|
RC approves expansion of industrial park |
|
|
By Patrick Tepoorten
The pieces are falling into place for Rush City to more than double the size of its existing industrial park.
Chisago County HRA-EDA Director Chris Eng reported to the city council on June 24 that a wetland delineation of an additional 70 acres the city owns, plus a 30-acre parcel east of the railroad tracks the city is interested in purchasing, is complete.
Even better, there were surprisingly few areas deemed wetland, though the delineation must still be approved by the Wetland Conservation Act Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP).
Mayor Jim Ertz, who said the city is running low on industrial property, said the addition of the 100 acres would have the city “set for awhile.”
The council approved moving forward with the purchase of the 30 acres and will necessary steps to secure a railroad crossing from Burlington Northern, contingent on the delineation’s approval by the TEP and an appraisal of the 30 acres.
As a member of the county HRA-EDA and because he has loose ties to a realty firm involved in the sale of the 30 acres, Ertz abstained from voting on the issue.
In other news:
• Ertz has announced he will retire from the HRA-EDA board and was presented with a plaque by Eng and County Commissioner Mike Robinson for his 17 years of service there.
• That the Rush City School Board had approved the agreement between the city and district for the purchase of the family center property was noted. The city has not yet had a chance to review the agreement with the city attorney. It was also noted that the city is currently talking with a possible project management company for the liquor store remodel.
• It was announced that the fire department’s grant application toward a new pumper truck to replace the 1963 pumper was denied. Councilor Jamie Amundson noted that the 1963 pumper still needs replacing and wondered at the council’s attitude toward continuing to pursue a new truck using other grant possibilities or low interest loans.
Ertz suggested Fire Chief Bob Carlson be put on an upcoming agenda to apprise the council as to what the department would like to do.
• The purchase of fixed asset and planning software was approved. The total cost of the purchase will be roughly $2,000 with annual charges for upgrades for the planning software. Ertz supported the purchase of the planning software, saying it would be especially useful in budgeting for future projects.
• A street closure - Dana Ave. from 3rd to 4th Street, was approved from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 5 for the annual National Night Out.
 |
