Conditional use permit approved for keeping chickens in designated Animal Overlay District
The Mountain Lake City Council learned the results of the city’s Classification and Compensation Study performed by Fox, Lawson and Associated (FLA) at their Monday, June 2 meeting. Greg Mangold of FLA was in attendance to review the report with the council members.
FLA had gathered wage and salary information from similar-sized cities in southwest, southeast and central Minnesota through the League of Minnesota Cities Salary Survey. Reviewed were job descriptions, employees were interviewed and job values were assigned.
What the survey revealed, according to FLA, is that city employees’ salary-range midpoints were on average 11.8% below the average range midpoints of the market. This difference indicates that there is a possible misalignment with the market.
The city’s next step is to establish pay ranges, review those jobs that vary significantly from the market – and make adjustments where necessary.
FLA will prepare scenarios for the council to consider.
Chickens to roost on Klein Street
In a split decision, the council approved a Conditional Use Permit for Mike McCue, the owner of property at 520 Klein Street, to keep chickens on his three-acre parcel. The property is located in an area zoned as a Residential Use District – but is also in the Animal Overlay District.
A public hearing was held before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Based on that hearing and additional information supplied by McCue, the commission had recommended the approval of the conditional use permit with no conditions.
Voting for approval were Council Members Audi Nickel, David Savage and Brian Schultz. Voting against the permit were Mayor Dean Janzen and Council Member Andrew Ysker.
In other business
* Approved street closings for The Laker Grill, as well as the Lake Commission, in connection with Pow Wow.
Closed for The Laker Grill on Monday evening, June 16 and Tuesday evening, June 17, during Pow Wow, will be 2nd Avenue from the west side of the 2nd Avenue/10th Street intersection to the east side of 2nd Avenue.
Closed for the Lake Commission from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, June 14, during Pow Wow, will be 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue and 15th Street between 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue.
* Approved the Mountain Lake Fire Department’s application for Rural Fire Department Volunteer Fire Assistance Matching Department of Natural Resources Grant Project proposal for four units of structural turnout gear, with a price tag of $10,472 each, along with $8,000 to retrofit the grass rig’s new truck.
* Awarded the demolition of the house and garage at 202 12th Street South, to Nickel Construction of Mountain Lake, at a cost of $3,300. This DOES NOT include landfill chargers or asbestos abatement.
* Adopted a resolution ordering the repair or removal of a hazardous building located at 724 Prince Street.
* Learned that the owner of property at 412 7th Street has been served and has 20 days from date of service to respond. (The 20 days have not yet elapsed.)
* Adopted a policy ordered by the Minnesota Commission of Transportation. This retroreflectivity policy concerns the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) be adopted, implemented and applied to ALL traffic control devices. Minnesota cities must establish a method to maintain sign retroreflectivity by Friday, June 13, 2014.
* Heard an update from the Mountain Lake Foundation on its Bike Plan. Abandoned bicycles are currently being repaired. A contract with the bicycle mechanic is being drafted.
* Adopted a resolution calling for a public hearing concerning the modification of Redevelopment District #1, the establishment of Redevelopment Districts #1-#8 and the adoption of the Redevelopment Plan and the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan for Jennie’s Subdivision.
* Doug Regehr addressed the council during the Public Forum to discuss storm water run-off as well as the request that residents voluntarily conserve water, which is now in effect.
* Closed the meeting for Attorney/Client Privilege to discuss the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project and the repair of road settling that occurred on 2nd Avenue, 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue following the 2012 construction season. The meeting was reopened after 33 minutes, with no action reported to have been taken.
* Reviewed the identification of future uses (commitment or assignment) of funds in the general fund.
* Set the date for the City Council/Department Head Capital Improvement Plan review and revision meeting for Wednesday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m.
* Learned that Mountain Lake City Administrator Wendy Meyer will be attending the Minnesota League of Minnesota Cities Conference Wednesday, June 18 to Friday, June 20.
