New police squad car coming in May
The central focus of discussion at the Tuesday, December 22 Mountain Lake City Council meeting was the agenda item concerning the petition from the Mountain Lake Economic Development Authority (EDA) to re-zone a lot from Industrial to General Commercial. The EDA has a purchase agreement with a retailer who intends to construct a store on the site. Maps, information from the intended purchaser and the League of Minnesota Cities, portions of the Mountain Lake Comprehensive Plan and Section 9.21 (General Commercial District) and Section 9.30 (Industrial District) of Mountain Lake City Cody were reviewed.
Tom and Maureen Johnson shared their concerns about increased noise, traffic and garbage, along with lower property values connected with the construction of the store. They also stated that they believe the lot is a poor location for a store and questioned why the purchaser wants to build at this site and not at locations that the Johnsons feel to be better. Other possible locations were reviewed by those attending the meeting.
Additional nearby property owners Scott and Joan Raabe presented their concerns about storm water run-off.
The history of the project and the application, storm water run-off and retention ponds, current zoning in the area, allowed uses in the Industrial and General Commercial zones, spot zoning, timelines and the 60-day rule were additionally discussed.
At the conclusion of discussion, council members agreed by consensus that additional information is needed.
The council voted to extend the 60-day rule (Minnesota Statute 15.99) an additional 60 days.
Mountain Lake City Clerk/Administrator Wendy Meyer will contact the retailer and request that its representatives attend the Friday, January 8 EDA meeting in person or by phone to address the issues raised and provide additional information. Council members who do not serve on the EDA will also attend the January 8 meeting.
Police squad car to go from Dodge to Ford
Mountain Lake Police Chief Doug Bristol presented information on the Mountain Lake Police Department’s current squad car, as well as on a replacement vehicle. The current Dodge Charger, purchased in 2012, has a large amount of miles on it and an increasing tally of repair bills, and Chief Bristol shared that a replacement is needed.
He recommended that a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor be purchased. Chief Bristol noted that reserve funds have accumulated from the management of previous department budgets. These funds would cover the purchase, and leave an adequate reserve for future needs.
The state bid quote, vehicle options, additional equipment and graphics quotes were reviewed and discussed.
Council members elected to purchase a Ford Interceptor with the noted options, additional equipment and graphics at a cost not to exceed $31,000.
The car will not be delivered until May 2016.
In other business
+ Reviewed the 2016 budget and levy. Following the review, council members adopted a 2016 property tax levy of $635,064.38. This is a 5% increase over the 2015 levy. The total 2016 city budget is $2,220,023.44, an increase of 2.9% over 2015.
+ Hired Heather Youngwirth as a member of the Mountain Lake Ambulance Squad, effective December 8, 2015.
+ Approved the Mountain Lake Ambulance Service billing agreement and HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) business associate agreement with Expert T Billing.
+ Discussed the tentative 2016 council meeting schedule and council appointments.
+ Reviewed the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust Property/Casualty Dividend.
+ Approved the closing of Mountain Lake City Hall at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 24.
+ Held an evaluation of Mountain Lake City Clerk/Administrator Wendy Meyer. Per her request, the meeting remained open. Each council member, in turn, rated the administrator in areas of organizational management, business and fiscal management, program development and implementation, problem-solving and development negotiations and long-range planning and communication skills. Strengths and weaknesses were discussed. Ways to improve were given. Discussed were 2015 activities and 2016 planned activities. No action was taken.
+ Closed the open meeting, per attorney/client privilege, to hold a closed meeting on the City of Mountain Lake v Kenneth Yoder and Rachel Yoder. The closed meeting was ended and the open meeting reopened after 45 minutes. Not action was taken.
City of Mountain Lake Meeting Dates
+ Mountain Lake City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Utilities Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 a.m.
+ Economic Development Authority (EDA) meets the second Friday of every month at 12 noon.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Library Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:45 p.m.
+ Police Commission meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Planning and Zoning meets the last Monday of the month, if needed.
+ Tree Commission meets quarterly – January, April, July and October – at 7:45 p.m.
