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Center City Council met March 4 for a regular meeting. All members were present with council member Lloyd Vetter joining virtually.

The council began the meeting by holding a public hearing for a text amendment in the city's business regulations with the addition of a new chapter (119) Cannabis Regulations.  No one from the public spoke and the hearing closed after two minutes.  With that the council then passed an ordinance amending the business regulations to include cannabis regulations unanimously.

The council was asked by a resident about Hursh Ironworks and when the company will be relocating to Taylors Falls.  Mayor Jill Behnke assured the resident the Taylors Falls plan is progressing and Hursh is in the process of getting plans approved by Taylors Falls with some variances.  Behnke told the resident the plan is for Hursh  to break ground this spring.

Council then got an update on the burned property along Busch Avenue.  Mayor Behnke told the council the property owner has made payment plans toward the demolition of the property and the city will now call the contractor to begin immediately or when road restrictions lift.

The council then was told by Clerk Dana Miron the attorney search had ceased. City attorney Ted Alliegro notified the city he would like to remain on for another year. He had previously told the council his plan was to step down in 2025.

Council unanimously passed a resolution adopting the Chisago County Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The plan is submitted by Chisago County Emergency Services Director Scott Sellman and is adopted by all local municipalities in Chisago County and submitted to the state.

Council then discussed the website renewal for GIS mapping.  Clerk Miron told the council the city had not been charged in the past due to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Cost for renewal this year is $1,247.  Council approved the renewal unanimously.

Council passed a charitable gambling permit for the Center City Fire Relief  Association for Fiesta Cancun.  Manager Joe Anderson told the council the restaurant owner wants pull tabs but at the moment is asking for a manned booth to sell out of.  Anderson told the council  talks are ongoing.

Council discussed the auto-pay set up for water and sewer bills.  Clerk Miron said she had done a few test runs on the auto-pay and each time it resulted in a dead link on the internet.  Miron contacted the software company and they told her while the service is free, the cost to make the link hot so residents can finish paying would cost the city $800.  Treasurer Tom Zine told the council there are currently four other ways for residents to pay their city utility bill and his opinion is the city does not need the auto-pay. Council was in agreement. 

Center City Fire Chief Travis Greene gave the annual report for the department.  There were 161 calls total which included answering other towns’ calls which totaled 859 man hours.  Greene said there were 84 calls to Center City proper of which 37 of those were to Hazelden.  Greene noted the department did receive and is reviewing a new application for a firefighter.  He finished by telling the council the old equipment auction just held online, brought in $12,000 which will go to the buildout fund for the new brush truck.

Council adjourned at 7:41 pm.

  

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