[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

Virginia City Council | September 8th, 2026

Transcript