Kevin's not gonna make it. Okay. Just make sure you sign in yesterday. Yes. You're no problem. 32 Alright. With it being 06:10, we'll call our meeting to order and start with the pledge of allegiance. 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. Alright. We have roll caller on the horn, please. Bora, here. Steichen, here. Nash. And Olson. With that, we have our agenda. I didn't see any additions or subtractions.
Motion to approve the agenda. I have a motion by Nash. Second by Steichen. And a second by Steichen. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. With that, we have our consent. Any questions, comments, or concerns with the consent? Can we pull four gs? We can pull four gs and we will move this to, where let's go after fire. Okay. Yes. So let's see. Make it a So make it a seven c? Yep. All right. Peyton, you're tracking that? Yes. Jessica, are we good? All right. So with that, we'll move four gs to seven c.
And with that, I will entertain a motion for the consent agenda. Motion to approve. A motion by Nash. Second, Steichen. And second by Steichen. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. With that, it does move us to number five. Peyton, has there been any formal request to speak before council this evening? We do have one request, and it is from Ariel and Rachel Olsen. So I believe they're both here. So if they would like to come up to the table and address the city council, then certainly can. Good evening, Ariel.
How are you? Good. You ready? Sure. Absolutely. Absolutely. K. Ariel, the floor is yours. Members of the council, thank you for your time. My name is Ariel Olsen, and I am here today speaking on behalf of the community regarding backyard chickens. As you are aware, many surrounding cities already permit residents to keep chickens, and we believe Dilworth should follow suit. There are four key reasons why allowing backyard chickens would benefit our community. One. Food source. People often have little to no knowledge of where their food is coming from.
Food recalls are happening more and more involving not just contamination from other food products but sometimes even non edible materials. Two. Food quality. Home raised eggs are fresher, more nutrients, and free from unnecessary chemicals, giving families a healthy source of protein. Three. Cost. Food prices continue to rise, straining household budgets. Four. Education. Raising chickens offers families first hand experience, and the personal reward of providing for one's family is invaluable.
With over a hundred signatures in support of this petition, Dilworth residents want the city to move forward with this opportunity. Some guidelines that are being followed by the surrounding cities are a maximum number of birds at a time, no roosters, secure enclosures, and a city permit process. I urge the council to consider this petition and allow our community the same opportunity that neighboring cities already enjoy. This is a small yet meaningful step toward food security,
sustainability, and community growth. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much, a Ariel. That was fantastic. It was great to have you here this evening. And remember, we won't make a decision this evening, but it will give us conversation as we move forward. Thank you very much for coming this evening. We'll talk to you soon. Welcome. Nice job. We did tell her she didn't have to stay for the whole thing. Thank you, Ariel. Have a good evening. Yes, ma'am. She told me last night she was gonna have a surprise when she was leaving. I just waited. So with that, Peyton, any other requests? That was it. Thank you. And I think that's awesome and we say it all the time,
but there's an opportunity to participate in the public process and help us make some progress. So she was awesome this evening. That was fantastic. With that, we are going to move on to number six this evening and moves us to our recognition in six alpha is the 2024 Officer of the Year, and we're going to leave that announcement to Chief. Chief? We're trying something new, in the last fifteen minutes, and I think it I I like it. I do too. I I I like it. I don't even have it anymore. No. Heard you did the speech earlier. Ladies and gentlemen,
members of council, mister mayor, it was being an honor that we recognized our 2024 police officer of the year, Lane Monahan, who exemplified the excellence that has come to be known for the Delphitte Police Department with his sacrifice and just working overtime. The amount of work this young man has done is better remarkable. He is truly an inspiration not only to you, but really to us all. For a man of his years, it's remarkable. So with that, mister Monahan? Yes, please. Stand. Actually, shake your hand again.
Congratulations. Yeah. Absolutely. Ready to go up here. Now you get the gold plaque. I did you on on What do we state, Peter? Oh. Hold on. Let me move. That's pretty I guess the live origin. Perfect. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. The floor is yours. You did a great job earlier. So it's not that right. We did. Thank you, guys. Thank you. Congratulations. No. You're done. You're good. Get ready for work. Alright. It's going to work now. I Just quickly, I do want to recognize as he was being interviewed ten minutes ago, when he was asked about himself and being recognized as the police officer of the
year, he recognized his peers, his leadership, and serving the community. Never once talked about himself, and he talked about selfless service and things that we the values that we want to see in our police officers. He embodied it in the two questions that he answered this evening, for the media. So, again, just a small snippet of the character of our Officer of the Year, and we're fortunate to have him, Chief, and thanks for leading. Thank you. With that, it does move us to 6B, right? We have our ten year service award with our administrative assistant, Jessica Melvin.
Peyton. Thank you, sir. So Jessica was one of, if not the first hire I made when I began working here, and this is her ten year anniversary. We're really excited for all of the well rounded ideas and, you know, initiative that Jessica has shown over the past decade, And we look forward for the next multiple decades, to what Jessica can bring, not only to Dilworth City Hall, but to the Dilworth community. So thank you so much,
Jessica, for being you. And thank you for all your service to the community. Thank you. Your first I'll take questions. It's your fault. I I think I can ask for it. Nope. This isn't actually a new thing. I was just No. Covering for you there. It's your Nope. This is actually That's not how that works. Are we going back to the same spot? Are you on? Yeah. Let's do this again. Sorry, Julie. Hey, look. It it's a bunch of That's Let's scoot this way just a smidge. There you go. Three, two, one. That's perfect. Thank you, guys. This This is good exercise too.
I should probably just get up and move. Any more? And and and here here again, just to, I guess, add on to what Peyton was saying, I'm thankful and selfishly, I'm thankful for Jess's tenure because in the tenure there's been 10,000,000 questions that I've asked, 5,000,000 meetings that she's reminded me I needed to go to. And and honestly, all the little things that I take for granted, she has really been a guiding hand in just simply helping me. And for the amount of effort that that takes,
I know she does that across the board for our city. And I'm grateful and deeply appreciative of your constant effort for both personally and for our city. So thank you very much. Appreciate it, Jess. The floor is yours. No one wants to speak. Nobody would know. Thank you very much. Last time I got awake because it was COVID, so I didn't have to do anything. Awesome. Awesome. Well, again, as we move forward, we look forward to more years of service from Jessica, from our officers, and from our fire department. And that allows us to move into number seven.
When We get into seven alpha. We have consideration pay request. Number 14, are we halfway? Oh, we're way over halfway. That's what I like to hear. Homestretch then. Here we go. Pay request 14. Well, I'll give you all a brief update and then brought some pictures along to see what, what's been happening inside the building. So, right now, the carpenters and everybody's just working on basically finishes within the building. Doors, hardware, millwork, signage is coming, painting is just about completed. They're working on the coatings in the apparatus bay.
The roofing is progressing nicely on the tower. Unfortunately, we ran into a little bit of wind today, but, we'll keep trucking on that. Hopefully, get it on before the four letter word comes this weekend. Right? Plumbing, HVAC, electrical is all progressing really well. ACT ceilings are we should be putting in the tile in within the next week or so to finish those up. And, yeah, just kinda cleaning everything up and getting ready for the the firemen to come in and move in. So, so going through the pictures quick, did everybody get a copy of that? Mhmm. Okay. So the first couple pictures are just some recent pictures we took today of the
outside of the building before the wind started taking off on us. Mainly just on the outside of the building, there has been a ton of work happening except for the the roof and the, the, completing the tower. The second page is the, putting in the final coats of clear coats on top of the apparatus bay epoxy flooring. So that looks great. The next page is the locker bays and one of the sleeping rooms, just cleaned up and ready for the next finishing steps there. Bathrooms, same thing. Couple of countertops you have to put in and plumbing fixtures, but, again, nearing completion.
The bottom picture on that page is the kitchenette area, working on the cabinets and countertops and fixtures in that space also. And then on the last page, the, top picture is in the lobby. So the I guess it's like a award or trophy case display case there, and then one of the offices. So, project is progressing better than expected, and we fully anticipate by the first, April, we'll be getting our certificate of occupancy, and, we'll be moving in. K. Any questions for,
regarding the packet or the the pay request? Mister Steichen. You did a fantastic job of keeping us informed, so it's greatly appreciated and look forward through the for the walk through. The bunk room, is that designed for future or is that you said sleeping room here, it says bunk room? Well, bunk room, sleeping room. Yeah. It's the same one and the same. Is that But, it's it's single stall rooms, so they're not like bunk beds and things like that. So but, no, they're designed for now. Okay. There is one room that is a future,
so it's not a % finished. And I believe in the recent walk through with, Scott, they're planning on possibly putting a, a a sauna in that room. Just with the way the, when you come back from one of the events, the, it purifies and gets that odors and stuff off you. So that's one of the, potential locations for it. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Hearing no further questions, I will entertain a motion for seven alpha. Pay request 14. Steichen will move for pay request 14. Motion by Steichen.
Second. Second by Borra. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. With that, it does move us to seven b. Consideration for the change order with Rick Electric. I'll I'll start this off. The reason why this is coming before the city council, anytime we have a change order, any payment request over $25,000, we do that added level of review and scrutiny to the change order pay apps. I just thought it was appropriate to that's not a state requirement, just our own internal policy that somewhat matches what the state laws are when it
comes to purchasing. So that's why we bring those before the city council that with it being over $25,000. So, if you would, Dan, can you explain sort of what this change order is about? So, unfortunately, no job doesn't have its hiccups here and there. What happened here was we realized that the heater that was specified was not a waterproof type heater. So we had to use, we had to order different heaters, which are electric, much more expensive with all the wiring and all those things. We did get a credit for the,
all the piping and all the labor for installation of the heater. So that's this is the net add. And the heater, beings that we have that material, in talking with Mike, they'll be able to be used in one of the city garages, storage buildings that they have one that's going bad. So luckily, we'll be able you guys will be able to use that piece of equipment, and it was just kind of an unforeseen thing. Luckily, we don't have to come here too many times with big change orders. Any questions about this change order? On this, on whoever found it out, is that something that should have been caught somewhere along the way?
Or You know, it would it was something that could have been caught back when the when the drawings and the design team was putting this together. I just think it's one of those things that slipped through the cracks, and that's why, you know, we carry a contingency on a project so that we have funds available for those things. What would happen if that heater had been used in the wet conditions? It would short out in in short time. Yep. Anything else, mister Stachin? Not yet. Not now. K. Well, because my first question is, so it's gonna be electric, and the electric one won't short out if it gets wet?
Right. It's it's, it's got the certifications to be waterproof. K. That that's my first question then because to me, electric and water doesn't, like Yeah. And there's I still I trust you. There's other things in that tower on the electric side that were planned waterproof lighting, some outlets, things like that. I mean, there's electrical devices on the outside of all of our houses that are rated for temperature and, weather. So so then and, again, we talk about contingencies, but do we do we also have any recourse? Like, to me, this is an hour error.
We talked about that with the design team. You know, they I would maybe say it would be worth the phone call to your architect and ask them that question. Peyton, if I may interject. And I put that in the and I mentioned that in the staff report. That's something that I had connected with the architect on and not feeling this was an appropriate use of contingency dollars. We understand there's a reason those are in play. Their position is that this is a, you know,
certifiable, you know, reason to use, contingency dollars. I assume there's a dispute, you know, resolution type provision that as Dan was mentioning, the saving grace with this, though, is we do get to repurpose the furnace. Otherwise, we would just have this furnace just I don't know what we would do with it, throw it away, I guess. But we we do have that. And I did ex yeah. And I did, you know, whilst you could see my position Right. With it within my staff report. Julie? Well, and just to add to that, it seems like like this was the second part of the design because we had
to do one for the paint too. And I don't know if that was because it was bid wrong or if it was because they didn't say that they needed that. But that was also in the tower as well. Right? That was nope. I think that was in the apparatus bay where we had prime Oh, it was in the apparatus? On the on the, decking the exposed decking. Oh, okay. I was thinking it was in the tower. Got it. Mister Steichen? Back to the, new furnace that it's gonna be required. I suppose the the supplier for the both electric and the gas furnace are two
separate. Yep. So it's not like they could just take the other one back. And Right. And, you know, there a lot of times when you take equipment back, you get charged so much upcharges for restocking fees. It's not worth giving it back. It's never off selling it on your own accord. But being that there was some use for it in a different location and kind of helped with this situation. On one hand, it seemed like they've been really good. Everybody's been good to work and get things done. And, you know, the other side is like,
this isn't shouldn't be our problem per se, but it ends up being part of our problem. I don't know if you guys doing, technically, you know, if this was bid correctly, it potentially could have been $35,000 more on the electrical number, less, obviously, the the heater that was specified. I don't have all the documents and the numbers with me here today. I have to tell you what the differences are, but the electrical was more. And, unfortunately, you have to buy two electric heaters to get to the heat BTU amount for
the one, gas heater. K. And, one good thing in this whole thing is if you can see a silver lining is the the gas heater has venting and all those things that have to come out of the building. Now you won't have any of that. So the looks of the building will stay a little bit cleaner, a little bit nicer without a event coming out of it. Tell me what the credits were for the labor to install the pipes. Is that what you I I don't have that one. That what you were referring to? That's what I was referring to. I can get that information if you'd like. No. But do the pipes still stay there?
Or No. The the there was it was never installed. The piping was not installed. You got credit for the return. Pipe. We got credit for the labor, and we got credit for the labor to install that Okay. Heating unit. Any other questions? And okay. I've had one other comment. So from my view I mean, the change order is the change order. It's not like you're gonna reject it and not do this work because then we would have a useless training tower. So, really, I guess, if there if the council wanted to even go this route, you know, I could just contact them saying on behalf, you know, the council, they respectfully request that you,
you know, reconsider, you know, where we are with this. And, assume within the contract itself, there's some dispute, you know, resolution language, as part of the contract. So we can, you know, kinda handle it that way and follow through. I'm not really sure what other recourse there would be out of this unless I'm missing something that you're aware of. You're probably right. I'm sure there's some language Yeah. Stuck in the contract that says, hey. Just because I'm not perfect, I don't Yep. Have to pay for every mistake. And there's And and so, really, what they let's just say,
for example, they knocked off $3,000, the difference in, you know, maybe what the unit would have been bid at had it been done originally as opposed to what it is now because it'd be more expensive. You know, maybe if that would be just a deduct from a future invoice that presumably they would send to us if they felt it was their error. Thoughts from from counsel? Well, I think it's good to make that contact with them and and ask or see how they what their position on that might be. And obviously,
we need it. Yeah. It's it's we need what it's required to be in there. So Yeah. I mean, all the project in a whole has gone really well. Well, absolutely. We haven't had a lot of these kind of issues even in even the smaller dollar amount ones haven't been there's been fairly insignificant to the whole project. So, Without being involved with big projects like you. One bugger that got got by him. So Yeah. I mean, you're you see this at time time to time, I imagine. But, you know, like me, I don't do big things. So I don't see the big problems sometimes.
So no. Anything else? Peyton, I'm I'm just gonna reiterate, you know, thanks for the conversation that we had on this. Was it Friday? And does and I still hold true to that, I think we should make the call and go from there. It's that simple. We'll see where it takes us. But in the meantime, we're looking at moving forward with the heating part. So are there any questions regarding, that change order? Okay. Hearing none, I will entertain a motion for four b. Motion to approve. A motion by Nash. Second, Steichen. A second by Steichen. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye.
Opposed? Motion carries. That does bring us to the new seven Charlie where we are talking about, consent agenda, number four golf approved training request for the fire department. Nash, you wanted this to just to be discussed? Yes. I just wanted so I I was just reading through the consent agenda. And from my understanding is we need to send one person that could sign off on anything, but they pay for two. But for some reason, we're sending four people. That's what I just wanted to know why we were for an extra $4,000.
Do we do you know why? Did you want me to step up? That's just Can Yes. I think that would be appropriate right now. If you can. I'm just curious if you know. Maybe you don't know. So you're you're talking about where they are right now? Well, the training oh, or did they already go? So I'm not quite Did they leave? It's They're they're there now. Yeah. K. Yeah. What so that's why did we why did we send for? So for this is for the fire engine pre inspection that we're talking about. So, you know, because of the amount of money that we're gonna be spending on this,
there was two people that the peers would provide that, money for. And we wanna make sure that we are making the right decisions on this because it's a big deal. I mean, it's it's quite a bit of money. And so that's where the four people come in as you have more eyes on it. And you have, you know, the chief, captain, and two lieutenants that are with that have been involved with this, from the beginning from the committee that was started. And so that's where we are with that. I mean, it's more of trying to eliminate any mistakes for when it gets done.
Just a quick question. So it's the chief, captain, and two lieutenants. Is that the truck committee? They're part of it. Yes. Okay. That that's what I was okay. Thank you. I feel really feel like this is, like, an interrogation. I'm sorry. I was just I was I was just out here. I'm just trying to figure out, like, okay. Because I know there's a truck committee. That's about all I know, and I don't know who all is on the truck committee, so this makes some sense to me now. Yeah. It's a conglomerate of about 10 people. There's firefighters in there as well. But the primary leadership is obviously the chief with the captain and two of the tenants.
Well and I guess I didn't I I missed the date part to even see that they weren't here because my concern was if we should be improve or, you know, approve it because when we went through the budgeting process, and I know that was Scott was here doing that or whatever, and you were here for part of it too. But I don't think we budgeted for it. And, I mean, 4,000 is a lot of extra money. That's why I was concerned. Of course, if they're already there, what am I gonna do? Say no. It's an unauthorized expense. Someone spent money that they shouldn't have. I mean, that's how easy that is. Yeah. Because that's that's my question, and that's a question not for you,
but for Scott is where is it coming out of their budget? Yeah. Because that's $4,000 that I don't know what I don't I trust that the chief has a plan to pay for that $4,000 out of the fire department budget, if they if they're planning that. So that would make sense. Yeah. Right? So so there's two things. It's more so just a procedural of, going through, you know, the proper protocol, I guess, when we do an out of town travel additional, you know, requiring pre council or not pre council, but requiring council approval for pre, travel there.
And and I reviewed that with the chief, and, he's well aware of that because I believe there might be another for the next steps if correct me if I'm wrong, here in the fall time. Yeah. Correct. They'll have to go back again for the final changes and change orders or anything else that they have to do to the truck. So, you know, made him well aware because two of the firefighters completely covered by the company that we're purchasing the truck from. Any additional above that, we really need to have that prior authorization. So I have reviewed that.
As far as where it's being paid out of, and I know Perry can speak to this a little bit as well, so correct me if I'm wrong. So out of the line item itself, we where we will be paying for the fire engine, it's all gonna be wrapped into that cost. Isn't that correct, sir? I right. I prefer to capitalize it all. Yes. It's part of Including the travel? Including the travel as part of taking the truck as part of the cost or truck. I mean, I don't have it's a small number. I'm probably splitting hairs. Did you have a question because I have one? Go first and then I Yeah.
So okay. So we know where the where that money is gonna come from, and that's like, to me, it's two sets of monies. Right? One's a capital purchase, one's a personnel issue, and I wanna make sure that we're I mean, I I trust your math, Barry. Yeah. I wanna make sure that Peyton's talking about procedure. I wanna make sure that we're we're in line with the budget and then, you know, the proper accounting systems as well. Yeah. And and and with this, I may not put it on the cost of the truck. That was my initial impression. It's kind of a, honestly, it's, gonna have to be paid out of one of Scott's line items.
I just haven't honestly determined which that yet. Scott and I haven't sat down and talked about that. So, and we do have that second round of travel in September. I think that's a lot of work to do. In September. Yep. So So that was my question. Are we sending four guys in September again? Yes, ma'am. So I haven't talked to Scott Buckle yet. I would assume that the the biggest decision is right now because it's prebuilt. So you wanna make sure that you have everything on that truck that you want, and then they start to build, obviously. Okay. So when it comes to the end,
you would look at some change order and things like that just to make sure. It's more of a stamping that, yes. This got done. This got done. This got done. That's why it's so important to have so many eyes on it right now. So I I I don't think that it would be four people. I would assume it would be two. Okay. And and it kinda was talked about briefly, but it wasn't finalized. But yeah. Yeah. I'd say too. And to give a good and to give an idea, sorry to interject here, sort of what they're reviewing, if I understood, is like more like the CAD drawings right now. So think about our extrication equipment that we recently purchased.
Not all engines are identical. They're catered specifically to fire departments across the country. And so just take that equipment, for example, it has to have the right mechanisms or whatever it is associated to it so that they're, you know, properly accounted for. It's little things like that. Mister Steichen. Mister mayor, Payton and assistant chief. Do they have the authorization to approve any changes, any upgrades, any thing that they see? I mean, do they have authorization to make some changes or that they see fit down there?
Where does that how does that happen if there is something that the chief does? That's it's either him or I that has to be with, and that's why part of the reason why Scott's there. So you see a chance. So the it it could be a increase in the cost is what you're saying. You know, I I haven't discussed that with Scott. I guess, I mean, potentially, I suppose. But going into this, it's the pre build. You know, there there's there's a budget for that, you know, and I would assume that maybe that's, you know, gonna come back with them that potentially
there may be an increase. But, I I mean, that's far ahead of where I'm at right now. I mean, this is just the pre build. Pardon? Yes. And Scott and I discussed that before he left because there presumably could be some changes. And it we have to differentiate. You know, this is gonna up the cost $20. He doesn't have to give me a call. But, you know, there's be some nuance to that where Scott knows if it's gonna be a substantial change that's gonna greatly impact the budget or or capitalize expense, whatever that would be.
He would contact me first, and we would go that route. Any other questions? I don't have any I mean, I trust you guys, but, you know, when when you go down there and take a look at a huge project like that, I'm sure there's gonna be things that come up. And how you handle them, how how you properly handle them is the important part. Yeah. I I think the the team that's there is the right people to be there, you know, because we're not looking to have extra on the truck. We're actually looking to, bring more into one engine so we can have our extrication equipment in there.
So maybe down the road, we don't need two trucks. We can use one. You know, and that's kinda you can respond with one truck instead of two trucks, and you can use the other truck or or utilize for maybe a people carrier. You know, so it's, more efficient, I think, is where we're headed. You know, that's why it was such a big deal to make sure that in the past, we've had trucks that, wish you would've, you know, changed that or changed this or added this. And we've done that. You know, I've been on for twenty one years. So we've we've done that quite a bit, actually. And so this is, this is really important. And I think the guys are taking it really serious,
and and that's where four people at this time was better than two. When I've been at your, meetings, I know you guys put a lot of thought into the everything about this and how you're gonna switch things around and use things. So I do appreciate that. Yep. Thank you. Anything else? Any other questions? Julie? No. I just I just as a follow-up, you know, for it just was, again, like, showing up on the agenda already done type thing just was a little different. So as long as we get that process, like Yep.
Figured out, like Okay. So that going forward. Right? Like Yeah. I'm I'm sure they don't travel often, but, you know, like don't. I mean, this is Right. But so, like, that we get the approval before they go so we know where the money is gonna come from and get it approved beforehand would probably be better than doing it Yeah. Like that. I understand. I apologize. I mean, I Yeah. I came with some information, but Right. It's just kinda, you know, I put into the spot, so I'm trying to give Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I appreciate it. I do I do too. And I appreciate you coming because when when we start looking at this and, like,
the case, we have the truck committee, we have the chief, and a lot of eyes on the project, and we also have on the board still. Right? We have a lot of eyes on that project and something still got missed, and that's gonna cost us an extra 35,000. So if we send some more eyes and we don't have any change orders for the fire truck, I we we could be ahead in the ballgame. So We're trying to eliminate. Yeah and so it makes sense. So if there's no other questions, no other comments, I think we're ready for a motion and this would just be for the new seven Charlie. Motion to approve. Motion by Nash. Second.
Second by Borra. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, Chris. Appreciate it. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Perry. Now with that, it does move us to number eight. We have our police department. We have eight alpha consideration for mental health product services, a three year contract with Ally Connect. Chief? Alright. Council members, mister mayor, appreciate this time. As I have been working on the past year is trying to establish some type of mental health program for our police department, something that has become much more of a need in recently within the past couple years.
So during this time, I have actually identified one product that can assist us or what's the word I'm looking for? Compliment our Minnesota employee assistance program that is Ally Connect. Ally Connect is basically a program. It's an application on one's phone, but with the idea that these officers can take a just a wellness exam every six months or however the chief wants to determine to see the mental health of that individual. In addition to when the officers take that, I can actually gauge how the department is doing at that time and see if
there are any needed steps that need to take place for any immediate intervention or any type of activity that needs to take place. In addition, this program is offered to not only the officer, but their spouses and their children. So if an individual says, I need you know, I'm looking to hear some ideas I need or I have some difficulties, they will actually be able to be contacted or be associated with a local psychologist or therapist for that individual. And that's part of our EAP program.
We'll take supplemental portions of that for our insurance purposes. So this is just basically a gateway from where we're at. I need some type of therapy. I need some type of help. Who can I reach out to? This is a concierge service that will connect you with this individual. So currently, I'm also working with a couple therapists in the immediate area for a dedicated department issued therapist that is still in the process. So I wanna get them online, on board with our Ally Connect. But in the meantime, this Ally Connect,
what I feel is most important is one's ability to gauge the overall mental health of the department in a non in an anonymity form. So with the cost, this is a three year contract. I believe in the contract, it was specified for a total of $4,842. Now I have sought other resources to assist with that with that cost, and that is where we've entered into a grant with Essentia Health. They have offered to give us the first year for the $1,614
with the idea of continuing this type of service. In the event that Essential Health says we would look look to go a different route, that means that our city or the police department would have to pay the additional $3,228, which I could obtain simply by moving some items out of if we need to move some items from, equipment to, some we have other line items that I can use access to make that purchase if needed. But this is one thing we don't have in our department that has not been
accessed, and I truly believe that the mental health aspect for our department is needed, especially with some of the costs that we've seen, to the tune of over $50,000 a year that we've accrued recently. So Thank you, chief. Questions? And Julie? Go on. Chief, can you just repeat for me? So you need to find the 30 some hundred, but because it's a three year contract, so it's all paid upfront. Is that why is that what you're talking about? Negative. It's a three year contract for a total of 4,804 and $42. So we divide it into three years.
Essentia Health has offered to give us a $16.14 for the first year with the idea of saying, hey. We'd like to continue this project. In the event that Essentia Health says, no. We're gonna something else changes, whatever happens, then the department would have to pick up the additional $3,200. In a year? In two years. Two years. Over the three. Yeah. So the essential health the three year program, essential health is picking up the first year. We'd have to have the other two years. But the offset that we've seen, it's it's it's a needed process. I mean, this is something I've been looking at for a year, especially with the the money that I spent for Pete.
Go ahead. Go ahead, mister Steffen. Is this program something other departments in the area use, or is this like the standard thing that people go to or is there do you have any experience with the program that people have This is a brand new program in this area. Other areas within the country have used it with success. This is a new for our area. We've checked I worked with Moorhead initially last year to see what type of services they have, and they have a dedicated they have a dedicated therapist that was unable to take us on. I've also talked to a friend of mine who also deals with some of the
other sheriff's departments in the Cass County side, and they're willing we're trying to work out that collaboration right now with Ally Connect. The benefit that I have Minnesota has was the employee assistance program where we have six free counseling sessions, and I believe that was part of my staff report that we have this ability to access. The Ally Connect, this application is accessible, which I like, is that any officer can gauge it, can take a test, and I will mandate it every six months, just to go online for the anonymity, to get a gauge on my mental health for my department.
So that way, if I do see any type of concerns, I can address it at that time. I don't wanna be reactive. I'd like to take the proactive approach. The reactive approach that we've seen recently has cost my department $50,000 a year right now. So the offset in this cost is negligible in my view, especially if essential help is covering the first year and willing to take another two to the the remaining three year contract. But they've also offered to say, what other departments would like to take this on? I have offered this to other smaller agencies.
This is what Essential Health is offering. This is what we are doing, and we are right now in collaboration and communication with these departments. I think what you're doing is awesome and definitely so valuable. Just listening to the stories, at the recognition from the the EMTs and firefighters and your officers. Some outcomes were good, some outcomes were less than good and that's always going to be the case. I personally know someone that had to get involved at a restaurant from do CPR and they're traumatized. So and that was a pretty minor event with a good outcome,
but you know your officers are dealing with the potential for major things daily. I mean to be honest, you never know. Hopefully it doesn't happen too often, but I didn't realize how many events you had in that city until you were going through them all. I mean here, some here and there. So it's amazing how valuable all those first responders, firefighters, police are. So I I like it that Dilworth is proactive in so many ways and we're kind of leading the charge.
I mean $3,000 is $3,000, but if you have a way to find the funds within your department, I'm all I'm in support of what you wanna do. Julie? Okay. So just to cut well, again, with the fire department too, I'm I'm anxious to see how this works out and whether or not it's something we should also use with the fire department or something down the road. Mhmm. Not sure. But if it's as well regarded as they're saying, I think it might be. So dedicated therapist. So additional money for that,
I'm guessing to keep them on retainer or something, or is there a way to, like, connect it with our EAP? That would be the way to connect with the EAP. So right now, the therapist, I don't wanna use his name right now. He's a Right. Someone I've coached with for years, but he works with the Cass County and some West Fargo police departments. So he would be looking to connect with the LA Connect program and also the Minnesota EAP where we have six free sessions. Yeah. So that's something we're collaboration with right now. There is a blanket program in North Dakota for, the CAC in in in I'm sorry. In Grand Forks,
there is a dollar amount associated each time. I'm not looking for that dollar amount Mhmm. For the dedicated from my view is I want the EAP, Ally Connect, and a dedicated therapist that we can use with those funds directed in that capacity. Mhmm. But as you said really quickly, our as council member Steichen said, our average day is someone's worst day. Just like in a military, our average day is someone's worst day. That's what we respond to. Mhmm. Just real quick, chief. Yes, sir. You talked about other smaller police departments, but so this weekend branch will expand this to all of our employees?
Or is it just emergency responders? Is it I mean, I'm looking at a fire fire's jacket on there, I think. Right? I mean, does that extend to fire, emergency personnel as well as police? It's based on the number of of applicants, the number of a now I'm gonna say applicants, number of, subjects associated with the program. But this can be offered to anyone. So we could grow it if We could grow it if needed. We could grow it to the first responders, to all first responders if needed. There would be additional costs. I'd have to do the math really quickly for this. We base it off of, eight officers. And but what's nice is that it also goes to their spouse and their children.
Those socials are like part of it. K. So well and, again, I said this from when you when you brought this the first time. I support this. As and as it grows, as other other departments see the value in this, we'll con I will continue to support it. To me, it's it's the right move at the right time. So I'm glad that you are moving us in the right direction. So are are there any other questions from counsel for chief? No. I just wanna say thanks for thinking about this and having it available and making it forethought to go through all this and come to us,
and it's awesome. You're putting your officers first and their mental health, and it's good to see you. Thank you. Thank you, Amber. With that, I will entertain a motion for nine alpha consideration for the oh, pardon me, eight alpha consideration for the mental health, product service. Motion to approve. Motion by Nash. Second. Go ahead, Nash. Second by Borra. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, chief. I guess we'd all think it's good. Yep. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. It's a race. So that does bring us number nine, planning and engineering nine alpha MOU with Axis Clinicals.
Peyton? Pretty self explanatory here within the staff report. As mentioned previous at previous meetings, we're in the process of collecting temporary construction easements for the 30 Fourth Street reconstruction project. The first of the two easements has been collected and agreed upon. This one is with Access Clinicals. The next one will be with the PetroServe there on the corner. This evening, the council will be authorizing the payment to Access Clinicals in the amount of $8,500 That number is based upon the survey that's done in appraisal that's completed in conjunction
with SRF, our consultant on this project. So with the council's blessing, we'll move forward with paying access, and one of two will be collected. And they are working very diligently on collecting our other easement as well as businesses across the street as well. This is because since it's one project, we have to have all, I believe, five easements collected before we can actually get this project bid. It looks like we're nearing getting closer to that.
So the sooner the better, obviously, so that we can get this project rolling. Any questions? This is just for access, correct? It's a dollar amount. This is probably the larger of the two of it. It is. Yeah, it is. So we could expect a smaller dollar amount. Yeah. A little bit smaller. I can't remember. It was in that original quote that was brought to the I think that in total, everything was, like, $1,213,000 dollars Right. Plus or minus something like that. And all of this is wrapped up in the construction? Right. It will be part of the project? That's correct.
So this technically will be an assessed cost at the end of the day that can be recouped, 50% of it at least. Right. Any other questions? I will entertain a motion for nine alpha. Steichen, so moved. Motion by Steichen. Second. Second by Nash. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. With that, it does bring us to 10 alpha recap of the chamber event. Who's leading? Peyton, start it off. Yeah. I'll get started, then I'll let vice mayor Nash and council member Steichen say a few words as well or to fill in any gaps that I missed.
So last week, the three of us did go down to Saint Paul for our annual visit with the chamber, the FM chamber. They did a tremendous job that I believe there was over 30 of us that went down from here. And then following that, we went to the LMC Bay, at the capital. The chamber, again, that was where the bulk of our time was spent. And the most valuable thing you always you always get out of this or the connections that you make and just being on top of that. The city of Dilworth has a seat at the table.
I'm not sure we could have always said that through our history, but it's it's very rewarding to go down to Saint Paul and have people know who you are, you know, know your name, know what our community is about, having the fire department still front of mind, with the the governor. We had the opportunity to hear him on a couple different occasions, including one time when he came and addressed just the chamber group. So it was a pretty intimate setting, and council member Sikon went up and made mention about our fire hall project coming
up and inviting inviting him to our grand opening event that'll be taking place this summer. As far as overall themes, you know, so you gotta remember, we're primarily with other business leaders in the area. So a lot of the laws that were being discussed or that were up for consideration, you know, are business oriented, but a lot of those do impact cities. I believe every lawmaker that was spoken to, you know, had some questioning regarding the paid family medical leave that's being instituted that will go
into effect 01/01/2026. There's differences of opinions on how this is all being rolled out, how it's to be administered, who's administering it, and so forth. There will be some cost that goes along with that to the city of Dilworth. I hate to speculate which what that cost will actually be because it's still being refined and fine tuned. We originally had a number. They give you a formula to compute that, but I still think we're early on in that process. I have a different perspective on it,
not in the sense whether I agree or disagree with it, but being a municipality or a county, whatever that may be, we're subject oftentimes to additional mandates that the private industry is not required to do, whether it be vacation days or whatever that may be. So I know that's just something we're gonna have to deal with and administrate same with how we did the sick and safe time, which is being instituted right now, which is not very much more robust than what we're already offering anyways.
I don't think that's really impacted anything, with the city. As far as what, as far as, like, the big thing making its way through Saint Paul right now that as far as bills that I'm watching, a lot of the housing there's about four different housing bills that are, you know, kinda weaving in and out. And it's important to note that some of these bills have bipartisan support. So it's not just one side or the other saying that we would like to see this. A big concern with municipalities, counties, like Minnesota cities leading this charge to do a great job with it is the
lack of local control. You know, so they would be instituting some rules and laws that would preempt our local zoning ordinance. So that's one thing. But just equally as important is the requirements that come into place are a one size fits all solution for the entire state. That's not how any state works. You know, every state has its own regionality, individual, you know, ideas that make their communities whole and have their own smart growth techniques.
In fairness to the lawmakers, we all are clamoring for housing reform in some capacity and asking for it and because there's obviously a lack of housing, there's a housing shortage and everything. So you you know, I guess, it's almost a be careful what you wish for type thing because we've been pleading for this, and then now they're offering up solutions. We're saying, yeah, but we don't want that. So but I think we the most important thing is that we continue to work with our local lawmakers and staying engaged at the state level with all of these different bills
on the books or that's going through the committee process right now. There's several hearing multiple hearings tomorrow on these bills, so we'll continue to monitor those. And sort of like the paid family medical leave, we will address it accordingly. But I'm still holding out hope that the local control will remain with us, but we'll we'll see how that goes. I don't wanna take up all the oxygen here. So if, Basmir or Nash or Dave would like to make mention of anything else that we learned or talked about.
So I well okay. I just wanna add that I you know, the other thing about going with the Chamber is we learn what the concerns are in front of our our businesses in the area. But it wasn't just businesses. It was also education. There were a lot of, like, higher education k 12 there, hospitals, everything. And so when you get to hear, you know what? It it's kinda sad we have to go to Saint Paul to find out what's going on with people in our community, but it was also a great way to make some connections too where we're like, oh, we didn't know you had that program. Oh, well, we have someone that could really utilize your program.
And, you know, so now we've made those connections and, hopefully, can help with some training for us, things like that. And it's just all those neat little community, like, growth things together that is was worth going down there in addition to meeting our legislators and everything. So yes. Mister Steichen? It was fantastic. Everything about it was fantastic. Even the snow was great because we didn't have to drive in it. No it was a huge cross section. I mean, everything from major manufacturers
to radio station that So like what vice mayor Nash vice mayor Nash said was absolutely correct. You get a good concept of what's on everybody's mind. There's a lot of passion that came out in some of these meetings both on the legislator side and on the chambers members, not the member, the people that what do you call us? They're members. We're members. Members, people that are attendants. Most of it I think most of it's pretty respectable, respectable. But you can see how people's passions come through when it's their thing,
it's their worries, their concerns. What's really neat, I didn't know a lot of these people, you know, by face obviously. Sometimes you hear the names but it's hard to know who they really are. When you get a chance to meet people from all over the state that have different, I mean very influential people in different committees and when they meet you for at the supper thing and you know, I'm not afraid to go up and talk to them and figure out who they are and what they can, what they're doing, what what we're doing I guess is kinda just that everybody's working on but
they're good at what they're doing. They're good at listening. They're good at listening. You know right now is not a fantastic time at all to ask for money because the last day of our visit, the economic forecast was down a hundred and 60,000,000 from and that was projected to be down. So it's a tough time to be in and ask. A lot of these people when you sit and talk to them, they got some very important projects if it's you know water, waste management, roads, whatever it might be. So you can see how everybody has a need. Just like just like every other town.
So, but it was fun talking you know, you talk to the commissioners of agriculture and state chamber of commerce, the tax commissioner. So it's pretty neat that you can have that contact one on one and they they like hearing from people. One thing you never really know what, what if some of the importance is like Dayton said the contacts is important. You start seeing people and recognizing people from the past. I talked to some tribal leaders from a reservation and it doesn't really, it's not really our thing but we're in the area.
They're so in favor of the psychiatric facility that's being proposed in Moorhead and he said they could, they really have a need for that and the and the detox is also another issue and you know, they themselves are trying to get funding for work along that line. But I think our county commissioners have done a fantastic job of of getting the word out and that Senator Rest. She said this was in her forty years. Might not have exactly,
but this is the most important legislation that I think she signed on or authored or co sponsored or whatever. In her forty years this is like the most important piece of legislation that she's ever been a part of. So, if it'll happen who knows but when you get someone like that on your side for the county, you know Julie's dad was part of that prior so before he was on, was on the council commission I guess. So, it not only affects locally, it affects regionally and affects the state.
So overall it was fantastic. I just like going up to people when they- it's not like they're feeling bothered. So it's good to know that they want you to talk to them. So I think the chamber, big shout out to the chamber and the league for. And the leagues people that spoke about the different topics was important too. And one thing that came up quite often was, what are you hearing from the feds? And they don't really know.
I mean that's part of the problem. They really can't give an answer to what people are asking probably on a daily basis. So that's all so fluid right now that and it puts a lot of different projects kinda, I don't know if in jeopardy but they're kinda wondering how this is all gonna actually shake out. So thanks for letting me go. Thanks for paying for me to go and and I was accompanied by two fantastic, people that represented Dilworth. Alright. Thank you, mister Steichen.
With that wrap up of the chamber event, and I'm seeing that moves us to number 11. Council members concerns and committee updates. Around the horn. Well I do want to shout out to Ariel Olsen for being her poise, her courage, her confidence sitting there. I I know it's not an easy thing to sit in front of, you know we're just people. You know so, but she did a fantastic job. And when I was on the food commission, there was a couple cities that got a well Horace or West Fargo got a chicken going and another city can upped their numbers of chickens.
So I understand the process a little bit and I do appreciate her coming forward. It's not easy thinking about sitting in front of a bunch of adults. So, the officer recognition this afternoon was fantastic. We do need to hear those stories. We do need at you know kind of their expense a little bit. They have to relive it but, it's fantastic to hear that we're represented and protected by firefighters. Assistant Chief Kohler wasn't here but he he was part of the recognition as well for lifesaving on on a person.
So, so all the first responders, firefighters, police officers, I mean they're there at a moment's notice. So it's great that we have 24 coverage in town so that they can respond to those. And like I said not all of the outcomes are what you'd like to see but Chief Ralston said, I think I heard that you still have contact with some of the people and they still thank you for everything you did. So, just that in itself has to be a huge good feeling that you know they do appreciate what you've done.
And Lane's she Monaghan's officer of the year is always fantastic. So, I did attend the meeting for community energy energy network and cities climate coalition. And, they're trying to work on climate issues, education, projects, different things. But they're kinda right in the middle of, you know, our funding situation as well just like everybody else that I mentioned earlier. So, you you do have to appreciate the passion people like that have for what they are working on,
what they are what they like to see happen and just getting involvement in, everything with warming to being responsible being green whatever it might be. So, they're just the one of many that have passions for that. So, the, yeah. I guess that's enough. I guess I'll advise mayor Nash, finish it off. Thank you, miss mistaken. Nash. Updates from the committee. Committees. Yeah. Again, the award ceremony was amazing. I I maybe the fire department's next to start their own like, you have to,
like I don't know. But, chief Ross, I mean, I mean, he's, like, set the bar on recognizing our employees, and I don't know. So the I was just thinking of other ways to recognize people in other areas of work as well and, because it's a fun ceremony to go to. So thank you for doing that. Also passing along that we're gonna have a fly a kite day, at Barb Bob Marshall Field on April 5. So yeah. So the police department is coordinating that. Yeah. You're trying to get, like, a fancy human flying kite in.
Oh, kites. Yeah. Kites. Kites. The power kite. Yeah. So look forward to that on April 5. Or two. What's that? Hope not. That's all I have. I think Peyton? On February 24, I believe it was, the city council authorized the contract with Zurburg Architects to begin the design on the community center, and we've hit the ground running. We've already had three meetings, one with them with a kickoff and a couple other stakeholder meetings as such on March 19.
So upcoming here in nine days over at DGF Elementary in the gymnasium will be our first public input meeting. We met with, Community Ed actually earlier today going over various things, but we're really excited to get the public's feedback. We wanna encourage everybody that is available to come over to DGF on that day. So we're really proud to see of the rapid progress we're already making with this. You know,
sometimes these projects just flutter around, it seems like, and they don't get going right away, but that's not the case for us. Somewhat tangent to that, our local option sales tax does get started on April. So individuals could notice a $0.05 percentage increase to your average purchase in town. So be aware of that. Earlier, we recognized Jessica for her efforts. Thank you again, Jessica, for everything. But,
I also wanted to make mention and I didn't have this in the this agenda pack will be in the next one. But we received the resignation notice of Jeff Berg with our maintenance department. Jeff has been with us for nineteen years, served a little bit of time as the maintenance supervisor, and it's a big asset that we're gonna be losing. We appreciate Jeff and all this hard work and dedication these years to the community and what he meant to the city of Dilworth. He's known pretty well across the the entire town here.
So we're sad to see Jeff go, but now he's going on to bigger and better things. So thank you, Jeff. Anything else, Peyton? No, sir. I'm gonna start with thank yous too. Because I have a thank you, Ariel, and and, of course, thanks to her mom who put up with my schedule to get things lined up and have, an opportunity, to introduce her to the whole process. So she was a rock star, to be 10 and and be up in front of everybody, have the news in your face and people taking pictures. And she never lost her composure. And and and part of that too is when we were having the conversation,
Peyton said, hey, would it be better for you to sit down? Right? It's just those little things that we notice and we do. And it's it's almost it's par for the course when we look at whether it's Peyton in city hall, Jessica in city hall, our fire department making sure that things are police officers. Just the little things. And and again, so thank you, Ariel, and thanks to everybody who made that possible. Again, just 10 of taking care of me. I appreciate you very much. Chief, it was a great party. It really was. And then like obviously the celebration was fantastic and then of course the discretion at
the end was just again the professionalism is outstanding. Congrats to Officer Monahan, I think that is fantastic. Again that embodiment, I mean and without going into too much detail, it's just great to see that and we've talked about it a lot, but I don't think we can talk about it enough and compliment it enough. And when we talk about, our relationship with the Chamber and the LMC, we all see that with the CGMC, and they just excited again when in between meetings, they're just reading emails, they're talking about, hey, your legislation's coming up that will take away potentially take away local control of your
zoning. So contact your legislators. Those relationships and those organizations really help keep us on our toes in in terms of being aware of what's happening in Saint Paul that could have direct impacts on what we do. So, that's fantastic. And I'm gonna I'm gonna end tonight with, congratulations to, the high school in our sister city. Morehead High School won the state championship in class AA hockey, brought home the state championship on Saturday. So congratulations to them and go Spuds. With that, we will move to number 12 and pay the bills.
Any questions on the bills? I will entertain a motion to pay the bills. So moved. And a motion by Nash. Second by Steichen. And a second by Steichen. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. And with there being no further business before council this evening, call this meeting adjourn.