Welcome to the City of Foley…a Minnesota thriving rural community!

City of Foley has a strong economic base, a convenient and accessible location, education system, numerous recreational activities and a quality of life, based on traditional values.

Notices

City Park Picnic Areas, Bathrooms, Skate Park, and Playground Equipment Closed to Public
The playground and skate park equipment at Holdridge, Lion’s, and Norway Park will be closed to the public March 27 – April 10 during the state-wide Stay At Home order from the Governor’s Office (Executive Order 20-20).

To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the City of Foley will also close the picnic shelters in all city parks. Park bathroom facilities that were closed over the winter months will remain closed until further notice.

City parks and trails will remain open to the public for outdoor recreation. The city encourages residents to observe social distancing while using city parks and trails.

The City of Foley Responds to Coronavirus

• The city encourages everyone to use alternative methods of communication to help prevent the spread of viruses (phone, email, website, drop box, etc.).
• Follow city communications through our usual channels (website, Facebook, Twitter).
• Follow the advice of official county, state and federal organizations such as Benton County Public Health, Minnesota Department of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Stay home if you are sick, keep calm and wash your hands.

Resources For Small Businesses

A Message from Republic Services
Due to concerns with COVID-19 and other viruses, Republic Services will no longer be able to pick up items outside of containers. Individuals who need to put out any extras should contact Republic at 320-252-9608 to get an extra container.

A Message from Public Works
Please do not flush non-toilet paper products down your toilet.

Due to the coronavirus concerns, there has been a shortage of toilet paper on store shelves. This may cause people to look for alternative products such as paper towels, facial tissues, baby wipes, flushable wipes, and other similar items. These products do not break down like toilet paper and can cause sanitary sewer backups, which in turn can cause additional public health concerns.

For more information: Coronavirus Response Page

For Sale: Miracle Recreation Equipment Lokville Tri-Deck Park Play Structure
The City of Foley is selling a Miracle Recreation Equipment Lokville Tri-Deck Park Play Structure. The play structure is currently installed in a City Park and will need to be tore down and removed by the successful bidder.

Sealed bids will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

For more information: Bid Opportunities

Census Day is April 1! Let’s get Foley Counted. Spread the word!

For more information: We Count MN – Census 2020

Changes to January 2020 Water/Sewer Bills – New Due Date, MN Test Fee Increase, and New Local Sales Tax for Commercial Accounts
Quarterly water bills are coming soon to a mail box near you! To avoid a $25 late charge and a possible disruption of services, be sure to pay your new water bill in full no later than Feb. 29.

***Please note the change in Due Date and Penalty Date. ***

You will also note a couple increases on your bill:

• The Minnesota Test Fee has increased from $1.59 per quarter to $2.43 per quarter.
• There is also a new .5% Local Transient Sales Tax for commercial accounts.

Delinquent portions of your bill (anything past due from a previous quarter) should be paid immediately to avoid water shut off.

For questions about your bill, please call Foley City Hall at 320-968-7260.

Nominations Needed for the 2020 Foley Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award

The Foley Area Chamber of Commerce has created a Citizen of the Year Award Program to recognize one person that has displayed outstanding dedication and contribution to the community during the preceding year. Members of the Foley Area Chamber of Commerce are to nominate a person whom they feel would deserve to receive the award. Forms must be completed and received no later than 5:00pm on May 1, 2020 to be eligible.

• 2020 Foley Citizen of the Year Award
• 2020 Citizen of the Year Nomination Form

Foley City Council Votes to Raise Water/Sewer Rates and Fees for 2020
The Foley City Council voted unanimously during their Dec. 3 council meeting to raise the city water/sewer rates for 2020. The new 2020 rates are roughly the equivalent of a 5% increase over the 2019 rates.

Foley residents will see an increase to their minimum water/sewer bill from $87.69 to $92.73. This includes an increase in the Minnesota Test Fee from $1.59 per quarter to $2.43 per quarter. The increase in the MN Test Fee will begin with the January 2020 billing (prior to the rate increase), making the minimum water bill for only the January billing $88.53.

The City of Foley is systematically raising rates to fund an anticipated wastewater system upgrade as well as to qualify for state funding for the project. Without state funding, Foley residents would end up footing the entire bill for the anticipated multi-million wastewater improvement project.

Rates are effective upon publication, Jan. 1, 2020. Foley residents will see the new rates reflected in their first quarter 2020 water/sewer utility bills scheduled to arrive in mailboxes in April 2020

Winter Parking Enforcement begins Nov. 1. 
A friendly reminder that Winter Parking Enforcement runs from Nov. 1 to March 31. Regardless of weather conditions, no parking is allowed on any city street or alley during the winter months between the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Violators will be ticketed and possibly towed.

Winter Sump Pump Water Discharge

To avoid creating ice hazards for pedestrians and motorists, residents are requested to move sump pump discharge hoses away from sidewalks and roadways to the edge of road right-of-way, so water drains onto your lawn or yard.

To prevent water from pooling on properties and creating a nuisance for neighbors, it is recommended residents move their discharge hoses frequently so the water can be absorbed faster into the soil.

The City of Foley Code of Ordinances Section 1100 defines a public nuisance as anything that endangers the public safety. This includes anything that interferes with, obstructs, or renders dangerous for passage, any public highway or right-of-way, or waters used by the public.

For more information: Please contact Foley City Hall at 320-968-7260.

Foley City Code Allowing for ATVs and UTVs on City Streets Now Available Online
Section 1015 of the Foley City Code allowing for ATVs and UTVs on city streets has been updated online. The change was passed by the City Council on June 4 and went into affect upon publication on June 18. You can read the full ordinance at the link below.

For more information: Section 1015 – ATVs, Special Vehicles and Snowmobiles

Wastewater Treatment Expansion Update

In a 4-1 decision, the Foley City Council approved the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan during the April 2, 2019, council meeting. Mayor Gerard Bettendorf and the council expressed appreciation to city staff and to everyone in attendance for their participation in the public hearing. The next step is for the City to submit the approved facility plan to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

The City of Foley’s wastewater plant has reached capacity. The approved Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan gives an overview of the existing conditions and also explores multiple options for expansion. 

You can read the full, newly approved Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan (April 12, 2019).

• Appendices A – F
• Appendices G – J

For more information: Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion

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Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance (CMWEA)

The City of Foley is a member of CMWEA, a collation of Central Minnesota cities, counties and other organizations that provides educational outreach to promote water quality stewardship. The mission of CMWEA is to develop and implement educational programs that encourage individuals in Central Minnesota to protect water resources by increasing their knowledge and making simple behavior changes. By working in concert, the members of CMWEA are able to provide a consistent water quality educational message in a cost-effective manner. Funding is provided by membership dues. Play Clean Water Bingo and take the Clean Water Pledge!

Minnesota Safe Routes to School is an effort to improve walking and bicycling conditions for our youth and encourage more active lifestyles. Read more about how you can participate on our Safe Routes to School page.

Automatic Withdrawal Payment Option
The Automatic Withdrawal Payment option allows you to pay your water bill directly from a checking or savings account through automatic withdrawal. To set up the direct payment option, please print out the form below and mail to City Hall along with a voided check/deposit slip.

• Direct Payment Application Form

Please Note:

• Automatic withdrawal customers will still receive copies of their water/sewer bill in the mail every quarter.
• The bill will be clearly marked with the message, “DO NOT PAY – DIRECT PAYMENT.”
• Please remember to update your account records to show you have paid your bill.

City of Foley One-Time Dog Licenses Available at City Hall
Foley residents are required to purchase a $20.00 one-time dog license that is good for the life of the dog.

• Dog license is a one-time $20 fee for the lifetime of the dog.
• License tags can be transferred to another dog for a $15 fee.
• Lost tags can be replaced for a $5 fee.
• No dog shall be permitted to run at large within City Limits.
• Dogs are required to be on a leash or under control at all times.
• Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dog.
• Owners are responsible for keeping dog up-to-date on rabies vaccination.
• Owners are responsible for updating their contact information.

Proof of current rabies vaccination is required at the time of issuing license. The new ordinance was passed at the March 7, 2017, City Council Meeting.

MN 23 Crash Reduction Project Update
Benton and Mille Lacs Counties – Law Enforcement are conducting extra patrol efforts with the goal of reducing fatal crashes on Highway 23 in both counties. Involved in the enforcement project are Benton County Sheriff’s Department, Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Department, Foley Police Department, Milaca Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol.

For more information:MN 23 Crash Reduction Project Update (Feb. 24, 2017) ; WCCO Interview with Chief McMillin and Sheriff Heck

Due to the possibility of unauthorized modification of electronic data, errors in transmission, HTML browser incompatibilities, and other aspects of electronic communication that are beyond our control, information contained in the City’s website should not be considered suitable for legal purposes. Contact the City Hall to verify accuracy.