Posted: 10/30/07
Sign requests take up much of Caledonia City Council agenda
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
"Signs, signs, everywhere thereís signs. Messing up the scenery, breaking my mind."
The lyrics of that 1970s pop song by the Five Man Electric Band certainly could have served as background music during the Oct. 22 Caledonia City Council meeting. The first three agenda items had to do with sign requests. The council approved two of them, and tabled the third.
Fishel request
The first request was made by Travis Fishel, who recently constructed a taxidermy shop at 402 West Grove Street. The two-story steel-sided building is located just east of the Caledonia Elementary School.
Fishel petitioned to install a 4-foot by 4-foot business sign at a location 41 feet from the front yard property line adjacent to Main Street. Because the sign was set far enough back from the front and side property lines, he did not need a variance.
The council approved the permit.
Peterson request
Steve Peterson, 422 West Washington Street, submitted a zoning application to construct a 7.5 foot by 5.5 foot sign to be located on a pole immediately adjacent to the southwest corner of his auto body building. The pole would be approximately 29 feet from the property line adjoining West Washington Street and 55 feet from the property line adjoining Sprague Street. It required a 62-foot setback variance from the Washington Street side and a 35-foot setback variance from the Sprague Street side.
City Zoning Administrator Mike Gerardy said he visited the site and did not feel the sign would obstruct the view of motorists. He added the proposed sign would be lit from the inside, so there wouldnít be any spotlights shining into neighboring homes.
The council approved the variance requests and zoning application.
Kwik Trip request
The third request was from Kwik Trip at 110 North Sunset Blvd. The company wanted to replace the existing sign that indicates gas prices with scrolling numbers to a sign that uses LED numbers. The new sign would also replace the manual reader boards with electronic message centers.
City Administrator Bob Nelson pointed out the Kwik Trip sign is actually located on city property. The placement of the sign on city property was done several decades ago before any of the current city council members were on the council.
The city mows the grass in the area between the city street and the highway where the sign is located. The city damaged a ladder belonging to Kwik Trip that had been used when making item changes on the existing sign. The city paid to have the ladder replaced.
"Because none of the current members were on the council when the arrangement was made with Kwik Trip, I suggest we table this until we can get more information," Nelson suggested.
No action was taken on the Kwik Trip request, and it was tabled until more information can be provided.
Floor coming out
The council agreed to spend approximately $2,800 to have a portion of the concrete floor in the police department building cut out and re-poured. Gerardy explained that when a portion of the floor in the garage area was poured during a remodeling project years ago, it wasnít sloped properly.
When vehicles are parked in the garage area during the winter months, snow, ice, along with salt, and road grit melts off the vehicles, and runs back and under an interior wall. City staff is worried the plate and lower portions of the wooden studs will rot and the metal door jams will rust.
"After having several different contractors look at the situation, they all felt the best way to remedy this would be to cut a portion of the floor out, and re-slope it," Gerardy said. "We could do nothing, and hope for the best. But with the amount of water and corrosive materials running under the wall, it wonít be long before that will all have to be replaced."
Gerardy said he received several bids around $2,800. The council instructed him to go ahead with the project and accept the low bid.
New radio for ambulance service
The council agreed to spend between $1,800 and $1,900 to purchase a new radio for the Caledonia Area Ambulance Service.
The Houston County Sheriffís Department requested the ambulance service switch the frequency it uses to the same one the fire department utilizes. The current radio in one of the ambulances must be replaced.
After weighing the pros and cons of a 50-watt radio, with a price tag of $540 and a 100-watt radio for about $1,850, the council decided to go with the more powerful radio.
"With all the hills and valleys we have in our coverage area, I feel we need to go with the more powerful radio," said Mayor Mike Morey. Saving $1,300 for the possible loss of a life doesnít make a lot of sense to me," he added.
A motion by Morey and seconded by Councilman Bob Standish was unanimously approved.
New rate schedule
The council approved new rental rates for various city buildings and structures effective 2008. They include:
2007 2008
City hall
Council chambers $25 $35
Auditorium:
Trade shows
(for profit) $65 $100
Dining hall $50 $60
W/kitchen $70 $80
Dining hall,
kitchen, gym $125 $135
Private use
(dances, parties) $75 $85
Legion bingo $45 $45
Gov. meetings $35 $45
Non profit
groups $65 $75
Rummage sales $45 $55
School games/
practices $20 $30
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com