Chisago County Press

SWIRT land purchases ok’d

A partnership between the MN Parks & Trails Council and Chisago County will facilitate an immediate purchase of about 22 acres of property to fill in a gap on the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail route. The acquisition was formalized in a unanimous vote by the County Board after closed sessions took place the past few weeks, finalizing the negotiations for the purchase.

Ziemer resigns from North Branch

The North Branch City Council had scheduled a work session for Tuesday night this week— but the status was changed to a “special’ meeting so there could be action taken on a resignation. North Branch Interim City Administrator Jason Ziemer is stepping down. His last day is planned for Friday, June 28.

County Board briefs...

Chisago County Commissioners spent the most time and effort on a Franconia Township wedding venue permit status in their meeting last week, which is covered in a separate story on page one this week.

Wyoming Council approves road projects to go to bid

The road improvement project list for 2024 has advanced to the stage where Wyoming City Council approved going out for bids and finalized specifications. There’s been a couple of neighborhood meetings based on preliminary planning and feasibility study of the project, a public hearing held and last week the city engineer asked for a council vote to seek bids.

Taylors Falls Council tackles weeds, Wannigan Days and wall

The calendar shows the environmentally friendly movement known as “no mow May” is in the rear view mirror; and urban properties are going to have to start to comply with weed ordinances in Taylors Falls. It was explained in discussion at the city council meeting Monday this week, the rule is being published and once this is done city staff can start sending out formal notices and the 10 day clock to abate the tall grass starts ticking.

North Branch Council opts to interview three search firms

The North Branch City Council meeting last week started off with presentations of honors to police staff for outstanding public service, for valor in the line of duty and a letter of commendation from Chief Dan Meyer. The plaques and certificates went to: Randy Coe, Jesse Zajak, Tyler Lawson, Kyle Lund and to three members of the police reserves. Their service was met with audience applause and congratulations and the council meeting moved on into regular business.

Wyoming City Council rezones parcel on Hwy. 8; emergency radios purchase OK’d

A rezoning that was begun years ago when the property was in Wyoming Township, was approved to be officially designated by the Wyoming City Council last week 4-1. The township allowed the residential to commercial designation but it was explained the owner did not complete the process with mandatory filing with the county.

Land use decisions laid over to June 6

A couple of items that the Chisago County Board most likely would have had on their agenda last week, but which need additional information are going back on the planning commission agenda for more review June 6.

Taylors Falls grants Iron Works’ request to use all lots in city business park

They say a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, and the Taylors Falls City Council acted right along those lines Monday night this week when a request from Hursh Ironworks, to acquire the whole city business park site, was granted.

Opioid Action Council taking applications now for distributing grants, up to $60,000 per grant

People involved in the Chisago County Opioid Action Council have put out the word, calling for proposals from programs, agencies or organizations in need of funding. As of last week council members are just waiting applications to be submitted.

Police Commission talks technology

In this day and age it is impossible to ignore the role technology plays in our lives; and there’s nowhere this is more obvious than in the operations of local first responders. Area police, sheriff, medical teams, firefighters all have to keep up with advances in an amazing array of tools meant to enhance successful outcomes. The tough part is deciding which technology is most cost-effective and yet, is relatively inobtrusive into peoples’ privacy.

Wyoming presented with major concerns

Wyoming City Council was hit with a couple of critical concerns last week in the open microphone portion of the regular council meeting.

North Branch asks residents to check service lines for lead

The City of North Branch has a couple ways for residents to get involved in determining how extensive lead water service lines are within the city. One method is to have the city staff set up an appointment for someone to come to your home and check if the water service line is made of galvanized, copper, or of lead.

Activity workers get a pay bump in North Branch

The activities area of school life was in the spotlight at last week’s North Branch School Board meeting. The next year flat event rate of pay for workers at various extracurricular events was approved, 5-0, with member Lavalla absent and member Naegele attending by internet. The action was requested to bring the pay into line with other Mississippi 8 conference districts, the Board was advised. Workers and officials’ pay is reimbursed by the region.

County Board adopts rebrand recommendation

The recognizable outline of Chisago County is gone as an official logo for county departments and vehicles. A cheery script with a sunshine graphic, calling to mind the visual for a Days Inn motel, is taking its place (see example lower left).

North Branch pushes out Neider censure action to next month

Due to a fairly congested council agenda last week the North Branch City Council members tabled a few pending issues until May 14.

SWCD leverages outside funds

The Chisago County Soil and Water Conservation District is looking forward to putting extra boots on the ground in the upcoming first phase of a three-phase soil health promotion effort the agency has gotten special money to implement.

Wyoming Council straightens out precinct misinformation

With member Brett Ohnstad out of town participating in the city council session remotely, Wyoming City Council approved a resolution to officially correct city precinct information that was distributed incorrectly for the presidential primary back in February.

City administrator search firm proposals sought

The search for a permanent North Branch City administrator has been somewhat derailed for a few months, but got back-on-track last week, with city council directing staff to bring forward search firm proposals. Council wants to see several pitches and find a search firm they feel comfortable with.

Soccer program approaches season under cloud of controversy

The busy season for area youth soccer teams is fast-approaching and leaders of the Lakes United Futbol program are feeling some extra pressure, in addition to the usual rush of getting schedules aligned, registering athletes and seeing that fields are in shape.

North Branch School Board settles contract, cutting edge apprenticeship program under state review

‘Agreement’ was the word of the night at last week’s North Branch School Board meeting— with action finalizing contracts for teachers that expired last July, and approving the apprenticeship program Memoranda of Understanding with teachers and support staff.

North Branch Council votes 3-1 to ask Neider to step down

At a special three hour meeting of North Branch City Council April 3 council discussed allegations that Council member Kelly Neider overstepped her authority, put the city in legal jeopardy and violated state law regulating data privacy. On a 3-1 vote council adopted a resolution to request Neider resign voluntarily. Peter Schaps was the lone opposition and when given a chance leading up to the vote for him to contribute questions or concerns he only stated “no comment.”

Taylors Falls names Fay Caneday as Steward awardee and grand marshal; tackles long agenda

Taylors Falls City Council was full strength this week for the first time in a few meetings, and everybody applauded the mayor’s choice for the Stewardship Award and Grand Marshal for this summer’s Wannigan Days— Fay Caneday. She stepped forward and put in hundreds of hours addressing a number of tasks that were piling up in the wake of staffing turmoil.

Wyoming Police Department to create officer training opportunity for 2025 hiring

If you have a four year post secondary degree and have ever given any thought to working in the field of law enforcement— you might want to look into the City of Wyoming’s Peace Officer Education Training Grant. Public Safety Director and Chief of Police Neil Bauer got the Wyoming city council okay last week to post the program opening, for June.

City of Stacy has first election for merged council

The special election for citizens of the newly-combined City of Stacy seated incumbent Mayor Mark Utecht for a temporary mayoral post (until November 2024) and four council members. Balloting was open Tuesday April 9 and took place at the Lent Town Hall.

North Branch opts to stay with no primary

The North Branch City Council has put the idea of reinstituting a municipal primary vote to bed. The matter was submitted for consideration by Council member Peter Schaps, who along with Council member Kelly Neider, supports re-establishing the primary. He stated, “I’d like to see it come back.”

Area farmer works on behalf of small farming

Modification in acres needed for ag credit being sought

Local farmer Kelsey Love Zaavedra testified at the state Capitol right before Easter break in support of a very basic thing that lawmakers can do to improve success for beginner farmers. There are bills being heard in the House and senate that will modify the wording that defines a farmer and the size of a farm eligible for property tax ag credit.

Lindstrom firefighters get go-ahead to sign onto state pension managers

Lindstrom firefighters proposed to meld their fire relief association pension account with the state PERA system and the city council agreed it would be a good move.

County Board sets fine for cannabis public use violators

Just two people spoke at the public hearing in the County Board room last week before the County Commissioners adopted a proposed enforcement ordinance, to restrict the extent of public use of recreational cannabis. Those who testified addressed the $300 maximum penalty for what the state has classified as a petty misdemeanor offense. They felt there should be a larger fine as a more serious disincentive to public use.

Wyoming hears Police Department wins grant

It’s been a situation of taking one step forward and two steps back; in getting the Wyoming Police department up to a full roster lately, and last week was no exception. Public Safety Director and Police Chief Neil Bauer presented a resignation to the city council from an officer, which was accepted. Then, Bauer reported the agency won a grant that should be helpful addressing chronic hiring issues in the law enforcement sector.

Sunrise Township votes in successor to Sup. Kaiser and still deciding on future hall uses

Sunrise Township saw four times the voter turnout last week compared to 2023 ballots cast, with 99 voters participating in the election March 12. Sunrise Supervisor Dan Kaiser was not seeking re-election and he got rousing applause from thos attending his final township meeting as a supervisor. Adam Grubove III was seated as successor with 61 votes. Jake Holzem was also vying for the seat and he got 34 votes.

North Branch continues complaint hearing due to personal issues

The drama lives on another week at least, in North Branch. City council member Kelly Neider, who was due to defend herself from unknown allegations, was a no-show for a hearing scheduled for March 19.

ARMER contract covers several hundred radios

The two-year ARMER agreement was adopted by the County Board on a 4-1 vote last week with Commissioner Ben Montzka opposed. He stated he couldn’t support the increase of $70 (from $30 to $100 and then in 2026 it becomes $125) in the surcharge for each radio. County Administrator Chase Burnham said the county is only working in the fee hikes it has been assessed for state user charges and for membership in the MESB.

Wyoming approves after-the-fact ball practice facility

The Wyoming City Council, minus member Dennis Schilling, sanctioned a conditional use permit for a baseball instructional facility on 250th and Fallbrook, inside of an accessory structure on a residential lot. The building has already been used by its owner, a retired Forest Lake coach, for honing youth ball playing skills. When the city informed Tal Gravelle he needs a permit for a home occupation he applied immediately, council heard.

North Branch School Board applies for grant for apprenticeship planning; revises last days of week 2024

The regular North Branch School Board meeting was moved up a week due to spring break over the second week of this month, and the Board voted its official approval (with member Grovender absent) to move forward with pursuing a grant for an apprenticeship instructor program to be offered in the areas of early childhood and special education licensure, and to work with U of MN Mankato on a masters degree initiative for existing teachers.

Fentanyl fight has local roots

You can’t tell from how somebody appears on the outside, but there are thousands of people going about their lives and circulating in their communities, whose souls are under reconstruction. Their time on earth was rolling right along until a best friend, a loved one, son or daughter, sister, or parent or spouse was taken by the deadly street version of the drug fentanyl.

Election 2024 starts soon

Minnesota holds a Presidential Primary March 5. Absentee voting ends March 4 for this primary involving the major state parties. The absentee (early) vote can still be cast at the Chisago County Government Center at the auditor’s office during business hours, which will also be open March 2, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Taylors Falls public hearing on business aid continued to March 18

The public hearing for the City of Taylors Falls to get input on a plan to facilitate Hursh Ironworks in relocating to the Taylors Falls industrial park, opened and closed in about five minutes Monday night this week. There were no details drafted yet and the issue of the city subsidy— in the form of “sale” of practically free land— was not discussed pending more details.

New ARMER radio contract discussed County Board decides fees next month

A gathering of some of the local public safety players was held in the government center Friday afternoon, February 16, to review upcoming contract issues having to do with how Chisago County responding departments and agencies are able to communicate. The emergency services contract for radio equipment and systemwide expenses is in the midst of a one year extended time period this year.

North Branch Council not ready to revise urban service area, or reinstate primary balloting

Developer Larry Beach saw his request to have the North Branch City Council revise the urban service area and amend the Comp Plan tabled last week, due to a council member being absent. Mayor Kevin Schieber recommended the votes be delayed until Kelly Neider could participate. The actions should have a full five members present, the mayor argued.

North Branch council sets public hearing on more complaints about Neider

North Branch City Council met for about an hour in closed session February 20 to consider setting a public hearing to review complaints alleging a fellow council member had violated the council code of conduct. The council entered open session and agreed the allegations constitute a legitimate complaint under the current standards, and that the allegations were lodged “in good faith” as required. The council member facing the allegations, Kelly Neider, was absent.

Wyoming Council gets complaint on exterior lights

The bright lights illuminating the newly-built Gregory Contracting facility on Hwy. 8 are too bright and are on for too many hours, the city council heard last week.

Bike trail lots stay zoned for business, for now

Members of the Center City Council last week were not eager to take parcels off the tax rolls, which are situated where a bike trailhead project may be developed someday. A measure to rezone the lots from business district to public open space failed on a split vote.

Taylors Falls Council fully supports Ironworks; other industrial park concepts tabled for now

Taylors Falls Council members this week, fully supported proceeding on the sale of lots the city owns in the business park, west of downtown, to Hursh Ironworks. The east side of the area laid out for business/industrial uses is sought by the company, which is seeking to move from the edge of Center City. Its iron fabrication practices there are situated on small acreage within a residential area, and neighboring properties have expressed complaints about operations. Plus the business growth plans call for a larger site.

Racism behind student bullying, North Branch Board hears

The agenda and presentation item for North Branch Superintendent Sara Paul last week covered the development of policy. It may not be an invigorating topic, but in today’s world, maintaining policy is at the top of to-do lists for schools. School districts in Minnesota have extensive policy mandates and additional requirements for updating the wording and issues addressed in policy. North Branch school board members select a few policies every year for review, and completely cycles through all its policies every three years to make sure they are relevant and that mandatory rules are current.

School bus driver facing charges after Thursday morning crash

There were 49 students on the Rush City school bus when it went off the road

The driver of a Rush City school bus carrying 49 students, which went off the road about 8:30 a.m. Thursday Feb 15, has been charged. Kara Ffrench, 59, of Harris, was in court Friday, February 16 to face two gross misdemeanors, one alleging DWI commercial vehicle and DWI driving school bus. Her next court appearance date is in mid-May.