Research leads to changes in Capital Improvement Plan
On hand at the Mountain Lake City Council’s Tuesday, July 5 meeting were Andy Kehren of Bolton & Menk Inc., the city’s engineer, and Street Superintendent Rick Oeltjenbruns. The two explained to council members the path of storm water run-off in the area between 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue on the west side of the city.
To eliminate those problems would require an extensive project, including more and large lines – both in the city – and those out-letting to the creek west of the city limits. The cost of a southwest storm water outlet from Golf Course Road/4th Avenue to a new pond on the south side of Mountain Lake Golf Course was estimated at $499,907.69.
Also discussed were other areas in the city where storm water run-off has been a problem in 2016.
Below is a Bolton & Menk Inc. drawing of the proposed storm water outlet:
Changes coming to Capital Improvement Plan
Based on research by Mountain Lake City Clerk/Administrator Wendy Meyer, few cities rotate their equipment based on use hours. In general, hours, age, condition and maintenance costs were considered.
Changes to the plan were recommended by both Meyer and Oeltjenbruns. Changes could include having all equipment listed on the plan and evaluated yearly, with the plan adjusted accordingly and council authorization needed before equipment purchases.
Meyer will make the recommended changes and submit the plan for council approval at the government group’s Monday, July 18 council meeting.
In other business
+ Tabled a decision on changes to Mountain Lake City Cemetery Regulations until the July 18 meeting. Oeltjenbruns explained to the council the reasons behind the adoption of Subdivision 10, Paragraph B of Section 7.04 Cemetery Regulations. That subdivision prevents a monument from being placed on a single or double lots before a burial has occurred.
+ Established fines for all public nuisances (some sections of code did not have fines listed) per a request by Mountain Lake City Attorney Maryellen Suhrhoff. Those fines will be $100 for the first violation and $200 for the second violation.
+ Heard an update on the city’s attempts to abate the public nuisances on property at 1406 3rd Avenue.
+ Approved a conditional use permit for a day care at 817 Second Avenue, with two conditions implemented, as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Those two conditions include that the number of children is limited to that of the current license (12 children) and that the hours of operation are limited to 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The conditional use permit will have to be amended if the business wishes to operate additional hours. Benjamin Jellema is the owner of the property; the day care will be operated by MaKayla Price under the name Lil’ Pumpkin’s Play School.
+ Heard a first reading review of an opt-out of requirements to allow temporary family health care dwellings.
+ Reviewed current city code on allowing temporary family health care dwellings on properties. At this time, the dwellings are not allowed. Various modifications to city code that would allow the dwellings, but in a manner that would allow the city to maintain control over the dwelling, were discussed. Meyer was directed to prepare draft language to add the dwellings as a conditional use. The main motivation to this new Minnesota state law is to provide transitional housing for seniors. For example, if a family wants to keep a close eye on grandma while she recuperates from surgery, they could have grandma live in a temporary family health care dwelling in the yard or driveway. The law does have an even broader effect, allowing for anyone who needs assistance with two or more “instrumental activities of daily life” for mental or physical reasons to be eligible.
+ Adopted the updated drug and alcohol testing policy for commercial drivers (DOT) to replace the policy previously adopted on May 21, 2012.
+ Received answers from Meyer about questions raised concerning the minimum wage that were raised at the Wednesday, June 22 council meeting.
+ Discussion of council per diems were tabled to the July 18 meeting.
+ Approved the resignation of James Jackson from the Mountain Lake Fire Department, effective June 9, 2016.
+ Approved the May and June building permits. These include:
- Building permits – Mifek LLC, offices inside Mountain Power Hydraulics; James and Carla Quiring, deck on north side of house; Ben Jellema, replace front steps with same, remove lathe/plaster from porch, replace insulation, remove three windows and dry wall; Michael Bettin, replace current window with a bay window; Daniel and Susanna Strutz, replace current window with a bump-out window; Country Pride, move wall for new refrigeration units and Emily Adrian, new doors, new drywall, electric and plumbing.
- Fence permits – Shawn Hardy, wood fence on south and east sides of lot; Kevin Ramm, wood fence on south and east sides of lot; Victor Intham, wood fence north of house; Ben Jellema, fence and enclosure on east side of house; Scott and Jessica Pankratz, fence on west side of property and Mark Pankratz, wood fence in backyard.
- Shingles/siding – Rick Herrig, shingle garage; Chad and Daintri Pedersen, siding, soffit/facia, gutters, downspouts and replace windows with same size; William Phanlunasonk, shingle garage; Michael Bettin, shingle house; Andrew Hardy, shingle house and garage (architectural shingle); Anthony and Tawana Elg, shingle house and garage; Randy and Grace Lucht, shingle double garage in backyard and Dana and Linda Watkins, install seamless-steel siding.
+ Held a 32-minute closed meeting to discuss litigation, as per Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subdivision 3b in Kuechle Underground v. City of Mountain Lake. When the closed meeting was closed, and the open meeting reopened, no 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.
