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The sewer and water rates charged to users in Taylors Falls haven’t been analyzed and adjusted for an estimated 10 years, and Monday night this week the city council voted to hire a firm to do a rate analysis with the idea to recommend an appropriate updated charge.  

The vote on the contract was 4-1 with Troy Aanonsen opposed. He said the city staff and council could undertake the analysis on  their own.  Council member Tim Grote, who is retired from a career in infrastructure related work, said the rates need to be looked at adding he is no expert even with years in this field.  The analysis will also provide support for acting quickly if the dated city system breaks down and needs emergency repair. Future expected operations and maintenance in general, which sewer and water rates are meant to self-sustain, can be planned for using the analysis.  Grote said right now he wouldn’t be able to explain the rates to citizens and without this analysis the ‘why’ behind the rate charges is unknown.

The study is $13,950 and was awarded 4-1 to the low of three quotes council saw, from Erickson Northstar. 

A set of re-aligned and edited/corrected ordinances was adopted 5-0.  

The ordinances are now in better order and in an understandable format, council was advised.  No fundamental changes resulted in the review.  Many confusing or conflicting ordinances aspects were clarified, Elizabeth Haas, zoning administrator explained.  

The work writing a new short term rental code was set aside for now, however, to get more review.  For the time being short term rentals remain in the Conditional Use Permit section of city code.  Variances were better aligned with current state law. It was made clear shipping containers are prohibited, as wording was muddy.  Park and trail dedication fees were spelled out and will be included from now on as part of the fee schedule. (Park dedication fees in lieu of actual land are $1,450 per lot and trail fee is $350.) Chicken keeping was clarified (in the heritage zone) versus not allowed in the St Croix overlay district.  The extra protections for properties in the overlay take precedent. Maps will be at city hall, which Haas said she is updating regularly.

Sidewalk repairs were allocated on quotes of $2,850 and $1,450 from Mid State Masonry, Braham.   The larger project may or may not entail repairing damages not visible until the walk is removed, and if there’s stormwater system repairs also needed underground at that location the work is authorized to go to $5,000.

A request presented by Mayor Brandon Weiberg to donate $1,000 to Youth Football didn’t get any support.  

The mayor said funds could come out of the city’s charitable gaming account into which licensed pulltab operations contribute 10 percent of sales,  as part of the process to do business in Taylors Falls.  There’s about $23,000 in the fund currently.

Council members said this would open a pandora’s box of funding requests.  This organization is not necessarily a city-based activity nor is it contracted with the city for services.  As Council member Grote put it, “How do we say no to the next group?”  He suggested more information on legal parameters governing the city donating to outside groups and this should be a workshop topic.

Mayor Weiberg said it was asked of him to look into  the city donating— because the football players were told it costs $1,000 to play at the US Bank Stadium, as part of a youth program the Minnesota Vikings reportedly run.  He added he could read the sentiment of the council and said he wouldn’t even make the motion on the request.

Action on next year’s maximum for the budget and levy is scheduled to take place later this month.

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