The Wykoff City Council met in regular session on October 12. Council members in attendance included Lyle Morey, Mayor Al Williams, Ryan Breckenridge, Barbara Fate, and new council member Kaleb Himlie. City Clerk Becky Schmidt and Deputy Clerk Luan Hare also attended.
Tim and Theresa Zwart were present, to speak about their complaints regarding the CHS grain elevator. They explained that their home, lawn, and driveway have frequently been negatively impacted by dust from the nearby elevator, and that it should be addressed under the city’s “nuisance” ordinance.
A letter from the Zwarts to the city stated, in part, “The continuous discharge of fine white dust and bees wings makes it impossible for us to enjoy our property… Walking across our lawn stirs dust up like driving down a gravel road. We also are having health concerns due to dust and mold created by this waste.”
Three representatives of CHS were present, and they responded to the Zwart’s complaints. They said although they understand the situation can be unpleasant at times, dust is a frequent problem anywhere in rural communities, whether from gravel roads, farm fields, or grain elevators. They said CHS has implemented mitigation methods, but some dust will continue to be discharged.
The Zwarts showed pictures of their driveway and lawn when excess dust has settled on their property. Tim stated, “I’m showing you that it’s a year-round problem… it’s just a nuisance to us, every day.” Theresa added, “It’s been going on for 10 years, and we’re tired of it.” They gave each council member a copy of Wykoff’s Nuisance Ordinance, and suggested that this situation meets the definition of a nuisance as spelled out in the ordinance.
Council member Kaleb Himlie asked if the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has been consulted. The Zwarts said they’ve contacted MPCA, but when MPCA has shown up, the wind direction and elevator’s operations have not been favorable for MPCA to truly see the extent of the problem. Tim asked if CHS could better enclose the equipment, to decrease the amount of dust escaping. It was pointed out that this would increase the risk of explosion. No formal action was taken by the council. Tim stated, “I’m going to pursue this as far as I have to.” Wykoff will ask the city attorney to weigh-in on the issue.
The council returned to the previously-discussed topic of the two-hour parking limit (within the business district). Ryan Breckenridge pointed out that a recent petition to eliminate the two-hour parking garnered 100 signatures from citizens. The council discussed the idea of eliminating the two-hour parking, and essentially running Wykoff’s “winter parking rules” all year-round. The council voted to approve this change. No specific effective date was determined.
Citizen Keith Evers brought to the council’s attention his ongoing problems with water quality at his home. He showed examples of the tap water coming into his home. Becky Schmidt said it appears that there must be a section of old galvanized pipe between the water main and Evers’ home, since no other citizens in the area appear to be having similar problems. Schmidt added that, especially when chlorine levels are increased, rust tends to fall of such old galvanized pipes, which then taints the water with an unpleasant color and smell. After discussion, the council agreed to have O’Connell Excavating dig into the area and determine where the problem piping is.
Annie McClimon addressed the council. She asked that the city waive the water and sewer costs for the property at 310 Line Street North. She explained the structure is just an “empty shell” with no plumbing, so there is no possible water usage. Schmidt explained that per the city statutes, as long as a structure exists, the minimum water and sewer charges are incurred. Schmidt also said if the council were to make an exception, it would set a precedent for other such properties in town. No action was taken by the council.
The council’s next regular meeting will be Monday, November 8 at 7 p.m.
Wykoffian says
I am 56 years old and have lived in Wykoff and/or rural Wykoff my entire life. The complaining from some residents on Fillmore Street is an old one and ridiculous. The grain elevator was in existence there long before they built their homes there. This was existing and they made the choice to build there. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to research and make property decisions prior. Why should the grain elevator, that is extremely valuable to our local farming community, by the way, foot the bill for your choices? Don’t like it? Then move. You shouldn’t have built there to begin with if it is a problem for you. We seem to live in the age where whiners and complainers think they have rights to make everything change around them so it suits their own personal needs. Not so. As a homeowner, the Zwart family made a choice to build their new home right across the street from the elevator that was there for many many years before them. That decision is on them, it is not the responsibility of the elevator to change anything. This is a farming community, driven by agriculture. I understand it may not be pleasing and I understand homeowners may not have thought the location of their homes out completely, but neither of those things are on the elevator that existed way before the residents of that street did. Deal with it and get over it.