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Center City firefighters will benefit from action by the city council last week increasing the payout for their service.  Firefighters have been qualifying for $2,300 in a lump sum payment for each year of their service after they are vested and opt to “retire.”  The volunteer firefighters had that payout increased to $2,500 in a unanimous vote by council.

Council member Mark Wolcott commented as liaison to the fire department that the members requested $2,700 but in the interests of being fiscally conservative and with a still uncertain economy looming, council agreed to go with the lesser amount.  The managed investments that support the pensions is sufficient to support this hike.

~ Center City Hall was again designated as the city polling precinct for 2024 general elections.  (The referendum for the ballot question to increase revenues for schools last month was held at a school site.)

~ With no major expense increases being projected,  the levy and budget was adopted on a 5-0 vote for 2024 property taxes.  The levy is $355,500 which is up close to four percent.  

Wages for city staff were also adopted at a slight increase which was built into the proposed levy. Full-time maintenance-public works goes from $30 to $32 hourly, clerk will be at $24.50 and part-time maintenance becomes $20.50,  up from $19.60.

~ Mayor Jill Behnke reported the bike trail project and feedback collected in an open house,  held on-site at the proposed trailhead a few weeks ago,  are being reviewed by National Park Service project consultants. There should be an update meeting soon with committee members and city officials who have been working on developing a Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail route in city limits. 

~ Council approved the Phase Four joint sewage treatment commission plan to borrow about $1 million for needed capital improvements.  All members of the Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission are asked to sign-off on the process borrowing from Rural Water Fund, to do the projects.

~ Center City won a $5,000 grant from the League of MN Cities which will help pay for paperwork needed to apply for another grant.  The Local Road Improvement Projects grant would be for $200,000 and is earmarked for streetwork on Grand Avenue, south of Hwy. 8.  City engineering firm Bolton & Menk is creating the application for the LRIP grant, which Center City needed the $5,000 to help pay for. 

And, no big movement has been made on re-locating the Hursh Ironworks enterprise.  

The city attorney announced a possible real estate deal reportedly fell through,  and the manufacturing company operating at County Roads 9 and 12 could be staying put for a while.  If the site had city sewer and water the marketability would be enhanced, council has been advised.  The code does not allow for a holding tank  unless city council approves and any service lines need to go a long distance to connect to municipal systems.  However, council wasn’t sure working with the ironworks is the best approach.  It may even backfire and create a more attractive location where Hursh will want to remain.

Attorney Ted Alliegro suggested Council member Vetter, Mayor Behnke and the ironworks owner —and he— need to discuss where things sit.  A court order sought by the city is “on hold” trying to get the operation to come into compliance with code. The company responded to legal overtures that it was buying a different location.  Continued truck activity, noise and odd hours of operation motivated nearby residents to complain and reportedly the manufacturer is still not following rules.

Finally, Council was advised the new fishing pier expected last summer may arrive in spring 2024.

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