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The Chisago City Council on Sept. 26 voted to certify a proposed general fund levy of $3.75 million to the county auditor. That is up 6.23 percent from 2023, within the city’s goal of holding the levy increase under 7 percent. While the city’s proposed 2024 budget calls for operating expenses to increase $293,848,  the city’s tax rate will go down and will actually be under the council’s original target, due to valuation increases.

City staff explained that the city’s tax rate will decrease 5.67 percent thanks to a 13.43 percent increase in the city’s “net tax capacity.”

City budget increases were the result of: a 9.43 percent increase in the Lakes Area Police budget, a 3-10 percent increase in insurance premiums, rising fuel and utility costs, the addition of a fifth person to the Public Works Department, costs associated with creating two voting precincts, and a 4.5 percent cost of living wage increase. Higher operating levies for the city’s Economic Development Authority and Ojiketa Regional Park were allowable because of the increase in the city’s estimated market value.

In other business, the council:

- changed the date of its regular December meeting to Tuesday, Dec. 12.

- voted to set the required public hearing on real estate taxes payable in 2024 for 6:35 p.m. Dec. 12.

- agreed to extend final plat approval for Wallmark Lake Villas (previously known as Nature View Homes) to Oct. 1, 2024, as requested by Don Skelly of High Pointe Land, LLC. (The plat deadline for this property had been extended twice under a previous developer.)

After agreeing to High Pointe’s request to extend the final plat, the council approved a requested variance to exceed allowable impervious surface on 9 of 15 lots in the development. The city also stipulated High Pointe record the approved plat, enter into a developer’s agreement, and pay all related development fees. 

High Pointe needs the variance to change the homes on the site from two-story homes with a basement to one-story homes built slab on grade. The planning commission agreed the new plan was consistent with the topography of the area, which is limited by nearby wetlands. The planning commission stated “although the impervious surface for nine of 15 lots would exceed 25 percent, no individual lot would exceed 35 percent and the overall plat impervious surface area is proposed to be 25 percent.”

- heard a presentation by new Chisago Lakes School Superintendent Brian Dietz who outlined the school’s accomplishments, high state test scores and graduation rates, and recent awards and pending national award for its engineering program.  

He cited the school’s goals to “Engage, Educate and Empower” and their efforts to personalize education for each student. “We want to make sure our kids know where they are and where they want to be.”

Dietz described efforts to help students explore future careers by offering six career pathways in the high school, helping students get certifications, and partnering with local employers to offer real life experiences. When Council Member Marie Rivers said some of her young employees don’t have a clue about how to budget or pay bills; Dietz responded that, starting next year, a course on personal finances  will become a required course.

Dietz said state funding for education has not kept up with inflation and contains many inequities. This means some school districts get  more dollars per student than others. Seeking voter approval through referendums is the only other means the school district has to raise needed funds. 

Dietz said the November 7 referendum will be asking two questions, one seeking funds for capital to maintain and renovate current facilities. The second request will be for operational funds with an emphasis on needs to retain and recruit staff. 

“We’ve been losing about 10 percent of our staff each year (through retirements and resignations),” he said, “We want to keep our great people here.” He added that the district also wants to offer more electives at the middle school, which means adding staff.     

- approved a petition for deferred assessment for 2023 street improvements submitted by property owners at 10862 Stinson Ave. This means the principal amount of $8,255 will be deferred for 15 years or until the property is sold (whichever comes first). The property owners will be responsible for the 3.5 percent in interest payments annually along with their real estate taxes. (Deferral of assessments is allowed by state statute when the property owner is over age 65 and meets income requirements.)

- after the usual background check, issued a license to sell tobacco and tobacco related products requested by Vikas Patel, new operator of the Marathon gas station at 29409 Lofton Ave. Patel operates the station under the name Auroma Investments LLC. 

-  following a hearing  by the city planning commission, amended city ordinances to permit secondary driveways on a case-by-case basis for properties of at least two acres with 150 feet fronting right-of-way. The second driveway must meet the five-foot side yard requirement, be 30 feet or more from an intersection, and cannot exceed the maximum allowed impervious surface area. 

For single-family use, only one curb cut access will be allowed per property. 

On questioning from the council, Associate City Planner Leah Nelson explained, “There is a maximum amount of space a property owner can have cut out of a curb. If they want to exceed that they will need to seek a variance. This allows people in some areas to use a California cub (surmountable curb) or decide if they want the curb cut.”

    

    

    

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