[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6271041,"mediaKeyId","3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203","parentId",3029493,"title","Council proclaims April 25 Arbor Day, highlights May 3 spring cleanup","audioSeconds",449,"startMs",422000,"endMs",871000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203&start=422&end=871","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203/thumbnail_422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271041/Cottage-Grove/Washington-County/Minnesota/Council-proclaims-April-25-Arbor-Day-highlights-May-3-spring-cleanup","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271041-c162fbf05a6d1a023fc3b7a4bb4d3e4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156783&Signature=W1TikiRp0C1nhqkqahmlPQvyGnHH-3TPtfpDdaGzNNEUvzBI1Uq~4RrQNjYYm2gfYdek7wQj~L~zRzE804losNrA0uhfirPBorctMzk-em7TxesrVYjttiYCjYFz~~NgqYqk4j58WowP9zSOJT0mk8--yd4xqciP-vGbxfSdA7YzVhjKPLkSK2~HeaE7sDB8zcgBmhqNNfi1823qENWh301S9OC9d1LPMcVgOdJnd9sGG9bbCX43xo6CRL~~lNvR8fM1epz5R-m4hEMt5zYydHHKZ~4QlKBazpojoh2Bu8NUgVxQ2aBphTE52ojCTwy54ejsZbXB7qEHeSpjc0xV3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Cottage Grove, MN","date","2025-04-17T01:06:10.357Z","article","City staff and council on April 16 promoted the city’s spring cleanup on May 3 and approved a proclamation designating April 25 as Arbor Day in Cottage Grove.

Public Works Director Ryan Burfine described the spring cleanup, scheduled for the first Saturday in May at the Public Works facility on West Point Douglas Road (across Highway 61 from Target). The event accepts many items for trash and recycling and includes shredding; hazardous waste is no longer accepted at the location and residents should use the Washington County Environmental Center in Woodbury, Burfine said. Burfine said fees for most items are similar to last year and that some items (for example, car batteries and most electronics) are accepted at no charge.

Burfine also described the city’s Arbor Day activities. A volunteer tree planting will take place Tuesday, April 22 in the Trailway corridor (not under overhead power lines), and a tree giveaway drawing will select 100 winners for bare‑root ornamental trees; entries are taken via a city QR code through the drawing deadline (posted to social media) and winners will receive delivery on April 25. The city will also pick up buckthorn brought to the public‑right‑of‑way the week of Arbor Day if residents call by the preceding Friday to schedule pickup. Burfine identified two giveaway varieties as “Blue Beech” and “Admiration Oak.”

Councilmember Thidi read an Arbor Day proclamation describing the event and benefits of trees, and Councilmember Claussen moved to accept the proclamation; council adopted it by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cottage Grove City Council Meeting 4-16-2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff outlined the spring cleanup event on May 3 and council proclaimed April 25 Arbor Day; council approved the proclamation and details on tree giveaways and buckthorn pickup were provided.","taxTitle","Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota","taxId",52786,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271046,"Council discusses expanding feasibility study for Eightieth Street reconstruction to include East Point Douglas segment",115,959000,1074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203&start=959&end=1074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6271046/Cottage-Grove/Washington-County/Minnesota/Council-discusses-expanding-feasibility-study-for-Eightieth-Street-reconstruction-to-include-East-Point-Douglas-segment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271046-d58f5e532ebffb61faf10feb4e25ba50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156783&Signature=TIIj31uT4H7CzNPzn~xCYMCpRkP1elXkBQDmnhLKbeBHt49IuS4AzzG7BdCgdZho~qKfXUlGB1ElZE~o3EyzAtJawDClTn0cQlANMzHDiiK2D8fWU0BJEhEKnokVl~t~JxWi3BxezS0dG4PzjQ7umXB~F52e0DklP859cCwcTPXOPEc1GlsK7COfwJh0kH3URJCZucQ6zwy47-7lTy9XAYpgPua-Uq0-PXrhtHws6U7TtF5DCT~SVI2sBJkSZyp7VYb4jdAtfmkCn-SBxkkfrEE~ieMRNM3SNufkqGsD-Ty9zRs-veJNzZmN2ytklODxUjwarXoTMDkxLImrcKmVCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public works staff and council members on April 16 discussed expanding the feasibility study for the Eightieth Street reconstruction project to include a short section of East Point Douglas Road near the Hy‑Vee intersection to allow the two projects to be bid together.

Ryan Burfine, public works director, said the original scope authorized in the capital improvement plan covered Eightieth Street from Highway 61 to Ideal with East Point Douglas scheduled for 2027. Staff proposes moving the Hy‑Vee corridor segment of East Point Douglas into the 2026 scope to provide two through lanes and two left‑turn lanes at the intersection and to realize construction efficiencies when signals and lane geometry interact.

Councilmembers said combining the sections should provide economies of scale and reduce disruption by letting contractors address signal interaction and lane transitions in one contract. Staff said the feasibility study authorization will be modified to include the East Point Douglas segment so the work can be bid as a single project.","Public works staff told the council the Eightieth Street reconstruction feasibility study will expand to include a nearby segment of East Point Douglas Road so the work can be bid and built together.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271051,"Council rejects Denzer Park bids, awards public works mechanic‑shop remodel to Rocon",357,1476000,1833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203&start=1476&end=1833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203/thumbnail_1476000.jpg","/articles/6271051/Cottage-Grove/Washington-County/Minnesota/Council-rejects-Denzer-Park-bids-awards-public-works-mechanicshop-remodel-to-Rocon","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271051-381d33f549d0bb07ed799252e44247bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156783&Signature=a26I4QRxyW-6NKVpSJLuvYgCFj8gC6-cfHLEeIWyfK0-8zW3gD3BzRUXu7H2I80uc0ahcY4n4uTz8dHwqBqjgRJCD-xsbzvsJMbbJXs1C3XvrAmIWPW5lB5mYuLsrysSvWZyX3hOgMTnvl2DhKEZF38of6R13mHA5L-x9q2S8n5~01ILEWVO4OYTZg9dNax~89usmviTUJjxqOZp3k84Mq0Ti943VcOu4MIOefpvP6En4~c0zK7uJBhTSR~xv6LqDemRRgJDhPN3DvcVFTkrf60UMCzuYrOhih9cxIwCdtNXKstDhDtUugBrYS~BZvF5baWEQQI~oeWwJkkZFiTRZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cottage Grove City Council on April 16 rejected all bids for the Denzer Park project and awarded a separate contract to remodel the public works mechanic shop, citing funding priorities and grant timing.

City Public Works Director Ryan Burfine told the council the Denzer Park site is in the southwest part of town near a planned high‑density development and that park‑dedication fees tied to nearby development (and the Norhardt property) had been the expected funding source. Because nearby development timelines and other city projects changed priorities — and to avoid jeopardizing a $350,000 grant for Altman Park — staff recommended rejecting bids for Denzer and revisiting the project as development proceeds.

Councilmember Thidi moved and Councilmember Claussen seconded the motion to adopt a resolution rejecting all bids for the 2025 Denzer Park project; the motion passed by voice vote.

On a separate bid award, council considered remodeling the mechanic shop at the public works facility to create space for a portable hoist and a fifth mechanic. Engineers’ combined estimate for the base bid plus alternate was approximately $301,000. Staff received eight bids and recommended awarding the base plus alternate to Rocon (listed in the meeting as Rocon Corporation / Rokon Construction) with a total award of $298,915. Councilmember Olson moved and Councilmember Garza seconded the award; council approved it by voice vote.

Staff said the Denzer Park decision is a pause, not a cancellation; the project will be revisited as adjacent development and park‑dedication funding materialize. The mechanic‑shop remodel work will proceed under the awarded contract and includes shop reconfiguration, a portable hoist capable of handling large equipment and lighting upgrades (the lighting was bid as an alternate).","Council voted to reject bids for Denzer Park to await development funding and awarded a $298,915 contract (base + alternate) to Rocon Corporation for the public works mechanic‑shop remodel.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271056,"Cottage Grove flags $4.74 million in ambulance write‑offs; looks to neighboring cities for cost sharing",251,1917000,2168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203&start=1917&end=2168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203/thumbnail_1917000.jpg","/articles/6271056/Cottage-Grove/Washington-County/Minnesota/Cottage-Grove-flags-474-million-in-ambulance-writeoffs-looks-to-neighboring-cities-for-cost-sharing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271056-743e6591a20d3eb893250f0f30b0e811/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156783&Signature=YPC~3SzXrZfS2PBGfp-1jWjI7tNJtzxy0TW9oSJemer4Kvr1sehoTYBhQL22t-jAtDojlF~RDu93CPIu2N5LuPN0RVoKGyxA6Fh8ET8os4yACdCEuwJ1av5kb8reg~DXO6YYTY7ZSDEGWV8pN3K7LGuNpUR1ePGBUcx9lQL8A3iEGWaSRmaiWilX~1Ht6RgaNhEBCHXm29h1vPqDXy2y694fM9f6uo8lRm~5MkDUh-0e4GTeWIga3kQ6ji-Uco~B5uRyH7nZ7zfnrssVHjo3TPgKpyt28hB8oaBqTypoz-5O9kBauuevb1hkbBP-Ji-IgKSP~~h9ThlIjG633jjB3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on April 16 flagged a large amount of ambulance billing the city will write off this year and said they are seeking contributions from neighboring jurisdictions that the city covers under its ambulance service contract.

A council member reported the total write‑offs for ambulance services were $4,742,890, and that roughly $1,359,000 of that amount is attributable to runs in neighboring jurisdictions that Cottage Grove covers. The councilmember named Newport ($567,000), St. Paul Park ($650,000) and Grey Cloud Township ($142,000) as portions of that figure.

The council member said Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rules cap payments to ambulance providers and that the federal study hoped to revisit the reimbursement formula has been halted. As a result, the city said it faces “pennies on the dollar” reimbursement for many runs and must decide how to distribute the net cost. The council member said two of the three neighboring jurisdictions contacted have been “very receptive” to helping cover some losses and that the city is pursuing a cooperative cost‑sharing approach.

The councilmember emphasized operational concerns if the city were to divest ambulance coverage for another jurisdiction: the city’s staff estimated that an alternative ambulance provider could take 20–30 minutes to respond to incidents in those areas and might not provide the same equipment or capabilities Cottage Grove currently fields. The council said any change to service contracts would be considered through future budget cycles and intergovernmental negotiations, and that the city’s finance director would continue providing updated figures to the council.

No formal action was taken at the meeting on April 16; council members said staff will continue negotiations and report back during the budget process.","Council members discussed $4,742,890 in ambulance billing write‑offs and said Cottage Grove is negotiating cost‑sharing with neighboring jurisdictions to offset Medicare/Medicaid shortfalls.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271060,"Cottage Grove approves conditional-use permit for LeafLine Labs with odor-mitigation conditions",1069,1855000,2924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203&start=1855&end=2924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3029493-23575d1348d384a3c3de31fae47c7203/thumbnail_1855000.jpg","/articles/6271060/Cottage-Grove/Washington-County/Minnesota/Cottage-Grove-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-LeafLine-Labs-with-odor-mitigation-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271060-d9082b33d9c6dc1266bf35b05e778a33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156783&Signature=RDTR~g8nooo6NlRcLyE3pRRr9Lqm~kbMKiOzgzz22xMQUND0lzJlNA3dum-fmN5pP25b8D9mjR7W3r6a-J5R5OCNpZyOR0KOrhJeSAyJXBnHiVG09zs2v8BDAUFHLLyWPa4v1pUMbr0hLclZYVVB8Ol7LebUgUaim5gN5tq7JAmVmZnaB6nc3ogGQuF346A5ERDgiTJaSjFVAeSWzOlvUBDfX3k8fzNZ0Acz1VK4ea6xALACkfRmA4YodZWEywC94XW4RaEC15ABnYJUEsCc8pYcAJYlz2LuzGz3Qw2athuzd3GqBpjgMPznxXuMU~O7Pk7xtK3rkE0rv3wKAQrQHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cottage Grove City Council on April 16 approved a conditional‑use permit allowing LeafLine Labs to operate as a medical cannabis combination business at 90 Seventh Street South, with conditions tied to odor mitigation and monitoring.

City staff said the company’s operations and facility footprint will not change under the permit but that the business is transitioning to state licensing created for adult‑use cannabis. Samantha Perret, a city planner, told the council the state’s Office of Cannabis Management has adopted rules and that the company must meet local and state standards; she noted “condition number 4 is an odor mitigation plan that the city and the applicant will be working through. There's a 45 day timeline for them to get that into us as staff.”

The ordinance change followed state action that created new license types and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Perret said LeafLine currently operates under a prior medical license and that statute under which it operates will be repealed Dec. 1, 2025; the company applied to OCM for a medical‑combination license and is awaiting the state review process. Perret said OCM began accepting applications March 14, 2025, and will issue preliminary approvals; successful applicants then have 18 months to finish local approvals, final state licensure and inspections.

LeafLine has been operating on the site under prior conditional permits (2014, amended 2020 and 2022). The company has been the subject of odor complaints since a 2022 building expansion. Perret and the applicant told the council the company has hired Bayer Scientific to analyze on‑site odor controls and has begun implementing immediate mitigation measures while planning longer‑term filtration upgrades.

Carol Moss, an attorney for the applicant, told the council: “Our operations are not changing. Our products are not changing, our processing, our manufacturing, nothing is changing. All it is is the end result. The products can also be sold recreational or to medical patients.” Moss said LeafLine has already implemented immediate recommendations from the consultant and is working with city staff to address outstanding odor concerns.

Council members pressed for detail on monitoring and remediation. A LeafLine representative described a daily monitoring regimen using a device the company and staff called a “nasal ranger,” and said the company will record daily readings and provide weekly reports to the city. The company also said some filtration and abatement equipment is custom built and may take eight to 10 months to deliver and install; shorter‑term changes to rooftop ventilation and other operations have already reduced odor releases, the company said.

The council approved the permit by voice vote after a motion by Councilmember Garza and a second by Councilmember Bethedi. The motion rescinded prior conditional‑use permits and site plan resolutions and approved the new conditional‑use permit allowing LeafLine to be licensed as a medical cannabis combination business at 90 Seventh Street South, subject to the conditions in the resolution.

City staff and the applicant said the resolution requires a working odor‑mitigation plan, routine monitoring, and information‑sharing with the city so staff can respond to complaints and verify mitigation progress. Council members and staff said they will review submitted monitoring data and the applicant’s mitigation timetable as part of ongoing compliance oversight.","The city council approved a conditional-use permit allowing LeafLine Labs to operate as a medical‑cannabis combination business at 90 Seventh Street South, with required odor‑mitigation measures and a 45‑day plan submission timeline.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council proclaims April 25 Arbor Day, highlights May 3 spring cleanup

Council discusses expanding feasibility study for Eightieth Street reconstruction to include East Point Douglas segment

Council rejects Denzer Park bids, awards public works mechanic‑shop remodel to Rocon

Cottage Grove flags $4.74 million in ambulance write‑offs; looks to neighboring cities for cost sharing

Cottage Grove approves conditional-use permit for LeafLine Labs with odor-mitigation conditions