And it also it goes down >> like it pops in and out like we go >> Sure. I mean >> two times a month. >> I live in St. Cloud forever. That was >> throw throw a dart. >> Yeah. >> So the only thing when it's all done, the only thing we have to pay for is if
we want to walk up. >> That's the point of it. But we also own that conduit. We can >> we can get a benefit from that. >> We might get some gifts. >> Okay. What's up?
>> He did >> in the morning. [Music] >> Oh my god. Good evening. I'd like to call the city council meeting for December 2nd to order. Let's please rise for the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America >> and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, looking for a motion to approve the agenda.
>> So move. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. entertain a motion for the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Any
further discussion? >> Uh just one thing, Mr. Mayor. Uh under the uh consent agenda, we are accepting a resignation of one of our part-time officers. I think it's uh moving forward for next year, I think we really have to consider a full-time position in the uh
police department. We're losing way too many. And I don't blame the person one bit, but It seems to be a revolving door and we have to we have to stop that door. Can agree with that? Maybe something we
can add to the new business for next month. Yep. Any other further discussion? Motion made seconded. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Approve same or oppose. Same sign.
Motion carries. All right, we are going to move into uh number five here. The mayor's comments and open forum. Done. No. >> No. >> All right. Just making sure. Um
hearing none. All right. Uh we're going to move into the public hearing on the fee schedule. I'll close the regular council meeting at 5:32 to conduct to conduct the public hearing
on the proposed 2026 fee schedule. Is there anyone present who wishes to speak for or against this matter? Anyone here to speak for or against this matter? Anyone present who wishes to speak for or against this matter?
Hearing none, we will reconvene the regular city council meeting at 5:32 p.m. with that. Then is there a motion to adopt the ordinance 496 for updating the fee schedule effective January 1, 2026?
>> So second. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. Post same sign. Motion carries. Moving on to item number seven, the department reports with
police chief Katie McMillan. >> All right, Mr. Mayor, members of the council, uh you received the stat report for the month of November. We had 410 calls of service. Um just some things to point out. Speed violations were up
and child calls are also increased and medicals were up. Um city ordinances went down um mostly because things got covered with snow. Um but now we also have to focus on and remind the residents to make sure they're shoveling
and keeping their sidewalks clear of ice and snow. So that will be our next now we focus on that part of it. Um, and one of the things I do want to point out is one of the warrant arrests that we had, um, it was on a traffic
stop and the guy had felony warrants. And then we also had, um, other evidence of two other felonies and another gross misdemeanor crime. So, from one traffic stop, we got a lot. Um and comparable
for the 410 of this year, last year we had 347 >> and then in 2023 we had 3 376. Um the only other thing I have is coming up we have Coco with a cop on December
11th. Um so far there are 18 kiddos pre-registered. So we look forward to doing that. That is all I have. Unless you have Oh, and the squad car will be here next week. So, it's just getting finished up.
>> Ready to hit the road. Correct. >> Yes. >> On these suspicious activities, are you being called in on those or have your officers seen >> some of these happenings? >> Yep. It's both. And some of the activity is like suspicious vehicles because like
I just lump them together um because it can be suspicious vehicles, suspicious object or found objects and so that all goes into that category. But it's called in by the community and the cops come across it. >> Well, it's good to hear that there's
other people involved. >> Yeah. >> You know, that's good. Thank you. >> All right. Well, thank you. Uh, city engineer Jared Griffith. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Nice council. Um, tonight I'll have a quick update on where we're at with the north side project and then we have two payoffs for
your consideration. Um, basically where we're sitting with north side project is everything is installed and completed that we were expecting to this season except uh we will be installing the signs roughly next week. kind of plans like stop signs, yield
signs, street signs, subject. Um, but we've in the last month we tackled all the concrete, all of the yard grading and uh seating. Um, so next year when we come back in the late spring, early summer kind of time frame, uh, we'll be looking at kind of turf establishment
items, uh, other and other kind of purchase items. And then we'll have trees to plant and the final two minutes will go on and then we'll end with kind of plan for moving forward. Um, any questions on what was the project?
>> Uh, you know, snow aside, you wrapped up a lot of stuff here. I'll say in the last couple of weeks, has there been any residents that have reached out with any concerns or comments or or anything wrong with I'll say the more final product?
>> Um, no, there's a uh in the private driveway side, there's a couple that kind of wanted some adjustments where where the two where concrete started to have comments. Um, and so we'll come back and make some make those adjustments next in the spring, but for the most part, I didn't hear much and if
I did, it was possible landscape looked really, really good. Whoever you had did one heck of a good job. I was pretty pleased with it. >> Usually that's something to drive home, but you know, they were all from day one.
I know we hammered him pretty good during the year, but the end of the year push they did a great job. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I appreciate it. Um I know I know me and I both have mentioned to them and their subs that they done a great job as
far as the final product so far. Um and about now I'm happy with the product. And there might be a punch list in the spring, but >> yep, there's always a punch list. >> Good job. Not concerned about it. So, thank you.
>> Can I just one thing? Um, we did have a couple questions about the seating and what was done and I think I just want to clarify what they did was intentional as far as the process they went through because there's some erosion control. Um, we wanted to see before it wasn't meant to germinate. It's meant to like
freeze over. Could you just comment on that just in case? >> Correct. Yeah. Do the timing of when we did all the yard grading in the in the turf the top soil installation rating. Um right now the process is with the season. Best thing to do is to lay the
seed down. Basically you se it like you would normally but it won't germinate right now because it's we have freezing the temperature we have right now. Um, but when comes the spring melt, that initial melt there, all the snow helps moisturize that that seed that we we
planted this year. And so that should help establish that coming in the spring. Now, there I'm not going to say it's going to be perfect. Um, we will come back and do some mental receding. Um, like I said, those are items that will be put on the punch list and we'll work through those as we look this
spring. >> And I thought it was the perfect time to see myself that's the best grass I get to grow is the stuff right before the snow. >> But just because there was some questions of people on why we were doing that and they didn't understand. So I just that was all part of the plan to do
that and to let that stay dormant until spring. >> Any other questions on the project? >> All right. Well, that then um like I mentioned before on your packet tonight, we have two payouts. The first would be for the north side improvements project
pay number six. Um this payout in includes basically everything that was completed in the last month except for the seating. The seating was installed they have cut off so we didn't get that on here but um so we'll have one coming a payout coming in the next month with that seating on
there. Um, but this has all the remaining curb, sidewalk, um, driveways, everything that we kind of touched up, top soil, everything that we have in there. Um, so where we're sitting at currently is a work certified to date on payment number six is
4,580,594.34, which is roughly 94.5% of the total project cost. Um, this pay self is requesting uh for 455 $455,7469.
>> Any questions on approved? >> What was the percent again? >> Uh completion >> roughly 94. >> Question. Uh, I'll make the motion to approve pay number six in the amount of $455 and
$74.69. Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor say I. I. Oppos. Same sign. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Um, and the second payout is for our 2025 lead service project. As I
mentioned in the last coing, this project is basically suspension completed um and suspended for the winter. Next year we'll have kind of similar purchase items, turf, things like that for that coming up for next year. Um but this pay number five here
sorry um is for the most part reducing retainage from 5% to to 1% which is pretty standard in this time of the project when we're kind of dealing with punch items. Um so with that we're certified to date on
this project is 20 $243,982 which represents roughly 88 82% of the project. Um the amount requested at this payout is $12,000 600 or sorry $12,6168. Any questions on payout number five for
the project? consider approved. >> Hearing none, I'll make the motion to uh approve payout number five in the amount of 12,601.68. >> I'll second.
>> Motion is made and seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. >> Thank you. That is all I have. Let's see questions for me. I not >> uh since we have a just a little bit of
time. Uh updates on the south side. Is it just still in like the platting engineering phase? >> Yeah, I mean we're going to be we're working through moving forward with our plans that we have. We're bringing it to the 16th. Yep. We're going to have
that's the one I one one of the items we're going to have quickly before that. >> Is that the right before the county one? Yep. Okay. >> I So I I sent that notice out. >> Okay. >> Um and that is for the preliminary plat public hearing um requirement. And so then once um the council addresses that,
then we can move to the final platting stages, which usually the final plat is quicker. >> Yeah. I mean, like I said, we're the plan is to probably look this up before I say, but I thought the in the spring. So, y it's going to be a really good turn.
>> Yeah. Um and then yeah, essentially it's on schedule right now for um approval and getting ready for the bid in earlier next year. >> Um I believe
that was on site today. >> On site today, they called >> you know those the deeper trunk that we have it and also great. Thanks.
Moving on then to uh public works. Mark nothing. Nothing big in public works. Very busy. Uh lights look nice on the street lights. They got the rest up finally today and
got the ones that are working. So, we will have to be a line item budget, but we're going to hopefully buy eight more next year and then that'll finish the old ones off. Kind of how we've been budgeting. So, >> sure. >> Looks nice. >> Yeah, it looks good. So, >> you can tell there's anything else in
public works only on fire. I think Sarah hasn't open. We got Santa parade two weeks from tomorrow night. So, >> going around giving the kids Santa candy canes. And >> what time does that start, Mark? >> Six o'clock to the south, 7 o'clock to the north. kind of say, you know, not before 6 to the south, not before seven
going north to the fire hall. >> Public works has been doing a great job of keeping the snow clean. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Better than most. Like it. I'll let everybody know. All right.
um administration Sarah Brown. >> Okay. So, we did talk about um Southside. If you have any other questions, let me know. Reach out to myself or um uh Carrie is who's helping us with on that. So, if Jared doesn't have all the answers because Carrie's
the lead on that. Um >> I just also want to let you know we did have to send in all of our final um our assessment roles to the county. They were due by the 30th. So, those did go in. We still are taking any um payments on the north side through the end of this week. So, um if anybody does wish
to pay that off, they can certainly do so uh through Friday. Um and then we'll get those removed with the county. Um I provided you a copy and I think I also sent it via email of the chamber um party that everyone is invited to. Um
please RSVP or let me know if you are interested in coming and we'll get that turned in for you. Um, uh, one item I do need to bring up is I did get the renewal on the Tri County
Humane Society contract. Um, in summary, there's significant price increase um, >> for next year. >> Yes. Um, I did look back. We did about in the within the last year. So, not all in this necessarily calendar year, but I
just kind of looked at a year that we've been build for is about 1,600 worth of fees. Um, the new price increase. Um, it adds an admin fee and then it increases the per day fee and then it also um raises some of the max that you can get charged. So, my best guess is it's
probably going to be about double, you know, if we hit some of those worst case scenarios. Um, so if you're looking at 1,600, maybe 3,000 next year if we track the same. Um, we did come back down as far as our number of animals that were turned in. I mean, we were on a roll for
a while about a year and a half ago, but that has settled down a little bit more. Um, I would imagine if this winter kind of keeps up too, it'll probably, you know, sometimes the stray cats got a little overpop populated because of the warm winters, but um, we could see that change. But I just want to make sure
you're okay with that. We have 2,000 in the budget. Um, are you okay if I just go ahead and renew this or I don't know what what options we have. And the other thing I wanted to mention, I forgot I mentioned to you, they will
not take holds on bites anymore if they know who the owner is. So, we used to always use them for that emergency situation if a dog bit. They won't do that anymore. So, that's something that we'll have to navigate if we have that happen. Um, I don't know. Chief McMillan
wasn't too worried, I don't think, but doesn't it could come up just so you're aware. Um, but there's nothing we can do about it that they won't change those terms. So, are you are we okay rolling it? Um, >> I think we should. >> I forget what happens when we hit 2,000. They just stopped taking them.
>> We didn't hit it this year. >> I know. But what happens if we did? >> We put it on the contract. She said she'll try, you know, but that's what it's supposed to do. I mean, I could do that again. That's no problem. Just renew what we did. I mean, we'll have to do the new terms and the new rates, but I could just say we only
have 2,000 budgeted. Sure. >> If that's what you're more comfortable with. >> That I am. >> At 2,000, we're done. >> Yeah, >> it is. I understand some of the price increases just like we have staffing increases. I'm sure their cost going up, too.
>> Yeah. Um, you know, >> it's just the >> some of the frustration we have at the staff level is all the drop off strays and that we have to deal with, you know, and and really we shouldn't have to, right? But okay, I'll renew it if there's no concern then. I just
>> so you know what's going on. Um and then other than that, any other questions for me? I think we have another meeting of a couple other items I'll bring forward. on the south side. Do we have a estimated guess when our contractors
might start construction where we said infrastructure? >> I'm I'm talking about building it, you know. >> Yeah. February, March.
Um just like April meeting and certainly that one will be more like I would assume That sounds I was thinking something
later, but that sounds good. >> Yeah, >> that would just be infrastructure though. >> Y >> what would you anticipate if they started on time, weather permitting, all the things? Can a house not be started until after the entire project is completed or can they start once it's halfway done?
>> Grading and roads in. So, it's really hard to build a house about that. >> Sure. Okay. finally would come down building a house on your fresh. >> Sure.
>> Good. >> All right. Yeah, >> I I'll just also mention um we we do have a couple interested um builders and I actually talked to one again today >> um about it. So um you know I I do think
there's high probability we'll be able to sell those lots if the prices come in like we hope you know so that's good. I there still is enough demand. I didn't know with, you know, interest and the economy, but um talking to the one today, he said there's still a market in
Bley for houses and we should be able to make something work with what we're doing and he thinks it's, you know, a reasonable project. >> So, sure. So, we have a few minutes to kill before six. Uh, we had
the second council conversations. a lot of stuff brought up and discussed and I thought it was good. Um would would council entertain doing another one but with the five of us
and I mean we'd have to post it be quorum still no action but just >> um allow for the community again to maybe ask us as a my vision would be more of a panel style where it would be uh questions that
would come in from the community you know we'd maybe ask on Facebook or send you try to elicit some, you know, comments or things that they want to talk about or they want us to talk about or things they want to um maybe be be talked about and similar to like the
uh what we did before elections, you know, where we kind of answer questions for 30 seconds. Mhm. >> Maybe not quite as um policed, but allow for everyone to give their feedback or their opinion, comments on certain questions and
topics. A little more structured, but and then have some time maybe for some open, you know, open questions at the end or something. My feeling is all sides would make it more chaotic. >> I wouldn't mind I would like to
participate. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to partic participate in the last one, but I would certainly like to do, you know, the, you know, two counselors >> and see where we go from there. Try another couple of those maybe. >> Yeah.
>> Uh if we went with five I guess I would be looking at is there a way we could live stream that so we could take questions off of a computer screen kind of like what the uh commissioners do?
>> I mean it's something to look at maybe >> or like you mean like more of a virtual option so people >> Absolutely. So virtual virtual >> yeah we could look at that >> like a Zoom meeting or whatever. >> Yeah. If we're all going to be in the same room, be something to look at.
>> Maybe we would still open it up to the public because we have you >> at a meeting it's open, but it's an Yeah, we could certainly look at it. >> I mean, could we could we look at doing a like a virtual Zoom meeting even if it was two of us?
>> Sure. >> Something like that. >> Schedule that. I think it'd be beneficial to wait after we meet with the county on the court. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I'm thinking sometime >> after the >> February. I think it needs to be I think
you're going to get a little bit of schedule. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I I'm thinking I'm thinking sometime first quarter um is when I would say like to try to do another at least another couple >> um you know, different dates, times, maybe open it up to virtual uh this time
around, Zoom, something like that. Um, good. Yeah. I mean, I think it's value ad just to be able to hear and understand and um give feedback, answer questions. Good. That's good. So, we'll add that.
Um, well, no shame. November is over and we had the most participants we've ever had this year from Benton County Sheriff's Department, Police Department, myself. Uh all the numbers aren't in yet, but I
would say we raised uh over $600. So Oh, wow. Great. Speaking of departments, there's another event coming up, Battle of the Badges. Is that after our next council meeting?
Well, the January council meeting >> for the battle of the badges for the the is it the chili cookoff? >> Okay. All right. >> It'll be after our ne our January meeting. >> I think that'll be a really great um event
>> at the winery. >> Okay. >> On the 10th. >> Confirmed. of January. >> Okay. >> Yep. That's going to be the Foley Police, the Foley Fire, and the Benton County Sheriff's. We'll be having a
chili cookoff, and all of the proceeds will go to the winning department, as I understand it. >> Working working that part out. Okay. >> Do we have a time on that yet? Do we have a time?
>> Thank you. >> 4 to 7. >> That'll be very exciting. >> Okay. Um, >> so break. >> Yeah, commercial break. Uh, did you make
note though for new business for our January meeting for us to talk about um police staffing? Yeah, I know he kept some of this money in the levy was actually around police. Um, so
I think that'll be a good conversation to have. >> And and the other thing that I I've mentioned to a couple of you is the we don't know what the effect on like the paid family leave is going to have on our staffing. you know, there's going to be some more opportunity for people to take time off that could impact our
staffing levels >> more. Um, we don't know for sure, but I think it's just something we had to keep in mind with all our departments. >> Yeah. >> Uh, Chief, the shifts were covered through March, correct? >> Through March.
>> Yes. Pretty good. So, are we looking at uh another personnel committee meeting for >> the holiday? >> Okay. Do we do we already have positions posted or for for people to apply? >> No.
>> No. >> I think are down in the list. Correct. Have you checked the uh have you checked the postport or applications lately? I imagine there's a ton of them out there.
>> Yes, there is. And I know the county just had to open up their All right, we are going to recess the regular city council meeting at 6 pm to conduct the truth and taxation public hearing on the 2026 budget. The proposed
budget is an estimated 8.98% increase. Is there anyone present who wishes to speak for or against this matter? Anyone who wishes to speak for or against this matter? Anyone who wishes to speak for or
against this matter? Hearing none, we will reconvene the regular city council meeting at 6:01 p.m. Is there a motion to adopt resolution 2025-36,
the final 2026 tax levy? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? >> I think we've done our due diligence on it and especially uh what I've seen in surrounding communities, we're not sitting that bad. other
communities have are facing the same situations that we have. So, >> I think kudos go out to all of us. We hammered as much as we could. >> I think we're seeing way better than a lot of them are.
>> Yeah. Well, when the average is 9%. >> I think we increased it for what we needed >> and yet we kept it down to be affordable. Good. I think you all did a good job. >> So motion's been made and seconded. All
in favor say I. I. >> I. Post. Same sign. Motion carries. >> Entertaining a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Make a motion. >> Motion is made and seconded. All in favor say I. I. I. Oppose. Same sign.
Motion carries. Getting adjourned. Oh, and you work well. Don't take long.