April 2025

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

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

Lake Links Trail Update:

Dellwood has not made a final decision about accepting the State Trail Grant, 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.  What may appear to be a simple process, is in reality a very complex endeavor.  The City recognizes the trail as a regional trail, and favors the concept of developing the trail, but seeks to do so, without undue burden to the residents and taxpayers of Dellwood.  Furthermore, the trail must be planned in a manner that optimizes safety of pedestrians and motorists alike.

Dellwood has made several major advancements and achievements towards reaching a final decision. First, the project was underfunded and Dellwood worked through the legislature and was able to significantly increase the grant funding allocation.  Second, Dellwood was able to acquire a Washington County grant that allowed our engineer to complete a study which determined that the funding is currently adequate to complete the project. Third, intertwined with the Trail Project is the possibility of acquiring a Turn Back of Hwy 244 to Dellwood as a local road.  Currently Dellwood does not have jurisdiction of Hwy 244, therefore Dellwood does not have the authority to designate the trail location within the 244 Right of Way.  If Dellwood acquires Hwy. 244 as a local road, Dellwood will have the authority to reconfigure the road and to allow for safe passage of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.  That is not to say that the old railway bed is no longer being discussed, and it is very possible that the Trail will involve both the old railway bed as well as the Hwy 244 Right of Way.  Fourth, through our state legislators Dellwood has requested and been successful in getting the Hwy 244 turnback discussion to be placed on a priority list with MNDOT.  Discussions will begin on April 2, 2025.  Fifth, to further provide additional time for Dellwood to negotiate with MNDOT and plan the Trail, a proposal has been made to the legislature to extend the date for which Dellwood must decide on whether it plans on accepting the Grant funds.  Sixth, currently, if Dellwood accepts any of the Grant funding, and the trail funding is inadequate to complete the trail, the City and its taxpayers are obligated to make up any shortfall and complete the project.  To avoid this, Dellwood has requested that the legislature allow Dellwood to plan and accept the Grant funding in sections. While the final legislation has not been passed, it is hoped that the language of the legislation will allow Dellwood to avoid obligating its citizens to pay any overages for the regional trail.  Finally, 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.

Septic System Inspections:

There are two types of inspections conducted on septic systems within Dellwood.  There is an inspection that occurs only when a property is sold or transferred and 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 performed 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.  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 authorized to be in the right of way.

City Apparel:

Some residents have expressed interest in having shirts or jackets that have the City Seal imprinted on the apparel.  The City of Dellwood, through the Hisdahl Company in White Bear Lake, has established a Dellwood Store where one can purchase apparel with The Great Seal Of The City Of Dellwood imprinted on the clothing.  If you are interested, examples of styles and pricing for clothing imprinted with the City Seal can be seen on the City’s website by clicking on the “City Apparel” icon.

Other Matters

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.

Dellwood is extremely fortunate to have a committed team of individuals who are willing to contribute their time and efforts to ensure that the City operates safely, efficiently, and within budget.  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 / Joel Holstad, City Clerk / Administrator                          (651) 429-1356