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The Chisago County Board last week authorized two home businesses in the countryside. One is a motorsports outlet, applying for an after-the-fact Conditional Use Permit for a parcel in Nessel Township on Rush Lake Road,  and the other is described as a landscaping services/contractor on Kost Trail, in Sunrise Township, on a parcel owned by William and Beverly Payne.

The motorsports business had been located in downtown North Branch but the urban site was too small for displaying available inventory etc.  The Nessel Township 23 acre location was used as a warehousing and assembly facility, the applicants  Megan and (Mack) Mackenzie Johnston explained.  A new 60 by 80 foot pole building is part of the CUP application.  The permit does not allow for any “exterior test track” included in plans for the township site.

Both permitted uses have conditions attached to operations, like plantings to screen outdoor storage and hours, number of total employees on site and related issues.  

The County Board,  with Commissioner Jim Swenson absent, also approved a few expenditures from remaining ARPA federal economic recovery funds. 

There’s $55,000 in concrete repairs needed that were approved at the North Branch HHS building, at the Government Center, public works, public safety center and Chisago Lakes Library.  The projects were awarded to LJ Concrete in Forest Lake on a 3-1 vote with Marlys Dunne opposed to using ARPA funds.

Chisago County has a little over $1 million as a balance in the funds set aside for broadband Internet system enhancements. The projects already receiving money include Harris, Chisago Lake Township, Franconia Township and Wyoming.  There have been no additional applications for assistance. The commissioners expressed some concern at the October 11 budget and finance meeting about the timing of any future requests. There is a deadline for committing the ARPA funds to projects— or the federal government can take back the money.

The demolition of the old jail in Center City was in need of a $17,852 change order, for unforeseen costs, which was approved from ARPA balance.  

Stacy has requested increased sheriff patrol presence in 2024 and two squad cars came in as a late addition to the sheriff’s allocation.  These however, are reportedly being paid for with revenue from patrol contracts.  

The Board also granted $40,000 out of the ARPA administration costs account to the sheriff to pay for special emergency kits which equip a “breach” response when emergency entry is needed into doorways or windows, etc.  Kits used by responders and medical professionals, for “stop the bleed” are also being acquired at $160 a piece.

In the public comment portion of last week’s meeting, environmental services employee Troy Davidsavor inquired about a complaint he had filed many months ago, alleging the hiring process in the Highway Department was flawed and violated the accepted process.

Assistant Chisago County Attorney Jeffrey Fuge responded that the investigation into the allegations has recently concluded and a report will “be out forthwith.”

Fuge added that the county hiring process is not bound by state guidelines, which the county has not adopted. No violation of the subject’s human rights will be shown, Fuge added.  The full review of any public aspects of the complaint will be gone over at a later date.

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