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Hay Days permit for 2008 will be opposed |
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008 |
Mary Bailey
Columbus Reporter
The next time the Sno Barons apply for a Hay Days permit, there will be opposition. The annual snowmobile drag race, held the weekend after Labor Day at 13824 Lake Drive in Columbus, last year attracted more than 30,000 people.
At the Wednesday, Jan. 23 Columbus City Council meeting, Todd and Sue Voelker, who have lived on the adjacent property for 24 years, asked the city to deny the Sno Barons’ next license request.
Matthew Franken, representing the Voelkers, presented information on property damage to the Voelker home and business during last year’s event. The Voelkers say the event, which has increased substantially in size over the last 15 years, kicks up a tremendous amount of dirt and dust.
The compactor preparing the race surface causes vibration. The dirt causes significant damage to property. The overnight campers are noisy, and trespassers use the woods as bathrooms.
Because of impregnated dirt, Franken said, the Voelkers’ siding and roofing had to be replaced. Inside, walls had to be repainted and new carpeting installed, and personal property was harmed. Franken said damage to the Voelker home totaled more than $66,000, and to their business, Evergreen Self Storage, $30,000. Damage to the interior was not covered by insurance, so the family incurred considerable out-of-pocket expense, in addition to stress and physical ailments, he said.
The Voelkers say the event has grown too large for this location and has become a nuisance under Columbus city ordinances. Article V, Section 5-500, labels noise, vibrations, and injury to person or property as public nuisances.
The Sno Barons web site says the next Hay Days Grass Drags is scheduled for September 6 and 7, 2008. The city council has not received a license application for the 2008 Hay Days. When the application is received, the Voelker information will be reviewed.
DNR action
The council voted to accept the resolution authorized at the previous meeting, which recommends conditional approval of the sale of approximately 160 acres in the city of Columbus to the DNR and acknowledges receipt of the DNR acquisition plan.
Although Anoka County is the key body regarding approvals, the city plays a role. The resolution has been reviewed with the city planner and county attorney, and a copy was given to the DNR.
Mayor Mel Mettler called the resolution “a planning tool for us and for the DNR.”
Permit denied
Based on the recommendation of the planning commission, the council rejected a request for an interim use permit by James Clairmont of Ham Lake.
Clairmont would like to purchase the residential-zoned 7-acre property at 6764 West Broadway and operate a landscaping business from the site. Because he does not intend to live there, the council denied the permit.
Council member Mark Walsh explained, “In a residential zone, a person wanting an IUP needs to be living there.”
Mayor Mettler added, “This is beyond the intention of a home business or residential business. It’s going the wrong way.”
Hornsby plan
Plans continue to progress for Hornsby Street realignment.
Soil borings taken at four sites showed the peat depth at 2.1 feet, 2.5 feet, 5.0 feet, and 7.0 feet. City Engineer Larry Bohrer said this is good news: All four depths are within the range that can be removed and replaced.
The area is 100 percent wetland and would require 100 percent soil replacement. The road would be elevated four feet above the wetland. The next step will be a feasibility report, including the estimated cost of the project.
Water well test
Tests are now in for the well water system in Columbus.
The total iron and manganese content of Well 2 is 1.3 parts per million. This exceeds the threshold of 1.0 parts per million, below which poly phosphate added at the well would keep the minerals in solution.
Wells 1 and 3, however, have iron and manganese under this level. Bohrer said the city will run Wells 1 and 3 in alternating positions and 2 in reserve position.
Pump house plan
Plans continue to proceed for the pump house generator.
The question of equipping Pump House 2 with a generator was discussed. Because Columbus has no elevated water storage, and the city is expected to continue providing water to homes and businesses during an emergency, a generator must be available in the event of a power outage.
With the water supply in Columbus limited to about 1500 gallons, the city could run out of water before someone arrived with a portable generator. Also, the 200 or 250 kW generator size would require a very large trailer. A fixed generator, on the other hand, would be immediately available.
The council authorized the engineer to provide designs and specifications for a fixed generator for Pump House 2.
Unlike the well system, the Columbus sewer system has considerable storage capacity. For lift stations, a portable generator would be adequate. Portable generator bids will be presented at the next meeting. The public works building also needs back-up power to run the garage doors, lights, and communications system.
Service charges
Bohrer explained the 2008 billing rates for engineering services. The rate is determined by multiplying the salary of the person doing the work by a number that reflects the overhead cost of doing business.
The rate will increase for 2008. A schedule of billing rates will be sent to the city administrator.
Park topics
The Columbus Park Board met on Jan. 17. New officers are Terry Phinney, chair; James Ingalls, vice chair; and Roxanne Larson, secretary. Brian Whitson is the new representative from the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association.
The council chose official names for the three city parks.
The main park, located on both sides of Kettle River Boulevard by the city hall complex, at one time was named Columbus Township Park. It will now be called Columbus City Park.
The two smaller parks will be called Howard Lake Park (across from West Iverson Street) and Hidden Park (on 162nd Avenue).
Plans for new playground equipment include spending up to $35,000 for materials, preparing the ground with equipment on hand, and installation by volunteers.
In past years, parking on both sides of the road during tournaments has reduced traffic to one lane. This year portable NO PARKING signs will be posted as necessary. The park board denied a request to turn the T-ball field into a regular field for tournament use.
The council voted to award the two-year contract for portable sanitation for 2008 and 2009 to Jimmy Johns.
Other business
In other business:
•Two new sheriff deputies assigned to Columbus, Andrew Schell and Rollie Sorensen, introduced themselves. Sorensen stressed communication as key to law enforcement success: “Don’t be afraid to call 911. You are our eyes and ears.”
•A new manager is needed for the Coon Creek Watershed District Board of Managers. The current term expires May 27. The term of the appointment is for three years.
•As the new Columbus Public Works building nears completion, City Administrator Elizabeth Mursko will make a partial payment on the next due date as quality concerns and final details are addressed.
•The Columbus assessment review, when the council serves as board of appeals for valuation on property taxes, will be either April 7 or April 14. Before that date, council members will attend a training session to learn about taxes and property values.
•The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13.
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