During their last few meetings, the Clearwater City Council discussed numerous agenda items, including the T.H. 24 Corridor Project, ordinances and resolutions, and the new Depot Park.

T.H. 24 Project

During July’s public forum, James Thiesen from Flintstones Bar approached the council to request another workshop meeting to continue discussion on the T.H. 24 Corridor Project. Later in the meeting City Engineer Kannas asked the council for feedback on two items related to the project.

He first inquired what type of plantings the council would like to see for the medians in the roundabouts. Members are looking for guidance as to what works well but stated they would like to see low maintenance native plants that won’t block traffic lines of site, not turf grass.

Kannas then asked about options for raised pedestrian crossing and crosswalk flashing lights. He stated the lights are very expensive, possibly $30,000 to $40,000 each. Members responded that they would like to have the concrete bases installed so that solar lights could be installed later.

During June’s meeting, he asked the council to clarify they wanted the acorn-style double lamps matching Cedar South for the bridge lighting with color to match the city logo, and that they wanted the bridge railings to be black and the same style as the Mississippi River bridge. Members agreed on both.

Kannas verified the lighting style outside of the bridge would be MnDOT standard style lights with places for banner arms, outlets, and hangers for holiday lighting. He noted the city will be responsible for the upgrade costs, and due to the customizations the city will be responsible for repairs or replacements if the poles are damaged or destroyed. 

No Parking Ord.

Mayor Lawrence gave an overview of Ordinance 2025-03 – Amending Traffic Code – No Parking Zones. Deputy Clerk Hill stated the city received a few calls against no parking on Main Street. Council Member Senn said a daycare on Main Street was concerned about having enough parking, and Council Member Crandall stated there are concerns about having sufficient resident parking and about the bicycle trail being blocked.

Heidi Eckerman approached the council with concerns about making Main Street no parking for the bicycle trail, stating resident’s mailboxes are on the south side so they park on the north side.

Tom Plaggerman approached the council to express concern about the no-parking ordinance for Smith Street due to semi-trucks. Council members noted the ordinance is only for one side of the street. 

A motion carried approving the ordinance with item a (Main Street) removed. 

J Cubed

A motion carried approving the revised development agreement for J Cubed.

A motion carried approving Resolution 2025-40 – Approving Tax Abatement Agreement – J Cubed LLC after Administrator Smythe explained the terms of the revised agreement and the statutory requirement for the school district to reject tax abatement in order for the applicant to receive 20 years of abatement from the city.

The motion carried with a condition added that it is subject to the school district declining to participate.

Other Business

Lake Central Bank employees heard about the new Depot Park by way of the city’s ‘Name a Park’ contest and applied for funding to assist with building the park. A motion to approved Resolution 2025-32 – Accepting Donation from Lake Central Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) was carried after Smythe outlined the donation/grant award of $60,000, which includes $15,000 from the local bank and $45,000 in matching funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank in Des Moines, IA. 

The Park Commission is continuing discussion about proposed benches and who should be honored. A spring 2026 completion for the splash pad is planned. Tom Plaggerman was welcomed to the commission. 

The Clearwater Fire Dept. received a letter from a local healthcare facility commending their actions at a call where they saved the life of a person having a heart attack. 

The sheriff reported one assault, one fraud, one theft, one overdose, one hit & run, one warrant arrest, two harassment, three motor vehicle accidents, and 132 traffic stops for August. 

During the June meeting, the deputy noted a DUI arrest from a vehicle that left the west side Holiday Station, a neighborhood dispute over a parking place that resulted in a DUI arrest, a vehicle was stopped that was carrying over two pounds of marijuana, and warnings issued to people during after-hours park patrols. 

The most recent Clearwater City Council meeting was held on September 8. Council members discussed approval of the site plan and variance for J Cubed Properties, property rezoning and conditional use permit for Telcom, approving the 2026 preliminary levy and budget, and other agenda items, which will be covered in a later edition of the Patriot. 

The next Clearwater City Council meeting will be on October 13 at 7 p.m.