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The inspection of the Taylors Falls standpipe reservoir system for the municipal water supply came back with a few recommendations for maintenance needs— but overall the long overdue once-over was positive.  Council member Tim Grote, public works liaison, reported to city council last week no follow-up inspection is recommended for another five years, adding this outcome “makes me very happy.”

Taylors Falls, though,  should consider getting quotes for basic system needs, like a splashpad, gasket replacement and roof coating for the housing at the standpipe, but nothing serious was discovered in the inspection.

The city also had good news tied to the state bonding bill, passed by the legislature in the final hours of session.  Taylors Falls sought $1.2 million to aid in replacing a cracked sewer line that travels underground from the lift station near the river up the hill,  to the wastewater treatment plant west of town.

The city will need to develop the project now that majority funding is covered.

Municipal library projects got the green light last week.  A contractor for the exterior painting and one for the steps replacement are on deck and prepared to handle the tasks. The quotes  come to $129,126 which the library board has in its Library Building Fund.

Roger Boleman spoke with the council representing the independent library board, and said he only needed an authorization to proceed if council finds the project is within downtown design guidelines.  It is. 

The painting/restoration contract is going to highly recommended Lakeview Painting and Joel Slattengren is tackling step and railing replacement.

The full council also approved a not to exceed quote for crack seal and hot patch projects on city streets and the Marmon Lot.  Seal Tech is earmarked for $20,000 for this year’s work.

Council voted 5-0 supporting a minor subdivision application, for making two lots out of about 10 acres off Mulberry Street.  An existing single family home remains on one lot and the applicants plan to build a house for older family members on the new second lot.  Taylors Falls currently allows one home per lot.  City Zoning Administrator Elizabeth Haas said the planning commission is considering including accessory dwelling units (ADU)  in city code but the ordinance wording is being developed.

As for the fees that usually accompany all “subdivisions” the applicants had requested the city waive the trail surcharge of $500.  The land has a snowmobile crossing and the Martinsons felt this is an equivalent contribution compared to the $500.  Council said they had to adhere to the ordinance and did not waive the fee because the trail did not comply with “trail” conditions spelled out in the city code, ie: being paved.

As for fees the city collects from lodging enterprises the council approved an ordinance now directing the fees be collected by the state.  Taylors Falls is one of several cities in the Chisago Lakes School District area that assesses the lodging tax of three percent.  The cities are all switching to having the state administer the program, for efficiency and less impact on local personnel.

The lodging tax is charged against stays of less than 30 days,  so renters are not part of this.

And, the matter of flying a state flag came up against a split council.

Three members, Schumann, Samuelson and Mayor Weiberg, stood firmly behind flying the 1983 “old” Minnesota flag design.  A statewide process to adopt a cleaner, more graphic oriented and recognizable state flag ended in 2024 with the new flag.  Taylors Falls, however, never has displayed the new flag or any state flag, and still has the 1983 version on a pole in council chambers. 

Options presented in the council session were to continue not flying any state flag (failed 3-2) and to fly both the new and old state flag designs or just the new (only Grote voted yes)

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