[0:03] We'll call to order the regular city
[0:05] counc
[0:07] September 9th6.
[0:09] We'll start the pledge of allegiance.
[0:14] » I aliance to the flag of the United
[0:18] States of America and to the republic
[0:21] for which it stands. One nation under
[0:24] God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:27] justice. Sorry.
[0:36] » Can I get a motion to approve the
[0:38] agenda?
[0:40] >> Is there a second?
[0:43] >> All in favor?
[0:44] >> I
[0:47] consent agenda. We have the minutes from
[0:49] the regular city council meeting August
[0:51] 12th, 2026. Financial reports, city
[0:55] council payable, August 2026. City
[0:58] financial statement August 2026.
[1:01] And the liquor store profit and loss
[1:03] statement August 2026. Any questions on
[1:06] any of those?
[1:11] Can I get a motion to approve?
[1:14] >> Is there a second?
[1:15] >> Second.
[1:17] >> All in favor?
[1:18] I
[1:19] >> opposed. Carried. Public comment.
[1:23] This time is reserved for comment from
[1:25] the public on matters not listed on the
[1:27] agenda. Please keep comments to two
[1:29] minutes.
[1:33] » I don't know.
[1:45] » Say none. Moving on. department reports
[1:47] Carl County Sheriff's Office.
[1:54] » Uh in the packet included was the 2026
[1:58] August um monthly council report for law
[2:01] enforcement activity. Um there is a
[2:03] breakdown within the packet. However, um
[2:05] just a summary and overview, there were
[2:07] 207 total calls for service. This was
[2:10] made up of 44 extra patrol, 58 traffic
[2:14] stops, 11 business checks, one community
[2:17] engagement, five on view public assist,
[2:20] and 24 paper services. Um, calls for
[2:24] response, there was one medical, zero
[2:26] assist to other agencies, and 63 other
[2:28] calls for response for the total of 207.
[2:34] » Any questions that I can try to answer?
[2:39] Yeah. Well, they did they didn't add the
[2:40] arrest and citations which we asked to
[2:42] do and they did it one month. They
[2:44] didn't do it this month.
[2:45] >> I will note that. We also haven't
[2:47] checked from them. They might be coming
[2:48] in a little later, but we'll just see.
[2:50] >> Perfect. Thank you.
[2:53] >> Uh city superintendent Philer who's not
[2:56] here.
[2:59] >> Uh the water department distributed 3.8
[3:02] million gallons in the month of August.
[3:04] The sewer department uh collected 9.5
[3:08] million gallons in the month of August.
[3:10] Phil did uh include a report, a written
[3:14] report uh for the council to see. Um if
[3:18] you have any questions, please let me
[3:19] know. There was one notable that he
[3:21] asked that we review and that is the um
[3:24] extended hours for the recycling center.
[3:26] So, the items in blue listed in the
[3:28] council agenda packet, uh, looking to
[3:31] extend hours on Saturday and Sunday of
[3:34] the weekends of October 4th and 5th,
[3:36] 11th and 12th, and the 18th and 19th,
[3:40] and looking for consensus from council
[3:43] >> questions.
[3:45] My consent consensus
[3:48] consents.
[3:48] >> Excellent. Thank you.
[3:52] >> We'll put that on our web. Thank you.
[3:54] >> Yes.
[3:57] >> This liquor store report.
[4:01] » Thank you.
[4:10] » Good evening. Looks like city
[4:12] councilors, Mayor Michowski,
[4:13] Administrator Owens. Uh first in your
[4:16] packet, you'll see the October Fest
[4:19] flyer. Um the 9th annual. You'll see our
[4:23] logo down there. So, we're really
[4:24] excited for that. Things are coming
[4:26] along. Uh you'll hear some stuff on uh
[4:29] the radio here soon. Um and then I have
[4:32] a follow-up meeting with them tomorrow
[4:34] morning just to go over some more fine
[4:36] tuning with that. We are also doing that
[4:38] 30% off discount in the campground for
[4:41] anyone who's going to October Fest. Just
[4:43] at the time of checkout, just put in
[4:45] October Fest. O K T O B E R F E S T30
[4:52] for the 30% off.
[4:55] >> Any questions about that?
[4:57] >> October 30. Okay.
[5:00] Also, September 12th, we got the meat
[5:02] raffle going on at 5:00, karaoke at 8.
[5:06] On September 13th, Ted Eastman from noon
[5:09] to 3. On the 20th, it's Gypsy Wagon from
[5:13] 3 to 6 and another meat raffle on the
[5:15] 26th of September at 5:00.
[5:20] Then I was going to talk just a little
[5:22] bit about um I know before I discussed
[5:27] what the federal government is doing in
[5:29] regards to hemp and they're reducing
[5:32] that. Uh well, the Congress has moved
[5:35] forward with that. So, there is no real
[5:38] plan as for the state of Minnesota to go
[5:42] against any of that. In fact, last week
[5:46] um there was a vote and it did pass. So,
[5:50] um here in November, there is another
[5:53] election or not election, sorry, scratch
[5:56] that. another vote in regards to this
[5:58] stuff on the 12th, but it got moved to
[6:01] December 11th to get a little more time.
[6:03] Um, but already we have the League of
[6:06] Minnesota Cities is no longer insuring
[6:09] anyone that is selling cannabis stuff.
[6:12] So, um, bottom line is this. Uh, we are
[6:16] not with the League of Minnesota Cities
[6:18] for insurance. I believe our insurance
[6:20] will continue to ensure us. However, any
[6:23] municipality will need to really take a
[6:25] look because all the insurance is going
[6:27] to take a
[6:29] really hike. Um, it's going to go up
[6:31] quite a bit. So, there the NMDA is
[6:35] advising all municipalities to really
[6:37] take a look at that or we're going to
[6:39] have to make some hard decisions in
[6:41] regards to it. So,
[6:43] >> Ryan,
[6:44] >> is this in regards to like the uh THC
[6:48] drinks and things like that?
[6:49] >> Yep. It would be nice to know what kind
[6:51] of, you know, how much we're selling of
[6:53] that, you know, what kind of profit that
[6:55] we're bringing into that to see if that
[6:57] justifies whether or not, you know,
[6:59] spending a whole bunch more money on
[7:01] insurance.
[7:01] >> Yeah. I don't have the exact figures for
[7:03] you, Walt. I I can tell you. I don't
[7:05] know what the insurance is that's going
[7:06] to go up yet. I'm trying to get that
[7:09] information to let me know how much it
[7:11] is, but we do get a a fair shake of
[7:14] revenue from THC drinks right now. So,
[7:17] okay. I can provide that to you next
[7:19] time.
[7:21] >> And just for additional clarity, it is
[7:23] just the drram shop insurance that you
[7:25] do not utilize the legacies for.
[7:27] >> It's the extra insurance
[7:30] uh and extra insurance that you need in
[7:33] order to sell these types of products.
[7:35] >> Excellent.
[7:37] >> But I will keep a a vig vigilant eye on
[7:40] that.
[7:42] Any other There's one other thing with
[7:45] the MUN. I almost forgot.
[7:49] Um in your packet you have some quotes
[7:53] and we have a capital expenditure um for
[7:57] 51,000 for the year and that is for an
[8:00] outdoor patio. So you'll see two quotes,
[8:02] one from Cousins, one for Busack.
[8:06] Um the piece you got to kind of add that
[8:08] up.
[8:12] Two different installments there. So
[8:13] that comes to 34,000.
[8:23] We did go through these at the liquor
[8:25] last liquor committee meeting. Um the
[8:27] only other thing that um these don't
[8:30] have is the door. So we do need a door
[8:34] and we literally just got the quote for
[8:37] it like 5 minutes ago. So I didn't have
[8:39] time to get it in here to you guys. I
[8:41] was already down here. But that comes in
[8:43] at another about $8,000 for the door.
[8:50] » Neither court has the door though.
[8:52] Correct.
[8:52] >> Neither court has the door. So have to I
[8:56] you know I would hope that we could
[8:58] approve the project in its totality. But
[9:00] if you want we can hold off on the door
[9:03] and I can print that and bring it back.
[9:05] But at the very least, I would recommend
[9:08] at least we get the baseline stuff so we
[9:11] can form that slab for the patio.
[9:16] » Did you have a question? No.
[9:21] » Where's that door going to be?
[9:23] >> The door it sounds like is going to be
[9:24] just to the left of the window there.
[9:30] » You see it in the picture there?
[9:35] Are these um the exact same
[9:41] style or cover like the fence on this
[9:43] one was
[9:45] >> Yep. So they came in they they gave a
[9:48] little bit of difference their spin on
[9:49] it. So it's just they're not exactly
[9:52] apples apples. It's it was their
[9:54] recommendation to follow it regularly.
[9:56] >> What like square footage does each one
[9:58] give?
[9:59] >> That should be the same.
[10:00] >> Okay. Just so I
[10:05] » and two sacks was a total of 34. You
[10:07] said
[10:08] >> 34, but with the door you're looking at
[10:10] another eight.
[10:14] There might be some shipping on that. I
[10:16] just just say 89 for each state.
[10:23] It would.
[10:30] » Any other questions?
[10:32] >> Well, yeah.
[10:34] >> Yeah, go for it.
[10:34] >> Just by looking here, does
[10:36] >> I'll answer them the best I can.
[10:38] >> Um,
[10:40] cousins looks like it's made out of
[10:43] decking, composite decking.
[10:45] >> Correct.
[10:45] >> And the other one is a concrete patio.
[10:48] >> It's a slab. Yep. So
[10:51] really not not
[10:54] it's just what what do we want?
[10:56] >> It's your preference.
[10:57] >> Yeah.
[11:00] >> And it's from the sounds of it. I think
[11:02] Mary's talked a lot of the the clientele
[11:04] down there
[11:05] >> and just to get their preference too. It
[11:07] sounds like a slab would be more than good. Yeah.
[11:21] » Yeah. Okay.
[11:24] >> Any other questions?
[11:28] Any motions?
[11:36] I'll make a motion to approve
[11:39] that concrete works for the municipal
[11:44] um patio
[11:48] » and the door or do you want me to wait?
[11:49] Sorry. Sorry.
[11:50] >> Including the door.
[11:51] >> Okay.
[11:52] >> The 34,000.
[11:54] >> I'll get the door. Do you want to see it
[11:56] >> or you're just good?
[11:57] >> Um I trust you.
[11:59] >> Okay.
[12:01] >> Is there a second? I'll second.
[12:02] >> Any further discussion?
[12:08] Hearing none. All in favor?
[12:11] >> Poss.
[12:22] Really one item on here.
[12:25] Um, this has just still been going just
[12:28] kind of in my spare time, but um,
[12:33] we are still looking for a different
[12:36] potentially a different company that can
[12:40] facilitate all that we do here within
[12:41] the city for the IT services. So,
[12:44] coordinated business systems is one of
[12:46] those things that closely match what VC3
[12:50] does. Um, so this is just a quote of all
[12:53] the things. I don't need a a vote for
[12:55] anything today. This is just for your
[12:57] information because I have more work to
[12:58] do and I'm just letting you know this is
[13:01] what they're coming in at and that I'm
[13:03] still in discussions with them. Um, but
[13:06] they do all of the same stuff that BC3
[13:08] does and they come in about 200 bucks a
[13:12] month less. So,
[13:15] I'm going to bring it by the power
[13:16] company as well since they recently
[13:19] switched from VC3 to a different
[13:21] company, but I'm going to let them look
[13:23] at coordinated, too. And if I mean, you
[13:26] always get better buying power if you're
[13:28] working together. So, we'll see what
[13:29] they have to say. Yes.
[13:30] >> Is that Do they use this company?
[13:32] >> No.
[13:33] >> Um because it would be nice to get like
[13:36] a reference or somebody that uses this
[13:38] company to see how
[13:40] >> Yep. I have several references. Yeah.
[13:42] Okay.
[13:42] >> Yeah.
[13:44] >> Any other questions?
[13:49] » Finance department.
[13:56] Let's see. So, every 3 years the city
[13:59] needs to do pay equity reporting. Um the
[14:03] primary purpose of pay equity reporting
[14:05] is for Minnesota city and cities under
[14:08] the local government pay act pay equity
[14:10] act to eliminate sexbased wage
[14:12] disparities in public employment. So um
[14:16] it takes a look at comparable worth
[14:18] systematic evaluation accountability
[14:21] again goes on a three-year cycle. It's
[14:23] all about compliance testing and
[14:25] transparency. So it's a pretty lengthy
[14:27] report. I have till the end of the Janu
[14:30] end of January to get completed. We did
[14:33] it three years ago. So just letting you
[14:35] know it's coming up and then they share
[14:37] the results kind of with everyone who
[14:40] takes part in it. So
[14:43] any questions about it?
[14:45] Any questions?
[14:48] >> Thank you. Y city engineer report.
[14:53] >> Oh yes. So, the city council received
[14:55] the uh monthly meeting minutes within
[14:59] the packet from September 2nd. A few
[15:01] items to highlight. Um the city's
[15:04] negotiation team did meet with uh the uh
[15:08] Moose Lake Windmir Sanitary Sewer
[15:10] District and their legal representation.
[15:12] Uh we did spend a day um going uh
[15:16] through some negotiations and agreement
[15:19] modifications and contract
[15:20] modifications. Where we're at in the
[15:23] process now is the attorneys are meeting
[15:25] this week in order to kind of finalize
[15:28] what was discussed in the negotiations
[15:31] and put everything in writing um for
[15:33] them to be able to bring forward to the
[15:35] council and to the uh district board for
[15:39] review and potential approval. So, a lot
[15:41] of progress made and more to come on
[15:43] that particular item. Um the city had
[15:48] received a grant for a storm sewer
[15:50] inventory and analysis project. That
[15:52] project is wrapping up. They have just
[15:54] issued a hard copy of their results and
[15:57] findings to the city. Uh we will wait
[15:59] for next month when uh city
[16:01] superintendent is available and we will
[16:03] go through that and present that to
[16:04] council. Some really good information to
[16:06] be utilized um for future projects and
[16:09] planning in that.
[16:11] Um the engineers have worked with the
[16:14] city to identify some additional funding
[16:16] opportunities to help with our match for
[16:19] the bonding bill aotment of um the
[16:22] citywide sewer lining project. So if um
[16:25] just as a reminder to council, the the
[16:28] project was estimated at about $3
[16:30] million. The city received 1.5 million
[16:33] from a bonding bill aotment and uh we
[16:37] are looking to come up with our match of
[16:39] 1.5. There is a D grant for up to
[16:42] 600,000. Um that is a potential source.
[16:45] So be working with the engineers in
[16:46] order to apply for that. And then we are
[16:48] also still in talks with the state
[16:50] regarding utilizing our uh NPCA grant
[16:54] funded sewer lining project planned for
[16:57] 2026 yet as an additional part of our
[17:00] match. So working through those
[17:01] logistics and we'll have more
[17:03] information for council on that
[17:04] particular item as well.
[17:07] And um we had some meetings on our
[17:10] wellhead protection plan. We're getting
[17:12] to the point where we're going to be
[17:13] bringing items for it um forward to
[17:15] council with that particular um project.
[17:19] The plan is is mandatory. We are looking
[17:21] at different ways to fund it. Um, we did
[17:23] put some uh money in the water fund in
[17:26] the 2026 budget to to accommodate the uh
[17:30] plan updates and renewal, but we are
[17:33] trying to uh mitigate that expense as
[17:36] well. Um, and I believe that's it from
[17:39] the engineering report. It's about seven
[17:42] pages long. If you have any questions,
[17:44] as always, please feel free to ask. Uh,
[17:46] and I think that's all I have at this
[17:48] time.
[17:49] >> Uh, it's funny that you brought up the
[17:51] seven pages. It's actually eight.
[17:52] >> It's eight now.
[17:53] >> When I first got on here 8 years ago,
[17:56] this report would be two pages long. And
[18:00] now it's eight pages long. And it just
[18:02] shows on how much more the city is
[18:04] doing. And I I think it, you know, the
[18:08] city has a lot more irons in the fire,
[18:10] so to speak, right right now. And uh I
[18:12] think it shows that what good teamwork
[18:15] in office that you guys are doing. You
[18:17] know, this is a lot more uh that you
[18:19] guys have taken on. And I commend you
[18:22] all for that. There there's there's much
[18:23] more going on than what there used to
[18:25] be.
[18:26] >> Thank you.
[18:27] >> Any other questions or comments?
[18:31] >> Thank you.
[18:33] >> Looks like Chamber of Commerce monthly
[18:36] update.
[18:38] >> Good afternoon, city council, Mayor
[18:40] Machowski, and Administrator Owens. I'm
[18:43] Michelle Anderson with Mlike Area
[18:46] Chamber of Commerce. Um, we had our
[18:47] board meeting today and here are just
[18:49] some highlights of what's going on with
[18:51] the chamber. We are looking for more
[18:53] board members, at least four more. We
[18:56] have some their terms are expiring and
[18:58] we do need to replace them.
[19:01] We have our annual raffle ticket sales
[19:03] going on right now. Um, we have we are
[19:07] doing our drawing on Wednesday,
[19:09] September 30th at the Muslim Brewing
[19:11] Company. And prior to that, at 5:00
[19:14] p.m., the chamber is starting Vive at 5
[19:17] again. It's a business and friends event
[19:20] of the chamber. Vive is an acronym for
[19:22] very important business event. So, we're
[19:25] excited to start that again for our
[19:27] members.
[19:28] I have an ambassador committee, a new
[19:31] committee, Melissa Thompson and Aaron
[19:33] Ramalde, and they are visiting local
[19:35] businesses and popping in. We've got
[19:37] little bags that we bring, little gifts
[19:39] that say popping in. anything to do with
[19:41] popcorn related items. As a gift, the
[19:45] chamber is doing hosting a candidate
[19:48] forum on Wednesday, September 23rd from
[19:50] 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Moose Lake
[19:53] Community School.
[19:57] We have um other events coming up.
[20:00] Adventure Bingo October 3rd at the
[20:02] Barnum Event Center and our Moose Lake
[20:07] Holiday of Lights will be on Saturday,
[20:09] December 5th here at city hall. The
[20:12] theater will be having a free movie and
[20:14] we are trying to get the tree lighting
[20:16] together. So doing some really fun
[20:18] things for the community.
[20:21] Let's see. We have also have coffee and
[20:24] conversation. It's the first Fridays at
[20:27] the lazy moose for breakfast. And our
[20:30] next speaker on October 2nd is Savannah
[20:33] Anderson with Wild Glow Social and
[20:36] Events. And that's our update. Do we
[20:39] have any questions?
[20:42] >> Done.
[20:43] >> Yes.
[20:43] >> Yeah. Um I would be interested in the
[20:45] candidate forum. Um I know that you have
[20:47] a couple candidates on there and you
[20:49] have candidates here sitting here that
[20:50] people might want to know especially
[20:52] since it says in their here directly
[20:53] about issues affecting Slake. So if if
[20:57] that's an opportunity maybe an invite
[20:59] could be put out to the city councilors
[21:01] that are people are looking for city
[21:02] council.
[21:04] >> Sure. Right now this September 23rd is
[21:06] for district 11 and 11A and we are doing
[21:09] a hard consideration for doing a local
[21:12] for possibly the sheriff's race city
[21:14] councilors.
[21:15] uh move on. So, thank you.
[21:18] >> Thank you.
[21:18] >> Any other questions or comments?
[21:21] >> Thank you.
[21:22] Thank you, Michelle.
[21:26] » Previously discussed business, the
[21:28] Carlton VFW Post 2962.
[21:35] » Thank you for uh offering me this
[21:37] opportunity to explain what it exactly
[21:40] is that we do with the VFW. Um the VFW
[21:43] is located in Carlton. However, I mean,
[21:45] I'm sorry. Yeah, Carlton. We cover the
[21:47] whole um the whole areas all the way up
[21:51] to we don't include Clo. This is us here
[21:53] and then whatever other cities are
[21:55] surrounding us. So, my name is Nancy
[21:57] Haltley. I've been here for 30 years. I
[22:00] became involved with this because my
[22:02] father was, excuse me, in the army and
[22:06] his brother was in the Navy and the
[22:09] sister was a Rosa the Riveter and the
[22:11] other brother was in the Air Force. So
[22:12] everybody was covered for all areas. And
[22:15] my mother was superintendent of the VFW
[22:17] for many, many, many years. So I've also
[22:20] been a member there as well as living
[22:21] here for 30 years. Been a member for 30
[22:23] years. So what we were asking for um we
[22:26] were doing some fundraisers, which we do
[22:28] every year. And my goal this year was to
[22:31] help really help to support the
[22:33] scholarship programs that we offer. And
[22:35] we have offered scholarship programs
[22:37] before. And we always go out and we look
[22:39] for donations from other people. I
[22:41] brought the letter in case anybody wants
[22:43] to look at what our letter looks like um
[22:46] asking for that donation and we always
[22:48] give our our tax ID number in case if
[22:50] businesses want to write it off as a as
[22:53] a business expenditure.
[22:55] So this year um I noticed that most lake
[22:58] hasn't ever had really much to do with
[23:00] the BFW even though it's a big part of
[23:02] it and I know you guys want to know if
[23:05] there's people. So on my where I live
[23:07] the neighbor down the way Mary
[23:09] Sturgilles was a member for many many
[23:11] years and down this way Pam Dangovich's
[23:13] mother who passed away recently also was
[23:14] a member on the ladies auxiliary there's
[23:17] also men that are also veterans from
[23:21] whatever area they're from the army that
[23:23] navy whatever they are but so we
[23:25] encompass everything across the board so
[23:28] this year I came down to when I was here
[23:30] and I went to all the businesses one day
[23:32] and I just said hey can you help support
[23:34] us because we
[23:35] trying to make a goal of a $2,000
[23:38] scholarship fund, which means two
[23:41] children, seniors, would be eligible for
[23:44] $1,000 scholarship. We're at $1,500
[23:47] right now. And thank you very much to
[23:49] Oak Lake who donated an ebike and I sold
[23:52] all the tickets in two nights. And so we made um $1,500 well $1,000 there. And
[23:59] then we also had a we call it sits
[24:01] happen and a cart that was a bunch of
[24:03] donated different um wines and liquors
[24:06] and all that and we made 500 off of
[24:08] that. So I came to the council and
[24:12] asking for $500 so that we can make our
[24:14] $2,000 budget. The reason that it's
[24:17] important right now for me is because I
[24:19] think right now we need to look at some
[24:20] of the trades. We have given out
[24:22] scholarships every single year, but
[24:24] there hasn't been, as far as I know,
[24:28] interest that or we haven't gotten any
[24:29] interest from any other kids that are
[24:31] looking at trade schools, which I think
[24:32] is a good place to look right now. And
[24:35] the reason it came really to a forefront
[24:37] was I was in my house and all of a
[24:39] sudden I heard this clash crang bang and
[24:41] there was a four-wheeler that just some
[24:44] kid was jumping all over and it he tried
[24:46] whatever he did, it blew up. And so I
[24:48] ran out there and I said, "Um, look,
[24:50] push it out of my driveway. I'll give
[24:52] you a ride to school. I'll give you my
[24:53] number and I'll give you a ride back and
[24:56] then we can talk about things." And
[24:58] here, come to find out, he has no
[24:59] interest in going to college, but he
[25:01] really wants to go to a trade school. As
[25:04] well as his best friend, he said, "We
[25:06] also need to speak with the Westerbergs
[25:07] because they're my best friend also
[25:10] wants to go to trade schools." And so I
[25:12] brought that up with us again in the
[25:13] meetings and I said, you know, maybe
[25:15] that's our focus and I'd be happy to
[25:17] present at the school as well. My
[25:19] neighbor is a um now he's moved up, but
[25:23] he was the principal of ESCO. So I'm
[25:24] trying to make a big push at the schools
[25:27] to make a big push for kids trade
[25:29] schools. I mean, we have a lot of, and
[25:33] not to judge people by any means, female
[25:35] girls that are looking at college
[25:37] scholarships, but like I said, we really
[25:39] want to make a push for trade schools.
[25:42] You can decide whether they want to do,
[25:44] but we're trying to make a big push for
[25:46] that as well. So, um, like I said, I
[25:49] visit all kinds of different businesses.
[25:52] We actually had somebody that handm made
[25:54] um some cornhole boards that were United
[25:57] States the 250th and they were eagles on
[26:00] them and it was beautiful. So I went to
[26:02] Dick Sporting Goods and I said, "Hey,
[26:03] look, we got these donated. What can you
[26:05] help me with anything that'll go with it
[26:07] and they gave me stars and stripes bean
[26:09] bags and we sold those boards and made a
[26:11] good I mean it's a it's a good thing for
[26:13] the community. Nothing stays with us. I
[26:16] have a letter here that shows we have
[26:18] many different things that we've
[26:20] participate in. And one of the things
[26:22] that I was going to point out too is we
[26:24] have a big Christmas fund that we do at
[26:26] Christmas. All the regions always
[26:29] participate. Everything is donated. The
[26:31] food is all donated. Um, Judge Dale Wolf
[26:35] donated two bikes and we had a ton of
[26:38] kids that came to that and we had a ton
[26:40] of stuff left over. And always what we
[26:42] do, most always with the exception of
[26:45] this time, is donate it back to the food
[26:47] shelf. And so I tried to find I called
[26:49] everybody I knew, nobody would answer
[26:51] their phone. And so I had a ton of toys
[26:53] in the back of my truck as well as three
[26:55] boxes of food and ended up going to
[26:58] Madawa because that's the only person I
[26:59] could find that answered their phone and
[27:01] they were going to use it for their
[27:02] church function. But we do a lot of
[27:04] fundraising as far as that is concerned,
[27:06] too. So we do support um scholarships.
[27:09] We do the um holiday support, community
[27:13] focused fundraising, um several
[27:15] fundraisers throughout the year. We do
[27:16] poppy sales and all that money goes back
[27:18] to the relief fund, small raffles, and
[27:21] mystery box raffles. And so we support
[27:24] not only um the scholarship fund, but we
[27:27] also have funds that support um
[27:30] families. And this year was especially
[27:32] because of all the stuff that was going
[27:33] on overseas supporting them as well,
[27:36] trying to figure out who needed help
[27:38] paying rent, who needed help, food, who
[27:41] needed help with children. And so all
[27:42] the money goes out. We find the most um
[27:46] valuable places that these places, the
[27:49] people can use it. So that's what we do.
[27:52] And if you have any questions, I'd be
[27:53] happy to answer them.
[27:54] >> Any questions?
[27:56] >> Yes.
[27:57] >> On scholarships, how many how long have
[27:59] you been doing that?
[28:00] >> Oh, since I've joined 30 years ago.
[28:03] >> And how many local ones have been like,
[28:05] you know,
[28:07] >> I don't off the top of my head, I don't
[28:09] know, and I don't have it in my notes,
[28:10] but I'm going to say probably not a lot
[28:12] only because we don't have much of uh
[28:15] awareness down here.
[28:16] >> Sure. And since I live here, I told them
[28:18] I would take this on as my baby because
[28:20] I figure we need to do that. We need to
[28:22] get more and more kids involved. We need
[28:24] to get more We need the kids to know,
[28:26] hey, it's out there and we need the
[28:29] parents to know that there's something
[28:30] available, especially now that they're
[28:32] getting pushed out of trade,
[28:33] >> right? And it's a great cause. I just
[28:35] like to see the money back come back
[28:37] into
[28:38] >> Oh, students.
[28:40] >> Yep. Oh, for sure.
[28:42] >> And that's one of our focuses, too. Any
[28:45] other questions?
[28:47] >> As a reminder to city council, the
[28:49] request came forward as um per the
[28:52] city's gambling fund contributions.
[28:55] Um and so the criter the um the BFW does
[29:00] meet the criteria and the request does
[29:02] meet the criteria to utilize those funds
[29:04] in a uh in a matter to support these
[29:07] efforts. Um, and so thank you for
[29:10] presenting additional information and
[29:12] just a reminder to council of how the
[29:14] city can engage appropriately.
[29:18] >> I'll make a motion that we uh support
[29:21] the DFW $500 donation.
[29:26] >> Is there a second?
[29:27] >> Second.
[29:28] >> Any further comments, questions?
[29:31] >> Thank you.
[29:34] >> All in favor?
[29:35] >> I
[29:36] >> opposed car. Thank you.
[29:38] >> Thank you. We'll be in touch. Okay.
[29:40] Thank you. If anybody wants any of these
[29:42] letters or stuff something that they
[29:43] have for their records, unless anybody
[29:45] wants them, I brought extras just in
[29:47] case.
[29:48] >> Again, thank you for the time.
[29:51] >> Thank you.
[29:53] >> Local sales tax and use tax update.
[30:04] » I'm back.
[30:05] Okay. I got a couple of updates for
[30:08] this. I really don't want it to get
[30:10] confusing. So
[30:12] David will probably go over what we have
[30:14] in the local sales tax fund right now. I
[30:16] don't want those figures to be confused
[30:18] with what I'm going to explain here. So
[30:21] currently the city has received
[30:24] 2,368,35891
[30:28] in local sales tax revenue. Okay. based
[30:32] on that and what we average every month
[30:35] and there's seasonality in there. Some
[30:36] months are higher, some months are
[30:38] lower. At some point in probably late
[30:42] summer, early fall of 2028 is when we're
[30:45] going to hit that $3 million mark. So,
[30:48] that's important because all of this is
[30:50] timing of when we need to get it to the
[30:53] capital and get approval there and then
[30:55] come back. It needs to be held at a
[30:57] general election for the public to vote
[30:59] on it, that kind of stuff.
[31:01] Um, so those are the figures for you now
[31:03] so you have an idea kind of what what
[31:06] timeline we're working with here. Um,
[31:09] furthermore, another key thing that I
[31:12] would point out is that the local sales
[31:16] tax committee uh is going to have quite
[31:19] a bit of turnover here at the next in
[31:22] November. There are the entire GOP panel
[31:25] is retiring and then the head of the
[31:28] local sales tax division is retiring. So
[31:30] there's several key people that are
[31:33] retiring or in tight races. So in
[31:36] November, and why I'm that's I'm
[31:38] bringing that up and why it's important
[31:40] is because there is the potential that
[31:45] street projects may be a thing here come
[31:48] after November's election. So we just
[31:50] don't know. So just providing that
[31:53] information, something for you to think
[31:54] about. Um in the meantime, we have moved
[31:57] forward with SE. They've talked with
[31:59] people. We've had meetings about the
[32:01] campground ex project and the city park
[32:04] project. Um so those are moving forward.
[32:06] They're working with their lobbyists,
[32:08] things like that who are talking to the
[32:10] same people we were talking to the
[32:11] League of Minnesota cities and stuff. Um
[32:14] but the League of Minnesota cities could
[32:16] look drastically different here
[32:18] November. So just throwing out my
[32:21] reporting Chris.
[32:25] » Do you have any questions about what I
[32:28] put forward? or Alyssa, do you have
[32:30] anything further?
[32:32] >> Yeah, I just think it's important to
[32:33] reiterate Brian's done a fantastic job
[32:36] of tracking this and and and providing
[32:38] information as we go. And we're going to
[32:39] have to be able to be flexible with our
[32:41] plan. So, what we've talked about
[32:43] internally and with the engineers is a
[32:45] dual approach. So, making sure that we
[32:48] have um uh project estimates for a
[32:53] lakefront recreational development
[32:55] update, so to speak, with the park at
[32:58] the campground. And that we also are are
[33:00] flexible enough to be able to pivot if
[33:02] streets and infrastructure is something
[33:04] that that um can be authorized again um
[33:09] through local sales tax. So we are going
[33:11] to have to put some extra energy in to
[33:13] make sure that you know come the end of
[33:16] the year and when we're looking at
[33:18] establishing a resolution to bring
[33:20] forward to the legislature that that we
[33:22] have all things considered. So there'll
[33:24] probably be some heavy engagement from
[33:26] council between now and then in order to
[33:28] make sure that we're able to accomplish
[33:30] that. But we're going to continue on
[33:32] both paths currently um so that uh we
[33:36] can be fluent with the situation as
[33:37] changes arise.
[33:39] >> Yeah. One other thing I guess I would
[33:40] note is that why the timing of this,
[33:43] it's great that we're mapping it out, is
[33:46] because if we hit the $3 million mark
[33:48] and let's say we decide to wait to see
[33:51] what all is going to happen, we kind of
[33:54] are going to have to decide because at
[33:56] the end of $3 million, if we don't have
[33:58] something that's passed and passed here,
[34:01] then we have to have a pause for one
[34:04] full year of not taking local sales tax.
[34:08] So it's important that we get something
[34:10] passed so we can have a continuation of
[34:13] receiving those funds. So just making
[34:15] that crystal clear. Yeah.
[34:18] >> Isn't the first thing the resolution?
[34:20] >> Yes. So we should be that first thing
[34:22] 27.
[34:23] >> Yes.
[34:25] >> Thank you.
[34:26] >> Any other questions or comments?
[34:30] >> When did you say we would be hitting the
[34:32] three 3 million mark?
[34:33] >> I'm going to say fall of 2028.
[34:35] >> Fall somewhere in there. Yep.
[34:37] >> Yeah. And that's when they would be
[34:38] voting on that down in St. Paul if they
[34:41] have to change things.
[34:42] >> Nope. We'll get that done well in
[34:45] advance of that that part. Okay.
[34:47] >> So, we could receive legislative
[34:50] approval potentially in 27. Um, but then
[34:53] there is a requirement that it goes out
[34:55] for referendum even even as a
[34:57] reauthorization.
[34:58] >> That would be in 28.
[35:00] >> So, the general election is in 2028.
[35:03] What's happening at the legislature is
[35:05] that there were no sales tax uh projects
[35:10] were approved in 2026. So, there's a lot
[35:12] of unhappy entities right now. Um and
[35:16] there's going to be a push in 27. And
[35:18] because none were approved in 2026, the
[35:21] lobbyists are informing us that there's
[35:22] the potential that we could request a
[35:24] special election in order to get our
[35:27] referendum in front of the community.
[35:29] Um, and you know, there's different
[35:31] procedures and processes in play that
[35:33] could um, potentially narrow that
[35:35] window. Um, it may be that we utilize
[35:38] the general election in 2028 and that
[35:41] you can request an extension in the
[35:43] interimm so we would continue to collect
[35:45] in 28 once we run out and when we go for
[35:48] out for referendum. Um so there's a lot
[35:51] of different mechanisms in place and
[35:53] we're working with all relevant parties
[35:55] to try and um you know step through this
[35:58] as best we can.
[35:59] >> Thank you.
[36:00] >> My goal and recommendation would be
[36:02] because we have a couple of options
[36:05] geared and ready by November's elections
[36:08] so we can get something we have to get
[36:10] it down there before January 31st um in
[36:14] order to get it passed down there. So
[36:16] resolution.
[36:18] So that's the date.
[36:22] >> Any other questions, comments?
[36:24] Thank you.
[36:27] >> I'm up again.
[36:28] >> Yes.
[36:29] >> Old school baseball field discussion.
[36:32] >> All right. So, as you recall,
[36:35] um we talked about drafting uh some
[36:40] lease agreements with the Muslake Buzz.
[36:42] We also looked at the home run club. Uh
[36:44] met with both entities. They've already
[36:46] seen these. Um, they agreed to it. They
[36:48] say they look great. I highlighted just
[36:51] a couple of things on the home run club.
[36:54] Um, so we're just aligning the dates
[36:56] with the buzz. Um, it is okay for us as
[37:00] long as the buzz agreed to prorrate
[37:02] their dates. So, because their their
[37:04] season technically has ended already,
[37:06] but we want to get them on the same
[37:08] schedule as the school district and the
[37:10] home run club, we had to prorate their
[37:12] dates. So, you're going to see that
[37:14] they've already happened. Um, does that
[37:16] make sense to everybody on the buzz
[37:18] agreement? Um, and then on the buzz
[37:23] agreement, three, four, and five are
[37:25] kind of the ones that are new and
[37:27] different from the home run club lease
[37:29] agreement. So, it talks about who gets
[37:32] priority use of the field, if they ever
[37:34] start selling concessions and doing
[37:36] admission charges. Um, those are items
[37:39] that I found in quite a few other lease
[37:42] agreements with semi-pro baseball teams
[37:44] that use city
[37:46] say uh ball fields. So threw those in
[37:50] there just in case that starts to happen
[37:51] down the road with them and they want to
[37:53] start selling stuff.
[37:56] Um other than that in the home run club
[37:59] on number seven, we changed the sub
[38:02] lease so they really won't be able to
[38:06] again like be able to sub lease on field
[38:09] or like a minor league team to come in
[38:12] and start doing stuff. It's just a
[38:14] one-off type event in so we would prefer
[38:17] if entities want to do that they come
[38:19] and talk to us and go under a contractor
[38:22] agreement like this. So if that makes
[38:23] sense to you guys. Any questions about
[38:26] these?
[38:28] >> Yep.
[38:30] >> Um 13 deals with uh the seability of the
[38:34] contract. I don't see where it says if
[38:36] any of the entities cease to exist that
[38:38] the contract's null and void. I already
[38:41] have something in there because then you
[38:43] have a three-year contract there.
[38:44] There's not an NFT there were still
[38:46] bound by the contract
[38:49] unless I'm reading it wrong.
[38:53] » It does state that
[38:55] uh things are invalid, but it doesn't
[38:58] state that the entity is no longer in
[39:00] business.
[39:01] >> Sure.
[39:02] >> Unless I missed it. I would look at that
[39:04] in both contracts.
[39:05] >> There are other termination clauses in
[39:07] here, but we can definitely add that in
[39:09] that. It it's just a coverall that I
[39:12] would look at.
[39:15] >> Any other questions?
[39:20] » Bring it forward next month and a better
[39:23] edition.
[39:24] >> Yeah. I mean, their season's over
[39:25] already. So,
[39:30] » you want to want me to change that and
[39:32] bring it?
[39:33] >> I would just I would just ask if that's
[39:34] applicable. I guess you might want to
[39:36] modify the attorney, but I just don't
[39:38] see where
[39:39] Why would we want to be in a contract if
[39:41] the if the league or whatever doesn't
[39:44] exist anymore and why they want to be in
[39:46] Sure.
[39:47] >> I suppose I mean you might as well add
[39:49] that to the home run club lease.
[39:51] >> Yes, I I would suggest it or any other
[39:54] leases that are out there
[39:58] any anything else.
[40:02] >> So we bring back next month I'll bring
[40:04] it back. Okay. Yep.
[40:08] Ordinance number 104,
[40:11] the zoning ordinance amendment.
[40:21] » Good evening everybody. Uh, we talked
[40:23] about this last month about adding
[40:27] language to our zoning ordinance
[40:30] regarding shipping containers and
[40:31] requiring a conditional use permit for
[40:34] those in uh commercial zones C1 and C2
[40:38] as well as public publicly zoned spaces
[40:42] which would include the city of Miss
[40:44] Lake. The only zone that would have
[40:48] shipping containers be a principal
[40:50] primary use is industrial. So any other
[40:54] properties requesting a shipping
[40:56] container would need to come before the
[40:57] planning commission and fill out the
[41:00] attached application. Um if any edits or
[41:04] other information that you would like to
[41:05] see on this application
[41:08] um
[41:10] that you have, just let me know and I
[41:12] can modify. But I tried to include as
[41:16] much information as I could um just so
[41:20] that planning commission has a good idea
[41:21] of what the request is going to be prior
[41:23] to them being presented
[41:26] with the request at the meeting. Um I
[41:30] think that's it as far as new things
[41:32] from last
[41:34] month just the application
[41:38] and anything else I believe.
[41:41] So, any questions, comments, concerns,
[41:44] suggestions?
[41:53] » We're not planning on passing this,
[41:57] >> correct?
[41:58] >> This is our second reading. Oh,
[42:01] additionally, so if you are looking at
[42:02] the zoning and land use application,
[42:05] there are some prices up on the top
[42:08] where you can choose which application
[42:11] type you are applying for and those will
[42:15] need to be added to the fee schedule as
[42:17] well. I believe the temporary shipping
[42:19] container would be new. Um, the other
[42:23] ones are already on there. So yes, the
[42:26] temporary shipping container residential
[42:28] and commercial would be in addition to
[42:30] the fee schedule that we would need to
[42:31] approve with the ordinance. So
[42:36] >> any questions?
[42:37] >> So we still do not have anything that's
[42:39] been changed for the setbacks. They're
[42:41] still what they were last month.
[42:43] >> The setbacks.
[42:45] >> Yeah. You talked about being on
[42:47] Arrowhead and things like that. They
[42:48] still have to come from the planning
[42:50] commission.
[42:50] >> Yes. Yep. Uh we did not change anything
[42:54] in the ordinance
[42:56] um giving the planning commission the
[42:59] latitude to determine based on what the
[43:02] property is.
[43:05] Then as a reminder to council, all
[43:06] conditional use permits do have to come
[43:08] before council um based on the
[43:10] recommendation of the planning
[43:11] commission. Um so there is an extra step
[43:14] for review from a council perspective as
[43:16] well on each application. Um in addition
[43:20] we will be looking at um next month the
[43:24] approval of the fee schedule and the
[43:26] additional fees the application
[43:28] independent and then the you know
[43:31] ordinance modification and amendment as
[43:33] well. So three separate items um for
[43:36] council review next month. Um also want
[43:39] to get the zoning and land use
[43:42] application to the planning commission
[43:44] via email and get consensus as well. uh
[43:48] we have talked about it and we did um
[43:50] engage as far as establishing a new
[43:53] application and what that looks like. So
[43:55] we'll make sure that they get their eyes
[43:56] on it before next council meeting as
[43:58] well. Um
[44:00] and that's where we're at.
[44:03] >> Any other questions, comments?
[44:05] would we be notifying these people that
[44:08] are in
[44:10] um
[44:12] not in compliance just to give them a
[44:14] heads up that
[44:16] >> we would have to send them a
[44:17] notification letter of of the new
[44:19] ordinance passing and um typically in
[44:22] that case I would include a copy of the
[44:26] ordinance and the application and all of
[44:28] the instructions as to how to go about
[44:31] becoming in compliance. Anything
[44:36] else?
[44:39] >> Thank you.
[44:42] » New business. The city was like 2025
[44:46] audit presentation.
[44:50] >> Oh, sorry.
[44:51] >> I just have a quick question since he
[44:53] just has a quick report.
[44:56] Through that or
[45:00] » Thank you.
[45:03] All right, good evening everyone. My
[45:05] name is David Early. I'm with Westbury.
[45:08] Uh we completed your audit for the
[45:09] financial statements year end 2025.
[45:13] Um and have issued our report on that.
[45:15] Um happy to say we issued a clean
[45:17] opinion on the financial statements. Um
[45:20] and then uh we also issue a second
[45:23] report with the financials that um a
[45:26] report on compliance and internal
[45:28] controls. uh we did not have any issues
[45:31] with any compliance testing we did. So
[45:33] everything was fine there. Um I do have
[45:35] just a summary of uh audit findings that
[45:38] we did issue. Um and there's two two uh
[45:42] levels of um findings we usually issue.
[45:46] One is called a material weakness and
[45:48] one's a significant deficiency. If we
[45:50] issue a material weakness, those are the
[45:52] ones where we say you need to take
[45:53] action to correct it. uh happy to say
[45:56] all the findings that we issued for 2025
[45:58] are just considered deficiencies that uh
[46:01] things that could be improved upon, but
[46:03] overall um think they're not in bad
[46:05] shape. So doing a good job. Um and and
[46:09] pretty much for a city your size, these
[46:11] are pretty standard findings. So really
[46:14] nothing out of the ordinary on that. So,
[46:17] uh, another handout I have for you, a
[46:20] report that we're required to give to
[46:22] council is the one that's called
[46:24] required communication to those charged
[46:26] with governance. Uh, this report is
[46:29] pretty standard. There's really no out
[46:31] of the ordinary things uh, in that
[46:33] report this year. Uh, no new accounting
[46:35] standards are adopted. We didn't have
[46:37] any issues with any uh, staff or so
[46:40] forth. So, everyone was very
[46:41] cooperative. So, nothing out of the
[46:43] ordinary to report in that one either.
[46:45] And obviously, I encourage you to read
[46:47] through it if you'd like.
[46:49] And then, uh, I've got some graphs that
[46:52] just kind of show a snapshot of your
[46:55] major funds, just kind of give you a
[46:57] history of the last four years just to
[47:00] kind of see what's happening with the
[47:01] funds. You know, you kind of want to
[47:02] know, are you going forward or backwards
[47:04] in terms of accumulating resources or
[47:07] spending down. So, just kind of go over
[47:09] those briefly. Uh the first one we're
[47:12] looking at is a general fund. Uh one
[47:14] thing to note there, three out of the
[47:16] last four years the revenue exceeded
[47:18] expenditures. So that's always a
[47:20] positive trend. And as you can see by
[47:22] the green bar, the cash balance has been
[47:24] increasing every year. Uh and mainly you
[47:26] haven't done any significant projects
[47:28] and so you have been accumulating some
[47:30] money in your sales tax fund. Uh and you
[47:33] ended the year at 1.56 million that's
[47:35] set aside in that fund for future
[47:38] projects. So, so if you look at the the
[47:41] overall cash balance of 3.5, so roughly
[47:43] 40% of it's earmarked specific to the
[47:47] sales tax tech projects.
[47:52] On the second graph, looking at the
[47:54] water fund, uh, one positive trend there
[47:56] too, you can see is the cash has been
[47:58] increasing every year. You know, your
[47:59] operating expenses have been pretty
[48:01] steady. Uh, revenue has been going up
[48:04] slightly every year. And so overall, you
[48:06] ended the year at 9 966 or 963,000 in
[48:11] cash compared to 762. So, uh, very
[48:14] positive trend there, too. Uh, and no
[48:17] real issues that I noted on expenditures
[48:19] on the revenue side. So, everything
[48:21] looks good on that one. On the next one,
[48:24] we look at the sewer fund. Uh, sewer
[48:26] fund, as you can see, in 2025, uh,
[48:29] revenue exceeded expenditures for the
[48:31] first time in the last four years. you
[48:33] did implement a new base rate and so
[48:36] your revenue did increase significantly
[48:39] and it really did just go to the bottom
[48:41] line. You know, your your operating
[48:43] expenses are pretty steady in the last
[48:45] few years. So So that fund is on a good
[48:48] projection, too. So no real issues noted
[48:50] on that one.
[48:51] >> Well done. That is so exciting. I wish
[48:53] Bill was here.
[48:56] Uh, and you know, of course there's, you know, that fund has debt,
[48:59] but you know, I think you've got a
[49:01] couple bonds that'll be paid off in the
[49:03] next 5 years. So, I mean, that's a a
[49:05] good thing, too, on that one. So, and
[49:07] then the last one we're looking at is
[49:08] just the uh the liquor store. Uh, again,
[49:11] another positive trend on the liquor
[49:13] store. You you you can see the cash
[49:15] balance has been increasing every year.
[49:17] You know, your sales have been pretty
[49:19] stable and your gross profit has been
[49:21] pretty decent. So you in 2025 gross
[49:24] profit was at 36%.
[49:26] Uh the statewide average for onoff sale
[49:29] liquor stores is 40%. So you're right
[49:31] about where where everyone else is too.
[49:34] So real no real issues on that side of
[49:36] things. So um so overall again good
[49:40] strong cash balance on hand. Um I know
[49:43] there's probably some projects that the
[49:44] liquor store probably needs at some
[49:46] point. Obviously building doesn't seem
[49:48] like there's been any major things done
[49:50] to the building for a while, but that's
[49:52] one thing that always can take up a
[49:54] little bit of cash. So,
[49:57] uh, otherwise, the black booklet is a
[49:58] complete set of financial statements for
[50:00] you. I encourage you to read through
[50:01] those before bedtime if you want. But,
[50:04] lots of good detail in there, uh, and
[50:06] very useful for you as you're looking at
[50:08] your budgets and so forth. So,
[50:11] anyone have any comments or questions
[50:13] for me?
[50:16] Thank you very much.
[50:18] >> All right. Well, thank you so much for
[50:19] your time.
[50:25] » Cannabis retail license discussion
[50:28] holistic wellness.
[50:30] >> Uh yes, this is actually an annual
[50:32] renewal for the cannabis license that
[50:34] was issued to Holistic Wellness. Um
[50:38] we've not had any significant issues or problems over the past year. Uh this
[50:42] renewal process will continue. um on an
[50:45] annual basis and they'll come forward
[50:47] for review to to the city council. So
[50:50] looking for council approval once again
[50:51] for this particular license.
[50:55] >> A motion to accept that.
[50:58] >> Second.
[51:00] >> Any further discussion?
[51:03] All in favor?
[51:05] >> Opposed? Carried.
[51:08] Uh looks like the community and civic
[51:10] center 2026 capital project.
[51:21] Okay. So as a highle overview, we
[51:25] included $60,000 in the 2026 budget to
[51:29] do a few upgrades to city hall. City
[51:31] Hall, I believe, was built in 1996 and
[51:34] there have been very few upgrades since
[51:36] then. We're just kind of looking to get
[51:39] the space back up to par. As I mean, you
[51:43] can see there's, you know, stains and
[51:45] stuff all over. So, um, just looking to
[51:48] have a clean and professional space to
[51:50] conduct meetings. We have completed
[51:54] almost everything in the conference
[51:56] room. Uh, it's looking fantastic. I'm
[51:58] very happy with it. I hope you guys are,
[52:00] too. The last thing that we have to do
[52:02] in there is carpet. Um the CIP came in
[52:06] and did painting was it last week or the
[52:08] week before. They did a phenomenal job.
[52:12] Um and so we actually reached out to
[52:15] them after noting their phenomenal job
[52:17] in the conference room and asked if they
[52:19] would be willing to come back and do the
[52:20] remainder of our projects and they said
[52:23] that they will. So that will save the
[52:25] city a considerable amount of money on
[52:27] labor for painting. we will just be
[52:29] responsible for purchasing the paint.
[52:33] In addition to that, it was called out
[52:37] that we don't have enough professional
[52:41] office chairs in the council chambers to
[52:44] accommodate larger meetings. So, I got
[52:47] quotes for chairs that will match the
[52:49] ones you're sitting in right now, so
[52:50] that when we have larger meetings with
[52:52] other boards or commissions or whatever,
[52:54] um, we're not sticking them in the in
[52:57] the hard chairs in the back. Um, let's
[53:01] see. I lost it. In addition to the
[53:07] office chairs, we looked at replacing
[53:09] the tables in here. These ones are kind
[53:12] of mismatched and a little beat up. They
[53:15] also don't move very well. And the
[53:18] nature of this room, we use it for so
[53:20] many different uses. It would be very
[53:22] convenient and easier on our floor and
[53:25] the tables themselves to have some
[53:26] rolling ones. We changed the layout of
[53:28] this room very frequently. So, we found
[53:31] some rolling tables that fold up and
[53:34] kind of get tucked away if we ever need
[53:36] to have more space. And then we counted
[53:40] how many of these red chairs we have in
[53:42] here. There's about 20 on that side, 20
[53:45] on this side on any given day. So
[53:47] estimated for about 40 um
[53:51] I what would you call those? Event
[53:52] chairs. Not sure. Um so estimated for
[53:56] those as well. Um
[54:00] I think that's it for the council
[54:02] chambers. Carpet, paint, tables, chairs.
[54:06] There's another word. Blinds.
[54:07] >> Oh yes, blinds. Um so I have quotes for
[54:10] blinds as well. looking to go a neutral
[54:13] color. Um, a bunch of these are broken.
[54:17] Um, so came down here and measured what
[54:20] we would need. I think it's two 6ft
[54:22] sections and then two 8ft sections I
[54:26] think is what it is. Um, and then as far
[54:29] as the city offices, just looking for
[54:32] new paint and carpet up there as well.
[54:34] The walls have been beat up over the
[54:37] past there's holes everywhere. So, um,
[54:40] yeah. So, just looking for that up
[54:44] there. So, I think I hit all of the
[54:49] products here.
[54:53] There's This one's this way. This one's
[54:55] this way. Okay. So, shopping cart. I've
[54:58] got shopping cart. Office chairs. I
[55:01] found the identical chairs for in here.
[55:05] They are pretty expensive. They're about
[55:07] 300 bucks a piece. Um, so to get four of
[55:11] them, I think we have six right now. 1 2
[55:13] 3 4 5 six. Yes, we were shooting for 10.
[55:15] Four additional chairs um from digital
[55:18] buyer would be 1,236.
[55:21] Otherwise, from Granger, we're looking
[55:23] at,473.
[55:26] Um, found some they're called stack
[55:29] chairs. Stack chairs from Uline or the
[55:32] Webster store. We're looking at $95 each
[55:36] from Uline, $5049
[55:39] from the Webster store. I have ordered
[55:41] from them previously for products at the
[55:44] mun and have had a good experience. And
[55:47] then um those 6T and 8ft sections from
[55:50] blinds.com and select blinds office
[55:53] depot and Uline for the tables. Um they
[55:56] did not have a comparable color, so
[55:58] maybe keep that in mind when selecting.
[56:00] It looks like the Office Depot option is
[56:03] a darker espresso with a silver metal,
[56:07] whereas the Uline is more of a redwood
[56:09] mahogany. They also have a gray with
[56:12] like a black or bronze metal. Um, in
[56:16] addition to that, for carpet, I got
[56:18] quotes for New Life Construction. They
[56:21] are, I believe they have an office in
[56:23] Barnum potentially. And then also Town
[56:25] and Country Flooring. Town and Country
[56:27] Flooring came in cheaper. Um I've been
[56:30] in contact with Miles and um he has
[56:32] brought me some samples and that would
[56:34] be my recommendation at that lower at
[56:36] that lower price. So um I don't know if
[56:39] we want to go through these one by one
[56:41] and see what council's thinking or
[56:45] so this is part of the capital budget
[56:47] for 2026. Um Taylor has outlined and
[56:51] provided like a project estimate sheet
[56:52] where it's a really good summary. you
[56:54] can take a look. Um, you know, her her
[56:58] recommendation,
[56:59] if I'm understanding correctly, Taylor,
[57:01] would be to go with the lower bids on
[57:04] everything potentially except the
[57:06] tables, or do you have a preference for
[57:09] tables?
[57:10] >> I do not have a preference for tables
[57:12] necessarily. That would be up to you
[57:15] guys what you want to see for color
[57:16] scheme. Um, like a darker brown versus a
[57:19] lighter reddish brown or gray.
[57:24] What type of flooring are we doing?
[57:27] >> We were thinking of going a like a
[57:30] neutral. It's got green. This is two
[57:33] tones. The other the new one would be
[57:35] like a beige and dark gray. I recalling
[57:40] that correctly. Beige and black. Very
[57:43] neutral.
[57:44] >> Yeah. Trying to hide stains as best as
[57:47] possible. I guess I would say stay away
[57:50] from that reddish color.
[57:51] >> Okay.
[57:52] personally.
[57:57] » So once again, uh we had uh $60,000 in
[58:00] the budget with the low bids were coming
[58:03] in at $34,740.
[58:06] So significantly under budget. Taylor's
[58:08] put a ton of time and energy into this.
[58:10] Uh we love the fact that it's under
[58:12] budget and utilizing CIP has enabled us
[58:15] to be able to do that. Um, so trying to
[58:18] do this as effectively as we possibly
[58:20] can and appropriately as we possibly
[58:22] can.
[58:22] >> Another question that I had. Um, I know
[58:26] we like to stay and purchase local as
[58:29] much as possible. However, I did want to
[58:32] present um, accurate figures as to the
[58:35] price discrepancy from going through Ace
[58:38] Hardware for paint versus somewhere like
[58:40] Menard's. Um, it is quite a bit more
[58:43] expensive, but um, I do understand the
[58:45] value of shopping local as well. So, we
[58:47] did go with Ace for the conference room.
[58:49] That was a smaller room. We only went
[58:50] through about a gallon and a half.
[58:52] However, we're going to go through
[58:54] probably a lot more for these bigger
[58:57] spaces in the hallway. So, um, will to
[59:01] go with what your recommendation is for
[59:03] where to purchase paint as well.
[59:06] >> Any other questions?
[59:10] Do we have want to have a are we going
[59:13] to have a working meeting with uh the
[59:15] budget coming up this month and maybe
[59:17] discuss this in more detail so we can
[59:19] see some of the sample not just make a
[59:21] decision
[59:22] >> that's going to impact people for the
[59:23] next 20 years
[59:25] 30 or 40
[59:27] >> it was 90 something
[59:29] >> that would be 30
[59:33] » I've got the carpet sample books up in
[59:36] the office
[59:37] um and then um I can bring and paint
[59:41] samples as well. If you're wanting to
[59:43] look at what options we've got paint, we
[59:47] can do that, too. Whatever you want to
[59:49] do.
[59:50] >> So, where the paintings start at that
[59:52] back door all the way through to the
[59:55] front. And it's going to be everything
[59:57] except the library,
[1:00:00] the
[1:00:02] um television room, the bathrooms, and
[1:00:07] the township office.
[1:00:10] Yes. So all the hallways up to Oh, and
[1:00:12] the DMV was I don't think we budgeted
[1:00:15] for the DMV that was done recently. So
[1:00:17] they would not be included as well.
[1:00:22] » So we have consensus the table till
[1:00:26] a future special meeting.
[1:00:30] >> I think we CIP said that they are
[1:00:32] available the first week of November.
[1:00:35] So, um, we would definitely do painting
[1:00:39] prior to carpet. So, we're looking to do
[1:00:42] carpet kind of around the holidays when
[1:00:43] it would be the least disruptive to the
[1:00:46] office. Um, and then any products,
[1:00:50] chairs, tables, or whatever, um, can
[1:00:53] just be purchased any time before the
[1:00:54] end of the year. So, um, painting is the
[1:00:57] only thing that we're on a time frame
[1:00:58] for, and that would be November 2nd.
[1:01:03] >> Thank you.
[1:01:05] Wait, am I next? I think I am.
[1:01:06] >> Yeah. First National Lake Arena 2026
[1:01:10] capital project.
[1:01:12] >> Yes. So 2026.
[1:01:15] In 2026, we budgeted $20,000 to kind of
[1:01:19] give the outside of the arena a
[1:01:22] facelift. We added the digital sign and
[1:01:25] have now partnered with First National
[1:01:27] Bank. Um, the idea was to upgrade the
[1:01:31] seafoam green trim and doors to the
[1:01:34] First National Bank blue. We got two
[1:01:36] quotes. One was significantly higher
[1:01:38] than the other. Um,
[1:01:41] Steinbacher painting came in at 20,500.
[1:01:45] I also included a communication in there
[1:01:48] um that when I asked him about how long
[1:01:51] it should last, uh, there' be a one-year
[1:01:54] warranty. They paint metal buildings
[1:01:56] often and the paint holds up well.
[1:01:57] Shouldn't have any problems for at least
[1:02:00] 10 years and the only problem would be
[1:02:02] fading on the south and west side due to
[1:02:04] the sun. So, um, looking to see if
[1:02:07] council still has the appetite to do
[1:02:09] that faceelift and I would recommend the
[1:02:13] quote from Stein cracker painting.
[1:02:17] >> Any questions?
[1:02:19] >> How about CIP painting?
[1:02:22] >> What would they charge? They don't spend
[1:02:25] >> I mean I I understand it's a special it
[1:02:27] might be a sprayer and they might not be
[1:02:28] able to do that but if it if it is a
[1:02:30] roll on application we're saving a ton
[1:02:32] of money as well and just throwing it
[1:02:33] out.
[1:02:34] >> The only concern I'd have is the gutters
[1:02:37] that are going to be fairly high
[1:02:40] lift but
[1:02:43] >> yeah I know there was a lot of um prep
[1:02:45] work that is going into it with cleaning
[1:02:48] and priming and that sort of thing. So,
[1:02:50] I'm not sure if that would be within the
[1:02:51] scope of CIP. Um, I do know that Phil
[1:02:54] indicated we are kind of getting on a
[1:02:57] short time frame for seasonality through
[1:03:01] painting. So,
[1:03:02] >> we are, but if we didn't have the
[1:03:03] conversation, at least we had the
[1:03:04] conversation about it. So,
[1:03:06] >> yeah,
[1:03:06] >> sounds good.
[1:03:07] >> Any other questions?
[1:03:09] >> Any motions?
[1:03:15] I'll make a motion we accept the sign of
[1:03:18] her painting for the um
[1:03:23] first National Bank Arena.
[1:03:28] » Is there a second?
[1:03:31] >> Second.
[1:03:32] >> Any further discussion?
[1:03:36] Hearing none. All in favor?
[1:03:39] >> Opposed? Carried.
[1:03:47] uh 2027
[1:03:49] preliminary general fund budget
[1:03:51] presentation.
[1:03:53] >> Oh yes. So we've had a lot of internal
[1:03:55] dialogue and I did send a correspondence
[1:03:57] out to council regarding this uh setting
[1:04:00] the initial levy. So our deadline is
[1:04:02] September 30th.
[1:04:04] um we were able to get information from
[1:04:06] the state needed to um calculate net tax
[1:04:10] capacity and things of that nature with
[1:04:12] the meeting falling so early in the
[1:04:14] month. Um that information came in hot
[1:04:18] this week. Um in addition on Monday we
[1:04:20] did receive uh requested estimates
[1:04:24] regarding engineering related to the
[1:04:26] Elri First Street project. And so uh we
[1:04:29] are now looking at needing to budget for
[1:04:32] the construction oversight and
[1:04:34] management of our of our extensive road
[1:04:37] project here in 2027. So working through
[1:04:40] those details. I did get that
[1:04:41] correspondence late Monday. Um
[1:04:45] the discussion that we've had internally
[1:04:47] is that there there is a need for a
[1:04:50] special meeting in order to just kind of
[1:04:52] lay everything out for council. One
[1:04:54] missing piece is we have a meeting
[1:04:56] scheduled with uh the Carlton County
[1:04:58] Sheriff's Office for September 17th. Um
[1:05:02] that is when we are going to get
[1:05:04] information regarding cost of services
[1:05:06] for our law enforcement services
[1:05:07] agreement. That is out um those expenses
[1:05:11] do come out of the general fund. So
[1:05:12] they're direct directly related to the
[1:05:14] levy as well. So wanting council to have
[1:05:17] all the puzzle pieces prior to engaging
[1:05:20] in that. Um
[1:05:22] when uh the mayor and I discussed we
[1:05:25] talked about potentially having a
[1:05:27] special meeting on Monday, September
[1:05:31] 21st or Tuesday, September 22nd.
[1:05:34] that would give adequate time in order
[1:05:36] for um the city's city staff to meet
[1:05:40] with the sheriff's office and be able to
[1:05:43] present those figures to council as
[1:05:44] well.
[1:05:52] » Time
[1:05:54] what time are we 10:00? Do we want
[1:05:56] morning meeting or
[1:05:59] >> Mondays would be preferable to me since
[1:06:01] I am off those days. Tuesday is better
[1:06:05] for me.
[1:06:06] >> Paper scissors
[1:06:11] » cuz you make it Monday won't
[1:06:14] >> if I'm in town.
[1:06:18] » What time would be better on a Monday
[1:06:20] for you?
[1:06:22] >> Probably earlier early afternoon.
[1:06:27] We want to shoot for Monday the 21st at
[1:06:29] 100 p.m.
[1:06:30] >> Well, if it's a Tuesday, I mean, I could
[1:06:32] do like 8 and 1
[1:06:36] Tuesday.
[1:06:41] » Do you want to know who?
[1:06:42] >> No.
[1:06:43] >> We'll shoot for Monday, February 21st at
[1:06:46] 1 p.m.
[1:06:49] >> Monday the 21st at 100 p.m.
[1:06:52] >> Yes.
[1:06:54] Maybe that's a working meeting for the
[1:06:56] budget.
[1:07:03] Anything else on that?
[1:07:07] » Okay, moving on to reports and
[1:07:08] correspondence. The Carlton County
[1:07:11] Zoning and Environmental Services
[1:07:13] notices of attention
[1:07:16] to study data centers. The Minnesota
[1:07:19] Department of Education 200 or to 2027
[1:07:24] certificate of minimum local support
[1:07:26] requirement. The Liam Doll donation
[1:07:30] request. Any questions? Any of them?
[1:07:39] » All that coming up. So we should
[1:07:42] >> um
[1:07:45] so the request it was requested that we
[1:07:48] bring forward the information to to city
[1:07:51] council. I'm I'm not certain that they
[1:07:53] have a 501c3 or that it meets all the
[1:07:56] criteria for for gambling funds. So I
[1:08:00] wanted council to be aware. Uh we'll um explore that in the background
[1:08:05] and um have additional communication if
[1:08:08] necessary. But as at initial glance, it
[1:08:11] was not meeting the the requirements for
[1:08:13] the the city to be able to provide funds
[1:08:15] for.
[1:08:17] >> That's probably something we could add
[1:08:19] on to the special meeting after that if
[1:08:22] we
[1:08:22] >> perfect if we need to.
[1:08:24] >> Excellent.
[1:08:25] >> Committee board meeting minutes Area
[1:08:28] Fire Protection District July 14th,
[1:08:31] 2026. The park and recreation board
[1:08:34] meeting July 6th, 2026.
[1:08:38] announcement.
[1:08:40] Next regular MLE city council meeting
[1:08:43] October 14th 2026 4 p.m. in the city
[1:08:46] council chambers
[1:08:48] like economic development authority
[1:08:50] Wednesday September 16th 12 p.m. in the
[1:08:53] city conference room like water line
[1:08:56] commission Tuesday September 15th 2026 1
[1:08:59] p.m. in the water and light office
[1:09:02] housing redevelopment authority Monday
[1:09:06] September 14th 10 a.m. side matters.
[1:09:10] M like area fire protection district
[1:09:13] Tuesday, October 13th, 2026 at the
[1:09:16] emergency response center. Moose Lake
[1:09:19] Park and wreck Monday, October 5th,
[1:09:21] 2026, 5:00 p.m. in the city council
[1:09:23] chambers and the special working meeting
[1:09:26] September 21st, 100 p.m. in the city
[1:09:31] chambers.
[1:09:35] Is there a motion to adjurnn? So move.
[1:09:39] >> Is there a second?
[1:09:40] >> Second.
[1:09:40] >> All in favor?
[1:09:42] >> Opposed? We are journed.