---

North Branch City Council had two conditional use permits on its agenda for the first full council session of 2005 Monday night. One permit sailed through (4-1) and the other was contentious.

The easy matter of the two was a temporary permit for one year’s “outdoor storage” allowing Gustafson Excavating to stockpile soil and concrete at a site it leases just east of 6610 410th Street. Land owners Dan and Nancy DeWan may not be extending the excavating firm’s lease beyond another year, so the permit will sunset unless it needs to be revisited for continuance.

The other permit required two motions to get enough support on the council to be approved.

The owners of the vacant parcel immediately north of Olson Power (along the freeway) requested an auto collision specialist be allowed to construct a business there. Milcon Inc. put together a concept site drawing which the planning commission reviewed and council also saw.

Applicant Thomas Widboom was present for discussion. He is tentatively calling his new business Collision Connection.

Council members debated the unsightliness of damaged autos being stored at what the city considers its “gateway” neighborhood.

Council member Amy Oehlers said it was a shame the ordinance hadn’t earlier been revised to strictly prohibit this type of business, at this location. “This is not an appropriate site for this...I thought the gateway is supposed to be for retail, hotels, restaurants and businesses that bring people into the city from the freeway.”

Newly-elected Council member Theresa Furman said she was trying to picture the view from the freeway ramp and was not supportive of vehicles in varying states of repair lined up in the collision center’s lot. She questioned if fencing or screening could be mandated.

Council member Larry Erickson tried floating a motion allowing the Conditional Use Permit but omitted any coverings for cars outdoors. That motion failed 3-2 with only he and Mayor Gloria Karsky in favor.

Council member Kathy Blomquist made a motion to adopt all the recommendations of planning commissioners plus require “masonry” fencing (not chain link or vinyl) and car covers on vehicles outdoors overnight. This passed 3-2 with Oehlers and Furman against.

A split vote continued into action on a policy for fire hall meeting space use.

Staff wrote a policy and presented a form for reserving the space, plus $100 refundable deposit system to council to better-regulate use of the fire hall.

City Administrator Joe Lynch explained, “We have a demand of sorts...people have been using the hall and we are just trying to administer it.” He said the fire chief was consulted in developing the policy and the fire department actually has the final scheduling say.

Council members were concerned that the fire hall-- being free space-- doesn’t conflict with for-profit businesses and asked that at the end of the year the council receive an update on utilization.

Fire hall space is reserved by a form available at the fire hall, or call city hall and they’ll get you in touch with the fire personnel. The hall is supposed to be only used by non-profits, neighborhood groups, public safety organizations and the like.

In 2005 appointments: council filled three planning commission openings with Kurt Liebenow, Joel Corbin and Doylene Voligny. Only one of two openings on the park commission was filled, Michele Johnson was appointed. Another member is needed. The remaining applicant who sought a planning commission seat will be invited too.

Henry Brooker was re-appointed to the Water & Light Commission and incumbent Bill Rice was put on the Economic Development Authority.

Council unanimously acted on a request from a landowner of 47 acres off Hemingway Ave. for a deferral on assessments due to agricultural use of the land. The deferral goes on land owned by Gerald and Delores Fairbanks as a special notation at the county level. All council needed to do is file a certificate with the Recorder’s office showing this is in effect. Total deferred is over $116,000 in assessments.

During open microphone a resident from along Golden Avenue said there are ATV owners and a club of ATV enthusiasts who are not happy with the all terrain vehicle ban the council adopted recently.

She suggested that council should be prepared for some type of formal response or complaints forthcoming. She said she felt council should have held a public hearing on the action.

City Administrator Lynch responded that the only hearing requirement for ordinance changes is for land use decisions (ie: Conditional Use Permits and zoning). He added the council took the action banning ATV use in city boundaries on public property because of property damage complaints, confusion over when and where ATVs were allowed and concerns about public safety.

---