Mayor Westergaard called the March 3, 2011 lake View City Council to order with all members of the council present.
After roll call, he called opened the public forum. A citizen who did not introduce herself stood and read a prepared statement expressing her displeasure with the city’s decision to cut down the 100 year old trees at the west stone pier. Councilperson Steinkamp explained to her that they took what they felt was the safest course of action.
With no more citizens wishing to speak, the mayor called for approval of the consent agenda consisting of the evening’s agenda, the minutes of the February 21, 2011 meeting, the February 2011 financial report, and the bills to be paid. These items were approved without discussion.
The mayor opened a public hearing to discuss the proposed fiscal year 2011 – 2012 city budget. City administrator Scott Peterson explained to the council that the revenues are expected to exceed the expenditures by about $17,000. A final item mentioned is that the City of Wall Lake did sign the contract for law enforcement protection. Mayor Westergaard closed the public hearing and the council approved the fiscal year 2011 – 2012 budget unanimously.
For several months, storm drainage around Lake View’s newest future restaurant, Glacier Bay, has been in the process of being tweaked to make the owners of the restaurant, the city, and the surrounding property owners happy. At issue is the desire on the part of an adjacent land owner that the property not drain extra water onto their land. The owners of Glacier Bay also wish for the city to contribute to the project in the form of donated city employee labor.
The options recommended by the engineer for the city council to consider were the following:
1. Run a tile straight south from the retention berm to the ditch of East Shore Drive.
This would allow the water to drain to the west in the ditch and it allows the
restaurant to install an intake in the west portion of the parking lot and drain half of
their parking lot to the west also.
2. Run a tile from the retention berm south-east to dump into the storm sewer under
Boulders Drive.
City Administrator Scott Peterson also talked about the possibility of installing ag tile to help with any standing water problems that may arise due to the anticipated 70% runoff the property is expected to generate.
As the conversation turned to the second part of the request, the portion where the city would donate city employee labor, Jack DeBourgh estimated that his crew could install the pipe in a week or ten days depending on weather and what they actually find as they start the install. The city administrator estimated that the cost to the taxpayers would be around $900.00 per day.
Councilperson Laney voiced his objections to the portion of the proposal that called for using city labor. He made it clear that he would vote against it if the use of city labor remained in the proposal. Laney also wanted to make sure that it was clear that he supported the business saying, “This is a great project, and I’m 100% for it.”
Councilperson Foval-North said that she saw the donation of city labor as a matter of averting a drainage issue that the city is facing as opposed to merely donating what amounts to taxpayer dollars to a private business.
Complicating matters is the threat by a private citizen with adjacent property to file an injunction to stop work if any more development happens that may drain more water onto his property.
The council voted unanimously to approve the plan to create a retention area drained by a 24 inch pipe to keep water from entering surrounding properties. The vote was 4 – 0 with Foval-North abstaining.
The vote to direct the city employees to participate in installation of the pipe failed 2 – 2 with Huss and Laney voting against and Steinkamp and Schroeder voting for it. Foval – North abstained.
Councilperson Foval north updated the council on the events of the upcoming Pelican Fest event.
The Pelican Fest will be held on April 14, 2011 and the schedule of events is as follows:
8:00 AM-1:00 PM, American Legion, Main Street
Proceeds to benefit the Lake View Public Library.
Live Birds from SOAR
1-4pm, Open Shelter House, Speaker Park
Interact with rehabilitated birds and their handlers.
Horse-drawn Wagon Rides
1-4pm, Various Festival Locations
Take in the sights and sounds of the season on a wagon ride.
Watchable Wildlife Seminars
1-4pm, Lake View Historical Museum
Informative sessions lead by the County Naturalists.
View Migrating Wildlife
1-4pm, Various Lakefront Locations
Naturalists will be providing assistance at the Town Bay location.
Pelican Plunge
4:00pm, Crescent Beach
Plunge into the icy waters. Information at City Hall. 14 and over!
After the update, there was some discussion about making the CDI a city committee, but no action was taken. The council approved the activities of the Pelican Fest as presented unanimously.
The city administrator reported to the council that the electrician has checked and tightened lights on the streetlights and that the shade on the streetlight that fell off will be replaced. With that about to be complete, the council approved the final pay estimate of $32,109.43 and adopted resolution 11-04 accepting the work. Both the pay estimate and the resolution approving the work passed unanimously.
The Blackhawk Men’s Club intends to organize a lakeshore clean-up project tentatively scheduled for March 19 or March 26. Scott Peterson, representing the Men’s Club, asked the council for permission to use city equipment. According to Peterson, there are members of the city crew volunteering that will operate the equipment.
This will be a joint project involving the city, the Department of natural Resources, the Men’s Club and any other volunteers that wish to help.
The council voted unanimously to allow the use of city equipment.
Word has come down from “on high” that the Department of Natural Resources will be very selective about what they mow this year. According to the city administrator, they will only mow the areas that generate revenue for them, like around the campground and in the vicinity of the trail at icehouse point.
In recent years, the DNR has been much less restrictive with Lake View than they have with other places, and as was pointed out by the city administrator, the city doesn’t allow other property owners within city limits to not mow their properties. DNR properties within city limits include Icehouse Point and Shotgun Hill.
The council will be looking at strengthening the code pertain to mowing to include better definition of what it means to not mow, and possibly higher penalties for not mowing.
The council reappointed Jim Stock to the board of Adjustment without comment, other than to note that he is being reappointed by choice. His term will expire on February 28, 2016.
Jack DeBourgh updated the council on the planned projects for this summer:
Pending Public Works Projects
Water
Install new valve on top of hill on Provost, then replace valve by Dick Schwarzkopfs.
Dig up & replace nut on valve - intersection of Lakeshore Drive & Lake Street.
Repair one valve and install two more valves at 3" & Madison to isolate areas of town.
Install two more valves at the intersection ofThird & Vine.
Repair two valves and install one more valve at the intersection of7'h & 6th.
Replace hydrant on Crescent Park Drive.
Clean water tower & clear well - contractor.
Find or install several curb boxes on Provost and Lakewood
Replace curb box risers - Vine & 3'd
Fix/replace water meters.
Water service to Glacier Bay restaurant.
Sanitary Sewer
Flow issues & clarifier isolation valve - contractor.
Replace angle iron in primary clarifier.
Storm Sewer
Intakes at 5th & High - drainage problems.
Clean out drainage area behind shop - contractor.
Streets
Crack sealing.
Replace manhole lids by Ruth Green & Linda Kraft.
Repair broken curb & gutter - 5th & High.
Four water leak patches.
Trees.
Trim trees along bus route _7th Street & Jackson Street.
Remove Trees:
Ed Peters
Steve Hummel
Max Lungren
Sewer Plant
7 - 9 trees in campground
Projects for Project Worker
Roof cabin & restroom
Sidewalk by Speaker Park RR
Sidewalk by #2 bathhouse
Replace steel exterior doors in bathhouses
Replace counters & sinks in bath houses
Install auto-flush valves
Benches & rest areas on Ice House Pt trail
Replace dump station
3" Street sidewalk & street
The council directed DeBourgh to email them as the projects were completed so that they can keep track of the progress.
After pointed discussion wherein the council discussed the pros and cons of why they do or do not want particular people working for them, the council narrowly approved the following summer hires via resolution 11-05 on a 3-2 vote with Laney and Huss voting against.
Following are the names, positions and rates of the people hired as summer help:
Campground Manager
Ruth Green - $12.75
Assistant Campground Manager
Nancy Muhlbauer - $10.25
Campground Attendant
Jack McGivern $9.25
Jessica Wilson $8.25
Shannon Walters $8.25
Concession I Mini-Golf Help
Kelli Gerdes $8.25
Lifeguards
Caitlyn Boeckman $8.25
Lauren Goodenow $8.00
Audrey Hoeg $8.25
Sydney Murillo $8.00
Parks Employee
Kevin Hospelhorn $11.00
Ted Richardson $11.00
Park Worker
Tyler Pieken $8.25
Nick Buse - Projects $12.00
Utilities Floaters
Jared Meister $10.25
Matt Schwarzkopf $10.00
You can watch the video of this conversation at the following link: http://thesacnews.blogspot.com/2011/03/video-resolution-hiring-summer-help.html
According o the city administrator, the Lake View Planning and Zoning board discussed initiating the procedure to turn the property known as Rardin’s Salvage from industrial to commercial. According to Mayor Westergaard, they want to clean the property up and restrict it from becoming another salvage yard.
The main question on everyone’s mind is why zone it commercial, and not residential. There was no clear answer on this other than that it is what the DOT recommends. Also not answered was the question about what they will be acomplishing if the Rardin’s are still able to operate and sell the property as a salvage yard.
One of the questions the council had to grapple with is whether Rardin’s is a business or not. This was not suitably discerned. Another question is whether the council would be liable for taking away value from the property by restricting it from future use as an industrial property.
Ultimately, the council voted unanimously to direct the Planning and Zoning Board to initiate proceedings to rezone the property from industrial to commercial.
You can watch the video of this conversation at the following link: http://thesacnews.blogspot.com/2011/03/video-city-of-lake-view-to-take-next.html
As a result of the lower US Census numbers the office staff and the police department conducted their own informal estimation of Lake View’s census and determined that there are probably fewer people living in Lake View than what the official census indicates, and so are not going to challenge the findings.
The roofing quote for the city hall project was received and was reported to be $18,950. It is a fifteen year warranty. The council directed the administrator to proceed.
The Council will be setting regulations for clean-up day at the next council meeting. The city will be aiming for better compliance with the rules.
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