(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake city council Tuesday adopted a resolution annexing the eastern portion of the site of the proposed golf course/resort development into the city and set February 24th as the date for a public hearing to rezone the same site. City officials say a plat is still being put together on the proposed multi-million dollar development.
The council also discussed some changes being recommended for green waste disposal in the city. Plans calls for the city to open a green waste disposal site at the former dump just east of Orleans. The current drop-off site at the Public Works Building will then be closed. While a fee would be charged to landscaping and lawn mowing contractors, there will be no charge to city residents. Fees are to be paid at city hall: paper bags 25 cents each with a one dollar minimum; $10 for a small trailer; $15 for a pickup or larger trailer; $20 for a single axle truck and $30 for a double axle truck. The contractor will be issued a time-stamped receipt upon payment that would be good for four hours. Contractors will also be able to purchase an annual pass. Any contractor caught dumping without a receipt could be charged for illegal dumping. Public Works Director Dwight Dohlman says city staff will be present occasionally to police the site. Plans call for the new site to be operational by March 16th.
And while it wasn’t on the agenda, the cage fighting issue came up again. The council at its last meeting heard a request for the sport to be banned in the city. The matter was referred to the city’s Public Safety Committee which is recommending some regulations be placed on the activity. Among other things, people under 18, or maybe even 21, would be prohibited from attending or participating; a permit would be required for each event with the fee covering police coverage; and promoters would be required to carry liability insurance. Cathy Hanson, an opponent of cage fighting, told the council the proposed regulations aren’t enough, adding she wants the sport banned altogether in the city. The council directed the City Attorney’s Office to write up an ordinance with the proposed regulations to be presented to the council for possible action at an upcoming meeting. But one councilman, Steve Balm, says he won’t vote for any proposal that does not include a ban on alcohol at such events.
