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They say a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, and the Taylors Falls City Council acted right along those lines Monday night this week when a request from Hursh Ironworks, to acquire the whole city business park site,  was granted.  

The property was prepared by previous elected officials, and also contains the city wastewater treatment facility/compost site.  It has been awaiting enterprises to come forward, seeking free land and a homebase in Taylors Falls.  

Hursh emerged recently, needing to relocate from a too small site on the edge of Center City, and found strong support for an original plan to build on one half of the property.  The business park is up the hill on County Road 37, west of downtown.  This action on a 4-0 vote  gives the go-ahead to consolidate a number of the ironworks’ associated businesses.  Council member Lee Samuelson was absent.

Joel Hursh advised council he wouldn’t be breaking ground on the comprehensive layout immediately.  This is a long range plan, he explained adding the vision is for 100 jobs eventually.  The production building that he proposed originally, will be advancing quickly though.  Getting assurance he can expect to use the surrounding business park lots allows for siting the structures for future iron erector and contracting operations,  as well as creating a home office and base for the company, which he said is seeing strong growth and has national contracts.   Hursh said plans are for occupying the first production building by January 2025.

Council members hesitated briefly, discussing the lack of financial projections and property tax valuation estimates and some additional business subsidy policy requirements.  But Council member Troy Aanonsen commented he was prepared to vote on transfer of all the lots as soon as possible, “I need nothing else,” he stated. Welcoming the ironworks as of part of the future  city identity, plus anticipated revenue from property tax, he added, “I see something really good.”

Mayor Brandon Weiberg said he planned to be absent from the June council meeting but the concept has his support.  If the business subsidy and real estate paperwork is ready to go, the council has his blessing.

Meanwhile, the proposal for a commercial marijuana grow operation presented to the city  by King Kind for this business park, was officially pulled by the company.  

The letter withdrawing the land request from consideration;  explained that the company has a site in development elsewhere but King Kind appreciates the city’s help and serious preliminary consideration given to its  proposed greenhouse and processing facility.

In other business: the retaining wall on the back side of Chisago House needs to be replaced. The contract was given to Lawrence Creek Contracting for about $25,500.  The only other quote was $57,000 from Precision Hardscapes and the wall systems were not comparable.  The city engineering firm pronounced the low quote was adequate.

~ Surveillance cameras will be installed at Heritage Park, which is getting a lot of vandal activity. The project won’t exceed $10,000 and the park fund, made up of fees and other non-levy revenue,  has a good balance.

~ Peter Vitalis and Buck Duncan were appointed to two vacancies on the EDA.  Wade Vitalis and Brett Lincoln vacated the positions as council reluctantly accepted their resignations.

~ Larry and Deb Julik Heine were approved to takeover the city bulletin board in town.  They will screen posted announcements, manage the maintenance and in general do what Bill and Barb Young had done for decades.

~ Diane Nelson reminded council there’s a community garden information session Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.  The proposed site for the public garden is on County Road 20, look for the sign.

Representatives with MNDOT shared some details with the city about the impact from detouring the Osceola crossing when that bridge is rebuilt in 2026.  Council expects to get notice of a future public hearing to be held in town when finer details are ready.

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