Increased public camping prompts request for action

 

 

The subject of public camping was brought to the Hill City Common Council at its Oct. 11 meeting.

 

Business owner Eric Lind explained that  an individual had slept outside of  Lind’s business, Krull’s Market, creating an “unsafe situation for employees on two  different occasions,” he said.  

 

The incident resulted in one of two arrests made by Pennington County Sheriffs  in town last month.

 

Lind noted “plenty of bigger towns are  dealing with it on a much bigger scale” and Lind said he felt it was time Hill City addressed the issue as he sees it.

 

“It may be proactive of us to look into whether or not people can sleep in public spaces,” Lind stated, asking the council to “give law enforcement teeth in regards to this.” 

 

As it stands, Lind said, “there’s not a lot of things  we can do to remove people  like this.”

 

Lind said the individual  in question had been  a nuisance to other businesses and was involved in beginning fires in the area. Janet Wetovick-Bily from the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce also spoke on the matter and supported further discussion. 

 

Sergeant Randy Harkins  was present for Lind’s remarks and was asked to respond. 

 

“We are willing to help the city navigate whatever the city feels is appropriate,” Harkins said.

 

Mayor Kathy Skorzewski asked aldermen  to consider ways to move this forward.

 

Hill City Common Council President Carl Doaty suggested putting a discussion item on the next agenda regarding Lind’s concerns if the Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission doesn’t address it first. 

 

City Administrator Brett McMacken next led a discussion on the Hill City Center fees.

 

The proposed fees were compiled based on other community centers in the area. 

 

“One thing to note, we thought that we didn’t want a per hour (fee),” McMacken said, noting the fees were based on four-hour blocks of time.

 

The proposed fees show that Hill City residents and non-profits would be able to use the large and small room on a donation basis, with a $50 charge for kitchen use and a $75 charge for using the entire building. 

 

“The main thing here is we really want this to be a community center, an  asset to our citizens,” McMacken stressed. 

 

“This is  a resource for everyone  who lives here,” McMacken said.

 

Hill City businesses and non-residents would be charged the same, $25 for the small room, $50 for the large room, $75 for the kitchen and $125 for the entire building.

 

Non-area businesses would be charged a higher fee and weddings would be a two day minimum charge of $400/day. The suggested fees required all users to pay a $150 deposit.

 

While McMacken was clear the intent was to “give a  benefit of a smaller fee to locals and non-profits,” aldermen had some reservations. 

 

“I think  the fees are way too low. They should at least cover the costs of operating the building during those four hours,” said alderman Dale Householder.

 

McMacken responded, “I don’t think just the fee itself will pay for the facility,” adding that the “great experience” of events held there will generate more sales tax for the town.

 

Householder contended that “it’s really not totally fair for all the citizens to shoulder the burden.” 

 

Alderman Doaty agreed the fees were low but wondered about its use, especially for non-profits, if fees were too high. He suggested bumping up non-residents and non-local businesses by $25.

 

“I’d rather have a lower cost and have the ability to use it,” said Doaty about resident fees.

 

Alderman Gary Auch said to use the fee structure as presented and see how it “plays out.”

 

With no agreement, Doaty motioned to table the matter which was seconded by Householder and unanimously  approved. 

 

A floodplain development  and  encroachment  agreement permit for a new pub/restaurant at 243 Elm Street was approved, paving the way for the project to move forward.

 

The plan is to build a restaurant/pub with a large  outside space on the site.

 

The encroachment  will not affect the width of the existing  sidewalk, nor will it contain a structure.

 

The encroachment  is for an elevated section of the front yard, south of the existing public sidewalk which will likely be encompassed in the build process   by either decking or a ramp.

 

 The mayor called the  plans “impressive” and said the location was a “gateway” to Main Street. 

 

A public works report indicated that a toilet at the new public restrooms was damaged when someone kicked one of the water arms that goes into the toilet. Public works was able to repair the issue.

 

Alderman Doaty said businesses are still looking for public restroom signs indicating where the new facilities are.

 

Finance Officer Stacia Tallon said the town was “sitting good” on gross receipts and general fund taxes but that the Business Improvement Board and water and sewer were down, the latter of which is “typical for this time of year,” she said.

 

The Hill City Common Council next meets 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24.