During their December meeting the Clearwater City Council reviewed the city’s 2021 levy, which began with the public Truth in Taxation meeting. 

City Administrator Annita Smyth explained the 7.3% levy increase is mainly due to the purchase of the new fire truck this year. The levy is the same that the council originally agreed upon with the exception of a few additions, which she reviewed.

Concerns regarding the EDA, the amount of its budget, and whether it has the power to spend that budget at its sole discretion were brought up by council members.

After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Andrea Wheeler-Lawrence reminded the council the EDA’s budget had actually gone down since last year, the public hearing had already been held, and the council was the entity that had restarted the EDA and stated that she didn’t feel the first step should be to cut their budget before even giving them a chance. 

Smyth explained how EDAs can be a powerful entity for a city and reassured the council they ultimately have the authority to terminate the EDA if necessary. 

A motion carried to approve Resolution 2020-77 Approval of 2021 Final Budget, with one opposed. 

Annexation

Resolution 2020-79 Approving Orderly Annexation Agreement was once again on the agenda as Clearwater Twp. rejected the addition to the agreement the city had added at their November meeting and approved the agreement originally agreed upon.

Attorneys from the city and township reviewed the agreement, including the addition the city had added concerning the Michaelson property, and both agreed the way the annexation agreement was worded the property wouldn’t have been able to be annexed into the city unless the property owner had petitioned for it even if it had been signed last year.

Member Richard Petty informed the council he’d spoken with a township supervisor, who told him that piece of property was already zoned commercial and had been discussed by the city and township previously during one of their annexation workshops. Even so, Petty indicated he didn’t feel the current agreement was right and should be relooked at.

“We [the city] need to be able to reach out of our boundary somehow,” he said, “And the further these businesses get out there the less likely we’ll be able to provide city sewer and water. We can’t recoup the cost to get out there and it will be too much for a developer to pay upfront. We need to make sure we get the new development so when future businesses come in, we can finally grow.” 

Member Vern Scott restated his belief that the city gave too much in the annexation agreement already, and said they need to extend the area of the agreement, revising the boundary so it has a clearer cut.

Smyth said the council should get clarification from the county on how to interpret their zoning ordinance. The resolution was tabled, and a workshop will be scheduled at a later date.

Public Concerns

During the public forum, Jeremiah and Lindsey Luhmann approached the council to express their concerns regarding the city’s snowmobile policy.

Jeremiah Luhmann said he had been speaking to members of the snowmobile club about the city ordinance stating the speed limit within city limits is 20 mph, but in front of a resident it’s 15 mph. He was told most of their trails are 20 mph, and with newer snowmobiles it’s harder to go 15 mph.

They then expressed they were unhappy about having to take out the snow fence that was put in place to help keep snowmobilers on the trail, explaining it’s a safety issue for them and for residents. Previously the club had spoken with the city council who agreed with the fence being erected.

Lindsey Luhmann said in November 2018 they spoke with the snowmobile club about ways to help them stay on their trails and the snow fence was one of the agreements.

“We all agreed,” she said. “And now they have to take it out? Why were they told to take it out?”

The city indicated they would take the matter into consideration and possibly add it to a future agenda.

Other Business

A long discussion was held on staff PTO, with the ultimate decision to cap it at 240 hours that can be carried over as long as 30% of their annual accrual is used. Anything over will then be paid out. 

A motion carried extending Resolution 2020-76 COVID-19 Emergency Order, with an amendment to the COVID leave policy so that it runs concurrent with the federal leave policy.

A motion carried approving the amendment to the fire department’s SOG stating attendance at drills is mandatory; if unable to attend firefighters must inform the department. 

City staff requested the council clarify who has the authority to direct vehicles to be towed during a snowfall, as the city’s snowfall policy and ordinance conflict with each other. Currently city ordinance states it’s the police, but the way the policy is written it sounds like staff has the authority. Staff will redraft the policy to state both the police and staff have authority and will bring to a future meeting for approval.

A motion carried to appoint the firm of Kennedy and Graven as the new city attorney.

A motion carried to approve the contract for sewer authority director.

The city will put their city assessor position out for bid; the current assessor is retiring.

The Wright Co. Sheriff reported 83 calls for service, including three medical, seven civil complaints, one gas drive off, one disorderly, three motor vehicles accidents, six domestic assaults, three theft complaints, and 43 traffic stops with 13 citations and three arrests. 

The next Clearwater City Council meeting will be January 11 at 7 p.m.