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Stacy City Council met  September 8 for a regular meeting. All members were present.

In open forum, resident Eric Gregory thanked the council for their dedication to the city and then asked why they keep scratching out more from the city’s cannabis ordinance.  Council member Jeff Barrett explained the state has a very specific guideline for cannabis ordinances and Stacy has to align with the suggestion.  

Chisago County commissioner Ben Montzka gave a brief report on what is happening on the county level.  “The strike has finally ended and that is such a blessing,” Motnzka said.  “We have a lot of catching up to do still.”  

In new business, council agreed unanimously to approve a quote for a new fire truck valued at $1,106,327.  Council also agreed to discuss how the city shall pay for the truck to be discussed at a later date.  The council approved now because build time for a new truck is around 730 days.  If they were to wait longer, the price will increase.

Council next approved the 2027 Chisago County Sheriff’s contract of 120 hours per week at a rate of $82.89 per hour.

In the engineer’s report, city engineer Dan Boyum discussed the council’s opinion on interest rates for any projects that will need assessments.  Currently the two road projects will be paid for fully by the city and assessments will then be determines at a future date. Prime rate currently sits at 6.75 percent and Mayor Mark Utecht told council he feels such a high rate would be burdensome on residents being assessed.  Council questioned if they could approve the assessments and hold off establishing assessments until the 2028 tax roll.  City finance manager Michelle Hayes agreed to look more into the matter.

Council next approved the 2026 street improvement bid of $412,295 from Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation.

Council discussed a proposal for a planned unit development north of the Post Office.  In a memo,  the developer asked the city engineer to prepare updated documents, prepare the plat and plans for public improvements.  Mayor Utecht made a motion to direct city staff to handle such details instead of the engineer who would only be used when needed.  The motion passed unanimously.

A representative from Oberloh and Associates gave a very brief rundown of the city’s audit recently completed.  Council was told the city is in a good financial positon and the audit is clean.   Cities try to keep unreserved funds around 50 percent of annual expenses with Stacy currently at 98.5 percent.  

Council next approved the preliminary 2027 levy that totals $2,056,262 which is up from $1,955,529 or 5.15 percent more.  

Council then discussed a request from the parks committee to pursue improvements at Stacy Lions Park.  The committee and the Lions would like to see the park become a premier park with improvements.  Council approved Stantec up to $10,000 to develop a master plan for the park and to apply for grants to help with costs.

A last remaining city owned lot in the Stacy Ponds Business Park was discussed by council. All agreed the last lot on the north end should be sold. Initially there was a plan to build a maintenance garage, but since the Lent annexation, there is no need.  No action was taken.

Council approved a motion by council member Tim Sawatzsky for the purchase of a new maintenance supervisor truck for $58,000. The price includes a snowplow and is a 2027 Ford F-350 crew cab.

Council next approved the use of gaming funds for fire department purchases of 27 helmets ($16,200), a new refrigerator ($4,500),  45 class C duty shirts ($1,248) and $2,310 to repair the ice machine at the fire hall.

Keeping with the topic of the fire department, council member Barrett agreed to attend monthly fire meetings as a council liaison.

Council discussed a request by residents on Iris Avenue who were seeking to use their property as a seasonal wedding venue.  The events would be outside and no alcohol allowed on the premises.  Mayor Utecht told the rest of the council the venue would push potentially 100 cars on a residential neighborhood and he would not be voting in favor of the venue.  Barrett said he would reserve judgement until the planning commission brings it to the council.

The evening ended with council discussing the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Higher Heights a proposed cannabis cultivation business looking to open in the business park.  In a memo from the city planner, it states the company has approval from the Office of Cannabis Management and does meet all ordinance requirements.  

There has been some discussion about changing parts of the ordinance that could possibly affect the business.   Mayor Utecht told the council, “Changing an ordinance after someone has done exactly what we have asked them to do is just wrong.  A lot of the comments made about the business have been wrong. I think and industrial park is an acceptable place for this sort of business.”

Council member Barrett added, “We are stuck as far as I am concerned. The state has stuck it to us, and by saying no, we open ourselves up to being sued”.  

Council agreed to recess the meeting until September 24, in order to act on the permit for the cannabis business, which will give the city time to make sure it is making the proper decision legally.

Council adjourned at 9:23pm.

 

  

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