City Council Notes-April 5, 2011

A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2011 is for volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business. The bids for 2011 Road materials was approved and again presented that the lowest bid in each category get the bid. The DNR grant funds were discussed to have the city purchase 338 Mineral Springs Rd property. The demo of the building would run about $5 - $7 thousand dollars and the purchase price is $80,000 with $40,000 coming out of the storm water fund. The recommendation was based on the fact that because of the Kwik Trip expansion there they would be adding asphalt and would have to upgrade the storm water system there unless they bought the property and used it as a storm water pond. It was approved by the city. They also reviewed the preliminary plat of Ag Power Addition. The lift station and sanitary sewer lines will need to be oversized to service additional property to the south and east. Costs associated with any oversizing of services would typically be paid for by the city from the city’s wastewater treatment fund. The city may want additional hook up fees from businesses using these utilities to recoup the costs of oversizing. Just for information the experience mod for the city’s workers compensation went down with a result of a decrease in workers comp by about $100,000. They were also able to recover some funds for road maintenance and repair so they will be trying to do some of those projects this spring. They did not specify how much or how the funds were recovered. They have also begun the water flow testing to determine the extent of necessary repairs to the water flow system. It will continue all summer. In the notes of the Owatonna Planning Commission and Park and Recreation Board Minutes they discuss a sidewalk and trail plan. Klecker explained the 10 point rating system that was used for the sidewalks. They have developed a prioritized map of existing and proposed sidewalks and trails. They have been focusing on commercial areas and connections to those commercial areas. They are going to present it to City council. In the minutes of the Planning Commission they discuss the desire of a resident to install a solar energy system on his property. This system would have to be elevated on a 40 foot tall pole. It would be 24 feet square and high enough so that it’s over the houses. It would be the size of a billboard and move with the sun. It should upstand 90 mile an hour winds and the pole would be about 16 feet from the property line. There is no current ordinance for a structure like this or for a wind turbine. Lastly, they are holding another coffee with the council this Saturday, April 9th, at 8am at Old Time Bagels.