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Center City Council met October 7 for a regular meeting. All members were present.  

In an open forum, Sue Nikunen, who owns the property 301 Summit Avenue, spoke to the council about snow removal.  Nikunen  told the council the city’s snow disposal using the vacant lot adjacent to hers was causing issues.  She referred to cable boxes (in-ground, flush boxes) getting pushed by the snow and damaged.  Nikunen  also told the council the sidewalks are starting to sink because of the snow melt.  “There is a manhole on the property that gets completely buried by the snow dumped there and that can cause very serious issues, even explosions” she said.  (She referred to gasses inside a manhole being potentially trapped and building until something such as an explosion takes place).  Mayor Jill Behnke told Nikunen  these issues have come up before, and the council would have the maintenance department look into the matter.

In old business, the council once again revisited the potential Hursh Ironworks relocation to Taylors Falls.  The council was given a memo from the Taylors Falls Zoning administrator stating the Taylors Falls planning commission had more details to iron out.  Councilmember Sally Swanson told the council “There is no way they will break ground this year. They are disingenious. If we send violations (to Hursh for Center City operations), I’m not sure if it would do anything or not,” she added.  

Swanson said she now thinks the company will leave in eighteen months to two years from now. “They are holding both cities hostage,” she added.

Council member Lloyd Vetter said the existing site is not big enough for the work they are performing or the amount of workers there.  “There are 12 to 14 vehicles there and they don’t even have running water or sewer,” Vetter added. Council agreed to attend the Taylors Falls Planning Commission meeting to hear what exactly is transpiring with Hursh developing a new business site in the Taylors Falls industrial park, and the city of Taylors Falls.

Council agreed unanimously to assess the fire damage clean up for 117 Busch Avenue to the property owners. 

Mayor Jill Behnke told the council the county was just finishing up the paperwork for the land exchange between the city and Marine Dock and Lift.  Lot lines are being redrawn for the future trailhead for the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail.  Behnke said the exchange of land should occur soon.

Council next approved the installation of two saunas at the Nordic Harbor Motel.  One sauna will be located on the north side between Highway 8 and the motel, and the other will be behind the rental home.  

The council then discussed a quote to the city for new Christmas lights for downtown.  The quote was from Vernon Crane who operates a lighting company north of Center City.  Crane’s quote was for $5,100 with a service charge for bulb replacements.  The quote included hours and council member Garrett Boulineau pointed out, “That comes to $283 per hour we would be getting charged”.  Council agreed the city could use a little more holiday lighting and agreed to speak with business owners to see if they would like to partner with the city for lighting improvement.  

Fire Chief Travis Greene gave an update on the fire department.  Greene told the council the department has three new members and another two that have applied.  This will bring the total firefighter number to 23. Greene said the department hasn’t had that many in well over a decade.  

Council then approved the fire department for a purchase of a Chief’s vehicle for up to $13,000.  The money will come out of the fire department’s truck fund which has enough money for the purchase.

Council adjourned at 8:15pm.

  

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