Heidi Wells, Office Administrative Assistant at the Sherburne County Area United Way joined the Big Lake City Council on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
With the full council present, Wells took time during the open forum to express the United Way’s gratitude to the city of Big Lake, Big Lake Schools, and select Big Lake Businesses (Casey’s, Pizza Factory, Domino’s Pizza, Style Catering, Coborn’s, and Caribou Coffee) for their support, donations, and participation at their Community Connect Event held on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Big Lake Middle School.
Community Connect is a collaborative event between Wright County and Sherburne County that connects people with area resources at no charge. Fifty-three vendors from area non-profits, Public Health, Health and Human Services, and other programs were present. Wells shared that free winter coats, hats, mittens, socks, and shoes were given to kids and adults in attendance. Nine hundred and sixty people attended, 40 of whom indicated they were experiencing homelessness. Four hundred and fifty-five coats were distributed and that number could have been larger if they had more coats to give. Four hunf=dred and seventy-eight pairs of shoes and 43 haircuts provided by three stylists were also handed out demonstrating the great need in the community.
SCAUW tries to meet the needs of the communities that surround them - Big Lake, Otsego, Elk River, Nowthen, Zimmerman, and Princeton. They regularly work with 77 area non-profits.
“We are funded 100 percent by donations, local grants, and workplace campaigns,” said Wells. “For every dollar donated to us, we can measure four dollars of impact. We don’t do this alone.”
2024 General Election
City Clerk Gina Wolbeck shared information with the council regarding the 2024 General Election that will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Polling locations can be found at https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/. The deadline to preregister to vote was Oct. 15, however, MN allows same day voter registration. Requirements can be found at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-election-day/.
Absentee early voting is handled by the Sherburne County Auditor’s Office. Big Lake City Hall and polling locations are not available to receive absentee early ballots. Special hours have been made to accept these ballots at the Auditor’s Office. They are Saturday, Nov. 2 and 3 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wolbeck shared that members from the public are welcome to observe the counting/balancing procedures after the polls close. Judges will be advised to set up an area where they will do their work, and citizens will be able to observe the proceedings from outside that designated area.
Wolbeck offered this friendly reminder, “that these election judges are your neighbors, your friends, and your community members. It will be a very busy day with most of these judges working 18 plus hours straight. Please have patience and show kindness to these individuals who volunteer to serve as election judges.”
Election results can be found on the MN Secretary of State’s Website.
Annual Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
The city held it’s annual public meeting to review the city’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. The program consists of six components – public education and outreach, public participation, a plan to detect and eliminate illicit discharge to the storm sewer system, construction site and post construction site run-off controls, and pollution prevention and municipal “good housekeeping” measures, like inspecting and maintaining infrastructure. No comments from the public were made.
City Finances
Deb Wegeleben, Finance Director, informed the council that 75 percent of the calendar year has already passed. 62 percent of the expected annual revenue has been collected and 72 percent of expenses have been paid, so the city is in line with its projected 2024 budget. The final budget meeting for 2025 Budget will be held on Nov. 13 at 5 p.m. and the public hearing will be held on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. Final levy and budget discussions will be held on Dec. 11, 2024.
Wegeleben finished her update by recognizing Stacey Fox, who will be retiring on Dec. 6, 2024. Fox began working for the city in November of 1999 and always had a smile on her face. Wegeleben thanked Fox for her 25 years of service and added, “I don’t think we’ll find anyone quite like Stacey to replace her.”
Council also accepted the resignation of Community Development Director Therese Haffner.
