by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
On Monday, November 8, the Garretson City Council met in regular session. While the issue of amending the animal ordinance was one of the top stories (see last week's Gazette for the full article), the council also discussed likely natural gas costs over the winter and amending the fence ordinance.
City Finance Officer Anna Uhl stated that gas prices are, overall, going to be increased. For November, the total price went up to $1.18 ccf, or $0.12 more than October. This was expected, as Garretson is still paying market rates for 30% of its normal gas usage plus any overage. However, the max should be capped at 30% increase according to Clayton Energy, Garretson's natural gas supplier. This will be much lower than the 50-100% increases other natural gas users in the Midwest will be seeing. If help is needed to pay for natural gas bills, options are available. Visit https://dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/energyassistance/lowincome.aspx to apply for a subsidy, though do not wait as those are first-come, first-serve.
The Sidewalk Committee then presented its two-year plan. They intend to finish the route on the south side of Dows from Railroad Ave to Highway 11 next year, and in 2023 they would like to begin on the north side of Dows from Highway 11 to Railroad Ave.
Jordan Doane and Ryan Nussbaum presented a report on Sewer and Streets. With the surveyors finished, they are working on developing the ten-year plan. This plan will begin with infrastructure replacement on 5th Street, then 4th Street and side streets in that area.
"It'll be water, sewer, all the utility things," said Nussbaum. "The north side of town will all be done."
This means all lead piping will be gone from city water infrastructure.
The council had invited a representative from the Minnehaha County Department of Equalization to visit the meeting in order to give some information regarding taxes and annexation. Since the City is looking to annex portions of land to the south of Sarah C Street and to square up the boundaries of town, there were questions regarding tax increases to landowners. Chris Lilla, Director of Equalization, explained that there is a tax increase of approximately $1 to 1.50 per thousand of value. He noted that the county and the school levies are the same, and only city tax costs are added in, especially if services are added.
Adding in properties does add in growth to the City budget, and that growth is not taken away from the townships.
He also pointed out that there are three types of levies- agriculture, non-agriculture owner-occupied and non-ag non-owner-occupied/commercial. Ag land does not change even if annexed in, he said, as value is based on acres planted/harvested and soil quality.
If a property is identified as a rural service district, no services are offered and no tax changes occur. Once services are accepted in that district, then the City is required to alert the Auditor's Office, who then changes the tax liability.
The council then had a short discussion on the first reading of the noise ordinance. The main point of contention was early-morning snow blowing, despite a condition in the ordinance stating that a seasonal permit can be purchased. Councilors Dave Bonte and Karen Stainbrook argued for snow blowing to be allowed without a permit starting at 5:00 a.m. when the City is under a snow alert, to which the rest of the council agreed.
The council recommended that anyone with questions or concerns about the ordinance contact their ward representative before December's meeting.
The council next looked at amending the animal ordinance to allow for chickens (the full story can be found in the Nov 11 issue of the Gazette). Local residents made a solid case for why chickens should be allowed in city limits, and the council appeared amenable to the discussion. Uhl presented the council with an amended ordinance, which outlined coop, disposal and care requirements. A suggested license cost of $5 was acceptable to both residents and the council with an assurance that a building permit for the coop and fence are required, and that a single violation of nuisance laws would revoke the license.
The council will be voting on the amended animal ordinance at the December meeting, to which they invited members of the public back just in case there were questions.
Amending the fence ordinance was then under discussion, brought to the floor because the council has been issuing so many variances in the past few years.
When the ordinance was originally crafted, it had been done so with a thought towards ensuring there was enough space to mow around the fence without needing to access a neighbor's property. However, many neighbors share their fences in the community, and variances were being issued at nearly every meeting.
"This means the ordinance is not written properly," said Mayor Greg Beaner. He pointed out the amount of time the variances require on both the City and the council's parts, which is why the change was requested.
The amendment would allow property owners to place a fence on the property line in the rear or side yard without having to apply for a variance.
For corner lots, the yard that is on the corner side of the property, also known as the secondary-front yard, would not be able to extend out further than the front of the neighboring house.
Uhl used councilor Jodi Gloe's property as an example. Her house is located on Dows St and Main Ave, facing Dows. Her fence would only be able to extend to the west as far as the front of 112 Main unless she applied for a variance. However, on the east side of her house, she would be allowed to place the fence on her property line.
When a building permit for the fence is applied for, Uhl stated she does request signatures from neighbors to ensure they are aware of the project, though it isn't required per se.
Since it was the first reading, the council was unable to make any motions, but Uhl requested the council read over the ordinance and ensure it is understandable, especially the requirements on corners.
The final large actions the council took during the meeting were approving a fence variance, approving liquor licenses, and issuing a letter of support for the potential of passenger trains to come through Garretson.
The fence variance generated more talk about requirements on corner lots, as homeowner Grace Horiuchi wanted to place a 6-foot-tall fence only two feet from the sidewalk on her side yard. Horiuchi, who lives on the corner of Main and Sarah C, wanted to maximize her backyard as much as possible in order to have space for a large garden and her dog. Councilor Stainbrook requested the fence be either four feet from the sidewalk or only four feet tall, to which Horiuchi agreed. The council then passed the variance without argument.
The letter in support of passenger trains was brought to the table by Mayor Beaner, who stated that the letter had been requested by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. He noted there was some pre-planning in the works regarding a passenger rail. Mayor Beaner and councilor Bill Hoskins stated it was very early stages, and Garretson likely wouldn't see any details for at least ten years, but having a passenger rail (and especially a stop along the route) could be a big boon to the community. The council agreed to have Mayor Beaner sign a letter of support.
The council then entered executive session and adjourned. The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Legion Dugout.
