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Lindstrom City Council met June 16 for a regular meeting. The meeting was moved to Thursday due to Harmony in the Park on Wednesdays.  All members were present.

The council began the meeting by letting all know their appreciation of finance manager Kay Mattson who has officially retired.  Mattson worked for Lindstrom for 37 years.

Mayor Judy Chartrand next thanked the city staff for doing a great job on Karl Oskar Days.

Council next approved election judges for the primary election.

Council next heard from developer Phil Dommer. 

Dommer and his company Prelude Homes have purchased the Dinerbel site and the two adjoining homes for redevelopment.  Dommer gave an update on the site plan which will now include a senior care center, a boutique hotel with a restaurant, a 27 slip dock and a pocket park which will feature history about the Dinerbel and the land surrounding. 

Dommer said he has met with city administrator Dan Undem as well as County HRA/EDA director Nancy Hoffman.  Dommer is asking the city to apply for a state redevelopment grant to help with costs.  Undem told council the grant would be for $1.28 million which would be paid to the city and transferred to the project.   Council member David Waldoch made a motion of support, which passed unanimously.

City engineer Brian Bachmeier next presented the council with three invoices for road work projects.  Council agreed to pay Gustafson Companies for storm sewer work on 29th Street and Akerson for $49,105.

Council approved a payment for $90,113 to Winberg Companies for mill and overlay on those roads.

Council also approved $5,710 to Peterson Companies for sprinkler repairs that were tied to activity with  road construction.

Mayor Chartrand and other council members gave a rundown of their experiences at the League of Minnesota Cities’ annual meeting in Rochester recently.  All members told the audience the convention was great and they learned many innovative things other cities have implemented.

Maintenance director Payton Hill told the council he would like to apply for two programs that he felt Lindstrom would benefit from being part of.  The first one is the Green Step program to help communities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. 

The second program Hill spoke on is Tree City USA.  He said Tree City is a great opportunity for cities with grants to help with tree issues such as emerald ash borer. Council encouraged Hill to pursue both programs which are free to belong.

Council were reminded the next budget meeting will be July 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Undem gave an update on the Lakes Area Police Department building issue.  He told council Chisago City is doing more analysis of the proposal (story in Press July 16)and is continuing to meet on the issue.  Undem said Chisago City prefers a new build rather than rehabbing the current Lindstrom City Hall.  

Maintenance Director Hill then told council the solar projects for the liquor store and the fire department are slated to begin the second week of September.  There was one minor structure modification to the liquor store that had to be done, tested and approved for solar.  Hill said he anticipates an end of October completion for both projects.

Hill told council the reclamation and paving of Olinda Trail from Highway 8 to 3rd Street will begin soon and take four to six weeks.  Bachmeier assured the council residents will be allowed to access their driveways during the construction.

Council adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

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