[snorts] I need to click start. >> Perfect. >> Doing it. Okay, >> you're all set. Yep. >> The time is 6:30 and with us tonight is Gavin Gil, city attorney, Ben Peters,
Belovas, myself, Michael Gary, Mike Roth, King Beck, and Maddie Layman. We had everybody. No one else in line, right? That's it. open forum and I'm assuming you're here on the agenda.
>> So that means there's really nobody here for open forum this evening. So with that we will move on. Um [clears throat] the consent agenda if anyone has any amendments or would like to approve that any changes? >> Make a motion to approve the consent
agenda. >> Okay. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. Anything further on that? All right. Uh, all in favor of the consent agenda. >> I >> All right. Very good. Uh, new business.
Andrea Orst is here and that's page 19, which I'm going to go to right now. Um, Andrew Or is here to speak to us about a public health vending machine, which is an
that's considered, I believe, a county initiative. So, um, if you just want to introduce yourself as always and then >> Yeah. Hi, thank you. I'm Andrea Orus. I work for Cook County Public Health. Um so the information was provided in
the packet sort of on the um what a public health vending machine is the history of the project sort of what we are looking at for the future and then um our outreach and education and community engagement plan as well as um
you know what we could potentially be coming to ask you for in the future. So, I don't know. Do you want me to talk about the information at all or you want to just ask me questions and then I
what is your preference? >> Would you guys like a quick summary of this or just move on to any questions you have? >> Um, whichever. Uh, I just a couple questions, but I think
>> we'll start with questions then. Sure. >> Sure. >> Okay. Uh, who's paying for the machines? >> So, the machine is already purchased through a grant that we received. Actually, the grant that we received it under is already completed. So, um,
last summer was the end of a 4-year grant that we were collaborating with the University of Minnesota Duth on with, uh, quite a few other agencies in town. But the grant, the machine was purchased under that grant by the
University of Minnesota for our community. So that is how the machine was purchased. And then the ongoing costs associated with the machine is also um
either grant funded or covered by our opioid settlement funds that we received um in 2024. The county commissioners approved approximately $50,000 worth of those settlement funds to be used toward
prevention, treatment, and recovery um to complement the ARC Corp, the rural community opioids grant. So, we we still have quite a bit of those funds that we haven't used. Um you know, risk reduction is not really a huge need in
our community right now. Um but it's also a pretty a fairly new initiative. So not everybody is aware that the resources are available either. So um we have I can't say for sure how long those
funds would last but beyond that then we would be um it would be grant funded. And so there was one machine looking to be placed in Grammar Ray area. Is that the ask or the >> Yeah. Yep. We have one machine. We
actually already have it. Uh we received it last year. It's in storage. Um so now we are going through that sort of community engagement phase to figure out you know the whole purpose of the machine is to have it in a place where
the community wants it and then also the supplies that the community wants or needs. Um so part of our engagement questionnaire survey is you know where should we put it? Um, in the survey
itself, it lists outside of the hospital or clinic, outside of the courthouse, somewhere downtown, and then a space for other where people can list whatever other ideas they have. >> Something I'm maybe just maybe mildly
concerned about is the products that would be in it that would be either competition to products that are sold by retailers in town. Um, >> [clears throat] >> potentially, you know, either hurting their sales of those items and or if
they're given away for for free and there's abuse in that system where people are just taking the items and now all of a sudden the retailers don't carry the items because they're for free in a vending machine and then >> nobody has them. >> Um
>> yeah, I think I think so. You know, those are two things that we sort of have to try to balance out. Um, a lot of the supplies that are going to be in the machine are like small quantity. So, for an example, if Tylenol or Advil was in
the machine, it would be in a two dose, you know, packet. It wouldn't be like a whole bottle or, you know, whatever. Um, and uh, like oral hygiene supplies like a toothbrush and a toothpaste or something like that.
I think that there's always a risk for, you know, a free service to be abused. Um, [clears throat] excuse me. Part of how the machine is built is it has a built-in monitoring system that tells
you how many supplies are going out and, you know, what time of day and you can sort of set what notifications you or what information you want to learn. So if we find that you know you know one of the options in the survey is snacks
right? So if we put cliff bars in there and on day one all of the cliff bars are gone then we sort of have to think about okay is somebody really needing cliff bars or are there a bunch of kids coming and getting free cliff bars right and
then we can use that data to sort of adjust or you know whatever adjust the supplies or the quantities or whatever that looks like. I think that um you know when you look at machines that are placed in more urban areas versus rural,
you really have to sort of take those into account, right? How is it going to impact other businesses? Um and you know there is always a potential but hopefully you know we can put in
enough mitigating factors to prevent or if those abuses start to be more prevalent then we can make adjustments. Then the other there's the last question was how long is this like survey going to be going on where you're going to be
doing the >> collecting data from [clears throat] >> well it's sort of open-ended at this point. I my initial plan was that we would collect community engagement and information over the summer with the
hopes that we would put it up before winter. Um, but it didn't move as fast as I thought that it would. Um, so at least through September um
is what I envision. I don't have an official close date. I have um you know we we did a newspaper article. I did a WTIP interview recording today. We are putting some flyers up. Thank you. Um,
and uh, right now I'm sort of working on where can I show up in our community to talk to people about it because I think part of it is, you know, filling out a survey is easy, right? you just click some boxes. But if nobody has the opportunity
to ask you questions or have a conversation about it, then you know, maybe they don't want to fill out the survey or maybe they fill it out in a way that, you know, doesn't really represent their thoughts because they don't know all of the information. So,
I'm sort of compiling a list of, you know, out short of like standing outside of the co-op, you know, like, you know, like the farmers market and places where I can be in the community to talk to people about it is an important step
that needs to happen still. So at least through September. >> Yeah. >> I would also add that there would be um once the machine is up and running and we sort of have some of that data on
what's being used and what isn't um you know doing a re-engagement process to figure out you know is it serving the needs of the community? Do people have concerns? You know, and asking those questions post installation also.
>> Any questions? >> No, sounds great to me. >> At this point, it's an awareness for us. >> Yeah. Yep. So, mostly just to share information. Um and to you know if you have questions or thoughts you can
always ask me later too if something you know pops up but just to share the information uh more widely you know in the community you all are leaders in our community. So, you know, the more information you have, the better. And
um, you know, if in the end when all of the survey results are sort of tallied, we sort of we have to weigh out like, you know, based on the feedback that we get versus what's actually feasible, you know, if some if downtown ends up being
the winning location that people choose, um, you know, we have to have some ideas of where we might put that downtown. So, um, you know, eventually if that is the winner, we might be coming to ask for
some support in placing it downtown somewhere. Um, but at this point, there's no direct ask. >> Okay. >> Um, maybe it's in the links you provided, but do you have data about
where other rural small communities have placed theirs versus maybe in this urban location? Yeah. Um, so laundromats are a place um that a lot of them are put or um outside
of um you know like a community center or you know a place where people already go. Ours is rated for outdoors. So um wherever it ends up will be outside. It's uh fully temperature controlled and all of that. So, it needs, you know, it
needs a dedicated electric outlet, but the data in um it has its own wireless connection and all of that. So, all of that's included. Um so, laundromats, community centers,
libraries, things like that. Um we in the initial sort of round of where might we put this when uh we were looking around um we did look at the community center um we didn't explore the library
but we looked at [clears throat] the community center and a few other places and we sort of felt a little bit uncomfortable about the community center just because there are so many like younger
activities there. Um, and you know, while we sort of have to balance out the risk of who's going to use the machine and who isn't, you know, putting it sort of right outside the community center where most of the day is a bunch of children that may or may
not have their grown-ups. Um, you know, we after meeting with Sarah, we were like, maybe this isn't the place. Um, so yeah, that was Did that answer your question? That was a long answer.
>> And that leads to one of the other questions I was going to ask anyways. And maybe you've answered it indirectly, but who is your target market, you know, is it youth? Is it just adults? Is it something broader than that? Which would have led to the question that you just
somewhat answered. you chose not to have it by where you thought there would be more kids or at least kids on their own, >> right? Freerange children. Yeah. And I think here in our community it's a little bit trickier because I mean a lot of small communities but there are a lot
of freerange children around. Um and so you know we sort of have to balance that out. the the focus audience for the machine really in a community like ours is anyone who needs supplies that can't
afford them or can't find them or buy them or the store is closed or you know whatever that might look like. If you think about after the gas station closes, you know, there's really nowhere to get anything. Um, and if you don't have enough money to get the anything,
then you can't even go to the gas station or wherever it might be. Um, so I mean it's not our small children are not our focus audience, but which is probably why we will end up not
putting snacks in it. when you look at one place in like an urban setting, you know, they're geared for a very specific population and you know, snacks and water and socks and, you know, all of that stuff is maybe a
little bit more important. But we'll just have to see what sort of feedback we get. I will say that snacks and socks are the lowest on the survey so far. >> You would >> I haven't done the survey yet. Oh, well
really [laughter] important change. >> Yeah. >> So, how was it determined originally that this was wanted, needed, supported, appropriate for our particular community? >> Yes. Well, that is interesting. Um, so
throughout the course of the four years of our rural community to operate response grant, we talked about it off and on uh because they are becoming more popular in communities and initially um I'll just be honest, initially I really
didn't support it right away because um you know the traditional focus audience is um you know people who use substances Right. So, it's got a lot of those risk reduction supplies in it.
Um, and also when you get when you put something up like this, you really have to do that due diligence and how does the community accept it? How do they want it to be? Where do they want it to be? And so when
our grant uh administrator was said, you know, we have this money, we should use it for this, I was fairly reluctant because I didn't have an opportunity to do any engagement or even talk about it because, you know, we didn't really see it as a high priority.
Um, and then we started having conversations with other uh locations that had them and um we decided that in the end it was better
to accept it and use it later if that's what it came down to than to say no. And if you know we the community eventually said why don't we have one of these then there would be me saying oh because I
said no thank you. Um, and also I think you know another layer is after uh Grand Portage Human Services installed the two vending machines that they have um you know we really were like oh okay
so you know we can use this as potentially an extension of those services and um I mean not an extension of those services but in complement to those services. And so how did that go up there for
them? Do you know the ones that are already there? >> Uh well, I don't directly know. No, I know I mean c I mean informally I know that it's going well. >> Mhm. >> But I can't speak to specifics. No.
>> So you haven't when you guys meet and talk about stuff, you haven't gotten any data from them or has it been too soon? >> No, I haven't gotten any data. It's more of a casual like how's it going? Are the supplies being used? You know, and it's any information that I have received has
been positive. But >> Mhm. [clears throat] >> So, uh, then is it two machines sitting together with all different items or is it two machines in different locations with the same items?
>> Are you talking about Ingram Portage? >> Yeah. >> Oh. Um, the machines are in two separate locations, but I, you know, I don't I don't know the specifics on the items. >> Okay. I thought, well, maybe you put them together, you get more, right? >> Whatever. >> Yeah.
>> They're separate. So, they probably have the same thing in different locations. >> Yeah. I can't I'm not sure. >> Okay. >> Gotcha. >> How long has theirs been in place? Not very long. I was I'm really bad with time frames.
>> That's okay. You don't know that's >> less than a year. I don't know. Okay. >> I mean it it's you know a a separate parallel initiative. So I can't really speak to >> Okay. And I am just really bad with time
frames. Before CO or after is the what my brain does. Okay, thanks. >> So, do you know are these things like in Silver Bay, Two Harbors, Elely, anything like that? >> Uh, no. There's not any that I'm aware
of in Silver Bay or Two Harbors, um, or Elely. Um, no, I don't I don't know. A lot of the agencies that I um talked to about the machine itself were in actually in
Wisconsin because they had um more outdoor machines. Sometimes the indoor machines are cheaper um to purchase if you have an indoor location that's
accessible 24 hours. And since in our immediate vicinity, we don't have any 24-hour locations, I went for the outdoor machine. >> And those locations in Wisconsin, where were they? Were the other small towns
like this? >> Yeah. And Okay. So, when he kind of answered Bill's question, was that because he said outdoor machines? I mean, do Elely or any of those places have indoor machines or they just not part of this? >> You know, I don't not that I'm aware of.
Sorry. No, maybe that didn't answer your question. Apologies. >> Well, I just feel like you're being super specific that we better [laughter] kind of open this up yet. >> No, I actually don't. Not that I'm aware of. No. >> Okay. And this is your suggested list on your
survey. And people can say other I take it. >> Yeah. So the tricky part about the machine was when we um ordered it, we had to design it based on products. So we actually worked with um
uh the individual that helped to set up the vending machine um in Fondelac. and we use some of the supplies that um you know they had suggested um to set up the
machine. So these are this list that's on here is actually what we the slots have to be designed for certain products initially and then when you change them out to different products you just have to make sure they fit in the slot. Right. Mhm.
>> So, um these are the things that we initially designed it for and then also, you know, almost all of these products we have available in some capacity already. Um
and sometimes it's easier to think about what you might want in the machine if you see a list of potential ideas, right? Mhm. >> Uh we have gotten a lot of other suggestions on, you know, what else to put in the machine. Um
also, but yeah, there's a spot, you know, what else do you think would be useful in the machine? >> Mhm. a lot of um like baby diapers, formula,
>> um other over- the-counter medications, um water mention by the food shelf when you think of people who really have need and you're going there, >> right? Nobody did actually. Okay,
we'll write that down. I mean, churches were some of the other suggested locations, but >> So, when does the survey go live? >> It's live now. Yep. It's been actually been live technically for 81 days um
today and we have 43 responses but I the bulk of those responses really have come in in the last week and a half. So 43 responses in approximately two weeks is
I thought was a solid win. >> That's good. How visible is that that survey? >> Well, that's always the question for us is where do we put stuff so people can see
it. Um, so newspaper article boreal WTIP interview should come out soon. We have the social media posts um sometime this week or early next week. There will be flyers kind of like the one that's on
the what do you call this electronic billboard thing? >> City bulletin board. >> City bulletin board. Thank you. Um and then uh I think that covers probably all the media sort of platforms and then it's
really just me getting out there and being able to talk to people. [clears throat and snorts] Great. Anything else? Do you have any questions? >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. I appreciate it. Yeah, >> appreciate it. >> You learned a lot more than I You're right. It's important to come out a conversation because that led to questions I wouldn't have thought of before and listening to everyone else's questions. So, >> yeah. And if you have any other thoughts
or questions, feel free to let me know. Um, fill out the survey. >> Yeah. >> Spot to hang a flyer. >> Spot to hang a flyer. [clears throat] >> Thank you so much.
>> Thank you. >> All right. So, that moves us along to the budget. This is your little timeline, Mike. >> And as you can see, we've already started. That should be no surprise to you because you've actually already
approved one department budget. um the library budget which has also now been preliminarily approved by the county as well. So that's great great start. Um the rest of our departments submitted their draft budgets
um as you can see here by July 24th. So we've had them in our hands for about a week and a half now. Um the expense side, we're about done putting that together and it's looking pretty good. I think our department head has um they're always very responsible about
maintaining um if if there's something that's actually different and changing that's something we want to bring to a board to talk about rather than just salaries or other things. So there's not a lot of major factors in our levy supporting [clears throat] budgets on the expense side of things that are
going to change. The revenue side's different u particularly considering what happened in these past couple weeks in the community. So, we're not quite ready to look at a summary of the budget until we've spent a little more time on the revenue side of things, but you'll see that in the upcoming weeks. The
other important factor is that we want to schedule time with department heads to come and present their budgets to you and give you a chance to ask questions and dig in at a line item detail. Um, the next obvious time to do that would be the work session scheduled two weeks
from now, but that's only an hour. We're going to need more time than that. Probably at least two hours, maybe three to go through all of it. So, we're also looking for what your availability is to schedule additional time with department
heads. The end game here is that you have a meeting on September 2nd and then your next meeting isn't until the 16th, which is the day after the preliminary levy is due
the 15th. So now the preliminary levy conversation either has to be completed at your regular meeting on September 2nd or we need to have an additional meeting scheduled before the 15th. Um we don't have to make that decision
yet because we've got a whole month here before we get to that meeting on the September 2nd. So some options to consider other than the work session on the 19th. we could start that work session earlier than 5:30. Uh we could also come back on the 26th,
the last Wednesday of August. Um there is a planning commission meeting scheduled for that day, but we could meet before or after that uh to do work sessions. Before would be better for staff if people can do again earlier than 5:30.
Um like those are the two weeks that we want to aim for. I'm picking Wednesdays since those are our typical meeting days, but we can also meet other days if that works for folks. >> So, can you send out that in a note? Maybe a little mini survey or something.
>> We can we can definitely do a duel uh to offer you a few times and pick the ones that were best. >> Yeah, that would be helpful. >> And then I think you've all done this before now. [clears throat] When we'll have the department heads in here, you will have their actual line item budgets
in front of you. Those spreadsheets show by category a history of what they've spent, what this year's budget was, what they've spent to date this year, and what the proposed budget is next year. That we can talk about all that. And
it's an expense budget for most of them, and also revenue budget for some of them. I think the real exciting conversations budgetwise are going to happen for the PUC rather than the city
council. And so we're really doing a lot of ramping up of the capital improvement plan which is one of our focuses this year. Obviously you know about the wastewater treatment plant and the many different things. That's not new. They've been planning about that for years now. We've been gathering a lot of information about the water plant as
well. So those conversations will be thorough, interesting. Uh their timeline's not the same. They don't have to complete theirs by September 2nd. They can go all the way to the end of the year and likely will be. So anybody have any questions about upcoming
budget? Okay. Look for a doodle poll from us tomorrow then and we'll get those scheduled. Great. All right. Still your show administrator report. >> Terrific. Um
we we had department head meeting today and [snorts] one of the things we talked about was how great we thought the picnic went this year. >> Um minor hiccups, things that we know how to deal with that come up all the time that our staff really rose to the
occasion and dealt with. Uh a lot of credit goes to the I'd like to say many. I think they wish it was many more volunteers, but all the folks that worked on putting this together. I think they did a great job. Um, a lot of
people in town and as far as I know, everything went great and everybody had a good time and so thank you to all those volunteers that did that. I hope that they felt like it was successful as well.
Something else we talked about was um we've been spending a few months in a row now with Reva coming to our meeting and talking about a personnel policy that we're working on. One of our strategies in updating the personnel
policy was to involve the department heads in the conversation upfront as the policies are being written so that they um first have a chance to provide input and make sure the policy works for them but also so that they understand what's going on and why as it will become their
policy to be enforcing with their folks. Today we looked at earn sick and safe time and other sick time uh which there's a lot of categories these days on that um with a lot of changes at the state level in the past few years. So
that policy is a little longer than it used to be. Um not a lot of conversation about that just a few things. Next meeting we'll be talking about an attendance policy and also um just cause and what that means
for disciplinary action. So those are good things. Um a lot of the juicy ones we want to handle early just to get people in the uh the habit of thinking about those policies. We wanted to pick ones that we knew people would
have thoughts about and input on rather than some of the ones where it's just this is a state rule. We have to have it say this. We don't really have a choice. >> Our goal is to have a document. I don't know if the whole thing [clears throat] will be done by the end of the year, but that we're working towards that and
>> uh it's going very well so far. So again, thanks to Rava for her help on it and all of our department heads for their participation and work. >> Yeah. Next week, I'm currently tenatively planning on attending the Synth meeting.
I say tentatively because it's in Fairmont. Uh if you don't have a map in your head, that is a long ways from here. >> It's southeast. >> It's on Yeah, it's on 90 um west, not east.
>> So, it's not quite to Warthingington, but it's out there a ways. I've been to that meeting once before, so it's it's a lovely drive. Um, but that's the current plan is is to make it and again that changing the city
council schedules make that possible. Otherwise, that meeting wouldn't be I couldn't make it back in time. Right. [snorts] I've been finding that a lot of the simple meetings which are scheduled from 9 to noon on the second Wednesday of the month have been going long. So
that's I guess that's good that there's lots of important and interesting things to talk about, but boy, a three and a half hour meeting and then hopping in the car and trying to hurry back is that's not going to work. So >> now I will have time to
slowly make my way back and be here in time for work on Thursday. >> And thus concludes my reports. >> Oh, I suppose that's me. Thank you. So we had a very brief
library meeting. Um, you heard about the budget at the county. That was good. Um, and the only piece of new business was um, they uh, we're looking to have
uh, two and a half hours to do uh, training for the staff. So, take two and a half hours out of uh, October the 15th so that they can do some training with the staff. And that's we approved that. seemed like
a weird thing to do. And yeah, that was that meeting pretty quick. Um, then we had an ARDC or I had an ARDC meeting and um, it was long because we did u we had a couple things come
together at once. We had both the um uh preliminary uh budget uh that we went over in great detail and then we also got the late annual report from last year. So we got both of those
together. So very long detail but got it looks like everything is staying same same in terms of any you know the levy that we pay and all that kind of thing wasn't really changing so everything was good. Um, so all is well in the world ultimately.
>> Is Betsy now running? Is she there? >> Oh, right. Yeah. >> Full time ready in >> She is now in in position. Yeah. This was sort of the last her for the previous um director. >> Oh, okay. >> I mean, I think she's still going to be
around, you know, just as people do those kinds of, you know, nonprofit world, you know, to help out with things that people forget how to do and all that kind of thing. Um then we also had uh planning and zoning and we had the great expedations
foundation come to us and ask about um um making a um an amendment to the highway mixed due zone and also possibly reszoning them into that zone. So, they had a letter, they sent it to us, we
read it, and their basic question was, "Are we going in the right direction?" And they're going to come back with an official ask at our next meeting for that. >> We'll have a public hearing scheduled for that meeting. >> Yeah.
>> Which is the last Wednesday of this month. >> That makes sense. >> Say it one more time. Just too soon. This is really quick for me. >> Okay. They had they sent they sent a letter. >> Who's the they? >> The they sorry. >> Great expectations.
Sorry. >> All right. >> They sent us a letter asking, "Hey, would you consider this? Are we going in the right direction?" >> Okay. Thank you. That was >> surveyed the group. >> Sorry if I >> No, that was because I had it in my head already because I was there. >> Long days. Sorry.
>> Okay. >> Sorry. >> Got it. >> Yep. And so, yep, they're going to come back uh with an official ask and then then all come down. >> That's it. >> All right. Thank you.
>> Oh, wait. No, I EDA. >> EDA. >> Oh, yeah. You covered the EDA. >> I did. I showed up for that. And there Yeah. So there were just two two minor changes to agreements that had already
been done. Um so those weren't any big deal. a change to the the agreement that had already been made with Sydney's and then there was a change in it sounds like in
uh uh basically who was named in the agreement between uh let's see it was originally East Bay oh no switched it to East Bay instead of Cisu Loy
project you remember that anyway they they just wanted us to make sure that the person that was or the entity that was actually in charge >> of the land was the one on there. So, >> and when you say East Bay, you mean East Bay Holding Company LLC?
>> Yes. >> And not the East Bay Hotel? >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Good. >> I get it. >> Important to know. Um and then the last thing was uh approving an agreement with Bar Engineering
um to design a water system for Superior National. Um obviously that's not our world, but I just thought it was really interesting that that the EDA needed to make sure that they had a permanent irrigation system there before they
could sell it. That is and the septic are the parts of the terms of the sale. >> Yeah. >> That they have to >> So they hired fire engineering to to kind of do all the well eventually to hire the people to do all the work but to also do all the planning
>> that's been going back and forth between using the old system and and connecting up potentially with that popular river. What is it? Conservation whatever. >> Yeah. >> And it's in a moving target. So that's interesting.
>> Yeah, it was fascinating. >> Did Did they say if they've changed the date beyond about the third week of this month, something like that? Did they mention the closing date at all? >> You know, I didn't capture that. That was I was >> Okay. Well, they made >> Well, I haven't heard any changes to it.
>> Okay. >> Well, we better go knock on some wood and >> Yes. Right. Hope this continues. There we go. Okay. Sorry about that. Thank you. >> Okay. So, Arrowhead Animal Rescue,
they just are seeking affirmation that the project is indeed moving along at the anticipated pace. I guess they >> I don't think they have anything to worry about. It's just >> be nice to have a schedule pinned down.
>> It would be nice to have something. We are currently in the typical Cook County situation of contractors are acquired but not on site. >> Sometimes those dates are hard to pin down.
I'm working on pinning it >> and they continue to make efforts to fund raise and and get more publicity about what they're doing, but they're they're wanting something when people ask, well, [clears throat] when [snorts] will we
see it? >> Yeah, I think we might be able to just start just a couple of things just to show some change. That would be good. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Nothing. Just planning and zoning and
more more to come on that. So, >> okay. Um, last Friday I was asked to go up for the press conference held for the fires up at Hungry Jack Lodge
and Michael Gary and Amanda were there as well and and um the prior week they had that same press conference in Elely and their ultimate objective was hopefully to uh request some state
relief the economic loss from this. Um, and they had a a packed house and a very good showing and after all of us did our whatevers then. Um, which really should have been inversed, I think. Like they
should have had all the business owners and everyone speak that should have been either first or the bigger, >> but it's a necessity, I guess. Uh, but I have to say when Amanda spoken on behalf of the Y and explained the
filters and the pool and the whole air thing, learned a lot, same thing. You you start to make assumptions about things you don't know. So, I learned a lot and then realized the economic impact of that of that for the why with those fires and the cost of the filters
and replacing the filters and how that increases because of the smoke and the whole thing. So that was good not to mention that many of the people spoke up and a lot of comment had to do more about the the press releases and and how
those were handled and how they >> had a huge influence on what happened to our traffic >> in the area. But um yeah, they had packed house and people got a chance to speak. So I think that went went well.
Um, Friday we have our law enforcement meeting coming up to to hopefully this will be our last conversation before we can whatever bring >> should be >> on that to you and Ben, right?
>> Mhm. >> And um so that'll be good. Um, we continue to talk um about Tachinite Harbor and the ponds and and all that that goes with the PUC and and whatnot.
I have mentioned this a couple times at community leadership meetings. I had a chance to talk to Bobby Desa just briefly on Friday and um one of the things I had mentioned already in them to writing was I'd like to have the conversation broadened. I believe the
county belongs at the table on this. Um and and Mike's going to be starting some of that, but um you know, we're focusing on Mercury in one spot, but that's just the first item selected on a long list on our variance plan that we have to
look at. That's our plan and that was just the first item chosen to look at. and we have a lot more items and many of them are out in outside of the county or I should say in the county but outside of city limits. So, we'll have to keep working on that. And I think that's
another reason why the county needs to come to the table. Not only the fact that the initial piece we're working on now happens to be out in county property too in the West End and Shorter and them have should have a voice on that too. Um, an awareness. But, you know, like I
said, our to them, our system for the rest of the county relies on the city and a private business owner or or they don't have a system and they need to be thinking about that and some of the potential sources could
be coming from there. So, we we need to do this together and and I don't know what that looks like. Um, but I think there's needs to be some awareness and and whatever that way. Um, so we're sitting there on that. Um, and I
certainly owe all of you some documents too to to look at from the various things that I've been reading and looking at and you know the PUC and everyone else. So do that. I think that's it for me. >> That's great. And it was so important to
go to that meeting of the trial just >> Yeah, it was good. >> I hope that hope we see something from that. You've seen perhaps the reports today in the media that the governor's come out and said he doesn't think there's going to be a special session.
>> He didn't say he's would not. He said he's open to it. He just thinks the political reality is it's not going to happen. >> And that was really spoken multiple times. Grant and Roger both said that >> that Friday. Yeah. They they kind of cautioned on that. >> Um but I think it's still an
opportunity. You know, if you're ever on any social media, you know, every resort owner out for whatever spent so much time letting people know it's okay. You can come here. We're all right. And I think Grand Marray bounced back. But we have a lot of retail. You
can sell more food, you can sell more retail items, but if you're a hotel or an outfitter, there's only so much. You can't really capitalize on that. If your space is full, it's full till it's not full again. And your time window is shorter, too, right? It seems like
common sense to us, but it doesn't to the rest of the world. If you're only going to go out and on a canoe trip, a short window of time, and when that passes, it's over with. You're not doing that in November. So, they can't recoup all of that. >> Yeah.
>> And so, um, I think we did well, and the fisherman's picnic was good. That's the most positive social media I've seen from all sorts of sources in years for Richmond's Picnic. >> It wasn't And the Lions Club did a great job, too. But I just mentioned that to
Pete tonight. Every time we turn around, somebody's saying, you know, it was a good time, either a business, something. Um, so I hope that helps the rest of our community. The weather helps. >> We had a great weekend. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Bad weather toast no matter what.
>> Was it too hot? Was it too cold? Yeah. So, it's good. Um, yeah, that that's me. I'm done. >> Yep. You're all set. Bill got to get you that gabble.