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Center City Council affirms election results, approves employee health stipend and variances, and schedules Hazelden bond hearing
Summary
At its Nov. 6 meeting the Center City Council certified election results, approved a $400-per-pay-period health insurance stipend for qualifying employees, granted variances for 132 Summit Ave and directed staff to seek demolition estimates for a fire-damaged property at 117 Busch Ave; a public hearing on a Hazelden Betty Ford bond renewal was set for Dec. 3, 2024.
The Center City Council met Nov. 6 and approved a slate of routine actions while directing staff on a safety and demolition matter at a fire‑damaged property.
Mayor Jill Behnke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the council first approved the consent agenda, including October meeting minutes and claims, on a motion by Council Member Mark Wolcott, seconded by Lloyd Vetter (Ayes 5, Nays 0).
The council certified the Nov. 2024 election results with Resolution #2024-11-06, confirming Jill Behnke as mayor and Mark Wolcott and Sally Swanson to council seats. The resolution passed on a motion by Lloyd Vetter, seconded by Ryan Pease (Ayes 5, Nays 0).
On new business the council approved an RFP to post for city attorney services on the League of Minnesota Cities website (motion by Ryan Pease; seconded by Garrett Boulineau; Ayes 5-0). The council also approved Resolution #2024-11-06-B granting variances for 132 Summit Ave to exceed lot coverage and reduce side and rear yard setbacks to allow an accessory building (motion by Ryan Pease; seconded by Mark Wolcott; Ayes 5-0).
Council addressed a public-safety and demolition matter at 117 Busch Ave after the fire department notified the city that the Minnesota State Fire Marshal, Chisago County Sheriff’s Office and Center City Fire Department completed investigations and that the property was released to the owner for demolition. The council directed Public Works to install snow fence around the structure for safety and asked Clerk Dana Miron to obtain demolition estimates and contact the owner, Mary O’Reilly, to request her demolition timeline. The motion to have the clerk make the calls and obtain estimates was made by Ryan Pease, seconded by Lloyd Vetter, and carried 5-0.
On personnel costs, the council approved a $400-per-pay-period stipend for qualified employees’ health insurance, effective Dec. 1, 2024, after a motion by Ryan Pease and second by Lloyd Vetter (Ayes 5-0). The council also heard a request from Center City Fire Department Chief Travis Greene for higher retirement rates through PERA for firefighters; Greene asked for additional information and a meeting with the department before the next council meeting.
The council set a public hearing and resolution for Dec. 3, 2024 on a Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation bond renewal after preliminary information was presented by Arnold Stueber. The motion to move forward with the hearing was made by Lloyd Vetter and seconded by Mark Wolcott (Ayes 5-0).
During open forum, resident Sue Freeman said she was displeased with a neighbor’s tall shed and fence; Clerk Dana Miron stated a permit had been issued and that setbacks and ordinance requirements were met. Resident Brandon Hoyt reported receiving a Sept. 25 zoning violation letter related to having five dogs and said two of the animals are service animals. City Attorney Ted Alliegro explained distinctions between support and service animals and said the city will research whether exceptions to the three-dog limit apply; Brooke Hoyt provided paperwork to the clerk.
Other routine items included Public Works reporting MRWA-assisted hydrant flushing with two hydrants flagged for repair, the clerk confirming delivery of backordered radio heads and meters, and the library selecting SBC for snowplowing bids. The community group Beyond the Yellow Ribbon announced it will disband Dec. 31, 2024.
Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda (minutes/claims): mover Mark Wolcott; seconder Lloyd Vetter; Ayes 5-0. • Resolution #2024-11-06 (election canvas): mover Lloyd Vetter; seconder Ryan Pease; Ayes 5-0. • RFP for city attorney posting: mover Ryan Pease; seconder Garrett Boulineau; Ayes 5-0. • Resolution #2024-11-06-B (variances for 132 Summit Ave): mover Ryan Pease; seconder Mark Wolcott; Ayes 5-0. • Clerk to contact owner of 117 Busch Ave and obtain demolition estimates: mover Ryan Pease; seconder Lloyd Vetter; Ayes 5-0. • Employee health insurance stipend ($400/pay period): mover Ryan Pease; seconder Lloyd Vetter; Ayes 5-0. • Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation bond renewal public hearing set for Dec. 3, 2024: mover Lloyd Vetter; seconder Mark Wolcott; Ayes 5-0. • Adjournment: mover Ryan Pease; seconder Mark Wolcott; Ayes 5-0.
The council adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
