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Lindstrom City Council met June 18 for a regular meeting. The meeting was held at the Chisago Lakes Chamber building due to Harmony in the Park taking place at Lions Park at the same time.  All members were present.

The meeting opened with Chisago Lakes School Superintendent Brian Dietz updating the council on the school district.  Dietz referenced the accomplishments of the spring sports programs and the teams and individuals that made it to the state tournament.  Dietz then told the council the school achieved three of its five strategic planning goals over the last year.  Dietz said even with the referendum failing it allowed the school to set in place a long term facility plan.  Dietz invited the council and the public to call and set up a meeting if interested in what’s happening in the school district.

Darrin Straub who is in charge of Karl Oskar Days gave a rundown on this year’s event.  Straub pointed out the celebration will once again include Sunday.  Straub said there will be some new activities this year including children watercolor painting classes, a Kubb tournament, a social book club event and the music for the street dance will be the Breakfast Club band.  

Council then passed a variance allowing a deck to be built on the 30000 block of North Lakes Trail.  The property is undersized and the new deck would not meet the yard setbacks of the city.  The resident is asking for the deck to accommodate a wheelchair thus the ramp would take up a considerable amount of space.  Council passed the variance unanimously.

Council then held a brief open meeting for the second addition of Albrecht’s Landing development off 316th Street.  The runoff plan has been approved and the property is waiting for approval for annexation into the city and out of the township.  Council decided to table until the annexation was official.

Rueters Walton who presented a plan for affordable housing a few months ago is asking the city for a $3,000 reduction in fees.  The reduction shows the state a city is willing to work with the company.  Administrator Dan Undem pointed out even with the reduction, the fees will still total around $80,000.  Council approved the reduction 4-1 with council member David Waldoch voting against.

Council then discussed cemetery fees.  City clerk Melissa Glenna presented comparisons to other like sized communities and told the council the cemetery fees are not covering costs for digging the cemetery plots nor the columbarium fees.  Glenna told the council the city has not raised fees for 15 years.  Councilmember Waldoch made a motion to raise grave opening charges to $1,000 and columbarium plaque fees to whatever the going rate is.  Council approved the fee change unanimously.

Council then discussed allowing ATV’s/UTV’s on  roadways.  Other communities have recently changed their ordinances and the city has gotten some calls asking its stance.  Administrator Undem presented the council with an initial version of such an ordinance.  The ordinance would require a permit sticker on the vehicle, a valid drivers license required to operate the machine, mufflers on the vehicles and proof of insurance.  Golf carts would require a “slow moving vehicle” sign on the back.  

Council decided to hold a work session to discuss the ordinance at a future date.

Council then had a discussion on budget priorities to be discussed at upcoming budget meetings.  Administrator Undem told the council the city will receive around $50,000 less in local government aid this year due to cuts in the federal government.  Undem said the city usually put that money in the capital fund.  Undem suggested potentially putting capital fund transfers off until the city’s cash fund balance gets to 40 percent.  Councilmember Waldoch also added that he would like to see the city’s fee schedule be completed and in place before budget talks.

City maintenance supervisor  Matt Fraley told council pipe to lift station 2 is in bad shape and will need replacement so he is putting off work until 2026 when sewer repairs are scheduled in that neighborhood.

Council member Brian Norelius gave an update on the liquor store.  Norelius said the store is moving in the right direction.  He told the council the managers are discussing new products all the time.  Norelius stressed that the city needs to get the word out that on top of a great shopping experience, when shoppers purchase at the liquor store it goes back into the city.  

Council then adjourned at 9:10pm.

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