New Automatic Gate at Sartell Compost Site is a Hit with Users

(KNSI) – A new gate installed at Sartell’s compost site is getting praise from residents and city staff.

Jake Judd KNSI News

Sartell no longer has attendants and instead is regulating entry with an automatic gate. Deputy Clerk Megan Theisen tells KNSI News the idea for the gate came about due to staffing issues. “We had a really hard time getting people to be able to work out here with the hours we needed. And so we started brainstorming, and this was an idea that popped up.”

Public Works Director John Kothenbeutel says he is pleasantly surprised by the outcome. “I never really thought a gate would be quick enough and work. But as we did research, we found this system. And it’s basically a system that is mainly used in parking ramps. And it’s very efficient. It’s quick, and it has worked out, to this point, very, very well.”

He says residents love the compost site being available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Cameras monitor everyone coming and going from the facility, and the video is stored for review if needed.

People living in Sartell, LeSauk Township or St. Cloud can buy a compost permit online from the city and use it on their phone. People pull up to the gate, scan the digital permit, and sensors allow vehicles inside.

Sartell has over 3,000 compost permit holders. Waite Park is the only other central Minnesota community with this kind of gate system.

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