The city council approved raising building permit fees by ten percent at their first meeting of 2001 on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Permit fees vary according to a projectÕs cost, using a sliding scale. (See shaded box.) A permit for a $500 project would cost $16.50, one for a $50,000 project would cost $455.95, and one for a $500,000 project would cost $2,243.45.
The city contracts with the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission from Willmar for inspection services.
Last year, the city issued 84 permits at a valuation of $5.6 million. There was only one more permit than in 1999, but the value of projects raised $3.1 million.
In addition, Mid-Minnesota will charge $43 per hour for inspections outside of normal business hours, for reinspections, and additional review required by changes to the approved plans. A plan check will cost 65 percent of the building fee.
The city will charge $25 for the demolition or moving of a building, with police escort also costing $25 per hour.
Reorganization
As it was the first meeting of a new year, the council reorganized for 2001.
First, Mayor Jeff Thompson and council members Harlan Beek and Dave Peschong were sworn in for new terms. Thompson was re-elected to a two-year term, and Beek and Peschong have four-year terms.
Council member Dennis Zimmerman was reappointed as the acting mayor, to fill in for Thompson if needed.
The council designated Frauenshuh and Spooner as the city attorney; The Paynesville Press as its official newspaper; city administrator Denny Wilde as treasurer; Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. as the city engineer; Dennis Nacey as civil defense director; and Farmers & Merchants State Bank, the Melrose Credit Union, Community First National Bank, Saloman Smith Barney, and Miller Johnson Steichen Kinnard (formerly Juran and Moody) as official depositories of city funds.
The following council members were reappointed to the city committee:
Airport - Dave Peschong
CAEERC - Jeff Thompson, Peschong
Cable TV - Dennis Zimmerman
Community Ed - Zimmerman
EDAP - Thompson, Jean Soine
Finance - Harlan Beek, Soine
Human Rights Commission - Soine
Park and Tree - Beek
Koronis Civic Arena - Soine
Personnel - Thompson, Peschong
Planning - Zimmerman
Police - Thompson
Public Charitable Trust Fund - Thompson
Public Works - Beek, Peschong
Solid Waste Commission - Soine
Paynesville Area Transit - Soine
Weed Inspection - Thompson
Wellhead Protection - Beek
Other business
•The council approved a step increase for Judy Cummings, a liquor store clerk. Cummings has completed 2,080 hours of work.
•The council approved a 3.2 beer license and a cigarette license for Tom Thumb. This business was annexed into the city within the past year.
•Sales at the municipal liquor store totaled $726,000 for 2000, up nearly $60,000 from 1999. (See chart below.)