The October 1, 2018 meeting of the Garretson City Council covered a wide range of issues, including updates on the street construction project, an approval of a Camper and Trailer Ordinance, and more education about TIFs (Tax Incremental Financing).
The meeting was held for a third month at the Garretson Henry G Fix #23 Legion Building, which is more accommodating for audiences. This has proven to be a popular decision, with several community members in attendance. All council members were in attendance, and the meeting began with Resolutions and Ordinances after the Consent Calendar Agenda was approved.
The first resolution was a request by Jared Olivier of G & M Services to operate an asbestos remediation and mold/lead removal business out of his home. The in-home office will be mostly for bookkeeping purposes, though Olivier did state that rare deliveries will be made to the home. He assured the council that no customers and no asbestos will be brought to the home, and after a few more questions, the conditional use permit was approved.
Next was a variance request by Bill Lisenmeyer to install a fence on the north side of his property that extends past the front of the back of the home. Lisenmeyer was not in attendance for questions, but the council approved the variance as the homeowner had not realized prior to installation that it was required.
Mayor Greg Beaner then introduced Ordinance 640, which restricts the parking of campers, motorhomes, boats, and trailers within City limits. The ordinance had been discussed at September's meeting (please see the Sept 20, 2018 issue of the Gazette for more) and the council read the finalized version, which passed unanimously after full discussion and suggested amendments. In September, after reviewing other cities' ordinances, the council opted to set campers back from the streets unless it's on an improved (gravel, asphalt or concrete) surface. The finalized ordinance for residential areas states that if the camper or trailer is in the front of the home, it needs to be on a driveway or parking pad that follows zoning and building requirements; if on the side or rear yard, it needs to be a minimum distance of 2 feet from the property line on a hard surface or gravel parking pad. Any trailer, camper, etc parked on the street must be moved off the street after 48 hours. Construction trailers may be parked for an extended period as long as there is a building permit displayed on-site.
Next was finishing old business. The discussion regarding the alleyway off Canyon Avenue north of 5th Street was first.
At the September meeting, a few options had been presented with regards to the alley, which included straightening the alley, purchasing land, or vacating 6th Street and turning the alleyway into a private shared drive. It had been recommended to speak with the City attorney regarding this issue, and the attorney suggested a hybrid option that includes leaving the alley where is currently is located and having the southern landowners purchase the extra, northern land just south of where the alley currently sits (where the actual alley should be).
Council member Dave Bonte agreed this was a good option, as vacating 6th Street ensured that north of 5th Street would never be developed, and as Garretson is limited in lots as it is, he would not like to limit options even further. City Maintenance Officer Craig Nussbaum pointed out that it's likely cost-prohibitive to develop the two remaining lots in the area, as the developer would have to install water, sewer, and 6th Street. However, Council Member Dwayne "Jake" Jacobson noted just north of that, the land is perfect for future development. Council member Richelle Hofer asked, specifically, what the council needed to decide on this issue. "Currently, the property owner is not saying he's upset people are driving on his land. It all feels moot, because 6th Street has to be put in [before more development can occur] and we (Garretson) don't allow alley development."
Council member Greg Franka agreed. "There's no question anymore until Wangnesses complain about people driving on their land."
At this point, the item died for lack of a motion, as the council decided to maintain the alley as is until a complaint is lodged, and enforce the development of the street before further housing is allowed in the area.
The street project update was next. Currently, the construction company is pouring curb and gutter, laying sidewalk, and placing asphalt on 3rd Street, and is finishing up laying water and sewer on Main between 2nd and 3rd Streets. It was expected that the sidewalks would also be pulled soon. Next for streets, Blue Dragon Academy had requested the placement of a 4-way stop on Center Avenue and 1st Street to slow traffic by the new daycare. Nussbaum suggested a crosswalk only, but after the input of Blue Dragon employee and Center Avenue resident Kelli Schleuter, along with fellow resident Carrie Moritz as to the speed of traffic on Center, a 4-way stop was approved. A suggestion will also be made to the Sheriff's office to patrol the Dows and Main area more often to reduce the instances of stop signs being ignored.
Next, City Finance Officer Anna Uhl noted that the sidewalk on Dows Street has a TAP grant being used for its construction. She was wondering if the City would like to use it again to continue to extend the walkway west of the original project. The deadline for the new grant is January 1st, 2019. The council approved the action, noting that it would likely take just as long for the city to get the sidewalk placed as it has for the state to lay it.
Uhl then presented information with regards to tree maintenance and types of trees allowed in other municipalities. It was suggested that Maple trees not be heavily relied on, as it's likely that they're next to be targeted by invasive insects. Master Gardener and Garretson resident Colleen Collier suggested that the town encourage a wide variety of tree species to reduce risk, especially as residents are starting to consider the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer on the ash trees in their yards. Mayor Beaner stated he had attempted to have Forestry expert John Ball attend a council meeting, but had not yet heard back from him.
The water extension grant that had been applied for this past spring had been approved, and the Mayor and Uhl were working hard to identify where the money can pulled from to be budgeted for the project. This will extend larger water lines out to the industrial park areas. The city is hopeful to begin on the project as soon as possible.
Next, Tom Grimmond of Dougherty & Co. presented more information on TIFs, explaining how they work, their benefits and drawbacks, and the difference between a city-held TIF versus a developer-held TIF. The city is considering using a TIF for the development of the new area just west of Sarah C Street at the request of the residential development group. Grimmond stated that Garretson currently has $1.6 million of its allowed $3.2 million debt in use, but that the project is estimated to be approximately $1 million, so it does leave a bit of "wiggle room." He noted that most cities make back their TIF funds within approximately 10-12 years, but until then, it does tie up the city property taxes in the TIF area. Schools do not like them, but they do still receive monies in their general fund, and the hopeful increase in students would make up the difference. Grimmond stated that getting a TIF set up takes approximately six months, but that if a development is not currently close to being ready, a city would not want to start the process too soon, as the 20 year time limit on a TIF is hard and fast. The council thanked Grimmond for his time, and opted to talk further with the residential development group to see what their progress was on obtaining a developer for the Sarah C area.
The council then moved on to new business, approving the garbage hauler licenses of Garbage N More, Van Dyke Sanitation, Waste Management, and Bolte Sanitation. They then approved a 3-year contract with Garbage N More for garbage pick up at City locations after ensuring no complaints about the previous year's performance had been received.
After approving Natural Gas prices as recommended, the Parks Board presented on their recommendations for the Emerald Ash Borer treatment. First, they recommended the City wait to treat until the insect had actually been located within City limits (expected to happen next summer), and if it occurred too late for spring treatment, to wait until spring of 2020 for first treatment. Parks Board member Collier stated the ash tree can be 30 percent affected and still be receptive to treatment, so immediate action was not required. Parks Board member Moritz then explained how treatment costs would become exponential over the years, and occurs for the life of the tree. She stated the Parks Board recommendation is to do a "weaning treatment," an initial large treatment of 2/3s of the trees, while using the left over funds to remove and replace untreated and dead trees, and over the years, reducing the number of treated trees while continuing to use further budget increases to pay for removal and replacement. Eventually, the treatments would be able to be eliminated as there would be no more ash trees to treat.
Parks Board member Schleuter then talked about continued improvements planned for 2019, including landscaping around the sign at the JC Complex, Devils Gulch cabin updates, and pursuing grants with the Garretson FFA to build another shelter by the playground in Splitrock Park.
The council then voted to go into executive session, and the meeting adjourned.
