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City Council Minutes <br />May 16, 2022 <br />Page 4 <br />Mr. Leeseberg stated there were conceptual plans when developing the Gravel <br />Mining Area Land Use, Transportation, and Utility Plan which identified a corridor <br />through ERX property. He stated there might be some issues with a frontage road <br />due to topography. <br />Mayor Dietz closed the public hearing. <br />Mayor Dietz stated he understands why there is opposition to changing ERX access <br />onto Brook Road. He stated the city should begin collaborating with MN/DOT <br />regarding transportation in the area. He stated the greatest issue is communication <br />between neighbors and ERX which needs to be more proactive. He suggested the <br />neighbors create a small group who can meet regularly and discuss issues. He agrees <br />there will be noise with this type of facility, but eve ne needs,to work together to <br />help mitigate the concerns. <br />Councilmember Westgaard stated he has challenges' with'`ERX's request noting noise <br />is becoming a larger issue with their growth and solutions are needed to mitigate it, <br />such as a noise study. He can understand ERX wanting the neighbors to reach out to <br />them first, but his own family has tried without response, along with many of the <br />other neighbors who have reached out to him. He stated it's challenging to approve <br />the permit when there are issues such as trespassing and machines running back and <br />forth on Brook Road. He stated after attempting to initiate conversations with ERX <br />after one of their large events, which was operating outside the conditions of their <br />permit, he received an email from Ms. Goodin expressing how flabbergasted she was <br />that people were questioning the event and that they didn't appreciate what ERX <br />does for the community and how much economic impact is brought into the city. He <br />stated ERX was acting way outside their allowable operations. He made many <br />attempts to find an amicable solution noting issues such as the camping event last <br />summer when four -wheelers were operating at 2:00 a.m. and neighbors were upset <br />and the torque track practices occurring outside permitted hours of operation. He is <br />okay with some of the items request as they have no effect on the issues raised. He is <br />opposed to the access being changed to Brook Road noting more analysis is needed <br />for the long-term transportation planning of the area. He doesn't want to move the <br />safety concerns from Highway 169 to creating other safety concerns on Brook Road. <br />He has a hard time supporting the conditional use permit until issues are addressed. <br />Councilmember Wagner stated Brook Road access should be reviewed further but <br />noted MN/DOT is the decision maker regarding highway access. She stated an <br />alternative process could be worked for the special event extended hours notification <br />if no other changes are requested. She stated the city has always supported ERX and <br />recognized their benefit to the community and everyone needs be good neighbors <br />and have respect with each other. She stated the conditional use permit should be <br />vetted more. <br />Councilmember Christianson stated communication is better proactive versus <br />reactive and felt it was premature to require ERX to use Brook Road. He is opposed <br />to extending the hours. <br />P O W E R E D 0 Y <br />4A fUR <br />