The Clearwater City Council has been working on numerous agenda items throughout the past few months, including the Kwik Trip expansion, land purchases, and use of the city storage shed.
Kwik Trip
The Kwik Trip project will expand their existing building, add diesel fueling stations, and add parking. Access points won’t change.
Council Member Travis Winkelman expressed concern that the expansion will generate more truck traffic on Highway 24. Mayor Andrea Lawrence explained that the city is working with MnDOT on a project to address those traffic concerns.
After discussion, the council approved Res. 2023-13, Vacating Easements for Kwik Trip, Res. 2023-14. Approving Site Plan and CUP Amendment for Kwik Trip, Res. 2023-15, Approving Preliminary and Final Plat for Kwik Trip, and Res. 2023-16. Approving Development Agreement.
Land Purchases
Because of the city’s river trail plans, Mayor Lawrence stated during the May meeting that it may make sense for the city to acquire land for sale adjacent to the city’s river property, the Houle property on Maple St. and the Paumen property on Elm St.
Public Works stated it would like the city to purchase a vacant lot on Lauren Court adjacent to the city’s stormwater pond to be used for snow storage, as the driveways are very close together on this cul-de-sac, making snow removal difficult.
After a closed session during the June meeting, staff were authorized to negotiate offers on the Maple St. and Elm St. properties. Members declined to make an offer on the residential vacant lot on Lauren Ct.
A motion carried to pursue the purchase of land along Huber Ave. for a potential community center as well.
Fence Issue
During the June meeting Public Forum, Melissa Alberico approached the council to discuss a fence issue. Because some of her children have disabilities that require her to limit noise and distractions, she would like to replace her existing chain link fence with a privacy fence around the rear of her property.
Because her property is on a corner lot, city code limits the options for fencing on the street side of the property. Her options include placing the fence on the Pine St. side of the property from the rear corner of the house/garage back to the rear lot line, which would result in the fence being 10’ inside of the lot line, obtaining a variance to place the fence in the same location as the existing fence, or having the council amend the code so a variance wouldn’t be needed.
Alberico stated the variance option wouldn’t be the best for her because of the cost. Wright Co. is covering the cost of the fencing because of her children’s disabilities.
Later in the meeting the council discussed the request, ultimately deciding a variance application was the appropriate option for this particular property and situation.
City Shed
The council discussed the concerns raised by public works staff concerning the Clearwater River Cats baseball team using the city’s shed to store their property; security concerns were noted about unknown people having access to the wellhouse and the city’s own lack of storage. The team is fundraising to build their own facility but estimated it may be a couple of years before they would have sufficient funds to do so.
Staff was directed to itemize what items were being stored outside by the city, if any, and to provide details on what is stored in the new, larger shed at Sportsman’s Park.
The team was directed to provide a plan and timeline on when they intend to build their own shed and when it will be completed and make interim plans to remove equipment from the city shed no later than 30 days following the July council meeting.
Other Business
A motion carried 3-2 to renew the city’s mosquito spray contract for a three-year term, with Mayor Lawrence and Council Member Luhmann voting nay.
A motion carried to pursue extension of the Local Option Sales Tax with the additions of Veterans Memorial Park and trail system.
A Facebook study is being conducted to test residents’ desire for a dog park within city limits.
Council approved repealing the sunset date from Ordinance 2023-02, Chicken Ordinance.
The council was informed the Sewer Authority approved hiring James Kirchenbauer for the open Plant Operator position.
Cleanup day will be September 30 from 8 to 11 a.m.
The next Clearwater City Council meeting will be August 14 at 7 p.m.