During the Clearwater City Council’s March meeting, a public hearing was held in regard to the city’s wellhead protection plan. Robyn Huerr from Minnesota Rural Water Assoc. (MRWA), who is providing technical assistance to the city, was in attendance. The plan is required by the state to be updated every 10 years and is a pro-active approach to protect the city’s drinking water.

Huerr provided a project overview and summarized the action items outlined in the plan amendment to mitigate risks. Clearwater’s wellhead area is considered high risk due to the geology of the area. Some of the city’s wellhead area falls outside of city limits, which requires the city to partner with other agencies on protection efforts. Along with approval from the council, the plan also requires approval from the Minnesota Dept. of Health and other state agencies.

Herr noted there may be grant funds available to complete some of the action steps identified. 

Written comments from Stearns Co. regarding the plan have been received and addressed; no other written comments were received, and no members of the public attended the hearing.

After questions from the council, a motion carried for Resolution 2022-18 – Approving Wellhead Protection Plan Part II. 

Other Motions

After a brief discussion, a motion carried to proceed with plans and specifications and obtaining bids for the Smith Street overlay project based on the engineer’s estimate of $100,000 construction and $8,000 engineering.

A motion carried approving 2022-16 – Approving Annexation Petition. Mayor Lawrence suggested the council look at placing noise conditions on approval or building them into the city’s ordinances to require noise-control screening for new projects. Calls from residents concerned about noise from the proposed trucking projects have been received.

Motions carried for Resolution 2022-17 – Reestablishing Precincts or Polling Place (required after each 10-year census), authorizing resubmission of the Well Relocation Project to IUP for 2023, and accepting the pest control proposal from Ron’s Pest Control for a one-year term.

As there have been three permit requests and no complaints since it was enacted, a motion carried to extend Ordinance 2022-05 Chickens for one year from the current sunset date. The ordinance allows the keeping of chickens within city limits.

Park Commission

City Administrator Annita Smythe explained that the proposed Central Minnesota Cold Storage (CMCS) project will require platting, which will trigger park dedication under city code. She went to the Park Commission about the suitability of a location along Huber Ave. for a future community center, as if park dedication is required for the CMCS project, they may be able to acquire land for it at a lower than anticipated cost. 

Park Commission and City Council members expressed interest. Smythe will follow up with a proposal for consideration at the next meeting.

A motion carried to authorize up to $12,000 for boulder placement at Veterans Memorial Park.

A motion carried to approve disc golf projects requested by the disc golf club at a cost of $10,090. 

Local schools will be asked if they are interested in completing the mural section of Spring St. Park.

Resignation

Smythe informed the council that Council Member Richard Petty had submitted his resignation from City Council but asked to remain on the Park Commission if possible.

Mayor Lawrence thanked Petty on behalf of the Council for his years of service; a motion carried accepting his resignation.

Motions also carried to appoint Petty to the Park Commission for the remainder of his vacated council term, and to appoint Member Crandall to fill Petty’s position on the Sewer Authority Board on a temporary basis.

Other Business

Tabled twice, discussion on the fire chief rotation proposal was concluded as the council never got to hear comments from Member Richard Petty and the fire chief had explained several reasons why he was opposed to it.

A small satellite internet provider had reached out to the city about the possibility of placing an antenna on top of the water tower. Council members expressed interest in reviewing a proposal.

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