Good evening and welcome to the Rapids City Council meeting for Tuesday, July 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 Grisco >> here. >> Council member Butler >> here.
>> Council member Novak >> here. >> Council member Gisler >> here. Council member Armstrong >> here. >> Council member Carlson >> here. >> Mayor Cook >> here. Thank you. Um All right. Well, why don't we adopt this evening's agenda so we can get rolling. Move to approve the agenda.
>> Second. >> Motion by Gesler, second by Grisco to approve the agenda. Any changes or corrections? >> Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed? >> I. >> And the agenda is adopted.
And we're up to the minutes of the June 16th meeting. >> Motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Mayor. >> Second. >> Motion by Carlson, second by Gesler to approve the minutes from the June 16th, 2026 meeting. Any discussion or corrections?
>> Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that those minutes are approved. We have we actually have a a reasonably long agenda and only two things on the consent tonight.
>> So the first one is um every meeting we receive the schedule of electronic payments uh because state statute requires it. So we're looking to receive the schedule of electronic payments from June 11th 2026
through July 1st 2026. that represents all of the electronic payments processed since the last council meeting. And whoopsie to adopt resolution 26-73
accepting donations and business sponsorships. And we have a lot of things that were contributed to for safety camp um for fire programs for cops and cardinals night to unite synthetic canine training
wreck and roar city events. Um, so we just like to thank Rapids Crime Prevention Association, Rapids Police Association, Rapids Youth Hockey Association, Rapids Super Senior Club, Rapids Community Strength Foundation, KID as in KDE, like
smoke detectors, um, Centerpoint Energy, NADGS SG, which is actually the Riverdale Village, uh, Charitable Able Minnesota, Kexus
Energy, True Stone Financial, Steps to Freedom, um Andrew Bender, and Lineia Hackett. And we're looking to adopt resolution 26-73 to accept contributions made to the city
between April 1st and June 30th, 2026. And that's the whole consent agenda. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Geyser, >> move to approve the consent agenda. Second >> motion by Gesler and a second by Novak. Is there any discussion or corre any
discussion questions? Um okay. Well, we just offer our deep appreciation for everybody that has contributed to uh help us make all these programs go. Um all in favor signify by saying I.
>> I opposed. >> And that motion carries. Item four is to conduct a public hearing and consider approval of a non-domemestic animal exhibition permit to Little Blues
Traveling Zoo. Uh they have submitted an application for non-domemestic animal exhibition permit to be used on July 2nd at the Riverdale Village Touch a Truck Event uh located at 12701 Riverdale Boulevard. and the non-domemestic animal exhibition permit would allow Little
Blue's traveling zoo to provide a petting zoo at this event. Um, all the applicable application documents have been submitted, including site plans, proof of necessary liability insurance, and animal health records. But the city code requires that a public hearing be
held by city council prior to the issuance of a non-domemestic animal permit. So, does anybody from council have any questions before we open the public hearing? No. All right, then let's open the public hearing if anybody is here to address
council for the public hearing for the Little Blues Traveling Zoo. Little Blues Traveling Zoo. You're not all here for that. Okay. Then we'll close the public hearing and look to council for a motion.
>> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Gisler. Uh, I move that we approve the non-domemestic animal exhibition permit to Little Blues Traveling Zoo at Riverdale Village Touch a Truck Event located at 12701 Riverdale Boulevard on July 11th, 2026.
>> Second motion by Gesler and a second by Novak. Is there discussion on this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Carlson. >> Little Boo's Traveling Zoo is awesome. >> Great. And we're going to talk about it in other business. I I'll leave.
>> But if there's but if there's something else you want to do, but that's it. >> We've actually got the flyer queued up for other business. >> All right, we're ready. >> Okay, you'll come back to us again. >> Yeah, let's do that. >> All right. Any other discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed.
>> And that motion carries. Um, and we are up to item five, which is planning case 26-11. Consider an introduction of an ordinance
reszoning to LDR3 Cardinal Crest, 9050 East River Road, Harststead Hills Incorporated. Mr. Patner, you're there. All right. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council members, I have a brief presentation for this. Um, so right now I just have
before you request to introduce the ordinance reszoning the property, but I do want to go over some of the specifics of the proposed development just so that we have all the information here. And the uh applicant is here tonight, so if the council does have any specific questions for the applicant, they may be able to answer those. Um, so this is a
request for a um reszoning and then eventually a preliminary plat for a 4.47 acre lot. Uh, it's the lot next to Adams Elementary. This is for the Cardinal Crest development. Um, so this would be a single family development with 14 units. Um, a very similar development
was brought before the planning commission and the council and was approved back in 2024 for an 11 unit development. Um, the parcel had previously been zoned LDR1 and uh was approved to be upzoned to LDR2. The applicant is requesting that the parcel
be uh reszoned again to LDR3 and this would be to support um slightly narrower lot widths to allow for three more residential units on the property. So, he knows we don't have LDR4, right? >> Okay. All right. Go. I'm sorry. Carry on.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I'll I'll cut off the back half of my slides then. So, what they're proposing are 14 single family homes on about 4 and a half acres. Um, which is just for context, um, just about the same, uh, acreage or the same density as the development just
to the south. Um, so this property is different than that development just to the south only or generally in that it's a little bit um wider north south and a little bit narrower east west. Uh, forcing uh a development with 14 lots on the property to um be a little bit
narrower east west, but they would also be wider north south. Um, so here's the lot just to the east of Adams Elementary that would be reszoned. Um and what are being proposed are lots that are generally uh well above the
minimum standards in the LDR3 district. So they would be uh a minimum of 160 feet deep where 120 ft deep is the minimum required uh in terms of depth. Uh they would be a minimum of um
let's see I think I have it on the next slide. A minimum of 9,000 square feet. Um, in terms of lot size, we're 7200 square feet is the minimum required. So, lot width would be the only uh dimension in which the proposed development would be running up against the LDR3 uh
standards. And so, LDR3 requires lots to be a minimum of 60 feet in width. And uh many of the lots being proposed here would be 60 feet in width, especially the culde-sac lots where width is measured at the front setback line. Um, so I do have a table here just showing
the the standards being proposed. Um really the one to look at are the side setbacks which would be at 7 and 1/2 ft or 10 feet um for most of the side setbacks um which would be uh close to the minimum of 7 and a half required in LDR3 as well as the lot widths which
would be at around 60 ft which is the minimum required in LDR3. Most of the other dimensions are well over the minimum requirements in LDR3. Um a couple of other uh facts about the proposed development. Um, so there are storm water and infiltration ponds being
proposed that would be accessible by the city um from the school property to the west as well as via easements uh directly from the proposed culde-sac. Um there would be no direct pedestrian access to the school property from the proposed development, which is the same
as what was um uh proposed back in 2024, that the school did not want to have a second um or the school district did not want to have a second pedestrian access to the school property there. Um the applicant is proposing the development be um oriented toward senior
buyers and would have an HOA uh handling uh snow storage um snow removal and um lawn maintenance. So there would be an HOA on the property and it would be um not limited uh to to seniors but oriented toward kind of a senior market.
I do have just showing the nearest pedestrian access to the school property is via the um development just to the south. Um so with that the only ask is that uh the city council introduce the ordinance the preliminary plat final
plat and a decision on the ordinance reszoning the property to LDR3 will be brought forward to the council at the July 21st meeting. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions of Mr. Patner here? Mr. Mayor Councer. >> Uh Mr. Pastor, just to clarify, so the
the division, the subdivision that's built below, that's 14 units or parcels on that one. It's just a little wider, not installed. >> That's correct. >> And then that one doesn't have any infiltration basins on it. >> And and the proposed development,
>> it will have infiltration basins because it's newer, >> council member Giser. That's correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions? >> No questions. Just just to be clear, the >> Oh, yeah. Just just to be clear, the
tonight we're just going to introduce the ordinance amending the property from LDR2 to three. >> We're not seeing a site map or any proposed changes. And so, >> okay, >> your honor, >> right? No. >> Um, again, not a question, but I just want to say that I remember this when it
came out in uh 24. I really liked it then and I still like it. I live on a culde-sac myself. According to the measurements, our lot is probably maybe 20 21 ft because it's the beginning of our driveway. So, yeah, it goes back and
it's a lot wider. So, it's a little bit deceiving when you're taking a look at lot width in a culde-sac is all I'm trying to say. >> Yeah, I think it looks real good. >> It's nice. Nice looking development. Glad we could uh glad we could make some
improvements for you. Mr. Mayor. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I'm I'm excited to see this coming into to our ward. We can this this is good use of of of land and we need the houses. >> It's a great use of LDR3. So,
>> all right. Well, if there are no questions, um, then we will consider plan a case 2611, um, the ordinance reszoning to LDR3 Cardinal Crest, 9050 East River Road,
Harstead Hills Incorporated, introduced. And then we'll vote on this at the next meeting. But I like your chances. Okay. Thank you. Um item six,
planning case 26-20 and planning case 26-22 consider a preliminary and final plat for Rapids Industrial Second Edition United Properties. Um
>> Mr. Brown. >> Yes. Good evening. I'll I'll take this one. Uh and no slides since it's a pretty straightforward one. This is uh an application for preliminary and final plat uh for what is commonly known as the former Berry Plastic site. The
existing building at that location is now occupied by Larsson's Manufacturing. Uh in this case, uh the the property had been platted most recently a few years ago. Uh this large 16 17 acre site had
been platted as an outlet just because the plans weren't really clear for that. an end user was not identified at this time. Uh, United Properties is acquiring the property to uh construct 140 thou 147,000 square foot industrial building
uh on that site. The planning commission at its June meeting approved that site plan. Site plans in most locations don't go to council. Uh also recommended approval of the preliminary plat. Uh so
again it simply uh creates uh a platted lot out of an existing outlot with a fairly minor boundary adjustment to one of the lot lines. So you're asked to uh approve the preliminary plat and then also approve a resolution which approves
the final plat with three conditions. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Brown on this? Boy, it's taken a long time to get a nice project there, but I think we finally have a nice project for that site.
>> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Armstrong, >> I make a motion that we approve the preliminary, excuse me, in planning case 26-20, that we approve the preliminary plat. And in planning case 26-22, this we uh
adopt the resolution 2674 approving the final plat with the following conditions. One, all engineering comments be addressed. Two, park dedication fee in the amount of $7,500 if paid. And three, existing
easements be vacated. >> Second. We have a motion by Armstrong and a second by Geisler. Is there further discussion on this? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed.
>> And that motion carries. And we're up to item seven, planning case 26-9. Consider a preliminary plat and variances for Marne Art, which is Old Fire Station 3, 28313th
Avenue Northwest, Ibvisa LLC. Mr. Brown or Mr. Pats. Oh, you're now you're back, Mr. P. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members. Um, so I have our second uh LDR3 request
uh here uh from 2026. So this is a request for a preliminary plat for uh eight single family homes on the former fire station 3 property. So the fire station 3 which was demolished uh back in 2025 um and reszone to LDR3 also in
2025. Um the applicant is proposing to fit eight single family lots on the property um around the constraints of the property that I'm kind of showing here on the um slide with the uh right ofway for 113th lane northwest as well
as a 45 foot wide easement for a deep sewer pipe running north to south through the property. Um, so the applicant, even though they're in LDR3, is requesting several variances for um some dimensional elements of the properties uh in order to fit the um the
eight homes um kind of around these constraints that I'm showing here. So, uh the the applicant is proposing three homes to the south side of 113th Lane and one home on the north side of 113th Lane and then four more homes each
fronting 113th Avenue to the south. Um, and so you do have kind of running through uh lots uh one and two uh block two and as well as lots five and six block two that deep sewer pipe easement running north south through the
property. Um so just to kind of go over a couple elements of the project. Uh the applicant is proposing a storm water pond or storm water filtration basin um on the rear side of lots one and two block two that would filter or would
drain to um 113th Avenue to the south. Um the applicant is also showing on the proposal um sewer and water connections directly to 113th Lane and 113th Avenue with the exception of two of the properties uh block two lots one and two
which they're showing having sewer connections directly to the deep pipe running through the property. One of the engineering uh comments that would be required as a condition of approval would be for uh the utility plan to be amended to show all homes connecting directly to the street. So, the direct
connections to the deep pipe um shown here uh would be required to be uh changed by our engineering department to go directly to 113th Lane to the north. And I'm kind of showing that with the red arrows here. Um so that's the only item on the plan that uh city staff are
requiring to be uh amended before um we would release the myars. Um and this is just an elevation uh image showing the infiltration basin on the back of lots one and two block two. Um the applicant is also proposing uh quite a number of trees uh more than the one tree per
single family lot required by um city code. So they are meeting and quite exceeding the landscape ordinance. Um so getting to the subdivision requests. So the main requests are for lot depth, lot width and lot area. Um so the first three requests for lot depth are for the
property to the north of 113th lane as well as the properties just to the south of 113th lane. Um and these are kind of running into that 113th lane right ofway constraint. Um with the lot to the north also running into the constraint of the way that the city code measures lot depth which is along the shortest side
lot line from the front setback. Um because of the shape of that lot there's really no way to orient it so that it meets all of the dimensional requirements. Um, so they're asking for a variance for a 95 ft uh lot depth for lot 1, 111 ft for lot 2, and 105 ft for lot three. Similar with lot width, that
deep sewer easement is kind of pushing those westernmost lots a little bit further west. So that their eastern lot line for those westernmost lots did have to move about 10 feet to the left of what was originally expected by the city um when we did uh agree to to reszone uh
or when staff proposed the the reszoning of the property. Um so they are asking for uh variances to lot width for just five feet below the 60 foot lot width minimum for those two western lots and then four feet below the minimum for that um wedge-shaped lot on the east lot
one block two. And then lastly those two western lots that had their um eastern lot line moved um kind of squeezing in on those lots and moving west um are a little bit below the required lot area of 7200 square f feet. So, they're asking for variances for uh 5,800 and
6600 square feet, respectively. Um, and these are subdivision variances, so they can be approved by the city council at the same time as uh an approval of a preliminary plat. They don't have to go separately to the board of adjustment. Um so city staff are recommending uh approval of the variance requests finding that the variance is in harmony
with the um city code section as well as the 2040 comprehensive plan and that there are practical difficulties created by the deep sewer pipe easement and the 113th lane right ofway um meriting the the variance request. Um so staff are recommending approval of the variance
request as well as approval of the preliminary plat um with the conditions that engineering comments be addressed including the movement of those utility sewer connections to the street. Um a park dedication fee and um a developers
agreement be approved and uh a draft developers agreement has been provided to the applicant. So that will likely be something that um comes forward to the city council uh in the next couple meetings. That's all I have for you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. passenger is the is the hydrant is that in the engineers letter
because I know there's a hydrant right in the middle of that development. >> Um >> are we moving >> Mr. Mayor? I I don't know the answer. I I'm not sure what the um status is on the hydrant. If it's in the engineering comments, it's not something that I picked up on. So I'm not sure.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. M Mr. Mayor, I can clarify that hydrant is being removed by the city. That was a kind of a punch list item from our demolition of the fire station building. So that that will be removed before closing. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you,
>> your honor. >> Council member Novak, >> Mr. Pastor, I want to thank you for a very succinct and very understandable summary of a very long planning uh commission. I was trying to read this on Sunday night after a very
long weekend and I just could not do it. So, that right there was very nice. Um, I do want to just mention it's nice to see developers in the city taking an interest and and staying true to the fact that we've been a Tree City USA for 40 years. So, yeah, by all means, I love
seeing the trees come in and I'm really liking this a lot. Um, I'll let anybody else talk about it, but yeah, this is awesome. I love it. All right. Any other questions or comments?
>> Motions. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Member Geyser. >> Uh, so given that we're doing a variance and the plan, I'll split these into two parts. Uh, so first motion would be implanted case 26-9 staff recommend or we re we approve the requested variances
under city code sections 11-601.2 sub8a and 11-607.210 sub A. uh based on the stated findings above in our packet. Um
>> and okay and that was 11-607.2 >> sub eight. Okay. >> Yes. >> Yep. >> All right. Um that was we have a motion by Gesler and a second by Driscoviaak. Is there any further discussion on this hearing? None. All in favor signify by
saying I. >> Opposed. >> And that motion carries. to say something. >> And then Mr. Mayor >> Bri wanted to say something. >> Oh. Oh, we're we're good. We're good. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Uh and then in planning case 26 desk 19, uh I move that we approve the preliminary plat with uh the following conditions. All engineering comments be addressed. Approval by city council, the associated requested subdivision variances. A park dedication fee of $20,000
uh be paid prior to releasing the platform recording. At least one street tree uh is required to be planted on each lot at the time of issuing a building permit and a developer agreement between the applicant and the city will need to be provided and executed before releasing the platform
recording. >> Second >> motion by Gesler, second by Carlson. Discussion >> Mr. Mayor Council member Griscoia. >> I'll say again, this is I think just nice work with our new LDR3. Uh some of
the variances that we're making here seem pretty minor. I've seen uh lots like this before. I like the the uh the work that's been done here, especially the overview and um I think uh granting these variances makes sense for us. >> Yeah. Well, and if you go if you look at
that attached development, there are a couple of these little corner lots in there that are about this size, right? >> So, Mr. Mayor >> Council member Carlson >> Ditto on LDR3. Great use of LDR3. Um, and I I sure like seeing that uh that
lot on the corner of 113th Lane. >> Mhm. >> Finally, >> not being an orphan >> with a home. >> Yeah. >> Very nice. >> Fire department's been mowing that for what, 50 years. >> Nice. Nice to see a home there. Be nice to see a home. >> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Geyser. And
and I think that um that deep sewer line is a perfect example of why we need to make variances because it's just dead smack in the middle of all of this. And it it's really the only way anything constructive can be built there. So this is a good good use of all the above and good creative usage of getting all all
these pieces to fit in there. Well, >> yeah, putting houses around it works. Trying to build an apartment over it like we did on Boulevard, that didn't work. >> All right. Any other discussion? We have a motion and a second hearing. None. All in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. >> Item eight, consider an introduction of an ordinance amending the street name for the Balcony Farms development. This sounds like
housekeeping fixing something that we messed up. Somebody somebody somewhere here. Maybe. Maybe. Um, the final plat for Belliffany Farms was approved by the council, so maybe it was us, and was subsequently recorded. City staff noted that the recorded plat
listed the street name as 123rd Court, which contradicts the condition listed in the official engineering comments on the project, which required the street name to be 123rd Lane Northwest. The contradiction was not caught until after
the plat had been recorded. So, now we have to change the street name by ordinance. Does anybody have any questions about what we're doing here? If not, we will consider the ordinance amending the street name for the Balony
Farms development introduced. >> Your honor, >> Council Member Novak, >> I just think it's important to note that when someone asks you, hey, what does city council do anyway? >> Now, you know, >> but occasionally messes up. All right.
Um, nine. Consider the 16th amendment to the service contract with center center for energy and environment. Mr. Brown. >> Yes. Good evening. Uh, we talked about this a little bit at a work session uh a couple months ago. Uh most of what is
necessitating this contract amendment is our interest in changing the income threshold for various home improvement loans. We concluded that if we go from 80% AMI to 100% AMI as the cut cutoff
for a lower interest rate, we're able to use more of the sales tax revenue that's been coming into the city over the last few years um to make those loans, use less of the city's funds for those
hopefully um allowing for uh allowing for the city to stretch its dollars a little bit further. So, that's the main uh change in this contract amendment. Um, a couple other minor housekeeping
items. One of those is to allow the city to make certain changes to loan guidelines without actually formally going through a contract amendment with um center for energy envir and environment which is the administrator of those programs. We would still plan
to as we did with this one uh talk with the council. council would have the final say in any changes to those guidelines aside from the interest rates which we change uh up to a couple times a year just to reflect market conditions uh just to streamline things a bit. And
then finally, uh Center for Energy and Environment is proposing some changes to its fees as they do every two or three years. We last made a change to the fees in early 2024. Uh so we're due for some minor changes.
So can answer any questions. Otherwise, the council's asked to approve the 16th amendment to this service contract. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Brown on this? >> Mr. Mr. Brown, and I'm sorry if you just
read it. How long have we been dealing with these folks? >> Yeah, CE has administered the programs uh for about 21 years. The first >> So the 16th amendment, that's not bad. >> Yeah, I I would say so. Your honor,
>> council member Novak. >> I uh move that we approve the 16th amendment to the service contract with Center for Energy and Environment. >> Second. >> Motion by Arm I'm sorry. Motion by Novak and a second by Armstrong. I have too
many notes here. Um is there any further discussion on this hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> And that motion carries. All right. Item 10 is to consider a
temporary easement and a warranty deed and authorized memorandum of agreement for project 18-14 trunk highway 610 interchange. Mr. Himmer. >> Yes, Mr. Mayor, council. Um, you'll get the spiel here. It's a Tim Himmer show
for the next five items. All very similar. They're part of the acquisitions necessary for the 610 East River Road interchange. Um, following tonight's meeting, we should have all of them done forgoing condemnation. But this one in particular is for 9140 East
River Road. This is the Jehovah's Witness property. There's a little bit of land on the backside necessary for that new interchange off-ramp and then some temporary construction easements as part of that. So, uh, I'm happy to answer any questions the council may have, but it's pretty straightforward
based upon your your direction and work session. >> Sure. All right. Any questions of Mr. Himmer on this? >> Mr. Mayor Armstrong, >> I move that council approve the temporary easement, warranty deed, and memorandum of agreement to acquire
acquired property interests on the parcel located at 9140 East River Road and authorize staff to execute any additional documents necessary to complete the transaction. >> Second. >> Motion by Armstrong, second by Gesler.
Is there discussion on this? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. Don't don't let the no discussion on this bully how much work has gone into this.
>> Wow. >> Just years and I don't know if it's how many hours, but >> a lot. I >> I'll say Mr. Mayor, I started here 14 years ago almost to the day and this was one of the first projects I started
working on 15 years ago. >> Yeah. >> Well, you'd hate to work yourself out of a job, you know. >> All right. Uh, next item related same project item 11. consider a temporary
and a permanent u temporary and permanent easements and authorized memorandum of agreement for project 18-14 trunk highway 610 interchange. Mr. Hammer. >> Yes, council, Mr. Mayor. This is uh 9148. This is the legal uh law office
directly in front of the witness. Uh there's a permanent easement needed and that's going to be the location for the pedestrian underpass to get us under East River Road. So it's it's falling generally just within their access road and then a little bit of a strip along the front side just as temporary
construction. We need to re relay some utility work in there and just some additional space for the construction limits of sidewalk construction. So um this is a temporary and permanent easement as it will be maintained and owned by the city and not any part of the trunk highway system. So I'm happy
to answer any questions on this one as well. >> All right, any questions of Mr. Hammer on that? Mr. Mayor, council member Armstrong. >> I make a motion that council approve the temporary and permanent easements and memorandum of agreement to acquire
required property interest on the parcel located at 9148 East River Road and authorize staff to execute any additional documents necessary to complete the transaction. >> Second. >> Motion by an Armstrong and a second by Chriscoiac.
There disc further discussion on this? >> Mr. Mayor, council member Novak, >> I just got to say, hey, I graduated in ' 89. 610 went in in ' 87. That entire time, I remember when we finally got it hooked up to Highway 10, and when this
is finally done in 2029, 2030, we will finally be able to turn right. I I just This is exciting. >> We'll be able to go east, >> right? >> That's right, >> Mr. Mayor. Council member Carlson, >> I'm just tired of ending up in Brooklyn Park.
>> Yeah, you know, >> well, >> you missed that thing and you end up in Brooklyn Park. >> Just remember your exit. >> All right, mayor. >> Council member Armstrong, >> really briefly so I don't repeat myself. Mr. Himmer, if I ever need these ones
that are coming up here, if I ever need a negotiator on a on a property deal, I'm going to be picking picking your brain. Um, great job on all of these. >> Absolutely. >> All right, we have a motion and a second on item 11,
project 18. Well, let's see. >> Let's just for the 9148 East River Road. Um, any further discussion on that one? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> And that motion carries. And now, now
we're going to buy a few places. >> That's correct. Item 12 is to consider a purchase agreement uh 9XX93rd Avenue Northwest, first of three. Mr. Himmer. >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Uh and I'll touch
on both item 12 and 13 together if if I may. They're they're the sidebyside units. They're owned by the same um property owner. Um they have tenants in these, so it's it's a business property for them. Uh we successfully negotiated
both parcels. Since they are separate parcels, we had to do two separate items. Uh but again, this is the one we went a little back and forth on as part of your direction. Um they settled on something that's equitable and fair for all of us and it includes uh both of those parcels. So I I can speak to
either one of them if you'd like. >> All right. Any questions of Mr. Hammer on this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Armstrong, >> I recommend the uh excuse me, I make a motion that the council approve purchase agreement for the property at 9xx 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. >> A motion by Armstrong and a second by Novak.
I was just looking to see if the actual house number was in the purchase agreement. Just seems odd that it would be just 9xx when we're doing two of them. But all right. Uh we have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion?
>> Mr. Mayor, council member Krisco. >> Just a comment similar to your other comment that you know just because we're approving these tonight doesn't mean they haven't been in front of us quite a few times in work session and negotiation back and forth. So, I think we're coming to a good place and I'm glad to see that these little pieces are coming together closer and closer to the
intersection. >> Absolutely. We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I >> I opposed. >> And that motion carries. Item 13. Kind of a rinse and repeat.
>> 9XX 93rd Avenue. >> Um, anybody have any questions on this one? Same as the last one. >> Mr. Mayor, council member Armstrong, >> I make a motion that council approve the purchase agreement for the property at
9XX 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 Geisler. Is there any discussion on
this one hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that motion carries. Item 14 is different in that it's a different owner. >> That is correct, Mr. Mayor. This is the
final one of all properties needed for this project. Uh came in hot off the presses about three hours ago. Um just in time to get it on the agenda tonight so we can get to the closings before the condemnation proceedings would potentially take place on the 22nd. Um,
again, it was all based upon your direction. I worked within those means. Uh, again, a fair and equitable um, settlement for both the property owner and the city, and it allows the project to move forward on time. >> Excellent. Any questions of Mr. Hammer?
>> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Bar. Uh, first off, Mr. Hammer, you and your team deserve a lot a lot of credit. I mean, there's a lot of work that went into these, and kudos to you guys for getting it all done. Um, with
that, I make a motion the council approve the purchase agreement for property at 9xx 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 Geisler. Is there further discussion on this one, >> Mr. Mayor? Council member Giser, >> I'm just going to say it too, Mr. Hammer. Great job getting these all done. We had to get through it all and I know that there was a lot of back and forth on a couple of them. So, we
appreciate the hard work and diligence and we also appreciate the citizens working with us and coming to an agreement to get this done amicably. >> Mr. May, >> I was just going to say I appreciate that. Thank you very much. It's not my team, it's our team because it's the people that sit here as well as the consultant team and the design team. And
as Mr. Brody always tells me, uh, now the hard work begins. So, we got a long way to go still, but this puts this chapter, I think, to rest for today. So, thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Council Nova, >> I just want to echo Council Member Gesler. Thank you very much to the
residents. Um, this is not easy and people don't quite understand the process at the beginning. And when you're going through this process, it's difficult and it's emotional. and coming to an end result that can help
everyone in the entire area for a project that's been going on for 20 years. Thank you. This is really going to help out everybody in the city and actually everybody in the area. And so again, Mr. Hemer, well done.
>> All right, we have a motion of a second. Any other discussion? >> All in favor signify by saying I. I >> I >> opposed. That motion carries. Thank you again.
All right. Item 15 is to consider a joint powers agreement with Creek WHED district for the Bridgewater Biochar iron enhanced sand filter project 26-14. Uh Mr. Hammer.
>> Yes, Mayor and Council. This would be the third such uh filtration system in the city of Rapids. It's again part of a joint project with the Creek Wershed District where we look at this all together. We're all in it together. We all share in the responsibilities. We all share in the costs. So while this
improvement will benefit a lot of upstream >> um city of Blaine, uh Onoka County is is contributing to this, it's all just a contributing flow into that system of ditch 39. It's it's generally from central Blaine crosses University around
Dogwood 115th and then goes north and northwest into Sand Creek that eventually runs to Creek and then eventually to the river. So um there are impaired water bodies as part of this and this gets us to our water quality goals. This gets us to um our
responsibilities under those and again it's a joint responsibility whereby we all pay our proportionate share. We take on the responsibility here in the city for the the maintenance of that. We have the equipment to do it now. Um we've been doing it already for I think we got
one in Erlandson as well as in Wood Woodrest. And so while the um wershed will do the inspections and provide recommendations on what that that maintenance entails. Uh the city would be performing some dragging and clearing of the materials intermittently and any
larger projects to reestablish. This is all based upon the pr-rated costs. Again, that would be another capital program at some point in the future. So, the costs are broken down here. We did include the dollars in the budget as as part of last year's budgeting cycle. If the work doesn't get completed by the
end of the year, we'll we'll just look to carry those forward in the storm water utility and the dollars are there for the work. We plan for it and it's a great partnership we have with our neighboring communities in the wershed. Happy to answer questions. >> Excellent. Any questions of Mr. Hammer on this?
Mr. Mayor, >> counc for clarification. Uh it shows the design plans the end of 2026 construction being completed by fall of 2027. So I'm I'm guessing this is
they'll start in 2027 to be completed in 2027. >> Yeah, we're working on the final parts of the plans right now, Council Member Armstrong, just to make sure the design is tight. We we could be bidding it in the winter. Ideally, you want to try to bid it during the downtime to give the
contractors a good opportunity to plan for this work. Um, maybe get in ahead of the rush and and just plan for construction through the summer months. You you kind of want flows to be less. So, summertime is a good time to do that. Uh, but yes, it's primarily a 2027
construction project, probably letting here in 2026. >> Thank you. >> So many of these joint power things, Rapids picks up a very large portion of the expense. It's nice to see Blaine is the one picking up a big big share this time. >> I would agree.
>> And it doesn't hurt to get a nice grant as well, >> right? Well, no. Boy, there's lots of lots of pockets paying for this one. >> Of course, we know ultimately it all comes out of the same people's pockets, but you know. >> All right, Mr. Council Bar, would you have something?
>> Yeah. I make a motion that uh council approve the joint powers agreement between the city rapid or creek watershed district anoka county and the city of bla for the implementation of the bridgewater biochar iron enhanced sand filter
project. >> Second >> motion by Armstrong and a second by Gesler. Is there further discussion on this hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. And that motion carries.
Item 16 is to consider appointment of election judges, approve salaries, and set the canvas date for the primary election. Um, do you want me to you want me to read Miss Lensmeer's notes here, or are you chomping at the bit over there?
>> Go ahead. >> Opened it up. >> Okay. Um, all right. Well, so Minnesota state statute requires that election judges be appointed by the city council at least 25 days prior to the election. Attached is a list of election judges by
precinct. And the staff is requesting that council authorize the city clerk to make appointments and substitutions as deemed necessary during the 25 days prior to the election. Election law allows for emergency appointments on election day should the need arise.
Staff is proposing that the election judge hourly salary remain at $12 per hour and the assistant head judge at $13 per hour and the head judge at $15 per hour. Student judges would be paid $12 per hour. State law requires that the
city council meet to canvas the returns and declare the results of the primary election. Staff suggests that council set a special meeting to canvas the election results for Friday, August 14th, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. This meeting
should be brief and at least four council members must attend. Okay, that's all of the information I have. Is there any questions that we're going to have to go to Miss Lincoln for this or what do we got? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council member Gisler. Uh, I'll move
that we A approve the appointment of election judges as outlined within our packet. B, authorize the city clerk to appoint and assign election judges during the 25 days preceding the election if substitutions are necessary. C. Approve hourly salary for the election judges at $12 per hour,
assistant head judges at $13 per hour, head judges at $15 per hour, and student judges at $12 per hour. And D, set special meeting to canvas primary election results for Friday, August 14th, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. >> Second.
>> Motion by Geyser and a second by Carlson. Is there discussion? >> Mor. Council member Gesler, I just want to thank everyone for signing up to be an election judge. Again, this is super important for our process, not only just within the city, but having it's a great
opportunity to serve your community. And yes, it's paid, but also it's it's a lot of volunteerism with it as well. And we thank them for their time and their energy. >> Your honor, Council Novak, >> I'll second that one, Chris. Um, being an election judge is very
fulfilling, and I think it's the best way I can put it. uh you see all of the stuff from the inside and at the end of the day you're participating. That's what this country is all about. We just turned 250 years old and when
you can come up and you can actually make a difference in how our country is structured. It's not hard. And I really hope that the younger people get involved doing this because um for a younger person, students, 12 bucks an
hour, that's not too bad. All right. Any other discussion? We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. And the motion carries.
All right. Next item on our agenda is 17. Consider water conservation measures. Mr. Hammer. >> Mr. Mayor, councel, uh, city was notified last week of, uh, drought phase within the Mississippi headarters
wershed along with another wershed, but we're not part of that. So, within the upper Mississippi headarters as part of the state water plan, uh, and what's part of our water supply plan is during times of drought warnings, drought phases, um, there are certain
restrictions or or um conservation measures that we would enact. So within our ordinance, you may remember chapter 13, we changed a little bit of the water stuff. It's it's filling of swimming pools, washing of cars, odd even sprinkling bands, things that we already
have um in place today. Um and to be compliant, they're they're trying to look at us to reduce our water to basically 50% higher than what we do in January. Well, January is one of our lowest times of water consumption. So, um ideally that's the goal. So, we've
done this a few times before. Um, there are items contained within our code, uh, a slew of maybe 15, 17 different items. Uh, what we're proposing is in addition to our odd even sprinkling ban, which we do every summer, um, restricting those hours of watering between 4 and 9:00
a.m., uh, last time we did this, we we restricted to no daytime watering. And what we found was during the evening when your your towers are supposed to be filling, people were taking advantage of that overnight watering and our water tower levels were diminishing when they
were supposed to be replenishing. So while we were okay and it it worked out, um what we found was we were pumping constantly all day every day. We didn't give our chances ourselves a chance to rebound. So we wanted to really look at what neighboring communities are doing, what um the DNR recommendations are for
the prime watering. So, um, instituting a a 9:00 a.m. to 4 in addition to the odd even sprinkling ban and just looking to for some compliance on reducing the amount of extra water usage that you may be doing. So, we'll work with our communication staff uh to get the word
out on again washing cars, wash spraying down your patio, uh only irrigating during the morning early morning hours and looking to be in compliance and and just reduce our water usage. uh during this period of time until such time that
the drought phase is canceled. So what what we institute today would be in effect until we take that off. Um we could modify it if if more restrictions come into place or less restrictions. Um but this is the recommendation of staff. Uh it was in consultation with the mayor
and Matt. We are the emergency board within ordinance and while we may not necessarily agree on every little detail of what's there, we're really looking for some improved conservation uh in and around the city by all users. And I'm happy to answer any questions that people may have.
>> Your honor, council Novak, >> uh Mr. Himmer, I apologize. I may have misunderstood what you just said, but what we have here is limit irrigation and garden sprinkling to occur between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. when using city water sources. But the concern is is that the water towers are
filling during that time. So we have Did I miss >> council member Novak? You just think of the typical usage for a property owner. The morning when you wake up, you make your coffee, you take a shower. That's high demand. When you get home, you're washing your dishes, washing your clothes, eating, making your dinner.
That's the other high demand. Overnight between roughly 1000 p.m. and 2 3:00 a.m. is when our towers are rebounding and filling back up. So this gives us a chance to fill those towers, turn off the pumps, and only institute those and get those back engaged again as those
tower levels start to drop during that morning um rush and that morning meet. So it it's not contradictory. Maybe I was a little confusing what I said, but um this is early morning hours, right around the same time you'd be waking up for that morning peak demand anyway. >> Sure. And just just for my sake and the
sake of anybody who might be listening, uh what this is saying is is that you're allowed to water your grass at night. >> No, >> saying you water your grass in the morning. >> 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. So for me, I'm still sleeping at 4:00 a.m. hopefully. So yes, that would be overnight for me, but it's 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
>> The heat's not out. The evaporation's not occurring. Um it's the best time to take advantage on the ground already. So, between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. you may water >> because the towers should already be refilled by then. >> Thank you. That was the piece that was
missing. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Council member Armstrong, >> Mr. Himemer, this this item showed me that there are some people in my word that are actually looking at the agenda well in advance because I got a few
questions from people about how is this going to affect the splash pad? How's this going to affect Bunker Beach, etc., etc.? >> Council member Armstrong, we haven't initiated. One of one of the options that we could consider is no filling of swimming pools, turning off splash pads.
Um, that's not what's being recommended here, but if things get more severe, that may become a recommendation at a at a later point. >> Thanks for the clarification. >> So, you did say neighboring communities. Who who are we talking about here? Because the mayors that I talked to,
they got nothing. They've heard nothing on this. >> So, I I looked just a little while ago and Anoka is doing um uh no property is permitted to water lawns between 10 and 7. Um Andover
restricts sprinkling between noon and 6. Blaine restricts between 10 and 6. Lo restricts between 10 and 6. Ramsey between 10 and 8. St. Francis between 10 and 7. Those are just I just searched in Noa County restrictions and that's okay.
>> What was provided? >> So that those are probably their their regular restrictions. I mean because those don't sound like they're as strict as ours, but >> they may be they do also talk about odd even and for us it just references odd even is is strictly prohibited and
future uh tighter emergency mandates may follow. >> Okay. And then do we have do we have the numbers what we're trying to get to? >> Uh yes, Mr. Mayor. I uh looked at our pumping records and just for I looked at
2024 and 2025 and within 2024 we use about two and a half times. I looked at what do we use say mid January versus mid July and it's two and a half times in 2024 and twice
as much in 2025. So anywhere from two to two and a half times in July more than we do in January. >> Wow. >> And our goal we get to 50% >> correct? >> Yeah. Yeah. Half a half a time rather than two two times or two and a half
times. >> Yeah. M. >> Now, this isn't a you must do that. This is this is a recommendation and as time it's kind of counterintuitive. You look outside, it's been raining quite a bit. But groundwater levels are also
something you cannot see. Um, usually it's indicative of water level sometimes in our water bodies. But yes, it it it's drastic. It's significant. And if if we were on well in septic, we'd probably be looking at something different because um we're we're in the deeper aquifers
and um we have a little bit of relief, but I think everyone needs to contribute. We need to try to do what we can to get those numbers down. >> All right. Any other questions of Mr. Himmer? >> Mr. Mayor,
>> Scoiac. I >> I don't know I have a any questions, so to speak, of Mr. Hammer, but I just I find it odd that we're doing this. It seems a little bit like some overreach by the Minnesota DNR. That's number one. Now, I I applaud efforts to uh conserve
water. Of course, we all do. And we've been doing that for years. Our city's water consumption is going down year over year over year to the point where we have to raise rates to maintain our infrastructure. So, it doesn't seem like we are having an issue. Here's a couple
of observations. I looked at a US uh drought map today and the entire midsection of of the state including all around the Twin Cities. We're not in drought at all. Not even a little bit. Then I looked at the Minnesota drought
map and it's showing the same thing. I mean, I woke up today, I got standing water in my backyard. I haven't watered my lawn once. I never even turned on my irrigation system. I haven't watered my garden and it's flourishing. I just I'm wondering where we're seeing
the drought indications and and and where is that empiric empirical data coming from? I just >> would like to know. >> I I I'm happy. Was it attached to the the agenda? >> It was it was the headarters is what it was. It was the headarters of the
Mississippi. Correct. >> Yes. And we fall at >> well the headarters of the Mississippi up is in the task county up near the >> border that is where they rely on wells more more shallower wells. So it it's probably a bigger deal up there where
your your water was not maybe turning on or you need to start dropping that well a little bit deeper. But we fall within that watershed and so therefore we're we're following the same set of rules and we're bound by the same set of rules. It just doesn't seem logical to me. I
mean that that they're in drought up in far northern Minnesota, but we're not in drought around here and we're not drawing on that aqua on any of those aquifers, >> which is why we're trying to balance it by not being excessively >> Well, that's true. And I like I mean we
have our odd even which we do every year and and other things like that. A question then on car washing. So we've got all these car washes in town. car. Did Do they get a pass on this or is it just people that want to wash their classic car in their
driveway? >> Good question, >> Mr. Oh, >> unless we want to start in in enacting something upon our businesses. Again, it's just a communication tool. It it's to encourage conservation. Um may maybe you might decide I'm not going to go get
my car washed over at the corner tomorrow because I'd like to conser. It's going to be a choice for people. We're not driving around, you know, with badges going, "Hey, you shouldn't be doing that." So, we're just trying to have everyone do their part. >> Mr. Mayor, um, just one sec, Mr. Stem,
and then >> Yeah, Mayor and Council, I just a couple of notes with regard to car washes. I know at least more of the more recent ones, the modern ones, recycle a certain percentage of their water. They do that for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to reduce the sewer connection charges that they have with
the Met Council, which get very expensive. So they get reductions there. Um so that's important to note. The other thing with this is yes, I mean a lot of what the DNR is suggesting right now is we're sort of in that phase one of this drought plan and really what they're looking at is not recent
rainfall, it's storage. So the water tables, it bounces apparently, especially west of here, but a part of this wershed is low. And so they're asking cities in that watershed to all to implement they're I guess not asking they're telling us to implement portions
of our water conservation plan to react to that. Additionally they asked the counties that are more specifically affected right now to do some additional things um given that the problem's worse there than it is here. From a communication standpoint, if the council moves forward with what's being
proposed, I mean, it will read much like the odd even. It's you can only sprinkle, you know, on your odd day or even day and then between these hours with the other use. What we're not saying is don't wash your car. Don't, you know, power wash your house, but,
you know, maybe be thoughtful about it. You is this do I have to do it now? You know, I I washed it yesterday, got a little dirty. Can I leave it today? So from the communication standpoint, we're just asking people to think about those things, not necessarily eliminate those things. You know, reduce that, I'll call
it unnecessary or maybe um marginal benefit water use when it's connected to the city water supply um as you're doing today. Now, with that comes really voluntary compliance. We're not, you know, showing up at anybody's house even
if with odd even it's that's a hard thing to enforce really. We're we're telling people if there was just an obvious and habitual issue perhaps then there might be some action but generally it's a communication thing where we're telling people these are the rules you know of course you know I I know there's
people as I drive through uh to work back and forth several times a day there are watering and it just it's raining out literally and it's you know things like that it's the wrong day or whatever and you just kind of go okay whatever. Um, so in terms of if council moves forward and enacts these provisions
tonight, it's really we're asking people to do this, here's why. We can do a little education on, you know, the larger scope of what the environmental need is perhaps. I get it that it's it's sort of a um a distant concept to wrap your arms around. >> All right.
>> Okay. Council member Gzer, did you did I just take your Did Matt take your >> Yeah, I I was just going to mention with with in the planning cases when we were putting car washes up, the recirculation systems and the processing and cleaning, it it's it's also just a straight up monetary water use value for them. So,
they try to reduce their total consumption of water all the time anyway, right? >> So, there they've got some built-in processes. I mean, I I know folks who put in rain barrels to water their gardens that do that, and that's another way to do it. Um, so there there are other conservation things that can be done. Sustainability, but you know, I I
I just I would rather hit specifically on this second one. Reduce superfluous water usage. Really, just think about it. Do do you need to do it or could you use your leaf blower instead of your hose? Just try to reduce it. That's really all we're asking for. But but we're using the word by restricting
though. By restricting vehicle, equipment, building, and paved surface washing and ornamental f fountain use. To me, restricting sounds like we're prohibiting it. >> And what we're trying to do is just tell them to think about it and
>> yeah, >> back, >> right? I mean, I I agree, mayor, if I may, that yes, those first reduce superfluous. Maybe that contradicts somewhat restricting. I think it's just saying that's how you're reducing it is by limiting. Maybe limiting would have been a better word there. I don't know if that's what our chapter 13 ordinance
specifically states. >> It's not too late to change that. >> No, it's not. This is council's choice right now is if if there are some words that feel, you know, overly restrictive, you could modify those at this time.
>> Um thoughts. >> Um Mr. Mayor, >> this is why we have workshops. >> Yeah. >> So we don't >> Yeah. And public, right? >> Yeah. Council. Uh, I'll I'll pass on my comments, >> Mr. Mayor.
>> Council member Armstrong. >> Yeah, I I guess I'm kind of scratching my head as well because I'm looking at this thing and if I'm if I'm understanding it right, we're on what level or number three of five or are we?
Yeah, number three of five. Um, so I hate hypotheticals as much as anybody else, but I mean, we're coming into August. hotter hotter months, etc. And I I mean, if we're we're recommending approving this or
whatever, what happens if the DNR comes back and says, "Okay, now we're in restrictive phase or we're in emergency phase." Can we basically say, "Well, we're doing our part. Thanks for the information, but um we are where we
are." Council member Armstrong, that's when we might start looking at other means or changing the word limiting to restricting. And we're bound by our water supply plan that that we put together and they approve and they review and and also the state the state
laws that that dictate that and and require us to do conservation as part of our water supply plan. We're going to be redoing our water supply plan uh coincidentally probably over the next six to eight months as it is. And it's it's very formulatory. It's here are the
just input the information and it spits out kind of your directive of what you're required to do. So it it's unique to us based upon our our soil types, our conditions, our usage. Um but we don't have a whole lot of say if they say you
need to stop using this water. We can't just say no, we're not going to do that. We have to try to comply um the same way everyone else would have to do it because we're bound by state law and our own plan. >> And council member, we can be very quick
because the emergency board, which is Mr. Hammer, Mr. Stew, and myself, we can we can implement we can implement these things. They just have to be ratified at the next council meeting. You know, today we just happened to we didn't quite come to an agreement, so we we're
here. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And again, I know it's been said a few times, but I'm I'm all for everything we can do for conservation big time. Um, and I just I just want to make sure I got a good understanding of of what I'm looking at
here. So, and >> and what I can do is share with the council the the exact directive that comes with this phase of of what what what it was they were asking us to do and why are we in this phase in this watershed and I I can do that right now and share with the council
>> Mr. Mayor Council member Gesler >> uh I would also highlight um so within our packet we have some details of what triggers these phases and one of the things is how they're measuring it is the USGS gauge near an oak of the water flow of the Mississippi River. So they have some empirical numbers there that
kind of triggers their phases. Um but even beyond us, they're asked they asked the people who run the dam to change how they're running things and doing things. So there's it's not just us, it's a whole series of people that are being asked to do it. Um you know, and so it
it's it's based on the flow rate of the river, which is pretty empirical. Um that's b that's baked in. In this case, they say uh the flow gauge near an NOA is at or below 2,000 CFS for five consecutive days and that's what
triggers the this phase. So what what how we respond to it as as Mr. Ram said is kind of baked into our plan. Um but I I think the why we are in this phase is pretty measured by by the folks who are watching it. >> So the one correction I would say is we don't have a lot of empirical data. It's
only been there since 2017. Prior to that, we always used the gauge on the 610 bridge, which still shows average flow. >> Yeah. >> So, your honor, >> Council Member Novak, >> um just speaking verbiage, um I think
perhaps if we could just integrate the word advise as opposed to restrict. We advise the residents to do something. >> I I don't know. Maybe that would help. We're just kind of spitballing workshop type stuff.
>> Other otherwise we can use this language and with the understanding that we're not we're not meaning to completely prohibit it. We're just meaning to >> think before you do it. >> It's sort of like that's the intent of this law, right? >> Yes.
>> Yeah. >> Mr. Mayor, >> regardless of how we got here, I mean, we're recommending we're not enforcing, right? >> It's just recommending it. It's good water conservation regardless of how we feel about how we got here. We're just making re recommendation. We're not out
enforcing it. So, >> you are taking all the teeth out of the watering rules, you know. >> Well, no. I mean, I'm just in this particular case, these particular things, we're just we're make it's we're just uh asking people to, you know, we're just recommending a little bit of conservation here.
>> Um we're not out enforcing it. >> Okay, Mr. With that. >> Okay. Well, Mr. Mr. Mayor, I mean, it is more than just a recommendation. I think we're putting in some restrictions. And I'm all about education and conservation
of water. I mean, and we're doing that organically as a city when we have for years and years lowflow valves, smart controllers, all this and that. But when I'm told when we're not in a drought that I can't wash my car in my driveway, I just think it's an overreach. So, I'm going to vote against this.
Okay. Well, why don't we just >> Mr. Mayor Council member Gazler, >> I'll make a motion that we approve the emergency board's declaration to implement water conservation measure measures in response to the DNR's guidance and the Minnesota statewide
drought plan. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. And if I may, Mr. Mayor, I kind of like Mr. Ste's recommendation of number two be reduce >> say the word for me.
>> Oh, advised >> non-domemestic water usage by limiting vehicle equipment building as opposed to restricting. >> So, Mr. Mayor, I'll amend my motion to be more specific to one, limit irrigation and garden sprinkling to occur only between the hours of 4:00
a.m. and 9:00 a.m. when using city water resources. This is in addition to the city's annual partial odd even watering ban in effect June 1st to August 31st. And two, reduce superfluous non-domemestic water usage by limiting vehicle equipment building and pave
surface washing and ornamental fountain use. >> Okay. Does the seconder okay with that? >> Second. Yeah. >> Okay. So, now we have a motion and a second. Are you happy with that? >> Mr. Mayor, I I actually am happy with that. I mean, limiting the hours of
irrigation between 4 and 9:00 a.m., that's just common sense. I mean, that just makes sense. It's actually best for your lawn and everything else. And by limiting the uh use makes more sense because there's people that are just going to have to do that. And we don't want their neighbors calling on them just because they were in that
circumstance that they had to, you know, wash their motorcycle because they just went on a long trip or whatever. >> And I will also point out that if you have new sod that you just planted, you're exempt from this. So there's somebody who just planted their lawn, we're not going to go shut them down and
let their wa their lawn die on them. That that's already a restriction within our ordinance that if it's new, you're able to water it to establish it. >> And again, Mr. Mayor, if I may, if I mean, if we get into a position where it's, you know, we're in a full-fledged drought, that's a different situation. And I'll certainly accept the
recommendations of the emergency water board and and everything else. So >> Okay. Yeah. We don't want to get into that. Get away from the window, Glattus. Don't call me. Yeah. >> Um, all right. We have a motion and a second. Do we have any further
discussion on this? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> And that motion carries. Thank you for all the discussion. And >> thank you. >> Thank you for uh being flexible there. Um, all right. We are up to the open mic
public comment portion of the meeting. Is anybody here to address council for open mic? All right. Then if you would approach the mic, state your name and address, and express any concerns. You've got three minutes. Um, yeah.
Mr. Mayor, my name is Jerem. I've been here a couple of times. I think you guys recognize me. Uh, usual topic tonight, it's poll pads. The reason we keep talking about polls is our view is there's 10 things that are wrong with our election system. There's two things that cities can do something
about. Verify the counting of their votes and go back to paper polls. That's why we keep talking about polls. Um the reason I'm here tonight is pole pads are in the news for two reasons. We're in a movie called Minnesota Mau. I'm asking you to watch that movie. It features the
city of Oakrove, the felony threat. And then also there's a lawsuit. The Upper Midwest Law Center took this case. That's a nonprofit law firm. So, the city of Oakrove passed a resolution to go back to paper pole pads. Felony threat came out from the county and then
um the upper Midwest Law Center ended up taking the case on their own dime. They're representing the city of Oak Grove. That's going to go before, it's my understanding, the Supreme Court, state supreme court um before this election. We'll see what happens. The issue there is who gets to decide uh
whether or not to use paper pole pads. Is that a city decision or is that a county decision? the county and the state feel it's the county's decision. Oakrove think it's thinks it's theirs and and Upper Midwest Law Center agrees with them. So, we'll see what happens. I'm asking you to check that out uh in
your packets there. I'm not going to go through those eight pages. You can look at that in your own time. I included the felony threat in there if you want to read that on your own. If you could turn to that last or there's a page that says ABC News real quick. I'll just briefly speak on that. What's interesting here
is the state came out and said we don't care if you use paper or electronic but we think it's the county's decision. Anoka County says we look to the state for guidance. So they look to the state for guidance and and the state says we don't care if you use paper. I'm trying to figure out where that felony threat
came from then because it sounds like the state's saying that's fine. Uh interesting point. So that being said, that's all I really have tonight. If you look at the very last page, that's a list of cities that have taken action on this. Eight cities have passed resolutions to handc count their votes
in the post-election review. We're hoping to see Rapids on there at some point. Two cities have passed resolutions pertaining to polls. Um, that's all I really have for tonight. Do you guys have any questions for me? So, I appreciate your time. My contact
information is uh it's on the back of that packet. Please watch that movie when you get a chance. and uh thank you for the job that you do. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. >> Have a good evening. Is there >> anybody else here to address council for open mic this evening?
>> All right, then we will close the open mic portion. I don't have any reports on previous open mics and we are to other business. Um Mr. Council Member Carlson, do you have
this? I don't. Mr. that because I'll let you cover that one when it comes up. >> All right. Well, in fact, in fact, why don't we cover that one now? The uh Touch a Truck is coming out Sunday or Saturday. Touch a truck. Saturday, July
11th at Riverdale, Riverdale Village, uh noon to 400 p.m. Great event. A lot of uh staff members, trucks, fire trucks, police cars, all sorts of things. should have some plow trucks out there. Garbage truck and uh Little Blues Traveling Zoo.
Boy, that is great. I'm actually kind of jacked up. I'm kind of jacked up. Uh grand >> nothing venomous in there around. No, nothing venomous. They're all nice furry critters and uh I'm jacked up. Uh I don't know if my son knows yet that we're taking my grandson, but we'll find
out. Uh fantastic event. Fantastic event at Riverdale Village. >> Awesome. All right. Um Mr. Ericson, I'll let you drive. What's next? Ah, summer concert. This week on July
9th, our concerts return. We take a little break for the 4th of July. Uh, this week on the 9th is the Holy Rockaras, Early Rock and Roll. And then next week on the 16th is LP and the 45s, which is a variety band.
And then I think we'll have a council meeting before the Red Letter Band on the 23rd. But these are all great events. We partner with an Oka County parks so you can drive into the park for no park fee that night and the Northstar Lions are there serving up some great
food from 5:30 to 7:00 and the Boy Scouts are there selling concessions from basically through the concert. So it's uh grab a lawn chair, stop out and uh enjoy a beautiful evening in Minnesota. Uh next next Tuesday evening
is our summer in the city neighborhood meeting and next week is Alder Park which is 50 104th Lane. So it's about as close to Blaine as you get in our parks. But uh those from 6:30 to 8 it's a great
opportunity to stop out meet with staff um get some free ice cream some cold water check you know check in with your elected officials. Um, so that's next Tuesday night the 14th at Alder Park. And then we have been so remissed we have not been covering this.
>> Our night to unite is coming up on Tuesday, August 4th. And the registration ends Friday, July 10th, and we haven't even talked about it yet at a council meeting, have we? Um, register your party today. Nightite
is an annual tradition that helps neighbors get to know each other and build police and community partnerships. Um, we normally have over 100 neighborhood parties register each year. And registering your your party ensures visits from the police and or fire, a
swag bag with a lot of fun goodies and helps us know where residents are participating in this great event. So, registration ends July 10th. Chief Steiner, anything you want to highlight on that or to cover it? You think? >> Mr. Mayor, and we may not have talked
about it here, but it has been promoted uh on on social media. Uh it's humming along as expected. I anticipate the numbers will be similar. It's a little early to tell, but there's uh already a lot going on behind the scenes within the police department and people inquiring uh from the community as well.
So, expecting a very similar uh turnout and participation rate and we'll be ready for it. So, excellent. And that'll be Tuesday, August 4th. So that week, our council meeting will be on Monday night, August 3rd. >> Correct.
>> Um, but if you want for more information about that, go to the city's website, which is rapidsmn.govite tounite. Um, all right. Other business to come before council this evening. >> Mr. Mayor, Council Member Gesler, >> I would like to uh extend my thanks to
all of the nonprofits and volunteers for last week's festivities uh for the 4th of July. It was a great time. Fireworks were awesome to get to watch. Uh I know it takes a lot of time and effort and planning. The parade was great. We I managed to get through 69 pounds of
candy and still ran out myself this year. So uh we had a lot of people on the parade route. It was really good time. Uh so thank you for everyone for coming out enjoying it. Thank you for everybody who put it together and uh helped make it happen. >> There are so many community partners
involved in that. Um, one of the greatest things though is is our staff. Rapid staff is just and our police and our fire and public works communications. I mean, and everybody is involved right down to 8:00 p.m. or actually it was it
was a little earlier. The city manager is there looking at the weather chart deciding we're going to do the the fireworks or not. Um but the uh the north the Northstar Lions um the fire department community
what's what's that one group what's that group >> is what I refer to social group anyway >> um the uh all the food trucks that were there all the bands um it was just a tremendous tremendous
um event and it's just I didn't realize how many people were still there for the fireworks I thought we lost a lot, you know, when that big storm blew through. And uh but when I walked home an hour and a half later, there was still a stream of cars going each way when they
were moving. >> Council member Carlson, >> sure was nice. The weather turned around. Those fireworks were fantastic. There's there's still that buzz about the three finales. >> We even got a shout out from Anoka's Halloween, Inc. >> um site. And thanks to Anoka for that
shout out. But uh yeah, it was fantastic. Fireworks are great. Your >> honor. It's always fun when the uh the the finale comes up and you see people get their cameras out and you look at your watch and you go, "Nope, that's not it. Too early." >> Yeah. Council member Novak.
>> Yeah, I was there again spending quite a bit of time there. And it really surprised me. There's a lot of families that have been involved in Rapids activities for the last 30 or 40 years. and they're still there and these people recruit other people and then those
people stay around for now, you know, 30 years and then the people that they recruit have been here for 20. Rapids does that. We have people that do things and it is so nice to see because it's continuing. Our residents
volunteer and they make things happen and it's awesome to see. very nice event. And our all class reunion was the first night and it was our second biggest year. It didn't seem that way because there weren't people
milling around outside because it was really hot, >> but they were all packed into the tent and they and they registered so it was >> Mr. Mayor car show was nice. >> Didn't mean to cut you off there. >> Go ahead. A few things real quick. I'll
try and I'll try to make it quick. First off, um we have our we have our next uh summer in the city in Alder Park on the 13th. That's that's in my ward. And I just want to let everybody know in my ward
that I am going to be out of town. >> Yeah. 14th. >> Oh, so I'm sorry. July 14th. >> You put them there on the wrong night because you weren't going to be there. >> Exactly. Ding, you caught me. Uh but the 14th, um I am going to be out of town.
Uh, this has been planned for a year. I was trying to figure out a way to get back and my wife told me if I dare drive 4 hours back for for the summer in the city that I could probably just stay here. And um, so if if you don't see me
there, that's that's why I I was really looking forward to getting out to to to see everybody. Um, but that being said, um, I I did I did get asked, um, so I'm just throwing out as a general question to to the staff, um, when are the new
park and trail maps coming out? Um, so just out there for for city staff. Um, speaking of maps and whatever else, the construction project in the Moore Park neighborhood, um, thank you for your
patience, everything that you've been putting up with. Uh, that being said, um, I know there was a lot of concern as far as this sidewalk going down Kumquat and some people had brand new driveways that were put in in the last year or
two. Um, and there was concerns as far as the slopes of the driveway and whatever whatever else. Um, the construction crew that is out there, I'm I'm impressed. They are doing a phenomenal job of tying these sidewalk
pads into people's driveways. In fact, there's a number of driveways that are in significantly better shape now than they were before because of um what the the city is doing to work with them. I
wanted to I wanted to uh give a a big shout out to Mr. Hansen because I know uh he had been out there talking to a lot of them and um telling him he was going to do everything he could to try to make this uh a great a great project
for them and they're coming through. Um so there's there yeah there's still a lot of dirt roads and and whatever else but they are clipping along fast and doing a fantastic job. So, um, let me see. Last
but not least, and I from our council meeting a while back, I'm going to end on a positive note first. Um, I I was I was out meeting with residents and whatever else. And I know a lot of us know who Sherwin Linton is. Um, he's
he's a musician that's been around for years and years and years. He But what I did not know is he also writes children's books >> and uh he did a he did a children's book a while back. Uh it's called Mildred Zamom and I'm giving it a a shout out
because it's all about this this mother duck that lives uh on on Pleasant Creek and she brings her ducklings up past Egret Boulevard. It's all about all about Rapids. It's a it's a it's a
great great read. U and just kind of a a little shout out, the illustrations are done by Johnny Borggan. She's a neighbor of his that she's been an illustrator for years and years and I saw some of the caricatures that she did and
whatever else. Um she's really really good at what she does. Um, and one last quick plug. This is this is all this story is all a true story about a a mother duck that made her nest in a uh
in a a big uh planter pot right outside Nest of Threads. So, it's a big big tie into Rapids. If you got grandkids Whoops. If you got grandkids or just young kids, I would highly recommend it cuz it's a great read for them. All
right, I'm done. >> That's our honor. >> Well, Sherwin has been a resident here for forever. Yeah, it's just awesome. >> And and and quick unabashed plug, his 87th birthday is July 20
July 25th, I believe, and he's going to be at Kuners performing. >> Okay. >> So, are you done now? >> No, I got one. No. Council. Uh yeah, I've uh had several
constituents to contact me about the regional trail crossing and uh just so everyone knows what this is designed to do is to join the Creek Regional Trail with the Rapids Dam Regional Trail and it provides an above grade
crossing across six lanes of traffic that's 100% handicapped accessible. And I again have been receiving a lot of questions about this because it doesn't seem like anything's been happening to it. So I did talk to the city manager
today and I'm going to be getting his answer as we are. >> And actually mayor and council if Mr. Hammer wouldn't mind just giving us a little update. I know things are happening soon. It has been a little while um as we've been waiting for some safety fencing and some other things to come in before the contract gets back
out there. But Tim can probably give you a little more specific. >> Um, we do have some safety gaps. So, um, because we went fancy. We got some lettering and some special railings and things. So, they're all fabricated and when they arrived, we've got a few gaps
on the ends of each of these and and they're too large to just allow to open. It's just not safe to do. So, we're expecting the delivery of these new rails uh either the end of this week or the end of next week. and it won't take very long to put those in. Once that is
complete, we can open it to foot traffic and bicyclists. Um then in early August, we get the frames by which the lettering will be um hung on. So there'll be intermittent closures in um during the daytime hours uh mid mid to early to mid
August. But it it should be open probably in the next two weeks and then it will be open evenings and weekends and we'll do some daytime closures to get it complete and then we'll look forward to some fancy ribbon cutting or something later in the summer. We we thought we were going to have that uh about a month ago or a couple weeks ago,
but those gaps we just didn't want to risk it. So, we want to make sure that it's safe before we open it to traffic. And >> Mr. Hemer, I can hear my email already starting to light up. uh the things that we had to order in order to close those gaps, they're not costing the city any
money. Correct. >> That's correct. So, when they showed up, they they just weren't aligning very well. And when you're pouring concrete and you get some a little bit of settlement and other things that they're supposed to be 4 in and they were eight and we said we we can't live with that. And we weren't going to put up little
boards and other protectors and things. We just said go fabricate new ones. And so that's that's what they're in the process of doing now. it it doesn't cost us anymore other than time and we'll we'll resolve that as part of the contract and and delays and some other things as we get closer to the finish line.
>> Yeah, gentlemen, I knew that there was a wonderful engineering answer for all of this. So, thank you very much for giving it to us because uh contractors billing the city more money. I know I knew that was not the case, but of course sometimes people just want to assume the worst.
We want it to be open just as much if not more than everyone else, but I want it to be safe and and substantially complete. >> Thank you very much. >> Yes. >> All right. Excellent. Well, that was my very last question for the evening. So, that was I'm glad that we covered that. >> Yep.
>> Um and Spring Lake Park is not doing as well. Their bridge is still broken. >> So, bridge on bridge violence. >> Yeah. >> Any other business to come before this council this evening? >> Mr. Mayor >> Council Gossco, >> I I just wanted to add one thing on to
the July 4th events that we had at Boulevard Park. Of course, it was an awesome event. >> One thing that struck me in walking in the parade is I walked along that parade route and I noticed a lot of military veterans proudly wearing like their military hats and I was thanking them
for their service and it just dawned on me Boulevard Plaza is a great venue for that event. Boulevard Plaza would be a great venue for a veterans memorial to officially recognize these veterans for all the service and everything that they've done. So again, I know we've
talked about it in other years, but I'd like to see that get on our radar again. I think it would just be an excellent addition to our community, uh, to future generations, to, you know, kids coming up through the ranks. What is that, mom and dad? You know, that kind of thing. So, just wanted to throw that out there.
>> Yep. Right on. Any other business? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion by Carlson, second by Novak to adjurnn. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> We're adjourned.