Update from 8/12 City Council Meeting

There were three items of note from the last Council meeting on 8/12. My thoughts on those topics are below.

Cabela's
Last year, Cabela's requested the City Council approve a site plan that would allow them to add on to their existing building. They had previous wanted outside boat storage, which required a Conditional Use Permit or CUP. This was defeated due to the impact on the Tax Abatement. This time, the site plan did not contain the outside boat storage component and did not require a CUP. Legally, the council could not deny the request. That said, I have always been against the Tax Abatement extended to Cabela's. Even though I had no legal reason to deny the request, I could not bring my self to approve the request. Councilman Adams spoke up and stated he could neither vote for nor vote against the site plan and I agreed with him. I am not sure Steve Rauenhorst's rationale for abstaining, but mine and Scott's were quite clear. After two motions (the first one died die to the lack of a second), the Site Plan was approved. I am sure I will be criticized for abstaining, but I just I could not bring my self to approve the request.

Administrator
Steve Stahmer was selected as the top candidate to fill the vacant City Administrator position. I was impressed with Steve, and not just his "youthfulness" as pointed out in the Star Tribune. I was trying to imply that Steve bought freshness to the table in that he was not a long-tenured employee with another city and possessed a particular mindset. I did not mean to insinuate that he was my first choice simply because he was the youngest. Freshness of perspective and the drive to have a vision for the City turned turned into youthfulness - kind of an open mouth insert foot situation. Mr. Stahmer scored the highest in the various interview panels as well as the testing conducted by our consultant. I hope he decides to take the job because I feel he is the best candidate to lead the City in the right direction.

Civic Partnerships
I have always said we have great individual and corporate involvement in Rogers. There are two more recent examples from our 8/12 meeting. First, Broadway Pizza owner Jason Hines is hosting the 4th Annual Lynnda Laubach Breast Cancer Awareness ride on September 20, 2008. The 100 mile ride (500 motorcycles are anticipated) will conclude at Broadway Pizza with a pizza party and two bands scheduled to perform. Kudos to Jason for being civic minded. Second, Fatboy's Sandwiches owner Jay Downs requested permission to host a charity concert in his parking lot on September 7, 2008. The charity has not been finalized, but he stated he preferred to provide the funds to the Rogers high School Music and Arts Program or the Children's Welfare League of Minnesota. He has done a similar event at another location in the past. Again, kudos to Jay for also being civic minded. I know in this economy dollars can be tight, but I encourage you to support both businesses and let them know their efforts are greatly appreciated.