It's 4:29 p.m. I will call the committee of the whole meeting to order. All members are present for the record. We can begin with old business. I'll first like to invite Sheri Sten forward
with her human resource and safety director report. >> Good afternoon. >> Hello. Um so under employment uh the current openings include the casual paramedic
and the EMT. So that's what we have um posted out there on the website right now. Under well I say employee related but actually the first one is retirey benefits. There's an audit that's currently underway for the retiree benefits.
I completed an I9 audit. Um, Chief Manassa and I have a meeting scheduled um with the firefighter engineers and paramedics um this week to discuss some of their scheduling concerns. I've been working on revising the earn
sick and safetime policy. Um, Department of Labor and Industry came out with some rules and updates on um the law. So, I've been incorporating those into our policy uh based on what they put out there under their FAQs as well as what
um the League of Minnesota Cities has put out there. So, um I've been I've been using that. It really hasn't substantially changed anything other than to offer some guidance to employers how to handle some different types of situations. Um
let's see. Uh, under safety, I sent the uh, DOT commercial driver policy revisions to uh, the 49ers business agent to review. So, I'm hoping to have a draft policy of that to you at the next committee of the whole to review and um, get on the agenda so that we can
get that approved and move forward. And then um, still continue to work on the workplace camera use policy. Um, I've expanded that to include uh recording devices and other related technology. So, it's more than just cameras. And then um
that'll be reviewed um um the city administrator has put that on the agenda for the legislation and land use committee in August. So, they'll be on that agenda. >> That's all that I have unless you have any questions on anything.
>> Questions for Sher, >> please. >> Yes. Which part which parts go into legislation and land use? The cam all the camera stuff or just the >> Yes. Yes. All the camera stuff. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. The one we had been talking about in that committee already. I just I had expanded it. There wasn't enough time
for Betty and I to review it before the last meeting. So, she's going to make sure it gets on the August agenda. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. items two and three with Fire Marshall
Baldwin rental licensing and the blight report. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Um the report for rental licensing for the month of June, ending our fiscal year, um we ended up with four inspections uh
remaining and those were just scheduling conflicts with landlords that have individual properties. Um, so those will just get rolled into this new year um right away to uh to get coordinated for inspection.
Um, everything's going good. The resert uh everybody's getting their stuff turned in. So, moving forward with that again for the new year of rental licensing. Any questions on that? on to blight. Um the blight report, um I
think we're roughly up to uh 90 notices being sent to property owners within our community. We are getting, you know, quite a bit of compliance out of the property owners, but we do have, you know, we're still dealing with some that are not
correcting or taking care of things when they need to. So, um, we've cut back a lot. Um, but, uh, we're still having contractors go out there and do some yard cleanup, um, mowing, garbage, that
kind of stuff. Um, and we have turned a few over to the city attorney um, for her to deal with just because we're just getting too many complaints from the neighboring properties. So, um, any questions on that?
The grass doesn't seem to be growing in this heat, so that's a positive. But I will once it starts raining. >> Yeah. >> So, nothing else. >> Just have one. >> Are you anywhere closer to an auction
for stuff yet? Are you still working with Chief Worley? >> Uh, Chief Worley, I think, has kind of done his own thing with his stuff. Um, ours is a little bit different. So, we've been working with Chelsea and she's just had a lot going on. So, we haven't uh, you know, got through that
whole process yet on exactly what we need to do. Um but uh we'll get honor again to try and move that forward. >> Thank you. >> There is a report in your packets on where we're at on building permits
year to date. And at this time, if there's no questions on building permits, we can move to item five, which is an update on the law enforcement center lease proposal from Cooching County
Chief Worley. Good. >> Good afternoon, everybody. Um, I spoke with Commissioner Roach last week. Um, and he informed me that the paperwork for the lease agreement hasn't come across his desk yet. U, that's what
he informed me. Um, I know I've been approached a few times about, you know, coming up with a date that we can get out of there and move to the old law enforcement center. And, you know, I I do want to kind of come up with a date or timet that we can get
over there. um just simply to be courteous to Todd Ogula from Bakus to let him know when we when we'll be moving over and then at the same time for my own employees and when we can anticipate going over there. So, and
first to get the ball rolling, I guess, on the the renovations that need to be done over there. So that's a big big big thing to get everything going. the we did approve the lease at a
council meeting for the LEC with uh there was two minor contingencies that our city attorney was aware of and uh because we're all on camera, I'm almost certain that I signed it and uh like to
apologize for the lack of memory, but we need to assuming it has been approved, which I believe we did, We need to get that paperwork uh signed in to the county. >> Yes.
>> Um so uh Lisa and Betty's absence if you can put that to the front burner when she gets back or if you do communicate to get that uh over to the county. Okay. >> Please councelor Wagner. I believe the
minor changes that we discussed were going in a letter and Chelsea was supposed to talk with the county attorney and finish that up >> and that could >> either send the we did sign the lease but either send the letter or talk to him in person. I'm not sure which it
was. >> So that we need to hone in on that and get this >> rolling to coincide with the budget season as well. I mean, the county is going to do a bunch of things that they've already agreed to,
>> but we may have some things as well. So, >> yes, >> to expand on uh Councelor Wgner's question earlier, um about the four fitchers, I I've been working hard on four fitchers that we've gotten the
court orders for. It's more cut and dry. So, um, I I titled three three vehicles in the process of of selling two of them right now. One actually sold. The other one I had a couple offers for, but I
didn't accept. I feel that there's more value than what I was being offered at the time. So, I we have no rush on that. But I I've been dealing cleaning up also the property room as well and items that
are not claimed that those are also going on the auction. um vehicles that are simply being towed to our impound lot and then they're sitting there for 2 years deteriorating and and you know becoming junk because
they're rusting or you know for whatever reason brakes freeze up and to the rotors and things like that. Um I'm also in the process of trying to get um those I have I think four four or five that
are like that have been there for four years or or better. >> Mhm. >> And um I'd like to get them titled and get those sold as well. and then they that can go into the forefeiter
fund or capital outlay. So, but yeah, I'm making a push on that. Um, last week I also submitted reimbursement for training um the officer's training and that that went to the to the state um
requested 17,000 back from them. Um I'm also applying for two federal grants right now. So hopefully that would help, you know, to make up um the budget look better for next year as well. So I I
don't have any formal grant uh writing experience, but I am trying and making good faith effort for that. So it's not easy and especially when spread thin as is, it's a lot to apply for.
Chief, thank you for taking that upon yourself and working for the betterment of our city and the department in the future. >> Absolutely. >> Back to that cars like I know there's some cars been sitting there at least five years, right?
>> I mean, I've just the ones at the one there's ones at the armory are there from when I was working. Yeah. I mean, but that my point is if you try title them, can no one bids on them or whatever, I would just to think about
don't be just get rid of them even if you can sell them to junk them out or whatever. >> I did sell um a three-wheeler, got rid of that. Um got $175 for that. That was good to get rid of a snowmobile. I think
it just has sat there for like you're saying eight, 10 years. I don't know. >> I mean that and that way you don't have to worry about a mouse sitting there. >> Yep. Trying to clean house. So you'll notice the county impound lots getting more bare and >> city impound lot is pretty is filling
up, but we're getting rid of. So >> and I'm trying to do that to keep up on them with them so they don't deteriorate and then we get nothing for them. And >> but there's a couple out there that are worth some money. >> Yeah. >> Go ahead. Did you ever get any uh update
on the the was it a sign that's on the wheels that you were trying to get fixed that was like brand new? >> Um >> can't remember what you called it's got a name. >> I'm drawing a blank right now. >> Oh >> yeah. Yeah. >> The uh the radar unit. >> Yeah.
>> Um I haven't had any updates on it. I'm going to follow up and make sure that they have tried to get it going. I'm sure they had to get some batteries for it, put it in. >> Okay. Okay. But I'll follow up with them, too. So, >> it was a good unit. I wanted to get it
outside. Get get it back inside so it didn't deteriorate in the weather, too, out there. That sun really beats on it, especially when it's like this. >> Yeah. >> So, any other questions? All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief.
>> Did you have a question, counselor? >> No. Thank you. >> Okay. Item six is an update on the band shell from the band shell committee. >> Nothing's changed since our last meeting. Still waiting to hear back from
the insurance um company re-evaluating what they will or won't give us to their first offer after the bids came in. C and yeah, I believe that Betty has been
>> Yep. >> Yep. Um trying to get them to come to the table what the real replacement cost that we were paying for was. >> And like we said last time, the um there it's new people working for the
insurance company, too. The two that we dealt with are no longer working there. I don't know if that's a coincidence or not. Thank you. Uh any discussion for new business for other business if you could make sense
of that? >> I can and no for me. >> Uh let's move to boards and commission reports. First airport commission with councelor Buller and Holden. Mike,
>> the only thing I found out today was that we've been talking about uh expanding the uh the hangar area to the south because we've had some requests for uh some private hangers to be built. And uh
just this morning I had talked to a person there that had said that they have four people that are signed up and want hangers now besides the one that just came in last meeting. So there's five big hangers that are are
being requested. So, we're going to have to try to uh I think they're pushing that off for a couple years to put that taxi way uh next to the uh next to the runway to the east there by County Road 8. And the county's talked about they
could vacate County Road 8 so that we could expand into there. And that's probably going to try to get that expedited because if we can get get a1 150,000 dollar hangers put in there, they want some big hangers in there. And if they
can get something like that, that's just tax dollars going to us too to get that annex. So So anyway, that's kind of kind of the big push right now. They're working on putting a fence gates in by where all the all the uh entries are.
There'll be all FOB gates come going in there down by uh I think on on County Road two there'll be one and then one on the end other end over there by the uh cold weather testers. There's a couple of them there. That's that's one of the
bigger projects this year too. So thank you. Any additional to item two report? Councelor Kaylor. >> Uh yeah, me and the mayor had a meet kea meeting today or part of it for
this city and county met with Felix about the uh warehouse project uh and his a new partner of his who flew all the way here from India. Um they're working still trying to finalize some steps for their financing.
It sounds like it's coming through and some things work. They're hoping to get started. Here's what I picked up on it. Not too far down the line. If I missed anything, Mr. Mayor. >> No, we met this morning as you mentioned
and we have a new director. Um, yes. Who is in place and uh been on the job here couple three weeks, whatever the number is. and like to thank uh former director Nevinan for uh being available for just
transitional questions. Um >> he is there today. >> He was there today. >> North Cooch back to councelor Buller and Holden. >> Oh go ahead. All >> we had a meeting this morning um our
board meeting to approve the uh the benefit package and the job description for the new hireer for our director. Um that's going to be going in the paper here soon. That's why we called it a little earlier than are having a regular meeting because we wanted to get that going as soon as we possibly could. So
you'll be seeing that in the paper coming out now and also uh on the radio on social media and and that type of thing. They'll be um putting that out within this week. Got the approval this
morning. We were all approved on. So, that's the latest there. >> And is it still the part-time 20our position? >> Yes, it is. It's a part-time 20-our position, but the salaries changed and uh um some benefits have changed and so there's just to make it a little bit
more attractive so we can attract more than just, you know, just a few people. So, Okay, >> I agree with that. Yeah, we upped it a little bit to make it more attractive and it's an important position. It's uh
you know, so we looked the whole thing over and we gave a package we think others will be interested trying to find the good candidate for it. Well, and that is something, you know, historically we've been able
to fill a lot of these positions with dedicated people who for one reason or another were willing to do at halfime. >> Mhm. >> And uh >> Callie did a good job. She uh how long she have at Walt? Six. >> About six years now. Seven years,
something like that. >> She did a great job. And uh >> all the policies got updated. We had no OSHA policies. We had no safety policies. We had nothing. And she wrote all the policies and got everything all updated. So the new person that comes has to just basically stay on top but maintain it and maintain any changes
that are have to go in the booklets and policies. >> Yeah. She went the extra mile. Mayor, >> she did >> right to know booklets for all the chemicals and that type of things all all in place. So >> yeah, she deserves a >> big-hearted thanks for
>> Yeah, she does. Um, and then the >> there was the legislative change to the board, I believe, a year ago, which took doing. >> And if I could I could, I'd like to put a put a little note out there that if there's anybody that knows of anybody
from the Reneer area, we still don't have a representative from there. Since uh John Bugamman's resignation, um, we seem to not be able to fill that. So, if you know anybody in the Reineer sewer or the Reineer sewer district that uh would
be willing to serve on the board to represent Reineer, we would sure appreciate to have another member because we're we're reduced down to seven because of our new legislation and now we've only got six because we don't have the Reineer one yet. But we they do have representation with an atlarge
which we did not have before we had our new legislation. So, um, Brian Briggs is our at large person. So, if there's anybody reneer that has any questions or anything, they could sure contact him. But, um, it'd be nice to have their their own representative from their own
community. So, anybody knows of anybody, we'd sure appreciate appreciate him contacting the sewer district, get a hold of Cali or Stacy there. And, uh, >> getting back to Calish >> or your office in Reineer, I should say. Talk to them first.
And back to Cali, she wanted to thank our administration staff, Emma, Lisa, Betty, for all the work they did to help Cali go through this legislature and the changes that needed to be done. And she said it was just really professionally
done by our administration staff. So, um, >> and also the payroll help, >> payroll, the whole bit. >> That was a huge thing here. >> There again, they went the extra mile. our staff did. Um, and Cali,
>> we've uh done a lot to help out where we can. And yes, I'd like to thank our staff as well for some of those things, specifically the payroll. >> Yeah, that Yeah. Right, Emma. The >> gift that keeps on giving.
Yeah. We can move on at this time to subcommittee reports. Uh the ambulance taxing district. There will likely be um the point that we're at is that the city and county have been meeting
um talking about the way the service will run, what level of service. Um not really any proposed changes of any magnitude going on there. It's a contract, so it's a numbers discussion. Um
there uh is going to be likely a number released that the county will uh hold a public hearing for um likely in August. uh and that at that point uh their board
um could approve a contract and of course we would approve accepting it. So um I would say that time uh is of the essence. Um Chief Manassa has been busy uh getting quotes for different items
that it takes to run the ambulance and um all those sorts of things. and we've been going through the service with um basically a fine tooth comb u because of the cost to run it. We all know it costs
money to run the service. And um you know in that I'd like to mention because we talk about the ambulance often you know we own the capital assets. We we pay the staff to do the service
and then we own some equipment. And so when we talk about going through things with a fine tooth comb, there's not that many parts to it, but we know how vital the service is and and the county does as well. So, um
I would say it's beyond Hope Springs eternal that it's now a get it done type of deal and if there's any last minute changes that make sense to either party, then they'll be addressed. But overall, I think it's
gone uh relatively well. And um I would like to genuinely thank all members of the committee, the county board, and of course our council because uh this this isn't a lifeline for us. If if
there's no taxing district, I think it's probably pretty well known we'd have to exit the service. We need the service and they understand that. and we've had good ambulance service and it's pretty crazy to think that
we wouldn't have it for some reason. Um so that's a a general update is that it's it's moving along. We just met again last week and um the group has been getting together at a couple days
notices at times to discuss little things so that everybody is on the same page. So, um I don't know of any dates set yet in the future for any hearings or committee meetings, but it will be
out on um for sure our social media page and probably even in the newspaper when some bigger meetings happen. Anything to add, council? >> No, we're getting there. >> We're getting there. Um
I I'm one of those that always wish time would getting there be faster, of course, but um it is what it is. And I've heard people say that saying before. It is what it is. I mean, you go
to so many meetings and you try to to get everything lined up and it doesn't always go as fast as what you'd like. So, that's about all I can say, but at least we're moving forward. >> Yeah.
>> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Councelor Wagner, >> I'd like to thank you both for work on that committee. >> Oh, thank you. >> Because it was exactly what you said. There would we'd be exiting the service if >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. If if uh I think we're past that, I have questioned it many times as this moved along, but it it is moving along. Um, and at at a good rate. There's
lots happening and we'll have more updates. Let's move at this point to Kerry Park Arena. And thank you to you and councelor Kaylor and all the counselors for the different committees, but please continue.
No, Bob. We still, you know, we're we're Go ahead. >> Well, we're waiting uh try to get some of these other things taken care of, the LEC, the ambulance before we get together with the wreck
and start talking about that more. But I would say we we will have it's going to be our rink. We know that much. um they weren't interested in our offer that we gave them a few months ago. But those are things we'll have to talk about and
I when Betty gets back I'll have her reach out to their board so we can get together with the meeting and start working out some of the details of how this is going to work and go on for the year
something like that. Correct. >> Thank you for the update. Any other business before we adjourn? >> And we're glad we're not trying to make ice today. >> Yeah. Compressors be running. >> I don't think it worked too well. >> No.
>> Um I had 100° in my truck at about 2:30, so I don't know if it's cooled off, but please everybody stay cool. And uh we'll be having another city council meeting in a week. Until then, this committee meeting is
adjourned.