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The building demolition that just won’t happen |
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By Patrick Tepoorten
The decrepit structure at the corner of County Road (CR) 30 and CR-7 in Rush City, formerly a dairy treat purveyance, is proving to be a building that simply won’t go away.
Formerly owned by Dennis Carlson, the property was tax forfeited to the city over the last year. With the deed recorded and in Chisago County hands, the City Council was poised to act on demolition bids at its Jan. 28 meeting, but the results of an asbestos inspection put the kibosh on those plans.
According to City Administrator Amy Mell, the inspection revealed some tiles and glue that contain small percentages of asbestos. The removal of that asbestos will have to be completed before the city can tear down the structure. But, while the city has received bids for demolition totaling less than $4,000, the single bid it has received to remove the asbestos totals almost $5,000.
Councilor Nic Malchow suggested the city seek bids from companies that can do both the asbestos removal and the demolition. The council agreed it was the best solution.
In other news:
• SEH’s Joel Dresel advised the council that phase one of the environmental assessment of Rush City Regional Airport is completed and ready for review by state and federal authorities. There will also be a 30-day comment period after which the city will conduct a public hearing on the document. That hearing was scheduled for March 11, at 7:15 p.m.
Dresel also informed the council that the Airport Layout Plan was completed.
• Acting on Fire Department recommendations, three officers were approved by the council: Chris Nelson - Second Assistant Chief, Dave Schroeder, Sr. - Secretary, Keith Potter - Captain. All have held their current positions previously except Potter, who replaced Kevin Carlson.
• It was announced that reviews of the city’s requests for proposal for city attorney, engineering, and fiscal advisor services are still underway. No action was taken.
• Also in the review process is the city’s Inflow and Infiltration plan. “It’s a little more complicated than we thought,” said Mayor Jim Ertz, who said a completed plan was probably four to six weeks away from completion.
• Approved were a gambling permit for the Pine City Youth Hockey Association, for pull tabs at the Rush City VFW; a tax abatement request of $60,000 for Schellbach Properties, Inc.; and the purchase of 30 acres adjacent to the industrial park for expansion.
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