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The big news out of the Taylors Falls City Council meeting Monday this week is the mayor’s announcement he is not seeking re-election.  Brandon Wieberg waited until the very end of Monday’s meeting to briefly declare he has been honored to serve the community but he thinks it is time to step aside.  Filing for municipal offices begins in about two weeks. 

A public comment question from a resident about data centers, triggered a lengthy response from City Attorney Fritz Knaak. The resident alleged there are clandestine communications between either staff and center developers or council and developers and she chastised council for not being transparent. Geri Annonsen alleged information is being sought and provided on utility and infrastructure needs for the energy intensive data center project. She accused staff of stonewalling their responses to her requests for information.

Knaak said any activity such as whatis being alleged is illegal in Minnesota.  There are no provisions in law for non disclosure between taxpayer-paid staff and developers.  

Additionally the allegations that the county is superseding Taylors Falls zoning authority can not happen.

Knaak advised the council that people who are spreading allegations of unwarranted actions which they know are untrue, ought to be prosecuted.  “Those who spread (rumours) should stop. To repeat something untrue is defamation.”  He added that it doesn’t matter if the subjects are “public” officials, it is still against the law.

In business matters— the council awarded repairs for Ravine Street between Romayne’s and The Goat Saloon. The roadway will be rebuilt from near Spring’s Inn towards the river to Highway 95. There will be sanitary sewer replacement and surmountable curb,  with gutter on the Chisago House side, if deemed to be feasible.

Assistant Fire Chief Dan Boyer reported talks are going well on emergency communication radio units that need to be replaced. He said the county is “being fair” in discussing to either lease or purchase and Boyer recommended leasing.  County responders have held meetings with the radio network equipment specialists and county staff (county will be the conduit for financing the replacement system) and Boyer thinks he should have a budget and final presentation for council to consider soon.

Taylors Falls has 24 radios (both mobile-in vehicle and portable hand-held styles) and is accepting delivery of a new truck in September as well.

There was discussion about the community center (depot) and tentative upgrades the council has been looking into. Consultants presented a list of challenges the old rail depot could be hiding; including the more obvious ADA accommodations, the bathroom access, the kitchen shortcomings and deteriorated roofing.

It was agreed the inspections can begin under direction of ISG,  focusing on structural integrity. A firm offered to assess for lead, mold and asbestos but the proposal was lacking details and not acted on. And there will be a grant coordinator working at submitting applications for outside funding to aid in project expenses.  

All but the hazardous materials assessment was awarded for about $11,000.  The council opted to delete a proposal from NCIS for about $4,000,  until more detail can be provided on the number of tests, samples and who is actually doing the analysis.  Council also will ask Aerotek to look at the condition of the ventilation and needed air handling improvements, as the company has been involved in previous city hall projects.

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