Okay, we're live. >> All right, thanks. The time is 6:32. With us tonight is Craig Schulty, Bill Lois, myself, Michael Garary, Mike Roth, Kim Vanbeck, and Patrick Knight.
Uh, and next up for open forum, is there anyone here for open forum? >> Let's do this. >> WhatsApp. Well, we don't need to put on the agenda. Just do it that way. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Yeah. We'll make we'll put you as part of open form. We were going to add you
to the agenda, but why not? >> Okay. >> Oh, you want to hit your mic to green, too? >> Yep. >> Okay. Well, I'm Mark Morgan representing Starry Skies North here in the annualish
update to the city and among other things. Um, thanks for having me. Um, so this past year we've been fairly busy. Um, we've had booths at the Dark Sky Festival which was in December and then last summer at the Hoban Art Fair
and we've, you know, were very successful passing out literature and things like that. Um, we also had um a new program called the business the dark sky friendly business award that was created um from the duth chapter and we
um jumped on it right away too because we've got lots of businesses that um that are bug sky friendly um right out of the shoot and hopefully um we can uh add more. Um another significant thing that we did this year is we joined the
chamber of commerce. So, as a nonprofit group, so um talking with Linda, um it seemed like a good fit for us to be a little more involved in the community and and maybe have some say in some things. So, that was um that was a big
deal for us and uh we hope to to be very involved. Um a couple of projects that we have, we're starting this year. Um we're starting to set up some dark sky monitors. Um uh several of us in our
group have handheld monitors that we can go around and just check how dark the sky is at any time. Um but we're looking to set up some permanent uh mark monitors. Um probably start with one I'm putting up one up on P by Pin Cushion
where I live. Um maybe one down in Ludson. We're talking about putting one up in Grand Portage, maybe at Travis's Park. He's looking to work with his bosses to maybe create um the a dark sky
park designation for Grand Portage. So that would be a big significant thing. >> The state park. >> Yeah, the state park. Yep. >> Um so there aren't any yet in the state. So he would be the first and so that would be we're hoping to help him.
>> Um and then maybe one chickwalk to kind of complement their dark sky camera. So anyway, uh and so that's kind of where we're at here. Um one thing that um with our dark sky friendly business awards program, we awarded three uh businesses
at the Dark Sky Festival. Um one was um Eric Superior Training Post, uh the North House Folk School, and then um oh Cook County Higher Ed. So um and in addition to that I have awards for the
city because of the nice building here. Um we decided to award uh two awards one to the liquor store for being a dark sky friendly business and then the other to the city for putting up this dark sky friendly building. So I have these
certificates here like to present them to the mayor as a >> Wow. See, sounds good. We did. We did something right. >> We did a good console. >> Good. >> Tracy, post so I can take a picture. >> There we go.
>> Come around. >> We can like that. >> Yep. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> Great. Thank you. >> Okay. And here's one for the liquor store. >> All right. And then also with that we
have um window stickers that have a dark sky friendly you can put in the door. >> So hopefully >> people will see that and and it will spur conversation and uh >> cuz that's Yeah. You all the businesses
could that qualify can do this. >> Yes, that's right. Yep. And then in addition, if you so like, um, you can put our logo u on the web pages if you'd like. And we would probably once we get a new web master. I was informed last night that our dark sky uh groups lost
their web master, but we'll be setting up a page for that to kind of uh promote that as well. So, any questions for me? >> No. It sounds like you got some good plans for this year. So the other major plan that we have is
we'd like to to um construct, build, implement a solar system scale model. It's been done in in several cities. Anchorage is one in particular. Um basically we would pick a spot in the
city. There are several spots that would be maybe um good. But I was thinking maybe the the compass rose by Java Moose is kind of the designated sunspot. Put up signage. This is the sun. This is how big it would be. Um maybe that's not
appropriate, but maybe you know paint some kind of a circle. The size of it would be um and then move out in a in a scale way with the end point being Neptune at the cut face rest stop. So
people could walk or bike the whole bike trail and then at appropriate spots there's actually several that are within you know like Mercury is close to angry trout and from there on out and it's
only when we get past um I think it's odds and ends where they start getting spread out big but have a sign maybe an appropriately sized image of the planet how big it is relative relative to how big the sun is, some verbiage on facts
and figures, uh things like that that people could, you know, walk and take pictures, enjoy. So, we definitely need help from several, you know, permissions certainly from the city. Um probably the DNR,
whoever's in charge of the bike trail, and then we have to pull together, of course, people that can make signs and things like that. So, we're just in the beginning pl stage. We don't have any money yet, but we hope that we can get some grants and and make it happen. If
not this year, in the next year or two. So, those are our big plans. >> All right. >> So, does anyone else have any questions or comments? >> Great. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
>> Guess we got to get up the hooks and the hammer. We've done it. Finally. >> Oh, hole in the wall. >> Do you want these? >> They're just empty. >> Oh, okay.
What is it? Do I want it? >> All right. Um, next up is the consent agenda. Um, any amendments? Otherwise, approving the consent agenda. and just notice the the county Historical Society's uh request for a a liquor
permit for the year. >> Yeah, I'd make a motion to approve. >> Any second for that? >> All right. Any further comments? >> We are going to swap around a couple agenda items. Item E won't happen. It'll
it'll be your next meeting instead >> and then items F and G will be swapped. So, we'll do Third Street Design first. >> Okay. That's right. Yeah. No Mayhe Hugh tonight. Um end of the month, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. All right. So, with the amended
agenda, um removing Mayhew project update and then moving the third street design to be the first item tonight. >> I make a motion to approve it as amended. >> All right. All in favor of the amended
consent agenda? >> I I >> All right. Okay. Is John online? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'll have to scroll ahead in the packet is most of it is the urban forest
management plan. >> So that is page 89. >> The plans begin page 89. There we are. Well, um, what we've got included in the packet is the full set of draft plans for the
project, the improvement on Third Street. This includes all the improvements that the city will be funding as well as the improvements that are part of Peter's project. So, the intention is to bid them all at once. >> We're going to use the existing
development agreement to um require the money for the project. So, we'll have to come back and amend that when we have the numbers for what the actual cost is. Um, but where we're at right now is just reviewing these
plans at the staff level and wanted to bring them to the council and have you get a chance to review them before we go forward and bid, which we're hoping to do in a few weeks, John. >> Yeah, I was hoping for early March.
>> Well, we have an opening. We open plans in early March. We have to advertise for two weeks. Okay. Um, so what's page 97 for for the packet is
the existing conditions page. Folks can look at that map and that's the pavement as it exists on Third Street, where there are curb cuts, where there's vegetation. Um, and then also what the proposed construction limits
are for the project. >> And then >> yeah, dash line is the general construction limits. >> So those are the pieces of property that'll be affected. As you can see, all of it is in the right away. Uh but as we know on this piece of
property here, the adjacent homes um some of them their yards use quite a bit of the rightway um because of the way the pavement is oriented way on the south side of the rightway. So we've tried to avoid making it um as many
incursions into even in the rightway but into what people consider the yard on the west between 7th and 8th Avenue. And then there's pretty substantial disturbance between sixth and 7th Avenue because that's where the utilities are going to be installed. So you can see that plan on the next
page. It's page 98 in my packet. The proposed improvements. The road is straightened out. It's still mostly on the south half of the rightway. It's widened a little bit. There's curb
added on the south side. The existing um curb cuts will be replicated. And I think um might be hard to to pick up uh where those are, but you can see in some of the white comment boxes there are notes
for where the curb cuts are going to be placed. Those are for existing driveways. Um there is a curb cut planned for 7th Avenue West even though there isn't anything there right now. Um other than a trail
and everybody else's driveways will just be mashed in. >> Mhm. >> The water and sewer you can see on that page as well. So the green line being sewer, the blue line being the water.
>> Can I just back up one again? >> Mhm. for the curb cuts. Is that where you would ask the property owners if they wanted someplace different or whatever or do we just go with >> We We picked the spots that we thought
made the most sense, but if they have a different location, uh we're happy to make that change on the fly. >> Okay. Thank you. Yep. Okay. >> It would be nice to know before
construction starts if someone wants it. Oh, we we can we can make that change uh as they're forming up the curb. >> But yeah, reaching out ASAP would be the or whatever. >> Yeah. So, I've got I haven't connected
with Mr. dock in yet, but I do intend to talk with him about the plans as well. Just make sure he's had a chance to see them and get any comments, including that >> before we would do any construction work. >> Okay. >> Also, it this now is the time for him to
think about if he wants to fund additional utility uh installations. The the mains are are in, but if he wants to have service lines installed, this would be his chance to do that. So,
>> okay. And the the corner lot would just be curb cuts. I mean, if they wanted something different, >> the west >> the far west on the south side of the rideway, there's nothing on that lot. Um, but there is a driveway kind of
roughed in. So, we would make sure that that driveway was accommodated with the curb cut. >> Okay. >> All right. I'm sorry I interrupted. You were on something else. >> This is questions are good. This is what we're doing this for. the um the utilities right now we show them
extending all the way to the west side of 7th Avenue. Um >> is that true? >> We probably well this where where we would install them is what's being shown here. >> Okay. >> What we don't show uh a cross for 7th
Avenue yet, but that's one of the notes that we've made is that we want to see that to accommodate water going north and south and 7th Avenue if it's ever desired. that's why we're in that intersection was to do that. Um so there will need to be um a slightly different
thought about where the valve might go and and uh but that's something that John and his staff are on. Uh we also need to decide whether we need a hydrant at the end of this line or whether some other means of dealing with a dead end uphill water mane is how we're going to
handle it. Again, that's something that John and his staff are working on. And then with the sewer line, you can see there will be a structure. Um, and the structure may not go all the way to the west side of 7th Avenue. Um,
often times when we go up and down avenues, we've got water going up one side and sewer going up the other. In this case, I think we probably plan on them going in the same trench because we know there's a lot of rock. So, wherever we put that structure is where a sewer
line would go north on 7th Avenue. someday if that's where folks would desire it. And we'll want to have that crossing for the water main in pretty close proximity. You can see the elevations um
at the bottom half of the drawings uh of where the pavement is going to go. And there is a little bit of smoothing out of those hills, but not a lot. Um,
so it's going to be kind of similar headings downhill as you go east. We don't want to change the driveways that are there. >> Yeah. Too much. So, we don't want to change the road a whole lot.
And so if you're familiar with it, it gets a little steeper at the east extent as it goes towards 6th Avenue and it's just going to stay that way. Um don't think that really has any effect on what we're going to do here. So do
folks have any questions right now about what's happening on this? Your next decision point, if you want us to move forward, is uh when would the when the bids come back, MSA will prepare uh a bid summary.
They'll tell us who's uh the lowqualified bidder and and who all the biders are and we'll decide if that price is right and we want to do the project. Great. >> That hopefully will be in March.
Any other questions? >> Anything you want to add, John? >> Um, we're still waiting on Department of Health and MPCA um for for the sewer and water extension
permits. Typically, those aren't aren't an issue. Um, but we can't bid it up until we have those. Uh, otherwise, yeah, there's not nothing else that I need to add. Uh, we
have I have an engineers estimate. Um, Mike and John Peters are working on the cost and splitting that apart. I made a recommendation and um they're going to arm wrestle over how it gets broken, but
>> we're not going to argue about it. >> It's just going to be the way it is. >> Yeah. >> Okay, then I think we're all set and no one else has anything. Um, thanks for joining us this tonight, John.
>> Yeah. happy happy to explain stuff for the rest. And if there's any delays with those other permits, Michael just let us know what kind of where we're at. So, we should be good. >> Okay.
>> All right. Thank you. We'll move back then to the urban forest management plan and that starts on page 18 and >> Shane. >> Hi.
>> Let me rejoin the meeting and then I will get my slides up. or I will struggle to rejoin the meeting. All right. So, this is a presentation you saw in late September, I believe. >> Oh, we put a new one in. Okay. Mhm.
>> And I'll just go over it real quick uh again so that we're all in the same spot and then I'll just open the the discussion up to to you all. But um
yeah, so remember we did a relief grant to write the plan and to do a tree inventory. The tree inventory found a number of things in the trees in Grand Marray. Mostly that the trees are pretty healthy. They're on the younger side,
but we do have some large older trees. We have a lot of spruce trees. Uh we have a lot of spruce trees that are affected by spruce budworm. And unsurprisingly, there are lots of trees that are next to buildings.
The distribution of our trees is pretty normal. That's all this graph is showing. And yeah, there are threats to buildings from trees falling on buildings. The plan that you're looking at is
divided into different areas. Uh there's public areas, private areas, and then these large forest stands uh over at Sweethearts Bluff and up in Sawtooth Bluff. Uh and the way that they determined all of the trees that are in
those areas are different. They they actually measured and and looked at all the public trees and then um kind of used some remote sensing for those harder to reach areas way up by Sawtooth Bluff. So everything from hands-on trees
to not even seeing the trees but using LAR data and such. And so from the from the inventory and then from the meetings with the tree board uh we came up with these seven goals for this plan um over the next 10
years. you know, not not lose any canopy, increase the canopy, in fact, by 10%. Plant trees in public spaces where uh where there maybe should be trees or more trees. Um
increase the diversity of trees so that we don't have so many trees susceptible to one particular thing that could take those trees out. Spruce budworm and spruce trees. um manage those large forest stands, but
yeah, with a light touch. Uh we're not doing major forestry work up there. And help people remove trees that uh are in their on their property that could fall on their buildings or aren't aren't
healthy trees and and need to be replaced anyway. Uh and yeah, maintain maintain all the trees that we do plant. The plan focuses on finding
grants to pay for some of the more expensive things like going into someone's yard with a with a piece of equipment that can remove a huge tree uh without having it fall in their house. Um but there's also some
some city money in here. planting costs for the projected number of trees. Um this is yeah not this is not all city dollars
and as our maintenance cost is not all uh it's not all city dollars. So to point out and then let you discuss uh the first year of this plan, the priority would be to get another relief grant to do those hazardous tree
removals and replace those trees with better trees, younger trees that that are less hazardous and healthier and more diverse. and then develop tree maintenance protocols for all of our public trees so
that we can care for trees that are particularly prominent like along Highway 61 that you know people may walk past every day and wonder why why that tree isn't getting the care it deserves. Um and then educating people who may
receive trees from city programs about how to care for those trees so that they can flourish. So, that's the five minute summary of the plan. You've had it for a few months. We've we've got the tree boards. Um, this is
kind of their their their cut and they they're either looking for feedback or looking for you to adopt this. >> And Bill, you're on the tree board. Did you have some things you wanted to add? And now we'll do a
while you're thinking you're getting this relief grant. We apply for the whole thing. We only got a portion because we need to do these main things which you have accomplished and you and the board. So now we can move forward. I think we'll be more successful
now to get that second half for my pet thing, which is getting rid of hazardous trees and making sure people get brand new trees put in. That's such a costly thing people avoid it and then they end up with what's happened a lot in town, which is
>> right >> on a property. So >> yeah, >> that's that's for me anyway is my thing. >> It's the cost. I mean, it's a great idea, but >> it's not cheap.
>> It's Yeah, it's not cheap. >> And that's where >> I'm curious about further grants, you know? I mean, um, how much how are we going to be assured or how do we have an idea that that it's going to be coming our way?
We don't, >> but that is part of the relief grant initially and I'm sure Shane's explained that, but you know that it funds it. It funds the staff for it. It helps pick the trees. It helps make sure they get
planted. So it kind of covers the the whole thing which got a lot of we got a little bit of like enthusiasm for that when they first heard that this was a possibility because people are well aware. >> I think with there's no guarantee for
grant applications but with the tree inventory and the plan I think we could make a pretty good case for the the stated goal of the grant which is yeah relief. They're focused on spruce budworm, but I think we could make a pretty good case for the emerald ash.
>> Yeah, it's either way. >> They're focused on emerald ashbor. We could make a pretty good case for spruce budworm >> and other trees. So, >> when adopting this plan is not authorizing all of this work for the next 10 years. Those are two different things, right? This is an intention and
the intention, I hope, is clear that we're only going to be doing some of these things if we find assistance. >> Um, Can we find what? >> Assistance. >> Grant money. >> So we you're not planning on fully funding a tree replacement program with
tax dollars. That's not what this plan is is asking for. So uh if things change either our appetite for doing this work or the need for it or the funding opportunities, we can always go back to
this plan and change it to fit our circumstances. >> But this was the base we needed to do anything. >> Yeah. >> You have to have a plan and an inventory, which makes sense. And they have to know what you're dealing with.
So do we. So it was important for steps that Shane and his group got accomplished. So >> that's you too. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Are there any things tied to the grants? Like let's say
you get a $25,000 grant. Do they want city participation then to match that or? >> This grant had no match to it. >> Okay. this particular grant and I and I can't recall if it was because it was because we were writing a
plan and that if we were doing something else like removing trees there would be a match required but I could certainly look into that. >> Yeah. Well, I'm just saying if we adopt this what our other people's expectations, you know, you're looking at a million
dollar 10ear project. where we sponsor half a million dollars of it. So, I understand that we're not going to spend $500,000. My intention is not to do that right now, you know, or commit to something
like that right now. I do think it's good to go through the town like you guys did and assess what trees are dangerous. Obviously, our linemen do that all the time and they take care of the trees that impact our
above lines, but there are a lot of residential properties that have trees that are somewhat looking dangerous. They're not really affecting our utility structure, but they could be affecting other properties or their own property. So,
um you know, if if grant money is available to help those people out, I think that's great. If it's not available then once we implement this does that mean people are expected to come to the city or to make application
>> I think >> you know if there's more money available what do we do you know what I'm saying >> then has come out of our pocket or does this thing just sit and wait until there's money available >> so in the plan there is not outlined a program that the city okay here's how
we're going to implement the like the stepbystep step of how we would implement that program. It's just a plan to begin that process. Start a plan to make a plan of the tree board. I think would take that project on and okay,
what's the process for someone applying to get their, you know, spruce tree that looks pretty bad and it would be $2,500 for them to hire a >> right >> a tree service. How do they how do they get access to the money
to remove that tree? And then we could give them, you know, five trees, 10, I don't know how big their yard is, right, to replace it. And then hopefully one or two of those grows up and fills in that space that that old that old tree was
in. >> Okay. >> But we don't have a plan. And as Shane said, we don't, this doesn't say start a process where someone can come in and say, "The city says it's going to do help me with this tree." And
our intention for the most part to set up a program like that would be with with grant money like the relief grant. And that's what we originally applied for was that whole entire project. They only gave us the initial portion.
>> And I'm I I agree. I think with this in place, we stand a much better chance to come back and ask for the remainder. And it doesn't fund everything, but that's just one example of >> out of this larger plan of where there's
some dollars. So, completely correct. And like Mike was saying, this isn't committing us to spending a bunch of money, but it does give us a plan, >> a starting point to um and obviously it makes sense you need
that when you can apply for grants or dollars. So, gives us a path, but it doesn't make any promises or commitments. Okay. >> I'd point out one more thing about the goals of the plan. and they're rather ambitious and I think that puts us in a
better standing with a grant. If our goals aren't ambitious, then the grant funders aren't going to see, you know, they they're they're not going to see our vision for what what we could do with the relief money. If the goals
are ambitious, it it helps us make that case that this is a priority, which is what grant applications are all about. Making the case that you are going to spend their money on something that's going to be what it was for.
>> Yeah. >> Yes. They need to know that their money is spent wisely as well, >> right? >> Okay. Anyone else have any questions or comments? >> No. I'd make a motion to approve the urban forest management plan.
>> A second for that. >> I'll second it with the understanding of how this been explained to me this evening. That's, you know, >> my expectation as well. >> This isn't a commitment to right >> um budgeting or costing us money or
anything. It's a start to put us in position that if monies are available to either help with planting on city property or even private can be either or. Right. Okay.
There there's a um description that I think is what the program would look like when the tree board actually puts some details to it that talks about the cost share where we are expecting 20% of the trees to be fully funded by the city. 30% are going to be split
between a city and a private property owner and 50% are going to be funded by private property owners. And so I mean we're starting to put some flesh on the bone of what the program is going to look like and that could potentially build expectation but I hope that people
are also hearing what your clear message is which is this is the direction we want to go. We need help to do it and that funding has to show up for us to be able to do this work. >> Yes. And I think you, you know, in a private perspective, I think you could
accomplish a lot more if it was a program that was there to help private, you know. Yeah. Even if it's, you know, you got a tree that's $3,000 to remove, here's money that will take care of 50%
of that. You pay the other 50. I mean, right now we have nothing like that. >> Yeah. So it, you know, it's expensive >> and that's the biggest chunk of the money in this plan for sure is the tree removal part, >> right? >> Planting is part of it, but removal is
the biggest expense. >> Okay. Yeah, I like most parts of the plan and I, you know, even being in in the process, I thought, well, it's a pretty lofty goal, but I I hear clearly what
Shane is saying. You got to have that to to get the attention and the momentum. I also take comfort in what Mike was saying that we're we're using a framework. We're not going to empty out the the city books to fire this up right away.
So, >> yeah, >> we we have our goals. >> Yeah, >> prioritize. >> Yeah, >> for sure. So, yeah, I >> I hear you completely because this was never when I went through
line by line and looked at the cost and things and It doesn't look too bad. But then you look at the bottom number and it's a big number. So >> it's a really big >> that's what concerned me the most was >> I hope this isn't going live, >> right?
>> You know, immediately like that. >> I was amazed by the number of trees like even just from the inventories and different things and then how many we'd need to plant. I couldn't wait. you know. >> Mhm. >> It's I don't doubt them, but I was just
>> caught off guard by that. >> So, >> yeah, a little bit of context with, you know, the storm water management plan. I'm able to use that in lots of grant applications to get the money for the storm water projects that you've seen just in the
downtown area. and being able to reference that plan and even say like here are some of the things out of that plan that we've already checked off the list has been really helpful in getting those grants and I see this plan being similar to that. Mhm.
>> It's like this is what we see for the city trees in 10 years. And you know, this grant that I'm applying for right now is just this piece of it, but it helps build the whole thing out. And you know, so far these storm water grants,
it's been mostly grant money and a little bit of city money matched on top of it. And I see that working the same way with this plan. >> Grants are a big learning curve for all of us. how on how that's how it works. >> Yeah. And I I was happy to see that the
overall health of the trees is pretty decent. But then I watched this last summer with the spruce budler and and then realizing that the majority of the trees that I look after and worry about are spruces and balsams, but also have a
good share of the other trees that are called out that are natives like the tamaraxs and the red pines and stuff, but they're not nearly as numerous. So >> So yeah, mostly it's filled with good stuff that I I approve of. Good. Thank
you. All right. And with that, um, we've got a motion and a second, right? >> We have a motion and a second. Yeah. >> So, all in favor of the urban forest management plan, >> I >> I
>> Very good. Thank you so much, Shane. Thanks for moving this forward. It's pretty neat to see something come into play. >> You sit and think about it and you're trying to learn about it. even just remember trying to ask people around town like where do I go to get help for this and then eventually someone shows
up and says try this grant but I had to go knocking on a lot of doors it's just it's always a big learning so thank you so much for making it happen >> thank you appreciate it thanks >> all right that moves us to our last
agenda item and that is on page 101 one um the hunting and trapping ordinance. Um >> big thanks to WTIP for doing a story on this. >> Help raise awareness.
>> We haven't received a lot of comments, >> but we did get at least one. >> Just one. Yep. That's >> Yeah. >> So, and we didn't make a giant effort to seat them. I think we we're considering this
a relatively simple to understand issue. Speaks for itself. >> Doesn't require a lot of that seem more just administrative. >> Yeah. So, I don't know if anybody's had any thoughts about it, something you'd like
to see changed on it, or if you're just ready to continue down this path. >> I um did go back and double check on a few other communities in our area just to make sure they have one. And the only thing that hit me, and this wasn't until
later this afternoon, but on number two when we sit in just well actually kind of right from the get-go, we are the only ones that I've seen where they're listing a specific animal. The rest just say things like a wild
animal rather than list the actual Oh, shoot. I printed the wrong Oh, no, I didn't. Okay. Game or wild animals is all they say. they simplify it, which I thought made more sense than
trying to list all the possible animals and wondered if that didn't make more sense. And then the other part that I thought in within that that felt like a potential loophole was, you know, yeah, you can trap if they're causing
damage. Well, we're never going to know that that was the reason they trapped this bobcat. And I would the rest just say there is no hunting or trapping in city limits
except if authorized like we have in number three. I just wonder if it be easier to make it simpler. There isn't you're just not going to do do it. >> That the whole section um is quoting that Minnesota statute
97b.655. 655. That's where all that language is coming from. Um on number two, >> so yeah, it's not it's certainly not our language where we thought these are the animals we're concerned about in town.
It was just a >> consideration of this is what state statute already talks about and we should probably address it. So, I don't know what, Gavin, is that uh if we simplified that, would it really make a big difference to what we're
trying to accomplish? >> I don't think it would make a big difference if you were to limit that. I think, like you said, Mike, this was uh included just because that is the language from the statute. Um, so I guess it would be more so just notifying people that this is part of the statute,
but um, like you said, other when we were drafting this, there were other other cities that we were looking at that didn't have this language in it. We just wanted to include it just to cover all of our bases >> cuz I actually think it ends up causing an opening because the rest don't say
you can trap for any reason and here we're saying if there's damage. >> Well, no. By the time we find out about this, it's because someone was trapping, but we're not going to be standing policing. I mean, the rest just say you
don't get to do it. >> Does it make a Does it make a provision for like a nuisance animal? >> Yeah, you have to statute does. And >> also, what's part of number two is it's on land owned or occupied by the person where the animal is causing damage. And
so that's not been I don't think where we've been seeing problems with traps on private property. >> No. >> But we've had to do stuff on city property. >> Well, and of course we've got number three that says that if they're duly authorized representatives of the city
then or other government entity then they can do trapping because of course we have >> Yeah. Okay. That would be my only suggested changes to simplify it. >> Okay. Well, if we just took that list and said
animals but left the rest of the language as it was, it would still have that >> exception that you're concerned about. >> No, the except it's both of it. It's also the exception. No one else has an exception. They just can't do it
to keep it real simple. The and number three is um not it wouldn't allow for us to give someone permission to do trapping of a nuisance animal on their own property would have to be an actual
representative of us doing it. So >> yeah, the the the question is, do you want to have a way to allow people to trap nuisance animals on their own property knowing that it creates a loophole that could be used or do you want to just not have that on the ordinance at all and just keep it a
simple prohibition? I think it's simpler to just say no because there like Craig asked, we can have someone come and trap if they are a nuisance or authorize someone to do that.
>> The land owner can >> employ as the >> under number three. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yep. >> We don't go put traps on people's private property. No, but we can authorize
someone to do that. I mean because well well >> can we let the homeowner authorize like DNR for example if they have a nuisance bear they got to trap and catch and move or whatever or a beaver that's chewing
up all their trees in their front yard that lives within the city limits of Lake Superior you know >> we should be able to allow that to be taken care of these are through letting
uh homeowner do it. I mean, not letting the homeowner personally do it, but hire, you know what I'm saying? Or not even hire. I think they're >> if they're qualified, they might be the ones doing it. Yeah. I think that number two, referring back to that statute, the
statute has some requirements. You can't just set a trap. You have to talk to the DNR. You have to notify them. >> You have to notify the city or somebody, right? >> Okay. But that's isn't that the same as being just a personal trapper
>> with the >> No, but we >> No, but we we want to be notified of it, I guess, is what I'm saying. >> Which I think number three handles for us. And then if the DNR someone's called in
to help them take care of it, and they're all set. >> Well, an example is we had wolves here a few years ago that were killing domestic pets in the city of Lag Grand Ray and traps were set and traps removed right
away when people found out that traps were set and the traps were set by game wardens. Okay. Not by personal homeowners. >> Yeah. >> But people said, "No, we don't want traps." So, the point I'm making is, you
know, if we're deeming that you lost your dog because of a wolf and the wolf is still hanging around your house or whatever, you know, do we have the okay to take care of the problem through
game and fish or DNR? Yeah, this ordinance would allow the DNR or the fish and wildlife to >> That's kind of what I'm >> do what they want to do. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'm okay with it. I don't >> Maybe the best way to handle it would be
to make a motion to amend it with removing number two and vote on it. Yeah, that's okay. I can look at the number again. Um, like to make a motion for ordinance 2026-02
removing item B2. Is that the way to say it? Um, everything else as is. Is there a motion for that? You mean a second?
>> You're making the motion. >> You're removing all the item two or you leaving a state ordinance that's referring >> the state part is letting the the state or someone come in to trap is covered over under three
and that remains. >> Okay. >> I think that's what you're asking. replacing number two with something or you just taking >> it out. >> Okay. >> So, is there a second for that? >> I'll second that.
>> Any further questions or comments? So, yes, we'd want to make sure that the right people can come in to take care of things like you just described. >> Yeah. >> Um on there.
>> Okay. Comments. So, all in favor of ordinance 2026-02 as amended, >> I >> I >> I >> Okay, right there.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Let the trapping begin. Something went through my backyard the other night. I saw tracks and I saw it's an otter track. It was the craziest thing. It was otter running around >> two blocks up, four blocks up from Lake
Superior. >> Maybe it's running away from the bobcat. >> I don't know. Well, you know how they run and then they slide in the snow. Then they go and then they slide in the snow. It was all across my backyard. >> He was going over to Birch Trail to slide down. >> Oh,
it's crazy. >> Wow. >> All right, moving on then. administrator report. >> Uh, I brought this up with Tracy yesterday, but I think it's something the whole council needs to weigh in on. Um, we have an opportunity to
put our name in for consideration to be on the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Association board. So, there's 17 member cities, five sit on a board. The two are the three largest cities are permanent, but then there's some other
members that have chance. Lake City was one of them and they've resigned their board position. So now there's an opening. Um here's the trick. Well, first of all, no guarantees that if we did say we wanted to do that, we would be selected. But if
we were, their meetings are today, the second Wednesday of the month. So uh that's a conflict that makes it most of the time really quite difficult for us to attend in person. They do have a remote attendance which we've been doing
Shane and I both uh which I appreciate a lot but if we were on the board I think we'd have to be there in person. So that would mean would we be willing to move our meeting schedule around to accommodate that. So rather than meeting
the second and last Wednesday, we could meet the first and third Wednesday with the city council. If we were going to do that, we'd probably also have to move the planning commission from the first Wednesday to the last Wednesday. And so that it would just take our whole
schedule and move it up a week. And instead of meeting the second and last, we'd meet the first and third. Still twice a month, still the same space in between meetings, just a different day of the different week of the month.
>> I don't know. Is anybody schedule that problem for? Because if it is, we won't even consider it. >> Reviewing your work. >> I want to say >> they meet twice a month. >> They meet just once a month on the second Wednesday.
>> Second Wednesday. >> Yeah. At this point, Wednesdays are pretty much >> So me it's like Yeah. Okay. Well, we'll we'll keep uh talking about it if we were going to make that change. It's codified right now what our meeting
schedule is. So, it'll take an ordinance to permanently change the meeting schedule. It might be that there is a meeting or two that is a special meeting during transition. And the only difference between a special meeting and a regularly scheduled meeting is what is
on the agenda cannot be changed after the agenda has been posted. So, we'll try to avoid that as much as possible. Uh other scheduling items, the um legislators are all getting pretty close
to starting their business right now. There's been a few uh legislative updates by some of our partners. I've sent out a schedule to you all of the organizations, even just the ones we belong to when they're doing legislative action days. Tracy and I uh are going to
go down there on the third week of March for the Duth St. Louis County uh Chamber of Commerce event like we did last year. So, we'll go down with chamber members and the chambers lobbyists will help us
arrange meetings and we'll spend the day uh at the capital meeting with our legislators and and also key members of committees to try to keep pushing on our bonding request for wastewater treatment plant. If anybody
else wants to be a participant in either that or a different date that we sent, still time to let me know. I'm happy to help make arrangements. >> Great. >> And that was that email that you sent out. >> Yeah, it's a few weeks ago now.
>> Yeah. And just a quick reminder again, I'll be out of the office the last week of February. I'm going to be on vacation. So uh probably reachable but not guaranteed. So will the so far the meeting agenda
for the last meeting of February there's not any um items that are uh difficult policy conversations or things that should take a long time and so we'll try to keep it that way. >> All right, get an easy one through. That's all I've
got. >> Thanks. Michael. >> Well, uh we had a planning and zoning meeting. We basically uh just reviewed the strategic plan
um that Mike put together and Patrick put together. >> Mostly Patrick. >> That's right. Mostly Patrick. Just a little Mike sprinkled on top. But uh yeah, we went over that our meeting. Um,
>> yeah, it was it was very well done and we're going to be supplying that to these folks as well. >> Everyone should have it. I sent it out this >> Oh, okay. >> So, so then you read it. >> I haven't done that yet, but I need to. >> Yeah, it's it's really Yeah, it's very
much in line with kind of things that we had already been talking about here at council. uh and the way that the commissioners wanted it to be useful and and helpful in keeping things moving along um when it comes to utilities and
how we want to expand and looking at all those different aspects and and having a framework to do that in. So it's and setting alignment or ensuring alignment is one of the early steps in this process. just to make sure that the
planning commission is doing what the council wants to see done >> and also what other partners are we're all working together towards the same goal. So that's early early steps in this >> probably the next thing the city council
will be involved in I'd say >> next month >> okay >> well we have act of hooding fame what I have good intentions of And we had someone who was unable to make it to
work had a mechanical failure at quarter to 9. So I didn't >> Murphy's law. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I've been really striking on the Tuesday morning thing >> and it staff's going to monitor it too.
So >> yeah, I I didn't I think I think it's going to work. We're fully staffed and then we worked and then break down. >> Let you know. All right. Anything else? >> No, that's all I had. >> Okay.
>> I didn't have you were trying. >> Oh, Craig. I had a park board meeting um which I was unable to attend but I do have all info that went on at the
meeting so I will share that with you. Um basically well we uh Steve Aldrich remains the board chair and Bob Newton Nishime remains the vice chair and we
also approved the art colonies uh application for their art fair which will be July 11th and 12th for Harbor Park. And then we had a uh Paul gave a
update on the golf course for 2025 and um some things he's focusing on for 2026. Uh 2025 ended up being a pretty good revenue year for the golf course. Um, even though the spring started kind
of slow, but we were able to um cut about $37,000 off of losses that we saw in 2024, which is pretty nice. Revenues were up
quite a bit for 2025. So, um, moving on for 2026, some things that he's focusing on is trying to build on the revenue gains for 2025. Um, he wants to develop a capital replacement plan for some of the
equipment, which basically, you know, we kind of replace things as they wear out and as we need them. We we kind of want to get some type of a plan in place to look at certain things that we know that are going to come before us in year 2,
three, four, five, six down the road, which will make it easier to kind of budget for things like that. Um he wants to m you know a goal obviously is to increase membership and maintain the membership which was increased last year. So, we want to
build on that and also build on the fact that um we have a pretty nice golf course to golf on and keep that keep the quality up, which makes all of that stuff work
in a positive way. So, um he's pretty there's a lot of stuff in here to talk about, but uh that's basically, you know, he went through all those things to, you know, try to make operations run a little bit
more efficient, retain retain help. Um like we all try to do at the staying with the wreck part, help is a big thing. You got to have trained help, which makes everybody's job a little easier. So, Anyway, that's in a nutshell. That's
kind of what uh what we talked about on there. >> Well, it's a good time to think about spring and summer. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's coming, but slowly but surely. >> Yeah. As a matter of fact, summer's
almost over in our future planning at the park because they're on a six-month lead for reservations. So, they've already been through the fisherman's picnic time period, >> right? The pre-booking. >> Yeah. >> Running behind a little bit, but we know
that always catches up with reservations. >> Anything else? >> No. >> Okay. Um, Mike and I attended a meeting with Mitch Travis and
Neva Maxwell for the Sawtooth Bluffs project. >> And um, kind of repeated I think what Mike has mentioned to them a couple times is that um, they can prepare their
come and present where they're at which is they they have um they've got their RFP out, don't they? >> I think they've already decided who they want to work with. >> Oh, okay. So, it's gone pretty far. Anyways, they need to come in and ask us
uh if we'd like to partner with them on this project and what that looks like and um at some point that means a joint agreement of course, but um it's very initial stage of planning. So, that was a
pretty much the summary of that. There was more commentary, but I think that was the point was just at this explaining to Mitch that this point you just need to present and ask us if you'd like us to >> not present as is not how I'd
characterize it. They need to come with a specific request if you >> Okay. Yeah. Yes, we did get >> because you haven't given them any, >> you know, guarantees of anything and so that if they need something from us, they should come ask and give the city council a chance to decide.
>> Have they talked about is this dealing with any of the city owned property? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Cuz we've had parks and trails meetings now and I haven't had any conversation about city property.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I'm not sure where they're at. Um, >> so I'm not sure. I mean, that would come into play, of course, when they hire somebody to do their, you know, >> that the >> overall plan or
>> Yeah, the master plan, you know, there's already a master plan in place. It's not adequate for being designated regionally significant, right? >> So, that's what the next project for them would be is to create a plan that is, >> right? But that's going to include the city property.
>> It currently includes the city property. I would imagine that it only makes sense to do it if it includes the city property. But it did seem like there was a little confusion on their part as to whether we welcomed that. And so again, it's where if they need clarity, there's an easy way to get it. Come to a city
council meeting and say, "We want to do this. Here's what we need from you. Will you be part of it?" >> Okay. So, >> and did it seem like they were at that point like they knew what they wanted?
>> I they didn't make an ask of us. So, I don't know. >> They're they're they're pursuing, I believe, a group or whoever put together a master plan. They have money
>> for that. So that's what I know that they're doing. >> Okay. >> Um >> so the ask is do we want to be at at the table on this? Because it's not like they have a plan yet
>> for asking us to do something specific, but are we going to be part of the process >> of this planning? Gotcha. >> Yeah. And who's is the steering committee their existing parks and trails group or is it a different joint
group like we had talked about. So there's some of that floating around that needs to be you know brought to >> parks and trails is pretty natural as a place >> it it's an option on the table. I think if they came and said that's what we
want to do and you like that idea we can move forward like that if Um, we had our initial round of interviews for the EDA director. Um, >> and um, I am stepping back to make room
for another uh, commissioner to participate. So, my role is done at this point. Um, >> who's happening in >> pardon me? >> Who's hopping in? Who's going in? one of the other um EDA commissioners.
>> Oh, okay. >> At that level, um we had a they've been monthly, right? The standex meetings for the Boulder Park Harbor area that we had the other week,
>> I think. So, >> the holidays, it was hard to detect whether it was still monthly or not, but >> yeah. Well, at this one they presented their three design concepts for the harbor for that erosion issue and then across over into Broadway kind of
straight across >> and these are design concepts at a high level. They aren't completely engineered. And the next step is a um community um visioning is maybe a little bit bigger, but um just letting the
community take a peek and have commentary. That's the next part of that grant. >> And this of course isn't something we would action on because it rolls into our larger planning, but it is an initial step. and that organization.
We're hoping that they will stay with us and help us as bigger planning comes. So, we have that meeting coming up. Um, so we had that meeting. Now, we have one just to talk about this community conversation piece of letting them see
design very high level design concepts. They are not fully engineered. The grant was for what 30%. >> Can't remember the percentage. Yeah, that in like engineering planning terms bring the plans to the 30% stage.
>> So they haven't actually done any real design engineering, but they've done enough to know these are the concepts we might use and here's where they might go. >> Um then today in preparation for the trip
to St. Paul in the middle of March. Um I did spend a bit of time with Scott over at Wastewater and learned even more about our systems and things that he has done and just all of that. So that was very helpful. Um and then I attended uh
League of Minnesota Cities had a one-hour webinar today. >> Yeah, I couldn't make that. >> It was interesting. So I I listen to that just to take a high level of where the legislator's heading. >> Is it recorded? >> I'm sure >> I'm sure they they usually do. So
>> yeah, I thought so. didn't see it didn't show that way. >> And one of the major pieces which I don't think as as here in the city council really we really talked about it a lot but you know there's a big legislative p push from the metro area
to statewide mandate some of the zoning and would really tie our hands here and in other rural areas across the state. it would kind of statemandate some of our zoning. And that was the biggest
update I heard was uh the the league gets very involved anytime these kinds of major pieces of legislation and they set their priorities. So they have been at the table and always asking for communities like us for our input and
voices and then they advocate >> and they said they've they've see this is the closest the changes that are up now from these various groups of that have been
proposing this um is a real condensing down and asking for a lot less and recognizing more so people need to do what's best in their communities and that what would
fit for a large urban area doesn't necessarily make sense and so that was encouraging and they of course thanked everyone all the cities who spoke up and you know provided input because that's how they get a voice then
they know what to say so um that was reassuring because I think that would not to a welfare community like ours to have that kind of >> mandate. So that will be though still a big piece along with EMT
>> um and uh amu I don't think we fall underneath that with the ambulance where you're responsible for a certain section no matter even if it's who the primary respon Kim probably knows better
than I've listened to the metro people talk about it's not a thing we >> but they're they have to go to a call even It's not in there. Whatever. >> Not going there. But that's another big thing they're talking about. So that was
that was good. And went they kept it pretty timely today. But I was encouraged by the housing cuz that one's made me nervous for a while. >> Mhm. >> So there that's all they have. >> Thanks everyone.
And so if this goes with the SMA, you'll have to tell us what the advantages of this will be to be sitting there >> to be on the board. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Will it do? >> Does that help with Shane's other
project where we're probably late? I mean, it's already funded, right? that other grant you got for the >> um projection and planning on the future for >> Yeah. that we got that separate from our involvement with Simpa. >> Yeah.
>> But Simpa is actually participating with us as a partner to help. They have some data that we don't have. They've got some expertise that we don't have. I think being on the on a simple board is more about
service the organization as much as it is about benefit to us. I think we already get a good benefit from being a partner and we probably would whether we were on the board or not. So, okay. I don't know like if it gives us a
bigger voice or >> I that's the case that I want to make to them is that this is a different type of community than the other ones in their organization and that that diversity is a good thing for them to have access to a different set of representatives
to a different population with a different experience like winner of their electric use when they they don't in Rochester. So >> Mhm. >> Yeah. It's more along those lines.
>> And where do you have to go? >> To the member cities. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. >> So it rotates. >> So today they were in Spring Valley >> and then be in Wasika next month and
Wells the month after that. >> All right. Yeah, we already try to attend a few in person every year, >> so this would just be a little more >> commitment to that. >> And I think there's an expectation as a board member that we would be more
visible to on the statewide stage that we would be part of the process of talking to legislators and going talking to PC or other people about issues that are important to the organization which are definitely important to us. So, it' be nice to be able to put our own spin on that as well.
our own story. >> See, there are there's perks to this. >> Yeah, there's perks, but it comes at a cost. So, it's it's good to consider. >> Shifts are Wednesdays. >> It's a time commitment, too. >> Right.
>> We are the ones that have to travel all the time. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that's true. >> Yeah. >> Well, they'll be coming to us this May. >> So, Oh, that's when we host. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Nice. Right. Hopefully it won't be snowing. Or maybe it should be snowing.
>> Could still be snowing. >> Oh, please stop. >> Of course it could. All right. >> Cool. >> Thanks. >> We're all set. >> Thank you. >> Is this Patrick's last?
Oh, yeah. >> Thanks, Kevin. >> Thanks, everyone. >> Thank you. Good night. >> Bring it to a close.