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City watermain, storm sewer, street sweeper and other repairs coming in close to $100,000 had to be handled this week at the regular Taylors Falls City Council meeting, minus the mayor who was excused for a work commitment.

Council heard a city property was messed up from a recent storm and as an emergency situation tasks to address a downed power pole and line had already been approved in the field.  The bill had arrived. The four members approved $4,200 retroactively for Lawrence Creek Contractors.  

A tree removal on Basil Street was also approved for a not to exceed amount of $2,500, as no quotes were ready to be presented yet to act on. The tree will not need to be stumped out.

The bill hasn’t arrived yet for work done by Mike Armstrong on a watermain repair on West Street that was also presented as an emergency and awarded administratively.  Action to pay for this work was tabled until the invoices are in hand.  Armstrong also  submitted a quote to tackle Folsom Street storm sewer repairs and was granted the go-ahead on $4,850 that he quoted.  The dedicated fund has some $30,000 in it, council was advised.

The city lift station is another matter.  Council member and Public Works Liaison Tim Grote explained the lift station equipment goes back to original installation in the 1980s and a proposal for needed repairs came in at $77,000 due to the extent of work required. This will nearly zero out the sewer fund account, he cautioned. However, with one pump operable, if this station fails the city is in crisis mode, he added.  Council agreed this work must be done and authorized the public works crew to move ahead on the project with Andrie Electric for the estimated $77,000.

A used street sweeper purchased from MNDOT a few years ago is in need of parts and labor and council heard it should be able to limp along through Wannigan Days but not much beyond that.  This project is in the $7,500 ballpark and council agreed to fund this out of capital fund account monies, so it won’t come out of general fund property tax levy.

In unanimous action the city’s zoning official Elizabth Haas was granted a pay raise to $41 per hour.  A review of other cities and their wage scales led to a closed session discussion on her wage which resulted in the action.  The city is “not competitive” with similar position wage scales, council learned.  In order to retain good staff and if necessary attract future applicants, the pay needed to be adjusted.

City Treasurer Michele Hanson was also approved to go to a “permanent” employee status from probationary. She is a 32 hour weekly staffer.

Chisago Lakes Superintendent Brian Dietz gave a talk about the district , which he said he is doing with all the governing units ISD 2144 contains.  He said “...we’re doing good work” and if any council member has any questions or concerns they are encouraged to reach out to him directly.

Meanwhile;  Haas reported the cleanup of Springs Inn is in process and permits have been secured.  The contractors and involved parties are working well together and have been asked to get the lot presentable— and clear the small street next to the burned-out building—by Wannigan Days, she stated.

Todd Streeter, consultant, gave a powerpoint presentation on handicap accessible websites.  According to his information, the city has until April 2027 to create a “compliant’ website that addresses needs of those who are blind, hard of hearing, etc. in searching the internet for information.  He was directed to continue his previously contracted work “cleaning up” the city’s existing webpages and report back.  

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