PROCEEDINGS OF

June 23, 2009

The regular meeting of the Staples City Council was called to order by Mayor Etzler at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at the Staples Government Center. Present were Mayor Etzler, City Council Members Carlson, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg. Council Member Einerwold was absent. Also present were City Administrator Mathews, City Clerk Lindaman, Public Works Director Klein, Community Development Director Nelsen and other interested persons.

It was moved by Miles and seconded by Schmieg to approve the agenda as presented. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Schmieg and seconded by Flaten to approve the consent calendar items consisting of the minutes from the previous meeting and payment of the bills presented. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

It was moved by Quance and seconded by Schmieg to renew the Taxicab License for Friends of Staples, Inc. DBA: Staples Transportation for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 and to waive the requirement for a chauffeur's license. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

Chuck Mayer from Mayer, Porter, Beinhorn & Rowe, LTD. presented the audit report on the 2008 financial statements. It was moved by Quance and seconded by Miles to accept the audit report as presented. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

City Administrator Mathews updated the Council on various projects and activities.

Tim Houle from Widseth Smith Nolting updated the council on the status of the Old Highway 10 Turnback Project and requested input on the street width between curbs, the layout behind the curb, and the level of streetscaping. Mr. Houle presented examples of streets and their dimensions and reviewed state aid rules. State aid rules provide for a minimum 38 feet from curb face to curb face and a maximum of 44 feet. At the May 26, 2009 City Council meeting the council expressed support for 41 feet from curb face to curb face with 12.5 feet from curb face to the edge of the right-of-way, 9.5 foot parking lanes, and 11 foot driving lanes. Following concerns expressed at the June 16, 2009 breakfast meeting with affected property owners, the design team proposed either 43 feet from curb face to curb face with 11.5 feet from curb face to the edge of the right-of-way, 10 foot parking lanes, and 11.5 foot driving lanes; or 42 feet from curb face to curb face with 12 feet from curb face to the edge of the right-of-way, 9.5 foot parking lanes, and 11.5 foot driving lanes. City Administrator Mathews gave a power point presentation demonstrating a full sized car, two full sized pickups and a school bus aligned across a street with 10 foot parking lanes and 11.5 foot driving lanes. Various business owners including Roger Houselog, Chad Longbella, Pete Brenny, Ken Klose, Lani Roberts and Wayne Mensen expressed support for wider parking lanes and narrower sidewalks citing safety concerns and snow removal issues. Discussion was held on snow storage and removal in relationship to sidewalk width. After considerable discussion, it was moved by Miles and seconded by Schmieg to approve 44 feet from curb face to curb face with 11 feet from curb face to the edge of the right-ofway, 10 foot parking lanes, and 12 foot driving lanes. Carlson, Flaten, Miles and Schmieg voted yes. Etzler and Quance voted no. Carried

It was the consensus of the council to keep a consistent width between the curb faces for the entire length of the street and have concrete behind the curb in present commercial use areas and a grass boulevard with a concrete sidewalk in present residential use areas.

Discussion was held on the level of streetscaping, MNDOT participation in funding, special assessments, and city funding. It was the general feeling of the Council to proceed with a design that would include some enhancements (decorative street lights, etc.) beyond what MNDOT would fund.

Council Member Schmieg suggested that the Council consider a resolution at the next meeting expressing displeasure with the cutbacks in Local Government Aid.

Council Member Quance presented a sample of discolored water from a residence on McKinley Street SW.

Council Member Quance questioned whether rumors were true that approximately $180,000 could be saved on the library/ city hall building with a conventional pitched roof; and if true, why the council was not informed; and is it too late to make changes?

It was moved by Miles and seconded by Quance to adjourn the meeting at 9:29 p.m. Carlson, Etzler, Flaten, Miles, Quance and Schmieg voted yes. None voted no. Carried.

Approved: Chris Etzler, Mayor

Attest: Phil Lindaman, City Clerk

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