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City Council Minutes <br />July 16, 2018 <br />Page 6 <br />Ms. Goodin addressed the stage placement. If the stage faces Highway 169 there is a <br />concern the flashing lights may slow down cars. The current stage location also takes <br />advantage of a natural elevation for seating. <br />Mr. Lemmon stated the event during the past weekend had a very loud <br />spokesperson. <br />Mr. Lundsten agreed he can clearly hear the bands from his property and it would be <br />nice to figure out a way to dampen the sound. <br />Mayor Dietz asked Ms. Goodin how many concerts ERX has per year. <br />Ms. Goodin said there are typically 1-2 concerts per year. <br />Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. <br />Mayor Dietz attended the event at ERX on Saturday. He agreed the loudspeaker <br />seemed especially loud; however, overall, the event was well organized. He took a <br />tour of the newly added 80 acres on the property and it did seem like there was <br />substantial foliage which may act as a natural sound barrier. He agreed with the <br />change in hours to stay open until 10:00 p.m. on Thursdays. <br />Councilmember Wagner also went out to ERX for a tour. She noted the amount of <br />ERX event participants eating and shopping locally and believes the facility has a <br />positive economic impact. <br />Mr. Leeseberg mentioned one of the Planning Commissioners was strongly opposed <br />with the speakers facing east. <br />Councilmember Westgaard expressed concern that, as ERX continues to expand, <br />they will want more events. He questioned whether there should be a buffer between <br />residents as more events are added. In the past, dirt bike racing was noted on the <br />additional 80 acres and came near to neighboring fences. He understands ERX needs <br />to exist and isn't aware of people having wandered off the property in the time that <br />ERX had been operating. There should to be a way for ERX and their neighbors to <br />coexist. <br />Councilmember Westgaard has received citizen complaints about road closures in <br />the event area, particularly in the Ridges of Rice Lake. He wondered if these road <br />closures were city or state dictated. <br />Mr. Leeseberg stated road closures were determined through the Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation (MnDOT). <br />Chief Nierenhausen addressed the rationale behind the road closures. <br />Mayor Dietz asked how many events per year required road closure. <br />10VIRf1 I1 <br />NATURE <br />