Last Wednesday, the Paynesville City Council unanimously approved the sale of a lot in Diekmann Business Park to the Giltz Company, which plans to build an 8,000 square foot building and lease it to Family Dollar Stores, Inc.
The building cost is estimated between $400,000 and $425,000. The company plans to use local builders.
The lot, which is between Yarmon Ford and Country Inn, sold for $10,000 plus assessments for a total of $35,957.
According to their 1999 Annual Report, Family Dollar Stores is one of the fastest growing chain stores in the nation, with more than 3,400 stores operating in 39 states and the District of Columbia. The store, which has a "low-frills" environment, will sell family and home needs merchandise. Most prices will be under $10.
The store is expected to provide 12 full-time jobs, with benefits, and 28 part-time jobs. The starting pay will be $7.50 per hour.
Another business is considering moving into the area. The council approved EDAP's recommendation to sell either lot 12, 14, or 15 in the Industrial Park to John and Sandy Steinmetz, of rural Kimball, for the expansion of their business, Styme Industries, Inc.
The offer is good for 60 days. Construction would have to start within a year.
The Steinmetzes plan to build a 10,000 square foot building. They would like to expand eventually to 20,000 square feet.
They currently operate from their farm, but have outgrown it. Another reason for the move is the location next to Louis Industries, with whom they have worked in the past.
Heading 4 Home
The council also approved an EDAP recommendation to subsidize the Heading 4 Home Program at $3,000 per lot.
The program is aimed at providing affordable rental units. A duplex will be erected on each of two lots in Morningside Addition. Each unit of the duplex will have three bedrooms and a double garage.
The Stearns County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will own and manage the units.
Street project
The council approved the fourth payment ($183,989) to Kuechle Underground, Inc., for the 2000 street project.
Pete Carlson, city engineer, said that progress on the project has been slower than expected lately. Soft spots have appeared in newly paved areas, so patching has been done to correct the problem.
The problem seems to stem from paving being done in the rain in order to have the streets ready for the Town and Country Days parade.
The council also approved the use of Soil Guard instead of sod for ladnscaping. With Soil Guard, seends are imbedded in a wood fiber blanket. The blanket is rolled out, and the seeds germinate. Soil Guard requires less initial watering than sod because the mosture is already in the wood fibers.
Second Street Frontage Road
The council directed Carlson to make contact with MnDOT to confirm the offer of $26,250 for the Second Street frontage road. A written agreement needs to be in place before the project can be added as a change order to the WilGlo Acres Addition.
Extending the frontage road to Maple Street will cost an estimated $29,000. The city also feels the existing part of Second Street needs to be rebuilt and the steep approaches to Highway 55 should be removed.
MnDOT had originally said they would contribute $50,000 to the project, but now will only finance the new construction.
The council will still need to decide whether the city will pay for rebuilding the existing frontage road.
Other Business
• The council approved a payment of $1,034 to Jennings Well Drilling, Inc. for well repairs at Veteran's Park.
• The council approved a payment of $25,488 to Caldwell Asphalt Co., Inc. for the sealcoat portion of the street project. Five percent of the total bill, $1,341.48, will be retained until the project is completed.
• The council approved a payment of $3,500 for sidewalk repairs in the following areas: City Hall, on Mill St. between Stearns and Genesee, 509 W Mill St., 510 Stearns Ave., and 415 W Mill St.
• The council approved a Beer Garden permit for the American Legion for August 5, 2000, in the American Legion parking lot.
• The council set a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. The hearing will address the city's criteria for giving business subsidies.