Posted: 11/16/05
By Anne Thom
Councilman John Daher opened the Nov. 8 Stacy Council meeting as the mayor had not yet arrived. There was excitement in the air as it was confirmed that the old liquor store building was demolished now giving a clear view of the new Stacy Bar which opened Nov. 4.
Liquor store and bar accountant Amy Joslin was asked to stay on. Joslin had submitted her resignation and agreed to stay until the city could hire her replacement. But last week she was offered a significant raise to a monthly salary of $750 in exchange for withdrawing her letter of resignation.
Joslin will be working on creating accounting systems for the soon-to-be separate off-sale and on-sale liquor establishments. The city has purchased software and a network to facilitate the cityís use of proper accounting practices. The new off-sale municipal liquor store is set to open Jan. 15. Ten applicants will be interviewed for the liquor store manager position.
As a finishing touch, bids will be taken for an irrigation system for the landscaping in front of the new Stacy Bar. The council approved a motion to not exceed $7,000.
The council was then informed that there is a contractor who would do the work for $5,500. City Attorney Pete Grundhoefer recommended the council go through the bidding process anyway.
Developing News
Though developer Dan Birdsall was not present at the meeting, his development Foxtail Woods was the subject of some contention. Engineer Chuck Schwartz has been working on design standards as the council has made consistency in development, in terms of the look and layout of the development, a priority as part of the new, redeveloped Stacy.
One of those aspects will be the expansion of parks and trails that will someday link to surrounding communities and neighboring developments. The standards need to pay attention to access to trails and width of approach. In addition to the city requirements, there are county requirements which include an eight-foot width to the trails, and it all has to meet the standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Schwartz, as a result of discussions with Birdsall, recommended an additional five foot easement and putting the trail in place prior to anyone purchasing the adjacent lot. Schwartz also recommended running the bituminous surface to the back of the curb and a 10-foot width was later settled on. This will allow accessibility for wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Ultimately the results of this discussion should satisfy the city, the developer, the community and the federal government.
Daher asked Schwartz about the changes saying that the city should be very clear not to make exceptions for developers who want to deviate from established codes, ordinances or standards.
Schwartz assured the council this was not the case and that these were his recommendations.
The second point of contention was the issue of street lighting. Birdsall will be required to comply with city ordinance on the design. Further, he will be required to have a maintenance agreement in effect with Xcel Energy. The final plat for Foxtail Woods II was approved.
The only remaining issue to settle was snowmobiles. Snowmobiles are not allowed on the trail, but all the trails have sustained damage from irresponsible riders over past seasons. Snow fencing will be put in place to discourage riding where it is not allowed. Residents in the development will more than likely also end up monitoring the use of the trail as a homeowners association will be paying for the maintenance.
West Side Story
Will there be a new water tower to serve the west side of Stacy? The city has been interested in obtaining the property directly to the west of the current water tower. According to Daher, the property owner has reportedly received offers of $48,000 to $50,000 for the property, far above what the city is offering; $20,000 which the owner did reject. The possibility of the city using eminent domain and paying the property owner what would be market value was raised. Councilwoman Barbara Otterson said, ěIím not in favor of giving away taxpayer owned property,î reflecting the unpopularity of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on eminent domain. Daher pointed out that the city has been working on a new water tower for 7 years and it is not getting any cheaper. He wants the project finished by 2007. Daher said condemning the land could be a six-month process and that market value may exceed $50,000 if the land is deemed commercial.
Mayor Michael Carlson said that because of the land and city and county plans for improved and expanded roads in that stretch, the project could force rezoning for an entire area along Stacy Trail. Daher said again he didnít want any more delays and Grundhoefer said that he didnít see condemnation as a long term delay. A motion failed to move this forward. The water tower issue will be sent to a worksession for further discussion of city options.
In other news:
ď After inspecting the situation, City Inspector Jack Kramer will work on getting the dumpster moved outside of Children of Peace Daycare.
ď Daher requested money and purchase was approved for three automatic external defibrillators. Daher is a paramedic and firefighter and made a good case for having the equipment on hand.
ď City Maintenance Supervisor Tom Archibald responded to a call on a blocked sewer main at the BP service station. ěIt was grit and towels againî Archibald said. The refuse is getting into the sewer via the car wash drains. The council requested that the expense be passed on to the BP owner. The service station has a conditional use permit and the requirements of the CUP call for the business to clean the mains twice a year. The council also suggested the CUP be amended to require the cleaning more frequently.
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