All right, it looks like it's 6 o'clock. So we'll go ahead and get started >> 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. >> Car would like to call the roll call, please. >> Mr. Steinberg >> here. >> Mrs. Rorich >> here. >> Mr. White >> here. >> Mr. Mayor Lewis >> here. >> Mayor Whittington >> here. >> All right. Is anybody here to make a
public comment that's not currently on the agenda? >> All right. I'll look for approval the of the agenda. >> Motion. Second. >> First and second. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed. All right. Approval of the last minutes,
last meeting minutes. >> Motion. Second. Any any changes? All approve. >> All right. Consent agenda. >> Anybody want to pull anything out of the consent agenda? I'd look for a motion to
approve as is. >> Motion. >> Second. >> First and second. All in favor? >> All opposed? All right. presentations. I think uh let's see the general
obligation bond bonds here. First up, Mr. Sweeney, members of the council, Shannon with David Associates over a month ago, we initiated the process. I learned something. Uh
a little over a month ago, we initiated the process to sell general obligation bonds to fund our 2026 street and utility reconstruction project. Uh during that process, we created an offering document. We secured a credit rating which affirmed the city's double A minus credit rating with standard and
pores with a stable outlook which was a good outcome doing a pretty good size project but ultimately they felt that we had the capacity to undertake this project without significantly impairing our ability to do other things. So uh it was a very good result. Today we
received bids uh at 11:00 a.m. this morning and our top five biders were within a tenth of a percent. It's that sheet I passed around so they knew what Eagle Lake bonds were worth today. So it was that's about as narrow a margin as
we see particularly between five biders. The low bid received was from Robert W. Beritan Company. And ultimately we we measure the interest rate by what we have to pay the underwriter to purchase and then resell the bonds and the interest rate we're actually paying on
the bonds. And ultimately this bid we received uh and similar to what happened in our last competitive sale, we received a premium bid. So they actually paid us more than what we were asking for. And for that they expect to charge
a little bit higher interest rate. They have a 4% coupon, 4% interest rate through the entire schedule, but they're giving us an additional $157,000 which allowed us to resize the bond issue. So, we're only borrowing 5,70,000
rather than 5.2 million. That creates, you know, ultimately for the same amount of money we were looking to borrow for the construction costs. Our net interest rate is at 3.8456%. It's a little bit different than the net interest rate on the bid because they
were bidding on a $5.2 million bond issue. After you resize it, the interest rate changes a little bit because we're reducing the amount that we're borrowing. So, uh, that process can be difficult to explain, but it's, uh, quite weird in
this world that they give us more money than what we're asking for, but ultimately it's a it's a part of the way that bonds are sold or it's a a manner in which bonds are sold. And for the last five to seven years, it's really common. So, we're doing it on almost
every transaction that's sold competitively. And so we have the opportunity to resize the issue, reduce the amount that we're borrowing by a little bit and ultimately uh the actual debt service payments are I think within about a half a percent of what we were
projecting. So uh very close to what we had projected when we went to market. Uh there's a resolution that gets updated basically with this information from the bids received. That's we sent out a draft. It's a 30-page document uh that
ultimately talks about all of our obligations associated with the repayment of the bonds and the statutes that we're pointing to that authorize us to borrow money for the specific p purposes that we're borrowing money for. And so, uh if you choose to proceed,
that's the resolution that you'd be acting on. Uh ultimately, we'd be closing on May 20th. That's when you'd have funds available to pay project costs. Uh again, the low bid was submitted by Robert W. Bar & Company out of Wisconsin. They're a regular bidder.
They're one of the nation's largest underwriters of bonds, so they buy quite a few. So, happy to answer your questions on that information. >> I'm assuming that's the one that you're recommending to us. >> Low bid receipt. Yep.
>> Any questions from the council? All right, we'll move on to the next one. The utility rate analysis. You're up again. >> Uh, annually we collect audit data from the city budget information. We update uh projections associated with your water,
sanitary sewer, and storm sewer enterprises. This was a good opportunity to do that. We're taking on a significant project. We have debt service that we're going to have to spend money on in order to make payments on bonds that we've just issued or will
be issuing to fund project costs. Uh with regard to wastewater, we have additional fees for treatment that we have to pay. And so we throw all of that into a financial projection which I provided in your packet along with some recommendations with regard to what we
need to do in order to pay debt service on the bonds and ultimately cover some of the additional inflationary costs in those utilities. And so walked through essentially each of your enterprises and provided a pretty specific
recommendation uh with regard to what we have to come up with. Uh with regard to the water enterprise, I was recommending annual increases of 5% to water fees through 2029
to achieve cash flow positive operations by that time. Your enterprise has good cash reserve. It will sustain operating deficits if we limit our increases to 5% in 2027 and 2028, but ultimately the cash balance will
still remain in what I consider a healthy region. And so uh if you as a council decided that you wanted to achieve uh break even or better cash flow results more quickly, you know, we could certainly take your feedback and look at other options with regard to
rate increases. What I'm ultimately targeting though as I project forward is what will it take to break even and then start to build a little bit of cash. We have healthy reserves. Ultimately we want to try to retain those. It's what gets us the double A minus credit rating
from standard and pores. It's what allows us to pay cash for capital projects that are a couple hundred,000 rather than borrowing money. And so uh those reserve targets uh do many good
things for us. Uh it avoids debt in many instances and interest expense and issuance costs. Uh when I looked at the wastewater enterprise ultimately it was both that combination of $44,000 in new debt service for the bonds that we're
issuing and some and the updated estimate that we have from the city of Mano for treatment costs. And I am recommending annual increases of 15% to wastewater fees in 2027 and 2028,
10% in 29, and 5% in 2030 to achieve cash flow positive operations by 2029. Um, what I didn't mention on water is we talk about percentages, but that doesn't mean a lot. So, what I translate that
into is what a 5,000gallon customer will pay. That's probably more than a twoerson household, but less than a larger family as far as usage is concerned. And today that 5,000galon customer pays 34.86
in water utility fees. By 2029, with those 5% increases, their bill would be at 4035. So difference of not quite six around six bucks uh per month over that period of three to four years is what
they'd have to pay increased water fees in order to maintain that cash balance and uh get to a point where we're not running a deficit in that utility with wastewater. uh based on those increases I just
talked about of 15% 10% 5% that 5,000galon per month user presently pays 46.82 82. Uh by 2029, I am projecting usage or a bill of approximately $68.11
per month. So that's the one that hurts a little more than most. Uh but ultimately uh it's been trending down with regard to uh cash flow and we have inflationary costs, increased costs for treatment and
now some additional debt service that we have to pay of $44,000 a year in order to uh ultimately achieve cash flow positive operations. That was the level of increases that I was projecting at this point.
uh storm water. Uh we have a $4.94 per month fee that we have based on our existing rate structure. We're taking on as we rec reconstruct streets and utilities. This is a newer enterprise that we've created because we're
recognizing that we have significant storm sewer costs with street reconstruction projects in particular. And we've taken on some debt service with some projects that we've done in the last couple years. and we're taking on more debt service associated with
projects that we're doing now. And so by 2028, I'm projecting that that fee would need to be at $9.34 per month for residential customer. Uh the last projection that I did was with regard to the tax levy uh in
support of this 2026 project. You know, ultimately I was projecting about a 13.2% 2% increase to the city's portion of the tax levy. Recognize that's based on what your 2025 budget was. Also recognize that you've
been adding tax base on average of uh how do I quantify it of 50 to $100,000 worth of new property tax if your tax rate stayed the same. And so if we can see if we continue to see those
significant increases in tax base and those increases are related to new tax base and not just increase in market value. It means we have some additional taxpayers contributing to the system which will have impact in reducing that 13.2%
I've projected. Uh it's just a number to give you some idea of the scale of that debt service payment that we're taking on. But recognize as a growing community, you have some ability to mitigate that through your budget process, through examining what new tax
base is coming online with regard to uh what your overall levy is. So, uh happy to answer questions with regard to those recommendations. I don't have action items for your packet on those, but we wanted to communicate those and get any feedback uh or other scenarios
that you might want me to look at. So, >> I have a question for Shannon if it's okay. Mayor and city council. Uh Shannon, do you think that it would be appropriate since uh we are taking on new um debt with the project to do a rate increase effective say July 1st or
wait until January 1st of 2027? We did not the last time we did a rate increase was in 2025. Uh, as your financial adviser, I'd always say the sooner the better, but ultimately I would also tell you that you have cash reserves that are
sufficient to, you know, wait until the end of the year if you chose to do so. You wouldn't do anything disastrous financially, but ultimately, you're building a project, you've incurred the debt. I think the project is going to be very visible to the public and they'll understand when they see rate increases
coming that it directly tied to something that's being constructed now. So uh so as as you look through this and the estimates that you gave for example right so the water enterprise we're at 5682 right now and
at the end in 2029 is when it would be the $68 not $68 next year. >> No that's correct. So, uh, if I look at that, >> all three of those increases are wrapped into that $68. >> Yeah.
>> My first increase takes us from 46.82 in wastewater to 53.84 for a for a 5,000galon customer. >> And do we know kind of our breakdown of customers? So, are we half 5,000
half? I would say your average tends to be closer to 3500 to 4,000 gallons that we see, but uh uh if you have more young families, that average might be a little bit higher. >> Any other questions on this item?
>> So that's quite crypted today. It's unusual. I think you have one more, don't you? >> Um, Shannon, I had added uh it's on a different topic. It's on the capital improvement planning. >> Um, I didn't put that on there. Sorry.
You probably caught Shannon by surprise with that. >> Okay. I had uh Jennifer had asked for information on capital improvement planning. So, we offer a couple of different methods for doing that. Uh, I had essentially offered to continue
doing the projections that you see in your packet, maybe having a work session with the council and developing a list of projects that we plug into those enterprise funds. Oh, that's all right. And so, uh, that I would do at no cost. I've already
created the financial model for your enterprises. It's very easy to manipulate and add new projects to that and see what it does to your utility rates. uh adding tax levy to that is not any harder. So ultimately uh I've offered to take that approach if
that's what you would like and ultimately uh help you prioritize projects. I I use a planning window usually of five years. Uh I think that we can get pretty serious about what we're willing to do within a five-year period and develop a
plan that you know we either like or don't like and we understand if we're going to implement it. Uh the second option we have is a more dynamic model that allows us to uh plug all this project information in manipulate start completion dates or whenever we're
implementing stuff. We can analyze quite a few projects probably project out 10 to 15 years and ultimately give you some really pretty graphs that make it easy to see. And we've included samples of those graphs from a report from what I did in another
project. and so or for another community. And while I think that one's great and it's uh very visual, uh it costs more money to or cost money to implement where the first option I'm
committed just to do it for you. Uh this one involves a few work sessions. It involves a little more discussion with your engineer on cost estimating for projects. Uh, and at the end of the day, we probably have a project or a a plan that's a
little bit further out. And ultimately, we have some nice visuals that we can use to communicate with you and the public if we need to do that in the form of a report. Um, I'm not I'm not strongly advocating for either. I just wanted to present some
information to you, answer questions if you had questions, but one of it is free and generally I say take it's I think it's still worthwhile even though it doesn't cost anything. And so I uh I would I would suggest that that's a
pretty easy way to get your feet a little bit wet in capital improvement planning and develop something that we as a group would identify as something we would intend to do in approximately five years. Um, I would I would anticipate that based on what we're
taking on today. We're going to be cautious. And so I that was one of the reasons I mentioned to Jennifer why that may be a better approach. We're doing a large project right now. It's probably a two-year cycle before we're even thinking about
something else. And so that other model will at least put stuff on our or our what I've suggested with regard to modifi or modifying my projections for your enterprise funds and providing a report is probably good enough for
identifying what's next. you know, at least what's next and maybe the project after that and when it might seem to make sense because part of this is going to look at when debt falls off and we're going to try to structure around that and take advantage of those opportunities so that we don't have to
go back to our customers and ask for a lot more money. So, as best we can. So, if I could answer any questions on that one too, I'm happy to do that. >> Any questions? I really like the the the first one. three is always a good
number. Um but it it gives us some structure right we don't really have any structure any we haven't had any vision outs you know even that five years to understand and I would love to understand what's coming up due and what's falling off and and the timelines of you know the historical debt that
we've already taken on and our ser debt service that we're doing now. My recommendation would be informally we gather some input on projects that folks think are important at least to have in the conversation.
uh we can take that information and ask the engineer to throw some preliminary cost estimates to it and we can come back with at least an initial run at what things look like with you know what we think our priorities and then from there we start pairing it down as we
discuss affordability. >> Okay, perfect. All right, sounds good. >> Well, one more. No, I'm just kidding. >> I'm just kidding. >> Thanks, Shannon. I didn't mean to put put you on the spot, but I appreciate it. >> That was a lot of good things. No, I
think you know, now that we're ramping up our finance committee, I think it's a some good input that they'll need to have moving forward. So, um, number three, the building code changes. >> All right. Uh, mayor and city council,
we've got, uh, Dan Murphy, our building inspector, and Ben Byron. He's um Dan's uh new assistant and he's been working in Eagle Lake for the past few months. He's done a great job. He's I've watched him interact with people. He's interacted well with our office and so
just really uh couldn't probably found a better replacement or future replacement. I know your your plans here. No, we really enjoyed working with Dan as well, but um I think he has a someone that has taken a lot of his same
qualities and and his approach to dealing with people and questions, which is greatly appreciated. So, um they are here tonight to talk to you about um the current agreement we have with them and uh a new agreement and we'll answer any questions you have. So, if you guys want
to head up to the podium and make sure the green lights on, um we'll turn over to you guys. I'm just kidding. All right. Um, again, I'm Dan Murphy, building official. Ben Byron, he's uh also a
licensed building official. So, he's basically taking uh taken my position with permission. Um, so yeah, it's uh as I phase out, he's kind of coming in more and uh his yeah it's working out pretty
good so far. So he's uh uh his philosophy is generally the same as mine. Um we believe you get uh good enforcement by good interpersonal communications and just relational uh type of transactions with people uh
rather than just kind of a heavy-handed that's the way it is dead in the sand that kind of stuff. But uh um glad to have him on board. He's doing a good job. So, our last uh increase, fee increase was uh August of 2019.
Um, and so, of course, money isn't the same as it was in uh 2019 as it is today. So, we're looking for a fee increase, and I think you probably have in your packets or right behind me, um, we're
looking at increasing from our fixed fees. Let's look at that first. So, we have certain fixed fees for building permits, um, such as, like I said, a re- roof, reside, windows, fencing. Those are kind of good PR type of permits
because if you were to do a permit off of valuation on a re-roof, it'd be three to 800 bucks, if not more. Um, and so we like fixed fees on certain maintenance items. It just keeps the cost low and it
covers our costs, too. So, we're looking for an increase there um from 65 to $75. And um that's just right down the list. And then we're also looking at um so
right now, let me see just kind of back up. So, we have our fixed fees and then we also have uh uh permits that are done off of valuation. So that would be just take a new home for example. Um a new
home would need a a permit fee, a plan review fee and plumbing and mechanical search charge all to meet the state building code stuff. And those fees are generated off of the cost of the project. So that would be uh labor and
materials. Um, and that's we have like a a baseline uh check against square footages so it doesn't drop below, but we're so far underneath what other contractors are. Um, so but the fees for that is just
based off of valuation. So, you know, uh, $350, $400,000 house and we've got a formula that just gives us, okay, this is the permit fee, this is the plan review fee, and this is what the state sir charge would be. So those fees um
that are based off of valuation um we split with the city of Eagle Lake um 50/50 right now and we're looking to bump that up to uh in our benefit 5%. Uh
this is to just cover the crazy costs of uh that everybody's experiencing across the board. insurance, um, vehicle health insurance, retirement, um, and training. Um, a little bit more training on, uh, Ben,
but, uh, uh, those are just kind of the general increases we're looking at. Um, with Mano, our neighboring city, uh, I'd say we're in the general ballpark. It's been a little bit since I looked, like
December, but I want to say most of their stuff is all off evaluation. So, they do have uh maintenance fees uh like ours, a fixed fee. I think for
windows less than 15,000 was like a $100 permit. And I can't remember what re-roof is, but they have like windows and re-roof. Now, they didn't have that in the past.
Um, but otherwise, as far as for uh um valuation, projects off of valuation that would need a plan review, we're generally pretty close on the same par. I think they're using the 1997 uniform
building code fee schedule. So, that's uh the last millennium, 1997. So, um, but yeah, I guess that's, uh, kind of a quick down and dirty story. If there's any questions or
or if you want to yell at Ben, that's okay, too. Um, >> I will say that just to share with the city, the mayor and city council, I did have a contractor um call me probably about a month ago and he just said how much he appreciated doing work in Eagle
Lake. um he was uh getting some information to pull a permit for a new home construction and while we were talking had mentioned just in some other communities which I won't name of course um I just said our turnaround time and working with the building officials has been really well and so I think that
bodess well for the city uh we want people that you know developers and contractors to want to do uh work in our community so I thought that was really positive to hear I just wanted to share that so >> that is probably the number one complaint that even our office get on
other jurisic dictions um is the plan review turnaround time. So like a new house um generally we like to have that permit received and out the door within 5 days usually one to three depending on the workload. Um decks we try to turn
those around really quick for the weekend warriors. Um sometimes we get them on a Thursday and they want to start on Saturday. So uh we'll kind of expedite those just for those things. But uh um yeah. Yeah, plan review is very crucial. Um, we don't rush through
it, but uh um we do go through the code and make sure it's uh meeting the code for structural stuff too. So, >> questions. >> U maybe a a question I have. Sorry to do all the talking here, but um before the council meeting, a council member had asked a question about um somebody that
they knew in town that was have had um a um a drain project, garage drain project, and they when they got their billing permit fee, they were a little bit shocked at how much it was. And I think their contractor had said, "Oh, in another city it would have been less than that." But but just to clarify so
everybody can hear. I don't know if anybody else heard our conversation for the the meeting started with me and the council member, but um so it sounds like it's based on valuation and how is our structure then for when like if we get a um like for in this instance we had a
permit for a garage floor drain. >> Yeah. Um, I did get a chance to pull that permit up and take a quick look at >> I'm catching you on the fly, >> which is kind of nice having that uh that uh permitting software that we can just access that on the run. But uh in
looking at it, it it was a little bit different. Um so the valuation of the project was $10,000. So that would be uh in the quick review. So it would be floor removal, garage floor removal, and then prepping and then running in your plumbing uh for the
floor drain and then uh pouring the concrete. So that would be labor and materials. Um this one required a plan review. And so when a review takes place, that does bump that up a little bit. Um, so that added about $100 to the
project for us to actually do the review. And um, and it was a good thing we did a review. The way it was drawn um, did not meet code. So it was drawn in a way that uh, wouldn't meet the uh, drainage requirements for the Minnesota
State Plumbing Code. Um, or maybe even the city code too. Some of our projects for floor drains, that kind of stuff, might have to run to a city sub drain, like a sump pump, that kind of stuff, or sanitary. Um, so that does take time
getting into the book to read it and see what the requirements are and then place those requirements on the plan. So the plan review is probably what pushed that up a little bit, but I think it was like $118 or something like that. Um, but it
was based off of valuation. So um >> that helps. Thank you. I just wanted I thought it'd be a good educational opportunity for everybody. Thanks. Appreciate >> the evaluation provided to us by the contractor or homeowner too. So that's what the value they put down on the
permit. So >> So that is one of my questions is how do you do the evalu evaluation not evaluation valuation? Um we uh we kind of take a quick peek at like if it's a new house slab on grade
one one one level um I'd have to look at we have a like a square foot minimum that we look at it. So we'll actually square foot projects and make sure they're within the ballpark. Um, most of the time I uh we were in the process of
kind of updating our square foot values to to match the increase after CO things just went so crazy after CO for valuation of materials or labor and materials. Um, so we'll check some projects against uh what they put down. You know, if you see a new house coming
in and they got it for 199,000, that might draw a little scrutiny. And then we'll actually square foot the uh the plan uh as far as for square foot finished main floor and then square foot uh for garage and then you know slap my
grades as one floor. So we do have different valuations for like a basement main floor or second floor um just based on cost of labor and materials. I haven't done it for a few years. I think it was 2017 was the last time I looked
at square foot valuations. Usually I reach out to lumber yards and then a couple of contractors in the community and say, "Hey, what's what's your ballpark?" And then we usually come below it, but uh most of the time the permits we see are above what our checks would be. So for square
footage, they're they're ballpark, right? So >> Okay. >> And I I thought you were asking like how the the permit fee is calcul I was we talked about a little bit earlier. It's the 1997 >> uniform building
>> uniform building code uh fee standard. So basically based on the value of your project different percentages are charged of of that value. Um so it's it's kind of a complex thing. Some people will call me and ask well what what
percentage of the value will be the fee building the building permit fee? It doesn't it doesn't work like that. But if you ever wanted to read it, you can just look up 1997 uniform building code. >> So if I need some way to for more sleep, >> right?
>> No, I just wanted to make sure that there was some type of methodology that you guys were using and it wasn't, you know, >> absolutely. >> I didn't think it was willy-nilly, but you know, just methodology. The other thing, too, we talked about um timeliness, but there isn't anything in the contract that talked about
timeliness. you know, you guys are doing a great job and turning around quickly, but there's nothing in the contract that says, you know, if it takes a month, you know, >> or or whatever. Is that kind of not usually within, you know, the contracts
that you guys are doing >> or is that um like in Wasika um because we work uh for that jurisdiction as well. Um that does take a little bit longer just because um uh zoning will take a look at the plans and then um
engineering will take a look at it for its uh for its uh erosion the swip stuff and then uh yeah engineering will look at connections to plumbing sewer that kind of stuff. So it does add more time to it. So that might be why some of
these other jurisdictions might be out a month, but uh most of the houses we get, I mean a slab on grade, um it goes pretty quick for review. The structural all slab on grade, you know, the uh the
point loads for the roof, the weights, all that stuff kind of goes right to the outside walls. So there's no difficulties. If you had a second floor uh with floor direction and roof direction change, then that gets more complicated, but our homes are generally
on the easier end for the structural check anyways. So, so I can't speak to what takes other people longer. So, >> are you feeling that there needs to be something in there saying that they will turn it back in a certain amount of time? Yeah, I I like to have those in some of the service contracts or any
service contract, an SLA, a service level agreement that says, you know, if you go over three weeks, you know, we go back to the 50/50 split as opposed to 6545, something like that, just to kind of keep everybody >> kind of not being punitive, but, you
know, keep everybody um involved in the timelines. >> And I'm I'm open to working with that um definitely to keep us uh you know, on task, that kind of thing. Um just one cautionary note is uh um so the plan
review goes smoothly based upon the quality of the submitts if you get a bar napkin house it might take you a little bit longer. >> No and that's that's great information to know is you know depending on the quality of submission. >> Yeah.
>> Could increase the amount of time that that takes for the review. So >> it can because it can be a back and forth. Okay. Well, thank you for submitting this. This revealed this. Uh, typically if it's >> drawing more it can get kind of long and chunky and you know, but uh commercials
commercials more a longer review. It's you know maybe two to three weeks on that but that's more indepth too. So >> Okay. No, thank you. Any other questions? >> Perfect. Thanks. >> Thank you. One thing I could add to the
council, if you ever hear complaints to what um Dan Murphy said is absolutely 100% correct. We have heard complaints before, it takes a long time to get a like say a zoning permit approved, but it it all depends on the submitt. If you have everything that you're supposed to have submitted, we can get it turned around very quickly. But when you're
having to go back and forth and then people get upset with you, but we really can't do a good review unless you have a site plan um setbacks marked. I mean, public works knows all about this. We've So yeah, if people get their information on time, there shouldn't be any reason we couldn't get it turned around real
quick in timely manner. >> Other homes, you know, we got 10 homes. >> Hopefully we can get there. >> Thanks, guys. All right, MS4. Thank you, mayor and councel. So, I'd like to talk to you today about the MS4
program. So, Eagle Lake fell under the MPCA's regulatory eligibility by originally being within 2 miles of a metropolis which was which Mano was considered as. That statute has been changed and last fall uh the city applied for deregulation from the MS4
program and it was approved. So, uh, the city of Eagle Lake is no longer an MS4 under the MPCA program, but the storm water program that you have built is pretty robust and we think it would be good to keep some items um from the SWIP
to keep information on hand or to keep um information available for residents and things like that. So, um we'd like to go through the SWIP itself and go through each minimum control measure and go through the recommendations for these BMPPS.
So, >> but you're gonna have to ease up on the acronyms. >> Yeah. Yeah, I know there's a lot of them. Yeah. >> I'll start I'll start throwing out some IT acronyms here. And Kelly, would it be possible to just um maybe back up just a minute and talk
to the council because I think this is something that um we want to make sure that we stress um in our city communications to the our community that just because we're no longer an MS4 does not mean that contractors do not need to follow the same rules with MPCA. >> Absolutely.
>> So there it's just that we're no longer the enforcing uh or the the um the agency that would enforce the the rules. >> Yes. So, City Vega League is no longer the regulatory authority for those things. The contractors do have to submit uh their permits to the MPCA.
Those still have to be reviewed and approved by them. Y >> um and one of our BMPs will go through talks about how the city was originally the authority and I think that's something the city might like to keep just to have information on hand about, you know, what's going on in the city as well. >> Right.
>> Does that answer your question, Jess? >> Yes. I just kind of wanted the council know why because some of you might be thinking, why are we spending time on this? But it's so important. We built the framework. We have gotten our, you know, the people have built in our community, they know what to expect when they come in as far as what information.
And it u makes our job a lot easier from the city staff perspective when they can drive by, keep an eye on projects, and we don't have to be um keeping after people, get that cleaned up out of the street. I mean, it's still going to happen, but it's it's good that this we've gotten a good framework and people
that are building our community know what they should be doing and so we just don't want to erode that. We want to um just maintain that framework. So, >> yeah, absolutely. >> Thanks, Kelly. >> Okay. Well, we can jump right into uh the first best management practice one.
Um so, this was talking about how you need to distribute two ed two educational materials. Um, so the city has been doing that in the newsletter and these are all kept on the city website. So we've recommended just to keep that information on hand. Um, and
then BMPs, 12,13 and 14 were for the topics that were distributed for those educational materials. So those included elicit discharge, detection, and elimination. So talking about, you know, making sure you're not dumping oil into your storm drain or something as well as
salt. and that was talking about storm water and the use of chlorides and how to correctly apply that on deicing salt and things and then pet waste. And so the recommendations for those three BMPPS were just to continue doing those in the city newsletters. I know the
residents um read those all the time. So that would be good just to keep that going for resident awareness as well. >> And as a side note, pet pet waste continues to surface as a complaint. And so there's more than just that it's an annoyance. There's health issues,
there's water issues. So yeah, so we'll keep up with the the awareness. >> Yeah, keep keep the scoop the poop in the newsletter. Right. So >> Okay. Uh BMP15 is directed towards a target audience. This was under the permit. Um ideally looking to reach
specific audiences. This is no longer needed because it was for the the regulatory portion of the MS4. So the recommendation for that BMP was you don't need to worry about that and it's no longer needed. BMPS 16 and 17 we also um have those as
no longer needed. That is documentation for these educational outreach materials and then the annual assessment of that as well. All right, moving on to minimum control measure two which is public participation and involvement. Every BMP
under this uh section involved the SWIP itself or the MS4 program or public input and documentation. So all recommendations for this minimum control measure were um listed as no longer needed since the city is not an MS4 any
longer. minimum control measure three which is the elicit discharge detection and elimination. Uh BMP31 talks about storm water infrastructure mapping. Um we recommended just to keep this information on hand. Um just be
important to maintain that and then update that as well just to keep everything up to date with any any changes that are happening. BMP32 is the regulatory control program. So the talking about the city enforcing
the regulatory mechanisms for the MS4 program with the IDE and we've listed this as no longer needed, but the city could continue this just to protect the city's infrastructure. BMP 33 is the staff IDE training. So, no
longer needed, but after some conversation, we thought maybe it could um still be a benefit to the city just to keep this annual training going so everybody's familiar with the topic. BMP34 is the priority areas. So, the city
would um or did develop and maintain a mapped inventory of those priority areas. So again, no longer needed, but the city could continue um documentation like this if the city would like to inspect city- owned properties just to ensure things are kept clean.
And then as well as BMP 35 and 36 and 37, documentation is no longer needed, but things like investigations or spill responses or the enforcement response procedures, those would be important just to keep on hand in case the city
would like to keep that documentation. BMP 38. Um, again, all of the documentation. So, anything previous you may keep on hand, but it's no longer needed for the MS4 program. But the city could take pictures of concerns that come in in the future and then save that
documentation as well. And that last BMP for MCM3 is the annual assessment of that MCM and that is no longer needed. So, that was our recommendation. Any
questions so far? >> Um, so I have one I don't know if it's really question or if this is the right spot, but I'm just thinking before I forget. You know, we've um have been out and inspected of the city's infrastructure for ponds and maybe that's something the council should
consider allowing staff to work with ISG in the future to kind of get a pond maintenance schedule. think it'd be helpful to have um I don't know what public works Hartman thinks about it, but it I think it'd be nice to have them help us get a schedule and just go out, you know, and whether we do them like
spread over a number of years, but just to keep an eye on infrastructure and maintenance, maybe it's just something you can help us get pricing for. >> Sure. >> I think that that schedule, you know, we've in the past we've had issues with, you know, how the ponds are performing,
things like that. they don't perform well. You know, sometimes there's kind of a funk funky spells and fun things like that. So, I would say that that might be a good understanding. It would probably go right back to our capital
plan, you know, as as we move forward, making sure that those are within that. I do like the training, keeping up the training. So, if we see something, no, we I'm not trainable. Um if if if one of the public
works uh group saw something now instead of kind of would they just report it up to the to the state or how does that kind of work having that training to kind of know what to to talk about and how maybe report that >> is that kind of the processes that we're looking at doing
>> and I think if it's okay if I answer Julie and Kelly I was kind of looking at you guys but I guess my thought we've talked internally was that it's good for us to be able to work with a contractor and say we're, you know, maybe not the regulatory agency anymore or um, excuse me, have the the enforcement authority
for our jurisdiction, but um, but this is a problem and somebody could report you and we want to try to help you stay in compliance and kind of work with them to say, you know, hey, let's just try to get voluntary compliance. I don't know if that's an okay approach. >> Okay,
>> great. Minimum control measure four the construction site storm water runoff. So the MPCA as we were talking about is the enforcement authority now. So with BMPPS 41, 42 and 43
talking about um the ordinances that the city has in chapter 18, great to keep those. Um but again, yeah, contractors are not required to submit to the city, but as we talked about, it would be good for them to still do that. So we know
what's going on. BMP44 is the public reports of non-compliance. The recommendation for that is that they are no longer needed. BMP45 is the training for the construction site storm water runoff
control. So that was how the that was where the city was ensuring that these individuals were receiving the correct training for this program. Um that's the recommendation for that is that they are no longer needed but staff can maintain this training to still be knowledgeable
in storm water. And then BMP's 46 and 47 deal with the enforcement response procedure related to the construction site storm water runoff control program. The recommendations for both of these are
that they are no longer needed. And then the last BMP for MCM4 is the annual assessment and it has been recommended that that is no longer needed. Minimum control measure 5, the post construction storm water management. BMP51 talks about the regulatory
mechanism for this. So it's no longer needed, but it's recommended that the city could maintain the ordinance to protect the city's infrastructure. BMP52 is the mapping of all of these best management practices across the city. It's recommended that this
information is kept on hand. BMP 53 is the site plan reviews. So these are also no longer needed. No written procedures for those are needed with training in BMP54. also no longer needed, but we recommended that the city
staff will continue to maintain any certifications to continue being knowledgeable. BMP 55 is the enforcement response procedure for this MCM. It's been recommended that it is no longer needed. 56 is the documentation for this, so it
would be no longer needed. And then BMP57 would be the annual assessment for this. So this would be no longer needed as well. Minimum control measure six is the pollution prevention and good housekeeping for municipal operations.
BMP61 deals with the city-owned and operated facilities and this includes the mapped inventory of these facilities. So it's been recommended to keep this information on hand. BMP62 is the city operations. So dealing with um the BMPs that prevent or reduce
pollutants and storm water discharge from city facilities recommended to keep for best practice. Same with BMP 63 which involves the salt storage for city operations. So keeping um the best
management practices for that as well. BMP 64 deals with the snow and ice management policy recommended to keep that for best practice. And BMP65 is the training for the snow and ice management. Um, that is no longer needed, but it could be useful if the
city would like to stay up to date on that. BMP 66 is the total suspended solids and total phosphorus effectiveness of storm water ponds. So, the written procedures for maintaining those uh regulations is
no longer needed. the inspection of structural pollution control devices which is BMP67 no longer needed but keep for best practices and then do the inspections on the city's schedule and that's the same thing for BMP68 so inspecting other
ponds and outfalls BMP69 is the maintenance of structural pollution control devices and outfalls and so same thing for those keep for best practices work with those on the city's schedule and then the training and Good housekeeping BMP. Um, so that's
implementing the training program that's no longer needed. BMP 611 is the documentation for this. Keep it for best practice, but it is no longer needed. The BMP 612, which is the annual assessment for this section, no longer
needed. And then the last best management practice 613 is the inspection of all exposed stockpiles, storage, and material handling areas. No longer needed, but recommended to keep for best practice. And that's the SWIP.
Are there any questions? Any questions? No, I think the approach that we're taking kind of keeping keeping pieces of it, you know, that took us a long time and a lot of effort to put in place just makes sense and also keeping up and at
some point, who knows, we may be drove back into this process depending on the whims of some folks in the north um kind of thing. So, but keeping those best practices that that would make sense. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thank you.
All right, new business. Um, bond resolution. Is there a Mr. Sweeney kind of talked about that earlier today and had his recommendation for us? Is there any is there a structured way
that we need to to formulate this? >> Yes. >> Motion and approval. So Shannon has um they this isn't shown on here. I've got it. Um Shannon um sent over the resolution today, which I can pull up um
for you to adopt this evening. Um otherwise, it should be in the packet, too. There's a um a one that's not updated with all the information, but um that that would work. Perfect. >> Do I need to read this?
>> Okay. Um, I'd look for a motion to to move forward with this resolution with the recommendation of Robert W. Bay & Company for the bond instruments for our projects.
>> Motion first. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any other discussions? Roll call votes. Um, Mrs. Clerk. >> Mr. Steinberg. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rooric.
>> Yes. >> Mr. White. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lewis. >> Yes. >> Mayor Winningington. >> Yes. >> Thank you. All right. Moving on to the next one. Thanks. So that passes the utility rate
increase recommendations. Do we need to move on that today or do we want to you know it's a lot of information and affects a lot of people. So I don't know do we have we can approve you know as it sits now. Is there any adjustments that
mayor and city council? I don't know that I'd foresee um much changing since the recent analysis that Shannon performed. Um the only thing is the timing of this is actually ideal because we could include it with the newsletter which is um pretty much ready to get
going on here. So, um, we could include that and then make a note if if the council so wishes to make it effective July 1st or whatever date, uh, we can give sufficient notice to residents. >> Okay. So, let's do one step at a time. I'd look for a motion to approve the
rate increases. >> Are you talking the rate increases for 2027 or the rate? Well, then the next one would be the start. So, I do I'm looking at two two different motions. One is approve the rate increases and then the next one or do or would you guys feel more comfortable to say
approval with start date of July one or approval with start date of Jan? I'm flexible either way, but I was looking at one to approve the rate and then two is approve the start or we can combine them if need be. And maybe
something else I could add too is so the city has been doing a um a consistent job of incrementally increasing rates working with Shannon and his rate analysis. So if there is no rate increase in 2026 then um or excuse me if we wait till 2027 there would be no increase in 2026.
So we'd skip a year. So that would be one possible advantage of doing it u mid year so that there's still some increase but the residents did not receive an increase for the first part of the year if that makes sense. >> Um if we just want to try to stay up and
try to keep you know um in incremental increases just another perspective. >> So I'd entertain either one of those you know separate them or you know I'd look for right now I'd look for a motion to approve the increase with the start date
of July 1st. If that doesn't work, and then we'll move on to the next one. Anybody want to take up that? So, if we started July 1, we would go right off of the 2027 numbers instead of 2026
numbers. So, then those numbers would be, for instance, wastewater would be 15% July 1 and still 15% January 1 of 27 correct >> or that number would still continue. We would just start early versus January.
>> You ultimately we were just looking forward. So the first increase I was expecting for 2027 and so if it's made July 1st it would be in effect through 2027 >> in effect for 18 months as opposed to 12 months.
>> Correct. we'll just be able to assume that revenue six months sooner. >> But Beth or customer, you were asking to um in addition, just to clarify, so the the number that's shown for 2027 is what that number would be for 2026 July 1st.
Yep, I see. Because there was two different ways to look at that. >> And the next scheduled increase would start one one of 28. See, no takers on that one. How about if we do the rate increase
with the start of January 1st? >> Did you have >> I just want to make sure we're 100% clear and I'm sorry I'm probably making this more muddy here, but just I think council member Bor asked a good question. So, what would be charged if it goes into effect July 1st? That amount would stay the same then for
January 1st, 2027 because it it is confusing. So, I just I just wanted to make sure I didn't misspeak either. So, >> what I'm looking at on that one >> should be the same for 18 months. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I'll make a motion starting July 1st.
>> So, we have a first. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> So, we have a first and second. Any other discussion or clarification of what we're doing? Kind of like to have a roll call vote on this as well.
Mr. Steinberg, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rorich, >> yes. >> Mr. White, >> yes. >> Mr. Lewis, >> yes. >> Mayor Whittington, >> yes. >> All right, the next one. Kepler improvement planning. I love this idea.
I I really like the first one. You know, get our feet wet, kind of get the next like you were saying, we're not going to do a project of this size for another couple years. Um, so being able to kind of set, you know, the five to seven year range
maybe. Um, but that would take our time. Are we looking like a work session of a couple hours? not longer than that, but we would uh >> sorry, >> I would suggest that we spend some time
at staff level collecting projects and project information from both council, the engineer, uh with cost estimates, and then I can take a first run at what all that looks like. Then we have a very useful and very productive work session
with the council in prioritizing those needs and determining you know based on some additional external information that'll bring on what we can afford. >> Okay. Right. So I'll have staff kind of start
scheduling that out and then we can set up a work session once once you have enough information to kind of bring your model to bear. Um, number four, the building permit fee schedule.
We have any more questions on that or is that something that we want to move forward on that? Mayor and city council, I do have a question. Would that take effect? Um, or when because I apologize, I didn't get it. Um, I missed the email. It got buried in my inbox. Uh, when would this
take effect, the rate increase? Okay, >> that would be something else that'd be great to get out in a communication to residents to let them know and contractors because sometimes I do get calls from contractors asking if anything has changed with our our fees. So, it'd be good just to let them know
about that. >> So, it would be effective 61. >> I'd make a motion to accept this with um the acceptance of it for June 1st. >> June 1st. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> First and second. Any other discussion?
>> All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed. >> Number five. Email domains. Everybody's favorite time. >> I just want to just say thank you to Dan and Ben and Shannon. these these are um
just great resources for the city to have and they've done a really good job for us and I really appreciate you all. Thank you for being here tonight, too. >> And uh I think Julene Kelly left, but they're great resources as well. So, >> um they worked hard with us when we were getting all of our storm water stuff up
and running and so appreciate them too. So, thanks guys. >> Thanks everybody. >> Any questions? All right. >> Uh, mayor and city council. So, I am definitely not the expert on this topic, but we have a mayor who is knowledgeable
in it. So, any questions that you ask that I can't answer, I'm going to turn it over to Mayor Woodington. Um but so uh there's been some communications from like the League of Minnesota Cities um and other resources that are you know encouraging um in our environment that
we live in today with um uh you know some of the different um security concerns uh with um cyber security threats that we move to a.gov domain which means that we're verified we have to go through a process. So, um, right
now it's eaglemn or was eaglemn.com for a website. Um, and we recently moved to eaglemn.gov. And, um, so the next step is to look at changing our email domain because it's the same thing where it's mn.com. Um,
and by having a.gov, uh, domain, we would essentially, you know, help ensure that people know that we are a legitimate um, unit of government and we're trustworthy. Um uh something you know pulling from League of Minnesota cities that talks
about it adds a level a level of authentication significantly which can significantly reduce the risk of fishing, spoofing and fraudulent emails that attempt to impersonate city staff or officials. And we've all gotten those emails before asking us to go down to the gas station and pick up some gift
cards for the mayor. And it's, you know, someone has kind of spoofed his email, but then if you click on it, it's not his email. But um so and as I mentioned before too having that.gov domain um helps to enhance public confidence confidence and transparency um by
identifying it as you know government official communication. So um reached out to CTS who provides our IT uh they are able to um help us with this. uh looks like it would cost about um $2,256
based on the hours they projected um to get this configured and um wasn't something that we were planning to do this year, but definitely something we should do. So, we can find um funds in our professional services to to get this taken care of. So, with your approval this evening, we'll move ahead and get
this scheduled. Anything else, Mayor Woodington, you want to add to it to um kind of explain the importance of it? it it really makes sense, you know, to have that moving forward just, you know, kind of stand out a little bit more as government
entities. Um, I'm assuming for the first six months or so, both emails will be delivered. So, do com and.gov will be delivered. >> We'll make sure that they have some transitions. >> Um, looks like pretty standard rates. It's not as
not a lot of fun to to add that stuff. With that, just need a motion to approve that. >> Motion first. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> First and second. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed.
>> Relocation of the audio visual equipments. >> Uh, mayor and city council, a couple months ago, we talked about getting a quote to build an enclosure around our audio video visual equipment, which is very noisy. um and takes up space. And um after
talking to the contractor, he was going to put together some pricing and then talking to the mayor suggested, well, why not relocate that to another room um and then have remote access to be able to um do everything that we're doing right now, but not have that in this room. Save it space and it's a little
less noisy. Um so CTS came on site and they looked at um two different locations. They looked at doing a wall-mounted rack in the storage room there and then also in the server room in the in the front office. And um it sounds like they are able to come up
with a solution for in that closet there that would have a locked cabinet. Um so we' be able to get rid of that um setup over there and wouldn't be taking up space and we wouldn't need those monitors. So if there's another use, we could repurpose those. Um, I think we
probably have already kind of talked about some different ideas on things we could use monitors for just with our other city needs. So, we could repurpose those. But, um, with that, uh, that is a little bit more costly, but I think in the long run, um, we rent this, this
room is getting used a lot for graduations, uh, bridal showers, the church uses it. So, it's kind of a big dollar amount to, um, to get this moved to another room. But I think in the long run it it just protects the equipment
from anybody, you know, getting to it that shouldn't and things getting damaged. And so we're looking at just under $5,4,764. Um, and in the packet here is a quotes quote. Um, so if the council's interested, we just need a motion to move ahead with that.
>> I like this idea just so it doesn't have to be unplugged. It doesn't have to be wheeled out. It doesn't have to be done anything. It's plugged in. It stays in one place. That will resolve probably 60% of our issues when we try to use it.
Um, some get loose or unplug those kind of things as it gets wheeled around. So, >> we just use this pretty much just to stream to YouTube, right? >> Yeah. Yep. Is the audio system in there or is that
separate? >> So, >> the Well, I don't >> because there's a mixer down here, right? >> So, that would that would stay the same. Sorry, I probably mis um spoke when I said it just the um the visual then. Yeah, the audio would stay the same. I
don't think that they were planning to move anything with that. It would be nice though if we could move that, but that'd be probably a lot of work with cabling, I suppose. Do we need video? I asked because the camera goes on and when we had someone here, it would go to the screen. It' go
to each person, but it literally just shows us. Could we just take a picture of us sitting here, put it on there, and then you just listen to us instead of do we need to spend the $5,000 to move that over when all they're doing is listening to us and watching us move around in our
chair, but not zooming in on anybody. That's kind of my concern, too. So, there's got to be a cheaper option. I feel like I mean, if all we're doing is just streaming to YouTube, I feel like just $5,000 to move a cabinet into the storage room. I mean, >> I'd rather spend the $5,000 and get microphones that aren't on the table that kids and people screw with and that
actually work and that we aren't sharing than have a video that doesn't do anything besides just sit there. I think getting rid of that too would actually be a step back in technology because that if you have an operator that's a really sophisticated system for
video services. So by taking that to put it into the closet and just having it run a default camera angle I think it's kind of waste the money that we did for the when that was put in. But the big concern that I've had is the audio system. And I don't think I think that
most people um seem to have issues with audio at home or wherever, you know. Uh and I think that addressing the audio issues and even just with a static screen on on the projection system that goes to
YouTube would probably suffice. But I think that downgrading from that whole system to put that into there cuz I know that those projection systems are really expensive for like churches that do do live video broadcasts.
I mean I think that might be a misstep that whole console getting rid of the console. I can understand that the noise might be a problem but that technology there will be more s unless someone comes and tells us about what we would be getting from it being in there. I think the technology there is going to
be more sophisticated than unless they have if if you said they're getting rid of the screens, right? >> Yeah. They said that we wouldn't well because then we would be able to do it uh remotely like so I would have like another screen um here and then I would just be able to do it here which I mean
I might be able to click on who's speaking but you know if I could sit back there I would do it but it's just it's you know >> can we have someone come tell us what's going on so we can make a decision or >> as far as like what do you mean >> CTS or whoever? >> Well I think I think we're missing a
step though. I think that the the step that's missing is VSSI installed this, right? And they're the audiovisisual professionals. CTS is a computer professional. What we need to have someone come in here to do is specifically look at the audio and
visual things. >> We did we actually just had somebody come >> Who was it? >> Do you remember Carrie? It was a It was one of the higher up people with VSSI. >> He uh he came in. He was supposed to give us pricing. He looked at that microphone. He looked at that one. He came in probably what do you say two
months ago >> because I had beenounding them um to come and I mean it's literally been like a two-year process. >> But they sold us all this stuff just recently. >> But the guy that well was 2020. Um the gentleman that was working on it was somebody they were contracting with and
he's no longer with them. He's been done for I don't know probably three years or more. But when we were doing the video portion of it, that's when we had that intern and he would zoom in or he would push things on to different things, but it also didn't always work. So like for
me, I don't personally care that I'm not being zoomed in on or the screen's not being shown. Most people at home are wanting just to at least listen to what people are saying. So whether people show up on the screen or not is less of a concern than the microphones actually
working and people actually hearing what we're saying. I think too like the microphones work if people talk into them, but the pro I mean we have one microphone that doesn't work and that one needs to get changed like that um the one that's on the podium. But if people talk into the microphones, they
do work. >> Yeah. I think there's another thing that's involved though with microphones is is that the gains need to be adjusted. So like if Mitch talks into his microphone, you might be able to hear it on the TV, but you might not hear it in the room. So, so those are all these there's many different
parameters that are going into all of these different microphones here. Um, and that would have to be looked at by an actual audio technician in VSI. I know that they're actual audio technicians, too. But
>> yes, he did come in and he looked at every he was here for a couple hours. We had charged a quite a bit of money for him to be here. I'll find out who it was. I agree with council member Lewis. Like 5,000 that's a lot just to move it over and we're not changing anything from our video portion of it besides
just getting it out which if that humming in here is that it's super annoying. >> That's what it is. >> Um and people screw with it and stuff. So is there a way to not spend this and still get that out and have audio but not video or does moving that like have
to stay in to have video or to have audio still running? You know what I'm trying to say? >> The audio is not connected to that. But but we would have to have it re I mean that's I I don't know because we >> the cheapest option is move it in there
versus in there so we can still use my computer. John's here. >> No, I think I think we need to probably table this and kind of get some more information um after hearing all the concerns. Um >> because I like that not being in here. It takes up space. People screw with it. It's noisy.
But it's not a thousand dollar go put in the cabinet or in the in the closet. We're done. If we're spending that money and still not using the video portion to the fullest extent and we probably never will because we don't need to. >> Let me just Yeah. No, I think
>> I'm sorry. I think tableabling it is is just a fine idea. We're not in any hurry, you guys. We have been operating this way for how long? I just want to see if I can pull up um the amount of people that view are the the council meetings is actually quite a bit and I'm I'm always surprised because you can see
Oops, I typed this. I was going to pull it up on my computer so we could look. Um, I I've uh talked to different residents in the community who do really appreciate being able to watch the meetings and
actually just had a meeting with a nice uh resident last week and she told me she watches the council meetings and I was it's just good to hear that people are staying and informed and you know I I don't know maybe it would be um maybe just talking to some people and finding out let's see I don't know if we have
okay we only have four people watching right now but if you go down though to um >> let's see but you have like some of these >> well I don't doubt they're watching it but just watching and nothing will hear
us is the problem >> but if people talk into their microphones you can hear >> I don't I mean I've I've been in places where you don't have to eat the microphone so like I I mean I don't know >> that's all gains is what Anony's basically getting at if I'd be willing
to donate um some money to a friend of mine that could come in and look at this who does professional audio and visual streaming and if it doesn't work for him then I think we could look at a different direction but
yeah I'll just stop I wouldn't mind seeing an alternative too. I don't know if we've ever discussed just we got a pretty complex system just for what we use it for. I mean like the screens control like we don't really have fancy lighting, fancy audio in here. I mean it just seems like
>> we really need a big server for what we use it for. >> We can look into options but I think everybody just has to give ourselves a little grace because when this happened it happened fast. It was with COVID and we didn't have a choice. We had to get our meeting. We had to make um and we're not alone. We were with everybody else trying to figure out what to do. they
give us this money and they say use it for all these and we only had so much time to do it and it was all kind of like new territory for us and so we got what was recommended. We worked with VSSI. That's um I don't know anybody else who we could have worked with and that's what they recommended. And yeah, it is very it could be a very
sophisticated system. Um or it could be used to a lot greater detail than what we're using it. But it's it's what we we got and we have it. So if we don't want to use it, we don't have to keep using it. But um we can research other options, too. I just want to give you
guys a background on why we have the system we have. And we did try to have somebody operate it, but that just I mean there were half the time I would the the camera was left on me and I wasn't talking anymore and the council was talking. So that doesn't do any good either to have it sitting on
someone that's not even speaking anymore. >> Um if you're actually going to have somebody doing it >> when how that was put in and then and now there's just a lot lot more options. >> Yeah. >> Right. That that we take a look at.
Yeah, let's just kind of table this and then we'll just kind of go through if you want to give >> Yeah, I'll get him connected. >> Yeah, >> he lives in town up by the school. >> Let's have a conversation. You know, is it more that we need to move to a more podcasting model as opposed to a video
model? You know, there's all kinds of different things that >> I I don't think there's anything inadequate about the system besides the noise that it makes. I think if that's the only complaint, I think everything that is in that thing over there and this audio box, I think can be rectified
to work the way we want it to work. We just need someone to just tweak the things. And if you have the login credentials and stuff to get into that, I'm pretty sure he would be able to, you know, fix it and stuff. We we could definitely have him look at it and just do some tech stuff to it.
>> Yep. Are you pretty sure or are you sure? >> No, I'm I'm I'm sure. >> I'm just giving you time. No, I think you know that is definitely overkill and at the time that was what you can get in in the market, you know, at the time.
So, fit our needs. So, it was a good buy. it's maybe served its purpose and >> and we were given uh money for COVID related uses and that was one of the things that we needed to do have an option to communicate with the public and and uh so that was you know we had
the money and you had to use it and you had so much time to use it and everybody was competing for all remember how hard it was to get devices at that time it was just it was totally a different time and I don't regret doing what we did I just don't think we use the system like we need to or or I mean I think audio is
huge and as long as everybody's working that way. I I don't think we need a bigger robust system. So I don't regret what we did. >> It's just how we move forward and how we spend the money moving forward wisely. >> Right. Moving on.
>> Pay request. >> All right. Um get get back to my packet here. Mayor and city council. Um, in the packet you will find contractor's application for payment number one in the amount of $238,3429. Uh, this pay request was reviewed by
Brian Sarf, our engineer with Bolan, Inc. Um, he has reviewed uh what they've submitted and confirmed that the work completed to is completed to date and recommends approval of the payment as submitted. So unless there's any questions, what we need tonight is just a motion to approve contractor's
application for payment number one. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> First and second. Any other discussions? All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed for forgivable childcare loan program.
>> All right. Let's get my page number here. All right. uh mayor and city council, the um city received five applications for uh the forgivable childare loan program and the application request
totaled $31,729. Uh just to provide a little background, the city secured a $10,000 Taylor Family Farms Foundation grant with required 50% match of $10,000 from the EDA, which would create a one-time $20,000 forgivable loan program.
The purpose of the program is to support the expansion or improvement of child care availability in Eagle Lake. Um and then as you'll see um the loan amounts varied so they they're not the same. Um basically it was on what they um
submitted for their application requests and what the use would be for program. Terms of the forgivable loan include a 5-year loan structure with semiannual interest payments only. Um then each year 20% of the original loan amount is forgiven. One of the contingencies is
the business has to stay in operation and continue to make the required um interest payments. And then once or should say after five years of continued operation compliance, the loan is fully forgiven to try and ensure a fair and consistent
review process. Um, I put together a scoring sheet and that um was used to help evaluate the applications um based on criti criteria including increasing child care capacity, maintaining existing child care services that we
have right now in Eagle Lake, um improving safety or quality of the operations and supporting provider success. The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation assisted me with the process by providing two uh staff members to serve as kind of independent
reviewers to help evaluate the applications and then provide scoring and feedback information. So after doing that review process, um like I said, we had five applications that were received and it's recommended that all five um receive some money.
We've got and I'll just back up too to give you a little context. We could have um seven uh active licenses in um Eagle Lake. One of them is outside city limits per se and then we also have the Little Sprout Center. So technically eight
licensed providers in Eagle Lake. And so we got five applications which I think is great. Um the first is Cheryl's Daycare. Um, she asked for $2,549 and she would like to use that money to purchase an outdoor playset in a double
stroller that would help improve outdoor activity opportunities and mobility for the children in her care. Uh, Little Priles Little Eagles Preschool, sorry. They they asked um for funding to
help assist with their month monthly rental costs. And um I don't think that's unusual because it's a new program and as we learned when we went to take a tour of another facility that's new. Um sometimes you'll see where their rent structure is tiered
based on um their enrollment numbers and so um you know Little Eagle's preschool came together really quickly and um they have not had chance to get up to full enrollment yet. So, I think this would be justified in that um you know, it's
an operational expense and we want to see her succeed and stay in Eagle Lake and so it's just kind of helping to offset that until she gets to full enrollment. Um and so that would be 4,500. Uh Cassy's daycare, that's an inhome uh 4,000 recommended. This would
support um outdoor improvements including play equipment, a fence and gate for safety, a turf area for outdoor play and art supplies to enhance learning development activities. So, you know, all falls within the um operational um aspect. Little Sprouts um
funding would help offset their monthly ongoing monthly rent expenses due to the program not currently operating at full capacity. Um they serve oh I don't have it with me right now but uh 40 I think 45 children right now but they're are just absolutely critical for Eagle Lake.
We need to have them in our town and so if there's a way in this small little pot of money we have to just keep them you know relieve that pressure it's you know the money is is going for the intent of the program um and rent is an operational expense. Then we've got Lu
Amar's Daycart that's in home. Um that application uh said that funding would be used to support safety and facility improvements. Um including a more secure front door with proper locking mechanisms, replacement of a handrail leading to the lower daycare area in the
home, which is something that um uh licensers look at, and additional playground equipment uh beds and indoor toys. So collectively between all those amounts, we get to the $20,000. and that money needs to be spent in 2026. So, um
hoping once they gets approved this evening, we can get this money um issued to providers. I should back up. We should we'll let them know that what they're going to get and they have to submit receipts. So, we're not just going to hand them a check. They have to submit receipts to get that money. So,
make sure that they comply with what their application says. So with that, um I will uh let ask if you have any questions and other than that we just need a motion to approve the recommendations. >> Any questions from council?
>> Um I just I think preschool I mean they're all important obviously. I just think the preschool has an educational piece um that we lost um through through our district. Um
and it's it's to me the most important on here. Um I would like to see that number to be higher than that. Um, but that's just my opinion. >> Any other questions, concerns?
>> We look for a motion to approve the recommendations. >> I'll make a motion to approve. We have a >> first. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> First and second. Any other questions? All in favor?
>> I >> I >> All opposed. All right. >> Pricing for seal coding. >> All right. I'll turn this over to public works director Hartman and hand over my microphone.
>> Yeah. So, in your packet, um, I provide you with a quote from Pearson Bros Incorporated. Um, I've been kind of looking for a seal coating option over the past few months
and I've reached out to one other company and I never heard back. Um, heard back from them. They were the only other like closest one up up out of the cities. Um, so I then I reached out to this Pearson
Bros and he came down and met with me and um kind of looked over all of the area that I'd like to get done. Um, which there's a map that kind of shows it's 598 and uh the Eagle Ridge development I think
it's called out there. um with that and timing and trying to get it all lined up and trying to get other quotes and waiting. You know, if we wait too long, we're towards the end of the
summer. Um and realistically in the in the probably 10 city area, these are the guys that are doing all the other cities, Madison Lake, Mano. Um they do
some for the um Mano Township. So they kind of come down and do a whole big loop through all the cities. Um yeah. Okay. Questions for Church.
your budget amount. Does that leave room for pothole fixing and other street fairs that um black normally do? >> Yeah. Um yeah, it leaves some um this
year with the street project uh reconstruction project and stuff that kind of takes away our a lot of our bad area. Um, so that's where we gain a little bit there. Um,
and yeah, the rest I don't see a whole lot of, you know, major patching that we need to do. >> So, we have three Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. First, >> no. >> So, rule one to extend past onto the gravel as well down to
211. It It won't go past the gravel. No, because this will just be a sealed coat. So, they'll put the oil down in rock. Um I don't know why he highlighted it that far on there, but that isn't part of the measurement.
So, we have three major things that we do every summer or every other summer. One is massive re reconstruction, right? two is um asphalt and then tar and chip, right? Which that's what this is, right? >> Yep.
>> So, we obviously got a quarter of the town kind of in shambles right now. Um so, with this, do you are you already planning for where we need to fix on the
asphalt section as well? >> Yeah. So, >> Yep. and I I talked with WW um already and then I gave Neielson's a call and haven't heard back from them. But um
yeah, we have a few areas that we have picked out but we don't have a lot that, you know, we want to do this year. Okay. >> Um just because we like to preserve, you know, we're trying to
we all agree proactive money. So, >> right, we're trying to be proactive as best we can and still fix the stuff that hasn't been proactively fixed >> um in the past. So, we're kind of a double-edged sword where we're playing
catch-up from years past that haven't been properly maintained and trying to properly maintain the stuff that we have. So, just be clear, you you do have spots laid out that still need to be repaired.
That's not part of the reconstruction or part of this. >> Yeah. Yep. We have a few spots. >> Okay. And then what about sidewalks? >> We haven't gotten that far yet >> because now is when that's going to start happening, not in September, October, November when it's going to start snowing again. Like now is when
the kids are going to trip over the spots that need to get fixed or things like that. So that would be the other piece of getting on sidewalk sooner than later so that >> we have that. >> I think couple other questions just paperwork, right?
>> Our budget amount is 128. The budget balance is I don't understand the numbers on the worksheet. >> I think what it's showing budget balance and budget means that 5,000 of has been spent already. I'm assuming that's what that means. >> Oh, >> on something street related. Maybe a
patching or something. >> 2026 budget was and we've already spent >> 5,000 of it on other things. Okay. >> Yeah, that that's what I had on my latest. >> Oh, yeah. I was just wasn't it's like 120. Shouldn't it be like 60 grand
>> because we we're spending 60 grand. >> So, that's the budget as of right now. >> Correct. Yep. After this expenditure, it'll be reduced by 66. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Maybe you said it and I missed it. Is this the only bid that we got on this? >> Yes. Yep.
The other contractor that I reached out to, I never heard back from. And >> how can we improve that? Right. So, just just normal due diligence. We need
to start being able to get more bids. Is it more relationships or reaching out sooner? Um, you know, what what can we do to improve that that number? >> Who already reached out to? Just a couple, two or three or
>> I think >> Yeah, I don't remember the name of the one that I reached out to. Well, I think next time moving forward if you can, you know, just add those here saying that, you know, reached out to ABC company,
>> they chose not to bid or didn't bid. >> So, at least understand, you know, how many, you know, we reached out a couple different places as opposed to, >> you know, right, that kind of thing. >> Well, because it says on the on the sheet here, multiple bits obtained. It says no. >> Correct. because I
>> you didn't because they didn't receive any back. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. Any other questions? I think the only two things I'd like to see. One is, you know, having that, you know, so we can make sure that we see all the effort. And two is we just got
to get sooner starts for all this stuff. Um, to get in line sooner because, you know, I'm assuming we line up behind everybody that's in front of us. So, rain delays, we get pushed back, you know, those kind of things. So, being able to
>> How long does this process take? like once they start like if this is approved tonight I saw is between May 15th and September 15th but is this a two-day process a week process? >> I would guess it would be probably a
two-day process and then um to lay the the oil and rock and then they roll it and then a few weeks later I think it says in here I don't remember how many weeks later >> come up and sweep. >> Yeah. And then they come back and sweep
up all the excess that isn't stuck to the road. >> And I would assume we can give them a little bit of not doing it around tater days or things like that when we have added traffic in it. >> Days. >> Great.
>> Yeah. Throw it all in. >> Yeah. Yeah. I would for sure throw that. >> You have a two week time frame or tell everybody just get out of town. Just avoid avoid it or whatever. Right. >> And and usually, you know, they can drive on it right away afterwards. It's not like a it has to sit for
>> Okay. >> You know, so on once they get it rolled, then they can drive on it and >> cuz once they block that, they can't go anywhere besides going gravel the opposite way down. >> I don't think as what I've experienced,
nothing would ever be really close. some slow down, but it's it's the tar truck is here and the chip truck is, you know, >> so they can still go over it when the oil is going down. >> Not >> after the chips are down. >> Yeah. After the chips are down, usually some people will drive across there.
That's their own >> deal if they decide to go around whoever. >> Usually they do one lane at a time and they will, you know, kind of direct traffic through if it's real busy. >> If it gets shut down, it won't be >> won't be long.
Well, I'd make a motion to approve this with it being done as soon as possible. Um, but then separate to that, sooner than later, getting the the other street repairs and sidewalk repairs on our docket as soon as possible, too.
>> We have a first. Do we have a second? >> Second. First, a second. Any other questions? All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? All right. Spring curb sign the weekend. Everybody looks forward to
>> All right. Uh, mayor and city council, I do have an update from what I um had in the packet. I um been working with public works director Hartman and um Brian Sarf with Bolt Bank in the contractor day. We had an email thread going about um what's
the best way to uh handle this and I had talked to LJP a while back and they said that they were more than happy to come back and do another cleanup for the affected area. But you know I wasn't really thinking at the time when I typed this um that like Brian Surf said the all of Lassour and then the three blocks
north like plane view and was it second street third street they'll all be open so they can be part of the cleanup. So really we don't have the hope for we got Maywood, you know, and Diane and those areas that aren't going to be able to be collected, but so that that will help. It's not so they can come back um
probably sometime in November. We'll have to work with the hauler, but Brian said a good date would be November 10th or later to have them come back to do the curbside for them. Um and then the other option that LJP said, you know, people want to have like a a collection spot um for them to pick up, that would work, too. And so Brian's working right
now with the contractor try to find an area that it will let people know we're going to do um a newsletter and a door hanger um tomorrow um that'll go out to the affected properties and basically just say if you want to um set some stuff out now you don't want to wait, you know, bring it to this location, but
they're responsible for taking it to whatever that drop location is going to be. So they'll basically have two options for the people who can't get their stuff, you know, picked up directly at the curb. So, I think that's pretty fair um given the circumstances. So, um so that's good. We have I think we'll
we'll get through it. So, we'll make sure everybody gets the notice on that. So, um nothing else requiring action on that item unless you have any questions. >> Unless your city administrator reports. >> All right. One thing I'm going to add before I forget is uh I do have an email
from Spencer, our fire chief. uh that I'll just add to my um my my uh list of items, but I'll just uh start from the top. Uh as you guys see, every month we got our year-to- date revenue and expenditure reports. Um if you have any
questions, let me know. Uh new thing after going through the rating call um with S&P, they uh suggested that or they they can't make recommendations, but um to include like our investment report. So kind of working on what's the appropriate information to include in the packet monthly. So that will be
forthcoming. Um current employee and I guess I should back up. The reason for that is to keep the council in the know. You know, hopefully you guys can see the year-to- date revenue just get you get an idea and are monitoring that along with staff um and get you an idea of where we're sitting monthtomonth. Uh
then we also have our current employee lead balance report. Um tomorrow we or excuse me, I'm going to back up. We had the RCCIP celebration of success goals and updates. Um there's a handout in your packet. We had our we call it our sun
setting event and uh we got to have lunch provided by uh first children's finance and we had as many of the core team members there as possible. It was just kind of a nice way to um you know talk about our goals, what we've accomplished, what we still plan to
accomplish. And um you know hopefully I think we all left thinking that we got some good frameworks so that if there is a need as you know we continue working on child care and the child care needs evolve and change we have a framework here to try to help um address some of
those those challenges and um you know we're I think we we move the needle a little bit in Eagle Lakes. So it's just going to be an ongoing uh work in progress as is everywhere in every community with child care. Then tomorrow we have a provider appreciation event
and included on page 179 is an invitation that went out to our providers. I'm happy to report that we got a very good response rate uh from those that were invited and we have about 25 people. Um so we're going to
have a meal that's catered by um Chipotle and it's paid for by Southern Minnesota Foundation so it's not costing the city anything. Um, and we're going to have some goodie bags and um, some other things for the providers. And basically, we're going to have uh,
Smith, Southern Minnesota Foundation, First Children's Finance and Families First are going to have representatives there to talk to the providers, let them know what resources are available. We can thank them for the important work they do. And then, you know, also give them an opportunity if they feel comfortable just to kind of talk about
what are the latest uh, challenges that you're facing. Is it still um you have waiting lists or is it um staffing issues or things like that? So, it's just good to stay in touch with our providers and I think they appreciate it too. Um believe it or not, we have uh
mosquito treatments that are going to be starting soon. Uh we're to that time of the year. So, uh we'll get those uh sent out to the community as we, you know, approach each one of the dates and it'll be in the newsletter on the website.
Uh, next item. Uh, we did make it through the first round of the Blandon Foundation to try to get money to do a land use plan update. It sounds like it's a pretty competitive process. So, um, definitely not uh over the finish line yet. Uh, but we're going to do our best to try to get some money to get
that land use plan updated. It looks like it'd be about $30,000 to work with region 9 to to do that. So, it getting a grant would be huge. Um, I wanted to give you guys an update on Regency and the pedestrian
connectivity project. We did receive the easement paperwork from them. Uh, we haven't cut a check to them yet uh until we get um everything recorded and we're just kind of working through some recording issues, but those are minor. And then, as we just talked about,
spring curbside cleanup is coming May 9th. That's this Saturday. Um, I've recently saw an opportunity with um a graduate program uh with the U of M to
if they're looking for cities that have internship projects. So, I was already thinking about I I have some projects that I can think of that would be very planning related that we would be very helpful if we could intern. And then I um also received uh an email last week from somebody who is interested that
goes to Mano um is in the graduate program and would like to do an internship. And so I have a couple different projects. I'm going to put together my thoughts and maybe a proposal, bring it back to the council at the next meeting. I'm going to meet with one of the uh interested parties
this week uh to see if they'd be a good fit and then um I'd come to you obviously to get approval to do that. But there's a couple different projects that, you know, would be really helpful, I think, to have someone in. Plus, it'd be a good way for the city to engage
people that are interested. And I I was in those in that position. I remember getting internships. Um, one was unpaid, one was paid, but those were so valuable. So, I think we kind of want to be able to offer those opportunities to people as well. So, and then, so I'll
bring back a formal presentation at the June meeting for you to consider. And then I have an email from the fire chief uh in your packet on page 182. He is not he was not able to be here this evening. Um but he
wanted to let you guys know that the department is planning the 75th anniversary which is really exciting. Um and they are um talking about keeping the 75th anniversary of the fire department separate from the 250
celebration. I totally get that and I think that'll work just fine. Um he includes in his email what the committee is thinking. Uh he said they would like to start promoting at Tater Days, invite and host all retired members that are living and their families along with all
the families of those that have passed. some of the retired members. Um, some of the retired members composed a list of all the firefighters that serve in the Eagle Lake Fire Department since its inception, which I think is really neat that they um would recognize those
individuals. Um, and it shows that number is 163, which he said does not include their current roster. They are planning to purchase t-shirts for all retired members and current members and would like to present retired members with theirs at the pancake breakfast during tater days. Um
and then they would offer families the opportunity to purchase the same shirts as well. Um then they would invite them to be a part of the parade and um they're looking they're working on trying to locate the original truck that the Eagle Lake Fire Department owned
which is in a shed somewhere in Lake Crystal. He says um they would like to load it up in a trailer and bring it um to Eagle Lake to have the retired members ride on in the parade, which would be pretty cool. And then another neat idea, he said they're thinking of introducing all
retired and current members um of the department prior to the expose game that Tater Days. And then during the parade, they would hand out invites flyers for October 3rd, uh which would be fire prevention week. Try to raise a little more awareness. I think in recent years
your numbers may be you guys would like to see more people participate. They're always good numbers but just trying to get as many people as possible. You're always competing with sports and you know the professional sports and then all the the kids sports stuff going on. Um, uh, Spencer goes on to say that
instead of hosting the normal open house, they'd like to do a mock car crash extriccation presentation in the parking lot at the park and invite the community to attend and, um, watch them participate in that mock extrication. Uh, looks like Blorth County, Mayo, Mayo
1, emergency management uh, have all shown interest in participating. So, this would take place at the park, be a couple hour event, and then they'd like to host a dance with a band at the Legion. Um, and he said the last piece of this is a
gun raffle similar to what they did last year, uh, which ended up being a 10,000 fun $10,000 fundraiser for the Leaf Association. Um, and they would like to begin selling tickets at Tater Days and then hold the drawing on October 3rd. So, I think before they move too much
further, you guys are looking for just some support from the council on everything that was kind of reviewed here. And do you have anything else that you would like to add? >> You have more than I have. >> I just took it right from Spencer's uh Spencer's email. So, um but no, it
sounds like you guys are really planning a lot of really neat things and um it I think it's really cool. kind of actually coincides at the same time we're getting all amped up for the 250th, but to really highlight the the fire department and all the good work you guys do.
>> I think it's great down at the park. I think you'll have a huge turnout getting all these other agencies involved. I think it'll be really cool. >> No, I think we're all in support of moving forward with all those things. They all sound great. I think I think that's all I've got.
>> Three people and that's >> that's a lot of a lot of firefighters. That's great. >> Well, thank you for being here and and adding on to that. I appreciate it. >> You're done.
>> Oh, wait. Just give her a minute. >> Council member reports. Um, Garrett, any any uh updates from you >> or >> just plugging along with summer sounds? >> Summer sounds. Great.
>> Nick, >> uh, yeah, not not really. Um, I think we had 90 kids sign up for T-ball, just just shy of 90, which is about what we had last year, give or take a couple. Um, coaching, we were we're better this year on coaching, but if anybody wants
to coach, we definitely could use more, but yeah, I think we're on track for a good season. >> Mr. White, >> I got nothing. >> He does too have something. He has been hitting the ground hard and getting How
much money have you rounded up for Summer Sounds ready? >> Uh, seven grand right now. >> Nice. >> That's hard work. you you've done a great job and um you know we were talking as a group I don't know if the general public probably realizes how much it costs to put on summer sounds but um you know Anthony gets the ground
running and Garrett too um every year to get donations um to try to cover and grants to get half the cost so really appreciate that's not that's not easy work getting people to give you money so kudos appreciate it >> all right next city council is the 1st June 1st
here at chambers EDA May 28th at 6:45, park board the 14th at uh 7 a.m. Um and then planning commission the 18th. I think the only other thing is PTO is looking for volunteers for the carnival.
And is that this coming Thursday or the weekly Thursday? >> This this Thursday >> like two days from now. >> So I think I'm going to volunteer. You know, I think it'd be great if any of council members or staff would volunteer. I did. I'm doing Plinko
again. I did it before. It's fun. And the sheriff's office is going to be there, too. And Mayor, can I add something else before you're done? I told you >> told you I wasn't going to, but I'm going to. I don't know if you guys got a chance to look at um Lieutenant uh Mitch's report, but he always has lots of good information in there. And I just
I think um he really highlighted um just some good things about the youth that he interacts with at the school. And I don't know if Lieutenant Gailer has anything he wants to share about um how things are going with the department here. And um just in general, I think hopefully you guys all saw his report. Just good things. It's it's going well.
So, we appreciate it. >> She sends it all. >> He what he's not telling you though is he's getting slimed on Friday. >> Yes, I see that. So, will there be video pictures? >> All right. Perfect. Make sure we get
those maybe wearing a full uniform. No, >> we are coming up on our third year, end of our third year with our contract. So, you know, that's been great and it's been a great partnership. So, thank you and we'll see what happens when whatever you bring forward. We'll
see. Be be nice. All right. So, I'll look for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All right. We are adjourned. You were not