(Aug. 24, 2021 – St. Paul, MN) The city of North Branch is the winner of the 2021 City of Excellence Award in this year’s COVID-19 Response topical category for their work bringing high-speed internet service to the community.  

The City of Excellence Awards are given each year by the League of Minnesota Cities in three population categories and one topical category. The awards recognize cities for outstanding programs or projects. Each winning city will receive a plaque, a check for $1,000, and recognition in League publications and promotional activities throughout the coming year.


Click Complete Details
Click Watch Video 

The City of North Branch, in collaboration with the North Branch Arts Group, obtained a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Group to fund a mural to be painted on the south side of North Branch Water and Light Building at the corner of Co. Rd. 30 and Maple Street. 

The mural artist is Alison Price.  She has completed numerous murals in Minnesota and Wisconsin and her approach is to invite residents to add their touch to the artistic endeavor.  The artist has painted the layout, and, like a coloring book, the community can paint their own block or blocks.  The Arts group, City Council and North Branch Water & Light Board wanted a mural that is representative of the community.  In response, the mural design includes trees, water (representing the Sunrise River), a sunrise, the City logo, and even a few butterflies. 

We ask all to come and paint a portion of the mural.  The muralist is planning for the community portion to start on Monday, August 30, weather dependent.  So, please watch the City of North Branch website and Facebook for times and days in which painting will occur. 

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. #ecrac #ArtsLegacy

Press Release
Effective July 21, 2021
Contact: Scott Hautala
North Branch Water and Light General Manager
651-674-7100
scotth@nbpuc.org

North Branch Water Conservation Measures – effective July 22, 2021

More than half the state is under severe or extreme drought conditions, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ drought monitor. DNR officials say this is the worst drought conditions have been in the state in nearly a decade.

The City of North Branch has a very robust water production system of wells, water treatment, and water towers and has not yet noticed any decline in its water supply quality or quantity.  However, to comply with DNR water conservation measures, the Water and Light Commission announced Wednesday it is implementing odd/even water sprinkling restrictions, meaning those with odd-numbered addresses limit outdoor watering to odd-numbered days, and even-numbered addresses do so on even-numbered days. The restrictions are in place until further notice.

In addition, sprinkling is not allowed from 11AM – 5PM daily to minimize evaporation.

Bushes and flowers can be watered with a hose, and vegetable gardens and new sod or seed requiring daily watering can be watered on any day outside of the prohibited six-hour window.   Trees may be watered with a dripping hose, bucket, or tree watering bags as needed.

Utility staff recommend that customers review their indoor water appliances to inspect for leaks, and the ability of water saving devices and water efficient appliances to reduce water usage.

Did you know that North Branch Water and Light offers rebates on many ENERGY STAR® certified products – including appliances, lighting products, air conditioners, smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and commercial food service equipment?

ENERGY STAR is the simple choice for saving energy.  ENERGY STAR certified products help consumers save money on operating costs by reducing energy use without sacrificing performance.  Products must meet strict energy efficiency specifications and use less energy, which helps to reduce environmental impacts.

Plus, you’ll save even more with a utility rebate!  Rebate forms can be found on our website: https://smmpa.com/members/north-branch

Learn more about ENERGY STAR and get guidance choosing the right products for your home or business here: www.energystar.gov.

The Old Highway 61 Coalition invites the public to travel Old Highway 61 this summer and play a little ‘Park Bingo’ event to be eligible to win some cool prizes.  

“We compiled a list of city, county, and state park locations that stretch from southern Chisago County and move north through both Pine and Carlton County,” says Coalition Chairman, Nancy Hoffman.  “Using that list we created the ‘Park Bingo’ card as a fun and family-friendly way to explore the area along Old Highway 61.”

You can participate in the ‘Park Bingo’ activity anytime from Memorial Day through Labor Day of 2021.  Visit a park, take a photo at the location and post it to your personal social media using the the hashtag #oldhwy61parks.  After you’ve visited 5 in a row for a successful BINGO, simply email a photo of your completed bingo card to us at oldhighway61MN@gmail.com.  

Beginning on the first Friday in June, the Old Highway 61 Coalition will draw a weekly prize winner to receive one of our new water bottles.  On September 13th, we’ll also be drawing a Grand Prize Winner who will receive an Old Hwy 61 sign!

For more info, visit http://www.oldhighway61.com/

The North Branch Concerts in the Park series will take place starting with Monroe Crossing on Tuesday June 8 at 7pm. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Art and Cultural Heritage Funds.

Please click the link below for the full concert series lineup.

Monroe Crossing

Summer Concert Series

Please help guide future summer music series by completing the survey below!
Summer Music Series Survey

If you haven't been following the city council updates, the City of North Branch is pleased to announce that the city partnered with Genesis Wireless to bring high speed internet to the entire city.  The city used budget savings from the COVID Cares Act money to purchase the equipment to bring a fixed wireless internet network to the city.  Genesis has agreed to operate the network, manage the service subscriptions and maintain all of the equipment.  We are in the final stages of getting the equipment installed and operational.  Once the network is tested to verify that the requisite speeds are available city wide, the system will go live.  

In the meantime, Genesis has launched a “waiting list” whereby people can let Genesis know that they want to subscribe to service once the network is ready.  People who want to get on the list or just want more information can send an email to Genesis at: info@igenesis.us and mention North Branch in the subject line.  

Here are the rates for service:  

No Contracts Unlimited Use (No Data Caps)
$45  up to 25Mb/6
$65 up to 50Mb/10
$95 up to 100Mb/20

Equipment will be extra – purchase or lease options available.

Please share this information with everyone you know who might need service. 

The process for how property owners will be charged the annual rural stormwater fee is changing for 2021. Up through and including 2020, the rural stormwater fee charge has been on your property tax bill. Per state statue, we are no longer able to bill the fee that way. Instead, you will soon see a bill coming directly from the City for your annual charge. This is not a new fee the City is imposing, it is just being billed in a different manner.

We are intending to have all bills mailed out the first week of March, with the due date being June 1, 2021. This is a change, so we are giving an extended window of time to pay your bill.

If there are any questions at all, please contact the City at 651-674-8113, or visit the Stormwater Utility Fee FAQ's

Rebecca Perrotti
Business Services Coordinator
Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services, Inc.
903 E. Forest Avenue, Mora, MN 55051
p:  612.247.9319 e:  rperrotti@cmjts.org

With COVID, the Central MN Council on Aging is working hard to utilize our federal funding to get meals out to older adults in need.  In addition to the ongoing home delivered meal programs being funded, we are now partnering with Catholic Charities to provide frozen meal pick up at 18 community locations.  Catholic Charities is providing healthy frozen meal bundles to older adults 60 years and older.  These frozen meals are in 10 and 20 meal packs of  in oven and microwavable safe containers and are being distributed via a no-contact drive-through at  20 locations including  Avon, Askov, Brainerd, Foley, Hinckley, Little Falls, Long Prairie, Milica, Mora, North Branch, Ogilvie, Paynesville, Pierz, Pillager, Rush City, Sandstone, Sartell and St Cloud. 

Participants must be 60 years of age and older to be eligible. There is no cost, but donations are accepted. 


For more information click on Details

Heartland Express has been acquired by Arrowhead Transit/AEOA. Arrowhead has a very robust Volunteer Driver program which Colette Hanson runs. Martin Lepak is their Recruiter (who is featured in our next Volunteer Driver Forum on January 20^th).

Please click on the flyer for complete details as they are looking for Volunteer Drivers to help facilitate the program in Chisago and Isanti counties. 

Details

 

 

After a holiday break, the Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club returns on Tuesday, January 26^th at 6:00 PM in an online / telephone – only format.

This event will be highlighted by presentations from two “Business Success Stories” – Kim Erickson, President of Cambridge State Bank, and John Norris – President of Atscott Manufacturing and Tower Solutions.

This event is free to attend, but registration is required. To register, please see the Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club website: www.ecmnbusiness.com

Additional details are on the attached flier. Click on Complete Details.

Dear Residents,
There are several grants available:

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has available funding to assist Veterans that have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

Learn more about the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant and the Special Needs Grant

Rural Relief Small Business Grants

An idea of what yours could look like        

    

Today’s boring look…

Artist:  Steve Weisman, North Branch

North Branch has 9 snow plows that keep our streets clean.  Up to this upcoming snow season, they have looked boring.  We are looking for 9 families or individuals (due to social distancing) to volunteer to paint our snow plow blades.  Painting to take place Monday thru Friday 8am until 3pm.  City Staff will provide the paint, cups to mix colors, brushes, gloves, etc.  You just need creativity.  Many snow plows have 2 blades, front blade:  3 ft. tall and 12 ft. wide; wing lade is 3 ft. tall and 10 ft. long.  We recommend planning what you plan to paint to make the experience better. 

When the paint job is complete.  We would love a photo of your family with the painted snow plow blade to show off the great talent.  We would love the paintings to be completed to show off. 

If you are interested, please contact Carla Vita at City Hall at 651.674.8113 or carlav@ci.north-branch.mn.us for more details. 

Attention North Branch Residents!!

HELP US HELP YOU

This is a friendly reminder to all the residents of North Branch. No individual or organization is allowed to sell door-to-door within the city limits without an approved Transient Merchant License issued by the City Of North Branch.

Please ask for proof of license by the City Of North Branch before accepting any offers and if they do not have it please ask them to either call City Hall to get an approved transient merchant license or please call and report of any such activity at City Hall at 651-674-8113.

Please try to gather as much information of the non-compliant individual or organization as possible such as their name, phone number, car license plate number or anything that might be helpful.

Have A Great Summer Everyone!!

Hwy 95 Hemingway Extension Roundabout

• Hwy 95 Hemingway Extension Roundabout (Drone Footage From May 30th 2020)
• Hwy 95 Hemingway Extension Roundabout (Drone Footage From June 15th 2020) 

Luchts Corssing 3^rd Addition

• Luchts Crossing 3rd Addition (Drone Footage From June 15th 2020)

Schoolside Village 2^nd Addition

• Schoolside Village 2nd Addition (Drone Footage From June 15th 2020)

48 Unit Cherokee Place Townhomes

• 48 Unit Cherokee Place Townhomes (Drone Footage From April 27th 2020)

Wildridge 11th Addition

• Wildridge 11th Addition (Drone Footage From May 5th 2020)

For now, the City of North Branch is conducting business as usual, but with a few caveats.  City hall remains open from 8:00 – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday.  Liquor store hours vary, but both stores remain open as per their posted schedules. Any changes in liquor store hours or manner of operation will be posted here. 

Employees and the public are expected to follow guidelines for respiratory etiquette, to perform frequent hand washing, and to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others when present in city buildings.  City staff are cleaning and sanitizing counters, doors, restrooms and any surfaces that are frequently touched.  City staff reserve the right to limit the number of people in the liquor stores or at city hall from time to time.

Council and commission meetings will proceed as scheduled.  The public is asked to view meetings remotely, via the cable channel or via the internet.  If the public wishes to communicate with council members such as through the public comment portion of the meeting, please email your message to me at renaef@ci.north-branch.mn.us.  The message will either be emailed to the individual council members or read at the next regular council meeting.   If we can't protect the public, employees or the council members, meetings will be cancelled following consultation with the mayor.  Check the calendar for the latest information about council, commission and committee meetings:  http://northbranchcitymn.iqm2.com/citizens/default.aspx

If there are confirmed outbreaks of the virus in the North Branch area and/or Chisago County, I will work with the county, the state Department of Health and the city department heads to determine the level of risk to the employees, council and the public related to city services.  If we determine there is a risk to anyone concerned, those who can work remotely will do so.  Public works services will be provided to the extent they can be provided without direct contact or with limited contact with the public.  We will limit public hours and public contact in city hall.  Phones will be answered.  The building department will limit inspections to those absolutely necessary to prevent undue delays in construction, but our building official can refuse to provide inspections if he believes that his health or that of staff could be at risk if the inspection were completed.  Electronic submission of plans will be encouraged.  The PD and FD will follow the health department protocols for public contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms and will follow any other protocols established for first responders. 

This is a fluid situation and we will monitor local, regional and state advisories and implement safeguards as recommended by county and state officials and post changes and updates on the city’s web page and on Facebook.

Renae Fry

North Branch City Administrator

City Administrator Fry stated, “I was excited to see so many community members, representing a variety of opinions, come together over the course of several months to share their experiences and work towards single image that embraced their goals and ideals for the City.”

Updating the logo on the City’s vehicles, equipment and signs will take time.  The logo will be utilized on all electronic media right away.  The change on other city assets will be made as equipment is replaced and as new supplies are ordered and all as the budget allows. 

City of North Branch Mayor Jim Swenson reflected on the level of citizen engagement during this collaborative process.  “There are so many peo­ple to thank who have got­ten us to where we are today. From the indi­vid­u­als who participated in the meetings, to the members of the Minnesota Design Team who continue to support our efforts, to Keech Media, Poste Haste, Prism Design, the North Branch Area Chamber, and most importantly the residents and business owners in the City of North Branch who collaborated to design a logo for which we should be so proud.”

North Branch, Minnesota — North Circle Online Farmers Market is now accepting SNAP/EBT at Sprouted Branch in North Branch, one its 11 pickup locations.

North Circle, a program of Women’s Environmental Institute (WEI), allows area residents to order fresh produce, eggs, meat, and other products online from over 24 local farmers every week and pick up their orders at locations throughout East Central Minnesota.

More more details click here Complete Details

The North Branch Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Reserve Officer.  Police Reserve Officers are non-licensed and non-paid volunteers who are willing to provide volunteer hours at the North Branch Police Department on a regular basis.  This position provides for a great opportunity for those considering or currently pursuing a career in law enforcement and for those who are in other careers and wish to serve their community by volunteering.  For More information and how to apply, please click here.