Delano Digest
JUNE 2024 | Monthly Newsletter | City of Delano, MN
The Delano Digest is a monthly newsletter that shares important announcements, upcoming meetings, and summaries of the previous month’s commission and council meetings
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City Calendar: June
City Council & City Hall
6/4: City Council Meeting - 7 PM - CANCELED
6/18: City Council Meeting - 7 PM
6/19: CITY OFFICES CLOSED - Juneteenth
6/25: City Council Meeting - 7 PM
Commissions
6/3: Public Safety - 7 PM
6/10: Planning Commission - 7 PM
6/11: Spirit of Community - 7 PM
6/17: Water, Light, Power - 7 PM
6/26: Parks and Recreation - 5 PM
Concerts in the Park - Summer Schedule
The General Federated Women's Club of Delano presents Concerts in the Park, which will be held at the Gazebo in Central Park from 6:30 PM - 8 PM on the following dates (be sure to bring a chair or blanket!):
July 17: The Delano Community Band
July 24: Carver Creek Bluegrass
July 31: Uncle Mike Pint Sized Polkas (Pizza in the Park fundraiser will be held from 5-6 PM)
August 14: Ken Ezuck - with the PANICS
August 21: The Rosie Daze Band
Stay Informed - Sign Up for Weekly Street Construction Updates
It’s the season of road construction and projects are underway to improve our streets! Stay informed by signing up to receive weekly street construction updates through email or text. These alerts provide details on impacted streets, timetables, and any important announcements: www.delanomn.gov/list.aspx?ListID=258
Come splash with us this summer! The City of Delano Splashpad features 15 unique water structures, ensuring fun for all ages Next to the Splashpad is the new concession building, which has space for families to rest while visiting City of Delano Splashpad - Get Your Season Pass Today!
Splashpad Passes & Rental:
Daily pass: $4.00 per splasher
Family and individual passes: Prices vary. Please visit www.delanomn.gov/281/Splashpad for more information. Splashpad hours can also be found online.
The Splashpad is available for rental by the public and private organizations and is scheduled on a first come basis for reservations. Please call City Hall at (763) 972-0550 to check availability. The cost is based on the total number of people attending the private event. Please visit www.delanomn.gov/281/Splashpad for more information
Delano’s 4th of July Celebration: July 3-6
Delano’s Annual 4th of July Celebration is scheduled to take place in Central Park from July 3rd-July 6th, 2024. Come and enjoy the activities! View a full schedule of events and more at www.delano4th.com.
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch 2024
Delano City Council & Commission Meetings Recap
This section offers a brief summary of what was discussed during the previous month’s Council and Commission meetings and is not an official documentation of meeting minutes Official minutes will be posted at www.delanomn.gov/agendacenter upon approval.
Planning Commission - met on May 13
The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions for a revised preliminary plat of Parkview Hills North, which was initially approved in July 2022 The commission also reviewed an administrative subdivision and planned unit development (PUD) at 125 Woodland Road by Forum Pickleball, in collaboration with Dairy Queen for parking The proposal includes adjustments within the Dairy Queen lot and shared cross easements The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions of the administrative subdivision and PUD. An amendment was proposed for driveways, requiring an administrative permit for driveway construction in Delano to reduce code enforcement needs. The change aims to clarify property improvements and prevent retroactive compliance. The commission recommended approval for the driveway amendment.
Public Safety Commission - met on May 6
The Public Safety Commission listened to a presentation given by former mayor of Isanti, Jeff Johnson, who shared information about the Isanti Police Department's budget and operations Isanti has 10 full-time officers for 6,800 people, with support from the sheriff department and the county dispatch system Building a police department is costly but beneficial, and public support for a new police department in Delano was deemed feasible by Johnson The updated crosswalk signs for 2nd St N and Elm Ave E have been delivered and will be installed soon The application period for the Public Safety Commission vacancy closed on May 22 and applications are currently being reviewed
Spirit of Community Commission - met on May 14
Spirit of Community commission members shared updates on Sesquicentennial planning The Art Council has planned a community art project involving painting tiles They aim to collaborate with local schools to incorporate SQ/Delano History into school projects The Citizen Academy concluded in early May, with around 30 participants having attended the program
Park and Recreation Commission - met on May 22 | Park and Rec & City Council - met on May 28
Discussions were held about the creation of a new full-time position, Recreation Coordinator, which would assist the Director of Community Enrichment with community recreation planning and day-to-day management This was recommended for approval The River Front Park shade structure has been ordered and is expected to be installed by Public Works at the end of July In light of recent vandalism, the City is exploring options for more surveillance cameras in city parks and public gathering spaces A joint meeting was held between Park and Recreation and City Council on May 28 to further discuss details about the variety of playing fields proposed in the final draft of the Community Park Master Plan. Ultimately, no changes were proposed.
City Council - met on May 7, 21, & 28
May 7: City Council approved a request form the Big Woods Garden Club to construct a chimney swift tower structure near Riverside Commons to encourage a natural chimney swift bird habitat. Council also authorized a study of Wright CSAH 16/CSAH 30 to assess existing and future intersection capacity, access points, and safety to determine appropriate future conditions and implementation for corridor updates. Council adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of electric revenue bonds for Delano Municipal Utilities to provide funding for upcoming projects. Council entered a closed/executive session to discuss proposed purchase agreements in the West Metro Business Park.
May 21: At the recommendation of the Planning Commission, City Council approved a Preliminary Plat for the Parkview Hills North Subdivision and Final Plat entitled Parkview Hills North. Council also approved an administrative subdivision and PUD development stage plans for Forum Delano Pickleball, at 125 Woodland Rd. A code amendment for driveway permits was approved, which now requires a driveway permit for the construction or expansion of any curb cut or driveways on lots within the City of Delano. Council reviewed the final draft of Community Park Master Plan, and tabled it until a joint meeting with Park and Rec could be scheduled. A joint meeting was held on May 28, where no changes were made to the final draft.
May 28: City Council heard a presentation given by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP on the findings from the 2023 financial audit The City of Delano received an unmodified or “clean” audit opinion, which is the highest opinion that can be obtained Council also heard a presentation on the 5-year financial plan by the Finance Director, Brian Bloch Council reviewed options for a facility study of the City’s library, fire station, liquor store, and the Villa to determine relocation or renovation needs, and to identify options to explore for each site. Council will revisit at a later date. City Council also reviewed a proposed code of ethics for publicly elected officials to practice and promote civility in the City of Delano.
