Good evening and welcome to the Kunar Abbert City Council meeting for Tuesday, April 7th, 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 Ryscoak >> here. >> Council member Butler >> here. >> Council member Novak >> here. >> Council member Gesler here.
>> Council member Armstrong >> here. >> Council member Carlson >> here. >> Mayor Cook >> here. >> Thank you. Let's adopt this evening's agenda. >> Motion to adopt the agenda. >> Second. >> Motion by Carlson, second by Novak to adopt the agenda. Is there any
corrections? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. Um, all right. Our very first item is our community strength foundation presentation and review of the 2025
events. This is Fick. Welcome. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, mayor and council, my name is Tiffany Euik. As you know, I am the vice chair of the Rapids Community Strength Foundation. We also have some board members here with us today. Um, you'll be introduced to them a little later. So, I will be going over
the 2025 financial report and the grant synopsis for you. So, CSF, obviously many of you know what this is. I'll just briefly touch on it. The foundation is an allv volunteer group of citizens dedicated to supporting the community through the stewardship of funds allocated to the foundation and our mission is to promote
and enhance the quality of life in the city of Rapids by supporting community celebrations and events. The CSF board is made up of uh the Kunapus Arts Commission, Cardinal Little League, City Council representative, Fire Relief Association, Lions Club,
Matt Bandits, Northstar Lions, Rot Rotary Club, who is a business representative, the Rapids Snowflake Association, Rapids Youth Hockey Association, and the newly named Midwest Cheer Association. Besides our current civic organizations
that are represented, we also have nine ATL large seats that are currently all filled. Our charitable gambling organizations which make up the large percentage of our funding is Kunraps Cardinal Little League, Kun Rapids Lions Club, Kun Rapids Matt Bandits, Kunraps
VFW Post 9625, Kun Rapids Youth Hockey Association, and Midwest Cheer Association. Our 2025 year and review our events that we supported starting from the beginning of the year to end the year was Kunrap snowflake days, the winter concert
series, the summer concert series which takes place at Kun Rapids Dam, Fourth of July celebration, Rocky's pumpkin patch, and the Kunraps tree lighting festival. So, this is something uh that we added in 2024. I'll briefly touch on this. Um,
ourou between CSF and the city was implemented. Theou formalizes the partnership of two agencies related to community events where both entities work together such as the pumpkin patch, tree lighting, snowflake days. It also connects the city's business sponsorship program to all events including CSF le
and funded events. The business sponsorship program which is really great. This is a city um city or city program that allows businesses to sponsor Rapids events and programs. The businesses show community support and receive various marketing benefits. The
funds generated enhance events and or defay existing costs for CSF in the city. Uh something very exciting that was added I believe last year, maybe the year before, but we really have implemented it in the last year is an event donor. They donate directly to a
CSF event. So they provide an activity or event enhancement. They provide an inkind donation. A great example of this is at the Rapids Tree Lighting Festival. Nested Threads does not donate a monetary donation, but they provide all of the ornaments for all of the kids and the families to make together. So,
that is a perfect example how being an event donor has directly benefited CSF. Okay, so this might get a little confusing because this is Snowflake Days from 2025, not 2026. Uh, this presentation's a
little delayed into this year. So, this was the 61st anniversary of Snowflake Days in 2025. We had 11 events offered. We did not have snow that year, so we had to cancel two. We partnered with numerous community organizations. We raised money for CSF and the 4th of
July. And we provided events for everybody. Most of these events were free of charge. A couple of them had a small uh fee to attend, which automatically went back to CSF. Um for CSF events, as you can see, um at that
time, Rotary was the Chile champion. I believe Fire won the hockey game. Um, a medallion winner. He actually took off work to find the medallion. So, he he made his wife take off work as well. So, it was uh Snowflake Days is a really, really amazing event for the city of
Rapids. And CSF is the one that funds this event. So, that kicks off our year every January into February. So, this is our first CSF event of each year. >> Who was that dashing marquee that you had for 2025? I'm not sure if anybody
knows who that is, but that would be uh >> Council Council member Carlson. I had to look. I was like, "Wait, it was there." >> That's a fine hat. >> Yes. He's still He won't give it back, so it's missing. It's at uh member Carlson's house.
So, the winter concert series, we have Church of Cash this year. This is our second CSF event of the year. This is on April 9th at 700 p.m. this year. It is actually the grand finale of the winter concert series. Due to low attendance uh level for the winter concert series, CSF
supported the decision to shift funding elsewhere. This is an arts commission event. Um they made the hard decision to like I said shift funding elsewhere, possibly um uh different bands at concert or summer concert series. So
this will officially be the grand finale of of this great event. So if you're able to attend April 9th at 7:00 p.m. really uh they'd like to go out with a bang. So Fourth of July celebration which everybody knows. So this Fourth of July
obviously is the main CSF is the main funding mechanism for the Fourth of July celebration. CSF pays for the fireworks thanks to the city and charitable gambling organizations. So um 4th of July 2025 it was 56% of all CSF
spending. We had actually decent weather on a normal year approximately 15,000 to 2,000 people attend. Um we had many bands Rapids and Noa Force Lake Mching warriors Chicago lakes who I believe are all coming back this year for 2026. So Fourth of July is
definitely um a great event. CSF with the city public works many volunteers uh fire departments PD they really really make this event successful. So, Rocky's Pumpkin Patch, the the loved event by
all. So, we had approximately uh 3,000 people attend. So, I believe that was our biggest event yet. Gave away uh 1,386 pumpkins. 100 pumpkins were donated by Knights of Columbus. We had bounce houses, face painters, bingos, cake
blocks, and more. CSF even had to tell the chair of this event like I don't think we can get much bigger for space and volunteers um because it could continue to grow as well. We have people waiting ready to go 30 minutes before they can actually even even get a goodie
bag and a pumpkin ticket. So um we partner with community organizations for this one. Northstar Lions Club Explorers Program, the Honor Society, I believe the Boy Scouts as well. And we had 14 vendors this year. We did a little shift. they were all youth organizations
or youth focused business. So we really focus this event on being youth um focused mainly and we want to do that so that when children attend businesses are not trying to sell their families something. We really want to make this a family-friendly event. It is completely
free to the public. So Kunapus Tree Lighting Festival. So this is the event that wraps up our year every year. So this year was a little interesting. It was I think it was like -30. Not exactly sure. I try to block that day out. So, um the estimated
attendance for 2025 was around 250 people and I would consider that a win based on the weather. And they all came about 5 minutes before the fireworks went off. So, uh we had the tree donation by Rapids family. We partnered with the Nordic ski team. Uh we had more
Nordic ski members this year than we've ever had. They were phenomenal. they were uh they played the parts of what they were volunteering for. They really got into it. So, that is a great new partnership that's been established where they they pretty much bring their whole team and all of their parents um
to volunteer and really make this event successful. Nested Threads, like I said, this event would not be what it is without them. They bring anywhere from 300 to 500 ornaments free of charge. They set everything up. They bring their volunteers. So, big shout out to them.
Magnify Financial is actually a donor for this event as well. I believe this is the second or third third year I believe that they've come back. So they uh they provide a donation for this event. We added a large heated tent this year which is just ironic because we did
not plan for it to be that cold. We were just wanted to add an element. So all 250 people packed into that heated tent right before the fireworks went off. Um, we had to completely revamp revamp the event due to the temperatures. Obviously, fireworks are always a hit. We have I think some people said they
came from Edina this year. They don't get Fourth of July fireworks that good. So, they wanted to come watch them. So, we have some exciting plans for 2026, which we're not going to reveal yet, but we have a whole uh different plan in place that will accommodate below freezing temperatures and hopefully keep
our attendance up. So we were at about 700 people, 7-800 people in 2024 and we got that 250 this year which I consider a win. So a couple of the other uh organizations that we have supported in 2025 were was the Kunraps community
scholarship organization at the high school safety camp and the Kun Rapids all night party. So we um seem to be donating to them every year which obviously goes back to students at Kun Rapids and Safety Camp which is very important part of our community.
So now is the income statement. So our 2025 income was $121,691.36. We had 81% of our income of that $121,000 was lawful gambling proceeds. So that came from obviously our charitable gambling organizations that
the city then graciously gives to um a percentage of that to CSF. Twin Cities Gateway, which is 15% of our income, which is huge. um they give us the um tax hotel tax for 15% of that.
Sponsorships was 2% and the Northstar Lions donate 2%. I really want to emphasize that because that 2% comes from all of the tips that they raise throughout all of the events that they volunteer for. So concession stands, concert in the park, pumpkin patch, 2% of that. That's just the tips that come
back. Our 2025 expenses were $127,382.79. As you can see, Fourth of July was 56% of that funding. Pumpkin patch 10, tree lighting 15, snowflake days 4%, concerts 10, other events 1%, and organization
support such as insurance. And this year we got a in 2025 we got a great website. So that website and setting that up was in that 3%. So our 2025 year-end balance sheet, our beginning balance on January 1 of 2024
was $28,680.13. I apologize, that should be all 2025. Income was $121,691.36. Beginning balance in income was $150,37149. Our expenses were $127,382.79 with an ending balance on December 31st,
2025, not 2024, $22,988.70, which then that rolls over into our funding for 2026. I really, really want to give a big thank you to all of the uh items or people listed on this. So, all of our
event volunteers, city of Kun Rapids, and city staff. These events would absolutely not be possible without the city support um and the city staff that put these events on. CSF events are not a one-sided thing. They're not possible without without our CSF volunteers, but they're also not it's they're also not
possible without our city um staff and all of the city people that come out and help us rapid charitable gambling organizations. Without the time that they put in to have their charitable gambling, we would not have any type of foundation. So, Rapids Civic Organizations, Kun Rapids Fire
Department, Northstar, Kunrap Northstar Alliance Club, Police Department, Kun Rapids Public Works, the CSF board members, which a few of them are here tonight. Our sponsors and donors, and lastly, Stephanie, Julie, Jennifer, Steve, and the entire marketing department. Need to give them also a
shout out because without them, we would we don't have the time to market events. So, they are absolutely phenomenal at everything that they do. And this is our new website. So, please visit the website and you'll see all of the information. It's really well done. There's information on every event,
dates, links to the city pages, and you can donate and click to volunteer. I can answer any questions you guys may. >> All right, any questions? Your honor, council member Novak, >> I'd just like to stress that uh given that list of sponsors, I think it's a
really good idea to have the Northstar Lions in between the uh police and the fire. You know, that hockey game got a little bit rough. >> Uh would the police chief like to comment on that hockey game at all? >> No, I don't. Do you have the score yet?
I don't I don't think yet. >> I didn't catch it. No. >> No. >> No. Tiffany, thank you for all of the work you do with this with Snowflake Days and you are just the consmate volunteer coordinator here and we're just so thankful for everything you do for the city.
>> Well, I appreciate you guys. Like I said, thank you to the city and thank you to all of you for supporting it. I at a lot of events we see most of you if not all of you at those events supporting them as well as our community members. So, thank you to the city and thank you to all of you. So,
>> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Armstra, >> just real quick, like I've commented about it in the past, um these these events that we have the youth helping with, the pumpkin patch, the tree lighting, etc. These these volunteer students and youth that come out, they
are just fantastic. They're it it never ceases to amaze me how how much they dive into this and and help make it happen. So, kudos to them as well. >> That is that's so true. They're extremely hardworking. Like I said, pumpkin patch, it's all pretty much
youth volunteers as well as tree lighting. So, they really come out and they do not slack. They work very hard and especially like I said in -30°ree weather. I mean, they did not complain, which worked out perfect to have Nordic ski for the volunteers at that event. So,
>> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Carlson, >> I'd like to just jump on that too and thank Stephanie for your leadership, Scott, for your leadership and all the members of the board. Um these are some very very hardworking volunteers that uh and committee string's been around since what about 2011?
Did I just make that up? >> I >> quite a while >> I believe it's and you know 2011 >> 2011 yeah >> started to provide no cost events for members of our community and uh it's just grown and expanded. And now we have the partnerships with some of our
businesses and um it's just just an amazing bunch of volunteers and it's just so it's so nice to see all the again the kids pitching in now and learning the value of volunteerism and community and contributing to their community. It's just a it's just a great thing and thanks so much for your
leadership Scott and Tiffany and all the members of the board. >> Thank you. All right, you should bring your crew up now and then we'll get a big we'll get that big check. >> Just saying. Just saying. >> He's the right one.
All right. Well, on behalf of the uh Rapids, City of Rapids, we have our contribution to the Community Strength Foundation, thankful to our charitable gambling organizations and Twin City Gateway. Um, so 101, was it
101,26467 and we know you'll spend it wisely. >> All right, here we go. >> All right, if everyone look here. One, two, three. Do it again. One, two, three. Last one. Just for good measure. Any eye
blinks? One, two, three. There you go. >> All right. Anything else? Anything you want to talk about? Got a mic here. Introduce yourself. >> Uh, my name is Scott L. I'm the chair of the Community Strength Foundation. Um, been part of, uh, volunteering in the
city of Rapids since 1995. Tiffany Fick, vice chair of the foundation. >> Bill Kicker, member at large. >> Katie Basara, member at large. >> Officially,
John, I'm also a member at large. >> Piper, also member. And then there's a uh there's a an official city council representative in the at large chair back there. That's council member Carlson. And then Council Member
Armstrong worked so hard to to to get onto this committee that and get himself elected as an at large so that he could volunteer at all the events. So, um, thank you everyone. Thanks for >> appreciate it. >> And and I represent the Rotary Club, so
we're good. Thank you. All right, on to item two, the Earth Month Proclamation to There we go. Oh, I love that.
All right. That's all right. I got I have the proclamation. We'll just go with that. Um the proclamation for Earth Month. Whereas the Rapids Sustainability Commission has been working to educate the public on the importance of sustainability since the commission's
inception in 2009. And whereas the month of April has long been celebrated as Earth Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues, promoting conservation efforts, and inspiring action to protect our planet.
And whereas the city of Rapids is committed to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among its residents, businesses, and organizations, and to supporting initiatives that promote sustainability and protect natural resources. And
whereas the observance of Earth Month presents an opportunity for our community to come together to take meaningful action to address environmental challenges such as pollution, habitat loss, and resource depletion. And whereas by acknowledging
and celebrating Earth Month, we reaffirm our dedication to building a more resilient and sustainable future for all. Now therefore, I, Jerry Cook, mayor of the city of Rapids, on behalf of the Rapids City Council, hereby
proclaim the month of April, 2026 to be Earth Month in the city of Rapids, proclaimed the 7th day of April, 2026. And there we go. Finally. Um, and then Mr. Brown, are you doing
some awards to go along with this? >> Yes. I can just take a quick moment to recognize the award recipients for this year that were selected by the sustainability commission. They include the Rapids Buy Nothing Facebook group. The Rapids United Methodist
Church spirit of Matthew 25 program and Betsy DK first. So, those are the three award recipients. Uh since I know we have kind of a long agenda tonight, what we'll do is take some photos out in the hallway uh of the award recipients as
well as the uh handful of sustainability commissioners that are in attendance tonight. And then we'll be sharing more information about those recipients uh through various communication channels over the next month or so. >> Excellent. Over the next the rest of Earth month. >> The rest of Earth.
>> All right. Very good. Well, congratulations to the winners. And Mr. Brown's going to Yep. There you go. All right. Item three is to approve the minutes of the March 17th meeting. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> Motion by Ar uh Novak. Second by Armstrong. Is there any corrections or discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Opposed. And those minutes are approved.
We have 11 items on our consent agenda this evening. So settle in. Uh the first one is to approve the 2026 service agreement with Alexandra House.
Alexander House is a nonprofit corporation that is Noa Countyy's only women's shelter. It provides a 24-hour shelter, support services, advocacy, educational opportunities to residents in the city and in Noa County. Alexander House also works with the police
department and the city attorney's office with domestic violence cases. Um they've made a request for financial assistance for the services it provides to the city and the council did appropriate $20,000
which was a $5,000 increase from 2025 uh to Ellie to Alexander House for the 2026 budget. So, we're looking to authorize the city to enter into a service agreement with Alexander House to provide shelter, support services,
and advocacy to affected city residents. Um, next item is to approve the development agreement for Balfony Farms, Landspec Fund 5 LLC, and JSN Properties LLC. Um, we're looking to approve the
preliminary plat and PUB for a 29 unit single family home development at the temporary address of 12301 Shannondoa Boulevard. Um, oh, I'm sorry. That was we approved that
um on February 17th. Conditions of appro approval for the project included a development agreement between the city and the developer. And now we are looking to approve uh we're looking to approve the development agreement with
Landspec Fund 5 LLC and JSN Properties LLC. Next item on our consent agenda is in plan case 26-6 to approve the final plat for Balfony Farms 12301 Shannondoa Boulevard.
Um, in planning case 26-6, the city council looking to adopt resolution 26-41 approving the final plat for Balfony Farms um including the attached private easements for ditch and trail be
recorded with the county along with the final plat. Um, next item on our consent agenda is to approve an on sale 3.2% malt liquor, wine, strong beer, and Sunday liquor licensing for Legendary Spice
Rapids LLC, 12792 Riverdale Boulevard. Um, we're looking to approve the issuance of an on sale 3.2% 2% malt liquor, wine, strong beer, and Sunday liquor licenses to Legendary Spice Rapids LLC. doing business as Legendary
Spice located at 12792 Riverdale Boulevard Northwest contingent upon completion of a successful background investigation, the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the chief building official, Anulka County Environmental Services issuing a food
service license, and submitt of a certificate of insurance evidencing liquor liability and workers compensation coverage. Uh the next item on the consent is to approve the easement agreement with an NOA Henipin Independent School District
number 11. This is down at the um near the Adams School. Um it's a new water man loop connection will be constructed from 90th Avenue to Sycamore Street and a portion of this water man will be installed across the Inoca Henipin School District property. So, we're
looking to accept the permanent easement with an Oka Henipin Independent School District number 11 and authorized execution of the agreement. Um, we're halfway through. Um, we're looking to adopt resolution. This
is actually item nine on the agenda this evening. It's six of 11 in the consent agenda. looking to adopt resolution 26-49 amending the 2026 general fund budget for software subscriptions. Um the 2026 general fund budget includes
$2,900 for the first year of a 5-year subscription to drone sense due to the multi-year subscription term. This agreement qualifies as a subscriptionbased IT arrangement. Accounting standards require the agreement to be accounted for as a capital purchase and a subscription
asset amortized over the life of the agreement. So, we're looking to approve resolution 26-49 amending the 2026 general fund budget for the drone sense subscriptionbased IT arrangements. And I guess because it does involve amounts, let me just say
that we're we're looking to amend activity 203 appropriating $14,500 to both other financing sources and capital outlay as well as amending activity 203 appropriating $2,900
to debt service from other charges and services for the first year subscription payment. Uh, next under consent agenda is to adopt resolution 26-51 accepting donations and business
sponsorships. We're looking to accept,77 uh dollar donation from the Community Strength Foundation to the Arts Commission for the winter concerts. A $2,000 donation from the Rapids Crime Prevention Association uh to the police for computer equipment. $2,000
from Gateway Fiber as a sponsorship for city events and $2,000 um from Magnify Financial for City event sponsorships. And then there's four miscellaneous anonymous donations towards the senior newsletter, coffee,
uh senior transportation, and the city would like to thank all of the donors and businesses that supported events and programs and the city council. So, we're looking to adopt resolution 26-51 to accept contributions made to the city between January 1st and March 31st,
2026. Uh, next is just to receive our schedule of electronic payments. Staff has prepared the attached list of electronic payments processed since the last council meeting. So, we're looking to receive the schedule of electronic payments for March 12th, 2026 to April
1st, 2026. Uh, next is um to approve the final payment to Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors LLC for project 22-17 and that is the water tower. Uh, we're
looking to approve the changes and the final payment to Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors LLC in the amount of 283,671.35 for project 22-17 water tower. Item 13
is to adopt resolution 26-47 accepting the ship grant funds from Enoka County for active transportation signage project and approve a memorandum of understanding. Uh the city has been awarded up to $3,60
for signage to benefit the 26-10 neighborhood bikeway project which includes two segments on Uplander Street and 112th Avenue. Um, we're looking to adopt resolution 26-47 accepting ship grant funds and to
approve the related memorandum of understanding to support the active transportation sign project in 2026. And then item 14, which is our final item on our consent agenda, is to approve a joint powers agreement with the state of Minnesota for federal
background checks. Uh we're looking to approve the joint powers agreement between the city of Rapids and the state of Minnesota. Under Minnesota statutes specific to firefighters, a background check must be conducted on all applicants for employment and for
applicants who have lived in Minnesota for less than 5 years. A national criminal history check must also be conducted. And this joint powers agreement is needed for the city to access federal data in support of the duty to conduct background checks as
provided by law. So, we're looking to approve the joint powers agreement between the city and the state of Minnesota for purposes related to accessing criminal history information for pre-employment processing of firefighters. And that is our consent agenda. >> Mr. Mayor,
>> council member Gisler. >> Uh minor correction. Uh we received a a amended recommendation for planning case 26-6. Uh that the the amendment would be planning case 26-6. City council adopt resolution 26-41 approving the final
plat for Balfini Farms with the following conditions. Private easement for drainage ditch be recording with the final plat and private easement for trail be recorded with the final plat. And with that minor amendment, I would move to approve the consent agenda. >> Second. Motion by council member Gesler,
second by Carlson. Um, before we do discussion, I've got a quick question. Why is that federal? And I'm sorry about missing item six. I didn't realize that was part of the consent agenda. >> Thank you. >> I was on my drone. Um, why is that
specific to firefighters? It seems like we would do federal background checks like on police and everybody else, too. So, what's what's the scoop, Miss Rob? >> It's actually fairly um there's a statute that had it's a new requirement
to have all these papers in orders. Um but there's specific things to firefighters um that we have to do and protect information. The police also have their process. Um they have a different joint powers agreement but because
we and John process the firefighters we have to adhere to this different um stat. >> Oh okay. It just seem seems weird. >> All right. Okay. Um questions or discussion on the consent agenda? Any
hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I I oppose. >> And those carry. And we are up to item 15. Conduct a public hearing and consider
resolutions 26-46 and 26-48 authorizing application for economic development funding for RMS company. Mr. Brown. >> Yes. Good evening. So RMS company which
is located down down at 8600 Ever Boulevard is the city's largest private employer. They have almost 1100 employees. They uh produce small components for primarily the medical device industry and have uh been in that
location since 1992. They've expanded a number of times. Uh so this time around they're proposing about a 20,000 foot addition onto the southeast side of the facility. If you've driven past there recently, you may have noticed that the older 1980s era building that RMS had
acquired a few years ago. On the corner of 85th and Evergreen Boulevard has been demolished. So that would be the direction they would be expanding into. Uh this addition would also involve creating at least 75 new jobs, pretty
sizable equipment purchase as well. Uh it would be a total of about an 11 million project. So to help facilitate that, uh, we've been working with them on, uh, potentially submitting applications for the state's, uh,
Minnesota Investment Fund and Job Creation Fund, which are financial resources for economic development projects that involve creating a large number of jobs. So, uh, the amount we're looking at would be $600,000 in
Minnesota investment fund, $800,000 in job creation fund funding, and then the state does expect uh local governments to contribute to these projects. So, we would propose that the city would provide uh through its HA revolving loan
fund a $100,000 forgivable loan provided they create the jobs. Uh we've worked with RMS on similar assistance packages or expansions they've done in the past years. So this would be somewhat similar to those. This is really the first step in the process. For the Minnesota
Investment Fund, a public hearing is required. And then the council has asked to consider two resolutions, one for the Minnesota Investment Fund application, one for the job creation fund application. If the company is uh awarded these funds, we would be back
with a grant agreement, uh loan agreement, some other uh instruments for your consideration. >> Very good. >> I'll also note we do have a representative of RMS in the audience here tonight and I can answer any other questions.
>> All right. Very good. Right. Um any questions of Mr. Brown on this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Butler, >> I move that we adopt Red no have a public hearing. >> Have a public hearing. >> Never mind. My apologies. >> Um, so maybe we could we get the RMS rep
just up to introduce yourselves because the the last time somebody was here was Lee, right? And uh and we miss Lee. So, why don't you come up to the podium here and just and uh introduce yourself and let us tell you how much we appreciate you.
Hi, I'm Dan Walsh. I'm the director of finance for RMS. Um, Lee retired about three years ago and we miss him. We have uh John Braun as our president now. Uh, we really value the relationship with
the city. The uh uh employee base here is extremely strong. They really allowed us to be very successful. we are growing and we think this uh expansion will allow us to grow within the um city limits. So, and we actually have another
expansion in mind that we're thinking about and for early 2027. So, it's um good things going for us right now. >> That is awesome. Awesome. Thank you very much. Thank you for being here. And >> you're welcome. >> If any questions come from the public hearing, we'll let you know. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Well, with that then no questions of council. We will open the public hearing um for the economic development funding for RMS company. Is anybody here to address
council for the public hearing on the economic development funding for RMS company? Guess I have to do one of those to open the public hearing. All right, last time. Anybody here for the public hearing for economic development funding for RMS company?
All right. Hearing none, we'll close the public hearing. And now, Council Member Butler, did you have something? >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, I move that we adopt resolution 26-46 authorizing a Minnesota investment fund application and agreeing to act as the legal sponsor for RMS company and move
to adopt resolution 26-48 supporting a job creation fund application for RMS company. >> Second. >> Motion by Butler, second by Novak. Is there uh discussion on this, >> Mr. Mayor? Council, >> just one clarification. I think Mr.
Brown alluded to it, but um our portion, the city's portion of this would be contingent on RMS uh gaining the Minnesota uh fund and the job creation fund. Would it does it also contingent on on
creating 75 jobs or is that just a goal? >> Yes, that's that's right. and we would hammer that all out when we put together the documents for that loan. But our plan would be to simply have the city's uh portion mirror the terms of the state.
>> Okay, great. And those are going to be nice high paying jobs. So fully supportive. >> All right. Is there any other discussion hearing? None. We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. And that motion carries. Thank you for being here. You're welcome
to stay. I'm just saying. Thank you. But you don't have to. All right. Item 16 is another public hearing and consider resolutions 26-42, 26-43, and 26-44 approving miscellaneous 2026-1
assessment levies. Um, this Oh, Miss Hansen or Mr. yourself. >> Yeah, mayor and councel, I can I can cover this item. So, this is the annual
process to certify um special levies to um property taxes. So, process really is we'll open the public hearing tonight. If there's anybody who hasn't yet um entered an appeal to those levies, they can do so at this time and they'd simply
just make that announcement and provide um their address to the city clerk. um after which uh that process will be closed and we'd ask council to certify the one year, three year and fiveyear um assessments and then those folks who have made those appeals will be referred
on to the board of adjustment and appeals will hear their case, make a recommendation to council and it'll come back before you at a later time. So that's the short version of the process and I'll stand for any questions. >> All right, very good. Any questions of Mr. Stemwood on this?
And when we open the public hearing, it's really just a time for people to turn in some written appeals or to or to give the clerk our their address. Correct. >> Correct. That's correct. Mayor and council, we have two appeals thus far. Um so we will provide you with some updated numbers and then whatever
additional number of appeals come before you tonight and then that'll close the opportunity to appeal the assessment. >> Okay. Very good. There's no further questions. We will open the public hearing um on approving miscellaneous 2026 um-1
assessment levies. Is anybody here to file an appeal on their miscellaneous assessment levy? Anybody here to file an appeal on their miscellaneous assessment levy? We'll close the public hearing
and look to to the council for a motion from somebody. You do have the updated >> mayor councelor Smith came from you have the updated numbers I believe from the clerk and those those numbers we'd ask that you uh read in as a part of your motion
>> the previous resolutions in the packet didn't have the current number >> on the top >> otherwise I could read them the record >> yeah we could read them that would be good >> your honor Novak
>> um I move that city council uh adopt s the current assessment hearing or pardon the current assessments uh for resolution 26-42 adopting 26 2026 miscellaneous special assessments
uh unopposed for one year resolution 2643 adopting 26 2026 good lord I cannot talk today sub one miscellaneous special assessments unopposed three-year and adopt resolution 26-44
adopting 2026 sub one miscellaneous special assessments on opposed 5 years. Are there any others? >> No, but the the one-year amount is $20,487.97 and the three-year
is $27,49.90 and the 5year is $22,478.50 >> as stated. >> Thank you. Second >> motion by Novak and a second by Gesler. Is there discussion on this? Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. Item 17 is to consider adoption of resolution 26-55 approving budget amendment and construction contract for Al Flynn Park
retaining wall project 26-15. Mr. Hammer. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor Council, um staff solicited quotes from five different contractors for the repair of a failed retaining wall. It's located under the Burlington Northern Bridge along the
Creek Trail just outside of Alflyn Park. Uh we've been kind of piecing it together and putting some fencing on it and resolving the erosion issues down into the creek for a bit of time and now uh we've budgeted funds in the amount of $100,000. That's what the estimate was.
Uh you can see the bids came in ranging from 112 up to 140. So that necessitates the need for the um budget amendment as well. So while there's $112,000 in costs uh shown for J services as the low bidder, we also had some tree removal
work and a little bit of other cleanup. So uh I I think there's there's a little bit of room to stay under the 125, but I wanted to make sure we we captured it. So, we're looking to do a budget amendment for $25,000 uh into the storm water utility fund as well as award a contract to J Services
LLC in the amount of $112,000. Happy to answer any questions. >> All right. Any questions for Mr. Hammer on this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Gishkovak >> kind of started a question on this earlier maybe in the work session, but the uh the work to be done is basically
on the foundation of the tracks for Burlington Northern. It's like right underneath. It's almost like their their foundation is kind of crumbling away. So, the fact that we're stepping up and and helping them with the 610 project in
a financial way, has Burlington Northern been approached or could they potentially step up and help us with this retaining wall that's must be on their rightway? >> Customer um so they're we are under their
rightway. Yes. Um there's an agreement with them that allowed us to put this trail there some time ago. So the railroad tracks were there. They allotted us the ability to put our trail underneath in exchange for us being responsible for maintaining it in
perpetuity. And so the only reason the retaining wall is there is because the trail came to be. It's not a retaining wall holding up their structure. So it's it's solely for the purpose of our trail. And that's our obligation under a previous agreement. >> So e even if their foundation kind of
crumbles and goes right into the creek, that's not their responsibility. Council member Scoiac, that'll be their responsibility to resolve from a structural standpoint. I don't think anybody wants the railroad tracks to to come down and so they have to do their own bridge inspections and their own maintenance responsibilities independent
of our trail. >> All right. >> Those pilings are are pounded so much deeper than that retaining wall. >> All right. I was just hoping we might be able to get some help from Burlington Northern on this, but >> Always worth a shot. It >> was always worth a shot. >> Trust me. >> I believe you did. I believe you did.
Thank you. your honor. >> That's all I have. Council member Novak. >> Um I will happily make the motion since this is Al Flynn Park and it needs all the help it can get uh to approve the attached budget amendment resolution and a con construction contract with J
Services LLC in the amount of $112,000 for project 26-1 Alphalin Park Retaining Wall and authorized staff to execute the agreement and an additional 25,000 for storm water runoff. Does that work?
>> It's actually project 26-15, right? >> Yep. >> Okay. All right. >> Second. >> Motion by Novak and a second by Butler. Is there further discussion on this? >> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Griscoviaak,
>> just looking at that again, is that retaining wall going to be uh kind of matching some of those larger retaining wall blocks that we have along the pedestrian bridge or is it going to be returned to just those small 1 foot square foot keystone blocks?
>> Council member SC, they're going to be the larger version. Um, we just have to decide on what the final color is going to be. Yes, they are going to be the larger >> still and kind of in with the whole theme along there. Okay. Thank you. That's all I have. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Geyser,
>> uh clarification on the motion. Um council member Noik, you stated an additional 25,000. Did you mean that to be what's already in resolution 2655 or over and above that? >> Just to clarify, because resolution 26-55, which is the attached resolution,
already calls for the $25,000. >> Yeah. Um he didn't actually say that in the motion. >> No, I did not. >> But he did. Shouldn't it be 26-55 in the motion as well? Because we've got two resolutions here. We've got 26-15 and
we've got 26-55. >> Mayor and Council, the project is 2615. The resolution is 2655. So, yes. I mean, if we if we didn't note the resolution to approve 2655, we should >> the resolution for the pardon me,
resolution 2655. 57. >> Yeah. >> 2655. >> That's >> for the 25,000. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, >> so let I'm going to restate the motion. >> Okay. Um, so the motion is to approve
the attached budget amendment resolution, which is 26-55, and a construction contract with J Services LLC in the amount of $112,000 for project 26-15, Alflyn Park Retaining Wall, and
authorized staff to execute the agreement. >> Okay, that was council member Novak's motion. >> Where was there a second now? >> Second. Council Butler has a second. Okay. Now, any further discussion?
>> All right. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. >> That's fine. >> Mr. Hammer, I've never seen a tie before. We're on item 18 to consider construction contract for 2026 street
sweeping project 26-16. >> Mr. Mayor, Council, yes. It's very difficult usually when you're talking about unit prices and quantities, but this is just a straight hourly rate. So, both contractors quoted the same hourly rate. Um, both contractors have worked
in the city in the past. Uh, Alli's been doing it for the past 5 years. They've they've been a little bidder each time. Um, so with all being equal, them understanding our process, our paperworks, our routes, our our personnel, um, I'm going to be recommending that we award to Ally Black
top in the amount of 114,000. This is for our annual street sweeping, not only our spring and fall, but we build some additional hours in here that will be uh, reimbursed through our concrete wershed for enhanced street sweeping as well. So um, again, I would recommend award to Alli Blacktop the DMount of
114,000. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Hammer on this? >> Mr. Mayor Council Armstrong, >> I should I should know this, but but I'm already being asked by by neighbors. Did do you know when the first spring street sweeping is going to be taking place?
>> Council member Armstrong, we've already had our sweepers out in certain locations. We are uh more in the south and west corner of town right now because that's where we're going to start flushing in the not too distant future. We want to get ahead of them and clean the roads so we're not washing all
that down to storm sewer. Uh once this action takes place tonight, then we got to get our contracts and insurance and things in in working order. But we believe they'll probably be out there as early as next week. >> Okay. With that, I'll make a motion to award uh the the contract to
construction contract of Allied Blacktop Company for the 2026 street sweeping program due to their recent experience in the city and understanding of pertinent city personnel sweeping routes and required paperwork submitted. >> Second
>> motion by Armstrong, second by Novak. Is there further discussion on this, >> Mr. Mayor? Council member >> Krisco clarification. Are we awarding the contract for $114,000 or are we awarding it at $120 per hour? >> We will be awarding for $114,000. We may
not see that ceiling. It's just going to be based upon the dollar amount or the number of hours, but we won't exceed the 114 without any additional approval or authorization. >> Thank you. Good. Thank you for the clarification. That's it. >> All right. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. I >> opposed and that motion carries. Um item 19 under new business is to consider planning case 26-4 consider site plan and flexibility request sweet senior living Jeremy
Larson Hampton Companies LLC. Uh Mr. Patsner is here tonight. You're >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council members, I have a brief presentation for you on a request for uh a 32 unit uh assisted
living and memory care facility by Sweet Senior Living. Um this is for 72596th Avenue, which was a property created by a plat in 2023. Um broken off from the diversified adjustments property, which is the property just to the southeast of it. Um this is at the intersection of
Rapids Boulevard and Norway Street. What the application is proposing is a site plan for a 32 unit assisted living and memory care facility and they are also requesting dimensional flexibility related to parking um which I'll get into in just a second. Um
so originally in 2023 this applicant proposed a two-phase senior living facility that would be two 32 unit um buildings uh only phase one of which they received approval for back in 2023. that uh site plan approval has expired.
It expired in December of 2025. Um so they did come back with an updated request which is just a singlephase um 32 unit building that would take up about um 2.1 of the 2.9 2.1 acres of the 2.9 acre
site with the remainder being um an existing wetland as well as some storm water ponding. Um >> I was on the wrong slide there. Sorry about that. Um so they would have utility connections to uh 96th Avenue and they would also have a driveway connection to 96th Avenue. Um and they
would be proposing um pedestrian walkways around the site as well. Um but no uh walkway no pedestrian connection to Foley Boulevard or across the um diversified adjustment site to the southeast. Um so they are requesting flexibility for parking. Um city code
require would require 38 parking spaces for this site or 1.2 two spaces per unit. Um and that is per the the code requirement for um uh assisted living. However, um the applicant is proposing a development that would not have um or or
would have residents not have their own vehicles on site. So, this would be assisted living and memory care. Residents would generally not have their own vehicles on site. So, parking would only be for um guests and for staff. Um and and based on that, which is which is different from from the average um
facility that we'd have, they are requesting 0.75 spaces per unit, which would be 24 spaces. And so that would be a flexibility request for the site. Um as well as the assisted living and memory care facility, there would be an out building that they're proposing, which would be a carriage house and
garage. um mainly for the use of storing um property maintenance equipment um for ease of property maintenance. Um other than the flexibility request, the site does meet all of the zoning code
requirements for um this zoning district uh as well as for an assisted living facility. So So that's the only um flexibility request they would have. Um when the planning commission uh voted to recommend approval, they did include or was included a condition of approval
that the sidewalk be extended across the adjacent diversified adjustments property to Foley Boulevard. And this was based on um uh a comment in the engineering comments that were originally included. Um upon further discussion uh with the applicant and uh
internally, city staff have determined that it would be uh prefer preferable not to require that sidewalk connection to Foley Boulevard um as part of this project. So if the city were to determine that a sidewalk would be needed connecting this project to Foley Boulevard in the future, um that would
likely be a city project, but it's not something that um we would like to have the applicant provide as part of this project. And part of that is based on the fact that um this is not a facility where residents would be leaving site independently walking to any um adjacent
sites or anything like that. They would generally remain on site. Um and there are internal walkways and outdoor spaces provided for the assisted living and memory care parts of the building. So, one of the um changes that staff are requesting from the applicant based on
this change is to remove the sidewalk, the internal sidewalk connection from the building itself to 96th Avenue since that would ultimately just be a stub and would not be connecting to Foley Boulevard. Um, as far as the building itself, um the building would uh have a
residential aesthetic. um would have uh LP smart sighting and asphalt shingles um for the sighting and roofing respectively um and stone ways coating along the um lower portion of the building. And uh here's just an image of
the the um materials that they'd be using with the LP smart sighting on the right there, stone ways coating and asphalt shingles. Um so the building would be divided into an assisted living portion on the northwest side and a memory care portion on the southeast
side. Each unit would be 350 ft. Uh single occupancy with a full bathroom, shower and kitchenet. And there would be um facilities for for the entire building including a commercial kitchen, community dining room, lounge areas, and outdoor spaces um provided in the building as well. And then I just
included an image of the carriage house. the carriage house that they're proposing would match aesthetically um in height and in materials the um primary building. So with that, city staff are recommending approval of the site plan request with um that condition uh that the sidewalk connect fully
boulevard be removed. Um so in the the item that was submitted to the council, that condition was not present, but I did just want to call it out here on the presentation. And then staff are also recommending approval of the requested dimensional flexibility. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Very good. Questions for Mr. Passner. Mr. Mayor, >> council member Gisler.
>> Mr. Patler. Um, and just a reminder for us about where flexibility plays. This is because it's in the port district versus anywhere else in the city. >> Uh, Council Member Gesler. Uh, it's because it's in the River Rapids overlay district rather than the port. So, anywhere in the River Rapids overlay, they have the ability to request
flexibility. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions? >> Mr. Mayor, >> guys. Uh, I'll make a motion that in planning case 26-4, the city council approved the prop proposed site plan with the following conditions. All
engineering comments be addressed. The applicant enter into a site security agreement with the city. A right of entry agreement be established between the city and the property owner to provide city access to hydrants located outside of the public right away. To ensure the site has proper pedestrian amenities, the applicant shall provide a bike rack convenient to the building
entrance. All ground mechanical equipment be fully screened with landscaping or opaque fencing compliant with sections 11-1204 and 11-1205 of city code. Site plan be updated to show lighting to at least one foot candle across all parking areas and
drive lanes. All signage is subject to separate sign agreements. >> Second. >> Hang on. Um do you want that flexibility thing included in that or do you want that as a separate ordinance? >> Second motion. >> Second motion. Okay. So we have a motion by Gesler and a second by Novak. Is
there discussion on that? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Council member Gisler. >> I'll make a motion in planning case 26-4. The city council approve the requested dimensional flexibility for
parking finding the modifications are necessary to respond to site conditions result in better integration of uses or additional public amenities to further the intent of the port district. >> Second. Motion by Geyser and a second by Butler. Is there discussion on that? Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. >> Opposed. >> And that motion carries. All right. You're standing there. All right. Um item 20. Um this is an introduction only. Planning case 26-5. consider
introduction of an ordinance subdivision variance standards city code section 11-1504. Mr. Pasner. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members. Uh, so staff are requesting that the city council introduce an ordinance amendment. So, this is an ordinance
revising section 11-504.7, which is the subdivision variances section of the city code as opposed to um the standard variances section of the city code. So, we do have two sections of the zoning code that reference variances. Um the standard uh section or the standard variances section which is
11-304.8 was updated um to reflect the changes made in 2012 to the state statute regarding the required findings for variance. However, section 11-54.7 the subdivision the subdivision variances
section uh had not been updated. So the required findings in our code for subdivision variances do not match the required findings in state statute. Um so staff are requesting three general changes to that section of code. Um which are to replace any uh use of the term hardship with practical difficulty
to better align with state statute. To remove language directly referencing these hardship standards. Um these standards don't need to be referenced directly in the city code as they are they're already in statute. And also to remove the requirement that any subdivision variance be approved by a
twothirds council vote um and and rather remit that to a simple majority. Um, this brings subdivision variance requests into alignment with standard variances which only require a simple majority by the board of adjustment. Um, so without going into into further
detail about the the reasoning for this change, this did come to the council um in an application um last year that did need to be lots split that needed to be brought forward twice. Um because of this uh it needed to be approved uh to
the hardship standards required by the city code and then approved again meeting the practical difficulty standards required by state statute. So in order to avoid needing two separate needing approval by two separate standards um in the future staff are proposing just to bring this
section of code into alignment with state statute. Um so with that uh city staff are are recommending that this ordinance be introduced. Thank you. All right, questions. Mr. Passner, >> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Novak. >> Um, Max, could I just get a little bit of clarity as to what the difference is
between hardship, undue hardship, and then, um, difficulty? >> Thank you, uh, Council Member Novak. is a little bit outside of my area of expertise, so I may uh have city attorney uh Brody jump in if if anything I'm saying is is incorrect, but
generally the practical difficulty standards are um an easier standard to meet in most cases. It's it's kind of case by case, but um due to a court case that was decided back in 2012, the legislature decided to change the um
finding requirements in order to make it easier to meet the standard to receive a variance. the um court case had defined hardship um undue hardship uh as as a very difficult to meet condition. So in order to make it uh not put uh cities in
a situation where variances are almost impossible to approve um the the legislature did update that to practical difficulty. Um and most cities updated their city codes in order to match these standards and and we did as well. Um we just didn't do it for subdivision variances specifically. >> Just a quick followup. The original
hardship and undue hardship were put in place then to at the time match state uh statute. >> Um, council member Novak, I believe that those are just they are still in place from before state statute was updated. Um, so they they were put in place to
match state statute before it was updated in 2012. >> Yes, that's correct. >> Thank you. If I just may um the only thing I would clarify is the court case actually defined sort of undue hardship as practical difficulties then so then the
uh state statute was amended and used practical difficulties okay was pretty accurate on that but just a little point of clarification so we're just aligning ourselves with the state statute that aligned itself with that case back in 2012 and somehow I don't not sure how we over all the years
sort of missed this in the subdivision it's a pretty unique spot for the variance and so finally came to last fall and so we're just kind of correcting it. In my mind it's more of a housekeeping than anything else. >> Yep. >> All right. Any other questions for Mr. Patner?
If not, we will consider planning case 26-5 um an ordinance subdivision variant standard city code sections 11-1504. We'll consider that introduced. We'll look at that probably at the next
meeting to take action on. Item 21 is to consider resolution 26-50 accepting a community tree planting and grant and approve an agreement with the state of Minnesota. Mr. Hammer. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor, Council, this is the
second said grant we were successful in securing. Uh it's community tree planting through the DNR. Uh it's it's for a specific area. Uh bounded on the north by North Bill Boulevard, Foley on the east, egret on the south, and Kquad on the west. It's it's generally in our
2026 recon area. So timing is is good for this. Um it's specific to this area only. The identified trees are in the boulevard, so they're owned and maintained by the city. But this allows us some additional funds to help with the EAB uh emerald dashboard concern.
Not only does it remove said trees, but it will also replace them as well. So, uh, we're looking to accept a grant for $76,950 or up to that amount depending on the actual cost. Uh, and I would recommend that we approve this and I'm happy to answer questions.
>> Very good. Any questions of Mr. Hammer on this, >> Mr. Mayor? Council member Armstrong. >> Uh, more of a statement than a question. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Um, if if people didn't have a chance to see that map of the 57 trees that came down
in that area, that's a that's a lot of trees and that's it's not a big big area, but that's a lot of trees coming down. So, uh, we appreciate you getting this grant and getting it replaced or getting them replaced as well because
the the neighborhoods definitely need it. Um, and with that, I will make a motion to approve resol resolution 26-50 authorizing the acceptance of the community tree planting grant and authorized execution of the agreement with the state of Minnesota acting
through the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. >> Second. >> Motion by Armstrong, second by Geisler. Is there further discussion on this? >> Your honor, >> Council Member Novak, >> I just want to say you and I have spoken in the past and thank you very much for
uh putting it in place that these trees will not be replaced with all of the same kind again um after the Dutch elm disease issues in the late 70s early 80s and now the emerald ashbor suddenly a wide swath of trees being gone we can avoid that by not planting the exact
same kind of tree all over this city so thank you >> Tommy Shabila diversity diversity in trees diversity >> that's why when you look at every year when you have his tree sale >> it's like I've Never even heard of half these streets. >> Mr. Mayor,
>> Council Member Carlson, >> in 1993, my forester friend said, "Go with an ash. Nothing happens to ashes." So, I went with with a couple. And m Council Member Armstrong, that neighborhood looks kind of familiar to me. Any any help we can get, Mr. Hammer, is
greatly appreciated with the uh expense and the damage and, >> you know, the problems that this ashbor emerald ashbor is causing us. Any help we can get is just greatly appreciated. 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 22 is to consider an agreement for the voluntary dissolution of the Rapids Fire Relief Association and the resolution 2652
amending the 2026 general fund budget. Mr. stem. >> Mayor and city council. Yes, as you mentioned, we are asking council to approve an agreement that would initiate the dissolution of the Rapids Fire Department Relief Association. So, for
quick uh background, for many decades, the city has operated under a combination fire model, which means we have both full-time and and paid on call or part-time firefighters. And as a part of the the part-time or paid on call portion of this, um the Rapids Fire
Department Relief Association was creating. Really what this is is the sort of retirement arm uh for those folks that are willing to step up and serve in that capacity. Um they are able to benefit from contributions to a retirement fund that then when they
retire from the department um they can access. Uh so with that this the city receives state fire aid that goes into funding the Rapids Fire Department relief association. Well, in recent years we've taken a look at the staffing model. We
think we need to have moving forward and we've sort of made the decision over time that we want to put more resources into the full-time model just given the nature of calls, increased services, complexity of those calls, you name it. Um and so uh it came to being that we
decided this is the best year to move forward with dissolving the relief association and the paid on call portion of our fire staffing. Uh in order to do that, we started meeting with the fire relief association several months ago to talk about what that process would look
like. There's really two ways to approach it. the two parties can agree on uh a process for that or you can you can initiate it from the city standpoint and sort of unvoluntarily dissolve the association and of course we wanted to go the voluntary route and get everybody
on the same page. So, uh we worked in great cooperation with the CRFDR. It's kind of hard to say. Um, and we had some good back and forth over a series of several meetings and we came to a tentative agreement that we boiled down into an agreement that's before the city
council tonight that stipulates those terms and really provides them with the statutory notice to start winding down. They have a lot of work to do on their end to wind down the association and the various retirement accounts. Um and along with that the the budget
resolution portion of it is that typically we'll receive money um for example we'll receive money in 2026 for the 2025 fire season I'll call it um a portion of that we want to contribute to the Kun Rapids Fire Relief Association
because they're operating through April of this year. So approximate estimated amount um for onethird of the year of our expected state aid that we'll receive in 2027. We'd like to contribute that to their funding now so that they
can start the dissolution process. They don't have to wait for that reimbursement and start crossing fiscal years and things of that nature. So uh that wasn't anticipated in the 2026 budget. We're asking council to make that amendment and then essentially we'll get reimbursed when we get that fire aid in early 2027. Um, so with
that, I'll stand for any questions. This is a topic that we've discussed somewhat at work session, so hopefully it all sort of makes sense to council and go from there. >> Very good. Questions for Mr. Stem? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council. >> Uh, I move that we approve the agreement
for the dissolution of the Rapids Fire Department Relief Association and approve resolution 26-52 amending the 2026 general fund budget for state fire aid dispersement. >> Second. Motion by Butler, second by Geisler. There discussion on this, >> Mr. Mayor.
>> Butler, >> I I know this was a really long journey. I know that this required a lot of time with staff, with fire relief association, with the union, with HR, kind of just everybody getting involved with this. So, I just want to thank everyone for their patience and work on
this. And I know that as we go into the next budget season, we will be talking more about how this funding can be repurposed knowing that we had a work session just a couple weeks ago about fire staffing and long-term considerations. >> Mr. Gler,
>> yeah, I just want to echo that, you know, having sat on the fire relief for the last couple months here and helping them walk through this and having good discussions, you know, they're they're they're making a good effort. I'm glad that we could all come together to do this voluntarily and in a positive and collaborative manner. So, um you know,
they they had they had some questions uh during their annual meeting and was there just to make sure that everybody felt that they could be heard and said and they all agreed to this that this is the right path to go. So, I think we can do this confidently. >> 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 I opposed and that motion carries. Item 23 is to consider adoption of resolution 26-53
amending the fee schedule for the civic center services. Oh, you are here, Miss Raymond. >> Hello, mayor and council. Thank you. Yes, we are asking council to amend the 2026 uh fee schedule specifically in the civic center area that basically has to
do with just a service adjustment. We provide linen rental to uh people that want to use the space. We have been notified that our linen service provider is no longer doing that service. So we did some research and we have uh decided
that Pilgrim Facility Services is the best company to move forward with. I should note any of these fees are paid by the renter. So the formal um change of this fee needs to be adopted by council. So, you'll see that in your notes here about tablecloth rentals. And
then while we were doing that, we are also adjusting um the security officer fee for alcohol service, which is paid when somebody rents the space and they want to serve alcohol. They must also hire a security officer for the event.
So, we're asking you to adopt this resolution that amends the fee schedule. >> All right. Any questions of Miss Ring? >> Mr. Council member Geyser. >> Mr. Ring, with the usage of the uh contractor, does the city contract with
them and the rent pays for it or do they sign the contract with the linen provider? >> So, we have a very um flexible contract with the linen service provider and they will only provide linens if a renter needs them and it's a direct cost to the
renter. >> Okay. >> So, the city's really not paying anything. >> Okay. Thank you, >> your honor. Council >> Novak, >> I move to adopt resolution 2653, a resolution amending the fee schedule for civic center services for new linen
service and 2027 fee adjustments. >> Second >> motion by Novak and a second by Grisco down there. Is that you? >> All right. >> Further discussion hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. I I opposed and that motion carries. Item 24 is to consider adoption of resolution 26-54 authorizing easement and fee acquisitions for city project 18-14. Uh Mr. Hammer,
>> I can defer to >> Mr. Brody. >> I will take it, your honor, even though I >> Oh, from Mr. Brody. Submitted for Mr. Hammer. Got it. Mr. Brody. Um, your honor and councel, this is a uh a resolution that's required in order for us to formally do any acquisitions of
property through the imminent domain or condemnation process for our our 610 and East River Road interchange improvement project. So, as we continue to negotiate with property owners for voluntary acquisition of the properties and the easements that we need um in the in the
near future, we're also going to have to start a more formal process to make sure that we can acquire those properties um in a timely fashion to allow the project to go forward. So, this is the first step on that track is to adopt this resolution authorizing the acquisitions uh for that project. Um if you have any
questions, I believe Mr. Hmer and I should be able to answer those. >> All right. Any questions for Mr. Hammer or Mr. Brody on this. >> Mr. Mayor, >> that's rep Novak. >> And that was >> I'm sorry, Council Member Butler. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, I move that we adopt resolution 26-54 authorizing
easement and fee acquisitions for city project 18-14, trunk highway 610 at East River Interchange Improvement Project. >> Second. >> Motion by Butler and a second by Geisler. Is there further discussion on this? Your honor, council member Novak, >> I know this is mentioned in workshop,
but I would just would like to put it on the record that uh in general, I am not a fan of condemning and taking of property for projects, but this one is a very very large project that has been on the the radar of the city for a very
long time. And if we can find a way to get these taken care of and treat these residents right, then I am for it. Okay. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by
saying I. >> I. Opposed. And that motion carries. So then right up next is to consider a purchase agreement on 9xx93rd Avenue. Mr. Hammer. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. Councel. Uh this is the
second property uh where we've had a purchase agreement in front of you uh related to the 610 East River Road interchange project. So, uh, the the offer was consistent with the appraised value. There was no negotiation necessary. They accepted that offer and we're proposing to close sometime
between now and the middle of July. So, I'm I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Himmer on this? >> Mr. Mayor, council approve the purchase agreement for property at 9xx-3
93rd Avenue Northwest. Authorize the city manager and mayor to execute the agreement and authorize staff to execute any documents necessary to close on the property. >> Second. >> Motion by Armstrong and a second by Carlson. Is there further discussion on this?
Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. And that motion carries. Um and these don't just go by lightly. We've spent a lot of time in close session discussing these purchases. So,
um, all right. Item 26 is to consider adoption of resolution 26-45 approving the 2026 police sergeants labor agreement. And Ms. Roth.
>> Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council. We ask that you approve resolution 2645, which is the tenative agreement for the sergeants uh police sergeants contract negotiated uh agreed upon through the
negotiation process. The tenative agreement, excuse me, includes a two-year contract, uh wages and longevity amended as follows. So, the police sergeants received in their contract 22% above top
patrol. Top patrol, if you recall, um received increases for 2026, which would be a 3% cola and a 1% market adjustment. For 2027, the wages increase by 3% cola
and a market adjustment of.5%. Um, and you can see in the memo that you received, there's a snapshot of the pay ranges. Longevity pay as well to mirror that of the police officers was changed for our
sergeants. Um, so we changed it from 8 to six years that will recognize longevity and from 12 to 10 and from 16 to 14. Also for the sergeants agreement, again,
it matches a police officer's agreement, a $100 stipen for uh foreign language uh abilities, a $25 increase for union or for uniform
allowance for both in 2026 and 2027. Um and one additional wellness day to support the annual wellness checkup that nears the police officer's contract as well. And then we agreed to a 50/50 split for
the Minnesota paid leave um program. Uh 5050 split means the city will pay 50% of that premium that's required and the employee will pay the other part. So that is it. If you have any questions, I
would be happy to answer them now. >> Very good. Any questions of Miss Roth on the contract? >> Mr. Mayor Council member Carlson >> question. Council GE I'm sorry. >> Uh I had a comment and a question but
start off. Yeah. >> I think he's going for the motion. >> Oh. Oh, he's going for the motion. >> Just a question for Miss Roth. I think this makes sense. Like you said, you outlined it. We've seen these contracts and they're kind of mirroring each other and now we're just got the final one. But the only question I have is on number seven there, the insurance under
article 18.3. uh the addition of this extra language. I'm just wondering if you could explain why do we need extra language? Isn't all that already in the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Act or are we kind of giving a benefit over and above
that >> in that act it says 5050 unless negotiated otherwise. So that's why we felt it was important to capture the agreement in the contract. >> Okay. And then the utilization um let's see what was the other question I had
then is to uh supplement the paid medical leave with acred leave time that's all allowed already in the act right I mean there's nothing >> an employer has a choice to offer the top off to allow an employee to use their leave time um or not so in this
case it was negotiated that we would permit them to top off their um paid medical leave and supplement it with their sick leave or their vacation leave. >> Okay. And just I'm sorry to ask again, but that that's
>> that's not already allowed in the in the act, the Minnesota Act. >> No, it's actually a choice that an employer can have a program where they do not allow their employees to use their paid time off to supplement what
the leave program does not provide. And it doesn't provide 100% So, um I I think it's a a great offering that we agreed upon with the union. I believe we should allow our employees to top off their paid medical leave and
that's what we agreed to. >> But good question. Thank you. >> Okay. And then this is only going to apply to this this one labor agreement with the police sergeant. It doesn't retro to all the other ones that we've already approved. >> Um no, we we agreed to this in each of those contracts as well.
>> Okay. I should have maybe started my question with that one just for some reason really jumped out at me. So, thanks for the clarification and now it all makes perfect sense for me. >> My pleasure. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Council Bird. >> Uh, I just had a question for Mr. Seinal. I'd already asked him before,
but uh, in line with all the rest of the agreements, could you give us the approximate empirical dollar amounts for this contract? >> Sure. from a um mayor and city council member Gistler council purely from a dollar standpoint the difference in the cost from 25 to 26 is approximately
$73,000 the difference in cost from the 26 to 27 contract uh terms is 57,000 or $130,000 over the course of the two-year agreement >> thank you council member Carlson did you have something
>> I forgot Mr. Mayor make a motion to adopt resolution 26-45 approving the 2026 2027 labor agreement between the city of Rapids and Law Enforcement Labor Services Incorporated representing the police sergeants bargaining unit.
>> Second motion by Carlson and a second by Armstrong. Is there further discussion on this? >> Thank you for all of the work you do on this. >> All in favor signify by saying I. I >> I opposed. And that motion carries.
All right, we are at the open mic public comment portion of the meeting. 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. Remarks will be limited to three minutes. Should you wish to participate in open mic, 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 not prohibited. Open mic is not a time for problem solving or reacting to the comments made, but for hearing the speaker forformational purposes only. 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. And then the only other thing I would point out is the decorum in the room is that the uh those in the
gallery must remain silent while others are speaking. There's no booing, hissing, clapping or cheering. So, if there's somebody here to address council for open mic, you can please step up. Mayor Cook, city council staff, and city
staff. My name is Betsy Keyfer, 12772 Swallow Street, Rapids. For 39 years, I've spoken at this open mic the last three council meetings, telling you my personal experience and experience of my
friends and neighbors about ICE in our community. Metro Surge may have ended, but ICE is still here. I do appreciate the council's statement about ICE and see it as a start to build on further actions, especially because Mark Wayne
Mullen has supercharged efforts to increase the federal 287 program, which allows for state and local law enforcement to take on ICE duties. This is important and will need community input, awareness, and solid leadership.
But tonight I really want to thank you and express my gratitude for the sustainability award. I want to thank the sustainability committee, the person who nominated me, the people who have inspired me, and I am thankful for the
children who tell me in the fall that they miss my yard and they tell me they love to walk by my yard because it is so alive. I also want to thank Jim Staten, the developer of our neighborhood, who made a special effort to save the trees.
And I can tell to her visitors, I have native elm, native white oak, and pin oak trees. This is important because council, we are losing our pollinators, our bees, our butterflies, moss, bats
are in deep, steep co decline and 20% are at risk for extinction. And this impacts 75% of our food production. Native plants and pollinators co-evolved. Pollinators cannot thrive in
non-native landscapes. The many benefits to native yard include minimal water use, no fertilizer, pesticides, thus improving water quality and storm runoff and erosion. And this is important for Rapids as we have nine different
creeks running through it. As I just learned in the Rapids Connection paper last week, other in benefits include reducing the need for gas powered lawn equipment, reducing air and noise pollution, and my husband loves
less mowing in our yard. I would love to help everyone in our community to plant natives in their yard. I invite anyone interested to reach out to me. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Anybody here for
Mr. Mayor, members of the council, my name is Becky Frink. Live in Rapids. The staff have my address. Congratulations, Betsy. She's a leader. She's one of the people when we say look to the leaders. Look to the helpers.
That's Betsy. I want uh to tell you, Mr. Mayor, in particular, but councel, I have a timer here tonight in the long-term well-being of that gavl. We're going to settle that down tonight. We're not going to have things flying around. So, I got a timer. Okay. >> Okay. You're talking to us.
>> Very good. >> Very good. >> You got that. Good. So, I just wanted to say tonight, I happened to be in the city uh this weekend at a convention where the mayor of the city
of Columbia Heights was endorsed to serve the her community in the legislature. Do you know her? >> I don't know. >> You know her? Good. I asked around at the convention if they had heard anything from the city of Rapids given the trauma that they had lived
through. It could be anecdotal, but nobody that I talked to in that room of hundreds of people from the community reported having heard from anybody from our town. We're 12 miles and 8 miles away from a community that had trauma.
That is hard to even describe. To know that not only did we not have that leadership, but that we did not reach out to our neighbors hurt my heart.
as a person who lives lived in Rapids. This is all connected tonight. Our threatened, our government threatened to annihilate another
whole community of people. And there are people here on this council who I know originally supported that that regime. You need to know that tonight going forward between now and
November, you have to figure out how you're going to separate yourself from this regime. You must. It is so local. It is so hurtful. And it is not over. Don't think because we're not all here filling up the council every night that
we're not in the community organizing and educating and understanding what we don't have here. When I sat and listened to those folks from Columbia Heights and Fidley and hear how their leadership planned and protected their communities
and I thought of what happened here and it hurt my heart. The disappointment was palpable. I ask you to do better. >> Is that my son? >> That's your timer.
>> That's my song. So, you can just put that dabble down and I'll be back soon. You take good care now. >> Thank you for your service. >> Anybody else here for open mic this evening? All right, we'll close that portion of the meeting. We have a comment from our
last open mic. Um, this is Samantha Streer, 124th circle, appeared before council to express concerns with an environmental protection agency proposal to lower the emission standards for ethylene oxide. Um, she indicated she's concerned with
the EPA proposal lower the emission standards for ethylene oxide due to its carcinogenic properties. Uh, she asked council to push back on the EPA proposal. to protect residents from this cancer-causing chemical. Um, and then according to the information obtained
from the environmental from the EPA, u they are in response to legal, scientific, and policy concerns including the critical medical supply chain um medical supply chain issue in the United States uh that it faces due to the 2024 NHAP rule. So basically the
the NSHAP rule really limited the use of this to the point where it's creating a national emission standards. I'm sorry. So where it's creating a critical medical supply chain issue. So now the EPA is looking at modifying those and she is saying that we should push back
on that. I think there's a lot more information that we can gather on this, but it is that it's all federal stuff, but I it would be interesting to start with >> who in town is using it, >> you know, just to kind of start with that. But um at any rate, she received
the letter from us and there is lots of information online and the um period for public comments on the proposed changes um go until May 1st. And so she's received all of the contact information
and anybody that's interested can go online to our city agenda and find this on there as well. Um so that was kind of that from open mic um and work to other business. Mr. Mayor
Geyser, uh I I would further support trying to understand who is using ethylene oxide in the city. Um honestly it you know it is the EPA they are making their rulings are there. However people who use it the impacts are local. It's the people who live by them. Um you
know just thinking back it it was before my time but you know let gas used to be considered the way to do it and banning leaded gas was going to ruin the economy. Now we have unled gas. So I I do think that some of these things are purposeful and intentional even if we can't see them or feel physically see
them. Um, so I, you know, I I I do I would worry about this if we don't understand who lives around these things, what are the impact areas, you know, and and if they are significant to our residents, we should try to support them if we can knowing that it's a still a federal
thing, but it would be an opportunity to help our residents if we believe that that's important to us. >> Mr. Mayor, Crosby, >> I would just like to add on that. I think the whole council is is is behind you on that one. I know that I looked into this a little bit further. Uh the
uh company that was uh mentioned by our constituent the other day, I reached out to them. They were very helpful. They came back to me. They provided some information, a communication through their office, and I think that anyone that wanted to reach out to that organization would would get that information and be benefit benefited by
it. So, >> agree. Very good, >> Mr. Mayor. >> I guess I moved to other business too quickly. >> Sorry, Council Member Armstrong. I I got just a few things. I'll make it quick here. Um last last week, uh I got the opportunity to go visit Sodber Early
Childhood Center. Um my my kids went to Soderberg Elementary School way way back in the day when it was still elementary school. Um so I was kind of curious to I I I had an idea of what they did, but I just wanted to to to meet with them and and get an understanding of what all
they do. They've uh a Noah Henipin uh school district has done a a great job of taking the elementary school and and turning it into a a building that offers early childhood screening. Um they've got different programs for kids that are
3 to 5 years of age. Uh they've got family education. I I discovered they have a a grandparents program in the the evening where you can actually take your grandkid if you're trying to figure out what to do with a with a feisty little 3
to 5year-old and and uh uh don't have any good ideas. They've got all kinds of ideas for you to to interact with them and and uh learn all kinds of good information. But they also have special education classes, um occupational and
and physical therapists. Um, I could go on and on and on as far as what they offer over there. Um, I would encourage anybody that's got uh younger children. This their programs go every from from
birth to infant to all the way up to uh 5 years of age. And they're doing a great great program over there. So, um I know we're still in spring semester, but if you've if you're looking at something uh that might be beneficial to your your
younger children, I would definitely check this place out. Um also, I talked about Paladine last time we were here. They actually have a spring community night coming up April 15th. Bake sale, plant sale, uh community outreach. Uh if
you haven't checked out Paladine, uh I would encourage you to to swing by there. Um, again, another great great program that we have here in Rapids. Um, uh, Miss Kik mentioned earlier, the Rapids Connections
spring edition is out. You might be lucky and grab one out there in the the the foyer still. If you haven't, uh, if you're not getting this, it's supposed to go to all Rapids residents that have a mailing address. There is a ton of stuff in here as far as what we've
got going on uh in the city here for spring. And last but not least, just to make a a quick little plug for uh the girls fast pitch softball team. Their season just started earlier this week. Um I've been following them the last couple years. They've got a great team.
They've got a lot of very very talented women on that team. And uh um they they're helping sponsor a youth night. I know it's a little ways off, but uh on May 8th at Aspen Aspen Park, um it's it's a youth night that they're they're
helping uh put together for the the girls that are involved in that program. Uh so a a shameless plug. They have they have their little uh their little card that they get. This this puppy is the
best best uh I don't want to say kept secret, but this is a great value. It's like 90 95% Rapids businesses. If there's a restaurant that you love in Rapids, I'll guarantee you that it's probably on here. But, uh, there
are a few of these left still. Um, I had thrown out a little Facebook post on that earlier. Um, if you're interested in getting one getting one of the last few that are left, I can get you in contact with uh uh the the the people that are covering this. But I I check
out the girls fast pitch team. and they're going to be great this year. That was other business. Okay. >> All right. Um, so we had a uh unfortunately we have a a pillar of our community passed away recently. Um,
David Macaulay passed away age 87 um on Wednesday, March 25th. He was preceded in death by his wife Lonnie who is also uh a former mayor here. Uh David grew up in Warthingington, Minnesota, was active in scouting and debate and
graduated seventh in the class of 157. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, David and his wife Lonnie enjoyed 64 years of life together calling Rapids their home. Um in 1980, David was also very active in the
community. uh he was a uh being a former mayor, a former city council member, charter commission member, planning commission member. Um and then he went on Oh, and then in 1980 he received the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute public
leadership award for service as an Anoka County Commissioner. Uh and I think I think I figured out he was elected to that in 1992. Um so then he served 12 years as a county commissioner. Um, and uh, just so everybody knows, his
celebration of life will be held April 28th from 3 to 6 at Washurn McCree in Rapids. That's the one right down on Rapids Boulevard. Um, and in the way Dave McCauley would do it, memorials can be made to the Rapids Community
Scholarship Association. Uh, the Dave and Lonnie McCauley Memorial Scholarship. Um, yeah, just a great guy. He was mayor here from 1980 to 1981 and uh he was very active in our Kunabas Rotary Club for many years and very good
friend and it was a real loss to our community. So, um, that's and then the the other thing I had, let's lift this back up. Um, is just a reminder that came up in the Community Strength Foundation. Um, our
last winter concert is Thursday night, April 9th, and that will be the Church of Cash here in the Rapid Civic Center. And it'll be interesting to see how they can get people in because man, did they pack them in down at the dam last summer. But here it's $8 for adults
and $5 for kids 12 and under. The price includes a beverage and dessert. Um, Mr. Hammer, are we talking about the spring Ice show or we wait for the next meeting? >> Spring ice show. Usually you're the one that brings this
up. Hi Steph. >> Well, I got all the information. I suppose >> meeting before that, but I can certainly talk about it. It's um skating through the decades. It is Friday, April 24th, Saturday, April 25th, and we invite people to come out. Oh, there's a show
on Thursday as well. And all this information is on our website. Great opportunity to see skaters of all ages. They work really hard on the spring show. Um, so come on out and support our local skaters and come out to the ice center. >> It's it's it's really a great program and my favorite is still the
fatherdaughter dance or the fatherdaughter skate. >> All right, that's all I got. M council member Geyser. Uh, one other event, it's uh, next Tuesday, April 14th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. here at the Civic Center. It is the Electrify Everything workshop.
So, dovetailing onto the Earth Month here. Um, just it's a electrification workshop to learn about switching your appliances to electric and potentially being a little more sustainable and whatnot. I've done a lot of that in my own home, uh, especially with having solar on the roof. So, they kind of offsets and go that way. So, the that
service is again here, uh, at the Civic Center 6:30 to 8:30 next Tuesday. All right. >> Other business come before council. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Second. >> Motion by Carlson, second by Butler. All
in favor signify by saying I. I return a jerk.