City Government of Delano
With its rich heritage and promising future, the City of Delano exemplifies the “Spirit of Community.”
Located on the western fringe of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Delano offers a pleasant blend of commerce and small-town living. The people of the community pride themselves on their national award-winning school district.
The tradition of this historic river town carries over into all aspects of community life. Delano is proud of its past, and looks to the future with ambition and optimism.
Welcome!
Council members
Mayor Dale Graunke
Phone: (763) 972-0550
E-mail: dgraunke@delano.mn.us
Mayor Graunke is serving his first term as mayor for the City of Delano.
He was elected to the serve a four-year term in the November 2010 election and his term will expire Dec. 31, 2014.
Graunke also serves as the president of the Delano Economic Development Authority (EDA). In addition to his duties as mayor, Graunke serves on the school subcommittee and as council liaison to the planning commission.
Council Member Holly Schrupp
E-mail: hschrupp@delano.mn.us
Council Member Holly Schrupp was appointed to the Delano City Council in 2003.
She was re-elected for her current term in 2008, which will expire Dec. 31, 2012. Schrupp also serves as vice president of the Delano Economic Development Authority (EDA). Schrupp also serves on the senior advisory board and as liaison to the Delano Fire Relief Association.
Council Member Betsy Stolfa
E-mail: bstolfa@delano.mn.us
Council Member Betsy Stolfa was elected to the Delano City Council in 2008. Her current term will expire on December 31, 2012.
Stolfa also serves on the DMU subcommittee and as liaison to the historic preservation Committee.
Council Member Dan Vick
E-mail: dvick@delano.mn.us
Council Member Dan Vick was elected to the Delano City Council in November 2010. His current term will expire in 2014.
Vick also serves as treasurer to the Delano Economic Development Authority (EDA) and liaison to the park and recreation committee and public safety committee.
Council Member Derek Schansberg
E-mail: dschansberg@delano.mn.us
Council Member Derek Schansberg was elected to Delano City Council in 2011. His current term will expire on December 31, 2014.
Schansberg also serves on the school subcommittee and DMU subcommittee. In addition to his duties as council member, Schansberg also serves on the Delano Water, Light and Power Commission.
The Delano City Council is a group of five elected officials who each serve four-year terms. The city council meets regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Delano City Hall, 234 Second Street North. The meetings begin at 7 p.m.
The regular council meetings are also broadcast live on Charter Cable Channel 12. The meetings are also rebroadcast at various times throughout the week.
Playback schedules and complete city council agendas are available at Delano City Hall or on the city’s website at www.delano.mn.us.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the City of Delano is to continue to provide the highest quality public services that effectively address changing citizen and community needs in a fiscally responsible and friendly manner.
City strategies and goals
Annually, the Delano City Council convenes with members of its staff to discuss its strategies and goals. The city focuses on the areas of:
1. Excellence and quality in the delivery of services.
The city believes that service to the public is our reason for being and strive to deliver quality services in a highly professional and cost-effective manner.
2. Fiscal Responsibility.
The city believes that ethics and integrity are the foundation blocks of public trust and confidence and that all meaningful relationships are built on these values.
3. Ethics and integrity.
The city believes that ethics and integrity are the foundation blocks of public trust and confidence and that all meaningful relationships are built on these values.
4. Treating citizens with respect.
The city strives to treat all citizens with courtesy and respect who deserve the best services it can provide.
5. Open and honest communication.
The city believes that open and honest communication is essential for an information and involved citizenry and to foster a positive working environment for employees.
6. Cooperation and teamwork.
The city believes that the public is best served when departments and employees work cooperatively as a team rather than at cross purposes.
7. Professionalism.
The city believes that continuous improvement is the mark of professionalism and are committed to applying this principle to the services we offer and the development of our employees.
8. Visionary leadership and planning.
The city believes that the very essence of leadership is to be visionary and to plan for the future.
The City of Delano provides a wide variety of services for its residents and business community. Within the city’s mission, maintain tight fiscal responsibility is important in its provision of services.
Public works
The Delano Public Works Department is responsible for the physical maintenance of the city’s infrastructure. Five full-time employees and as many as six part-time seasonal workers keep the city’s streets clean, sewers operational, and parks maintained. The Delano Public Works Facility is located at 402 Wright County Road 30 SE, Delano, MN 55328, (763) 972-0580. The Public Works Director is Ernie Eden.
Public safety
Delano and the surrounding area is served by a volunteer fire and rescue department, consisting of 28 community members. Over the last three years, this dedicated team has responded to more than 400 calls for help in an average year, in addition to the extensive training requirements that prepare its members for duty. The services the department provides range from fire suppression to medical assistance and vehicular accidents. The department also covers haz-mat incidents that include all live and property safety incidents. The Public Safety Director/Fire Chief is Bob Van Lith.
The Delano Fire Station is located at 245 2nd Street N, Delano, MN 55328, (763) 972-0581.
For emergency response, call 911.
Delano contracts with the Wright County Sheriffs Department for police services. In addition to the county-wide service already provided by the department, the city commissions services in the form of additional officers in the community.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Department is located at 10 2nd Street NW – Room 170, Buffalo, MN 55313-1197, (763) 682-1162.
For emergency response, call 911.
Community services
Ambulance
Ridgeview Ambulance Service, call 911, or (952) 442-2191
Allina Hospitals and Clinics Medical Transport, call 911, or (763) 682-7760
Arena
Delano Sports Arena, (763) 972-6470
Motor Vehicle Deputy Registrar
Delano City Hall, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., (763) 972-0568
Wright County Government Center
Buffalo, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., (763) 682-3900 or 800-362-3667, www.co.wright.mn.us
Delano Municipal Utilities
11 Bridge Ave W., PO Box 65, Delano, MN 55328, www.delanomn.us, info@delanoutilities.org, (763) 972-0557 or fax (763) 972-0587
To report an electrical or water outage after our regular office hours, call (612) 719-1705.
Delano Municipal Utilities is a community owned municipal electric and water utility. It has been serving the community of Delano since 1894. A board of five commissioners appointed by the city council governs DMU, which purchases power wholesale from Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency. Its manager is Hal Becker.
Other utility and service providers serving the City of Delano include:
• For gas service contact Xcel Energy at (800) 895-4999.
• Frontier Communications provides telephone service and high speed internet. Contact them at (800) 921-8101 for residential or (800) 921-8102 for businesses.
• Garbage pick-up can be arranged with Randy’s Sanitation at (763) 972-3335.
• Charter Communication provides cable television services and high speed internet and can be contacted at (800) 581-0081. New residents should call (763) 477-2043.
• The Delano Post Office will address any mailbox location questions you may have; it can be contacted at (763) 972-2500.
Planning/Land Use
As the city continues to grow, planning land uses and infrastructure is vital to the future of the community. With demand for housing and commercial development, requests to the city for additional infrastructure and services continue.
The growth pressures require clear direction from the city’s planning commission and the city council. The city’s strategy of ensuring high quality growth in a controlled fashion requires diligence on review of applications and planning future development areas.
The comprehensive plan is the backbone for the city’s planning efforts. The comprehensive plan was last updated in 2002, largely with the assistance of a 24-member community task force that developed many of the policies and guidelines. The document outlines requirements for new development and identifies ideal land uses for all areas of the community.
Specifically, the comprehensive plan establishes growth rate ranges for residential growth; recommending enough growth to pay for infrastructure and services without burdening the existing community, yet restricting growth at levels deemed harmful to the plan’s objectives. The plan identifies necessary park areas, transportation corridors, infrastructure needs, and design characteristics.
New development typically begins with the annexation process. The City of Delano is nearly fully developed, in terms of its existing land. Property owners in adjacent Franklin Township, however, are allowed under state law to request the annexation their property in to the City of Delano. There are other forms of annexation that typically pit townships and cities into an adversarial relationship; however, the city has avoided these approaches and chosen to annex only requesting property owners.
Building and Zoning
The city enforces the Minnesota State Building Code and the city’s zoning code for building construction and property maintenance. Building permits are reviewed by the city’s building official, and all necessary inspections are performed for every permit.
Zoning complaints are also investigated by this department. The city pursues zoning issues on a complaint basis and works with property owners to gain compliance.
Parks and Recreation
The city provides park and recreation services in Delano for the greater community to utilize. Parks and recreation programs are an important contributor to a community’s quality of life, and Delano is working diligently to provide greater opportunities.
Delano is served by a seven-member parks and recreation committee that provides research and recommendations to the city council critical for decision-making. One of the significant efforts of the committee presently is the implementation of the Central Park Master Plan. The committee is also developing an overall parks and trails master plan, with the assistance of a Live Wright grant from Wright County. Additional projects funded by this grant will include updated parks and trails maps on the city’s website and several kiosks throughout town highlighting the city’s trail network.
The city assists with the provision of summer recreation services for youth by a variety of agencies and organizations. Delano Community Education provides summer enrichment programming called the “Discovery Zone” for elementary-aged youth. A vast network of community organizations provide youth recreation, such as the Delano Youth Baseball Softball Association (DYBSA), which provides programming for more than 800 youth. The city works to support and assist these organizations in their efforts.
Park development and rehabilitation are also important to the livability of the community. Delano’s parks offer green space, sports facilities, trails, and many other outlets to enjoy Minnesota’s great outdoors. The city provides a variety of park needs, ranging from smaller parks located within individual neighborhoods to larger community parks, such as Central Park.
Delano Senior Center
The Delano Senior Center strives to provide services that help meet the needs of people 55 and older. You are invited to participate in one or more of the many programs offered through Delano Senior Center.
The Senior Dining Program, operated by Catholic Charities Senior Dining, offers both a congregate dining and a meals-on-wheel program for homebound seniors. A well-balanced noon meal prepared on-site is served at the senior center or delivered by volunteers to homebound seniors. These meals are delivered through a network of volunteer drivers. This service is available to seniors 60 and older living in Delano, Maple Plain, Independence, Rockford, Loretto, and Franklin Township.
Volunteer opportunities include receptionist, meals on wheels drivers, kitchen aides, group leaders, serving on an advisory board, and more.
Recreational and Social activities are an important part of independent living. There are plenty of activities to choose from including choir, storytheater, trips, card groups, special interest groups, educational speakers and classes, morning coffee, community education, writers group, book club and more.
Open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the senior center is located at 234 2nd Street N., Delano, MN 55328. The phone number is (763) 972-0574 and e-mail is dsc@delano.mn.us.
Transportation services
The City of Delano offers a public transportation program through a contract service with the River Rider Transit Program. Because River Rider is public transportation, all Delano residents are eligible to use the service.
A wheelchair lift equipped vehicle is available Monday through Friday for rides within the City of Delano. To plan a trip, please call 763-263-0101.
Franklin Township and Rockford residents will be able to access this transportation system; however, it will be on a more limited basis. Information on RiverRider:
RiverRider hours of operation:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $1.25 per one-way trip
To schedule a ride call: 1-800-821-9719. or (763) 263-0101. Please allow a one to two day notice.
The senior center also operates a transportation program for day tours, shopping trips, and community events.
Housing
The city, through the economic development authority, operates the Crow River Villa Apartments. The Villa Apartments provide 30 units of affordable public housing. Crow River Villa Apartments are reserved for those seniors, age 62 or older, handicapped and/or disabled persons that are able to live independently or with the help of a privately contracted service.
The Crow River Villa Apartments are located at 125 5th Street South, Delano, MN 55328, (763) 972-2945.
Delano Library
The Delano Library is operated by Great River Regional Library and open six days a week. The library provides Delano area residents with many reading and media resources, along with public computer and wireless access. The library is also supported by the Delano Friends of the Library, a non-profit organization.
The Delano Public Library is part of a consolidated six-county organization called Great River Regional Library (GRRL). It has 32 individual branch libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. Most of GRRL’s funding is provided through taxation at the county level, with some additional funds being provided at the state and federal level.
The library is located at 160 Railroad Avenue, Delano, MN 55328. For more information, contact the Delano Library at (763) 972-3467.
Delano Public Library open hours are: Mondays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursday, 1 to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 1 to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Delano Helping Hands Food Shelf
Delano Helping Hands Food Shelf, located in the Delano Community Education Building, 140 Elm Avenue, was founded in 1985, and currently has approximately 100 active volunteers.
The food shelf is open for food distribution each Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m., and every third Thursday it is also open from 5 to 7 p.m. The organization helps approximately 30 families on a monthly basis.
If anyone is interested in helping at the food shelf or donating, call your local church, or Sandy Pikus at (763) 972-3723, or Jeanie Pilarski at (763) 972-3360. All donations are kept in the Delano area.
Farmers Market
The market began in 2002, and is located on the corner of Highway 12 and County Line Road in the Flippin Bill’s parking lot. The farmers market is open on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m., May through October.
Visit the Delano Farmers Market and get to know the local farmers who are growing the freshest produce possible for you and your family. Great Harvest Breads offer a beautiful variety of their wholesome breads and goodies made in their bakery daily. Local honey, maple syrup, pickles, and more when in the season. Farm fresh eggs and seasonal fruits can also be found at the market. There is also a non-profit booth available.
The farmers market is currently looking for new vendors/growers for the 2011 season. For an application, or additional questions on the farmers market, please contact Deb Hoen, market manager, at (763) 238-2702.
Municipal Enterprises
The City operates two distinct and different enterprises: a municipal liquor store and the Delano Municipal Utilities.
Delano Wine and Spirits is the city’s municipal liquor store. Located next to Coborn’s at Delano Crossings, the municipal liquor store exceeds $2 million per year in sales, bringing more than $175,000 in profits back to the city. In the past, proceeds of all sales are reinvested 100 percent in city parks, which has been instrumental in the Central Park redevelopment and other parks projects. This year, approximately 40 percent of the profits were directed to the city’s general operations to keep local property taxes lower. The municipal liquor store can be reached at (763) 972-0578 and its manager is Nancy Drumsta.
Delano Municipal Utilities (DMU) operates the city’s electric and water utility enterprises. Dating back to the early 1930s, DMU was established as the Delano Water, Light, and Power enterprise.
Today, it operates under the DMU name. It is governed autonomously by the Delano Water, Light, and Power Commission, which has the authority to buy and sell power, manage its employees, and establish the necessary rates for its services. The city council appoints members to three-year terms on the commission. Delano Municipal Utilities is located at 11 Bridge Avenue, PO Box 65, Delano, MN 55328, (763) 972-0557. Its web site is www.delanomn.us and its manager is Hal Becker.
Finance
In 2009, the city’s financial status was analyzed by Standard and Poors, which recommended an upgrade in the city’s financial rating. The upgrade reflected the city’s strong fund balances, steady-to-declining tax rate, and sound financial planning. Prior to 2009, the city received a bond upgrade in 2005 and another one in 2007. The finance department is operated at Delano City Hall and the city’s finance director is Brian Bloch.
Administration
The administration department of the city is responsible for a variety of tasks. Primarily, the department oversees and supports all of the other departments within the city. The council provides its direction through the city administrator on policy decisions, which are then directed to those involved with delivering the services. The department also is responsible for retention and dissemination of all public documents and information.
In addition, the department handles most licenses and permits issued by the city. Dog licenses, liquor licenses, burning permits, and others are issued at Delano City Hall. In terms of licensing, the city also operates the local deputy registrar’s office. This office provides residents and business owners a local opportunity to renew license tabs for motor vehicles, trailers, and recreational vehicles.
The Delano City Hall is located at 234 2nd Street N., PO Box 108, Delano, MN, 55328, (763) 972-0550. Also visit www.delano.mn.us. The city administrator is Phil Kern.
