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Lindstrom City Council met October 21 for a regular meeting. Council member Greg Krueger attended virtually. 15 people in attendance.

The meeting began with City Administrator Dan Undem giving some staff updates.  

Undem next told council the city has received a grant from DEED in the amount of $313,799 to help cover some of the Dinnerbel site’s redevelopment costs and stormwater treatment.

Undem told council in the last two years the city has received over $764,000 in state grants for various projects.

Lindstrom Fire Chief Scott Sellman and Officer Dave Paehlke next addressed the council regarding firefighter pensions.  Sellman is requesting the annual PERA to be increased from $4,000 to $5,000.  Council agreed unanimously for the increase. Firefighter pensions are paid for with non tax levy revenues and the fund is now built up to a balance that supports the larger payout.

Council next briefly discussed the state wide ARMER radio use agreement presented by the county.  The proposal is for $298.82 per radio.  Police Chief Bill Schlumbohm told council his department purchased new radios two years ago and those radios will work with the agreement.  Council approved the agreement unanimously.

Undem then presented the council with a proposal from ABDO Financial Services.  Undem told council employee Krista Lord has done a great job taking over for the late Kay Mattson as finance director.  The proposal would be for training and support for Lord on a bi-weekly basis and is for one year. Undem pointed out he felt Lord would be ready to assume the city’s full time financial officer position within a year.  Council all agreed Lord is doing a great job and passed the proposal for $130,000 unanimously.

Council then opened the floor for a public hearing  for vacant property 13229 St. Croix Avenue in Lindstrom.  The former OJ Juice property has been purchased by Phil Dommer who intends to sell to Paul Abdo for a Dollar General to be built.  The property is split in two parts with a larger portion planned for the apartments by Dommer.

The hearing was for plat approval, and variance requests  for two Street Vacation  petitions, which include Tuttle Street to the east and Newell Avenue south of the project site. 

Other requests included: 

1. A reduction of the required front yard setback for principal structures in the B-1 General Business District from 20 feet to 5 feet;

2. A reduction of the required intersection corner setback from 25 feet to 5 feet;

3. An increase in the maximum permitted driveway width for nonresidential developments from 32 feet to 38 feet; and

4. A reduction in the minimum required number of parking stalls for standalone retail store from 33 stalls to 20 stalls.

The Planning Commission recommended denial of the Preliminary Plat, as well as the associated site plan and variance requests due to the size of the building in regards to lot size and that it would require too great of deviations from the standards.  

Council member Brian Norelius said he had spoken with business owners in the vicinity and the thoughts were the building was just too close to the road.  “If there is a way we can flip flop  to the rear of the property, I think you would make a lot of people happy” Norelius said.  Mayor Judy Chartrand agreed, saying it was a reasonable request.  Council member David Waldoch added, “There is just not enough room for what they are proposing”.

Wally Carlson’s and Sons Standard owner was asked if he was ok with vacating Tuttle Street for the project which he agreed he was.

Council member Mike Hilber made a motion to approve vacation of Tuttle and Newell Avenue (by the pond) which the council approved 4-1 with Waldoch voting against.

After much debate council asked Abdo if he was comfortable reworking his designs to move the proposed building farther off of St. Croix Avenue.  Abdo said it will “...definitely cost me more money, but I am willing to work with the city”.  

Council agreed to table the variances until the November 4 meeting.

Maintenance supervisor Payton Hill next told the council that Louis Campbell is retiring after many years of working for the city.  Hills thanked Campbell for all of his hard work and told the council he would like to hire Alex Payette for Campbell’s replacement.  Council agreed unanimously and also thanked Campbell for his years of service.

Council next approved the purchase of a mini excavator by the public works department for $85,000.  The money has been earmarked and is in the capital fund waiting.

Council then revisited the city owned Kable family house (Lake Lane).  Council has had numerous discussions as well as the EDA in regards to listing the home as residential or commercial property.  Council agreed 4-1 to list as commercial and if no movement occurs to relist it residential.  Waldoch voted against.

Council adjourned at 9:21 pm.

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