Council hears from public on cruise, ball fields

The Tea City Council heard from citizens at its April 20 meeting.

Ruby Zuraff addressed the council about Tea Cruise. Since the pandemic began, some in Tea have organized a cruise night on Saturday nights. Zuraff suggested they use a route so they know who is cruising and who is just driving through. She proposed a route for this Saturday for Brian Street to Heritage Parkway, down to First Street and north on Main Avenue. She is hoping this route will alleviate traffic congestion and take drivers by many businesses.

Some councilmen did not like driving through the Athletic Complex because it would involve cars crossing First Street and the temptation for people to gather in the parking lot. Councilors wanted the cruise to stay off residential roads to avoid blocking driveways and that those cruising move out of the way of emergency vehicles.

They also talked about safety and having everyone in the vehicle buckled and following all traffic laws, along with not mixing households in one car to keep from potential spread of the coronavirus.

Robert Kelly addressed the council about the city ball fields being closed. In his opinion, he thought that was a ridiculous step and that softball is one sport that is six feet apart. He also voiced his frustration on what is happening with high school graduation.

Planning and zoning administrator Kevin Nissen discussed the sewer options for Sky Haven Heights and the Landmark Industrial Park construction plans. He was looking at options to provide sewer in Sky Haven Heights. He is trying to plan ahead. The council approved a 9-inch pipe and up to 12-inch if needed. This is an over-sizing cost to the city.

Nissen noted that John Schwartzle has submitted a site plan in the Carl Soukup Addition for a mixed-use building at the corner of Main Avenue and Gateway Boulevard. It is a 6,500 square foot building that will have commercial businesses on the main floor and eight apartments on the second floor. The council approved the site plan.

The council also approved the Heritage Addition revised preliminary plan. The plan includes a detention pond and removes Bonita Avenue and constructing another lake.

Mayor John Lawler asked about some of the projects Nissen listed in his informational document. Two of those projects were for Skogen contractor shops and Haug Steel site plan and building plans. Nissen said they have sent many emails back and forth about what plans are for those businesses. Haug Steel’s plans call for an event center but only has nine parking spots. He is continuing to work with both companies to find out more plans.

The council held the first reading of ordinance 273 to amend Chapter 8 traffic code by adding Section 8.05 golf carts. The council discussed some of the things in the ordinance like the requirement for lights on golf carts being used after dark and permitting with the city. They will hold a second reading at the May 4 meeting.

Lawler said the community and businesses have been doing well in following the guidance in the city’s resolution and first reading of ordinance 272, an ordinance adopting regulations pertaining to the novel coronavirus. The council tabled the second reading.

The council approved the extension of a resolution supporting Gov. Kristi Noem’s executive order last month. That was set to expire May 2, but was extended through May 15.

In the city administrator report, Dan Zulkosky reported that the FAA has said they cannot build a water tower in the northern most region of the city at 165 feet. Now the city engineer is recommending a tower at 120 feet. The water pressure right at the tower would be 52 psi. As the water goes further away from the tower it will go up.

The council went into executive session at 8:20 p.m.