Cold Spring Uses Bacteria to Battle Nitrates

Cold Spring unveiled Minnesota’s first drinking water treatment facility that uses bacteria to control harmful levels of toxic nitrate.

Unsafe levels of nitrate are commonly found in agricultural communities where field runoff contaminates the local water supply. Cold Spring — population 4,000 and growing — has battled rising nitrate levels for several years.

In 2020, Cold Spring was awarded a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development grant, allowing the city to break ground on a $6.5 million nitrate reduction facility. The treatment plant houses two vats brimming with naturally occurring bacteria. These microorganisms consume and eliminate nitrates from ground water. From there, all drinking water undergoes standard chemical disinfection, killing off any remaining bacteria.

While a first for Minnesota, biological nitrogen reduction is becoming more popular in the U.S. and is already a standard practice in Europe.

Minnesota Cities Gain Representation at the National Level

Minnesota cities are gaining increased influence at the national level following the recent election and appointments of three League member city officials to the National League of Cities (NLC) Board of Directors and Federal Advocacy Committees.

Rosemount Mayor Jeff Weisensel was elected to the NLC Board of Directors. Apple Valley Council Member Ruth Grendahl was appointed chair of the NLC Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee, and Burnsville Council Member Dan Kealey was appointed chair of the Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee.

Thank you for representing Minnesota cities at the national level!

City and Tribe Exchange Flags as Symbol of Partnership

Two neighboring governments in Scott County — the City of Prior Lake and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) — celebrated their longstanding relationship through a flag exchange last year. The SMSC is a sovereign tribal nation located in Prior Lake and Shakopee. The tribe presented its flag to be flown in the City Council chambers and the city shared its flag to be displayed in the tribal government office.

The city and tribe have built a strong relationship over the years by coming together around shared priorities. In 2019, the two governments opened a joint water treatment facility that serves both communities and has saved a combined $8 million. They also have several agreements related to public safety, natural resources, and infrastructure.

Work Continues to Help Communities Meet Housing Needs

As Minnesota’s housing challenges continue, cities across the state are making strides through locally led efforts. They continue to work toward preserving and producing more housing stock across the spectrum to support population growth. In 2023, Richfield and St. Paul approved zoning changes to support greater housing density. Rochester opened its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Pilot Program, which provides property owners up to $20,000 in reimbursements for costs related to the development of an ADU. The Grand Rapids and Leech Lake communities are partnering with Greater Minnesota Housing Fund to build or preserve over 400 housing units. While these housing initiatives may be successful for their specific communities, it is imperative to remember one size does not fit all when it comes to housing policy. Although the Legislature passed a historic $1 billion housing bill in 2023, our work is not complete. The League will continue to advocate for solutions that address the entire housing spectrum and support local leaders in identifying housing policies that best fit their communities’ needs.

Make League FAQ Webpages Your Go-To Resource

The League of Minnesota Cities website has a plethora of information and resources for Minnesota cities. LMC’s various frequently asked questions (FAQs) pages are resources for city staff and leaders on everything from adult-use cannabis, the earned sick and safe time law, public safety duty disability, and so much more. FAQ pages are organized with links or dropdowns so members can efficiently find answers to sometimes complicated questions. To find the FAQ sections, visit lmc.org/cannabisFAQ, lmc.org/ESSTfaq, and lmc.org/PTSDfaq.

NLC’s Congressional City Conference

The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference is set for March 11-13 in Washington, D.C. City officials who attend this annual event can connect with the Minnesota congressional delegation, learn about new federal programs, meet other city officials from across the country, and polish their advocacy skills. Learn more at ccc.nlc.org.