A pair of proposals for the former Community Education building attracted significant public interest this spring, and Annandale City Council members took action on the future daycare center during their meeting on Monday, June 6.
The Annandale Area Community Team had suggested that the city council acquire the building from the school district for use as a senior citizen-based community center on April 1, but Sarah Wiles had previously submitted a standard purchase offer for the building in order to start a daycare center.
The school district reviewed both proposals and accepted Wiles’ offer during a special meeting on April 18.
Last week, the city council approved a conditional use permit that will allow Wiles to operate Little Learners Child Care in the building. The daycare will be licensed by the state for up to 75 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 11 years. There will be 12 employees, with an average of eight employees there at a time.
Wiles told the council there are still a few hurdles to cross before the facility can open for business, but she is hoping to be ready in September.
Conditions specified in the city’s permit were that there be no outside storage, that an agreement with the school district provide at least eight staff parking places at the Annandale Middle School lot across the street, and that any outdoor lighting changes be reviewed by the city.
Broadband appreciation
Fourth of July event chair John Volden shared an update on plans for the Fourth (see related article in this edition), but also took the opportunity to thank council members for their work in improving the city’s broadband situation.
"I just wanted to publicly say, on behalf of both the individual and business citizens of Annandale, we are most grateful for the efforts that you put forth to find, persuade, influence, convince, entice – pick your appropriate verb here – an alternative Internet provider to come into our community," Volden said.
He added that the topic has received significant attention at the state capitol, due "in no small part" to Annandale’s work there.
"This has been so important on so many levels, to this area. Many recognize this, and I just wanted to publicly acknowledge your efforts and sincerely say thank you for all the efforts that you put into this," Volden said.
Construction on the new Midco network, which will provide an alternative to sole incumbent Windstream, is well underway.
"It’s nice to have a happy ending," said Mayor Dwight "Dewey" Gunnarson.
Other items
In other business, the council:
■ Accepted a donation of $25,000 from the Bruns family for the Annandale Recreation Park.
■ Heard from Public Works Director Joe Haller that the Cherry Avenue project is completely done, and that Midco’s broadband network construction is keeping the city crew busy.
Haller also said he was pleased with the pace of that project and with the job contractors are doing to restore the areas that have been dug up.
■ Agreed to pay $13,428 to AR Engh out of Cokato to replace an HVAC unit on the city hall roof that has a cracked heat exchanger.
The cost to repair the system rather than replace it was $4,750, but Haller said that replacing the 15-year-old unit made more sense than repairing it.
"The repairs don’t justify the expense," he said.
"That’s about how long (commercial HVAC units) last nowadays. That’s actually good," said Gunnarson.
Funding for the replacement will be covered by $6,000 from the general fund and $7,500 from the deputy registrar fund.
■ Approved a site plan amendment for the Spilled Grain Brewhouse that will allow the establishment to set up a temporary patio area for special events only. The 41-by-75-foot patio on the north side of the parking lot will simply consist of a roped off area, with no actual construction taking place.
City Administrator Kelly Hinnenkamp explained that the area has been blocked in the past for similar events, but a site amendment was needed because it has occasionally been difficult to get events approved on short notice with the council’s one meeting per month schedule.
Hinnenkamp also pointed out that despite the fact that a residential area is located immediately to the north of the site, there have been no noise complaints.
Dan Seaberg represented the business at the meeting.
"Congratulations on your continued success," said Gunnarson after the amendment was approved.
Seaberg said the business’s success has been "beyond our wildest dreams."
■ Noted the employment anniversaries and step increases for three employees. Police officer Nancy Engfer has been with the department for 15 years full time. Hinnenkamp has been with the city for four years, and police officer Pete Standafer has reached two years.
■ Viewed a police department report for the month of April. There were two criminal incidents, including one domestic assault and one disturbing the peace complaint.
That brings the year-to-date total for criminal incidents to 20. There were also 38 citations issued in April for a year-to-date total of 148.
Non-criminal calls for service totalled 191 for April and 665 for the year. The largest number of those April calls, 21, were for medical assistance. There were also 20 incidents where the department assisted other agencies.
■ Viewed a fire department report for April that included 15 total incidents. There were three fires, including one building fire, one woodland fire and one grass fire.
There were also 10 calls for rescue or emergency medical service, including one motor vehicle accident.
■ Approved a temporary liquor license for the Annandale Area Community Team’s Field to Feast event.
The council had tabled this item previously in order to explore whether or not its liability insurance coverage was adequate for the event.
■ Approved a quote from SP Electric to install new electric service lines for the city lift station on Ash Street, the training center and the Big Woods Park.
The new lines were necessary because Xcel Energy has acquired the service territory as part of its system that will include the Aurora solar site.
■ Tabled a request from the Downtown Committee to close Chestnut Street between Main Street and Maple Avenue, as well as Cedar Street between Main Street and the alley, for the art crawl between 1 and 4 p.m. on Aug. 13.
Council members wanted to check on the need to close portions of two streets.
■ Accepted the resignation of Tom Gay from the planning commission for personal reasons.
"He was a great resource for us, just having that real estate mind in reviewing applications," said Hinnenkamp. "So it will be unfortunate to lose him, but it gives another opportunity to bring a new person on the commission too."
■ Approved a street dance organized by Russell’s that will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 2, as well as the closing of a portion of Chestnut Street between Main Street and Maple Avenue for that event.
■ Approved the hiring of a new firefighter, who will bring the department’s ranks to 29 members.
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