May 14, 2009 at 7:11 a.m.
North Branch Council adopts incentives for business park development, accepts resignation from City Clerk
North Branch Council adopts incentives for business park development, accepts resignation from City Clerk
Council voted unanimously Monday night to adopt a resolution revising the city's business park's marketing plan. Council is offering "incentives" on the next 15 acres, or four business projects, hoping to help move these properties and get some development action in ESSBY Business Park.
The resolution includes requesting assistance from Chisago County seeking county participation in any projects asking for tax abatement.
City incentives approved include a reduction in trunk water and sewer fees and a program allowing developers to recoup fees for water and sewer access charges (WAC and SAC) through Tax Abatement or Tax Increment Financing.
Contact city hall for details.
ESSBY Business Park is near the freeway, off 400th on the north end of downtown and has been prepared by the city with all services, streets, etc. installed.
The city got favorable new interest rates going out through Springsted and Associates for refinancing bonds.
The bids for the new issuance of 2009B general obligation sewer revenue bonding went to Cronin & Company at 3.5 percent for $1.7 million re-financed. A second $1.9 million in debt was refinanced for 2.2 percent interest, sold to UMB Bank, N.A.
Springsted's Kathy Aho advised council the city's underlying bond rating of A2 remains unchanged.
On the issue of extending the smaller 2.5 acre residential lot size well out into the non-urban area of North Branch, council denied the action.
To amend the Comprehensive Land Use Plan there needed to be a super majority (4) in favor. Only two council members supported this action, Theresa Furman and Larry Erickson.
The engineer for WSB Consultants, Jay Kennedy, got the okay from council to advertise for bids for a lift station and forcemain relocation in the area of Mystic Woodlands. The bids will be due June 17.
Plumbing will be allowed in non-dwelling structures in rural areas as a "conditional use" with council voting unanimously in favor of the revision to code.
Al Cottingham, city planner, told council there are sinks, showers, etc. out in the farm areas that are needed by those residents. The city will keep an eye on these permitted sites so they don't evolve into unsanctioned extra dwellings, he added.
The new Highway 95 bridge over the interstate freeway will have black railings and black light poles, council decided. The vote was not unanimous though. Council members Blomquist and Erickson favored mixing things up a bit, preferring green and black decorative elements.
Resignation
City Clerk Ry-Chel Gaustad submitted her resignation, which council accepted regretfully. She'll work until July.
Council discussed if the city should fill Gaustad's post or have existing staff handle the tasks. Another option is to have City Administrator Bridgette Konrad return to being clerk, and Monday she offered to do just that. But, then the city would be without an administrator. Or, Konrad could remain administrator and a new clerk would be hired.
On motion by Furman council discussed city policy which basically calls for council to advertise for applicants for the vacant clerk post. But, consensus was council wanted more information on how this will affect the budget. The motion was withdrawn and council will review this issue in its work session towards the end of this month.
Public Works Supervisor Shawn Williams got the okay to purchase a tri-deck mower for $17,577 from Olson Power & Equipment. Williams told council the item will free-up time for staff to tackle a list of tasks besides mowing. Council member Peter Holmes voted no saying the money should be applied to pay down the equipment certificate (debt) the city issued.
A street dance permit was approved for Pizza Pub for June 13, the week prior to MidSummer in North Branch.
The matter of how late the ballfields should remain lighted will be on the council agenda May 26.
John Bauer, representing North Branch Baseball Association, requested lights to be re-set on timers to go until 11 p.m.
John Pantelis, a park neighbor, argued that this issue was heavily discussed last winter and the 10 p.m. lights-out was the result. He questioned bringing this up again so close to the start of outdoor games, "rushing" the decision.
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