Moorhead City Council Meeting
August 25, 2014
Public Hearing:
Joe Lomsdal, Aggressive Properties – Property Tax Exemption (2636 16 Ave S)
Voting requirements: Majority of Quorum- Passed Unanimously
Aggressive Towing & Recovery received a property tax exemption of $13,440 for the construction of a 4,600 square foot building. The building will have a 40’ x 50’ shop, 20’ x 50’ wash bay, and office space. Currently, the property has a 180’ x 250’ crushed concrete parking lot and perimeter fencing. Construction is planned to be completed in December.
The business currently employs approximately six full-time equivalent positions. Wages are above the minimum wage for 2014 of $9.15 In addition to these retained employees, the project will create at least one new employee paid above the minimum wage.
· E-Cigarette Ordinance first reading passed 7-1 with council member Mari Dailey voting against regulating as unnecessary.
*Consent agenda items are considered routine and they are passed without discussion.
Consent Agenda Item:
First Reading of Ordinances modifications – Technical Amendments to Public Health & Sanitation, Motor Vehicles & Traffic and Building Standards. Details of all of the changes can be view on the City website.
Among the Ordinances change, the proposed Motor Vehicles and Recreational Vehicle received the most attention. This change was also discussed at the August 18, 2014 Committee of the Whole meeting. The City has received a number of complaints regarding homeowners/renters storing recreational units for long periods of time on driveways or property. The staff indicated that enforcement of this issue has been difficult for several reasons and they recommended the following change.
The draft ordinance revision to Motor Vehicles and Recreational Vehicles has been further modified to incorporate definitions of “Motor Home” and “Camper or Travel Trailer” together with the following requirements:
• Only one of the two recreational vehicles on a property may be a motor home or camper/travel trailer. All recreational vehicles that require state licensure must be currently licensed and in compliance with all other aspects of the City Code, which will enable enforcement against “junk” vehicles, trailers and vehicles used for household storage and other such code violations.
Other Consent actions:
• The 2015 Mass Transit operating budget of $2,538,536 is $171,989 higher than the 2014 budget of $2,366,547 of 7.27%.
Moorhead Public Service
welcomes new Commissioner
On August 11, 2014, the Moorhead City Council appointed John Rogalla to represent Ward 2 on the Moorhead Public Service Commission (Commission). John brings 27 years of experience in consumer, commercial, and private banking to the Moorhead Public Service Commission. He is presently employed as a Credit and Safety Manager for a local Moorhead business. John has held positions on numerous boards in the community, including the Moorhead Economic Development Authority and the Foundation and Alumni Boards for Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Moorhead Public Service Commission and staff welcome John Rogalla to the Moorhead Public Service Commission.
The Moorhead Public Service Commission and staff want to thank Corinne Stefanson for her nine years of service on the Commission representing Ward 2. During her tenure, Corinne served on the Commission’s Human Resources and Budget Committees, as well as American Public Power Association’s (APPA’s) Policy Maker’s Council. Corinne represented Moorhead Public Service at APPA’s Legislative Rally, APPA’s National Meetings, and various Missouri River Energy Service’s (MRES’) meetings. Corinne recently received the Maurice A. TePaske Public Official Award from MRES to honor her years of distinguished service in support of public power.
Greater Moorhead Days Parade
There are still spots available in the M|State Greater Moorhead Days Parade. The parade will take place on Friday, September 5, 2014. Lineup will begin at 5 pm and the parade will begin at 6 pm. Lineup is along 28 Ave S and the parade travels North on 20 St S from 28 Ave S to 8 Ave S in Moorhead.
Current entries include floats, vehicles, animals, walkers, and more. Showcase your organization, business, or event with an entry in the parade.
To register for the parade email tara.ekren@cityofmoorhead.com .
Moorhead Homebuyer
Survey results are in
New residents very satisfied with Moorhead neighborhoods
The City of Moorhead surveyed all 2013 purchasers of existing and newly constructed homes regarding their home buying experience and impressions of Moorhead as their hometown.
The City is excited to hear from our newest residents. Some notable survey results:
37% of respondents most recently lived in Moorhead before buying their current home; 34% lived in Fargo or West Fargo; and 7% came from states outside of Minnesota or North Dakota, or from another country.
Besides the features of their homes, the most common reasons people chose to purchase their homes in Moorhead were:
Value of the home purchased
Neighborhood features
Wanting to live in Minnesota
89% of Moorhead homebuyers surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their neighborhoods.
71.4% of Moorhead homebuyers surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with Moorhead’s affordability and cost of living.
For more information, please check out the full survey results. http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/home/showdocument?id=1583
For further information about buying a home in Moorhead, including building incentives, flood protection, schools, and neighborhoods, please visit our website http://www.cityofmoorhead.com or contact Lisa Vatnsdal, Community Development Division Manager, 218.299.5372.