by Dave DeMars
news@thenewsleaders.com
The Sauk Rapids City Council approved an expansion plan for Manea’s Meats in downtown Sauk Rapids at its June 27 meeting.
Acting on recommendations from the planning commission, the council went ahead and approved a planned-unit development and the vacating of an alley first requested on June 13 to allow the building of a meat-processing plant by Manea’s Meats.
The council held an open hearing and heard Todd Schultz describe the conditions under which the planned-unit development might move ahead. Schultz told the council Manea’s had a purchase agreement with a homeowner on the block and that the additional property would allow for expansion of their parking lot.
The vacating of the property presented only minor problems since Charter cable company and utilities as well as some water and sewer ran the length of the alley. Schultz did not foresee problems since it was similar to the vacation requests granted to the Coborn’s store.
The council approved the development provided Manea’s meet the 10 conditions set forth by the council.
The council also considered awarding overhead-to-underground electrical-service conversion quotes. The council received bid quotes from two companies and after hearing the prices were very competitive, it awarded the bid to EFI in the amount of $18,500. The bid was substantially below the $40,000 estimate by city engineers.
In actions on the consent agenda, the council also approved the following: purchase of a mobile computer LETG software; the purchase of two automatic electronic defibrillators; appointments to the police-officer positions; 2016 plumbing and mechanical contractor licenses; personnel policy revisions; the Philippi annexation request; and training for police officers.
