It took less than 22 minutes for the Big Lake City Council to complete their business on August 28, 2024.
Deb Wegeleben, Finance Director for Big Lake, presented an update on the city finances to the council. With 58% of the year already completed, revenues and expenditures are all in line with what was budgeted.
Meter Replacement
Water meter replacement continues. Through August 20, 52% of meters have been installed. 510 have been scheduled and the remaining 1,349 still need to be scheduled. Big Lake residents have to replace their current meters, however, they may opt out on the electronic end point. For more information on the opt-out contact HydroCorp at 763-251-2969, ask for Julie.
2025 Budget
Work on the 2025 Budget continues. A workshop for the general fund was held on August 22 and the August 29 workshop focused on the Enterprise, Special Revenue, and CIP Funds. Once completed, a final budget and levy meeting will be held for public input on November 25 at 6pm.
Lake Liquors
Lake Liquors is municipally owned and operated so all profits are poured back into the community. Through July, net profit before transfers was approximately $430K or 14% of sales. Greg Zurbey, Liquor Store Manager, took a moment to address concerns over the size of the speed bumps in the newly repaved parking lot. The speed bumps have been a problem for some low-profile vehicles. Attempts have been made to get the contractor to come back and grind down the speed bumps.
Zurbey explained, “They did want aggressive speed bumps there because people do speed through there pretty quick. Why the contractor did the size they did, nobody knows, but it’s being addressed.”
City Hall Relocation
The Big Lake Economic Development Authority approved a purchase agreement for approximately five acres located east of the intersection of Minnesota Ave. and Co. Rd. 43 to secure the land needed for the possible relocation of City Hall.
Therese Haffner, Community Development Director, noted that due to changes in Minnesota State law, staff will begin drafting a Cannibus Ordinance. Haffer wrapped up her presentation by acknowledging City Planning Technician Tara Kohl, who celebrated one year of employment with the city on August 14.
Consent Agenda
Items in the consent agenda can be approved in one motion. Items of interest include approval of the 2025 Holiday Hours for Lake Liquors, a resolution for the approval of a tobacco license for Big Lake Cigar and E-Cig, Inc., and the purchase of a CAT Model 926 Wheel Loader for the Streets and Parks department.
An Ordinance to amend city code section 1001.02 was approved to include a definition for Accessory Use which is as follows, “Accessory Use: a use subordinate to the principal use on the same lot, or immediately adjacent and commonly owned lot, and customarily incidental to the main use.” The ordinance will allow Cargill Kitchen Solutions to expand their parking lot onto an adjacent property.
Last Meeting
Out-going 2023-24 Big Lake Ambassadors introduced the current Ambassadors to the council while also explaining the service projects they had been a part of throughout the year. The ambassador program’s mission is to “help provide opportunities for participants to win scholarships and to encourage personal development.
BL Fire Dept.
Fire Chief Seth Hansen addressed the council and summarized year to date calls for service. The BLFD has received a total of 225 calls this year. Those calls were broken down by location – 127 calls were within the city, 38 Big Lake Township, 7 Orrock, and eight calls were for Mutual aid to other fire departments. Within the past two months, four calls were received for fire, six for motor vehicle accidents, seven for hazardous conditions (gas leaks, electrical, etc.), and four for medical assistance.
Chief Hansen gave a brief summary of two recent incidents that occurred in Big Lake. He noted that the recent train derailment was a best-case scenario for an incident like that because the train was hauling mainly dry consumable goods which BNSF crews worked around the clock to clean up and make repairs to rails. He also took a moment to remember the two victims who passed away and the one victim who continues to remain hospitalized after being involved in an accident on Hwy. 25 and Ormsbee St. The BLFD extended their heartfelt sympathies to all the families and loved ones of the victims.
BL Police Dept.
Chief Kaczmarek gave a summary of calls for service for June and July. The BLPD had 1,774 total calls for the period. Notable calls were DWI arrests nine, domestic assaults 26, welfare checks 77, warrant arrests six, and total arrests 17.
Kaczmarek noted, “We’ve had an uptick in juvenile complaints this summer. A lot to do with curfew.”
There were 36 juvenile complaints which he hopes will lessen as summer draws to an end.
Officer Nic Prigge was promoted to Sergeant and a newly acquired speed trailer was deployed at Lake St. S. and Fair Meadows. Chief Kaczmarek took a moment to explain their Emergency Management Plan with regard to the recent train derailment. Emergency Medical Services and the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.
Administrator’s Report
Hannah Klimmek, City Administrator, announced that the city has begun working on the 2025 budget. Klimmek announced two upcoming budget workshops on August 22 and 29. Both meetings were held in the City Council Chambers.
Last month (Aug.9), the Office of Cannabis Management hosted a webinar concerning cannabis law and process for licensing. The planning and zoning staff will begin working with the county to develop procedures for licensing and registering retail locations to be completed by January of 2025.
