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Complaints about excessive lighting on and around the strip mall area, in Center City may be coming to some kind of resolution, based on findings of city staff.
 
Center City’s public works supervisor and city engineering consultant were able to acquire a light meter device and have documented what many citizens have been complaining about for months...that being, illumination emitted off the mall structure violates city code.

Eric Garner, Public Works, said the meter registered lumens “off the chart” in certain spots and  light even registered in the Highway 8 right-of-way.  Some of the problem is due to reflection off the bright white mall exterior and part is attributed to the angle of the LED lighting itself. Add the brightness levels, and the fact the light travels well beyond property lines, and the city council agreed the property owner needs to be directed to take care of this issue.

The mall owner spoke up from his chair in the meeting audience and assured council he’d act on whatever recommendations the city provides.  Resolving issues could include adding directional shields, adjusting light distribution downward and reducing numbers of physical lights.

Ironworks update
Another Center City issue that has attracted citizens’ complaints is the ironworks business north of town at County Roads 9 and 12.

Several neighbors attended the council meeting last week to get an update on what’s being done. Neighbors alerted council in June of what they believe was unsanctioned manufacturing activities by a newly-relocated company creating noise and traffic.  The iron manufacture and fabrication is disturbing their residential area.

The ironworks lot is zoned Light Industrial; but the current business owner and city officials have differing concepts of what this is defined as.

The city did not “permit” iron manufacture at the parcel.  When uses of the property came to light the city notified the business in late summer to cease.
 
The city stance is the activity on-site doesn’t comply with standards in city code describing “light” industrial.

City Attorney Ted Alliegro advised the council not to discuss any issues yet again in a public setting.  It is up to district court to make a ruling.  There has been no court date set for the case, however.

In another business related concern, a bill sent to Peterson Companies for drawing thousands of gallons of municipal water to use on a recent project,  was disputed by the contracting firm and revised by council.

Council member Mark Wolcott said the fee is slated to be reviewed anyway and “just to wrap this up” by the end of the year —he recommended to compromise on the water charge at $8 per thousand gallons. The city billing for outside party use is currently  seven cents per gallon.  

Council member Madonna Higgins made the motion revising the bill and it passed 5-0.

Higgins meanwhile,  is ending a 14 year council career by not filing for re-election last month.  Newly-seated Garrett Boulineau will be sworn in in January along with incumbent Lloyd Vetter and re-elected Mayor Jill Behnke.

The city welcomes a new clerk as well.  Valerie Fox said her final day is December 27.

 Council interviewed applicants in a couple of recent special sessions, and Dana Miron has accepted the 35 hour per week position. She attended last week’s council meeting.

In other matters: council approved a $150 contribution to Celebration of the Lakes this winter.  

~ The minor split creating two lots on South Center Lake, east of downtown, accessed off Orchard Court, was approved 5-0.  Council was advised DNR had reviewed this and the planning commission recommended the action.

~ Signage prohibiting parking on (the south end of) Grand Avenue is being ignored, and it needs to be backed-up by an ordinance for effective enforcement.
The council directed staff to generate a city code draft and review by council later to outlaw on-street parking on Grand Avenue south of Highway 8  officially.

~ And, the 2023 levy was adopted unanimously. The local ley is a 5.8 percent hike from the levy of $323,00 last year, estimating to collect $341,860.

No members of the public   attended to comment during the budget hearing and there was no council discussion.

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