Among notable action taken at the Bemidji City Council meeting Monday:
Wine license
The council considered a request from Wild Hare Bistro & Coffeehouse for a wine license.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
Wastewater facility repairs
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The council considered awarding the quote for the Wastewater Treatment Facility process building re-roofing project to Berglund Heating in the amount of $31,422. Although Berglund Heating was not the lowest of the three quotes received, it was recommended because the lowest quote - from Bemidji Roofing Inc. in the amount of $21,594 - does not meet warranty specifications.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
Surplus equipment
The council considered a request from Public Safety Director Bruce Preece to declare three vehicles surplus and authorize the city manager to dispose of them. The vehicles, which are no longer fit for city use, include a 1968 Chevrolet Spartan Fire Truck, 1994 Ford F-350 XLT pickup and a 1989 GMC pickup.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
Time extension for Shorequest
The council considered a request from John Zacher of Shorequest to extend the submission date for the Shorequest final plat to Aug. 31, 2006. The reason for the extension is to allow additional time for Zacher, the city and the Department of Natural Resources to continue discussions and finalize future trail and park acquisitions within the property.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
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Council travel
The council considered authorizing travel for Councilors Nancy Erickson and Ron Johnson to attend the Airport Symposium in Willmar April 19-21.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
Bird flu report
Beryl Wernberg, Beltrami County emergency management director, updated the council on the county's plans to prepare for a possible bird flu outbreak.
ACTION: No action was necessary.
Grant application hearings
The council held separate public hearings on resolutions to accept responsibility as the sponsoring agency when the city applies for grants from the Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program and the Remediation Fund. If the city receives one or both grants, the money will be used to help acquire 17.6 acres of land along the southeast shore of Lake Bemidji. The property will be preserved as a city park and be designated as a natural and scenic area.
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ACTION: No one spoke at the public hearings. The council voted 7-0 to approve both resolutions.
DNR planning case
The council considered a request from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Trails and Waterways Division for a special use permit to address shoreline erosion along the abandoned railroad grade on property adjacent to the Paul Bunyan State Trail on the southeast shore of Lake Bemidji. The Bemidji Planning Commission recommended the council approve the permit.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
Old high school planning case
The council considered a request from the Bemidji School District for preliminary plat approval to subdivide the old high school property into four parcels. The School District has indicated that it intends to enter into a purchase agreement with the BSU Foundation for the purchase of three of the lots. The fourth lot, consisting of J.W. Smith Elementary School, will be retained by the School District. The Planning Commission recommended approval.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve as long as five specific conditions are met.
TruStar planning case
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The council considered a request from TruStar Federal Credit Union for approval of preliminary and final plats to subdivide 7.37 acres into seven parcels, including six commercial parcels and one residential parcel. The property is situated south of state Highway 197 and east of the Norton Avenue Northwest right-of-way and west of Delton Avenue Northwest. The Planning Commission recommended approval.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve as long as four specific conditions are met.
Contribution to CGMC
The council considered a motion by Councilor Ron Johnson to contribute $2,294 to the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. The nonprofit lobbying organization has encouraged member cities to contribute to CGMC to help make up for the $110,000 shortfall caused by the city of St. Cloud's departure from the organization.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
Events Center consultant
The council considered approving the request for proposals for a financial consultant for the Regional Events Center and designating a selection committee to interview potential candidates.
ACTION: The council voted 7-0 to approve.
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Zoning ordinance hearing
The council held a public hearing and second reading of an ordinance to amend the current Bemidji Zoning Ordinance. The city is proposing to reduce the number of industrial zones from three to two and to amend the permitted and special uses in the districts. The Bemidji Planning Commission has recommended approval. Bemidji Township residents Lanee and Mark Paulson spoke at the public hearing and requested that proposed ordinance be reviewed by the Joint Planning Commission -- which consists of representatives from the city of Bemidji, Bemidji Township and Northern Township - so members can add their input. They also spoke against a provision in the ordinance that would list asphalt plants as a permitted special use in the industrial park.
ACTION: The council voted 4-3 to remove the asphalt plant provision from the proposed ordinance. Mayor Richard Lehmann and Councilors Nancy Erickson and Roger Hellquist voted against the motion. Lehmann also requested that the Joint Planning Commission review the ordinance and make any recommendations before the council holds the final reading.
Rezoning public hearing
The council held the second reading and public hearing on an ordinance that would rezone several properties that are currently zoned I-2 (light industrial) and one property that is currently zoned I-3 (heavy industrial). The properties will be rezoned to zones as dictated by their location. The Bemidji Planning Commission has recommended approval.
ACTION: No one spoke at the hearing and no action was necessary.
Council pay raise
The council held the second reading and public hearing on an ordinance to raise the salaries for councilors and the mayor. The ordinance would change the mayor's yearly salary from $4,200 to $12,000 and the councilors' salaries from $3,900 to $10,000. The ordinance would also eliminate the $25-$100 in pay that councilors and the mayor receive for additional meetings. Under the proposed ordinance, they would only receive additional pay for meetings that are held out of town. Two Bemidji residents spoke at the public hearing. Chuck Stombaugh said he supported the council pay raise, but did not support extra pay for out-of-town meetings. Richard Slinkman said he supported the pay raise and feels the councilors and mayor deserve it.
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ACTION: No action was necessary.
Fee schedule amendments
The council held a first reading of an ordinance amending the 2006 fee schedule to include industrial revenue bond fees.
ACTION: No action was necessary.
Present: Mayor Richard Lehmann; Onen Markeson, Ward 1; Roger Hellquist, Ward 2; Ron Johnson, Ward 3; Jerry Downs, Ward 4; Nancy Erickson, Ward 5; and Barbara Meuers, at large. Absent: none.
For more information on City Council actions, call the city clerk's office at 759-3570 or the city manager's office at 759-3565.
Y jbratvold@bemidjipioneer.com
'Chip' Your Dog event scheduled
Paul Bunyan Dog Training Association and the Beltrami County Humane Society will give the community the opportunity to microchip your dog from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Bemidji Armory.
Microchipping provides a way for your dog to be identified and returned if he or she should ever get lost. Microchipping will be on a first-come first-serve basis.
The cost is $25 per dog.
