At the final Chatfield City Council meeting in 2022, the property tax levy for taxes payable in 2023 was approved. The total levy will be $2,444,756, which is an increase of 5.793% over 2022, or $133,879.
Prior to approval of the 2023 levy, the Truth in Taxation public hearing was held.
The 2023 levy includes a pay increase for the mayor and city council, a 5% pay grid increase for employees, an additional $33,000 for a full-time Public Works employee, and funding for the purchase of Peoples’ Energy Cooperative property.
One of the city’s goals has been to reduce the city’s current debt per capita to $3,500 or less. This goal has been reached. Cost of city government is driven by equipment cost increases, need for technology security, insurance cost increases, an additional full-time public works employee (moved from part-time to full-time), marketing, preservation program, and inflation.
There will be no increase to the sanitary sewer fund rates and the garbage fund rate. There will be a 5% increase to the water fund rates.
There were no comments from the public.
Solar systems, property purchase, pedestrian bridge, and Shady Oak Park
City Engineer Craig Britton explained the necessity of a more defined zoning ordinance in regard to the regulation of solar power. The Planning Commission recommended after a public hearing the creation of certain categories with different regulations for each.
Councilor Paul Novotny asked who would enforce the decommissioning of a system that is no longer in use. Councilor Josh Broadwater said the recommendation is a work in progress and more will come. The city council voted to authorize the city attorney to draft an amendment to Section 113-259, Solar energy systems; solar and earth-sheltered structures, to clarify the regulations affecting solar power as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Britton led a long discussion on the proposed purchase of the former Peoples’ Energy Cooperative property (located on Twiford St., between First St. and Second St. SW) The Planning Commission’s recommendation was to not move forward with the purchase because the use has not been a permitted use in that zoning district. The purchase of the property is intended to provide temporary facilities for the Public Works Department. Novotny said he recognized that the intended use is a non-conforming use.
Chris Giesen, EDA director, was asked what happens if they go beyond the February 1 deadline in the purchase agreement. He said the contract would need to be renegotiated. City Attorney Fred Suhler said the Planning Commission doesn’t necessarily bind the city council. Novotny said he agreed the location is not the right location for Public Works long term, but he was okay with moving forward. Suhler said the Planning Commission is correct that the use has not be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Non-conforming uses that are inconsistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan have traditionally taken place on this property.
Novotny said they could accept the Planning Commission’s findings and go ahead with option three. Option three states “the city council may determine that the proposed acquisition of real property has no relationship to the comprehensive municipal plan and move ahead with the purchase, without time limitations, but recognize the non-conforming status.” A resolution was adopted acknowledging the Planning Commission’s recommendation, stating that the proposed acquisition has no relationship to the Comprehensive Plan, allowing the mayor and city clerk to finalize and close on the acquisition consistent with the purchase agreement in place. The city intends to eventually construct a new facility for Public Works. In the interim the city and its EDA have assets available to transform the use of the property to a conforming use.
Britton noted that the city has received a grant for the construction of a pedestrian bridge across Mill Creek in Groen Park. The city will receive a prefabricated pedestrian bridge from Contech. A WIDSETH proposal for the bridge placement, sidewalk to connect bridge to existing infrastructure, and grading was presented. The proposal for services was approved at an estimated cost of $7,780.
Britton then led a discussion on Shady Oak Park relative to the 2023 Street Project. The park is a little over one acre and has access from both Hawley St. and Prospect St. SE. Costs associated with needed improvements to the park were discussed in the Public Works committee. Is there a better location for camp sites? Novotny maintained it was not the right spot for camping. He asked, do we want to keep all the smaller neighborhood parks. He suggested eliminating the park or at least move camping out of it. Mayor Russ Smith suggested maybe it should be discussed further at a special meeting of the Committee of the Whole, possibly next week.
Other business in brief
•A resolution was adopted appointing Joel Young to the position of city administrator and Beth Carlson to the position of city clerk, effective January 24, 2023.
•The second consideration of the 2023 Fee Ordinance #462 was approved, as was its publication.
•Councilor Mike Urban reported that an ambulance power cot had a hydraulic leak. The city council approved the purchase of a new power cot including a service agreement covering all parts and labor for a year at a total cost of $10,932.
•A contract with Damon Lueck as girls basketball coordinator for CCTV was approved.
•A service agreement with New Line Mechanical for boilers and pumps in the mechanical room in the Center for the Arts was approved at a cost of $3,150.
•Approval was given to Chatfield Alliance to use City Park for winter activities during ChillFest on February 4.
•Mayor Smith offered a few parting thoughts as this was the last meeting for him as mayor. He pointed to the recent apartment building fire as an example of the benefit of 24-hour coverage by the police department. People were awakened and evacuated. Those few minutes can be the difference between life and death. It is money well spent to have 24-hour police coverage and the services of fire and ambulance. Smith noted that Chatfield is a great place to live.
“For me, it has been a real honor to serve Chatfield on the city council and as its mayor.”
•The city council will meet next on January 9.
Leave a Reply