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Chisago City Council accepts 20-year water study, approves park accessibility work and hires new legal counsel
Summary
Council accepted a Bolton & Menk 20-year water study projecting population growth to 7,500 by 2045 and higher water demand, approved ADA and lighting projects paid from Gas Franchise and Park Dedication funds, authorized a Bolton & Menk change order to cover additional design and prevailing wage costs, hired Flaherty & Hood P.A. as city legal counsel and accepted the 2024 audit.
The Chisago City Council on April 22 accepted a 20-year water system study from Bolton & Menk that, staff said, projects population growth and increases in demand that will require planning and capital investment.
City Engineer Stanley and a Bolton & Menk consultant identified current average pumping near 320,000 (units per reporting convention in the study) and forecasted a peak scenario near 440,000 if growth continues; the presentation said a planning population of about 7,500 by 2045 informed demand forecasts. The consultant summarized recommended improvements for wells and treatment; Stanley and staff noted Liberty Lane well as a likely candidate for a treatment facility. "By 2045 we are projecting growth at 7,500 to try and figure out water demand for the future," the consultant said during the presentation.
Council voted to accept the study for planning and budgeting purposes.
Separately, Administrator Pechman presented several small capital improvements to improve ADA access and safety in city parks: replacing the walking apron at Moberg Park and adding a sidewalk connector (estimated $10,000; split $6,000 Gas Franchise, $4,000 Park Dedication), replacing buried dock sections with an asphalt walkway to improve fishing-pier access at Paradise Park (estimated $8,500, Park Dedication), extending a sidewalk from the city dock on Stinson Ave (estimated $4,000, Park Dedication) and replacing basement lighting at Strom Hall with LED fixtures (estimated $3,000, Gas Franchise). Pechman said Gas Franchise funds have a balance slightly over $75,000 and Park Dedication about $300,000. The council approved the listed expenditures.
On highway/trail design work associated with the Highway 8 project, staff and Engineer Stanley said final trail design required work beyond the original scope. The council approved a contract amendment not to exceed $28,000 for additional design work; a separate $7,904.60 change order was approved to cover a subcontractor’s prevailing wage shortfall discovered after bidding. The council vote recorded Mayor Dresel as abstaining on the change order approval.
After staff sought new legal representation following the departure of the prior municipal attorney, the council approved hiring Flaherty & Hood P.A. of St. Paul based on staff evaluation of proposals and reference checks.
Justin Nilson of Abdo presented the city’s financial audit for the year ended 2024. Nilson reported the general fund balance increased and that overall expenditures and reporting were consistent; the council approved Resolution #25-04-02 to accept the audit.
The council also heard from Chisago County Engineer Joe Triplett that environmental clearance and a 30% cost estimate had been completed for Highway 8 improvements and that the county will work with MnDOT and numerous parcel owners on right-of-way and utility issues.
Council actions on planning, design and finance will move to implementation and follow-up through the appropriate city departments and consultants.
