Sneak Peek

COUNCIL SEEKS TO SORT OUT ZONING ISSUES, VACANCY

Attendees at the Gower City Council meeting Monday pledging allegiance to the United States flag, including honorary mayor, Kimberly Parker (center, with Mayor Chip Holman), who informed Holman during the Gower Days Festival that she’ll one day be the mayor of Gower. She is the daughter of Loren and Cassie Parker.

​Mayor Chip Holman had help conducting the Gower City Council meeting on Monday, June 13. 

Kinley Parker, daughter of Loren and Cassie Parker, was given the title of Gower Mayor for the day and assisted Mayor Holman in running the meeting.

During department reports, newly appointed Planning and Zoning Administrator Kenny Pike asked the mayor to appoint Douglas Plowman to the Gower Planning and Zoning Commission to bring the number back to seven members. The vacancy resulted when Paul Pottier was elected as an alderman in the June 2 municipal election.

Mr. Pike made the request of the mayor due to an upcoming zoning hearing on July 27. The hearing is scheduled to consider the rezoning of property owned by Stephanie and Lile Steinman north of the Harrington addition on the north side of town, where the Steinmans are proposing a senior living community.

Mr. Pottier questioned the need for the request, stating that the mayor and a member of the council appointed by the mayor are meant to sit on the zoning commission. This discussion took a large portion of the evening and was somewhat resolved when it was stated that this practice had not been followed for many years because the zoning commission makes recommendations to the city council, and it might be construed as a conflict of interest.

Mayor Holman stated he was delaying any appointment until he was able to get an opinion from City Attorney Joe Gagnon. Mr. Gagnon was not in attendance at this meeting.

Mr. Pike further stated that with this upcoming zoning hearing he needed a minimum of five commissioners present, with only six members currently serving on the board, one of which will be unable to attend.

​According to Mr. Pike, the city has had an increase in building 

Under old business, there was an inspection report on the condition of a house located at 106 S. Fourth Street. Next, the city attorney will review this report and make recommendations to the council as to the next steps the city can take.

According to Gower Police Chief Adam Hill, normally the next step would be for the city attorney or himself to send a letter to the property owner outlining the needed repairs and a time frame. 

Under new business, the council approved the state’s conflict of interest policy, which is mandated every two years. It was approved 3-0 (Mike Krueger attended the meeting but arrived after the vote).

Other department reports were given by both Chief Hill and City Administrator Carroll Fisher, and centered around the Gower Days Festival.

According to Chief Hill, there was only one complaint during the festival and that resulted from a dog getting loose during the festival fireworks display. Otherwise, much in the community was pretty normal. He also stated that a part-time officer had been hired and would be working a couple days a week.

Mr. Fisher stated his staff was keeping up with work in spite of a recently hired part-time employee who left to accept a full-time position. Mr. Fisher stated he was considering not replacing the employee this year and saving some money.

Alderman Zach Craft, Parks Commissioner, thanked all those involved in making the Gower Days Festival a successful event. He specifically mentioned both Mayor Chip Holman and Pam Holman, as well as city employees and the police.

“We had a great festival, with 181 vehicles entering the car show. The Masonic Lodge raised $2,500 for Backpacks for Buddies and we have a meeting scheduled for Thursday to figure out what other dollars were raised for the park system,” said Alderman Craft.

​With all business covered, honorary Gower Mayor Kinley Parker asked for a motion to adjourn. The next Gower City Council meeting is scheduled Monday, August 10.