[6:49] Uh, good evening everyone and welcome to
the Virginia City Council Chambers. This
[6:53] is a regularly scheduled city council
meeting. We'll call this meeting to
[6:57] order. Today's date is Tuesday,
September 8th, 2026, and the time is 4
[7:02] p.m. Thank you everyone for being in
attendance today. Pam, would you please
[7:06] take the roll call? Councelor
>> Johnson here.
[7:11] Mley
>> here.
[7:13] » Pollson is absent. Beondic.
>> Foxider
[7:18] » here. Scalo
>> here.
[7:20] » Puffy.
>> I'm present. Would everyone please stand
[7:23] and join me in the pledge of allegiance?
[7:28] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
[7:32] republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[7:38] justice for all.
[7:46] Okay, thank you. We'll move to item 3.1,
the agenda, which is a proclamation. Uh
[7:51] the proclamation today is for the
library card signup month and uh the
[7:55] proclamation is as follows. Whereas
librarians are the foundational to
[8:00] education, imagination and opportunity
offering everything from early literacy
[8:06] programs to digital tools that support
lifelong learning and personal growth.
[8:11] Whereas libraries welcome all people,
serving as inclusive and accessible
[8:16] community hubs that connect individuals
across cultures, generations, and
[8:22] experiences.
Whereas libraries
[8:26] curate collections and design programs
that reflect the diversity of the
[8:31] population they serve, ensuring
equitable access to information,
[8:35] technology, and culture for all. Whereas
libraries help individuals navigate
[8:41] life's challenges by providing trusted
information, digital access, job search
[8:47] support, and connections to essential
services. Whereas libraries contribute
[8:53] to a thriving local economy by equipping
job seekers, entrepreneurs, students,
[8:59] and creators with tools and training to
succeed. Whereas in times of both crisis
[9:05] and calm, libraries and their staff
remain steadfast in supporting and
[9:09] strengthening their communities. Whereas
library resources help households save
[9:14] money, reduce waste, and make
sustainable choices all through the
[9:19] simple power of a shared public good.
Whereas a library card offers a front
[9:24] row seat to everything the library
offers from books and technology to
[9:29] lifelong learning and imagination.
Whereas libraries, librarians and
[9:35] library workers across the country are
joining together to celebrate library
[9:40] card signup month under the theme a
library card hits all the right notes.
[9:46] Now therefore be resolved that I mayor
Larry Cuffy Jr. and the city council and
[9:51] elected body of the city of Virginia do
hereby claim September 26th, 2026 as
[9:57] Library Card Signup Month in Virginia,
Minnesota. Encourage all residents to
[10:02] sign up for a library card at the
Virginia Public Library.
[10:08] Therefore, by my hand, I sign Larry
Cuffy Jr., Mayor of Virginia. Thank you.
[10:14] Okay, thank you. Moved item four, the
public forum. This is an opportunity for
[10:17] people to speak before the council. Is
anyone in the audience like to speak
[10:21] before the council this morning this
this afternoon? Please come forward.
[10:26] Uh seeing none, we would item five. This
is constant agenda. The following items
[10:31] will be enacted by one motion unless a
councelor or a citizen of the city of
[10:35] Virginia requests that the item be
considered separately. Item 5.1 is the
[10:41] approval and correction of the minutes
of the August 2025 council meeting. Item
[10:47] 5.2 is approved payment number five to
Independence Healing and Cooling in the
[10:53] amount of $163,400.
[10:57] 5.3 is approved the 5K route for the
Marquette School on September 27th, 2026
[11:03] beginning at 11:00 a.m. Item 5.4, Four.
Approve the 6th annual range recovery
[11:10] night out at Alco Park on Thursday,
September 24th, 2026 from 400 p.m. to
[11:16] 700 p.m. Item 5.5 is approve the
transient merchant license for Erica
[11:22] Sunberg doing business as buns to go.
Item 5.6, Six, approve the travel
[11:29] request for Henry Trunk, a police
officer, to attend the emergency vehicle
[11:33] operations course refresher course on
October 12th, 2026 in St. Cloud,
[11:39] Minnesota at a cost of $724.64,
which is a required training under the
[11:45] Minnesota Postboard licensing
requirement for all police officers.
[11:49] Item 5.7 is approved the travel request
for Ryan Maloney to attend the predatory
[11:55] offender registration course on October
20th, 2026 in Baiji at a cost of $150.
[12:03] These are the consent agenda items
before the council today. Looking for
[12:07] council action.
[12:11] » So move.
>> Councelor Boxider moves to approve the
[12:14] consent agenda. Is there support?
support by councelor Bjondic. Is there
[12:20] any further discussion?
A hearing and seeing none. All those in
[12:24] favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
[12:27] » I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you.
Item six is appearances. We have no one
[12:32] scheduled to appear before the council
today. So move to item number seven,
[12:36] unfinished business. Unfinished
business. Item 7.1. It's to approve the
[12:41] second reading of the approval for the
cable communication franchise ordinance.
[12:47] So moved
>> moved to approve by councelor Johnson.
[12:50] Is there support
>> by councelor Mley? Is there any further
[12:54] discussion?
Anything further from legal on that?
[12:58] Thank you. Uh thank you Mr. Lindsay. Uh
hearing and seeing no other discussion.
[13:03] All those in favor signify by saying I
>> I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you.
[13:08] Item eight discussion items. Item 8.1
adoption of finance resolution number
[13:13] 26-017
the schedule of bills.
[13:20] So move
>> councelor Boxsteiner moves to approve.
[13:23] Is there support?
>> Is there support?
[13:28] » A support by councelor Vondich. Is there
any further discussion? Councelor
[13:32] Bucknater.
>> Thank you, mayor. Um and I see Brit
[13:34] hasn't made it yet, but uh just a thank
you to Brit as well as I was able to go
[13:38] and ask her some additional follow-up
questions on that. Um and I thought
[13:41] everything was well explained.
>> Thank you very much. Okay. moved and
[13:46] approved for item that adopts the
resolution of the finance schedule of
[13:50] bills. Is there any further discussion
hearing and seeing none all those in
[13:54] favor signify by saying I I
post. Motion carries. Item 8.2 is
[14:02] approved the public summary of the
performance evaluation.
[14:07] » So move to approve by councelor Boxner.
Is there support?
[14:13] » Is there support?
support by councelor Mley. Is there any
[14:17] further discussion?
Councelor Johnson.
[14:20] » Thank you, Mayor. I will not be
supporting it as I do not think it
[14:23] demonstrates the full um evaluation that
was given at um um in in on the non
[14:32] summary.
>> Um okay. Thank you. I agree. Additional
[14:36] information could have been
disseminated, but this is what's
[14:38] authorized for release to the public.
So, I'll be supporting this. It's been
[14:43] moved and supported. Is there any
further discussion?
[14:47] Hearing and seeing none. All those in
favor signify by saying I.
[14:50] » I.
>> I. Opposed.
[14:51] » No.
>> Roll call, please. Pam
[14:55] » Coffee.
>> I
[14:58] » Johnson,
>> no.
[14:59] » Mley,
>> yes.
[15:01] » Pollson
is absent. Beondic.
[15:05] » Hi.
>> Foxer, I scal. I
[15:10] » motion passes 51. Thank you.
[15:15] Item number 8.3
is approve the memorandum of
[15:19] understanding for the police
department's overtime pay.
[15:23] » So moved.
>> Move to approve by councelor Johnson. Is
[15:26] there support?
>> Support.
[15:30] » Support by councelor Bachner. Is there
any further discussion?
[15:35] » Councelor Buck Schneider.
>> Thank you. I just want to say thank you
[15:38] to staff for working on this. I know
that this was being discussed for a
[15:41] little bit. So thank you. Okay, thank
you. Moved and supported. Is there any
[15:45] further discussion? A hearing and seeing
none. All those in favor signify by
[15:49] saying I.
>> I.
[15:50] » I. Opposed. Motion carries. Item 8.4.
Approve the purchase of a steam table
[15:57] for the golf course restaurant.
>> So moved.
[16:01] » Support.
>> Move to approve by councelor Johnson and
[16:03] supported by councelor Scalco. Is there
any further discussion?
[16:09] Uh councelor Boxner. Thank you. Um, and
thank you. I think Brian had put this
[16:14] together for us. Um, and I thought it
was well explained on page it looks like
[16:19] that was 35 of the packet. Um, that we
have this as a budgeted expense item.
[16:25] » Yeah, thank you for pointing that out as
a budgeted item. Moved and supported. Is
[16:29] there any further discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. All those in
[16:33] favor signify by saying I. I. I.
Opposed. All motion carries.
[16:42] Item 8.5, adopt the resolution for the
Minnesota Department of Transportation
[16:47] Agreement number 1062799
with the state of Minnesota for the
[16:53] trunk highway 53 and 9inth Street North
project.
[16:56] » So moved.
>> Move to approve by councelor Johnson. Is
[17:00] there support?
>> Support by councelor Mley. Is there any
[17:04] further discussion? Councelor Boxn.
>> Thank you. Um it looks like our
[17:08] estimated amount for payment on this is
around $30,000. Um where which funer
[17:14] will we will we be paying that out of?
>> Um Rick, do you have that information?
[17:20] » We do have Matt Reed here and Alex
Parrots and Ellie Sins from INDOT also.
[17:24] » Okay. Thank you. Uh Matt, uh thanks for
coming up. I appreciate that. Uh good
[17:29] good a good afternoon and welcome to the
council meeting. Matt Reid, our engineer
[17:33] of record from SC. Matt,
>> thank you. Mayor, we have this project
[17:36] set up to be funded through the state
aid account.
[17:42] » Thank you, Matt.
>> Moved and supported. Is there any
[17:45] further discussion?
Hearing and seeing none, all those in
[17:48] favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
[17:50] » I. Opposed. Motion carries.
[17:56] Item 8.6 6 has adopt the resolution
approving the quote which we have before
[18:00] us
from hometown electric
[18:06] for the purchase of lights that need to
be replaced in the Chevy Arena at a cost
[18:11] of $27,81525.
[18:15] And we have our operations manager of
the Entra Moisture Events here here
[18:19] today uh Jim Hunt if we have any
questions.
[18:22] » So moved.
>> Council Johnson moves to approve this
[18:25] purchase. Is there support
>> support
[18:28] » by councelor Scalco? Is there any
further discussion? Councelor uh Boxiner
[18:33] and then over to councelor Johnson.
Councelor Boxer.
[18:36] » Thank you, mayor. Um so from my
understanding of this when we discussed
[18:40] it last time is that we've now received
the required quotes that we need. So we
[18:45] where we have to get the minimum of two
quotes. But then are we going to be
[18:49] immediately replacing these lights or
these are just there when we need them
[18:53] replaced?
>> Mr.
[18:55] Thank you, mayor. Hello, everyone. Um,
they will be replaced in one fell swoop
[19:00] is is what we're hoping uh at one time,
so we have full lighting in there for
[19:04] this for the season coming up.
We are uh we've lost a couple lights
[19:09] since I was up here last time. We're
below 50% uh illumination on the Chevy
[19:14] ice at this point. So, it's something I
feel needs to be done and done once.
[19:22] Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councelor Boxnider. Councelor
[19:25] Johnson.
>> Thank you, Mayor. And I was going to
[19:27] point out that this was also discussed
at our safety committee meeting this
[19:30] month about the safety of especially
younger children playing under less than
[19:35] ideal um safety lighting. So, we
appreciate you taking care of this right
[19:40] away.
[19:44] » Thank you. Uh councelor Bondage.
>> Jim, just one question. How long do they
[19:50] normally last? Uh, normal is kind of a
is difficult to pin in this. But we do
[19:56] know that the previous lights that were
installed originally lasted over 25,000
[20:02] hours.
So quite a while over 5 years. Those
[20:06] lights are on continuous for at least
like 17 hours a day. So they they got a
[20:12] lot of use and the warranty coincides
with 5 years of dropping off a warranty.
[20:20] » All right. Thank you.
>> Thank you, councelor Bondage. It has
[20:24] been moved and supported. Is there any
further discussion?
[20:28] Councelor Mley,
>> um I just had a question. Since this is
[20:31] to replace all the lights, what are you
doing with the lights that aren't burnt
[20:34] out?
>> So, we do have six that are the new
[20:38] model of light, which is a beefier light
by specs than what we have had in there.
[20:46] We've replaced six of those. And with
this money, we would put replace all the
[20:50] other ones. So the six that are up
there, they stay in our arsenal and we
[20:54] continue to use those. So no replacement
of those newish the newer lights of the
[21:01] same spec that we're going to uh that
we're proposing.
[21:06] » Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councelor Mley. It has been
[21:10] moved and supported.
Is there any further discussion?
[21:17] Miley,
>> sorry, I should have asked this earlier.
[21:19] Where's the money coming from?
>> Are we paying for these?
[21:24] » I would defer that to to Britain
[21:32] out of their budget
>> if you're asking me.
[21:34] » Out of your budget.
>> Out of my budget.
[21:36] » Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, mayor.
>> Thank you.
[21:41] Thank you, Jim. It has been supported.
Is there any further discussion?
[21:45] Councelor Bondage.
>> Thanks. And maybe I should have asked
[21:48] this earlier. Is this something Jim that
in your future budgets when you know
[21:52] this is coming up that it would be
worked in to add for your budget item?
[21:58] » Yes, ma'am. For certain. We did not see
this coming until the train was right
[22:03] there. And yes, it needs to be scheduled
five or six years out. And if we can
[22:08] delay that then fine. But yes, ma'am.
>> Thank you.
[22:12] » Thank you. It has been moved and
supported.
[22:15] Is there any further discussion?
A hearing and seeing none. All those in
[22:19] favor signify by saying I. I.
>> I. Opposed.
[22:23] » No.
>> Uh, roll call, please. Pam.
[22:29] » Johnson.
>> I.
[22:31] » Mley.
>> Yes.
[22:33] » Olson is absent. Beondic.
>> Hi.
[22:36] » Schneider.
>> No.
[22:38] » Galo.
>> Hi.
[22:39] » Cuffy.
>> I. A. Motion passes. 5 own with one
[22:44] absentee. Thank you. Item 8.7
a building and grounds meeting that was
[22:50] held on September 1st, 2026. Turn this
over to councelor Johnson, the chair of
[22:57] uh of building your grounds. There's one
item here for us to consider. Councelor
[23:01] Johnson.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um
[23:05] the item that we need to vote on I'll go
over first and then there's a couple
[23:09] other things that I'd like to bring up.
Um we had some discussion about the um
[23:15] infrastructure for the splash pad. The
grant we have expires June 30th of 2027.
[23:22] Um and this particular grant does not
have extensions allowed at this point.
[23:27] We have raised the uh 50 or $500,000 for
the splash pad and we need to meet the
[23:33] 50 the 10%
um the 10% match. Um, so we we know that
[23:41] there are several organizations that
have committed at least that much to it.
[23:47] Um, but everybody wants to be the one
that puts us over the top. Um, and
[23:51] that's just the way it is. So, what
we're what the buildings and ground
[23:55] committee as well as revive and multiple
other organizations are asking is that
[23:59] the city approve um moving forward this
so it can be completed by the end of the
[24:05] grant knowing that the $50,000 match is
there um and Revive will do a bunch of
[24:11] fundraising um to get the public input
into that. So, um, at this time it looks
[24:17] like there, and I'm not don't know if
it's official or not yet, but there is a
[24:21] matching donation for every time someone
puts some money into it. Somebody
[24:26] there's going there's a matching portion
that should get us well over the $50,000
[24:30] required. So, the total budget of this
would be $550,000.
[24:35] $500,000
um already committed and the $50,000
[24:41] ju excuse me just sitting outside. Um,
so I will move to proceed with the
[24:47] splash pad project um, in order to
utilize the grant before the deadline
[24:52] expire of the grant expires in June
2027.
[24:56] » A motion by councelor Johnson. Is there
support?
[25:00] » Support.
>> Uh, support by councelor Boxet. Further
[25:04] discussion. Uh, quickly I know this go
this is a three-phase project. Phase
[25:09] one, two, and three. If uh everybody
here and those who are listening at home
[25:13] have an opportunity to see the rendition
out in the hallway. It's uh it's not
[25:17] just a splash pad. It's a it's a
community development facility and
[25:21] that's why the $500,000 grant was
approved by the MPCA. We do have the
[25:25] $50,000 match and moving forward
additional funding will be moving. So
[25:29] we'll start the splash pad project phase
one. It's been moved and supported. Is
[25:33] there any further discussion?
A hearing and seeing none. All those in
[25:38] favor signify by saying I.
>> I.
[25:41] » I. Opposed.
>> No.
[25:44] » Uh, roll call, please. Pam
>> Mley.
[25:48] » Yes.
>> Is absent. Beondic.
[25:52] » Abstain.
[25:56] » Schneider.
>> Hi.
[25:58] Scalo.
>> No.
[26:01] » Coffee.
>> Hi.
[26:04] » Johnson.
>> Hi. Four.
[26:10] » Motion fails.
>> Eyes.
[26:13] » Need five votes to spend money.
>> But are we spending money? Are we
[26:18] moving? My motion was to move forward
with the project. It was not to spend
[26:21] money.
>> So in order to move forward with the
[26:25] project, no money has to be expended. Is
that correct?
[26:28] » At this time where we've not awarded any
contracts or bids or anything like that.
[26:32] If is the clarification of the motion is
with the elderly expenditure of money.
[26:36] So the motion does pass
is that's a clarification, right? It's
[26:42] moving the project forward with no
expendit expenditures of money at this
[26:46] time. Just moving the project forward.
That's the understanding. Okay. Motion
[26:51] passes. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mary. Mayor Mayor, I'm
[26:56] reading.
>> Hi, Mary.
[26:58] » Thank you. [laughter]
Item
[27:00] » couple. I'm Please go ahead. Yes. Thank
you, Mayor Councelor Johnson. Um uh the
[27:04] buildings and grounds, we did talk a
little bit about the fire department and
[27:08] moving forward with some options on
that. Um effective today, the library
[27:13] has reduced its hours um even more um as
there is less staff to be moving
[27:20] forward. Um also recommendations from
the safety committee that was held on
[27:25] August 27th, 2026. Uh there is still
work that needs to be done to improve
[27:30] the safety of the gate at um at the
public works. It's a trip and trip and
[27:36] uh pull pushpull hazard. Um also uh
Brian brought forward the need for
[27:42] looking at the water lines and um
there's seems to be a leak somewhere
[27:48] under um the park that is costing
significant uh it's costing the city
[27:53] significant money. Um, so there'll be
some work done on the building grizzen
[27:58] grounds. Um, we did get a um there
there's significant there was
[28:05] significant concern about the walkway
from the street to the tennis for all
[28:08] building. Um, and that safety concern
was addressed this week by putting in a
[28:13] concrete uh block. Children are running
back and forth over that walkway. Um,
[28:18] and people are driving cars up there. So
that was a significant challenge. um and
[28:22] it is now safer with the intent on
looking at a long-term solution for
[28:26] that. Um we are also going to be
updating what um the snow looks like,
[28:31] snow removal looks like for this winter
uh with the change in steam lines and uh
[28:37] the department heads will be looking at
that.
[28:41] And
um
[28:44] um we are looking at several almost two
years ago now, we took out the
[28:48] basketball court next to the hometown
focus uh building and that was utilized
[28:54] all summer by people of all ages and was
supposed to be replaced next to the
[28:59] lake. Um that project is continuing to
move forward pending some scheduling uh
[29:05] with city staff. that is our portion was
the inkind um if I remember right the
[29:10] importind to have that basketball court
reinstalled closer to the college um as
[29:16] a community center on that side of the
lake and that was the end of the
[29:21] meeting. Thank you mayor.
>> Uh thank you councelor Johnson councelor
[29:25] Bach Schneider.
>> Thank you mayor. Um Pam it's my
[29:28] understanding that we do need a motion
uh to adjust the library hours. Um it
[29:32] did not we didn't that committee have a
motion to do that but the library
[29:36] commission has approved it. So I would
move to approve the new library hours.
[29:41] Uh councelor Bach moves to approve the
new libraries as presented. Is there
[29:46] support?
>> Support
[29:48] by councelor Mley. There any further
discussion
[29:53] hearing and seeing none. All those in
favor signify by saying I. I.
[29:57] » I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you.
Item 8.8,
[30:04] approve the professional and technical
contract with the Minnesota North
[30:07] College in the city of Virginia for
services at the football games for 20126
[30:13] season.
>> So moved.
[30:14] » Move to approve by councelor Johnson. Is
there support?
[30:19] » Support
>> by councelor Boxnider. Further
[30:22] discussion. This is this for uh ALS
services and that kind of thing.
[30:26] Correct?
>> No.
[30:28] » No. What's it for?
Thank you, Mayor. It is for the football
[30:32] games at Msabi College, Minnesota North
College.
[30:36] » For the ambulance.
>> Yeah, that's Yeah, for the ambulance.
[30:38] Isn't that what I said?
>> Yeah, for the ambulance. Okay. Yeah.
[30:41] Thank you for the ambulance service.
Right. Assistant Chief Jonathan. Okay.
[30:45] Thank you. Thank you. It has been moved
and supported. Is there any further
[30:48] discussion?
Hearing and seeing none. All those in
[30:51] favor signify by saying I.
>> I opposed.
[30:56] Motion carries. Thank you. Item 10,
commission liaison reports. Is there any
[31:01] councelor that would like to give a
commission liaison report this evening?
[31:07] Seeing none, we'll move to uh item uh uh
number 11, department head reports. Is
[31:15] any department head on uh we have one in
the audience any reports you're going to
[31:20] give for buying civil park and wreck?
Anything from human resources? Thank
[31:25] you, Brit. anything further to to report
to the council meeting this evening?
[31:29] » I was asked to share that the shredded
truck will be at Alcott Park on
[31:33] September 26th from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m.
for a donationbased shredding event for
[31:38] the Msabi Humane Society.
>> Okay, that's 12 to 2
[31:42] » on the 26th.
>> On this 26th of September, uh bring your
[31:46] items to shred, make a donation, it will
and the proceeds will go to the Humane
[31:50] Society.
>> Correct. Thank you.
[31:52] » Thank you.
>> Uh anything from legal? Nothing legal.
[31:55] Mayor,
>> uh, thank you, Mr. Lindsay. Pam,
[31:58] anything to report?
>> Mayor, um, we will be starting absentee
[32:02] voting next or actually on the 18th. So,
we'll be gearing up for the next
[32:07] election cycle, which uh, the general
election is November 3rd.
[32:11] » Well, very good. Thank you. So, anyone
who wants to cast a absentee ballot
[32:15] here, please contact Pam and her office.
So, thank you, Pam. Anything from uh,
[32:20] community planning? Uh, Jenny,
>> thank you, mayor. Um, just a couple
[32:24] things. We did have a planning and
zoning commission meeting last week. Um
[32:27] we did not have a quorum, so we were
unable to make any motions to move
[32:30] anything forward. However, um the
applicant that had something on the
[32:34] agenda was fine with moving that to next
month. So you'll be seeing something
[32:37] come forward next month. Um
additionally, we are continuing to work
[32:40] on ordinance amendments and I did
receive some information from Northshore
[32:44] Development Company um this afternoon. I
haven't had time to look into it too
[32:49] far, but we'll be um discussing the
recommendations for those amendments at
[32:52] the next planning and zoning meeting.
>> Okay. Um [clears throat] thank you. Go
[32:57] ahead.
>> And additionally, I just wanted to
[32:59] remind folks that um are looking to
still do steam conversions in the
[33:03] downtown core district. Um we are
working on a plan to potentially get
[33:08] some additional funding to assist um
those businesses that have not converted
[33:13] yet. Um, it's still a little to be
determined on how that's going to work
[33:17] out and and what that funding will look
like, but please contact our offices.
[33:21] Um, if you have any questions on steam
conversion or if there's any way that
[33:25] you think that the city can assist or
that the Virginia Economic Development
[33:28] Authority can assist, um, we're really
trying to be diligent on some um,
[33:32] emergency type situations here for the
city.
[33:35] » Thank you. And I have one question for
you, Jenny. Uh I did have a neighbor uh
[33:40] where I live up on north side ask uh
what's the requirements to put up a
[33:44] six-foot fence. I told her I think
you'll have to get a a permit from uh
[33:50] but uh he said well could you uh could
you verbalize it at the council meeting
[33:55] this evening? So could you verify what's
needed for a 6ft fence?
[33:59] » Mayor I would recommend that they call
our offices so that we can discuss with
[34:02] them what the zoning is, what the
setbacks are, what the height
[34:04] restrictions are. It it really varies
depending on where the property is
[34:08] located and if in fact if it's a corner
lot there's different restrictions. So I
[34:11] highly recommend them calling our
offices and we will be happy to help
[34:15] them in that way.
>> Certainly. Thank you Jenny and I hope
[34:18] you're listening at home and there's
your answer. Thank you.
[34:20] » Okay. Uh any other department head
reports to be disseminated this evening?
[34:27] » Okay. Thank you. Seeing none, we will
move to item number 12, council reports.
[34:33] Does any city councelor want to give a
report this evening? Well, first we'll
[34:36] go to councelor Bner, then over to
councelor Johnson. Councelor Boxer.
[34:40] » Thank you, mayor. I just wanted to let
everyone know that the EMS task force
[34:43] does have their first meeting scheduled
for Friday this week. Uh so, thank you
[34:47] to staff, the elected officials, uh and
our community representatives that are
[34:52] going to be attending that first
meeting. And we are all really looking
[34:55] forward to reporting back on uh what ne
next steps will be. Thank you.
[34:59] » Hey, thank you. And for those who are
listening at home and that are here, I
[35:03] took the liberty of asking our city
administrator to uh uh notify all
[35:09] individuals uh within the city who has
flowing is flying the American flag to
[35:13] ensure that it's flown at half staff uh
for the 911 September 11th. We haven't
[35:19] got an official request or demand to do
that at the state level, but we are
[35:24] going to do that. So if anybody have any
questions, comments or concerns, don't
[35:28] call uh our city hall just call me and
my number is listed 28789941.
[35:34] 218-789941.
Thank you. So all right. Uh anything
[35:40] else in call reports? Council Johnson.
>> Thank you, Mayor. It's food truck
[35:44] festival time again. Uh September 19th,
2026 from noon to 6:00 p.m. Um all great
[35:52] food trucks will be there. This year
there will be two stages of live music.
[35:56] Uh new this year is the ninja anywhere
course. It is an obstacle course 12 to
[36:01] three utili. Usually it's utilized in
the spring by the school. It is an
[36:05] amazing opportunity for kids to use burn
off some energy. Uh there's free
[36:09] admission to that. Also new this year's
cottage goods in a farmers market area.
[36:14] Um that will be on one end of Main
Street Brit the 200 block of Main
[36:20] Street. Uh so there'll be an opportunity
to support hyper local businesses. Um a
[36:27] lot of variety there and also uh the
amazing Charles will be roaming around
[36:32] with his balloon animals this year. Um
similar to at Land of the Lons. So hope
[36:37] to see everybody there rain or shine.
There will be lots to do and a lot of
[36:42] fun to be had. Thank you, Mayor.
>> And bring an appetite,
[36:46] right?
Okay. Thank you. Okay. Uh any other uh
[36:51] council reports to be given this
evening? U Jenny, anything further?
[36:56] » I did have one other thing that I'd like
to mention. Sorry, mayor. Um the Msabi
[37:00] Trail is celebrating their 30th
anniversary coming up uh September, Let
[37:04] me double check the dates here. I think
it's the 12th, the week of the 12th, and
[37:07] they have a ve a variety of activities
throughout the communities where the
[37:10] Msabi Trail runs. Um, and they are
having like a a ribbon cutting and a
[37:15] celebration in Tower at the depot um to
celebrate the final segment of the trail
[37:19] being completed. Um, so I just encourage
everybody to get out there and check out
[37:24] what the Mossabi Trail has going on for
their 30th anniversary. They've been a
[37:27] big impact to the city of Virginia um
both for, you know, health, safety, and
[37:32] um economic development. So, just wanted
to shout that out. Thank you.
[37:36] » Thank you, Jenny.
Okay. Uh, I have a couple announcements.
[37:40] First of all, uh Charlie's Place, which
is the uh the uh animal shelter that
[37:47] we're going to be using at least for the
upcoming year, has asked uh invited
[37:50] everybody to come and take a look at it
just to see what's going on, how they're
[37:53] moving forward with it. There is a flyer
that they sent to Brit which we posted
[37:58] on the bulletin board all over some of
the things that they're providing some
[38:02] of the uh some information about how to
properly handle dogs what a dangerous
[38:06] dog is how how to contact them for them
to come and pick up the dog and and how
[38:11] that works. So, uh, just moving forward,
you have any other questions or
[38:15] comments, we can certainly give if give
Pamela Bean a call. She has all the
[38:20] plate, but we'll certainly forward a
copy of that to your email or or send
[38:23] that to you if you if you want want some
more information regarding that. Thank
[38:27] you. Uh, this the last item on before we
u move to item uh uh 12 uh
[38:35] for close session uh the garden swap and
potluck. There's a garden swap and
[38:41] potluck
uh on Friday, September 11th, 2026 from
[38:47] 11:00 a.m. to 2 pm at the Metsa Garden,
the Rose Sculpture Garden, uh Fifth
[38:53] Avenue and 3rd Street North, right by
Stifle Nichols along the trail. Calling
[38:58] all gardeners and farmers and people
from the general public, come in and
[39:03] trade your produce and share in a
potluck meal. Uh, please bring a lawn
[39:07] chair and a dish to share. Uh, to
volunteer this free event, you can email
[39:12] Bethspringmcchsi.com.
[39:15] That's Bethspring, that's one word
atmcchi.com.
[39:20] This is for the Bets Mets Memorial
Arbor. So, uh, again, Friday, September
[39:25] 11th, 2026, 11 to 2 p.m. at the Bets
Betsa Garden. So, thank you. Okay. Uh
[39:32] anything else to come before the council
meeting on other items concerned before
[39:35] we uh ask to go into close session?
Uh okay there is none. So uh we are
[39:42] going to be uh requesting to go into
close session to discuss the following
[39:46] items. Item A review summary of annual
performance reviews for
[39:51] non-representative positions. This
portion of the meeting shall be closed
[39:55] pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05
05 subdivision 3 paragraph A and item B
[40:03] continue discussion with the golf course
restaurant tenants. This portion of the
[40:07] meeting can be closed pursuant to close
session Minnesota statute 13D.05
[40:13] subdivision 3 paragraph C 3 for real
estate negotiations.
[40:18] So nothing before any more information
the public come before the council
[40:22] today. Looking for a motion to move to
close session.
[40:26] » So moved. Moved by councelor Molly to
move to close session. Is there support?
[40:33] » Support for discussion.
>> Uh support by councelor Box Schneider
[40:36] for discussion. Further discussion.
Councelor Bneider.
[40:39] » Thank you. Just to confirm for the
annual performance review um that
[40:43] employee has requested for that to be in
close session. Is that correct? Because
[40:47] they get the opportunity to keep it
open. Just for people watching at home,
[40:51] can you guys answer that in the
microphone please?
[40:53] » Yes, they asked to keep it closed.
>> Thank you.
[40:55] » Okay. Be closed session. Thank you. All
right. Uh any further discussion before
[41:00] we move to close?
All those in favor signify by saying I.
[41:05] » I.
>> I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you
[41:08] everybody for coming to the council
meeting this evening. We ask that if you
[41:11] please vacate the council chambers now
so that we can move to discuss these two
[41:15] items in close session. Once again,
thanks for coming to the council meeting
[41:18] this evening.
Anybody want to take five minutes before
[41:23] we move?
Does anybody need to take a break?
[41:30] Nope. We're going to keep moving. All
right. Thank you.
[41:34] Yeah, please. Um, think of