Dear Residents,

The TH 95 14 day advance road closure notice is available. The project location is located just east of CSAH 14 in North Branch. Please click on detailed detour plan for a June 10^th Road Closure Start. 

Detailed Detour Plan

Our parks and outdoor open spaces are open for public use as they are an essential resource for the health and wellness of our residents. People are asked to use park amenities like playground structures, benches, picnic tables and water fountains at their own risk, while keeping in mind these items are not sanitized.

Safely enjoying city parks and trails during this time is encouraged and the National Recreation and Park Association offers the following tips to practice social distancing while doing so:

• Do not use parks or trails if you are feeling ill
• Observe the CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from others at all times
• Avoid social gatherings at parks including picnicking, sports and other group hangouts
• Follow the CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and after visiting parks or trails
• Share the trail and warn other users of your presence and as you pass
• Be prepared for limited access to public restrooms and/or water fountains

MnDNR and MDH COVID-19 Outdoor Recreation, Facilities and Public Guidelines 
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/covid-19-outdoor-recreation-guidelines.html

As COVID-19 restrictions get relaxed our Municipal Liquor Stores are updating the hours accordingly. For details please click Municipal Liquor Stores Updated Hours

North Branch Municipal Water and Light
General Manager – FT

North Branch Water and Light is currently seeking a full-time General Manager. Located in Central MN, North Branch is a thriving community with a population of just under 11,000. This position is responsible for the overall operations of the electric and water utilities.

This position reports to the North Branch Water and Light Commission. The utility requires demonstrated leadership, organizational, communication and personnel management skills, as well as excellent human relations skills and knowledge of the technologies associated with the utilities industry.

North Branch Water and Light offers a competitive compensation and benefit package with a stable and team-oriented work environment. Full job description available at http://nbpuc.com/career_opportunities.php#.XqwZ_6hKiUk.

To apply submit cover letter and resume to North Branch Water and Light 6388 Maple St North Branch, MN 55056 or email Michele at nbwlmichelefrederick@gmail.com. Application deadline is 4:00 PM on May 22, 2020.

Hemingway Avenue Extension and highway 95 Round-About Construction

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

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will end winter load increases and start spring load restrictions
(SLR) in the SOUTH, SOUTHEAST and METRO frost zones Friday, March 6, 2020 at 12:01 AM.

Below is  a link to a map of North Branch Load Limits

http://www.ci.north-branch.mn.us/document_center/Maps/Street%20-%20Spring%20Load%20Restrictions%202020.pdf

North Branch has evolved into a proactive, business-friendly and forward-thinking city. We are prepared for commercial, industrial, and residential development more than ever before!

A Zoning Task Force Committee was created to rewrite zoning laws to bring them up-to-date, making them community and developer friendly. We have a local real estate agent, Bob Boyce, who is marketing the Interstate Business Park which is already paying off. North Branch was designated an Opportunity Zone by Governor Dayton which provides investor tax breaks for certain projects north of TH95. 

Many developers are working in our city. Worth noting is the opportunity to increase the number of users on the city’s water and sewer systems in the very large Paxmar development at Flink and 400th. Additional developments are in Wildridge, Willow Grove, Cherokee Place, Luchts Crossing,Townsedge 1 & 2, Schoolside Village, numerous small subdivisions, as well as many other projects and proposed developments in the initial stages. 

The City of North Branch has a great staff, including Economic Development Director Carla Vita, who all work tirelessly and graciously with interested parties. I have been informed that some deals may not have closed if it had not been for the city team problem solving.

I am grateful for the past year’s economic growth and am looking forward to so much more in 2020. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in our city’s many successes. I am grateful for each one of you!

Mayor Jim Swenson

You can help your community! Apply for one of thousands of temporary #2020CensusJobs. Census results determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as how funds are spent on roads, schools and hospitals.

Chisago County pays up to $22 per hour plus 57.5 cents/mile!

Apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs.

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.”

New release regarding MnDOT’s I35 unbonded project and delay of work until next year. Due to the proximity of the work MnDOT wanted to point the suspension of work for the remainder of this year with traffic resuming to full capacity for the rest of Aug, Sept and October 219 with work on NB resuming next spring 2020 until early summer. Check the website for the updated schedule.

http://mndot.org/metro/projects/i35harris/index.html

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

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!!

Interstate 35 Road Resurfacing project in Chisago County.  I’m emailing today to provide nearby communities a project update and to also ask for your assistance on getting the word out about the 2019 construction.

An eight-mile section of I-35 between the City of Harris and the Chisago/Pine County line will undergo concrete pavement work beginning April 2019.  The project work will also include replacing cable median barriers, installing rumble strips and updating drainage and lighting.  The improvements will enhance safety, improve traffic flow and provide a smoother riding surface. I’ve attached an I-35 project fact sheet outlining the work for your convenience.

During the construction, I-35 will be restricted to a single lane of traffic in each direction with construction occurring in two stages (see attached fact sheet for anticipated schedule).

The Rush City interchange ramp access will be maintained in both directions with two exceptions.  In June 2019, crews anticipate a 2-4 week closure to reconstruct the southbound exit and entrance ramps.  Additionally, crews anticipate closing the northbound exit and entrance ramps for 2-4 weeks in September 2019 for reconstruction. Detour signage will be posted during the ramp closures. The project is expected to be complete by fall 2019, weather permitting.

Please encourage your employees and residents to stay up-to-date on specific closure dates and traffic impacts by signing up for email updates at the project website:  www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i35harris/index.html

If you have print or online newsletters and/or a utility bill mailing, please consider including information regarding this construction project.  If you need a short article, I’d be glad to assist.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance during this much needed work. 

For detailed information please click here Detailed Information

Sincerely,
Denise
Denise Workcuff :: Metro Communications & Engagement ::

Minnesota Department of Transportation :: Phone-voice: 651.234.7502

Denise.Workcuff@state.mn.us

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.