Town Crier - May 20th City Council Meeting

The May 20th meeting will begin with a public hearing to consider giving preliminary approval for the use of health care facilities revenue bonds to Living Services (St. Mary’s Care Center). St. Mary’s is planning a comprehensive upgrade to their facilities as well as an 8,000 sq. ft. expansion project to accommodate a new medical clinic to be operated by Ridgeview Medical Center-Winsted Clinic.

Under new business, the City Council will review a presentation from the City Engineer regarding a future development plan for the Winsted Municipal Airport. The City Council will be presented with three development alternatives:

1) Leave the airport in more or less in its existing condition and keep the turf runway.
2) Plan for the possible paving of the existing runway as funds become available.
3) Plan for a full twenty year build out of the Winsted Airport, including a cross-wind runway, which would allow for larger planes, but would consequently cause the closure of some local roads in the area and property acquisition.

In other matters, the City Council will follow up on their discussion on the Historic City Hall, review a seal coat schedule for city streets, award the bid for the Shady Creek street improvement project and consider a request from Winsted Hardware for tax increment financing to facilitate a redevelopment of the property at 161 Main Avenue West.

The Winsted City Council will meet to discuss these items at their meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at 6 p.m. in the Winsted City Hall Council Chambers. If you need more information on an issue, call City Hall and ask for the City Staff Report (not all agenda items have a corresponding report) which will provide you with background and financial information on the topic. Meetings are broadcasted live on Winsted Channel 10 at 6 p.m. and replayed on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at
10 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.

The “Town Crier” is created using the preliminary agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting. For a complete listing of all agenda items please visit www.winsted.mn.us or pick an agenda up at City Hall.

Town Crier - May 6th City Council Meeting

The May 6th meeting will begin with a public hearing to consider the adoption of a dock ordinance that would regulate the placement of privately owned docks upon city property. The ordinance would allow, via a permitting process, property owners along Kingsley Street to place a dock on Winsted Lake directly across from their property.

Under old business, the City Council will review a proposal for an addendum to the original developer’s agreement for the renovation of Historic City Hall. The addendum stipulates that the balance of the project will be completed in three (3) phases, with the last phase to be completed by November 30, 2008. Should the project not be completed by November 30, 2008, the developer is subject to liquidated damages of $100 for each day the project completion date is pushed back.

In new business, the City Council will consider adopting a moratorium ordinance that would allow highway commercial businesses to place one (1) temporary banner sign on their property, while the city reviews and revises the existing Sign Ordinance.

In another matter, the City Council will review a “use policy” for the community rooms in the new Winsted City Hall. The policy outlines the use of the rooms as follows: “The purpose of the community room space in Winsted City Hall is to provide a clean and family friendly environment to hold community events, gatherings and meetings. The City of Winsted does not wish to compete or serve as another option for holding events or gatherings that could otherwise be held at privately owned establishments, which provide similar facilities and services.”

The proposed policy prohibits the use of the room for birthday, wedding, anniversary, graduation parties, etc…. In addition, the room will not be allowed for use by private businesses or organizations; examples include real-estate seminars, insurance seminars, product sales, business solicitation, etc… In addition, the policy does not allow for the use of alcohol and tobacco in the community room.

The Winsted City Council will meet to discuss these items at their meeting on Tuesday, May 6th at 6 p.m. in the Winsted City Hall Council Chambers. If you need more information on an issue, call City Hall and ask for the City Staff Report (not all agenda items have a corresponding report) which will provide you with background and financial information on the topic. Meetings are broadcasted live on Winsted Channel 10 at 6 p.m. and replayed on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at
10 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.

The “Town Crier” is created using the preliminary agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting. For a complete listing of all agenda items please visit www.winsted.mn.us or pick an agenda up at City Hall.

City Hall Progress

Town Crier - April 16th City Council Meeting

The regular City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16th to accommodate the Blandin Leadership Graduation in Winsted. The meeting will begin with a discussion of private docks on city property. This issue is the most relevant along Kingsley Street, where the city owns the property on the east side of the street out to Winsted Lake. The city is aware of at least three (3) individuals that make use of this property for dock access into the lake.

The issue for the city revolves around a court case where an individual jumped off a private dock on city property and ended up becoming severely injured. The individual sued the city for damages and won. The city’s insurance company is recommending the following should the city want to allow private docks on city property:

1. The dock owner should agree in writing to defend, indemnify, and hold the City harmless for claims arising out of the existence of the dock.
2. The dock owner should carry adequate insurance, in the amount specified by the Minnesota State Statutes, and the policy relating to the dock should name the City as “an additional insured.” A certificate of insurance would be required to be presented to the city each year.
3. The dock owner should maintain the dock to certain specifications as outlined in the agreement or permit.
4. The dock owner should install warning signs in English and Universal symbols indicating “NO SWIMMING” and “NO DIVING” and/or “PRIVATE DOCK—KEEP OFF.”

The City Council will review the following possible solutions:

A) Create an ordinance that establishes a dock inspection program, so that the city may be able to enforce the above criteria. A fee would most likely be established for the administration of the ordinance.
B) Don’t allow any private docks on city property.
C) Other

In another matter, the City Council will consider setting a public hearing to authorize Living Services Foundation (St. Mary’s Care Center) to issue health care facilities revenue bonds. St. Mary’s is planning a comprehensive upgrade to their facilities as well as an 8,000 sq. ft. expansion project to accommodate a new medical clinic to be operated by Ridgeview Medical Center-Winsted Clinic.

The City Council will also review bids for the 2008 airport improvement project and lawn mowing services. In addition, Waste Management will present a quarterly report to the City Council.

The Winsted City Council will meet to discuss these items at their meeting on Wednesday, April 16th at 6 p.m. in the Winsted City Hall Council Chambers. If you need more information on an issue, call City Hall and ask for the City Staff Report (not all agenda items have a corresponding report) which will provide you with background and financial information on the topic. Meetings are broadcasted live on Winsted Channel 10 at 6 p.m. and replayed on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at
10 a.m., 7 p.m., and 10:30 p.m.

The “Town Crier” is created using the preliminary agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting. For a complete listing of all agenda items please visit www.winsted.mn.us or pick an agenda up at City Hall.

City Issue: Private Docks on City Property

The Winsted City Council is reviewing possible strategies for dealing with private docks that are put out on city property. This issue is the most relevant along Kingsley Street, where the city owns the property on the east side of the street out to Winsted Lake. The city is aware of two (2) individuals that make use of this property for dock access into the lake.

The issue for the city revolves around a court case where an individual jumped off a private dock on city property and ended up becoming severely injured. The individual sued the city for damages and won. The city’s insurance company is recommending the following should the city want to allow private docks on city property:

1. The dock owner should agree in writing to defend, indemnify, and hold the City harmless for claims arising out of the existence of the dock.
2. The dock owner should carry adequate insurance, in the amount specified by the Minnesota State Statutes, and the policy relating to the dock should name the City as “an additional insured.” A certificate of insurance would be required to be presented to the city each year.
3. The dock owner should maintain the dock to certain specifications as outlined in the agreement or permit.
4. The dock owner should install warning signs in English and Universal symbols indicating “NO SWIMMING” and “NO DIVING” and/or “PRIVATE DOCK—KEEP OFF.”

The City Council needs your feedback regarding how they should handle the situation; their options are:

A) Create an ordinance that establishes a dock inspection program, so that the city may be able to enforce the above criteria. A fee would most likely be established for the administration of the ordinance.

B) Don’t allow any private docks on city property.

C) Other

The City Council would like to hear your thoughts regarding this issue and will be discussing it at their meeting on Wednesday, April 16th at 6:00 p.m. (Winsted Council Chambers). If you’re unable to attend, please feel free to contact the Mayor or members of the City Council, or Brent at city hall at 485-4718.

City Hall Progress

Future Winsted Police Officers?

Chief Mike Henrich spends time with a pre-school class from Holy Trinity. The young students received a tour of the Police Department and reviewed the equipment used by officers in the community.