Proposed detachment and concurrent annexation of about 450 acres to Oak Grove
Council met in a special session to coordinate the City of Nowthen’s response to a petition seeking detachment of roughly 450 acres from Nowthen’s east boundary and annexation to the City of Oak Grove. Attorney Bob Ruppe outlined why he believed Oak Grove should not support the petition and discussed potential contested-case costs. The council agreed it remained unanimous in opposing the request and voted to continue the special meeting to Oak Grove City Hall on March 26 so the entire Nowthen council could address Oak Grove directly, and they canceled/postponed the scheduled comprehensive plan workshop to a later date.
Agenda: A. Motions: M-1. Speakers: Bettinger, Pilon, Ruppe, Rainville, Breyen, Reighard.
Pinnaker Lake Estates road overlay improvement hearing (engineer estimate $149,000; proposed assessment $2,980/unit)
The council held the first required public improvement hearing on a proposed 2-inch bituminous overlay for roads in the Pinnaker Lake Estates development (about 0.8 miles). The engineer explained the pavement condition and why an overlay now could extend service life and reduce longer-term costs. The proposal assumed the city would pay 50% of project cost with the remainder assessed to 25 benefitting properties on a per-unit basis (estimated $2,980 per unit). Residents asked about more substantial reconstruction, warranty, the 50% split, and benefit-test issues. The council closed the hearing without taking action in this bundle beyond receiving comments.
Agenda: B. Speakers: Nelson, Pilon, Ruppe, Brannon, Avis, Lorensen, Ketchum, Bettinger.
Old Viking Blvd road overlay improvement hearing (engineer estimate $533,280; proposed assessment $4,040/unit direct; continued to April 5)
The council held a public improvement hearing on a proposed 2-inch overlay of Old Viking Blvd (about 3.5 miles). The engineer presented pavement condition data and a 2018 schedule, with a stated engineer’s estimate of $533,280 and a proposal for the city to pay 50% of costs, resulting in estimated assessments of $4,040 per direct-access property and $1,010 for four indirect-benefit parcels. Residents raised concerns about fairness of per-unit assessments, heavy traffic from non-residents and businesses, drainage and ditching, winter plowing/ice, speed limits and enforcement, and future development traffic. Because additional residents (including West Ford Brook) needed the chance to speak, the meeting was continued to April 5, 2018 at 7:00 PM.
Agenda: C. Speakers: Nelson, Pilon, Ruppe, Bambery, Cleath, Czaia, Fladebo, Emmerich, Fristedt, Tomala, Mevissen, Coolage, Swanson, Kok, Rainville, Reighard, Bettinger.