| Cottonwood
City Council meets
The Cottonwood City Council held their regular November meeting Monday, Nov. 9. Prior to the meeting a public hearing was held on a variance request by Clint Riener. One set of neighbors was in attendance with some questions and appeared satisfied with the answers. When the matter was brought up later in the regular meeting for council approval, city attorney Joe Wright pointed out that state and city codes both state that a variance can only be granted if the city finds that undue hardship would be caused by it not being granted. New construction in residential areas requires a 5 foot setback from property lines. Riener was asking for a 3 foot setback. It was felt his application did not stress why not granting the extra 2 feet would cause hardship. It was decided to table the matter and ask Riener to bring back info as to why the extra 2 feet is necessary. In other business the council adopted a resolution on non-discrimination on the basis of handicap. This is a requirement of a grant. The new Seubert airport agreement was reviewed and a motion was made to cancel the previously signed agreement and replace it with the new one. Mayor Denis Duman informed the council that Don Nuxoll is looking into putting a bridge over the creek to access his tire warehouse better. This would allow delivery trucks to pull through rather than have to back in as they do now. This was primarily for information purposes about something that will be coming up. In reports Pat Holthaus reported the city pumped 4 million gallons of water and sold 3 million. Over 600,000 gallons of the difference was accounted for by the hydrant flushing leaving an 8% loss. Ron Grant reported the agriforest application has stopped for the year. Jack Duman reported potholes have been cropping up with the wet weather. He also informed the council he is working on a grant for Broadway Ave. He initially wanted to do 2nd South but that was too big a project so he broke it up. A motion was made and passed to allow Jack Duman to sign the grant application. Shelli Schumacher reported there were some water and sewer lines moved behind the Community Hall prior to excavating for the new handicap access ramp. Excavation should be done for the new ramp by Tuesday. Grant reported the fire department had no calls this past month. The new extrication tools have arrived and the department will look to sell the old ones. City clerk Carol Altman noted they would have to be declared as surplus and then be open for bids. The Planning and Zoning Commission did not meet but Mayor Duman noted Joe O’Neill and Debby O’Neill were resigning from the commission and new people would need to be found to fill the positions. One item of note that came out of the police report that many may not be aware of is that when driving at night and someone approaches with their brights on, it is illegal to flash your brights as a reminder if you are within 500 feet of them. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m. The next regular meeting with be Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. |
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