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The public hearing for the City of Taylors Falls to get input on a plan to facilitate Hursh Ironworks in relocating to the Taylors Falls industrial park, opened and closed in about five minutes Monday night this week.  There were no details drafted yet and the issue of the city subsidy— in the form of “sale” of practically free land— was not discussed pending more details.

Mayor Brandon Weiberg suggested city council members submit their concerns and recommendations to staff before the continued date of the hearing, which is March 18.  Taylors Falls ought to have a ‘policy’ in place that gives guidance  setting conditions required to benefit from city subsidy, the council was advised by Zoning Administrator Elizabeth Haas.

City Attorney Fritz Knaak is also working on the agreement that would spell out subsidy conditions, like how many jobs Hursh must bring into the city to justify the subsidy, the level of property tax revenues expected from the new building valuation and other benefits in return for the city assistance. The legal team will need recommendations to have language ready for review by early March, he added.

Hursh Ironworks is slated to acquire the east side of the industrial park, which is generally situated near the electric substation just outside of the city, on County Road 37.

Taylors Falls also has seen very preliminary proposals for business operations interested in utilizing the west side of the city-owned industrial park but those plans are tabled for the time being.  

In the brief meeting, council also okayed spending $22,000 of the state public safety aid on medical equipment for the fire department and on hoses.  This is close to half of the grant distributed to public safety agencies all over the state, based on per capita.

Business owner Buck Duncan applied to be appointed to Taylors Falls’ Economic Development Commission and there was discussion about restrictions on residents versus non-residents allowed on the commission.  Staff will check on amending the rules and also verify with current commission members who will seek re-appointment to their terms and who would be interested in stepping aside, as no applications have been received from incumbents.

There will be just one Taylors Falls Council meeting in March due to a rescheduling action setting March 18 for the session. This begins at 5 p.m. to meet privately with an I-T consulting firm that has been providing cybersecurity services.  The meeting will open after this closed portion concludes.  

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