4/23/2008 2:23:00 PM Council discusses Pawlenty's reaction to Music Lending Library
By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy
In light of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recent negative comments regarding a request for financial assistance to upgrade the Chatfield Brass Band Music Lending Library's facility, the Chatfield City Council heard remarks from Chatfield Brass Band library volunteers during its April 14 meeting.
Library president and band board member Theresa Hayden and library manager Teresa Cerling appeared before the council. Hayden noted that while the original request for funding was only to improve the existing structure, when legislators toured the cramped library, their suggestion was to build a completely new structure with accommodations for the library's aging collection, which has sheet music dating back to 1870.
She said, "We are the only music lending library in the world. There are other music libraries, but we are the only ones who actually lend the music out. If you've ever been in the building, we're bursting at the seams.
"The House Finance Committee was floored by the crowding in there. We considered the elementary building as an option, and then the governor made his comments... we are embarrassed for Chatfield, that we were singled out."
Cerling stated, "We have been supported by the Legislature at least twice in the past."
Mayor Curt Sorenson agreed that the negative attention the lending library received was an undue embarrassment to the city, and stated, "I still support the Chatfield Brass Band and its endeavors."
Councilor Ken Jacobson concurred as he said, "This was an example of pure politics. He was trying to embarrass a particular political representative and held a very fine community up for scorn."
Councilor Brenda Johnson suggested that the governor had presented the city with an opportunity "to make lemonade out of lemons," as the music lending library is used globally and has unique holdings.
"It makes sense to work together - why should only Minnesota support it, when people from all over the world use it? That's like saying that only the city taxpayers should pay for the school instead of everyone in the district," she noted.
"Now's the time - when the state's band is at risk for being cut from the finances - to offer the services of the Chatfield Brass Band. We've done that in the past, and it was good to do that for them."
Hilltop Estates
Planning and zoning issues preceded discussion on the band library. Contracted city planner Kristi Clarke of McGhie & Betts reported that the environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for Hilltop Estates is reviewed by the state's Environmental Quality Board (EQB).
The city of Chatfield acted as the local regulating government unit (RGU) for the review. The EQB review began March 12, and the city received only three letters commenting on the proposed subdivision. The GGG company - consultant on the project for property owners Geoff and Monica Griffin, provided a response to the letters.
The first, from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), stated that none of the items listed in the EAW require an environmental impact study (EIS) and acknowledged that with the loss of natural habitat, the city might do well to reduce the habitat loss as much as possible and take a conservation approach to the construction of the subdivision.
The next letter came from Barb Upton of rural Fountain, who questioned the costs of water booster stations, as well as the effects of tax abatement, flash flooding and various environmental issues. The city responded to Upton's concerns by affirming the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA)'s participation in the environmental matters.
In reply to a letter from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), which observed that the construction would have nothing additional to do with the environmental review process, concurred that the site in question has "no unique environmental features" that could hinder construction.
The council passed a resolution recognizing that no EAW would be necessary, and Clarke informed members that the action would be official once the EQB approves and publishes the resolution.
Towers
Next, the "definition of a tower" came up as editing the city's tower ordinance stood on the agenda. AT&T would like to install a telecommunications tower in Chatfield, and placing telecommunications equipment on tall pre-existing structures brought up the need to define what constitutes a tower.
Telecommunications towers over 80 ft. tall must be considered by the council through a conditional use permit (CUP) process before being built, according to the ordinance. City Attorney Fred Suhler Jr. raised the point of whether a pre-existing structure remains as its intended existence, or if it becomes a telecommunications tower once an antenna is attached to it.
City clerk Joel Young stated he understands that the principal use of a structure defines it as long as it retains its principal use. The council authorized Suhler to edit the ordinance.
Other business
• Chatfield Police Chief Shane Fox gave his police report, noting that he has given a contingent hiring offer to a police officer, dependent upon the results of that officer's background check. Also, the council voted to approve the patrol officer's union contract, retroactive to Jan. 1.
• Sorenson announced that he and Johnson were pleased to participate in the celebration of the state's sesquicentennial through the reception held for the sesquicentennial banner. It arrived at the Chatfield Public Library on April 11. The Chatfield Brass Band provided music for the occasion, and the library hosted several activities.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was written by listening to the webstreaming of the meeting available at http://chatfield.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=5
