All right, we'll call the meeting to order. Please stand if you're able for the pledge of >> allegiance to the United States of America to the republic for it stands one nation under indivisible and justice for all.
>> Good evening and welcome everyone. Re call please. >> Mayor King >> present. Council member Atlarge Austin >> present. >> Council member Waller >> present. >> Council member Baskin >> present. >> Council member Posma >> present.
>> Council member Hely >> present. >> Council member Obala >> present. >> Council member Fischer >> present. >> Mayor King we have a quorum. >> All right. Very good. Thank you Bri. Item number one is adoption of our agenda with the addition. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Item number two
is a motion approving our minutes from October 20th, 2025. >> So move. >> Second. All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carries. Under uh item number three, recognitions and awards. We have none today. I do would like to mention though, I appreciate uh uh Trish and Terry's efforts in the employee
engagement, the uh anniversaries or the the Hormill home we had last week with the the breakfast of honoring the longevity of our employees. That was really well done and uh great feedback on that. So, thank you. Uh item number four is a motion for the consent agenda.
So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. That motion carries. Under petitions and requests, we have item number five is a resolution approving a contract extension with Right Here Right Now podcast. Craig. >> Thank you, mayor, members. Uh we had a sort of demonstration project with Right
Here Right Now and John Wright to do some podcasts for us. That's coming to an end of what we currently approve. So need to look at what council wishes are moving forward. Uh if you'd like to do it through 2026, the cost would be
3,120. Uh several other increments to choose from. Uh just rounding out the year or 6 months. Uh just looking for some direction on that and um how best we can communicate with the public what's going on at the city. Um be happy to answer
any questions. >> We've had several employees on that right here. Right now >> we have. Yes. >> And well received. I think it's a great way to get our message out to the community. I'd certainly look to have that extended for next year. Council, >> yeah, I would agree. I move that we
extend for a year. I mean, I think it fills a really nice gap in terms of being able to communicate a what we need to from a city and b from a local news standpoint. I think the Herald does a nice job, but there's certainly a gap and here's what is going on in the community. So, I would move we do it for a year. >> Great. Very good.
>> Thank you. Anybody else? >> I second that. I think um Mr. Wright doing a great job, especially those podcast. I listen to all of them and then you have time to give those detailed explanation. So I think it's a free speech for all the community and all the electic leaders. I think it
would be good to have his service continue. >> Any else have any input on this? So Jason, that was a motion then. Yep. >> And second. >> Uh Bri, please. >> Council member Baskin >> I. >> Council member Posma >> I. >> Council member Hely
>> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you. Item number six is resolution accepting the DNR grant for flood acquisition. Stephen.
>> Yes. We received initial authorization for a $490,000 uh DNR flood hazard mitigation grant. Uh this would be paired with our local option sales tax. each of them funding
uh 50% to go toward uh repetitive loss structures in the community. Uh tonight before you is a resolution um confirming to the DNR that we have the matching funds available in our local auction sales tax account and we'd recommend
approval of this resolution and then that will be we'll come back to you later with the actual grant documents. >> Thank you Stephen Council. Any questions Mr. Lang? Otherwise looking for a resolution accepting the grant. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Three.
>> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> I. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I.
>> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you. Briad number seven is approving a prosecuting attorney contract. Correct. Uh, thank you, mayor. Members, our current prosecution services are done through the Bodler Law Office. They provided notice to us that they were not interested in continuing that pursuant
to our agreement. We approached Mau County uh, Attorney Kristen Nelson to see if her office would be interested in providing that service to the city, of which she agreed and has county board approval to do so. Uh essentially the contract is the same that we had with
Bodler as far as cost is concerned. Uh this measure is supported by the chief of the Austin Police Department. Be happy to answer any questions. >> Very good. McKe, do you have anything on this too? >> Uh only to say we have a long partnership with the county attorney's office on felony cases, juvenile
matters, and some other gross misdemeanors. So this is a pretty seamless move for us. I do wholeheart wholeheartedly endorse this. I know Captain Clinton who works very very closely with them uh is also a big proponent of uh this and so we're happy that uh Kristen and her office were able
to step up and uh um enter in the contract with us. >> Very good. And Kristen attendance too. You you have anything Kristen or just stand on its own? Okay. >> Only question I I think it makes a ton of sense. Do we know why they were ever separated in the past? Because it
logically this seems intuitive. Like was there a compelling reason for why they were separated that were missing? >> Was it about 25 years ago they went away before my time? >> Before my time. >> Um I only I would have been a patrolman. I would have been Paul Phillip and Chief
Phillip and uh whoever the city administrator was. Um I I'm I'm just guessing they probably don't have the strong relationship that uh myself, Todd, and others have built over the last 20 plus years. uh is probably the reason they separated in the the first
place. But it again, it's one of those things that uh makes sense. Uh just just makes it easier. A lot of cases get reviewed. Um you know, it's just easier to have it in one spot. Uh they have a lot of expertise, a lot of staff. They're using our systems now. So again,
um a move I'm certainly happy to see. Uh and I think will help uh you know, our department moving forward. >> Very good. Thank you. If nothing else, looking for a resolution item number seven. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Bri. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Postma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller. >> Hi. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I.
>> Resolution passes 70. >> Very good. Thank you, Bri. Item number eight is a 2026 health insurance program series of resolutions. Craig and Trish. >> Uh thank you, mayor, members. Uh before you tonight is our renewal for 2026 healthcare insurance. Uh been kind of a
long road to travel down with the initial renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield was pretty staggering at 35% to increase. So we uh wasted no time looking for other alternatives. Uh we'll be moving we're suggesting moving from our current broker of Krauss Anderson
moving to North Risk Partners as our pro provider. Um Triad is who our benefits are through and Sigma which is a little bit of a change that came through uh from when we discussed it with uh employees. Uh we're moving from
America's PO to Sigma. That's where we initially started out um moving with them as our network administrator. Uh pretty excited to have a proposal here that allows us to um keep costs contained uh offer two different
alternatives of deductibles. the 2,0004,000 individual and family and a $3500 $7,000 uh deductible uh costs that are in the packet are are essentially uh comparable to what we had currently. So, anytime we
can keep health care costs essentially at a status quo is a big positive for our employees and certainly the city as the employer. Um the uh feature also allows access to the healthc care clinic here locally um
which is uh again an effort to help sort of bend the cost curve of claims history. It's a nocost voluntary alternative for employees to utilize that if they want to continue to use Mayo or Mstead Medical. Those they're certainly welcome to do that. Just uh
would meet their deductibles, but having a no cost alternative for 80 or 90% of most healthc care matters is something we're excited to be able to offer employees. Um this is a level funded program which is kind of partially
self-insured. So the city does bear some risk in the overall cost structure. Uh but we think it's um a fair alternative for us to move forward in. There's a series of resolutions that we need from council um
A through C and this is also subject to collective bargaining MOAS that would come down come down the line later. be happy to answer any questions. >> Very good. Thank you, Craig. Trish, anything to add on that too? >> And then so we're taking these council any questions?
>> Otherwise, we take the resolutions uh A through C. Uh the first on 8A is setting the plans, qualifications, and rates for 2026. Resolution. >> So move. >> Second. >> Agree.
>> Council member Baskin. >> I. Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> Hi. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller. >> Hi. >> Council member Large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70.
>> Thank you, Bri. Item number 8B is adopting a section 105 plan arrangement resolution. >> So move. Second. >> Bri. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. Council member Posma.
>> I. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70.
>> Very good. Thanks, Bri. Item number nine. Oh, no. 8 C. Adopting a and est or establishing 2026 contributions and plan for non-bargaining unit employees. Your resolution. So move. >> Second.
>> Uh Bri, please. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Postma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I.
>> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70. Ankave number nine is uh granting the planning and zoning department the power to contract the removal of junk and or legally stored vehicles at the following location. The address is 406 street of Gregor Homes
LLC property. Need a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. Our addition is item number 10. Uh approving funding for an outdoor ice rink at Packer Arena. Jason. >> Thank you, honorable mayor and councel.
Um, city administrator Craig Clark asked me to prepare a memo and agenda edition for tonight's meeting to address this. Uh, staff has been working with Austin Youth Youth Hockey and has uh been in the planning stages to move one of the smaller ice outdoor ice rinks from
Kaufman Park to the west side of Packer Arena on the exterior. Uh, our goal has been to make this happen this winter. Um it would be a great addition not only to Packer Arena um but also for providing outdoor ice rink in another location in
Austin. Uh our city engineering department, thank you um thanks to them. They shot grade at the site, so it gave us a a good idea of what type of grading, what type of fill we need in that spot. Um because in the past we've tried to flood ice there, but it just it
it there's too much of a slope, it rolls right off and we can't capture it. So, um the original plan this winter was to bring some fill uh for the lower end of of the area so that we could level off and add some uh flood some water so we
can add some ice this winter. Um recently though, city administrator Craig Clark suggested there might be funding available to support the project. So, um this funding encouraged us to partner with Austin Youth Hockey and reach out to a couple local
businesses. Um, so we we've been able to secure a lot of or all of the dirt donated. Uh, much of the rock um would be also donated. And then we would we would be asking these local businesses
to help spread the dirt, compact the dirt, and then spread and compact the the rock as well. Um, so that we could flood the rink this winter. But not only that, it allows us to be pretty much shovel ready next winter. I'm sorry, next year, next summer, um to pour a
concrete slab to have kind of a more permanent uh outdoor hockey rink at Packer Arena. Um there is a request in the 2026 budget which is not finalized yet. Uh it's a capital improvement plan request to
prepare and pour concrete slab at this same site. Um and to remove or to move the outdoor ice rink from Packer, sorry, from Kaufman Park to Packer Arena. Um because this is unknown yet whether
because the budget's not finalized, we um are asking for this request tonight. So local businesses are donating the field dirt as I said and a portion of the rock for the project. Austin Youth Hockey is also interested in partnering with this project. They are bringing a financial request to their board next
week. um in they are requesting an amount up to $2,500. So up to 50% of what the cost is to get this in for this winter. Um timing is of the essence, which is why this is before you tonight. Um
we really need to have a plan before they can go to their board next week. Um, I should add that Austin Youth Hockey has also agreed uh to help provide some labor for uh flooding the rinks in the wintertime and also some of the rink maintenance during the
wintertime um over the next several years. And I I should add despite whether funding for the project is approved in in 2026, so next budget cycle, um if this is approved tonight and we're able to get the the dirt and
rock completed in the next couple weeks, this would allow us to flood and have ice year u year after year going forward um with or without the concrete finish. Um, if funding tonight is not allocated,
we will most likely wait for next year and see what the budget uh provides for funding for next year to do the project again next year. So, our request tonight is for council to consider approving this project and the amount not to exceed $5,000.
Funds are requested to come from fund balance. any amount of funding Austin Youth Youth Hockey might commit to this project would reduce the cost that the city would be responsible for for this project. Um, and I think um I'd be happy
to answer any questions if anybody has. >> Very good. Thanks, Jason. Councel, >> is this coming from contingency or fund balance? >> Fund balance. Um, >> go ahead. >> Couple other comments. Um, yeah, this came up rather quickly and with weather approaching and our overall goal to try
to consolidate our outdoor ice rinks and make it more conducive, try to move forward a win-win. Um, I asked Jason to go ahead and put it on the agenda. But we're, you know, a little bit like the honor guard park where we had the service organizations partner with us to
make those improvements there. um you know having the youth hockey being willing to contribute and help us with that. Um and then on a ongoing basis they're willing to help with the labor costs of maintaining the ice. So I mean those are really I think critical things
moving forward. If for some reason the hockey association isn't able to partner with us then we would we would uh push it off until the 2026 or 2027 discussion. So, but in the interim it would come from fund balance and try to
capture that partnership. >> Yeah, I like this. The partnership with not only youth hockey, but some local businesses also uh pitching in and helping out. This is great. >> Great. I agree. >> Honorable mayor, um >> quick question, Mr. Clark, so
>> um youth hockey won't know their level of contri contribution till next >> week, late next week, >> right? Am I hearing that if their contribution is not so we were hoping to plan if approved tonight we would start the process as early as tomorrow not
knowing for sure if there's a financial contribution from the youth hockey. So just want >> we're able to wait and see if they're able to contribute before we move forward. >> That that's what I'm suggesting tonight is is >> no. >> Well cuz so there's there's many moving parts. I mean, we have a rink that's
located at Kaufman Park and we don't want to relocate that to Packer and then move another rink from Galloway to Kaufman Park because our plan is to have two large rinks at Kaufman Park as part of this overall plan. Um, but we kind of
need to have all this figured out and I think that if we wait till next week's youth hockey board meeting, it it really pushes us back. We're looking at 20°ree weather next week. We really need to start pounding stakes in the ground and getting our outdoors. >> Positive indication that they'll most
likely be >> I feel I talked to the president today. I feel pretty conf confident they want to see this happen. I think there will be a financial support. I know there will be labor and other support along the way. Um we just won't know until it might be too late. Thanks for the
clarification. >> Worst case scenario is we're $5,000 into it with no partnership on financial. >> Yeah, it sounds like that the case. So, it's worth risk. >> I take that risk, too. Anybody want to make a motion on this? >> I'll move to approve. >> Second.
>> Brie, please. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller. >> Hi. >> Council member Large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 70.
>> Very good. Thank you, Bri. Moving on. Citizens addressing the council. Is anyone in the audience wishing to speak to council of items that weren't on the agenda? >> Well, thanks for coming. >> If folks are here regarding the warming center,
>> that'll be on the agenda next meeting. >> It'll be on the agenda next meeting. They could speak now if they wanted to. >> They could. I can turn them away. They're >> here. Yep. It'll be officially on the agenda next next agenda.
Judy, you the spokesperson? >> Uh, >> look like you uh are >> Yeah, by default >> you had that look about you. >> Uh, I know your name, but please uh state your name and address for the minutes if you could. Judy,
>> uh, Judy, >> 2002 11th Avenue Northeast, Austin. Um yeah, I have been part of a group that's been um convening um fairly regularly
um with the with the goal, I guess, of um offering shelter for unhoused people during uh the cold months of the year in
Austin. Um there are others who have been involved more heavily than I have. um and uh who have been also working on um readying if if everything works out
um the former Knights of Columbus building um which is south of the post office um with uh a model and support uh
that has been successful in Winona and Rochester and also I think um Owatana um there is a commitment on the part of Catholic Charities to provide staffing
and oversight of of the staff and funding. Um so there there are um a lot of questions yet to be answered um regarding um zoning um uh perhaps um a
variance um and you know uses usage issues and um the the intent and having everything very well um prescribed. So, I guess what I'm here for is is
simply to plant the seed for um that idea and um encourage um council members to perhaps get information regarding the successful sites in Rochester and Winona. Winona
being the more comparable community to Austin. um see how that model works and what um what um maybe challenges there have been and how they have uh worked to make it
successful. >> Well done, Judy. >> Well, thank you. >> You have a real future in spokes spokespersoning. >> Well, come back next meeting, too, so we'll have it on the agenda for more discussion next. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, folks.
um reports and recommendations. Uh Craig, who's got what? >> Yeah, I just wanted to let you know um our unmarked uh report for comm uh employee engagement, we're expecting that to come at the December 1st work session. So, just to give you a heads up
on that. Uh Bri has a quick message. I'm guessing it might have to do with something related to voting. And Steven Lang has an item as well. >> Okay, Bri. So, just a reminder that tomorrow is the election day. Um, and our election judges are our neighbors, friends, and
community members who make it possible for everyone's voice to be heard. They do work long hours to ensure the process is fair, accurate, and accessible to all voters. So, a smile, a thank you, or a bit of patience can go a long way. Let's show respect and appreciation for their
service because democracy works best when we treat each other with kindness. >> Thank you, Bri. Uh, Stephen, >> couple construction updates for council and the public that may be watching. Uh, I90 announced or Mindot announced
another I90 closure coming up on November 8th. That's Saturday, November 8th. The closure is from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Just some more work in preparation for work underneath the bridge and also as part of the new crossovers that they are working to construct. So, that's coming up this
Saturday. And also uh folks may have seen late last night and into today there's work starting on the on 14th Street Northwest. That is in preparation for the bridge work next year. They're building the necessary crossovers so
that in the spring when conditions are fit, the crossovers are in place and they can get traffic moved around to begin the 14th Street Bridge in the spring of 2026. So um the bridge work is not starting right now. Oh, it's just some prep preparatory work for next
year. Um, then as part of our Oakland Avenue project, concrete pavement has has been um occurring. A lot of work uh occurred last Friday and also today. They'll continue. Pavement work into Wednesday and Thursday of this week. And
then um sidewalk work and street lighting will occur next week. So, um, we should be sitting pretty good by the end of next week. We'll see where things fall and keep everybody updated for hopefully an an opening of the Oakland Avenue project here before Thanksgiving.
>> Very good. Thank you for the update, Stephen. Um, moving on to council. We'll start with Paul. Anything? >> Nothing. Your honor, >> um, I just only have few comment. We've been receiving a lot of uh emails regarding their warming center and I
know it will come to the next agenda next week um in the following meeting. Who do we talk to to go visit the site to see because all the pictures I've been driving around it and um the door seem like it's closed. Who do we talk to
to visit inside that building to see how it look like before we take a deeper discussion? probably. >> Um, so my understanding is that there might be an alternative site being considered right now because of the
obstacles with the uh building code issues with that particular site. So I'm not sure that that's going to be ultimately the site that's chosen. Um, so that might not be very helpful at this point. Um,
uh, is anybody here who could speak to that at all? >> I don't have information on that. Um, >> I was speaking to, uh, Paul >> would be the contact. Um, and I can send his contact
information to you, Mr. >> Okay. Yep. >> Thank you. >> That'll be good. >> Thank you. >> Anything else? Um, I want to remind the public that we have a call for art open for our utility
box um project. Go to the Austin area arts website. We're accepting um uh art from youth who live in Mau County um including college students and students at um Gerard and so forth. um uh
selected artists will receive a small stipend for their work and then we'll use it to create more wraps to go around utility boxes um which is part of our long-term anti-graffiti plan. Um I also wanted uh in advance to say thank you to
the clerks and um volunteers and our partners at Mau County for election day. Um it's a little lighter than some years, but it's still a a big day and a lot of pressure to get everything done and done right. Um, I'll echo um the mayor's thanks to the human resources
team um Trish and Terry uh for the employee recognition breakfast um last week. It's uh um it's going to take a while for the city of Austin to um sort of settle in to doing these kind of recognition things and um I I appreciate
everybody's time in in getting it started and getting the momentum going. I think it's it's the right thing to do. There were some jokes um that morning about people saying, "Well, I've worked for the city for 25 years and I've never been invited to any kind of recognition before." So, um we're doing a new thing
and that can be that can be hard and challenging and it also can be worth it. So, thank you for doing that. >> Thank you, Jeff. >> Uh nothing, your honor. >> Posty. Um shout out to everybody for a wonderful Halloween weekend. I know the
Postmont family gave away more candy than we ever have and we still had to close down by 7:40. Um got a one point I was at the door handing out candy and uh police vehicle drove by playing Ghostbusters so that was very amusing.
Uh and lots of folks out. It was just kind of fun to see everybody out in the city. I know that the downtown event for trick-or- treat on Saturday before got just tons of families out. So that's great to see. Uh, also want to let you know that Discover Austin has a new
website uh, updated austinmn.com. They are our digital window to the city of Austin and they do a great job. So, hop on there and check it out when you get a chance. >> Thanks, Mike. Jason, >> um, three things. One, as I noticed, Councilman Postma forgot to mention the Lions Vikings game yesterday. I assume
that was an oversight. >> You're welcome for the quarterback. >> Yeah, we're now one and like 9,000 against Yes. So, um, number two is, yeah, just again compliment, uh, Austin Police Department. I thought it was great community engagement to be out there and, you know, big hit with our kids. I think big hit was fun to see the
kids, you know, engaging positively and waving and excited to see that coming through. Um, so I mean, really, really good work. And then number three, on election day tomorrow, Bri, thank you in advance to you and the staff and all the election judges who will be putting in long, long hours to make that happen. You know, as somebody who has served as
an election judge in the past, I know that there's a lot of thankless work that goes into that, but it is vital for our democracy to actually function. And as Brie mentioned, I mean, it is all the people that we work and live and play with on a day in and dayout basis. And so, it's a it's a huge part of the
community. Um, and then last, I will, you know, just as a alumni of Austin Public Schools, as a parent of kids with Austin Public Schools, I can tell you firsthand that a lot of these things are needed. Um, and I will be voting yes and would encourage others to do the same. >> Very good. Thanks, Jason. Becky,
>> nothing. Honor. >> All right. Thank you folks. Uh, I'd just like to add that before I read the November anniversaries that there certainly we're among into some challenging times. Uh, with regard to even our partner Hormell uh, Foods, uh, you can the list is a mile long. The
county, the city, we're all going through some challenging times with the workforce and some restructures and reorgs. I just want to this we'll get through it. It's just going to be some tough times, but our our thoughts go out to those folks that are maybe the victims of some reorgs and some restructures, but again, these are
challenging times. The universal for sure, United Stateswide, probably globally. Uh, but we just need to uh uh try to get through it together and support those that uh could come upon some situation where they don't really want to be in. So, just wanted to acknowledge that and u know we're
thinking of them. So, with that, November anniversaries, we got some uh some folks that have been here a while. Ryan Life with the police, 25 years. Mark Walsski, 25 years. Chris Grunwald, fire 20 years. Tom Schulty with the fire 19 years. Michael Hartman with the police 16 years. Pat Guinea with the
street department, 11. Jeremy Wongan, ma sewer maintenance for 10. Brent Johnson, planning and zoning for eight years. Josh Bradley, police, seven years. And Ryan McCormack, also with the police, seven years. Those are our November anniversaries. We always appreciate our employees. And like Laura said, it we
are making some moves to to do better. And that was again just another u really did move the needle on that that normal home breakfast last week. So appreciate uh all the efforts being done with that. Looking for a motion to adjourn to November 17, I believe.
>> So move. >> Second. All >> in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. We're a gent.