Posted: 10/2/07
City council turns down Schmidt zoning request
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
Because the property in question already had an attached garage and a free-standing garage, the Caledonia City Council denied a zoning application for a utility shed made by Darrin and Tracy Schmidt, 820 East Main Street during the Sept. 24 council meeting.
The Schmidts, who have a one-car attached garage and a 26 by 28 foot unattached garage on their 120 by 120 foot lot, wanted to locate an eight by eight foot utility shed on the southwest corner of their property. The location they chose required a five foot setback on both the south and west property lines.
After reviewing the plans, the council denied the application, because city zoning ordinance allows only one out building per lot.
New truck on hold
The council tabled action on the purchase of a new truck for the street department, after receiving bids from the two local dealerships.
According to administrative director Mike Gerardy, the truck the city would like to replace is a 1994 model, which burns copious amounts of oil.
"Weíve been able to limp along with Slick 50 and added lots of oil, but the truckís days are numbered," Gerardy said.
The city had advertised for bids for a one-ton, four-wheel drive, crew cab pickup with a diesel engine. The bid from Pladsen Ford was $31,664. The bid from Ellingson Motors was $34,567.
Mayor Mike Morey asked if the street department really needed a four wheel drive. Gerardy explained the truck would be used to pull the trenching machine, and there are times when having the extra traction would be helpful. When asked how much less the cost would be if the new truck would be a two-wheel drive, Gerardy estimated it would be somewhere between $1,200 and $1,500 less.
Councilman Gary Klug wondered if the city should take a look at a newer used truck, "something that would be two or three years old, and still have some warranty."
"If the reason weíre looking at a larger truck for the street department is to pull the trencher around, donít we have other trucks that would handle that trailer with the trencher?" Morey asked.
Gerardy replied the street department has others vehicles that would pull the trencher, but the truck they are looking to replace has a large tool box on it. "We would be adding a new, larger tool box on the new truck. It is very handy to have all of the tools along when conducting the type of work our city crews conduct," Gerardy added.
The bids from the local dealerships did not include the new eight-foot tool box. Gerardy looked into a state bid on the type of box city staff felt would work out best. That figure was $13,652.
Morey felt the city should check with Tri-County Electric to see if they were planning on purchasing a number of new trucks, since they lost 23 vehicles in the August floods in Rushford. "If they are planning on purchasing a fleet of trucks, maybe we could get a better deal," Morey noted.
No action was taken on the street department truck issue. City staff will check with Tri-County, get figures on two-wheel drive trucks, and also see if there are any late model ton trucks that are close to the cityís specifications.
Transformers out front?
The council discussed a recommendation by PowerPlus Engineering to require developers to place electrical apparatus such as transformers and junction boxes on the front property lines.
Currently, those types of apparatus are located along alley easements in the back yards of most properties. By placing them in front yards near city streets, that would ease maintenance costs, and in many cases cause considerably less disruptions to yards.
PowerPlus is in the process of putting together a four-year plan for future housing additions in the city and feel now is the time to change city policy requiring electrical apparatus be located in front yards.
"I think we need to let the public know about this before we do anything," Councilman Paul Fisch said. "This will be a major change in our current policy. Iíd like to know how many junction boxes would be required and where they would be located."
City Administrator Bob Nelson will contact PowerPlus and ask if an engineer can attend the Oct. 8 council meeting to address council concerns.
Library to get computers
In the memo to the council, Nelson reported city librarian Marla Burns was having difficulties with two of the computers that she and her staff used on a daily basis.
After having the computers inspected, it was recommended the two staff computers be replaced by newer ones with newer software and operating systems. The two new computers can be purchased through SELCO for a cost of $765 each.
The two computers being replaced will be set up for library patrons to use.
No FEMA trailers here
Nelson told the council there will not be any FEMA trailers located on Pine Estates, located along Gjere Avenue on the west city limits.
Several weeks ago the city received an inquiry asking if the city would be willing to rezone that property to allow FEMA trailers from flood victims. The council felt anything the city could do to help flood victims should be pursued.
But after checking with Jack Edwards, who owns the property, Nelson reported Edwards did not want to have FEMA trailers placed there. He did, however, have property in another community, closer to Rushford where he would consider locating FEMA trailers.
Caledonia Argus
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