Franconia request for internet tabled for fund use specifics
Due to what county commissioners felt was an incomplete application —Franconia Township will not receive the $200,000 sought from the county to provide enhanced Internet service in certain township areas. A cooperative broadband installation using wireless technology was proposed in partnership with Hometown Internet.
Taylors Falls hearing August 14 to clarify hemp businesses
Amidst the turmoil happening in Taylors Falls in the fall of 2022; with the clerk in the throes of a prolonged departure, a breach of data investigation underway, uncertainty of anyone seeking re-election, and unpredictable staff loss— Taylors Falls city council put a halt on hemp derived product sales, that was totally forgotten. The council adopted the moratorium for one year effective when it was published, as of August 2002. This moratorium expires in August 2023, but there’s a related problem the mostly new council is wrestling with. A business opened that appears to have happened in violation of the moratorium.
Jail demo soon, more docks for Center City
The planned demolition of the old county jail officially got off to a soft start as the monument on the jail site, that identified the private company formerly located there, was moved across the street. The marker was shifted to a private residential parcel and Center City council heard last week the property owners are happy to be part of the marker preservation.
North Branch Council starts 2024 budget-setting debate
They say the longest journey begins with the first steps, and North Branch Council met in a workshop session recently to start their budget journey for setting next year’s property taxes.
Lindstrom, Wyoming have active water use restrictions in place
The larger cities in the readership area are activating various water use restrictions, due to Chisago County being included in a drought response area alert from the Department of Natural Resources. The restrictions are basically applied to cities of 1,000 population and over.
No-go on referendum education, yet
The North Branch Water & Light Commission July 19 lightly grazed the topic of fashioning a campaign to educate the public on the November utility referendum. Members took no direct action to start any outreach. The City of North Branch is prohibited from being involved in a ballot promotion but the utility may pursue mailings, videos, digital propaganda etc. The consensus was to review the role of the utility more, in the commission’s August meeting.
North Branch will not get funds for culvert blowout
When is a culvert under a city street part of a public ditch system, and when is it part of city infrastructure? This was the quandary at the heart of a quest by the City of North Branch for $78,000 from the Chisago County Ditch Authority.
Public outreach to combat fraud all part of Sheriff’s workday
Chisago County Sheriff Brandon Thyen doesn’t have to visit senior citizen communities and spread the word about how not to become a victim of fraud; but he does it because knowledge is power.
Lindstrom Council asks advisors to bring model ordinance language on marijuana issues to next meeting
The Lindstrom municipal law firm sent their marijuana statute specialist to the Lindstrom City Council meeting last week to have “the talk” that many other cities have had.
North Branch sets utility vote for Nov. 7
There will be a referendum for North Branch citizens to vote on dissolving the municipal utility commission Water & Light, and making the water systems fully a city enterprise.
Center City sees revitalization
Center City is undergoing a level of revival with plans approved by council for re-use and improvements at the old Grand Avenue motel site, and rehab efforts beginning to take obvious shape at the 100-year-old big brick structure on main street. Owner Kevin Kirvida told council he acquired this building about three years ago and most of what he’s been doing has been related to structural integrity. Tuckpointing, new windows and cleaning of the exterior are moving along, but council was approached about tapping into municipal sewer.
In pursuit of North Branch’s housing history
Have you ever driven or walked past a cool old house and wondered what its story is? Who lived there? Who built it? What did members of the founding household do for a living, where did they come from? Well, Kyle Johnson of North Branch has wondered about those thing, and decided to put his musings into action.
Police commission members put expenses for funding lobbyist in budget; half still question new facility
Two newly-seated members of the four-person Lakes Area Police Commission representing the City of Lindstrom tried to put the brakes on budgeting for keeping a new police facility on track; but ultimately the lobbyist expense and funding for temporary measures to maintain functionality in the old police space, were approved.
Injured man recovering after seamless rescue effort in Franconia
Training, preparation, special equipment and teamwork all came together seamlessly, in the successful rescue July 19 of a 74-year-old male who was injured when he fell off a bluff while walking his property just south of the Osceola Bridge, on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River.
Wyoming Council looks at 72 unit building
A proposal for a 72 unit apartment building in Wyoming got a thumbs-up from city council, with member Dennis Schilling absent last week. In a re-scheduled July 4th council session held July 5, the ReuterWalton housing development group sought a resolution in support of the apartment project, as part of an extensive tax credits application that goes to the MN housing finance agency. The annual state allocation for developments has a late July deadline, with winning projects announced at the end of 2023. If all goes as planned the project will be constructed October 2024 into later in 2025.
Legislative session recap paints productive picture
It took some time to comb through the outcomes of the busy legislative session that ended in May. Judging from what has been presented by the Minnesota Inter County Association to the County Board and by the Association of MN Counties or AMC— the session was “historic” and in a good way. The high note is that the legislature finished its work on time and lawmakers did not need a “special session” for the first time since 2013.
Marijuana would-be retailers making their hopes known
The war of the marijuana dispensaries has begun in Taylors Falls.
Chisago County board briefs...
In action last week the Chisago County Board: ~ Set a public hearing to consider a request from the City of North Branch looking for assistance in paying for work done in the city along public ditch #7. The county commissioners must convene as the “Ditch Authority” to spend money out of ditch revenues. The hearing is at the county government center at 6:30 p.m. July 19.
Taylors Falls leaving lot downtown on the market, for now
In other business (besides lengthy discussions about the future of cannabis shops in town, ) the Taylors Falls City Council:
New P.D. gets little support in council budget workshop
It started as a budget-setting workshop for Lindstrom City Council, in the early stages of writing next year’s property tax levy. But last week’s informal discussions veered into a vote of no confidence for the long-sought new public safety facility.
Improvements at county facility designed to boost recycling efforts; open to the public
In creating a disposal facility and recycling program for small generators who normally may have thrown unwanted products in their household trash—Chisago County was an innovator in 2000. Research was showing over 20 years ago that paints, solvents, cleaners and waste yard chemicals were polluting the environment even in small amounts.
Wyoming Council meets; holds memorial groundbreaking
The city of Wyoming won’t be seeing a couple of apartment buildings go up on the freeway side of Heims Lake— but there will be a new building toward the east side of the city on Hwy. 8.
County names opioid advisory group; meeting schedule set
A cross section of the county has stepped forward to serve on an advisory council that will decide over the next two years how to spend money distributed through settlements in lawsuits, alleging opioid over-prescription and flawed narcotics marketing. The corporate entities involved in this monetary settlement were Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen.
Fire hall new finish date set for August
The plan was to try and get the new Lindstrom Fire Station open in time for 2023 Karl Oskar Days...but in last week’s project update Lindstrom Council was advised not to expect a move in date until August.
Highway 8 thank yous
The fellowship hall at Lord of Lakes Church was filled with various local public safety and elected officials, state lawmakers, and others who came together last week for a coffee and cookie reception and an update on Highway 8.
Health ranking for county improved
The national “County Health Rankings” are released by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, around this time each year. As a program supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the rankings use comparable data on factors related to human health, for ranking counties from best to worst.
County board updates priorities in budget workshop
When politicians vote to spend money, they are expressing priorities. An example of the balancing act required to navigate the county budget was the discussion at the last Budget and Finance Committee of the whole County Board.
Water and Light reviews referendum scheduling
There were just three of the five Water & Light commissioners at the June 7 meeting in North Branch and discussion yielded little direction deciding the life expectancy of the utility.
North Branch council wrestles with newest work holiday
North Branch City Council met in a special closed session prior to last week’s regular council meeting for a confidential discussion of the Juneteenth holiday. The city was taking some heat for not “recognizing” the newly-declared national and state employee holiday. A grievance was filed with the union representing North Branch staff; alleging they were being deprived of contractual rights not having this holiday added to their normal holiday pay/hours.
Wyoming Police make arrest in June 22 pedestrian fatality
Wyoming Police are not yet identifying the 51-year old female pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle and died Thursday night about 10:25 p.m. Police say preliminary information is that the victim, who is from St. Paul, and the suspect, a 37 year old male from Wyoming, believed to have been operating the vehicle that struck her, were involved in a domestic incident earlier in the day. Authorities apprehended the suspect after he called to meet with police officers at his residence.
Last of local PFAS testing
The Minnesota Health Department has been overseeing testing for PFAS chemicals in community water systems for years, and Center City was recently reminded that its system is one of a few that haven’t been sampled for these “forever chemicals.” The city council had the testing issue on the agenda last week and opted to table it for more information. (Council member Ryan Pease absent.)
Midco broadband build-out gets boost
The City of Wyoming and Chisago Lake Township were granted funds last week from the county’s $10.9 million total Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery (ARPA) monies to enhance Internet in those two areas.
Wyoming Council awards veterans’ memorial bids
If you have been putting off donating to the veterans’ memorial project at Wyoming’s Railroad Park, until groundbreaking was imminent— you can go ahead and send in your contribution. The city council last week awarded a couple of bids and got the first phase of the memorial project underway. The site work went to Blackstone for $63,109 and the electric service installation went to Vinco for about $26,000.
Taylors Falls City Council meets short-handed
Mayor Brandon Weiberg and Council member Larry Julik Heine were absent from the Taylors Falls Council meeting Monday this week, so acting mayor Lee Samuelson took the reins.
North Branch School Board asks for milk pricing clarity
The North Branch School Board delayed adopting the school fees and lunch prices for next year 2023-2024 until staff gets an answer to a unanimous concern the Board has about milk. Board member Adam Trampe saw a snafu in the free lunch and breakfast rules, going into effect at the start of the new fiscal year, July 1. The legislature enacted free meals for all students but if a student opts to consume a pricier a la carte dish, or if the student wants to purchase a second meal, the student pays 70 cents for milk. If the student eats the single, standard menu offering, milk is free.
Public input needed as county updates Hazard Mitigation Plan
Chisago County residents, community leaders, business owners, area agencies and organizations now have an opportunity to share how severe weather events impact their property and lives.
Council names new Lindstrom administrator
The special meeting of Lindstrom City Council Monday night this week was a welcome home party of sorts for the newly-hired City Administrator Dan Undem. He is a native of the Chisago Lakes area, who currently resides in Chisago City and works as assistant city administrator in Forest Lake. Undem told the five council members— after they unanimously voted in his favor — that he sees himself in this post for long term and “I am beyond thrilled, it’s a great opportunity.”
Wild Mountain expansion plan heads to county commissioners
Owners of Wild Mountain Recreation Area got unanimous support last week from the county planning commission (minus Chair Chip Yeager) to proceed on a major expansion. The commission’s recommendation to approve amending the Conditional Use Permit goes to the County Board of Commissioners to consider at their June 21 regular session for final action.
Grand Marshal also Legion Auxiliary president
The Midsummer Days parade Grand Marshal found a welcoming community when she joined the North Branch American Legion Post and she never looked back. Although not a military veteran herself, Michelle Still has been Legion Auxiliary President for 13 years and is a fixture at Midsummer Days booths and events, festival-goers would for sure recognize her from the park chuckwagon.
Body identified as April drowning victim
Staff at the Midwest Medical Examiner’s office worked over the Memorial Day weekend to perform a post mortem and identify a body, located Friday, May 26 south of Taylors Falls along the St. Croix River.
Lent-Stacy annexation contract in state hands
It’s up to the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings-Municipal Boundary Adjustment Unit now to finalize the dissolution of Lent Township.
North Branch City Council briefs.....
North Branch City Council met May 23 and the regular agenda took 15 minutes to take care of.
Lindstrom doesn’t act on a few major items
Nobody could accuse the elected leaders in Lindstrom of not earning their pay. The Lindstrom City Council has met in four special sessions between the final week of April and now, as well as the regular meeting taking three hours last week. And still many well-discussed agenda actions were tabled to gather more information.
North Branch discusses apartments in work session
A work session for North Branch City Council last week focused on details about a proposal to build a 65 unit apartment complex on the old mainstreet school site, (to right in L-shape with Highway 95 along the bottom) with special income requirements to designate it workforce housing. The apartments in the proposed development would be up to four bedrooms, rents would be kept anywhere from $100 to $200 below market.
Taylors Falls tackles staffing, unpaid water bills and more
The new city zoning administrator will start her job in Taylors Falls June 20. Mayor Weiberg reported Monday night this week she had accepted the offer as approved by council two weeks prior. (Story Press May 18.)
Wyoming Council sees audit
The Wyoming City Council approach to balancing expenses and new property tax revenues appears to be keeping the tax capacity rate down, which council was glad to see in the 2022 audit presented by Bergen KDV.
Ever thought about running a child daycare; special resource fairs for you
Chisago County wants to get the word out to potential child daycare providers and existing centers and family based care businesses that there are resources and aid available. The effort underway includes a special set of public daycare fairs, where you can learn about opening a daycare or expanding one, or advice on tapping into programs that assist financially with food budgets and more. The sessions also look to measure any interest in “pod” daycare operations. A single large facility functions as the core of operations for four or more daycares. This concept spreads the expenses of utility costs, large equipment purchases and food prep work area over multiple users. This works for business owners who want to be independent, but would like to locate a daycare outside of their personal home.
North Branch council supports censure action against Neider
North Branch City Council members were not buying excuses put forward by a fellow council member, Kelly Neider, during a hearing held May 24 considering options to impose consequences for the member’s Code of Conduct violation. They ended up voting to censure Council member Neider, sending a message that her personal, derogatory statements specifically related to citizen and city appointee Patrick Meacham will not be tolerated.
Taylors Falls extends job offer for zoning administrator, roof replacement delayed
The city of Taylors Falls may be getting a city zoning administrator.
Bridge project explained in DOT open house
Wisconsin and Minnesota Departments of Transportation held an informational meeting May 10 at Osceola City Hall. The meeting was to bring the public up to speed on the Highway 243 Osceola Bridge project.