June 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope all is well with you and your families. As we move into summer, I want to update you regarding some current City-related issues and review some of Dellwood’s Ordinances.

Proposed Jurisdictional Transfer of Trunk Highway 244

Trunk Highway (TH) 244 is currently under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).  MnDOT has proposed a jurisdictional transfer (turnback) of the roadway to the City of Dellwood.  As part of this process, our City Engineer, Cara Geheren, has spent the last several months negotiating with MnDOT regarding the terms and consequences of the proposed turnback.  Basically, a turnback transfers the ownership, control, and future maintenance expense of the road to the receiving entity (in this case TH 244 to the City of Dellwood).  Jurisdictional transfers are accompanied by a one-time payment intended to offset future roadway-related responsibilities assumed by the receiving entity.

Based upon Engineer Geheren’s research and the related negotiations with MnDOT, the following facts are relevant to the City Council’s consideration of the possible turnback.

Funding

• • A one-time lump-sum payment to Dellwood of $11,569,172, intended to offset future roadway-related costs assumed by the City.
  • Funds must be used for roadway-related purposes but may be applied to any roadway within the city and on a timeline determined by the City.
  • MnDOT will not provide additional funding if future costs exceed the available amount.

City Responsibilities if Transfer Occurs

• • The City would assume full ownership, operations, and maintenance responsibilities for TH 244, consistent with other City-owned streets.
  • Responsibilities would include routine activities such as snow and ice removal, pavement maintenance, signage, and minor repairs.

Flexibility and Construction Decisions

• • The City is not obliged to construct any specific improvements as part of a transfer.
  • No roadway construction project is proposed or authorized at this time, but the city is looking at alternative improvements and anticipated cost scenarios.
  • A transfer to the City would allow the city to decide how the road is designed, improved, and maintained in the future. Under current State ownership and MnDOT management, the City has no control over the road.

Alternatives if the City Does Not Proceed with the Transfer

• • If the City does not proceed with the transfer, TH 244 will remain under MnDOT ownership, with future work driven by MnDOT priorities and funding.
  • The roadway carries relatively low traffic compared to most state highways and would likely be considered a low-priority corridor. As a result, MnDOT’s focus would be limited to basic pavement preservation, with little investment in improvements. With Mahtomedi and Washington County assuming adjacent segments, the Dellwood portion would also be isolated from the state system, further reducing its priority.

Next Steps

• • At the City Council’s request, our City Engineer has developed two projections of what the 40-year cost of ownership of TH 244 would be (assuming that the City accepts the transfer). The City Council is currently evaluating these alternatives.  At this time, the City has not decided whether to accept the transfer of TH 244.

Lake Links Trail Update:

Multiple decisions regarding the trail are intertwined with whether the City chooses to accept the transfer of TH 244.  Dellwood has not made a final decision about accepting the State Trail Grant Funding or building the Trail, but in coordination with the MN State Legislature and Washington County, the City continues the work of analyzing and planning of the proposed Lake Links Trail.   As mentioned in my last letter, the City has established a Trail Committee to obtain input from Dellwood residents as advisors for the City.  Council members Boosalis and Peltier are facilitating the trail analysis and discussions.

City Website Update:

In our ongoing effort to make the City of Dellwood’s website more user-friendly, we have recently added a subscription capability, whereby residents can sign up to receive updates involving City business.  On the Home Page of the City’s website, you can sign up to receive updates regarding the City Council, the Lake Links Trail, or All Updates.  Notifications are sent out on a weekly basis and are triggered only when website updates have been posted, so if no updates are posted on the website during a given week, you will not receive notifications for that week.

If you are only interested in updates regarding either the City Council or the Lake Links Trail, simply check those choices on subscription options.    The “All Updates” option is all-inclusive and will update the subscriber to both the City Council and Lake Links updates, as well as all other website updates.  If you would like to have notifications regarding updates sent to you, please visit the City’s website and subscribe.

In addition to City-related notifications, there is a link to the Washington County “CodeRED” system on Dellwood’s home page.  This is a County-wide alert system generated by Washington County.  The CodeRED system is used to send critical communications, from evacuation notices and weather-related emergencies to missing child alerts.  If you are interested in receiving emergency notifications from Washington County, use the link to their system and sign up as directed.

Septic System Inspections:

There are two types of inspections conducted on septic systems within Dellwood.  There is a mandatory inspection that occurs only when a property is sold or transferred.  There is also an annual inspection that occurs on every system within the City.  There has been some confusion as to the differences between these two types of inspections, so I will attempt to clarify the differences and purposes of each type of inspection.

The Washington County Development Code Chapter Four regulates Subsurface Septic Systems in Dellwood.  Among other things, the Code requires that a Compliance Inspection be performed prior to the sale or transfer of any real property, unless the system has been constructed within the previous five years.  These inspections involve reviewing historic records for the system, obtaining detailed information from the property owner, activating pumps and alarms, making assessments of hydraulic system performance, and performing soil borings / testing around the drainfield / mound to determine if the system has the required separation between the bottom of the system and limiting soil conditions.   These inspections also require the tanks to be pumped to determine if the tanks are watertight.  The parties to any sale or transfer are obligated to have the Compliance Inspection before closing on the transaction.  The Inspection must be conducted by a Licensed Inspector and the results reported to the City.  Failure to have a Compliance Inspection can result in sanctions and the new owner being required to have the Inspection done, and to take whatever action may be needed to bring the system into compliance with current Code standards.

In addition to the foregoing, Dellwood conducts annual on-site reviews of all septic systems in the City to determine whether conditions appear to indicate that a system is failing to operate properly.  The annual inspection is not the full-blown Compliance Inspection required for the sale or transfer of property.  The annual inspections are visual, non-invasive inspections, that do not involve soil testing or review of system records.  These annual inspections are meant to identify imminent threats to public health or safety and imminent failure.  Examples of imminent threats to public health and safety could be damaged manhole covers which could potentially allow unintended access or someone falling into a tank, sewage discharging onto the ground or surface waters, sewage backup or imminent sewage backup into the house, etc.  Although the annual inspection is not as extensive as the Compliance Inspection, the property owner will be notified of any updates, repairs, or needed replacements which are observed and require a resident’s action to bring the system into compliance.

Right of Way along City Roads:

Residents often have questions regarding the right of way on the streets where they live.  The right of way on most City streets is sixty feet wide.  To get an estimate of the road right of way location bordering your property, measure thirty feet from the center of the road toward your property.  This will provide you with an approximate location of the border between your property and the City property.  Some of the non-platted areas of the City have different right of way widths than the standard sixty foot right of way.  If you have questions regarding the specific right of way bordering your property, you can inquire about this at the Dellwood City Hall.

The City has the right to do many things in the right of way.  The City may plow snow into this area, bury utilities, perform shoulder and ditch work, install culverts, mow weeds, brush, trim or remove trees, etc.   When doing work within the right of way, the City’s contractors make every possible effort not to disturb the right of way any more than is necessary to complete the required work.  On occasion, however, damage and / or removal of items may be required.   Grass and sprinkler heads may be damaged.  Posts, fences, gates, decorative rocks, and gardens may need to be relocated or removed entirely.

What needs to be emphasized is that these sprinkler heads, posts, fences, gates, rocks, gardens, etc. are not supposed to be installed in the right of way.  The right of way is supposed to be clear of any obstacles.  That being said, the City benefits from conscientious residents who maintain and beautify the right of way in front of their property, and the City does not want to discourage residents from maintaining these areas.  Please be aware, however, that the City does not accept any responsibility to repair or replace anything that is not specifically authorized to be in the right of way.

City Apparel:

If you are interested in City Apparel, there is a link on the City’s website to Hisdahl Company in White Bear Lake, which feature options with the City Seal imprinted on the clothing.

Other Matters

Discharge of Dangerous Weapons:

Dellwood currently prohibits the discharge of dangerous weapons within the City.  The definition of a dangerous weapon includes firearms and bows and arrows.  The City has been asked to revisit this issue and reconsider the designation of a bow and arrow as a dangerous weapon and potentially allow bow hunting within the City.  This topic is scheduled to be addressed at the June, 2026 City Council Meeting.

House Numbers:

Consistent with the Washington County Sheriff’s request, Dellwood requires that residents post house numbers which are clearly visible and legible both day and night.

Lack of visible house numbers makes it more difficult for police, fire, and ambulances to locate the correct residence in an emergency.  For your safety, please make sure that your home complies by posting a clearly visible home address.

Exterior Storage:

Dellwood has Ordinances regarding the storage of personal property.  Personal property items, including recreational vehicles, boats, trucks, docks, and trailers must be located on the property so that the items are fully screened, and not visible from the street or adjoining properties.  Screening the view of personal property can be more challenging in the winter months when bushes and trees may lose their leaves.  Please be considerate of your neighbors and help to ensure that these items are not in plain view.

Exterior Lighting:

Dellwood has Ordinances which regulate outdoor lighting.  The City has received numerous complaints regarding residents who leave outdoor lights on all night long, and the light shines onto neighboring property and into homes – often disturbing other residents’ ability to sleep.  The Ordinance prohibits reflected glare or light from private exterior lighting exceeding 0.5 footcandles as measured on the property line of the property where the lighting is located when abutting any residential parcel.  Please be respectful of your neighbors and refrain from illuminating adjoining properties during the night.

Animal Control:

Dellwood Ordinances prohibit owners from letting their animals run at large.  Please keep your pets contained within a fence or on a leash.  Pets must have a license issued by the City.  Please ensure that your pets are current with their vaccinations and bring a copy of the current rabies certificate with you when you purchase your pet’s license at City Hall.  Licenses may also be purchased by mailing in the Animal License Application, which can be found on the City’s website.

Door to Door Vendors:

The City has an Ordinance which prohibits door to door vendors who are not licensed by the City.  They are required to have a copy of the City License / Proof of Registration on their person.  For your safety and security, we recommend that you do not do business with vendors who cannot produce the required paperwork.  Dellwood does not routinely issue these licenses, so a vendor who shows up at your home is potentially in violation of this Ordinance.  Call 911 if you are suspicious.

City meetings are open to the public:

City Council:  Second Tuesday of each month beginning at 5:30 PM

Planning Commission:  Third Tuesday of the month beginning at 6:30 PM

• • Note:  Planning Commission only meets as needed.

Online access to City meetings is posted on the City’s website.

We encourage our citizens to contact us with any questions or concerns that arise.  For your reference, a list of City Officials and contractors is included.

Sincerely,

Mike McGill
Mayor of Dellwood

Dellwood City Council, Planning Commission, and Support Staff:

As of January 1, 2025, City staff and contractors include:

City Website:  www.dellwood.us

Contact information for City officials and staff is posted on our website.

City Hall / Kim Points, City Clerk / Administrator                                 (651) 429-1356