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With Mayor Jeremy Dresel absent, the Chisago City Council on Sept. 22  approved a proposed preliminary maximum 2027 general fund levy of $2.9 million and a proposed total levy of $4.5 million, needing to be certified to Chisago County by Sept. 30. 

Over the next three months, the city’s 2027 budget and levy can be reduced, but not increased. If nothing changes by year’s end, Chisago City’s overall increase is 9.35 percent. 

City Administrator John Pechman acknowledged the 9 percent might be more than hoped for but, he told the council, “A lot of thought and forward planning went into this budget. It’s preliminary and you can lower it in the final,” describing the 2027 budget process as “a look into the future.” 

The public can comment on the proposed budget and levy at a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

 The city’s net tax capacity (property values against which taxes can be levied) increased 5.63 percent.  The general fund levy alone is proposed to increase by just over 7 percent, with operating expenses to increase by $159,870 over 2026. 

This is the result of an increase of 5-10  percent increase in League of MN Cities Insurance premiums; 22 percent in health insurance premiums (including premiums for an added parks employee), increased union contract wages and benefits, annual contracted mowing hike, employee cost of living wage increases, plus a 2.84 percent increase in the police budget, and other inflationary  impacts. 

In other business, the council:

- at the request of Chisago County Engineer Joe Triplett, set a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, to consider and approve a resolution related to right-of-way plats for the reconstruction of Highway 8, due to begin in 2027. 

- no public comment came up and council approved the amended municipal code permitting deer hunters to use center fire rifles within the limits of the city, in manner consistent with changes in state statute.

Councilmember Mark Anderson moved to pass the revised municipal code but first made a “friendly amendment” to allow use of a firearm in the city “in defense of another person” consistent with the state statute.  The council approved.

 The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services division, will lease the Chisago City council chambers every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $1,800 per year for a period of two years. The state will use the council chamber space for weekly driver’s tests and related services which now take place at the Lindstrom City Hall.  

The lease, which received preliminary approval from the council back in February, begins in January 2027. The council unanimously approved the lease agreement saying it was important to keep driver’s testing available to residents of the area.

Council approved a variance to move a double-wide manufactured home (currently located at 9170 Jewel Lane) to 9260 Jewel Lane. The 9260 Jewel Lane location is 4.75 acres zoned Rural Residential.     

Manufactured homes are not a permitted use in the Rural Residential zone,  but, at a Sept. 3 public hearing, the Board of Adjustments and Appeals received favorable public comment regarding the variance and unanimously recommended approval with certain conditions.   In approving the variance, the Chisago City Council took into account the fact that an existing nonconforming home and shed at 9260 Jewel Lane will be removed, the manufactured home will be placed on a county-approved foundation and will meet all setback requirements. 

Council approved an application for a sauna business within Ojiketa Regional Park this winter. 

Four Elements Nordic Sauna + Plunge requested council approval to place three movable, wood-fired saunas in the Boone’s Hollow beach area on the shore of Big Green Lake near Ojiketa’s Strom Hall. Described as “a unique, year-round, outdoor wellness experience,” the sauna operation will include an ice-cut cold plunge into Green Lake  and will employ staff trained in CPR/AED and cold-response procedures. A stairway provides access to the beach from the parking area, and the sauna owners assume all responsibility for safety, snow and ice removal, signage, handrails and rope lines at the plunge area and full liability insurance.

Along the lines of terms granted Captain Shawn’s Boat Rental during the summer months, the sauna and ice plunge will pay a flat seasonal rate plus any property taxes the city is required to pay for using a portion of the public park for a commercial purpose.

The sauna season will run from Nov. 1 to April 15, Thursdays and Fridays, 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Approval is for one season only. The city parks department will evaluate usage, safety performance and community feed-back before considering long-term approval.

Council postponed action on Anan Tel’s application for a tobacco license for a retail shop he proposes in the strip mall on Sportsman Dr.  Lakes Area Police Department recommended denial after a background check for Tel’s application. At the request of Tel’s legal counsel, the council agreed to continue discussion of the application to Oct. 27 to allow his attorney time to look into alleged discrepancies.

At the request of Administrator John Pechman, an agenda item for discussion of the tentative union agreement with the 49’ers was continued to later.

Also—council approved the 2027-2028 Chisago County ARMER radio agreement for the police and fire departments. Administrator Pechman told the council, “We’re in good shape because we saved and bought the radios on our own.”  Pechman added that because the city bought the radios all at once, they will need to “build in a replacement process.” The motion to approve passed without discussion.  

- accepted the Administrative Assistant Aalyse Eik’s resignation so she can take a full-time position as assistant with the Lakes Area Police Department.  Pechman said they will look into hiring her replacement, but “probably won’t have someone in the  (city offices) until the first of the year.” 

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