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Lindstrom City Council met July 18 for a regular meeting.  All members were present with council member Brian Norelius attending via zoom.

Mayor Judy Chartrand told the council she spoke with some downtown businesses and they had the best weekend of the year over Karl Oskar Days.  Chartrand thanked the city staff for their hard work. 

Council member Dave Waldoch then thanked the Lindstrom Fire Department for their efforts in a higher than normal call out month in June.  

Waldoch then told the council he was happy to announce the new disc golf course at the Chisago Lakes joint sewage treatment plant is slated to open on August 18.

The council then heard from businessman Phil Dommer on his vision for the OJ Juice property along St. Croix Avenue.  Dommer’s plan is to demolish OJ Juice building and construct an apartment building on site with a commercial site or two in front along St. Croix Ave.

Dommer told council he was taking his time to better define a concept for the commercial properties to compliment and not conflict with other businesses.  Dommer said the juice building is scheduled to be demolished in October or November of this year.  Dommer who is working with city administrator Dan Undem will submit an application for a state redevelopment grant before February 1 of 2025.  

City engineer Brian Bachmeier then discussed the crosswalks on Park and Maple streets.  Bachmeier said for the city to purchase and install flashing beacon signage the total costs would run around $80,000.  Council then approved Bolton & Menk $3,638 to prepare the site, and file all the paperwork for the projects.  

Lindstrom  Fire Chief Scott Sellman then thanked the council for allocating $100,000 to the department from the public safety state aid the city received earlier this year.

Sellman said he had narrowed the department’s needs to three items.  He said the department would like to purchase a scissor lift. Sellman pointed out the drops for electrical and air to the trucks come from the ceiling and currently they have no way to reach the ceiling.  Council member Waldoch asked if the lift would be available to the maintenance department if needed.  Sellman assured the council it would be available to all departments of the city.

Sellman then told the council his department is in need of a support truck.  He pointed out on a call where most of the firefighters answer, there is not enough room in the trucks for all of the firefighters.  Sellman said ideally he would like to see a 3/4 ton crew cab, but noted this would be a purchase down the road due to a back log of orders on such vehicles.

Lastly, Sellman told the council he would like to purchase a multi-tool that includes a jaws of life and a spreader.  This would be an additional multi tool to be used for first responders before the fire crew makes it to the scene.

Council member Dave Waldoch made a motion to purchase the scissor lift for $9,000, while Sellman gets quotes for the other two items.

Council then heard from Karnowski and Associates regarding the liquor store.  Council agreed to hire a consulting firm to take a deep look at all facets of the liquor store to improve profitability.  The firm will take a look at advertising, customer engagement, market analysis, brand imaging as well as staffing, and hours of service.  Waldoch added Sunday sales should be looked into, because since offering retail  Sunday sales Waldoch did not see an increase in revenue.  Council member Brian Norelius added he would like to see the aesthetics of the store be more inviting. “It’s such a huge building but everything is so spread out” he added.  

City administrator Undem told the council they had over 50 residents give input on the vision of downtown Lindstrom at the city’s booth at Karl Oskar Days.  

Norelius added he would love to have more public input and transparency on the city’s plans for downtown design.  

Council was then told the group from the U of M is currently doing a data collection for Beach Park with a scope that includes improving access to the park, access to bike trails, stormwater improvements and capital investments to attract more people. The study will be completed and presented to the council mid-fall.

Council member Greg Krueger referenced Forest Lake has a swimming dock and a dock to service boaters  with gas.  “I would like to see our land utilized much in the same way” he said.

Council then adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

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