Breezy Point City Council No EIS for Breezy Sand and Gravel

gravel and sand After approximately 50 minutes of heated discussion on whether ornot an EIS could be required, at the suggestion of City AttorneyMacArthur the council took a 10-minute break. About 30 personsattended the council meeting; most of whom were concerned aboutthis issue. Mitch Brinks from the engineering firm, Kramer Leas Deleo,presented information on the Environmental Assessment Worksheetthat was voluntarily completed by the gravel company. Althoughconcerns exist, he stated that there is not enough information torequire an EIS. To determine whether the EIS is required, data mustbe taken from the 30-day comment period. Usually there are only acouple of Environmental Impact Studies going on at any timethroughout the state. Brinks said, “We recognize that there are issues but they canbe handled by other committees and authorities (like Planning andZoning).” MacArthur agreed with this, as did Jim Perry andBrad Scott. Mayor JoAnn Weaver wondered if the council could see what P&Zdid at their meeting scheduled on Tuesday, June 10, at 7:00 PMbefore making a decision on the EIS; however P & Z cannot makeany decisions until the council issues the negative declaration. Pete Sauer then stated, “I have a lot of faith in ourPlanning and Zoning, let’s let them act. This is likely thefastest route.” Thirty minutes after the meeting was resumed, Erik Lee said,“I think it’s time to call the question.” Lee,Sauer, and Brothen agreed to the negative declaration, Weaveropposed. City Excellence Award Received The City of Breezy Point will receive a 2008 City Excellence Award.This is for the unique partnership between North Memorial Ambulanceand the city to provide quality emergency medical services. Thecity employs police officers who are certified as paramedics, andcan provide advanced emergency first aid. North Ambulance providesthe necessary equipment and medical control. The collaborationstarted in 2005 and has been effective in saving lives. In other city business: ? The wastewater treatment building roof repair will be doneby Bargen, Incorporated of Mountain Lake for a quoted price of$17,823.75. ? An ordinance amendment to come into compliance with statestatutes as related to voting requirements for zoning mapamendments was passed. A change of classification of a propertyfrom residential to commercial or industrial now requires a 2/3majority of the governing body. ? A motion to place the Geocache in the cemetery failed. Itwas a tie vote with Weaver and Brothen opposing, Lee and Sauer inagreement. ? No action was taken on Gerald Smieja’s request toreconstruct his property slope. A motion failed due to lack of asecond. ? The 2008 road improvement bond issue passed. A total of$460,000.00 in bonds will be issued. An estimated average couponrate is 4.1516%. Bonds are dated June 15, 2008; the paying agent isNorthland Trust Services. ? The 2009 road improvement plan-option 2 was passed. Themodified original plan was prepared in August 2006, howeverconditions change over time, stated City Engineer Phil Martin. Afeasibility study not to exceed a cost of $750.00 was approved.Mayor JoAnn Weaver was opposed to this action. ? The Council voted in favor of establishing a County BallotBoard. ? Kent Brothen announced his intention to re-introduce theconcept of the city hall space study.