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In wrapping up his first full budgeting process of his first-ever mayoral term— Brandon Weiberg commented at last week’s council session the Taylors Falls council has done a good job,  and dynamics seem to have settled into an ability to continue working on what needs attention within the city, plus he is happy to see city offices finally fully staffed and also working cooperatively.  

The final meeting for this relatively all-new city council had been rescheduled to December 14 from what was  set for Dec. 11. 

With Council member Lee Samuelson absent,  the council unanimously adopted the 2024 budget and levy.  

These are final totals which had been trimmed somewhat from the preliminary data developed for the October tax estimates.  

Council member Tim Grote acknowledged those first numbers gave some citizens “sticker shock” with the first round of budgeting coming in at a 28 percent increase from 2023.  The council last week adopted a levy that is estimated to be closer to 17 percent more than what was needed in 2023.  The levy will provide $530,005 in property tax revenues compared to $426,935 in 2023.

Volunteer alert:  the city has a number of openings on its boards and commissions and discussion about accepting a couple of applications led to consensus that the openings need to be promoted more widely and action on filling slots can wait until January.  The city council accepted the planning commission resignation of Gene Anderson, and Sandra Berg had applied to serve in that vacancy.

Council member Grote thought the fresh vacancy should be advertised and put on the website, citing he has no opposition to Berg but the planning commission doesn’t meet again until later in January, so there’s time to see who’s interested.

Likewise, council tabled an application from Diane Nelson for the EDC.  

Consensus was to delay appointments until the usual annual organizing meeting that council holds in January.  

Citizens who have questions about serving and getting applications are encouraged to contact city hall.

In year-end fiscal reports, the council saw that the ARPA (American Recovery Act) funds have been accounted for. The approximately $20,000 remaining amount was directed into a priority purchase of utility pumps.  Council thanked staff and accounting consultants for the full report and agreed the ARPA monies were directed exactly where they’d been designated to go.

A Conditional Use Permit was approved 4-0 for a short term rental dwelling at 400 Military Road. 

The city has a moratorium in place while planning officials review the citywide situation and analyzes any need to revise existing regulations on short term rentals.  Zoning Administrator Elizabeth Haas said this application, however,  was submitted prior to the moratorium becoming effective, so it needs to be acted on.  

She said the proposal meets all the usual prior conditions, and will have a site manager able to respond inside of 30 minutes and she recommended approval and council agreed.

As an informational item only, the city will try closing off West Government Street when ice and snow conditions warrant this winter.  The access to the Methodist Church will be maintained, and Folsom House has only periodic events in winter.  Liaison Council member Grote said public works will “play it by ear” and this will be a “test winter” on keeping traffic off the hazardous stretch.

Delinquent utility bills were certified for being included in property tax rolls by the county. 

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