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Lindstrom City Council met April 15 for a regular meeting.  All members were present.

The council began the meeting with a request for $400 for the Chisago County Senior Center.  Several council members questioned how the center serves Lindstrom residents and how many Lindstrom residents use the center and its services.  Council tabled the request and asked that a representative come speak to the council.

Council then discussed the ownership of the former Holmquist property which now is part of the Park Street parking lot.   The property was purchased for $135,000 back in 2013.  The EDA has been making the payments on the mortgage since it was purchased. In 2025, this property was redeveloped into additional parking spots as part of the 2025 Park Street Parking lot project.  

Since acquiring the property, the EDA has made the loan payments out of its budget allocation.

The EDA has made payments on the loan, the property was never formally conveyed to the EDA.  City administrator Dan Undem told the council there is a $80,000 balloon payment coming due this year.   The loan is a zero interest loan.  Council approved the conveyance unanimously.  

Bruce Chamberlain from Talal-Li Collaborative spoke next to the council about the ongoing downtown rebranding which began a year ago.

Chamberlain specifically spoke on three areas of interest.  Sidewalk Planter Redesign Pilot Project. This project includes several approaches to modified sidewalk planters including steel grates, replanting with walkable bee lawn, and replanting with a mix of perennial plants.

Park Street Parking Lot Amenity Project. The project includes installing landscaping and structural parking lot buffer elements adjacent to the newly reconstructed Park Street parking lot.

Miscellaneous Signage Implementation Project. The project includes installing distinct sign/identity elements from the Downtown Signage & Furnishings Guide including parking lot entry, wayfinding, and streetlight banners.

Council discussed goat hoof prints that have been proposed to be installed on sidewalks around town.  Council member Brian Norelius noted that it was only a small section planned for the prints and to have them all around town could take up to 20 years.  

Council member Mike Hilber asked how many bees would be present in the proposed bee lawns stating he was allergic to bees.  Chamberlain assured him there would not be a noticeable amount of bees.

Council passed the flowerbed/bee lawn phase unanimously.  

The council next passed the  downtown banners phase which includes a goat silhouette with wording such as shop, play and eat.  The council passed the phase 4-1 with council member David Waldoch against citing the font size being too small.

Council then viewed a planned rustic fence that was presented for the Park Street parking lot.  The fence is five feet tall which was a concern to most of the council members.  Council decided to table the fence and Chamberlain agreed to bring a shorter version of the fence for the council to view.

Council also was told the memorial black benches already placed around town will be replaced as part of the downtown design.  The new benches will be white oak, some with backs and some without. 

 All memorial plaques currently on the old benches will be transferred to the new wood benches.

Council next awarded the construction contract for 2026 Downtown Parking Lot and Hwy 8 Striping Project to Winberg Companies for $208,853.  In addition, the council awarded Forest Lake Contracting for the furnishing and installation of more flashing crosswalk beacons and installation of nine street signs for $76,000.

Administrative Assistant Tom Rynott gave the council an update on 2026 Karl Oskar Days.  The celebration will be July 8-12.  Rynott said this year’s headliner will be “Drink 182”.  Rynott said there will be more inflatables at Beach Park as well as a petting zoo.  Rynott said there are 50 vendors already registered for the event.

City Administrator Undem told the council the former Chamber of Commerce building will begin being occupied by a limited city staff.  Undem said the intention is to increase the presence of city staff downtown, for the businesses and residents.  

Council adjourned at 9:23 pm.

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