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Stacy City Council met May 14 for a regular meeting, all members were present along 14 residents who were in attendance.  The new council is made up of Mayor Mark Utecht, council members Tim Sawatzsky, Carolyn Cagle, Jeff Barrett and Dennis Thieling.

The meeting began with County Board Commissioner Ben Montzka updating the council on happenings at the county level.  Montzka passed around the new county logo which was officially passed by the county board this month.  Montzka asked for opinions and the majority favored the old logo.  A resident asked Montzka how much it will cost the county to rebrand all of the signage and vehicles. Montzka answered a significant amount. Montzka pointed out he voted against the logo change.

The council adopted an agreement between the city of Stacy and Oxford Township on maintenance of a shared road that totals .72 of a mile.

Council then agreed to not support financially a request from Chisago Age Well.  Some members agreed the majority of events take place in North Branch and do not benefit the citizens of Stacy.

The council passed a conditional use permit for the owners of Stacy Hardware to expand to the property adjacent to the current location.  

The council then had a lengthy discussion about a proposal from Advanced Utility Solutions owner Mike Vieau. Vieau was proposing additional contracted operations help for the city.  Vieau  said his company would alleviate some of the stress on the maintenance department by the city hiring his employees at a rate of $8,000 per month. The city already has an agreement with his company for the training of employees on wastewater and lift stations until they get certified.  Council member Tim Sawatsky told Vieau that he appreciated the current assistance his company is supplying but wondered if adding manpower would lessen the learing curve for Stacy’s employees.  Sawatsky added “In Harris it started this way, and they don’t even have a maintenance department now. People’s is doing all of their maintenance work.”In the end there was no support for adding extra manpower from AUS the council agreed. 

The council then heard from a resident on Falcon Avenue near the turn by Kwik Trip.  The resident was concerned about overgrowth in the right of way blocking driver’s views of Falcon thus endangering any potential pedestrians.  The council saw photos taken from the roadway and in two areas there was growth hindering views of the road.  Mayor Utecht added he would like to see no parking on the road from County Road 19 to the entrance of the mobile home park entrance, on Falcon.  Council agreed and asked maintenance to look into clearing the obstructions and to install no parking signs.

The council learned that meter replacements were scheduled to start on May 20.

Council then approved switching locks on Lent Town Hall to fob reader locks.  There will still be a few master sets of keys, but by having a fob system, the city can allow and disallow fobs at certain times to assure security of the building.

The council then agreed to merge both Lent and Stacy’s remaining ARPA monies.  Stacy currently has $59,522 and Lent has $33,492.  Mayor Utecht added he would like to see as much of that money go towards the water meter project as possible.

The council then approved liquor license renewals for Falcon Ridge Golf Course, Stacy Lions, and Athens Trail Market.

The council also granted approval of a beer garden for the Hideout during Stacy Daze, a gambling permit for the Stacy Lions during Stacy Daze, and a gambling permit for a Pheasants Forever event at Lent Town Hall.

The council then discussed crack repair for 302nd, Fox Road and 301st streets.  Maintenance Supervisor Troy Olson told the council these roads are in dire need of repair.  Council agreed to crack repair 302nd at $7,335 and Fox Road for $3045.

The council ended up tabling discussion on cannabis in public spaces, additional pickelball courts, and a potential website domain change due to time constraints.

Council adjourned at 10 p.m.

  

  

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