collectibles building made a counter offer of $1,000 to the city’s offer to purchase the building for one dollar. The city council responded with an offer to purchase the building for $300 or take legal action, as the building needs to be removed.
Charps is adding a new building and owner Greg Todavich has requested a tax break from the city for the new addition to their business. Following discussion, the council directed Lucie to contact the city’s lawyer for more information on rules and time frames relating to tax breaks. An additional request from Charps to vacate an alleyway was denied due to water line locations.
The city continues to work on developing the building structure ordinance. The city’s lawyer is providing recommendations for requirements including minimum square footage, permanent foundations, roof pitches, and off-street parking. The lawyer has also suggested penalties for violations of ordinances. Residents are given the city’s building guidelines when they apply for building permits.
The council approved a building permit for fencing, patio, and porch on Ronald Molash’s property. City staff will remind the owner that the fence must be 12 feet from the curb.
The council approved monthly claims of $82,315.76 and additional claims of $82,281.48. North Country Hardware monthly claims of $631.12 and additional claims of $24.57 were approved with Shawn Johnson abstaining.