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City Council Minutes <br /> November 1, 2016 <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br /> 4. Open Forum <br /> Tara Bunde from Leslie's Clothing, 31024 County Road 112, Pequot <br /> Lakes, addressed the Council. Ms. Bunde noted that she has owned <br /> Leslie's for six years and business was down this summer. She was <br /> recently informed that billboards are not allowed along the new highway <br /> alignment by the CSAH 11 interchange according to the City's zoning <br /> ordinances relating to off-site signs. Ms. Bunde noted that she wanted to <br /> bring this up before the Council as she is interested in placing a billboard <br /> at this location. <br /> Council Member Akerson stated that billboards are not allowed because <br /> the City could not control what is placed on the billboards as it could not <br /> be limited to Pequot Lakes and Breezy P-ornt businesses. <br /> Council Member Pederson noted that signage directing people into <br /> Pequot Lakes will be something the City will be examining but those <br /> parameters are unknown at this time. Council Member Pederson further <br /> noted that the City recognizes the need to having some type of community <br /> identifier along the new highway alignment. <br /> Mayor Sjoblad informed Ms. Bunde that she may want to contact MnDOT <br /> to find out what signage is allowable in their right of way. <br /> Council Member Loukota informed Ms. Bunde that only certain amenities <br /> are allowed to be listed on a general service sign and this is something the <br /> City is looking into. <br /> Jason Baca, 32514 County Road 112, Pequot Lakes, addressed the <br /> Council. Mr. Baca noted he is upset by the excessive police coverage he <br /> sees in the community as he views this as police harassment and he <br /> further asked the Council to deny any future TZD state welfare programs. <br /> Mr. Baca noted that he would like to see the police budget decreased to a <br /> per capita income of$175 per person which would reduce the police <br /> budget to $392,000 plus contracts and the savings generated could be <br /> used for commercial tax reduction, incentives for future business growth, <br /> to fix old roads, and to plant some more shade trees in the City park. Mr. <br /> Baca further noted the City should look at subcontracting for City services <br /> as he can charge less per hour than what City workers are being paid. <br /> Mr. Baca noted that he is being screwed by the City with the amount of <br /> taxes he pays and would like to be annexed out of the City. <br /> Council Member Pederson questioned why Mr. Baca wants to be annexed <br /> out of the City to any other local entity but yet he is willing to run for City <br />