Monday night, the Clear Lake City Council discussed sewer easement options for McDonald’s Meats upcoming expansion. Their proposed new addition will be built over the city’s sewer line.

 

Jennifer Dierkes from McDonald’s Meats told the council their proposal was to leave the easement as is, as the city will still have access from both sides of the building.

 

Council Member Dale Powers said if they go that route, McDonald’s Meats would be responsible for any damage to their building that could potentially occur if the city needed to work on the sewer.

 

City Engineer Keith Yapp informed the council it was in the city’s best interest not to have a sewer line under the building, and said their recommendation was for the city to relinquish their interest in the easement. If that occurred, there would need to be a private agreement to continue service between McDonald’s Meats and HK Tool & Die, Inc., as they are also connected to the sewer line on the property.

 

“The attorney was quite adamant they felt it was not a good idea for the city to be a part of it,” said Yapp. “Eventually the sewer line will need to be replaced, probably not in our lifetimes, but we need to look out for the city of the future.”

 

“We’re not here to derail you,” said Mayor Tim Goenner. “We want to protect the city and work with you to make it cost effective.”

 

Goenner explained because they currently maintain the sewer, they would want the right to review and approve the agreement between the two businesses.

 

A motion passed approving the part of the city’s easement that would be covered by the expansion would revert to private, conditional to an agreement reached between McDonald’s Meats and HK Tool & Die that would be approved by the city. 

 

The council informed Eddie Timmers of Eddie’s Auto Repair, who also attended the meeting, they would offer him the same agreement when he was ready to expand his business, which he hopes to do in two to three years.

 

A discussion on replatting the block was held. There are four lots, and the city’s ordinance only allows the combination of two lots; McDonald’s needs it turned into one for the expansion.

 

Powers suggested making two-lot sets and turning each into one, then taking the two new lots and combining them into one final lot. Yapp will review the city and county ordinances to ensure there were no legal issues with doing so.

 

Goenner informed the council the Hunter Lake Bluffs temporary park was on schedule, and excavating work would begin this week or next.

 

A public meeting was set for April 22 at 10 a.m. at the new park site for input on items such as placement of the playground area.

 

Goenner informed the council he had met with a representative from SRF Consulting Group to discuss the work needed to implement a quiet zone in the city. 

 

He said he would like to hand the work over to the organization, as they are knowledgeable about the point system for railroads and have worked a lot with MnDOT.

 

A motion passed to continue working with the group contingent upon a written quote for their verbal agreement of $5,000.

 

The council agreed to rezone the commercial property on the north side of Hwy. 10 back to residential, as the structures there are single-family dwellings. Clerk Kari Mechtel will send a letter to the property owners and set a special meeting.

 

The council approved a change to the FPTO (fire personal time off) section of their personnel policy to include any time an employee is called away from the place of their primary work due to a fire department related event.

 

The sheriff reported 36 calls for service for March, with just over 30% traffic related.

 

The Local Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting will be April 17 at 6 p.m.

 

The next council meeting will be May 1 at 7 p.m.