What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Business subsidy policy and EDA startup (officers, policy, and application escrow/fees)
The Economic Development Authority appointed its officers (Rainville as President, Scheffler as Vice President, Pilon as Treasurer) and appointed Corrie LaDoucer as Secretary, held the joint public hearing on the Business Subsidy Policy, and approved the policy using the State’s minimum wage. The EDA also approved the Request for Assistance Application (with corrections) and then set a $9,500 escrow plus a $500 application fee, with staff asked to prepare a preliminary list of covered costs.
Agenda: EDA-1, EDA-2, EDA-3, EDA-4. Motions: M-EDA-1, M-EDA-2, M-EDA-3, M-EDA-4, M-EDA-5. Speakers: Harlan Meyer, Jeff Pilon, Mary Rainville, Martha Ingram, Corrie LaDoucer, Scheffler, Schulz, Debbie Mahutga.
Joe Green CUP bill dispute
Joe Green appeared to dispute the cost of the CUP process, stating he had already spent about $4,000 including a building permit and had an additional $1,340 bill, which he felt was too high. Council members and staff discussed why the work was extensive (ordinance compliance, moratorium, special meetings), and the Council voted to require Mr. Green to pay the remaining balance due to the City for the CUP, while noting communications with applicants could be improved and that planner costs may be a future budget issue.
Agenda: CC-2. Motions: M-CC-1. Speakers: Green, Rainville, Meyer, LaDoucer, Scheffler, Pilon, Schulz.
Nowthen Farmers Market trailer and 2014 budget
The City Council heard from Lynda Kolsa about Farmers Market needs and approved purchasing a trailer and authorizing funding for the 2014 market budget. The minutes report approval of a $1,000 trailer purchase and $500 authorization for the 2014 budget, along with discussion about securing items stored in the trailer.
Agenda: CC-3. Motions: M-CC-2. Speakers: Kolasa, Rainville, Scheffler, Schulz.
Planning and zoning ordinances and land use actions (setbacks, shoreland, Kopis, park fees, wind/solar, rural clustering, moratorium, septic ordinance)
Council adopted Ordinance 2014-03 (commercial/industrial setbacks) and Ordinance 2014-04 (shoreland updates). It approved the Kopis minor subdivision/lot reconfiguration with conditions including right-of-way dedication, drainage/utility easements, and access easements. Council then tabled further discussion on changing park and trail fee requirements for lot splits pending clearer definitions; directed staff to compile wind and solar ordinance examples for P&Z; approved holding a joint P&Z/Council meeting to discuss cluster development (including septic and density options); approved extending the existing moratorium for another six months with a resolution to be brought in April; and tabled the SSTS ordinance amendment until the Building Official provides information on other jurisdictions.
Agenda: CC-5a, CC-5b, CC-5c, CC-5d, CC-5e, CC-5f, CC-5g, CC-5h. Motions: M-CC-3, M-CC-4, M-CC-5, M-CC-6, M-CC-7, M-CC-8, M-CC-9, M-CC-10. Speakers: Meyer, Scheffler, Rainville, Pilon, Schulz, LaDoucer.
Road and bridge annual plans and Birchwood Lane cul-de-sac
Council approved the 2014 gravel plan and 2014 crack seal plan as presented, and authorized moving forward with requesting quotes for construction of a Birchwood Lane cul-de-sac based on the presented plan.
Agenda: CC-6a, CC-6b, CC-6c. Motions: M-CC-11, M-CC-12, M-CC-13. Speakers: Meyer, Schulz, Rainville.
Park operations, baseball field use, and tree grant planning
Council discussed parks and recreation items, with the Park & Rec Committee to pursue archery range options at Twin Lakes Park and the Council deciding a haunted house at City Hall was not feasible. Council approved the Nowthen Knights’ use of the baseball field with maintenance in lieu of payment and use of the City’s hopper mower, and directed the Park & Rec Committee to apply for a tree grant and obtain further direction and proposals on installed trees, mulch rings, and watering bags; the minutes note the grant minimum is $5,000 with a 10% city match.
Agenda: CC-7a, CC-7b, CC-7c, CC-7d. Motions: M-CC-14, M-CC-15. Speakers: Rainville, Pilon, Meyer.
Weiss/Schake outstanding bill collection approach
Council considered Bill Weiss’s refusal to pay an outstanding bill and noted both parties had signed the agreement. Council voted (3–2) to send a letter to both parties advising both are liable, and that if they choose not to pay, the cost will be assessed to Gary Schake’s property taxes; Pilon and Scheffler voted against the motion.
Agenda: CC-9a. Motions: M-CC-17. Speakers: Rainville, Schulz, Pilon, Scheffler.
S&P questionnaire completion (Ehlers engagement)
Council approved hiring Ehlers to help prepare the Standard & Poor’s questionnaire for an amount not to exceed $500.
Agenda: CC-9g. Motions: M-CC-22. Speakers: Pilon, Schulz.