Public hearing tonight concerning adult use ordinance in Carver County

CARVER COUNTY, MN – At 7 p.m. Tuesday, March,16. upstairs in the Social Services wing, in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room of the Carver County Government Center, Chaska, the Carver County Planning Commission will reconvene the public hearing to consider a newly drafted “Adult Use Businesses” Chapter 113, and a Zoning Code revision pursuant to Chapter 152 of the Carver County Code.

The proposed regulations would apply to the Rural Service Overlay Districts (RSD’s), which are located in the unincorporated areas of Carver County. The purpose of the proposed Ordinance would be to enact regulations to license and regulate adult uses (also known as sexually-oriented businesses) in businesses or places open to the public, which could be located in the unincorporated areas of the County. These regulations are intended to prevent the adverse secondary impacts associated with adult use establishments.

The Planning Commission will reconvene the hearing, which was opened last month, to take additional public testimony and to answer questions. All persons interested are invited to attend the hearing and be heard on this matter. Written comment may be mailed to: Dept. of Land Management Carver County Government Center 600 East 4th St Chaska, MN 55318-2102 (952) 361-1820.

There are no “strip clubs” or other adult use businesses currently proposing to locate in Carver County, according to David Drealan, director of Carver County land and water services.

Lester Prairie City Council says no wage increases for city staff

LESTER PRAIRIE, MN – Last December, the Lester Prairie City Council discussed wage increases for city staff members.

The council chose not to approve any wage increases at that time due to economic conditions and uncertainty about future cuts to local government aid.

The council did, however, agree to table the matter until March.

After discussion Tuesday night, the council determined that it is still unable to justify raises for city employees.

“We gave a raise last year when a lot of others didn’t,” Mayor Andy Heimerl commented.

He added that some businesses in town have closed, and others have taken cuts.

The council agreed to review the matter again in July, but made it clear that if any increases are approved at that time, they will not be retroactive.

National Weather Service issues flood warning for South Fork of Crow River near Mayer

CARVER COUNTY, MN – The National Weather Service in Chanhassen has issued a flood warning that includes the South Fork of the Crow River, affecting Mayer, New Germany, and Carver County.

At noon Thursday, the stage was at 5.2 feet. By 2 a.m. Friday, the stage had risen to 6.4 feet. Moderate flooding is forecast. Flood stage is 11 feet.

The forecast was that the river will rise above flood stage by Saturday morning and continue to rise to near 15.4 feet by this Monday evening.

If the level reaches 16 feet, the following road closures are expected:

• Yale Avenue between Carver Co. Rd. 30 and 78th Street will be closed.

• 78th Street will also be closed.

• 62nd Street west of Carver County Road 33 to Yancy Avenue will be closed.

This crest compares to a previous crest of 16.5 feet April 14, 2001.

A slow-moving low pressure system will continue to impact central and southern Minnesota.

The rainfall across northern Wisconsin early this morning will affect portions of east central and west central Minnesota through this evening.

An additional quarter to one-half-inch of rain is expected across the upper Minnesota valley and the Crow River System through tonight.

This forecast precipitation is not included in the river forecasts as of 3 a.m.

Another factor impacting the runoff is the continued above-normal temperatures. Highs today and Saturday will be 40 to around 45 degrees across much of the area, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures for Sunday to Tuesday will typically be in the mid to upper 40s, with highs pushing to around 50 in the lower Minnesota and Crow system on Monday.

These warm high temperatures will continue the snow melt.

Ice and debris jams are also a concern as this event unfolds.

The National Weather Service asks anyone who observes an ice or debris jam to report this to local law enforcement officials and the National Weather Service immediately.

Reports can be sent via e-mail to mpx.spotter@noaa.gov

Winsted Town Crier for council meeting March 16

WINSTED, MN –The next Winsted City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 16th. The meeting will begin with a public hearing on the city’s Wastewater Facility Plan. The plan specifies impending improvements that need to be made to the plant that will be required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The most significant of these new requirements will be the relocation of the city’s effluent that flows into South Lake from the wastewater plant. Effluent is the treated water that leaves the wastewater plant. This “effluent” water must meet very stringent treatment standards, which are enforced by the MPCA. In order to meet new treatment standards, the City Council will have to consider a variety of different effluent discharge locations, which include adding mechanical treatment at the plant to keep the existing location at South Lake or constructing additional piping to run to a nearby creek.

In another matter, the City Council will consider the adoption of a Special Assessment Policy. The purpose of a Special Assessment Policy is to establish a fair system to distribute the costs for public improvements (street, infrastructure, etc…) between the city and affected property owners. Although the city has used special assessments in the past, a formal policy has not been adopted. Adopting a formal policy will ensure that the city follows uniform and reasonable guidelines in its application of special assessments.

Special assessments are determined based on the amount of “benefit” that is received by a property in relation to a public improvement. The policy sets forth what improvement projects are eligible to be assessed, how projects may be initiated, and how assessment amounts will be determined. The proposed policy and reference guide can be found on the city’s website.

Under new business, the City Council will consider scheduling a public hearing for amendments to the Liquor Ordinance. The proposed language creates and amends a variety of standards within the ordinance including: regulations for the use of outdoor decks and patios, Sunday liquor to begin at 11:00 am and a requirement for liquor applicants to attend a forum on liquor licensing and standards. The proposed ordinance and reference guide can be found on the city’s website.

In other matters, the City Council will review a site plan application submitted by M&N Structures for their project in the industrial park. In addition, the Council will consider a request from Jerry Bisping, 111 Lake Avenue East, to have the city pay for costs associated to repair a sanitary sewer connection line.

The Winsted City Council will meet to discuss these items at their meeting on Tuesday, March 16th at 6 p.m. in the Winsted City Hall Council Chambers. If you need more information on an issue, call City Hall and ask for the City Staff Report (not all agenda items have a corresponding report) which will provide you with background and financial information on the topic. Meetings are broadcasted live on Winsted Channel 10 at 6 p.m. and replayed on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.

The “Town Crier” is created by City Administrator Brent Mareck using the preliminary agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting. For a complete listing of all agenda items please visit www.winsted.mn.us or pick an agenda up at City Hall.

Split vote stalls park land acquisition grant applications

WRIGHT COUNTY, MN – A split vote during Tuesday’s Wright County Board Meeting stalled two resolutions related to grants for land acquisition at the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park near Monticello.

A vote to adopt the resolutions failed on a 2-2 vote, with Commissioner Jack Russek and Board Chair Dick Mattson opposed and commissioners Rose Thelen and Pat Sawatzke in favor. Commissioner Elmer Eicheberg was not present.

The board may consider the resolutions again during its Tuesday, March 16 meeting.

Howard Lake approves purchase of snowpusher

HOWARD LAKE, MN – Howard Lake City Council approved a purchase Tuesday that will allow staff to remove snow more quickly and efficiently

The 12-foot-wide high-volume snowpusher sold by Quality Welding Services of Suamico, WI, will have nearly double the six or seven cubic yard capacity of the city’s current snow bucket, Tim Kosek, building and grounds/street superintendent said. It pushes snow straight ahead, which helps to eliminate windrows

The end-of-season clearance price of the snowpusher is $3,595 ($1,000 discount from the regular price), plus $900 for a quick-attach mounting system, and $290 for freight.

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