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Chisago City delays engineering decision; schedules workshop meeting for May 11.

The Chisago City Council discussed a number of issues but made few decisions at its regular April 28 meeting.

The council postponed choosing as engineering firm to handle the Karmel/Liberty Lane road reconstruction project after design proposals received from Bolton & Menk and ISG Inc. proved to be difficult to compare. The city wants to have the engineering design complete by this fall with road construction due to begin in 2027. 

ISG calculated a fee of $179,495 for services the city requested and also listed several optional tasks that may be needed. The city’s usual engineering firm, Bolton & Menk, calculated $124,213 for the basic design elements, but City Administrator John Pechman told the council that the two proposals “don’t line up” and “are not apples to apples,” making evaluating difficult.

Pechman said the council needs to determine the level of engineering services needed, “For example, If you decide to go to a full industrial grade road design, (the cost) will probably go up.” 

The council decided they had time to delay a decision and agreed to put the topic on the agenda of a council workshop session scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 11.

In other business, the council:

- listened as Chris Salmon, North Branch, came forward during the open mic portion of the meeting to seek clarification regarding his application for a retail cannabis license.  He explained, “I would not be growing or cultivating. It’s just retail license to sell cannabis” at 29321 Main St. in Chisago City. The council recommended Salmon meet with City Administrator Pechman separately.

- held the first meeting on a proposed amendment to municipal liquor laws that would allow Sunday liquor sales to begin at 8 a.m. rather than noon. Administrator Pechman explained that the change, requested by local business owners, would bring Chisago City into alignment with state Sunday Liquor law which was changed to an 8 a.m. start a few years ago. Several neighboring cities were mentioned as offering earlier liquor service on Sundays with the Lindstrom Municipal Liquor Store starting at 11 a.m., Forest Lake allowing service to start at 8 a.m. and Wyoming at 10 a.m. on Sundays.   The change in statute will require a public hearing at a future date. Council Member Craig Meyer commented, “If it helps one of our local businesses, I’m for it.”

- acknowledged a letter received from Aleks Cedarblade of 8452 275th St., Chisago City, seeking permission to use hunting rifles on his property “for target practice, sighting in optics and hunting.”  Cedarblade lives on 15 acres between Sam Lake and White Stone Lake. 

By statute, it is illegal to discharge a firearm anywhere in the city limits of Chisago City without written permission. 

In greater Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stipulates only that you can’t shoot over roads or within 500 feet of houses. Council members noted that there are a lot of big lots within the city limits where owners might make similar requests. The council agreed to place the topic on the agenda of the May council meeting for further discussion.

- after receiving no comment at a required public hearing, passed a resolution allowing the Minnesota Department of Revenue to collect the local three percent lodging tax. The tax covers short stays at resorts, campgrounds, vacation rentals, motels and trailer camps in Chisago City.  Pechman explained that each city participating in the Chisago Lakes Visitors Bureau is asked to pass the same resolution.

- approved Mayor Jeremy Dresel’s proclamation declaring May 14, 2026, as “Ecumen Point Pleasant Heights Day” in Chisago City, encouraging all residents to celebrate the facility’s 40th anniversary “as a cherished part of the Chisago City Community.”  The public is invited to join in an outdoor open house from 2-4 p.m. May 14 at Ecumen Point Pleasant Heights, 28600 Fairway Lane.

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