By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Caledonia City Council approved the preliminary plans for an expansion project of the East Side Mobile Park, submitted by owner Mike Rogich, 1004 East Washington Street, Caledonia. The council held a public hearing April 28 on the proposed plans. No one spoke for or against the expansion plans.
Rogich’s plans are to expand the existing manufactured home park to the south with 13 additional lots, which would vary in size from 6,600 square feet to 9,200 square feet. All 13 sites would have room for a garage. Two of the existing 25 homes would be removed to extend Eastside Lane further south to access the 13 new lots.
City Administrator Bob Nelson recommended the city’s engineering company review the plans and the proposed site to make sure the city’s current sewer and water utilities could handle the additional homes. He felt a review of the potential storm water run-off needed to be conducted as well.
“I will be moving several of the trailers to make room for a road, and also will be straightening out a number of trailers so they are all lined up with the roads,” Rogich explained.
When the trailer park was established, mobile homes were smaller, Rogich added. He said he plans to enlarge some of the existing lots to accommodate the larger trailers.
Nelson noted that storm shelters are getting to be a big issue in mobile home parks, and asked Rogich if he planned to include a shelter. Rogich said his plans included a shelter large enough to accommodate all of his residents.
In other council action:
Storm water run-off discussed
Joe and Sally Slavicek, 214 West Lincoln Street, told the council they are having a water run-off problem on their property and wondered if there was anything the city could do to help them rectify it. The Slavicek’s contend the construction and business properties located just north of their home all funnels down through their property.
“The problem didn’t really exist until Augedahl’s shop (Augedahl Construction and Cabinetry, 219 North Decorah Street) burned down and they built a new building,” Sally Slavicek explained. “The roof runs the other way now, and the water runs right through our property.”
The Slaviceks provided a number of photos which showed just how much water ran across the back of their property and up against their home. “And this wasn’t during the floods last summer. This was just after a heavy rain,” Sally Slavicek said.
“We’ve talked to the Augedahls and explained our problem, but they just replied, ‘the water has to run somewhere,’” Joe Slavicek added. “And, they installed two large drain pipes that empty right next our property, which has made the problem worse.”
“Isn’t there something the city can do to help these people?” Councilman Gary Klug asked city legal counsel Mike Murphy. Murphy responded as long as it’s not something the city is doing to cause the problem, there’s really not a lot the city can do.
“If this was water run-off from a public street, sidewalk, alley, or other city property, then yes, we could do something. But it’s not. This is a private matter,” Murphy said.
“Can’t we at least send a letter to Augedahls asking them to help make some alterations that would help with the run-off problem?” Klug wondered.
Murphy agreed the city could send a letter and encourage the property owners who are creating the run-off problem to look at ways of remedying the problem.
Councilwoman Peggy Perry made a motion to have city staff compose a letter encouraging Augedahl Construction and Cabinetry to find a solution to the run-off problem. Her motion was seconded by Councilwoman Randi Vick and unanimously approved.
Varney variance approved
The council approved a sideyard setback variance request made by Beverly Varney, 14102 State Highway 76. Varney plans to remove an existing 8 by 15 foot rear entryway to her home and replace it with a 15 by 15 foot entryway. The new entryway would be located approximately five feet from the west (rear) property line, which would require a 25 foot variance.
After reviewing the plans, Klug made a motion, seconded by Councilman Bob Standish to approve the request. Mayor Mike Morey, Klug, Perry, and Standish voted in favor of the motion. Vick voted against it.
Computers purchased
The council agreed to purchase two laptop computers from Affordable Technology Solutions of Caledonia.
One of the laptops will be used by the electric department, which, according to Nelson, currently does not have a computer. The laptop for the electric department will include a separate 17 inch monitor for a total price of $1,498.33.
The second laptop will be used during the summer months by the park and rec department, and utilized by other city departments during the rest of the year.
While reviewing the bids, Perry noticed that both bids included the Office 2007 Home & Student software package. She said the city only needed one software package, since they should be able to license up to three computers with the software package. This would be a savings of $175 plus tax. The bid for the second laptop was $1,208.75.
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