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Center City Council met May 7 for a regular meeting.  All members were present with City Clerk Dana Miron absent and 23 people were in attendance at City Hall.

The council began with discussing Hursh Iron Works. City Attorney Ted Alliegro told the council the next step would be mediation to try and find a common ground. The city has been asked to provide water to the property.  A representative from Hursh told the council the building project in Taylors Falls is moving along and by quarter one of next year, they hope to have some of the large equipment relocated to Taylors Falls.

The council then agreed to donate $300 to the Chisago Age Well group.

The council then heard from maintenance supervisor Eric Garner about the new docks along Summit Avenue. Garner told the council they have not received permission for a new dock system from the DNR as of yet, and he would like to install the old dock until the approval comes.  The council agreed.

The council then discussed a liquor license application for the Nordic Market.  Mayor Jill Behnke told the council the city had not received the approved paperwork from the state as of yet.  The council then passed unanimous approval of an on-sale and off-sale liquor license contingent on approval by the state.

A shoreland lease for the Nordic Inn property has been requested by owner Nick Kirvida. He would like two docks, one for his motel customers and the other for boat up traffic for the general public.  The council agreed to hold a special meeting May 16 at 5 p.m. regarding the $2,500 a year land lease.

The council had a lengthy discussion about cargo containers within the business district.  Kevin Kirvida has remodeled the Moody Auto building and is seeking to install a storage container that would be used for shipping as well as serve as a retaining wall.  Council member Ryan Pease told the council the planning commission had discussed and approved the container plan.  

Council member Mark Wolcott said the remodel of the building is overwhelming how nice it turned out and if there was anyone that could make a storage container look nice it would be Kirvida.  He added “What will stop the next person who wants a storage container?”  

Pease told Wolcott the approval would be for a conditional use permit and the next person seeking to install one would have to apply and follow all of the steps.

Council member Lloyd Vetter told the council “I think this is a bad idea. We have spent a lot of money downtown to make it look inviting.” Vetter added he would not support the CUP.  

The council allowed Kirvida to speak. He told the council the insurance companies will not insure the Moody building knowing gas and other fuels could be stored inside the building. Thus the need for external storage.  Kirvida added the only visible part of the container will be the doors, it will be buried underground and seeded.  He added the container will be painted to look like parts of the building that are already finished.

City Engineer Marcus Johnson told the council the engineering calculations submitted did not satisfy him and that he could not sign off on the plan.  Kirvida agreed to have his engineer meet with Johnson’s team to correct any adjustments needed.  The council then passed the action allowing shipping containers in the business district as a CUP with Kirvida agreeing to meet with the engineers and fixing any issues. Council member Vetter voted against. 

The council then agreed to donate their May meeting stipends to fund the flowers to be planted around town.

Public Works Supervisor Garner told the council he had received three bids for the repair and paving project along Center Avenue and parts of Busch Street.  Garner said Bluhm Construction came in as the lowest bid at $27,430.  Garner pointed out that paving prices dropped drastically from the year prior.  The council approved Bluhm Construction for the project unanimously.

Garner then discussed a new street sweeper.  Casey Thiel from Chisago County Soil and Water told the council they had secured agreement that would help fund the sweeper for the city.  Cost of the sweeper is $9,399 and it is an attachment for the city’s skidsteer.  Thiel told the council the grant was for $5,000 a year up to $15,000.  The council unanimously passed a resolution allowing the purchase of the new sweeper using the grants.

The council then was told the grant for Jerry Carlson was approved for the construction of an elf house in the city. The council asked where the house would be built and Mayor Behnke guessed at Watertower Park.

Council adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

  

 

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