OCTOBER 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: Oct.
City Council & City Hall
10/1: City Council Meeting - 7 PM
10/15: - City Council Meeting - 7 PM
10/29: City Council Meeting - 7 PM
Commissions & School Board
10/7: Public Safety - 7 PM
10/8: Spirit of Community - 7 PM
10/14: Planning Commission - 7 PM
10/21: Water, Light, Power - 7 PM
10/23: Parks and Recreation - 5 PM
10/28: School Board - 5:45 PM
Meet
the Candidates Forums
Meet the City Council, State Representatives, and County Commissioner candidates that will appear on your Nov. 5 General Election ballot. All forums are hosted by the Delano Area Chamber of Commerce and will be held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (234 2nd St N).
Delano City Council - Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 | 6:30 PM
Candidates (listed in alphabetical order by last name): Todd Belz, Jeff Demeules, Peter Froehle, Jeremiah Hawkins, Marc Plese
State Representative District 29A - Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 | 6:30 PM
Candidates (listed in alphabetical order by last name): Chris Brazelton, Joe McDonald
Wright County Commissioner District 5 - Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 | 6:30 PM
Candidates (listed in alphabetical order by last name): Kirby Moynagh, Bill Nibbe
Meetings will be recorded and shared for those who cannot attend These videos will be published on the City’s website: www.delanomn.gov
Volunteer & Community Fair - Oct. 12 from 9 AM - 12 PM
Delano prides itself on the “Spirit of Community.” Are you interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities in the Delano area? Come to our first-ever Volunteer & Community Fair and connect with local organizations. Get involved and make a difference in Delano today! This event will also feature an educational session/Q&A with Amy Johnson from Rock From the Heart. Amy will discuss social media and how to successfully market your volunteer organization. This session will begin at 12:15 PM. This is a free event that will be held at the Delano Fire Station from 9 AM - 12 PM.
General Election - Absentee Voting & Important Dates
Below are important dates to remember for the upcoming General Election:
Last day to vote early in person: Monday, November 4
Extended Early Voting Hours:
Saturday, October 26 (9 AM -3 PM) Tuesday, October 29 (7:30 AM -7 PM) Saturday, November 2 (9 AM -3 PM) Sunday, November 3 (9 AM -3 PM)
Last day to pre-register to vote: Tuesday, October 15. After this date, you may still register while voting early or on Election Day with proof of residence.
General Election Day: Tuesday, November 5 (Polls open 7 AM - 8 PM)
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 - Meeting on September 9 - Canceled
The Planning Commission meeting on September 9 was canceled. All agenda items moved to the October 14 meeting.
Public Safety Commission - Met on September 9
The Public Safety Commission discussed and reviewed safety and traffic concerns at several locations: River St and Elm Ave, Bridge Ave and River St, Shadywood Ln and Elm Ave, and County Line Road. They recommended that city staff explore solutions for these issues. The commission also discussed adding a throwable safety device along the downtown riverbank for emergencies relating to the river. This item was tabled for future consideration.
Spirit of Community Commission - Met on September 10
Commission members listened to a guest speaker who shared about Love INC Heartland and how it serves the community, with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty. The commission also received an update on Sesquicentennial planning. The official celebration is tentatively scheduled for October 2026, and the committee is working with local group and organizations to incorporate SQ themes into existing and recurring events. The commission also discussed the upcoming Community & Volunteer Fair, which is scheduled on October 12 from 9 AM - 12 PM at the Delano Fire Station.
Park and Recreation Commission - Met on September 25
The Park and Recreation Commission welcomed new member Travis Gasperick on September 25. The commission discussed potential improvements to the Sculpture Park, including a paver footpath presented by a representative from Sesquicentennial committee. The commission made suggestions for the SQ committee to consider before moving to discuss adding lights to Zitzloff field in Central Park. A representative of the Delano Athletic Association made a case to the commission to install these lights sooner than the City's current Parks Master Plan states. No decision was reached about the timeline of this proposed project. Updates were given on current projects.
City Council - Met on September 3, 17, & 24
September 3, 2024 (Regular Meeting): The City Council adopted an Ordinance allowing special event license holders to apply for an additional two events per year if they remained in good standing with the City of Delano after their first six. The City Council also adopted a zoning amendment requiring Planned Unit Development applicants to meet certain housing affordability standards. The City Council also adopted the 2024 Preliminary Tax Levy.
September 17, 2024 (Regular Workshop): The City Council authorized the hiring of a full-time Assistant Building Official and part-time staff for the municipal liquor store. The City Council held public hearings before adopting resolutions creating a new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District and amending an existing one. The Council revisited its Shoreland Overlay District Ordinance after it was reviewed by the MN Department of Natural Resources.
September 24, 2024 (Regular Workshop): The City Council interviewed candidates to fill a vacancy on the Park and Recreation Commission, and appointed Travis Gasparick to the open seat. The Council spoke with Kirby Moynagh who is running for Wright County Commission District 5. Finance Director Brian Bloch presented a breakdown of Special Revenue Funds, Capital Improvement Funds and Enterprise funds within the 2025 budget. Finally, City Engineer Shawn Louwagie presented options for addressing the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer in the City of Delano.
NOW HIRING:
The City of Delano is currently hiring paid, on-call firefighters and a part-time Senior Center Kitchen Manager. Learn more and apply online today: www.delanomn.gov/jobs