Putting issues like creating an ordinance for sexually oriented businesses on the agenda for a city council meeting is bound to draw a larger crowd than usual to meetings. It is not common, however, for the majority of those in attendance to be young adults taking a stand against allowing such establishments in their community.
Over 20 citizens attended the July 20 Ottertail City Council meeting which started with a public hearing to review and accept a proposed zoning map and a Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance for the city.
"There are a lot of young adults moving into the Ottertail city limits who are really concerned about these issues," said Pete Thiel, who attended the meeting along with several young adults.
A written statement was read by one of the young adults in attendance expressing her desire to keep all sexually oriented businesses out of the city. Attendees were reminded that the city must legally zone a place within city limits where adult businesses can establish themselves. However, it is possible to zone that area away from commercial and residential areas.
In an effort to deter such businesses from coming to Ottertail, the council's proposed zoning map only allows for sexually oriented businesses in areas zoned for agriculture. The council decided to take this proactive approach and create the ordinance for adult businesses after noting the trouble several other Minnesota cities had because they did not have a strong ordinance set in place prior to a sexually oriented business' interest in locating in their city.
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The council expressed their appreciation for all of the concerned citizens in attendance and encouraged them to attend more city council meetings and share their thoughts. Both the proposed zoning map for the city and the Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance for the city were passed.
In addition to paying the city's other monthly bills, the council approved the purchase of 150 gallons of propane from Perham Co-op Creamery at $1.49 per gallon. The city used 113 gallons this past year with a remaining balance of 89 gallons.
Election judges named
With primary and general elections coming up soon, the council appointed election judges. The people who worked previously all agreed to retrain and serve again for the primary and the general. Those individuals include head judges Linda Bjelland, Arlette Carlson, Patricia Ahlfs, Margaret Grefe, Lavey Thalmann and Roberta Westad.
Outdoor concert proposal tabled
Two issues were tabled by the council because the parties involved were not present at the meeting. The first issue was a request by Randy Hutmacher to build two homes and the second was a request by Ursula Nanson from The Local to hold an outdoor concert in September.
A building permit was requested by Delmar Wiebe to build a new garage and move his existing garage over. After a brief discussion about the dimensions of the new building, the request was approved.
The city also agreed to pay the $25 fee for Mayor Mounts to attend a League of Minnesota Cities sponsored meeting in Detroit Lakes on August 17. The meeting will cover the city's role in impaired, storm, waste, and drinking waters.
