During their recent meeting, Clear Lake City Council members discussed the sidewalk replacement requested by Jim Martin for his property on Church St. Martin is requesting the city pay $2,600 to tear out the existing curb and pedestrian ramp and then replace them.

 

Public Works Director Dustin Luhning and City Engineer Keith Yapp informed the council they had inspected the sidewalk, which extends from the Parkside Development and ends in the middle of Martin’s driveway.

 

Mayor Tim Goenner and Council Member Dale Powers met with Building Inspector Nancy Scott to review the building inspector contract and it was determined she was not responsible for reviewing city zoning or utilities.

 

Powers told the council he felt the sidewalk problem was not a city issue; Martin should have been aware of what was on his site survey prior to obtaining a building permit.

 

A motion carried stating Martin would not receive a certificate of occupancy until the sidewalk and ramp were moved to the city engineer’s recommended location; he will be responsible for all costs pertaining to the issue.

 

It was noted that in the future the city clerk, public works director and potentially the city engineer will review all building permits prior to the building inspector’s final review.

 

 

Clear Lake Twp. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk approached the council with a proposed quote from Schirmers Concrete for removal and replacement of the portion of sidewalk along the east side of town hall.

 

Although MnDOT fixed the elevation of the sidewalk, there is still a drainage issue when major rain events occur and a potential for ice buildup in the winter.

 

The area to be repaired is 290 sq. ft.; the city’s portion of the repair would be $2,030. Both Yapp and Luhning felt the proposal was acceptable.

 

Mayor Goenner expressed concern for the future of the town hall; Clear Lake Twp. Supervisor Bud Stimmler informed him a couple is interested in purchasing the building and has recommended they contact the city for information on what types of uses are allowed in that location.

 

A motion carried to move forward with the repair of the sidewalk, not to exceed $2,030.

 

 

Yapp informed the council he had received confirmation that the new well and pump house was on the approval list for the Drinking Water Revolving Loan fund for a low interest loan, however, fixing and repainting the water tower didn’t make the final list.

 

He recommended a workshop be scheduled in the near future to finalize a checklist for the new well project.

 

 

A motion carried approving the elected officials pay increases as presented in the 2019 preliminary budget that will go into effect January 1. The mayor will receive $100 per meeting and council members will receive $75.

 

MN House of Representatives democratic candidate Karla Scapanski approached the council to introduce herself. She said she is in favor of the Northstar Commuter Rail being extended to Rice, and feels Clear Lake would be a great location for a Northstar bus stop.

 

Clerk Kari Mechtel informed the council the liquor store that purchased the old bank building will be at the November meeting to request final city approval off their off-sale liquor license.

 

The sheriff reported 43 calls for service for September, the majority of which were traffic, medical and domestic. When asked, Mechtel informed Sgt. Johnson she was still the city’s official dog catcher.

 

The next Clear Lake City Council meeting will be November 7 at 7 p.m. due to the general election being held that Monday.