"I find this property similar to the Dr. Baker Dentist Building on the other end of town," said Mark.  "That building is also in a residential area.  It kept parking separate, and it has interacted well with the neighborhood."
About the new proposal, Mayor Bohn reiterated his comment, "I can support this." 
The acronym stands for Mid America Baptist Social Services Corporation.  The corporation must now come in with more definite ideas for council approval.

RECONSTRUCTION TO BE ASSESSED 50%
INCLUDING ROADS, STORMWATER, TRAILS …
On May 8th council adopted a special assessment policy for public improve-ments in the city, especially related at this time to the reconstruction of deteriorated existing streets in various neighborhoods.  The policy stipulates a 50/50 proposition. 
Half of the reconstruction costs will be paid by the city; half will be assessed to the benefiting property owners.  As in the past, new construction will be paid 100% by the developers.
Mike Miles, a resident at Parkside Estates, a neighborhood in need of reconstructed streets, proposed the creation of a development fund to take care of construction items over time.  "A fund would reduce sticker shock and also lawsuits that a crazy person might initiate," he said.  It is law that assessed properties must increase in value at least as much as the assessment.
Asked Mayor Jerry Bohn, "Wouldn't a construction fund be basically a tax in-crease?"  He said that road reconstruction is a big problem for all cities now.  He said that cities that are growing are assess-ing 25 to 50%.  Some of the more mature cities are paying 100% of assessment.
Councilmember Mary Thun said, "I have another proposal.  We do things to benefit the community.  Some of us use some things; some of us use other things.  I'm having a hard time assessing 50%.  In averaging numbers, I could support 60% to the city and 40% to the property owner.  And I could support Mike Miles and putting money into a fund.  On our taxes I see a separate item for infrastructure.  The city has a responsibility for infrastruc-ture."
Stated City Administrator Steve Sarvi, "The city has been putting  away hundreds of thousands of dollars to estab-lish a large fund, but roads have been de-teriorating faster than the fund could grow."
Councilmember Dave Lindgren said he could support the 60/40 ratio.
Councilmember Richard Tieden said he could support the 50/50 ratio, though he had initially spoke in favor of 30/70 split -- 30% for the city, 70% for the resi-dents.
The mayor's motion to use a 50/50 ratio "across the board" -- for reconstruct-ed stormwater, trails, and sidewalks, in addition to streets -- passed 3-2.  Voting in favor:  Mayor Bohn, Richard, Terry.  Against:  Dave and Mary Thun.
A motion by Mary, directing staff to research the establishment of an infra-structure reserve fund over the next 12 months, passed 5-0.

TRYING HARD TO MAKE IT WORK
FOR RESIDENTS AND SUMMER PATIO MUSIC
fter many pages of discussion about the request of Rick and Lois Plocher, owners of Floyd's Bar, for a variance to the Noise Ordinance, Councilmember Mary Thun came up with a solution that most councilmembers could agree on.
A new noise ordinance was adopted earlier this year that sets measurable noise standards in the city.  One of those standards is 65 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 55 decibels after 10 p.m.  The Plochers asked for a variance allowing 65 decibels from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight on a total of six nights during June and July to accommodate outdoor patio music.
In other words, they asked for the daytime noise levels to be extended two hours for each of six outdoor events at their downtown establishment.
Part of the problem in granting the variance as requested is that the city re-ceived a complaint call last week about loud music coming from inside Floyd's.
Said Lois, "I apologize.  Our win-dows and doors were open.  From now on they'll stay closed for inside bands.  We do need rock 'n roll music for our bar.  The music we have planned for these six nights cannot possibly go over the decibels.  We're trying to keep our neigh-bors happy."
Resident Ron Larson, who lives about a block and a half away from Floyd's, asked City Planner Mark Kaltsas, "Do you have any idea what 65 decibels equates to?"
Replied Mark, "The highway noise probably runs at 75 decibels.  It's lower than highway noise."
Ron Larson also asked that council require a permit for any type of outdoor performances anywhere in the city, at any time of day.
Councilmember Terry Bishop spoke to the Plochers.  "My concern is not that you don't want the music to be loud, but that the band is difficult to control in the passion of the evening ... and you are accountable for that."
He continued, "We haven't even started the season yet and there's already been complaints.  My own view is to let's see if you can comply with the ordinance as written.  My view is that it's too early to grant a variance."
Councilmember Mary Thun referred to past months of working with the Plochers and their efforts to comply.  "I think Rick and Lois have shown that they will work with the neighborhood ... but those complaints last week ..."
"I want you to remain successful for the viability of the business and the viability of the town," she continued.  Then she made a motion to approve a variance for an upcoming Saturday night provided there are no complaints over the next three weekends prior to it.
The motion passed 3-1.  Terry Bishop voted against it.  Richard Tieden was ab-sent.
Stated Mayor Bohn, "We're trying very hard to make this work for every-one."

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