Cohasset public meetings in 2024

City Council

The Cohasset City Council will hold a special meeting to consider Resolution 2024-26, which addresses city restructuring. The council may also discuss personnel issues if needed. This is a legally required meeting under Minnesota Statutes.

• Resolution 2024-26: City Restructuring
• Potential personnel issue discussion

The Cohasset City Council approved Resolution 2024-26, which eliminates the Director of Finance/City Operations position and redistributes responsibilities to the Financial Controller and Director of Economic Development. The vote was unanimous among the four present members, with one councilor absent. The council also discussed hiring for the Director of Economic Development and personnel transitions.

• Approved Resolution 2024-26 to restructure city positions (4-0, with one absent)
• Eliminated Director of Finance/City Operations position
• Redistributed responsibilities to Financial Controller and Director of Economic Development
• Discussed candidate search for Director of Economic Development with EDA
• Noted HR contract with Pam Dixon will sunset by end of January 2025

City Council

The Cohasset City Council approved the final 2024 budget, including transfers from the general fund to parks and Riverfront funds. They also approved a DNR grant application for Portage Park improvements, placed City Administrator Max Peters on administrative leave with termination effective January 2, 2025, and approved several other administrative and fire department actions.

• Approved final 2024 budget with fund transfers (unanimous)
• Approved DNR grant application up to $5,000 for Portage Park (unanimous)
• Approved placing Max Peters on administrative leave with termination Jan 2, 2025 (4-1, Bartz opposed)
• Approved SEH supplemental and master agreements (unanimous)
• Approved recruitment of Director of Economic Development (unanimous)
• Approved incentive package for MN Technologies including TIF and power upgrade (unanimous)
• Approved $1,085,939.19 payment to TNT for infrastructure (unanimous)
• Approved firefighter officer appointments and promotions (unanimous)

City Council

The Cohasset City Council approved the final 2025 budget (Resolution 2024-23) with a 5% increase and adopted the final 2024 tax levy collectible in 2025 (Resolution 2024-24). The council also approved a resolution to apply for a $1 million grant for the Blackwater-Banks Riverfront Redevelopment Phase 3, reappointed three Planning Commission members, and approved several other administrative actions.

• Adopted Resolution 2024-23, final 2025 budget with 5% increase (4-0)
• Adopted Resolution 2024-24, final 2024 tax levy collectible in 2025 (4-0)
• Adopted Resolution 2024-25 to apply for $1M DEED grant for Blackwater-Banks Riverfront Phase 3 (4-0)
• Reappointed Scott Gerling, Gigi Pearson, and Mike Rock to Planning Commission (4-0)
• Scheduled public hearing for January 27, 2025, to rezone property south of Forsythe Lake (4-0)
• Approved land swap with Great Tails Animal Rescue (4-0)
• Approved purchase of Saltdogg spreader from Martin's Snowplow and Equipment for $9,547.94 (4-0)
• Approved hiring Abby Majewski as Deputy Clerk at $22/hr and Geoffrey Martin as Custodian at $16/hr (4-0)

City Council

The Cohasset City Council will hold a work session on December 9, 2024, beginning at 5:30 PM with discussions on personnel and Economic Development Authority (EDA) matters, followed by performance management training at 6:30 PM. The agenda is limited to these work sessions and does not include formal action items or public hearings.

• Work session on personnel issues
• Discussion of Economic Development Authority (EDA)
• Performance management training session

The Cohasset City Council held a work session on December 9, 2024, discussing policy changes and personnel matters. They decided to implement a new PTO policy effective January 1, 2025, with a hard reset aligning all employees, and senior leaders will cash in unused PTO in 2025. The council also agreed to shift regular meetings to Mondays starting January 13, 2025. Regarding Max Peters, the council accepted his rejection of the $110,000 Director of Economic Development offer and will terminate his employment on January 2, 2025, with health care coverage through January. No formal votes were taken; these were discussion items.

• New PTO policy effective Jan 1, 2025, with hard reset for all employees
• Senior leaders to cash in unused PTO in 2025; 6 weeks (240 days) loaded upfront, use-or-lose by end of 2025
• Meetings shifted to Mondays starting Jan 13, 2025
• Max Peters' termination set for Jan 2, 2025; health care through January
• Performance management system (OKRs) to be trialed for one year with quarterly check-ins

City Council

The Cohasset City Council is meeting on October 21, 2024, primarily for a closed work session to discuss salary negotiations. No public hearings or other action items are listed on this agenda.

• Closed work session – salary negotiations

City Council

The Cohasset City Council is holding a closed work session on October 10, 2024, at 5:30 PM. The only listed agenda item is a Personnel Committee Meeting. No other business is scheduled for discussion or decision.

• Personnel Committee Meeting (closed session)

Planning Commission

This agenda contains only procedural items: call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda. No site visits, public hearings, or other decision items are listed. The meeting is effectively a formality.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will conduct public hearings to decide on two variance requests regarding setback requirements. The body will also address a public request for restrictions on Tioga Pit.

• Public hearing for a 40ft. by 30ft. addition variance at 45 US HWY 2 regarding Bass Brook setbacks
• Public hearing for a new home variance at 23713 Tioga Hills Rd. regarding Little Cavanaugh Lake setbacks
• Discussion of RFCCA public request for restrictions on Tioga Pit

The Cohasset Planning Commission approved a variance for a 30x40 ft addition to a non-conforming structure at 45 US HWY 2, allowing a 20ft setback from Bass Brook's OHWL with a runoff condition (5-1). It also approved a variance for a new home at 23713 Tioga Hills Rd., allowing a 128ft setback from Little Cavanaugh Lake's OHWL (6-0). The commission recommended a 10mph speed limit for Tioga Pit to the City Council.

• Approved variance for 30x40 ft addition with 20ft OHWL setback from Bass Brook, conditioned on directing runoff away from stream (5-1)
• Approved variance for new home with 128ft setback from Little Cavanaugh Lake OHWL (6-0)
• Recommended 10mph speed limit for Tioga Pit to City Council (5-0-1 abstention)

Economic Development Authority

The Cohasset Economic Development Authority approved the August 2024 financials and loan recap as presented, with all present members voting in favor. The meeting included updates on Niron Magnetics and MN Technologies, but no other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved August 2024 EDA financials and loan recap (5-0)

City Council

The Cohasset City Council approved an amendment to ordinance 10.07, raising the maximum building height to 70 feet in the Cohasset Industrial Park zoning district. They also amended Ordinance 5 to prohibit cannabis use in public places, approved a road proposal for NorthStar Road while tabling Ingebo and Stark Road portions, and approved a consulting proposal by Korn Ferry. All votes were unanimous among the four present councilors, with Terry Bartz absent.

• Approved amendment to ordinance 10.07, max building height 70' in Cohasset Industrial Park (4-0)
• Amended Ordinance 5 to prohibit cannabis use in public places (4-0)
• Approved NorthStar Road Shouldering proposal by Hawkinson; tabled Ingebo and Stark Road portions (4-0)
• Approved Korn Ferry consulting proposal (4-0)
• Approved consent agenda including claims of $308,770.47 and July 30 minutes (4-0)

City Council

The Cohasset City Council voted to leave the Rural Residential Dimensional Standards ordinance unchanged, rejecting a proposal to reduce lot sizes and setbacks. The council also approved several contracts, including paving and shouldering work, a labor agreement, and a final payment for a mooring project. A public hearing was set for a rezone request from Lighthouse Christian Academy.

• Left Rural Residential Dimensional Standards ordinance unchanged (4-0, 1 abstention)
• Hired Joss Parantala as part-time Dance Security Officer (unanimous)
• Approved $8,540 Hawkinson Construction quote for Tioga Road shouldering (unanimous)
• Approved $57,314 Hawkinson Construction quote for Cavanaugh Road paving (unanimous)
• Approved $8,490 final payment to TNT Construction for Blackwater Banks mooring (unanimous)
• Approved 2025-2027 Labor Agreement with AFSCME Local No. 498 (unanimous)
• Set public hearing for September 10, 2024, on Lighthouse Christian Academy rezone request (unanimous)
• Approved $6,500 Ironwood Studio quote for post office door installation (unanimous)

Planning Commission

This is a procedural meeting of the Cohasset Planning Commission. The agenda includes only routine items: call to order, roll call, approval of the agenda, and an FYI section. No public hearings, rezonings, contracts, or other action items are scheduled.

• No public hearings or action items on the agenda

Economic Development Authority

The Cohasset EDA approved a loan modification for Newman Chiropractic following its closure, allowing payoff of the remaining balance. The board also approved an economic incentive proposal for a company with ties to the University of Minnesota, as presented by Administrator Max Peters. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved agenda with two additions (unanimous)
• Approved June 4, 2024 EDA minutes (unanimous)
• Approved EDA financials and loan recap for April–July (unanimous)
• Approved Newman Chiropractic loan modification (unanimous)
• Approved economic incentive proposal for U of M-linked company (unanimous)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission approved a variance for Daniel Larson (Itasca Outdoor Advertising) to place a 12ft x 24ft off-premise billboard at the right-of-way near US HWY 2 and Bear Ridge Drive, but with the condition that the sign cannot exceed 250 square feet. The commission also voted to recommend that the City Council rezone PID 05-024-4103 from Rural Industrial to Suburban Residential to support Lighthouse Christian Academy building a school.

• Approved variance for billboard with 250 sq ft size limit (5-2)
• Denied original variance request for 288 sq ft billboard (unanimous)
• Recommended City Council rezone PID 05-024-4103 to Suburban Residential (unanimous)

Public Utilities Board

The Cohasset Public Utilities Board approved the agenda and the July 1, 2024 minutes. They also approved a bid to clear a lot and discussed installing a light at Tioga Boat Landing, which requires DNR permission. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved July 1, 2024 minutes (5-0)
• Approved bid to clear lot
• Discussed Tioga Boat Landing lighting, pending DNR permission

Economic Development Authority

The Cohasset Economic Development Authority will review financial reports for March, April, and May 2024. The meeting also includes approval of the June 4, 2024, minutes and a loan recap.

• EDA May Financials: $497,770.91
• EDA April Financials: $497,706.46
• EDA March Financials: $400,045.12
• Review of loan recap

Public Utilities Board

The Cohasset Public Utility Board will discuss lighting for Beier Road and Tioga. The meeting also includes a GRACC meeting update and a follow-up on water and sewer matters.

• Beier Road lighting discussion
• Tioga lighting discussion
• GRACC meeting update
• Water and sewer follow-up

Planning Commission

The Cohasset Planning Commission will hold discussions regarding cannabis use in public and the rezoning of Rural Residential properties. No official actions are required for these discussion items. The commission will also review minutes from the April 1, 2024 meeting.

• Discussion on cannabis use in public
• Discussion on rezone of Rural Residential properties
• Review and approval of April 1, 2024 minutes

Public Utilities Board

The Cohasset Public Utility Board is meeting to approve the April 1, 2024 minutes, receive a GRACC meeting update, and discuss lighting for Beier Road and Tioga Beach. The agenda is mostly routine procedural items with no dollar amounts or formal actions listed.

• Approve April 1, 2024 CPUB minutes
• GRACC meeting update from Romona Sjostrand
• Beier Road lighting discussion with Barbara Baird
• Tioga Beach lighting discussion with Ernie Braunschweig

City Council

The Cohasset City Council will discuss several infrastructure projects, including the KLM Water Tower #1 rehabilitation and gas extension RFQ returns. The meeting includes updates on Parks and Recreation programs and requests input regarding Benson Bog Days. Additionally, the council is scheduled to approve $163,243.50 in claims.

• KLM Water Tower #1 Rehabilitation
• Approval of $163,243.50 in claims
• Co Rd 62 North Gas Extension RFQ returns
• Industrial Park Grubbing
• Boxwood + Vine Annual Contract

Planning Commission

The Cohasset Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on April 1, 2024, regarding a variance request from Beverly and William Dallas. The applicants seek to replace an existing septic system at 3019 Golf Course Rd that does not meet current setback requirements. Approval would allow the property owners to install the new system in compliance with local codes. The commission may also review meeting minutes and discuss WOAS and sign ordinances without taking action.

• Public hearing on Dallas family variance request for septic system setbacks at 3019 Golf Course Rd
• Review and approval of Planning Commission minutes from December 6, 2023
• Discussion on WOAS (no action required)
• Discussion on sign ordinance amendments (no action required)

Public Utilities Board

The Cohasset Public Utility Board is holding its regular monthly meeting. The agenda is largely procedural, covering roll call, approval of the previous meeting's minutes, and resident input, with no specific action items or proposals listed.

• Approval of March 4, 2024 meeting minutes
• Resident input period
• Review of CPUB accomplishments and goals

Economic Development Authority

The Cohasset Economic Development Authority meeting consists of procedural items including the approval of February 6, 2024, minutes and a review of financial reports. No new projects or ordinances are listed for discussion.

• Approval of February 6, 2024, EDA minutes
• Review of EDA financials

Planning Commission

The March 4, 2024, meeting of the Cohasset Planning Commission consists only of procedural boilerplate. No substantive items such as rezonings, contracts, or ordinances are listed on the agenda.

Public Utilities Board

The Cohasset Public Utility Board is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes and appointing officers. The main discussion items are a rescheduled public hearing on an ordinance and water and sewer expansion.

• Approve February 5, 2024 minutes
• Appoint chair, vice-chair, and secretary
• Public hearing on ordinance (rescheduled)
• Discuss water and sewer expansion

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding an amendment to Ordinance 11 for a CPUB name change. The administration will also present information on CPUB accomplishments, goals, and a potential utility price increase.

• Public hearing to amend Ordinance 11 (CPUB name change)
• Discussion of utility price increase
• Approval of CPUB Bylaws
• Appointment of CPUB Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary
• Approval of February 13, 2024 City Council Minutes

Planning Commission

The commission will conduct a call to order and review the January 3, 2024, minutes. The agenda includes appointments and oaths of office for Steve Lavalier and Harlow Zeppelin.

• Appointment and Oath of Office: Steve Lavalier
• Appointment and Oath of Office: Harlow Zeppelin
• Review and approval of January 03, 2024, minutes

Public Utilities Board

The Cohasset Public Utility Board is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes, re-appointing a member, and electing officers. The main substantive items are presentations by City Administrator Max Peters on the city's tax base and Minnesota Power, and on utility rates. The board will also discuss 2023 accomplishments and set goals for 2024.

• Presentation on City of Cohasset Tax Base/MN Power by City Administrator Max Peters
• Utility Rate Presentation by City Administrator Max Peters
• CPUB member re-appointment
• Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary nominations
• Greater Grand Rapids Cable Commission CPUB member discussion

Public Utilities Board

The Cohasset Public Utilities Board is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes, appointing board members, and discussing bylaw and ordinance updates. The agenda is largely procedural, with no major financial or project decisions listed.

• Approve December 4, 2023 minutes
• Appoint CPUB board members
• Nominate chair, vice chair, secretary for February 5, 2024
• Review bylaw and ordinance updates