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

City of Bigfork

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting March 5, 2008

Members Present: Gus David, Amy Tendrup, Richard Salmi and Lonnie Kacon

Members Absent: Ann McGarry

Also Present: none

Chairman Gus David called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Motion to approve February 6, 2008 minutes by Kacon, seconded by Salmi, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Animal Ordinance: Storlie provided copies of the current ordinance relating to dangerous dogs as well as the model ordinance from the League of Minnesota Cities. She reported that the only comment Police Chief Jon Babcock had was that he wished to include cats in the ordinance. The Commission went through the sample ordinance one section at a time and eliminated those that could be eliminated. Storlie will redraft the ordinance with input from Police Chief Babcock and present it to Council for approval. The Ordinance Establishing Fees and Charges will also be amended to reflect the new fines for impoundment.

Mobile Home Park Regulations: No further investigation has been made as of yet into the status of the vacant trailers or the water issues at the park. Storlie will talk to the Public Works and Police Departments about both of these issues.

Water/Sewer Non-Payment Policy: The City Council has requested that the Commission review the current policy on non-payment of water/sewer charges. The Council had received a request for leniency on the shut-off policy due to hardship. The Council wanted the Commission to look at a policy to handle future requests. The Commission was in favor of having a hardship policy which would allow for payment plans and asked Storlie to research what other cities do in these types of situation.

Storlie reported that she had been contacted by Itasca County Habitat for Humanity who requested that the monthly street light charge to their vacant parcel of property be waived. The Commission felt that the reason for the street light charge was to have all properties within the City pay for the streetlights and not just those that pay property taxes. It was agreed that there could be no exceptions for anybody. There was some discussion on turning off streetlights.

Tendrup stated that Itasca County is adding streetlights to several locations within the County including the intersection of County Road 14 and State Highway 38 and the city or township will be responsible for the monthly cost of those new lights.

David asked about the status of the Wilderness Bar’s mega bingo that they had discussed with the Commission some months ago. No one was aware of whether or not this had started yet.

Salmi had been questioned about why there is a three way stop rather than a two-way stop at the intersection of CSAH 7, Huskie Boulevard and Golf Course Lane. Storlie reported that the City had requested that the County review this intersection a few years ago and the County had determined that it would remain a three-way stop for safety reasons.

The Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Angie Storlie

City Clerk/Treasurer