state drive [Music] here from Virginia or so. It took forever between the Wavic Bridge which went through multiple sights on that night and then here I got to see more of
the town than I've ever and the lines are long enough you can't get around. Yeah. In either direction. All right. I'll call the regular city council
meeting for Tuesday, May 27th, 2025 at 5:30 in order. Roll call, please. Here, counselors here. Darla here. Thank you. Please stand al to the republic for which it stands.
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Moving on to the consent agenda. to read through that. Any questions or comments? All righty. Hearing none, I'll
ask for a motion to accept the consent agenda as is. So, we have a motion from councelor Jarala Jarbala. Uh, anybody that like to second or support that? We have a support from councelor Graham. All those in favor?
Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carried. Uh moving on to the guests and citizens forum. Is there anybody that like to stand up and say anything? Any questions? Hearing none, we'll move on to reports from staff, city
administrator, library. I have very little for this meeting. Later for waterboard through grant that's going to be coming up. We're going to talk to that media event 26 I believe it is.
We're looking for help organize that. Um, yeah, really that's about all I have today. Let's see if anybody have any questions. All right, thank you. Moving on to library director Lanny. Our summer program theme this year is level up at
your library. And the summer program kickoff is June 2nd from 1 to 3 um and will be in the library yard. We will have an obstacle course and life-size Frogger Angry Birds and Save Princess
Peach games, plus a Mario Kart scavenger hunt and a craft for the kids to do. Uh, in June, we will also have Brodini comedy magic show on June 9th at 1:00. Mario Bingo June 12th at 2:30.
Story time at the gazebo with a hula hoop competition on June 25th at 12:30 and a putter picnic for the summertime at the golf course on June 30th at 12:00. Uh Jenna at the golf course will
be hosting the picnic and then we'll learn about putting and golf in general. And finally, I'm excited to report that the White Lakes Library was chosen to receive 100 children's books from the Brownstone Book Fund, which is a private
nonprofit located in New York City via the Arrowhead Library System. And the books, when we receive them, we can add them to our collection or we can give them away as we see fit. All right. Thank you. It sounds like a
busy summer. lots of activities for the kiddos. Thank you for that. Um, moving on to public utilities, Director Baron. All right, we'll start off with the obvious construction started. So, please be mindful of the construction crews out there. Try and stay off the roads that
they're working. Uh, as far as the water plant goes, we made progress on a magnes byproduct issue. So, water should be returning to normal. And with the fire danger going down, um, we're going to look at flushing hydrants here in the next couple of weeks. But I'll talk with
the guys, see what works for them, and I'll get that out in the paper for that. And Josh, it's going to be Holly Sludge coming up here is doing for wastewater. So that's all I got. All right. Thank you. Um, moving on to city attorney.
Anything from you? Uh, thanks, Mayor. I don't have anything at this time. All right. Thank you. Um, moving on to reports from elected officials. Councelor Group voice privacy and content. Someone said something I attended the um powers
meeting and then the housing meeting after it today. Um, I mentioned earlier that there are some steps the city can take to be ready for housing. Um, so hopefully we can talk about different zoning ordinances and having land available. Um, some of it might be to
give land away and have it ready to build on and some might be selling for a discount. Um, but there are some interested in the area. So, I'll keep up to date on those meetings. That's about it for tonight. Thank you, Councelor Garba. All right.
Um, the planning commission meeting for last week was cancelled. Uh, didn't have to attend that. I was at the joint powersport with Sherry this morning. A couple speakers were there. Miriam Carroll from Hill Range spoke online and
covered the pickle ball upcoming tournaments were cancelled till later this summer. Forest Services was there spoke about the Jenkins Creek fire being 80% contained and covered firewise inflow which goes through what you can do to prevent fire from coming into your
property. I triple RV also spoke on redirecting the channel from the flood damage done out by Giants Ridge and Sean Heene from Northbend was there talked about housing again on the range which we covered a little bit ago. Also, the marketing videos for the area will be
available soon. And uh they he mentioned again the software to link community events to the rain discover the rain software and there's a new strain summit next week at Giants Ridge. I think Sher, you said you had the flyers for that at
the meeting this morning. Yeah, I sent them out to some a group of our joint powers contacts and then I believe they were going to send it out on the mass mailing. Okay. Um, tomorrow I can make sure all the counselors are included on that email chain. I don't know. I think we got one on our
joints. Yeah, it's in the packet. Is there a deadline to register? I don't think it said a deadline, but you have to register. Yeah, there's a link to register and it
is on the second. So, yes. I would register before Friday public if you're interested. It is open to the public and anyone to attend. So John said it's time to get a good lunch
up there at the ridge too. So um then they covered a little bit on the water project said the intake was being poured and the intake piping being installed at the lake out there. The Aurora city administrator was announced he's leaving and going to the private sector. I understand he's going to Bolton and
Mink. you guys stole them away. Um, they're also working on filling their counselor position from Dan passing away. And the city of Walk mentioned about the new fire truck they ordered and their railroad bridge being worked
on. Their sidewalks are going to be repaired this summer and they're doing music in the park festival. Uh, that's about all I have. All right, sounds good. Thank you, Councman. Anything from you? Um, I just want to thank like our
firefighters and our police and everybody that was involved with the fire. Um, I think they did a pretty awesome job even having our retirees coming out and updating people. I thought it was great. I'll second that. Those guys did a wonderful job out there
in the fires. That's it. Moving on to councelor Madison. Um yeah, just uh after our emergency meeting about the fire, what was that now? Week week week, whatever that was. Um I got
to ride me and you and uh couple guys from the fire department rode out to actually take a look at right out there and see what was going on and it it's crazy all the damage that was done out there. Um one thing that they're still talking about I want to make sure to emphasize is the Forest Service still
has most of that closed off. So, for the citizens, I want to get out and see or get out and about, try to stay out of the area. They're still out there chipping. They're still out there doing a bunch of stuff. So, um I know people probably want to go take a look and see what it looks like, but let's just stay out of there until they give the okay for service. We'll open it back up when
they feel it's ready to to go out there. So, other than that, nothing else from me. All right. Thank you for that. And then for me, yeah, with councelor Eggman, just thanking all of our emergency responders, um, police department, fire department, EMS, they were very busy the past couple of weeks
just making sure everyone was staying, uh, safe and that if you are the fire wasn't progressing towards the city. Um, and then all the city firefighters that came into the area to help out with that. Um, from my understanding, we're
no longer in that set category. Um, looks like the county taken us off of any sort of ready set go off. If you look at their their map, we're no longer on that. Um, I had went up to their briefings on last Friday and
then Sunday as a part of the ambulance. Um, in the Jenkins Creek fire, majority of that is maintained. Um and then in talking with um fire chief house um there isn't really any significant concerns with um the fire and us and
progressing towards um legs anymore. So thankfully thankfully we have some pretty experienced and hardworking um people in town that took care of everything and it could have been a lot worse and thankfully it wasn't. Um so again thank you for everyone that help
out making sure that people are staying safe. Now, on my end, um, next Saturday, I believe, so June 7th, um, the Ranger Snow Field Evening Club, um, is having their grand opening um, for their
multi-use, um, trail. I think they put something in the shopper, I believe. I think I saw it in there. Um, if anybody has any sort of questions regarding that, feel free to reach out to me. Um, and then obviously anybody on the Ranger snowmobile club, um, so Roy Borgard, um,
Bob D, those folks. So, um, I'm sure there's stuff on their websites and Facebook page, so um, I will plan on being there next Saturday, June 7th. Um, and that's all I've got. Um, we have no old business, so
moving on to new business. Um 11.1 pay request number eight from Max Great Construction in the amount of 557,31351 for the White Lakes Wellness and Recreation Center. Um also that is known as the arena project.
Um, we're just looking through the packet. Just [Music] the further construction stuff that they're doing inside for the arena. Um, anything on your end for uh percentage wise? I can't remember percentage, but I
think it's over 40 now. The the floor is poured. It's still covered with plastic until Thursday. I think Thursday or Friday you'll take the plastic off and then then there's a seven-day drive here. After the seven-day drive here, then we can pretty much go business as
usual. It's on the floors if you like or anything. Um machinery room is nearly most of the equipment is staff. They line up the door and I started to block in a door into the old Zambi Zo.
So yeah, progress very well. It's actually very much done five stars. Um and then the black top next that'll be in conjunction with the work here. So
that parking lot will come out. How far back for the black? I believe it's all parking lot starting at the doors. Even that gravel portion. No, I don't believe the gravel portion is included in this. Let me
double check to make sure. I think it's the existing black [Music] just for reimbursement for projects. We're about halfway spent on this project already. All righty. Any other questions or
comments regarding the um remaining project? Uh hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to approve that pay request number eight um from construction and the amount that I previously stated um for that original project.
I'll make that motion. We have a motion from council grant, second from councelor Jarla. All those in favor? Any opposed? hearing none. Motion carried. Moving on to 11.2 regarding the citywide cleanup. Um
so we'll be doing the citywide cleanup that we do annually. Um this year we'll be doing it from Monday to Wednesday, June 9th to the 11th. Um, public notice will be advertised in the East Range Times on the Arena Sign, the city
Facebook page, and then the city website on June 25. Um, and then in the advertisements, it lists things you can and can't um, put out on your curb. Um, so if you have further questions
regarding that, just look at that public notice. Um, I would think that we'd put it on the board outside um, the city offices. Um, also if there's further questions that you have after reading through um, the advertisements and
public notice, you can always reach out to um, the public works department or city hall here or or me or any of the counselors too and we can always get an answer if you um, have a question. Um so this is more so just
umformational so we won't have to have any sort of um motions for that. Moving on to 11.3 um resolution 2025 12 accepting donation from Met Lakes Chamber of Commerce for the
library recreation department and the Met Senior Center. Um, so this resolution will be to accept $10,250 um from the Chamber of Commerce Department dispersements 2,000 to the senior center um 7500 to the city of
Quakes recreation department and then 750 to the library. Anybody have any sort of questions or comments regarding that? Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to um accept this resolution and
then um allowing city administrator wire and myself to sign that and then put that to a motion for that. We have a motion from councelor Dalot. Anybody that like to second or support that second we have
a second from councelor Matson. All those in favor? Any opposed? hearing none. Motion carried. Moving on to 11.4 um discussion to hire ground division.
Um so previously Mark Hurt um new sports director um had came in and spoken to us um about 104 different things. Um one of those things being um the lifeguards and then the the
playground attendant. Um so so per this his recommendation is to hire a playground attendant who work with the lifeguard at the beach. Um this position will be CPR and first aid certified and will assist the lifeguard and nonwater related emergencies. Um they'll not be
allowed to enter the water. Um Mark had related that two other entities had approved him hiring for this position. [Music] anything he came and spoke to call at that time and it's just not going to add or anything. It's just because of due to
the shortage of lifeguards for moving towards having this position versus having two life guards on duty. I think from asking for talking to him it sounded like it was the town of white. So the the twin lakes
the lakes beach and so those I think that's what said the other two entities sort of city of bic um and then the beach so I think those are the only two
other entities that that works with or the the beach side of things and I think yeah every one of those places does have a beach in North Park. Great. Um is there any sorts of questions or
comments regarding um the the playground attendant position? Um sound like we already pay for the the lifeguards. Um so he's just wondering about um the playground attendant. Do we know how many
lifeguards they have or need or No, I didn't speak to him on this on this one in particular, but he's just called in. I thought he'd be here to speak to it. Just kidding. He said at that meeting we
had I think he was accepting applications to co- students through the end of the school year. So all the applications should have to be turned in this week. I think any other discussion
um regarding the playground attendance I guess my thoughts if they don't have enough lifeguard and we have two other city and then a town already proving it I guess will encourage her to locate it um since these others have
already located. Um and then with with not having enough life guard, I think it just adds another extra layer of safety and supervision at the beach park area just in case if something bad happens, they're just another set of pens or pair
of eyes to keep an eye on things. But you would give lifeguards more preference over a playground attendant. I would hope like in hiring wise like I might go and hire three lifeguards and six playground attendants if they didn't
fly right just for safety I mean I was a lifeguard and sometimes you do need two life to jump in after a kid right I think when he was here it seemed like the biggest thing that he was talking about was the fact that he didn't think he they were going to be able to staff
two all the time because of numbers and that's why he wanted an extra person just there I'm assuming if He the way I at least took it was that if he gives it up and has two lifeguards, he's going to have two lifeguards. But I think that's what he was talking. Well, that's how I took it. Yeah. Just so there wasn't one
lifeguard alone. So at least they could then put this park attendant with that lifeguard. So there were two people on duty. So one teenager wasn't there alone to crazy man all the best.
Yeah. Um, and then yeah, since it will be a new thing, we need to see how it goes. And then back into I guess on my end, I'd rather have, like I said, an extra pair of eyes to where um they don't have enough lifeguards. There's just
something he can pull back on to just for that supervision and safety. Um, any other discussion or questions or comments? Um hearing none, I'll take a motion to approve um Mark to hire this playground attendant um to work uh with
the lifeguard at the beach/ park area. I like that motion. We have a motion from councelor Manson. Anybody that'd like to second or support that? I'll support that. We have a second support from councelor Grahams. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Hearing none.
Motion carried. Um, moving on to 11.5 update on East Range Water Project. Um, so both the Jake Rake and Bolton Bolton Bolton and Wings Jake um going to provide a um update on the water project
and then engineering work that they need to start um to meet that March deadline. Yeah. So we're basically at the next step where we need to start get the approval for the engineering and design that be running the pipe between Aurora
and White Lakes and then looking at the hydraulics of it all. Do we need to make changes in our system currently to make sure the water transfer is right? Because as you know that tower up in Alaska is only 150,000 gallons whereas
our main storage is to stand by 1.5 million gallons roughly. So to do that we're going to have to look at a $1.7 million loan. And I asked Jake to be here to kind of explain what that's going to provide for the city if
we decide to do that. and Gage, if you guys have other questions that need to get answered because this is a big step once we take this step as Dean said in our conversations, we're committed.
We're in. So, I see a future with our current water plant of upgrades, be it safety, deterioration, and other things. Um, our chemical route doesn't have proper containment in it right now. We got an OSHA inspection. We'd be probably
looking at being forced to make some changes there. The fire brought up a good point and you know we don't have a place to hook up an emergency generator if power gets cut to that water plant. We'd have to look at getting an electrician in there and see what upgrades we need for that. And then
treatments evolving as they're finding these new standards. People hear about POS and they're starting to look more seriously at a stuff like that. Maggnes is a big component we're treating and Ephos has been detected in the Colby Lake. So that's something we may have to
look at treatment for in the future should we stay with this facility. And PAS is your forever chemicals. Yep. It's the man-made forever chemicals, anything stain resistant, anything like firefighting folds, non-stick cookware,
stuff like that. Um even the spray you put on your jackets to repel the rain. So, it's found just about everywhere. There's a million different compounds they've detected. They've narrowed down to I think about 16 they're looking at
right now. But yeah, did you want to those chemicals are not found in? Correct. Correct. Nothing's been detected as of as of today. So, Is that everything from you? That's
pretty much my spiel on it. Jake, if you want to. So, I think kind of like like Jake was saying, so where things are at is as the East Range Waterboard expansion teams been meeting um between cities of Aurora, town of White, uh City of White Lakes. So, we kind of worked
all the way through what what sort of uh questions might have come up from the initial discussion with white links to also what a figurative JPA would look like. Um, our team is putting together like a bulletoint summary of just kind of what those discussions had such as
like what does rate structure look like, what does, you know, um, uh, ownership on on board to all these different sort of ramifications. Um, but fundamentally like Jake says is over the next couple months there would just be a need to start the design process to get into the funding cycles based on some of those
conversations we had in the past where uh March of 2026 would be a big milestone to get funding applications in for whatever um path you guys choose to go forward whether that's going to be you know joining with the East Ranch Waterboard versus a new treatment facility uh you guys would want to get
in on 2026 for those uh any sort of improvement and so we would be looking at starting engineering I talk with Brian Gold today. We could we could look at starting in July as an option for what it would take to expand East Range Waterboard's current system. That would
be expanding the water plant. And then like Jake said, designing a transmission line with a PRB and a booster station that would carry water from the east end of Aurora all the way up to the water the water plant here in White Lakes. So
that 1.7 million what it constitutes is really it's the expansion or design costs for expanding the East Ranch waterboard's current system. While that system has been designed and engineered it was designed engineered for Aurora and Town of White, it's expandable though and those design considerations
are in place. However, there's still engineering to be had on designing the chlorine tanks, all the different infrastructure that's there. It also includes all the architectural, foundation, structural, geotechnical evaluations that would have to happen for that location and the geotechnical
and survey work that would be done to carry the water main from Aurora all the way to white lakes. It's approximately four miles of water main that will be established. So we do borings all along 110 and we would survey all along 110. Um other things that would be included
in that 1.7 estimate is the electrical design uh uh mechanical and plumbing site design any sort of meetings 60 and 90% plan reviews with the city of oil lakes and staff would also have all the permitting. So that would be completing
wetland delineations any sort of threat or endangered species along with your cultural resources. All that all those permit steps will be taken as part of that 1.7 million. Um uh then also the last bit will be
contract administration which is preparing the project for bid and getting it to a point where we can submit for funding sources. So we do include all the funding applications to uh PFA rural water um for those sort of like um the IUP and PPL applications
similar to how we've done in the past year. So, anybody have any sort of questions for either of the Jake? Any comments? I know councelor Java has been attending meetings and is pretty um up to date on all that
information and um yeah, is there anything that you want to add? What on top of what these guys have said and has been mentioned already, we're looking at either doing a plant on our own here or tying into the one in Aurora. And
something that was covered before was that a good fortune that plant in Aurora has what they call, I guess, public use areas, the bathrooms, the office spaces, and everything else. We're not going to have to pay over again for that like we would here. If this was done, we'd be on
the same product that we got now. As Jake said with the POS, I asked him a while back. Uh we got that old dump out on 665 that is a potential source for contamination into overwater system because of the proximity to the streams
and rivers out there. Is is that where it's coming from? I don't know. You know, but it's a potential source. whereas we're looking at a much better water quality source coming from Aurora and it's a whole lot easier. You
yourself told me that the city of Coke was turned on their plan. I think so. To go with regionalization where we're with several other communities, the governmental entities that provide the grants and the funding look at that in a much better light than you do an
individual city and looking for funding. Yeah. And most of the residents I talked to about water and hooking up with Aurora. I would say the vast majority of residents are in favor of up with Aurora. Um the main gripe that they have is obviously water quality. Nothing
against Jake is doing his best with what like he had mentioned all the PE boss and the chemicals and Kobe. So he's trying the best that he can even the big chunk of money is putting all money in the chemicals and treating the water and all these other sorts of
things. And at some point with the aging kind of infrastructure we have now, we're going to have to look at um redoing the water plant. If we we stay with that, which will cost money, but then we also hook up to Aurora, that also costs money, but we get a better
quality water and a better source. But if we stay with this current water plan and still continue pling, right? So it would just be raising raising rates and still getting that poor quality water or we can look at
raising rates obviously because we have to hook up with Aurora and that cost money but then we'd be getting that better quality water. And I think that's the main gripe that residents have is that you you raise the rates yet we still have this poor quality water and hooking up with water just makes the
most sense in my opinion. And then obviously the professionals that we've talked to including JJ just makes the most sense that that we look at what Aurora especially with the funding piece of it that regionalization
aspect is very important to these different folks that are providing funds to different cities. So that's kind of my thoughts on it. Anybody else have any sort of questions or points to discuss? So
the 1.7 million buys you into the the a seat on the board, right? Yeah. And uh and that that right now Jake and I are exeicial members of the board. We're non- voting members once we agree that we are voting members on the water board
and the the makeup of the board will probably change at a later date once they get everything up and running. So it's only one entity from each individual city. The city of Boic may be coming in in the future. Unknown right
now, but if and when they do, that will help the cautionary on everything because in a similar way to where you guys existing portion of the facility by would also have a buy in. So ultimately return check for a portion of
the project. So the other thing with 1.7 million is now you made a decision in your you're going to decommission the water at some point in the future and Luke had talked about working in grants in the future for
decommissioning our water plant and Aurorus also for the tear down and everything and being able to all are part of that on grant That would also include potential for meters as well. So where you guys do not have meters out of pocket either. So
don't say the grants for city 12 million. Correct. Correct. 12 million project. So the other details too is so the 1.7 is an estimate on is an estimate percent on design. So, we are preparing an actual scope and feed that is enough to exceed
that we'll be presenting to you guys as well. But for just moving the ball along the 1.7 is a good um good estimate that's been, you know, from a from standard practice to utilize for these applications just to make sure you have you have extra in case you do run into some things something down the road or
design changes. Um I I had met with Shannon Sweeney last week um who is with uh David Job Associates and so he's they work with Minnesota Rural Water to facilitate these interim loans. So he did call me and ask some questions about that and provide some numbers. I'm still
working with him on providing some additional numbers so that he can do some of these affordability evaluations on White Lakes. So I did talk with him probably three hours ago and that's what he's still working through. Sorry questions for either Jake or any comments.
Um, so I guess what what tonight are you you're looking for, Jake, on on our end just sure I think what we need is to kind of is taking that step to look into acquiring the interal through world water. So you could you could let Shannon and Sweeney move forward with
proceeding with the 1.7. And like I said, we'll we'll be fine-tuning an estimate. And what we do we'd like to do is bring that back to you guys in about two weeks uh at your next council meeting. And we apologize we're a little behind on this. We would have liked to had it ahead of time, but at least getting Shannon working on the loan
application just keeps things moving, moving along. And ultimately, you guys have feel free to take the month of June to make a decision on that that scope and fee letter. uh even if we got the go ahead in July, that's still an adequate time to complete the design for both both breakdowns of the project before
March 26 of March of 2026. Personally, I'd like to see the city go ahead on a resolution to get it started rather than continue to wait. That's my opinion for all it's
worth. Um so I think tonight just looking for um a motion to get a chance we need to go ahead to looking at the um piece of that. Yeah. And then obviously once you have the
numbers on a path forward, right? Correct. So sounds like a plan. Um so I'll take a motion to so provide further for um city
administrator library to reach out to Shannon Sween just to give them a look at um kind of those funding sources and then come to us council maybe to provide those numbers and at that point we can move ahead with
that a little bit different. So yeah, looking for a motion for just given a chance we need to go ahead figure out his number. All those in favor motion carried and that's all we've got for the agenda. one thing for
nucleus based on what you said earlier about the fire basically being no longer a threat and we need to keep that e emergency management order in place or can we make a resolution to
disp on on that I was thinking either doing a special council meeting if we had to do it earlier or just doing that the next council meeting um with that there's some funding things that we Good that you're getting that
county emergency. Yeah, this is the emergency. Do we still have to have that in order to qualify for any potential funding from anybody for anything? I can't answer that. I don't think so.
But I that that resolution will also just give a green light there for us to do emergency service. Yeah. And spend money if we have to you know probably um believe it does we would need that on
the agenda to be able to make it. So I'll say two things about that. one, you can add it to the next agenda to resend the emergency powers, but it does allow you access to uh funding that's available for local emergencies. And if that is available, then I would
recommend leaving it in place at this time and until the fire means they're still fighting it actively now. If something were to flare up or create more of a problem than you're anticipating, then yeah, wouldn't be a bad idea to have that place. um just
because of what it affords the city in terms of reaction time if necessary. So yeah, we adding that to um the next agenda. So um everyone's been pretty good with um
the emergency stop going crazy with the extra things that I'm able to do. a little bit almost. Um yeah, we'll make sure to include that in the next um agenda and then yeah, we more into the funding piece of it too if there's but thankfully haven't come in for the city
or um so I don't think there could but maybe fire department the fires might be something we'll look a little bit more into that. Um but with that that's the end of the meeting. So I'll ask for a motion for adjournment. I'll make that
motion. We have a motion from councelor Graham. Is there anybody like second support? We have a second council. All those in favor motion car. Thank you. So they're down. a
lot. Who's the new guy?