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Center City Council met August 5 for a regular meeting.  All members were present. 

Council began their meeting as they have been recently with discussion about Hursh Ironworks.  Council was told planner John Anderson has a list of violations  to cite against the company.  City attorney Ted Alliegro agreed that violations may be the prod needed to get Hursh moving towards a planned site in Taylors Falls.  Council member Sally Swanson told the council, “We need to get their violations on the record”.  

Alliegro told the council they need a deputy to issue the tickets because they would then be sent automatically to the county.

Council agreed to move forward with the violations to see if any response comes of it.

“Our patience is really running thin with this” council member Lloyd Vetter added.  

Council then discussed the now vacant lot along Busch Avenue.  The city has received complaints from the neighbors about the length of the grass.  Council agreed to have maintenance mow the yard and forward the bill to the property owner.

Council then discussed a plot of land along the future Swedish Immigrant Trail.  The small narrow bit of land is owned by the city, but when the trail is completed there will be minimal area on either side of the trail.  Council agreed to deed the portion of the land to the county unanimously.

Lake Improvement District Director Ben Elfelt then gave an update on the channel between North Lindstrom and North Center Lakes.  Elfelt told the council the channel project is closer than ever.  He told the council they have commitments from landowners on both sides of the channel at North Center Lake.  “Currently we are in the process of drafting easements, which the north side will be easy but the south side (Olinda Trail) is a bit trickier because it will involve moving a turnaround”.  Efelt also told the council he would love to have one or two council members sit in on a few workgroup meetings to serve as a liaison to the council and the city.  

Elfelt was asked why they are only considering widening the channel and not dredging it deeper.  

“The DNR has its rules and the rule is a channel can only be widened and the depth can only be exactly the deepest part of the existing channel” he added.  

Council agreed to sign a letter of support for the widening unanimously.

Council then had a brief discussion about Flock safety cameras.  Mayor Jill Behnke told the council she has been approached by the Sheriff’s Office about the possibility of purchasing one or more cameras. 

The cameras scan each and every license plate passing by  on a road, the information then is entered into a database and would send a red flag if the car was stolen, or wanted for  a crime.  It would not be used to catch speeders or expired tabs.  Council agreed to table until the Sheriff can come to a meeting to explain in more detail.

Council set a budget meeting for Wednesday, August 27 at 5:30pm.

Behnke next told the council Xcel has reached out to the city with an offer to install an EV charging station near the proposed new Swedish Immigrant Regional Trailhead.  Behnke said Xcel would provide power and a pad but the city would have to purchase the actual charging station.  

When asked about the cost, Behnke gave a rough estimate of $10-15,000.  Council member Vetter asked where the money will come from for the charging station.  Behnke said the city would apply for grants.  

Council member Swanson agreed with Vetter noting, “We don’t have enough information to make any sort of decision on this. It’s a great idea, but we need more info”. 

City engineer Marcus Johnson told the council the city did not receive a grant for the Local Road Improvement Program. Johnson said the state received a great deal of applications. Johnson said the city can re-apply in the winter and to alter the existing bid would only be a few hours of his time.  

Johnson said the city has received the Lead Service Pipe Inventory grant once again from the state for an expected $64,000. Johnson said he expects the city to have 100 percent of service lines inventoried soon, and the city can use those monies for curb stop locating and documenting.  

Well #2 has been fixed and the maintenance department will begin the process of draining and filling while testing in the next few weeks.

In the parks report the city used a grant for $2,999 to purchase two picnic tables, a bike rack  and a few other items to be installed at IG Long Park.

Chris DuBose then spoke to the council on behalf of the Chisago Lakes Rotary Club.  DuBose told the council the club is applying for the Chisago Lakes Foundation Big Idea grant and was seeking a letter of support from the council.  DuBose said the Big Idea grant is $12,000.  

“The Rotary Club is actively fundraising as well as we have asked sister clubs to donate towards our fund” DuBose said.  He told the council the club is also looking for cities to donate funds that will be matched by other Rotary Clubs.  Asked how much, DuBose said “Whatever you feel comfortable with, but most are giving around 1,000”.   

All funds will go towards the Swedish Immigrant Trail both at the trailhead and in other areas along the trail.  Council member Mark Wolcott made a motion to send a letter of support and pledge up to $1,000 in donation.  The motion passed 5-0.

Council adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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