Okay, we're live. All right, thanks. The time is 6:32. We'll now call our meeting to order. With us this evening is Craig Schulty, Bill Lois, myself, Michael Gary, Kim Vanbeck, Patrick Knight, and Michael
Roth. and uh attorney. Let me put on my glasses, which is off the screen. Anyways, it's Gavin. >> Thank you. Um, okay.
Open forum. >> I think it's safe to say unless they're in the bathroom, we have no one here for open forum. So, we will move on. Um, next up is our consent agenda. Does anyone have any questions? opportunity to amend this and and or approve it.
Otherwise, a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> I would so move. >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Any other questions or topics? We're all good. >> Good. >> All right. Um,
all in favor of the consent agenda as is. >> I >> Okay, we're all set. Moving on to new business. We have the hunting and trapping ordinance
and >> I'm glad that we have that. >> Yes. And and um Mike has obviously more input here for us, but I will say that this came um
someone in town brought this to my attention because they did have a problem with some trapping here in city limits with a pet. And then I remember from my own personal experience, but not in town, but out in the woods that it's pretty much can be somewhat open season
on all of that and and the DNR doesn't really regulate and they certainly don't in the city. So, um, I asked that we look into this and have something and then Mike made the great suggestion that we should include hunting in there as well. But there, Go ahead, Mike. Yeah,
hunting's been um firearms have been prohibited to be discharged in the city for as long as we've had an ordinance. That's not really an issue. But when it comes to hunting with a bow, it's been a gray area, a gray area that's typically not been tested, but when we've asked the
question, it's been well, we don't really have any language that talks about that, but we do have the authority to set this rule. So, it seemed like that would be something that's appropriate to do at the same time. And then Tracy story about the trapping that we've heard from residents and that's
happened occasionally where pets or other uh encounters with traps in the city limits which are really inappropriately placed. Um but if they're in a public space it's not clear that it's illegal
and so this ordinance will make that clear. seems like a perfectly fine thing to do in a county where 92% of the property is public and there's plenty of opportunities for folks to engage in outdoor activities outside the city limits.
>> Well, I think sometimes too we're so close to that line. >> Yeah. That it is a little deceiving. >> Yeah. People may not even realize or whatever. I mean, you can literally in some instance walk out your door and think you're in full >> Yeah.
>> woods mode. So, I think it makes sense to clarify that, >> but and there's a lot of activities where if you don't know whether you're in city limits or not, it's not that big of a deal. When you're hunting and trapping, I think there's a higher level of responsibility that you have to know what's going on, what property you're
on, whether you have permission. So, >> Gavin and Chris helped draft this up. They added a few other things that I took out. They were very thorough, and I appreciate their work on this. Um, I think this is probably everything and more that of what you would have thought
it should be. But this is just a draft at this point. If there's stuff in here that doesn't fit or you don't like, it's easy to change. Also, you can take this uh complete a first reading tonight, think about it, come back and suggest
some edits before next time. >> Does anyone have any immediate questions or comments? be a good thing to have. So, I'd make a motion to approve. Is that a 2026- something? >> It'll be O2.
>> O2. >> Okay. Would anybody like to second that? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Okay. All in favor of Uhuh. Now I I scrolled off. Resolution >> ordinance. Ordinance 20262.
>> 2026. >> Oh, wait. I'm done. It isn't on the title page. Okay. Say >> 20262. That's >> 20262. Thank you. Um >> I >> I >> All right. Very good. Thank Thank you
everyone. I'm going to bring my front page piece of paper again. All right. So, now this will be our third year of um a look back of what has happened in 2025.
Um a recognition of the staff of our city who makes you know this all possible. Uh and some of their highlights but recognizing also the individuals. And this year we're also Mike will be um letting besides the
city's the council's goals, the department head's goals as well, which is um part of the annual review process that we've put into place. And this is our first opportunity to hear what department heads have set for their
goals as well. But first off, we're going to uh go through and make a recognition of all the people that make all of this very much possible. So um am I Oh, there we go. I found my way
around. Okay, I'm going to open up this program. I should actually be able to make this bigger, right, Patrick? >> Yeah, I should be able to >> um screen.
>> Oh, that part of it, but not this part of it. >> You'll be able to zoom in, too. >> Oh, perfect. Thank you. I see. It looks pretty good, huh? Think I've got most of the screen. We'll see how that goes. Okay, so now I need to
do this. >> Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, cuz we're going to use this. >> But I Okay, >> you can just do entire screen. >> Okay. No, there it is. Okay.
Click here. >> That one. Okay. So now go back over to the document here. >> Okay. Hey, there it is. Except can I that's just a internal. Okay. >> And one more thing you can do is if you
click here >> the sorry there click the full screen >> button right there. this. >> Oh, there it is. Okay, >> perfect. >> Oh, right. Got rid of the rest of it. Okay. And this the last two years I've
put this together and um this year I asked Patrick and Alyssa to do this. So, I very much appreciate the fact that along with Kim's help and I imagine the department heads, right? Um we have this all put together and um they did a very
nice job. So, thank you. I' I'd like to see this continue. So, I think it's important that people can continue to do this. Um, and that didn't work. Okay, I have to go this way. Got it. So, first of all, recognizing the the city's
administration staff is Mike Roth, Kim Vanbeck, Patrick Knight, and Alyssa Elliott. And their highlights this year, um, which I think is the highlights for all of us, of course, is our moving into the city hall and liquor store. um as they
mentioned 10 years to at minimum to get this there but a lot of the actual work of doing this um laid on their lap and they got it done from picking a lot of the interior and equipment and furniture and different things they needed to make
the space work. Um and then when you get to the liquor store of course which we'll get to later they have the same thing and then just understanding how to work remote and then bringing it in back into this facility. It's a lot of work. Um, and I'm probably not even touching
on all of it. Um, they helped a lot with the efforts because number one goal of course is their wastewater treatment plant. So, there's a lot of work that they did um with that um including um Mike's visit for the um legislative
bonding down with the capital with our chamber and and lobbyists. Um and then some of the paperwork of course behind the scenes that has to be done with that and then the budget you know this was something that had to be planned for for
many years but making sure how all this will fit into that along with other future things and of course their work on large projects for us having these kinds of real estate developments I would say safe be safe to say we haven't
had this kind of activity in a long time right and they had to do a lot of work behind the scenes and that involves working with a lot of people from the people trying to put these projects together, our attorneys as well as listening very carefully to the council as we try to
understand and learn as well. And we got a lot of help learning about all of this along the way for us. So that was to me a lot of work. So thank you. Um the electric staff, Matt Brownowski, Jeff
Elias, and Greg Lyens. Um they had a big lift as well with the new city hall. And then of course the EV chargers who came and went and are still a work in progress. And then some of the
other major work going on around um our city, those apartment buildings, Northshore wastes big work projects. Um the city gets involved in all of that from the electrical part and others as well. The fire department. Ben, silence.
Aaron Milky, Matt Bronikowski, Chad Lefer, Justin Rexrod, James Roy, Gideon Silence, James Walner, Patty Wilson, Matthew Zel, Zeller, Gary Negoza, Neesod,
Sean Smith, Robin Wells, Matthew Stone, and Kevin Hansen. Part of our fire department. two big pieces that the fire department took to make their work better. Um, their new washer and dryer and then they replaced a water heater.
What they highlighted along with adding two new firefighters this year. Thanks to all of them. Um, golf course staff Paul Jones, Eric Anderson, Paulina Backstrom, John Bernett, Michael Gaki,
um, Michael Groth, Aaron Mayor, Jake Mixdorf, Grant Oberg, Paul Peterson, and Carol Stender. They had a great year at the golf course. Um, growth in um, membership.
The grounds um had a good year, a little tough start, but um they put a strong emphasis on the quality of the greens and um that resulted in great employer satisfaction and they did increase
revenues by um 13% and um sometimes percent, you know, it's percentages or dollars, but for me to say 22,000, I think that's pretty good for the size of our golf course in real dollars. um for them to do for um an operation like
that, which just like being a farmer, the weather totally impacts a lot of your ability to succeed. So, um, thanks to the golf crew, library staff, Electra Brun, Christina
Derman, James Ericson, Andrew Halberg, Ann Ward, and Elise Wii and Alisa and G. Library achievements. Um, well, we are a fivestar library and
there's a lot of stats and data sitting in here and I think they just highlight um why we are a five-star library and we serve not just the city but we serve our entire county with this. They have um lots of great programming for all ages,
lots for kids and um not just books obviously they have their movies. They bring in entertainment. They brought in quality music events and they provide a lot of uh services helping with technology offering technology for
people to utilize. Um there is so much material available of all sorts of mediums for people to access through that library either online or in that space including meeting rooms as well. And several organizations have their u meetings there. I've been there.
Different groups are meeting and doing their thing. But we are very lucky to have such a good library. And it's not luck. It's a lot of hard work from from people to do that. And they have continued their safety and security improvements as well.
And I should stop for a minute. Did you want to add anything about the library at all, Michael? You're part of the library. >> Yeah. No. >> Anything on that? >> It's a good estimation. >> Okay. Liquor store staff Chris Lavine, Lynetta Hoglam, Marjorie Quelloo, Cheryl
Rodwald, Terry Pivia, Dylan Netland, and Ryan Murray. Flicker Star achievements. Well, number one is the fact that they're right next door right now in a brand new building in a super huge space and they did a lot
of that work and they had to move a lot of inventory back and forth and learn how to use a new space and add a lot of merchandise to it and um a lot more offerings and things they can do there. So, it's been quite a year for them. Um
I'm assuming it's going well. It looks fantastic and I've heard lots of positive comments about that. So that I I think what's done to get us in and out of our old building and back in our new building by administration and the liquor store um are huge amounts of work
and very well done. Park staff Dave Tearstick, Samantha Walner, Aaron Pnoffic. >> Thank you. I do better when I don't see it. Peter Abernathy,
Michelle Bjorkman, Don Bholm, Juniper Safen Colin, Jess Derside, Taylor I Everson, Lucas Hoskins, Tanner Hoskins, Jeffrey Iverson, Olga Iverson, Caleb Johnson,
Harris Mills, John Selman III, Avery Schelberg, Michael Taylor, and Rich Wjack. Um, park achievements. Um, here's an important one. Excellent
retention of seasonal staffers. That's important in an operation like that. Um, they did now that the contracts on the trees and plants on 61 is gone, they've taken over that work and did a great job
with that. They've got that new fuel dispenser in the marina which meant a lot to operations down there and very important the upgrades they helped coordinate with and um support for events like fisherman's picnic down in
our um pear tree park was a was a big effort this year. Um and the fact that the portable restroom trailer was repurchased was a happy moment. That's great. >> Yeah. And then um securing the dollars
for some of the work that's needed as we move through on the new park plan. Craig, do you have things you want to add at all? >> No. >> Yeah. the securing of the
the dollars for the new bath house and signage is a pretty pretty nice thing. >> Yeah. >> So, we'll be able to place a bath house in a proper location that's better for
the users of the park. >> Mhm. >> That'll be nice. >> Yeah. It's nice to know you get this plan and you start actually implementing it. >> Part of our overall master plan. >> Yeah.
>> Property maintenance and street department staff Lenny Bloomquist, Rodney Carlson, Christian Damp, and Jennifer Kronberg. Um the city streets group um was obviously also very incremental in getting us back into this new building
and they also had to change their systems and routines and whatnot to learn how to work within this building. So big lift for them as well. Um they did some uh deferred maintenance during some of this. Uh they also were
able to maintain consistent service levels across all their other work as well on what was a really big year of a lot of kind of disruption while all this took place till we could make this feel like home again. So very much
appreciated. And as you can see from the pictures they had things like helping the liquor store become like noticeable really there sustainability staff. author Shane Steel all by himself doing the oneman job and
doing it well. Um Shane's uh piece included some grant work like the co-op pond um back over there behind the co-op, not the pond in front of the co-op. Let's be clear here.
This is the pond on the lakeside. I think there might have been a picnic table by it maybe. Um, but that's good work. And it was going on for most of the winter. Did they? They stopped, didn't they? For a little while. Yeah. But they went out there a long time. >> Yeah. Pretty late into that. So that
should I think is still on track. We um got the through Shane's help, we got the grant to um start working on um plans with trees and vegetation. We now we have a tree board and um so now we have
a tree management plan or urban forest management plan that we still have to sign off on or whatever as a council group but um Shane's been leading that effort in running the tree board. Um and then the other piece which is really
cool I think is this future planning about utility distribution systems. Um that's a neat way for us to really do some thinking about what you know what will we need in the future and we are seeing some growth um and what does that
mean and just changes in habits of what what people you know what are we using electricity for you do we see a decrease in um fuel oil or propane or whatever it is that way or a car needs change it's all that right I any increase to changes
>> yeah there's a lot of stuff we haven't firmed up about it yet, but >> that's the gist of it. >> It's really quite a big project and it's really exciting. >> Yes, it's really nice. We're going to have that help and guidance to to think through some of those things. We we
wouldn't have capacity otherwise. Wastewater and uh water plant and wastewater plant staff, Scott Warner, Al Shaughnessy, and Zack Brooks. We welcome Scott in and Scott went right
to work. Um they've done quite a bit of refurbishing of the water treatment plant. We all had our tour of that this year. Um including the roof, the filter rehab, pump replacement, and chemical systems over at the wastewater treatment plant. There's also some operating
procedural updates and um oh wasn't that's the chemical they >> one of the chemicals they used to >> the changing on that and then they did do some GPS work on systems right
>> on that so that was cool uh and then it's nice to see upgraded licenses for staff as well and there's pro lots of little minor things because if you read the weekly updates Scott always had pictures of things he was busy with between those two systems all the time.
But those are the highlights. So, thank them for that. City council, um I think for us it was the fact that of all the behind the scenes to say yes, we want want this to happen and all of you and all you know, everyone that made it
actually happen. Um I think welcoming our community into this space. I mean, all the new the organizations and people who are now able to use this space, not just us and um and the positivity of it
all. It's um been really great, I think, for us as a council to to say we've been able to make the decisions that helped make this all happen and and made it go forward. obviously, you know, budgeting
and getting the um the the contractors in, but the the architectural plan, just all the other stuff that has to be done is the really hard work, but it also means somebody has to support that it even happens. So, I'm really happy that our council um moved that forward and
then back. >> It's hard work to say yes to a project like that. You did hard work, too. >> Yeah. >> It takes a lot of courage. there many conversations with different groups of people too over the years. So yeah. >> Um and then these housing developments
that's taken a lot of our conversation. It's for me it's been huge learnings. All good. Now watch it all drop off. >> That's the way things happen. Um but we have um three projects that
are in process um because of our work. And um then the other piece was all the important steps that the council took to get us further on the wastewater treatment plan. So by signing off to
join with the Cook County Chamber and their lobbyists, then that afforded an easier path for Mike to go with them last year and make that presence and and really speak for our community that way. Then that lent us those steps so that we
were able to in our new facility um welcome in both of the bonding groups to talk about it and show them and several of us. We walked over there with them and showed them the wastewater treatment plant and um received very positive
feedback from that and I just think sort of started to open up the doors on on a lot of that was was still a lot of hard work. We we set up our discounts and donations policy for some clarity there. got that in writing. And then, you know,
our our annual review process is a work in progress and it it moves along a little bit each year, but the the big piece this year was transitioning to a market and merit-based compensation program, which took a lot of work from our HR consultant and Mike to to put all
that because those are numbers and we and we spent a lot of time even just um getting those the comparables. what comparables we would be working with and then we're not done but revisiting all
the job descriptions and what are we 75% is that what we figured >> um done on that so there's a lot of background work to get anything like this work so those are my highlights anyone else have something I may have missed from the council as a highlight
okay and then just very quickly our goals wastewater and they they aren't really anything new but wastewater treatment plant funding up working with our capital improvement plan and infrastructure and then we will continue to always be focused on communications
whether it be internal or with the public um I think that's that's hugely important um all the way around you can't undercommunicate or over I you can under but you can't overcommunicate and thanks um to everyone on the council
um for all of the work that you do. So, and thanks to our city staff, um 2025 year is done. It went well. It was a big big year. >> Yeah. >> Very big year. So,
but now you ready to look ahead. So, Mike, it's your turn. >> You want to take a little break or should I just jump right into another presentation? >> Yeah, let me get out of your way here. >> Did I stop sharing? I think I think I did. >> Nope, I did.
>> You did. >> Okay. Thank you. I think these things are important because it's too easy to forget all the stuff that happened when once it's over with in the moment. It feels like a lot, but then you kind of like whatever and you move on. So, it's nice to take a
pause and >> recognize it all. You have something? >> I'm all set. >> Here it is. >> As Tracy said, these are the goals that are on our department heads to-do list
for 2026. I think you'll notice that like your goals, a lot of these are things that are going to come up every year. there's just part of what we're trying to do. Uh and they exist at different levels and there's different amounts on people's
lists. There's no magic to that. It's uh probably nothing in here that'll be a surprise to you. We'll just take a quick review of these. We've got the parks department. They have a nice measurement with their Google review rating and they they're maintaining a 4.5 star better
rating on Google >> for the campground and the marina, which they do. Minimize accidents and injuries from staff by continuing to keep workplace safety top of mind. Minimize zero would be the goal we're shooting for. Uh it's hard to do with the staff as big as that and with all the things
they do, but they do a great job focusing on it. Meet and exceed 2026 budget revenue projections. Keep expense projections within or under budget. Yeah, there's always that one. Move forward with the signage and bath house construction.
successful public engagement in the master plan in Coast Guard Point, including Boulder Park. So, this is one that'll show up in multiple departments because we're definitely going to need multiple departments help to pull off a project that big. Create a succession
plan for Gun Hills Golf Course. Nothing happening imminent, but it's always good to look into the future. Uh translate the priorities within the right park master plan into a department capital improvement plan. So this type of theme again is the council's goals
translating down into department goals. They've had capital improvement goals in a number of their departments for a few years now. This has also been your goal for the library. Develop training plans and provide coaching to employees.
Uh they have a lot of active training happening in the library. This is more of just organizing and being able to communicate it and implement a team building program. The team is coming together very nicely right now. They've put a lot of work into it in the past
few years and like it to be uh real positive this year. Prioritize new strategic plan areas. The library's had a lot of larger issues show up outside of their control that they've had uh to deal with. And if we get a break right
now, which it seems like we might, it's time to look back at the work they've done with the library board at some of the strategic planning initiatives and rep prioritize those, which is exciting. Water wastewater department AMI install.
This is our advanced metering infrastructure. the meters that we can communicate with two ways and that are allow us to collect a lot of data and really manage our system a much better way. The meters uh for the water are not
fully completed in the install and we're putting a plant to finish that installation. Water loss improvement. The water system, we try to keep everything inside the pipes and the wastewater system, we try to keep everything outside the pipes that doesn't belong.
Um, there's always water that's escaping our system in some places. And the water loss improvement is going to focus on valve and hydrant repairs this year. Capital improvement plan development create a fiveyear plan for the water treatment plant improvements and for
distribution collection system improvements. So we already have a list of improvements that we intend to do for the water plant. We already have talked about improvements we want to do in the distribution and collection systems, but we need to translate that into a
achievable schedule in the next 5 years. That's the plan here. And then GIS, continue system digital data collection. We uh were notified of a grant recently that's going to really help with this. The focus of that grant is on the wastewater system, which is also our
focus when it comes to mapping. But with uh Scott and his staff have been out collecting GIS information, GPSing the actual components of the system in 2025 and continue that in 2026. Noticeably absent from this list is any
talk of the wastewater plant. It's really not in their department's plan right now. It's in mine and yours. And when it comes back to become a real project, then we'll put it back in their plan. Property maintenance department created
pre maintenance PM schedule for the new city hall liquor store. They already have this started, but we're continuing to learn about the building. And this is still our first time through the seasons with the building. So, this is something that's going to stay on the list until
we've had a full year in the building and and know what to expect. uh and redevelop the capital improvement plan for the street assets communications department. Uh if such a thing still exists in 2026,
of course it will. Um just not sure who's going to be doing it quite yet. Communications have been focusing on internal records keeping as well because a lot of what we're trying to communicate is the things that we the data that we already have. We digitized it all when we moved out of this
building and we really need to find a way to access and organize some of that data and manage it beyond just having it digitized and available. Uh help craft and run the Coastg Guard point public visioning.
Create strategy for more communication content and publicize the communication plan. So not just have one but be able to show people what it is. in the administration department. This
is my goals from you as well as me. Um complete wastewater plant renovation. Of course, that's not a 2026 item, but that's what we're aiming for. >> And the what we're going to do this year is maintain regular advocacy and
attention on the plant. We've made a lot of progress. We need to stay on top of all those places. We've made progress and we need to find some more places where we can make progress to make this happen. But I'm pretty excited about what we're going to be able to accomplish this year.
Revise the city's capital improvement plan. You've seen all the other departments work on this. There's going to be an overarching organization around it as well. Um digitizing our existing infrastructure knowledge and then using that mapping to help plan residential
development with the planning commission and the city council. So, a lot of the work of creating those maps is going to be done by other departments. We're going to be some of the first users of it and those conversations have already started. The planning commission's already begun talking about this and now
we have some realistic ideas of how we might even accomplish putting those maps together at a really high quality. And then create that community vision master plan for Coast Guard artist point. I've already started talking to prospective um vendors that can help us with some of
the work, putting some ideas for scopes together. So, you expect to see that in the next few months come across council meetings where we'll talk about what the scope might look like, what you want that strategy to include, and what you wanted to achieve and how we might get it done in 2026.
>> Grants for that. And yeah, for sure we'll be looking for grants for that liquor department uh develop a marketing plan which is bringing together efforts that we started but we haven't finished. We've got website content, social media
marketing, merchandising, all these things are in progress right now. They have to come together as a plan that we can share. And you're the target audience for this right now, city council, to share the plan. But really, it's to be able to explain it to anyone.
And you're just the lucky ones that we're going to start with. >> And increase net revenues. Uh develop an approach to increase net revenues, including regular monitoring and reporting of the results. So we both want to focus on the financial
performance and our ability to talk to you about it. Finance department the automate some more administrative processes. Um we've begun some of that work with some of the HR um
time sheets and and uh access to forms and things like that. Uh we'd like to keep going on that. We're not sure yet which ones we'll take up, but there's a lot of administrative processes that require data entry and other tasks that may be able to be automated, and we're
looking for some relief on that. So, we'll be focusing there and coordinate the CIP update. So, this is where all the department's efforts will come together uh to make sure that we're we're making progress on it. Those are our goals in the finance department.
>> CIP update, >> capital improvement plan. Oh >> yeah, it actually means something different in different departments. So that's actually a good question. >> Okay, >> that is what you will find in each of our department heads
annual reviews for their goals for 2026 in their departments. >> Thank you. >> It's nice to nice to have that out there. Um, all right. So, now we're fully into 2026.
Just wrapped her up last year. Um, moving on to we're going to have the second reading for ordinance 2026-01, the fee schedule from last meeting. And I'm guessing that'll be about page
40. No, >> it's last two pages in the back. >> And I would just make a motion to approve ordinance 2026-01. >> Anyone like to second that? >> I'll second it.
>> All right. Any further questions or comments? >> No. >> Okay. And with that, all in favor of ordinance 2026-01? I >> I I
>> All right. Very good. Thanks for doing all that, Mike. >> All right. That here again takes us to the end of our official program. Um
so administrator report. >> Yeah. Let me start with an update on the heights. most of the work that was included in our development agreement with them is complete. In the development agreement,
we have the ability to um return or um reduce the amount of financial security that they're providing based on the progress that they're making. Up to 90% of it can be reduced by us um until we keep the last 10 until all the work is
done. In this case, they're planning on using their financial security also to provide the warranty, which means uh the warranty requirement is for 25% of it. The amount they've provided is 113,875
and so we're going to be reducing that amount uh by 75%. So reducing it by $85,4625 and retaining that last 25% to serve as both the 10% to cover until all the work is done and then it will switch over to
provide the warranty after that. So this is great. This is a development agreement that has functioned the way that we intended it to that we've been able to move through relatively quickly and then we could provide some financial relief to them as as soon as we can.
So, that's a quick update there. Um, more to come for them. We we're hoping to also talk about the license agreement for the storm water pond, which is on our property, but that they're building is serving their property. Right. >> So, this is a concept that we've gone
over and agreed to, but we haven't set up the actual rules about it. There's they're not complicated. >> Right. Can you remind me where it is located? It's north and slightly east of their parcel and it's a piece of uh it's
a remnant of a plat that was at the bottom of a section and ended up being too small to build on and also wasn't attached to water and sewer and so was tax forfeited at some point. >> Okay. >> And then transferred to the city's ownership to use for this purpose by the county. So one of the things that you
can do with tax force property is use it for storm water management. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, we talked a little bit about uh who's doing the communication work. I don't know if there's been a public
announcement of this, but our communications director has uh submitted his resignation as you all know. It's a horrible, horrible day for all of us. Except, of course, we're really happy for Patrick and wish him the best as he moves on to um I'm sure they're going to
be bigger and better and at least different things. He's not leaving the community, which is good because uh he's a good guy to have around >> and uh we'll probably need to call him from time to time. So, you've all been informed of this and and I appreciate
the helping me think through what the next steps are. some questions that I asked of you um just to let you know where we're at in that process. I've also got that same feedback from the department heads. I'm incorporating that all together into a little matrix so that we make sure we know what all of
the functions and tasks are that we really need to have continue right now and then which ones we can think about how we want to proceed in the future. and proceed in the future will either mean we will some of those tasks are going to be taken up by existing staff.
Some of those tasks we might look to the free market for purchasing uh expertise elsewhere. Some of those tasks might be repurposed into an updated job description of a person that would replace Patrick. And some of those um
we also want to know like what else we might need to add to that list. So, as you already said, you want to keep communications both internal and external high on your priority list. It'll stay high on ours as we're thinking about this question. Um, but
one of the possibilities is that we add staff in other areas to free up some of our existing staff's ability to do some of this work. So, it's not clear yet how we're going to proceed. I think in um the next few weeks we'll have a few
proposal strategies that we'll bring back and talk to you about. >> Okay. >> And I think that'll do it for me. >> Great. >> Thanks. >> Yeah, we had a meeting of the ARDC. Um in January is when we elect any new
officers that have come up and did that. Uh we had a longterm um accountants that we've been using who retired and so they're now they are now hired a public accounting firm for the
moment to to do the accounting for them. So that was something we had to do as well. Um, one of the interesting things that came up is they have their revolving loan fund that they use, you know, to help mostly with business
projects, but what they're actually almost always with building projects or um business projects, but they want to look at doing building projects and seeing what they can do there because it's a people haven't been hitting them up as much and it's a very full fund
right now. So, they're like, we got money and people need housing. So, let's see what we can do within the rules that they have. So, that's >> kind of exciting. Um, they're also going to be doing their comprehensive economic
development strategy survey. And so, they're going to come to every county in the Arrowhead region and, you know, just do some surveys, figure out what's going on, what's working well, where people need more support, more help, um, that
kind of thing. So that they'll be doing that this spring. I think this when we're going to start that >> and that that was the meeting. >> Well, that's some big stuff though. >> Yeah. I mean, I just Well, and the one thing that came out too is they were
talking about the CARES funds that flowed through and just how people just paid them back, you know, like it was it worked like it was intended to do. Like money came through, money went out to businesses, businesses pay it back. It's great.
>> That is good to know. Yeah, >> certainly about that. Cool. Okay. Um had an ocean management board meeting. I'm going to have one more for a special work session because there's no sense bringing Ben into that. And then I'll
turn that over and then um just EDA will start interviewing next week for the EDA director. So yeah, >> I had Arrowhead Animal Rescue on 15th I think it was. So, one day after
our last council meeting, they kind of wrapped up uh 2025 recap kind of covered their finances and their standing and but their biggest thing that they want
to know is where do they stand in the process of getting their building better defined and functioning. And I've talked to Mike a little bit about that behind the scenes. >> Yeah.
>> And I busy working on that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They uh they've handed off all their contact that they've had with contractors to us. So, it's in our hands at this point. >> And right now, it doesn't feel like building season out there.
>> Yeah. >> Hey, Greg. >> Hello. Yes. I had a meeting, parks and trail meeting yesterday. Um on the agenda,
we did touch bases on the uh sock tooth bluff next steps with Graham, right? And I guess I think they've already you guys are having a meeting on that already, Tracy and Mike
on February 3rd with the city and HKGI. Um other issues that they covered at the meeting, um pin cushion, um ski and running club is
requesting an avenue to use so that they can get some equipment to help maintain the trail that's up there. So, they'll be working with them to get that accomplished. Um, the land that you've probably heard
about that's private on the bluff to the far west >> has a signed purchase agreement on it. Now the county is buying that or not the well
it's a nonprofit they're creating a nonprofit that it's going into. >> So it'll be then it'll be turned over to eventually not to be developed I guess is the goal
on that. Anyway, that that is in the process. >> That's good to know because there's lots of >> there was a lot of it'll there will be an article and a paper, I'm sure about that, the technical parts of that whole thing. Um,
our next meeting is February 24th and we may have it out in Grand Portage just to um change it up a little bit to bring them into
um the other part of our county which also takes care of trails and uh parks too. So, that's kind of what we're doing with our next meeting. Um, what else? I think that's
about everything I have on that. >> Yeah. So, you guys will be having a meeting with >> Tuesday. Yeah. Relatively soon, right? >> Oh, it is already. >> Yeah. >> To discuss Whatever the direction
is gonna Yeah, >> we're going to go contract. >> I think our goal is to get them to come to your council meeting and talk to you about it. So, and and with a proposal. >> So, we'll just help them get that clarified so that they can come here
with an ask. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> But that is all I have. >> Great. Thank you. I do want to mention if you looked in the newspaper last week, there was um a well-ritten article
on what our water treatment plant and efforts that were making with it and I think we decided it was probably auto >> some spectacular artificial intelligence. Well, they didn't put a by line on it. I would take
credit for it if it was mine. It was nice. >> Okay. So there's some beginning of communications on that >> with waste water again. Pardon? >> Replacing Patrick with AI.
>> That's the plan. >> We didn't even notice coming for everybody. >> So beginning >> we haven't accepted his resignation yet though. >> Oh, that's right. >> Yeah. doing so. >> I mean, I think that's kind of a silly
ritual myself cuz if we had a choice, we'd say no, >> right? >> Just kidding. >> Well, and so there we are. We are all complete for the evening. Thanks everyone. >> Well, before we go, I just wanted to say um
>> Ed Bolstead passed away last week. >> He is. >> Yeah. >> And he was a longtime mentor of mine here. >> Yeah. because he was mayor. Was he on council for a long time? >> He was on he was he was the the acting mayor when I showed up because the
actual mayor had left town. Okay. >> After voting to hire me uh and then left town. Yeah. >> But yeah, I was on council a long time on PC a long time. >> Okay. >> Did a lot for us. Did a lot for me. Appreciate it. >> Yes.
Very. >> Our condolences to Kathy and the rest of his family. For sure. So, thanks for mentioning that. Yeah. All right.