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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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| | Email this article • Print this article | 'Disappointment in the lack of funding for July 4th Fireworks; Chisago City Fire Department in beginning stages of building a new facility'
BY NANCY KRAMER
Correspondent
Chisago City Council and Park Board liaison Greg Freer gave an update on the city's fundraising efforts for the 4th of July celebration. Freer's bad news brought forth sighs of disappointment from the council as well as last Tuesday's City Council meeting.
City Administrator John Pechman added that the usual funding sponsors just haven't come with the amount of donations as in the past. And repeated requests for donations for a fireworks display from residents and local businesses, have also proven fruitless.
"In this economy, it's just hard on everyone to find extra money for donations," Pechman said. "Usually five to eight agencies give donations, including the casino. It would cost $5,000 (to put on the fireworks display). Doris (Zacho, Parks Programmer) is looking at having a movie night in the park instead."
Freer added that signs will be posted advertising cancellation of the fireworks usually over Chisago Lake.
The next update on the council's agenda brought better news as John Guse, from the Chisago City Fire Department told the council of the intention to build a new fire hall. The department is looking at land near the new Public Works Facility on Karmel Avenue. No other information was given, as the city is in discussion with a property owner concerning sale of the land.
The fire department would like to be able to build an 11,000 square foot facility, with truck access doors on two sides of the building. The design would be similar to Stacy's fire hall which is a side-load facility, having side entrances for the smaller trucks, and drive-through bays for the larger fire trucks.
A hose tower would not be included in the plan, due to safety concerns and expense. The purchase of a ladder truck will be discussed in the future. The city will continue to work with Lindstrom when the need for a ladder truck arises per occasion.
The planning process for the new fire department facility is estimated at two years, he said.
Administrator Pechman shared with the council the request from MNDoT for final payment on the Hwy. 8 construction project. Pechman stated that although Todd Clarkowski states that the punchlist for the project is complete, to date, 152 items remain unfinished.
Pechman would like the items examined by the city engineer because outstanding items will eventually become city responsibility. Council agreed to withhold payment until the engineer has a chance to review this.
The council received a request from city staff to conduct a feasibility study concerning paving Karmel Avenue (County Road 80). Staff had met with County Commissioner George McMahon and County Engineer Joe Triplett.
Karmel Avenue from 292nd street north to Liberty Lane is in need of improvement. At least one business has requested that the city investigate what could be done with the road.
Several residents from Karmel Avenue were present to discuss their concerns regarding future assessments if the improvements were made. Pechman addressed their concerns by describing the difference between whether the county would continue to maintain Karmel, or whether the city would take ownership.
Council agreed to pay the $2,500 required to order a study into whether improvement is necessary, cost-effective and feasible. A public hearing will be held at a later date, and residents abutting Karmel would also be advised as to how the improvement would affect them financially.
Council next approved a permit for the location of a barge to begin a dredging project, in the channel between Little Green and Big Green Lakes.
The barge, with back-hoe, was originally going to access the lake at a boat landing, but it was determined that the landing would be heavily damaged by the equipment. A new access point was requested at the corner of Stinson Avenue and West Street.
The project is set to begin within 30 days. The site will be leveled out and restored at the completion of the project. The Lake Improvement District is Coordinating the dredging with the DNR and Sherrif's water patrol.
In other council business:
• Council agreed to switch the city's current health insurance plan from Health Partners Empower Embedded HAS plan to a better alternate plan called the Empower Open Access HAS plan.
• Council agreed to grant Jenny Ristow, a Motor Vehicle Clerk, an extended 30 day leave.
• Council happily agreed to grant City Administrator John Pechman another four year contract with the city.
The next meeting of the Chisago City Council will be Tuesday, July 14, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall on Railroad Avenue.
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