Independence council confirms annual appointments, discusses fire taxing-district idea, water study and boat-access upgrades

The Independence City Council approved Resolution No. 26‑0106‑01 on Jan. 6, 2026, confirming annual organizational appointments and routine business. Councilmember Grotting said he expects frequent absences in the spring but preferred to retain his current appointments with backup support; Councilmember Fisher agreed to serve as Grotting’s backup for Public Works. Mayor Brad Spencer said he would contact Joe Baker to confirm willingness to continue serving in his appointed role. The resolution passed by motion (mover: McCoy; seconder: Fisher) with four ayes (Spencer, Fisher, McCoy, Grotting) and Betts absent.

During the discussion the council noted the statutory requirement to name an official newspaper for legal notices. The council designated Crow River News as the official paper with Pioneer and Delano as optional publications; members observed that the statutory newspaper requirement may be outdated given declining subscriptions and said they hope state law will change to allow website posting for legal notices.

In the meeting’s open/miscellaneous section Mayor Spencer reported conversations with Mayor Julie Mosski about a possible special taxing-district overlay to fund fire services (the overlay would pay for services rather than operate the department). He said Medina has expressed interest in a similar approach and suggested the cities might use lobbyists to draft enabling legislation. The council did not make or record any motion on the concept during this meeting.

City Administrator Kaltsas updated the council on a water feasibility study and said staff had met with consultants and scheduled another meeting for Jan. 14; a workshop will follow to present initial findings on water service options for future development areas. The mayor also noted that Medina will discuss the Lake Independence/Snow Lake zoning on Jan. 20 and that Medina’s draft ordinance still included wake‑boat regulations that Independence removed from its version, prompting a need for coordination.

Mayor Spencer said he received Greenfield’s engineering study proposing roughly $400,000 in upgrades to make the lakes boat access ADA compliant without adding capacity; he has been in communication with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and said Independence controls the top of the hill and should have input on any changes. The City Administrator reported that Independence had been released from MS4 permit requirements but that staff would evaluate which construction policies that met MS4 standards the city should retain.

The council adjourned at 6:49 p.m. by motion of McCoy, seconded by Fisher; the motion passed 4–0.