Jordan Council Reviews Fire Service Costs; Rejects Home-Based Tattoo Proposal
By Jan Gilmer
The Jordan City Council met on Tuesday, May 27, for both a work session and regular council meeting. Several important topics were discussed, including fire service funding with surrounding townships, ordinance revisions for cosmetic body art businesses, infrastructure maintenance, and routine administrative matters. The following provides a summary of the discussions and actions taken.
WORK SESSION
A work session was held with representatives from the neighboring townships for which the City of Jordan provides fire coverage and allocates fees accordingly. Sand Creek Township was represented by Maggie Gallentine, and St. Lawrence Township was represented by Ted Kornder and Ron Symanitz.
The City of Jordan presented the 2024 Jordan Fire Department budget, including detailed breakouts of land value, 5% of land value, building value, and total value for each township and the City itself. These figures reflect the formula used to determine each township’s allocated share. Staff explained that capital funds are not included in the townships’ calculations, debt is excluded since it is not paid uniformly by all townships, and state aid (Fire Relief Fund) is also removed. The RTF facility is not included in the township allocation because it is shared by both the Jordan Fire and Police Departments.
There was discussion regarding the charitable gambling funds the City receives. Based on city code, the City receives 10% of all charitable gambling net revenues from organizations operating within city limits, with these funds restricted to police and fire use. The Jordan Fire Department applies charitable donations to offset any remaining balances. Fire Chief Gregg Pekarna explained the need for specialized equipment, noting that having proper equipment reduces insurance costs for the townships.
Several General Fund line items for the Fire Department have increased substantially since 2020, largely due to inflation. The department carefully allocates funds for future purchases when possible. For example, turnout gear (replaced every 10 years) cost $11,000 for five sets in 2020; today, four sets cost $20,000 to $25,000. Radios, which are replaced alongside turnout gear, have risen from $1,200 to $5,000 each since the switch to the 800 MHz network.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Public Comment:
One resident addressed the Council regarding the proposed amendment to the Licensed Cosmetic Body Art Establishments ordinance. The resident stated that such a business would complement existing beauty salons and barber shops in the commercial district. However, they recommended that if the Council were to consider allowing cosmetic tattooing in residential zoning districts, the ordinance language should be clarified to specify allowable services. The resident referenced services such as paramedical micropigmentation (addressing scars, stretch marks, areola reconstruction, and hairline reconstruction), as well as permanent or semi-permanent makeup procedures like microblading, lip tattooing, and eyeliner tattooing.
Administrator’s Report:
Delia Gonzalez, owner of Delia’s Authentic Home Flavor, was previously issued an on-sale liquor license in March 2025. As her business transitions into a new sit-down restaurant at 209 Broadway South under the new entity "All in One Delia’s Authentic Home Flavor, LLC" (owned by Gonzalez and Gabe Lopez, Jr.), a transfer of the existing liquor license was requested.
Administrator Nikunen explained that such transfers have been approved previously when businesses change ownership or names. The transferred license would be the same full liquor license used for the catering business but would add Sunday on-sale service. The Council approved the license transfer, with Councilmember Whipps noting a correction was needed on the application date. The new business anticipates opening in late July or early August 2025.
Engineer’s Report:
City Engineer Mike Waltman (Bolton & Menk) reported multiple complaints regarding the railroad crossing and alley located one-half block north of First Street to Rice Street (behind The Mousse and Jordan Creamery). Staff confirmed receipt of several complaints. Waltman requested Council authorization to seek bids for repair, clarifying that initial bidding would include estimates and design, with a separate construction bid to follow if approved. This estimate would be hourly based and should be restricted to $10,000.00.
This project would include coordination with Union Pacific (UP) for the repairs to the railroad crossing. Councilmember Whipps asked if the City could move forward with the repairs to the crossing due to past experience working with UP and the lack of response. Unfortunately due to liability and preference, given this is not an emergency situation, UP must be involved.
Council discussion questioned why this was not addressed at the time the City created the parking lot behind the Xcel building. The railroad crossing was not part of the purchase of the Xcel property and was not needed to complete the parking lot. Asking if there were any other railroad crossings that needed to be addressed, Mr. Waltman indicated he hadn’t reviewed the Sawmill Rd. crossing but no complaints have been received. The City would like MnDOT to address the 282 railroad crossing.
Administrator Nikunen noted that available MSA maintenance funds could be used for the project. The Council approved moving forward with obtaining bids, with Councilmember Whipps opposing, citing the limited number of properties that would benefit from the repairs.
Planner’s Report:
City Planner Sahni Moore presented the first reading of Ordinance 2025-02, amending the Licensed Cosmetic Body Art Establishments ordinance. The proposed change stems from a request to allow a home-based cosmetic tattooing business. Currently, such businesses are not permitted in R-1 and R-2 residential zoning districts, though they are allowed in other districts.
Jordan’s Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on this ordinance change. There was a request for clarification between “tattooing’ and “cosmetic tattooing”. The Commissioners discussed the distinction and considered whether the ordinance change should include all tattooing as a home business, but decided to leave the proposed amendment as presented. The revision is being recommended to Council by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Staff research found the Minnesota statue does not differentiate between cosmetic tattooing from tattooing. The requirements for the State statue for home business was provided and requires the home business be located in a private residence but completely partitioned off from the personal living, eating and bathroom spaces, and it must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health and be available for inspection by the health inspector.
Councilmember Penney requested clarification as to whether this application would be for new services being provided at an existing in-home business. Mr. Nikunen indicated the applicant had a business located across from City Hall, where the services were allowed due to the business district. The applicant has since moved to a home business which is the reason for the ordinance change request. The applicant would like to provide the same services as a home business that she provided in the business district.
Mayor Fremming and Councilmember Pho requested staff research ordinances for this service from other communities. Both felt the wording of the proposed amendment needed to be more specific.
Planner Moore indicated all tattoo services are referred to as “Body Art” in the State statue.
Councilmember Whipps moved to deny the Amendment to allow licensed cosmetic body art as an accessory use in the R-1 and R-2 residential zoning districts. This was seconded by Councilmember Schuh.
The Councilmembers voted to deny the change to the current Ordinance unanimously.
Police Report:
Police Chief Empey provided the Police Report for Council review.
Councilmember Schuh thanked Chief Empey for working with the new business along First Street to address the large dumpster in front of their business during construction.
Consent Agenda:
The Consent Agenda included:
Monthly Police Report and Finance Report
Bill payments
Contract awards for Strains of the Earth parking lot project and citywide pavement marking refresh
Special events permit for the Bluffs of Cedar Ridge Neighborhood Potluck
Liquor license application for Broadway Market
Assignment and assumption of tax abatement from Jordan Apartments, LLC to Ten Nineteen Jordan II, LLC
The Council unanimously approved all consent agenda items.
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Fremming announced that the 169/282/CR9 groundbreaking ceremony would be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28th, at Riesgraf Park, with City and State officials in attendance.
Council Comments:
Councilmember Whipps congratulated the graduating Class of 2025 and reminded residents about summer safety.
Councilmember Penney thanked Chief Empey and the Jordan Police Department for their work and noted the varsity Jags are in the state playoffs.
Councilmember Pho recognized Memorial Day and thanked Jordan firefighters for their continued service.
Councilmember Schuh expressed appreciation to Bolton & Menk for hosting the Commercial Club the previous week.
The next City Council meeting will be held Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m.