When public works requests $644k vehicle, council takes time to consider
The Chisago City Council on Nov. 12 moved swiftly through a busy agenda but applied the brakes when the public works department requested a $644,760 vactor truck.
Firefighter pensions on agenda, new dates for November, December Chisago City Council meetings
The Chisago City Council on Oct. 22, approved a resolution to join the Statewide volunteer firefighter pension plan administered by Minnesota’s Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA). This means PERA will administer Chisago City firefighter pension funds on behalf of the Chisago City Fire Relief Association.
Chisago City levy set, up nearly 8%
The Chisago City Council on Sept. 24 voted to send a proposed 2025 tax levy of $4,028,960 to the county auditor by the September deadline. Chisago City levied a total of $3.75 million in 2024. (The city can reduce the proposed levy before the end of the year but cannot increase it beyond the amount certified to the county in September.)
Public brings an abundance of issues to Sept. 24 council meeting
The normally brief public comment segment of Chisago City’s regular council meeting dominated discussion on the night of Sept. 24. Four individuals brought a wide range of issues to the council.
Chisago City considers ATV ordinance
The Chisago City Council came early and stayed late for its Aug. 27 meeting.
Festival Theatre celebrates its return to restored St. Croix Auditorium with performance of ‘The Spitfire Grill’
I made a journey across the river to Wisconsin last week. My destination was one I’d visited often in the past, the old Auditorium Theatre in St. Croix Falls.
Chisago City approves paving hockey rink for pickleball play
The Chisago City Council on July 23 approved up to $70,000 to blacktop the hockey rink in Chuckie Lundquist Park. This will allow the rink to be used for pickle ball courts in the summer months. The money will come from park dedication fees paid by the developers.
Chisago City approves preliminary plat for 121-unit apartment
Chisago City Council on June 25 cleared the path for construction of three apartment buildings on seven acres of land, at the northwest corner of Sportsman Drive and Highway 8. Acting Mayor Jeremy Dresel once again presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Bob Gustafson. (Administrator John Pechman said Gustafson, who also missed the May council meeting, requested medical leave.)
Chisago City Council postpones review of cannabis retail sales rules
The Chisago City Council on June 25 pondered whether or not to take any action at this time regarding the regulation of retail cannabis sales when it becomes legal. Chisago County, which has set a maximum of five cannabis retail sales locations in the county based on population, recently asked cities to clarify licensing of retail cannabis sales in their community. While some cities have enacted a moratorium on applications in order to look into the topic, Chisago City has taken no action regulating retail sale of cannabis.
Short-handed council hit with dilemmas
Chisago City’s regular May 28 meeting involved a relatively short agenda but lengthy discussion. With Mayor Bob Gustafson absent, the remaining four council members found themselves discussing a series of dilemmas.
Chisago City radio funding and assigning trained public works staff as firefighters on agenda
The Chisago City Council was caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place April 23 as they pondered how to best meet the Chisago City Fire Chief’s request for $196,000 to pay for new radios.
Chisago City EDA sees revised industrial development plat
On April 23, the Chisago City Counciil voted to approve the Chisago City Economic Development Authority’’s final plat for “Kichisaga Development”, a 14-acre extension of the city’s industrial park platted for three light industrial lots. Final plat approval may be in doubt, dependent on new information discussed by the EDA at a closed meeting held only a few hours before the council meeting.
Chisago City Park Commission voices concern over high cost of Old Towne Road Trail extension; police seek bonuses
Rising costs of the Old Towne Road Trail Extension to Ojiketa Regional Park have sparked concerns from members of the Chisago City Park Commission. At its March 26 meeting, the Chisago City Council was asked to consider the city engineer’s recommendation for a revision of the Old Towne Road Trail Extension project that would help stem rising costs.
Area pastor brings personal story to spread message there’s mental health help
Zion Lutheran Church, Chisago City held its second Mental Health Wellness Day Saturday, Jan. 27. It was a simple title for what proved to be a powerful event.
Lake Martha Overlook plat approved; firefighters sworn in
After requiring additional catch basins as recommended by the city engineer, and discussing concerns about snow storage and removal, the Chisago City Council on Jan. 23 approved the final plat for Lake Martha Overlook. The city’s approval includes 13 conditions which High Pointe Land, LLC, must meet before constructing 25 detached villa townhomes, on Lake Martha off Karmel Avenue.
Chisago City organizes for 2024; OK’s long range water capacity study
The Chisago City Council began 2024 with a special organizational meeting on Jan. 9.
Chisago City 2024 levy and budget set
The Chisago City Council on Dec. 12, adopted a final 2024 tax levy of $3,747,987. As the result of a tax abatement approved near the end of the year, the final levy is just slightly less than the proposed levy certified to the county auditor on Sept. 30. (A city’s proposed levy could decrease, but not increase, after that date.)
Chisago Lakes triathlon back, with modifications
The Chisago Lakes Triathlon is on again.
Chisago City zoning issues disputed at council meeting
Chisago City Council heard significant concerns about two zoning issues, one a variance already approved, for a storage building at 28820 Green Lake Ave., and the other, an Interim Use Permit (IUP), still under discussion, for a community solar garden at 8920 275th St.
Chisago City seeks state grant for road improvements, but for which road?
On Oct. 24, the Chisago City Council voted to pursue a grant through the State of Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program for road improvements but left the door open as to which road would be funded. City engineering firm Bolten & Menk had proposed that Chisago City seek a grant for reconstruction of Pioneer Road from Iris Avenue to Highway 8.
DuTriRun making plea to give triathlon another chance to address shortcomings
Ben West and Gloria West of DuTriRun asked the Chisago City Council Sept. 26 asking the city to reconsider its decision to no longer allow the annual triathlon to use city property, for an event which had become a 17-year community tradition.
Chisago City levy increases; budget also goes up but tax rate comes down
The Chisago City Council on Sept. 26 voted to certify a proposed general fund levy of $3.75 million to the county auditor. That is up 6.23 percent from 2023, within the city’s goal of holding the levy increase under 7 percent. While the city’s proposed 2024 budget calls for operating expenses to increase $293,848, the city’s tax rate will go down and will actually be under the council’s original target, due to valuation increases.
Chisago City zoning, land use changes made
The Chisago City Council on Aug. 22 moved quickly through an agenda dominated by planning and zoning matters. This included approval of updated zoning and land use maps as part of the city’s comprehensive plan.
Chisago City Council sees preliminary plat
The Chisago City Council met July 25, tackled a busy agenda, and approved the preliminary plat for a new Highway 8 development. Acting Mayor Marie Rivers convened the meeting in the absence of Bob Gustafson. Council member Jeremy Dresel attended the first part of the meeting remotely before bowing out early due to a scheduling conflict. At Dresel’s request, items requiring his participation were moved up on the agenda, bringing forward discussion of a new commercial/residential development on Highway 8.
Chisago Council talks quorums, cannabis, adds third voting precinct
With only three council members present, the Chisago City Council on July 25 amended ordinances to make it easier to get a quorum at planning and park commission meetings. No members of the public appeared at a public hearing on the proposed change.
Chisago City goes to two precincts
The Chisago City Council on June 27 voted to establish Highway 8 as the boundary dividing its two new voting precincts. The decision to establish two precincts and two polling places within the city was made earlier this year after the Chisago Lakes Area Library was overwhelmed by long lines of Chisago City voters and congested traffic in the last general election.
Chisago City triathlon in final year
This year’s Chisago Lakes Triathlon will be the last one held at Paradise Park in Chisago City.
With big hearts and willing hands, Chisago Lakes Rotary celebrates 25 years of ‘Service Above Self’
What can a small group of passionate, hard-working individuals accomplish in 25 years? Prepare to be amazed.
Chisago City Council reduces road project bill
Several unhappy property owners contested the cost of assessments for planned 2023 street improvements during a public hearing at the April 25 Chisago City Council meeting. News that the low bid on the million dollar street project came in more than $100,000 over engineer’s estimates added to the problem. The planned street improvements include portions of Railroad Avenue, Wallmark, Bloom and East Streets on the east side of downtown Chisago City.
Chisago City Council looks at green roof roof plan
For the second month in a row, the Chisago City Council encountered a somewhat unusual request. In March, the council approved plans for a car condo near Lake Martha. (A car condo is not a residence but specifically is designed to house collectible vehicles.) At its April 25 meeting the council was asked to approve a variance for a house with a vegetative green roof.