The Clear Lake City Council met Monday evening and discussed traffic along Co. Rd. 6, as well as potential support for a proposed solar farm in Clear Lake Twp. that would include some land currently in the city’s urban expansion zone.

Speeding on Co. Rd. 6

Resident Bill Kiffmeyer appeared before the council to discuss the speed issues he sees on a daily basis on Co. Rd. 6 near Hunter Lake. MNDoT has not viewed the need for a speed study through a favorable lens, leaving the city to bear the costs of any study.

“My concern is that do we treat it like Hwy. 10 and wait until there is a fatality?” asked Kiffmeyer. “The thought I have is why can’t it be 40 MPH instead of 55?”

Council was a bit circumspect of MNDoT’s assertion that there hadn’t been enough of an increase in traffic volume from 2010 to 2018 to warrant a new study.

Kiffmeyer reported that he had talked with both Sherburne County Commissioner Felix Schmiesing and Sheriff Joel Brott and they both agreed to talk with the county highway dept. to see what options might be available for the area.

The other idea discussed was a way to separate foot traffic from the vehicles, meaning a trail of some kind of paved surface for pedestrians along that stretch of roadway.

Mayor Tim Goenner ultimately agreed to contact MNDoT directly to try and see if he could force some movement and he will report back to the council next month.

Solar Farm

Several area landowners were in attendance at the meeting to further discuss the proposed Geronimo Energy solar farm which could include a sizable chunk of Clear Lake Twp. Property, including some currently zoned for the city’s expansion.

The discussion began last month and since then MNDoT had provided a letter stating that the proposed highway bypass was no longer being considered. This helped to clear up some of the apprehension voiced last month about land use in the proposed area.

Numbers were also provided, as it is estimated that if the panels are installed as planned the city would receive approximately $6,800 in additional revenue.

Land owner and township resident Gary Gray said his group is willing to work with the city on annexing additional property to garner another $12,000 or so in revenue, bringing the total tax benefit closer to $20,000 on an annual basis.

“We are trying to be proactive and give the city a piece of the pie,” said Gray. “We are looking for a letter of support for the project to try and get some of the revenue to come to you as a city.”

Council discussion centered around the fact that the MN PUC will have ultimate authority over the project so it was unknown if support or opposition from the city would matter much in the end.

“It feels like we don’t know exactly what we’re saying yes to,” said council member Bob Arnold. “But there’s no point in being against it if it’s going to come anyway and then we would miss out on the revenue.”

Gray agreed that there are still many unknowns to the project, as they are only a year and a half into their five-year developer’s agreement. Currently, the plan is conceptual and final details have not yet been drawn up.

“This could be a winning opportunity for Clear Lake,” added Paul Gray. “Somewhere in this county there is going to be solar panels put up and this is your opportunity to work with the landowners.”

Council member Kristin Brandt was supportive of the concept of the solar farm and at least moving forward to see what the plans will eventually look like.

“If we support it tonight, we are supporting it in general and not in the details,” said Brandt.

Council also wondered what would happen if the solar industry became insolvent, such as if another power source were discovered. Who would be left with the remnants of a non-producing solar farm?

Gary Gray answered that while the PUC stipulates that after 10 years there need to be funds put aside for solar farm decommissioning, he and other landowners have a much more strict agreement and money will start to be set aside in year one of the operation.

Council member Dale Powers was concerned about penning an open letter of support without knowing the exact details.

“I think the language and the wording is really important so I am hesitant to approve something without it being in front of us,” said Powers.

After further discussion the council adopted a motion to approve supporting the project as it is currently presented by Geronimo. Final language will be worked on and coordinated by clerk Kari Mechtel.

Other Business

In other business, the council: approved a tobacco license for the Amoco station, as it had recently been sold; heard an update on the water and sewer project including the new well; held a brief discussion regarding communication issues with the city attorney position and the possibility of exploring a new agreement with an attorney with expertise to look at options for annexing beyond the urban expansion area for the proposed solar farm.