A public hearing concerning RHL’s request for a variance approval to erect a larger billboard than the Clear Lake city ordinance currently allows was held before the start of the Clear Lake City Council meeting Monday night. 

 

RHL requested approval to erect a 346-square foot billboard along Hwy. 10 at the location of the current Walks on Water sign, which is 290 square feet. City ordinance states signs can be no larger than 140 square feet unless approved by the council on a case by case basis.

 

As there was no public input, the hearing was closed. A motion carried approving RHL’s variance request; Mayor Tim Goenner abstained from voting.

 

 

Clear Lake resident Kenneth Linn approached the council to discuss his plan to build an accessory building on his Hunter Lake Drive property.

 

The proposed 960-square foot building, along with his 698-square foot attached garage, would put him 508 square feet over the 1150 total square feet allowed by city ordinance. The building meets all other requirements. 

 

Linn presented the council with a map of his property and proposed building, stating that before he spends any more time and money on the project he wanted to hear the council member’s views on it.

 

After a brief discussion on lot sizes, the council determined they didn’t see any problems with the request, and advised Linn to come into city hall to start the actual CUP process.

 

 

City Engineer Keith Yapp informed the council grants had been submitted for the new well; the next step is to submit an IUP (intended use plan). The plan is to drill the well in late 2018, with the well house following in 2019.

 

“Hopefully we won’t have to do any treatment on the new well at all, but we won’t know until a real working well is in place,” said Yapp. All numbers on the test well came in low. 

 

When asked about dismantling the old nitrate removal plant, he said they would only dismantle the inside, leaving the building itself for potential future use.

 

“We could use it to treat well number two in the future if we need to,” Yapp said. “There’s been talk about lowering the manganese levels.”

 

 

Goenner informed the council the remodeling of the pavilion at Goenner Park was coming along well, and asked Clerk Kari Mechtel to send a thank you to the Clear Lake Lions for donating all the costs.

 

He said cleanup day had gone well, and asked Mechtel to also send Clear Lake Twp. a thank you for organizing the event.

 

Public Works Supervisor Dustin Luhning asked for and received council approval to hire a seasonal employee.

 

Resolution 18-08, Gambling Activity at the Clear Lake Amoco, and Resolution 18-09, Joint Resolution Authorizing Lease of Rental Property, were both passed.

 

The sheriff reported 64 points of contact for April, including 16 traffic, one DUI, two damage to property, three medicals and one motor vehicle accident.

 

The next Clear Lake City Council meeting will be June 4 at 7 p.m.