[0:05] Good evening and welcome. This is the regular city council meeting for the

[0:09] city of St. Peter. It is Monday, August 24th and it is 7:00 p.m. We are called

[0:16] to order. Please rise for the pledgece

[0:23] to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it

[0:28] stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice

[0:33] for all.

[0:38] » All right. The first um item is to approve the agenda. Are there any

[0:42] revisions or corrections to the agenda? If not, can I get a motion to approve

[0:47] the agenda? >> So moved.

[0:50] » Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I.

[0:53] » I. >> Those opposed, same sign.

[0:56] » Agenda is approved. Next, we have the approval of the minutes from our last

[1:01] council meeting. Minutes were from August 10th, 2026. Are there any

[1:07] revisions or corrections to the meeting minutes?

[1:12] hearing. Uh, none. I'll take a motion to approve.

[1:16] » Some move. Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All those

[1:19] in favor say I. >> I.

[1:22] » Those opposed, same sign. >> The minutes are approved.

[1:27] Next up, we have uh visitor comments. And so we have time on our agenda for uh

[1:33] visitor comments on any agenda item. Uh any item that is on our current agenda.

[1:38] Do we have any uh members of the audience who would like to come forward

[1:41] and speak on any agenda item? Right. Seeing none, we have general

[1:47] visitor comments. Do we have any visitors in the audience who would like

[1:50] to make a general visitor comment? Right. Seeing none, we will move on to

[1:57] the approval of our consent agenda items. The consent agenda items are on

[2:01] pages 7 through 11 in our packets. And we tonight we're approving on our

[2:09] consent agenda the following uh employee appointments. Amy Cam, maintenance

[2:14] superintendent. Uh Samuel Pledo, police patrol officer. Uh Bolton and Mech is

[2:21] authorized to provide construction services for the 2026 North for Street

[2:25] improvements. The SK and then the schedule of dispersements for August

[2:29] 7th, 2026 through August 20th, 2026. Are there any uh comments or questions

[2:36] on the consent agenda? >> Uh council member Dvas.

[2:39] » Yeah, I have a question. Well, basically related to construction services. Um

[2:44] we're approving the add the manage the contract uh for construction services,

[2:48] but construction has already started on it. Correct.

[2:51] » Is this something that should have been done before we started construction?

[2:55] » It would have been fantastic had we done that. However, a lot of the construction

[2:58] services can occur really started today and so there's ample time. This is a lot

[3:03] of making sure that the quantities are right. Making sure that staking is

[3:06] appropriate. Make sure that the right amount of thickness all of those types

[3:10] of things are done. And then the wrap paperwork as it relates to the contract.

[3:14] Have the appropriate been counted. Is it the right unit price? Those types of

[3:18] activities. And maybe most importantly, ensuring that it's built according to

[3:23] specifications or if there's a need for a change to the specifications that it's

[3:27] rational, reasonable will help the project follow through.

[3:33] Any other questions? If not, I will take a motion to approve

[3:38] the consent agenda. >> So moved. Second.

[3:42] » Have a motion in a second. Um, we will take a roll call vote. Go ahead, Kesha.

[3:49] » Council member Wenfeld. >> I.

[3:50] » Council member Zstrom. >> I.

[3:52] » Council member Devos. >> I.

[3:53] » Council member Johnson. >> I.

[3:55] » Council member Pettis. >> I.

[3:57] » The consent agenda is approved. Next up, we have unfinished business, which there

[4:03] is no unfinished business. So, we're going to move on to new business. And

[4:07] the first item of new business is the Co North development agreement. And Todd,

[4:12] are you taking this one? >> I'm taking this one. I'm sorry Ben isn't

[4:14] here tonight. Um, and I know you talked all of you had the opportunity to speak

[4:18] to Ben about this and he's articulated some of the main points here. Um, let me

[4:22] go through a few items that I think are major important to you. First of all,

[4:27] the request tonight is for you to approve a resolution that allows the

[4:30] mayor and the city administrator to enter into a development agreement with

[4:32] CO North. As many of you know, Coor is a not for profit that's located in

[4:38] Minnesota. Its home bases in Minnesota. Its primary mission over the past more

[4:43] than a decade has really been in the acquisition of troubled manufactured

[4:50] housing communities and developing them into a co-op model where residents of

[4:56] the neighborhood are folks that manage, own, and make sure to take care of the

[5:02] the spot that they're in. You'll see there are a few timelines that we

[5:06] mentioned here, but at least from my perspective, and um council members, you

[5:10] might remember this as well. This is a project that you've been talking about

[5:13] and working on for a couple of years now. Um really, the development

[5:16] agreement outlines the stuff that's necessary to make sure that we

[5:21] understand and they understand what the other party is looking for as a part of

[5:25] this new type of subdivision. Um this is a high density neighborhood, um more

[5:31] dense than you've seen in previous neighborhoods. It will be um

[5:36] it will be composed of city-owned infrastructure. So the streets and the

[5:40] storm water, the w water, sewer, all of those kind of things will be owned by

[5:44] the city. Um which is different than what we see in um some neighborhoods

[5:49] that you have within our community, but much more similar. In fact, exactly like

[5:55] the other housing subdivisions that you have like Traverse Green, Nicola

[5:59] Meadows, Standard Subdivision, and others. So, it follows that pattern. It

[6:03] will be owned by the co-op. So, the residents will be members of that co-op.

[6:08] And so, they'll make decisions related to the operations of the neighborhood

[6:12] and how lots are leased or not leased, how that works, and they'll be supported

[6:16] by Conor. One of Conor North strengths, of course, has been to help these other

[6:20] entities um have governance skills and managerial skills in making this move

[6:27] forward. So, we're excited about that. This will be facility built housing and

[6:31] so it will be housing that is largely manufactured not necessarily built to

[6:36] stick on site and so that does a number of things for us including creates

[6:41] additional affordability along with the density and one of the council's goals

[6:45] related to housing has certainly been to reach as far as we can to ensure that

[6:50] workforce and affordable housing is available for the entire community and

[6:53] frankly for folks that want to come to your community and network and live

[6:56] here. Um, so that's really important and so we'll be meeting some of the price

[7:02] points that have been discussed previously in meeting that entry

[7:05] levelvel marketplace. Um, we'll own the sidewalks, will own the streets, the

[7:11] curb and gutters. So that will make sure to be um, kept up appropriately based on

[7:15] decisions that the council makes. Um, this is different than what we see in

[7:19] some other communities. Be happy to go through any of the information that's

[7:23] included in the packet and talk specifically about the agreement. Um, if

[7:27] you want, we've gone through this previously at a workshop at a high level

[7:30] of detail and outlined really the agreement in total. Um, including the

[7:35] fees that they're expected to pay, the $30,000 down that they have to provide

[7:40] to enter into this agreement for the city, how engineering is going to work,

[7:44] when do they or when does the city have the opportunity um to say we're going to

[7:48] stop, we're not interested in pursuing further. Um it outlines the type of

[7:52] housing, the approximate number of housing units. Uh we also outline and

[7:58] require as a part of the development agreement mortgage products that will be

[8:01] available to folks and we think that's been a significant issue and there's

[8:05] been some developments over the last year that make this more attainable. So

[8:08] we're excited about that. Again, um madame mayor prom and members happy to

[8:14] answer any questions about the development agreement. On page 51, I

[8:19] believe, is the um resolution um to allow the city administrator and the

[8:24] mayor to enter into the agreement. Again, happy to answer any questions.

[8:27] And there's some fantastic materials that um Co North has provided that's

[8:33] also in their packet that describe many of the things that they're doing and

[8:37] their perspective on the project overall.

[8:40] » Before we take comments, do you want to just note the change on the handout

[8:44] development agreement? Yeah, on your desk is a is the development agreement

[8:48] and it is only slightly different from the development agreement that you saw

[8:51] at your workshop. And so that change is on page three on item number seven. This

[8:58] relates to the conversation about continuing to try and work towards a

[9:03] reduction in your fiber or carbon footprint. Um and so this provides a

[9:08] little bit more specificity than the previous language related to utilization

[9:13] of electrical connections and the requirements that stoves um water

[9:17] heaters and closed dryers be electric. This allows you to move forward um again

[9:22] and trying to reduce your carbon footprint within this neighborhood.

[9:26] » Any comments or questions? Council member DVOS.

[9:28] » Uh I'd just like uh thank staff for uh moving quickly in updating uh section 7.

[9:34] I I do appreciate them uh reaching out today and getting that and getting that

[9:38] fixed. So, >> any other questions or comments from

[9:42] council members? >> The only other comment that I'd make,

[9:47] Madame Mayor Prom, is that um I think it's important to note that this mixture

[9:54] of tools and resources is untested. This is new. These are all tools that

[10:02] you've used previously. They've been used in different types of applications.

[10:05] They've been used at different levels. It's a different kind of cake. The

[10:09] ingredients are there, but in different proportions compared to what you've seen

[10:14] previously. And so I think one of the things that's interesting and and at

[10:17] least a few of you have commented to me that it's interesting maybe to be on the

[10:21] forefront in this kind of area meeting these affordability and workforce

[10:25] opportunities much like you were previously with Nicola Meadows

[10:30] Washington Terrace and Traverse Green which have worked out very well for the

[10:33] community. So, I think that's not unimportant and I think it does provide

[10:38] opportunity for some of the grant resources that we talked about within

[10:41] the body of the memo and are anticipating through Minnesota Housing

[10:44] Finance, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and others.

[10:47] » Well, and I think we did our due diligence as a council. We talked about

[10:51] this for months and um you know it really is good governance to kind of

[10:56] question something new, question the location, talk about it in depth and um

[11:01] I appreciate the discussions that we had together and and where we're at right

[11:06] now. And um I think this will be a great addition to our community. That was

[11:10] never in question. We all agreed on that. And uh yes. So um without further

[11:16] ado, we will um consider their resolution approving a development

[11:20] agreement with CO North for the new north development.

[11:23] » Okay. >> Yes.

[11:24] » Oh, I had my hand up. I'm sorry. I think it is worth noting um for anyone who's

[11:28] listening or who has been following this for the last year now. Um, we did look

[11:33] at lots of different locations >> and at the end of the day, we as a

[11:37] council agreed that we wanted to do this project for affordability. What we

[11:42] didn't agree upon was where we were going to do it. And simply put, after

[11:46] looking at all of the other viable options,

[11:49] this was the most appropriate fit because we've owned the land for so

[11:55] long. And I think it's important for people or anyone who's viewing this to

[11:58] know all other options would have required us to raise taxes to fund this

[12:03] project. >> Thank you. Any other comments or

[12:07] questions? >> Todd, what's our ongoing financial

[12:09] liability with this? >> Your ongoing financial liability will be

[12:13] just like you have really with any other subdivision. Um, so you'll be

[12:18] responsible for plowing and maintaining the streets and seal coating the streets

[12:22] and doing all those things like you do in any other subdivision. I guess my

[12:24] question is more so we're we're donating the land for this and then we're

[12:28] providing them several loans in relation to um

[12:32] » development and infrastructure. Is there anything beyond that?

[12:35] » No, there really isn't anything beyond that besides the commitment to assist in

[12:40] applications for grants and those types of things. So, one could argue there's a

[12:43] little bit of a cost to be write a letter, those types of things, but

[12:46] » yeah, nothing that significant. And I mean the primary funding source for this

[12:50] will be under Minnesota statute 429 where Cone North uh the co-op um is

[12:56] assessed for the street, sewer, sidewalks, all of those kind of things.

[13:00] Again, just like really any other subdivision that you've put together

[13:04] over the last 15 or 20 years. >> Any other questions or comments before

[13:10] we Okay. Um, the resolution approving the

[13:14] development agreement with Cone North is on pages 50 and 51 of the packet. Do I

[13:19] have a motion to approve? >> So move.

[13:22] » Second. >> We have a motion in a second. Uh, call

[13:25] the role, please. >> Council member Sharstrom.

[13:28] » I. >> Council member Devos.

[13:30] » I. >> Council member Johnson.

[13:31] » I. >> Council member Pettis.

[13:33] » Hi. >> Council member Wisel.

[13:35] » I. >> Resolution is approved.

[13:39] All right. Next we have the wastewater treatment plant switchge gear

[13:43] replacement and we have Pete here to talk to us about that.

[13:48] » City council um before you you have a request uh to replace a switch gear

[13:54] transfer switch uh at the wastewater plant. As you guys know, we use the

[13:58] wastewater plant uh to treat water that goes to the Minnesota River. Uh we also

[14:04] have backup generation [snorts] which we rely on heavily to uh help us load shed

[14:10] during the summertime to try to keep our peak and coincidental peak with our

[14:14] electrical provider at its lowest point that we can possibly manage. Uh during a

[14:19] June event, as you know, when we had all that hot weather right around the

[14:23] fourth, um the unit did fail and it causes some concerns because we didn't

[14:28] know what level of loss we were going to have. Um, we had some electrical panels

[14:33] that did go out. Uh, we had Ziggler down here to take a look at it. Of course, it

[14:37] runs the Ziggler CAT uh, generating unit. That's a 2 megawatt unit. Uh, so

[14:42] it's very important to our, uh, portfolio.

[14:46] Um, they looked at it, uh, said that you could probably get parts. Don't know how

[14:51] long they would last. If we could get parts, they'd be used. uh we need a

[14:56] different level of dependability in order to make this facility operate the

[15:00] way we need it to. Uh so what we did is we went through the Sourcewell

[15:03] competitive purchasing um process and had Ziggler supply a new transfer switch

[15:10] and switch gear as part of that price which seems to be the best overall fit

[15:14] for us. Um, and so what we wanted to do here tonight was authorize repair or

[15:19] replacement of the switch gear through Ziggler, uh, in the amount of 283,25176.

[15:27] Uh, we don't know exactly how we're going to pay for it yet. It's either

[15:31] going to be through reserves in the wastewater plant, which we have adequate

[15:35] funding for, or we may finance it as part of our overall finance package with

[15:39] a variety of other projects that we have going. Um, and I think you're aware of

[15:43] where that's that's uh set up to go in the process. And so at this time, we'd

[15:48] ask that you approve the resolution on page 54.

[15:52] » Any questions or comments? >> Pete, the reason this is important is

[15:56] because if there happens to be maybe a big transmission failure in the region

[16:00] and electricity is out here. Yep. >> This is the thing that helps keep that

[16:04] waste water plant going, which is >> still treat waste water. Yes, sir.

[16:07] » Helps keep sewage out of your basement. >> That's right.

[16:10] » Yep. important stuff, >> right?

[16:14] » Uh well, first I think this really is kind of a crappy resolution. [laughter]

[16:20] » Oh boy.

[16:23] » Um and in seriousness, um >> he gets one a meeting.

[16:26] » I get one a meeting. [laughter] >> Stinks.

[16:32] Pete >> doesn't need a food right now.

[16:36] » Um so I replacing the switch gear. Um >> [clears throat]

[16:40] » Is there anything you said the generator controls are 23 years old? Are there any

[16:45] other parts of this that you're worried about failure uh basically

[16:49] » continually? >> And so I guess looking at this from a

[16:53] long term uh is there from a maintenance perspective, is there any preventive

[16:56] stuff you can look at as far as or I I guess I'm looking at we're spending

[17:01] 283,000 now. What are you going to run into another problem next year that's

[17:05] going to cost us? >> Yeah. Not with the switch gear unit. You

[17:07] know, you always have software updates for your uh generation facilities. We've

[17:12] gone through that with our generation facility up on top of the hill. Uh we've

[17:17] tried to phase that in a variety of different things. You know, you're

[17:20] always one lightning strike away from some kind of disaster at the wastewater

[17:24] plant or at any any electrical facility. So,

[17:28] » well, lightning strikes, that's insurance.

[17:30] » [laughter] >> still still puts us in kind of dire

[17:34] straits, but this is the best that we can do with what we're at right now.

[17:38] » I I think if I could, Pete had mentioned to me that I think a real important

[17:41] perspective is that as the council continues to move forward towards some

[17:45] major um improvements to the wastewater treatment plant replacements. You know,

[17:50] we talked about it being 23 to 24 years old. It needs new struts and brakes and

[17:55] all those things. This is the kind of stuff that will support that going

[17:58] forward. So, There won't be any modifications that are necessary as you

[18:02] move forward with the improvements that are really necessary for that wastewater

[18:05] treatment plant. And that's that's not a minor consideration as we do this. We'd

[18:10] hate to put 15 16 17 million in the wastewater treatment plant and this be

[18:15] wink link because we bought uh park that was used from other places, you know,

[18:22] and so important. >> Yeah. And I'm not questioning needing to

[18:24] replace. I'm just questioning do we have other things that we're concerned about

[18:27] at this point? Yeah, we've we we've got a plan for phasing in some of those

[18:31] improvements. >> Yeah. And some of that relates to the

[18:35] work that you've been doing with MPCA and the changes that you're looking to

[18:38] make going forward with that plan. >> Any other questions or comments?

[18:45] All right. The resolution authorizing emergency replacement of water

[18:49] wastewater treatment plant switch gear is on page 54. Do I have a motion to

[18:53] approve? >> So moved.

[18:56] » Second. We have a motion and a second. Call the role, please.

[19:00] » Council member Debas, >> I.

[19:02] » Council member Johnson, >> I.

[19:04] » Council member Pettis, >> I.

[19:05] » Council member Wel, >> I.

[19:07] » Council member Sh. >> I.

[19:09] » Resolution is approved. Next on our agenda, it we have the front street

[19:15] substation switch gear upgrade. And Pete is here to talk about this one as well.

[19:20] » Right. This project has been completed. This is the formality that follows most

[19:24] of those projects. Um, back in spring of 2024, uh, Harold Schultz was hired to

[19:31] make the second phase improvements of the Front Street substation. Um, as you

[19:36] may or may not remember, back in 2018, we did the first phase of this project

[19:41] and it went really well. We tra uh changed out one of the transformers at

[19:46] that time and uh this phase here we changed out the other transformer

[19:51] million dollars for six circuits that we upgraded and changed. Uh we did change

[19:58] out uh not only the transformer but reclosures and voltage regulators. We

[20:02] got the areas that were basically causing us outages because of the

[20:07] squirrels that would get in there. Went to a more dependable system. uh about

[20:11] time again the unit was old old and older. Um and uh this is a 138 um KV

[20:20] system and we did upgrade all six electrical circuits that feed out of

[20:25] that substation on the second phase and added dependability and um redistributed

[20:31] some of the uh load on those breakers. Uh the original contract price was

[20:36] $250,900 and the construction cost came in at

[20:40] $250,900 and so it was right on schedule. Uh

[20:45] Harold Schultz did a great job for us, worked really closely with Jason and his

[20:49] crew to get that accomplished. Uh we just recently received the asbuilts for

[20:54] that project and that's why we're bringing this forward to get the final

[20:57] project approved and the final payment to the contractor.

[21:01] » Any questions or comments for Pete? Well, this was a long time coming to get

[21:06] to this point, the end the end uh game here. I know many of us I remember us

[21:11] talking about, you know, just even ordering it and having it the lead time

[21:16] being so long. So, this is a milestone to get to this point. The resolution

[21:21] accepting the switch gear improvements at the front street substation as

[21:25] complete and authorizing final payment is on page 56. We have a motion to

[21:30] approve. >> So moved. Second.

[21:33] » We have a motion and a second. Call the role, please.

[21:36] » Council member Johnson, >> I.

[21:37] » Council member Pettis. >> I.

[21:39] » Council member Wisen. >> I.

[21:41] » Council member Shro. >> I.

[21:42] » Council member Deos. >> I.

[21:45] » Next on our agenda, library flooring replacement project bid acceptance.

[21:50] » So Ryan is here from the recreational services department, which of course

[21:54] includes all things recreation, including the library. And so Orion,

[21:59] I'll let you talk about this one which has been in the works now for a couple

[22:01] of years as well. >> So the uh uh obviously the library

[22:06] flooring is in need of replacement and um after u the uh it was out for bid

[22:13] burger interiors was the successful and sole bidder at a total of 100,18985.

[22:20] a second company called All Furniture has been secured to do the moving um of

[22:25] all the shelves and the library staff is taking this opportunity uh to do some

[22:31] rearranging as well. So, kind of getting a couple things done at once. Um

[22:37] and the brief schedule on that is uh they'll start Friday, September 11th,

[22:42] moving crew will show up. Monday the 14th, the library will still be open to

[22:46] the public. some areas will be closed and through the 15th, 16th, and 17th,

[22:50] the library will be closed to the public. Um the staff will still be able

[22:54] to work in there and they'll be able to do um uh people will still be able to

[22:59] come and pick up holds during that time. And

[23:01] » so Ryan, just if I can ask, so you guys have set up a system so that if I had a

[23:05] book on order or I called in and said [clears throat] I wanted the latest John

[23:08] Gisham novel and we had it, I could come to the door and somebody would help me

[23:12] get it. I wouldn't have to I wouldn't get to go inside, but we'd set it up.

[23:15] drive-thru library >> pretty much a little bit like CO but a

[23:18] little more interaction. Yeah. So >> fantastic. Yeah. How great.

[23:21] » And then back again uh Friday, September 18th, open to the public with some

[23:25] limited access and then all should be up and running the following week.

[23:28] » So in total the parts of the library will be out of commission just for a few

[23:33] days it sounds like. >> Yeah. Yep.

[23:35] » Okay. >> And what what is the communication plan

[23:39] » to to the public? >> So we'll uh utilize Corey on our staff.

[23:43] uh she's done a great job of getting those things out to the public. Uh it'll

[23:46] be posted and the the library has a number of channels as well and

[23:49] throughout the building too. So >> So when you approve there'll be a flood

[23:53] of information over the next week that will go out to folks to make them aware.

[23:56] » Sounds good. Any other questions or comments?

[23:59] Council member Damas. >> Um so well number one it's great to see

[24:02] it 50,000 under budget but does that include the moving or how much does the

[24:06] move or how much is the moving going to cost approximately?

[24:08] » Yeah, good question. Um the move uh cost is $20,000 on the head. So, so basically

[24:14] uh 30,000 under budget. >> That's correct.

[24:18] » If you keep doing that while you're here, I hope you have

[24:21] » Well, [laughter] I I would love to take uh um some credit for that, but I can't.

[24:25] So, >> so thank you.

[24:27] » Yeah. >> Any other questions or comments?

[24:31] If not, the resolution awarding the bid for 2026 library

[24:37] flooring replacement project to Burger Interiors is on page 58. Do I have a

[24:42] motion to approve? >> Some moved.

[24:45] » Second. >> A motion and a second. Call the role,

[24:47] please. >> Council member Pettis.

[24:50] » I. >> Council member Wenfeld.

[24:52] » I. >> Council member Sharstrom.

[24:53] » I. >> Council member Devos.

[24:55] » I. >> Council member Johnson.

[24:57] » I. Our last item of new business is city assistance requests for the St. Peter

[25:03] Art Stroll. >> Mayor members, the or mayor prom and

[25:06] members, the St. Peter art stroll has been going on for a while. Our support

[25:10] in this is something that we provided last year. Um the thought here was to

[25:14] formalize it just a little bit more. And this really includes authorizing Pete's

[25:18] crew to put up some specialized banners in the downtown area related to

[25:24] promotion of the stroll. So that they the promotion occurs a little bit before

[25:28] but also as a part of the art stroll. The estimated cost we think is around

[25:33] $500 or so. And um the request is in front of you as is a resolution

[25:37] providing approval on page 60. >> Any comments or questions?

[25:46] All right. Just want to say thank you to public works for assisting uh this uh

[25:51] annual event and for all the businesses that participate, including the

[25:54] community members that put it on the resolution authorizing city assistance

[25:59] for St. the St. Peter Art Stroll on September 26 to 27th, 2026 is on page

[26:05] 60. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So move.

[26:07] » Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Call the

[26:10] role, please. >> Council member Wisenfeld.

[26:12] » I. >> Council member Sharstrom.

[26:14] » I. Council member Devos. >> I.

[26:16] » Council member Johnson. >> I.

[26:17] » Council member Pettis. >> Hi.

[26:19] » The resolution is approved. Next on our agenda, we have reports. And as mayor

[26:24] prom, I just have one report. Um I attended my second meeting with the

[26:30] League of Minnesota Cities, our board meeting. Um and I just wanted to

[26:35] highlight that um dues will not increase beyond 4%. Um, as I talked about

[26:41] earlier, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities dues are flat this

[26:45] year. Um, we found out that the league dues won't increase beyond 4%. That gets

[26:50] finalized later on, but at least we can budget for um what is expected. And then

[26:57] there's a new program with the league that um sounds really exciting. It's not

[27:02] just for newly elected, it's for um it's a continuing education program for all

[27:06] council members that want to partake. It's voluntary. It's called uh the

[27:11] electric electric talking a lot about electricity today. Um elected leaders

[27:16] institute certificate. Um more information will come out in November.

[27:21] Uh but it's a great opportunity to engage with the league in their learning

[27:26] opportunities. And then there's a certificate process and a recognition

[27:31] not at this upcoming league conference but the conference in 2028. And it's

[27:35] free. And so it's a combination of in-person learning and um online

[27:40] learning. And the the learning would have to take place within two years, but

[27:44] it can be accomplished in one year. So I think it's a great a great new program

[27:48] that allows us as council members to continue learning and um engaging in the

[27:53] resources that are available to us through these different um you know

[27:58] entities like the league that want to support us. And then it also helps us

[28:02] engage with uh the league more to see what they have available. So, I just

[28:06] wanted to give you all a heads up that more information will be coming out

[28:09] November, but that was that program was just approved.

[28:12] Do any council members have reports? >> I guess I just have a question. Will

[28:17] this be our last formal council meeting >> in this room

[28:20] » in this room? >> Yeah.

[28:21] » Um, hang tight. We're really close to having a final on when that will occur.

[28:27] So, um, hang tight. Continue to watch your agendas and we'll make sure that we

[28:31] promote as much as possible as we're able to make that change.

[28:34] » How long How long have you been here? >> Uh we've been here since 2002, I

[28:39] believe, Darl, if I remember correctly. Maybe 2003.

[28:43] » Yeah, it's been a great spot. Um the new spot will be great as well. And there'll

[28:47] be um technology that will mean that Tony or Katherine won't have to set up

[28:53] all the wires and everything. It's embedded. It'll be a little bit clearer,

[28:56] better, sound will be better, those types of things, which will be great as

[29:00] frankly more people watch you online than come here to watch your council

[29:04] meetings. So, it's great to be able to have that opportunity.

[29:07] » Will we still have Tony and Katherine, though?

[29:08] » We we still will as long as they're interested in continuing to do it. Yes,

[29:13] we still will. And they do a number of things. Of course, they help with school

[29:16] board, which um the school board contracts through you to provide

[29:19] services for that. And we have a number of other things according to a policy

[29:23] that we provide for uh support on like lead women voters candidate forums.

[29:30] » Any other reports from council members? If not, we'll move on to our city

[29:35] administrator. >> Madame Mayor Prom, I have three that I

[29:39] want to mention. One I'm going to hit Pete up on. So, Pete, Fourth Street, um,

[29:43] started today. Can you talk just a little bit about that and kind of what

[29:47] the timeline is? That's probably what most people are interested in besides

[29:50] all the folks that want to come down there and see all the big equipment

[29:53] moving around. Well, I haven't been down there yet today. So, um but removals

[29:58] will be the first thing that happen along the line and um setting up um silk

[30:03] fence and storm water protection areas. Um we've been working with homeowners

[30:08] along the line there to identify a scope of work on private property. Those are

[30:12] all taken care of by waiverss. Um should be most of those projects uh have been

[30:18] identified already. So, we've got a couple of tail enders there that we're

[30:21] still working with. Uh then what they'll do is do is they'll set up temporary

[30:26] water which is 99% complete. Uh sanitary sewer and then water man will go through

[30:32] uh anticipated completion is still on schedule for November. So it'll take

[30:37] about 60 days to get all the utility underground worked and they'll come in

[30:40] for curbon gutter and then asphalt for the roadway.

[30:43] » It'll be a nice improvement certainly in that area. And this is the area at least

[30:48] much of it is adjacent to the pool. >> That's right. Um, and we are one of the

[30:53] bigger contributors to the cost of this overall project. Uh, but one of the

[30:57] areas down there, this will improve the water flow in the area for fire

[31:00] protection. That's one of the biggest benefits of this.

[31:02] » Sure. And PE, if people notice that there's uh equipment, people digging in

[31:08] yards and stuff up and down Scarrow. That's not the city of St. Peter,

[31:11] correct? >> Correct. That's correct.

[31:12] » Who is that? >> Um, that is your MetroNet um doing

[31:16] additional fiber work there. So there's a number of companies right now doing

[31:20] that kind of work within the community >> all subs

[31:23] » and um so if people have questions we're certainly happy to help them. Um but

[31:28] there's you got to make sure that you're

[31:31] protecting your own property and those types of things and we've had a lot of

[31:34] good information that's gone out in that meeting.

[31:36] » I just know I I just know a couple weeks ago when they were doing work along

[31:40] there people were confusing it with the city work that was going up there on

[31:43] fourth street. Yeah, hopefully um we've at least tried we have tried really hard

[31:48] to reduce the amount of confusion. It's hard. People are in your boulevard and

[31:52] digging stuff up and hard to sometimes figure that out.

[31:56] » Pete, thank you. >> Y

[31:58] » um next I have on my list is Ryan again. Um the council may remember that you

[32:03] budgeted for what is really the first time since 2002 2003 that we've fully

[32:10] redone the gym floor. So Ryan, that's going to go on. So, we want to talk

[32:13] about that because that affects the community. So many people use that

[32:15] facility. >> Sure. Uh so we get a call. We knew it

[32:19] was going to be sometime in the next couple weeks depending on how the

[32:22] contractor's other jobs went and he called uh today. He said he'll be

[32:25] starting tomorrow. So um we put out word again through our channels and um they

[32:32] it'll be about a two-eek process during which time the gym and the walking track

[32:37] will be closed. Um there may be some limited access to the walking track in

[32:41] the next day or two, but for now we're just going to say it's both are closed

[32:44] unless there's some circum special circumstances. Um again another example

[32:49] of our staff making lemonade out of lemons. Um so we found out this early

[32:54] this morning by noon today. Kayla had already uh put a popup program on and

[32:59] out there for uh people to come in and um roller skate in the gym one uh one

[33:04] time here before the floors are all redone.

[33:05] » Yeah, normally we wouldn't let that. That would be a no no

[33:09] » right now. >> So it's uh um I just stopped on there.

[33:12] There was uh half a dozen or more kids a number of different families down there

[33:16] uh you know playing in the gym the chance that they have. So

[33:20] » another 25 years and we'll have >> right once every 25 years.

[33:24] » The life cycle here has been longer than what normally might be expected. And so

[33:29] that's kind of kudos to the maintenance staff. They've done some great job to

[33:32] keep that going. And so normally it would occur at about every 10 to 12 year

[33:36] pace. So we've done very very well and that's you know the community is

[33:40] generally pretty cooperative about how they use that facility as well. Makes a

[33:44] difference. >> Yeah. And there's another opportunity in

[33:46] with this too since um pickle ball wasn't really pickle ball 25 years ago.

[33:51] Uh so they've been putting uh lines down with vinyl floor tape and so uh every

[33:56] year taking it down putting back. Um so that'll be permanent lines will be

[34:01] installed for that. And you know, you didn't notice the change in the color

[34:04] because it was so uh gradual, but uh when they redo the floor completely, the

[34:10] change will be dramatic. So, be a lot lighter.

[34:13] » We have a massive basketball tournament here in February as well that brings

[34:17] people to the community. Is there any updates to the courts in that way or is

[34:21] it kind of be similar? >> Uh, as far as my understanding is, the

[34:24] courts and everything else will be uh stay the same. Just the pickleball

[34:27] courts as they are lined up now will be moved so they're more in line with some

[34:30] of the other lines. Just a few less lines on the court on the on the floor.

[34:35] » Nice floor to play on. >> Yeah.

[34:37] » Yeah. >> Yeah. We got the parking lot being

[34:39] redone. Steps are coming up. We got the uh the gym floor being done. There's

[34:43] just a lot going on in the building right now.

[34:47] » Thank you, >> Madam Mayor. Pro Tim, I have one other

[34:50] item that I want to mention. Maybe it's two or three items, but it all comes in

[34:53] the vein of some of the questions or comments that you made as council

[34:56] members. We just really want to encourage people that if they want to

[34:59] know more about what's going on with the community, there's four or five really

[35:02] great sources for that. So, one of which is the hot sheet, which embeds a lot of

[35:05] information about programs, activities, and activities of this um city council.

[35:10] Um that's something that's an email newsletter that you can sign up for

[35:13] online. It'll come every other week to your mailbox and you can read it once or

[35:18] twice or not at all if you're busy that week. We also want to mention that you

[35:21] have a YouTube channel where meetings like this are shown, gavveltogl, and you

[35:25] have other uh items that are on there, including the city administrators blog

[35:30] and other short videos that are included within that. You can find out a lot of

[35:34] great information, including opportunities to sign up for services,

[35:38] utilities, and others in a couple three different languages. So, that's really

[35:42] nice to still have there. your updated website that you want to ward on has

[35:46] great information that pumps out there, including your new mass information

[35:50] system that people can sign up for. And then last but not least, social media.

[35:54] We continue to put a lot of stuff out on Facebook. So, we'd encourage people to

[35:57] subscribe or like us there and that can help with a lot of the information that

[36:02] goes on within our community. Um, that's all I have for my list for you tonight.

[36:07] » All right, with that, we are ready to adjourn. Do we do I have a motion to

[36:12] adjurnn? >> So move.

[36:15] » Second. Have >> a motion and a second. All those in

[36:17] favor of adjournment say I. >> I.

[36:20] » Those opposed, same sign. We are adjourned.

[36:24] Thanks everyone.

[36:28] [laughter]

August 24, 2026 City Council Meeting

Agenda

Transcript