All right, it is 7 p.m. We'll call the city council meeting to order. If we could all rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Doing roll call. All members are present minus the open seat uh which we will interview for in two weeks. Uh tonight we'll open up for public comment and I'll remind people of a few of the rules. Uh there's a 3minut time limit on the public comment. Uh we will total it
uh limit it to a total of 15 minutes tonight. There's some lengthy items on our discussion and please keep it to city business, not personal or political attacks. If there's anybody like to come forward and make public comment at this time, you're more than welcome. Come on up and just state your name and
address. Thank you for being here. Sure. >> Sounds good. >> So, Josie, is this for the public hearing part? >> No. Okay. Yeah. So, we're going to do the public hearing here like right next and then
it'll open up for >> So, [laughter] it's up to you. >> It fits more in that time, but then you're you're good. >> Hi, everybody. [laughter] >> Anybody else for public comment tonight? >> Hearing none, we'll move on to adopting the agenda. Are there any changes, Miss Wood? We don't have any mayor and
council. We don't have any new ones to add right now, but we there were some last minute additions just to make note of on uh the agenda. So, thank you. >> Sure. Anything after K5? >> Okay. Make a motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Motion to approve by Council Member Lundine. Second by Council Member Peterson. All in favor of approving the Go ahead. >> There were a bunch of typos that weren't didn't make >> in the agenda. >> All on the agenda. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. Motion and a second on the floor.
All in favor of approving the agenda say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. 40. Uh, next we'll move on to approval of the city council meeting minutes. Uh, we'll do those separately. October 21st, 2025 committee of the whole minutes. Uh,
>> I'm sorry. Go. >> Those were um corrected, Miss Wood. There was a one error in there on a number. Um, and we we noticed that during the last meeting when we looked at it and saw that there was a number that was wrong in there. So we are changing that. >> Correct. Yes. We are making sure that
the number of the ash trees that was um stated for being in that survey uh is correctly reflected in those minutes. >> Sounds good. >> A motion to approve. >> That's the second one we're going to be approving. That's the February 17th city
council meeting minutes. We're on the October 21st. The first one in the packet there >> doing it separate. >> Okay. >> So, the first one was there was a typo um in the numbers and we're correcting that now as we noticed it last month.
>> Okay. >> There's a motion on the floor to approve the city council meeting minutes from October 21st. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second on the floor. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 40. Next, we'll go to G2. Uh, February 17th, 2026,
city council meeting minutes. And you're correct. There are a couple typos in that first line. Um, I just noticed those couple. I don't know if you saw any a bunch more. >> Um, resolution. >> Okay.
Okay. >> Can you speak into your microphone? >> There we go. >> And that's about it. >> Which was the April one? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. April 18th, I think, was printed out as April 118.
>> Where is that? What page is that on? >> I see it on Six. Yep. Consent. Got it. Thank you. >> Sounds good. And I know there's uh we're being a lot more in depth with these and they're considerably longer with the minutes, so it's just more likely to have a couple typos here and there.
>> Right. Not a big deal. >> Motion to approve with changes. >> Motion by Council Member Lundine, second by Council Member Peterson. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries 40. Next, we have the announcements. Committee of the whole meeting is Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at
5:00 pm. Planning Commission meeting, Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 6 PM. City Council meeting, Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 at 7 p.m. Park and WC board meeting, Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 6 p.m. And now we will open the floor to county communications. If there's
anybody um from county leadership that would like to come forward and speak on anything, come on up, Todd. Just state your name and address for the record. Thank you for coming in. And this is just a reminder, we have implemented this. So if there's anybody at the county that wants to come uh talk to us or give a presentation, this provides an
opportunity for them to do so. Uh we've put a big focus on uh bettering the communication with the county and other municipalities. >> Thank you. My name's Todd Christensen, County Commissioner, District 4. Um, so today we had uh our county commissioner meeting and we asked uh your mayor was
there too, but we asked uh the board members there. We agreed that we were going to ask um uh Justin there, our highway department engineer, to come in and give us some ideas on what we can do here about this County Road 5 because it's uh it is so rough over there. I
know I've had a lot of people reach out to me about County Road 5 as well there. Heritage Boulevard, I guess you want to call it right there. >> Yep. But, uh, yeah, south of the or west of the tracks is ridiculous there. But, uh, anyway, so I don't know if we can I don't know if we're going to be able to move some, you know, take some of the
other projects that we're doing and we can move some money that way because I mean, it's not it's not cheap to do it, of course. But I drove down there uh the other night and it's like, holy mackerel, I know what everybody's talking about now. >> Yep. >> So, but yeah, [clears throat] and then uh you I'm going to assume you'll be at
that committee of the whole meeting when he's there. >> Sure will. So that would be fantastic because it is it really should have something done there. >> So >> absolutely. >> But uh yeah, I don't know. That's about all all I got there for you for the most part. So you guys ever think about
sending anybody like at our county commissioner meetings for um you know like a representative from the city? >> That's on that's on my discussion list tonight. >> All right, that sounds good. >> I could go into that right now if you're >> Okay. Well, thank you everybody. >> Thank you Todd. Uh so as he had
mentioned, I went to the county board meeting today and spoke about the condition of Heritage Boulevard. Uh let them know we're frustrated with that condition. I hear from residents almost every day on the condition of that road lately. Um and I have been in constant communication with the county commissioners and the engineer on that the last three years, probably every six
months with the engineer um trying to see if they can move it up. Uh the complicated part of that is they're getting federal funding for it. Um so local taxpayers aren't paying for it, which is great. Um, but it's led us to a situation where we have subpar roads, I'll just say at the moment. Um, so that
leads into what Todd had just mentioned and what I have written down here on my to talk about list tonight. Uh, I I think we may want to consider um, as we've seen communication issues. Uh, I think we should consider maybe having a committee dedicated towards uh, county
communications or going to uh, county meetings so that we can make sure we're we're up to the snuff on every single thing that they're doing. Uh, city related especially obviously. Um, I know we have some other committees that I feel are probably less important than that one. Um, so I don't know if we could talk about that maybe at a cow
meeting, our next committee of a whole meeting. um or if we could talk about that tonight or even uh when we have another appointment uh two weeks from now because we'll be discussing the committee assignments then uh I think it's important for us to consider something like that. Uh maybe we diversify away and um get rid of one of
the other committees and put more time into the county one. I think it would pay dividends to the long-term future of our city. I don't know if you guys have any thoughts on that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Bring it to Cal. >> Okay. And I will be at their committee of a whole meeting next week. Um, and
I'll be advocating on the city's behalf to try and get them to shuffle some stuff around. Um, and we will be talking about one of their presented projects uh in a business item later in this meeting as well. Uh, anything else on that one?
All right, then we will move on to public hearing J1, improvement hearing for Railroad Avenue and Main Street Walk improvements project. >> I have a committee report. >> Oh, shoot. Sorry, I skipped that. Council Committee reports. >> So, the fire district meeting, they had five new firefighters that they swore
in. Three of them are going to be at station one >> and then normal business beyond that. >> Cool. That's good. >> Do you know how many they're planning on hiring this year? >> I don't recall hearing a number for
that. >> George, do you have any committee reports? [clears throat] Okay. Well, >> reckless cancel again. >> Sure. I have a couple. Um, so the Chamber of Commerce had their Cambridge State of the City presentation. Uh, the most valuable information I think to uh
our community is that they're starting their Highway 95 reconstruction project this summer. So there you can expect significant delays with uh that project, but fortunately there are many ways through that city. Um, Bill Stickles wrote a good piece last week uh with information and the city said they will be ramping up notifications and posts
about that so people are aware. Uh, also related to the Chamber of Commerce, uh, Pump Republic ribbon cutting and grand opening. Uh, that's in the industrial district. That was a few weeks ago. I attended that and they are significantly larger in their location. That's awesome to see. Uh, they have some really cutting edge equipment there that nobody
else has. Uh, so feel free to check them out. And Soda Girls also had a ribbon cutting right here in on Main Street downtown. Uh ribbon cutting and grand opening this weekend. Uh it's a pretty cool little establishment there. It's kind of got a diner feel to it and I know they're going to uh do obviously uh
dirty sodas and ice cream. Uh so that's a cool local business that's opening and I'm happy to see continued business growth in the town. Uh for the school board, uh I'm on the schoolboard committee. Uh so I presented my school volunteer letter uh during the public comment at the ISD 911 uh schoolboard
meeting. Uh that letter was also published in the county news review in the San Chicago Star newspapers um where I started a column. I have a meeting scheduled with three school board members this week to discuss moving forward for our community and I I will continue to fight for taxpayer value and
efficiency and a plan that works with that aspect in mind uh but still provides the school improvements that we need. Uh if anyone's interested in being involved with the school volunteer group to help chip away at some of those projects at the schools, ple please feel free to reach out or fill out the survey that is posted on the newspapers
websites as well as my personal mayor Facebook page. Anybody else for committee reports? All right. Now we'll move on to the item J1 public hearing improvement hearing for Railroad Avenue and Main Street Walk
Improvements Project. Mr. Cook, >> Mr. Mayor, members of council. Um um so we uh have held our we held our original uh there we go. We've been going through the steps on
this uh Railroad Avenue and Main Street Walk uh project. We initially did that feasibility report where we presented this pretty much same presentation to you guys. Uh at that time uh we set up the open house that we held a week or so
ago and now this is the more formal improvement hearing step of the assessment process. So I'll zip through this presentation again. It's basically the same one that I gave you guys for the feasibility report and the same one I gave for the uh the open house. just
anybody that's missed those and then then we'd open it up to the public comment. Um and then uh and then the only action tonight would be if you're just wanting to proceed with the project, it's just to authorize the improvement. So we'll just zip through
here. So the project uh as we've kind of discussed is Railroad Avenue from Main Street to Palomino. Um we're looking at how to make that sidewalk area safer. that's currently on the road as well as
improve the pavement surface. And then there's a missing segment of sidewalk on Main Street along Main Street um from East Boulevard to uh I'm sorry, Credit Union Drive to uh Richard Avenue. Uh so
the actual conditions of those um the pavement on Railroad Avenue is a four out of 10. basically is it's just too poor to bother seal coating anymore or milling overlaying. Um so we've now moved on to the need to reclaim the
pavement. Still trying to be as cost effective as we can and uh similar to what we've been doing on the last three assessment projects that we've done where we just have to spot repair curve. Uh there's currently no
parking on the east side of the road and the The sidewalk is just a striped line along the east side that isn't wide enough and non-compliant for ADA safety standards. Uh the water man, sanitary, and storm were all installed. Uh well,
the water man and sanitary went in in 1976 and the storm sewer went in two different phases in 1998 and 2006, but all of which are in reasonably good shape and we haven't had issues. There's a photo of what we're talking
about on that non-compliant walkway. Um, so the pro proposed improvement as I described, we just reclaim the road, spot repair curb on the west side, and then on the east side, what we would do is we'd move that eastern curb line to
that white painted line and to raise the sidewalk up and and put in a concrete sidewalk to uh to grade separate the walkway, make it ADA compliant, make it safer, and yet still have the same roadway width that they currently have from face of curve to the white stripe.
um and and still try and fit in everybody's yards and driveways. Uh and then as I said for the utilities, the overall system of all sewer, water, and storm were we're fine. We just have to move two hydrants to fit around that sidewalk.
Uh and then there's the main street sidewalk infill. Um over a few blocks down that existing walk on the west side of Credit Union Drive and west along Main Street. Uh would just to connect into the existing walk that is on the
east side of or the right side of the image there, the east end of the project. Uh across from Richard Avenue, we installed sidewalk along there. Um for the footprint of it, we basically only need to deal with two trees that
are where the walk would go. Uh install a new ped ramp and a crosswalk. Uh the the walk would be 5 ft wide and fit pretty much into that benched kind of grade that's already there. So be pretty minimal.
>> What would the separation be between the the curb and the sidewalk on that one? >> I believe it's five feet. It basically match the go back. So you can see it on the right edge of the image. Uh that is actually existing
sidewalk. that's heading off to the east from Richard and uh we essentially are going to end up lining up with that. So I believe it's a five or six foot boulevard, but um it could tweak a little bit narrower to stay on that benched area um you know if it needs to
to be as cost effective as it can be. >> So the plan is to go around the back side of the fire hydrant then. >> Yep. Yep. >> Okay. >> So essentially I think that hydrant would be really close to the edge of a straight through walk. So it basically is less than a one foot kind of bump out
that we'd have to do to get around the hydrant and not have to actually relocate the hydrant. >> And that would be ADA compliant, correct? >> Yep. Yeah. The bump out would taper out and back. >> Okay. >> And have the clear zone requirements.
So for uh cost estimate um the total project with the railroad and main street would combine to current estimate of $590,000 and change there. Um railroad avenue um is $517,000. Uh it's state aid route state aid
eligible. Um and we're also following our assessment procedure where 68,000 of that cost would be assessable and 449,000 would be city cost. Over on Main Street, the the project cost is
estimated at 73,000 um or at least it was at the time of the feasibility report. And uh that's a state aid route that we could also use state aid funds on to cover and then the concept of deferring that cost to the property owners we'll cover on the next
slide. Uh so assessments so for we basically have made two assessment roles one for railroad avenue and one for for Main Street. Uh the railroad avenue following our policy is uh to assess 25% of the street
improvements. Um and which includes the reservicing of the road and the spot curb repairs. But we're not assessing the elements that are related to the sidewalk that needs to go in, which would include moving that whole curb over, moving some catch basins over, you
know, relocating those hydrants and putting in that concrete walk because the current city policy is if it's an infill walk that has development already. Um, that the first time it goes in, it wouldn't be assessed. And in our case,
because it's an on street stripe only, we're not really considering that an in place walk. So, so that's why all those costs were able to get pulled out of the actual assessment amount that we're would levy the assessment for. Um, and so doing
that gets the the cost down to about the $26.52 a foot um of frontage for each of the parcels along the project. Um there are adjustments that are made for corner lots and uh and things like that. Um and
this does levy on both sides of the road so it's just equally distributed over all those properties. Um this is obviously based on an estimate. Uh we're finalizing the plans as we speak. Uh at which point we'll go out
for bids. We'll get contract bids. As long as those are good, you guys would be able to elect to continue moving forward and award the bid. If we construct it, then we would hold the final assessment hearing based on the actual bids and the constructed costs incurred. Uh at which point we
essentially would use the numbers from this report as a cap that we wouldn't go over. And we're certainly going into this hoping we get good bids and we keep the prices down. um for the main street sidewalk cost that because those two
parcels are undeveloped um and commercial or business. Uh they fall in the category of when those do develop, they would be required to put in the sidewalk on the north side of a street, which is this exact segment that we're looking at. And so what we're trying to
do here is build it now and then defer the assessment to not make them pay it until they develop at which point then they would have incurred the cost anyway. And so um we're just trying to get that walk in ahead of time. Uh so essentially that would just sit and wait
to be reimbursed uh at the time that actual development happens. Um let me see if I have more slides on. Those are all following uh our ordinances and our rules that we always follow. Correct. Correct. No, no special
exceptions or changes for anybody. >> Correct. Everything that I just went over, even though they kind of sound different for the walk on one versus another, is specifically following our policy. No variations, no variances needed. This is just how it's written up and how we've been applying it to
everybody on our past, well, as long as I've been here, 15 years or so. Uh so we held an open house on February 24th. Uh four properties on or attended and technically even though the assessment role is like 14 parcels,
there's actually only 10 property owners. And so we did have four out of the 10 uh attend. And then we had questionnaires turned in ahead of time and I received a couple calls. And so in the end, we've actually gotten responses or at least comments from six out of 10
of the the properties, which is as high as a percentage as I've had. Granted, the you know, the total number is a very small amount, but um so at the at the open house, gave basically the same presentation, just uh had some more back and forth on question answers. Um was
able to kind of pull up some individual estimated assessment numbers. Um generally um one was specifically opposed to the sidewalk going in on Railroad, another wasn't too excited about it on Main Street. Um
and another was uh just specifically didn't want to be assessed. Uh and otherwise the general comments were more on how we're impacting the yards and controlling traffic during construction. Um that I believe we mostly answered. So, proposed project schedule. As we
said, we already did the report back on February 4th. Uh we held the the open house on the 24th. Um tonight, we're doing the actual improvement hearing. And then assuming you want to proceed, we would have the uh the plans here on next council
meeting to get approved ad for bid. Um and then on the 21st, we'd have to determine if we want to award the bid and move forward. Um, I guess one piece that I don't think I have in the slideshow that's kind of come out from, you know, our previous meetings is, uh,
for the Main Street Walk, we're trying to get the actual local businesses to, uh, determine what the cost would be to build it outside of this project and not having to follow state aid rules ex uh, and those costs. But we're currently
planning on just making that an alternate bid in the bid package so you can have comparable prices to decide between by that April 21st award date is really the the date that we'd have to kind of make that final decision. Um
we'd be able to just exclude it from the the contract if we so choose at that time. Um otherwise uh if we award in April I expect the project is well it's going to be more like a month and a half to two months at most I'd guess between
the two projects uh occurring sometime between between June and November. Uh at which point then we'd have those final as build numbers to do the final assessment hearing where you get to hear half of this presentation again. So now I would recommend you open it up
to the public uh hearing portion of it and we can close out with that resolution. >> All right, I'll open the public hearing. If there's anybody that like to come forward and speak on this matter, you're more than welcome to come forward. State your name and address for the
record, please. >> Uh, Stacy Upton. I'm outside of city limits, but own one of the vacant lots on Main Street. Um, I want to start by saying I fully support the sidewalk and broader corridor improvements. I appreciate the chance to share a few thoughts about the fair cost allocation
and practical design considerations. The main concern is the proposed 100% cost allocation to my currently vacant lot. I understand the assessment may be deferred until I develop the property, but deferral only addresses the timing and it doesn't resolve whether the allocation reflects a fair share of the
cost. Much of the immediate benefit goes to the public city infrastructure and adjoining businesses. I would support an allocation that reflects the shared benefit contributing a portion that's proportional to the future benefit of my property while recognizing that others
receive value right away. I want to make sure the final assessment reflects the benefit my property actually receives at the time the sidewalk is built so that the allocation is fair and reasonable and falls within state statutes. As discussed with Jason at the open house uh last week, um there
were two design points that I had pointed out to him during the meeting. Um, and I think >> uh yeah, the 4 inch thick walk and uh and the concept of seating on the backside. Yep.
>> Okay. So, we don't need to go over those if they're already going to be taken care of. Um, on the cost and Jason kind of hit on that point, too, that we understand the city must follow the grant and bidding process. But with that said, that there may still be ways to coordinate with the neighboring
developers, so this section could be done more efficiently considering he is building rather soon um reducing duplication and unnecessary expenses. My goal is simply to ensure the sidewalk is completely is completed practically, efficiently, and fairly while still
contributing my fair share. Um, finally, I hope these points about fairness, shared benefits, and cost efficiency can be reflected in the record without limiting any future discussion about the assessment. That's it. >> Sure. And thank you for coming in and being willing to speak on that. Uh, we
had a little discussion last time and I'm happy that we facilitated that and hopefully we come up with a ideal solution for everybody. Thank you. Anybody else for the public hearing? Come on forward. Just state your name and address for the record. Thanks for coming in, Angie.
I had a question about your guys' access to. >> All right, Angela Kirsting. Um, I'm the manager actually at the VFW. I am wondering number one, how far over is that sidewalk going to go? We have a
sign there. We have parking there. Um, how far over? >> Good question. >> Right. So, we're we're pulling the curb in to the white line and so that outside edge of the walk that we'd end up was only going to be at most about 2 feet
wider than the currently curb is. So, pretty much all the signs that are out there aren't really affected. Your actual like permanent sign is absolutely not affected. Like if you picture that outside edge from where the curve back is right now, we're only talking about maybe this much ending up being wider
than it was. And the goal is to get it to tie into the grade to the ground, you know, as close as we can. So, you know, maybe two feet of, you know, grass behind it would have to get patched is basically the foot. >> Um, the next question, it said June to
November. Um, we have rodeo coming. Obviously, everybody knows we do a lot of things for rodeo. Is that going to affect my rodeo stuff? >> Yes. So, we have a contingency in there and we we try to schedule around contractors time windows and they have
to guarantee in our contract that it will not affect rodeo traffic. That is our one stipulation and having that big time window gives us the opportunity to get more competitive bids because then they can more flexibly fit it in their schedule. We've seen huge benefits for doing the time window like that the last three years. >> Okay.
>> Yep. Um, and then will that like completely shut down traffic as well? >> That's a Jason question. >> No. So, um, so because we're only going to reclaim the road, that's where we blend the batumous pavement with the gravel underneath and kind of leave it there and we don't have to replace the
the pipes underground. Um, pretty much we're going to just do the work under traffic. It'll just be kind of turned into a gravel road while we're doing the work. and they'll, you know, have kind of flaggers and things that'll have to get them around certain tighter spots. But essentially the game
plan is to maintain access uh the entire time uh aside from when we actually pour like the concrete through your driveways. Uh in your case, I believe you have two entrances. So, we probably do one, let that cure, and then switch to the other one to let people in the
other other entrance. And so, you know, it'll obviously be restricted because it'll be in a construction zone, but it's not going to just have road closure on either end. >> All right. >> Okay. Thanks. Sounds good. Thank you for coming in. >> Yeah, we did bring that up. That was one
of the things about the rodeo jubilee parade that >> that is part of the route and it was just like when Main Street was done, we had to work around that as well. that we we are very aware that the rodeo joy
days that weekend is a big part of the city and that was always a big concern that we're not affecting that weekend. >> Anybody else for the public comment or the public hearing sorry
hearing? None. We none we will close the public hearing. uh discussion amongst council and Mr. Cook. Do you guys have any questions? I know we've hashed out quite a few of these the last couple months. >> I think the I think
with them separating that Main Street as an alternative bid. I think we should proceed forward and that's going to help with them and the other property owner at that time. you know, unless that property owner is doing it sooner, the
other property owner, maybe they can work something out. I don't I really don't care if we have a contractor do it or if they did it themselves type of thing. As long as it meets the standards, I don't care. I mean, it's I think most everybody that knows me, I'm
very very particular with sidewalks. I think those are a huge huge thing. It's not just for the public safety. I mean, it's 100% for public safety, but it's we put it there. You don't use it. I'm sorry I can't make you walk on it, but
it's there, you know, >> and I've been advocating for that walk the last three years. You know, I drive over there a lot and people constantly walk in there and, you know, you have uh the the assessment policy says 100% on the property owner, which kind of bites in this situation, but at the same
point, everybody else paid 100%. So, everybody has paid in their share of frontage in front. So everybody connects and everybody has paid into that the same. So we we have to follow the established policy unfortunately, but we can work with you. I hope you can get the cost to half that to be honest. Uh I
know that that some of our some of this the state requirements are very stringent. Uh probably more stringent than is necessary. Um so I'm I'm willing to be flexible or happy to be flexible with you. How many of the other ones were
>> I'm not sure on that. >> I that's a that's a hard question because a lot of times it's put in when they develop them and at that time when they develop the lots they have to bring in the infrastructure and everything else. This is probably kind of one of those rare circumstances
where it wasn't necessary at that time. But most developments, you go in, if you drive on the other side of 65 over in that development, >> there's sidewalks that go to nothing. But that was all part of the development. And that's when they generally put it in because it's it's
cheaper for them to pour the sidewalk and the curbs at the same time than it is to have to come back later and do it. So, you know, and then unfortunately if if that de either one of those pro yours property or the other ones doesn't develop for two or three years, I
guarantee you it's going to probably be a lot more than that in two or three years. You know, unfortunately cost of cement and labor and everything just up up and up and there's nothing anybody can do to change that. So, but I think,
you know, with that being said, as a as an alternative, it's not going to hold up Railroad Avenue. And I I I feel sorry for the people that don't want to see it, the sidewalk, but I I've always questioned that for years. You come up
when we have our street dances. You'd be surprised how many people walk down Railroad Avenue from the VFW up to the street dance then back again and probably half the time they're probably not feeling any pain by the time they're there anyway. So if the sidewalk's
there, it's safer for them. I I just I've always thought that was the dumbest sidewalk design area thing there is because there's at least if you hit a curb, chances are the carb might bounce off instead of climbing it. So it could help save somebody's life.
Miss Wood, do you remember how long has that deferred assessment policy been our policy for the commercial lots? Was it 20 something years? It's been I remember we talked about it and it had been quite a while. We've always had that or had that policy for a long time.
>> Um well, the policy was recently changed in 2020, I believe, and before that was 20 2006, I think, or seven. I'd have to look it up. >> Okay, sounds good. Any other discussion? >> I'll entertain a motion.
>> A motion to proceed to the next step with a >> second. >> Motion by council member Lundine, second by Council Member Peterson. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. 40. Uh, next we will move into business item K1. Uh, consider liquor license renewals.
>> Mayor and Council, we do have four license renewals this evening. We have a resolution for the on sale and Sunday liquor license renewal for Junction Bowl and Whistle Stop Bar and Grill. A resolution for on sale and Sunday liquor
license renewal for Rum River VFW post 2735. Resolution for on sale and Sunday liquor license renewal for Wintergreens Golf and Grill and resolution for the brewer off sale and tap room on sale Sunday license renewal for Thunder Brothers
Brewery Incorporated. Everyone has submitted the proper information and also background checks have been completed. >> I'm going to ask one question or two questions. Can we approve all of them at the same time? >> Yes. >> And second of all, Chief Myers, have we had any issues in any of these
establishments? >> Four calls total last year. >> Yeah. Granted, the call numbers are probably a little inaccurate just with the record management system that was changed. That's only from LG. But with that, there's no issues with that. Um, to be honest with you, if you go back
and look at the numbers compared to where we are now, every one of those establishments that's applying for it, I can't say we have had any issues with them. And the ones that we have had issues in the archaic past, not in the recent past, are amazingly uh, good. So,
I applaud all the owners and managers of those places that are keeping good track of their clientele and their businesses are doing a good job. This is the second lowest call volume total we've had in as far back as our data here goes. Uh last year we had three. This year we or this
year we have four. Um so I think it's pretty awesome and everybody's doing a really good job with managing that. Uh and I think it speaks volumes to you know our city and our residents and all the owners involved with that. >> Wow. >> Special eight for 25. >> Mine says four
>> at VFW and then four at Thunder Brothers. Well, you unfortunately when you add alcohol and different temperaments, you're going to have issues. And that's not necessarily establishment's issues. And they I know the VFW used to be a lot
years and years ago when I drank. It used to be a lot. And uh and that wasn't because of me, trust me. But uh but they've come a long long long ways from those old days. Uh, I don't think
Winter Greens ever has much problems. Um, and I know the uh uh the bowling alley whistle stop. I know the owner, he's pretty he doesn't put up with no shenanigans there either. And I'm as well as Thunder Brothers. So, I'm going
to make a motion to approve all >> second. >> Motion by Council Member Lindy, second by Council Member Heman. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 40. And just to clarify, uh, Thunder Bros had zero
last year, Junction Bowl had zero, Wintergreen had zero, and the VFW had four. Those are the numbers. So, it's four total last year. Uh, great job everybody for that. Uh, we really appreciate. So, that motion passes. Uh, we will move on to K2 resolution to consider approving a site plan review
for Sani Eye Clinic. >> Good evening, mayor and council. Um BJ Boss Builders has submitted a site plan review application to construct a 6,250 square foot eye clinic um along at I
guess PID16.1260080 um and um it recently went to the planning commission and was re recommended for approval. Um we're excited to see an eye clinic come to town. >> Awesome. Yeah, I'm very excited to see another small business. I'm also excited
to see that they already have their potential expansion planned in their design, which I think is pretty awesome if they decide to go that route. Uh, any questions or concerns? >> All I'm going to say that's a big building. So, I make a motion to approve. >> Second.
>> Motion by Council Member Lundine, second by Council Member Peterson. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries 40. And on that, Mr. Cook. I remember last time uh the only question they had was the that the engineer was not able to verify the storm water. I believe it was at that
last hearing. I see in here everything's approved, but I just wanted to make sure that that plan was approved through you. The storm water, >> I think it's storm water. >> I guess it's still pending my comments on it. Okay. Um and they did revise it to connect into the stub that we have for them. Um, I just haven't I think I
just got it recently on the the hydraulics to verify, but I think that revision looks like it's good to go, but >> Okay. And you'll make sure, I assume. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> For sure. >> All right. Sounds good. That motion passed on that. Uh, awesome. Welcome to
town. Uh, next item K3, resolution to consider authorizing Heritage Boulevard and 8th Avenue pedestrian crossing improvement. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. Um, so this uh this has been on our radar uh for a while now, but in
2021 there was a there's a accident where uh two two children were hit crossing the road at ETH and Heritage. Um, at that time we came up with a concept of how to add a safety island in the middle of the crossing across uh the
county road uh and put in those rapid flashing beacon push buttons on either side. Um, and we brought that to the county and they they felt it seemed like a reasonable thing, but it may make sense to to tie it to one of their
projects at the time so that it wasn't just a standalone cut in. Um well now they're they're coming with the project this year and they have gone about drawing in our concept in their plans and they've come up with the cost share
uh to get that added and uh essentially it came down to we had budgeted or estimated it to be a a city cost of $51,500 back in 2021 when we drew up the concept. and their estimate currently
with how it's actually designed and ready to go for bids is 45,000 for city share. So, it's actually under what we were anticipating even five years ago. And um we're just looking for direction to
uh approve having that be included in their project and that cost share at which point then they can proceed to to bidding actually. um if we don't want to have it happen anymore, um you know, they're basically leaving it up to us to
say if we're opposed to doing it anymore and don't want to spend the money or put in the the flashing item, we can ask to have it removed and then it just wouldn't proceed. >> I think that since we went all out on that no parking and everything over
there, I think it'd be foolish for us not to proceed with it. I mean, it's been on We've been looking at this for quite some time. Yeah, I have a I have a few comments, I guess, on this. I am a little I think it's great that that aspect of it coming, but I'm a little disappointed that they chose to do this section of road before the one through
town. Uh the one through town is substantially worse and like three times the traffic. Um so I'm a little disappointed that their timeline laid out the way it was. Uh I've been trying to work with them and there may still be movement potential on this. Um but as far as the the the beacon, uh with that
lighting, so I assume that's a flashing light. is do you know how much of that expense that is in that project? >> Um I don't think I have their breakdown but it's at least over half of the cost is for those beacons and their you know the bases the you know and everything
that goes with it. >> Okay. Yeah. And I had talked to J Justin today. He didn't say anything about that specifically. He just said it was an island. So I didn't hear about the beacon. Uh I also don't see it in here. But um what's the do you think there's a huge benefit to having that that beacon? And I know the one that's uh in front of
the primary school, I remember when that went in roughly 20 years ago. Um and I don't think that one really does anything because it's always flashing. It's always there. You kind of become sign blind. Do you think this particular one is worth the extra say $50,000
um to do the flashing beacon? Have Have you seen data on that? >> Um I've seen I've seen data that says people, you know, kind of start stopping paying attention to them. I guess you can already notice you do the same uh through town. Um in this case, it's kind
of a longer stretch that's a little darker of a a run. And so if somebody's trying to cross the road and any kind of low light, you know, school starts and stops in the dark a lot. Um I could see these lights drawing more attention to a
darker crossing. Um you know, just to enhance the the crossing and the fact that the county is willing to do that kind of the cost share of a 50 or so cost split. Um, you know, I do think, uh, if we're going to go all out, this is this is the way to do it, you know,
to maximize safety on a really long crossing right now. >> Yeah. I think Justin said it's 93 feet. This would also shorten that crossing roughly 20 ft by moving it off the radiuses of the turns. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Okay. And I I guess I would argue that it's a county road. the county should
pay for it. But at the same point, I understand that uh it's obviously a city concern and a priority. Uh so that flashing beacon that will only flash when someone presses the button. It's not a constant 24/7 like the one out here in front of IPS. >> Well, that's supposed to be a button, too, but Yeah.
>> Yeah. Supposed to be. Yeah. >> So, new ones I haven't seen as many problems with >> Okay. >> flashing when nobody's hitting the button. >> Okay. And that one's probably due to get, you know, upgraded in the 2028 project. Uh, also
>> sounds good. And I do have a meeting planned with them for that, uh, for that area. I talked to Justin about that today, too. So, we're trying to get everybody in the loop on this. Um, next week I'll be at their committee of a whole meeting to talk more about this item and others. Do you guys have any
other questions on this? >> What's a street light cost? like just a light pole with light. >> What we pay per street light for the roundabout project. >> Yeah. So, with a base and the wiring, you know, probably about $10,000 for its
own standalone, >> depending where the wire has to come from, if it has to go underground or above ground to get to it. >> And, you know, if it needs a transformer, you know, separately run to it and depending on where the power supply is from, all that good stuff. >> Aren't most of those lights uh
three-phase anyway? >> Yeah. Yeah. And that's why I say depending on what is nearby, >> if those lights are three-phase, that's triple the cost. These aren't probably going to be three-phase. So, it's going to be a lot cheaper when wiring them. Street lights are generally three-phase. They get longer life and less electric
electrical use charging. So, if you're going to do three-phase, it's going to be very expensive. >> What are you thinking about potentially trying to add a street light there? Well, as far as those lights, I don't know how effective they are, but if that's $50,000 versus 10,000 or 20,000 for one or two light poles that doesn't
require button press, is going to illuminate and give actual information as opposed to just blinking. Everyone ends up being safer. The cars can see and I don't know. I I feel like that would might be worthwhile. I like I like the relocation of the crossing. Shortening it up and moving it makes
sense. But as far as the if they're tying into wiring to power that or how that all works, that's half the cost. It seems it'll be a lot more than that because he's going off of what we already have. Tying in a light where we already have lights. Chances are
there is a three-phase there right now and that'll that 10,000 probably just went over 50. Miss Wood, you actually had uh another question you'd asked about uh underground power from one side of the road to the other for another street light. Do you know was that a three-phase? And I think you said it was
>> $9,000. >> Yeah. So, so that was the actually why that number came to mind is um >> we just got some quotes for a couple lights that did directionally drill across a little stretch of run and put in a base with a light pole like the Cobra type, you know, tall one came out
to about the $10,000. So, it still does depend on if they have something nearby for that transformer type for phase conversions and whatnot. in in general it's you know the 10 to 15,000 would probably cover adding a light there. I just pul p p p p p p p p
p p p p p p p p p p p p pulled up street view and we do actually already have a light on each quadrant of the intersection just southwest and northeast, but it's our city uh like sidewalk type light, not the Cobra type for lighting the larger um
>> you know expanse. And they're both aimed more on our city streets, not onto the actual county road. And that's why maybe it does feel like it's a darker run there, but um you know the the RFBs, these rapid
flashing beacons, uh are solar powered, so you don't have to worry about where the the wires usually run to. I mean, at least it's an option. I guess I don't know exactly what they designed, but um and they would actually have one in the middle in that median as well, I believe, so that it would really make
that crossing stand out and have like a an object that drivers would see and maybe, you know, cause them to at least pay a little more attention having it out there. Um, but yeah, I mean,
I mean, something we could at least talk with the county on, but they do want to move forward with it. But, you know, if we're going to go street light cobra style, uh, you know, over the county road like we're doing through downtown here, it' probably be the two of them
still. And so, it'd be that, you know, 20 some odd thousand instead of 40 some odd thousand and with the cost split, you know, I guess it kind of comes out to 10 to 20,000 for the city.
>> Sure. So, you said the the flashing beacons are solar. Are those push buttons wireless, too, or are you actually directional boring wiring out from each side to the to the center island for the flashing beacon? Um,
you know, for what they would be setting up with the Midway one, it may be wired with it, but they're going to build the road at the same time. So, it's the power supply is from the panels, but the actual connecting the buttons >> likely have the crossing wire. >> Are they going to be putting a raised
curb in? >> Yeah, there'll be a whole med. >> That safety island would be like I believe it's like 8 foot wide or or so. I don't have a dimension on here. Six it looks like. um to have a little spot for a little refuge for the person crossing. So,
right now they got to go 93 feet with nothing or lights. And now this will basically be, you know, 35 ft. Get to have a little safety spot. Wait, see if you're going to have a problem and then get across the other side. And so that that refuge island is going to be a
pretty a good enhancement. Uh and they did have to go through a bit of effort to uh get those lanes to shift over. Uh and I know they uh they did try and work with us on making this actually happen. But, uh, it does look like it's going to be a good a good fit.
So, you know, that part of it, um, I think that that flashing beacon setup is if there's a spot to use it, it's it's here. You know, whether or not they truly, you know, end up losing their effectiveness,
you know, kind of just comes down to did it work the time that it needed to. I don't think they'll lose their effectiveness if if they work as they're supposed to. when you push the button, they flash and they shut off as So like
>> I guess one last piece that not that it matters, but um when we were waiting for the county to kind of come up with their final estimate on how much cost sharing we would have on their entire project, they actually did let us know there isn't anything else besides this. So, we
had actually placeholdered $100,000 for anticipated costs that we might have to cost share as a city and we only are coming out at the 45,000. So, maybe doesn't change anything, but at least it's well within our budget. >> I I don't think you can put a price tag
on somebody getting injured. >> I $10,000, $20,000 for a light. If this is that much more effective, it's money well spent. And I don't think there's a taxpayer in this town that would argue about that one debt. >> Sure.
>> I mean I mean if it's your kid, you don't want to see your kid get hurt. >> And by having that I I just you can't put a you can't put a dollar amount on that. >> I I would prefer if they're going to spend that kind of money for a flashing beacon and they're going to run wiring already that they don't do a solar
setup. Just run it off the grid. Um that way this if the solar panel fails in the future, you're not having to replace the whole light assembly or something. and silly. Um, if they're going to be already burying wire, I don't know if that's an option or something you can mention uh when you talk to them about it. That would be my one recommendation
for that. And then you're assured it always has power and you're not dependent on batteries or a solar panel to or cleaning snow off the solar panel to keep it functioning. >> Sure, I can I can certainly follow up. Um, I don't know that the cost would be much different. So, it probably be the same approval um uh for tonight, but uh
I don't actually know if they already are hardwired. Um >> okay. >> Most of them I see go in are solar now. That's I guess maybe I misspoke even to bring it up, but >> sure. >> I can certainly uh relay that. That would be a preference. >> I make a motion to approve.
>> I'll second. >> Motion by Council Member Lundine, second from Council Member Heman. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> I. Motion carries 31. Uh, next we will move on to Ashtree
continued discussion. So, [sighs] >> no, it's on five. >> Mayor, we actually had um moved them today when it got republished and skate park went before Ashtree. >> Oh, okay. So, okay. In my packet, it's not it must not updated yet. Uh, so
skate parks first. >> Yes. >> I do have some additional handouts I'll just pass out. you can get started about. >> Awesome. I was actually going to ask you if you could get those. Thanks. Um, so if you all remember in our last discussion about the skatepark, uh, we accepted a high value and lowcost phase one addition to the skate park. Uh, and
those upgrades will be coming this summer. Uh, those ramps and features are currently being uh, built in Dave uh, the ramp parts factory. Uh, at that time we tabled phase two until we could find a high value and lowcost addition uh, and have a maintenance plan or
fundraising plan in place. Uh so we knew our investment will be taken care of and not at the taxpayers's expense. Uh Dave from Ramparts, Aaron Zidon and myself have been actively hunting uh for high value uh equipment like a high value deal. Uh the three of us have had many
conversations about, you know, finding cost effective equipment, sponsorships, fundraising, and maintenance. Uh before you tonight is an opportunity uh that I'm personally really excited about uh and exactly what myself and council have been talking about when we voted uh to be patient on phase two and wait for
deals to complete that work. Uh sometimes waiting and making educated choices and goodbyes are the right answer even if waiting seems unfavorable at times. Um we now have come across the opportunity to own an iconic skate park bowl at a rather unbelievable price. Uh,
so in our packets, we have a complete presentation, uh, which I'm hoping that you guys were able to look at and read. Uh, it has the measurements, um, and I believe Miss Wood just passed out, yes, she did, the map of where it would fit. Uh, so this skate park bowl would be in the phase three area, uh, right at the
end of phase one and phase two there. Uh, it fits almost perfectly, uh, with roughly 5 ft on each side, um, for an avenue. Um, and that's so that's super exciting. Uh the bowl is currently in Vista, California uh in a well-known skaters backyard. Uh it's been ridden by
many professional and Olympic riders over the years. Uh it's a well-known bowl in the skating community and it will make a destination for skaters. Uh an Olympic skater included a statement in the packet uh saying he he would be happy to come through when he's in the Midwest to skate it once again. Um, this
sparked our minds, uh, the three of our minds to think about making this like a huge community event and a driving force for further maintenance fundraising for this park. Um, so there are many great avenues to manage this. Uh, an idea that really brings it full circle, ironically enough, is what initially got me in
touch with Ramp Parts, uh, probably about a year and a half ago. George, remember that when I sent you that Facebook listing and I said, "Look at this guy's ramps." >> I give him a call. >> Yep. Yep. So, I saw the ad for a mini ramp and it was a good price. I believe it was like 5,000 bucks for the kit. And at that time we had got a a quote for like $700,000 for a skate park and we
said there's no way. Uh when I saw that ramp I thought this guy must be you know a good value type of builder. Uh well that was Dave from Ramparts. Uh with Dave's passion for the skate community and desire to see us successful at this. He has now offered to uh ironically donate to the city the same exact mini
ramp kit that I actually found on Facebook Marketplace. Um he didn't know that by the way. um if we go ahead with this bowl, uh he wants to create this uh basically a community event where he'll give us the kit for this mini ramp and we have like a group assembly day where
we get the community involved uh to put this together. And he has said that when he has these um and and we've seen these in other communities, it greatly diminishes the chance of vandalism uh and it kind of brings the skate community together. Uh it'll also jump start, you know, fundraising and it'll
make uh paper the newspaper. I I hope guys. Um so that would be something really good for our community. Uh so I guess uh let's get to the brass tax on that. You know, the cost, I'm sure you guys saw the cost there is 32,000. Um which is extremely cheap. I was actually
looking for bids and other uh bowls and I was seeing some for around 150 to 160 of actually a smaller size than this. Uh, so that's a huge value. Uh, part dedication dollars would easily cover this, so it' be zero taxpayer dollars. Uh, the bowl comes with a two-year
bumper-to-bumper warranty for Ram parts, and Aaron Zidon and his sons have graciously been willing to donate, uh, at least 3 years of maintenance costs after that. Yeah. So, the Zidon family. Um, so that's that's really exciting. So
essentially, we'll be getting a bowl with five years of maintenance already paid for, uh, planned, and we won't have to touch that bowl, uh, which is a big deal. And I'm hoping that this sort of huge addition to our skatepark at such a low cost will continue to drive, uh,
motivation for the skate park, uh, maintenance, adding to it, um, and just make it a destination for, you know, Olympic skaters even. So, it's it's pretty exciting. I'm really I'm I'm really stoked on this and the opportunity to work with uh you know this Dawn family and and Dave from Ramparts and I think it's just a awesome
opportunity. So, sorry for the long speech, but I want to make sure we had it all in there because uh Aaron and Dave weren't able to make it tonight. So, what do you got for questions? Like I said a long time ago, I I'm not a skateboarder. I don't care about it. I
know we've had a lot of interest for the pickle ball courts which there is I've always said we need to do something for our elderly people that elderly people that are going to do a sport and there's a lot of people that are doing younger
gen younger people are doing pickle ball as well. So, I mean, I'm fine with this, but I want just to keep in mind, I think that pickle ball court needs to be one of the next top priority items. Yep. >> I It's I'm not trying to take anything away from the skateboard park,
>> but I it's it's I'm 63 years old. I ain't going out there. >> All right. I don't care if you're 50. Thumbs up to you if you're doing it. But I'm just saying there's a plenty of older people that can go out and enjoy pickle ball. And we've already had the
pickle ball association that had showed a lot of interest into this. I think we have could be a good partnership with them. You know, I've gone by that I've gone by that skateboard park for years since it's been there and I see half a dozen kids there.
Granted, it's it's getting dilapitated. Needs a lot of work. I don't don't take that away. But I also think we do also have an aging community community here that need to have something for them to do as well. So I
mean I'm I'm fine with us going to this route, but I'm telling you we got to keep working on the pickle ball courts as well. >> Yep. >> I think that's that's a huge thing that Okay, so now we're doing stuff for the younger people, but we got to start
looking at our aging people in this community. >> And that's next on the hit list. remember we had talked about, you know, they had wanted us to start building the pickle ball courts now, which was last fall winter. And we' said, we're going to be creative and try and find a solution to keep the cost down. And we
did the same thing for phase two now of the or if you want to call it phase two of the skatepark, we said if we can find something that makes sense and we can find a maintenance a maintenance package or something that makes sense for our community not to have to spend any taxpayer dollars on it, it's just huge. So, you know, you just got to get
creative and continue to be patient. And if you're patient and creative and work hard, everything always works out. So, >> like I said, I drive by a lot of different communities that have pickle ball courts and I can go by there at 7:00 in the morning and there's 50 people standing there. I can go by there
at 3:00, there's 50 people standing there. I mean, it's unbelievable. I never thought in my wildest dreams when I first heard about pickle ball, I'm like, "What are you guys nuts?" And that is huge. My family that live out in
Arizona, they play pickle ball every single day and they are in their 70s. So I just like I said, I'm fine with this, but I still want to stress we got to really start looking in that other direction of the other thing. You don't
want to keep taking everything from the park dedicated funds to do that when we could be using money for that pickle ball court. >> Do you have any ideas for fundraising or ways to get the cost down on that? I think that was like was it $200,000 or some buku dollars? So >> I think we'd get you know what when that
when the BMX track came in, people thought everything was stupid on that thing, too. >> I don't think it's stupid. I just want to get the cost down. >> No, I understand that. But there was a lot of money put into that building. We put a lot of money in it since it's been built, but that building keeps producing and bringing a lot of people into this
community. And I don't I think that pickle ball court's going to do the same thing. So, I mean, I'm like I said, I'm fine with this, but I still want to stress we need to really look at something that we need to start doing with that that's going to do something
else for this community. >> I'm excited about this. I'm I'm glad we're finally going to get what I initially wanted to do with this skate park. So >> at 1/5if of the cost. >> When I seen this in my packet, I was
pretty excited that uh that you have some interest to do this because when I wanted to do more when we went with phase one, you kind of you and Steve kind of put a kibos on it. So no, I'm I'm excited. I'm I'm 100% in on this.
>> Sure. Yeah. At that time it was just cost prohibitive. And I said if we find a deal and we figure figure out an arrangement, that's what you do. That's what households do, too. That's how we need to act. >> I think it's a great deal and yeah, pickle pickle ball is definitely on the top of the list. I mean that now we're
moving on to that 100% focused on it. At least I am because that's the next thing in line that we had on the park and wreck committee and uh when we talked here as a console. So >> Sure. >> Nick, what are your thoughts on the the
skate bowl? You got any questions? >> I I don't have questions. No, I think it's the proposition is value focused and to have a family step in and offer to contribute funds directly towards that to try and um assuage some of the
long-term costs is good. I'd like to know if we know what the uh park dedication fund budget is at presently. So currently we have about $300,000 remaining in park dedication funds after
factoring in what we still are paying for Woodland Park and for the second portion of the skate park. So we have about $300,000. So, with the cost of this ramp and then also with that $200,000
number factored in for the pickle ball courts, we would still have funds remaining in there and we will continue to see park dedication funds come in as our developments continue to grow also. >> So, there you go. >> And and I think [clears throat] >> but you understand where I'm coming
from. This is this is just the start of this because, you know, myself and Aaron and Dave are working together. The three amigos kind of trying to figure out how to get this going so we can raise the money. This is just the start. You know, we have uh a bunch of ideas. I think we should put a QR code in the bowl somewhere. I'll have it linked to Venmo
so people can easily donate if they want to donate. You know, recommend, hey, if you enjoy this park and want to see new amenities, well, you know, we could maybe make that account like 75% towards new amenities, 25% towards maintenance. you could do, you know, there's all sorts of different ways that we can
maintain and build this park, not with city dollars. Um, I know I've worked in the corporate sponsorship and marketing world, and I know that, uh, the BMX currently does this. You can sell banner spaces. So, along the outside of this bowl, you're going to have a lot of a lot of area where you can put banners up
um, and you could work on sponsorships to get, you know, community partners or companies or any sort of corporate sponsors that want their name there. You know, skateboard companies, anything. you can you can really I think we could actually make some money with this bowl to add to the park or continue to maintain this park for the future. Uh so
I think this is just the start. It's not just going to be one family. Uh this this family and and us working together is really what kickstarted it and Dave from Ramparts. But I think there's a lot of growth opportunity there. >> So are you guys aware of any other
pending parks items that are going to be in the near future then? So, 200,000 towards pickle ball, 30 uh >> 32,000 and change on this one. >> 32 on this out of the 300 that we have.
And then what was the phase two? >> Uh so that phase two was that 70ish,000. And I I don't I don't think we need we should even consider phase two at this point because I think we should really try and leverage what we would have with
stage one and the bowl and see if we can raise that instead. Um so but that you know that could be a year it could be five years but >> so out of the 300,000 if if phase 2 is executed then that brings it down to
zero. But I know that there's been multiple people who have had issues with Ice Haney Hills and also the new playground being deficient in some areas that people like to see corrected. >> Yep. >> So I don't want to spend it all down to zero and have existing amenities we
already have not be addressed before we >> 100%. And that's why I think with this we we got creative save developments come in more park money, dedicated fund monies come in. But these are parks we already have versus trying to correct what we have versus building out new
stuff. >> And I I I've said this, I think that whole Bluebird Park area needs to be our showcase 100%. I think that with anything we do out in that area because there's a lot of space out there that can be utilized for a lot
of different things and added things and and so forth and so on. I mean, I I have had numerous people that live in Cambridge, they come to our Bluebird Park because our parks are much better than theirs are. That's what I've been told by Cambridge
residents. >> So, we're going to have to get creative on pickle ball, too. If we can somehow cut that from 200 to 100 somehow or or even less, that's >> we'd have to I think I think we should get that that pickle bowl association back in and see what what you know you
know maybe they they be willing to you know take care of maintenance on it. You know the these kind of things that help cut our costs current running costs that helps a lot of that. And Stephanie, you would I believe you'd said you looked into
grants potentially for this type of thing and you weren't sure that they would necessarily apply to the pickle ball. >> Um there the one grant that I could think of is a ARP grant for age friendly communities. I think that's funded pickle ball
before, but off the top of my head I don't have any. But I don't think that the outdoor recreation I'm I mean that fund funded a splash park. So that could be a potential um use also. But it just really depends on the season and who
we're competing against, I guess. >> Okay. And I think in that meeting we had with the pickle ball, we had directed staff to go out for look for grant funding um for this over the winter. Um so if you have a chance to look more into that, that would be great. um because I think that is a priority for
us this year and we have you know another month or two hope I mean hopefully to find some >> the public services director has been looking um and so that is on our radar we do look periodically um there was one that they were going to apply for but it
didn't quite fit uh so yes that is on staff's radar >> okay Nick >> there's a request for public comment >> uh come on forward and just try and keep it short we got a few other items thank Thank you for coming in. And I know you're a pickle ball expert player. So,
>> so yeah, I did I played in the pickle ball tournament this weekend uh down in where were we? Egan. Um I'm all in favor of adding the pickle ball courts. He's not wrong. You won't find a pickle ball court that doesn't get used. Uh we are in Minnesota though. So outdoor pickle
ball courts will get three months, four months out of the year used. The tournament that I was at last weekend in Ian was an indoor facility with regular like outdoor pickle ball courts that you know the same kind of material that you'd have outdoor was what we played
on. There were 12 courts. The bracket that I was in there was 42 different teams. So that many players played. Each of them paid 40 bucks to be in the tournament and there was 12 courts and it was completely full the entire time.
And that was just my bracket. There were six, seven, eight other brackets that were in it and it was full constantly. And I could I can guarantee you they had a restaurant on the inside, too. They had indoor seating on the inside. I think there might be an opportunity to try to reach out for some for a business
maybe to even come in and have like some kind of a a facility in the town. And I guarantee you it will get used. There will there will it will never not be busy when you're there. You might have an opportunity for a couple of things if you have a restaurant that comes in there. You know, they were serving
sandwiches and smoothies and stuff like that, but it will be packed non-stop if you have some kind of a facility like that. And I love I love outdoor pickle. Outdoor pickle ball is different than indoor, but when you have a facility dedicated like that for outdoor pickle
ball inside, it works just as good and it's it will get used non-stop. >> I think I think that's a great idea. If you could if you could maybe reach out and see if you can find anybody potentially interested, that would be you're in that space. So, you know, if >> that was the first pickle ball tournament I played in about three years.
>> Okay. [laughter] >> I wouldn't call it going well. >> Was that $40 per team? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And that was that was the early bird pricing. After whatever amount of days, they the price goes up to a to a different price. But when you when you
have things like that, they'll have um you know, depending on how big the tournament gets, if it becomes a sanctioned kind of a tournament where you could have like qualifiers like you have for BMX, you'll have people that will come from all over the Midwest to play in those tournaments. I mean, I'm
in Cambridge and I'm down in Egan playing in a pickle ball tournament. Um there were people all over the state that came to play in that one. That wasn't even a big tournament and there was easily two or 300 people that were in that tournament alone. Not to mention how many people came and were just watching the thing on top of it. So
there's there's an opportunity there. >> Okay. >> I think I >> Thank you. >> So we're I didn't mean to turn this I didn't mean [laughter] to turn this into a pickle ball. >> This is super exciting for the >> I just wanted to push my part on that. >> Yeah. >> Uh >> I knew this was coming, Steve. I I even
told Aaron and Dave, I I bet you if you listen, you're going to hear pickle ball, >> but I it's just, you know, that's something for another discussion. I you know, I have ideas in [snorts] my head and if you don't my head, they're pretty scrambled. So, um anyway, back to your
discussion and skateboard. I make a motion to approve. >> I'll second. >> George, do you want it? >> Mayor, can I clarify? >> Yes. >> Would the motion include using park dedication funds? >> Yes. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yes. George, you want the second? >> No, that's fine. >> All right.
>> Motion by Council Member Lundine, second by myself. All in favor of approving the skateboard, say I. I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. 4 Z. Uh thank you again, Aaron and Dave. That's uh going to be a great community partnership and I'm super stoked for that this summer. Uh
that'll come along with our other uh amenities which are being built and it'll be, you know, roughly around the same time. Um so I think it's going to be really cool. Mayor, would you like to include um a potential action on the QR code at this time or would you like staff to those other items to cow?
>> Great, great reminder. Um so, >> and the maybe the establishing of a maintenance fund. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. I was going to discuss bringing this to cow and I totally forgot, but we can do it now. >> I think when you talk about that donation, I think it should be a 50/50. 50/50. >> Sure. Yeah.
>> Maintenance and 50/50 for upgrading. Or maybe more maybe we say the maintenance account will need to get to so much before we start doing for capital improvement. That's all for discussion. I was going to recommend we bring that to cow. >> You when you when you talk about anytime we put an amenity in the park, we're going to have maintenance irregardless.
>> So if you set it as a 50/50 split, I think that's more acceptable. people are going to accept it that it's >> sure >> it's and you know if you said 75% for maintenance and 25% for upgrade it's like yeah >> sure >> I mean you do a 50/50 it's going to help
out both ways any way we look at it we're going to maintain it if we get money or not we have to >> right yep so the QR code uh I've heard complaints about you know we set out those QR the QR code at the the archery range um and the complaint is that you
have to create an account and make it's too many hoops. Um, and I know Venmo has QR codes. Um, I don't know if we're allowed to use that. >> Staff has already been looking into that. So, we do plan to bring something new forward for the QR code. So, it may be Venmo, it may not be, but it's
already been being worked on. >> Cash App's another popular one PayPal. I don't know what's out there, but that would be very beneficial if we can make it so you know it's easy. And then you you say, "Hey, we recommend if you enjoy this park, donate five bucks or or whatever." Um, so that was something that I'm glad that you brought back up.
Uh, and what was the other thing? >> Uh, to establish a maintenance fund for the skate park equipment. >> Yep. And Nick, so Nick, how would how would that work if I would like to create a separate maintenance fund just for the skate park? Um, is that just as easy as adding a line item to the budget?
>> Sorry to put you on the spot. >> It may be a little more complicated than that. I'll need to kind of dig into it more to figure out what kind of the rules and regulations on that would be. I know that separate funds can be set up
to receive just donations, but basically we'll try to figure out if it's necessary or if it's something that we can just keep in our general fund and just kind of keep a running total of donations received. So, I'll have to look into it more on the accounting side to see if there's any sort of
requirements or how we would like to kind of establish receiving those donations to >> Okay. >> go live with all the >> Are you guys okay with directing him to look into that? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. I don't know if I'm forgetting anything
else. And I want to bring this to the next committee of a whole meeting for further discussion on all of it. Um the community partners, sponsor, banners, all that type of stuff. I think we if we hit the ground running with this thing, it's going to be highly successful. Um, and it keeps kids out of trouble, you
know, learning a new skill. And it's the the bowl especially, I don't know if you guys looked at that, but it's really designed for anywhere from, you know, beginner to expert. >> Yeah, there was a video that I watched and that that video really sold me on it. So, yeah, it's a it's pretty cool bowl. >> I wish we had a picture of it we could
put up on the monitors. >> Yeah, we have it in our packets, but no, it's pretty cool. It's like a boomerang or banana shape. Um, yeah, it's well known bowl. What's that? >> Another thing too. >> Yeah, go for it. >> We can do it at a later date or a later meeting, but to accept uh the donation
that'll be coming in from the Zadon family that will take council action. >> Yes. Yep. >> Do you want to do that? >> Do you guys want want to do that now that we have decided on that? Obviously make a motion to accept the donation. And uh he did also mention that that's
this is a three-year commitment, but he's willing or they're willing to continue that um you know and be involved with that and they're very involved with the the park stuff. So we appreciate that. >> I make a motion to accept their whatever
Joel, however you said it, Josie. >> Motion to accept the donation from the Zidon family. >> All right. >> Second. >> Motion from council member Lundine, second from council member Peterson. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 40. Thank
you. This is an on family. We greatly appreciate it. Um >> thank you. >> It's uh this is awesome. So, anything else? Josie >> on on that item. >> I think I think that's good. We'll bring the rest forward. We'll have the fire instructor uh Nick look into um the fund
and doing the maintenancing and the QR code. We'll have an answer probably by Cal for that stuff, too. So, we'll bring that there. Okay, sounds good. Uh, next we have item K4. So, ashtree continued discussion. Um,
I have done a lot of work on this too in the last couple weeks. Uh, so whoever put together the summary, Josie, was that you? Thank you for that. Uh, really well laid out all the steps and discussions we've had a >> lot in there, but I wanted to I wanted to have everything that's ever been discussed all in one place as forward.
Yeah, I think it was or some somewhere around 10 meetings we talked about it. Um, you know, we've taken every step and asked every question along the way and tried to be the most reasonable we can for everybody. Our city policy says we're not responsible um for the rightway trees. That's our city policy
and it has been for a long time. Um, if we are just going based on policy, this is entirely an owner responsibility. However, um, you know, we're trying to come up with the compromise that makes everybody happy um, without blanket taxing everybody. And it does take time. You know, we have discussions on
discussions on discussions on this stuff uh because we want to create the best solution. Um about two months ago, I did uh try to email a research group at the University of Minnesota and it turns out my email was stuck in my outbox because I missed one letter on the email on the
email address. So that never sent. Um, so, uh, I was able to fix that and I got a hold of the researchers and, um, they have, uh, Sure. Yeah. Go ahead. There is excitement, uh, that they reached out to
us and they would like to partner with the city on, uh, further research for their fungi. Uh, their fungi uh, has proven effective in smaller studies and as far as I know, they haven't been able to make it big scale. Uh, but they have
grant funding. um to work with the city um and treat up to a 100 trees with a couple different methods that they developed. Uh one that is like a spore that uh grows in the tree I believe and then another is a spore that um infects the emerald ashbor which is an invasive
species um not from North America and kills the trees. Uh but that spore actually infects that emerald ashbor and then when they go to mate it infects whatever they mate with. So, it's actually a, you know, a cure for emerald ashbor potentially. Now, obviously, they
have to do a lot more research on that. Um, but they're excited and want to partner with the city on something like that. Um, they've also provided a few other potential solutions that other cities are doing. Uh, one of them that I thought was very interesting was adopting a tree program uh where
residents who have trees can potentially decide to treat the tree in their yard um for a reduced group fee. Uh so if you have an ash tree in your yard and it's beloved to you, there is a treatment option that we know is effective. Uh it's not the experimental one. It's the 100% effective treatment, but you have
to continue treating the tree. Uh we had talked about that as a as a city cost, but we we thought that was, you know, it's a large cost to treat every tree. Um so some cities are implementing a program where those people can adopt the tree in their yard because they want to keep it and we can compile a list. So
say if there's 400 people in the city that want to get involved, we can then get a quantity discount on the treatment. Um so that these people who are affected by these trees in their yard, want to keep them, they get a reduced price to treat their own trees and they can keep their trees. That's up to them if they want to be involved or
not. Uh so that was something that I thought was interesting. Um and there's a few other things. Uh you can see it in the email here. Uh option one is do nothing. uh with you know you could remove all ash trees you could inject all ash trees at city cost with
insecticide there's a whole bunch of different options that that they are seeing cities do um so I think it's you know prudent that we talk about all the options uh for the research study they had talked about um they have funding to do a large scale
study uh testing their management tool on 100 ash trees in Iani uh the stud would be of the study would be of no additional cost to the city uh if the council deems it appropriate. However, uh they may choose to provide technical support for the expansion beyond 100
trees if we'd like. Um the one thing that they they would like is if they're going to treat a 100 trees, they would like a 100 trees that we will just let die as their control group. So, they have a a control, it's a scientific method, they have their control in the same city. So, they can say they can
compare apples to apples if their treatment's working on this tree versus the tree next to it that's not treated. Um and then they also had a option or a recommendation that they work with us um or we we work with a a treatment provider for the insecticide treatment
on 30 trees. So then we can compare or they can compare their 100 treated trees with their fungi, the 30 treated with the known proven insecticide and then the 100 control group. Um so long story short, um the 100 trees wouldn't really cost us anything. Uh they didn't say it
was a recommendation to treat 30 trees. Um but I know at one point we did talk about treating some of our more important parks trees until we could establish mature trees in a similar area. Um so that was something we had talked about anyways. Uh so there's lots of options. Um and I think you know
we've talked about this a lot and it's not like we're just kicking it under the rug and it's it's I don't think it's fair um if anybody says we're not trying on this because this is an invasive species. None of us in this room had anything to do with this species of tree or a bug. So, uh, we're doing what we
can. You guys have any ideas or after that whole big spiel? >> I' I'd like to see us go along and move along with this fungi. >> I love the fungi idea. >> I I think that I I think it's I I don't know if he did he say that
other cities reached out to him. >> Uh, he didn't actually specify, but he seemed pretty excited. So I >> So if he's pretty excited, it means they're probably we're probably going to be a pioneer in this thing. >> Yeah. >> And because that's when I sent you that I told you about it immediately when I seen it. Yep.
>> And I haven't seen anything on the news since. >> And I saw it and I think Bill had written an article on it. I saw it then, too. So we're paying attention to this stuff. >> And it's uh I I What's the right thing to do? You know, I mean, it the right thing is to do is
it'd be nice if we could figure out a way to kill this. And if the city of Sani is one that's stepping up with this guy and they can start really narrowing it down and it's going to be costefficient, we're going to be a pioneer for this thing, >> right? So, I I think it's great. It's an
opportunity that I think comes I mean very rarely. So, in the University of Minnesota, their research is topnotch in every aspect almost. So, >> I think we should go along with this thing. >> Do you want to do more trees? Um, I I propose, in my opinion, I think we
should meet with him. He wanted to do an on-site visit. Maybe he could show me what's involved in treating these trees. Uh, if it's as simple as rubbing a a spore on the tree or whatever, then I I say we could probably afford to try more trees. um you know
>> and I believe that he made a reference that if they could get some help and we could utilize public works for up to 3 days or something you could expand that be >> to the 500 I thought he said or something like that. So I I would I would like if we would you know say a
consensus that we would like to go forward or look into this and then uh myself and maybe Josh could meet with him and see >> how he could come up for like a call meeting. >> Yeah, I'm not sure. I can try. >> I think he came up with a call meeting.
>> You know, at that time, you know, Mr. Becker could be here >> and >> it would help. >> Sure. >> And it would help him know what's going on and I think us would going on and the general public would know what's going on. I think that's
>> it. It's like I said, this hasn't fallen on deaf ears. No. >> Because I mean, as soon as I seen it in the nose, you got a message from me. And I and that was and it's too bad that that's the beautious about emails. Doesn't tell you when something's wrong.
Um but I think we should I think we should get this guy to come up here if we can for a cow. And I'm sure if he's very excited about it that way, you know, unfortunately I can't be here during the day. >> Mhm. >> And I know George, you can't. Nick, you can't unless it's specific time and know
way ahead of time. I know Luke, you have a little more free time that you can do some of that with, but I think if we can get him up here at a call meeting and then maybe have Mr. Becker here at that t same time >> and I do agree that it's good to have Mr. Becker there because if we're going
to use public works staff or some trees need to come down, but I do also want to make a recommendation that we have our associate planner Jared be part of it as he has a good skill set for um looking at these things and also has the capability to do mapping that we could use. That would be one thing that we've
learned through this ashtree process as we look at um it's a bigger picture for staff and that well how many trees we even have in the right away we just don't have enough data um to even know. So I think that by utilizing his skill set and making some more like data
driven stuff for other tasks too is around just trees in general for the city would be a good idea. >> Sure. I hear you're the GIS whiz so >> yeah. So, do we have are do we have a GIS map of the trees or is the map very rough?
>> We have a very accurate map of ash trees but not the other boulevard trees. >> Sure. So, just the ash trees we have. Okay. So, that would be probably be helpful for research too. Okay. Awesome. Well, thank you for your work on that. I assume you were probably involved in that too. >> We contracted it out with Davey and then
I worked on the using their data to map it. Yeah. >> Sure. Cool. So, my recommendation, let's get see if we can get him up here and uh get everybody in in a call meeting or something. >> Sure. And then just a couple important
points. Um trees that are in imminent danger to any sort of public. We have already given Josh the I see the list here of trees and just to make note not all the trees that they recommend taking down um were ash trees and that is goes
to again that bigger conversation of it's just all rightaway trees not just ash trees that could be potentially a hazard and we need to look at that bigger picture if we're going to take um down all rightway trees if they need to be taken down or certain ones like ash
trees. Um but what they found was five um trees were should be cut down but they were in hazardous situations not um for public works to do whether it be power lines or other things. So they recommended contracting five of them out
and then 18 trees in total uh three of those 18 are not ash trees but they recommended that those should come down because of their eminent threat and danger. So [clears throat] my worry is if we go and start doing that that sets a precedent.
>> Yeah. >> Why are we taking responsibility for them? >> That ordinance says we don't have to. But >> we never Let me clarify this. The city of Iani has never as a city itself planted any trees in any rightway. It's always the developers, right?
>> Um >> or have we in the past like 10 20 years. >> The city has not planted them themselves by using like staff. However, the city did require that developers did put in trees in the rightway at one time, >> right? >> Yep. So, we did require require
>> We require developers to do a lot of things when they develop a piece of property, a tree shouldn't be set aside as something different than anything else. >> And if you think about it this way, I was thinking about this a lot. If you don't have an asht tree in your yard and you never got the benefit of having an
asht tree in your yard, but now if we were to I mean this is these this list isn't as concerning as if we were to go bigger scale which is could happen at some point. The treatments could not work. We have to realize that too. But then those people that never had an asht tree, never benefited from a tree in
their front yard or or whatever now have to pay tax. They have to be tax essentially assessed because this tax this money has to come from somewhere. So that's it's kind of a unfair at that point, but what do you do? And that's the hardest part of this
whole discussion. You you can't just spend other people's money when they never had any benefit of an astray in their yard. >> Well, then there's Yeah. And there's x amount of properties that have this unfortunate problem and yet the majority don't and so you're asking everybody to pay for it.
>> That's why I think the voucher system or something that we'll have to discuss at another time, I'm I'm sure. Um >> and um my instructor Nick did find out that we can uh do a voucher type system. We didn't find um actually it was Jared who did some research on what other
cities are doing. We didn't find a lot of other cities doing a voucher type system. Um it definitely was more in the alignment that the city just took those down and used some kind of funds, city funds, whether it was tax or not. Um we're not 100% on that, but it
definitely is something that we can do. I I think I have preference towards the the adopted tree idea that they had presented in the email from the research company or from the the U of M. Uh like I'd said, you know, if you have an ashtray in your yard, then it's less
than 50% affected. Is that what it is? 50% or 60% less than the so much infected, you can treat it with the known insecticide that works on the tree. Um, so those people could decide to treat their tree or not treat their tree and that's up to their discretion and they would be spending their money,
not somebody else's. Um, and then hopefully we would get enough people that, hey, I want to save, you know, two trees in my yard and say we have 300 people that want to do it. Then we can get a quantity discount and just pass it on to them. Then that way, you know, those people benefited from the tree in their yard for so long and if they want
to keep it, they decide to keep it. If they want to take it down, they decide to take it down. And that that doesn't change our policy at all either. So, it doesn't set a precedent either for the future as far as setting ourselves up for having to take down 20,000 trees.
I'm I'm just I'm for staying with ordinance. If we're gonna if we're going to change it, then we have to decide as a group that yes, we're going to change that and then decide how and then decide how we're going to do it all at once or
I mean if we're going to I'd rather levy this all out in one year if we end up going that direction at least then you can explain it. Hey, it was an act of nature instead of doing it over five or six years and keeping our tax rate high.
>> I don't know. That's just my just my initial thought. >> My my thought is is we need to find out what it's going to cost if public works doesn't remove the trees. Okay. >> Right. >> So, let's say wholeheartedly it's all these trees that are coming down.
Boulevard trees, city trees, whatever. >> Okay. How much does that actually cost? If it's say it's $1,000 a tree, we have to look at maybe maybe doing a deferred
>> assessment on that tree removal for that person. >> And the stump grinding, I mean, >> well, that's what I'm saying. Everything, all of it involved. >> And we do have the resource Davyy uh Davy resource group, excuse me, who did the survey did provide estimates because it does depend on how large the tree is
for how much it costs to take it down. We have some other estimates out there too. Those were provided in the memo. Um just generalizing size because I didn't we we didn't ask them to come out to evaluate every size of the ashtray for those quotes. Um but they do give a cost
there and we are able to not do a deferred assessment. I'd have to look into that. But we are able to do a special assessment. Um if we take down a tree, you can assess it back to the property owner. >> So maybe that's an option. you know,
they can decide to treat it on their own or get a special assessment or maybe we do some mix of >> or they paid if they paid whoever. >> I mean, I I'm not against I brought up another guy name and I was going to I
thought Jo Mr. Becker would have been here tonight. Uh to have reach out to them to get an estimate. Reard Satamora. There's another I know another family that live in the area that actually live in town that do tree removal and
trimming and so forth and so on. I if we got 10 estimates, I don't care. We I mean, we're going to know what the fairest value is across the board. That's just the way I see it. So,
if you're looking for direction right now as as this point, I think we need to start with getting this guy out here. See if we can get him here. Let and then once we go where we're at with that and then in the meantime, we can maybe get these other numbers or other ideas
coming through and work on it. It's not it's it's not going to be it's not going to be decided tonight the whole thing. >> We can save a hundred. Let's say that 100 works and then we pay for 30 in the park and then we get the grant money. I mean, we're whittling that number down
of the amount of trees where maybe we can look a different direction. >> Yep. >> But, >> yep. All none thing is >> Yeah, it's that it's it's it's like I said the last meeting, it's not going to be decided in one or two meetings. There's a lot of moving parts in this.
>> I think personally, in my opinion, we need to get the fun guy out here. Let's get him in here. Let's see what we're going to do. Move forward with what we're going to do at that point. And I'm not opposed to more trees at that point.
Whatever. You know, that information he brings each one of us, what you talk to him, >> you didn't highlight this area. We might have this idea and you don't know the answer to it. I think that's the fairest way of getting doing this and moving forward with this. Astrid.
>> Yep. Yeah. Maybe maybe Josh will see the procedure and say, "Yeah, it's easy. We can do this when we're out trimming trees or out doing something else and maybe he'll want to try them all or a majority." You know, it'd be pretty awesome. >> I think this study I think this study is
is a huge thing and I and it's going to help in my opinion, not just this city, but other cities moving forward. >> Slow the spread. >> Slow the spread. Absolutely. You know, you might get you might all of a sudden
u uh Pine County, Pine City hasn't reached there yet and they see it's coming. Maybe that's something that they can start reaching into and maybe it'll stop it there. So, this is it's it's here. We're not going to change that fact. It's here. If we can stop it spreading further and further north, I
guess that's a huge thing that we're doing here. And we even did talk about last time like if we do take down trees, hopefully being able to bring them to our site and burn them. Uh now that Evercat's not there anymore, I think that might be more reasonable. Um
so we've talked about all these things and I I think it's just a very difficult solution. >> I think burning them as I think even if you have a tree service come in and remove them, they needs to be brought there and we need to contain it and burn them ourselves, right?
>> So that we know it's being done properly. How do you know? I'm not saying Davies is a crooked company or anything, but how do you know some Joe's tree service doesn't come out and just take them home and throw, you know, and just throws them in his field and just let them rot? Well, he's not solving the
problem. He's creating a bigger problem. With us doing that where we burn it, we know that it's being contained at that point. >> Yep. So if I could ask that at the last meeting it was sh um voted on that the public services director could take down
imminent threat or im imminent endangered trees. It was not specified um for funding on that. However, the de facto so to say would be the general fund and you have your a list here um of those 18 trees for public works. Well,
just make sure with council, do you want them to move forward with their intent is to or their plan is is given with staffing and other tasks um is to take down one tree per week. >> So, how have we done that in the past? Know we have a a hazardous tree in the
rightway. >> We have told the owner, we have provided notice to the owner to have it removed to cut down. Um if we end up taking it down because it's that hazardous, we would assess the property. If they did not pay the invoice, >> then I say we stay with policy,
>> then we should vote on that be as the vote last meeting was different. >> Well, the reason it was is because I I know I brought it up, but it it sounded like we had trees that were ready to fall over. Well, if we already had a policy in place that if a tree was ready
to fall over or be a danger, then these trees should have been marked out and the the residents already notified if we didn't have a policy in place to keep track of these. So, I don't see how anything changed from our initial policy other than we weren't
keeping track of the trees that should have been being kept track of and had some attention paid to them and maybe >> had a notice sent to homeowners that that tree needs to be removed. >> I I think I think what we need to do is we need to find out how much it's going to cost to have a tree service remove
it. Then that homeowner needs to be said this is how much it's going to cost to remove the tree. How much is it if public works can do it? If they do one removed one a week and it's I'm just throwing numbers, so just just it's $300. >> They can pay the city 300 bucks to
remove the tree. They're aware of it before it gets done. If they sign off on it or they're going to have it removed, then so be it. The hazardous ones that public works does not feel comfortable doing, they they're going to be cost more money. I think we need to know what it's going to cost before we act on this
at this point. because I think the homeowner should be notified long prior to this being done and given a certain amount of time to have it done, >> right? As long as we're taking care of these trees with the policy we already have in place. That's my point.
>> I think that that's we we need to have a dollar amount where city staff can send each one of these of residents and say it's going to be x amount of dollars to remove that tree. you if you want if this tree gets removed by the city, it needs to be paid >> and we can have public works provide an
um on the ones that they're able to do provide a an estimate on the time frame and equipment use and go per our fee schedule. We can certainly do that. I would like to add to the conversation um if there was a storm that took down trees in the rightway, people were not assessed for that. So, I just want to
make sure I have that clarification out there, too. >> So, the dog park one that could definitely come down. That's an asht tree and that's on our property. So that's as far as I don't know about any of the rest of these. Are any of the rest of these on city property?
>> Well, well well one tree is on our property, isn't it? >> Um I'd have to look. We have an easement on well one. Um so I'm going to guess that's not on our property. It's on the fire districts. >> But at that same point it's on our easement.
>> I'm not sure if it's within the easement lines or not. Our easement is just around the wellhouse. It's not >> Okay, we got to check on that one. >> So, I'm a I'm a little confused on that because it says uh not hazardous. So, is that one just expected to at some point
need to have to be hired out? Are are these in red? Just >> the red are hazardous. >> Yeah, it says not hazardous on that one. >> Public works made the list. I not 100% but I probably was maybe just I believe it these are all trees that they were
recommending that as >> as staff drove around that should be removed. >> Okay. >> I took that to mean that the trees locations hazardous but it's not showing signs of >> Sure. >> the EAB. Yeah.
>> Well, like I said before we do anything on this list like dog park one we that's a no-brainer. That's ours. We got to take care of it. But the rest of these, I think we need to get a price quote out what it's going to cost. And then these homeowners or if that's the fire
district need to be addressed with that and say, "Hey, you know, these trees are are dangerous. They're going to be a problem. It needs to be removed. You have the decision to make. You can hire it out or you can the city can do it. And
this is what it's going to cost." And we should put a time l line on it like 30 days. If they're a if they're if they are ash trees, then I think I don't care who cuts them down. I think they need to be brought to where we can burn
them and maintain and get rid of them. That's my personal opinion. >> Can I get clarification on something? So the resident who brought this to our attention, he the way he was articulating or the way I understood it was he was saying that it's on the city's responsibility since they're in
the rightway for them to do the maintenance. However, by state statute for that maintenance, there can be a special assessment to the property owner. >> That's city statute, >> city code. >> City code. >> Every city does it. Every city does it differently. I mean, we have this
established code that's been the code forever. I don't know how long, but it's hard to change code for something that some people have already, you know, some people have already been responsible for taking down a tree. And what if my neighbor say just paid somebody $1,000
to take down their tree and now all of a sudden the city just comes and does it? >> And and for clarification, the code does, city code does say that we can go into the rightway and do work if we want. So I think that that is may is also part of where well you can go in there and do it. that means it's kind of
your property and he also brought up the liability of insurance which we reached out to our to LMCIT as well. Um we've also reached out to our city attorney. I haven't heard quite back from him before this meeting yet. Um in regards to liability if the tree were to fall down
and the short answer is it depends. It depends on the situation. Depends on whose fault. It depends on who proves that there was negligence on whose party's fault for the tree falling down potentially creating If the city planted the tree and then didn't do anything to intervene on its
degradation, would the city be at fault for that or is it >> The insurance carrier says it depends. Depends on the situation. We didn't plant any trees. We did require trees to be planted, but we didn't plant any trees. >> And we didn't choose the variety of tree either. Correct. >> It's been we >> we did we did have a list of trees that
we didn't tell them to plant ash trees. Not that specific, but we did have a list of trees that they could choose from. >> But I do think in in the last 10, 12, 14 years, ashtree has been put on there. You cannot plant an asht tree.
It is on that list. It says no ash trees. I know that >> it it's not on our do plant, but it's actually not on our don't plant. It's kind of in a gray zone. So, we should >> Well, then then what I was handed when I had my first house here, it said no ash
trees. It was recommended not to do, but actually when we looked in zoning code, it doesn't specifically say no ash trees. However, staff, I believe, did say no ash trees given the situation. >> It's complicated. I mean, look at you. You we had elm tree disease back when I
was a kid. So, >> you had oak wilt as well, and I asked public services director Becker was here when we had oakwilt, and to his knowledge, the city not pay did not pay to take those down. That that was the property owner's responsibility. So if we decide to take responsibility
for the trees then we almost have to set a budget for future years for trees that might fall into this category in 10 or 25 years. So the next councils are caught up in the same >> that would be my recommendation is to look at it as trees of as a whole in the rightway because as we see even on this
list there's trees that maybe are going to create an issue that isn't an asht tree. >> Trees die. I mean there there's it it anything woodpecker pecks it too much sooner or later kills the tree and it's going to die it it like you said Dutch
elm disease oak wilt you don't hear about them that much anymore I remember an oak wilt we had to go around with a ditch witch and cut all the roots off the oak wilt so it didn't spread to the other trees but as oak wilt was dying the ashbor was
coming so it's it there there will be another disease that is going to affect another type of tree and unfortunately it's it there's nothing we can do about it. I but I still think you know this rightway
thing for 12 12 plus years 14 years trees have not been allowed planted in the rightway. And if you look at all planning now it states that it has to be x amount of feet from the center line of the road.
And trust me, when the inspector came out, they measured to make sure that tree was not was was in that within that distance. So, it's it's [clears throat] unfortunately there's nobody. I'm not I wasn't around long
enough. These these ash trees that are dying, I wasn't even born probably when those trees were planted. So, I'll be honest with you. I I there's a lot of things that were done years and years and years and years ago even as I was a kid
you you can't think of even doing now and I think you know the same thing you know I mean you grew up on a farm what' you do with your drain oil pour on your driveway keep the dust down you do that now and you get hung so I I mean and
that was the norm back then so >> so I have a little bit of perspective I thought was interesting. Uh we've talked about the the lifespan of an infected ash tree once it's infected, right? And they've said 5 to seven years. I was going through and backing up all my photos. I had a photo of uh an ash tree
in my yard from 2013. It I could tell it was clearly infected in 2013. I just took it down last summer. So that's 12 years that that tree. >> It was I I I couldn't believe it been that long. I I thought it felt like six or seven, but I guess time flies. So, um
I think there's more time with these than we realize or than than what's said. Um you know, so I think we do have time still to figure this out. And we're not behind the eight-ball. Uh there's a lot of cities that haven't decided what to do on this either. There's some that are just starting to decide on what to
do. Uh cities with bigger tax base than us are taking them out, but their taxpayers are a lot more well off than a lot of our taxpayers are. Um, so you know, and they have more commercial to kind of float that. We don't really have commercial. We're focusing on trying to get more commercial in business, but we
don't have that at this point. Um, >> their burden, tax burden per family is probably considerably less than what ours would be. >> Yeah. Because >> depends on their tax rate. Depends on their tax rate. It depends on a lot of things, but it's, you know, so I don't know where we go. Um, I don't think
there's an easy solution unless someone's got one. I don't think we should change ordinance, but I I I would like to do something. >> Put it on the do not plant list. >> Well, [clears throat] I think that's ah >> any person that sells or plants an asht
tree. There's not a tree farmer that's going to be selling an asht tree. That would be >> You want to entertain a motion to put it on the prohibited tree list? >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay, I'll make a motion for that then. >> I'll second I'll second it. But that's I
I still think I think we need to address >> this and I think we need to get pricing on doing this before we do anything with that. I think we need to get the fun guy involved here sooner than later. >> Yep. >> That's what I'm going to motion so we can move on from this and then we'll go
to your motion. >> Can we second? >> I I second it. Let's let's vote on it quick. The motion to add the asht tree of all varieties to the do not plant list. There's a motion from council member Peterson, second from myself. All in favor of that say I. I. Any opposed?
Motion carries 40. Next motion. >> I motion that we get a pricing on these trees before we do anything else with it >> other than the dog park one which taking it down >> and also get the fun guy here if we can
to come to a call meeting or to one of our meetings. Even if it's even if it's a planning commission or if it's the EDA, it wouldn't work, but a planning commission maybe. But any of those meetings, I think that's what we should do. Okay. >> Before we and then have
>> Jared and Mr. Becker both present at those meetings. >> Sure. And if he can't make the schedule work, are you okay with Josie sending out a notification on when it is? If we can make it all work, I I'll be there hopefully. Um but would you be okay if he can't come to a future meeting? Yeah,
I guess that would be it. >> I would I would also like to see what second. >> There's a motion on the floor from council. We'll have more council Lundine, second from council member Peterson. All in favor of that motion say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 40. George.
More discussion. I was wondering if we needed to add this in as a motion or not, but I would I would like to instead of doing that have staff write up a couple different letters that we would send out to residents that may have
obviously not just an asht tree. We have some other trees in here that are hazardous, this maple tree, a cottonwood tree, etc. I'd like to see a sample of those letters that we send out and maybe have staff uh have us look at them to see if there's anything else we may want
to add on to it. >> So just a sample letter of what we've used in the past and then we can kind of tailor that in a future cal meeting. Is that what you're thinking, George? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I think that was kind of what I was saying about we need to first know to get pricing so that then then we can say
ex you know number one number two on the list get sent to them. We need to get a price on these before we do anything. And then once we get that pricing, then we can look at the letter and see how it >> add some numbers in there, too. >> Yes, that's the way I would have that's
the way I understood the motion it has. >> Okay. >> We can't do anything until we know what it's going to cost. >> I agree. >> And I don't think we need to make money on it. I just think we need just to get it done >> or some sort of compromise between >> it's going to be a tough one because a
17inch tree here and a 17in tree at another property, there might be hazards involved where it's going to cost double the amount to drop that same tree. So, >> well, but if if you're going to get a price on this, they're going to have to come out the the company's going to have to come out and look at these five trees
anyway. Plain and simple. >> Just the ones on the sheet. Yeah, >> we'll start with that. I'm >> good with that. That's just a direction on maybe come next time with what we usually send. I don't think you need a motion on that, do you? The letter >> that we usually send, just bring that
added to the packet. Yep. >> I don't need a motion on that, >> but just for the public, just for clarification, um, with that motion that just passed, uh, public works is only going to take down the dog park tree. We'll work on getting quotes estimates for what public works be would cut down and what the contractor would need to
cut down, and we'll bring that forward. But otherwise, we won't be cutting down any other trees in the right right ofway at this time. >> Correct. >> And then going forward with meeting with the fungi. >> And was there anything else to add to that? Are we we good? And come forward
to the next cow. >> I'll bring the same memo to cow because I feel like it has all that information in there. So, >> okay, sounds good. Everybody good? Anything else? All right. And I believe we have exhausted that agenda. Uh so we will
move on to the consent agenda. I did have >> to make sure that everyone had updated. We do have four items on consent. >> If you don't see four, you potentially don't have an updated agenda. It was this payroll the commit on the
local match on authorizing contract signatures for the crearyy building uh staff for transition to city website and the termination that's all was on there. >> Yep. And we are required to transition to a.gov. Correct.
>> So we're required to transition to a.gov of if we do certain election like absentee voting tasks, we don't do those currently. The county does it for us. However, if the county didn't do it for us, we would need to do our own. So,
that is [clears throat] why we're doing it now. It is quite the process. Um, I believe Miss Strand started the process about getting a.gov approved last fall, maybe. As early as that, it took this long. So, we do believe that we should do it now
just in case we do need to do the election things that require us to have one. >> Okay. And there I I think we should bring this back to another meeting because there is a cost with that. >> If that would be okay. Uh especially cuz I didn't just have I didn't have it till just now. Um so, if we can bring that back to another meeting, it doesn't
sound like it's that imminent to to do. Okay. >> Right. And then uh item L4, is there any uh urgency to that one? >> Uh yes. >> Ah okay.
Yes. Do you see item L4 on there? >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh and I did have a question on L2. Uh this is the same as before. Essentially no city obligation other than simply submitting the form. >> Correct. Correct. We did add on if you
saw in my updated memo um that we were able to um engine city engineer Cook um brought forward the pavement of the alleyway. And so our obligation for that grant if we could get 50% of that project which was already you know in
our pavement management management plan paid for that would be our obligation in it. So it's it changes it a little bit but it's saving us money. Is there a is there a timeline on that grant? I know we haven't talked about that either. The >> It is 2028. The work has to be completed by
>> No, I mean that the grant has to be submitted by or this format. >> It's already submitted. >> So, they were just waiting for us to update this resolution. >> What if we decide not to go through with that paving of the alleyway? >> Um, then we just wouldn't get that funding. It's a reimbursement. >> Okay. So, we have the opportunity to decide as a group in the future if they
get it to pave or not pave because we've never had that discussion up here. >> Yeah. It's just been a part of our pavement management plan for a long time. Okay. >> So, always. So, it's just coming around. I think I think it just brings it a few years forward, but not it's not substantially.
>> So, it must be past like 2030ish because >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We haven't looked past >> I want to say 2032. Okay. For the all our gravel alleys to be paved for the downtown. >> The year I placed it in was 2028. So it'
be a couple years from >> it and pay for 50% of the project. So other than that, yes. >> Any other questions on the consent agenda? Knowing we will bring back item L3. So we're not approving that tonight.
>> I make a motion to approve everything except L3. >> Nick question. >> I do have a question regarding L3 since it's on here though. Um is there only one person, one registar who handles all the domain registration or there is there multiples or >> There are multiples. We got multiple quotes. Um, but that one was through our
website and seemed to make the most sense. >> You have to go through them or >> we don't have to. No, but we do have to have a website, a domain host, >> right? >> But we did not have to go through revise. >> Okay. >> Were they the best price?
>> Um, I don't have that in front of me right now, but um I know in Miss Strand talking to our IT um contractor that it made the most sense. Um I think they were all if I can to guess. I think they were all relatively within the same bracket. Um
>> maybe have that in the next meeting too and we can just discuss if it's minuscule then probably just do it. If it's substantial then might be a discussion. >> Is that good, Nick? >> Yeah. There again I'll bring it back up. Approve the consent agenda removing L3.
>> Motion on the floor. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion by council Lundy. Second by council Peterson. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries 40. The consent agenda is approved. Any other questions or communications from members of the board or staff?
>> Motion to >> YouTube stay up. >> Oh, we are we are trying trying a new streaming platform tonight, guys. YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and Rumble Live and all. Yes, Nick. >> Rumble Rumble's not on. We don't have an account, but we can do like 20 different services if we wanted to.
>> Okay. Nick got that set up. Nick got that set up. So that's going to save some city staff time. Um, and hopefully it continues to work good and people can watch it wherever they see fit >> live. >> Yeah. So it receives the feed from there and it redistributes it and it's just a small little computer. Set some stuff up
that's running in the server room thing and it's going to be under 200 bucks versus the $6,000 I wanted to upgrade the system [clears throat] for. So >> good job, Nick. This is why we get creative around here. >> So hopefully that works great. Uh if anybody has any feedback on how that went or how that goes in the future, let
us know. >> Anything else? Otherwise, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. I already made that. >> Okay. Motion by Council Lundine, second by Council Member Peterson. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. 4 Z. We are adjourned. >> I didn't know you were setting that up,
but it was ready to roll. That's awesome. >> You should