During their September meeting the Clearwater City Council discussed plans for Clearwater Estates Plat 9.
Discussions began with a public hearing on the vacation of the drainage and utility easement. The old easement followed the original plat and the planned road at the time; the new easements will follow the new road in Plat 9.
Butch Donat from Clearwater Estates questioned the current use of the easement. He was told it’s not currently being used, and only the portion of the easement that went with the planned road is being vacated, not the areas where the water drains into the Mississippi River.
After the hearing closed, a motion carried approving Resolution 2021-44 Approving Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easement.
Resolution 2021-45 Approving Development Agreement for Clearwater Estates Plat 9 was next discussed. Developer Mike Gohman requested the security be reduced, as the current formula doubles the project coast.
A discussion about the pros and cons of security were discussed next. The security is intended to cover costs of improvements the city would be responsible for if the contractor walked away before completion. Additional discussions were held about the amount of security measures.
A motion carried approving the development agreement and changing the required security to $100,000. After discussions on the new drainage and utility easements granted under the plat and parking restrictions required by the city, a motion also carried approving Resolution 2021-46 Approving Final Plat – Clearwater Estates Plat 9.
Code Enforcement
During public forum, Mr. Koopmeiners approached the board to discuss code enforcement on his Main St. property. He explained he scraps metal on the side for extra cash and wasn’t aware of the city ordinances about outside storage. He stated he plans to build an extra driveway and temporary garage to store some of the items. He was reminded permits were needed for both, which he was also unaware of.
Mayor Andrea Lawrence explained it’s the property owner’s responsibility to educate themselves about city ordinances and noted that it’s been five months since code enforcement action was begun but very little progress has been made at the property.
After telling the council he needed at least a week to clean up, a motion carried extending the compliance date until Oct. 4, 2021.
Other Business
The council determined there were less expensive weather alerts than the proposed $25,000 tornado siren for the Cedar South neighborhood and declined to pursue the matter further at this time.
Costs for the request by the rugby team to expand rugby at El Dorado Park by adding a second field and expanding the parking area are under discussion and will be brought to a future meeting. The baseball team also has several requests for park improvements and will be presenting the council with price quotes at a future meeting.
The Parks Commission reviewed and provided feedback for an initial drawing for a proposed community center. The architect is awaiting feedback from several other parties before revising.
Motions carried approving the 2022 preliminary levy and budget and approving the contract to provide treasurer services for the Sewer Authority, but with replacing the hourly rate for service with a flat annual rate of $4,500. A three percent increase will be applied after the term of the contract.
Motions carried approving Ord. 2021-11 Amending Chapter 117, Zoning Ordinance, approving pay voucher #2 - $337,706 I94 Water Main Loop, and Resolution 2021-47 Approving Fire Contract Extension.
