REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 17, 2007
7:00 P.M.
ROYALTON CITY CENTER
Mayor Lauer called the Regular City Council meeting to order. The pledge of allegiance was said. On roll call members present were: Lauer, Libke, Gutzkow, Verley and Cekalla.
People present: Tim Majaski, Planning and Zoning; Terry Lehrke, Morrison County Record; Rick Kowalczyk; Tom Lauer; Nancy Scott, Building Inspector; Jill & Phil Vannurden, Buds to Blossoms; Bill Madsen; and Carol Madsen, Royalton City Clerk.
Libke made a motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting on 4-3-07, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Council Member Verley added one discussion item and Mayor Lauer added two discussion items to the agenda and removed the Personnel Policy from the Agenda and placed it on the May 8, 2007 City Council agenda.
No public forum.
Nancy Scott, Building Inspector, reviewed the process to apply for a building permit, receiving the permit and inspections following. She explained it is typical of a City to request Commercial permits go through Planning & Zoning and the City Council. Commercial blueprints are public information, however, residential ones are not. She suggested we discuss this with the City Attorney. Tim Majaski, Planning and Zoning Chairman, stated they usually see a site plan, not the layout. The building permit fees were discussed. Ms. Scott explained her fee schedule is based on the square footage. Mr. Majaski talked about the landscaping issues and issuing the Certificate of Occupancy on houses before the landscaping is complete and informed Nancy that a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued but money is put in escrow during winter months until spring when landscaping can be done. Mr. Majaski asked Ms. Scott what the City can do if a neighbor complains about a person’s landscaping dirt running onto their property. She said she writes a letter to the person in question and tries to get a response in writing – just to keep everything documented with the City. Mayor Lauer stated two reasons for commercial permits to go to the City Council: First- so when asked, the can City Council can inform the public and second- so it becomes public record. Council Member Cekalla suggested that the City go back to having all commercial building permits go before Planning &Zoning and then the City Council. Ms. Scott suggested that it go before the council if there is a change in use or size of footprint.
Verley made a motion to have the Commercial site plans brought before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council if there is a change in use for the building or the size of the footprint, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Tim Majaski, Planning Commission Chairman, asked Ms. Scott, her cost to inspect a rental property. She stated her fee is $100.00 per unit including the initial inspection and one re-inspection. She also stated that the Fire Chief can also do the inspections, it does not need to be the building inspector.
The department monthly reports were presented.
Cekalla made a motion to approve the animal permit for Jim Schindele at 605 N Pine Street for a pot bellied pig, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Libke made a motion to approve the animal permit for Wayne Harrison at 321 N Birch Street for three pygmy goats, 2nd by Gutzkow. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Cekalla made a motion to approve the animal permit for Theresia Sutton at 712 N Evergreen Street, for three horses and six chickens, 2nd by Libke. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Lauer reminded the Council of the Board of Review on May 8, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. Council Members Gutzkow, Cekalla and Mayor Lauer will attend.
Verley made a motion to approve the purchase and installation of City Logos on the City Public Works vehicles, at a cost of $160.00 to $170.00, 2nd by Cekalla. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Verley requested the City Council table the street sweeping issue to allow him more time to get clarification on the cost quoted from Astech and look into other companies as well.
Mayor Lauer reminded the City Council that volunteers are needed for the City Wide Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 28, 2007.
Tim Majaski, Planning Commission Chairman, reported that Planning & Zoning had approved the site plan for Buds to Blossoms. The City Council reviewed the plans. Libke made a motion to approve the building permit for Buds to Blossoms at 213 E Centre Street, 2nd by Verley. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Ron Verley, 720 N Willow Street, requested a waiver from the moratorium on outdoor boilers. He is claiming a hardship due to his current outdoor boiler failing. He will be replacing it with a new and improved one that will meet all the EPA emissions standards. Libke stated that it is a maintenance issue and should be approved. Libke made a motion to grant Verley a waiver to the moratorium to replace his outdoor boiler with one that meets the current EPA emissions standards, 2nd by Cekalla. On roll call vote Libke, Gutzkow, Cekalla and Lauer voted aye. Verley abstained. Motion carried.
Tim Majaski suggested the City wait to redo the zoning maps until the old library building is rezoned. The City Council agreed.
Mayor Lauer requested Planning and Zoning look at the Gambling Ordinance. Verbage needs to be added that states “copies of all reports be given to the City by the 25th of each month, including copies of checks paid to local charities. Tim Majaski, Planning Commission Chairman, will take it back to Planning and Zoning for changes and bring back to the next City Council meeting.
Tim Majaski, Planning Commission Chairman, reported Planning & Zoning looked over the Rental Housing Maintenance Ordinance. Mayor Lauer asked that something be put in the ordinance for inspections of all rental units are given on a regular basis. Tim will make other changes and bring it to the May 8, 2007 city council meeting.
Tim Majaski also reported that the Planning Commission discussed licensing businesses. They felt that maybe the City should look at just registering businesses rather than actually licensing them. Planning and Zoning will research further.
Verley discussed the Industrial Park signs with the Council. He said that due to being able to save some money from Les Mateffy, City Engineer, volunteering to help install the signs the City can possibly have a larger sign and maybe a double sign installed on one site. He will go back to Ed’s signs with these scenarios and double check with Les on everything that he can do.
Mayor Lauer addressed Betty Brezinka’s issue with her garbage pick up. She said that according to our ordinance it is mandatory collection and the City needs to follow what the Ordinance states. Mayor Lauer will address a letter to Ms. Brezinka.
Mayor Lauer reported on the Safety and Loss Control workshop she attended. She invited someone from the conference to come in to address the Planning & Zoning about conditional use permits. The meeting will be posted so all Council Members can also attend.
Gutzkow made a motion to pay all bills, voucher no.’s 27415 – 27445, in the amount of $14,495.11, 2nd by Cekalla. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
Verley made a motion to adjourn at 8:50 p.m., 2nd by Libke. Put to a vote with all members voting aye. Motion carried.
_________________________ Clerk/Treasurer,Carol Madsen