Cooperative Efforts Have Created a Better St. Michael-Albertville Area

The cities of St Michael and Albertville – along with the STMA School District – have a unique history of successful cooperative efforts, making service delivery more economical.

Cooperation has gone well, mainly because elected officials have recognized the value in these collaborative efforts for citizens. Also, the two city councils and school board meet approximately three times per year to discuss a variety of issues.

It helps that the two cities are physically very close, with the two downtowns only 1.5 miles apart, making cooperation easier

It should also be pointed out that Hanover, because of its close proximity to St. Michael and Albertville, also has cooperated on a number of ventures as well.

A list some of the successful ventures: 

• The most unique example of cooperation is the joint water system, constructed in 1977 and shared by St. Michael, Albertville and Hanover. Because of this joint system, the cities are able to provide inexpensive, treated water. Without this cooperation it would be much more expensive for individual cities to duplicate this, especially having treated water. 

• STMA Ice Arena was constructed in 1998, with the two cities and STMA School District each picking up a third of the cost. Local hockey association boosters also contributed significantly, with ‘sweat equity’ and donations to the facility as well. St. Michael and Albertville also financed the $750,000 locker room expansion in 2005-2006. The school district purchased land adjacent to the arena a few years ago. The three entities are currently strategizing how to expand the arena with an additional sheet of ice.

• The new Library/Senior Center in St. Michael is the most recent example. Albertville and Hanover help fund the capital cost of the new library and also help annually with operations of the library and senior center. 

• The new high school was built in St. Michael, but Albertville provided wastewater treatment service, in a joint agreement that worked very well for all.

• On the water tower near I-94 and Middle School East, the two cities painted “St. Michael Albertville Home of the Knights,” with the Knights logo, to underscore the community/school support.

• St. Michale and Albertville Public Works, as well as the District 885 maintenance staff, annually cooperate on safety and other training. The three departments share equipment and manpower to the benefit of all.

• FYCC is a cooperative effort between Albertville, St. Michael and school district, which performs the parks and recreation functions for the cities, such as scheduling ball and soccer fields, park maintenance in summer and hockey rinks in the winter. FYCC also sponsors a number of activities in the schools, such as Father-Daughter Dances, Moms and Muffins, Middle School Theater, and other unique recreation activities.

• The local fire departments of St. Michael, Albertville and Hanover share Mutual Fire Aid and participate in fire training. When there is a structure fire or other major emergency, the other departments also respond.

• In 2003 the two cities along with other adjacent cities and Wright County participated on a Northeast Wright County Transportation Plan.

The cities of St Michael and Albertville (and also Hanover) along with the STMA School District have a unique history of successful cooperative efforts, going back many years. Because of these successful efforts, cooperation will likely continue and expand into other ventures.

The bottom line is that this has allowed the cities and school district to more efficiently provide services, saving money for residents.