I'll follow up. Good evening and welcome to the Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, July 21st, 2026. If you could please rise and join us 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. >> Please call the role. >> Council member Griscoak >> here. >> Council member Butler >> here. >> Council member Novak >> here. >> Council member Gesler.
>> Council member Armstrong. Council member Carlson >> here. >> Mayor Cook >> here. Two absent Gesler and Armstrong. >> All right. Thank you. Why don't we adopt this evening's agenda? >> So moved. Second. >> Motion by Butler, second by Novak to adopt the agenda. Any changes or
corrections? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. And that motion carries. Uh, next we're looking at approving the minutes from the July 7th meeting. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Council member Butler. >> I move that we approve the minutes from the July 7, 2026 meeting.
>> Second. Motion by Butler and a second by Gresco. Any discussion or corrections? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that motion carries. We have six items on our consent agenda
this evening. Uh the first is to approve the final payment to Hang on. Nope. Nope. Nope. Skipped ahead. The first is to approve a new singular wireless AT&T lease amendment for the
Foley monopole. The city and new singular wireless entered into a lease agreement on May 11th, 2011 to allow AT&T to lease space on the Foley Boulevard water tower for telecom telecommunication purposes. In March 2023, the city and AT&T entered into a
lease amendment to allow AT&T to place three additional antenna on their facility. And as AT&T moves from the temporary monopole that it has occupied since the Foley water tower was removed to the permanent Foley water foley
monopole. Both the city and AT&T wish to memorialize this change in an amendment to the lease agreement. Um, so we're looking to authorize approval and execution of the second amendment to site lease agreement and the memorandum
of second amendment to site lease agreement both with new singular wireless PCS LLC, AT&T and PNS at the Foley Monopole. Um, this will extend the lease through 2050 item. The next item on our consent
agenda is to approve final payment to Jay's Services LLC for project 26-15 Alin retaining wall. Uh the change there were some changes for additional work not included in the original bid which
included removal of a buried I-beam, sandstone block, old concrete curbing and some bottom blocks as well as grinding sandstone for leveling. So, we're looking to approve changes and final payment to J Services LLC in the
amount of $28,000 for project 26-15, Alflynn retaining wall. Uh, next uh item on our consent agenda is to approve the release of assessment agreement and waiver on Outlaw B Rapids
Industrial. Uh the city currently has an assessment agreement and waiver on the property described as outlaw B rapids industrial PI 25312432 0023. This property does not currently have a
pending assessment tied to it related to city project 18-27, the construction of Norway Street and associated utility extensions. Helmouth and Johnson law firm who recently requested and received a zoning letter on the subject property
requested that the city approve the attached release of assessment agreement and waiver confirming that there are no pending assessments on the property related. Um so we're looking to approve the attached release of assessment agreement and
waiver. Next item on our consent agenda, which is actually item five on this evening's agenda, is to accept an easement agreement for project 24-22 Foley monopole planning case 24-8
as part of the city's water tower decommissioning project and subsequent monopole construction. Staff negotiated an easement agreement for temporary use of portions of the adjacent property approved by city council at its October 15, 2024 meeting. This easement was
extended in October 2025 through August 2026 due to schedule delays resulting from material supplies. The attached agreement valid from August 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 is needed to
extend use of the premises one final time to allow AT&T to upgrade their existing facilities and install them on the new permanent monopole. The costs required to extend the easement will be reimbursed by AT&T and AT&T will also
assume responsibility for final restoration under the city's monopole construction contract. So, we're looking to accept the temporary easement with Jeffrey Smith and authorize the execution of the agreement. Uh the next item on our consent agenda,
which is item six, is to receive schedule of electronic payments. We're looking to receive the schedule of electronic payments from July 2nd, 2026 through dece through July 15, 2026.
And then item seven, which is the final item on our consent agenda, is to approve nominations to the Creek Watershed District Board of Managers. It has been requested by Anoka County that the city council consider nominations
for appointment to the Creek Watershed District Board of Managers. Staff advertise the opportunity on the city's website and by other means and received six letters of interest. The six candidates include Janette Frier,
Victor Robble, Nathaniel Schneider, Jord Latifah, Keith Johansson, and Patrick Kakeen. All candidates are Kunabra's residents interested in serving on this board, and a summary of the candidates is attached. So, as a council, we are
looking to nominate the slate of CA candidates indicated in this memorandum to the Inoka County Board of Commissioners. And that is our consent agenda. >> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Carlson. >> Motion to approve the consent agenda.
>> Second. >> Motion by Carlson, a second by Butler. Is there any discussion or questions? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Grisco. >> Consent agenda item number three, final plant uh payment to J service for the project at Elf Flynn retaining wall. I
asked about this when we awarded the contract, but I went over there. Uh project looked looks really good. The blocks match the new uh pedestrian regional trail. Looks really nice. I'm really pleased with all that. Uh question, they there was an addition for
the removal of some st sandstone block. I'm noticing there's still some sandstone block down in the water uh down there. Uh is that was that part of what was supposed to be removed? >> Council member, I wasn't aware in the water. I know there's still some under
the base of the wall. when we removed the wall, there was a lot of things buried in behind there and that was part of the issue, but I wasn't aware of anything down in the water, but I will check on that. >> Okay, that's all I had. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions or uh
discussion on the consent agenda hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> And that motion carries. Um, item eight is to consider adoption of ordinance
2353 amending the street name for the Balony Farms development. The final plat for Balony Farms was approved by council and was subsequently recorded. staff noted that the recorded plat listed the street name as 123rd
Court which contradicts the condition listed in the official engineering comments on the project which required the street name to be 123rd Lane Northwest. Uh it was not caught until after the plat had been recorded. So this we actually introduced
at our last meeting and tonight we are looking to officially memorialize a change to a street name which contradicts a recorded plat. Um, so we had to do an ordinance and we're looking to change it to 123rd lane. Any
questions, council? >> Mr. >> Your honor, >> council member Novak, >> move to approve ordinance 2353 amending the street name for the farms development and authorized publication of summary ordinance. Second. >> Motion by Novak and a second by Butler.
Is there discussion on this hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. And that motion carries. Item nine is to consider planning case 26-11. Consider adoption of ordinance 2352
reszoning to LDR3 Cardinal Crest 9050 East River Road Hearthstead Hills Incorporated. And again, this was introduced at our last meeting. Um it's been through the planning council. Uh then the applicant is just requesting
a resoning of the subject property from low density residential 2 LDR2 to low density residential 3 or LDR3. The planning commission reviewed this request at their May 21st and June 18th meetings and voted on June 18th to recommend approval. The ordinance was
introduced by the council at the July 7th meeting. And does anybody have any questions about this? Mr. Patner is here this evening, >> your honor. >> Council member Novak. Um, I'm excited to see what they can do with LDR3. Uh, Rapids has had a lot of good luck so far
with this, um, zoning area. So, I'd like to move that we adopt ordinance number 2352 amending the zoning map to reszone the property to all DR3. Second >> motion by Novak, and I'm sorry, it was still reading. It was a second Butler.
Um, is there any uh discussion on this, >> Mr. Mayor? Councelor Butler, >> I know last meeting I was virtual, so I I was trying not to have too many comments, but I just want to say that I think this is a great project. It's a great opportunity to use LDR3. We need more housing in Rapids. I I know
that uh there were some concerns of the planning commission and I appreciated the planning commission listening to folks and trying to walk through just the the different layouts of the plan and I'm excited to support this. >> Yeah. Any other discussion?
Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. And that motion carries. Item 10 is uh consider planning case 26-12 and 26 26 planet case 26-13.
Easy for me to say. Consider preliminary and final plaque plat Cardinal Crest 9050 East River Road, Harststead Hills. Um, Mr. Patner, you want to just hit the highlights or you want me to read your uh comments?
>> Um, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council members, yeah, I can hit some of the highlights real quick. I don't have a full presentation for this since I went over most of the uh the details at the previous meeting. Um, >> we're good. We're good with that. >> Thanks. Good. More presentations for me. Okay. Um, so this is a 14 unit single
family residential development uh that would be meeting the LDR3 standards there at 9050 East River Road. Um staff are proposing conditions, standard conditions including um payment of park dedication fee. Um comments by the Anoka County Highway Department and
Engineering Department be addressed. Um landscaping requirements be met um and the standard buffer requirement along East River Road as well as a development agreement which hopefully uh staff will be able to bring a development agreement to the council um should this be approved uh in in August is is kind of
what we're hoping for. Um, so if there are any questions for me and I know that the applicant is here as well. Um, that's all I have though. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Patner or of the applicant? >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Carlson,
>> looks like we need two motions here. >> And uh, Mr. Brody, >> take them one each, please. >> You want me to uh read out all uh conditions? >> You could just say the stated conditions if you prefer. >> First motion, then make a motion. planning case 26-12 that we approve the
preliminary plat with all the listed seven conditions. >> Second >> motion by Carlson, a second by Butler. Is there any discussion on this? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Um opposed and that motion carries. >> Second >> in uh planning case 20- 26-13. uh make a motion to adopt resolution number 26-75 approving the final plat for Cardinal Crest subject to the following conditions approval of the associated
preliminary plat in um planning case 26-12 >> second >> motion by Carlson second by Novak is there discussion on this >> good hearing none all in favor signify by saying I
>> I opposed and that motion carries Item 11 is to consider acceptance of the parks, recreation, open space, and trail system master plan. Mr. Denderson, you're up here. Thank you, gentlemen.
>> I will do a presentation. >> That's a nice sweet. Wow. Nice. >> Is that Crooked Lake? >> That was nice. >> Yeah. >> All right, Mr. Mayor and Council. Thanks for your attention tonight. Pleasure to
be here to share with you the final draft of our parks, recreation, open space, and trails master plan. Uh for the last 11 months um staff has been working with uh landscape architect
ISG Inc. out of Minneapolis on a master plan update. Uh through the process um the purpose of this plan was to uh update our plan because last done in 2012 and the 2012 as everyone knows led
to our um referendum in 2013. With that um referendum, we spent over $18 million in projects um over the last 12 years on our park system. With those projects coming to a close with the uh trail off
of uh the Lois Trail um off of Creek, um it's time to look at the next 10 years and get estimates and look at our park system and what is needed to keep our infrastructure, including our
funding strategies, our future investments, as well as keeping these referendum projects um up to good condition. Uh here's just a review of the timeline. Kicked off in October. Did community engagement, popup
events, user group sessions. Um we had a visiting meeting with our internal parks and recreation staff. Came to a draft plan. And in March, we came to you with not only master plan draft, but also the drafts of Alflyn Park and Boulevard
Plaza, uh which were also components of the scope of this project. Um tonight I come to you with the uh final draft. Here are the six areas I'll quickly cover tonight um of the plan that uh you'll see the the plan itself as you
see is a large document. So all these sections have uh extensive uh comprehension to it. First the community engagement we conducted a number of public surveys. Uh this was done through our communications team, our city website, social media. Um
gaining feedback from our community. We uh conducted an open house once we had number of the areas drafted for them to respond. Um we conducted some stakeholder meetings with local association and groups as well as uh
questionnaire and conversations with an NOA hemp school district uh community education uh ana Ramsey community college and an NOA County parks. We also did a couple of popup uh pro um meetings. one in October right away at
the firehouse uh fire station open house and then at the Rocky's pumpkin patch where we got a lot of uh a good quality feedback on our system. So overview and review of previous plans. This is one of the things that we counted on the highest to do is they
went back to previous plans specifically the 2012 plan as well as we did an internal update in 2021 which kind of gave a progress report of where we were at with that. they were able to identify components that are still a priority. Um, as well as we're able to sunset some
items if if they were in the 2001 plan, which is before long before my time or uh in the 2012 plan and we really haven't found um the priority to do it, some of that stuff will um be eliminated out of the plan.
Uh park inventory and analysis, another area. This is a large component where ISG went out to all of our parks. uh inventoried them in a GIS mapping system. Um and then our staff, park staff as well as ISG graded the
amenities in there on a scale of 1 to five. Uh using that um information and then doing an estimates, they were able to um do a capital improvement plan estimate for the next uh 10 years. Um they split it in pretty much evenly into
a one to fiveear plan and then six to 10. Some parks might have projects that are needed in the first five and also projects in the second 10. Some parks don't need to be touched really for the next 10 years. Um, additionally, um, they provided recommendations on our
parks operation, maintenance. There's an extensive section in there on our forestry as well as uh, sustainable practices and redevelopment uh, that is needed in the future. One of the things we did with this plan
that we didn't focus on in previous plans extensively was our recreation programming. We've grown in a lot of areas in our recreational program programming. So ISG through community engagement as well as trends assessments and working with staff um reviewed our
recreation programs and offerings. Uh they provided a three-step approach that I uh that we shared with you in April. some short-term goals as far as growth and possible needs. Um, ranging to if we were to potentially build a community
center onto the ice arena, um, what what what it would take to operate a department and recreation program. Additionally, uh, one of the items we had them look at was S Creek Park. S Creek was updated in 2018. We wanted to
get a little bit of information on the economic impact of that. We did that very conservatively and it's very expensive if we were to go get do all the details and get really deep into it. So basically it was working with ISG coming up with a formula working with
the local groups that use it as well as the tournaments that are currently using the facility. Um with that uh we estimate that there's about $2.5 million of economic impact out of that facility. Now that's not contained just the
Rapids. um we're not able to tell that, but we're able to tell that that would be the regional draw uh to the area when there are tournaments at Sand Creek. That's important because as that facility is already pushing 8 to 9 years old, um we'll have to be thinking about
the priorities for that facility to keep it up to um a regional level tournament that it that it has become if that's uh the desire. Uh lastly uh the trail implementation uh we reviewed the uh 25 active
transportation plan with staff and with ISG through that we were able to take some gap analysis and current system for additional desired connections prior prioritize that and then ISG was able to go through and really break down segments of trails and give us cost
estimates on what it would cost. So, if we were to do um a separated bike lane or a trail or if we were to do um changes to curbs or intersections, uh we'd be able to get estimates on what
the itemization of some of those projects might cost and be able to plan for that. As well as there uh reviewed our transportation and uh trail trends out there. Specifically, the big one that everybody's in the news right now is electronic modes of transportation.
It's a hot topic. Um they have an extensive section in there that breaks down what the current state statutes are. Um what uh some of the trends are with rules and regulations around it as well as given some recommendations. Some of those we've um done as we did the
Happy Trails campaign. um looking to see if there's other opportunities to continue to educate our uh community on use of electronic modes of transportation. So with that um
any questions? Thank you for your time. Um, as uh items come up into the future over the next 10 years, we will be working as with this plan as the guide um working with staff to uh uh keep our parks and trails and system up to a
great level. >> Mr. Gunderson, thank you for all of the work that you and the staff put into this and commissions and everybody else. This is such a tremendous tool for us. the 2012 one I still have in my file cabinet and every time we've discussed a
park that's the first thing I grab is I pull it out and I look at the you know the assessment from then and see what's been done and yeah it's a wonderful tool and it's really going to help chart a path forward >> your honor council member Novak >> uh Mr. Gunderson, you mentioned Sand
Creek and the amount of money there. I presume that 2.5 million is revenue, not profit, right? >> So that the 2.5 million is economic impact into the community from from that from the use of that facility. >> Yeah.
Twin City Gateway would probably have a lot of information on that as well because they >> Yeah. So, if you were to get deep into it, you'd really want to be out of the tournament and have people filling out surveys on site, where they're staying, where they're eating, how much they're spending, those types of things to
really pinpoint it down. Um, as I've mentioned before, there's really only one tournament that goes on there that's locally operated by one of our associations. All the tournaments have become out of community groups coming in to use the facility. Clubs um fast pitch
girls fast pitch specifically is our largest user of the facility for tournaments. >> Twin Twin City Gateway actually has more tools than surveys. They uh they actually can track is it the track credit cards or what is it? They >> Yeah, it's it's pretty impressive. Yeah,
there are systems out there that can tell you exactly uh the credit cards that came through your facility that where they were used, where they stayed >> um and how much was spent all spent locally. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Gunderson here? >> Mr. Mayor,
>> council member have a question or two of Mr. Gunderson. First, echo the comments of the rest. This is a really comprehensive review of everything. I I can't see a single thing in here that was missed and we've talked about it for quite a while. Um, with that, I do have a question on
page 167 of 228. Um, no, but you mentioned it. You mentioned uh we did identify trail gaps, sidewalk gaps, and things like that. So on in section 167 or so, we talk about those and I'm wondering if our
consultant and the group ranked those trail gaps in terms of what we should do first and you know what's most feasible, what's what needs to be addressed from a safety perspective. I know that for one,
there's been talk about putting a uh a crosswalk, a pedestrian crosswalk, a trail connection, so to speak, on Northdale and Margold and uh over there by Aldi. Cars are really traveling fast. You can hardly even get in and out of there with a vehicle, much less kids coming across from the uh from the
apartment there. So, I was just wondering, are these in ranked order? That one comes up uh number six. >> Not specifically. This is more of a general of these are the I can't think of it now, but the 10 trails that are um
most problematic or we hear about the most. Um so ISG ISG put eyes on it as well as our engineering team and our parks and recreation team. And um and then through that as we work with you over the next uh 10 years um that'll be
what we would be prioritizing um continuing to always get feedback from the community on what the needs are and the desires are >> as a followup is there would ISG or was it I >> ISG >> ISG would they have information on how
they ran these how they came to those conclusions? I'd like to see specifically for some of these projects exactly what they thought about it. As we think about uh budgeting for some of these projects in 2027, as early as in 2027, we would, you know, be talking about it already. So,
>> yeah, I can circle back with them and get get that that detail. Uh specifically, it's probably more based off of national and local trends on what uh type of in infrastructure is being put in. Okay. is typically where they come from and then they come to us kind
of for that local expertise of what our issues are in our community. >> All right. And then I could just see like what the mayor mentioned, you know, we'll be look we'll be grabbing this thing as these things come up and topics and work sessions and everything. We'll bring all this in front of us and discuss it at that time. So again, nice
job on everything. I do emphasize the education and the enforcement of these, you know, high performance uh motorbikes, electric motorbikes on our trail system. Just today when I went and checked Al Flynn Park, one came up on me
from behind really quick. I mean, I didn't hear it. All a sudden, there it was. And was more of an electronic motorcycle than it was a a bicycle. So, I'm glad that's a topic in here as well. And that's all I have. >> Thanks, Mr. Mayor. your honor. >> But yeah, I have to second that comment
on the ebikes as well. I live very close to the bridge going over the railroad tracks and those ebikes that are going over there on the sidewalk. You have to pull out quite a ways in order to see what's coming just for vehicles. And if there's something coming on the sidewalk, that's even more invisible. And those things coming down there at
those speeds, it's just very dangerous. So, I think it's important that we do take a look at that citywide. Yeah, I definitely think it becomes a community um initiative and that includes our school district who has the number one
connection to all all the users of those uh modes in our communities. So, it becomes an enforcement question, a rules question, um whether we're putting uh striping down the center of our trails to at least give a visual to stay on a
certain side of the trail and those sorts of things. I don't want to get too lost because all we're trying to do is is formally accept this tonight, but I had a question based on council member Griscoak's comments. Do we ever have the traffic
review committee look at these intersections specifically and and see how they rank them? Mr. Hammer? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. Council member Scoviaak, I'll draw your attention to page 170, which talks about priority tiers and
where we would prioritize them. And then following that on page 171, it does kind of break them into priorities one, two, and three. Is it on a major roadway? Is it a key connection? So these are the the rankings and prioritization that
staff and the consultant work through. And again, that what you're hearing for feedback, what we're hearing for feedback, we work through that through the budget process over the next few years. Um, with your specific question about traffic review committee, a lot of the staff thought that goes into that
comes from the requests we receive through the traffic review committee for extra segments, um, connections, safety concerns. So, our our lens is kind of what we're hearing through um reports and and questions from the community and things that go do we send the traffic
safety committee to review intersections specifically for trail crossings if we get a request. But we don't take this and go out and do a thorough evaluation on a case-byase basis unless we're directed to do so or it becomes a priority as part of budgeting.
>> Thank you. Thank you. And to clarify, Margold Northell priority one. >> All right. Any other questions for Mr. Gunderson or Mayor >> Carlson? This question might be more for Mr. Hammer. Um, but number five on that
list. Um, Kur Lake Boulevard at the railroad crossing. We're just waiting for the folks from the uh uh um BNSF to come out and fix that their section. Right. And I think we're ready to go on that sidewalk, aren't we? >> Council member Carlson, we're currently working with an NOA County and BNSF
right now. It it's going to very likely be a 2027 project. There are funds being dedicated in the 2027 preliminary budget because Burlington Northern is doing their roadway upgrades. And as part of that, we're going to make connections. So there'll be new stop arms. We have to
do some some creative work with those sidewalks because they have to cross at 90 degree angles. But um there's a project scoped currently and budgeted for for 2027 that will connect the sidewalks on both sides of Crooked Lake through the railroad crossing. >> Thank you.
>> Senator, >> Mr. May Butler. >> Uh I'd like to move that we formally accept the parks, recreation, open space, and trail system master plan. >> Second. >> Motion by Butler and a second by Novak. Is there further discussion on this?
>> Mr. Mayor Butler, >> I I also just want to echo thank you again to the staff, to the commissioners, to the members of the public who either responded to surveys, went to open houses, went to any of the other events. It it really was a ton of work to put together this almost 230
page document and I appreciated the work session we had earlier this year as well just to see how progress was going. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Do we have any other discussion? >> Mr. Mayor, I just >> would just like to also point out that with a city as large as ours and the
number of parks and trails that we have, this is so important >> for us guiding is, you know, for guiding future councils, you know, beyond some of the scope that that we're on this on behind here today. So again, really really happy to get behind this.
>> All right, any other discussion? >> Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. And that motion is approved and we have accepted that uh recreation open space and trail system master plan. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Gunnerson. All right. Item 12 is to consider a second amendment to purchase agreement at 2831 113th Avenue. Mr. Stem, >> Mayor and Council, this one's pretty straightforward. We are progressing
toward the sale of the former fire station 3 property located at 283 113th Avenue. Uh we had anticipated a closing date by July 31st, but we're asking council to extend that one month um as we're expecting the final plat
considered by the city council on August 3rd and then the closing would happen pretty shortly thereafter. So we just need a little extra time to finish finish up the planning steps before the uh developer can purchase the property. >> All right. Anybody have any questions? Mr. Sele on this?
>> Mr. Mayor, council member Novak. Counc Butler. >> Thank you. Uh, I move that we approve the second amendment to the purchase agreement with Aiza LLC for the property 2831 113th Avenue Northwest. >> Second. >> Motion by Butler and a second by Novak.
Is there discussion on this, >> Mr. Mayor? >> Council member Novak. Well, you know me, I'm always in favor of anything with the Second Amendment, but uh in all honesty, this is an exciting plan for that plot, and I am really looking forward to seeing what they're going to be able to
do there. >> Council, >> I was just going to make a comment. Uh when I saw the second amendment come up on this, it made me a little nervous because the first one kind of whittleled things down a little bit, but as you read into, it's just extending the closing date for up to a month. So,
>> happy to uh get behind this one. >> All right. Any other discussion? We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. >> Item 13 is to consider purchase and payment for
project 25-8A water treatment plant rehab. Mr. Himmer. >> Yes. Mr. C. Mr. Mr. Mayor. City. >> Mr. Himmer. under our annual well rehab and water distribution program. Uh we contracted
with Vesco. Uh they installed some chemical feed um piping, pumps, distribution equipment, scales and we're working to get that integrated into our SCADA system. So, the work is substantially complete now and we're just looking to uh approve the payment
and get completed and move on with this phase and look forward to the the next phase with with more work in those plants. Happy to answer any specific questions. >> Any questions for Mr. Hammer? >> So, your honor, >> council Novak move to approve subset see
material proposals from Vesco Incorporated authorized payment for the amount of 207. Yeah. 27,494.88 for project 25-8A water treatment plant rehab. >> Second
>> motion by Novak and a second by Griscoiaak. >> Is there Mr. Mayor? Second that. >> What? >> I didn't second that. >> All right. >> Then I'll give it to Carlson. I knew there was a tie there. >> All right. Is there discussion on this?
>> Mr. Mayor, >> council member >> again I it mentions here that the uh you know we have funds in the waterfront 601 to contain uh to cover all this. Did this did this go over our initial estimate then with with these or are we still kind of within council member?
This was actually a 2025 project where we had some carry forward funds into 2026. Thus the 25 project number. Uh it's part of that $650,000 annual aotment. >> Okay. So it's it's within budget. There's no additional funds being requested.
>> Right. Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions, Mr. Hammer, on this? Anybody? >> We have a motion or any other discussion, I should say. We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> I. Opposed. And that motion carries. We are up to the open mic portion of the meeting. If anybody is here to address city council tonight for open mic, please come forward to the hammbo. Open mic provides an opportunity for the
public to address the city council on subjects that are not part of the regular meeting agenda. The public is invited to express any concerns they may have which are relevant to the affairs, policies, or practices of the city of Rapids. And remarks will be limited to three minutes. Should you wish to
participate, please approach the podium, state your name and address. Um, all remarks will be made from the podium and address to the council. Um, open mic is not a time for problem solving or reacting to the comments, but for hearing the speaker. Questions from council will be for clarification only
and if necessary, a staff report will be prepared. We have three minutes. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. My name is Adam Sansosac. I live at 10919 Wintergreen Street Northwest here in Rapids. Gateway Fiber is an internet service provider that was in the process of installing fiber optic
cabling throughout the city. However, lately the city has been stalling permits for Gateway to be able to continue doing so by suddenly requiring Gateway to sign a cable franchise agreement. At a November 10th, 2025 work session, council was told they could do so under Minnesota statute 238.02 02
subdivisions 3 and 31 by defining broadband and fiber internet providers as cable communication systems. That definition under stat under subdivision 3 is a system that provides the service of receiving and amplifying programs broadcast by one or more
television or radio stations and distributes those programs by wire, cable, microwave or other means. Subdivision 31 defines a program to mean any broadcast type program, signal, message, graphics, data, or other
communication content service. That's not an internet service provider. Internet traffic does not come from a TV or radio station, nor is it broadcast. However, Minnesota statute 237.162 subdivision 4 defines a
telecommunications right ofway user as a person owning or controlling a facility in the public right of way or seeking to own or control a facility in the public right of way that is used or intended to be used for providing wireless service or transporting telecommunications or
other voice or data information. That's an internet service provider. Further, Minnesota statute 237.163 subdivision 7 regarding the use and regulation of public rights of way states in managing the public rights of
way and in imposing fees, no local government unit may one unlawfully discriminate among telecommunications users uh telecommunications right ofway users. Two, grant a preference to any telecommunications right-of-way user. Three, create or erect any unreasonable
requirement. Oh, sorry. uh for entry into the public rights of way by telecommunications right ofway users or most notably four require a telecommunications right-of-way user to obtain a franchise or pay for the use of the right of way. I would ask the city
to stop applying irrelevant rules to gateway fibers permits and to approve them. Fiberop fiber optic internet connections are vastly superior to copper connections in every way. I don't know about your internet connection. Mine hasn't gotten any
cheaper or faster. Doesn't appear to be anytime soon. Without a new company entering the market, I don't anticipate it ever will. I pay for the highest tier service. Applications take hours to download. Games nearly at 12 hours. Streaming shows and movies constantly
buffer. They tell me nothing is wrong. I'd switch to another provider, but there isn't one without Gateway. I thank you for your time. If anyone has any comments or questions, I'd be happy to hear them. >> Thank you. Wow, you've really nailed it at three minutes. Three minutes.
>> I I Yeah, I was I I had timed it out numerous times at home. >> Yes, I can. >> And a little short of breath, so I was like, uh oh, I'm going to run short. Oh, I've got water, but thank you. >> Well, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, anybody else to address city council
for the uh open mic? >> All right. >> Hi. Uh, my name is Scott Nellis. uh 10320 GR Street, Northwest Rapids. Uh I have a concern about uh the Rapids infrastructure.
Uh I know that uh you guys send out the street sweepers twice a year, once in the spring, once in the fall. Get get all pick up all the leaves and stuff. Last two and a half weeks we've had this hot weather and all the oak trees are
dropping these things and they're collecting in the street and we've had the storm Friday night and a storm Monday. They kind of washed them to the curbs and they're going to the storm drains. Coming here in my little neighborhood, three storm drains are
clogged. One of them has water backed up. The other two, somebody went and kind of unclogged them so the water would drain, but there's leaf debris, branches, twigs, everything else all going down the storm drains.
So, we want to keep the stuff out of the storm drains, don't we? I don't know where they where they go. Do they go to the Mississippi or to the creeks or somewhere else? But, uh, yeah, the storm drains are getting clogged. Uh, I just I'm just requesting, can we get the
street sweepers out now in the summer one extra time? I know it's going to cost money. Go around. And it's not the main streets. It's all the little local neighborhoods with all the oak trees and stuff. They're they're they're dropping these leaves like crazy. So, we need to sweep the stuff up to keep the storm
Dreams clean. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Dis. >> All right. Anybody else to address council for open mic this evening? All right, close that portion of the meeting and we're up to other business.
What we got? We got a couple couple concerts in the park coming up yet. We've got our uh farmers market on Wednesdays. Um, >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Novak,
>> is that first farmers market tomorrow? >> That's first one. It's been going >> going, but we have one tomorrow. >> But we have one tomorrow. >> Cheryl does not work this week. She'll need to know about that. >> Yeah. So, >> and Mr. Mayor, we're squeezing what? One more meeting before 198. >> Um, one more meeting. Yeah. The
registration for 198 is has closed. Correct. >> That's correct, Mr. Mayor. However, if uh neighborhoods are still interested, feel free to call the police department and we can always sneak a few extras in. >> Perfect. That's what I wanted to hear. >> Um we in is there there's a community
um there's a community uh night to unite party for people that don't have a night party. Is that what it's called? >> Uh that's right, Mr. Mayor. This year we're trying something new. We're going to do a community night to unite party at Lions Creek Park. Uh members of our bridge uh outreach team will also be there. um kind of they brought this
forward to the police department and wanted to uh make sure everybody could could participate even if they didn't uh have a party in their neighborhood. >> All right. What's bridge? >> Uh formerly the multicultural advisory committee. They >> they very good. Thank you.
>> I hadn't heard that new acronym. >> Yes. >> Oh. Um and then do we have a time on that? Uh, I believe it's uh 6 to 8 or 5 to 7. >> 5 to 7. >> Thank you. Somebody's yelling. All right. That'll be of course Tuesday, August 4th.
>> Fourth, correct? >> 198. All right. >> Okay. Any other business have come before council this evening? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council, did was someone else going to >> Well, after >> after you.
>> I was just going to ask since we got Mr. Him here. Uh, I know we've had some drainage issues over in the Marshlin Park area. It sounds like we're finally going to take some action on that. I was just wondering if if that had begun yet. >> Yes, Council Member Guscoak. Uh, the
work was started and then we had that little popup Yeah. >> rain event that uh slowed things. We didn't want to lose equipment. Um, so we had to just kind of pause for a second, but the we should be wrapping that up this week and then we'll implement
future phases. >> Sounds good. Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. Council member Carlson >> and thank you, Mr. Hammer, for the action that you you've taken. I know it's, you know, it's been going on for quite a while and I know the neighbors have been very concerned and I just want to thank you. I saw the equipment down
there and I was pretty happy to see that. >> Mr. Mayor, >> no. I just want to uh say thank you to staff and everyone who worked so hard to get the uh Creek Regional Trail Crossing Bridge up and running. Uh it is
open. However, the ribbon cutting will not be probably until midepptember date to be announced. That's when it'll have all the signage and the lighting on it and that kind of thing to make it look really pretty. But uh we've already seen quite a few people on it. um lot of uh
actually I've seen several wheelchairs and a lot of uh wagons and strollers going across there. So, thank you very much, staff. You guys did a great job putting that plan together. >> Miss Lensmire, >> Mr. Mayor, members of council, I'd like
to remind residents that early voting, where you can put your ballot right in the machine, begins this Friday, July 24th, here at city hall. All right, >> Mr. May. >> Councler, >> I I just want to thank staff for being
able to keep us informed about all the different events that we've had to unfortunately either cancel or reschedule over the last couple weeks. I know we've had rain, we've had extreme heat, we've had wildfire, smoke, and just rapid fire. It was the city having to communicate that wreck on the spot's not happening, summer in the city,
concerts. And I I know it's not great to disappoint people, but we're always thinking about people's safety and also just the balance of what we can control and what we can't predict. And we we've just gone through a really horrible stretch of weather. And I'm appreciative that staff tried to keep us informed.
>> All right. Any other business to come before council this evening? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion by Carlson, second by Butler to adjurnn. All in favor sign by saying I. I.journ.