M1Motion to approve the agenda as amended.
Exact transcript text
motion to approve the agenda as amended
Passed
2:13motion to approve the agenda as amended ... yes so moved second second it motion carries
Nowthen City Council Workshop meeting, December 7, 2017
City CouncilThursday, December 7, 2017
Agenda
Not on file
What was on the agenda.
Packet
Not on file
The supporting materials the board reviewed.
One-line summary
Council held a short-handed workshop: approved the agenda (with an item tabled), discussed year-end fire budget transfers and a disputed fire response billing tied to a burn permit, reviewed gambling permit changes, multiple planning/zoning matters (including Nowthen Historical Power Association IUP/CUP amendments and a proposed subdivision/flag lot), and discussed code-enforcement letter process and consent agenda planning for the next Tuesday meeting.
What was on the agenda
13 items as recorded in the minutes, each with a short summary of what was at issue.
- Approved
1Approve agenda (amended; table item 2 under Park & Recreation)
Workshop vote recorded in transcript; minutes not in this bundle.
- agenda
1:54I was wondering if we could motion to table or to table item two down under parking our creation as there was no meeting on Tuesday ... motion to approve the agenda as amended ... motion carries - Discussion only
2Fire Department request: year-end transfer and broaden search for fire rescue truck / turnout gear funding discussion
Fire chief discussed moving unused gear budget into fire equipment fund and creating/dedicating turnout gear funding; also discussed a separate request to increase purchase price range for a fire rescue truck beyond the original $50,000.
The fire chief reported difficulty finding a suitable fire rescue truck within the previously granted $50,000 and asked to carry forward unspent gear budget into the fire equipment fund to broaden the search. Council discussed splitting the year-end amount so that roughly $14,000 would go into the equipment fund while $7,500 would be set aside into a dedicated turnout-gear fund to prepare for expected replacements in 2019, and they discussed resubmitting the request with a wider purchase-price range for the truck for a vote at the next Tuesday meeting.
Workshop was described as information-gathering; votes planned for the next Tuesday meeting.
- fire_department
- fire_equipment
- turnout_gear
- budget_transfer
2:39we've been looking diligently for a piece of equipment for the $50,000 dollar amount that was granted ... currently right now we are our gear today budget we are under by twenty one thousand seven hundred and nineteen dollars asking to move that forward into our fire equipment fund5:00we've allocated 7500 per year for turnoff here ... I'd prefer the 14 and change to go into the equipment fund and the 7,500 that wasn't used go into a dedicated fund for turnout gear be prepared for 20198:25this is just based just for the transfer and I don't know I will do another one for the increase in the purchase price ... then we can amend the request to to widen the range research we're going to resubmit that - Discussion only
3Request regarding fire call billing / burn permit issue (Dennis Lesko)
Council heard the fire chief’s explanation of a response to reported grass fire while a permit burn was occurring; discussed permit rules and whether the billed response was appropriate; resident disputed number of fires/piles and said he did not receive regulation sheet.
Council discussed a resident’s request related to a fire department response while he was burning with a permit. The fire chief explained that 911 callers reported a possible large grass fire, prompting an all-call response; on scene they observed what they described as 10 to 12 actively burning piles, which they said violated the three-pile limit, and referenced an approximate response cost of about $1,988. Mr. Lesko disputed the number of fires, said he had only several windrows burning, and said he did not receive the open burning regulation sheet; the discussion also led to a takeaway that the city should ensure regulation sheets are handed out with permits and that unusual burns should be coordinated with the fire department.
No final decision recorded in the workshop transcript; discussion focused on clarifying rules and process.
- fire_call
- burn_permit
- billing
11:092 911 calls came in before mr. Lesko was call ... second caller ... said it was a five to ten acre grass fire ... there was 10 to 12 piles that were actively burning which is a violation of the of the burn permit burn can only have up to three piles burning at one time14:49and then the total cost you it's like 1988 maybe it's a little blurry here15:28I only had four rows burning so 10 to 12 is absolutely impossible ... I didn't know where to look to find it22:16we do have a open burning regulation sheet which if we're not handing it out every time there's a permanent we should ... point number two does say 15 by 15 put the maximum on the pile size and a maximum of three piles at any one time - Discussion only
4Gambling permits: change at Bootleggers to Elk River Youth Hockey
Discussed a request to change the gambling beneficiary/organization at Bootleggers to Elk River Youth Hockey, with start date January 1.
Council reviewed a request to change the gambling operation/beneficiary at Bootleggers to Elk River Youth Hockey, with discussion noting a January 1 start date. The matter was presented as needing council action, with voting intended for the next Tuesday meeting rather than at the workshop.
Request stated as needing council action; workshop indicated voting would occur the following Tuesday.
- gambling
- bootleggers
- charitable_gambling
31:28it permits for changing the gambling at bootleggers to over to the Elk River youth hockey ... how soon does this start ... start January 1st - Discussion only
5City-owned parcel / lot sale discussion (asking price based on market value; closing costs)
Discussed an asking price stated as market value accounting and a change about splitting/handling closing costs; also mentioned site elevation issues and fill needs.
No vote recorded in the transcript excerpt provided in this bundle.
- land_sale
- real_estate
34:04our asking price was 478 for previously that's what the market value economy is on it ... you're willing to split the closing cost ... in the vacant land purchase agreement it says ... pay all closing costs37:01the building would need to be raised up similar to what they're doing on iguana for the tiny homes building ... market value typically is on the low side ... reasonable to ask a few thousand less - Discussion only
6Planning & Zoning: Nowthen Historical Power Association amended CUP/IUP (event change; remove periodic renewal; parking parcels removed)
Reviewed amended permits: replace 'we sober Fest' with 'wot PD rendezvous', clarify member use, remove two adjoining residential parcels from parking; discussed wording about when a new IUP would be required (changes/complaints).
Council reviewed Planning & Zoning’s recommended amendments for the Nowthen Historical Power Association permits: replacing an event ("we sober Fest") with the "wot PD rendezvous," clarifying member use, and removing two adjoining residential parcels from required parking. They also discussed clarifying the wording on when the Association must return for another interim use permit, aiming for a process where they return if they propose changes or if the council needs to address complaints; final action was stated to be taken on the following Tuesday meeting.
Planner indicated final decision would be made Tuesday.
- planning_and_zoning
- nowthen_historical_power_association
- interim_use_permit
- conditional_use_permit
38:55permits approved five years ago ... four events originally ... we sober Fest will no longer happen ... replacing that with the wot PD rendezvous ... eliminated the two adjoining residential parcels they do not need that for parking any longer41:21I appeal be required only if requested by the City Council based on changes in circumstances or issues ... it's backwards ... make it clear they don't have to come back and less they're proposing changes ... or if there's happen to be complaints then the council would call them44:51we will make a final decision on Tuesday - Discussion only
7Planning & Zoning: IUP application name clarification (remove co-signer names from agenda; sale closed)
Discussed that an applicant had a co-signer while a sale was finalizing, but sale closed before the public hearing; asked to remove co-signer names from Tuesday agenda to avoid confusion.
Administrative clarification discussed for Tuesday’s agenda.
- planning_and_zoning
- interim_use_permit
- agenda_cleanup
45:25in our agenda here it says Chuck Vista Phil and Corey and Haley Sheldon is this a joint project well no because they were still finalizing the sale when he made application ... the sale was complete before the public hearing ... for the record he is he does on it outright - Discussion only
8Planning & Zoning: outdoor storage / fencing & landscaping / lot line question (applicant 'Biskit' referenced)
Discussed amended findings and recommendations including fencing/landscaping screening from residential neighbors and outdoor storage compliance; council member asked about lot line clarity and fencing changes.
No vote recorded in the workshop transcript excerpt provided in this bundle.
- planning_and_zoning
- screening
- outdoor_storage
47:18amended findings and recommendations ... looking for fencing and landscaping from the residential neighbors to the west the outdoor storage compliance ... my one question was is that gonna be an issue with your neighbor ... clearer where that actual new lot where the correct lot line is yes - Discussion only
9Planning & Zoning: proposed subdivision/flag lot (20-acre parcel into two tens) with access constraints (negative P&Z recommendation)
Applicant requested subdividing a 20-acre parcel into two 10-acre lots for his sons; discussion covered access easements/frontage requirements, neighbor concerns, possibility of temporary access, and that P&Z recommended denial.
An applicant asked to subdivide a 20-acre parcel into two 10-acre lots so his sons could build homes, but the discussion focused on access/frontage requirements and neighbor cooperation, including the possibility of temporary access and future road connections when surrounding property develops. Council acknowledged Planning & Zoning had recommended denial and debated how the flag-lot regulations and practical difficulties might apply, with no decision made at the workshop.
Workshop discussion only; no council decision recorded here.
- planning_and_zoning
- subdivision
- flag_lot
- access_easement
50:10what I'm looking to do is to subdivide the 20 acre parcel into two tens so that both of my sons can build a home out there55:20we got a negative recommendation or a recommendation not to approve on the PMZ1:10:42it says in the flag light regulations flag lets shall generally not be permitted except under unique circumstances and through approval of a co P where practical difficulties can be shown to exist due to natural features physical constraints or existing Street and law arrangements - Discussion only
10Planning & Zoning Commission appointment discussion (Jason Alders) and resignation (Vial)
Discussed recommendation to approve Jason Alders to serve on P&Z; also noted Mr. Vial withdrawing from city functions and resigning from multiple boards.
No appointment vote recorded in workshop transcript excerpt provided.
- appointments
- planning_and_zoning_commission
1:22:40the recommendation was for to approve Jason alders serve on the pending Zoning Commission ... since then have had him for resignation yes ... mr. vial is withdrawing from all city functions really yeah he was resignation today watershed Rome bridge Park and Rec - Discussion only
11Code enforcement: revise letter/notice process; ordinance consistency; response timeline
Discussed revising a code enforcement letter to be less threatening, but noted ordinance requirements for an official administrative notice (including potential fines); discussed adding another step and using 15 calendar days to respond.
Council reviewed a revised code enforcement letter intended to encourage cooperation without sounding threatening, but discussed that an official administrative notice must include potential fines under the ordinance. They considered adding a new preliminary letter step before the administrative notice and discussed using a 15-calendar-day response window to match the existing notice timeline.
No formal action recorded in the workshop transcript excerpt provided.
- code_enforcement
- ordinance
1:24:33to be an official administrative notice we have to not only list what the suspected or known violations are we have to also put in what the potential fines are ... then we'll have to name it something else and add that as the first step in the process1:28:35the way it reads now is 15 calendar days ... they have to respond to the notice so maybe making it the same would be easiest - Discussion only
12Consent agenda planning for next Tuesday (minutes, finance report, bills, levy study, closures, staff pay/holiday, deputy clerk ad) and pulling items for discussion
Discussed items expected on consent agenda and identified items to pull off consent for discussion (deputy clerk position/administrative staffing); also discussed Dec 26 half-day pay and using PTO/no pay for remaining half-day.
Council previewed items expected on the next Tuesday meeting’s consent agenda (minutes, finance report, bills, levy-related items, and office closure/pay items) and discussed advertising a deputy clerk position, including the need to decide interview process and pay rate. They also discussed the Dec. 26 holiday arrangement (half day paid with remaining time PTO/no pay) and noted employee reviews could not be scheduled yet because most council reviews had not been submitted; they also preferred the review tabulation be blind rather than tied to council member initials.
This was planning for the next Tuesday meeting; no consent agenda vote recorded in workshop.
- consent_agenda
- staffing
- holiday_schedule
1:39:50consent agenda good meeting minutes finance report ... called it the bill ... property tax levy ... offices are closed on December 25th the request was to pay half a day on the 26th ... proved advertisement for the deputy clerk position1:42:21I would recommend we pull that from the consent agenda since we have to actually discuss pay raise in the process - Discussion only
13Employee reviews process (need more councilmember submissions; make tabulation blind)
Discussed that employee reviews could not be scheduled because only one council member had turned in a review; discussed having tabulation be blind rather than using council member initials.
Council previewed items expected on the next Tuesday meeting’s consent agenda (minutes, finance report, bills, levy-related items, and office closure/pay items) and discussed advertising a deputy clerk position, including the need to decide interview process and pay rate. They also discussed the Dec. 26 holiday arrangement (half day paid with remaining time PTO/no pay) and noted employee reviews could not be scheduled yet because most council reviews had not been submitted; they also preferred the review tabulation be blind rather than tied to council member initials.
Planning discussion; no vote recorded.
- employee_reviews
- administration
1:43:44employee reviews we can't schedule it since only one council member has turned in their review so far ... councilmember Bettinger ... I think that should be blind
Motions and votes
1 motion on the record.
Sources
Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.
- Document
City Council Workshop — 2017-12-07 Workshop Minutes (2017-12-07)
Minutes · Thursday, December 7, 2017
18 pages
- Video
Meeting recording
YouTube
Transcript · 531 segments · 1:26:30
Show a sample of the transcript (531 segments, 1:26:30 total)
- 0:00 in the bottle turn screen thank you for joining us to our December
- 0:10 workshop December 7 2017 we're a little short-handed tonight
- 0:17 it's a lot of empty chairs our clerk treasurer is under the weather so I'll be recording the meeting and it will be
- 0:27 uploaded as soon as she's back into the office will be online and she will transcribe minutes from that and we have two council members that are unavailable
- 0:36 tonight out of town so we have three council members and we have our city planner and our fire chief so we'll have the the workshop generally
- 0:46 we don't have a floor items on the during the workshop there are some things that people may want to talk about so we have a little
- 0:56 more leeway and a workshop to discuss the details our votes on Tuesday night so we'll have a meeting next Tuesday and if that
- 1:05 meeting is when it will vote on the items that are here tonight so this is information gathering and we'll try and be a little more thorough because we
- 1:14 expect the other council members to watch this online so gonna give them as much detail as we can and so we will be a little more tolerant of discussion
- 1:23 tonight and we typically are so so I think that being with short staff in the
- 1:32 customers want to do unusual tonight or just get through it alright we'll start with a time number one their
- 1:41 request from the chief if I may before we approve the agenda I was wondering if we could motion to
- Showing first 12 segments. Open the YouTube video for the full transcript.
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