I will call the meeting to order. Please stand if you're able for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Good evening and welcome folks. Uh Bri, take the roll call please. Mayor King >> present. >> Council member at large Austin >> present. >> Council member Waller >> present. >> Council member Baskin >> present. Council >> member Posma
>> present. >> Council member Hely. >> Council member Obala >> present. >> Council member Fischer >> present. >> King we have a quorum. >> Very good. Thank you Bri. Uh item number one on our agenda is the adoption of the agenda. Need a motion.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. >> Motion carries. Item number two is a motion approving our minutes from November 3rd, 2025 meeting. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion also carries. Nothing. Under item number three, recognitions and awards. On item number four is a motion for the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed.
>> Motion carries. Uh item number five under public hearing is a request for approval for city charter change to the police department. Craig, >> uh thank you mayor, members. I'll go through three of these, but we'll take uh motions individually on them. The charter commission met on August 5th and
again on October 14th and approved three proposed charter changes. These changes are pursuant to Minnesota statutes 410.12 subdivision 7 and if adopted unanimously by the council do not need ballot approval. Uh the three changes include modernization to remove the
mayor as uh head of the police department. Uh modification of the assessments of civil penalties and clarify administrative penalties may be assessed for city charges and also clarification of the park wreck and forestry sections to resolve uh
uncertainties that arose previously. the uh uh police department as I mentioned uh would take away the uh mayor as head of the police department. The current mayor is in support of this as well as the police chief. Um this uh
compared to other communities that are charter communities in the state of Minnesota where the vast exception to the rule only two other communities besides Austin um have that that are similar size as Austin. uh with the complexities of the police department um
we don't want any instance where mayor would be directing the department on tasks that would be ill advised the assessments and civil penalties this came about as a result of the league of Minnesota city's recommendation this doesn't change anything to our current
practice that we've done that you do with the fall assessments and and those sorts of things but just gives us f further clarity uh to protect oursel from any legal challenge uh the park, recreation and forestry um changes to chapter 11 just work to
provide clarity to that section to avoid the disagreements that we had in the past. This was presented to the park board of which they approved unanimously to support recommending to the charter commission. So we got their added approval to that process. Um otherwise
that's kind of the basics of the uh three different alternatives. Be happy to answer any questions. >> Very good. Thank you, Craig. I want to thank you and Mr. Byron for the work and the charter commission. I know they did a very thoughtful and thorough job in reviewing these changes and certainly endorse all these changes. Council, any
questions on item number five? >> No, I think these are good, smart changes. I know we had a little bit of conversation around them, you know, probably a month, month and a half ago, but no, I mean, number one, thank you to the charter commission members. I know it's a thankless job. Um, but obviously very very important. Um, and I think it
cleans up a couple of things that either were misunderstandings or could be issues in the future. And so I think it's a good proactive job and I would move that we approve. >> Well said. Thank you. So we have a motion to approve the preparation of the ordinance. Any further discussion on this?
>> Mr. Mayor, this these are public hearings. You are required to take any comments from from the public if there are any. >> Thank you, Craig. Are there anybody is there anybody in the audience wishing to speak on this matter? >> All right. So now we have Thank you. >> I'd move we approve >> pass by the attorney in the group.
Correct. >> So we got a motion. Uh is there a second for preparation of the ordinance? >> I second that. I agree with uh councilman Baskin uh because when initially it feel like we didn't have enough time to look over it. But I want to thanks the charter for taking the time and uh also listening to the
council to review this and also giving us ahead of time so that we can review it. I read through it and look good. So comparing to other what other city is doing. Uh again thank you for all the work you do. I will second that to approve. >> Thank you. So we have a motion a second. Uh all in favor
>> I >> opposed. That motion carries. Looking for uh resolution for the adoption of the ordinance. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We also vote on this. >> Bri, >> the mayor also votes on this. Correct.
>> I get to vote. >> You do? Yes. >> Sweet. I say yay. Let the record reflect. Thank you. That's an interesting little wrinkle. >> All right. So, uh, for the ordinance, the adoption of the ordinance, we have a resolution. Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Bri. >> Yep. So, I have council member at large Austin and then I had council member Postma for adoption of the ordinance for number five, city charter changes to the police department. >> So, Mayor King,
>> hi. Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi.
>> Resolution passes 70. >> That didn't feel very good that I had to vote to get rid of telling McKeon what to do, but I guess I did. >> Uh, moving on to item number six, requesting approval for the city chart to change assessments of civil pen penalties. Uh looking for a motion for preparation of the ordinance.
>> Members of the public. >> Oh, that's right. Anybody here from the public wishing to speak on this matter? >> Hearing none. Council looking for a motion or discussion on this one. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I oppose.
>> That motion carries. Uh item number six is adoption of the ordinance resolution. >> So moved. >> Second. Bree. >> I have a motion by council member Posma, seconded by council member Waller for adoption of the ordinance for city charger changes to the assessment of
civil penalties. Mayor King >> I. >> Council member Large Austin. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Postma. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Resolution passes 70.
>> Thank you Bri. Item number seven is requesting approval for the city charter change the park and recreation forestry department. Uh looking for a motion for preparation of the ordinance. >> Any public? >> Oh yeah. Keepers keepers. Public. Somebody should step up just to help this thing out.
Any anybody but anybody but thank you. Anybody here from the public wishing to speak on this matter? I'm glad these public hearings are done. Uh looking council looking for a discussion or a motion on the preparation of the ordinance. So moved. >> Second. All >> in favor?
>> I >> opposed. Motion carries. Under 7B, the adoption of the ordinance. Need a resolution. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Bri. >> I have a motion by council member Austin, seconded by council member Obala for the adoption of the ordinance for
the changes to the parks, recreation, and forestry department. >> Mayor King. I >> council member Large Austin >> I >> council member Waller >> I >> council member Baskin >> I >> council member Posma >> I >> council member Obala
>> I >> council member Fischer >> I >> that ordinance passes 70. >> Thank you Bri. Item number 7 C is resolution for summary publication of the ordinance. >> It's all moved. >> Second >> Bri.
>> Mayor King >> I. Council member at large Austin. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller. >> Hi. >> Council member Baskin. >> Hi. >> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> I.
>> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you, Bri. Just for some drama, I'd like to bypass eight, but I know I'll get lynched if I do. Item number eight's a resolution under awarding the bids receiving bids for pickleball court engineering services. Jason. >> Thank you, honorable mayor and councel.
Uh, in September 2025, the Austin, Minnesota Area Pickle Ball Association, known as also known as MAPA, uh, made a donation to the city of Austin in the amount of $35,000 to cover the estimated cost of engineering services for the construction of eight pickle ball courts
to be located at Rotary Centennial Park. Um, the cost estimate was based on u engineering and design work being 7% of the overall project estimate. um which is where we came up with the $35,000. Uh so from there staff drafted an RFP
for pre design, design, final final plans and specifications and bid lighting for the project. RFPs were due on Friday, October 31st. We received three proposals for engineering services. Um and the city
attorney has been in the process. Um thank you uh Mr. Byron for your work on this has been in the process of reviewing the an engineering services agreement um with Larsson Engineering who later will you'll see that we're uh requesting consideration of awarding the
proposal to that um that firm. Uh I think we're getting very close on the the services agreement. Um proposed timeline. Uh I did include the timeline as proposed by Larsson Engineering Services. Um, I would like to point out
that so if things go through this evening and then we were able to contract with this engineering center, uh, the likelihood of the the construction beginning May is very good, May or June. I want to point out that you'll see on this timeline it does say
biding bid letting for April. I've confirmed with Larsson that the bid letting would actually take place in February. The the important piece of that equation is that we don't want to go out to bid for the construction of the project too much later after the first of the year because now these
companies that specialize in building planning out and mapping out their construction projects for the summer. So that was important for for me to confirm with them and they did actually this morning that the bid letting would take place in February. So it would uh move
up going out to the bid for construction but it would keep the the plan for uh actual construction taking place uh at the same time frame. Um funds for uh as I mentioned funds for the engineering services be paid for
through the donation uh from Amappa and staff's recommendation are three. One is to award the engineering services proposal to Larson Engineering in the amount of $32,000. Two, authorize staff to work with city
city attorney to build services agreement. And three, which is new to your packet, I added or my I guess my updated request is to uh consider authorizing the mayor to sign the agreement. And uh I think that's the
background. I'd be happy to answer any questions anybody might have. Appreciate Jason that you continued to collaborate with the pickle ball. I saw in your memo that they got a chance to look at this Larsson engineering too and approve. So I again the money that you have donated
is going to that. So I do appreciate the continued uh collaboration and I appreciate what you've done so far in collecting organizing money. So it looks like this is step one or seven depends how you want to look at it but moving forward pretty nicely on this. So council any questions on this item?
Otherwise, looking for resolution awarding the bid to Larsson Engineering. >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> I. >> Council member Obala.
>> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. item number nine is uh a resolution receiving bids for soil soil borings for the 2026 2027 construction projects. Andrew,
>> uh yes, good evening, mayor and council. Uh this is a uh we received three bids or no, I'm sorry. We sent out RFQ to three known uh geotech companies that we have worked and done um work like so
borings in the past. We have gotten two responses, one from Chosen Valley testing and another from Brown Intertech. Uh the prices seem uh fair. Uh the reason for the soil borings is largely to find
uh or confirm what type of soil types we will have our construction projects and what's going on underneath our streets as well as discover exactly where that water table is as it fluctuates all the way through town. >> Engineering would recommend
request that you uh award this to Chosen Valley Testing. >> Very good. Thank you, Andrew. Any questions? >> Andrew, I have a seven-part highly detailed question and Steven said, "No, I think it's a great project. Nice job." >> All right. Looking for resolution awarding the bid to
>> uh Chosen Valley. So, moved. >> Second Bri. >> Council member Waller. I >> council member Baskin. >> I >> council member Posma. >> I >> council member Obala. >> I
>> council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. Bri under petitions and requests. Item number 10 is resolution setting a public hearing for December 15, 2025 on the adoption of our 5-year capital improvement plan. >> So move. >> Second.
>> Agree. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. Council member Postma. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. Item number 11 is resolution
granting off-sale liquor licenses, club on sale licenses, wine strong beer on sale licenses, brewer off sale, malt liquor licenses, Sunday hard liquor on sale, Sunday wine on sale licenses, Sunday brewer off sale, brewer tap room with Sunday and 32 beer on and off sale.
Looking for resolution. So move. >> Second. Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Postma. >> Hi. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi.
>> Council member Atlarge Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Very good. Thank you. Item number 12 is a resolution approving an ICM agreement with LL Parks LLC. Andrew. >> Uh yes. This is a uh an IMC agreement.
Uh we have we have them with uh multiple companies throughout town. Uh this one is for LLC parks which is a truck wash uh for the livestock trailers uh loc and it's located in the industrial park. Um
we have had this is uh we've had several this is a a renewal. This we've had several renewals. Uh this agreement is similar. So there's no changes from the previous agreements and it's similar to other companies. >> Excellent. Thank you council. Any
questions for Andrew? >> Otherwise looking for resolution approving the ICM agreement. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> Hi. >> Council member Baskin. >> Hi.
>> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Obala. >> Hi. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member at large Austin. I >> resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. Item number 13 is a motion reviewing a variance request for two detached accessory structures. Holly.
>> Yes. This uh property is located at 70131st Street Northwest uh owned by Marshian Anthony Malio. At the November 12th, 2025 meeting of the Austin Planning Commission, the commission reviewed a request from the petitioners for variance from city code section
11.03, 03 which limits the total aggregate area of all accessory structures to 1,800 square f feet and limits detached structures to it should say three for properties over 1 acre within a residential district. The petitioners wish to add a 16x 25 ft addition to their existing detached
garage. They also propose to add a 30x40 post frame building. The total square footage with the proposed additions is approximately 2200 square ft. The total lot coverage with all structures is 2.5% while 40% lot coverage is the maximum allowed. There were no comments from the
public uh either before the meeting or during the meeting. After review, the planning commission with eight members present recommended approving the variance uh with eight in favor and zero uh against. The planning commission made the following findings regarding this request. That the requested variance is in harmony with the general purposes and
intent of the zoning ordinance. variance, if granted, would not alter the essential character of the locality in which the property is situated, that there are circumstances unique to the property not created by the land owner, and that the land owner intends to use the land in a reasonable manner not permitted by the ordinance. You have any
questions, >> council, any questions? >> Looking for a motion um approving the moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Item number 14 is a motion reviewing a variance
amendment. Ali, >> uh, yeah, you've seen this before. or this was the Sterling property that moved to uh Oakland at uh I guess I don't have the Oakland address on here, but at the November 12th, 20 2025 meeting of the Austin Planning
Commission, the commission reviewed the request from the petitioner to amend uh their amended variance granted by council in June uh regarding a green space which 20 20% is required in a B2 zoning district. Um the plan that was approved allowed for 11%. However, when
implemented, uh the green space was reduced to 9.4%. The petitioners asking to amend the variance to the current conditions. Um after review with uh the planning commission with eight members present recommended approving the amended variance. Uh although not
required, the petitioner was amendable to adding some kind of aesthetic improvements. Um the vote was eight in favor, zero against. And again, the planning commission made the same findings uh with regard to the variance as the prior matter.
>> Very good. Thanks, Holly. Council, any questions, Miss Wallace? >> Otherwise, looking for a motion for item number 14. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. Uh onto our addition uh to the agenda. Item number 15 is approving uh a resolution
approving an agreement with Hormetal for wastewater discharge. Mr. Vyram, >> thank you. In uh Mr. Lang's absence, he's asked me to speak to this. Uh he's provided you with a memo of the highlights. Uh but what is before you tonight is a 20-year agreement that will
replace the prior 30-year agreement that is expiring. Earlier this year, we put in an extension. That extension expires at the end of the month. So, we are looking at a deadline of needing this approved uh yet this month, if possible. uh for the past 30 years this
arrangement for uh how uh Hormell Foods uh is financially involved in the um industrial section of our wastewater treatment plant has worked out to the mutual satisfaction of both sides. It's it's actually um I think a very mutually
beneficial arrangement uh where they are uh the sole user of that part of the wastewater treatment plant. So they are then the funer of the costs including capital outlays related to that. As the council knows, we're undergoing right now a 110 million or more uh project out
there and and this is how Hormell Foods is is on the hook for a fair portion of that is because of our 30-year agreement. There aren't any material changes in the way that the agreement works or functions. There was some effort put into clarifying some things
and making sure that we were updating the language to really confirm what's uh what's actually occurring. Uh except the one change is that up until now we have carried the property insurance or the you know the fire and storm insurance on
uh or Horell has carried the insurance on that industrial section out there which is a little bit weird for them to have to insure property they don't technically own. Uh so they have requested that as we complete the major project we're we're finishing now, we
convert that into being an item listed on our insurance as the domestic side of the wastewater treatment plant and the combined sections of the wastewater treatment plant are already on our insurance. uh they will still be responsible for the additional cost of that but it just puts the insurance with
the actual owner of the building and then we'll send them an invoice like we do the other expenses for that expense. Uh so in looking at the memo that he prepared and the document that's in front of you uh all that is in order except I would note that just today in
further discussions with Horell Foods legal department uh on the bottom of page two top of page three there are two references to September 30 as a date as an important date and uh we
have mutually agreed that we should say September 30, 2026. So we know which September 30 we're talking about. So the agreement will be exactly the same except for we'll insert 2026 at those two locations. And what that has to do with is the schedule for when that
insurance switches from them to us. And the language said if we get it done before September 30 of 2026, uh we would have till the end of the year to make that conversion. But if it took place after September 30th, 2026, we would have 90 days from
whenever that happened. And as you know, with this project, delays and change orders and other things push that deadline back. So, we noticed today that uh just saying September 30 really begged the question of which September 30 are we talking about. Uh so, I I
agreed with them that we should put 2026 in both of those. Right now, as I understand it, the current schedule for completion would have us be completed in October of next year. And even that date is under review presently with some
other issues that are occurring out there that might push it back a little bit farther. So from that, what I would say to you is it's almost certain that we will be converting that insurance within 90 days of when we get it substantially completed. And the reason that's important is we can't add it to our insurance until our insurance can
come down and value it. And it's much more effective for them to value something that's actually been constructed than something that is still in process. So, we wanted to get it pretty close to being done before we invited them down to value it and then we'll add it to the insurance uh at the
value that they place on it for reconstruction. >> Very good. >> Otherwise, any questions? I'm happy to try to answer. >> Thank you, Mr. Ber. Any questions on this council? Is looking for a resolution approving the agreement? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Bri. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> Abstain. >> Council member Postma. >> I. >> Council member Obala. >> Abstain. >> Council member Fischer. >> I.
>> Council member at large Austin. I >> resolution passes 40 42 abstaining. >> Thank you, Bri. Item number 16 is a resolution approving a memorandum of agreement with bargaining group A.EA for health insurance. Craig, >> thank you, mayor. Members, uh, as you,
uh, likely recall at the end of the year, we always have the healthc care scramble uh, as we get rates and renewal rates from our providers. Um, we've updated you on on that and, uh, who we're going with moving forward. Uh so we do need to have an MOA with our
bargaining groups. Uh we received one of those this morning from AEA. Uh the rates as outlined in there are 2026 rates on a 7525 allocation. There are two signant network plans 35007,000 and
a 2004,000 option that establishes rates with a dollar amount for family employee plus spouse employee plus child and employee only options. Uh since our open enrollment is moving forward, uh we need to get this moving forward.
Uh there is a waiver of bargaining rights in here. Uh as traditionally is the case with our MOAS. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Looking for approval. >> Very good. Thanks, Greg. Uh any questions, council? Looking for a
resolution. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Agree. Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> Hi. >> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Obala. >> I. >> Council member Fischer.
>> Hi. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Very good. Thank you, Bri. Are there any citizens in the audience looking to address the council on items that weren't on the agenda? We'll be having the work session after this. Brad.
>> Brad Johnson. In behalf of on behalf of the Austin enhancement group, I'd like to remind everybody that we're having a celebration the day after Thanksgiving, come and see me as the Grinch. >> Nice. That's the lighting of downtown
and all that. Brad, >> all that. >> Right on. >> Fantastic. Very good. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to talk to council item that weren't items that weren't on the agenda? Okay. Hearing none. Craig, do we have anything uh reports, recommendations? >> No, sir. >> Council, anything? Let's go with Becky
first. >> Uh, nothing, your honor. >> Jason, >> uh, briefly, congratulations to the Austin Packer swim team on a strong showing at the state tournament. Um, specifically Gracie Greenman. Congratulations on being a third place um, in the 100 meter backstroke, which is fantastic. Um, and congratulations to
the juggernaut that is the Austin Packer dance team on winning their first varsity competition on Saturday as well. They represent our community well. >> Thanks, Jason. Mike, >> uh, nothing, your honor. Jeff, >> nothing your honor. Obala >> nothing your honor >> all right then looking for a motion to
adjourn uh to our Monday December 1st meeting 5:30 >> second >> all in favor >> opposed >> we are adjourned we'll take a fivem minute break to the work session