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by LEILANI FREEMAN

The Chisago City Council moved swiftly through its July 22 agenda.

The council accepted the Chisago City Fire Relief Association’s 2024 audit, presented by Fire Relief Association Treasurer Jonathan Wrolstad. 

Conducted by the accounting firm Abdo, the 2024 audit will be the last one requiring city council approval. At the beginning of this year, the city granted the Relief Association permission to move management of its retirement funds to the statewide firefighter retirement plan.

Wrolstad said the fire department is happy with the decision to become part of the retirement plan and will be saving thousands of dollars in future audit costs. The audit showed that in 2024 the relief association earned a return of 15.5 percent on $1.52 million.

In other business, the council:

- was reminded that the Highway 8/Lake Blvd. study (Chisago City to Taylors Falls) will be discussed at public meetings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, at the Chisago Lakes Area Library, Chisago City, and on Wed., Aug 6, at the Taylors Falls Community Center. The public can also comment on future plans for the highway using an online survey https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-8-chisago-taylorsfalls/surveys/survey available through Sunday, Aug. 24.

- agreed to serve as issuer for Conduit Revenue Bonds for TRIO Wolf Creek distance learning charter school, 10363 Liberty Lane, Chisago City.  If approved, the arrangement will enable the organization “Friends of Wolf Creek” to acquire the school property, which then will be leased to the school.  “Friends of Wolf Creek” and Wolf Creek TRIO are nonprofit corporations. 

Chisago City would not be subject to any liability for the conduit bonds, which also would not be a debt of the city. Mayor Dresel reminded the council that, in the past, Chisago City had issued conduit bonds for Ecumen, a senior living facility in Chisago City. Before the Wolf Creek conduit bonds are sold, a public hearing will take place (likely at the Aug. 26 council meeting). 

- approved a petition for annexation of .5 acres at 11839 302nd St. in Chisago Lake Township submitted by Matthew Kjellberg in order to connect to Chisago City sewer services. The petition will now go to Chisago Lake Township to begin an orderly annexation process. As part of that arrangement the city will reimburse the township a share of loss of taxable property in two payments of $814.49 on Dec. 1, 2026, and 2027.

- accepted the donation of an oak tree to be planted in Surfland Park given by Bill and Sue Mack in memory of Mayor Bob Gustafson, and a memorial bench donated by the Gustafson family and the Chisago City Park Commission. 

Gustafson was involved in local recreational sports. The tree and bench will be dedicated in Surfland Park at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, during the annual Ki-Chi-Saga Days celebration.

- approved expenditures from Charitable Gambling Fund 29. The fund contains proceeds of charitable gambling conducted in Chisago City by Lakes Area Recreation Association and Chisago City Firemen’s Relief. The money will be used for the following purposes: city volunteer recognition - $2,800, fireworks for Ki-Chi-Saga Days - $12,000;  fire department volunteer steak dinner - $1,200; and Lakes Area Police Department employee recognition - $1,000, leaving a balance of $65,000.

- heard Robyn Vosberg-Torgerson, substituting for Superintendent Brian Dietz, provide an update on the Chisago Lakes Area Schools. 

She cited the district’s emphasis on the “three Ps”— Producing, Planning and Participating. She pointed to the district’s high student test scores, emphasis on early learners, ability for students to earn their Associate of Arts degrees in high school, and the offering of career pathways that provide real life experience.  

Responding to a question from Mayor Dresel, she said the district currently offers welding, automotive and woodworking career programs.

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