Street parking concerns addressed at Clearbrook City Council
Tue, 10/22/2019 - 9:51am
admin
By:
Bonnie Kirchman
Street parking concerns were addressed at the City of Clearbrook’s regular council meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. Complaints about vehicles parked on Railroad Avenue have been brought to the attention of council members. Railroad Avenue is narrower than other Clearbrook streets and vehicles parked along the street have caused congestion near the Brookfield Apartments. A resident of the city attended the meeting to voice concerns about the problem and relate personal experiences dealing with the congestion on that street. The council members discussed possible solutions to deal with the issue. Police Chief Dan Gazelka will research various options for the city.
Police Chief Gazelka presented the board with preliminary budget figures for the police department for 2020. He is recommending increases in the budget for part-time officers. The department dealt with around 800 calls for the entire 2018 year. The number of calls requiring response from the department is increasing, with 800 calls being received so far in 2019. Gazelka also recommended increasing funds for special community events and for dealing with special issues such as protests in the city. Council members brought up the possibility of increasing the rotation time for purchasing new vehicles from five to six years. The police department budget figures will be discussed more in budget planning meetings.
A report on fire department activities was presented by Chief Adam Krog. The department responded to 14 calls in both August and September. To date, they have responded to six calls in October. One call during this three-month period was for a structural fire, a few were motor vehicle accidents, but most were medical calls. The department used money from their fund raising account to replace lights and complete electrical work for the new gear washer and dryer. The department is selling equipment that isn’t being used. The overall plan is to fit all department vehicles in the hall. The department joined with members of the Gonvick fire department for fire prevention week activities at Clearbrook-Gonvick School. The fall fund raiser banquet has been scheduled for Saturday, October 26th. Tickets for this event are available from department members, local businesses, or at the Clearbrook City Hall. The fire department will also be participating in Trunk or Treat in Clearbrook on Sunday, October 27th.
The option of opening the bar during Sunday Vikings games was discussed during manager Joy Walberg’s liquor store report. The city can apply to the state for a Sunday license. Off-sale hours are limited to 12-6 p.m., but the bar could remain open to accommodate evening games. Staff would need to be found to work the additional hours. The council also discussed changes to credit card fee processing that would start on the first of the year. Council member Shawn Johnson suggested a 90-day trial to allow staff to analyze the impact of any changes on sales.
Many activities are being planned for bar customers. A meat raffle scheduled for Saturday, October 19th will benefit the Clearbrook Fire Department’s fire prevention week activities. A Vikings night is planned for Thursday, October 24th with food specials. There will be a Halloween party on Friday, November 1st with prizes for costumes and entertainment by DJ Star Karaoke starting at 9:00 p.m. The next Bingo night will be on November 2nd. A wine tasting event will take place on Saturday, November 23rd. The liquor store will also provide a bar for the fire department’s October fund raiser.
Jason Bakke and Mark Snobl updated the city council on utilities and maintenance work. They have dealt with a water main break near the city offices. Three gas services will be set up on October 21st. The council decided to close the campground for the season on November 1st. The items damaged in the lightning strike to the water tower need to be itemized for the insurance company. Mark passed his sewer test and will now work on getting his water license. Jason already has his water license, so will now work on getting his sewer license. Street sign problems will be addressed by city staff, including a stop sign that is obstructed by trees on 3rd and Oak. A rusted speed limit sign at 1st and Oak will be replaced.
Concerns about the old Good Samaritan building, now owned by Eagle’s Healing Nest, were discussed by council members. The lawn is not being maintained and water and gas bills are not being paid. The city has made multiple attempts to contact the new owners but have not received any response. The city has sent letters informing the owners that water and gas would be shut off if payment was not arranged. As the owners have not responded, the council decided to turn off water and gas to the nursing home building and the house.
The proposed building ordinance regarding structure requirements for new residential buildings was read for the second time at the council meeting. It addresses minimum square footage for homes, as well as roof pitch and off-street parking requirements. The ordinance will be ready for the final approval at next month’s meeting.
The council approved a building permit for Larry and Pamela Berg to update their Oak Street residence. Ron and Dawn Sjostrand also received approval for their building permit for building a workshop/storage shed on Hillside Avenue.
Reviews of city employees will be completed at the 2020 budget planning meeting. The employees have also requested health insurance. Currently, full-time staff receive an allowance for health insurance as an addition to their salary. Information will be gathered to help make a decision on health insurance benefits.
Gary Prosser updated the council on the Clearbrook dam area. The DNR stocked the pond with 60 pounds of fish in 2019. They intend to stock the pond with 120 pounds of fish in 2020. The DNR suggested planting low growing plants by the dam to help keep cattail growth down. A pledge for $5,000 for a picnic shelter by the dam has been received. Another $9,000 will need to be raised to build the shelter.
The council approved monthly claims of $39,162.94. Additional claims of $84,538.03 were also approved. North Country Hardware monthly claims for $327.01 and $4.80 for August and $523.66 for September were approved with Shawn Johnson abstaining. Gustafson and Goudge monthly claim for $575.00 for pool sand removal was also approved.