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

City of Bigfork

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting April 1, 2008

Members Present: Gus David, Amy Tendrup and Richard Salmi

Members Absent: Anne McGarry and Lonnie Kacon

Also Present: none

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

Motion to approve March 5, 2008 minutes by Tendrup, seconded by Salmi, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Animal Ordinance: The Commission had previously forwarded the proposed animal ordinance to the City Council for approval. Due to the absence of the Police Chief, the Council was unable to address a few minor changes that were needed and the Commission was directed to complete the changes and send the ordinance back to the Council. The first issue was a clause requiring an owner of an animal transferring that animal for impoundment to use a pound located within Itasca County. The Commission and Police Chief Jon Babcock did not think this requirement was necessary and felt that animal owners should be allowed to choose whatever pound they wanted. Tendrup wanted a section added stating that a ten day grace period would be granted to anyone found in ownership of an animal lacking proof of vaccination. The final issue was the need for a Board of Health to deal with investigations of potentially dangerous dogs. Motion by Tendrup to forward the ordinance as amended to the City Council for approval and to request that a Board of Health be appointed by the Council, seconded by Salmi, motion carried unanimously (MCU).

Mobile Home Park Regulations: Babcock reported that the managers of the mobile home park have informed him that they are working on moving the dilapidated trailers. Salmi reported that the problems with water pressure in the park are due to an inadequately sized service line. He asked about putting a separate service line for each row of the park and Tendrup answered that, since it is private property, the City is unable to do anything to alleviate the problem and it would be up to the owners to do so. The owners of the park approached the City a number of years ago about putting a meter on each trailer but were unable to afford the project at that time. There has been very limited communication with them since that time. Salmi inquired if the City could operate a mobile home park and Storlie was directed to check with Tarry Edington at the Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to see if any grant money was available for a City considering this.

Water/Sewer Non-Payment Policy: The Commission had been directed to investigate a policy on water/sewer account payment plans for those customers experiencing hardship situations. Storlie was only able to get a sample policy from one city. That policy required customers with past due balance to continue to pay current month charges in addition to an agreed-upon amount each month toward the past due balance. The Commission did not feel this was much of an assistance to a customers since if they had fallen behind in the first place, they most likely would not be able to keep up with that repayment schedule. The Commission also felt that the City could not afford to forgive past due balances. Tendrup pointed out that there are many organizations available to help people out in these situations and she did not feel that the City should take on that role. After discussion, it was determined that it was not in the City’s best interest have a leniency policy. Motion by Tendrup to recommend to the City Council that the City’s current non-payment policy be kept in place and that a list be compiled of organizations that offer assistance to customers having difficulty paying their bill, seconded by Salmi, MCU.

Sign Permit: A sign permit application was received from Minnesota Lakeshore Properties. Storlie reported that everything is in order for the permit to be granted. Motion to approve the application by Tendrup, seconded by Salmi, MCU.

Salmi reported that Bergquist would be asking the City to expand the airport runway by 500 feet. He expressed a desire to have more involvement from Itasca County and Bigfork Township in support of the airport. He also felt that assistance could be sought from Iron Range Resources and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Storlie stated that representatives from Bergquist and from the aviation department of the City’s engineering firm would be present at the April Council meeting to discuss Bergquist’s needs and the City’s ability to meet those needs.

Salmi had concerns about City Hall heating systems. The current fuel oil furnaces and tank need to be replaced and Salmi felt that the City should hook up to the LP gas provided by Gorham’s Inc. as soon as it became available. He stated an LP tank should be used in the meantime. The possibility of a pellet/corn furnace was discussed as well. The Commission requested that Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld gather price quotes and information on a new heating system for the building.

Salmi reported that he is working with Peterson Well Drilling to look at well #3 and investigate if it would be feasible to rehabilitate that well instead of drilling a new one. Tendrup was not in favor of paying yet another company to look at it. Salmi asked if Peterson could come up and take a look if they offered to do it for free and Tendrup wanted to see references on the company as they are not one of the main companies that are used for the majority of municipal well work in Minnesota. Salmi stated that when Thein Well looked at well #3 in the past, they did not determine if there was a screen in place and that was something the City needed to know.

The Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Angie Storlie

City Clerk/Treasurer