In a short, 20 minute meeting, the Clear Lake City Council discussed public works, a dog problem, community development, water sewer and the sheriff’s report.

 

Mayor Tim Goenner was absent, so acting Mayor Bob Arnold led the meeting.

 

Member Dale Powers said he talked to the mayor prior to addressing the topic, but he suggested council consider naming someone from the city to form a community development group to work on retaining current businesses and proactively seek and bring in new business to the city.

 

“I don’t want the city and us to just sit back and let things be,” he said.

 

Powers said his discussion with Mayor Goenner was a good one and Goenner certainly thought the idea had merit.

 

Member Connie Achman said she agreed it was a good idea and commended Powers for making the suggestion.

 

“Why wouldn’t we do this?” she asked. “What have we got to lose?”

 

Council decided to add the topic to the next council meeting for further discussion and possible appointment of a council member to the committee.

 

Achman noted that two employess of the sewer authority resigned while one was replaced. Cathy Pounds and lobbyist A.J. Durer were hired to assist the authority on getting aid from the state for projects.

 

Ronnie Junneman, a citizen of Clear Lake, said he has been awakened several times around the hours of 6-7:00 a.m. to sound of a barking dog. Junneman said it is a black and white dog and shows up in his yard constantly.

 

Clerk Kari Mechtel said she is sure she knows whose dog it is and told council she will look into it.

 

Public Works Supervisor Dustin Luhning said the snowplowing went “pretty good” a couple weeks ago after the snowfall in Clear Lake. He also said the equipment used for snowplowing is working just fine.

 

Sgt. Chad Johnson of the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. said the month of November was relatively quiet with 25 calls for service coming in from the city. Two fo the calls were for traffic situations, four for suspicious vehicles and two were for harassments.

 

Council approved the 2016 tax levy of $337,060.89 after a public hearing in which no one from the public commented.

 

The next Clear Lake City Council meeting is Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.