Mabel Resident Lois Suckow asked that the council take action to address the loud noises coming from the American Legion and the On/Off Sale Bar. She had spoken at the August council meeting as well, but reported that the situation has not changed.
Mayor Westby spoke to the owners of both establishments after last month’s meeting, and they agreed to be sure that all of their windows and doors were closed to try to contain the noise. However, Suckow maintained that it continued and was so bad that she has been unable to sleep in her apartment. “I’m tired of having to call the police,” she said. “I feel they have better things to do than to come deal with this.”
“You have a noise ordinance, and it’s a really good one,” Suckow stated, asking that the council enforce it in this case. She has spoken to the other residents in her apartment building and has found that, while some are far enough away from the noise that it doesn’t bother them, others can hear it as well. She mentioned that the subwoofers seem to be a big part of the issue as the heavy bass vibrates through her apartment.
City Maintenance Director Bob Miereau asked if Suckow had spoken with her landlord about the noise. She hadn’t because she didn’t believe it was his problem to deal with.
“I would have to disagree with that,” Miereau said. He suggested that she make it a point to talk to him to get more information about how the noise has affected other residents in her apartment building.
Suckow thanked the council for listening and hoped that something would be done soon.
A public hearing was held to discuss the proposed parking ordinance for winter. There were no comments from visitors. The council adopted the new ordinance which states that homeowners who park on the street during the winter months must not park on the odd numbered side of the street on odd days and on the even numbered side of the street on even days.
Mark Davy from Davy Engineering presented the council with some preliminary cost estimates for no dig lining and spot repairs as well as an undersized sewer replacement in an alley. The projected cost of both projects came to a total of approximately $400,000. Rural Development has already done a preliminary review of the proposed projects. “You still have $320,000 of grant funds remaining,” Davy pointed out. The council approved the projects.
Mabel resident Eugene Thomas asked what was going to be done about the mess on the property his home overlooks. At the August meeting, he was told that the homeowner would have one week to clean up the mess before charges would be filed. Mayor Westby pointed out that progress had been made. Because of that, the city’s attorney did not feel that any action could be taken.
“Partial clean-up doesn’t cut it,” Thomas stated. “You need to comply with your ordinance.”
Mayor Westby replied that many other cities are dealing with similar issues, citing Canton and Rushford as examples. “We’re trying to resolve it without spending a lot of taxpayer money on attorney fees,” he said.
Thomas thanked the council for listening.
Miereau asked the council to make a decision about the house number issue that has been discussed at the last few meetings so the ordinance can be published. The council adopted an ordinance to make house numbers mandatory for all residents with the stipulation that the city will provide a house number if the homeowner needs one. The numbers must be approximately four inches in height, be posted near the front door of the residence, and be clearly visible from the street. The deadline for compliance is December 15. “At least 30% of houses don’t have numbers,” Miereau noted, adding that some that do are numbered incorrectly. The ordinance will be published in the newspaper, and copies will be sent out in the utility bills.
The council approved a rezoning request to change Parcel 291 from industrial to commercial for the new daycare center in Mabel. They also approved zoning permits for Diane Wilder to build a deck on the front of her home, Dean Peterson to put an utility shed on an existing cement slab in his yard, and Jarad and Wendy Carolan to put new siding and roofing on their house.
The 2016-17 proposed budget and levy were reviewed, and the council passed a 6.03% levy increase, while noting that the figure could change by December, as it was only a proposal. A budget and levy meeting will be held at the December 14 council meeting at 7 p.m.
“The ambulance is in dire need of a lot of things,” City Administrator Karen Larson said about the ambulance service’s request to purchase a new ambulance. They were able to find a new one for around $200,000 from Clary Fire and Safety, which doesn’t include the trade-in value of the current one. The rate increases for the ambulance service passed last month should generate more income and help pay for the new ambulance. The council approved the purchase with a seven-year loan being taken out from Bank of the West to pay for it.
The council decided to sell the old tanker firetruck and the mini pumper. Sealed bids for the trucks are due on October 12 at noon, and the bids will be opened at the council meeting that evening.
Miereau informed the council that the water meter project was begun in mid-September. So far, around 205 meters have been installed, and they are almost halfway done. They are planning to finish during the last week of September.
The council reviewed and discussed the plans for the new handicapped accessible ramp at the Mabel Public Library to replace the current dilapidated one. A quote was received for building the ramp at a cost of $14,409.53. “The (library) board is very excited about it,” Miereau noted, adding that it’s a safety issue and needs to be done.
The next Mabel City Council meeting will be held on October 12 at 7 p.m.
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