FROM PAGE 1 eas of the community,” Johnson wrote the Council, adding, “It is noteworthy that current zoning code allows for single-family dwellings in all zoning districts up to R6. Next noting that state statute required a municipal zoning map to be in line with its Comprehensive Land Use plan, Johnson made a nod to the Metropolitan Council, or ‘Met Council’ for short.

“Currently the Metropolitan Council has more robust standards as part of the Comprehensive Plan requirements and requires regulations for minimum density, population forecasting, serviceability, etc.,” she wrote.

In short, the City has work to do.

Also covered at the Wednesday July 13 council meeting, meanwhile, were several otherwise routine items, including bill pay, raffle permits for the Lions Club along with Zion Lutheran Church, and approval of the meeting minutes from June 15, to name just a few.

As to the Lions Club, their raffle permit pertains to a single occasion gambling license for a raffle to be held at Carbone’s Pizza on October 20 of this year.

As to Zion Lutheran, their raffle permit pertains to another single occasion gambling license for a raffle and bingo to be held August 11 at Zion Summerfest 2022, held at the church.

Skipping over the meeting minutes from June 15 (which are posted online), the Council meeting of July 13 also saw a staff request to “authorize the public safety department to continue participating in the Minnesota Law Enforcement Support Office and the State Plan of Operation.”

Put into plainer English, the request addresses a program in which law enforcement agencies can obtain surplus Department of Defense property “at no cost.”

Entered into in November 2019, the program has allowed Cottage Grove Public Safety (CGPS) “to acquire an armored vehicle, language translators, robots, night vision devices, personal protective equipment, first aid supplies, and many more items that have enhanced the safety and capability” of officers and the community they service, per a memo from public safety director Pete Koerner.

With ownership of the equipment conditionally transferred for one year, this is “relinquished” to CGPD after one year, Koerner wrote.

Loaned by the federal government, a State Plan of Operation (SPO) governs the use of what might otherwise be considered military hardware.

“HSEM (Homeland Security and Emergency Management) routinely audits participating agencies each year to ensure compliance with the program’s regulations,” Koerner wrote in requesting continued authorization from the Council. “One of the inspectable items is a document signed by the Chief Law Enforcement Official authorized by the governing body, I.e., Mayor and City Council, authorizing the agency to obtain controlled property,” Koerner wrote. With a document attached for Mayor and Council to authorize public safety to acquire controlled property, “such as night vision,” the goods with a place for Mayor and City Clerk signature are posted online at the City website at www.cottagegrovemn. gov. Readers can view the same by navigating to “Your Government” followed by “Agendas and Minutes” under “Mayor and Council” in the drop down menu, choosing 07-13 for the date and then item 3D within the Council packet.

Nearing conclusion for the present, the Council also looked to authorize a purchase agreement for a 2024 Dodge ambulance to replace a 2018 Ford E-450 Type 3 Ambulance with 97,990 miles, following a six year replacement schedule. Last but not least, the Council saw an amended conditional use permit from Lighthouse Baptist Church at 9979 80th Street South, moving up to Council from the recent Plan Commission meeting of June 27.

Included in the July 13 meeting packet is a representation of current and past zoning designations at Hidden Valley. Image from July 13 Council packet.

Shown above is proposed city zoning. Image from July 13 Council packet.