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With all five members in attendance the Taylors Falls City Council Monday night this week approved moving forward on sale of $1.6 million bonding through Ehlers public financing advisors, for city hall projects and major fire department equipment purchases.  The firm will now market debt and report back on the best bids and most favorable interest rates of responding interested investors.  The council voted for a 20 year bond life span.  The payments for a speeded up 15 year pay-off were perceived as too costly, coming in about $20,000 more annually than what the city can expect in yearly debt service over 20 years.  The first payment is not  until 2026.

The bonding is going to fund approximately $950,000 for fire department vehicle needs and the remainder for a new roof/weatherization projects for city hall and to cover associated financing expenses.  Council estimates these bonds are going to need about one and a half percent of the levy, so this bond sale has been investigated in detail.

The Garland company will still serve as project managers.  The company had at one time been involved in terms more of a design-build approach. But Council member Robert Bayer protested the lack of outside input and the closed nature of the process and he called for outside contractors to be allowed to bid materials equal to Garland specifications, which was done. Bayer this week described the process as “fair” and said he was pleased to see many potential bidders at the pre-construction meeting.  Bayer complimented council for going out of their way to see to it his concerns about opening up this process were addressed and he feels  the project is coming in at the best price the market has to offer.

Council also unanimously supported awarding the city hall repair and maintenance projects. The roof bid went to Dalsin Roofing for $385,264.  There were a total of four bids submitted.

This council action includes  a $40,000 contingency placeholder added to the $325,260 base bid and council added flashing replacement on overhangs to match the entire exterior, and related extra materials. 

The city hall work will likely not advance before this fall. 

The city’s retail micro-cannabis license was approved for Buck Duncan and his existing business location called The Bridge, on Bench Street downtown.  Duncan now submits the local zoning approval action to the state Office of Cannabis Management, which does an on-site inspection and reviews his employee agreements,  and licenses the retail operation.  Duncan commented this could take 60 to 90 days  but he is confident that if he can acquire the in-demand physical cannabis product, there will be no issues with opening.

There was no discussion about any other aspect of cannabis sales in the city.  Should anything derail the  license for Duncan, council agreed the next licensee will be evaluated based on a “merit system.”  At this time Taylors Falls has just one retail cannabis license available in town.

Council also addressed a concern about a June 19 recognition meal/event reportedly organized by the city Economic Development Commission,  to acknowledge involvement by people active in the community action initiative.  

The EDC did not seek authorization to spend city funds beforehand. The 72-hour legal notice was not disseminated announcing the meeting, although there was posting at city hall, according to Sherrie Thomasen, city clerk. Two city council members attended, Carol Schumann and Robert Bayer.

Commissions operating in the city must —from here on out— get city council approval prior to irregular expenses such as this, council agreed.  Mayor Brandon Weiberg said he got phone calls about  the event and the city lacks policy on this. He does not appreciate “surprise” bills and gatherings under official city labels,  without prior notice, he added.  Because the party was on a holiday (Juneteenth) council was advised no city business was discussed in violation of Open Meeting Law, but staff would benefit from a policy outlining  council officially sanctioning events, plus conditions for direction for where the money comes from  and expense limits established.

Clarification

The Press reported the tug-o-war was returning for Wannigan Days. We mistakenly said it would take place at Lions Park. The tug-o-war is downtown.

Pastor Kevin Schumann noted in open mic that Olympic Trail Greenhouse had donated a substantial amount of plant stock to him, to help beautify Cherry Hill Park.699 ED Avenue

Richland MI. 49083

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