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Lindstrom City Council wrapped up the end of the year business Dec. 21 approving a supplemental contract for SEH consulting engineers to work with the state on lighting designs for the Hwy. 8 reconstruction project. The lighting costs and responsibilities are becoming contentious. State Representative-elect Bob Barrett has already sat in on at least one meeting where Xcel, the state transportation department and Lindstrom discussed their differences in opinion on where lighting will be installed, what type, and at whose expense.

~ Council also signed a 10-year franchise agreement with US Cable.

Cable committee liaison Jim Singer told council that the public access (government channel) is being moved to Channel 20 from #66. This allows those subscribing to "basic" cable television service to receive public affairs programming.

~ A requested vacation of Glader Lane was briefly reviewed and staff said official action awaits the submittal of a petition, that needs to be signed by adjoining neighbors supporting the vacating vote.

~ Council unanimously supported a change in bylaws allowing civilians (non-elected) to be appointed to the Lakes Area police commission. Chisago City and Lindstrom city administrators would be deleted from the commission membership roster. The commission meets the second Wednesday of every month.

~ The city planning commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing February 2 on an application for Planned Unit Development (PUD) designation for vacant property across from the Dairy Queen. The St. Croix Regional Medical Center is pursuing the site as a location to build a medical clinic. (The Jan. 5 city planning commission meeting is cancelled.)

There were mixed feelings on a resolution supporting revisions to the state's Green Acres taxation formula. A newly-elected North Branch City Council member has taken up the issue and sent resolutions to all county government entities to garner a groundswell of support.

Council member Roger Lindgren said Lindstrom doesn't have any land (minimum of 10 acres required) classified as "green acres." He wondered if the council should even have any input in an effort to get the legislature to re-write the law.

Council member Singer commented that if tax law revisions end up reducing the amount of tax collected from large-acre parcels, then city taxpayers will see an increase to make up the difference.

But, Council member Curt Flug said it "needs to be looked at" and that the unintended negative impacts from green acres regulations need attention.

Council ended up supporting (3-2) a resolution that simply supports having the state legislature "consider" changes to green acres.

The city services extension project on East Lake Lane (by Lindstrom Foods) is done. The functional testing is underway, council heard. Hook-up to the water service will get started after bacteria and flow testing is satisfactory. A building site for the new NABPCO Auto Parts store is being prepped adjacent to Lindstrom Foods. The existing auto parts store on Hwy. 8 will be removed for the one-way pairs project.

Council member Joe Wishy asked Deputy Chief Schlumbohm, during the chief's monthly report, about ticketing parked cars. Wishy said he was bombarded with complaints from people who have been ticketed for having vehicles on the street during prohibited hours. "I am asking for a little more officer discretion," Wishy remarked. The ordinance says no street parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. but if there's no need to clear routes for plows, officers should be allowed to write a warning ticket.

Schlumbohm said there's two sides to the debate and his personnel will enforce or not enforce depending on direction from council. "The problem is," he continued, "when it does snow and people have gotten used to leaving cars on the street you could be looking at towing."

City Administrator John Olinger suggested staff could look at "tightening up" the wording of the overnight parking law, so that it refers more specifically to a snow emergency condition without being too subjective or up for various interpretations.

Keeping city lots tidy

The vote on an ordinance for outdoor recreational vehicle storage or "accessory use" was adopted 4-1 with Wishy opposed.

The ordinance language was reviewed over several meetings by the planning commission. City officials saw unfairness in code developed over the years that allows for certain stored items in the R-1 zone, but not in the R-1-A zone. When the zoned areas are next to each other it creates issues and complaints.

The new ordinance addresses both zoned areas.

It has a magic number where allowable storage conditions change when the house lot exceeds 22,000 square feet (a half-acre.)

The ordinance also considers lakeshore property and non-lakeshore outside storage needs.

No more than three recreational travel vehicles or equipment and vehicle (snowmobile/trailer) can be stored or parked outside of a building on a property of less than half an acre.

No more than four items can be stored outdoors on parcels of greater than a half acre.

You still must have a valid license plate on any vehicle stored, unless it's inside of a building. You also still aren't allowed to park campers, etc. in the alley or within any public rights-of-way.

The code goes into specifics on setbacks from lots lines and other conditions for parking recreational vehicles. Basically if you have the need to store items in your yard check with the city to see how you can comply with accepted standards.

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