Good evening and welcome to the Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, November 18th, 2025. If you could please join us and rise for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Let's call the role. >> Council member Griscoak >> here. >> Council member Butler >> here. >> Council member Novak >> here. >> Council member Gesler >> here.
>> Council member Armstrong. >> Council member Carlson >> here. >> Mayor Cook >> here. >> One absent Armstrong. >> All right. Thank you. Why don't we start by adopting this evening's agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Gesler, second by Butler. Any discussion or corrections?
>> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> And the agenda is adopted. We're going to start with a proclamation for Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small business that are the
backbone of our communities. Now, I'm not going to read any more of this because I'm pretty sure it's going to be in the proclamation. Anything that's not, we'll come back and cover it. Got a proclamation for Small Business Saturday. Whereas the government of Rapids,
Minnesota, celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community. And whereas Small Business Saturday, founded in 2010, is a national day dedicated to supporting the diverse and
vibrant small businesses that are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs, and boosting the local economy. And whereas Small Business Saturday falls between the major shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, providing
a specific opportunity to spotlight the importance of locallyowned and independent businesses that help make our community unique and prosperous. And whereas these businesses embody the American spirit of entrepreneurship,
ingenuity, and resilience. and their success is vital to the health and character of our community. And whereas in 2024, US consumers spent an estimated 22 billion dollars at independent retailers
and restaurants on Small Business Saturday, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting local economies. And whereas Rapids, Minnesota supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local
economy, and preserve our communities. And whereas advocacy groups as well as public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday. Now therefore, I, Jerry Cook,
mayor of the city of Rapids, on behalf of the city council and citizens of our city, officially proclaim November 29th, 2025 as Small Business Saturday in the city of Rapids and urge the residents of
our community and communities across the country to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year, proclaimed this 18th 18th day of November, 2025. That did cover all the little details,
didn't it? >> Yeah, that's a that's a very important day. It's every day is a great day to support local business, but it's nice that we call out um Small Business Saturday to uh really promote that.
Uh item number two this evening is to approve the minutes from the November 4th meeting. >> Motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Mayor. >> Second. Motion by Carlson and a second by Butler. Is there any discussion or corrections hearing? None. All in favor signify by
saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Yep. There we go. Um motion carries. One abstension. Council member Novak. Um we have three items. No, I'm sorry. We
have one item on our consent agenda. Um we have three under old business. just in case you're reading ahead. All right. Um, we have one item under a consent agenda and that is to receive the schedule of electronic payments. Um, Minnesota statute requires that a list
of transactions made by electronic funds transfer be provided to the city council at the next regular city council meeting after the transaction. Um, so we are looking to receive the schedule of electronic payments from October 30th,
2025 through November 12th, 2025. And that is the consent agenda. >> Move approval of the consent agenda. >> Second >> motion by Gesler and a second by Butler. Is there discussion or corrections? Hearing none, all in favor signify by
saying I. I. >> I. Opposed. And that motion carries. Under all business, item four is to this is an introduction of an ordinance amending chapter 8100
adopt um ordinance 2355 amending 8-500 and adopting ordinance 2336 amending sections 8-903 8-94 and 8-905. Mr. Brody, are you doing this one?
>> Um I might I can do this. I think uh Mr. Brown had done the initial introduction. We are asking that you uh adopt the ordinances the 8 500 and the 8900 but asking that you reintroduce 8100 because we did make some changes to it after uh
previous discussion. We just wanted to clarify uh slaughterousing and slaughtering and processing for home use. And so that's also got kind of a companion language in the uh in the bird ordinance that's coming to you uh a little bit later tonight. So, we just
ask that you'd introduce that one. Um, again, it's kind of out updating outdated language and we're consolidating some of the property maintenance, taking it out of chapter 12 and putting it here to make it easier for our residents and uh for uh staff.
>> Okay. But this this whole one is just an introduction though, right? >> Correct. 8100 is just an introduction because we did make some changes since the introduction last time. >> Okay. So, >> I guess a reintroduction. >> Okay. Does anybody have any questions of Mr. Brody?
>> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Butler. >> Uh, just to clarify, so that means we can do one motion for the three ordinances that we are adopting or would you suggest that we or excuse me, >> we tip we typically don't motion in the introduction. The mayor just sort of declares it introduced and then we would
need motions to adopt the other two. >> Okay. >> And authorized summary publication. >> Yeah, if that makes sense. >> Okay. Thank you. I think that kind of was your question. >> Question be sure that I got it right. Yeah, just want to make sure I clarified that. >> All right. So, does anybody have any
questions of chapter 8 100 first? If not, we will consider the ordinance amending chapter 8-100 introduced. Um, and >> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Butler,
>> I move that we adopt ordinance 2335 amending title 8-500, maintenance of vegetation and landscaping and also adopt ordinance 2336 amending sections uh 8-93 8-904 and 8-95 storage of wood and
authorize the summary publication. >> Second motion by Butler and a second by Gesler. Is there discussion on this hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I >> I opposed and that motion carries. Item
five is to consider adoption of an ordinance that we introduced last time. Um this is ordinance 2339 restricting parking on 109th Avenue. Um the council member for this ward is unable to be here this evening. Um I would encourage
us to table this until he gets back. >> Your honor, >> Council Member Novak. >> Uh move to table item five. >> Second. Motion by Novak, second by Carlson to table item five. Um should we just say through the next meeting? Would that be the motion?
>> Yeah, Mayor Council, I mean, I would suggest um perhaps there might even be a need to discuss it a little bit. So >> So just just leave the motion the way it was. We'll just table it. >> Yeah. >> And we'll look at it. >> My my guess is no later than the second meeting in December, it would come back. But if if council wants opportunity to
chat about it, our best chance to do that would be December 9th work session. So >> perfect. Perfect. I realize that was far too much discussion for no discussion motion, but >> we have a motion and a second to table. All in favor signify by saying I.
>> Opposed. And that motion is tabled. Item six is to consider a reintroduction and adopt ordinances amending city code chapters 13-200, 13-300, 13-400, 13-500, and 13-600.
Mr. Hammer, anything? >> Mr. Mayor, I was hoping I could defer to Mr. Brody. He did such a great job on number four. It's very comparable. So, I'm happy to do so or I can answer your questions or present. Then you you
should have got his name on it though. Does anybody have any questions of Mr. Hammer on on this? >> Uh Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Guscoak, >> I uh my computer went dead on me, but I was looking over this earlier. Which one of the chapters here um addresses
tractor trailers? Uh is that in one of these? >> That was in the should have been in the last one. Oh, that was code enforcement. >> That's an 8100 which we just introduced. So, you'd have a chance to >> Okay. Well, I'll ask my question at a later date then because it's time has passed on that one. >> Yeah. Okay.
>> And if I may, Mr. Mayor, just briefly, it's this is chapter 13. We've talked about it numerous times. We introduced it um the last meeting. We workshopped section 200 to take out the surface water pumping language and updated that
one. So, we're reintroducing 13200 and adopting um 300, 400, 500, and 600. And the changes that were part of the introduction are outlined in in the memo. All right. So, let me just ask a
question because as I was reading through it, um, under 13-221 emergency conditions and procedures, um, there are some allowable restrictions 13 under 1322 and the following restrictions or any
combination thereof may be imposed. A ban on lawn and garden sprinkling. Period. to me. We know that we're not going to regulate the surface water. The state controls the surface water, but when you impose a
citywide ban on land and garden sprinkling, doesn't that imply I I'm just curious. Does it uh does it infer that is that everything or is it exclude those?
>> Are you are you referring to the pumping? I'm referring to the surface water. >> Um the surface water um >> Yes. Yes. pumping because >> because we could we could exclude the
use of irrigation from um domestic supply that's coming off your home. That's treated water coming through the city's plant. Separate from that is the surface water which again the the the state has the control over the minimum flows within those wies of bodies of
water. So both of them could potentially be on the table but one does not necessarily mean the other. >> Okay. So 13 13 lists a potential ban on pumping from regulated waters of the state. Um
so does that mean that that's separate water um water that's being pumped from regulated water of the state is for sure separate for when we do a ban on lawn and garden sprinkling Mr. Brody, now I would like that.
>> I understand what you're saying because a ban on lawn and I think our intention would be that would not include if you're >> I I understand I understand what our intentions are. >> Well, and that that would be our interpretation. Um is that I I believe I would defer to Mr. Emmer if he thinks otherwise, but that if we really wanted
to to u if we banned the pumping of additional or pumping from regulated waters, obviously that would end the lawn and gardening sprinkling for that particular use. So, I don't think it was our intent to have them um to include that um with if you were
pumping from from the regulated waters of the state. I mean, that's my understanding. It would have been >> okay. As long as that's listed as a separate item, that should show the intention then. >> And frankly, we could clarify that if we do issue a particular order to make sure
that the when we if we do issue an an order under this a declaration that we would clarify that as well within that order. >> I'm thinking I'm thinking council's 10 years out from now. You know, how are they going to do this? Um,
but all right. Does anybody else have any concerns or >> Mr. Mayor? I mean, I I think the the staff's intent there, I think we could probably beat this up on specific language probably forever if we really wanted to.
>> Well, I don't want to meeting. >> Yeah. Well, and you know, to to what to what extent is lawn and gardening, sprinkling, and irrigation separate from each other? You know, they are, they aren't. I I I I I think to me my interpretation of it, it sounds like staff's interpretation is if you're
pumping water out, it's it's got to go somewhere. If it's coming out of your sprinkler heads or if it's coming out of somewhere else, okay, but I think the intent here that like and you could even say limitation on times of water usage. I think that's meant to imply city connected water usage versus any water
usage. Um so I I I do think there's an intent here. I do like Mr. Bro's suggestion of if a ban were to be issued that we be specific and give guidance of what we mean beyond you know when we say we're this time this is what we mean when we say these days this is what we mean
>> um >> so you know I I I do like that we've pivoted to uh focusing on the DNR's language of waters of the state focusing on their specific guidance because the DNR also just gives guidance saying you know if you don't have to please don't but we're not going to say no uh at
certain times when it slows down, but it may not be emergency levels. Um, and I think we should pass that on as well as even if we're doing an even ban, um, to just remind folks to be cognizant of if they're pumping out of other waters to be be aware of how dry or how their
impact to the local environment. So, I I'm I'm comfortable with it. It it could it be better? Sure. Is it perfect? I don't think every any ordinance is ever perfect. Yeah. >> So, >> Miss Lensmire, can we just make sure that's in the minutes? All right,
>> we will. >> All right. Um, okay. Any other any other questions on this? >> All right. So, let's see. What do we have to we have to reintroduce? Um, 13200 13200. >> Yeah.
>> Okay, there we go. All right. So, if there's no more questions on 13200, we will consider chapter 13200, municipal water system and connections reintroduced or introduced. >> Mr. Mayor,
>> Council Member Carlson, >> make a motion to adopt the following ordinances. Mr. Brody, is this okay to do in one line? >> Yes. Ordinance number 2341, repeal in its entirety and add chapter 13-300 municipal water rates charges and
collections. Ordinance 2342 amending chapter 13-4000 sewer code general ordinance number 2343 amending chapter 13-500 on-site sewage treatment system
regulations. Ordinance 2344 amending chapter 13-600 public sewer connections and authorized summary publication. Second >> motion by Carlson and a second by Butler. Is there discussion on this?
>> Mr. Mayor Council Grisco. >> I just want to make a point on this one and on number four. It seems a little confusing when we consider an introduction of an ordinance amending and then adopt ordinance all kind of in the same motion. and it gets a little convoluted for me. So, I would just like
to see us maybe if we could separate that in the future. >> Well, we did we did we did an introduction and then we I mean it's the same page, but it's >> it's the same it's the same agenda item, but we're kind of acting two different
ways. Adopting an ordinance and introducing. So, >> mayor and council, part of that is just the function of these were introduced together at one point. So they're coming back as a group. It's just there were a particular set that changed more than
what you felt comfortable simply doing an administrative change and allowing them to be adopted. So because they were together to begin with, we thought it was appropriate to bring them back together as a package. This is pretty rare. >> Okay. I haven't the fact it happened twice in one meeting
rare. So it just shows we're paying attention. >> I just I haven't never noticed it happen before. So >> I don't know that it has. >> All right. I don't know that it has. Fair enough. All right. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. Do we have any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. I. >> Opposed. And that motion carries. Item seven is to consider resolutions 25-124 and 25-125 for the two for the 2025-2 appealed assessment levy.
>> Mr. Stemway. >> Mayor and council. I can handle this one quickly. I didn't even notice that chair was empty until I looked at it. >> I told Miss Hansen she didn't have to stick around for this item. It was uh pretty straightforward. We had three uh appeals that went before the board of adjustments. Um here recently, you see
their recommendations to council. The affirmed one, reduced another, and removed uh the third one. Um to date, none of those uh fees have been paid. So the resolutions are accurate as stated in terms of the amounts that would be
assessed and I can try to answer any questions if you have any. >> All right. Very good. Any questions of Mr. Stem on this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> councelor Butler. >> I move we adopt resolutions 25-124 and 25-125 adopting 2025 sub
miscellaneous special assessments uh contested miscellaneous assessments one year and threeear. >> Second. >> Motion by Butler and a second by Carlson. Is there discussion on this, Mr. Mayor? Council member Gresco. I'm sorry, Council Member Gisesler. I got that get that G going
>> the other the other G. Uh, just a clarification to the So, the additional $40 is our standard assessment fee when we do that. Uh, is that part of our regular fee schedule? >> Correct. As well. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Motion in a second. Any further discussion on that?
>> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. Item eight is to consider a joint powers agreement for signal reconstruction and ADA improvements on County State Aid
Highway 11, which is Northdale Boulevard at Raven Street, which would be right next to the Rapids High School. Mr. Hammer. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. Andrea County is planning a signal upgrade in this intersection for next summer. It would occur outside of school hours, so during
the summer months. uh a portion of Raven just south of there would need to be closed. Um it there's there's certainly ways to work around it. It's just all time and money. And so um because we're lining it up on that schedule, we believe we can get that done before uh
it just makes construction that much easier. Primarily the work is just the signal upgrades, some ADA enhancements around those signals. They are adding some additional signage on that westbound leg and and increasing the the striping on that because there's that lane drop there where there's the
merging and maneuvering of vehicles. So, we're trying to be a little more prominent with some of those advanced signs. Uh they're also going to re realign some of the electrical for the recent um safe routes to school project that's in there with the flashing uh in advance. So, it's it's all being wrapped
up into this project. The city's responsible for about a third of the costs. We did budget for it in the 26 budget. Um, and it's also state aid eligible expense if we choose that route as well. So, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. >> If we could clear that up, that would really make that a lot a lot better to
go through there. Half the time you're going, is that car going to come in on me? Because all of a sudden, they're going to realize they're in a left turn lane. Yep. >> And yeah, half the time they do. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Hammer on this? >> Mr. Come here. >> Council member Geyser. >> Uh, Mr. Hammer, you said that Raven
would have to be closed. Would that be so you wouldn't be able to turn onto Raven from Northdale >> since there are summer activities going on at the high school? >> Correct. You would not be able to go north on Raven to go either direction on Northdale or would you be able to turn off of Northdale onto Raven? >> So folks going into the high school or
middle school would probably be best taken off Hansen there. >> You'd come off of Hansen to was it 115th, I believe. >> Okay. Thank you. Mhm. >> Your honor, >> Council Member Novak, >> I move we approve the joint powers agreement with Anoka County for the signal reconstruction and ADA
improvements at Northdale Boulevard. Uh CSH11 at Raven Street. >> Second >> motion by Novak and a second by Butler. Is there further discussion on this hearing? None. All in favor signify by
saying I. I. >> Opposed. And that motion carries. Item nine is to consider an introduction of ordinances amending chapter 6-501 non-domemestic animals repealing chapter 6-700
chickens and amending 6-700 domesticated birds. Mr. Brody, I got with this one because Mr. Brown was on vacation. So, this is his memo, but I think I could summarize it fairly well now. I know how to whose name to
put on these things. Um, this one we've discussed at a work session and this is essentially expanding our current chicken ordinance. We'll repeal that and amend it to add domestic birds. So, we're going to expand the definition. We did um while we did expand the definition, we've included ducks,
quails, pigeons, and doves. We did not include geese or turkeys um based on our discussion with council at a work session. Um with that uh the the new code is similar to the uh old code with but does uh sort of account now for
these new species in terms of uh um the numbers. We've now upped that to six. We've allowed for more structures and sizes depending on what kind of uh birds you have. Um the setbacks are uh similar to what we had with chickens. Um we did
also have similar languages we did in 8100 regarding slaughtering and processing restrictions. and you'll still continue to re um have to have a permit from the city in order to uh to uh have these uh types of birds and then
violations will be processed the exact same way we had under the uh previous chicken ordinance. There's also one small minor change to our non-domemestic animal ordinance because we're expanding the ordinance of what's allowed here. Um we need to change that to reflect that. That's our non-domemestic animal
ordinance which kind of lists all the things that you can't possess. So that's just kind of a housekeeping that matches with that. So tonight we're just simply asking that you introduce both of those ordinances. We'll bring them back next time for adoption and and then we'd stand for questions either myself or Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brody, that non-domemestic animals, is that the one that also says what you can feed and what you can't feed in the town? because I wonder if we've got something in there that we that we'll need to amend. Remember the one that caused all the problems however many years ago when >> I'm gonna have to
>> all the things you can't feed. >> You guys want to discuss this ordinance amongst yourselves? I'll take a look at that. >> Yeah. Well, and >> but yes. >> Yeah. And we'll just need to change it if we need to change it. We're not going to do anything tonight with it. But >> okay. Any questions of Mr. Brody on
this? >> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Gesler. uh just just a commentary of why are we doing this? Uh you know, we've had various inquiries over time uh from citizens asking about other animals or birds that that can be used to, you know, for eggs or or whatnot. Um so
that's this is just kind of bringing us up to match what other peer cities have done uh to what they cover. Uh we're we're matching most of them for what they do. Some do a little bit more, but they tend to be a little bit more rural, some do less. Um but this is really why it's in front of us is because people are asking for it. So, and to be clear,
still no roosters. >> Still no roosters. >> All right. Uh, if there's no further questions, we will consider the ordinances amending chapters 6-501 non-domemestic animals, repealing chapter 6-700
chickens, and amending 6-700 domesticated birds introduced. All right, we are up to the open mic public comment portion of the meeting. Anybody here for open mic this evening?
All right, I don't have any reports on previous open mics and we are to other business. Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Novak. >> Um, I've had a couple people ask me about why we would abstain from things
and I just want to mention that's mainly because I've missed a couple of meetings where when a a council member misses a meeting that they can't comment on, they're not allowed to vote yes or no. They must abstain. And along that vote or along that uh vein, I should say, I do want to thank all of the good doctors
and nurses over at Mercy Hospital. Uh they are incredible over there and uh that's where I have been the last couple of times I've missed. And I want to encourage everybody out there who might be listening to this who has diabetes to take care of yourself. Keep pricking
your finger. Pay attention to your blood sugars. I was stupid and that's why I ended up in the hospital. So again, please take care of yourselves out there. Get a monitor if you have to, but be very careful so that you don't have
to go visit the lovely people over at Mercy Hospital. >> That almost sounded like a mom warning. You know, don't be you'll end up in the hospital. >> It's a dad warning. >> I just got to give one of my daughters away so I can do this. >> All right. Okay. Other business. Uh, we
have how many days left? What's the day today? Today is the 18th. We have until the 21st to collect food here. So, it would be very appreciative if you drop off any of your food donations here at
city hall for the uh ACBC food shelf. Um not only is it really needed, um it would help us with a little competition with an NOA. >> So, Mr. Council member Gesler. >> Uh I I actually had a chance to go tour
ACBC uh earlier this week and um they said they're estimating close to 28,000 visits this year. That's up from about 8,000 five six years ago. So they are experiencing a lot of demand and a lot of need. Um they're running a really
good shop over there and they're doing a lot of good in the community, but there's there's a lot of folks that are using them and and using them for support. So, uh, if if not to this food drive, a food drive, please, somewhere. Um, but you know, we we would like to win against Dan Noa. So,
>> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Butler, >> I I'd like to note too, I I also got to tour ACBC about a week and a half ago, and one of the things that I thought was really striking is they mentioned that according to their data, the plurality of people who go there are Rapids residents. They're they're technically
in Anoka, but they said it's mostly Rapids and Anoka who's there. If you can't donate food, they're very happy to take cash. They get a discount to purchase directly from grocerers. So, in case you don't have some extra food lying around, you can also just do a cash donation. And again, it's all very
helpful for a good cause right before the holidays. >> I would be willing to bet cash would be preferred >> in some ways. Yeah, they they were really full when I visited and they were talking about just like where do you store some of this just because of the generosity of, you know, Rapids residents and other residents of course in the other cities.
>> Yeah. Yeah. All right, other business. We are getting ready for the tree lighting that'll be out on December 13th. >> 13th >> 13th. >> The flyers should be out to the kiddles this week. >> Yep. Okay. All right. Perfect. Yeah.
Hitting the schools. The tree was placed today. So, we'll be uh getting lights on there in the next couple weeks and it'll be all ready for the event on Saturday, December 13th. We've got one more council meeting before that and we can give you more details then, but get it
in your calendar. >> Mr. Mayor, one other thing that is out there is uh Sunday, November 23rd is the Toys for Joy open skate uh over at Crick. Uh they say, "Hey, there it is. Uh bring a donation and receive BOGO
skating admission." So, all right. Um Mr. Eric, if you got anything else, feel free to put it up there and let us know. Or maybe that's it then. Oh no. Holiday skate with Rocky. Oh, Sunday, December 21st. That's another one. Just get in
the calendar. We'll get more details to you later. >> Boom. Gone. Boom. All right. Any other business to come before council this morning or this evening? >> Motion to adjurnn every time we're here. >> Second. >> Motion by Butler, second by Carlson to
adjurnn. All in favor signify by saying I. I. We're