St. Cloud City Council to Get First Look at Enterprise Funds Budget, Hold Two Public Hearings, Announce Seat Vacancy in Packed Meeting

(KNSI) – Monday night’s St. Cloud City Council meeting is sure to be a busy one. From potential fee increases to new rules for where sex offenders can live – and even plans to fill an empty council seat – there’s a full agenda.

Mayor Dave Kleis will present the enterprise funds budget, which covers user fees for services not funded by property taxes, such as the Municipal Athletic Complex, River’s Edge Convention Center, parking systems, sewer and water, streetlights, garbage, and recycling. For 2024, the budget totals just over $53 million across nine departments. The final numbers won’t be set until December.

Next up, the council will hear public input on how to manage where level three sex offenders, or those most likely to re-offend, can live. The idea was first discussed at a study session held in May. On October 7th, a rule barring level three offenders with victims under 18 from living within 1,000 feet of schools was proposed, and a public hearing was held. At the time, the council tabled the proposal, but after considering the public comments and council members’ wishes, Kleis presented three options for the council during the October 21st meeting.

Option A is a 1,000-foot buffer zone around schools and parks frequently used for youth activities, such as playgrounds and sports fields. Option B is a 1,000-foot buffer zone around parks, community centers, and recreational facilities, but no restrictions for schools. Option C is a 1,000-foot buffer around schools, parks, libraries, community centers, and similar spaces. The council could also revisit a prior proposal that focused only on keeping offenders 1,000 feet away from schools.

Another public hearing will address a development for the former Wells Fargo Bank site on 33rd Avenue North. The plan includes a four-story, 70-unit apartment complex with 30,000 square feet of commercial space. The city’s planning commission has already approved the project, spearheaded by the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees, which has raised concerns among neighbors about parking and traffic.

Finally, Ward Three Councilman Jake Anderson will officially announce his resignation, effective at year’s end, as he prepares to step into his new role as mayor. The council will begin accepting applications to fill Anderson’s seat for the remainder of his term. Anderson’s election marks the first time in 20 years that St. Cloud will have a new mayor, with Kleis stepping down as the city’s longest-serving leader.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

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