North Branch hires new city planning director; comes with 20 years experience

Posted 1/24/01

North Branch hires new city planning director; comes with 20 years experience

By Jason Sileo

The North Branch City Council approved the appointment of new City Planning and Development Director Alan Cottingham Monday, Jan. 22.

Cottingham replaces Patrick Trudgeon who took a new post in the city of Ramsey last month.
City Administrator John Moosey said Cottingham was well-qualified for the post, as Cottingham has some 20 yearsí experience as an associate planner and has spent the past 10 at work for the city of Brainerd.

ěWe think heís going to be a good fit,î Moosey said of the applicant. ěHe has quite a bit of experience in the area of planning.î

Moosey said Cottingham will be kept busy as he makes the transition into North Branch as the city continues to work on cluster development issues as well as its own Comprehensive Plan. Moosey said the city staff, with the addition of Cottingham, is well-positioned for successful planning endeavors into the future.
Cottingham, recommended by the cityís personnel committee, received the unanimous approval of the council Monday night.

Newtonís request

Barry Blomquist, counsel for Roger Newton of North Branch, approached the council to request a certificate of occupancy for Newtonís newly constructed building off Elm Street and Eighth Ave. in the city.

The city apparently has denied to issue the certificate of occupancy due to a small sewer pipe which runs across the property and under the new building. The pipe, according to building plans, was to have been moved to the north along a property easement there.
The sewer pipe, Blomquist explained, serves property off Eighth Ave. owned by Jerry Peterson. Blomquist said he had attempted to contact Peterson regarding the pipe but had received no response. The attorney asked that the certificate of occupancy be granted and that the pipeís future be left in Petersonís hands.

Peterson, Blomquist said, ěDoes not want to talk about it... we have received no response from him.î

The council directed North Branch Building Official Dennis Lockwood to address the situation and meet with the concerned parties in an effort toward closure.
Since the granting of the certificate of occupancy is contingent of the movement of the pipe, the council decided, the certificate could not yet be granted.

Police staff needed

North Branch Police Chief Jules Zimmer approached the council to request the addition of a part-time clerical staffer at the department due to general ěincreased activityî in the city.

The new position was budgeted for in the current cycle, Zimmer explained. ěWe saw this coming,î he said.

The council unanimously approved the hiring of the three day per week staffer.
In other actions:

The council also approved a conditional use permit and liquor license request for the Sno-Drifters snowmobile club of North Branch.
The Drifters will be hosting an outdoor snow-cross snowmobiling event at the Tanger Outlet Center Feb. 24-25.

The council approved Charles Heinzel, former city councilman, to fill a vacancy on the North Branch Park Commission.

Also approved was an amended sidewalk ordinance for new residential and commercial subdivision areas in the city. The amendments further clarify what types of surfaces, placements and widths are permitted and required in such areas. Hiking/biking paths are also addressed in the amended ordinance.

The council approved a budget amendment for the fire department which will allow for the purchase of a new grass-fire pickup truck for the department. The department had planned to purchase a new one, city Finance Director Dave Stutelberg explained, but had received some additional state monies which afforded the option for a new machine.