(Spirit Lake)– The city of Spirit Lake is the latest governmental entity to pledge money toward the cost of installing an electric fish barrier near the Lower Gar Outlet. The city council voted three-to-two Tuesday evening to pledge $10,000 toward the project from the city’s Hotel/Motel Tax.
Councilmembers Steve Balm and Jerry Harbst voted against the motion. Harbst said he’s concerned city of Spirit Lake taxpayers are getting hit twice for the project, referring to the county’s contribution. Balm said the state needs to be more responsible since it owns the lake…
Click here for comment from Steve Balm
Councilman Jeff Thee responded that the Iowa Great Lakes has too much on the line to wait for the state, which may or may not come up with some funding…Click here for comment from Jeff Thee
In other business, the council reviewed a proposed amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance that would regulate the type of construction on hydric, or wet soil. The hydric areas are identified on a map compiled by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Among other things, it would not allow the construction of livable space below grade in an area classified as being hydric. The proposal that’s been under review by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission would allow for variances, or exceptions, to that under certain conditions. But the council sent the proposed ordinance back to the P & Z asking it to drop the variances to make it more concise.
