Starbuck City Council considers land sale, vacating alley
News | Published on October 17, 2022 at 11:44am CDT
By Kris Goracke
Acting in what the mayor called “in the best interest of the city,” the Starbuck City Council voted to move forward on two requests during the regular city council meeting held Tuesday, October 11.
The first was to approve the sale of a portion of the city owned parcel # 27-0629-000. This parcel, located just adjacent to the north and west of Minnewaska Marine, is a total of 60 acres. The city waste treatment building sits on the far west of this property.
At the September 13, 2021, city council meeting, Ted Razink proposed to purchase a portion of the parcel. However, after some discussion, Mayor Gary Swenson suggested to the council that first the Planning and Zoning Committee discuss the possibility of selling the land as well as how this parcel works into the city’s comprehensive plan.
Then at the October 12, 2021 meeting, Swenson reported to the council that the Planning and Zoning Committee had met and recommended to proceed in the sale of the property. At this time there was no mention of the comprehensive plan. “The committee felt the property had limited access and it is a win/win situation to proceed in the process of selling the property,” said Swenson at that meeting. Razink once again said he was prepared to make an offer and pay for the survey. Again, after some discussion, Swenson said, “I believe it is in the best interest of the city for the city to pay for the survey as we don’t know what the appraised value is. Once the property is surveyed and we know the appraised value, the city will then be willing to entertain your and any other offers on the property.” At that time the council moved forward to have the property surveyed and appraised.
Now one year later, Razink appeared before the council once again, seeking to purchase the property. The survey, paid by Razink, indicated he wished to purchase 33.29 of the 60 acres. The discussion of this sale was held in a closed meeting. At some point Razink and his wife, Denise, were called into the closed meeting. Once the meeting was over and with no discussion, Steve Gorder made a motion to sell the 33.29 acres for $45,000 to Razink. The council approved the sale.
Contrary to the course of action set in October of 2021, the council did not pay for the survey, provide information regarding the comprehensive plan, request for an appraisal, nor open the sale to other buyers. According to the League of Minnesota Cities website, “In some instances, a city may need to consider notifying people or getting approval before making the purchase. Such situations include the following: Comprehensive plans. If the city has a comprehensive plan, the planning commission must review the transaction to determine if it is consistent with the plan. If a city has a comprehensive plan, it may not acquire or dispose of any property until the city’s planning commission has reviewed the proposed acquisition and reported on whether it will comply with the city’s comprehensive plan. The planning commission’s report must be in writing. According to a member of the Starbuck Planning and Zoning committee, the comprehensive plan was only a draft in 2021 and the sale of this parcel has not been discussed in relation to the comprehensive plan nor has a written report been submitted.
There was also no discussion regarding a public hearing for the subdividing of a parcel. According to the city ordinance, “A public hearing shall be held on all subdivision applications prior to preliminary plat approval, unless otherwise provided by law or charter. The hearing shall be held following publication of notice of the times and place thereof in the official newspaper at least ten days before the day of the hearing. At the hearing, all persons interested shall be given an opportunity to make presentations.” The Pope County Tribune reached out to the city regarding this ordinance, but received no comment.
The 60 acres has a market value of over $500,000. When asked about why an appraisal had not been done, Swenson responded, “We don’t have to. This is for the best interest of Starbuck.”
The second action of the council for the “best interest of Starbuck” was to approve a public hearing regarding vacating an alley which runs east to west next to the Old Firehall Brewing Company. Addressing the council on this issue was Jan Payne, one of the owners of the brewery. “We are asking the city to consider vacating the alley next to our building. We would like to build a patio on the south side and there isn’t enough room.” When asked about utilities Payne said the brewery is willing to pay for the gas line to be moved which is the only utility that would be impacted. Swenson voiced concerns about how the people on golf carts will access the brewery. “We have two campgrounds who will want to come to the brewery, but how will they legally get to the brewery on their golf carts without the alley?” asked Swenson. Payne responded they welcome everyone and believes there are other ways to access the brewery without the alley. Snow removal was another concern discussed. Ted Razink, the owner of the property south of the brewery, said the snow is currently piled in the alley as there is no other place for it. “Well, we haven’t been here for a winter yet, but I guess if we need to remove the snow off premise, then that is what we will do,” said Payne. Council member Jill Hanson asked about the other people and businesses on the block and the impact on them. “I just want to do what’s in the best interest,” she said. “I think having a new business is what’s best,” said Swenson. With that, the council approved to move ahead with a public hearing as well as informing all residents within 350’ about the proposal and public hearing.
The final numbers are in for the 2020 Road Project reported Nick Koos from Widseth. “We are going through the numbers and hope to go forward on the assessments soon.” When asked about the pavers and cement work, Koos indicated he had not heard. On a similar note, Starbuck city employee Randy Peterson reported that the cement work in front of Casey’s had been completed. For the past couple of years, who is responsible for the replacement has been a point of contention between MNDot and the city. After a few phone calls, Peterson connected with upper management of Casey’s who agreed to pay for the sidewalk replacement. “A big thank you to Casey’s,” said Peterson.
In other business: the council:
•The city discussed scheduling a public hearing for a THC product sales ordinance.
•Approved the bid to Kirkwold for the building of a lean-to by the city garages for $9,000.
•Accepted a donation from Minnewaska Marine for $1400 towards the striping of city parking lots.
•Accepted a donation from the Starbuck Men’s Auxiliary for $2,000 towards the Heritage Days Fireworks.
•Accepted a donation from the Starbuck Men’s Auxiliary for $2,000 towards the airport garage.
•Approved the payment of $1,000 for the city’s hanging baskets and flowers for the summer of 2022.
•Approved the lease with Pope/Douglas Joint Solid Waste Management.
The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2022.
