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Center City Council last week flatly rejected a suggestion to abandon a section of city street to facilitate a project fixing parking lot stormwater flooding behind one of the historic downtown buildings. Council had on the agenda action to eliminate the hilly section of Schultze Avenue.  The city would  retain the utility easements where city services are laid underground.  Presumably the abandoned right of way would become a sort of extra wide driveway into the apartments above the old pharmacy and other shops fronting the east side of mainstreet.

Council member Lloyd Vetter said there are lots on Schultze that would be totally  cut off or not have easy access if the city abruptly made the street a dead end at the top of the hill.  The action was presented as an “option” but he failed to view it that way adding, “Let’s move on.”

Council member Ryan Pease said if the Schultze Avenue segment has been repaved too often and its top layer is too thick and is holding back run-off, then the bituminous can be milled off.  He questioned where vehicles could turn around when they came to the barricades proposed.  

Mayor Jill Behnke agreed, declaring what was being suggested , “It’s not a wise thing” 

Council listened as a neighbor to Hursh Ironworks near Pioneer Lake complained about activity in violation of conditions the council has placed on the business.  The council was given a photo of an iron delivery on a Sunday, reportedly, which is outside of agreed to hours of operation.  The complaint included news of a recently added machine that is super loud and said there has been work done on site as early as 5 a.m.

The neighbor said it’s been two years and this issue  has become “ridiculous.”

The city will provide the photographic evidence to legal counsel who will try to work with Hursh representatives on addressing alleged non-compliance.

Mayor Behnke said the Hursh companies are in the process of moving to Taylors Falls’ industrial park,  and that enforcement of complaints right now is “complicated.”

No action was taken at the council session.

Council agreed on how to handle another issue— the old wooden fishing pier sections.  The city will post the cut up 20 foot sections on-line and with the League of MN Cities to see if there are any offers to take the old pier at no cost.

Center City has received a DNR floating dock system for next year which is currently assembled and being stored in the winter location along with its new ramp for access.  Staff will be erect the new replacement fishing structure in the North Center Lake bay next spring.  The boat docking structure for downtown businesses, will return also.

Council was asked to give thought to a promotion idea for downtown presented by Tony’s Bar owner Tony Dehn. He said he’d like to work on fleshing out a “social district” ordinance for Center City,  similar to the open consumption allowed in Anoka and reportedly being developed for Stillwater.  He mentioned the city bars are all in support and there would be a specially designed cup immediately recognizable for the special hours when outdoor drinking and movement among business is being allowed.  

Council members’ consensus was it sounded like something the city could look into. 

The Heritage Preservation Commission has approved a request from the owner of  103 Summit in the Historic District to restore a front porch to its original look.  Time line for construction was not announced.

The city compost pile was burned recently and firefighters are unsure if remnants will be completely cooled to re-open anytime soon.  The drought is also causing a lot of state burning bans to be enacted, and if conditions dry out excessively,  the compost site may be kept closed to keep out random ignition by hot mufflers, etc. coming in contact with new yard debris.  Contact city hall before you head out to dispose of organic cleanup matter.

A denial of access to a home in order for public works to replace the water meter was discussed.  The homeowners told council they fear EMFs will be emitted and don’t want the potential health hazard inside the home.  

City staff advised this new meter is the same as the one already in the home. The radiohead for remote readings and battery failed.  The city can not take usage readings.  There is a project underway now to update all the city water meters.  

The couple said they misunderstood and thought the device was something new to be concerned about. They agreed to make an appointment for the replacement.  

They also mentioned into concerns about chlorine for fighting contaminants and flouride levels in city water.  Council said the city samples are frequently tested under state law, that also mandates the use of certain additives, and results are posted on the city website for their information.

And, Chisago Lakes Superintendent Brian Dietz gave a brief presentation on activities in the district and preparations for a possible capital projects referendum in spring 2025.  (See story in this paper elsewhere.)

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