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Newly-elected Council member Jeff Goulet participated in last week’s North Branch council meeting via the Internet, while the remaining four city leaders were in person.  The meeting got off to a bumpy start when a consent agenda item was singled out  and discussed individually later in the meeting. Normally consent items are basic and uncomplicated and are adopted as a slate.  

This was a resignation submitted by a clerk, who came to city hall from North Branch’s public works department at a time when someone was needed to shoulder some of the tasks on the heels of an earlier resignation by Ragini Varma, plus the search to find a new city administrator was unresolved. (Varma has been hired as administrator for the city of Lewiston, MN, population about 1,600.)

The resignation should wait until an “investigation” apparently underway,  involving the employee, is completed, argued Council member Peter Schaps.  He motioned to pull the action so it could be discussed. His table motion failed 2-3.  Goulet was the only other yes vote to delay action on the clerk resignation.

Council member Travis Miles commented that the resignation has landed back on the agenda, after being delayed once and the staffer has had sufficient time to withdraw the request —if that is indeed what she wants.

Her former department head Public Works Supervisor Shawn Williams, advised council he received a text message during the meeting,  where the employee said she would be fine with delaying action on her resignation until the investigation  “runs its course.”  Williams added she was observing the council live on the  website stream.  This was news to the city administrator who said that during a confidential meeting with the employee he did not hear that sentiment expressed.

The upshot was the Schaps' motion to table, that had failed 2-3, was re-made with a new date to pick up the topic again, by Mayor Kevin Scheiber. This was approved 5-0, The action to accept the resignation and authorize advertising the position, will come back in session later in February.

In other matters:

Council voted 5-0 to revise the city Comprehensive Land Use Plan to allow for 10 acres now guided by the plan to be used for high density residential to become light industrial.  The zoning was also changed from residential to non-residential uses.  

The lots numbers 4 and 5 in block 2 of the “ESSBY” business park have been a detriment to potential projects, said the city zoning administrator,  because interested parties shy from developing an industrial enterprise next to where people are meant to reside.  North Branch Community Development Director Nate Sondrol said he hears reluctance expressed concerning the comp plan and there are sufficient high density residential lots elsewhere.  The acreage is also laid out  poorly for positioning residential infrastructure

The affected lots abut the west edge of Forest Boulevard and north of 400th.

~ The annual police activity report was also accepted.

Chief of Police Dan Meyer noted for council there were zero incidents of gasoline drive-offs.  

All fuel stations in the North Branch police service area have gone to pre-pay and this has eradicated these type of crimes.

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