At their first meeting of the year, the Clearwater City Council discussed a number of agenda items regarding the fire department. 

Mayor Andrea Lawrence told the council she plans to join other Fire Relief members in a door-to-door effort to recruit new members to the fire department. A suggestion was made to make a brochure that could be handed out detailing the city’s board and commission and fire department openings.

City Administrator Annita Smythe informed the council that Council Member Richard Petty had requested they discuss the possibility of implementing a term of office or rotation for the fire chief position, which would provide more opportunity and advancement possibilities for other fire department members. The request isn’t intended to slight the current fire chief, who would be eligible to reapply when his current term expired. 

Members asked for more time to think about the request, to hear the fire department members’ thoughts, and for more details from Petty, who was absent from the meeting. Input will also be requested from the Fire Relief committee. 

Motions carried to accept the resignation and retirement of Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon and the retirement of firefighters Ritzer, Mooney, and Kirchenbauer. Appreciation for the service from all retirees was expressed.

Code Enforcement

The board continued discussion concerning code enforcement on the Elm St. Kelly property they had begun during their September meeting. Kelly had attended the meeting to address complaints about his property and to request the council honor an old building permit and variance for him to build a garage. The matter was tabled until additional information could be gathered by staff.

City staff found there are four primary issues related to this code enforcement action. The first violation concerns outside storage on a vacant lot, which staff agreed can be resolved with a lot combination and screen. The second violation is the expiration of an old building permit for the garage, the third, the status of a claimed variance, and lastly, encroachments on city property.

The board determined a new building permit will be required for any construction and noted the claimed variance was actually for a covered porch, not a garage. Currently the owner doesn’t have an active variance to build a garage on the desired location.

Smythe explained that the owner hadn’t begun the lot combination process due to difficulty in obtaining a survey, however council members believe he has had sufficient time to get a survey done.

According to city records, the city’s property that surrounds the Kelly property was obtained by fee title after it was purchased from the railroad. Board members all agree the owner must remove any encroachments from the city’s property.

A motion carried directing staff to proceed with further code enforcement actions pursuant to the findings noted and Smythe’s letter from last August

Parks

At their meeting held prior to the council meeting, the Park Commission recommended the council proceed with the Veterans Memorial project as presented in the grant agreement if the city is approved for grant funds. A community outreach program to solicit feedback on a proposed community center was suggested, and staff was requested to check into the El Dorado Park hockey rink as no boards have been placed. 

Smythe reported a concern had been raised regarding someone hunting in a city park. As it appears the current city ordinance no longer complies with state law changes, the city attorney is reviewing it for suggested changes.

Other Business

A TIF application for a proposed apartment project and a call concerning a possible kennel were received by the city. Staff is meeting with the developer of the proposed cold storage project.

Tony Strande was recognized for his retirement at the December Sewer Authority meeting. During the meeting the board approved both the budget with a rate increase and having an independent consultant review the solar options under consideration.

In a closed session the council conducted Smythe’s annual performance review, after which a motion carried approving Resolution 2022-04 – Consider Step Increase for City Administrator, with approval for an increase to step 11.

The sheriff reported 187 calls for the previous month, including 46 traffic stops, six motor vehicle accidents, one harassment, one stolen vehicle, and one fire.

The next Clearwater City Council meeting will be February 14 at 7 p.m.