DRAFT – These minutes are not official until approved at the next regular Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.

City of Bigfork

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting October 2, 2007

Members Present: Amy Tendrup, Ann McGarry, Lonnie Kacon and Richard Salmi

Members Absent: Gus David

Also Present: none

Acting Chairman Amy Tendrup called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Motion by McGarry, seconded by Salmi to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2007 meeting, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Right of Way Ordinance: Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld has looked over the sample right-of-way ordinance and feels it is sufficient. Motion by Tendrup to have Storlie put the ordinance into our city code format and recommend approval by the City Council, seconded by Kacon, MCU.

Mobile Home Park Zoning/Improvement: The Commission had previously discussed the need to adopt some sort of regulations that would pertain to the existing mobile home park as the zoning ordinance rules only affect new parks. Storlie provided current Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) requirements and it was the consensus of the Commission to adopt these same regulations. There was much concern about the condition of the existing mobile home park, the loss of homes and tenants in the park and the property values of adjacent properties. The Commission felt the City should do everything in its power to make the park a safe and appealing place to live. The need for cooperation from the park owners was apparent. The fact that they have been asked to attend a number of different meetings without success was mentioned. Motion by McGarry to have Storlie put the MDH rules into our city code format for review and to invite the owners of the existing mobile home park to discuss this with the Commission at the November meeting, seconded by Kacon, MCU.

Tendrup reported that she and Storlie had met with Tarry Edington of the Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment Authority about possible funding sources for mobile home park improvements. Edington stated that, while there are programs available, they all require initiation by, and participation of, the property owner. This will also be communicated to the owners of the park.

Street Lighting Utility Ordinance: The Budget Committee and City Council directed the Planning & Zoning Commission to prepare a street lighting utility ordinance. Tendrup reviewed that street lighting costs are currently paid for from the General Fund and creating a utility for this service is an option for the City. She stated that by creating the utility, the City can capture revenue for street lighting costs from all users of the street lighting system, rather than paying the cost through property taxes. Storlie provided a draft ordinance for consideration. The Commission determined that all parcels within the City limits will be considered benefiting properties of the street lighting system and will share in the cost of the service. Salmi wanted to look into the possibility of charging street lighting fees to those parcels outside City limits that are adjacent to the street lighting system and are obviously benefiting from the same. Storlie will look into this. Motion by Kacon to forward the ordinance to the City Council for approval, seconded by McGarry, MCU.

Administrative Fines Ordinance: The Budget Committee and City Council directed the Planning & Zoning Commission to draft an ordinance authorizing the City to use administrative fines for certain offenses. Police Chief Jon Babcock and Storlie provided both a draft ordinance and a sample fine schedule. Motion by McGarry, seconded by Kacon to send the ordinance and resolution setting fees to the City Council for approval, MCU.

Gambling Ordinance/Collection of Gambling Revenue: Storlie reminded the Commission that this was discussed in September of 2006 but no ordinance was passed. There was no interest in pursuing the issue any farther.

Annexation: The City Council and Budget Committee directed the Planning & Zoning Commission to continue looking into annexation of certain properties. Tendrup expressed concern over Bigfork Township's opposition to annexation and worried that any action on annexation may hinder any cooperative efforts with the Township on beach operations. Salmi felt that the best way to accomplish annexation was to list the pros of being in the City and present it to the property owners to see if they would petition for annexation rather than having the City initiate it. The two properties being looked at for annexation are the Logger's Inn and Rahier properties located south of the City on State Hwy 28. Both of these properties are located outside City limits but have City water and sewer services. It was determined that Kacon and Babcock would discuss possible annexation with the property owners. If they are not willing to file petitions for annexation, the Commission will look into the possible costs involved with City-initiated annexation.

Sign Permit Application: A sign permit application was received from Bigfork Assembly of God Church. Storlie granted permission for the sign to be installed prior to Planning & Zoning Commission approval due to the fact that the Commission did not meet in September and the Church wanted to install the sign before the October meeting. Motion to approve the permit by Tendrup, seconded by McGarry, MCU.

Review of Zoning Permit Fees: The Budget Committee and City Council directed the Planning & Zoning Commission to review charges for zoning fees. Storlie reported that land use fees are currently between $25 and $50, depending on the size of the project. She has found that a permit takes the same amount of time to process regardless of the size of the project and presented information on the cost of staff time to complete a permit review. It was apparent that the charges are not covering all of the associated costs and a motion was made by Kacon to recommend that the City Council raise the cost of a land use permit to $50 and the cost of a sign permit to $30, seconded by Tendrup, MCU.

Review of City Hall Rental Fees: The final item that the Budget Committee and City Council directed the Planning & Zoning Commission to review was City Hall use charges. Storlie presented information on the cost of operating City Hall for the past four years and the projected costs for 2008. She also provided the revenues received from Hall rent over the same time period. Motion by Tendrup to recommend that the City Council increase the charges for daily rental of the City Hall to $35 for a resident, $45 for a non-resident and $20 extra for use of the kitchen and to increase the annual charge to the TOPS group to $100 and the Artists League to $240. It was determined that groups or individuals requesting use of the Hall for benefits would not be charged. Tendrup requested that Storlie keep track of the free usage over the course of the year and report to the City Council.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Babcock presented an ordinance that he would like to see adopted restricting the use of dangerous weapons and the taking of protected animals within City limits. The ordinance makes it unlawful to take any protected animal by any means within the City with the exception of any area zoned agricultural. It also makes it unlawful to discharge any firearm or other dangerous weapon in a negligent manner with the City limits with the exception of any area zoned agricultural. The Commission felt this was a good ordinance to have in place and a motion was made by Kacon and seconded by Tendrup to forward it to the City Council for approval, MCU.

Salmi expressed concern over the condition of the crosswalks on Main Avenue. Storlie reported that the Public Works Department had also received complaints on this, contacted the Minnesota Department of Transportation and found that the City is responsible for the crosswalks. The Department has plans to repaint them. Salmi asked about pedestrian crossing signs for the middle of the street and Storlie stated that the Public Works Department had also asked about those and found they were very expensive. Salmi asked about making our own signs or just using a big traffic cone or barrel to mark the crossing. Storlie will have Public Works look into this.

Salmi reported that some of the planks and railings on the railroad trestle bridge are in bad shape. He remembered that the snowmobile club had agreed to make the repairs but nothing has been done yet. Storlie will check with the Public Works Department on the status of this and, if necessary, send a letter to the snowmobile club.

Salmi reported that he had been contacted by Tom Anderson who has expressed interest in a hangar at the airport. Anderson has purchased a plane but does not plan on doing anything at the Bigfork airport until next year.

McGarry reported that chunks of the sign on the Splitting Mall building are falling off and suggested that a letter be sent to the owner about it.

Salmi reported that Schwartz Excavating will not be bringing their portable plant to Bigfork as they will be using it for the Minnesota Steel project, however they are still interested in the property on Cedar Street that the City has for sale.

The Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Angie Storlie

City Clerk/Treasurer