By Anne Thom

At the April 12 Stacy City Council meeting, Deputy Shane Carol, Chisago County Sheriffís Office, spoke on several matters. The first was the issuance of citations in two separate violations of city zoning ordinances. Jack Kramer, building official and zoning administrator, had contacted Carol about the process for handling certain repeat offenders on problem properties. Carol had worked with two residents. In one of the instances the matter had been cleaned up. In the second Carol is still working to resolution. Councilmember Daher said it was his understanding the problem was cleaned up and then repeated and this was a two-year reoccurring problem with that property. There was some discussion between the deputy and the council as to whether there are guidelines or timelines and practices in handling the citation process. Daher asked that the city make sure policy is in place. Councilmember Mel Aslakson said the city needs to be consistent in handling the complaint and in the process. City Attorney Peter Grundhoefer said violators are given 15 days to correct a problem after a city letter is sent out. If the violator hasnít complied within the 15 days, a citation is issued. The complaint can then be turned over to Grundhoefer for prosecution. The citations are a misdemeanor offense and those cited are generally given probation. Daher stressed the importance of following through if that was the policy.

The second issue of discussion was use of the deputyís contract hours. Carol said Stacy produces the highest Initial Complaint Report (ICR) numbers in Chisago County. The mobile home park is the primary source of the calls. The council was requesting that on three traffic producing holiday weekends; Memorial Day weekend, the 4th of July weekend and Labor Day weekend, the deputy be available to manage traffic control issues caused by drivers exiting the backup on I-35 and detouring to County Road 30. The result of the deputy performing this service would be fewer hours available to handle the ICRís. Carol asked the council if their preference would be that he leaves traffic duty to respond to a call or should another deputy be called in. The response was that he should leave traffic duty and take the call. There was concern that the deputyís contract hours frequently are used to take calls on I-35, which runs through the countyís jurisdiction, because the Minnesota Highway Patrol doesnít have enough personnel to respond, thereby shifting responsibility to the local level.

Tom Archibald, city maintenance, was next and discussed where to locate a hydrant in order to create an ice rink for winter. Lent Township may be pursuing the same thing and the council wanted to make sure that there wouldnít be back-to-back rink locations along the city and township border. The council was concerned that a location should be chosen where city children would not have to cross too many busy streets to get there. It was decided to establish a preferred location for the rink and then Archibald could work to establish where the hydrant should go. More than likely this will be on the north side of the baseball fields.

Residents on 307th Street are requesting two traffic signs: ìChildren at Playî and ìNo Trucks.î The report was that trucks belonging to Wyoming Machine are using 307th Street to turn around. In the course of the discussion, a member of the public who is an employee of Wyoming Machine, spoke up saying that new drivers initially think there is an entrance to the company on 307th Street. There is a gate there that gives the appearance of an entrance. Truckers drive down the road and discover in fact they cannot enter Wyoming Machine there and they turn around. The speaker stated also that the road was made for industrial use. There are a number of small children on the street and the entire room expressed concern for the kidís safety. Archibald is directed to install a sign reading ìChildren at Play,î however the council decided against a ìNo Trucksî sign as the road has been designated for industrial use.
The council requested a review of the cityís roads and the tonnage allowed on those roads for consideration on future issues. Daher asked if the fire department had been given the information they requested on the roads. The request was for a letter advising load limits on city streets and county roads.

In cityscape issues, an erosion problem identified at the Industrial Park. An uncovered hill needs to be sodded according to city ordinance. Street cleaning will be scheduled this month in coordination with the county street cleaning.

Cracks in the streetís pavement need to be addressed as well. Both Daher and Aslakson felt it should be accomplished on a regular basis to prevent more extensive damage to the pavement that would result in more expensive repairs. The council as well as city employees agreed. Archibald will work on this issue.

The playground horse has been broken and a frog has been ordered to replace it. Archibald is replacing the decking on the parkís merry-go-round.

City Clerk Sharon Payne said she is getting many calls requesting a city composting site. A sewer backup occurred at the bank and Archibald called for clean-up to the site. The council offered $5,000 toward repair.

Liquor store manager Amy Joslin presented a brief report on the liquor storeís audit. The council was told there are discrepancies in the balance sheet. The discrepancies go back as far as 2002 she believes. At the end of 2004, the liquor storeís balance was overstated by $1600. Joslin also believes 2003 was not calculated correctly. She will review both 2002 and 2003 books and provide the auditor with requested information.

Chisago County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Economic Development Authority director Chris Eng delivered a presentation on the benefits of employing an economic development authority for Stacy. Change is the underlying force in working with an economic development authority. The EDA would not only like to bring new businesses to the area, but also would like to work with existing businesses on opportunities for growth. The council was told businesses are interested in the following among other resources: access to customer and supply markets, sites to build a business on, transportation, telecommunications, housing availability, education and training, access to research and development facilities and capital availability.

A resolution to hold a public hearing was passed unanimously by the council, the first step in authorizing the establishment of an EDA. The public hearing is scheduled for May 3, 6 p.m. at the city hall to present some of these same facts to support the creation of an economic development authority for the Stacy community. A resolution can then be passed by the council authorizing an EDA for Stacy. The council can then proceed with appointing board members and developing a plan of action for the EDA.

The council itself could become the EDAís board members but the council is hoping for broad support from the community, both businesses and residents. Eng advised the council an EDA is a good vehicle to accomplish the cityís development goals and objectives by managing change, assisting with planning, marketing, tracking economic trends and serving as the liaison for businesses to the community. The result of this should be what residents seek in the community; a great quality of life.

Grundhoefer, as a result of the discussion on development and public hearings brought up the subject of the media. Grundhoefer has been contacted on a few occasions for information on city business. It was decided that any newspaper inquiries into city business should first go to the city clerk. The clerk may then refer the inquiry to the city attorney if necessary. Payne added that any formal statements or press releases should go through Mayor Carlson. The issue will be open for discussion at a future session.

The council wanted to review the rules of conduct for public hearings. The council feels the focus should include on how to run a meeting properly and efficiently and how people in the community who are a party to the meeting should treat themselves and others. Aslakson in reference to the councilís March 22 document requested the following in bold print ìAll are asked to conduct themselves in a professional, courteous manner and refrain from using profanity.î

Aslakson stated that normally the first week in May is declared Stacy Cleanup Week. Property owners are encouraged to help clean up litter around the city. A proclamation will be signed by the mayor and city council at the April 26 meeting.

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