Cities and townships covered by the Citizen-Tribune had a busy and productive 2017. Here are some of the highlights from the Clear Lake City Council, Clear Lake Twp., Haven Twp. and Lynden Twp.

 

The Clear Lake City Council helped fund and implement a new temporary park and playground in the Hunter Lake Bluffs Development. The park will be in use until a permanent park is built along with the third phase of the development, the timing of which is unknown at this time.

 

The council is looking into the possibility of a Northstar Link park and ride bus stop in Clear Lake.

 

A predatory sex offender ordinance was passed, which prohibits the placement and habitation of level three predatory sex offenders in the city.

 

The city approved the digging of a fourth and final test well. The previous three produced a good quality of water but would need to be treated in order to be usable.

 

The council approved a request by McDonald’s Meats to rezone properties at 7933 State St. and 8672 1st Ave. to central business district in order for them to move forward with their building expansion. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in September.

 

Mayor Tim Goenner is working with SRF Consulting Group and the railroad on implementing a quiet zone in the city. 

 

Clear Lake Twp. put the town hall up for sale; they will be building a new township hall at the Clear Lake Township Park sometime in the next couple of years. Preliminary plans have been drawn for the building and Sherburne Co. has approved the plat amendment and CUP.

 

Working with Palmer Twp., the Clear Lake City Council and the fire board, Clear Lake Twp. was the catalyst behind a new fire contract, which they previously didn’t feel was equitable to all parties. The new formula is based off of addresses, not tax capacity.

 

The board approved a number of variance requests and worked on a number of road projects. Schendzielos was once again awarded the three-year town road snowplowing contract and the three-year maintenance services contract was once again awarded to Driveway Services.

 

The Clear Lake area history book will be completed in early March; 1,500 softcover and 50 hardcover copies of the book have been ordered.

 

Haven Twp. approved a number of variances, CUPs and IUPs and worked on a number of road projects, including Elk River Estates.

 

Residents from Sherwood West signed a petition to have the board look at starting up their 64th St./36th Ave. road project again. Originally scheduled for 2014, the project was halted when not all property owners would sign the necessary construction easements. 

 

All property owners have now signed the easements and the board will look at putting the project on their 2018 road schedule.

 

The board will be setting up a special meeting with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to discuss declining their designation of an MS4 (municipal storm water) township, as they feel it’s a financial burden on the township with no benefit to residents.

 

The breach of contract lawsuit filed by Valorie LeBeau against Lynden Twp. was dismissed in March after the judge ruled the town board had good reason to revoke her conditional use permit. The lawsuit was filed after the board revoked LeBeau’s CUP to operate a commercial kennel in 2016 when they found her to be in violation of two of the CUP’s conditions.

 

A resolution was passed to adopt an interim ordinance enacting a moratorium on the establishment of commercial kennels within Lynden Twp.

 

Supervisor Jerry Finch and the Plum Creek Neighborhood Network received an Outstanding Conservationist award from the Stearns Co. Soil and Water Conservation District for their efforts to delist Plum Creek off the impaired list. 

 

The township has drafted a proposed fire department call charge ordinance after being requested to do so by the Clearwater fire chief. If approved, the new agreement will allow the city to bill for reimbursement costs incurred with large mutual aid events.