1 00:01:48,076 --> 00:01:50,096 [clears throat] 2 00:01:54,720 --> 00:02:00,320 I'm going to call the fully city council meeting of August 4th to order. Let's 3 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:04,799 please rise for the pledge of allegiance. [clears throat] 4 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:10,239 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the 5 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:16,920 republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and 6 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:16,920 justice for all. 7 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:26,360 » All right. I'd be looking for a motion to approve the agenda. 8 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:26,360 » Second. 9 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:35,760 » Um motion is made and seconded. Further discussion in favor? I I post same sign. 10 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:38,800 Motion carries. Next, we be looking to uh for a motion to approve the consent 11 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,720 agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve the 12 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:46,319 consent agenda. >> I will second that motion. Motion is 13 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:50,400 made and seconded. Any further discussion? 14 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:55,280 » In favor, I I oppose. Same sign. >> Motion carries. Moving on to item number 15 00:02:52,640 --> 00:03:00,000 five, mayor's comments and open forum. Zero. I do believe Deb wanted to take a 16 00:02:57,599 --> 00:03:06,400 minute. I just think as long as we have at least one of our candidates here, it 17 00:03:02,239 --> 00:03:13,680 might be nice to just give our names, you can make teenytiny ex explanation or 18 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:17,120 however you feel. It's better way to start that they at least know who is 19 00:03:15,599 --> 00:03:22,720 who. >> Great. You want to start? 20 00:03:19,599 --> 00:03:26,000 » Yep. I'm Deb Mitz and I will be pending at the end of the year 21 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:30,720 » after a four-year term. >> After four year term. Uh, Mayor Brandon 22 00:03:28,640 --> 00:03:36,319 Voit, uh, coming up on the end of my two-year term. Served on two years of 23 00:03:32,959 --> 00:03:40,799 council, uh, prior to that. >> I'm Gary Swanson. My term is up. I am 24 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:44,239 rer runninging for the position of county council in this. 25 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:49,280 » How long have you been running or been on council? 26 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:54,560 How long have you been on council? >> Total? 27 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:57,920 » Probably 8, 10, 12 years I've served. Yes. 28 00:03:55,120 --> 00:04:02,319 » Great. Stephanie Lloyd, city council member for two years now, halfway 29 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:08,959 through. >> Jeff Gond, I've been on here 10 years. 30 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:11,920 » Excellent. Thank you for that, Deb. Uh, with nothing else, we'll move on to item 31 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:16,160 number six. We have a guest here, Darren Lee from the Coalition of Greater 32 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:20,440 Minnesota Cities to share uh some things from legislation and beyond. 33 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:27,040 » Thank you very much for having me. Uh Darren Lee with Flarity and Hood. We 34 00:04:25,759 --> 00:04:32,160 represent the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities down at the state 35 00:04:28,639 --> 00:04:36,560 capital. And so we like to stop by to all of our member cities. Well, maybe 36 00:04:34,479 --> 00:04:40,320 not all most, as many as we can make it to uh during the interim between 37 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:45,360 legislative sessions and give you an update on what we've been doing down at 38 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:50,960 the capital on your behalf. Um sort of a recap and a little preview of what we've 39 00:04:47,919 --> 00:04:57,360 got going on. uh what we see coming up with election and then uh next year. So, 40 00:04:54,720 --> 00:05:03,520 starting with kind of a reminder of who we are, we represent 100 cities across 41 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:08,560 the state. Uh there's our updated map with all of our members on there and 42 00:05:05,840 --> 00:05:13,120 we're outside the metropolitan area, seven county area. And so that 43 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:18,639 distinguishes us from say the League of Minnesota Cities who represents 44 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:23,440 metropolitan area and greater Minnesota. So it allows us to focus on some of the 45 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:28,800 issues uh give more attention directly on issues that affect cities outside the 46 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:33,440 metro. Those are some of the issues that we work on. We added a couple uh the 47 00:05:31,840 --> 00:05:40,000 last couple of years because we've been spending a lot of time on them uh 48 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:46,160 housing and EMS services u because we've spending a lot of time on those and I'll 49 00:05:41,919 --> 00:05:49,680 talk a little bit about housing as we uh get a little further on here. we can go 50 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:56,160 to the next slide. Um, so starting with a recap, 51 00:05:53,039 --> 00:06:00,160 uh, a pause here because I've got some handouts, 52 00:05:57,759 --> 00:06:06,120 some more information I want to pass out folks. 53 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:06,120 Thank you. 54 00:06:10,479 --> 00:06:20,319 » So, got some info in your folder here. Uh you'll have our session recap, our 55 00:06:17,759 --> 00:06:26,960 session report, um which will go into a little more detail than I can get into 56 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:32,560 today. uh frequently asked questions, kind of who we are, um what we do, our 57 00:06:30,479 --> 00:06:36,720 staff contacts, I work on transportation, 58 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:42,000 uh and then we have all of our other staff that's available to you for any 59 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:50,240 questions you have uh related to those issues uh or any concerns. And then we 60 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:56,319 have our environmental program uh sheet talking about uh water wastewater 61 00:06:53,199 --> 00:07:00,000 quality. I was talking to Sarah uh who I know is not here tonight, but um she was 62 00:06:58,479 --> 00:07:06,479 telling me that you're dealing with some water quality issues. Um we're going to 63 00:07:02,319 --> 00:07:10,720 require some new water treatment. So, um they'll that'll be, you know, relevant 64 00:07:08,479 --> 00:07:17,039 to the bonding bill, but this is also a good one to look at um on those sort of 65 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:22,319 issues. And then, uh our labor and employment program, our housing report, 66 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:26,880 it's a pretty lengthy report. So, on this sheet here, you've got on one side 67 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:32,000 a link that you can go to read our housing report. And then this just 68 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:37,120 recently came out, our candidate packet for candidates that are running for the 69 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:42,639 legislature and that has quite a bit of information on all the things that we 70 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:47,680 work on at the capital. And so, uh, that's also included. And then I think 71 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:51,919 the last one, we got a lot of stuff in here. Uh, our upcoming events. So, we 72 00:07:50,319 --> 00:07:55,919 just recently had our summer conference, which was, uh, really a good one. One, 73 00:07:54,560 --> 00:08:00,160 one of the best, I think the best conference that I've been at. we've 74 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:04,479 done. Uh, and Sarah often comes to our stuff. Um, but if you didn't make it to 75 00:08:03,039 --> 00:08:08,479 our summer conference, we got our fall conference coming up in November. Then 76 00:08:06,639 --> 00:08:13,280 we have our legislative action day. So, you can come down and lobby with us at 77 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:17,680 the capitol. And then, uh, we've already got our summer conference on here. I 78 00:08:15,039 --> 00:08:24,720 think we don't have a date set for that, but that's going to be in Owatana next 79 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:28,960 summer. So, getting to the recap, we can go to the next slide here. 80 00:08:27,039 --> 00:08:37,760 um divided government brings low expectations. So uh here 81 00:08:33,039 --> 00:08:43,200 um we had same as last year we had 6767 in the house, one seat majority for the 82 00:08:41,039 --> 00:08:48,320 Democrats in the Senate. Uh I would say they exceeded my expectations actually 83 00:08:45,680 --> 00:08:52,640 because they did pass quite a bit of legislation the final weekend of the 84 00:08:51,519 --> 00:08:58,160 session. >> Uh those are were some of the major 85 00:08:54,880 --> 00:09:03,760 issues. It's an election year. So, you know, uh with the shooting that happened 86 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:09,360 at enunciation and then assassinations, gun was a uh gun was a big issue and 87 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:14,320 school safety. Fraud of course is something that's been in the news for 88 00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:20,640 quite a while now. Uh that was discussed a lot. They did pass some things, some 89 00:09:16,399 --> 00:09:24,080 anti-fraud measures. Um HCMC, uh that hospital's had financial 90 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:30,560 problems for a while. They did pass a rescue package for uh that and then a 91 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:36,240 bonding bill. They did end up passing a bonding bill. Um it wasn't a budget 92 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:39,680 year, so typically they do budget year, bonding year, although it hasn't 93 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:45,680 necessarily always gone that way the last decade or so. So we can go to the 94 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:52,240 next one. Uh tasks for the session. So this was kind of our our priorities. 95 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:57,360 protect LGA, local government aid, which uh our members depend on, and to pass a 96 00:09:55,680 --> 00:10:02,000 bonding bill, which includes all those local projects, including water and 97 00:09:59,279 --> 00:10:06,959 wastewater projects uh that I understand you're probably going to be requesting 98 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:12,480 bonding money uh in the future for that. And then lead line funding, so lead uh 99 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:19,279 water service lines that go from the water the main up to the house. So those 100 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:23,519 are that's the that area. So, um, you know, that's been tricky, uh, to 101 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:28,240 replace. The EPA has said we've got to replace all those. Um, so that's one 102 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:36,320 thing that we're working on. And then resist zoning and, uh, uh, redemption 103 00:10:32,959 --> 00:10:41,200 authority. Uh, sort of, um, there's always there's this effort to preempt 104 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:45,760 uh, local authority on zoning and land use. And so that was another thing that 105 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:54,399 we had to resist against. What were our tasks? The last one you uh forecast. So 106 00:10:50,720 --> 00:11:01,040 you might remember last year February of 2025 there was a $6 billion deficit and 107 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:07,760 now in that second bianium that fiscal year 2829 and that's been reduced quite 108 00:11:04,079 --> 00:11:13,040 a bit. We still have that imbalance. Um but the situation has improved 109 00:11:10,560 --> 00:11:18,560 uh somewhat. Uh however, you know, if that structural 110 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:21,600 imbalance, which sometimes people say, what's the difference between that and a 111 00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:25,600 deficit? Well, the the imbalance is just, you know, the difference between 112 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:30,640 the revenues coming in and the money going out. So, expenses going out. So, 113 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:36,399 you would have a deficit if that continues. And so, that was the budget 114 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:40,480 situation. We go to the next slide. Uh so, because because of that, you know, 115 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:48,560 there's still a challenge there. There wasn't a lot of talk of new spending 116 00:11:43,519 --> 00:11:52,720 programs. Um, luckily there in 2025 there was a proposal to cut local 117 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:58,640 government aid. In 2026 we didn't see that. Um, so that was helpful. Um, and 118 00:11:56,560 --> 00:12:04,640 then there was, you know, focus on bonding and policy kind of uh were the 119 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:11,360 were sort of the priorities. Go to the next one. So, bonding. Um, I 120 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:17,600 want to talk a little bit about some background on this. So, they did have a 121 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:21,600 bill in 2025 and we were worried for a while, you know, they there may not be 122 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:27,200 as much appetit appetite to do one again in 2026 since they did one in 2025. But, 123 00:12:24,959 --> 00:12:33,200 um, luckily we did end up getting one done. Uh, there's what the governor had 124 00:12:30,160 --> 00:12:39,279 proposed. So heavy on stateowned assets like uh state parks, the Minsk system, 125 00:12:36,639 --> 00:12:46,800 the U of M system, uh state buildings, uh some some money 126 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:51,839 in there for capital security. Uh again with the uh assassination and 127 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:58,880 assassination attempts that took place. Uh there was they now have uh metal 128 00:12:56,399 --> 00:13:04,880 detectors in the capital screen uh which is this the first time 129 00:13:02,079 --> 00:13:08,639 they've ever had that and there's some funding in there for those sort of 130 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:13,680 things and then kind of help security and then public facilities authority. So 131 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:18,560 public facilities authority is of course the agency that funds all those water 132 00:13:16,560 --> 00:13:23,040 and wastewater projects and the governor was proposing 99 million de 133 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:28,000 two and a half million for business development, public infrastructure. And 134 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:31,519 since I work in transportation, this was disappointing to me. I think this is the 135 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:36,000 second year in a row now that the governor's proposed nothing for local 136 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:43,040 roads and bridges and very little set aside for local projects. Last year they 137 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:50,079 did no local projects, local requests in the bonding bill. This year there were 138 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:56,720 quite a few. We go to the next slide. Here's some of our uh testimony in front 139 00:13:53,600 --> 00:14:05,279 of committees on uh different bonding bills. Um we can go to the next one 140 00:14:00,079 --> 00:14:10,160 there. Uh and so we did end up getting a pretty substantial bonding bill. Public 141 00:14:07,519 --> 00:14:14,480 facilities authority ended up getting over 400 million. So four times more 142 00:14:12,560 --> 00:14:17,839 than what the governor had proposed. That's good news because that takes, you 143 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:24,560 know, they'll be able to get that money out the door and reduce that backlog of 144 00:14:21,279 --> 00:14:32,320 uh cities that are on that list for funding. Um so that's positive. And then 145 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:37,199 uh we ended up getting some money for local roads and local bridges, 25 146 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:43,040 million and then 47 million for local roads, 25 million for so uh pretty big 147 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:47,760 bonding bill. 1.24 24 billion. That was about as high as they could go and stay 148 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:53,440 within the borrowing guidelines. And I think I hit my next one here. Uh yes. So 149 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:58,000 lead lines. I wanted to talk about this separately 150 00:14:55,839 --> 00:15:01,839 just a little bit because we spent a lot of time on this and we're going to have 151 00:14:59,199 --> 00:15:06,320 to spend more time on it. Um like I said, the Environmental Protection 152 00:15:04,079 --> 00:15:12,399 Agency is mandating that everything needs to be removed by 2037. 153 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:18,880 Uh 240 million is what we originally got in 2023. Um but it's going to cost a a 154 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:23,760 lot more to identify and remove all those lines in the state. So I think 1.5 155 00:15:22,079 --> 00:15:27,120 billion approximately. So you can do the math over the next 10 years or so. You 156 00:15:25,839 --> 00:15:34,480 know, we're going to need quite a bit. Um so we were asking for 250 million 157 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:41,279 this year. Um there's a link on there to an inventory map you can go on. Um 158 00:15:38,639 --> 00:15:45,519 says U ofM, but it's like I think it's maybe a partnership with the U of M and 159 00:15:42,959 --> 00:15:50,959 then the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency or um 160 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:54,560 the Department of Health, but you can look on there and you can see kind of 161 00:15:53,199 --> 00:15:59,600 everything that they've inventoried around the state and what is left to be 162 00:15:57,519 --> 00:16:05,440 inventoried. Um 163 00:16:01,839 --> 00:16:10,639 so we ended up um with we don't get an an infusion of more money than like the 164 00:16:07,519 --> 00:16:17,120 2027 construction season is going to be threatened uh because there won't be 165 00:16:13,199 --> 00:16:21,680 enough um funding to have a full you know fill up those work working months 166 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:29,120 in the summer when we can do that work. So we ended up with just 15 million this 167 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:34,480 year. Scroll down to the next one there. Thank you. 168 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:40,000 Uh so we've decided that rather than just ask for money in the bonding bill, 169 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:43,759 um we need to come up with an ongoing source of funding for this rather than 170 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:48,959 just rely on what the legislature chooses to revive and whether or not a 171 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:52,720 bonding bill passes. Um so that's something we're going to be 172 00:16:50,399 --> 00:16:58,000 coming back again and working on again next year. 173 00:16:54,320 --> 00:17:04,079 So, housing and zoning. Uh, this is one that just keeps coming back. Uh, they 174 00:17:01,759 --> 00:17:09,760 keep sort of repackaging the proposal and giving it a new name. Uh, first it 175 00:17:07,199 --> 00:17:16,559 was the missing middle then yes homes, now it's starter home act. Um, and so 176 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:22,160 this year I think they tried to provide a little bit more flexibility to local 177 00:17:19,439 --> 00:17:29,760 governments to make it a little bit more palatable to us, but it's still way too 178 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:35,039 prescriptive and still uh is taking away too much of your ability to have 179 00:17:32,799 --> 00:17:39,520 autonomy over kind of how you want to develop in your city. So that first 180 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:45,600 bullet there where it says preeemption of aesthetic and material standards, HOA 181 00:17:41,919 --> 00:17:52,000 preeemption, uh, and require AV news or alternative dwelling units, that would 182 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:57,840 have applied to all cities um, even under 5,000. 183 00:17:54,799 --> 00:18:04,000 That next set of bullets there would be cities over 5,000. You'd have to do you 184 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:07,760 could choose a third of an area that's zoned as single family and then you'd 185 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:12,799 have to allow up to four units, but you'd still have to upzone single 186 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:18,640 family, a third of what's currently single family up to four units. And then 187 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:25,200 minimum lot sizes no greater than an eighth. Uh and then multifamily 188 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:31,039 also in a third of area that's currently zoned as commercial. So you'd have to 189 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:36,240 allow that. use there. And then on the next slide, cities over 10,000 would 190 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:41,600 have to do even more. So what's included in that? Everything that's included on 191 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:46,559 that first slide, plus some additional items like parking minimums, additional 192 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:51,919 upzoning, a single family, you could choose a couple, you know, two or three 193 00:18:48,799 --> 00:18:55,760 of those uh options. So still even more requirements there. 194 00:18:54,240 --> 00:19:02,640 20 that um and then We can scroll down to 195 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:08,240 the next one. Uh, so the League of Minnesota Cities, you know, they would 196 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:13,360 I'd say they they stopped lobbying against it actively, but they would say 197 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:18,000 they still opposed it. Uh, however, we continued to oppose it along with metro 198 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:23,120 cities and the municipal legislative commission, which I think is like 20 a 199 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:29,440 coalition of 20 cities, uh, suburban cities in the metro area. So luckily uh 200 00:19:27,360 --> 00:19:34,160 it was defeated in a House committee vote. No hearing in the Senate. Uh 201 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:41,919 that's our executive director Bradley Peterson testifying against against the 202 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:46,320 uh legislation. And once again, we'll expect that this will come up again uh 203 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:50,080 because you'll have advocates uh proposing it. But we know that, you 204 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:56,799 know, zoning preeemption and the state coming in 205 00:19:52,960 --> 00:20:02,559 telling you how to use land is not the, you know, silver bullet to fix housing 206 00:19:59,679 --> 00:20:06,640 problems or economic problems. So, so there's a lot of other factors and so 207 00:20:04,799 --> 00:20:13,440 that's not not the right solution. So, we'll be back again next year fighting 208 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:19,760 against it. So, looking ahead, uh, of course, election year, we got 209 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:24,640 primary coming up a week from today. Uh, all legislative seats on the ballot, 210 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:29,280 open governor's race. Uh, Amy Clolobashar, of course, is running on 211 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:33,919 the, uh, Democrat side. There's still there's a few Republicans running, so 212 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:39,280 we'll see who ends up getting nominated on the Republican side. All of Congress 213 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:44,640 is up. Um, there's a Senate seat up that's competitive primary on the 214 00:20:42,559 --> 00:20:51,200 Democrat side. So, we'll see who gets the nomination there. Uh our candidate 215 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:54,080 packet, which I uh referred to earlier, is going to be available to all 216 00:20:52,799 --> 00:20:57,200 candidates that are running for the legislature. We're going to be getting 217 00:20:55,200 --> 00:21:01,440 that out to everybody. And then uh we're going to engage with 218 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:08,000 all those candidates, talk about our issues, and uh the session starts 219 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:11,200 January 14th next year. And so then I think I just have 220 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:16,880 Okay, I need to update that one. Yeah. So, that's that next one. Just a final 221 00:21:14,559 --> 00:21:23,200 plug for our events. We can go to the last one and then uh of course that last 222 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:27,600 one we just missed, but we'll have our summer conference again next year so you 223 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:33,600 can make it next year. Thanks again for having me. Appreciate it. Um happy to 224 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:39,520 answer questions that you have. When are we going to start seeing a 225 00:21:35,919 --> 00:21:44,080 little more force in I see a lot of comments about housing 226 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:50,480 » and that's a great thing but I don't see it in small towns enough. I don't see it 227 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:57,200 for senior living and I don't see it for low incomes enough. 228 00:21:53,440 --> 00:22:03,840 our town here, we have seniors that have no place to go 229 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:10,320 » and this is becoming critical. This is not normal. This is we have people that 230 00:22:07,360 --> 00:22:14,000 are lucky to have family to move in with. 231 00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:18,000 » Yeah, it it's a it's a challenge. >> I mean, what can we do then? What can we 232 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:21,919 do? So, I mean, I think there's so there's 233 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:28,080 some there's housing infrastructure bonds that are available. Um, I think 234 00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:33,840 some cities have have like uh housing redevelopment authorities that they that 235 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:40,000 they work with uh that are part of uh you know work with the city and then uh 236 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:45,840 also I think it's a you know it's a workforce issue too because you know 237 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:50,799 there isn't workforce uh there isn't jobs there isn't housing, you know, it's 238 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:57,360 tough to get developers to come in and build. And so, uh, it is a challenge. 239 00:22:54,480 --> 00:23:03,440 Um, we've got some success stories. Uh, there's, uh, I know down in, uh, Canon 240 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:08,240 Falls, they've got a, they came and testified last year. Uh, they, uh, were 241 00:23:06,799 --> 00:23:13,039 working, they're working with a developer and, uh, doing a development 242 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:18,559 right now. and I can get you in touch with uh one of my colleagues who works 243 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:25,200 on housing specifically and she's worked with the city of Canon Falls and she can 244 00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:29,120 point you to some resources to work on uh trying to solve some of those 245 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:32,720 challenges. So happy to follow up with you on that too. 246 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:37,120 » Well, I'll be off console at the end of this year and I want to know who to push 247 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:41,919 buttons with when I'm gone. >> Okay. 248 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:45,200 » Because I have more power inside this council. 249 00:23:44,799 --> 00:23:51,280 » Okay? >> Because I have people 250 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:57,520 when you look at seniors, I can tell you there's a lot of them 251 00:23:54,000 --> 00:24:02,559 sitting around having coffee with me. And I you don't realize it till you 252 00:23:59,679 --> 00:24:10,320 listen to them. We have people living on $7,000 a year. 253 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:14,039 I don't know a person in this room that can live on that. 254 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:20,000 That simple. And I don't hear anybody screaming about 255 00:24:18,720 --> 00:24:24,640 it. I'm going to give you my card and um I 256 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:28,640 will follow up with you if you have email and I'll point I'm going to point 257 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:32,400 you to some some folks that you can talk to further and so then when you're off 258 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:38,000 the council you'll be able to you can come back and uh do some work from 259 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:42,400 outside of here too but definitely before the end of the year too of 260 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:47,279 course. >> Okay, thank you for the answer. 261 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:50,159 » Any other questions for me? Hearing 262 00:24:49,679 --> 00:24:52,880 none. >> Great. Thank you, Darren. 263 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:58,039 » Thank you. Have a good meeting. >> Good presentation 264 00:24:54,799 --> 00:24:58,039 for quickie. 265 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:06,080 » All right, moving into item number seven, department reports. We'll start 266 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:10,720 with uh Chief Katie McMillan of the police department. 267 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:16,000 » Um Mr. Mayor, members of the council, um not much tonight, just a stat report for 268 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:21,919 the month of July. We had 443 calls for service. Um, traffic enforcement was up. 269 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:25,440 A lot more increased traffic, people heading north with that. More traffic, 270 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:31,440 more accidents. So, you can see accidents are up. Um, the disturbing of 271 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:36,320 the piece was your fireworks calls and then assisting agency. The 272 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:40,320 county has been very busy and they have requested us on several occasions to 273 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:45,600 come out of the city to help them on their serious calls which they help they 274 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:51,679 come and cover help us on ours. So we pat their back, they pat ours. So um not 275 00:25:48,640 --> 00:26:00,240 concerned with anything there. Um but that is all I have. Back to school is 276 00:25:56,400 --> 00:26:06,080 uh September 8th, so we'll be busy at school. Other than that, that is all I 277 00:26:02,799 --> 00:26:11,120 have. Unless you have something for me. >> Your traffic stops at a lot of speed. 278 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:14,240 » Yep. It's a mixture. Speed, um, stop signs. We've been a lot of stop signs 279 00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:19,600 lately. So, >> see, it's up quite a bit, which is good. 280 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:25,679 You're doing job. I do have some a question about there's 281 00:26:22,159 --> 00:26:30,720 a difference between an ebike electric bike speedwise 282 00:26:27,679 --> 00:26:37,960 driving where you drive, how fast you drive, wear a helmet. We have some young 283 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:37,960 people 284 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:44,480 really moving. >> Yep. Oh, ebike and electric bike are the 285 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:50,559 same thing. Um so with that they cannot be on electric bike if it they have to 286 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:55,440 be or a scooter I believe it's 15 and under they cannot um there was a thing 287 00:26:53,440 --> 00:27:01,200 on our Facebook post that I posted a few months ago um that divides it out very 288 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:04,880 easily and there is a speed limit on it. We have stops several of them for going 289 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:10,320 through the stop signs because they have to abide by the traffic laws just like 290 00:27:07,679 --> 00:27:14,320 you do on a bicycle. stop at stop signs and stay on the right side of the road. 291 00:27:12,159 --> 00:27:17,600 They have to do all that. Um, so we have been stopping people for that, too. So, 292 00:27:17,039 --> 00:27:20,600 » thank you. >> Yep. 293 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:28,640 » Anything else? >> Great. Moving on to city engineer Jared 294 00:27:27,039 --> 00:27:32,000 Griffith. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of 295 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:35,840 council. Um, tonight I have two action items for your consideration. Um, and 296 00:27:34,559 --> 00:27:39,200 then an update on routes and construction projects. So I'll start 297 00:27:37,039 --> 00:27:44,559 with the action items. Uh first being pay application number 11 for the 2025 298 00:27:42,159 --> 00:27:49,360 uh north side improvements project. Uh essentially this pay app uh represents 299 00:27:47,600 --> 00:27:55,640 101.67% of the of the project work certified to 300 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:55,640 date is 5,114,27586. 301 00:27:58,159 --> 00:28:04,200 Um payout request is $211,8483. 302 00:28:05,919 --> 00:28:13,919 This is basically um all all of all of $7,000 of it is is 303 00:28:12,240 --> 00:28:20,240 just reducing the retainage on the north side project from five down to 1%. 304 00:28:17,039 --> 00:28:27,120 Still holding a $51,000 on the north side. So any questions on 305 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:30,880 the north side in particular or they haven't 306 00:28:29,279 --> 00:28:34,159 » punch list items have been taken care of. 307 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:40,960 » Uh the reason why we're holding some u retain because items aren't taken 308 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:45,840 issues and then um some other minor I don't say minor but other items that are 309 00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:51,840 smaller >> and those will be 310 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:58,480 » um there's some pavers that uh that need to be installed on Third Avenue. Um 311 00:28:56,559 --> 00:29:02,600 I believe there are bunch more 312 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:12,960 projection on when it'll be all done >> when the when the punches will be done 313 00:29:11,520 --> 00:29:15,679 or when we'll be closing the project out. 314 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:19,919 » Closing the project and the punch list. >> Punch list should be I would that would 315 00:29:18,159 --> 00:29:23,840 be in the next couple months here as far as punch 316 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:27,600 conservative I would think. Um but then close out we'll probably bring the final 317 00:29:25,919 --> 00:29:31,600 pay in 318 00:29:29,279 --> 00:29:38,039 October, November. It takes takes a while. That's all just behind the scenes 319 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:38,039 paperwork that works. 320 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:58,640 Okay. Looking for motion on pay number 11 for the 2025 321 00:29:56,080 --> 00:30:03,120 North to approve pay number 11. 322 00:30:05,919 --> 00:30:14,080 Second. >> All right. Motion made and seconded. Any 323 00:30:10,799 --> 00:30:19,200 further discussion? In favor? I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. 324 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:24,240 » Thank you. Uh the second action item is is a pay number six for the 1.5 lead 325 00:30:21,919 --> 00:30:28,640 service project. Um the payout that was submitted to the packet last week. We 326 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:33,360 had a reision that was that came in today. essentially this is no change in 327 00:30:31,520 --> 00:30:39,360 the construction work itself but just updating um the 1% retage up to a 5% um 328 00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:46,880 based up the main purchase items that came to light here in last. So um we 329 00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:55,039 work for P number six. Uh this represents roughly 77.19% 330 00:30:51,279 --> 00:30:59,000 of the project. Um certified to date is $278,886. 331 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:08,520 Your pay request amount for this number 6 is 23,399. 332 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:19,720 As I mentioned before, there's a 5% on this which represents 333 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:19,720 $13,944. 334 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:29,039 » Yeah. Thank you. I I appreciate the uh retainage uh revision uh making sure 335 00:31:27,360 --> 00:31:37,039 that we're holding them accountable to the project as as uh needed to be 336 00:31:32,399 --> 00:31:43,760 completed. Um that being said, I will um make a motion to approve pay application 337 00:31:39,679 --> 00:31:48,559 number six, 2025 lead service as the revised amount with 5% retainage. 338 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:52,720 » I'll second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any further 339 00:31:50,080 --> 00:31:57,760 discussion? Uh, one thing, Jared, um, line of communication with the people 340 00:31:54,720 --> 00:32:02,320 doing it is, uh, awesome. I've had communication with the people there, and 341 00:31:59,919 --> 00:32:07,519 they get back to you in a timely manner on the lead line services. 342 00:32:04,159 --> 00:32:11,519 » The 2026 project, correct? The one that your property's on, I assume. 343 00:32:09,679 --> 00:32:15,120 » Uh, other people's, too. >> Oh, okay. 344 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:19,679 » That we're doing. Yeah. Um, good line of communication. I like it. 345 00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:24,399 » We'll pass that on to them. It's always good to hear working with 346 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:28,559 these services, you know, 100% on pretty close 100% on private property. So, it's 347 00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:35,919 always nice if the residents that are being involved in this. 348 00:32:32,559 --> 00:32:40,640 » Good. Any other discussion? In favor, I 349 00:32:37,519 --> 00:32:43,360 » post same sign. Motion carries. >> Uh, and then just quick update on where 350 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:46,799 we're at with the active construction projects. We kind of touched a little 351 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:52,720 bit on 1.5 projects. Um so if there's any there's any more question 26 uh 226 352 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:58,159 lead service project started this week. Um they are starting a little slower 353 00:32:55,600 --> 00:33:01,919 than anticipated. Um they're working out their kinks as far as their system but 354 00:32:59,760 --> 00:33:05,440 they're going to rear up here shortly. Um they've done two in the last they 355 00:33:04,080 --> 00:33:12,159 started Monday. They did one on Monday, one on yesterday. Um but things 356 00:33:10,320 --> 00:33:19,039 they're all pointing the right direction things looked out and moving forward. I 357 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:22,039 anticipate those I don't know if we will be 358 00:33:22,799 --> 00:33:28,880 I don't know if we will be complet substantially completed by our special 359 00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:34,000 completion date but I will be final completed by our completion as far as 360 00:33:31,279 --> 00:33:39,600 the services which is I think substantial is September 4th and then 361 00:33:37,120 --> 00:33:45,440 final is October first week whatever that Friday 362 00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:50,840 um They are they are in town starting this 363 00:33:47,039 --> 00:33:50,840 week and they're going to be moving 364 00:33:51,039 --> 00:33:58,440 direction. Um any questions on the 2026 west? 365 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:09,280 Uh 126 South Estates project. Uh that one started last week as far as open 366 00:34:06,559 --> 00:34:15,119 cutting that they started a trunk sanitary sewer. um soils were a little 367 00:34:12,879 --> 00:34:18,879 more challenging than anticipated as far as the stability of those soils. Uh so 368 00:34:17,280 --> 00:34:22,639 they kind of halted what they were doing last week, did a revision on what they 369 00:34:21,040 --> 00:34:26,240 were planning to do for the shoring system that's in place. We're trying to 370 00:34:23,919 --> 00:34:30,399 affect that force wind um that we're kind of running parallel with for the 371 00:34:28,079 --> 00:34:35,919 most part for that deep 32 inch or sorry 32 foot deep sanitary sewer. Um so they 372 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:39,679 rented a different shoring system essentially. Um they have they brought 373 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:42,879 that on site today. I believe they started installing that today. So 374 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:46,879 hopefully as we progress through the week they'll get going again on on that 375 00:34:44,480 --> 00:34:52,240 that deeper sanitary screw gravity. Um and so we haven't there's not much to 376 00:34:49,359 --> 00:34:59,359 report from a progress standpoint but they are on site working through that. 377 00:34:54,000 --> 00:35:03,760 So any questions on the south side. >> So what's the completion look like for 378 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:05,920 the end of the year? That should all be installed. 379 00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:13,680 » Correct. Yeah. Right now there isn't have any any issues that will lead to us 380 00:35:09,359 --> 00:35:17,000 adjusting our this year completion. Yeah this year I think 381 00:35:19,599 --> 00:35:24,400 » great thank you. [clears throat] >> Thank you 382 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:32,440 » and uh appreciate your support at the Fol Area Chamber uh golf outing. Uh we 383 00:35:27,839 --> 00:35:32,440 raised a ton of money. So thank you. 384 00:35:34,240 --> 00:35:42,960 Public works and fire director Mark Pus. 385 00:35:40,160 --> 00:35:48,079 Good evening. Uh we had brought up last month the Fifth Avenue possible overlay 386 00:35:45,440 --> 00:35:52,960 down by the county. We met again last Wednesday. I think we're getting numbers 387 00:35:50,960 --> 00:35:59,200 together to get part of the pricing. So really we don't have a lot to tell you. 388 00:35:56,960 --> 00:36:04,320 till we get final numbers. We still plan on doing it this year, but we want final 389 00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:08,000 numbers to commit to commit. Make sure it's going to come in with what we 390 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:10,400 expect. So, I think you turn them in today. 391 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:12,720 » Are you going to or tomorrow? >> Yep. 392 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:17,520 » Yeah. So, we'll get to the county. They'll get them back. Plan is this year 393 00:36:15,440 --> 00:36:20,480 school and county are having discussions about the parking lot to the west of the 394 00:36:19,359 --> 00:36:25,040 building. That's where this all kind of originated. They want to put park in 395 00:36:21,920 --> 00:36:29,200 there to the south. Um in Maine. They still plan on doing some 396 00:36:27,839 --> 00:36:34,079 parking as whether they can come to an agreement with the school. I don't know 397 00:36:31,040 --> 00:36:38,480 what happened last night. So, we'll have more maybe in two weeks, maybe in four 398 00:36:36,720 --> 00:36:41,040 weeks. >> Okay. 399 00:36:39,040 --> 00:36:45,040 » The hope is to do it this year yet. Obviously, we know they want to have the 400 00:36:42,160 --> 00:36:52,000 building done by right after the first year with the early next year occupancy. 401 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:56,880 » So, that on that. Another thing that came out of that last couple meetings is 402 00:36:54,160 --> 00:37:03,160 asking about a deduct meter for sprinklers on public buildings. 403 00:37:00,160 --> 00:37:03,160 Um, 404 00:37:04,800 --> 00:37:11,560 we'll have to have a discussion on it. I don't know if we want to start. We 405 00:37:07,440 --> 00:37:11,560 haven't had much in-house discussion. 406 00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:21,680 What do we, you know, look at for public and buildings or we have it on the 407 00:37:18,800 --> 00:37:26,079 summer months on the residential 408 00:37:23,359 --> 00:37:29,359 um public? It's going to come up. I don't obviously we're not going to make 409 00:37:27,119 --> 00:37:32,880 a decision tonight, but just want to let you know they've been asking the 410 00:37:30,480 --> 00:37:36,560 question about doing that. So, did you take anything else out of it 411 00:37:34,800 --> 00:37:43,599 » other than that? Not really. Right. >> Um, not really. Is everyone aware of me? 412 00:37:41,839 --> 00:37:48,680 » You don't pay what we're doing right now. 413 00:37:44,400 --> 00:37:48,680 » So, similar to our water 414 00:37:48,960 --> 00:37:53,839 primarily to sprinkling, >> it would only be for yard sprinkling. 415 00:37:53,119 --> 00:37:59,440 Yeah. >> Or, you know, or non sewer stuff. 416 00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:07,040 » And it' be if we do it, it's going to be 100% their cost, neither included. 417 00:38:03,040 --> 00:38:10,040 So, more we're going to react to. Okay. 418 00:38:14,400 --> 00:38:24,240 » Okay. Any questions for public works or fire? 419 00:38:21,359 --> 00:38:28,680 Great. Thanks, Mark. Moving on to old business. 420 00:38:28,720 --> 00:38:32,920 Hearing none. New business. 421 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:40,240 Hearing none. Entertain a motion to adjurnn. 422 00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:44,320 » I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second. >> Motion is made and seconded. Any further 423 00:38:41,680 --> 00:38:49,480 discussion? In favor? I. I. Post. Same sign. Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 424 00:38:46,320 --> 00:38:49,480 Thank you. 425 00:38:53,680 --> 00:38:57,240 » Don't like that idea.