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| City of Emily Approves Final Plat for Northern Lights Over Roosevelt LakeBy Paul Boblett, Editor After nearly 3 years, the Northern Lights Over Roosevelt Lake development received final plat approval at the regular monthly meeting of the Emily City Council on Tuesday, November 10. The 4-0 council vote followed the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) from their meeting on November 4. The recommended action includes six findings of fact. The 90-acre, 42 lot development sits along State Highway 6, with a 1600-foot strip of shoreline along the eastern edge of Roosevelt, and the home sites are to the west of the highway. The project has seen the completion of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), an order for, then termination of, an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), intervention by residents on behalf of the city during a proposed settlement, a lawsuit filed by the developer against the EIS order by the city, and then a unanimous recommendation for approval of the preliminary plat earlier this year. The final plat was approved unanimously, yet only one resident was on hand to witness the vote. Over 230 had signed a petition to have the EAW completed in 2007 and on many occasions City Hall was overflowing with residents who wanted to voice their opinion on the matter to council. In other P&Z matters, council approved an ordinance amendment to allow temporary use handicap ramps not to require a permit. Council also approved the application to rezone from Commercial Transition to Shoreline Residential, applicant Bruce Toftness, Properties Etc. based on eight findings of fact. In Personnel items, Deputy Clerk, Christa Andrews’ office hours will be reduced by four hours a week, and she will not be in the office on Fridays. The three-year union contract was approved by council as presented. Employees will receive a 3.5% pay increase for the next three years. All benefits remain the same for each employee. Meal reimbursements were increased by $15 to $37.50 and the city’s health insurance contribution will increase from $700 per month to $750 the first year, $770 the second, and $780 the third year. Council approved allowing Tony Stockard to donate some of his 2009 vacation to another employee for a family medical emergency during the rest of 2009. From December 1, 2009 to April 1, 2010, the Emily Planning and Zoning office will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 am to 1 pm, and closed Thursday and Friday. In other council business: • Approved spending up to $1,000 for this training, wages, and mileage for the Emily Police Chief and up to two officers to update their training for Safe and Sober. • Approved Brian Foster as a permanent full time employee with a pay increase to $15.19 as of October 28, 2009. • Approved certification of delinquent sewer charges on two properties to property taxes, and also approved a Sewer Ordinance Amendment and Summary redefining Commercial and Residential users. • Approved Dave Johnson as a new member of the Wastewater Committee. • Approved liquor license renewals for Granny’s, Barrett’s Log Cabin, Bungalow, Redding’s, Lake Country Foods and Emily Greens. • Approved a motion to support of the idea of a septic update for Cass County Collaborative Grant application. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northland Press | P.O. Box 145 | Outing, MN 56662 | (218) 692-5842 Email: news@northlandpress.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
