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Stacy City Council met December 13 for a regular meeting.  Council member Mark Ness was absent.
 
The council then heard from Mark Rasmussen of Apex Construction,  there to discuss resuming construction on the ice arena which has been dormant for years.  Rasmussen said they had been in contact with Representative Anne Neu Brindley and she is hopeful there will be grant money available for the project in the next state bonding bill.  Rasmussen and some representatives from the hockey program were there asking for a letter signed by the city in support of resuming work on the arena.  The council agreed to sign the letter.
 
Chisago County Commissioner Ben Montzka then gave an update on the goings on at the county level.
 
Montzka told the council the County Board originally had a levy increase set for 6.9 percent and with some very hard work, they managed to bring the increase down to about 2.38 percent.  
 
Montzka told the council home values have increased 26 percent and commercial property has only increased in value by 10 percent.  Montzka said this was something the board is looking into rectifying but has to consider both sides.    “We are a border county which means businesses can move across the river if they are offered a better deal.  
 
Montzka said of the looming future that it will be difficult, but “We will get through it”.
 
Montzka then asked what can the county do for Stacy.  Mayor Mark Utecht said the County Road 19 bridge has priority.  Utecht also said he would like to see a homestead credit return for residents.  
   
The council then directed attorney Monge to look into why the monthly security charge for the liquor store almost doubled.  
 
The council then discussed the lighting issues at Rupp Mini Storage.  The neighbors have complained about unneccessary excessive light coming from the storage buildings as well as lights from headlights of renters.  A fence has been installed along part of the driveway to block the lights.  The council was shown photos from a neighboring home showing the fence does not block any light to the upper floors of split level homes.  The council did acknowledge the mini storage efforts to rectify the issue, but agreed more has to be done.  
 
The council then approved the 2023 Levy at $367,862 unanimously. That is an increase of 1.37 percent over last year ($354,885).
  The council then passed resolutions that included:
  •Resolution Designating Reserves General Fund Fire Equipment
  • Resolution Designating Reserves General Fund Park Improvements
  • Resolution Designating Reserves General Fund Streets
  • Resolution Designating Reserves Water Fund Asset Replacement
 
The council then approved a liquor license for Station 61 unanimously.  City clerk Sharon Payne told the council the city has not received a 2023 liquor license application from Tomatoes restaurant.  
 
A motion by Mayor Utecht to increase the salary for the Off-Sale Manager to $75,000 per year effective January 1, 2023 passed unanimously.
 
The council then accepted the resignation of clerk Sharon Payne.  Payne will stay on until February 1 and after that if needed, she will bill the city hourly if she is needed, but this needs to be formalized.

Mayor Utecht said he was disappointed to see the resignation but was happy to see Payne start the next chapter in her life.

 The council adjourned at 8:20pm

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