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A dozen people turned out for Chisago City’s Dec. 10 meeting where the 2025 tax levy and budget were on the agenda, but they had come to talk about ATVs, not taxes.

Hearing no comments from the public regarding the 2025 levy, the council voted unanimously to approve the 2025 budget and tax levy of $4,028,960, exactly as proposed and submitted to the county auditor on Sept. 26. 

The final 2025 levy results in a city property tax rate of 36.621 percent, which is up 2.933 percent from 2024. Chisago City’s 2025 general fund budget of $3.2 million relies on $2.6 million in property tax revenues to operate the city. 

Public speaks in favor of ATVs

In the public hearing that followed the levy vote, several members of the audience did step forward to speak in support of passage of amending regulations governing use of snowmobiles, all terrain terrain vehicles (ATVs), off road vehicles and motorcycles in the city. 

Amendments to existing regulations will make it lawful for ATVs to operate in Chisago City.  Under terms of the revised municipal code, snowmobiles, Class 1 and Class 2 ATVs may operate “on the most right-hand side of a municipal street or alley and may pass or make left turns on other lanes used for vehicle traffic going the same direction.”  Snowmobiles and Class 1 ATVs may operate in ditch bottoms or outside the bank of trunk county state-aid roads and highways. Class 1 ATVs have a total width of 50 inches or less; Class 2 ATVS have a total width greater than 50 inches but not more than 65 inches.

ATV drivers and passengers under age 18 must wear a helmet and a seatbelt (if provided on the vehicle), and operators age 16 and older must possess a valid drivers license and safety certificate.

During the public hearing, resident Marcus Clay described the vehicles, such as side-by-sides, as “very handy, sometimes more convenient than a car,” adding that they’re beneficial for people coming to patronize local businesses. Jonathon Dodge, who owns a UTV, said he likes to “jump into it to go to the hardware store, or to a neighboring community.”  A member of the Wild River Snowmobile Club told the council that he supports the revised ordinance and believes it will have a positive impact on local businesses, but wants to remind those driving ATVs and UTVs that the amended city code does not allow use on snowmobile trails. 

City resident Ted Paulson submitted a written comment stating that he believes traffic in the city is “already too busy, too noisy and too fast’ and that he is “opposed to anything that adds to speed on Old Towne Road.” 

Council member Craig Meyer pointed out that Old Towne Road is a county state-aid road where use of ATVs is already permitted. Mayor Jeremy Dresel said that this amendment to Chisago City Municipal Code 302 is intended “to update it to match existing county and state regulations.”

A motion by Councilman Meyer to approve the code amendment to permit use of ATVs for travel within the city was unanimously approved.

In other business, the council:

- took a creative approach to using the remaining $290,840 of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The funds must be designated or will be returned to the federal  government, by Dec. 31, 2024. The city council came up with two scenarios. Option 1 involves entering a legal agreement to purchase 5.5 acres of land for new industrial property, but the agreement would have to be signed by Dec. 31. 

Finance Director Cassie Gemuenden explained Option 2, stating, “If the land purchase falls through, we have a list of needed equipment with quotes and purchase orders ready to be spent by year-end.”  The equipment list includes  items such as generators, mowers, hose and hose reels, tools, tool boxes, an air compressor and city vehicles. 

Councilman Meyer moved to approve Option 1, the land purchase, “with any remainder funds going toward Option 2.” The motion passed unanimously.

- heard an update from Public Works Superintendent Jason Lind regarding his previous request to purchase a new city vactor truck for use on city sewer and water lines. At their last meeting, the mayor and council had asked Lind to seek out used vehicles to replace the outdated vactor truck rather than a new truck costing in excess of $600,000. A lower cost truck would leave the city with funds in their budget to complete needed sewer and water  projects that had been put off in the past few years while the city paid off sewage treatment plant costs.

Lind said he was able to find a 2019 single axle, vehicle that will be available in June for $310,000 with a $10,000 down payment to hold it now.   He also found a 2020 large capacity vactor truck with new wheels for $410,000. 

The council voted to go ahead with the $310,000 vehicle on a motion by Council member Meyer. 

Lind told the Press he agreed, saying his top priority is maintaining the city’s sewer and water system to the best standards possible and not necessarily having to have “a shiny new vehicle.”

- approved a variance to split a 4.5 acre lot abutting Lake Ellen at 9739 Bjorkman Lane. 

The split will leave the existing house on a 2.5 acre lot that meets minimum requirements and creates a new lot of slightly less than two acres which requires a variance.  The city planning commission recommended approval of the split following a Dec. 5 public hearing. 

Marie and Jeffry Rivers own the property. Council member Marie Rivers abstained from voting when the council approved the split.

- voted to approve a variance requested by Chris and Sheila Baldwin to build an addition to their primary residence which is located on a nonconforming lot at 88545 Park Place on the shores of Chisago Lake. The variance allows the addition to the dwelling to be eight feet rather than the required 10 feet, from the property line. The Department of Natural Resources reviewed the plan and determined that a dock situated below the natural ordinary high water of Chisago Lake is movable and therefore in compliance with DNR requirements. 

- accepted an anonymous donation of $2,000 to the OWLLS program to be used at Ojiketa Regional Park, and a $5,000 donation from Kevin and Kathy Kirvida to complete a walkable trail at Rotary Park. OWLLS stands for Ojiketa Wednesdays Laughs Lunch and Service.

- approved requests for registration to sell low dose cannabinoid products. to three local merchants: Scott Zietlow, for Kwik Trip at 11085 Lake Blvd.; Vika Patel, for Mini Mart Chisago, at 29409 Lofton Ave. and Anan Barbara, for Lindstrom Tobacco, at 11488 Brinks Ave. Lakes Area Police conducted criminal history investigations of all registrants and found no concerns. 

- reappointed members Greg Hawkinson and Angela Weidell-LaBathe to retain their seats on the city planning commission when their current terms expire at the end of December. Administrator Pechman said that both individuals had indicated a desire to continue to serve.

- reviewed and approved the design submitted by Midco for a small, essential service building to be constructed on city-owned property at the intersection of Sportsman Dr. and Kays Ct.

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