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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br />December 18, 2000 <br /> <br />Page 9 <br /> <br />Tom Forsythe, 13578 181 st Avenue NW indicated he is a resident in the area and also that <br />he is representing some of the property owners in the area. Mr. Forsythe was concerned <br />about how the tower would affect his property. He stated that it is ironic that a tower is <br />proposed for the area when the area is not serviced by city water. He indicated that <br />Hillside was not an appropriate location and indicated that parkland is too valuable of <br />property to locate a water tower. <br /> <br />George Zabee, Utilities Commission, indicated that the Utilities Commission's charge is to <br />look out for the health and safety of its residents. Mr. Zabee explained that Trott Brook <br />Farms Park was the first choice, however, because the developer did not receive proper <br />notice, the choice was changed to Hillside City Park. He noted that the Utilities are <br />working under a time constraint. <br /> <br />Dana Anderson, Park and Recreation Commission, stated that the commission must <br />conserve natural resources, as they are limited. He suggested extending the timing for <br />building a water tower by conserving water in the summer. He noted that placing a <br />water tower in the park is unfair to the residents the commission serves. <br /> <br />Stoffel Reitsma, Park and Recreation Commission, suggested locating a water tower <br />further east. <br /> <br />Lana Huberty, Park and Recreation Commission, indicated that the Park and Recreation <br />Commission does much planning in the process of developing parks. She stated that <br />Hillside is a valuable piece of land and that there are other options available. She <br />encouraged the council to look at other options. <br /> <br />City Administrator Pat Klaers spoke to the timing issue. He indicated there are options to <br />deal with the timing issue such as the construction of a well in 2001 to address the fire <br />protection issue and then to build a tower as soon as possible in order to be in operation <br />by 2003. <br /> <br />Fire Chief Bruce West commented on his fire protection issues. <br /> <br />Councilmember Thompson indicated that he is not convinced of the urgency of <br />constructing a water tower. He stated that there are sites located further east that should <br />be considered. Council member Motin concurred. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dietz concurred with Councilmembers Thompson and Motin. He stated <br />that it was not fair to locate the tower in Trott Brook Farms and that Hillside City Park was <br />too valuable of an asset for a water tower. Councilmember Dietz suggested considering <br />the Holzem property as a possible site. <br /> <br />Bryan Adams stated that if a tower is not located in the east immediately, the timeframe <br />for the construction of a well can be moved up. He indicated that the Utilities would <br />continue looking for a site for a water tower. <br /> <br />COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON MOVED TO RESCIND THE NOVEMBER 20 MOTION TO LOCATE <br />A WATER TOWER AT SITE #5 (TROTT BROOK FARMS) AND TO DENY THE REQUEST TO LOCATE <br />A WATER TOWER IN TROn BROOK FARMS PARK AND HILLSIDE PARK AND AUTHORIZE THE <br />UTILITIES COMMISSION TO CONTINUE SEARCHING FOR A WATER TOWER SITE IN THE EASTERN <br />AREA OF ELK RIVER. COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION <br />CARRIED 5-0. <br />