Jordan City Council Reviews Wastewater Upgrades and Micro-Distillery Licensing at July 28 Meeting
By Jan Gilmer
The Jordan City Council and Work Session were held on Monday, July 28, 2025. The Work Session focused primarily on long-term infrastructure planning, while the regular Council meeting included decisions on wastewater improvements, liquor licensing for micro-distilleries, and variance reconsideration.
Work Session Highlights
Although the Work Session agenda included three items, only one was addressed due to time constraints: the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2026–2030.
Assistant City Engineer Luke Wheeler and City Engineer Mike Waltman of Bolton & Menk, along with Finance Director Morey Schaefer, presented the draft CIP, highlighting short- and long-term infrastructure improvements and maintenance needs. The discussion was informed by the Pavement Management Plan (PMP) completed in 2024, which assessed roadway conditions and guided recommendations for pavement rehabilitation and full reclamation. The presentation emphasized that well-maintained streets built to current standards can last up to 60 years, while neglected roads may require reconstruction every 30 years.
The Council also reviewed strategies to group projects to reduce costs and improve efficiency, take advantage of grant and loan timelines, and ensure communication with the public through notifications and hearings. Schaefer also discussed budgeting considerations for city departments including computer equipment, software, tools and vehicles for Public Works and the Fire Department.
The remaining Work Session items — SCALE 2025 Legislative Priorities and the 2025 Strategic Planning Public Survey Recap — will be addressed at a future meeting.
City Council Meeting Summary
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held for the proposed vacation of drainage and utility easements at 228 Crestview Circle. No comments were received.
Public Comment
There was no public comment during the open forum.
Engineer’s Report
Bolton & Menk presented recommendations for significant improvements to the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). Prior to the recommendations, the engineers provided an overview of the current system, its limitations, and areas of concern due to aging infrastructure.
Key highlights:
In 2022, Jordan received a $500,000 Wastewater Resiliency Grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to replace the main lift station. The new lift station would be larger and better equipped to handle increased inflow and infiltration, especially during rain events, reducing the risk of overflows.
Upgrades are also planned for the pretreatment building, which is subject to high corrosion. Improvements will include replacement of the screen, grit classifier, grit pumps, valves, and HVAC systems, along with sandblasting and painting.
These facility upgrades may trigger new MPCA permit limits due to increased discharge flow to Sand Creek.
Bio-solids processing will need to be addressed separately in the CIP, as no clear direction has yet been determined.
PFAs were also noted as a future concern for the city.
Council approved the recommendations for the WWTF upgrades.
Planner’s Report
Vacation of Easement – 228 Crestview Circle
Council approved the vacation of a drainage and utility easement, contingent upon the homeowner granting a new easement. The revised easement better aligns with current grading and drainage needs.
Micro-Distillery Liquor Licensing
Stilleven Spirits, a new distillery in town, requested a City Code amendment to allow micro-distilleries to be issued both on-sale and off-sale liquor licenses. While Jordan’s City Code currently allows for micro-breweries and micro-wineries, it lacked provisions specific to micro-distilleries.
City staff presented updated legal language, aligning with Minnesota Statute 340A.22. The proposed language originally limited off-sale to “one 750-milliliter bottle per customer per day.” The applicant requested this restriction be removed to allow flexibility for special product sizes during holidays.
Council approved a modified version of the City Code amendment, excluding the one-bottle-per-day restriction. The city council noted that the 750ml per day limit is already addressed in the state statute, which does not restrict the number of bottles sold. By referencing the statute rather than duplicating it in the City Code, Jordan avoids needing to amend its code if the state statute is modified in the future.
Variance Reconsideration – 313 1st Street East
The applicant requested reconsideration of a previously approved variance due to a condition that was not included on their copy of the documentation. The condition, which requires utility services to be removed back to the main lines in the right-of-way, was discussed at both the Planning Commission and City Council meetings with the applicant present.
After discussion, the Council voted to uphold the original variance with the condition unchanged.
Consent Agenda
Council approved the following items on the Consent Agenda:
Check register and finance reports
Monthly Jordan Police Department report
Resolution 07-47-2025: Authorizing preliminary design for Beaumont Avenue Street & Utility Extensions
Resolution 07-48-2025: Authorizing study for Water Tower Siting Plan
Temporary liquor licenses for Brew D’Etat and St. John the Baptist’s “Rock the Lot” event
Councilmember Scott Penney requested clarification on the difference between the liquor license approvals for these events and the Cinco de Mayo celebration. Staff explained that Brew D’Etat can get a temporary liquor license for Heimatfest because Heimatfest, as an approved nonprofit organization, has a liquor license. This allows Brew D’Etat, as a microbrewery producing under 100 barrels annually, to obtain a secondary 1–4 day temporary liquor license in connection with the event.
In contrast, Cinco de Mayo operates independently and does not hold an event liquor license, which means Brew D’Etat cannot obtain a temporary liquor license for that event. Events such as Rock the Lot, the Fall Festival, and Heimatfest qualify for event liquor licenses, enabling associated vendors to apply for temporary licenses.
Mayor and Council Comments
Mayor Fremming noted that construction on the east side of the walking underpass by Clancy’s is progressing well and praised the roadwork near schools for being ahead of schedule. He also inquired about the open police officer position. Chief Empey reported that applications will be accepted through Tuesday, August 5.
Councilmember Schuh thanked everyone who participated in the Commercial Club Brewer’s Appreciation Night.
Councilmember Whipps complimented the Fire Department’s Open House, especially the interactive emergency vehicle displays, and commented that the Scott County Fair was enjoyable but uncomfortably hot.
The next council meeting is Monday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m.