Good evening and welcome to the Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, May 5th, 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 >> here. >> Council member Armstrong >> here. >> Council member Carlson >> here. and Mayor Cook >> here. Thank you. >> All right. Why don't we adopt this evening's agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Geisler and a second by Butler. Any changes or corrections?
Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> And the agenda is adopted. We have three proclamations to start this evening's meeting. And the first one is a National Public Works Week proclamation.
And oops, there we go. And Mr. Hammer is here. Mr. Hansen's here. All right. So, why don't we start out with this because if I start reading the
description, we're going to find that a lot of it's in this proclamation. Um so public works week whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure facilities emergency management and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and
resilient communities and to the public health high quality of life and well-being of the people of Rapids. And whereas these infrastructures, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals who are
federally mandated first responders responsible for rebuilding, improving and maintaining our transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings and other structures and facilities
essential for our citizens. And whereas it is in the public interest for the citizens and civic leaders in the city of Rapids, Rapids to gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their community. And
whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now therefore, I, Jerry Cook, mayor of the city of Rapids, on behalf of the city council, do hereby
proclaim the week of May 17th through May 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week in the city of Rapids and urge our citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association
and government agencies in activities and events designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals and employees and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our health, safety, and quality of life proclaimed this 5th day
of May, 2026. And Mr. Hammer, we do have a little way of celebrating public works week for the public, don't we? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. uh to kick off the week uh of the 17th through the 23rd. On the 16th, not this coming Saturday, but the following Saturday the
16th from 10 to noon, uh we have our annual public works open house over at 1831 111th Avenue. Uh Council Member Gosco can kick the tires on the new uh camera TV, uh look look around at the different vehicles, um engage in some
different activities, and uh just learn a little bit about what we do every day to just what do they say? Make normal happen. >> Make normal happen. And this is your your chapter president of APWA right here for the state of Minnesota. >> Oo,
>> Mr. Hansen didn't realize that. >> Nice. Um, it is in the public interest for the citizens um and civic leaders to gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of public works. Um there's actually some uh training things that go
on over there that help folks to understand like what can go down in the toilet and what can't. Correct. >> Yes. Why do we flush hydrants? What is this big machine for? How come you do jetting? It's just just a little bit of understanding of what it is that we do
on water main breaks and why we have to turn water off during reconstruction periods. Um why the valves are in the locations that they're in, why things are the colors that they are. So yes, it's very helpful once you do that in your own environment. Then it gets
related to people in their neighborhoods and it makes it easier for them to explain it to their neighbors and so on. Uh then you all don't have to take all those phone calls and emails and send them along our way. It's get get the people to understand it a little bit better.
>> Yeah. So that was May 16th and I really encourage folks to stop by. Um like you said, kick the tires. You'll see equipment you will not even recognize there. you'll go, "What does this do?" But just know that it was probably expensive. >> And Mr. Mayor, if it works for you, we'd
like to host you back down there. If you want to pop in someday and hand the proclamation to the group again, that would be fantastic. We really appreciate that. >> Absolutely. That would be my pleasure. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Um All right.
So, All right. Well, that was that. And Mr. Hansen, being the chair of this organization, is there anything that you'd like us to get in here? Anything you want us to cover? >> Uh, well, thank you, Mayor. Uh, no. Um,
you know, I would mention that uh I happen I happen to have the fortune of being the chapter president of the Minnesota chapter, American Public Works Association. This year I have served as the treasurer and then the vice president and so now I'm doing my turn
as the president and it's a great organization. We have over,00 public works professionals from across the state of Minnesota involved in our organization. And our mission is to support all of those who design, operate, and maintain public works
infrastructure. Our vision is to advance the quality of life for motans. So, it's a great organization. I'm glad that the city has been supportive in my volunteer efforts for for that group. And the public works week is really a a part of
the American public works association. So, this all really comes from the that particular group. >> Perfect. Thank you. And thank you for all you get all you won't do. All right. All right. Item two. We have actually
we're going to do items two and three together, I think, aren't we? Or are we going to do that work for you? pro poppy day proclamation for American Legion Post 334 and auxiliary and the poppy day proclamation for VFW post 9625
and auxiliary. So I'm going to grab these and I'm going to grab a mic and I'm going to meet right in front of the deis whoever's going to come up hopefully all of you. Oh, right in the center there's >> you get the pictures. >> Well, if you want to go, I'll take a
picture. >> I had actually had to cut a hole in my suit for the poppy tonight. I didn't have that popped out yet. >> There you go. Thank you. >> Well, you'll have to have two now. >> Well, that's right. We have slightly different styles, don't we?
All right. Um, well, I tell you what, let me read the proclamations and then we'll have you introduce yourselves and uh tell us what's going on and anything you want. All right. Okay. Whereas the
Rapids Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9625 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary have adopted the poppy as their commemorative symbol. And whereas the Rapids American Legion Post 334
and Auxiliary have adopted the poppy as their commemorative symbol. And whereas the memor the memorial poppy assembled by disabled veterans pays respectful tribute to those killed in war and also benefits the living veterans and their
families. And whereas public donations for poppies fund rehabilitation programs within each local community that benefit veterans, their families, and ultimately our state and nation. And whereas the basic purpose of the annual distribution
of poppies is eloquently reflected in the desire to honor the dead by helping the living. Now therefore, I, Jerry Cook, mayor of the city of Rapids, on behalf of the Rapids City Council, hereby
proclaim May 22nd, 2026 to be Poppy Day, urging all citizens of Rapids to recognize the merits of this cause by contributing generously and to wear a poppy as mute evidence of our gratitude to the men and women of this country who
have risked their lives in defense of the freedoms which we continue to enjoy as American citizens proclaimed this 5th day of May 2026. Why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself and whatever you'd like to say.
>> I mean related to this. >> Oh. Oh, okay. I was given a very big check there for a second. Yeah. >> I'm Diane Bowman. I'm with the Rapids American Legion Auxiliary and the Rapids VFW
auxiliary and yes, DAD and the NOA County Veterans Council, but I am here representing the Rapids American Legion
uh poppies. Uh we are going to be at Cub Foods on May 15th and 16th and I am the poppy chairman and newly elected president of Rapids American Legion. >> And we have two cubs. Which cub?
>> Uh the one on Hansen and Brookdale. >> Hansen and Northale. >> Northdale. Yeah. >> You done that? Uh, good evening, mayor and council and all the visitors here. Uh, my name is Randy Nelson. I'm the commander of the
Rapids American Legion Post 334. Um, I'm also a life member of our Rapids VFW, life member of our DAV, Chapter 39, Ina. Uh, also I'm the U chairman of the Anoka County Veterans
Council. And I just wanted to mention um we've got our annual >> Memorial Day um ceremony that starts at Morningside Cemetery at 10:00 and then immediately following that we have a speaker and uh color guard and uh flag
presentation. But immediately following that at the um Bunker Hills Veterans Memorial at 11:30 is the second part where we have a speaker color guard raising of the flags and then immediately following that we have a
free lunch. So this has been going on for >> 40 50 years. And >> is that happening on a particular day? >> Yes. On Saturday, May 23rd. So, it's the Saturday before Memorial Day, but then
also Memorial Day, we do a little ceremony at Epiphany and then we go over to Joyce Chapel and then we go back to the VFW for lunch. But, but there's a lot of activities going on. We we thank you all for your support and if you do happen to go to
the cub off of Hansen and Northdale and you see us with these poppies um it's a donation and uh people really appreciate uh they're very patriotic. One quick note, you know, Anoka County has 20,000
veterans to include 5,000 veterans in Rapids. >> So your neighbors are probably veterans. There are probably veterans sitting here in the audience today or on the uh cable channel, but we just really want to appreciate everyone who has given the
ultimate sacrifice their life for on on Memorial Day. Thank you. >> Absolutely. You forgot one. You're also our post surgeon for the VFW. I'm Nathan. I'm the um commander for the
Rapids 9625 Legion. I've been the commander there for excuse me, VFW. You got me all confused now for the VFW. Um, yeah, we have a lot of stuff going on. Uh, May is is military appreciation month for us. Uh, we have a lot of stuff
going on at the post. I got to make sure that all my schedules and everything is is set for for this busy month that we have ahead of us. But this is all to ensure that we can receive donations to help veterans in need. Uh, I know our post has done a lot. Uh I know our
Legion um have also done a lot especially with the funds that we get from this with all the donations that we receive. Uh we help out um area places within our area such as Haven for Heroes in Anoka Magnus Foundation over in Dayton. We help out local veterans that
need assistance uh when they come in. So that's what the the donations for this does. You can also come by our VFWR post and um donate for a Poppy card. We'll put your name on the card and we'll put it above our uh our bar in there. Um or
you can come out to one of the locations that we'll be at this Saturday. Correct. >> See, I got to make sure. Uh we'll be at Lowe's Cub Festival and County Market and Bob's Produce
>> and Texas Roadhouse. Um we'll be out there um for most of the day. Come by, say hi, grab a poppy, donate. Thanks again. I'm Ivonne, the president of um Rapids 9625 Auxiliary. Um
just please come and donate. Um we also have what is the um veterans pictures >> um so we have it if you are a veteran and you would like to get a I related it to like the photos that we used to get at deers. Um if you would like a a
professional photo done, we do have those going on at the VFW today. Uh we do have a plan to have them done again um in a later date. If you have more questions about that, come by the VFW. We also have a Facebook page. You can follow us on there. Um that'll give all that information out.
>> I'll hand it back. >> Um so yeah, so any veteran um is is it's open to them to come in and get your photo taken. Um and again, we'll be out on Friday and Saturday. will be at the
Cub on Hansen um in Kum Rabbits or Hansen and Northdale Bob's Produce and Fidley Festival and County Market in Andover
Texas Roadhouse and LOL's. Thank you. >> Who's taking the one for the VFL? for the weekend right here. >> All right. Well, thank you all for coming in. Um the Memorial Day service again is Saturday the 23rd. Um
>> at 10. >> Starting at 10 at morning side and then at noon. Is it noon or 11:30? >> 11:30 immediately following >> 11:30 at bunker. >> And then following that it is a free lunch. >> Free community lunch. >> Yeah. >> Nice.
about two 300 people per year. >> It's a very nice service and thank you for everything that you do and thank you for your service. >> Okay. THANKS. >> Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor.
>> All right, Mr. Mayor, if I may, I >> Mr. Hammer. >> Sorry, I made a mistake. I didn't notice Alex. Did she sneak out already? >> Yes. >> Oh, she did. Our friendly face at the front desk. And I missed her sitting all the way across. She is the one who is
most helpful with everyone um with whatever their calls, their reports, and I neglected to see her all the way across the room until it was too late. So, I wanted to recognize her, but she snuck out. I apologize. >> We'll recognize her when I stop by. >> Thank you. >> All right.
>> All right. Um Okay, that's so much for the fun stuff. >> Now, we're down to the minutes from the April 21st meeting. >> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Butler. >> I move that we approve the minutes from the April 21st, 2026 meeting. >> Second. >> Motion by um
Butler, second by Armstrong. >> Is there any question uh discussion or corrections? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. And those minutes are approved. >> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Butler, >> I move that we approve the minutes of
the April 28, 2026 local board of appeal and equalization meeting. >> Second. Motion by Butler and a second by Novak. Is there any discussion or corrections on those minutes? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. And those minutes are
approved. All right. We have five items on our consent agenda this evening. And the first one is to accept a water main easement agreement and approve a memorandum of agreement with Jeremy Wolf for project
26-1. Uh 26-1 is part of the reconstruction project. Um they they're adding a new water man loop connection that'll be constructed from 90th Avenue to Sycamore Street and a portion of this water man will be installed across the property
located at 894 90th Avenue. So a permanent easement is necessary to allow for the installation and future maintenance of the water man. So, we're looking to accept the permanent water main easement and authorize execution of
the memorandum of agreement. Um, second item on our consent agenda is to accept a trail easement from Landspec Fund 5 LLC and JSN Properties LLC. On April 7th, city council approved a plat
to create 29 lots and two outlots for the purpose of building a 29 unit single family home development. And as a condition of approval, a trail easement between lots 16 and 17 for the eventual placement of a pedestrian/bicycle
trail shall be provided. And this trail easement will be recorded simultaneously with the final plat. So, we're looking to accept an easement for trail purposes from Landspec Fund 5 LLC and JSN Properties LLC for trail purposes
between lot 16 and lot 17 on Shannondoa Boulevard. The next item on our consent agenda is to receive the schedule of electronic payments. staff has prepared the attached list of electronic payments processed since the last council meeting
and we're looking to receive the schedule of electronic payments from April 16, 2026 through April 29th, 2026. And our next our next item on the consent agenda is to accept the right of entry
agreement with RMS company. RMS company is starting a building expansion project and other site improvements. The right of entry agreement allows the city to periodically enter the property to exercise hydrants, valves, and to flush the water man system. The utility system
within the site is considered private and RMS company will continue to own and maintain it. This right of entry agreement simply provides the city the ability to ensure appropriate fire protection. So, we're looking to accept the right of entry agreement with RMS
company. And the next item, which is our fifth and final item on the consent agenda, um item 10 on the agenda for who if you're following along, um we're looking to adopt resolution 26-61
appointing Kathy Casey as vice chair of the planning commission. So um with the res resignation of Wayne Schwarz from the planning commission and chair appointment, council appointed the vice chair Mary Schmolky to chair at the last city council meeting and with that
appointment there is a need to appoint a vice chair for the planning commission. Staff cold staff pulled the planning commission and Kathy Casey expressed interest and willingness to serve as the vice chair of the planning commission for the remainder of 2026. So, we're
looking to adopt resolution 26-61, a resolution appointing Kathy Casey as vice chair of the planning commission. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Gesler. >> Uh, I just want to make a comment that, uh, Miss Casey s has served on the planning commission for a long time, and I think she will make a great vice
chair. And with that, I will move approval of the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Motion by Geisler, a second by Butler. Any discussion or questions about the consent agenda? Hearing none, all in favor signify by
saying I. I. Opposed. And that motion carries. Um, we have one bid opening here and that's to consider resolutions 26-3 sub9 and 26-60 awarding a contract and budget amendment
for miscellaneous trail reconstruction project 26-3. Um, Mr. Hansen, you want to >> Yeah, I could take this one, Mayor and Council. So, this is a uh a resolution for award of the contract for um what we call our miscellaneous trail
reconstruction project for 2026. It's the uh the Crooked Lake Trail that's between Main Street and Northdale Boulevard. So, as part of the project, we intend to grade out the slopes that connect to each of those roads on either
end, which are very steep in the present condition, and make those ADA acceptable. also deal with the pesky willow trees that grow up alongside of it kind of near the wetland area and pop up the pavement. So, we'll be putting in
some root barriers to to mitigate that. Um the uh the low bid was from New Look Contracting. We've worked with them successfully many times in the past. Um but we do require a budget amendment uh because it is a bit over our budgeted amount of 250,000 for trail work this
year. So, the the resolution also does include a budget amendment of $25,000 for for the project. And then the construction would happen in in June and July this this summer.
>> All right. Any questions of Mr. Hansen, >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Novak? >> Um, actually, not for Mr. Hansen, but for Mr. Brody. Would it be appropriate to use one motion or two for this? >> Um, you can do it in one motion. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh that case, Mr.
Mayor, I move that we adopt resolution number 26-3 sub9 awarding a contract to New Look Contracting Incorporated for $265,972.20 for project 26-3, Melissa Miscellaneous City Trail Reconstruction Project. I
further move that we recommend approval of resolution 26-60 amending the 2026 park improvement fund budget. Second, >> I've got before you just before you do that. I have um $268,972.
>> Did I misspeak? >> Um I don't know. It sounded like you said 265. >> I thought I heard that too. >> Okay. 268972. >> I mean what's what's $3,000 between friends still? >> So I'll second that, Mr. Mayor. All right. Thank you. >> Motion by Novak and a second by Carlson.
Is there any uh further discussion on this hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. >> Thank you. The auditor would not have liked that. >> Yeah, Mr. Brody was I'm sure was already
starting to get nervous over there. All right. Item 12 is to consider adoption of ordinance 2350 restricting parking on 109th Avenue. This we covered at the last meeting and when it was introduced. Does anybody
have any questions about this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Butler, >> I move that we adopt ordinance number 2350 restricting parking on the north and south sides of 109th Avenue Northwest at a distance of 75 ft east and west of Foley Boulevard. >> Second.
We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on this, >> Mr. Mayor? >> Council member Armstrong. >> Real really quick like I I appreciate uh staff and and everyone that was involved with this originally when we were
looking at the 250 ft. Um there was a little bit of consternation with a couple of individuals and and uh bringing it down to the 75 ft. I believe it more than accomplishes what uh we were setting out to do, but at the same
time uh it's a it's a very good happy medium for everyone involved. Very good. Watching that word jumble again, that consternation. That's a that's a good one. That's push back, you know, for >> All right, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing
none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. Uh we have a couple items under new business. First one is planning case 26-10 considering introduction of an ordinance modifying temporary sign requirements
city code 11-1203.6 sub2. Um submitted for Mr. Patsner, but I bet somebody else is gonna talk about this. >> Can you talk about it briefly, your honor? And >> this is a just not necessarily a
housekeeping, but just an amendment to the sign code that um a couple of things. Previously, we had it codified in code that we had to hold the signs for 30 days. Um that's being removed from the ordinance and rather we'll have a policy to that to that effect. And then we're just uh adding on, we've had
some issues uh come up, especially with school boards recently about what exactly when you can put your sign outs for for elections. And so this just clarifies that to kind of take um take those offyear schoolboard elections and and provide for that within our city
code. I think it just basically matches what we were doing in practice is now put into the code itself. Again, tonight's just an introduction. So if there are questions um we can take any tonight and then we'll bring it back at the next meeting for adoption. >> Very good. Any questions of Mr. Brody on
this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Gesler. >> And just for clarity sake, Mr. Brody, this is about non-commercial signs, >> correct? >> Yes. So business signs. There's no big changes, no changes there. >> This is specifically for non-commercial.
>> Okay. >> Any other questions on this? All right. All right. If we have no questions, then we will consider planning case 26-10, an ordinance modifying temporary sign requirements, city code section 11-1203.6
sub2 introduced. And item 14, consider resolution 26-1 sub12 adopting assessments for street re street street reconstruction project
26-1 22 different street segments. >> Um Mr. Hansen, anything you want to hit on this? I mean, you kind of gave us the old dog and pony show already on this, but >> yeah, I can step through this quickly. uh mayor and council. So, this is the adoption of the assessment. So, this is
the last step in the 429 process here that council needs to approve uh for the 26-1 street reconstruction project. Uh council previously awarded a contract on April 21st uh to Douglas Kerr Underground. Uh they are already under
construction in earnest in the Northdale Edition neighborhood. Streets are being reclaimed, trees are being removed, and curbs also being removed. Um the uh the assessments for this year, there's about just under 400 single family residential
properties within the project area and the single family residential assessment is $2,755. Um they can be paid starting tomorrow with no interest. After 30 days, they do start to acrue a small amount of
interest. Um residents would be encouraged to contact our assessing department to verify what the assessment amount is if they pay after 30 days. Eventually they get uh uh turned over to Anoka County to be collected with the
property taxes over 10 years with some interest. Um there's a couple commercial properties, some town home condo properties that are being assessed. Um, and if there's any other questions, I'd be happy to answer.
>> Oh, thank you, Mr. Hansen. But to be clear, if they don't want to do anything, it'll just automatically roll onto the taxes and they'll be paying with their property taxes for the next 10 years. >> Yeah, thank you. That's a that's a good point. We don't send another notice or a
a bill or an invoice to to property owners about the assessment because there are different ways to to pay it. Um, so you could simply just do nothing and it'll be collected as part of your property tax statement and it would be about $360
additional on your property taxes to pay that off per year over 10 years >> if a resident or a property owner chooses to do it that way. >> Mayor, I just had one addition if you don't mind. Um, we did have, as you recall, and Mr. Hansen points it out in
his memo that we did have one objection. Um obviously staff believes that the benefit that that particular resident far outweighs the uh the cost to them and so that would be that one particular objection will be included into this uh assessment as well and they want to
proceed further they certainly could. Very good. All right. Any questions of Mr. Hansen on this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Armstrong. >> Just a a comment and a question. Um kudos to to Mr. Hansen. and I met him
out walking around answering questions and and talking to neighbors today as this construction work is already going on. So, uh that his timing was perfect. I was talking to one gentleman and uh he was starting to get into the weeds a
little bit and lo and behold, Mark Mark shows up and I'm like, "Here's the guy we want to talk to." So, thanks thanks for be I I learned I learned a few things from him as as well. So, thank you for being out there. Thank you, Council Member Armstrong, for your
efforts to answer the questions as well. >> It's it's it's it's been fun, >> especially that sidewalk >> that's not going in. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's it's all about the sidewalk the last couple weeks. So, but
uh a quick question. um with the construction work that's going on. Uh I did have one resident mention that um uh they had a tree taken down on the south side of 110th
and they I'm I'm just getting this right before the the council meeting here. Um I'm I'm guessing that it's probably an asht tree if it's being taken down. I I I don't know if it was marked or whatever but
um would that have anything to do with the curbing or >> Yeah. So, um we our city forester is doing some asht tree removals in this neighborhood that we got some grant funding for, but on top of that, there's some additional trees that are that are
in some cases ash trees, but also other trees that need to be removed because they are so close to the water shut off that is within the yard. Um and and we just need to be able to to take the tree out to safely be able to remove and
replace that. So we're going into yards or driveways approximately 15 feet which is where the property line is behind the curb uh to replace those water shut off valves. So in some cases unfortunately that does have to compel us to remove a
tree. But if residents want to reach out and get a replacement tree, that would be much further away from the services, the new one, uh we'd be happy to work with them uh next year to do that. That's typically always part of our process for for these types of projects.
>> Thank you. All right. Any other questions of Mr. Hansen on this? >> Council member Armstrong, I'm thinking that it's probably makes sense for you to be the motioner on this. You took the words right out of my mouth. >> Mr. Mayor,
>> I was waiting. >> I make a motion that uh council adopt resolution 26-1 sub12 uh adopting the assessments for street reconstruction project 26-1. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Motion by um Armstrong and a second by Butler. Is there further discussion on this? Okay, then all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Opposed. And that motion carries.
>> Um, we are up to the open mic public comment portion of the meeting. Is anybody here to address council for open mic this evening? Open mic provides an opportunity for the public to address the city council on subjects that are not part of the
regular meeting agenda. And 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. Anybody coming up for open mic? Yes. All right. Should
you wish to participate, please approach the podium and state your name and address before addressing the council. All remarks will be made from the podium and addressed to the council as a whole. Personal attacks are prohibited. Open mic is not a time for problem solving or reacting to the comments made, but for
hearing the speaker forformational purposes only. Any questions from council will be for clarification only and if necessary, a staff report will be prepared for the next regular council meeting with a copy forwarded to the speaker. There you go. Welcome. >> Hi, thanks for having me. My name is
Vanessa Height. I can provide my address to the clerk afterwards. Um just wanted to have an opportunity to be here tonight to check in about um how the community is doing. Um I appreciate you know the role that you guys serve in our community. That's why I come to speak to
you. Um wanted to just touch base about um automatic license plate readers, flock cameras, flack drones, that kind of stuff. Um I know that that's been spoken about here before. Um I had the opportunity to um attend the Anoka
County Board of Commissioners um work session earlier this week where they were discussing a proposal from the law enforcement um for um entering into a new contract 10-year contract um you know over 10 you know million dollars um
in getting additional drones and um automatic license plate readers. Um some people there were advocating um on behalf of the residents in their districts um and they had heard from city councils in their districts about how residents are feeling unsafe in the
wake of metro surge and um that additional surveillance is very concerning to people. Um, at the board meeting earlier this week, um, it became clear to me that there hasn't been a lot of data presented to the board of commissioners regarding how the
additional flock technology will actually benefit our community. Um, it's been used in other places. There are data points that could be collected, how much does it cost for each launch of a drone, etc. But we haven't explored that. Also, there is not any um, drafted policies or practices for how this new
technology is going to be used. And I think it's reckless and irresponsible to spend money on additional technology when we don't have a plan for how it'll be used and our community members are voicing distrust with leadership and law enforcement. I do think that we need to pause on this. I think you guys have a role and you can speak with the board of
commissioners as well. Um I think we really need to look at how we can connect with the community. Um they discussed an advisory committee and um I think that that's a good start and I wanted to put this on your radar um and let you know that the community is concerned. there is a lack of trust with this leadership and with law enforcement
um and that people are looking at you know how you guys are leading. So thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else here for open mic this evening? >> All right, close open mic.
I've got three open mic responses from the last meeting. Uh the first one was for Katherine O'Harn, 112XX Hansen Boulevard. Express concerns for wildlife crossing 111th Avenue near the soccer complex.
Um setting of speed limits on state aid roads requires a traffic study to be conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The study collects speed data of existing traffic and adjusts posted speed limits if necessary to a rate that 85% of traffic is currently
traveling. Um I guess all that to tell that we don't we can't arbitrarily change the speed limit on 111th. Installation of wildlife crossings. Signage may be beneficial to initially raise driver awareness in high-risk,
high population areas, but has minimal effect in altering driver behavior. Drivers tend to drive at a rate conducive to the conditions of the roadway and often ignore signage that contradicts what they typically observe. Um adding more signage and infrastructure to the roadway could
further confuse drivers, clutter the right ofway and create additional maintenance responsibilities. Um she would have received that letter. Open mic response to Connor Hansen 5XX 112th Lane appeared before council and
expressed concerns related to the city's use of flock cameras and the data that they gather. Rapids has a contract with Flock Safety for the lease of license plate readers in multiple locations in Rapids and for pan
tilt zoom security cameras at two city parks. The technology has been very successful and has enhanced the safety of the citizens of Rapids. On July 28th, 2025, the Rapids Police Department successfully completed an
audit with the state of Minnesota, which verified Rapids Police Department's compliance with data accuracy, protection, and legitimate access procedures and applicable databach notification requirements. There is no
plan to cancel the agreement with block safety at this time. And the next open mic response was for Kathleen Seccon 131XX Rose Street. Uh she was concerned about traffic speeds on Northdale Boulevard. And Northdale
Boulevard between Main Street and Round Lake Boulevard is a busy section of roadway that services both business and residential traffic and the configuration of the roadway makes it challenging for traffic enforcement. However, it has been and will continue to be an area of focus for traffic
enforcement. Um, staff plans to utilize the speed trailer in that area as part of ongoing traffic enforcement and no further action um is recommended at this time. All right. And we are to other business.
Um, we've got three three events coming up. one we touched on earlier, the public public works open house. That's Saturday, May 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 12 pm at the public works garage, 1831 11th Avenue. Please be sure
you come through there. It's a it's it's a great great event. And they also open Will the Carlson Training Center be open again, do you think? >> Well, I should certainly hope so, Mr. Mayor. >> Chief, Mr. Mayor, it will be. Yes. All right. Because that's kind of the bonus. you go through the public works stuff
and then you also get to go through the police department's Carlson Training Center, whoever that Carlson guy is. Um, and then Sunday, May 17th, we have our home remodeling tour. You've heard much about our home for generations um
project. And the Rapids home remodeling tour showcases home improvement projects and stories across Rapids. meet with residents who completed major interior remodeling projects through the Rapids Home for Generations program. Um it's a it's an amazing opportunity to see some
really nice homes that have had some tremendous updating because and they've partnered with the city on it. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Novak, >> there's a YouTube video out actually talking about the remodeling tour and it pictures, pardon me, it has pictures of some of the before and after of the
homes that were remodeled. It's very interesting. RCTN cable channel. They're all over that stuff. Yes, they are. You know, they're good at this. >> Um, and then we have a uh we have a bike rodeo coming up on Saturday, May 30th, 10:00 a.m. to noon at Lions Creek Park. We'll be able to remind you about
that at the next uh council meeting. Um the other piece of um other business is during the consent agenda, you'll notice that we appointed Kathy Casey for vice chair. Um very
deservedly so. She does a great job. Um we recently appointed Mary Schmolky to be the chair of the planning commission. All of that was um unfortunately started out by Wayne Schwarz, our longtime chair, having to step down for medical
reasons. Um and unfortunately they went quickly and Wayne passed away this morning. >> And we just want to be um thankful to Wayne for his service. We want to be um we want to offer prayers and sympathy to
his family and uh to everybody involved. Um Council Carlson or Chief Steiner. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yeah. Council member Carlson. >> Yeah. Actually, I I went to see Wayne after that meeting. I said, "You got to pull this up on YouTube. We're saying all sorts of nice stuff about you."
>> Yeah. He he was a truly a public servant, Mr. Mayor. um you know worked for three different police departments before he finally came to his senses and came to Rapids and worked for over 25 I I've known Wayne for 43 years. Um met him as
a kind of a role model when I was working in the jail. I always kind of watched the officers and like I want to be like that guy. I don't want to be like that guy, you know. Then um when I came to the police department, he was my trainer. And so he was like went from being a role model to
a teacher to a partner to a friend. And uh yeah, truly be missed. It was uh kind of sudden today, but truly he'll truly be missed. >> Chief, >> yeah, Mr. Mr. mayor and council. Um
I worked with Wayne Schwarz for a short period of time from well from 1997 to 2004 when he retired and before he was like as council member Carlson alluded to he before he was a chair in the planning commission obviously a very civic-minded individual he was a patrol
officer from 1982 to 2004. And uh is it fair council member Carlson to say Wayne was kind of a character. Is that a good assessment? >> That's very fair. >> All right. Um he was twice my age when I started. So, you know, we weren't obviously in the same friend group, but Wayne set a standard for traffic
enforcement. He was very committed to traffic safety in this town. There's a brick on the monument out front of the police department uh that says Wayne Schwarz in his years of service, and it notes 113 DWI arrests in 1984.
And that number is might not mean something to some people, but that's an astounding number. I I considered myself kind of a DWI person and I never eclipsed 60 in a calendar year. Um to put it into perspective after vacations and whatnot, officers work 10our shifts.
He worked probably 170 175 shifts a year and that's twothirds of the time he suited up. He arrested somebody in this town for DWI and that's just an amazing number and uh very impactful for the to the community. So his passing is a real loss uh to the community in general, not
just to the police department. And so on behalf of the police department, we also want to express our condolences to Wayne's friends and family. So real loss, but thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. All right. Um, any other business to
come before council? Can we find a high note here, >> Mr. Mayor? Council member Armstrong. >> Uh, well, May 8th, this this coming Friday is uh, youth night at Aspen Park. I had mentioned at a I think at the last council meeting uh the the girls that
are part of the Rapids Fast Pitch Association will be there uh cheering on the the rest of the girls that came out of that program. Uh I believe there's like a varsity JV game that's being played. Um unfortunately I was originally going to be there. I was
excited about it and now I'm out of town. So, um if you're looking for a a fun evening to support the uh girls youth, that's a that's a great thing to go to at at uh uh Aspen Park. Um uh as far as W 5 goes, I know we talked a lot
about the the uh the reconstruction work that's going on uh over in the Kumquad area. Um, again, any any questions, concerns anybody in W 5 has about that or if you drive through there to to get to work or whatever at any given time,
any questions, uh, please reach out to city staff or reach out to me. Uh, all my information is on the the the web page. Um, and one one last quick thing, I probably won't be be a high note. I'll try to make it a high note, but with um
with military appreciation uh month going on and and everything that the uh VFW and and the auxiliary are doing, um we we the the line in there was something along the lines of um we're
celebrating celebrating the living because of those who who passed away. Um, one thing that's near and dear to my heart and has been for years and years and years is is uh uh veteran suicide. And we're still looking at statistics
where 22 a day commit suicide. Um there's there's a lot of great efforts that are taking place out there uh to help combat that. Um, I'm sure you've all seen them, but um, not only not only
remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for for our freedom, um, and those who came through to the on the other side, thank God. Um, but those th those that uh that are dealing with the
the demons every single day, God bless them and and uh, anything we can do to help them. Mr. Mayor, Council Member Novak, >> just to piggyback on that, I do want to remind everybody out there because it's still not well known. Uh, the suicide and crisis lifeline, pick up your phone,
dial 988. You can get help anytime. >> 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 signify by saying I. Hi.