Mayor’s appointment to Planning and Zoning Commission approved

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 — Planning and zoning issues again dominated the agenda as members of the Tower City Council met tonight for the second time this month. The city council had hoped to hold the second reading on the Planning and Zoning Commission’s request to change the zoning of three parcels, but that was not possible this evening. City Clerk Linda Keith informed the council that the full council needed to vote on the second reading, and with Alderman Brad Matich being absent, the matter would need to be tabled until a full council was available. A motion to table the second reading was made, supported and unanimously approved. It is expected that the second reading of the zoning change will appear on the city’s May, 2016 regular meeting agenda.

The proposed zoning change is required to survive two readings, garnering majority support both times from the council, before it can be implemented. Two of the subject parcels are privately held real estate and are currently zoned Residential-1. The third parcel is owned by the city and is currently zoned commercial. The proposed zoning changes have been controversial because of their proximity to the Mill Point Plat subdivision located at the confluence of Lake Vermilion and the East Two River, and because the zoning change would allow mixed residential and commercial use.

Mayor Josh Carlson informed the council that talked to Victoria Meloche following the April 11 city council meeting and he was recommending her to fill the vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Mayor motioned this appointment with Alderman William Hiltunen supporting the motion.

In discussing the appointment Alderman Joan Broten asked if anyone else had inquired, offering to serve on the commission? Clerk Keith reported that she had received three emails stating interest just after 3:00 o’clock this afternoon. The clerk noted that Alderman Broten sent an email, as did Steve Abrahamson and Kathleen Growchowski, all expressing interest in serving on the commission.

“Have you looked at the qualifications of these people?” Alderman Broten questioned, as she maintained that the city needed to have a qualified person serve on the planning and zoning commission. Mayor Carlson said that the city had only received the emails a couple of hours ago and he did not have time to consider any qualifications of the applicants. “It would be irresponsible of me to come here and recommend someone who only applied two hours ago,” Mayor Carlson said.

Alderman Broten said that Steve Abrahamson and his qualifications in real estate matters was well known in the city. (Abrahamson is the former Mayor and a Tower real estate broker.) Growchowski, who was sitting in the audience, spoke up and informed the council of her qualifications. “I’ve had 27 years experience working in city, county and state government — I’ve have lots and lots of experience in government,” Growchowski said.

The city is expecting a lot of activity in zoning and needs to have qualified people on the commission, Aldrman Broten said. “I appreciate your input,” Mayor Carlson said, “but I’ve made my motion, and it’s been seconded.” The Mayor called for the vote, cutting off further discussion. The motion was denied, with an even split among the four council members present. The Mayor and Alderman Hiltunen voted for the motion, and Alderman Broten and Alderman Lance Doherty voted against.

“Where do we go from here?” Mayor Carlson asked.

Again emphasizing the need for qualified people, Alderman Broten asked if Meloche had any specific qualifications to hold the position. “Does Victoria Meloche have any background suited to this position?” Alderman Broten questioned.

Mayor Carlson said that he had interviewed Meloche, and that she had expressed interest in serving some time ago. “She is a Main Street business person, and the zoning ordinance calls for five members to be appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council. At least three residents, and up to two people active in Tower business, though they don’t have to live here, are the requirement for the commission,” Mayor Carlson said.

I was not very impressed with Meloche, Alderman Broten said. On April 11, when the city first considered changing zoning on the three parcels currently addressed in the previous agenda item, Meloche said that the city would be involved in regulatory taking if it did not allow permits for the land in question. Alderman Broten said that Meloche was saying that she was experienced in federal law and was talking about lawsuits if people didn’t get their way. “I think we need someone who understands city zoning, not federal law. Somebody who will do what’s legal and do what’s right for everyone in the city,” Alderman Broten said, making a motion to table the appointment until the next meeting to allow time for the Mayor to interview interested candidates. We never advertised that we were seeking applicants, Alderman Broten said.

“We’re not required to advertise,” Mayor Carlson maintained. “No, not required, but it maybe it would have been appropriate,” Alderman Broten replied. In fact, the city’s official newspaper reported that the city council approved advertising to fill the Planing and Zoning Commission position following its acceptance of Clerk Keith’s resignation at the April 11 city council meeting.

Mayor Carlson returned the council’s attention to Alderman Broten’s yet unsupported motion to table the Planning and Zoning Commission appointment, asking if there would be a second to the motion. Alderman Hiltunen provided support seconding the motion. The motion then failed with Alderman Broten casting the only vote in favor of tabling the matter, and Aldermen, Hiltunen and Lance Dougherty and Mayor Carlson voting against.

“I went out and did the work, I took time out of my schedule and interviewed someone,” Mayor Carlson said, “and, I’ve made my recommendation — I recommend Vicky Meloche.”

“Did you seek out anyone else?” Alderman Broten asked. The Mayor said that he didn’t. Alderman Broten suggested that the Mayor was trying to stack the Planning and Zoning Commission with people who would give him the results he wanted and the Mayor defended himself from this accusation. The Mayor maintained that Meloche had approached him about serving the city long before the controversial zoning change appeared on the city agenda.

“The Mayor took the time to do what we asked him to do, to do his job and make a recommendation,” Alderman Dougherty said, making a motion to appoint Meloche to fill the seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Alderman Hiltunen said that he supported the motion before and that he would do so again. Alderman Broten again suggested that there were others who had applied and should be considered. Having a motion on the table and support for the motion Mayor Carlson cut off any further discussion and called for a vote. This motion passed, 3-1 with only Alderman Broten voting against the motion. Mayor Carlson, Aldermen Dougherty and Hiltunen voted for the motion.

In other business, the council:

• Approved Randy Semo’s application for storefront renovation loan, not to exceed $10,000

• Approved entering into a formal agreement with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) detailing the city’s use of DNR owned boat docks in the Tower Harbor

• Was informed by Clerk Keith about a serious blight violation on North Third Street involving garbage, structural instability and standing water which contributed to health and safety concerns. Clerk Keith reported that there was an ongoing landlord, tenant dispute. The council authorized the clerk to proceed with a citation if remediation does not commence by Wednesday afternoon

• Appointed Steve Abrahamson to the Board of Adjustment

• Accepted the KGM Construction Inc., Aurora Minn., low bid of $447,000 to complete the Tower Airport Apron project. Clerk Keith reported that the bid was nearly $20,000 less than budgeted and nearly $70,000 less than the next lowest bid.