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Kevin Schumann, pastor at First Baptist Church in Taylors Falls, went to a city council meeting Feb. 8 with plans to comment on a city street project that could affect the church property.

But Schumann was surprised that night when he received the city’s St. Croix River Valley Stewardship Award. The honor is given annually to a citizen whom friends and neighbors have described as someone who does much to improve life for others in town.

He has been a familiar face for more than 10 years, and neighbors got to know him early when he helped to form a crime watch group in response to neighborhood vandalism that began in 2002.

In recent time, families with young children have been able to enjoy the playground equipment at nearby Taylors Falls Elementary School outside of regular building hours, because Schumann unlocks the playground gate access.

The pastor had the initiative to start an annual appreciation lunch for staff from the school, and on a staff workshop day each February the teachers and other employees simply cross West Street at lunchtime to enjoy a meal prepared by volunteers representing four community churches. The tradition has continued for 17 years.

Schumann is also known as director of the Together with Friends summer day camp, which is co-sponsored by several area churches. The June and July program is open to youth entering second through sixth grades.

– In other business council conducted Feb. 8, members approved guidelines for applying $100,000 in state grant money which was awarded last year for economic development, redevelopment or job creation.

The city is actively seeking developers for four lots in the business park at Brayden Boulevard and County Road 37. Developers would be eligible to receive $25,000 in incentives for building on any of the four lots, with the payments to be spread over five years. The funds are being managed by the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.

– Council voted to accept an insurance settlement related to the loss of some equipment last fall.

Public works staff found in mid-October that a trailer was missing for the department’s skid loader. Staff filed a theft report with the Sheriff’s Office, and after no results the city sent an insurance claim to a League of Minnesota Cities office in St. Paul. The city will receive a settlement offer of $2,800, less a deductible of $250.

– Council approved expenses from the year’s training budget for two staff members to attend courses in March. City Clerk/Treasurer Mary Tomnitz is authorized to attend an annual conference of the Minnesota Clerks and Finance Officers Association involving four days and three nights in St. Cloud. Costs for the conference registration, hotel and mileage total more than $730.

Public Works Superintendent Mike Kriz will go to a wastewater operations conference sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, held over three days in Brooklyn Park. He will renew his applicable license that is due for the update this year. Those conference costs are $300.

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