Milaca council approves traffic-code changes, interim cannabis moratorium and multiple infrastructure and budget items

The Milaca City Council on July 18 unanimously approved a package of ordinances and routine measures that will change local traffic rules, pause new cannabis manufacturing and cultivation applications while the city studies regulation, and advance several infrastructure and budget items.

Mayor Dave Dillan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and, after roll call, the council approved the agenda and consent agenda, which included minutes, bills, second-quarter financial reports and several resolutions related to election judges and a lawnmowing assessment. No members of the public spoke during the citizen forum.

At a brief public hearing, the council opened and closed consideration of an interim ordinance to study cannabis-related licensing and to impose a moratorium on accepting new applications for cannabis and cannabidiol manufacturing and cultivation; no members of the public addressed the council during the hearing.

The council then completed second readings and approvals of multiple ordinances, all of which Mayor Dillan said will become effective Jan. 1, 2025. The measures include Ordinance #523, amending Traffic Code Chapter 73 to regulate motorized golf carts; Ordinance #524, amending Chapter 70 to address mini trucks and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) — a change City Manager Tammy Pfaff said primarily affects regular local users rather than pass-through visitors; Ordinance #525, adding a $50 fee (good for three years) for motorized golf carts and levying fees for mini trucks/UTVs under Chapter 34; Ordinance #526, updating restricted areas for motorized golf carts in Chapter 74; and Ordinance #527, amending Chapter 90, Section 90.04(G) (disturbing the peace—conduct). The council also adopted Ordinance #528, an interim ordinance prohibiting acceptance or consideration of applications for new cannabis and cannabidiol manufacturing and cultivation licensure, the moratorium the council had just heard.

Council members moved and seconded each ordinance according to the minutes; the approvals were recorded as unanimous. For several of the newly adopted ordinances the council separately approved resolutions authorizing publication of ordinance summaries.

Public Works Superintendent Gary Kirkeby presented two bids for a sewer line to serve the meat market and recommended awarding the work to Kuechle Underground, which bid $85,000 (the other bid was $94,355 from Northern Lines Contracting). Council approved the recommended award to Kuechle Underground. The council also approved Pay Request #1 from Northern Lines Contracting in the amount of $13,376.00 for the 110th Avenue Improvements Project.

On airport business, the council approved an amendment to MNDOT Grant Agreement #1055334 that required additional fill and approved Pay Request #1 to OMG-MN Paving & Material for $128,724.29 for the airport entrance road and parking lot paving.

In new business the council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Northland Securities for a water and sewer rate study, with the study cost split $3,500 from the water fund and $3,500 from the sewer fund. The council also scheduled a special meeting for Monday, Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the preliminary budget.

Other approvals included a $1,500 tree reimbursement to Allstar Daycare Center (engineer recommendation) and special-event permits for Runnin' in the Ruff (moving to fall) and the Airport Fly-In. Councilors praised recent park upkeep and were told the new pickleball court should be ready by mid-August.

The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

Actions recorded in the minutes are administrative and procedural; no contested votes were recorded in the transcript.