[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6341707,"mediaKeyId","2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03","parentId",2256442,"title","Votes at a glance: East Bethel City Council actions on Feb. 10, 2025","audioSeconds",2616,"startMs",96000,"endMs",2712000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03&start=96&end=2712","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03/thumbnail_96000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6341707/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-East-Bethel-City-Council-actions-on-Feb-10-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341707-d2f3bc4289d1024c04d09e58c860016d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183126&Signature=C89ZW0dMTtC9oJvVPeT-K3Je10LG2~L~~XrqTR-OhvjGDlo8v855Tzl9nx~EuOftFm0KLmA-ud8N~1~P~cHR0IRlV4u5st470nc1qZ7naDc1EIC0kP06uT~MjQ368ZqJNyRWp87UNPzmeiSery721gABDINFKDbjy9O3DnBC27dWZVto~Zl7BK8z1QptP~EaaRb8Y23VIIj-zptSHsPMIgg1fTwcrddpeFIFJJ2j2LT4wq65oAM~Mm1o8adRMDF6~3eycQPSaleJcWnrtFyx9x3FIXy1B3nGlWtEZI0wHE4FZMuUEpZqrAdbtUtv1hhTdOeiO5cAsfpfQ8NJ1exutA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of East Bethel, MN","date","2025-02-10T19:29:45Z","article","The East Bethel City Council took several formal actions during its Feb. 10, 2025 meeting. Key motions and voice‑vote outcomes are listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt agenda as amended — Motion passed by voice vote.

- Consent agenda adopted as amended — Motion passed by voice vote; items B and C were pulled for separate action (item B later tabled; item C approved).

- Item B (minutes) — Motion to table item B (table minutes) — Motion passed by voice vote.

- Item C (hire city planner) — Motion to approve item C of the consent agenda — Motion passed by voice vote.

- Comcast right‑of‑way license (Elevage) — Motion to approve agreement as presented — Motion passed by voice vote. Agreement terms described by staff include a $5,000 permit fee, $5,000 annual fee with 5% annual increases and an eight‑year primary term with 90‑day notice at term end; agreement is a license (no easement) and limits use to a mapped right‑of‑way area.

- EDA transition and vacancies — Motion to direct staff and the city attorney to draft documents to transition the EDA to a five‑member council body and declare two vacancies — Motion passed by voice vote.

Where transcript records only voice voting and no roll call or named tally, the outcomes above are recorded as \"passed\" or \"approved\" consistent with the council's stated voice votes. No roll‑call tallies were provided in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council MTG 021025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes and motions taken by the East Bethel City Council at its Feb. 10 meeting.","taxTitle","East Bethel, Anoka County, Minnesota","taxId",71001,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341712,"Council directs staff to transition EDA membership to council seats and declare two vacancies",379,2722000,3101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03&start=2722&end=3101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03/thumbnail_2722000.jpg","/articles/6341712/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Council-directs-staff-to-transition-EDA-membership-to-council-seats-and-declare-two-vacancies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341712-1df6cca122cfaa9ef18a851d566dbc94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183126&Signature=AhjLgKApp8VqfhBHBDxyNAtuB3uaIAeWtmU873pNYEbnFvIgm6t1VgzkFsAVSw1jV0NES8Z44oUckQRDVT8g6g7wyMeqxJALTJi00NMvjnp7RPbXFVlB3lTaoAgptmOMi6fOSS0kLFjcuB67SwjWKOBU4zYjAELMWEyrEe-roaehBizi5uRzp0xpuxvEmny3aV6dBla3tXqGSe3k9b3YJag9uciAW~lIoNs6GOiLHMMXtHh6mfRkjZ0HEWf94J1rdRIO3sRelR-SSGEnF9DVeC-ZTffHHDq-hNQG8bPFcHR4fziFtXhN-OlzE50y~olvPP7KXxKXGH5xiZqAMiSiQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council voted to direct staff and the city attorney to draft the documents necessary to transition the Economic Development Authority to a five‑member body composed of City Council members and to declare two vacancies on the EDA.

City staff and the city attorney explained the transition would not be instantaneous: current member terms that have not expired would continue until their terms end. The proposed plan calls for appointing two additional council members to serve in the interim and incrementally transitioning a seven‑member EDA to a five‑member, council‑composed EDA as existing terms expire.

The city attorney said the process requires an amendment to the enabling resolution and appropriate appointment steps. The council debated whether it should immediately declare the two vacancies; the attorney advised that declaring vacancies now is permissible but not required immediately. A motion directing staff and the attorney to prepare the transition plan and declare two vacancies passed by voice vote.

Staff said the EDA is not scheduled to meet in the next couple months, and that the transition work could be brought back to council for formal approval of the timeline and appointments.","Council voted to direct the city attorney and staff to prepare steps to change the Economic Development Authority (EDA) from a seven‑member board to a five‑member body composed of council members, and to declare two current vacancies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341717,"Council approves eight‑year Comcast right‑of‑way agreement for Elevage; $5,000 permit and annual fee set",1033,1684000,2717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03&start=1684&end=2717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03/thumbnail_1684000.jpg","/articles/6341717/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/Council-approves-eightyear-Comcast-rightofway-agreement-for-Elevage-5000-permit-and-annual-fee-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341717-1a3d30f5afdd2e2ea5cfcc2225ed168c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183126&Signature=eqjReNvr67pOMBed6qUH0IvzTHfND7t55j4v1v7nvXr32Wo3cNKvVIPq-nnJgbyI~WMcNQJ3AgdRgZEzMn~XnA17~Fua4FnztNHQ5-v-DBjBjB1zKs0L~jUoRvuEcBLYellZkBDUbNR8F-xOYhGPvrCD5ZAdiYcqMAFfmc5Lv~nCaCNr1UFJ1~NyL2pOr7uKSpoF~3k28Y2-wCS-eqAS1-huG5lvai2EUEFlWWwuiMfmUca3JUf7B7QXCQ1HdT5j9ktnHmqygaJCTztsa9UbP9pDwfK~V~vwiU91~gOwuY0KNIMn94fklDy3tqi5LjRe4gfLNSEUUK51gy0ZuatllA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to approve a right‑of‑way license with Comcast on Feb. 10, 2025, allowing the company to install below‑ground internet infrastructure in a limited area mapped for the Elevage development.

City Attorney Eric and staff said the agreement is a license, not an easement, and includes an eight‑year primary term with a 90‑day termination notice window at the end of that period. The agreement replaces simple permit treatment and sets a permitting fee and recurring annual payments. The final terms include a $5,000 permit fee and a $5,000 per‑year fee thereafter with a 5% annual increase. The contract also requires Comcast to pay the city's legal and professional fees associated with drafting the agreement.

Eric, City Attorney, said the city used a Wayzata agreement as a starting point and revised it to protect the city's interests: \"No. We're not going to give you any property rights to the city streets. You have a license agreement.\" He added that the agreement requires Comcast to relocate facilities for repairs at Comcast's expense and to provide clear mapping of permitted right‑of‑way areas.

Staff emphasized the arrangement covers only the mapped right‑of‑way area for Elevage; Comcast may not use other city right‑of‑way without a separate amendment. Council members asked whether businesses across the street could be served and were told expansion could occur only if Comcast pursued separate permission or an amendment.

The council discussed whether the infrastructure would be fiber optic; staff indicated the installations are below‑ground cable and likely fiber optic. The council also discussed how the city will evaluate right‑of‑way agreements in 2025 when updating the fee schedule for 2026; staff said this would be a trial arrangement to inform future policies.

A motion to approve the Comcast right‑of‑way agreement was made and seconded; the council voted by voice and the motion passed.","Council approved a right‑of‑way license allowing Comcast to build infrastructure for the Elevage development in a limited mapped area, with a $5,000 initial permit fee, $5,000 annual fee (5% annual increase) and an eight‑year term with 90‑day notice at term end.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341722,"East Bethel council signals support to draft code allowing higher‑quality barndominiums, asks staff to return with ordinance",927,719000,1646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03&start=719&end=1646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03/thumbnail_719000.jpg","/articles/6341722/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/East-Bethel-council-signals-support-to-draft-code-allowing-higherquality-barndominiums-asks-staff-to-return-with-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341722-596e89b63bbb5a1d4d2882498c83f722/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183126&Signature=Xvjy6QOUWRiWhqLedzE4Z4sZRauhsTU5U79gO9i199xDItExneJhzffIRRcebarYbRvguAoNy~nOjpgKUbEU7DocTuJD-uXtfrFXLIL1nNGSSw5JRMHEeNIrM-t4bECXGol6eGNERfS1Ui2AlKyLM3KNpvbchhr4a4fOE2QECI8XgKCvkvQpREfmp~tj0g2XLNjzZPBVn1kCV9-oop5MCMbu3B8NlEw5wOXPVjdqO4jeg3czMCLAx~E4U8Ttzy1Q3CpkRfuXq~3ZZij9KJR5zvHtCw7esk8anfIvBj2ksQRKUr4yuTbr0mWhhpPSFe4VnVQeKW-2xeKOqQC~GPSVkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council discussed whether to allow \"barndominiums\" (also called \"shouses\") in East Bethel and generally supported drafting an ordinance to define the building type and set standards, including material and size limits.

Planning staff told the council the municipal code currently lacks a definition for barndominiums and does not allow metal (steel) siding on single-family homes. Staff asked whether the council wanted to: define the use, set a limit or ratio for accessory square footage, allow higher-quality steel siding that resembles residential finishes, and restrict where the buildings would be permitted.

A planning staff member noted builders market images (cited from Menards) show a wide range of finishes, from pole-barn appearances to residential fronts with stone or brick. The staff recommendation was to review accessory-structure Section 14 of the code, clarify attached vs. detached accessory rules and consider limiting the use to larger-lot zones such as rural residential or agricultural districts.

Kendra, Community Development Director, said the council had heard feedback in favor of allowing barndominiums and recommended staff draft proposed code language and bring it back for review and a public hearing. She cautioned that accessory-space rules currently do not specify a maximum attached‑garage size and said staff would compare examples and propose limits if council desired.

Council members raised several points: whether a 2-acre minimum would be appropriate (staff noted Ag and rural residential minimums are 2 acres in the districts discussed), how to address home‑based businesses inside large accessory spaces (staff recommended licensing home occupations and asking applicants during review), and how to define acceptable siding so buildings look like private dwellings rather than pole barns.

One council member said, \"I definitely would like to have you look at the steel siding ordinance for sure. I think we should allow that definitely in our city.\" Another urged staff not to delay the process, noting the issue had been under discussion for about a year.

Staff offered to prepare a draft ordinance and bring it to either a work session or the council packet for review; council members asked that staff try to provide draft materials before packets are released so members have adequate time to review.","Council asked staff to draft code changes to define 'barndominium,' consider accessory-size limits and permit certain high-quality steel siding; staff will compare accessory-structure rules and return with draft ordinance.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341727,"East Bethel council approves hiring of entry-level city planner; training, on-call consultant plan outlined",446,260000,706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03&start=260&end=706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2256442-8a3686e785cd4fb8d4ef023e825e4d03/thumbnail_260000.jpg","/articles/6341727/East-Bethel/Anoka-County/Minnesota/East-Bethel-council-approves-hiring-of-entry-level-city-planner-training-on-call-consultant-plan-outlined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341727-5182a9ba17e79d1f3857442f037bf364/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183126&Signature=cH7QKrTUVsLo43RuCniz0ciBEcfxxfeuu1PrhED-2iJxQ1iYAtgzjgc20nuVrI~~tQqVjRTjYepEcQ0fGGZ51HTJnBBFedAdfungrMcnJx85AXajNvTtoUiTZsDsd-sKBRJ7sFb9Q-W6iUHBpCjE1HGT8DPg5Zst43eYrg7oSb-AT~sfQ3sVcZuDTB6EAqYqTBMyOa1dHqEoS5QopZJvpyEfO9mOSV2R~tohaQzK2PXyVL9xvrUvvDQz42actqaTO2hgR-WfF00Fkl2xzIg6iC1hwLRNsUxFO~ycJHPmGvKuDkI13zVQRzA0hG5o34Xyul~Y6l1WlTIwrY6dHmqZ1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Bethel City Council approved the hiring of a new city planner during the consent agenda on Feb. 10, 2025, voting by voice to adopt the item.

City staff described the new hire as a recent graduate who grew up locally and will require on-the-job training. Council members asked about the expected length of that transition period, budget impacts and whether the consultant firm Landform would remain engaged.

Kendra, Community Development Director, told the council the planner is “coming out directly from school so has no city experience” and estimated a transition period of about “3 to 6 months.” She and the City Administrator said Landform would be used to train the new planner and then kept on call for assistance as needed, rather than retained continuously. The City Administrator said staffing time for training is partly overhead and some work billed against applicant escrows, similar to engineering time.

Council Member Rocco questioned pay, noting the hire’s $29 hourly rate and saying, “That seems extravagant to me” for a candidate without experience. The City Administrator and Kendra replied that market conditions for planners are tight and that less-experienced hires typically earn less than experienced candidates would.

Council members also asked about progress on hiring a Community Development Director. Kendra said two applications had been received and that budgeted funds for the director position would be used for part of the planner training while the director position remains open.

A motion to approve the consent-agenda item to hire the planner was made and seconded; the council voted by voice and the motion passed.

Staff clarified that the city attorney will be available to the new planner for legal questions, and that city staff expects training-related consultant time to taper as the planner gains experience.

Council members asked staff to monitor workload and budget impacts as the planner moves from training toward full responsibility.","The City Council approved hiring a new city planner at $29 per hour and directed staff to use Landform for training and on-call support as needed; council discussed expected training time and budget impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: East Bethel City Council actions on Feb. 10, 2025

Council directs staff to transition EDA membership to council seats and declare two vacancies

Council approves eight‑year Comcast right‑of‑way agreement for Elevage; $5,000 permit and annual fee set

East Bethel council signals support to draft code allowing higher‑quality barndominiums, asks staff to return with ordinance

East Bethel council approves hiring of entry-level city planner; training, on-call consultant plan outlined