By MaryHelen Swanson

The Chisago County commissioners will hold a public hearing July 11, at 7:30 p.m. for purposes of hearing comments on an Adult Use Interim Ordinance.

The purpose of the interim ordinance is to give the Environmental Services department time to adequately draft an ordinance regulating adult use businesses in the county.

The county commissioners, understanding they cannot completely keep such businesses out of the county, want to get a handle on regulations, in the event there is a request for such a business.

Until the regular ordinance is drafted, the interim, or moratorium, will serve as a way of control.

According to the prepared interim ordinance, adult uses include adult bookstores, adult motion picture theaters, adult motion picture rental, adult mini-motion picture theaters, adult massage parlors, adult steam room/bathhouse/sauna facilities, adult companionship establishments, adult rap/conversation parlors, adult health/sport clubs, adult cabarets, adult novelty businesses, adult motion picture arcades, adult modeling studios, adult hotels/motels, adult body painting studios, and other premises, enterprises, establishments, businesses or places open to some or all members of the public, at or in which there is an emphasis on the presentation, display, depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" which are capable of being seen by members of the public.

This public hearing will be held in the county board room at the Government Center in Center City.

Library requests

During the citizen forum at the June 20 board meeting, several people came to make suggestions for use of excess library building funds. Speaking were Theresa Furman, Sue Monroe, Janet Lasch, Gary Menne, and Doylene Voligny.

Furman spoke of items still needed at the North Branch Library that affect health, safety and quality of life, such as a vision viewer for those with visual impairments and a TTY phone line for those with hearing impairments.

NB librarian Monroe began her comments by telling the commissioners how much the new library is enjoyed, added that security cameras, tinted windows and a fan over the circulation desk were also needed. Lasch, also talking about the NB library, stressed the safety items. Voligny, of the Friends of the NB library, reiterated the safety needs, energy-saving resolutions (tinted windows) and security cameras. Menne spoke on behalf of the Wyoming library.

According to County Administrator John Moosey, there is approximately $417,000 remaining in the 2005 library construction project, which saw the construction of three new library buildings: North Branch, Wyoming and Chisago Lakes area.

Rush City did not receive a new library in this project. It was decided that the county should purchase the current RC library building, but that some renovation would be needed. About $40,000 was to be used for this project.

Last week, Moosey suggested that out of the excess funds, $125,000 be set aside for rehabilitation of the Rush City library. He also noted that the joint powers library commission - Chisago Lakes and Rivers Library Facilities Commission - has asked for $95,000 for specific items that would improve the health, safety and welfare of the three new library buildings.

This included the security cameras and the vision and hearing amenities at the NB library, panic alarms, blinds, ceiling fans, etc. at the Chisago Lakes library and much the same at the Wyoming library.

Commissioner Mike Robinson, representing Rush City, said he didn't know why people were asking for funds for the new libraries when the Rush City project hasn't even started.

Commissioner Ben Montzka said he'd like to move forward with a new library building for Rush City.

Montzka then moved to approve the request for security improvements at the three new libraries in Chisago County using the excess funds. Commissioner Bob Gustafson offered a friendly amendment to also include a vision viewer and TTY phone port at the new libraries.

Before funds are released from the library fund balance, formal bids are to be brought to the commissioners. The motion passed 4-1 with Robinson opposed.

Jail house site

Sheriff Todd Rivard and Jail Administrator Brandon Thyen were present for discussion of a future site of a new county jail.

A site has been selected at the NW corner of Hwy. 8 and County Road 82 which would require annexation into Center City. Moosey said there is enough room for expansion and parking at this site.

The board authorized Moosey to negotiate a price for the 53-acre parcel and to request a utility extension feasibility study be completed. The site was unanimously recommended by the county's jail planning team.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the request for a conditional use permit (CUP) by Kathleen Nelson to operate a bridal dress shop as a home occupation at her property in Nessel Township with four conditions.

• Approved the request of John and Lisa Rydning for a CUP to operate a riding and horse boarding stable on their property in Chisago Lake Township with three conditions:

• Approve the request of Gordon Carlson for a CUP to operate an electrical contracting business as a home occupation, and to have associated light construction equipment storage at his Franconia Township property with seven conditions.

• With no one from the public speaking at public hearings on an ordinance designating citation powers and an ordinance regarding dangerous dogs, the commissioners adopted both ordinances. The dog ordinance, noted County Attorney Janet Reiter, is not about prosecuting dog owners, it's just asking owners to be responsible, she said. She also noted that the county is not designating what a dangerous dog is.

• Approved the hiring of Jill Briggs as Public Health Director, effective Aug. 27.