Motion was made and seconded to accept Hebel’s resignation.
Notable consent agenda items included the purchase of some used library shelves at a cost of $2,000. The shelves were needed for the new library, which is nearing completion. The council gave approval to Minnesota Energy Resources for a right-of-way permit. The gas company will be working in various locations around the city replacing the old gas main. Most of the work will take place in alleyways and there should be minimum disruption to natural gas service. Affected city residents should have already received correspondence regarding this project.
The council read the report from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the Public Hearing held Thursday, July 19.
The hearing was conducted to clarify and amend the ordinance concerning use of recreational vehicles as temporary residences within the city limits. The council next passed Resolution 12-14 which amends the zoning ordinance to reflect new requirements for the use of RVs as residences. The new resolution and change to the ordinance is available for inspection at NR City Hall.
PeopleService representative Brad Field appeared before the council with his report on operations at the Waste Water Treatment Facility.
“There has been a lot of contractor activity since July 4th,” said Field. “Things are progressing.”
Field noted the old cover on the digester has been removed and crews are working on constructing the new cover. Required sampling and testing has been conducted with no discrepancies. Field was informed testing for mercury will now be required as per the city’s permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Ambulance chief Jennie Johnson reported the service has had 93 runs in 2012, compared to 245 for all of 2011. Johnson announced two individuals have expressed interest in joining the service as first responders, Susie Koziolek and Connie Kaupa. Three others need refresher first responder training. The council approved the training. The council also authorized one night hotel for Johnson to attend a conference in Bloomington scheduled for October 22-23.
Gail Schmidt was in attendance to ask permission to remove the Memory Tree adjacent to the city post office. The tree has grown too large for the location. After discussion, the council voted to fund the cost of removal and stump grinding. A more suitable tree will be planted in its place.
A pre-construction meeting will take place at the Legion Field softball diamond at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 24. Members of the school board, QCBA and city maintenance crews should be in attendance.
The last item of business was a request to extend the hours of operation for the city’s recycling center on the first and third Saturdays of each month. The center will now be open from 8 a.m. until Noon instead of the current 9 a.m. opening. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
The next NR council meeting will be held on Monday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m.
