On October 10, the Mabel City Council held three very brief public hearings immediately prior to the regular city council meeting. Members in attendance included Gary Morken, Mayor James Westby, City Clerk Karen Larson, Terry Torkelson and Kirsten Wyffels. Liz Folstad was absent.
The first public hearing was regarding the city considering implementing late fees for utility bills. No citizens spoke to the council regarding this issue, and the hearing was promptly closed. Next, the council opened a hearing on the rezoning request for 202 Maple Street South (Adam and Sheena Tollefson) to change it from commercial to residential. No citizens expressed an opinion on this issue, so the hearing was closed. Finally, a hearing was held regarding a variance request for the same property (Tollefsons). It was mentioned that no citizens have contested the variance, and no citizens spoke up during the hearing, so it was closed.
During the regular council meeting, the council returned to these three matters to consider taking action. Regarding the utility bill late fee, Deputy City Clerk Brock Bergey stated that the city continues to have a considerable problem with delinquent accounts, and he said it tends to be many of the same homeowners over and over. Currently, he said the city has 42 delinquent accounts, totaling over $11,000. The council discussed setting a “grace period” and when to make such a late fee go into effect. The council voted to start the new late fee of 10% on January 1, meaning that the first late fees could be enforced in February. Larson shared that the city will make every attempt to inform the public of this new fee.
The council voted to approve the zoning change on the Tollefson property. Larson said she didn’t know why it had been zoned “commercial” and asked if anyone remembered a time when that property was not a residence. One citizen said the house was built around 1890. Next, the council discussed the variance request, to allow for a wrap-around porch to be built onto the house. It was mentioned that this variance would not make anything “stand out” as significantly different from the other homes up and down the block. The council voted to approve the variance.
The council approved zoning permits from five homeowners (Kleiboer, Tollefson, Lange, Hansen, and Storhoff). The council also approved paying an invoice from Tollefson Construction for $77,200.
Regarding the previously discussed idea of allowing downtown businesses to have a residence in the rear of a building, the council discussed Conditional Use Permits, and what fee to set for a CUP. Larson explained, “Greg (city attorney) prepared a sample form, and most cities set a fee.” After hearing that some nearby towns have a CUP fee of $100 or $150, the council opted use the form as provided, and to set a CUP fee of $100.
The council approved a 3.2% off sale liquor license for the new grocery store, Lange’s Grocers. Larson added, “He’s hoping to be open in Nevember.” Jeff Rein (Public Works) noted an ongoing concern that some citizens have sump pumps that empty into the sewer, instead of outside. Hydrant flushing is scheduled for October 22 through 26. A final draft of the proposed Solar Ordinance will be brought to the next council meeting for consideration.
A mention was made that the annual firemen’s dance will be switched to February, with the exact date to be determined later. Council members said this change might result in a better turnout, since there are fewer events to compete with in February. The council’s next regular meeting will be November 14, at 7 p.m. at the community center. The public is welcome.
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