By MaryHelen Swanson

In the event the North Branch City Council decides to go ahead and build a new police station near the fire station, they now have an approved conditional use permit to do so.

That action was taken Monday night, Oct. 8, and the support was unanimous.

This is just a step in the process, said Mayor Gloria Karsky, noting that the council has not made a final decision on if or where a station would be built.

The citizens of North Branch will have time to sound off on the police station proposal Oct. 22.

Mayor Karsky asked if it would be OK to limit the time each speaker has and to limit speakers if they only want to repeat what others have said. It will be aired on cable for those who may not be able to fit into the council chambers.

The council was not opposed to the limitations.

But the revised final plat of the Williams property on which the fire hall and proposed police station will be, drew considerable discussion.

Councilor Larry Erickson noted that some fire men and others were concerned about the levy referendum being only for the fire hall and 10 acres.

The ownership of that land, noted City Administrator Bridgitte Konrad, is and always will be the city's.

Councilor Kathy Blomquist said the park commission was concerned too, because the police station would be using land that was earmarked in a concept plan for parking for recreational activities.

First Assistant Fire Chief John McFarling said it seems like the fire department is getting short changed.

He said he hates to see the taxpayers pay for things that weren't bonded for.

City Finance Director Dave Stutelberg reminded all that of the $1.9 million bond for the fire hall, only $180,000 was used for the acreage.

The land was a small part of the cost, he said, it belongs to the city.

But McFarling, who said the fire department was told it had to have 10 acres, went on to say that the FD could have paid less for less land and used the money for other items that were cut, including an additional bay.

The council approved the final plat as revised, with Mayor Karsky opposed, she said she would like to have postponed the decision to get more information.

The council went on to discuss a contract with Maxfield Research, Inc., to do a housing study.

The cost would be $10,000 and take 60 days to complete.

The study is needed, noted Stutelberg, only if the city proceeds with Prairie Partners, a developer who has proposed a housing plan for the ESSBY residential area.

Councilor Theresa Furman asked if someone on city staff could do the study.

Stutelberg swiftly responded that no one on staff has the expertise and without a study the council would "move forward blindly."

Furman was also concerned that the contract stated that Maxfield assumes no responsibility for accuracy of a report from the study.

Konrad said that would pertain only to information gathered from other sources.

Councilor Erickson said he was not impressed with the last study done in 2004 by Maxfield.

He said he's rather go with the old data than spend money for a new one.

Konrad said in talking with Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, they recommended Maxfield. She also noted that there has been significant changes in housing since 2004.

Eventually, the council approved the study, including commercial and industrial portions at a cost not to exceed $14,000, believing that the county is interested in such a study and would help with the cost. Councilor Furman opposed saying she was for a study on commercial, but not housing.

In other business, the council:

• Approved the purchase of a tractor from Greenberg Implement for $49,999, lower than state bid. With associated costs it will come in under the budgeted $60,000.

• Approved contracting with Fergus Power Pump for sludge removal from the wastewater treatment facility. This must be done annually, The biosolids are hauled to local MPCA farm fields and incorporated into the soil.

• Rescheduled the Nov. 12 meeting to Nov. 13 due to Veterans Day and cancelled the Dec. 24 meeting.

• Agreed, 3-1, to pay for motorized blinds for the library including the quiet room whether or not the library gets the grant is has applied for for this purpose.

• Agreed to move forward with oak wilt eradication in Harder Park taking advantage of Soil and Water's 50 percent reimbursement. The city's share is expected to be $10,800 and will come from the park improvement fund.City staff has located eight sites with 276 infected trees.

• Received an offer on the old library building from Joe and Jamie Hovey for $300.000. City staff believe they plan to put in a thrift store. The city would keep ownership of the rear parking lot and work out a deal with Jimmy's Pizza so the restaurant can obtain 10 feet for their dumpsters. The council accepted the offer although there is an issue with the removal of an old boiler in the basement. The city would like to negotiate either a cost share for removal or at best look for the lowest cost to get rid of the boiler.

• Learned that Furman would like to name the community room at the library for an outstanding citizen.Councilor Erickson wanted to know why it had to have a name. The council will think about it.

• Continued discussion on allowing churches to replay services on the city's cable system. Councilor Blomquist has consulted with an attorney on the subject and Furman was displeased that there was this added cost. The consensus of the councilors was that it was to be allowed. Councilor Blomquist learned from Steve Johnson from the cable company that discrimination will be a bigger issue than separation of church and state. The council agreed to put together rules for use.

• Learned from the mayor, who visited with Cong. Jim Oberstar, that she has a name of a person who can maybe help local citizen raise awareness of the NB bridge project so it can get some action in Washington.