---

Stacy City Council met January 14 for a regular meeting.  The council swore in new council member Mike Hoppe along with Dennis Thieling and Mayor Mark Utecht.

Council discussed a purchase agreement for a lot in the industrial park with Express Trucking.  The company signed the agreement quite a while ago and has yet to set a closing date.  Council member Tim Sawatzsky asked how the city could get out of the agreement because it seems the company has no plans on building in Stacy.  

City attorney James Monge told the council he reviewed the contract and the contract has no sunset date included.  He also told the council the company stated high interest rates not closing. The city does possess an earnest check from Express.  Monge reminded the council that a check is usually given back to a business at the closing of the sale.

Council agreed to send another letter requesting a closing date or they could pursue a quiet title which would involve litigation.

In the engineer’s report Dan Boyum gave some updates on projects in the city.  The council then had discussion with Boyum and Maintenance supervisor Troy Nelson about the potential purchase of a leak detector from DSG in Plymouth.  

Council member Jeff Barrett told the council he would be in favor of the purchase because over the last year the city has one million gallons of water that is unaccounted for.  The company’s quote was for $5,595 with a $1,999 introductory price for 90 days.  Nelson pointed out the city can cancel the agreement at any time and he feels the city could hopefully find the leak before the remainder of the bill would be due thus only costing the city $2,000.  

Council agreed to move forward with the purchase after Nelson contacted DSG and inquired if this would be better suited for spring.

The council then had a lengthy conversation about well #1.  Nelson told the council the well is currently not used and as far as he can see it was never hooked up.  Council would like to see the well up and running simultaneously with well #3 to take pressure off the system.   Nelson said he wasn’t comfortable with putting it online until he is guaranteed of the quality of water that would come out of the well.  Well #3 is currently being treated for manganese and iron and well #1 would require testing and mixing before putting it online.  Nelson also said there is a good chance the well would need to be conditioned with HMO or hydrous manganese oxide (binds to radium and is expelled).  

Mayor Utecht told the council a person would have to drink five quarts a day for 70 years to raise their cancer chances from the concentration of radium .03 percent.  He pointed out if the well went online during testing and mixing, it would only be for a month or two max before desirable levels could be reached. 

The council agreed to have MN Dept of Health sign off and meet with Nelson before the actual pumping were to begin.  Council instructed Nelson to have Vesco come in and hook up the pump properly.  

They also voted to hold a meeting with Nelson, Boyum council members and MDH.  

Council then discussed the contract with the Chisago City Compost site.  Mayor Utecht told the council a new recycling/compost site has opened recently in Forest Lake that is open to Washington County and Chisago County residents.  Utecht said if Stacy residents can in fact use the new site, he would be in favor of terminating the contract to use the Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment plant compost site.  Council all were in agreement and agreed to pay whatever charge may have accrued up until now.

Council then agreed to lower an application fee for a resident on Ivan Avenue for an IUP.  The resident was given a quote prior to the annexation that differed with Stacy’s fees.  City Clerk Tanya Smolke told the council she was able to reduce the bill by $311. Council thanked Smolke for working the situation out and making the resident happy.

Council then approved appointments of First State Bank of Wyoming as depository, Chisago County Press as official newspaper, Campbell Knutson as legal counsel, Baker Tilly as finance consultant, Stantec as engineer and planner, and M Health Fairview as health officer.  Acting Mayor will be Dennis Thieling and TJ Potrament will be civil defense director.

Council unanimously accepted donations of $90,000 from the Stacy Lent Fire Relief Association and $1,100 from the Stacy Lions Club.

Council then approved the purchase of a new Chief fire truck for $51,458. Council was told money is out of the Charitable Gambling Fund with no cost to the city.

Finally in the finance department report, council member Barrett told the council the city’s investments are performing well averaging around $17,000 a month currently. Council thanked Barrett and Finance Director Michelle Hayes for their hard work.  

Council adjourned at 9:52 p.m.

---