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Taylors Falls city council members, minus Lee Samuelson who was absent this week, accepted terms for a 20 year loan to buy equipment/vehicle for the fire department and cover costs of maintenance and repairs/replacement of city hall structural issues.  

Council was pleased to learn the bond sale amount  could be reduced from $1.7 million to $1.575 due to savings in interest rate and fees,  because the city bond rating from Standard & Poor's was improved from “negative outlook” to “positive outlook” alongside  a letter rating of A-minus.  

The bid was awarded to Robert W. Baird for an interest rate of approximately 4.3 percent, based on the recommendation of public finance advisors Ehlers.

Council member Robert Bayer commented that the difference in buy offers received from three firms in total— doesn’t seem like a lot but the difference over multiple years at the better interest rate will add up.  Mayor Brandon Weiberg added, “We’re going in the right direction.”

City Attorney Fritz Knaak then reported on a hearing the city was involved in for a petition filed with the state Office of Boundary Adjustments.  Landowners of under 40 acres on St Croix Trail (see graphic) wish to detach from Taylors Falls and be part of Shafer Township.  

Knaak said the next hearing with the administrative law judge will be September 15 and he needed the council to take official action opposing the detachment request, which they did.

Council will ask the township to express the same sentiment by the time the September hearing date comes around.

Knaak claims the petition doesn’t meet standards in state law for the detachment  and said the city gains nothing in “giving up” the parcel, which according to tax records is valued approximately $600,000.

Knaak will report back on the process.

There was also a presentation from Arrowhead Transit on the potential for a public bus service for the city.  

Currently Arrowhead    runs routes for Lindstrom, Chisago City, Wyoming, North Branch and the Cambridge area (Isanti County) Rides are $5.  The operation is termed a fixed deviated rural route and it operates under the MN Dept of Transportation. 

Dominick Olivanti told the council operations and routes were recently re-worked and a major redesign was unveiled just this summer because funding authorities are promoting getting away from the old “dial a ride’ system.

Arrowhead is very open to adding Taylors Falls to its service territory, along with Shafer if there’s interest.  The goal would be to get Taylors Falls riders to connector routes that already transport riders around the entire north and east central state service area.  If people get medical care in Wyoming, for example, Arrowhead could easily get them there, or if they needed to get to work in North Branch, or school in Pine City.  There would be some outreach to do to qualify to cross into Wisconsin, however;  but there are other border crossing routes that set a precedent for interstate ridership.  Riders and city officials would need to help “advocate” for that capability.  The Arrowhead Transit website has a feedback and suggestions page and Taylors Falls would-be riders are encouraged to utilize this and contribute their input.

Olivanti explained his office is based in Gilbert, MN and the system has developed service in remote places like Grand Marais, so Taylors Falls is very do-able.  “We are excited to start this conversation here,” he added.

Lynn Longnecker and Tim Lauer gave a wrap up on Wannigan Days and said it was one of the best in years.  The Lions, the city staff, the sponsors and local business sponsors were all thanked for their support.  A donation jar brought in a little over $500, which Longnecker gave to the city clerk.

Council learned that an application for a Conditional Use Permit for a future cannabis microbusiness on Bench Street was withdrawn due to a purchase contract for the property that fell through.  Elizabeth Haas explained the 418 Bench Street owner informed her that morning she no longer supports the CUP sought by Peek Height Dreams.

The vote was to table the application action until the September 8 council meeting for a little more information.

~ The short term rental use of 579 Bench Street was approved 4-0.  Taylors Falls is getting close to its self-imposed limit on STR sites, council heard.

~ The fire chief had good news concerning the new truck the council had just accepted a bond sale bid to finance.  He said a grant through the Gary Sinise Foundation for $42,675 has been awarded to equip the new truck.

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