New mining ordinance draws variety of comments

by Ruby White
A new year began for the Wabasha City Council at their regular meeting last Tuesday, with three Councilmen and the Mayor taking their Oaths of Office and being sworn in by City Clerk Sue Schamaun before the meeting started.
All Councilpersons were present, along with City Administrator Chad Springer and City Attorney Peter Ekstrand.
Rollin Hall was returned to his post as Mayor; John Friedmeyer was returned to his Council position representing Ward 1; Steve Schmidt was re-elected for the Ward 2 position; and Dean Meurer was elected as Councilman from Ward 3. Meurer defeated Jim Roemer in the fall election. He is no stranger to the Council, however, having served multiple terms previously as a councilman from the Third Ward.
The first reading of the Mining Ordinance brought the most lively discussion of the evening. Another lively topic was the Farmers Market. No action was scheduled on the Mining Ordinance. The City Charter requires that there are to be two reviews of an ordinance before its final approval. This was the first review.
The Commission is not required to hold a Public Hearing—they could pass the ordinance without bringing it to the citizens. However, they chose to hold a public hearing, which is scheduled for January 13 at City Hall at 7 p.m. This Mining Ordinance covers all mining within the City limits, including frac sand or any other product that can be dug out of the ground.
In March 2013, the City passed an interim ordinance (moratorium) prohibiting:
1) the expansion of existing gravel mines beyond their existing borders;
2) the establishment or expansion of silica (or frac) sand mines, including processing operations; and
3) modifications to any existing mining operations in type, rate, quantity or processing of materials beyond what was occurring at that time.
In March 2014, as allowed by State legislation, the moratorium was extended an additional year. This moratorium will expire in March, 2015, about two months from now. The purpose of the moratorium was to allow the City time to further study the impact of mining operations on the community and to look at appropriate controls for mining within the City limits.
Mining is regulated under the City Zoning Ordinance, as it was before the adoption of the moratorium. Under the Zoning Ordinance, mines (including gravel pits) are allowed in Highway Commercial (HC) and Industrial (I) zoning districts with an Interim Use Permit (IUP).
City Staff and the Planning Commission members reviewed the existing zoning regulations, as well as industrial and environmental information on mining and aggregate processing, case law on non-conforming uses and mining ordinances from other communities. At the request of the City, the Silica Sand Technical Advisory Team provided input on the ordinance that the City had drafted. The City hired former City Planner Molly Patterson Lundgren, who now works for WSB, a Rochester consulting firm, to draw up this ordinance.
Planning & Zoning Chairman John Friedmeyer spoke to this issue, saying, “Thanks to Molly, we now have an ordinance. The moratorium is running out...it’s time to do something.” The hearing has been published twice in the Herald.
Councilperson Lynn Schoen called it “an excellent document.”
She added, “Some who have read it felt it could be tougher.”
Councilman Al Wharton noted many problems with it. One question he had was about the used water from the mining process and where it is going to be put. And he added, “Who’s going to monitor it?”
Schoen said that they (mining operators) have to have a plan for reclamation and they have to pay for it.
Ekstrand cautioned, “The more restrictions you have, the more you will be challenged.”
Schoen said, “This is the time to be more restrictive. A lot of people want the city government to say, ‘NO, we don’t want this.’”
She asked why no one is listening. “There is a whole contingent of people who don’t want this.”
Schoen mentioned hours of operation, 6 a.m.–10 p.m., calling it “very friendly to the mining people.”
At this point, the Council discussion was beginning to get a little out of hand and Hall stopped further discussion.
Farmers Market
Representing the vendors of the Farmers Market, Sarah George brought a request for a change of hours and a change in the market days for the Market. The vendors are proposing Wednesdays from 3 p.m.–7 p.m. May through October; and Saturdays from 9 a.m.–noon mid-July through mid-September. Both days would be at the same location as they have been, under the Interstate Bridge between Main and Second Streets.
George said that the proposed changes are because the community has been asking for more availability. Longer hours would allow more working people to attend the Market. Wharton asked if the vendors have to pay a fee. George said there is a small fee that covers insurance and advertising, but barely covers expenses. She asked if the “under the bridge” area is state property. Springer responded that the City has right-of-way agreements with the state for the area under the bridge.
Schoen suggested a change of location, moving the Market to Malone Park, where there is more room and a source for water service. She said that the businesses along Heritage Park, particularly the dental office, need the parking spaces that are taken up by the Market. She was opposed to blocking off the entire parking lot. “We have to get clients to the dental office,” she said.
Schoen pointed out the advantages of Malone Park, saying that it is closer to the West Side apartments and Senior Citizens residences. “There is water at Malone Park,” she said, “and better bathrooms than in the current location.” She said she supports the Farmers Market, “but the location is the problem.”
George will work with Springer and Schoen to work out a solution to the location dilemma.
2013 Street Project
In other business, the Council unanimously approved two resolutions dealing with the 2013 Street Project. The first resolution was approval of change order #5 for gravel surfaces along Bailey Avenue from 11th Street to near 12th Street to prevent rutting issues from off-street parking. Dave Kruger and Al Wharton moved.
Pay Estimate #11 involved a reduction of the retainage from 5% to 2.5%, noting several items remaining on the punch list. Springer said the contractors were OK with the changes. Kruger and Schoen moved.
Additional Council action involved election of the Council President for 2015. When the Mayor called for nominations, Dean Meurer nominated Steve Schmidt. Friedmeyer seconded. There were no further nominations. Schmidt was elected as Council President.
The Council also unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which consisted of December 2, 2014 regular meeting minutes, warrants and the 2015 appointments and annual desig

Sub-Section: 

GMD Media

See Contact Button at top left for each office Phone Number,
200 Industrial Court Suite 100
, Wabasha, MN 55981

coloring pictures
télécharger reddit video
propletenie.ru

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to GMDMedia Newsletter feed
Customize This