2007-01-05 Friday News The Friday News
January 5, 2007
PAR 3
The City Council has formed a negotiating Committee consisting of Councilmember Vitelli,
Councilmember Krebsbach, Joe Betlej, Tami Diehm and me to work with the owners of the
Par 3 and arrive at a purchase price for the purpose of conducting a referendum in the spring to
see if the voters will approve a plan to purchase the course. The Par 3 negotiating committee had
its second meeting with the landowners this week. Although there was still no purchase price
arrived at, I felt that the negotiations went well. The owners are considering our latest offer and
have promised to get back to me soon with their decision.
COMMISSION VACANCIES
As of February 1st, there will be five vacancies on the City’s three Advisory Commissions.
Three (3) vacancies on the Planning Commission, one (1) on the Park and Recreation and one (1)
on the Airport Relations Commission. There are nine applicants for those vacancies and the City
Council set a workshop to be conducted before the next City Council meeting to interview those
applicants.
AUGUSTA SHORES CONSERVATION EASEMENT
A representative from Rex Landscaping came to City Hall this week, seeking permission to do
some work in the shoreline at Augusta Shores, which is in a conservation easement favoring the
City. Rex Landscaping wanted a written record of their request and permission from the City to
clear buckthorn, noxious weeds and dead elms. This activity is allowed under the terms of the
easement, so a letter was provided allowing for work to go ahead as described. Any “additional”
work would be a violation of the easement and would be prosecuted in the same fashion as the
Westerheim case from earlier this year.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
This week the City Council had a reception before their meeting to recognize all the employees
who had reached their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 35 year milestones. Yes, Firefighter Marc
Connolly had served the City for over 35 years. Marc was also retiring and there was a huge
contingent of his fellow firefighters at the meeting to congratulate him and wish him well.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Agenda,
Airport Relations Commission Meeting Agenda, South-West Review Article “Top 10 stories of
2006”, Sun Current Article “Another year in northern Dakota County” and Pioneer Press Article
“New tennis courts at Sibley”.