09:17The council’s discussion on property maintenance highlighted the necessity to repair a fence affected by a damaged outfall pipe. This issue had been causing drainage complications, with natural erosion impacting a nearby fence line. A landowner had shown interest in collaborating with city officials on the repair, though there wasn’t a strong stance taken on whether the outfall itself required fixing. Council members debated whether the repair should be prioritized, particularly due to considerations involving the Department of Natural Resources regarding possible outwash effects from the pipe’s condition. The council agreed to repair the fence to its existing standards, with one member pointing out potential funding opportunities from the Soil and Water Conservation District for related environmental issues. The motion to approve the repair was ultimately seconded and passed without opposition.

14:29The meeting also addressed the final payment and acceptance of a project involving the police department’s HVAC system. The public works director confirmed that the system was functioning as intended following a successful final walkthrough. This project contrasted favorably with a previous library project that had experienced balance issues. The police chief reportedly expressed satisfaction with the work, and the council unanimously approved the payment of $17,400 to the contractor.

15:51An important agenda item concerned the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) annual public meeting. The public works director emphasized the importance of public engagement in stormwater management and presented two options for conducting the meeting. One option involved holding the meeting in the council chambers, while the other proposed a joint meeting with the city of Baxter. Given that a notable portion of the arboretum falls within Baxter’s jurisdiction, council members agreed that collaborating with Baxter would be beneficial. A motion to proceed with a joint meeting was proposed, seconded, and approved without dissent.

19:46Significant focus was placed on active code enforcement, particularly concerning two properties with ongoing compliance issues. The property on First Street faced long-standing problems with junk and debris. Staff recommended obtaining an administrative search warrant for property abatement due to recurring violations despite previous corrective efforts. Meanwhile, the property on Washington Street was under scrutiny for potentially being used as a residence, violating zoning regulations for a commercial corridor district. Staff suggested issuing a $100 daily citation until outdoor storage issues were resolved and occupancy ceased. The council had previously reviewed this case, noting complications with individuals reportedly living in the commercial property, which raised concerns about sanitation and utility compliance.

During the discussion, council members sought clarification on outdoor storage and residential use, which could breach zoning rules. The community development director assured that photographic evidence could be provided to support the enforcement actions if needed. A motion was made to pursue action on both properties: securing the search warrant for a property on First Street and giving the owner of 1113 Washington Street ten days to comply before imposing citations. This motion was seconded and approved after deliberation on the implications of zoning regulations and occupancy in the commercial corridor district.