Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A retirement announced over a year ago, Bob Derus ends his tenure in St. Michael on Friday.
For the last month, Bob Derus has been calling his appearances at various meetings and events throughout St. Michael his "Farewell Tour." St. Michael's City Administrator announced his retirement last May after serving the city throughout three decades. He's seen many changes, challenges and a lot of populations growth throughout his time leading the city, and essentially "worked himself out of a job," council member Kevin Kassel said last May. "It's not the end," Derus had said of his working career when he announced his retirement. "I think it's the start of the second stage of my working career." After he enjoys summer, he plans on helping other cities in a consultant role. "Summer sounds attractive," Derus said noting that in his 35 …
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The St. Michael city council meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
The St. Michael City Council meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the St. Michael City Center. With only two meetings before city administrator Bob Derus' retirement, the council will be updated on the transition as city engineer Steve Bot moves into Derus' role. Also on the agenda will be a full review of the 2011 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and an update on the comprehensive community development plan. All council meetings are open to the public and begin with an open forum where citizens can have five minutes to share a concern or ask the mayor and council questions.
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St. Michael City Hall
11800 Town Center Driver, St. Michael, MN
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Friday, June 8, 2012
Albertville city council and staff met for a workshop following Monday night's meeting to discuss future city administrator planning.
With a city clerk hired and starting soon, the Albertville City Council is moving forward. The council, minus mayor Mark Meehan, who was absent from both meetings Monday night, met with city staff and an interim city adminstrator candidate following the regular council meeting Monday. "Bob Thistle is the best interim option," Jill Hendrickson said as way of introduction. "His terms are desirable and we've invited him here to talk specifics," city engineer Adam Naftad added before allowing Thistle to introduce himself and give some background. Most recently Thistle was working in the City of Elk River and plans to work in Albertville "not as a caretaker, but as someone actively engaged." The options Thistle explained included either …
Thursday, April 19, 2012
While many were surprised by the council's whirlwind decision to fire its city administrator, they agree the biggest question is what happens next.
In the hallway outside of the city council chambers at Albertville City Hall Monday night, emotions were still running fairly high. Elmer Eichelberg, Wright County Commissioner, credited Kruse for bringing the Interstate 94 ramp for the Albertville Premium Outlets to fruition. Kruse, he said, held countless meetings with adminstrators and the county commission to explain the merits of the ramp. Former mayor Ron Klecker, who came to the podium for Kruse, was speechless, and asked to wait to comment. Outgoing City Administrator Bob Derus of St. Michael said the incident was a reminder of one of the aspects of the job. "We enjoyed working with Larry [Kruse]. In this line of work, sometimes things change and you can wind up on the short end of…
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City of Albertville
5975 Main Ave NE, Albertville, MN
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1815373
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Thursday, April 5, 2012
The I-94 West Chamber of Commerce has selected its first-ever community excellence award-winners, and recognized a trio of St. Michael mainstays in the process.
The I-94 West Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of the Business and Community Excellence Awards. Among the award-winners were a trio of well-known, St. Michael anchors in City Administrator Bob Derus (government), J&B Group (large business) and Jet Edge (manufacturing). In their inaugural year, the Business and Community Excellence Awards seek to recognize and honor area businesses, organizations, and community leaders that have had a positive impact on the I-94 West Region in the last year. Nominations were submitted by I-94 West Chamber Members and other local business leaders. The Business and Community Excellence Awards will be presented on Thursday, April 19th at 8 a.m. at the Crown Room at the Wellstead of Rogers. …
45.21335
-93.64348
Jet Edge Waterjet Systems
12070 43rd St NE, Saint Michael, MN
/articles/st-michael-businesses-derus-awarded-by-chamber-of-commerce
2052032
/locations/6729278
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The St. Michael City Council voted 3-2 to support a possible project pitched by Medici Homes, who is eyeing the Town Center North development. The catch? The city would have to front about $300,000 in improvements, and then wait for assessments.
In a vote that split the St. Michael City Council 3-2 for the “first time I can remember,” according to Mayor Jerry Zachmann, the city will move ahead with a possible proposal for development in the Town Center North division. The development, pitched by Medici (Meh-dee-chee) Homes, would consists mainly of single-floor, detached townhomes, one of the most desired forms of living for Baby Boomers, according to housing inventory surveys done throughout the state, including the northwest Metro area. Medici is finishing up such a development in what was Hassan Township, now Rogers, near the location of Hassan Sand and Gravel. That development, according to Marc Weigle, the city’s community development director, is nearly full. “And it doesn’t…
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St. Michael City Hall
11800 Town Center Driver, St. Michael, MN
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Friday, February 3, 2012
The I-94 West Chamber of Commerce welcomed city leaders and local businesses to St. Michael City Hall for the annual report Tuesday afternoon.
Business leaders and government officials met once again Tuesday as the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce brought both sides together for its annual State of the Cities event. If the 2011 message last year at St. Michael City Hall was, "We've hit rock bottom," the collective 2012 message was, "We hope the turnaround is as fast as the crash was." St. Michael Mayor Jerry Zachman welcomed the contingent, which included representatives from neighbors such as Hanover, Albertville, Dayton, Otsego and Rogers to the city center. Businesses from most, if not all, of those communities were represented by the about 100 or so people in attendance. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that it's been a tough couple of years," said outgoing St. Michael …
45.212067
-93.655559
St. Michael City Hall
11800 Town Center Driver, St. Michael, MN
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973172
/locations/6311597
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The repeal of the Market Value Homestead Credit could take more money out of business’ pockets in a tough economy
The Minnesota State Legislature made a move in the 2011 special session that aimed to ease the local tax burden on property owners that make up the golden nugget of politics these days – the middle class. However, by repealing the Market Value Homestead Credit, the legislature might have created a situation that hits business owners in the checkbook during a time when many can least afford it. Why the program was repealed To balance the state’s budget, legislative leaders from the Minnesota GOP looked to the program for answers. Created in 2001, the market value homestead credit was supposed to allow the state to cut homesteaded property (most private, single-family homes and townhomes) and then reimburse local governments cities and …
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The general fund levy will nearly match the $5.5 million spent in 2011, which means local taxpayers won't see increases from the city.
St. Michael residents will again be spared any tax hikes on the property tax rolls by their local government, as the city council approved a preliminary levy 2012 that actually sees the city collect less in local revenue. With the Market Value Homestead Credit gone, the city could afford to budget about $45,000 less in property tax receipts for the 2012 budget, meaning local taxes should remain flat. It should be noted that homeowners may see a hike in their tax bill next year in two other places–taxes would rise slightly if voters approved a proposed hike in the school district’s operating levy, and the loss of Market Value Homestead Credit might force the county to raise property tax rates. The average home value in St. Michael now is …
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-93.655559
St. Michael City Hall
11800 Town Center Driver, St. Michael, MN
/articles/st-michael-holds-steady-on-general-levy-in-2012
973172
/locations/5362521
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Two sides can’t agree on future of dirt bike track in southern St. Michael
After a handful of summers listening to dirt bikes whip around a track a few dozen feet from her backyard, Tina Tanchin has decided she has had enough. So has neighbor Roger Hanson. The two residents of the Frankfort Hills development, located in the extreme southern portion of St. Michael near County Road 34 (Beebe Lake Road) approached the St. Michael City Council Tuesday with a formal complaint against property owner Judd Billings’ motorcross track, which has sat on his property for more than a decade. The dispute isn’t new. Billings and Hanson have both been into city hall regarding the issue. Hanson and Tanchin argue that the noise pollution and the amount of dust raised by the motorbikes is enough to violate city ordinances in place…
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1129 Jackson Ave NE, Saint Michael, MN
/articles/neighbors-decry-st-michael-property-owners-motocross-track
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Happy in St. Michael
8:07 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thanks for everything, Bob. You and the St. Michael staff have done a wonderful job making St. Michael the best city in Minnesota! more ›