Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Waverly council: let the music play



A 3-1 vote by the Waverly City Council, Tuesday, will
allow the Waverly Lions Club to have music play until 12:30 a.m. during
Waverly Daze.

The decision came after several spirited exchanges between
Mayor Charles Bush and disc jockey Greg Lammers.

Lammers published an ad and circulated petitions to raise
support for his show to be allowed at the city celebration in July.

Bush told Lammers that police reports from the last time
he played for Waverly Daze (1995, said Lammers) are the reason he is no
longer allowed in Waverly at public functions.

There are no problems with Lammers’ show, but there are
problems with the people who attend it, Bush said.

“I promise to have the most behaved crowd you ever
see,” Lammers stated emotionally.

“People won’t come to you if there are problems, but
to me,” Bush retorted.

“The council made a decision to allow music until
10 p.m. (at the May meeting) and not just limit a particular entertainer,”
Bush said.

He stated that Waverly Daze is a family function, and that
10 p.m. is late enough for events to finish.

Several Lions and other musicians filled the available
space and spoke in support of Lammers.

The Lions Club has no official position, but individuals
do, said Pat Borrell, Lions Club member.

“It is a little disconcerting that we have the largest
crowd here (since I have been mayor), when we have had more important things,
(like annexation and other things that impact the taxpayers),” Bush
said.

Having allowed about 15 minutes for discussion, Bush attempted
to move forward with the agenda.

But Councilman John Hertzog placed a motion on the floor
to allow the Lions to have some music other Lammers until 12:30 a.m., and
it passed three to one, with Bush voting against the measure.

Annexation of the Tom Ryan property produced the most vocal
exchanges during the two public hearings Tuesday.

The final vote for both hearings was tabled until all council
members assemble Friday for a special meeting. Councilman Dave Fournier
was absent from this meeting.

Councilman Jerry McRaith asked how the property is to be
used, who is the developer, and what is the relationship of Buzz Jonason
to the project.

Jonason said it really doesn’t matter, because the issue
is the annexation or disapproval of it.

He said that he is an investor with developer Joe Lemmerman.

Having answered McRaith’s same questions at several meetings,
Ryan explained again that the council has total control of what happens
to that property after it is annexed.

“It is residential property and will be developed
as such,” Ryan said.

McRaith said he wants to protect existing taxpayers from
having to pay for city expansion.

Attorney Jennifer Ford said any city expands, stays stagnant,
or decreases.

“The city has to determine its capacity (for sewer
and water), fees, and such. That is why we sit here,” Bush stated.

It was brought out that the developer pays for sewer and
water for the proposed additions. That cost is paid by the new home owner,
when the home is purchased.

The city is operating at 50 percent of capacity, planning
and zoning commissioner Adrian Duske said.

If all the available space in the city were developed,
the city would be beyond capacity, stated a resident. Jim Woitalla of the
maintenance department agreed.

At the special Friday council meeting, the Ryan annexation
was approved 4-1 with McRaith voting against the measure.

The rhetoric was heated between McRaith and Ryan, as accusations
flew.

Ryan accused McRaith of improperly investigating both Ryan
and Jonason, using his status as a city councilman without authorization
from the council.

Ryan felt it was worth a possible lawsuit.

McRaith felt it was his right to investigate as a councilman,
and said he refused to be bullied.

A conflict of interest should keep McRaith from voting
on the annexation, said Ryan, since McRaith owns 40 acres in the city that
are ripe for development.

McRaith voted against the annexation when the time came.

The hearing for the annexation of the LePage Addition by
P&P Enterprises was uneventful, as no one had any input.

At the Friday meeting, the annexation was approved as well
as a conditional use permit, allowing homes to be moved onto the lots.

The farmers market is scheduled to run June 24 to Oct.
28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m at Railroad Park.

Liability insurance must be supplied by the vendors (from
their homeowners policy), and preregistration is required.

The registration fee for the season is $5, and a daily
fee of $1 will be charged. The local Girl Scout troop will provide a supervised
play area for children.Interested parties can contact Gen Johnson at 763-658-4180.

Waverly City Councilman Dave Fournier gave his letter of
resignation to the council Friday. It becomes effective after the July 11
meeting. The council is looking for interested residents to consider for
the vacancy.

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