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The former industrial use building, in Taylors Falls on Chisago Street,  just a block or so out of downtown, heading north on #16 along the river, has found a new life.  The Taylors Falls City Council approved a Conditional Use Permit for Lakes Area Cabinets to set up shop.  Owners MaryAnn and Shawn Morley say the business has outgrown a pole building they’ve been using for over a dozen years in  Chisago City, and this structure fits their needs ideally.

Operations do not go into the late night and a truck will visit maybe once-weekly for pick-ups, etc. There is no finishing done on site, so chemicals and odors are not going to be issues, Shawn Morley told council.

Morley said he will make sure neighboring property owners have his contact information and if there are concerns they can contact him directly.

Council also heard a pitch from a commercial property developer, Mike Brady, about his vision for the city business/industrial park west of town. He provided background on successful rehabs of historic buildings and new land uses he has spearheaded in Corcoran and Minneapolis. He believes in the “synergy of small businesses” and promised he has connections and expertise to develop the Taylors Falls business park. 

He wants a six month exclusive agreement to both assemble tenants for a housing initiative that would blend with non-residential uses he plans to market in the business park.

City council members agreed the presentation was promising, and said they’d discuss it in more depth after Brady sends financial projections and additional confidential details.

A “minor subdivision” that was really just a lot line shift was authorized 4-0 with Council member Larry Julik Heine absent.  The two lot owners cooperated to make 356 Briar Lane, owned by Peter Sanstead,  several feet wider allowing for a storage shed to be built.  

An ongoing business at 366 Bench (downtown main street) was granted a new license created by council for non-intoxicating (hemp derived) cannabinoid items.  The city council approved a definition for “retail” cannabinoid products and where their sales are prohibited.  (This ordinance is not addressing marijuana flower which is not available via retail in Minnesota yet.)

Buck Duncan, owner, also got his Conditional Use Permit approved setting standards for the operations. 

Council thanked Duncan for being communicative through this process and for educating them on the industry in general.  Duncan grows the low THC content plants, which he explains must comply with regulatory agency tests, which he’s passed for six years now.

A collapsed culvert on West Street at Grove,  will be replaced. Council granted a quote not to exceed $5,000.

Issues with alarm systems at systems sites are being addressed.  Wells 3 and 4 have alarms that activate telephone signals, and repair will run $7,083 to bring them back to functioning status.  The lift station by the river will be the next for project  quotes.  Public Works liaisons Council members Lee Samuelson and Tim Grote said the malfunctioning alarms could have been caused by lightning or any number of other hazards.

Two applicants were appointed to the Heritage Preservation Commission vacancies: Alyssa Auten and Randy Krey.

Mayor Wieberg announced budget workshops have been going well and the budget/levy for 2024 should be ready for action by council next meeting, September 25.

Council unanimously approved a new start time for meetings at 6 p.m.  

The mayor’s proposal to limit meetings to two hours, however, did not find support.  All members agreed the format needs to be refined and rules applied to better contain what have been lengthy sessions. City Attorney Fritz Knaak said he has a publication with tips on process that he will provide which may help.

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