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Lindstrom City Council met June 18 for a regular meeting. The meeting was moved to Thursday due to Harmony in the Park on Wednesdays.  All members were present.

In open forum, Lakes Area Police Chief Bill Schlumbohm gave a nice speech about retiring Detective Mike Merchlewitz who was also present at the meeting and received an ovation from the council.

Council next heard from Ted Goltzman of Commonwealth Development.  Goltzman was applying to proceed with the first step of developing the old OJ Juice property.  Goltzman presented slides detailing a proposed 43 unit affordable housing apartment building.  The property will have 80 parking stalls, Metro Plains Management will be the eventual property managers.  Goltzman was seeking a resolution supporting the housing trust fund to help fund the property.

Goltzman was also seeking a fee reduction of $3,000. If the project proceeds the city would agree to reduce fees owed to the city by $3,000.  The council passed the application resolution unanimously and the fee reduction resolution passed 4-1 with council member David Waldoch voting against. 

Council next voted to accept an application to annex into the city from a property owner at 29012 Glader Blvd.  The owner needs to hook up to city sewer and water.  Council approved unanimously.

City engineer Brian Bachmeier told the council Winberg Construction was seeking partial payment for the downtown parking lot project.  Council agreed upon a partial payment of $115,776.15.

Bachmeier next asked the council for the remaining one percent payout to Peterson Companies for the completion of the 2025 street project. One percent comes to $25,207.01. Council approved the request.

Bachmeier next told council there has been a delay in the installation of the rapid flashing crosswalk beacons.  Originally the beacons were set to be completely installed prior to Karl Oskar Days but Bachmeier said the construction company is running behind and the equipment will be installed in late July.  Bachmeier told council he and maintenance supervisor Payton Hill have discussed and will have traffic warning signs during Karl Oskar Days. 

Council agreed to allow City Administrator Dan Undem and Finance Officer Krista Lord as signers to access Lindstrom’s investments.  

Assistant City Administrator Tom Rynott next gave an update on Karl Oskar Days.  Rynott said there are 43 parade entries to date as well as 46 vendors signed up.  Rynott said the city has secured 14 official sponsors of the event which has allowed financing for a larger fireworks show.  Rynott said the Chisago Lakes Hockey Association will be running the inflatables at Beach Park this year.  Rynott ended with notifying the council that this year’s Karl Oskar Days Street Dance headliner will be Drink 182 with a DJ show prior.

Mayor Judy Chartrand gave a brief update on the Highway 8 reconstruction open house meeting that took place last week.  Chartrand said MnDOT has done a good job of listening to what the council and the public have asked for.

Maintenance supervisor Payton Hill then thanked his staff for all their hard work both prior to him being hired and while he was being trained.  

Council adjourned at 8:13pm.

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