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In a meeting last week that ran about three hours, the North Branch City Council heard from a number of citizens in the public comment period who opposed eliminating the leaf pickup service.  Council also heard from automated license plate reader opponents — but first things first.

Council was advised a couple meetings ago by the public works director Matt Fraley that the program which uses a vacuum truck in fall and spring to collect fallen leaves at curbside might be in need of a replacement truck soon.  This service could be cut to save money to keep property tax taxes down.  Fraley estimated the service costs the city about $62,000 annually.

 City officials are in the midst of budget-setting for 2027, with the final levy to be established by December.  The numbers adopted in September go into the preliminary property tax calculations shown on mailed tax statements.

Citizens speaking overwhelmingly in favor of the city continuing leaf pick-up — said:

They are aging and lawn care is becoming a burden. 

Leaf pick-up keeps the city tidy, others declared. 

The service keeps drainage systems functioning and pick-up deters leaf burning practices.  

One resident questioned if the concept of expanding hours at the city compost site will negate any savings potential through eliminating pick-up hours.  If the city saves the estimated $62,000 but it costs just as much to give residents options, there is no gain.

Council member Jim Ibinger said he serves on the public works subcommittee and he recommended waiting on a vote for elimination, until this fall’s pick-up participation statistics can be compiled.  He motioned to lay aside the leaf pick-up action until the council meets in late November.  The motion passed 5-0.

The second most time-consuming issue of the evening was the automated license plate reader contract.  

North Branch entered into an agreement in May with Flock Safety for several devices.  The city earmarked “public safety” monies, which were appropriated by the state based on population in law enforcement agency territories, for the $21,000 annual costs for three years for the system.  

Council “paused” the use of the ALPR system last month and directed staff to investigate any implications from cancelling the contract.  The latest action last week to cancel outright was approved 5-0.

Staff explained last week that in communicating with the ALPR company Flock Safety since the last council meeting, it’s been learned the company will expect North Branch to pay for the full three year commitment.  

ALPRs that were installed have been removed and are being stored.

Mayor Kevin Schieber said, “Flock put us in a bad position.”  Recent personal contacts with the device company have been unsatisfying, he said. The company sent mixed messages when responding to his very specific operations questions.  Details over control of data and authorized access were left too murky for the mayor’s liking.  There is “so much mistrust” around the ALPRs that the city should get out of the contract, he added. 

Should the company initiate any legal action to retain three years’ payments this should be  fought in court, Schieber stated.

Council also awarded a bid for the Flink Avenue trail project to New Look Contracting. The trail has been on the back burner  when the first round of bids came in quite high.  The city has grants from DNR and MNDOT to help pay for the 10 foot wide trail along the west side, connecting to a walk where Flink travels past Jerry’s Foods.

The slimmed down version of the Old Town street improvements will also leave some money to redirect to this trail,  as well as a sum being taken from the “generation fund” of revenues from SMMPA.

There was no specific project timeline presented.

In other matters:

Council revised zoning code 5-0 to allow for Accessory Dwelling Units in AG, RR and RR1 zones.  

The maximum floor area for an ADU is 750 square feet.  It may be attached to a house or stand alone. An applicant seeking a permit must own the parcel where the project is proposed.

City Community Development Director Nate Sondrol said the planning commission discussed short term rental being allowed for the ADU;  but for now the code calls for a minimum habitation of 30 day increments.  

Each permit will be evaluated on an individual basis to make sure there is compliance with impervious coverage standards, setbacks from lot lines and additional current zoning standards.

A former Water & Light Municipal Utility board member, Peter Schaps, asked questions about the status of repairs at the generator plant.  A fire in February knocked two of five diesel generators off-line.  The generators were not part of the utility asset sale to ECE Energy.  

North Branch has a contract with a multi-county power grid agency SMMPA, to activate the generators on-demand.

City Administrator Matthew Hill explained the city and insurance company representatives have been talking and there is a plan in place and adjusters are reviewing the situation.  The power agency is also aware of the curtailed generating capabilities, and “...knows of the process we are going through,” Hill added.

The goal is to have the generator facility needs addressed by the end of 2026.

There was an early review of 2027 budget data, and different scenarios depending on added staff.  The increase in the city’s market valuation will affect the calculations and talks continue on an acceptable percentage for a levy hike.  Council was told just to maintain the city status quo —  requires a 2.29 percent hike in what the city gets to spend.

And the council welcomed the newest police officer, Justin Engen, who was sworn in at the start of the meeting.

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