Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
The City of Peterson has made strides since enacting regulated zoning ordinances several years ago, but it is still dealing with problems. Frustrations noted by the council at the July 13 council meeting detail the issues.
“One of the common issues we have is junk and clutter outside of people’s houses. We send letters with no real recourse,” said City Clerk Chris Grindland. Previously, ordinances provided a fine schedule only for vehicles. “This new ordinance was written to remedy that enforcement with junk and clutter.”
The new ordinance clearly defines what constitutes noncompliance, gives a reasonable amount of time to rectify the situation, and provides a means of enforcement. “That is what we were lacking. Now, any citizen can file a complaint with the city. They’ll be reviewed to see if a condition exists.”
Where there is an issue, the city will communicate with the property owner regarding the noncompliance. Should the property owner choose to take no action, the city can impose a fine of not less than $100 or not more than $300 per day that the condition exists. These fines are added to the property tax rolls if left unpaid.
“The reason this is all happening is we’re not getting a response from people. We’ve tried and nothing’s happening. So, I guess we’re going to have to take it one step further,” said Mayor Tim Hallum. Without the ordinance, the city’s only recourse was legal action. Hallum noted that would cost money and eventually require raising the property tax levy to cover it. “They’re forcing us to do something.”
Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
“It also avoids nitpicking,” added Councilor Dave Colbenson. “It’s in black and white and everyone can see it.”
This change comes following the council’s annual walkabout this spring. Following it, Hallum, Colbenson, and Grindland met to discuss the findings. Seven property owners received letters fromt the city. The three plan to meet again to discuss any progress at the properties.
“Shortly after the letters went out, my vehicle was keyed. I don’t know if it was related, but can’t think of anyone else,” noted Grindland.
One property will require a police officer to accompany city representatives as they try to straighten out issues. “We are going to try and sit down with them. It isn’t working with letters we’re doing, so we’re going to have to go one step ahead.”
The council also received an update from Public Works Director Rick Lee, who intends to retire at the end of the year. The city will post for the job soon in an attempt to hire a replacement by September/October to allow enough time for Lee to train the new employee. Lee is willing to oversee the water and sewer licensing for the city until someone else can assume those tasks. The hiring committee includes Councilors Gail Boyum, Chris Stenzel, and Grindland.
In other Public Works items, the council unanimously approved a quote from NES for upgrades at the city campground. It includes moving a pole and transformer, trenching a powerline, installing 200 amp service, and new 50 amp service at camper hookups 7-10. “We know we have to have that,” noted Hallum. The total cost is $11,423, paid out of the Campground Fund. The work will be this October when the campground is closed for the season.
Boyum provided an update regarding a $10,000 grant she’d applied for to be used at the city park. Boyum is looking into possibly transitioning currently rented farmland adjacent to the park to Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a land conservation program overseen by the Farm Service Agency. “We can turn the place we’re now renting to CRP with wildflowers or a prairie. We’d be paid annually to use as CRP land, but I’m not sure yet how much that would reimburse us,” said Boyum. She’ll meet with an agency on July 22.
The city’s new welcome sign is up. The next stage of the project is landscaping. Ruskell Outdoor Services in Chatfield created the landscape design will begin installation.
It’s been suggested the city work with the sign company to design a permanent landscape motif on an additional sign mounted atop the other. It will have the same design elements such as color and material and will be paid for by Friends of Peterson.
Hallum reviewed the election notice. The seats of Hallum, Boyum and Colbenson expire at the end of the year. Filing opens on August 2 and closes on August 16. The mayor’s position is a two-year term, while council positions are a four-year term.
National Night Out will be held for all city residents Tuesday, August 2, from 5-7 p.m., at the American Legion park and clubroom.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, August 10, at 6 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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