Center City Council approves preliminary levy, sets Dec. 3 tax hearing and OKs sheriff contract, event permit

The Center City Council on Sept. 3, 2024 approved a preliminary budget levy resolution and scheduled the Truth in Taxation hearing for Dec. 3, 2024, actions that set the timetable for final tax decisions this year. The council voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution #2024-09-03, with Council Member Ryan Pease making the motion and Lloyd Vetter seconding.

Council members also scheduled the Truth in Taxation hearing to coincide with the regular Dec. 3 council meeting at or about 7:00 p.m.; the motion to set the date passed 5-0 (motion by Mark Wolcott, seconded by Lloyd Vetter). Mayor Jill Behnke said the timing will allow public input on final levy figures before adoption.

The council unanimously approved the 2025 Chisago County Sheriff’s Department contract, which Council Member Mark Wolcott noted had been reviewed and that the contract increase is included in the proposed budget. The motion to approve the contract carried 5-0 (moved by Ryan Pease, seconded by Mark Wolcott).

Council members also granted an event permit for Nordic Harbor’s fall celebration scheduled Sept. 22, 2024, from 11 a.m. until close of business; the permit passed on a 5-0 vote (motion by Lloyd Vetter, seconded by Garrett Boulineau).

Several routine staff requests were approved. The council authorized the purchase of a cell phone for public works use (motion by Ryan Pease, seconded by Lloyd Vetter; 5-0) and changed posted public works Friday hours to 7–11 a.m. (motion by Mark Wolcott, seconded by Ryan Pease; 5-0). The council extended a seasonal public works employee’s assignment to continue watering flowers through Sept. 29, 2024 (motion by Ryan Pease, seconded by Lloyd Vetter; 5-0).

On donations, the council approved repeat contributions to the Chisago County Historical Society, the Senior Center and the Initiative Foundation (motion by Mark Wolcott, seconded by Lloyd Vetter; 5-0). Separately, the council approved a $100 donation to the Center City Historical Society to support a publication titled “The Wooden Shoe People” (motion by Mayor Jill Behnke, seconded by Lloyd Vetter; 5-0).

Staff updates included a schedule from Public Works Mike Roggemann that the old DNR fishing pier would be removed Sept. 4 and a new pier placed the week of Sept. 9. Clerk Dana Miron reported the city’s GWorks public alert system will be discontinued Dec. 31, 2024; Miron said the city is under no obligation to upgrade and will explore alternatives, including the county alert system or the new city website.

During the open forum, resident Barry Moe told the council he was frustrated by ongoing issues with a neighbor on Summit and asked the city to address Shultz Avenue; Mayor Behnke and Council Member Wolcott said the city has not yet received options or quotes from Bluhm Construction as the resident expected.

The meeting closed with committee updates — including parks items forwarded to the parks committee to consider replacing playground timbers and mulch and adding a portable bathroom — and the council adjourned at 8:07 p.m.