I'm in a snarky mood and I don't need the public. >> Thanks for that, Heather. >> Just told you. >> Plus, my hearing aids aren't working real. Speaking of
>> 6 o'clock, we will call the Farable City Council Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 to order. Our first item is roll call. >> Council member Barnes >> here, Jimuya >> here, >> Ross >> here, >> Rowan >> here, >> Ensloo >> here, >> Seal >> here, >> Mayor Spooner
>> here. Our second item is pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Our second item is approval of the agenda. Anybody like anything changed? Mayor Spooner, I make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Second. >> Motion by Barnes, second by Van Sloo. All those in favor of the agenda signify
by saying I. >> I. All opposed. >> Agenda is approved. Presentations. We have one presentation, but I'm not going to read it tonight. Um, just so everybody knows, it is proclamation
declaring April 23rd, 2026. In a few months, the parable will be Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund will celebrate its 40th anniversary here in town and uh it will be the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Day
here. They've done a lot of good work helping businesses jump start here and it's been a great partnership for 40 years, but we have a proclamation. Okay, we'll move on from that one. Approval on the minutes of March 10th
city council meeting and March 17th special city council meeting close session. Anybody? >> Mayor Spooner. >> Yes. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes of the March 10th, 2026 city council meeting and the March 17th, 2026 special city council meeting close
session. >> Second. >> Motion by Ross, second by Teal. All those in favor signify. >> I All opposed. Minutes are passed. Request to be heard. First up tonight, we have Amy Stadler. You have three
minutes. Come to the podium and please state your name and address for the record. My name is Amy Stadler and I reside at 1728 Heav Place in Fairbolt. Mayor Spooner, members of the Fairbolt City Council, thank you for the
opportunity to speak today. I currently serve as a senior accountant in the finance department here in the city of Fairbolt. I learned about this restructuring plan on March 13th. Later in the day, I spoke with the HR
and finance director. At that time, I found out that my wage would be significantly reduced, but no definite numbers at that time. I was also told that I'd be given the choice between between the two accounting technician positions. The day after last week's work session,
which I attended, I was asked by HR if I wanted if I'd be interested in a separate separation agreement. At that time, I explained that I was still trying to process the information and had several questions of the two different positions. I
believe the accounting technician AP and GL position is a better fit for my experience and my skills. However, I was told that I was not being offered that position and I was only being offered the AON technician AR and UB. When I was
stated that when I stated that I believed I had a choice in this decision, I was informed that this was no longer the case. I'm the only employee being significantly and personally impacted financially by this change. The restructuring is projected to save the
city just under $12,000 in 2026. While I would individually lose approximately 14,000 during that same pre period when I was hired in July of 2021, I came in as an accounting technician accounts payable, which was a part-time position
at the time. I was told at the interview that I was overqualified for the role given my 31 years of accounting experience and there was concern whether I would remain long term. But at that time, I chose that position because it was a
better fit for my family's needs. That role then became full-time as it found it necessary in that position. And then I was promoted to senior accountant in May of 2024. Over the past nearly five years, I have worked diligently to support the finance
department. During periods of staff turnover, I helped train three accounts payable technicians, assisted with utility billing, and stepped in wherever was needed to help the department. I have more years of experience in the finance department than all but one
current staff member and that experience has shaped my commitment to responsible financial management. I was also concerned to see that a job posting for the accounting technician accounts payable and general ledger position was recently published in the
city's on the city's website. My understanding is that this re construct restructuring had not been approved by the council and I was unclear to why the position had already been posted. I respectfully asked the council to consider the significant and uneven
impact this restructuring has on me personally. I thank you for your time and consideration. All right, our next person up is Gail Burke. Please come forward. >> 717 Spring Road. Good evening, Mayor
Spooner and city council members. I was last here on February 10th, 2026 to discuss my concerns about animal welfare in the city. As I mentioned before, a neighbor is trapping cats
very close to other properties and he is not following the proper procedures for where these cats are taken afterwards. In fact, he does go on Facebook to make insensitive comments with two other individuals where they jokingly say
things like, "Oh, take the cat to the farm or drop it off in North Minneapolis." Simply dropping them off at a friend's farm is cruelty to animals. It is against the law and should never be condoned.
Other people associated with them on Facebook do not condone this behavior either and have voiced their opinions. I did not have the I did have the chance to meet with police chief John Sherwin today. We had a good talk for an hour in his office. He loves cats, too.
We spoke about the current ordinances and I'm wondering if there is a different way to word the ordinance so that it clearly specifically addresses trapping and inhumane handling. By adding this clarification,
we ensure a transparent humane process and protect these animals. I hope that you will take careful consideration in your decision to add the topic of a revised cat ordinance to your agenda so that we can take a closer look at it and
find a real solution that protects these animals. Thank you. >> All right, that closes the request to be heard. We have no >> six consent agenda items. Yes. >> Each
>> here to be >> older. Do you have a question >> for the terms and yes that identical part what that means? Hey, do you want do you want Heather to just clarify? >> So, just there's different
um laws set in statute regarding um who can sell liquor um and how they can sell liquor. Um so, if you're a current liquor license within the city um you are able to serve liquor if requested at
a community event um using your current liquor license. Um, however, at this point, we don't ha most don't do it that way anymore. More most of them pull a 1 to 4 day temporary liquor license. However, we if we want to go back to past practices, that would allow for
them to be able to do that. They have to be deemed a city event in order to use their current on sale liquor license. >> So, that change is not included in this one yet. All right.
>> There is no change. It would just allow for that practice to happen if one of our local establishments was requested by say Heritage Days to serve liquor rather than Heritage Day is pulling their own 1 to 4 day temporary liquor license. >> Happy with that?
>> Mayor, I think we should probably pull item K. discuss it now or you want to just >> let's pull it and have a discussion and approve the other >> entertain a motion on 6A through 6J and
6 L moved Motion by Teal, second by Van Sloo on 6 A through 6J and 6L. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. All opposed. Those are all passed.
Now let's pull out 6K resolution 2026 opting the budget for the final Yeah. Yeah. So, we were we were trying to figure out what was the best way to take the conversation that we had at the last meeting because you you ultimately don't approve job descriptions and
things when there's a change. Those aren't things that are coming beforeward to you. And so, as we looked at this, we looked at what was the adopted budget for the finance department across all funds because finance department provides a significant amount of support for utility billing. And uh ultimately
what pro what changes were proposed by restructuring from um a a uh senior financial annualist, senior accountant um two accounting techs and an administrative assistant to four accounting technicians and assistant finance director. And so what you have
before you is the savings that would be realized across those different funds by that. And so, um, that is that is what's before you tonight is to approve a a budget adjustment that would make that change effective. >> Uh, yeah, I guess my my statement would
be, you know, we we went back and forth about this last week, two weeks ago, last week. Um and you know some of us were uncomfortable with it partly because of the uh change in employment uh for some of our
staff and partly because we certainly don't want to uh micromanage any department you know so I is I guess is there an appetite from the council to table this and
discuss it further or would you like to move ahead? I mean, I realize I can't do it by myself. So, if nobody else has the appetite, then we'll just forward, but we were uncomfortable with it. >> I think we should bring it back to committee work session
because there's a lot of stuff that that I got to wrap my head around. And you're right. I don't generally think it's our job to be handling matters of the way the departments are laid out and
reassignments. So I would support you Royal >> did you >> do do we need a motion? >> You would need a motion in a second to table it to the April 6 work session. All right, we'll give it a shot. I'll make a motion to uh table item consent
agenda item 6K and bring it back to the April 6th >> or April 7th, I'm sorry. April 7th work session. >> I'll second by saying I. >> All opposed motion passes.
All right, on to public hearings. A ordinance 2026-04, amend the city charter of parable sections 3.05, ordinance procedures, and this is administrator Jessica.
>> Yes. Uh, and city attorney Scott Riggs is here to add anything in or um answer any questions that you might have as well. Um the charter commission met back in September um to talk about uh a few different items and the one recommendation that did come forward um
that was brought there uh at the recommendation of myself and staff was an amendment to section 305 our procedure and ordinances and resolutions uh changing the requirement that there be two readings on every ordinance um to
one reading um at uh of an ordinance before it was effective. Um, since we had kind of talked about this last at the end of January in a special work session, I did go back and pull some data because I think there were some questions about what's the impact of
this. And so when we look at um calendar years 2023, 2024, and 2025, uh there's been more than 60 ordinances that have been adopted by the the city council and the list was there for you. And the key words that you're really looking for to
figure out when, how often is this an impact are those vacations, anything related with uh zoning, annexation, um you know, things like that. But there's also some hidden ones in there where we made some changes to some different ordinances related to peddlers
and transient permits and different things. And so when I totaled things up very very roughly, more than 50% of the ordinances that you have approved over the last three years have had an impact on a business where there was a a
necessary twoe delay, which is probably greater than that um by the time you look at when something has to be in to be on an agenda um because we issue our agenda 72 hours in advance. And so there's there is significant delay that is involved when when there are things
that are trying to move quickly in the community, whether it's related to something that's coming on the planning and zoning side and preventing somebody from filing a plat um and getting plat approvals or whether it's a a transient merchant who is or a a mobile food truck that was looking to operate in the in
the city of Farbo over the last three years. And so when we looked at that, that that is something to think about. um ordinance uh charter amendments don't happen very often. That was the other piece in looking back at this that it was 2023 was the last time that you had
charter amendments before you when there were four of them um that were brought forward at that time. All four were approved in 2023. Uh I think you can also see from this there's very few times where something doesn't pass. Um there was only one um ordinance out of
the the 61 in 2024 that that failed and that was related to uh food truck licensing and and who how long somebody could stay at a location or in the city in total. And so really we haven't seen a history where there has been much
additional deliberation beyond a a first reading or significant changes um over the last three years. And I know that uh it's not very often that we have a a charter um amendment and that's probably a good thing. That means that our our charter is working how we would like it
to. Um but as we've really gone through starting new initiatives with um Allison Brunette of how do we make improvements to our processes to make development more businessfriendly and to ensure that things are happening as quick as possible from the city side. There are
definitely other things that we're working on and more changes that will probably come before you, but this is always going to be there as that thing that is going to require a at least a two week minimum um if not longer by the time you add in the front end and the backend dates of getting something on
the agenda and then ultimately getting something approved. And so that's where uh I would recommend approval of this. As a reminder, because it is an or charter amendment, it does require unanimous approval of the city council.
>> Okay. Are there any questions? >> I appreciate the breakdown, Jessica. Thank you. >> Can I just make a statement or? >> Yeah. Well, I got an open public hearing, so it's up to you if you want. If you got a question, not a comment. Questions, please.
Hey, I'll entertain a motion to open public hearing. >> So moved. >> Second, >> who is over here? >> Second by Vance Luc. >> I
in public hearing. Anybody wishing to speak on this matter, please come forward. Please state your name and address for the record. >> Nate Cunningham for uh the uh business owner might find coffee. So 409 1st Avenue Northwest.
Um so I I wasn't I actually didn't plan to say much but uh the I am one of the businesses that's affected by it. We have actually might find, you know, we've we started with our new drive-thru and everything like that and we appreciate
um the we've made it past this uh extra this extra reading portion. Uh but it does create about 30 days of an of a delay before a business can open. And I just have some some data for us uh as a company. We that would affect us by
about $40,000 a month in revenue that we would give to revenue net profit, right? So that goes to um uh we have veterans, we have people we're hiring that that or that we can support and put that money back into our community. So that delays us by a month at least
that much. Um and I looked up this specific uh this specific portion. It hasn't been amended since since it's come into existence, right? But almost Yeah. So, it's it's quite a long time and every city around us already has
made this adjustment. Um, plus we are we are right now in cahoots with a few other businesses that left the city, couldn't come into the city to do business, but we're attempting to help uh through, you know, what products and
services are. So we're networking with them as well trying back because they would benefit Farbo. This is this is this isn't going to solve you know everything but it is going to motion. >> All moved.
>> Second. >> Hi We are closed on the vote. Now your questions, comments, concerns. >> I just I don't have any questions. I'll just make a comment that I uh appreciate the charter commission's efforts on bringing this forward. Um unsolicited
and uh it came out of Allison Brunette Brunettes, if I pronounced that right, uh advice and uh consulting. Yeah. came out of her consulting and went through the charter commission. So it followed the
definitely followed the correct path for something like this. So I think the commission for the way they handle this and the way they Scott just to clarify you said the uh proper mechanism that if
something goes through the council always can reverse it at its next formal meeting, right? So when we're voting on this, keep that in mind that this is not an illreversible process.
>> Just clarification on what the administrator said before the the one ordinance that did that didn't pass before it didn't pass on the first reading, right? Or did it pass? Did not >> It didn't pass at all. It was regarding >> Yeah. So Oh, I see.
>> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I'm sorry. I was confused there. >> It failed first, so it didn't come. >> It's all just the first one. It didn't pass. Yeah. Okay. >> Um Yeah. So is 30 days a delay? Are we
the only one who delay who have that 30 days lapse in uh approving a business or with well I mean the whole development permitting process is a big permitting
process in general when we're looking at this all statutory cities in the state of Minnesota do not have to do two readings and so when the charter was established it was established with this doing two readings but I believe city attorney rigs had specified a number of cities have gone back and removed that
requirement um as as an unnecessary step at this point uh because it does slow things down. It slows things down when you want to enact a new law that might have nothing to do with business. It means that it's delayed for for those additional weeks because there is that additional reading there as well as the
publication requirement too. So there's there's things that it just slows down city business in general, but it when we get to talking about vacations of easements, vacations of of uh you uh right ofway, um when we're looking at
anything that's a a zoning text amendment or anything like that, that's where it's slowing down people who are interacting with the city and really depending on those things to move a project forward. I will also point out
it's not just a fact of what we see here on council. A lot of these things have been through the HPC uh planning commission whatnot. There's multiple multiple meetings that go we ever get to this point in time. It's to
us it's only a two week or three week. It may have been on the pipeline for two months. So to move these along at council is a high priority. So >> Mayor Spooner, >> yes. >> Make a motion to approve ordinance
2026-04. >> Second motion by Teal, second by Barnes to approve ordinance. Barnes. >> Hi. >> Nay. >> Ross. >> Hi. >> Rowan.
>> Hi. >> Hi. >> Seal. >> Hi. will that come back for a second? >> It it it will not. >> All right. So on to item B resolution 2026-099
amending and modifying uh development program for Riverchase 2. Jake W. Yes. questions for staff. So, you said you received two letters
from businesses that are supporting this. Can you list those businesses? >> Got it. Thank you. I have a question, but can I wait till he >> developer would like to say anything on behalf?
>> It's up to you. I mean, >> Ryan Nolander, Hamilton Real Estate. Um, we appreciate what's before you tonight and the hopeful approval of what's coming before you. We've been a longtime partner with you guys and when we come into communities because I was telling the mayor beforehand that we we do come
in and want to be a partner. It's got to be good for the city and it's got to be good for us as well. And we've done this would be our third project that we've built here. You guys have been a great partner with us. Uh as Jake mentioned, but for this we can't do this. Um the
numbers and people look at it and say okay it's got to get returns for the investors. But the bigger thing right now is with the interest rate environment that has gone up, which is where we're going the foreseeable future. Um, we can't cover the debt coverage ratios. And so to get the
financing, we actually need to have this. Um, how does that work? Well, over the nine years, hopefully you'll see um us paying down principal on that loan. you'll see probably some increases in rents and then we'll be fine with our debt coverage ratios. You'll get the
property back on the market and getting the whole collection of the property taxes but for having this we can't do this project >> questions. We appreciate everything you guys have done for us. >> All right, at this time I'll entertain a
motion. So >> move second. We're in public. We're going to entertain close public hearing. >> Moved second. >> Who's to close public hearing? All those
in favor say I. >> We are closed on the public hearing now. Any com comments? >> Yeah, I have a question and then a comment. Um, is this uh you said it's for 9 years, but it's also for a set amount of money.
Is that correct? So if that 725 if if taxes increase and that 725 gets paid back in seven years then it's over. Correct. So I think that's important piece that we have to make sure the
public's aware of is that it's not just an automatic nine years. It's for a specific amount up to nine years. Correct. Okay. And then I just have a comment that um and I'm not sure if this would be our engineering or our street department, but my understanding there's
only going to be one entrance into this for both both uh complexes. Yeah. >> And it's it's on a public street that is Riverchase Court as as well. So there is a public street that serves it'll serve
both as well as the city's parking lot and the Excel substation. >> Yeah. So let's just assume there is only one. And my only comment is is that um our you know if we could have some cooperation between our departments to see if there's a spot on Willow where we
could put a center turn lane turning to the left to River Chase Court because otherwise it if it's a single lane through there and somebody's sitting in that lane trying to turn left, it could get backed up. So, I think the street is wide enough there for a center left-hand
turn onto Riverchase, but I just like that looked into. Thank you. >> All right, I'll take a motion, >> Mayor Spoon. Yes. >> Uh, I'll make a motion to approve
resolution 2026-099. Second. Motion by Ross, second by Don Buy on resolution 2020. All >> opposed. That passes. Thank you very much. On to items for discussion.
Resolution 2026-092 establishing bids for a sewer line project. Director Mark Duchain. Question for director Peter. I assume that the work goes through a manhole where that that liner
gets pushed in. So, how about the the street closures? Is it just uh like one lane while they're working on it? >> Generally, Thank you. >> Mayor Spooner. >> I make a motion to approve resolution
2026-092. >> I'll second loose. Second. I all opposed. Motion passes. Next three items will be hopefully one presentation. I do park phase 2 parks director
Rochelle Harsh. Getting close. I'm getting close. >> I was waiting. >> All right. Good evening, Mayor Council. Tonight before you are two related resolutions that are part of Vioaduct Park project 2. I will start with those two resolutions and I'm going to hand it
off to Kendra who's about the third portion of this for a resolution. Um but tonight we're talking about um a procurement package that requires individual approval of each of these resolutions. I'll go through them briefly and that council if you have questions you can
ask questions and then um discuss the resolution and hopefully approve it. So the first resolution 2026-085 is for site work and this first resolution authorizes a competitive sealed bid for project phase 2 of work improvements and this is for the covered
refrigerated ice sheet, the pavilion structure, supporting features and associated site improvements. The site work package includes um um I'm sorry, we evaluated procurement policy and we determined that competitive sealed bid is the best process for this. The estimated cost for this work is
approximately $600,000. And if approved tonight, we plan on advertising the bid March 25th and bid opening scheduled for April 22nd. That if there's any questions on this first resolution, I'll open it up for questions. That council um approved
resolution 2026- going out to bed. Here Spooner, I'll make a motion to approve resolution 2026-085. >> Second by Teal. >> I All opposed. The resolution pass.
>> Next resolution. a resolution 2026-097 which is for the storage garage package and again this is for a competitive sealed bid for the construction of the ice resurfacer storage garage and related utilities. So again, this is a
critical component of project um of the VIDC project phase 2. And just to underscore, this bid will also include an ad alternative for the construction of a monument sign as part of project improvements. And the approximate um budget that's been allocated towards
this work is about $200,000. And again, um this would be advertised March 25th with opening scheduled for April 2nd. and happy to answer any questions. Otherwise, um respect ask that council approve resolution 2026-097
for the construction of >> Mayor Spooner. Yeah. >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution 2026-097. >> Second. A second by >> Allos
resolution. >> What I learned Good evening, Mr. Mayor and council members. Um, resolution tonight is about uh the public hearing for tax abatement bonds for the funding of Vioaduct Park phase
2. Um, just a quick reminder, the budget for Vioaduct Park phase 2 is $3,815,000 as approximate debt issuance value. That includes 3.6 million in construction
costs and 215,000 in interest uh first year interest and um debt issuance costs. So tax abatement bonds are a little bit different than general revenue bonds and that is why we're talking about setting
a public hearing. Tax abatement bonds require us to identify specific parcels that are near the improvement that's being made. So, as part of this exercise, we identified approximately 230 parcels that are within uh 1,600 ft
of Vioaduct Park. Those parcels uh tax base goes to specifically pay off this debt issuance, the principle of it. It doesn't affect the taxes of those properties. It only um sort of earmarks
those properties as providing the revenue to pay for these bonds. So our request tonight is for uh setting the public hearing date as Tuesday, April 28th for the tax abatement for these bonds.
Any questions? >> Thank you, >> Mayor Spooner. I make a motion to approve resolution 2026-082. >> Second. I second by. >> All opposed. That resolution pass.
>> Item C, Twin Oaks Housing Development 2026. >> Yep. I'm going to talk about both of these at once because one really needs to happen before the other. And so the first resolution before you tonight is an amendment to the Twin Oak subdivision
um development agreement to place requirements in there for uh the developer, who is Rice County HRA, to be responsible for playground equipment and providing um a monument at the property. Um, the second resolution is then one
that is approving the use of the statewide affordable housing aid in an amount not to exceed $113,000 to Rice County HR um to help cover those costs of those improvements in the Twin Oaks subdivision. As a reminder, Twin
Oaks is a subdivision that is being sold to owners who are at the 115% or below area median income level. And so that's the key feature that makes things eligible for statewide affordable housing aid.
>> Mayor Spooner. >> Yes. >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution 2026-095. Second. A >> second by TL to approve. All >> nope. >> Mayor Spooner.
>> Yes. >> I make a motion to approve resolution 2026-096. >> Second loose. Second by Ron. I all opposed. That motion passes as well. On the bids, we have two of them
tonight. Mark Duchain, you're up. Read overlay improvements. questions. Yes, >> thank you, Mayor. Um, Director Duchain, I I believe this is probably going to be a pattern in the future where uh because of uh you know, asphalt costs and diesel
costs and everything else, we're probably going to continue to come in over budget on some of these projects. So, I just have a request that we kind of look at the projects we have upcoming and see if there's any we can delay for one or two years. I mean, I don't even I don't even know if it'd do any good
delay for one year, but if there's something we could move forward for two years, I'd like to be an optimist and say the cost would come down. just a request, but kind of kind of take a keen look at the projects that are coming up and see if we can delay any.
>> Oh, it's much easier to put it on you. >> Yeah. >> On my list, it doesn't end. >> All right. Thank you. Governor, >> I make a motion to um
approve resolution 2026 090 >> second by motion by Barn second by Don Ba to approve resolution 2026- I I more Yes, Mr. Ross.
>> Now, uh, Director Duchain, can we can we confirm that this is the deer bridge pedest or the deer pedestrian bridge and it's not a deer pedestrian bridge? >> Yes. >> And that's probably because it's on deer
trail. Oh, we we uh have a lot of keyboard warriors out there. So, uh Chloe, feel free to make light of this that it is a not a deer pedestrian bridge. It is called the deer bridge.
Found it hilarious myself, but Any other comments? >> Yeah. Stay off social media. That's my comment. >> This time I'll entertain a motion. >> Oh, I'll make a motion to approve resolution 2026-091.
>> Second. >> 096. >> Just clarify. 096. >> 091. >> 091. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm looking at the wrong one. >> Motion to approve resolution. A motion to reject, I guess.
>> A motion to approve the rejection. >> Approve the rejection. >> Rejects the bid. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> Yes. >> Heal. Second by Vance Sloo. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. All opposed. >> Passes.
On to boards, commission reports, announcements, project updates. Anybody got anything? Oh, yes. I forgot about this. What else got anything? The city council has conducted a 2-year
360 performance review of Jessica El Kzer as city administrator the city of Farbolt. As part of the evaluation process, excuse me, the city council and the leadership team evaluated Jessica in several areas of performance which
include leadership and supervision. The process reached the following conclusion. Jessica L. Kinszer's performance as an average score that is meeting or exceeding expectations in all areas.
Goals and objectives and areas to focus on were given to Jessica to work towards as per Jessica's employment agreement with the city of Farable. By meeting and exceeding expectations, she will receive a one-step increase in wages from grade
V step 11 under the non-UN compensation plan 2026 and receive 4 days administrative leave. This will be effective on our anniversary date of employment of April 1st, 2026. Thank
you, Jessica. >> Thank you. I'm still shocked you took your job on April Fool's Day, but that's >> joke was on her. >> Thank you. Thank you for all you do. So, anybody else got anything?
Thank you, staff. Few of us were here at 7 a.m. this morning and we're going to see each other off to tonight. So, at this time, I'll entertain a motion. >> So, moved. >> Second. Motioned by Teo, second by Vance SL to adjurnn. All those in favor
signify saying I. I. All opposed. We are in adjournment.