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The residential area all around Lions Park in Lindstrom frequently experiences drainage problems, with streets almost impassable and yards under deep water at times. The council last week gave the city engineer the go-ahead to assess the stormwater and utility systems in that area and report back. It could be that pipes are mis-sized and mis-matched, it could be something’s broken, the city won’t know until research is done.

A preliminary review shows one problem could be a drop (seperation) in the storm sewer line at Elm and Sylvan.  Engineer Jon Herdegen of MSA recommended the city expect $7,500 as the bill for the Sylvan Avenue area underground assessment. This includes modeling of Lions Park drainage.

Council member AnnMarie Brink abstained because she was concerned her property is included in this study area and might benefit. The work was allowed to proceed on the other four votes.

In other business; council heard from sales representatives about a columbarium for Fairview Cemetery.   The structure houses urns of cremains and includes a communal area in the center where cremated remains can also be housed en masse, for a reduced fee from what it costs to reserve the individual niches.
The firm making the presentation, Eickhof, is based in Crookston, MN.

The company installed the columbarium at the Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Park, on Old Towne Road, in Chisago City.

The reps suggested the city look into securing some pre-registered columbarium clients adding that  the costs can be expected to be $50,000 and upwards,  for the installed structure and Fairview Cemetery site improvements.  

The columbarium can securely hold 500 urns in an area of 15 cemetery plots, council was told.  More and more Minnesotans are opting for cremation and the option is preferred 63 percent of the time currently.

There was a committee named to look into project details, Mayor Keith Carlson, Diane Johnson, Marcia Smith and the city administrator are the committee members at this time.

This is not-a-rush project and council may not be re-visiting this until well into 2019.

The Lakes Region EMS south base is under construction, across from city hall on Akerson.  Council took final action on the agreement that requires Lakes Region to use the site as an ambulance base for 10 years, and if it does, the land is no cost to the organization.  City Administrator John Olonger said the LREMS is covering costs for the survey, attorney etc.

Council also approved the final plat for the site.  

Lakes Region had to vacate its South Chisago Base, near the library in Chisago City  on notice from that landowner. The main headquarters for LREMS is in North Branch.

Two special meetings were set:
~ the city administrator annual performance review is December 18 at 5 p.m.

~ The Northland (Overlook) and Rose Hill developments are the only things on the agenda for a special session, October 29 at 7 p.m.
 

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