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Council approves Maple Drive closure for National Night Out; other city updates include well-permit transfer and fire-hall earmark
Summary
The Spring Grove City Council voted 5-0 to close Maple Drive for National Night Out on Aug. 7. Councilors and staff also reviewed Northern Engraving’s well-permit transfer, the Farmer’s Coop property for sale, Rockfilter Distillery relocation options, a federal earmark for a fire hall, parks grant activity and set future joint meeting dates.
At the start of the city-updates section, Administrator Jana Elton presented an action request from the Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce to close Maple Drive from Main Street to the Manor driveway on Aug. 7 for National Night Out. Councilor Trent Turner moved to approve the closure; Councilor Karen Folstad seconded and all members voted “AYE.” The motion to approve the closure passed 5-0.
Elton said the city received the well permit needed by Northern Engraving and that staff will begin the process to transfer the permit and lease it to the company for $1 per year; she also said the company is considering installing a sprinkler system that would allow removal of the old pool and redevelopment of that site.
On facilities, Elton reported the Farmer’s Coop dry-fertilizer plant is for sale and that city maintenance staff have suggested the property could become a consolidated city shop to replace several dispersed maintenance buildings. The mayor noted the softball-field discussion will be taken up at the next council meeting because the school needs to move forward or reallocate funding.
The EDA discussed Rockfilter Distillery’s search for a new site before April 2025; insurance and truck-access constraints limit some downtown options. Elton said a congressional earmark advanced to the second round of review through U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office for a proposed new fire hall east of the pickleball courts; if funded, the new hall could free up three downtown buildings for redevelopment.
Elton also said MnDOT will inspect Main Street after the city reported issues, and that playground-equipment refresh work is complete while multiple grants are being pursued to update Trollskogen Park. Planning & Zoning ordinances are up to date, and the joint group agreed to meet twice a year going forward, with the next joint meetings set for Oct. 29, 2024 and April 29, 2025. Councilor Trent Turner later moved to adjourn; Councilor Michael Hagen seconded, and the meeting closed at 7:38 p.m.
