What this meeting did about specific topics, organized by issue rather than by document.
Bourbon Room liquor license (The Long Horn Group LLC #2) and public hearing continuation
The council held a public hearing on the requested on-sale liquor, Sunday sales, and optional 2:00 a.m. license for The Bourbon Room at 19735 Iguana St. NW (the former Backroads banquet building). Many residents and Northwoods Bar and Grill owners/employees spoke for and against issuing another nearby liquor license. At the applicant’s request, the council continued the public hearing and liquor-license matter to a special public meeting on April 27, 2015.
Agenda: PH, 5a. Motions: M1. Speakers: Pilon, James Brenner, Jerry and Brenda Salmonson, Kevin and Rita Riley, Teena Snyder, Joe Kolasa, Glen Connely, Dave Perkins, Bob Hammond, James Lamoureux, Missey Powel, Breann Lehman, Troy Erickson, Niki Hanson, Crystal Wold.
Sam Eastey permits at 19735 Iguana St (outdoor patio, joint parking, and parking setback CUP)
The council had three land-use requests for the Eastey property in the commercial district: an interim use permit for an outdoor patio, an interim use permit for joint parking, and a conditional use permit to deviate from a five-foot parking lot setback. At the request of the applicants, these items were continued to a special public meeting on April 27, 2015.
Agenda: 5b1, 5b2, 5b3. Motions: M1. Speakers: Pilon, Bettinger.
Nowthen Farmers Market budget and organization
The council heard a Farmers Market budget request and discussed replacing personal equipment in the market trailer with city-owned items, trailer storage, and having council involvement at the market. The council ultimately approved $1,500 for the market budget and replacement of personal items, appointed Nick Stoltz as Assistant Coordinator, and appointed Mary Rainville as liaison.
Agenda: 4. Motions: M4, M5, M6. Speakers: Lynda Kolasa, Scheffler, Rainville, Bettinger, Pilon.
Connelly IUPs at 8060 Viking Blvd NW (Nowthen Getaway craft house, outdoor storage, and used auto sales)
The council approved three interim use permits for Glen and Janice Connelly at 8060 Viking Boulevard NW: legalizing operation of the Nowthen Getaway craft house, allowing expansion of the outdoor storage area, and legalizing outdoor used automobile sales. Each approval was as recommended by the planner and Planning & Zoning Commission and subject to conditions in the City Council Findings & Decision documents dated April 14, 2015.
Agenda: 5c1, 5c2, 5c3. Motions: M7, M8, M9. Speakers: Bettinger, Scheffler.
Crack sealing quotes and contract award
The council reviewed crack sealing quotes and approved the quote from ACS Asphalt Concrete Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $23,602.28 for crack sealing services.
Agenda: 6a. Motions: M10. Speakers: Scheffler, Bettinger.
Dust control for gravel roads
The council began discussion on dust control, with Rainville citing that she found another company and was able to get a $24,000 quote. The council tabled dust control to the May meeting to gather and review more information.
Agenda: 6b. Motions: M11. Speakers: Rainville, Bettinger.
Seasonal and temporary staffing (public works and office)
The council rehired Steve Bucholz as a part-time worker at $14 per hour, tabled hiring of an additional seasonal employee until May, and directed staff to run an ad for a seasonal Park Maintenance Worker starting at $9.50 per hour with staff screening applicants for May council recommendations. The council also hired Leigh Ann as temporary part-time office help at $13.50 per hour.
Agenda: 6c, 9k. Motions: M12, M13, M14, M30. Speakers: Scheffler, Bettinger, Pilon, Rainville.
Parks: Northwest Diamonds maintenance, park damage repairs, backstop repairs, and Park & Trail Fund CD action
The council approved a contract with Northwest Diamonds for softball field maintenance in lieu of payment, set dates for offenders to repair park damage (with an added effort to include parents/legal guardians), tabled backstop repairs until it can be presented to the Ramsey Lions, and voted to cash in a Park and Trail Fund CD and repurchase a CD for $30,000 with the balance going back into the Park and Trail Fund.
Agenda: 7a, 7b, 7c. Motions: M15, M16, M17, M18, M19. Speakers: Bettinger, Rainville, Pilon, Scheffler.
Unfinished home at 6334 229th Ave NW (Rustads) and letter of credit timeline
The council directed that the Rustads may purchase a new building permit and move forward with the incomplete home project, with the building official to work with them. The council set a completion target of fall 2017 and directed that Attorney Ruppe prepare an agreement (including proving financing and extending the letter of credit) for presentation in May.
Agenda: 9b. Motions: M23. Speakers: Scheffler, Pilon.
IT security upgrades (RB's Computer)
The council approved RB’s Computer security upgrades, after the item had been previously discussed and tabled at an earlier meeting.
Agenda: 9d. Motions: M24. Speakers: Bettinger, Scheffler.
Recycling Center concrete work (Majestic Masonry bid)
The council approved Majestic Masonry’s bid for recycling center concrete work after discussing whether city staff should remove the concrete and noting differences among bids, including concerns about risk and demolition scope. The vote carried 3-1 with Bettinger opposed.
Agenda: 9f. Motions: M26. Speakers: Scheffler, Rainville, Pilon, Bettinger.
Chamber of Commerce membership renewal
The council approved renewing the City’s Chamber of Commerce membership with a $230.00 contribution.
Agenda: 9e. Motions: M25. Speakers: Pilon, Rainville.
Volunteers of America / Bar None facility security concerns
Councilmembers discussed concerns about security issues at the Volunteers of America/Bar None facility and asked staff to obtain records showing how much sheriff and fire department time is being spent there. The council tabled the discussion until May while noting the attorney was looking into an ordinance or enforceable document.
Agenda: 9h. Motions: M28. Speakers: Pilon, Scheffler, Rainville.
URRWMO (Upper Rum River Watershed Management Organization) update request
Without a formal motion, the council reached consensus to summon the URRWMO representative for Nowthen or the chairman to attend the May workshop to provide an update on what the organization is doing.
Agenda: 9i.