PART TWO

It was a year like few others. Here is part two of looking back at what happened in 2021: July 1

—Kicking off the second half of 2021, the Cottage Grove Council awarded a Sewer District project for a trunk sewer in southwest Cottage Grove to Geisslinger & sons for a total of $3,558,880.50. The sewer project presented by Ryan Burfiend would anchor more extensive works as a main line with Cottage Grove fast developing south of Highway 61 towards the River. As to fireworks, it was a go, with the Lions teaming up to bring back the family-friendly event after long-running COVID restrictions on public gatherings.

July 8

—Coming in the second week of the second half of 2021, was news that a car chase had resulted in a crash and arrest, with a short chase northbound on 80th Street ending at 70th. Losing control as he tried to make a left turn to head into St. Paul Park, the driver fled on foot but was later apprehended.

As to July 4th fireworks, they went off beautifully.

Also off the week of July 8 was the strike by Local 120, as it was announced they had reached an agreement with Marathon Petroleum. The nearly six month walk-out was related to safety concerns, along with economic concerns— depending on who one listened to.

July 15

—Opening the week of July 15, the news of an update on Cedarhurst included lots of parking lots along with a 63-unit multistory apartment building, while the larger development has yet to take place.

In the meantime it might have been summer but Park football players were getting a head start on fall, with drills held in a series of 7-on-7 practice sessions. In baseball news, the Park team outlasted East Ridge for a 9 -5 twin.

July 22 —Coming in the week of July 22 was news that the Cedarhurst petition regarding large parking lots and multi-story buildings at the historic farm had 579 signatures, with Scott Knudson handing off the petition to Mayor Bailey at the July 21 Council meeting. At the same time., Sadie Jones reported on 10 years of the Cottage Grove WAG Farms Dog Park. Located south of Highway 61 off Jamaica, the WAG Farms Dog Park allows man’s best friend to hand out with those who intuitively (not by guesswork) understand its body language and share a natural bond of solidarity.

As to sports news the week of July 22, the Park Legion team wrapped up its regular season with a win against Burnsville. The final score? 11 -0 Park— now that’s a good way to end the season!

July 29

—Closing out the month of July was the news that a Missouri developer named North-Point planned to develop a 196-acre site in the cities Industrial Park, located north of the River Acres neighborhood and east of Grey Cloud Dunes SNA.

The development, which was reported to include up to seven buildings, would later have its Master Site Plan approved by the Council later in the year, with groundbreaking planned in 2022. In other development news, the Council tackled consent agenda items including an Irrigation Encroachment Agreement, for a parcel which needed a water line to cross city land at Hawthorne Pines, for a neioghborhood sign.

As to the sports report for July 29, the Park Legion baseball team bowed out in the substate 5 American Legion baseball tournament at Burnsville’s Alimagnet Park, while Woodbury outhit Park 13-5 in the contest.

August 5

—Making the front page for August 5 was a suspected arson at Mississippi Dunes Golf Course, of the old clubhouse. The case was handed over to the State Fire Marshal, while the case was later handed back to Cottage Grove Police, with no suspects identified.

On the city meetings beat, the Cottage Grove Plan Commission took a look at the preliminary plat for a development to be known as the Shoppes at Cottage View,” as the city got its ducks in a row pending the much anticipated Community Center referendum, the Center potentially anchoring the larger development plan on site.

Meanwhile over at Crestview, an ecological restoration was in progress as steps were taken to enhance the Prairie and Sedge Meadow, along with Lowland Forest and Savanna Restoration. Due west in St. Paul Park, a free and public charter school called Cross River Charter School took off, its slogan being “student voice, student choice.

Lastly in sports news for August 5, the Hawks faced off with the Sharks, with the result that the Hawks found themselves headed to the Region 5C

Tournament.

August 12

—Coming off the Plan Commission’s look at the Shoppes at Cottage View, the Council approved the preliminary plat for same at its August 4 council meeting. Appearing up front to take a picture with Mayor Bailey and a plaque meanwhile, was Washington County Commissioner Wayne Johnson.

Thanking the Mayor, the former Cottage Grove Council member came to talk Ravine Landings at Ravine Regional Park, while Mayor Bailey noted the nice facilities at said park, remarking the city should hold a meeting there sometime.

August 19

—Coming in for mention the week of August 19th was a change.org petition launched in a bid to change the City’s mind on Mississippi Dunes, a bid that would only intensify in the months to come. With Pulte Homes slated to buy and develop the property in a fourstage development, residents of Grey Cloud Trail South banded together to try and raise awareness of the environmental impact this could cause to the Mississippi River.

August 26

—Responding to citizen concerns the last week of August, Mayor Bailey shared that while the City would like to see more river access at and near the Mississippi Dunes former golf course, its hands were tied both by state law and city statute regarding what it could do with the property. Seeking to ensure as much park space as it could for the city and adjacent SNA while not running afoul of land law, was no easy task. “We do hear the concerns and are listening,” Bailey shared of the Council perspective. This wouldn’t be the end of it, as controversy over the future of Mississippi Dunes and its future would be a recurring theme throughout the second half of the year.

In sports news, meanwhile, fall meant a busy schedule for South Washington County athletes, with soccer, tennis, and volleyball along with swimming and diving all on the schedule. Digital tickets and passes were available for games, while in small business news Salons by JC was due to open soon off East Point Douglas Road in Cottage Grove.

September 2

—Headlining the front page September 2 was information on upcoming conservation events from Friends of the Mississippi, with volunteers joining to lop sumac branches off at Grey Cloud Dunes, along with events at Vermillion Falls Park and on land owned by 3M in Cottage Grove.

For those who like reading— and we assume those reading this do—it was reported in library news the week of September 2 that the Park Grove Library had received a grant for $30.050 to enhance digital literacy. With computer and other technology skills more important than ever, the grant will help the library meet citizen needs.

September 9

—Coming in for notice locally the week of September 9 was a rally from September 1 at City Hall, related to the Mississippi Dunes development. Protesters assembled peaceably outside the City Hall at 12800 Ravine Parkway South and petitioned the council for a change of grievances.

Also of notice for September 9 was an invitation extended to the public for a gathering to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds. Put together by the Minnesota Department of Veteran’s Affairs together with the 9/11 and Global War on Terrorism Remembrance Task Force as well as the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum, the commemorative event was scheduled to include remarks by Governor Walz and others.

September 16

—For the week of September 16, Mayor Bailey gave an update on Cedarhurst, reporting that while the main barns weren’t salvageable, something might be done with the horse and carriage barns, which were in decent shape. Along with the barns, Mayor Bailey reported that a non-historic house attached to the back and being used as a kitchen would be removed, while he had met with nearby residents to attempt to address their concerns on petition related matters. “I have actually met with a variety of homeowners in the area to discuss the most current design that turns the townhomes on the back side, removes the small buildings in the front of the mansion, and creates two 5-story apartment buildings along Keats Avenue,” the Mayor related.

September 23

—Coming in the second to last week of September, it was reported that the city had responded by letter to concerns of residents on Grey Cloud Trail South, after a rally September 1 at which residents had expressed concerns including surveyors they said had been on their properties.

Meanwhile, an expansion was in store at Pine Harbor Christian Academy further to the east on Highway 61, while residents and businesses suffered power outages from a fall storm.

September 30

—Approaching the referendum in November, the week of September 30 saw a front page article on the proposed Cottage Grove community Center, giving details along with a property tax impact chart from the city finance director inside.

As to other matters the week of September 30, the Cottage Grove Plan Commission moved to approve an expanded TIF boundary to embrace the city limits , after a boundary set earlier in 1986 was deemed insufficient. Geared to promote development and also linked to affordable housing as alluded to at a later Council meeting, the TIF boundary would extend out past Grey Cloud Island, into the Mississippi River.

October 7

—Holding out hope for change on the city’s part, Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) held a community meeting at Hamlet Park, hearing from both FMR representatives and concerned Cottage Grove residents on Mississippi Dunes. Mayor Bailey, Council member Steve Dennis, and Council member Justin Olsen were all in attendance at the meeting, which saw attendance in the double digits.

Going into the details of Tax Incremental Financing for October 7, a followup article to that on the Plan Commission approving a TIF explained what the change could mean, while in Sports the Wolfpack at Park had a good week, winning over Burnsville 48 – 35 in football, among other sports developments.

October 14 —With just two weeks to the Community Center referendum as of mid-October, the city took time out October 6 for a live Facebook chat between Mayor Bailey and City Finance Director Robin Roland, to give the financing details.

In Look Backs for October 14, a long letter by the chairman of the Thompson Grove Community Association (TGCA) was reported from The Reporter, a newspaper that covered Cottage Grove and the surrounding area in the 1960s.

While it seemed from reading the papers back then that the TGCA and a group called the TGHA (Thompson Grove Homeowner’s Association) were having some issues, this would later be ironed out, with the two groups making peace after months of feuding.

October 21

—Coming in for news the second to last week of October, it was reported that Cottage Grove residents would decide some $89.2 million in property tax questions to decide, $39.2 million related to the proposed Community Center and two related to ISD 833, one for a routine increase in funding and the other for technology in light for changing instructional realities. Inside, meanwhile, the ballots were made available for review by Cottage Grove voters, if strictly unofficial from a public notice standpoint.

October 28

—Closing out the month of October, the big news was that Council member LaRae Mills was resigning due to a move outside the city, while an article by Sadie Jones noted that the Clubhouse arson investigation had been turned over by the state to Cottage Grove Police.

Headlining the front page with more opportune news, was a breakdown of Community Center costs as outlined by Mayor Bailey in his October Mayor’s Moment. With $7.3 million for the building and $16.3 million for the outdoor aquatic center with pool, it was safe to say that water was the item of greatest potential expense, while an indoor option would reportedly have cost even more.

The sports dome was projected at $4.5 million, while site acquisition and development along with design, testing and furnishments came out to $11.1 million of the projected costs.

November 4

—Staring out the month of November was an upcoming Parks Commission meeting at City Hall November 8., where the Commission was due to look at different park proposals for a playground to be called Meadowgrass. Also on tap the week of November 4 was feedback from an open house held October 7 on Mississippi Dunes, with preservation of Natural Space listed as getting top votes.

November 11

—Coming in the second week of November, the paper reported on the narrow defeat of the proposed Community Center referrendum, with 4,038 for the Center and 4,260 against, resulting in a narrow margin of defeat that totalled 222 votes. The city clerk reported a steady flow of voters, while further down the front page Bruce Karnick reported that Basic Needs was moving back to Cottage Grove, to be located at 6990 80th Street South.

November 18

—Coming in the third week of November the City Council had a new member with a familiar face. In a vote that took three rounds to settle for good, Plan Commission chairman Tony Khambata was voted in by the Council to fill LaRae Mills spot, facing voters generally this upcoming November 8th of this year, when Council member Mills old term expires. Evan Frazier would go on to fill Khambata’s roll as chairman of the Plan Commission.

Also reported the week of November 18, the United Heroes League held a ribbon cutting for the Heroes Monument, while inside Bruce Karnick asked if an electric bike was the right gift for the holidays.

November 25

—Coming in the final week of November was a return to Mississippi Dunes in open forum public comment, while City Attorney Korrine Land made known that the Council member’s hands were tied, by law.

In Mayor for the Day news, Lucas Staiert was chosen to open the Council meeting for November 17, adopting as his successful platform for selection a future Cottage Grove with less pollution. “We certainly have a bright future,” Mayor Bailey said after Staiert had left in regards to what local students were writing about while seeking to be mayor for a day.

December 2

—Starting out the month of December was the news that the Holiday Lights Display would be going on the month of December, along with a tree lighting at City Hall December 1. November 29, meanwhile, saw the Mississippi Dunes Environmental Assessment Worksheet go live on the City website, with residents encouraged to weigh in. Sadly, a fatal twocar accident also took place on Highway 61 at 120th Avenue on Thanksgiving Eve.

December 9

—Starting out the second week of December, a man named Michael Thomas Pratt was charged with armed robbery at Wells Fargo Bank, while it was reported somewhat more happily that the December 1 tree lighting at City Hall was well-attended, with a man in a red suit and Sparkles showing up.

December 16

—Coming in for landing the week of December 16, Park High School announced the nominees to represent the school for ExCEL Awards: Lydia Best and Chase Hiber. Standing for Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership, the ExCEL Award is designed to recognize Minnesota high school juniors and their accomplishment.

Reported on the inside, meanwhile, was Mayor Bailey’s perspective that opposition to the Mississippi Dunes Master Site Plan and others was driven largely by not wanting change. Journal readers were invited to share their own opinions in letters to the Editor, which had (and have) to be signed.

December 23

—The big news for Cottage Grove December 16 was that NorthPoint Development was set to break ground in 2022 off 100th avenue, the City Council approving the Master Site Plan at its mid-month meeting. Over in Newport, meanwhile, a longtime family business split between restaurant and pharmacy portions at the Highway 61 Shopping Center made the news. “One of the things I really like about the North Pole is that you’re really the heartbeat of our community,” Newport Mayor Laurie Elliot said in presenting the award to Restaurant owner Bryan North and Tricia Hinz, the latter running the pharmacy portion of the business. The current owners carry on the family business from their grandfather, who was a pharmacist.

December 30

—Closing out the year, Plan Commission head Evan Frazier took time to explain the public hearing process, then hearing from two area residents (Bonnie Matter and Sharon O’ Boyle) on Mississippi Dunes. “Whats’ the mitigation plan?” Matter asked in punctuation to several points she made about the sensitive riverfront property and housing plans.

To the south at 92nd Avenue, homes went in as well, while across the street Strawberry Fields Park opened up.Photo by Joseph Back.

Cottage Grove City Administrator Jennifer Levitt and Attorney Korrine Land listen to comment regarding Mississippi Dunes at a city council meeting last year. City officials and staff have both been at pains to show they are listening on the controversial development project, even as they walk a legal tight rope over what they can and can’t do regarding the private land deal. Photo by Joseph Back.