Finlayson public meetings in 2021

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to handle routine business and several key decisions. They will consider a final tax levy resolution, 2022 wage increases, and water/sewer rate increases, along with other items like a property division and a closed session for an employee review.

• Resolution 2021-06 final tax levy
• 2022 Water/Sewer rate increases
• 2022 Wage increases
• Skaff property division – Dixon Line
• Closed session – employee review

The council finalized the 2022 tax levy at $111,244, approved a 5% wage increase for employees hired before July 1, 2021, and named Lenora Wicklander lead bartender at $13/hr starting January 1, 2022. It also voted not to waive statutory liability limits and raised water/sewer usage rates from 0.005 to 0.0055. Reports covered fire department activity, a wastewater volume discrepancy, and liquor store finances.

• Approved Resolution 2021-06 finalizing 2022 tax levy at $111,244 (all in favor)
• Voted not to waive statutory liability limits (all in favor)
• Approved 5% wage increase for employees hired prior to July 1, 2021 (all in favor)
• Appointed Lenora Wicklander lead bartender at $13/hr effective January 1, 2022 (all in favor)
• Approved water/sewer usage rate increase from 0.005 to 0.0055 (all in favor)
• Accepted November financials and approved paying bills (all in favor)
• Approved November 8, 2021 regular meeting minutes (all in favor)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes and receiving reports from the fire chief, sewer/water, planning and zoning, and the administrator. They will also discuss old business on the Sedillo blight property and new business items including a kitchen oven, a resolution to certify to the county, and hunting at the sewer ponds.

• Resolution 2021-05 Certify to County
• Sedillo blight property discussion
• Kitchen oven purchase or repair
• Sewer ponds hunting discussion
• Financial reports through October 30, 2021

The council decided to move forward with installing a full kitchen at the bar with a target opening date of April 2021. They also certified unpaid utility services for one property and declined a $15,000 quote for stripping lines at the fire hall.

• Approved plan to source equipment for a full kitchen at the bar
• Declined quote of over $15,000 for stripping yellow lines outside fire hall
• Approved October financials and payment of bills
• Approved Resolution 2021-05 to certify unpaid utility services of one property to the county
• Approved October 12, 2021 meeting minutes

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to discuss and potentially act on several items, including a water main extension on Broadway St., a liquor license application from the Lion's Club, and ongoing blight issues. The agenda also includes reports from the fire chief, sewer and water, planning and zoning, and financial reports.

• Broadway St. water main extension
• Lion's Club liquor license application for Hunter's Dinner
• Sedillo blight
• Lion's Club HVAC funds request
• Auchter culvert

The council approved funding for MDH engineering and permitting and a $5,000 contribution for the Community Center HVAC system. A temporary liquor license for the Lion's Club was granted, and the city formally supported the relocation of the Sandstone public library.

• Approved $8,000 for Bolton & Menk engineering and MDH permitting (unanimous)
• Approved $5,000 contribution for Community Center HVAC system improvements (unanimous)
• Approved temporary liquor license for Lion's Club Hunter's Supper (unanimous)
• Approved letter of support for Sandstone public library relocation (unanimous)
• Approved September financials and payment of bills (unanimous)
• Approved September 13, 2021 meeting minutes (unanimous)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes, receiving reports from the fire chief, sewer/water, planning and zoning, and the administrator. Under new business, the council will consider Resolution 2021-04 for the proposed levy and budget, select a bid for pond mowing, and discuss an E-Bingo addition, cemetery plowing, an October meeting date change, and a spending limits increase.

• Resolution 2021-04: Proposed Levy/Budget
• Pond mowing bid selection
• E-Bingo addition
• Cemetery plowing
• Spending limits increase

The council hired Erick Blaisdell as the new maintenance employee and set his pay at $23/hr without a CDL and $25/hr with one. It passed Resolution 2021-04 adopting the 2022 budget with no increase to the levy, and awarded pond mowing to Dan Mans Mowing at $415 per mowing. The council also approved E-Bingo at the Muni, raised the spending limit for the administrator and maintenance lead, and moved the October meeting to October 12, 2021.

• Hired Erick Blaisdell as maintenance employee; pay $23/hr without CDL, $25/hr with CDL (Drahosh and Byers in favor, carried)
• Approved pay scale terms for Blaisdell, including 3-year stay if City pays for CDL (all in favor)
• Raised back-up maintenance Wyatt Lucht's pay from $15.25/hr to $25/hr (all in favor)
• Passed Resolution 2021-04 adopting 2022 budget with no levy increase (all in favor)
• Awarded pond mowing to Dan Mans Mowing at $415 per mowing; four bids ranged $415 to $3000 (Luedtke in favor, carried)
• Approved Finlayson Giese Lion's request to introduce E-Bingo at the Muni (all in favor)
• Increased spending limit to $1500 standard and $5000 emergency for Bjorklund and Lucht (all in favor)
• Moved October meeting to October 12, 2021 at 6:30 PM (all in favor)

City Council

The City Council is meeting to handle routine approvals and reports, then act on old business including fire truck financing via resolution, a public works position, creamery bid selection, and allocation of ARPA funds. New business includes contract renewal for John Mikrot, a Lions Club HVAC request, a building permit for Skaff/Lucht, a freezer purchase, and MN DOT Small City Assistance funds.

• Fire truck financing resolution
• Creamery bid selection
• ARPA funds allocation
• Mikrot contract renewal
• Skaff/Lucht building permit

The City Council approved the loan resolution for a new fire truck and renewed the three-year water and sewer operator contract. Council members also authorized a building permit for Broadway Street and discussed plans for ARPA funding and road maintenance projects.

• Approved Resolution 2021-03 for fire truck loan (5-0)
• Approved three-year water/sewer operator contract (5-0)
• Approved building permit for Lucht on Broadway St (5-0)
• Approved June and July meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved July financials and bill payments (5-0)
• Approved fire hall use for St. Urho’s day craft fair (5-0)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to receive reports from department heads and discuss old and new business items. Key topics include the fire truck, the creamery, a recycling center, approval of a Broadway water main drawing/plan, a budget committee, a public works position, and a gambling license for a gun raffle. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Fire truck discussion
• Creamery discussion
• Recycling center discussion
• Broadway water main drawing/plan approval
• Sportsmen's fall gun raffle gambling license

The Finlayson City Council approved financing a fire department pumper truck over 10 years with Northview Bank at 2.75%, with a $100,000 down payment funded by cashing in a 182-day CD and the Fire Department fund. The council also approved adding Ethan Bjorklund and George Wallace to the Fire and Rescue department, approved a water line extension plan on Broadway, and approved a one-day gambling license for the Finlayson Giese Lion's Club. The council accepted June financials and paid bills, and heard that the recycling sheds/dumpsters will be removed in early August after the contractor decided to discontinue them.

• Approved 10-year pumper truck financing with Northview Bank at 2.75%, annual payments (Price and Luedtke in favor, Byers abstaining)
• Approved adding Ethan Bjorklund and George Wallace to the Fire and Rescue department (all in favor)
• Approved June financials and payment of bills (all in favor)
• Approved water line extension plan on Broadway by Trent Rabe (all in favor)
• Approved one-day gambling license for Finlayson Giese Lion's Club St. Urho's bingo (all in favor)
• Adjourned (all in favor)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to approve minutes, hear reports from the fire chief, sewer/water, planning and zoning, and the administrator, and address old business on the fire truck. New business includes water billing modifications for watering grass/plants, a building permit for Revier, fireworks and liquor license applications, 4th of July bar hours, and incentives.

• Water billing modifications for watering grass/plants
• Revier building permit
• Jerry Pizzella fireworks license application
• Finlayson Giese Lion's Aug 14th liquor license
• Finlayson Giese Lion's St. Urho's Sept 18th liquor license

The Finlayson City Council approved the purchase of a new stock pumper truck for the fire department, with financing decisions set for July. The council also agreed to provide sewer portion credits for residents watering gardens and yards during drought conditions, approved building and fireworks permits, and granted two temporary one-day liquor licenses.

• Approved purchase of new stock pumper truck for fire department (financing in July)
• Approved May 10, 2021 regular council meeting minutes
• Approved May 18, 2021 public hearing minutes
• Accepted May financials and approved payment of bills
• Approved sewer credits for residents watering gardens/yards during drought conditions
• Approved building permit for Roger Revier on School Street
• Approved 4th of July fireworks display permit for Jerry Pizzella at Bruce Pogatchnik's field
• Approved one-day liquor license for Finlayson Giese Lion's Club for August 14 wedding

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes and receiving reports from the fire chief, sewer/water, planning and zoning, and the administrator. New business includes considering a fire contract with Dell Grove Township and addressing gravel on Gilly Road.

• Dell Grove Township fire contract
• Gilly Road gravel
• Approval of April 12 meeting minutes
• Financial reports through April 30, 2021

The council voted to take on Dell Grove Township for fire coverage, effective once the Pine County Sheriff's Office processes the coverage-area change. It also approved April financials and payment of bills, and heard a Fire Department report that a new pumper truck should be bid soon, estimated at $300,000-$350,000. A resident's request for new gravel on Gilly Rd. was left unresolved while the city checks whether the road is the City's or Finlayson Township's responsibility.

• Approved taking on Dell Grove Township for fire coverage, effective when the PCSO processes the coverage-area change (all in favor)
• Approved April financials and payment of bills (all in favor)
• Approved minutes of the April 12, 2021 regular meeting and April 12, 2021 public hearing (all in favor)
• Adjourned (all in favor)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to handle routine business, including approving minutes and receiving reports from the fire chief, sewer/water, planning and zoning, and the administrator. Under new business, they will review the 2020 audit, consider a conditional use permit, a land division, liquor licenses for the 4th of July, and a proposal to allow chickens within city limits.

• Resolution 2021-02: Conditional use permit
• Finlayson Properties land division
• Community Club liquor license for 4th of July
• Chickens in city limits approval
• Lion's liquor license application for 4th of July

The council approved the annual financial statement audit and authorized $2,680 for culvert work on Dixon Line Rd. Several liquor license applications for July 4th celebrations were approved, while a request to keep chickens was denied.

• Approved annual financial statement audit
• Approved Resolution 2021-02 for a conditional use permit
• Approved variance for Finlayson Properties land division if required by ordinance
• Approved Community Club liquor license application
• Denied request for four chickens at Nolan residence
• Approved $2,680 for Rabe Excavating culvert work on Dixon Line Rd
• Approved repair of double door freezer
• Approved Finlayson Giese Lion’s liquor license application

City Council

The City Council will review routine reports from the fire chief, sewer and water, planning and zoning, the administrator/liquor store, and financial reports through February 28, 2021. They will also discuss old business regarding tractor issues and the Creamery building. The agenda is largely procedural, with no specific votes or dollar amounts listed.

• Fire chief report
• Sewer and water report
• Planning and zoning report
• Financial reports through February 28, 2021
• Discussion of tractor issues and Creamery building

The Finlayson City Council approved sending a certified letter to the owners of the Creamery building demanding repairs or facing legal action, citing major disrepair and unpaid taxes. Council members also reached a majority consensus to reject a Dollar General permit if presented, and accepted February financials and paid bills. The city administrator reported a $6,800 net loss at the liquor store for February and said the city is applying for a second-round Paycheck Protection Program loan of about $40,000 by March 31, 2021.

• Approved sending certified letter to Creamery building owners requiring repair or legal action (all in favor)
• Accepted February financials and paid bills (all in favor)
• Approved minutes from the February 8, 2021 regular meeting (all in favor)
• Majority consensus to not accept a Dollar General permit if presented
• Adjourned (all in favor)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting for a regular session. The agenda is largely procedural, covering approval of prior meeting minutes, receiving department reports, and addressing new business, which includes a pay equity reporting item.

• Approval of City Council meeting minutes from January 11, 2021
• Reports from Fire Chief Wyatt Lucht and Sewer/Water official John Mikrot
• Planning and Zoning report
• Administrator report on the liquor store
• Financial reports through January 31, 2021

The Finlayson City Council approved the state-required pay equity report and an update to the Fire Relief Bylaws to reflect management moving to PERA. It also accepted December financials and paid bills, and approved the January 11, 2021 minutes. Mayor Price raised adding a suggestion box at the bar for customer feedback, but no decision on it is recorded. Council member Jeremy Byers was absent.

• Approved pay equity report required by the state (all in favor)
• Approved Fire Relief Bylaws update for PERA management change (all in favor)
• Accepted December financials and paid bills (all in favor)
• Approved January 11, 2021 regular meeting minutes (all in favor)
• Adjourned (all in favor)

City Council

The Finlayson City Council is meeting to administer the oath of office to the newly elected mayor and two council members, and to conduct routine business including approving minutes, receiving reports from department heads, and discussing old and new business items.

• Oath of office for mayor and two council members
• Approval of December 7, 2020 meeting minutes
• Reports from fire chief, sewer/water, planning and zoning, administrator/liquor store, and financial reports through December 31, 2020
• Old business: Muni Freezer
• Resolution 2021-01: Annual Appointments

City Council

The Finlayson City Council held its regular meeting on January 11, 2021, with Mayor Tom Price and council members Mike Drahosh and Nadine Hedtke taking the oath of office. The council approved December 2020 minutes and financials, passed Resolution 2021-01 for annual appointments, and agreed to let Travis Conrad return to the city bar on the condition that another incident means permanent removal. The council also discussed a complaint about alley snow plowing, a non-working freezer, and a camper on the Heather Anthony property where power theft was reported, but took no further action on those items.

• Approved December 7, 2020 regular meeting minutes (all in favor)
• Accepted December financials and paid bills (all in favor)
• Passed Resolution 2021-01 for annual appointments (all in favor)
• Allowed Travis Conrad back into the bar, with permanent removal if another incident occurs (no vote recorded)
• Adjourned the meeting (all in favor)