After taking sample borings at more than six locations, they finally found a suitable well site on land not owned by the city.
City engineer Pete Carlson said the tests showed the sand and gravel layer was good for a well at the latest boring site. The MPCA monitored the testing and approved this site within Project 55, south of Highway 55.
The city will need about 10,000 square feet of land for the new well. Carlson said they are negotiating for the land.
After test borings determined there was a good well site on a lot, the city had purchased four acres at a cost of $40,000 for a new well earlier this year. The site turned out to be unsuitable. Thus the search for another location.
The MPCA has allocated $650,000 for the two new city wells and a water main. The project is estimated to cost about $630,000. "I'm hoping when all is done we will still be under the cap," Carlson told the council.
WilGlo Acres Addition
The council approved a plat for WilGlo Acres Addition, contingent upon MnDOT's approval. This western plat contains 34 lots on the north side of the Crow River.
Developer Willie Scheel was forced to break his addition into smaller plats because of a question of ownership surrounding two lots. In the original platting in 1857, these two lots were designated as a public square. The ownership of these lots is not known, so they can't be platted until ownership is resolved.
Scheel will be publishing a legal notice to see if anyone claims the two lots. If the lots are unclaimed after two months, then a court judge will make a determination of ownership. Scheel then can file a quitclaim deed for the property.
Scheel doesn't own all the property within the platted area yet so the other owners need to approve the plat as well. Landowners Bert Ruprecht and Paynesville Tractor Parts who are selling land to Scheel for the development, have already approved the plat.
MnDOT must also approve the plat because of its access to Highway 55. Carlson expected to receive MnDOT's approval within three weeks.
City attorney Bill Spooner did not recommend awarding the bid to R.L. Larson Excavating, St. Cloud, until all the agreements have been signed. Larson submitted the low bid of $507,695 for street construction and water and sewer development. The city can hold the bids for 60 days before the prices change.
The council approved vacating undeveloped streets within the develop-ment. They also approved awarding the bid if all owners within the plat sign the development agreement.
Other business
•The city opted to build an addition onto their existing shop on Railroad Street instead of purchasing the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) shop space.
Ron Mergen, public works director, said they only needed to add an office and storage space. The addition will measure 12 by 18 feet and is estimated to cost about $8,000. MnDOT was offering their 1.72 acre tract for $169,000.
•The council approved a gambling permit for the Crow River Trail Guards to sell pulltabs at the Koronis Lanes.
•Robert Lindvall, Stearns County appraiser, informed the council by letter that he will be canvassing homes in Oak Park, Alldon Park, and the Chladek Addition for the 2001 assessments. Each year different segments of the city are appraised to see if property valuations have changed.
• Doris Wendlandt, owner of the Queen Bee's Bar and Grill, asked about obtaining a Sunday liquor license. Since the city has an ordinance against serving liquor on Sundays, the city would need to change its ordinance. This change would need to be voted on in a public referendum.
The city council could pass a resolution calling for a vote or a petition could be signed by 20 percent of the voters in the last election. Then the issue would be put on the next ballot.
The issue will be discussed again at the next council meeting.