The first public hearing was to allow for public comment on final text amendment changes to the city’s current B-2 zoning ordinance. The change was adding “mini storage facilities” to the conditional use section.

 

The second public hearing was to approve the CUP for the project. 

 

Both items were approved by council.

 

Tom Bols, a Clear Lake resident and soon-to-be neighbor of the mini storage facility was on-hand to review the proposed plans and discuss size of the buildings and whether the units would be locked or the facility gated. Council determined the developer will be responsible for designating operating hours and ensuring all units — even those not rented — are locked.

 

 

Deb Fischer of the St. Cloud Optimist’s Club asked council to approve their gambling games installed at the Clear Lake Amoco that goes to benefitting 193 children at the Imagination Library of Central Minnesota.

 

The Optimist Club is an organization designed to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one's self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind. Fischer said the OC also donates to other clubs and organizations in the area that are youth-related.

 

 

Three more families arrived before council Monday to request reimbursement for paid work done on their water lines that occurred because of the deep freeze over the winter.

 

David Albrecht, Paul Brouwer and Weekend Cottage owners, Jim and Gerri Gefre all put in requests for recompense since the pipe freeze-up occurred beyond the curb stop at each location.

 

Financial relief was offered to residents who saw an increase over 500 gallons of water above their normal usage due to the frozen water lines. Each case was handled individually at the council meetings and each household that made the request for reimbursement will receive payment from the city.

 

 

Clear Lake employee Nicholle Corey advised the city she will be taking time off for military leave. Member Claudia Page wondered what the city’s current policy was in regards to military employees getting paid during leaves such as this one.

 

Council discussed and determined the employee would be allowed to take the appropriate time off (two weeks) and not lose vacation time or pay during the leave.

 

 

Maintenance Supervisor Dustin Luhning gave a rundown of the latest developments in the city’s maintenance department including the lifting of the water restrictions due to frozen water lines. He also said the city is moving forward with preliminary bonding for a new well for the city. Costs for nitrate testing are being evaluated. Luhning concluded by saying the ballfield and the park are now open and operational and has been seeing a lot of activity in the last week or so.

 

 

• The land purchase being proposed for Hwys. 10 and 24 will be discussed at a later meeting due to one of the parties being on vacation;

 

• The fire department is buying new hand-held radios in the amount of $7,812.75 since the current radios the department has are not being manufactured any more;

 

• A $299 purchase of a digital tape recorder was discussed to be used to record meetings. Council decided the issue needed further research and tabled the item until next month.

 

The next Clear Lake City Council meeting is June 2 at 7 p.m.