Amidst a lengthy, ongoing discussion regarding the 34th Street improvements during the unfinished business portion of the meeting, the Council approved a motion to go forward with geotechnical testing. “It’s five standard penetration test borings, to a depth of five feet each,” City Administrator Josh Malchow said. “It’s to find out what’s underneath that road.”
Two quotes were received — GeoTek Engineering & Testing Services, Inc. out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and American Engineering Testing out of Marshall — with AET submitting the lowest bid of $2,870.
The Council also talked about different assessment and funding scenarios for 34th Street before moving on.
For new business, the Council spent a great deal of time discussing two Conditional Use Permits, both of which were recently approved by the county.
The first was submitted by Dillon and Chandra Carlson for property located at 2734 Broadway Avenue — where 507 Designs is located and where the Wheel-Herald was formerly located. “The Carlsons wish to got really excited.”
The second Conditional Use Permit, submitted by Linda Wilkison for property located at 2418 King Avenue, garnered quite a bit of conversation among those present. “She wants to buy that parcel, this triangular piece of land with a detached garage,” Malchow said. “The lot is 11 feet wide and 76 (feet) in the back. Linda has professed to clean it up and that she needs more storage, so she’s been looking for a building.” Malchow added that while it’s one parcel, it includes three lots, two of which are being sold to a single buyer. Board member Blake Heronimus expressed concern over future value and setting a precedent. “I’m not totally sure what the whole rationale is, but as a whole, that property would be more valuable in the future if it were to stay as one,” he said. “I’m not in favor of ratifying it. It should stay with the house that’s there.” Others in attendance questioned whether that was what the permit was even asking. Some of the conversation revolved around what has been done in the past, though Malchow cautioned that a Conditional Use Permit is intended to be decided on individually. “It’s a case-by-case situation,” he said. “And we’re not in the role of prognosticating.” Malchow then read the code verbatim. The Council then interpreted and passed the motion without much additional discussion.
The Council also approved a motion to allow Malchow and Police Chief Jeremy Steinle to have latitude on starting pay for part-time employees since there was a “big difference” between someone who is green versus someone who has a lot of experience. This was added to the agenda as No. 6.
A seventh agenda item regarding a Minnesota Legislative day that Malchow wishes to attend was also added. While he wasn’t originally planning to attend, he changed his mind after speaking to local legislators since one of them is drafting language for the 34th Street project and because they’re trying to keep the assisted living project alive, but potentially going with a different route. “We’re exploring USDA funding, which would mean a 20% match, which at this point, would be $1 million on a $5 million project and asking for cash appropriation for that as well,” Malchow said. “So, I’d like to go up there and usher those things through as much as possible.” The motion for Malchow to attend March 9 and 10 passed unopposed.
The Council heard updates on the living center, learning that two parties have expressed interest after realizing that a second RFP was out.
There were also four separation motions that were approved by the Council for DSI, in regards to a grant they helped the city apply for. “About 90% of these resolutions of adopting the plan have been approved, so this is just a blanket resolution adopting all of those,” Malchow said. As recommended to any potential applicants or contractors, Mayor Carney and Heronimus abstained from voting.
