By Sonja Kosler
Staff Writer
Ottertail City Council members spent the majority of their March 23 meeting discussing a proposed sign/fence ordinance and three sign permit applications.
The ordinance limits offsite signs and specifies setbacks, size and height limitations. With Council members Dick Patrick and Terry Wagenman absent; member Jeff Spanswick, Mayor Ole Mounts, and Clerk Arlette Carlson decided to delay a public hearing until April 27 in order to give the full council time to review and discuss the draft ordinance at their April 20 meeting.
The council stopped short of declaring a sign moratorium until the new ordinance is adopted. The intent of the ordinance is to address the "clutter" of signs in Ottertail City. Notices of the public hearing will be posted and mailed.
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Boll Realty, Smokin Iron, Century 21 have signed applications
The three requests for sign permits were from Boll Realty, Century 21, and Smokin Iron. The Boll Realty sign meets the guidelines in the draft ordinance but is within 1,000 feet of lakeshore. Under existing rules a conditional use permit will be required.
The Century 21 sign would exceed height and size limitations, however the application could not be considered since there has been no application for a building permit and there were no site drawings submitted.
The Smokin Iron sign would be an off site sign located at The Local where there are already several signs. The request for a sign permit was not submitted by The Local as property owner so it could not be considered.
Holding tank permit policy set
Council members approved resolution #2006-09 setting a Temporary Holding Tank Permit Policy. The intent is to limit sealed tanks and encourage drain fields until such time as the City of Ottertail has a municipal sewer system. Currently sealed tanks are granted a variance in limited conditions. Under the ordinance if those conditions are not met, the variance will be cancelled and the property owner will be required to follow the new ordinance conditions. An annual fee of $75 was set.
Gambling permits go to
Lions, Gun Club
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The council approved renewal of two Premises Permits for gaming. The Ottertail Rod and Gun Club will continue at The Local. The Ottertail Lions permit at the Otter was also renewed.
Storm damage reimbursement
deadline set by Otter Tail County
The City of Ottertail has until April 1 to submit all expenses related to the June 20, 2005 storm to the County for consideration of reimbursement.
Otter Tail County received a $500,000 grant from the State of Minnesota for storm damage and cleanup. All local entities will be submitting their bills for consideration. The City of Ottertail has not yet received bills for all the work done.
Some local businesses say they were just helping out and dont feel right about charging.
Upcoming meetings include
hearing on West Leaf Lake project
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The Board of Review will meet on Tuesday, April 18 at 10 a.m. Citizens may bring questions about their City of Ottertail taxes to that meeting.
The Ottertail Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a preliminary plat for a West Leaf Lake development. Five single-family lots are proposed. West Leaf Lake is located east of the city limits. The hearing will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Room of the Government Services Building on West Fir Avenue in Fergus Falls.
City wins painting grant
The City of Ottertail has received a grant from Valspar Paint and West Central Initiative.
The "Picture It Painted" grant will provide 22 gallons of paint for the ball diamond facility. The type of paint was selected to match the building materials. Interior and exterior surfaces will be painted with most of the work being done by the Ottertail Lions.
Mayor Ole Mounts has committed to painting a mural on one side of the building.
Ottertail sheriff substation moving forward with survey, land pricing
Mayor Mounts reported at the March 23 Ottertail City Council meeting that the process for the proposed Otter Tail County Sheriffs substation in Ottertail is moving forward. Currently land is being surveyed and land costs are being determined.
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2 a.m. bar closing to be reviewed
The council will review 2:00 a.m. bar closings at their April 6 morning meeting.
The extended bar hours went in to effect on May 1, 2005 for a one-year trial period. Notices will be sent to the three liquor establishments within the city and to the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Office. Input received at the meeting will be forwarded to the State.
