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Lindstrom City Council met March 18 for a regular meeting. All members were present.  

Council began by introducing new maintenance supervisor Payton Hill,  Hill officially begins this week.  

Council then discussed a mowing contract with A-ffordable Lawn Care.  Council member Brian Norelius asked what areas the contract was for.  City administrator Dan Undem told council it was for mowing ditches as needed.  The total cost of six areas is $1,200 per mow.  Council asked Hill and it was decided to use A-ffordable this year which would allow Hill to decide if the ditch mowing is something his department can handle.

City planner Kendra Ellner  told the council there is an application for a variance for a property at 12954 Newlander Avenue. The owners would like to tear down an existing cabin and build a two story three bath home.  The new home would require a variance allowing a reduction of corner side yard setback.  Ellner told council the request has been reviewed and approved by the planning commission.  Ellner said the home would be three feet closer than the existing structure and added the lot size far exceeds the recommended lot square footage.  

Council next discussed the ongoing Albrecht Landing project.  The developer has asked for repeated extensions to complete all of the requirements.   He is asking for another extension.  Administrator Undem told council he thinks the developer is very close to having all of the requirements met.  Undem did add the project still needs to be annexed into Lindstrom. Currently it is in Chisago Lake Township.  Multiple council members commented on just how long the project is taking and how they would only be in favor of one last extension.  Council member David Waldoch made a motion to extend 90 days (June 29). The motion passed unanimously.

Council next had a brief discussion about the proposed solar agreement. The plan is to install solar panels on the old fire hall building and to replace the existing non-working solar array on the liquor store.  Project costs for the fire hall come to $126,692 and $113,780 for the liquor store.  The city has qualified for Minnesota Public Building Solar Grant which will pay $87,289 for the fire hall and $79,636 for the liquor store.  There are also federal tax incentives the city is anticipating that would total $39,403 towards the fire hall and $34,134 towards the liquor store.  Funding for the project will come out of the city's building fund which currently has $424,945. Once the grant monies are submitted, those would go back into the building fund.  Council passed the agreement unanimously.

Council then discussed the city’s proposed strategic plan.  The city has created a chart that outlines city projects by priority.  The plan, if adopted, will be updated weekly for city employees to easily keep up with what has been accomplished and what is yet to be completed.  Council agreed the plan was a good idea and passed unanimously.

Administrator Undem told the council there are two vacant spots on the personnel committee that need to be filled by council members.  Mayor Judy Chartrand and council member Waldoch volunteered.

Council next discussed the liquor store manager position.  The city hired Tom Folske as interim manager.  Folske’s contract runs until March 31 of this year.  Council was very complimentary of Folske and voted unanimously to hire Folske as permanent manager.  Council also agreed to promote employee Michelle Hanson to assistant manager.

Council next heard from assistant Administrator Tom Rynott regarding the placement of a bust of Wilhelm Moberg that was gifted to the city recently from Sweden.  Rynott told the council out of two potential spots for the bust which will require a pedestal constructed, he felt the right location would be on the front lawn of the Chisago County Press near the Karl and Kristina statues.  Council agreed.

The council then set the Board of Appeals meeting for Tuesday, April 14 at 6pm in the council chambers.

Administrator Undem then told the council he had located an outside appraiser to appraise the Lindstrom City Hall for a potential purchase by the Lakes Area Police Department.  Lindstrom and Chisago City have met over the last few years trying to come up with a solution to house the department.  Undem said designers Leo Daly will have initial remodel plans completed in a few weeks.  Chief Bill Schlumbohm told the council he appreciates both sides working so hard to find common ground.  He added that he thinks the agreement for purchasing city hall by both municipalities is close and the verbiage just needs a little “cleaning up”.  Schlumbohm said a facilitator may help cross the finish line.  Schlumbohm agreed that an outside building appraisal would help with the entire project and give all three parties involved a hard baseline.  Mayor Judy Chartrand told the council the preliminary numbers are around $6 million for a remodel of the city all compared to $10 million for new construction.  

Council member Mike Hilber stressed that he would love to see the police department building resolved before election time because it would have a possibility of resetting the entire process with newly elected officials.  

Council then held a performance review for Undem in closed session.

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