--------- All right, it is 7 PM. We will call the city council meeting to order. If we could all rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Uh doing roll call. Uh Council Member Lundine is here, but he might be outside. Um, and we do have the one uh Jeff Homegrren seat and he is not here this evening. Um, next we'll move on to public comment. If there's anybody that has
public comment this evening, I will remind you of some of the rules. Uh, there's a threeminut time limit and uh, council member Heman will be the timekeeper with a one minute sign. Uh, please keep the public comment to uh, city business and not personal or political attacks. And we will have a
time limit tonight total of 15 minutes um because there are lots of items to get through. So if anybody has a similar or the same um type of comment um you're more than will welcome to combine them into one.
So if anybody's want to come forward come on up. Just state your name and address for the record please. Thank you for coming in. My name is Josh Boswell. >> Is that microphone on? Ellen, can you hear me? >> Yep. >> My My name is Josh Bosmo. Um, I wanted
to comment on your Facebook page, your mayor Facebook page. You've directed people multiple times to that page as a way of communicating with you. that would be public record at that point and you've taken down those records now. You
there's nothing left on the mayor page. In fact, you took down you took down articles that you had written specifically about the school walkout. None of them are posted on there anymore. >> Okay. I I I haven't taken down or blocked anyone from anything on my mayor page. And it is still it's not an
official city page. the the city of Iani page is the official >> except except for the fact that you've specifically directed residents to use that as a way to communicate with their mayor. >> Sure. >> It becomes a public record page at that point. >> So, and you need to be very careful there because anybody that wanted to go
request something from the Minnesota Data Protection Act and I've checked multiple other city administrators and they agree that that is city record. That is public record at that point. Okay. Um, this the second thing I wanted to talk
about the goals, the goal meeting that I just watched that was painful. What What goals did you have besides stop taxing people, cutting taxes? >> I can read you off the list if you'd like. >> Yeah, I I heard them, but it was it was
still painful. I heard I heard specifically a long list of how Steve doesn't want to shovel his snow. And I mean, it went on and on and on. It was painful. You you don't want to you don't want to cut taxes anymore. You're and then you talk about trying to generate revenue for the city. How does a city generate
revenue? >> Liquor store sales. >> The biggest thing >> and >> I don't know other sources. That's >> taxes. >> That's how a city generates revenue. And then you say that you don't have any more things to cut. So you've used up
all of your tax cutting ability. Don't want to do any more with taxes. How do you expect the city to grow anymore at that point? There's a complete lack of vision. You don't want you don't want to raise taxes. I get that. Nobody wants their taxes to be raised, but the city that's
that's their main source of revenue whether you you want to admit it or not. This is a nice little stipen that comes with it, but that's where your revenue comes from. You can't cut everything and then expect to be able to grow at the same time. Okay. And the third thing, the school
walk out. I'm still disturbed about that because as a city as a city as a government official on that post, not only did you tell people that they shouldn't shouldn't exercise their first amendment, right? But you went on to agree with people
that they should be punished for that. >> Time's up. >> That's I hear you. >> Explicitly what the first amendment was designed against. >> Sure. Thank you for the comment. Uh I I feel like we are very thorough about our goals. Um but I appreciate your comment
on that and we continue to work as hard as we can towards market growth. So >> can I comment on that? >> Yeah, turn your mic on. Sure, George. >> I'd like to comment on that. I know I know you came in and I'm I appreciate you came in during the goal setting meeting and you did come in later during the meeting.
>> Well, good. Um, raising the only other thing I have to say is raising taxes does not grow a city. So, >> all right. Well, thank you for coming in. I appreciate your your comments tonight. Uh, anybody else for public
comment? >> Hearing none, we will move on to adopting the agenda. Are there any changes, Miss Wood? Good evening, Mayor Council. No, there are no changes to this agenda. >> Make a motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Motion to adopt by Council Member Lundine, second by Council Member
Peterson to adopt the agenda. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries 40 Z. The agenda is adopted. Uh, next is the city council meeting minutes. We can approve them together unless someone has any concerns on either. >> Make a motion to approve.
>> Second. >> Motion to approve by councilor Mendine. Second by council member Peterson. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries 40. The meeting minutes are approved. Uh so we have announcements. City offices will be closed Monday, February 16th, 2026 and
observance of President's Day. Uh, committee of a whole meeting, Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Planning Commission meeting Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 at 6 p.m. City Council meeting, Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 at 7 p.m. Parks and Recreation Board
meeting, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at 6 p.m. And we do have the open county communications slot. I don't see anybody from the county here, um, but I know that's been an ongoing conversation. Uh I did talk with um Sheriff Cyberlick uh
just to let him know about the potential for the uh item that's on the agenda tonight for the parking. Um so I I've tried to keep active communications with him and the the two uh county commissioners also that are in Sani. Um so I think that's going pretty well. Uh
but again we welcome any sort of um county communications from anybody at the county to come in and talk and and just keep a open line of communication. I am also working with uh Justin, their engineer, on a potential um improvement to uh an intersection
that we have that is a county road. Um so hopefully we hear back from uh engineering on that. Um otherwise I don't Do you guys have any other county communications that are important or have you communicated with the county on anything prudent or
>> Okay. >> If we haven't we should about five because it's pretty rough right now. >> What's that? >> Five is pretty rough. that they haven't been communicated with. >> Yeah, I've been trying to get them to redo that road for three years and it's not scheduled till 2028 and I don't know how the heck they think that stretch of road is going to last another three
years. So, please community members reach out to them. I've reached out to them probably every 3 months on it. So, um, community members, I think, need to reach out and maybe they can reallocate some money or maybe switch, you know, 20. It's probably too late for 26, but for 27, maybe get this patch of road on
this side of town on five fixed cuz it's pretty rough. So, I was riding with somebody today on it that's not from here. He's like, "Man, this road is rough." Yeah. So, uh, hopefully that's on the radar. Maybe they can consider moving it up, but I'll keep trying.
Uh, next council committee reports. Anybody have any? >> I have two. >> Go for it. >> At Chamber of Commerce, we met at the Cambridge Library and there was a presentation by uh company that was spun off from DW called Repurpose Educators
and they gave a presentation on how to uh work with and communicate with Gen Z employees throughout different companies. So, it's cool to see DW with all that they do and uh trying to use their resources to help other companies. I know they've also helped with the the
fire district with implementing some equipment management and culture uh surveys and then the fire committee report had my first fireboard meeting um at station one and
there were some discussions that were quicker than I would have liked but um yeah they're they're going to do some changes with implementing some outsource HR stuff to improve things there. And
there's also the Yeah, it's minor purchases, but not not anything big happening there yet, but >> Okay. Did it move faster? Did you feel like your voice was heard or do you feel like you didn't, you know, didn't step in soon enough or did they ask you your
opinion or did they just move on? raised some questions to try and get some dialogue going and motion was made and second ended and that stopped the discussion and then >> to stop the discussion. >> No, to okay to make an action on what was being discussed.
>> All right. Well, thank you for taking that one on. Uh >> I guess if you ever have any feedback for us or questions, you know where where we're at. So, any other council committee reports? >> I did not make the park and wreck. I was really looking forward to it. We hadn't
had one in quite a while. Was stuck at a repair shop down in Forest Lake. I did watch it online and it was a short meeting. It kind of caught up, but there was one thing I wanted to bring to attention to the council and that was, you know, we did set the goal of u
a memorial, a veterans memorial, and and we haven't talked about it in a while. would like to see that get back on on cow our goals for this coming year and try to work on that a little harder or get some more updates on it. So that that's about it. Everything else uh for
that meeting was just status quo. >> Okay. Stephanie, has there been any uh discussion on on that or have you heard much or do you want me to check in with the VFW or what are your thoughts? Um we had some good connections um this
last summer and so um there's a lot of progress but I think there needs to be more followup that happened first before it got brought back here should go to park board. I would recommend doing some research first and bring it back and then and then come back here is what my
suggestion would be. But >> okay, so maybe George, can you uh reach out to maybe the DFW if you want to or someone from the park board assign someone so that then there's somebody for it or if is that what you suggest having someone from the park board kind
of >> well staff will do it too. um just with the >> changeover of park staff um sure it's not hasn't been at the top of the list but it definitely is on the list so they'll be reaching out too. So Miss Hillis and the parks department prior
made some great progress and we just need to see where that landed because they need to discuss at the VFW. So >> I know we made it a goal two years ago. Um so I'd like to try to keep keep the ball rolling on that. >> I think we made a little bit of headway. just a matter of uh
coming up with the final details to to move that next step we need to move. Um >> I'll talk to I'll talk to the >> the the way it standed the stood the last time was you're just waiting to get um approval for a landscaping plan
designed like a design done to show people what it could look like. And so um just that money would need to be allocated for that. And so that's where I know the last time I discussed it with Jessica that's where we are at. So >> Okay,
>> sounds good. Anybody else with any others otherwise? >> Okay, so I have uh I have a couple things just to mention. So I thought this was interesting or uh important to share. I get a lot of questions about this. So, I saw in the admin update uh that the public works went out and
collected street pole numbers for burntout lights that Kexus has to come and fix. Um, thank you guys for doing that. It's, you know, it's one of the hundreds of things that they do that just kind of goes unnoticed until a light goes out. And we don't control those lights. Um, the only thing we can
do is send it to Kexus um to request that they come fix it. Sometimes the they let it be for a while. It's not a priority. Um, sometimes it's a couple hours. So, uh, just be patient if you see that. Um, they did go out and check over all of those. Um, I also noticed
that public works got illuminated pretty much entirely wrapped up for the season. Uh, there were a couple of stakes that were frozen in the ground that couldn't come out. So, there's cones over those. Um, and I also wanted to let people know that I submitted a newspaper article uh with more information about Illuminati Sani on everything that went into it
this year and kind of the past and the transition that uh we hope we can continue. Um, so that's a column in the newspaper. So, look for that in the newspaper. Um, and we're going to continue uh as a group to come up with ideas to write more in the newspaper to get more public outreach and just more understanding of what we're doing as a
city. Uh, we came up with a couple other good ideas in the previous goal setting meeting uh which I appreciate. And then the second entrepreneur workshop was yesterday. Uh, I've been able to attend both of those and both of them had probably 25 to 30 attendants and I think it's been uh well attended. It's a it's
a great networking place. Um, I was able to talk to a lot of local businesses and I think they appreciate that the city and the chamber of commerce and the is it the East Central Regional Development Commission. Yeah. That that's a collaboration that the city is not putting any money into. It's just we're
providing the space for them to have it. Um, and and you know, Stephanie's there to answer questions and it's a good way to outreach to grow the business community. And um like I mentioned in the goal setting meeting as well, you know, we've continued to uh try to grow businesses and um I I met with two
business owners in the last week and they were both very thankful for Stephanie and our city council and all of our staff for being uh significantly more friendly than the other cities they were looking. And I think that's just a testament to our staff and what we've done to uh implement better business
practices for for our city. Uh so I'm really excited for this entrepreneur workshop. Uh the next one I believe is March 3rd. Uh so if you're interested in that and you have a small business or a big business or or just considering starting any kind of business, uh feel free to come to that and check it out.
Uh next we will move on to business item K1, a resolution to consider approving a site plan review for Weatheredwood, Minnesota. Good evening, mayor and council. Um this is for a site plan review to approve um two accessory buildings for Weatheredwood, Minnesota.
They are zoned in the BIT tier 1 business industrial transitional district. Um the Iani planning commission conducted a public hearing on January 20th of the review and recommended approval of the site plan um
to come forward to the council. The finding of facts and all of the items are within the packet. >> Make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion to approve on the floor from uh council member Lundine. Second from council member Peterson. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries
40. Uh thank you guys for the good discussion on that in that that last meeting. Uh K2 consider consider resolutions for Railroad Avenue and Main Street sidewalk improvements preliminary engineering report. Mr. Cook. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. Uh so I have a little slideshow
to give. I'll pop up over here. Hopefully it works. Uh so so this is the evaluation that you guys had me uh do uh back in January. You guys wanted us to evaluate Railroad Avenue. Um
and uh so we not only did that but in the recent council meeting you guys were discussing the main street sidewalk. So we were able to just include that in this evaluation. All right. So
as I said this is that presentation So the project area areas is uh the original area is the railroad avenue stretch from Palamino to Main Street. Uh that's the stretch that has that white striped sidewalk along the edge of the
pavement. And then that Main Street sidewalk infill piece is uh is the piece of sidewalk that's missing from Credit Union Drive to essentially Richard Avenue on the north side of Main Street. Uh so those existing conditions uh this
is a state aid route uh starting with railroad avenue here. Uh the pavement's in a poor condition so it's in need of more than a seal code or a millin overlay. Um there's currently no parking on the east side along that painted stripe. Uh and that striped walkway
isn't ADA compliant. It's too narrow and it's on the cross slope of the gutter. Um so so that's that current fit. Uh the rideway is also only 40 feet wide here and so we're working in a pretty tight little corridor. Uh the water man went in in 1976
as well as the sanitary. Um they haven't had any failures or clogs so we don't anticipate need to do anything with that. >> And we have a failure there about two years ago on railroad and Broadway right at that intersection. Then I remember Josie you'd come in like really early in the morning. There was a water mane
failure there. So, >> there's a patch over the road right now. >> So, we had a I guess a conflict from our our storm crossing and the water service uh depth and the sanitary depth actually all in that one spot. And so, yeah, I guess
you're right. We had to do a a repair there, but it wasn't really specifically from condition or age. >> Okay. >> That would be something that we'd need to chase now. Um, on that note, I guess there is a sanitary service that might need to be evaluated um on depth as well
>> on the end on the corner. Yep. >> But but I guess for the main line in the street, uh it's not looking like we would need to go chasing replacing all that, which would be a significant cost. Um and then the storm sewer actually went in in 1998
uh initially and then again in 2006 with uh some extension into the curb lines and things. It was kind of a strangely built road where it didn't originally didn't have curb and then it got the curb added as planned but like later on and then the the catch basins were
initially installed where the curb was supposed to go and then it didn't quite line up. So if you go look at it there's kind of little bumpouts with where the catch basins are. So um unnecessary background. There you go. >> Will that have to be changed?
>> So yes. So um so specifically the catch basins on the east side uh would be along where that current curb line is in that image. Uh but our our game plan here is to be able to make this walkway safer and ADA compliant would be to move that curb line over to where the white
paint line is and then have the sidewalk grade separated and ADA width and sloped properly. But moving that curb over, you'd you'd see that the catch basin that's in the curb where it is now would also have to move over. So, we'll have to slide those over to to fit the new
curb line just to make the storm water work. >> When you say slide them over, I assume that's >> fairly more fairly more intensive than just sliding them over, >> right? Well, actually, we have a good condition here where all the catch basin leads are just stubbed straight out from
the main line. And so, we're actually be able to just grab those catch I mean, we'll build new ones, but we basically just shorten how long the pipe run is instead of if it was like running along the curb line, we'd have a real problem. whiskey structures and reroute things. >> Okay. >> Whereas all we got to do is shorten the
pipe runs, which is as good as we can hope. >> Um, all right. So, as we just described, uh, here's the the concept. So, I guess it's rotated all crazy north to the right in this photo. Um, essentially,
like I just said, the the curb line moves over. We get a concrete sidewalk along the back of curb which will e that outer edge would essentially kind of widen about a foot wider than the current walk is at to where the outside edge of the walk would be and that would
only leave us about a foot to two feet from the walk edge to the rightway. So we have a very tight little corridor to uh to try and wedge this in. Um, and then by moving that curb line to where that white line is, we still will actually have enough room for two-way
traffic and parking on the west side, which is currently what we have. It's currently no parking on the east side. We just keep it that way. Um, so we do have just enough room. Um, and then with that plan, we would also just leave that west curb in place and only do spot repairs as needed. Kind of like we've
done uh on our recent projects, say Sandy Hills, uh, South Brook View. reclaim the street and just spot repair the curb essentially is the rest of what this project is. Um and then otherwise to get that walk in uh there are two
hydrants that essent that are in the way and they don't we don't have room with the rightway to be able to uh leave them where they are and so we got to slide one back just a little bit and another one we got to move down to where we do have an easement. Uh, but that's really the only main conflicts that we've
identified um for for fit to be able to get this walk to fit in there and meet meet the requirements. >> I do have a quick question for you. Um, so I know there's a concern about semi-truck parking there and I think with this setup, it's going to be too
tight. Um, but my question is if say that business there wanted to sort of add their own little parking pad um, you know, between I think there's a light pole like there's like two light poles there. If they wanted to have like a little kickout, would that be something that if they were to pay for
it, we could have done at the same time. Is that like a potential option? Have you ever seen like anything like that? Maybe like an apron added or like if if they would like to do >> west side the businesses. >> Uh, yeah. Yep. Yeah. On the west side >> parking. Yeah. I mean, they already have kind of a paved surface the whole way
and so yeah, if they >> there is one area that's dirt or grass. Um, so is have you ever seen that where you kind of work with the >> like >> Yeah, in this condition this situation where it's already all >> the mix paved and gravel and things. Um,
you know, yeah, if if there was a a layout tweak that they would want to make to try and use their site a little different to get off the road more, we'd be more than happy to try and help along because as you're saying, the more we can get park semis off the road, the better, >> right?
>> Um, you know, but right now what the game plan is is the road will still be pretty much the exact width that it currently is between the white line and the curve line, right? So, we're not actually really narrowing it for what was supposed to be used for for vehicle
traffic. >> I know people cross the white line when there's Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, I want to make sure that we do this right the first time. Would it be possible uh can I give that company your number and have them call you if they I'll just give them a brief rundown. Have them call you and if they have ideas to that you can
add into your planning so that we make sure we do it right for them and for everybody else the first time. >> Sure. Yeah. We have ideas. Uh yeah, I'd be open to talking about how they their functionality of their site. Sure. >> Okay, sounds good.
>> All right. And then jumping over to the main street um infill. I guess it's that straightforward. It's literally at Richard. There's that crosswalk on the right side of the screen that has that little section of walk that's already in that gets over to Fifth. And then there's just that gap along the north
side of Main Street to where there's an existing ped ramp on the west side of Credit Union Drive aiming at nothing. And so our our fill in here would simply connect the dots, add that crosswalk striping, and uh and I believe the only
thing we really identified as a conflict is there's a kind of a split tree that would likely need to get uh removed. >> How about the fire hydrant? Uh the fire hydrant uh looks like it's just tight enough where we'd probably just have to do like a one foot kind of bump out and
around with the walk and be able to just leave the fire hydrant where it is. >> Okay. And I see on there in the in the graph or in the design it says sixoot sidewalk, but in the bullet point it says 5ft sidewalk. Is there a reason why we're going from a 5ft to a sixoot or is that a typo?
>> Um off the top of my head I'm going to call it a typo. We would match how wide the existing walk is. Okay. I believe the report is five feet. So Let's say that's a typo. >> Okay. >> Whatever the walk is to the the existing walk is we just continue. >> Okay.
>> Because that' fit the the landing on that ramp as it is as well as the crosswalk that would be receiving us. We just want to be as wide as those ends are. >> Yep. Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. So, general costs. Um, so the Railroad Avenue project uh is uh a total
cost estimate of 517,000 and change. Um, we're only looking at assessing the reclaim and essentially re the spot repairs of the curb following
how we've assessed all of our past projects. um which eliminates assessing the sidewalk, the curb shift, and the storm sewer that has to shift, all those things that are related to it. Um and the whole project's stated eligible. Uh
all the items involved in it. Uh and in the end, that would have the city have a share of 449,000 and the accessible cost of 68,000, but we'll talk a little bit more on the next slide on that. Uh the main street infill
is slightly different. So, that one is a segment of walk that would be required for a developer to put in if it were to be developed. They're vacant lots right now. And so, that's proposed to be a deferred
assessment onto those parcels when they develop. So, essentially, they would have incurred that cost anyway. We're just trying to get that work done now. And if anything that may save them money in building it now versus in the future at whatever time they may end up doing it is when they would only need to repay
us essentially. Um that project is estimated at $73,000 and that would be fully uh assessed. Would you after looking at a little more do you think that's a good thing for us to use the MSAS on that or is it just
better for us as a city to take that cost on and not do through not go through that and just you know assess it on deferred assessment onto the property. So, so the benefit of doing it now, um, and being part of this report right here, if we definitely do
it now with a project we're already having to do all the state aid hoops with, >> okay, >> it can be grouped with work. So, hopefully, you know, economy of scale might help. Um, yes, there's a few extra little hoops that'll have to go with the contractor and the costs with that
project to make it use state aid funds, but for us to cover our funds now using those funds and then have that deferred until they're re reimbursed to us, you know, seems like a pretty good idea, a pretty good fit for
this uh this infill uh to kind of work with the situation. So, I guess I could pretty much cover the next slide, but let's dive in. So, the assessment, like I say, um following our policy is 25% of the street improvements, um on railroad. So, on railroad, um our current
assessment policy is if there is a new sidewalk that's wasn't petitioned for, that wouldn't be assessed, and that's why we're following that that protocol. Um, so like I say, only those street costs that aren't involved in the sidewalk are that items that would be
25% eligible. Um, total frontage on 14 parcels comes out to 2580 ft of frontage divided out comes out to about $26.52 a foot. That's kind of right in that same range that we've had on our past
few projects, if not on the low end. Um I think I hills was quite low but uh in general that's below our average cost per foot of an assessment as it is. Uh which if you see that average cost of $5,263.
These are kind of larger parcels and so that average individual parcel cost is a slightly higher but it's well within our kind of average range as we've been assessing. Um, >> is that is that cost different for a commercial property versus a residential property, or is it the same?
>> Nope, it's the same policy, same percentages. Um, I'm trying to see if I have that breakdown of past projects in here. I'm not >> sure, but >> I'm primarily worried about the house on the end. Do you know offhand how much that assessment could cost?
>> Um, we do have a preliminary assessment role in the report. >> Okay. Um, without knowing the address, >> it's probably the lowest one. >> Um, yeah, I guess we'd have to get into the
the lowest one is $1,989. >> Okay. >> Maybe that end one is $2,625. >> Okay. So, somewhere in that range. >> Yeah. >> Not knowing which one's which. >> Yep. Okay. >> You can certainly look in that report once you have an address. Um, so and
then just in bold there, final assessment. The way we've done them all is we wait till the contract's been bid and constructed and then do the final assessment hearing at the end of the season uh to base it on the actual incurred cost uh where these numbers
would kind of be the cap that people would have to expect to run into. And in the past, we've kind of I don't want to prequalify, but you know, we've had good bids and we've managed to keep the projects under bids or under bid on top of it. So, we've had good results in the
end. Um, but these are the numbers to kind of plan for. Um, and now jumping over to the Main Street one. As we say, because it's a commercial undeveloped lot, it does fall under the deferred assessment category of our assessment policy, which is different.
and then does allow us to um to 100% assess the sidewalk because like we say, they would have had to build it and pay for the whole thing at any time they should develop it. All right, so we're down to schedules. So, um if we want to move forward with
this today, um you would have to pass the the two resolutions that we have there. One is to uh call for two separate uh improvement hearings. So that we kind of have to technically hold the two different ones. The deferred uh
Main Street sidewalk infill as its own path and then the uh the Railroad Avenue improvement hearing would would also be the next step in moving forward with an assess project. Um, we do have time by when your scheduled meetings are to get
a open house uh in there to at least make it available for the people on the project to come in and have questions or get information. Um, at which point then we would hold the the public improvement hearing on March 3rd and you know taking
information from that see what we can incorporate into the plans. We would have a goal of mostly having the plans done by that meeting, but if we have any tweaks, we'd be able to make them by uh the March 17th um meeting, at which point we would present the plans to you
guys. You'd be able to approve them and and approve adver advertising for bids. Uh at which point we'd have that advertised for three weeks and that next meeting that would be able to award would be April 21st. And then they'd have all season to build it. Uh, I
anticipate that three months is definitely on the long end. I'm going to guess it's more of a twomonth project, if not one and a half, depending on how they run their process. Um, and then the uh the final assessment hearing, like we
said, would be ideally the first or second meeting in November, depending on when that project got done. >> So, I had a question. If we go forward with this and it's a June start, how's it going to affect the rodeo jubilee parade? >> So, as we've done in the past, uh we've
written in a section that says no work during those um either they have to have completed their work by then or not start. Um and it's that straightforward. We can write that in our spec. Um
>> because that if if it started in June, you know, July, it's the first part of July. If they started in June, they're I don't think they're going to have it done by then. >> Sure. But that's where our specs are just written to say, "Hey, contractor, give us your best price to do it when it works the best in your schedule." Uh,
but here's your criteria. And if the criteria is you don't get to work on this week or have the street tore up >> because I do know that parade turns down, >> it does >> off the main street on there and then turns and goes up Broadway. >> But absolute worst case, they could use Dalan, too, which is 60 feet over the
same. I get that, but I just, you know, >> that is a big deal in this city. So, it's got to be >> some thought in there. >> Yeah, I think we very I mean, as we have on our last few projects that had anything to do with parade routes, we've specifically written that in and I don't
see why we wouldn't again. And, you know, that very well mean they don't start till later July, but you know, um, it really isn't going to be that big of a difference, I don't think. uh for for bids for sure. And the fact that they'll
have, you know, if it's a less than two-month project, they'll have plenty of time to figure out when they want to come to start, we'll just have some other things written in there that once you start, we want you done within, you know, x number of days. >> What's written in there? If they're not done in x amount of days, would there be
a money contingency? >> Yep. So, there's uh there's liquidated damages that we always have in there. Um, we've never really have to go there because they know that's hanging there. Um, and usually we give them enough time
where we haven't really run into it, but that there are stipulations in the specs to >> okay, >> a monetary uh, you know, penalty. Well, I guess I'm not supposed to call it penalty. Liquidated damage for the lack of use of the street. Yeah.
>> Okay. for the open house. Um, there's not very many properties on this one. Uh, how much time would it just be you at the open house or would other city staff have to be in here with you? Is this one where it could just be you on your own?
So, we only have to or how does that work? >> It would be Jason as well. It's either myself or Josh Becker. Usually, >> okay. For this one, would it be an hour or two hour window or or what are you thinking? I'm just >> um yeah, I mean I guess what we've found
is if we usually have been making these about two to two and a half hours long, but it's usually the first half hour is most everybody and then maybe an hour later another wave of a couple people. So I don't know that we'd need to be over an hour and a half. Uh and if we
made it an hour, I mean, like you say, there's only 16 people total uh involved. So, you know, we could obviously we'll get them all a direct, you know, letter inviting them, but we can certainly give them info on how to just directly contact us because it's
not a very big list. You know, on other projects there's 80 to 100 people. This one's going to be a lot uh a lot easier to be one-on-one on. >> Sure. >> Yeah. I think it's 16 parcels, but a lot of them are owned by the same people. >> Yeah. So, it's I think your list is more
like 10. Y >> I was just thinking like is it is it necessary to do that or could we just send a few extra letters and then with your phone number and they can just call you directly or which would you prefer which do you think is better for a say 10 person list?
>> Yeah. I mean I do run into the you know the classic the person didn't open their letter didn't know about it. Um but then maybe they saw that there's an open house coming, you know, either in this or online or, you know, whatever that
there's a meeting to attend. You know, with this small of a list, >> um, you know, I I don't know what the feedback will be on willingness of people to directly call me their comments as opposed to coming up with them. But honestly, with
this small of a group, I would definitely see it not being necessary and we can try and one-on-one contact everybody. >> I think I'd prefer that route personally because then they don't have to mess up their schedule. They can call you, you can call them. I >> sure >> personally I don't that's just my
opinion on the open house for that one. >> Thoughts more of a time window. It seems more accommodating. So, so long as they're contacted and have that allowance, then seems fine. >> Well, open house is always a good thing
because there is other people with other questions that might not be part of this project, but somehow it might affect them. That's just me personally, but >> he's going to spend as much as much time answering phone calls as he is if he's up here doing it. >> Sure. Okay.
>> That's a really good point. on this is kind of a collector type road. So, anybody that's passing through this road might have questions about traffic control and you know impacts to them that aren't directly the ones getting the letters. So, that's a good point.
>> Like sometimes we do have the school district because their bus drivers will come. >> Okay. >> And ask questions. >> Sounds good. Open house it is then. >> Oh, all right. >> I think I don't know. Uh so uh with that yeah I guess uh I mean any other questions otherwise yeah
if you want to move forward we got to pass the resolution to call for the improvement hearings as well as um call for producing the plans so that we can have them ready by that March 7th. question
for you. Even though you we go through this and let's say the main street sidewalk gets stopped, we don't have to proceed with the sidewalk, but at least we can have that information ready, right? >> Correct. Yeah. So, part of it them being separate is they'll each have their own
path as it is. And technically, we aren't actually like recording these assessments on these properties until, you know, the end of the year. And so between now and then, if anything happens with that walk-in fill, the owner wants to build
it themselves or whatever, whatever happens, we'll be able to adjust that at the essentially when we actually do the final assessment hearing and say, "Oh, this happened. This person doesn't even need to be on the role anymore." Or, you know, or we've
completely eliminated it. Well, that's easy enough. Uh but yeah, on these steps, you know, if you recall all these other projects, you know, that award bid on April 21st, I mean, each of these is kind of a stop. So, if I bring you the plans in March 17th and you're like, you
know what, we've got a lot of feedback. We don't want to do this project, project's done. If at that time you want to at least get bids and find out how much it is, we go get bids. March April 21st rolls around, bids are bad, and you're like, we don't want to give this to anybody, project's done. Um, you
know, so each one of these is kind of a check before we actually pay to build it. Um, so, yep. >> Make a motion to approve. >> I have a question first. >> So, with the, uh, you said the sidewalk on railroad since it wasn't petitioned
for, it can't be assessed. >> Correct. >> How would people have gone to petition it or what would that process be? If people don't want it, why? >> Sure. So, so just our policy is written that if um I want to say 35
35% or the number 35 is in my head, but essentially the petition would just be a certain number of people need to have signed a petition asking for a walk to be added. If they didn't and we're the ones driving it, then it's a
um then it's a city-driven new walk and our policy is that new sidewalk in residential areas and um isn't assessed. >> So to be 35% of the affected uh frontage road, >> the people that are yeah being assessed
essentially. >> Okay. So with the option to do it or not do it, would they have the ability to petition between now and then or are we taking that away from? Are >> you talking about on Main Street or railroad? >> You were talking about railroad, were you not? >> Railroad. >> Yeah. Okay. Just making sure.
>> So So sure, if they want to come ask us to assess them for the walk, we can assess them. um that would probably have to get worked
out by the improvement hearing because that's when we'd actually be kind of figuring out how much we're telling them their assessments are. >> Is there a breakdown of the cost railroad with and without? >> Yeah. Yeah. In the in the report there, there's Well, it doesn't have
different assessment amounts. It's got the column for the the nonassessed cost, which would be you'd be able to add the 25% of that cost. Um, I could do that math if you want me to and shoot you guys an email, but >> So, I I have
>> be a little surprised if after we've already said this that they're going to ask us to assess something. >> Yeah. >> Sounds like Hey, >> sure. So, we are also talking about the engineering fees at this point, correct?
>> Uh, yep. >> Okay. So, I I'm really curious, and I don't mean this to be rude, but am I understanding that it's going to cost us $120,000 almost in engineering for this short short stretch of straight road >> for everything? Yeah.
>> Okay. I guess I I just have a little concern about that price. Um and and and I'm just going to be frank with what happened with the Sandy Hills project and some of those curbs not being caught before the road was done. Like there was and there was that issue with the curb
with especially the one that's they didn't saw cut straight and that wasn't caught before the road was done and we pay you guys to catch that stuff. I'm concerned that you know we're paying a a fairly sizable amount of money to make sure that everything's done proper so we don't have to come back afterwards and
make cuts in the road. So, I'm I'm just frankly concerned about that much money for engineering fees for this small of a project. And when we had the last one that there was stuff missed, and I don't know, that's just feedback from me personally. Uh I I think it kind of put us in a bad spot on that I Hills project
and that homeowner. And I don't really appreciate that. Um, so it's just a lot of money um to to put at something and not have it perfect, you know, and this if you look at the the cost of this compared to that one,
it's just it's a lot of money, $120,000 for, you know, a smaller project. So, >> sure, I I guess to admittedly, this is that much cheaper uh than the other one was that you paid for, >> right? Um I you know I'd also just argue
that that one joint was the only thing. The other issues with the curb were >> we left the curb in place on purpose to save the city money and not replace it. >> So I don't know that I would >> say that there was really much of a
>> deficiency on that. >> Okay. >> Um otherwise you can claim with state aid funds up to 25% of the project cost in engineering. And so this number is I I believe just a little less than that.
But essentially this is that same this is a not to exceed number. So it's if anything setting that we won't go over what you can get state aid funds to cover. You know it's more or less the the statement with that fund with that cost. And our goal is going to be to
stay well under that. But um you know that's just the other portion of how that number comes to be. What was the engineering cost for any hills? >> I I don't remember offh hand. >> Yeah, I don't know off the top of my head. >> I don't remember it being glaring like
this one though. Like this one is It just seems like a lot of money for a short straight road. That's >> Yeah. >> I I don't know where I mean, you think about $120,000. That's someone's wage for a year when you I mean, this isn't going to be your whole year. So, where
is that's where I'm like where is the where's the cost as a taxpayer? I would have that question. Yeah. I mean, you're doing 10 probably 10 15 projects this year. So, >> Sure. Yeah. So, I mean, this isn't my fee. This is >> Oh, right. All the different people
involved, you know, surveyors, you know, my inspector. This is a state aid project. So, we have to do storm water modeling and submit permitting for that. Um, make the stated eligible to make them meet all their standards.
Manage the uh you know testing, make sure all that clears, do um material inspections, shop drying reviews, actually design it all so drains and works. Take on that liability. Um >> does the storm water modeling have to be
done if we're using existing storm water other than different? >> We're narrowing the road for one thing, but yes, either way we would have had to. Um, we have to show that the water is not going to spread out into the drive lane by more than half of its length. So, we have to show how that is
going to not cause a danger to the public. >> Okay. >> Any other questions, concerns, comments? What's the total total city cost on this? I'm looking. Is that right? 54.
>> Oh, that's that 590 is the total project cost. >> And that's two combined. >> That's the sidewalk as well. >> Yep. That top number. Yeah. And then you got the little subtotals um in there.
And uh roughly 120,000 that's engineering just >> Yep. That's in that number. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So that's 20%. >> Roughly. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. If you want to can you come can you come on up or should we wait for
this for the public hearing or maybe it's a private conversation? >> It could be private. Okay. >> Okay. Maybe can we have a private conversation about that? Yeah, I think it might be. Okay. Perfect. Thank you. >> Okay.
I It just seems like a lot for a public project like this. I mean, is there really that much? I I know we've had some concern about that sidewalk. This is the this is the best answer that we're coming up with. >> State aid standards probably make
everything far more expensive. >> So, yeah. I mean like I mean we've been budgeting these I mean the railroad avenue number we've had budgeted for like six years waiting for this project. >> Okay pretty much. >> So how much is set aside? I didn't catch
that for for this project that's already been >> budgeted I think it's 521. >> Okay. >> So that's where the 54 comes in. We're going to be 54 over that cost. 54,000 what we have budgeted for for an
improvement for this road. Anyway, I'm not sure the 54. So, so the Railroad Avenue project is estimated at 517,000 and our budget is 521,000. So, that's we're estimating it's under what we budgeted and we still haven't designed
the plans and bid it yet. So, we're hoping it's that much better. >> The main street sidewalk infill isn't a budgeted thing. I get it. But it could be completely covered by state aid funds. So it doesn't impact, I guess, your guys's current budget because it's
just out of your state aid aotment, which, you know, ultimately can impact your budget on if we ran out of state aid funds for something else. But right now, it doesn't look like we're anticipating that happening to us on any of our forecasted projects.
So that money we had set aside for railroad was this what was what we were thinking in the future or were we thinking of doing complete redo of that road? So pipes, >> we did a we did a study on this exact
thing back in 2016 or 17 and uh and that had evaluated not reclaiming the road uh and still leaving the west curb. But essentially it it evaluated only doing the sidewalk work, how how much it would cost to move the curb over and get the
walk in there, move the storm, and then just kind of patching along the lip of curb. And the finding basically came out to we recommend waiting until the road needs to be reclaimed so that we can fix the road and shift that centerline crown and just do it all as one instead of
like patching it in. And so that was what we found in 2017 and we recommended doing it in 2026. And so here we are. And it actually surprisingly I think we updated that estimate just a couple years ago. But I
mean the fact that that number came out as close as it did is is a good sign that it is what we were scoping or thinking it was going to be back when we did that evaluation >> which at that time they budgeted 521,000 right >> and there he's coming in right now at
517. So he's less. >> All right. But you look at that 590, that's adding on the sidewalk on Main Street. That's why that total cost is 590. >> So it was just a coincidence that we had the sidewalk. >> Yes.
>> Got it. All right. >> Yeah. I we just squeezed this in because you guys had brought it up on a recent meeting and I was like >> we were about to do the uh advance request and I was like, "Hey, we might as well get it in the advance request." And then I was literally half
threequarters of the way through this report and it was got it. >> Well, if it's going to be a state aid project, we might as well get it into this, get that assessment process rolling and then you can pull it off anytime you want. But at least now we have the the evaluation done and
tracking for the state aid process as well. >> Okay. I'm kind of curious what you have to say to be honest. Uh since this affect directly affects you, can you come up and just say your name and address for the record if if you're still willing to? >> Yeah. just because it directly affects potentially.
>> Yeah. >> Name and address for the record, please. >> Yes, she's >> uh Stacy uh Upton, I just have a business and I here. >> Yep. >> Um and we purchased one of the vacant lots on the corner. Um, one of the things that I was going to bring up was
in the table 1B that you had. Um, it says that it's a 5% contingency, but it's a 10% total cost that's in there. >> Just understanding that's estimate of what the project could cost the assessment actually based on
>> what it actually costs. Yep, I understand that. >> But why would why would this one be 10% and all the other projects that have gone on throughout the county be or throughout the city be 5%. >> So we use 10 because we don't have a survey on it and we basically just
trying to draw the dots. My biggest concern is >> I can provide you. My dad's a surveyor. >> We did a survey on it >> and so at the time I don't have it. >> Yep. >> And so there's kind of a slope that's kind of diving down off the back
and then it dives down where this ties in flat back. How much smaller the projecting dollar
>> to a small business owner? $5,000 can be a lot of money. >> But again, that's the number that you would pay. Like this is us estimating what it could cost. Yeah, we bid it. There isn't a contingency when we bid it. If the plans move to the plans,
>> that's a good question. that contin >> and then for the engineering it seemed like on the railroad project you just pulled the 25% to come up with the engineering costs and for this project it's I mean it's a number that just got thrown out there it doesn't
come $17,000 even on anything. But so it's 30.4% on that, >> right? And again, a smaller project is just >> that's a pretty basic project. >> Super basic. >> That's $14,000
person. >> Could we do the sidewalk without engineering? >> Sure. Is that something the property owner could do or how does that how does that work? Because to me, anybody that does concrete is going to want to do it, right? And I don't know
that you necessarily need a you don't necessarily need an engineer to tell you how to put in a 5ft wide sidewalk if the if the ped ramp's already there. >> And also that if he's just surveyed it, she wouldn't have to pay at least their survey price because there what two lots
there. So, she's only going to be, let's just say, 75, just make math simple, 50,000. She's 25,000. And then the other assessment would go to the other lot, but if he surveyed it, I'm sure I don't know. I don't I don't
know if you surveyed both lots or just the one. >> Just >> Yeah. So, that at least that half of that survey cost you wouldn't have to do. >> Sure. Yeah, >> you know, I'm just I'm just looking at, you know, they've already done it. She's
she's already paid for that survey. So, and that survey should be no different than the survey you would do, >> right? I mean, we have TOPO on it. We have we have we have every I can show. >> I don't need to be involved. We don't need to use state funds. I don't need to
be involved. >> Absolutely. So if if we were to say approve this process and that way we have a couple options. If if she decides to maybe potentially do it herself or what if if something else comes up other than following this, can we defer away
from this before a certain date? What did you say like April 21st or something or >> it would >> as far as like having you do that? Like I think we might need further conversation is what I'm saying. >> So yeah. So if anything if I don't do it
I just done. I can >> Okay. >> So, if if we were to approve this tonight, there's still a flexibility of working together. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I think that's fair. Yeah, my biggest thing is I, you know,
I'm trying to grow and expand my business here and yeah, you guys know what I'm involved in. We don't need to let everybody know, but >> um I mean that's a huge cost for me when it comes to putting in a new building and if I'm looking at, >> you know, $37,000 that I have to throw
into a sidewalk when I have buddies that have equipment, I have friends that have, you know, concrete businesses, I can save some really big costs on doing things my way, >> sure, >> and doing it with my friends. But that's not on the same timeline. >> Sure. But
>> difference of >> which is the tough part. >> So you don't have to incur it until you're going to develop. >> But the the only thing I would caution on it and I have I I agree 100%. You may get it done a lot cheaper than anybody else
will type of thing. >> Yeah. But it would have to meet the standards of the sidewalk that we were discussing because at this point we could just say let's just do the other half of the lot now and if she's going to develop that property
I I don't know when you plan on doing it >> few years >> we got to get that sidewalk done. That's >> the sidewalk needs to be done before that which I understand. I I I totally agree the sidewalk needs to go there. It's Yep. is for connectivity, but that's the other thing that I think should be taken into consideration.
There's multiple businesses that are benefiting from the sidewalk. It's not solely on me. It's not solely on the other property owner that's going to be next to me, but it connects to Caribou, the clinic, McDonald's, the hotel, >> Dairy Queen. >> There is. Yeah. Dairy Queen. There's
also a stretch along behind Minco that's not connected >> where it's the same situation. >> Yeah. And we we try to keep it consistent like all these all these businesses have paid for the sidewalks in front. So everybody has paid their fair share along the way. It is a good
connection for sure a good connection point. Like that's why I I was I've been shooting to get this done for like three years. So I've been asking about this one and and then I think last year we you know we realized we could defer it and then we brought it forward to this year to kind of include and then the sale of the property happened at a
>> convenient or inconvenient either either way time. So >> yeah, like I say, you know, the goal would be that, you know, this estimated cost is already covering everything and we're not missing something. There's 5,000 right there%,000.
>> Okay. >> You know, hopefully this is worst case scenario. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. Right. Sure. So, if this were approved, there would be flexibility and you guys could
communicate and figure out and then obviously it'd have to come to council, but I think that seems to be a little more discussion needed. Um or maybe once you go through a couple more steps you'll know more that you can pass on information or you know during the public hearing. I don't know if that's too late.
>> Well so time of bid once that bid is received to us we can say your nay at that point. >> Yeah the incurred cost would be let's say half of it. >> Sure. >> And so we can save a few thousand survey
already done and then we've only a few thousand. Now we go out. >> Okay. You know, to get to number Okay.
>> Is there ever the possibility of a special assessment type of situation where it's not the whole entire cost because we are vacant land >> because I think when a developer goes and puts in their sidewalk again they're getting it for a decent cost where to me
this is an inflated cost that would be coming back on us. Um I mean to me a percentage of it the same way that the railroad road is being done. >> Yeah, I know. >> Is there a possibility? >> The I know the policy says we we always
try to follow our policy because anytime >> find it but I couldn't find anything online about it. >> Maybe Stephanie or Miss Wood could get the policy because we cannot waver from policy really unfortunately. like I would love to, but we can I I think if we can be flexible and maybe you guys
can just do it yourself or we can get the cost down somehow. Um because I I just you can't it comes down to a situation where people think it's preferential treatment versus what's been done in the past. >> Yeah. Every other business
is a walk >> Yeah. Yeah. I know that >> business that's developed has to pay for the only Yeah. >> So, here's here's another question into that. Even though she just bought that
property, she hasn't developed it yet. >> So, that deferred assessment could carry out to two or three years whenever she does it. Correct. >> I was wondering that too. >> Yeah. So, I mean, it's not like you got to take take that hit today or whatever. I mean, I guess
>> just I think there is interest though. She will acrew interest. >> I I would like to add that the other property owner along that walkway would also um prefer to um they plan to develop sooner this year and would like
prefer to do their own portion of that sidewalk as well. So, just consider that. And um Mr. I mean, I know they're a big developer, too. So, they're >> I Okay, >> so >> that's an idea.
>> I'd be interested in seeing that. >> Okay. >> For sure. So, >> we could remove we can remove that main street sidewalk at any time. We just need to get this in those numbers in so that we can get further on and we could when the bid
process comes that'll come as a separate bid package. >> Sure. >> And we could have it removed at that time. >> So, yeah. So, what I think I'm hearing is hopefully we got survey >> Jason, can you kind of step up to the mic just Sorry. Sorry. So, so I'm I'm hoping we got survey we can use and we
can still get the plan sheet made and we're only going to incur a, you know, quarter of this number, get it to bid while that's going to bid with our project. We can ask for quotes because that would be $73,000 project is going to be got to get two or three quotes or
whatever. And then we can at least see if the quotes are going to make it more worthwhile. The problem is if we go for quotes, we won't be able to use the state aid money. Um because it wouldn't be through the state aid plan approval, review, testing, all the good stuff. Uh
so that'd be a choice, you know, council would have to choose if they want to actually have to fund that one without using state funds. >> Okay. >> And we might still get bids in that are way better than this. >> Sure. >> Okay. So, what would you recommend that
that we do for that to have the flexibility to work with her on what you just said? >> Well, I mean, because this is a not to exceed number, I don't think there's any problem passing these resolutions as is >> because we work with everybody all the time.
>> The the piece that somebody internally would have to do would be that going out for the quotes side of things or it just be an extra cost that you'd be paying me to mess with. Um, but I would say we wait till the plans are I mean it's going to be like a onepage plan, you
know, I mean to be honest >> inside the plan set. Um, so once that one page is made, we could pull that out and have the city go ask the other developer and whoever else for pricing and then you at least have two numbers
or four, I don't know, to work with and you'll have to make a decision at more or less that April Well, technically the award by by the 21st, we'd want to know if we're removing it from the Railroad Avenue project when we're trying to award that
and we just bid it as an alternate to decide if we're pulling it out. >> Okay. So, you said a onepage report and that's 14,000. >> Wrong. >> It's made of gold, man. I'm going to keep I'm going to keep on you about that. >> The survey, how much would a survey be? >> Yeah, I don't know. Okay, fair.
>> Couple thousand bucks. >> Fair. >> Make that plan sheet. Couple thousand bucks. Make it state a match and pass all their criteria. >> Thousand bucks. >> Now we got to stake it. Couple thousand bucks. Now we got to inspect it like you want to make sure looks good. Couple
thousand bucks. >> Okay. >> Oh man, I just blew the number. I mean, >> that's literally It's crazy how fast the numbers go. >> Yep. Okay. So, >> so I'm going to make a motion to go out for the bid as presented
and or to move forward with this thing. That's my best way of saying it. >> I'll second it. >> Motion just a minute. Jason, was there two Was there two >> Yeah, there's two resolutions. One is to actually accept this report and call for
the uh improvement hearing for the two different improvement hearings and the other one is to authorize moving forward with the plans >> there. That's my motion is. >> So motion by Lundine. Was that seconded by Heman? >> Yes. >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? I'm opposed. Uh motion
carries 31 on that. Um so if you guys can communicate or just keep us in the loop. Thank you for coming up. I'm happy I had you come up. So yeah. All right. Uh item K3, resolution to consider approving liquor store staff to
approve hemp derived THC uh advocacy. Mr. Keith. >> Yep. I just have that on the agenda. I brought it to the cow session the previous meeting and you had you had asked me to bring it as a resolution. Um so I'm basically just looking for
permission to put a Facebook post up um and some signage in the store directing people where to make their voice heard if they want to advocate for or against the THC um ban that uh will take place in November of this year.
Okay. >> All right. Um, so I know we talked about this last month and I I read over the resolution and it it kind of made me second guess it. Um, mostly because of I don't think we should be talking to people about this because I think that
creates a a burden that maybe they didn't want to hear any sort of political talk. Um, so I think if we were to uh we're okay with I think a sign I'm okay with like a sign that's by the THC stuff that says, "Hey, uh, just so you know, this is legislation has passed and
this might change and this is a QR code to scan." Um, I think that's a good way to do it so we're not necessarily pushing that on to people at our city liquor store, you know, because there might be people that might not want to see that. Um, that was just a thought, uh, based on reading the resolution and
just considering more about what we talked about last time. Um, I don't know how everybody else feels about Facebook. I I'm not I'm not sure if that's if it sets us up for a, you know, city practice that's not necessarily ideal in
other situations, if that makes sense. Um, but that's just my opinion. I don't know what you guys have thought about it. if you think it's great, if you I mean obviously we we are concerned about the potential revenue loss at the liquor store and I I think it's a little bit
too overarching of a policy but I don't I don't know what we should do about it. So >> when we had discussed it I with the liquor store being what it is I was fine with informing customers about that and making sure that that's a product that they want that they have the ability or to know ahead of time what they can do
to advocate for that. But I agree with you. But as far as advocating on social media and anything else, I I don't know that that's the approach I'd want to take. >> Okay. >> I agree with him 100%. That's what I was going to say. I'm I'm okay with getting the information out there and give it,
you know, informing the public of what's happening and where to go for information, but not to uh advocate one way or the other on it. >> Okay. >> So, Steve, >> you know how I felt about the whole thing to start with. So, I just it is
what it is. I don't I don't agree with the fact that they made it legal. Now they're saying it shouldn't be legal. In other words, you can't make up your mind what you want to do. That That's where I have a problem. You You turned it, made it legal. Now you're
saying it's not legal. I I'd rather see them go to the liquor store where they're going to be carded to see that they're of age to purchase it rather than a convenience store. Absolutely. I I have no problem with that that way.
I I just it it's to me it was a a mistake that I think a lot of that THC was nobody knew what they really wanted to do and it created a bigger problem than it should have been. >> Sure.
>> So I guess I don't I don't you know every if it's on Facebook you can't stop somebody from looking at a Facebook page. If they're going to do something I'd rather see a sign in the liquor store. Okay. Um,
>> so it sounds like you guys are okay with the sign by the THC products that says, you know, just neutral information. Scan this to learn more. Um, is that maybe where you want to start? Do you want to do you want to have more or less or >> I think that should be fine. >> Does that sound okay, Keith?
>> Yeah. Yeah. I think I've spent enough time on this. >> Yeah. >> Too, you know. So, >> yeah. and we can everybody everybody's listen listening can know that you know the THC market is potentially changing or probably changing in November. So if you have questions um feel free to reach
out. Um but yeah I think that's a good step and just so people are aware you know not there's no you know political bias one way or the other. It's just aware. So everybody sound good with that? >> Yeah. So, do we need to
are we get a new resolution or we just say which parts we don't want in it or how do we go about >> Miss Wood? >> Yeah, if the motion includes revisions as shared, uh staff will include those make those changes before we have it signed. So, what we would be doing is
modifying the final whereas and delete the section that says and permits I standing liquor store staff to show their support during work hours while working. also strike that from the final now therefore and then after the date uh which is now November 12, 2026 of the
that final paragraph there would be a period after that date we would strike out and permit liquor store staff to show their support while working and it will remove the it'll post in store but it it will strike out and on
the liquor store Facebook page How do you feel about that, Miss Wood? As far as the the city perspective, >> I agree with that. I think that if you're going to advocate um for initiatives that are at that state level, I do think that there's different
processes that could be gone through, which is to have the council set up a separate committee where they discuss a workshop um to have legislative initiatives, >> LMC, >> you know, which we do LMC and because we have always representation on that, I
feel like we fill that need. >> Um, I do have a concern of if we are to post things that are political on city Facebook pages that it can open the door to, well, why aren't you advocating for this or this? And then if that gets a little controversial, staff has to deal
with the the grunt of that. And it may not even be related to liquor, but because it was posted on the city Facebook page, they may talk to them about it. I feel like we work really hard to have our staff um even at the liquor store not to talk about politics and those kind of things because that's
not what they're there for. >> Sure. >> I agree that we do make good sales from it and it does help um as a revenue source, but it just is a a tricky situation of what it could open the door would be my concern. >> Do you think the sign would be appropriate?
I think the sign isformational and I think that that is not saying it's coming from staff per se. Council has said to put up a sign. I think that I don't have an issue with that. >> Okay. And as far as LMC goes, if you want me to advocate for something down there
this year if you want to write something up, I'd be more than willing to present that. >> That's good to know. Thank you. >> Yeah, of course. All right. Well, I'll entertain a Was there a motion made on that? No. I'll entertain a motion if anybody's interested.
>> Before we make a motion, is it possible to get like a redline version of it so we have the exact >> version what we'd be motioning on? >> It's probably a decent idea. Um what do we is this that pressing what it waiting
two weeks to actually making a final approval? >> No, I mean it doesn't take effect until November. >> Sure. We've got we've got time. >> Okay. So maybe come back at next cow or council it have to be I guess and we can talk about it. Maybe if there's other ideas in the meantime we can get on a
call maybe and talk about other ideas and >> just now motion we postponing this until next council meeting. >> Sounds good. >> Second motion by council member Lundine, second by council member Heman. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion
carries 4. Uh, next we will move on to item K4, uh, a resolution to consider declaring a vacancy on the city council. Um, so I just wanted to take a second to, uh, personally thank Jeff Homer for his 30 years of service to the city of Iani.
Uh, city council and mayor positions take significant amounts of time and I appreciate that he resigned to keep a better family work life balance. Uh, family is important and something the leadership and residents of the city of Iani value. Um, if you've ever wanted to get involved in city government, feel free to reach out with questions or
submit an application uh to fill this seat for the remaining 2026 term. Is there anything you wanted to add to that? What I'll add, mayor, is that the applications um you can see that they are in the packet, but they are also available on our website starting tomorrow as well as available at city
hall if anyone wants to pick those up. Uh they will be accepted here at city hall through the end of day business on Wednesday, February 25th. uh tentative interview schedules will be posted no later than March 1st and we do them in order of applications as they come in.
That's the order that is decided for the interview. And then interviews will be scheduled likely on March 4th city during the city council meeting. Everyone who does apply um will receive the questions in advance um and they can
do so ask any questions to Miss Strand. I make a motion to declare the vacancy of the city council seat. >> Second. >> Motion by council member Lendin, second by council member Peterson. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed?
>> Motion carries 40. Uh, next item K5, resolution to consider authorizing to enter into professional services contract for IT services with Whitebear IT Solutions LLC. >> Excuse me. I believe I just for clarification I believe that March 17th is when the interviews would take place.
>> Okay. And that'll would that be listed on the application or where is >> it'll be in the notice? >> Notice. Okay. Sounds good. >> All right. So, we are on You're good. Item item K5. >> All right. U mayor and council at the
January 20 20th city council meeting uh council authorized um issuing a counter offer to White Bear IT Solutions adjusting what they had proposed um which was originally $2,250 per month for IT services to 2,100.
Um following that meeting, the counter offer was presented to Whitebear IT Services. Uh Whitebear IT uh notified the city that they were not able to accept the counter offer at this time. Uh the vendor stated that their cost of doing business has increased and the
additional fed RAM security requirements mandated by the BCA for monitoring managing police department resources have expanded their responsibilities and they are simply passing on the cost to the city. They are not adding any additional costs but there is an increased workload with that. So they
are um requesting to still have their proposal requested. staff is also seeking to have their proposal um accepted by council to go for the remainder of that three-year contract. >> I think they had a pretty good reason for the price increase. I mean, I know
we know that police stuff has gotten significantly more and I looked at some of the old quotes. Uh Miss Wood had sent those out to us and pretty competitive number. So I >> like I said a shot like I said the last time I make a motion to approve and
we're going to spend I know the the next one was almost double this and the one after that was triple that >> and if that's what they were they're going to be the same. >> Sure it's worth a shot. You never know with negotiations. We have a good luck negotiating here in the past. So
>> So I motion to approve. >> I'll second. >> Motion by council member Lundine. Second by council member Heman to approve the 2250. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries 40. Uh next item K6. Resolution to consider recommending the
Sani County Board of Commissioners establish a no parking except for funeral services zone along high uh county road 5. >> During the January committee of the whole meeting, staff and council members discuss ongoing safety and maintenance concerns regarding on street parking
along county road 5 with Heritage. specifically the SEC segment heading east from Highway 65. Um this is in response to uh resident complaints as well as just concerns that have been heard of the city and um this is a road
that is a county road and managed by the county. So, the city had um is making a recommendation per this resolution to the county that they address the issue by posting it as no parking, but allowing there to be parking for access to the cemetery, which is there uh near
the apartment complex that um seems to have some of the people parking. We did have staff reach out to the apartment um complex and they agreed that there should be adequate parking there in their parking lot and they did not um themselves have a high concern. Well,
that's great to hear. That makes that decision pretty easy. And I, like I said before, I've talked to dang near everybody at the county about this. And I think some of you guys have seen the emails. So, I think it's a good thing. And I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion to approve by myself, second by council member Lundine. All in favor say
I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. 40. Are there any items in the consent agenda that you would like pulled or have any questions on any of the items? >> Make a motion to approve. Second >> motion to approve by council member Lundine, second by council member
Peterson. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries 40 zero. Any other communications or questions? >> Make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion adjourned by council member Lundine. Second by council member Peterson. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed?
>> Motion carries 40. We are adjourned. Part: 2
All right, it is 5:00 pm. We will call the city council goal setting session to order. If we could all rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for
all. >> Doing a roll call. Uh, Council Member Peterson and Council Member He-Man and myself are here. Uh, Council Member Lundine will be about 15 minutes late. Uh, first we will go on to public comment. If there's anybody that wants
to speak in public comment tonight, there's nobody in the audience. So, staff, anybody? All right. Hearing none, uh, we will move on to item E1, purpose for the goal setting workshop. >> Good evening, mayor and council. It has been the city council's practice to conduct an annual goal setting work
session that allows everyone to come together to assess the city's current initiatives, establish goals, balancing workload and available resources, guidance to obtain desired results and to just or outcomes and to discuss a future date of the city. After council's
discussion today, staff's going to share some stuff as well. Um, you'll be able to come up with a consensus of top goals for this year and beyond. included um as an attachment is just for information purposes is the 2026
organizational chart and that's all we have for the introduction. >> Okay, iPad's loading. All right, so item E2, city capital improvement plan and pavement management maps. Mr. Cook, I assume or maybe not.
>> This is Yep, this is just me again. Um, mayor and council, this has been put into the packet just as a reminder um, as we go through different goals if we needed to refer back. I wanted to make sure it was handy. Uh, this is forformational purposes. It has capital improvement items over 10,000 for all
the department departments um that go from 2026 until 2031. And then as well as updated street project improvement maps just in case there's any questions on those. So I'm I I did have a question on the mill and overlay figure for the
maintenance schedule. It it shows the next one that we're due is 2036. Is that correct? >> So we were just kind of talking about that. Um so because we moved up, if you recall last year, we moved up like the next four years worth of segments of
millet overlay that we identified up to, you know, last year's project. So that automatically kind of wiped out everything up to like 2030. And then we admittedly haven't individually analyzed like if those future streets are going to have the little segments as well. So
um this coming summer, I guess my thought was we'd go tour the 2030 through 2035 streets to be able to have a game plan on if we need to do the same rearranging so we don't keep doing the a couple mill overlays with some seal coats each year. uh we essentially did
this for the you know this next four-year topic but we haven't done it for you know the rest of the entire program yet. >> Okay. >> So at this point I'm I'm assuming that by three years from now when we get that next wave in we'll probably do the same
thing. We'll want to pull certain segments out that we identify as bad make those the you know a reorganized set of streets. But right now, since five years from now is kind of who knows which street's going to get worse faster, um we just haven't quite
identified those yet. >> Okay. Well, that's that's awesome. I don't remember the last time we didn't have a major or a mill and overlay or any sort of That's okay. Uh Nick, what does that do for our budget compared to last year? Uh will we do you think we'll
recognize a savings from not having any milling overlays this year or Mr. Cook uh versus what we had last year? So maybe this year I'm hoping less from fund balance. >> So I guess how that relates to budget is that our budget is looking at kind of
that 15-year period. So we would kind of keep the funding steady, okay, those funds. So we'd keep collecting the same amount of tax dollars so that we don't see significant increases or decreases in what we're receiving for tax revenue in those funds. It's also covered by
some of our state aid money and our franchise fees that we receive too. So just with all of those funding sources, the way that it's currently planned out, it is to be able to fund it over that kind of 15-year period. So we shouldn't really see any change in what we're kind
of projecting for needs and tax revenue for next year and kind of the next periods there onward. with a change in that mill and overlay schedule that may change what that funding needs to look like. But until Jason's kind of had time
to go out there and project out where we see needs for projects, we can't really make any assumptions at this time, I guess. >> Okay. And so our our 15-year projection would be would that be based on the maintenance schedule that's listed here or or do we have a set amount or maybe
maybe that's something to have a meeting with you about? Yeah, you could definitely set up time to talk about it, but it has been based on just kind of Jason's original plan. So, it won't be updated for these figures. It'd be based on the previous, but the only changes that we would have there is that stuff
that we've pulled forward just happened at a sooner period than was originally projected from I think those are probably 24 years. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I guess just to add to that though, so what we do see like on the the current budget, last year the
project was like 700,000. This coming year is like 300 um because we're just doing seal coats. So those years that are past that 2030ish range, those estimated amount that we need to spend includes some milling overlay with some
seal coat. So like the dollar amount that's waiting is anticipating a little bit of each and then just that cost benefit of clumping them was the rearranging that I'm kind of implying. >> So the total dollar amounts kind of accounted for. It's just that it's
distributed in little pieces over the years instead of when those years come. If we grab the five streets again that need a little bit more and do them a little earlier, hopefully we see a little bit more ultimate 15-year cost savings by doing those those milling
overlays together instead of little segments. >> But right now, they're at least accounted for. They're just kind of blanketed in that general maintenance category. So, we just got to figure out which ones do when. >> Okay, sounds good. Thanks.
Did you guys have any other questions on either of the the four I believe there's four documents in that? >> No, >> I do not. >> So, on the 20-year road maintenance reclaim, uh I is that what we're Oh,
that is railroad. Okay. So, reclaim does that mean basically totally redo reclaim? >> Yeah, that's where we like we've been doing on Ian Hills and Yep. >> South Brook View. We grind it all up uh with the underllaying gravel. So
essentially blend the bit with the gravel underneath at about a you know 12 inch depth and then just remove that top surface and pave it. >> Sure. >> So we don't actually have to lift it all up and like do underground work and then bring it back. It just stays. But it
it's just kind of that next step on on having to maintain the road. >> Yep. Okay. Sounds good. If there's no other questions or comments, we can move on to E3. >> All right, for E3, we have 2025 goal
progress and updates of status. Uh for um I'll just run through these and let you know where we're at and then at the end, you can let me know if we have any further questions. Um this will also be something where if you want to continue these as goals onto 2026, we can discuss that adding that as well. So we have
increased revenue from the liquor store. That's a continuous goal that the city council and staff work towards. Show full representation of each department at budget workshop meetings that include operating and capital improvement plan items for the department. We did that this year for the first time through all of our budget meetings and also went
through each item line by line. Review the CIP list in detail at a budget workshop to determine full scope of needs and replacement. We did that as well as going through the budget during those workshops. Um, we did that this year and we will continue that as years going on.
Continue a segment of sidewalk along the east side of Whiskey Road southwest between south of Dogwood Street and Birch Street. The consensus on this was not to pursue. We've had a lot of roadblocks. It still will be on our mind as we have property owners potentially move move on and switch hands. Um, but
we are not actively going to pursue any eminent domain or anything like that. So, right now that's it's on our list, but not something we're actively pursuing. continue a segment of sidewalk along Main Street between Credit Union Drive Northeast and Fifth Avenue Northeast. That one is in progress. We'll be
talking about that even this evening at our city council meeting. Increased street lighting. Uh it's been added into our annual budgets and that is ongoing. Every year we'll be adding a little bit more lights to our street plan and our lights plan throughout the entire city. Conduct public outreach and public
surveys. We've done park surveys. We did Whisper Ridge, which was had very good feedback of what to do out there with that basketball court, as well as a skate park, what to do out there. So, those were two very successful surveys that staff did. Leaf pickup, the consensus was to remove that at this
time. Just wasn't something that we wanted to consider to put into the budget. It's very expensive um to buy that union to unit to start off with. Additional public communication marketing strategies that is in progress. We're continuing to do what we
can with staff's time. Additional store or I'm sorry, liquor store dynamic sign. That one is in progress. Staff is working with um business owners as we can um and seeing what kind of properties that's been kind of at the top of the list throughout the whole year, but haven't got it to fruition
quite yet. Community dynamic sign. We did close on the corner triangle parcel at the corner intersection of uh five and 65. So, we do own that. Um, one more step to do, but it will be it is in our name and everything. So, that just
happened last week. Um, so we'll finalize that and that'll be the location for our community dynamic sign when we decide to move forward with that project. And then Cass 5 lighting infill. We were able to add lights um around that pedestrian crossing area, make it more well lit, kind of lighting
that corridor, which is the plan as part of that roundabout project. >> And what's the update on that? But I I I feel like in the admin updates, I continue to see like they'll be out next week to do permanent lighting. It it seems like it's been like that for the last two months. >> It has. >> Okay.
>> So, um back when we winterize, they were telling us that it would be late December and so we thought we were only going to have those temporary lights in for a monthish. About three weeks later, they said, "Oh,
there's been a delay. It'll be early January." early January rolled around, we hadn't heard anything. We asked them again and they went, "Oh, actually this fabricating machine went down. We don't know when it'll be." >> Oh, great. >> And then they did finally give us an update and I believe the 6th, like as in
two days from now >> is the delivery is supposed to be getting made to the, you know, um, >> the lighting subcontractor >> and it actually should be finally getting the permanent lights in in the next week or so.
>> Do you believe that? I we we've gotten pretty close to the delivery date a couple times. Okay. >> Um I'm gonna believe him this time. >> Okay. Every time I drive through there, >> they kept having to update it because that's what I'm being told. But
>> Okay. Yep. >> Every time I drive through there at night, it's like, have they added those lights? It still looks the same. I And it's like maybe they did and I can't tell. I hope no. >> Okay. >> It's coming. >> Okay. Sounds good. Um, and then as far as the uh conduct public outreach and and public surveys,
uh, it says, you know, park surveys, Whisper Ridge and Skatepark. I would like to continue doing that. Uh, would that we talk about that in a different item, I assume? Okay, sounds good. Just want to make sure that wasn't getting lost. Any questions on any of those items,
guys? All right, then we will move on to E4, ongoing staff priorities. So, mayor and council, this is a memo that I put together of staff continually always works on things in the background. Um, we have large strategies
that we take on that are just kind of part of city operations and good governance. There is an attachment to that memo um that is called the organizational success map. that is what I use to help guide our staff on what to spend time on and how things um progress and as we have to make choices of we can
work on this or that because there's just not enough of us sometimes to go around. But I did want to focus on some key areas um that I consider our goal areas that staff works on. So I'll share those with you. Um one of them and these are not in a prioritized numbering system. They um not one is more
important than the other. So sound city governance with transparent information. Staff will continue to work on our redesigned website to offer improved user experience and easier navigation. Ensure navigation works well on phones and tablets as we know that that is the primary device that people are using. Um
so we are cross referencing and it believe it or not you do have to change things up when you look at it on the website on a computer then you look on a phone. So do know that we um it's a work in progress but we are working on that to make sure that it is just very user friendly for everyone. And let it be
shown for the record that uh Council Member Lendine is here at 5:14 p.m. >> Thank you. Um as time permits, more information will be available on the city website. So we are just continuing to add more. Um and that'll be current information, but also going back and adding that historical information as we
have time. So it can be we don't anticipate having to change websites again anytime soon. Um so we're going to try to make this just super robust and have it just be fantastic. here. Another goal area is quality services supported by available resources. So, allocate resources to high priority
areas first and be transparent with the community about what can and cannot be provided given current budgets. Continue to implement digital solutions like online permit applications and automated bill payment systems. These reduce administrative burden and free up staff for more complex tasks that require
person-toperson devotion and time. Invest in preventative maintenance for infrastructure, early intervention programs, and long-term planning. Explore sustainable funding sources beyond property taxes such such as user fees for specific services. Looking for
grants and other economic development initiatives that expand the tax base. Another goal area is community and business engagement and support. Collaborate with chambers of commerce, educational institutions, nonprofits, and economic development organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
Continue small business assistance programs pairing experienced entrepreneurs with startups and workshops on topics like marketing, finance, and business tools. Simplify permitting and licensing processes, which we've already been working on. A safe community with trust protecting
people, property, and businesses. Next goal area is fiscal sustainability and planning. Continue multi-year budget forecasts that account for demographic changes, infrastructure needs, and economic trends to help anticipate challenges rather than react to crisises. Maintain healthy debt to re
revenue ratios and use debt strategically for capital investments rather than operating expenses. Maintain a solid reserve fund to weather economic downturns, natural disasters, or unexpected expenses without cutting essential services or raising taxes. Invest in attracting and retaining
businesses to grow the tax base, focusing on quality development that doesn't overburden infrastructure. Another goal area that staff works on is leveraging technology to maximize efficiency. This is one thing that department heads have um really been working diligently over this last year
and even before to make sure what can we do um so we're not having to add staff as we know adding staff does increase the budget significantly. Um so I'm very proud of the department heads for looking at every way we can use things like digitizing um software to minimize
um the work it takes for staff. Uh the one that will be coming forward here is software for digitizing payroll. So digitizing payroll would save time for payroll staff as well as department heads. We still do all of our time
sheets um by paper. Um it takes paper to fill it out and it takes paper uh back over to the payroll department to then manually enter that in. It's a lot of um people touching the papers and having to do a lot of um things that could be automated and input right into our
Cassell system. Uh it would also increase accuracy with no need to manually enter each of these numbers. It'll reduce complications to allow for time-saving crossover. So we have one person, one staff member who typically does payroll, but if that person is
gone, you're relying on someone else to do it and it's not typically their job. So the more we can uh shorten the number of steps it takes to get those tasks done, the better it will be again without having to increase staff. >> Who who generally does that?
>> It's our assistant finance director. >> Okay. And could you if you were to guess how much percentage of their time uh goes into that aspect? Just a rough guess. Are you looking for just how much time
spent on like entering the time cards or kind of the whole payroll process? I guess what are you looking for there? >> Essentially, how much time would it save going to this versus having the employee that we currently have hired do it? >> Uh my rough estimate there is probably
on normal regular payroll week with nothing weird, probably a couple hours it's going to save. on a non-standard payroll week where you maybe have some back and forth needed with department heads to get time sheets cleared up and all that. Probably six to eight hours in there. So, kind of depends how clean it
is, how much overtime each department's working, how clean things come in, if everyone remember to fill out their holiday time, all that type of stuff. >> Okay. >> And when it comes to other departments that have um key punches in, so liquor store has a system that's different than the public works system that's different than the PD system. Everybody kind of
has their own system um that needs to be reviewed manually from the punches to the time sheet and that gets submitted. So saving time for the department head because this would um try to standardize everything. So then it gets put into the system um for payroll.
The cost for this is 4776 annually and then 3,900 for one-time implementation to get the software set up. And then you can see the allocation that I had in the memo there. This is just one thing. Um, we're hoping to implement this this year. So, this will be coming to cow, but I wanted to set
the stage for these are the things we're looking for. So, um, I, as I mentioned, the more the city grows, the more time it takes from staff to do all the tasks that we do. If we can implement things like this and have less time for our staff, we can um decrease the need to
add additional staff. >> Just with that, I guess doing rough maths, Nick, you'd said two hours per cycle. So that's two hours per every two weeks up to up to six or eight hours on you know so just call it four hours per two weeks if on average. So if you have that you know 26 times a year that's
what is that or 24 times a year 96 hours. >> Yeah that numbers including the department ed too that's just the assistant finance director's time of implementing and back and forth there too but yeah you're on the right track there. 26 times that four hours of
periods just the amount of time the finance assistant finance director spending on that. >> Okay. So around a 100 hours just on that. Okay. And then on the department heads I mean we could have this conversation later too. I'm just now it's piqued my interest. Uh
>> is would you say an hour per week? I mean just maybe it's hard to guess but I don't want to >> Yeah. That's probably a better Josh or Travis or Keith question since they're the last. So on the payroll day, it takes me I'm right away when I get in
and I try to get my stuff to Pam by 9:00. So the first thing I do when I get there is start working on everybody's time sheets and making sure it drives with their punches and I'm usually there 9:30. >> What time do you start? >> Okay.
>> Keith, did you would you have any guess on that? You have a few more employees. Yeah, for me the the time part it's hard to measure it because I'm kind of waiting for staff to come in. It's to get it turned in. >> But typically once I get everything,
it's maybe half an hour, 40 minutes to review it, put it all together, send it off to Pam, >> and then she'll, you know, review it and if there's any errors or any questions, then we address that. So maybe half an hour to an hour. >> Okay. Chief, would you have any guess on
that? I would estimate that we're about between myself and lieutenant about an hour. >> Okay. >> So, with the estimates, we're at about 108 hours and at, you know, $5,000 per year plus a a four $3,900 impleation
implementation rough math, you're looking for the first year, we would have to be paying around $80 an hour for that staff time. Um, for every year after that, it would be around $45 an hour per staff
time to offset the cost of this. >> And that that the hours they gave is per pay period. So you multiply that by twice. >> Oh, yep. Yep. Yep. You're right. You're right. Good. Good catch. >> Yeah. So with that in total, we're probably up close to about 200 hours of
staff time. Okay. For that. And then along with this, what we didn't really touch on too is for leave requests and other HR related documents that will also get digitized, okay? >> And will allow for automated updates in our payroll system too. Currently, that stuff would go through HR and then have
to be rerouted through payroll to get updates for >> any sort of changes in address or names or beneficiaries, emergency contacts, all of that stuff. So with the new system in place, that would also not
need to be sheets that are passed around or emails that are exchanged. Instead, it would be information that was submitted by the employee saying here's my updates and then would auto update into Excel, too. So, there's some cost savings there. probably a little harder to put a number on that because year to
year that changes quite a bit how much we'd have in changes, but that's another benefit of switching to the software too is that that's all in one place versus right now it's kind of all split up versus what gets to HR, what gets communicated back to payroll and kind of
where all those records are kept to. >> Okay. Do you feel like as a as sort of a check and balance that that would be adequate using the digital software versus having to handle the sheet and actually or you're kind of more forced to look at it when it's in front of you on on a piece of paper or whatever. Is
that do you feel like the digital be as safe as far as >> I think so. I think it'll be good for the department heads too to have those time sheets and the time punches all in the same place versus kind of having that information in different systems versus on paper. versus your time punch
system, all that. I think it'll be easier to reference for it all being in one place. And for them to just be able to go back and reference old periods is going to be easier if it's all just in one spot versus when you have printed time sheets, you just are
kind of going back and requesting, hey, can I get copies of those old ones? Because if you only have the on paper copies, then you don't have your originals laying around anymore once you turn those into. and online digital is or not online but digital is how we do all of our checks and cutting checks and the department heads to review those
that way. So if that's secure enough this is going to be just as secure because they still have to give approval for the leave requests and such. It just will then be through a system digitally that's tracked versus on paper. >> Okay, sounds good. Thanks for answering all those questions. Anybody else have
questions about that? I mean we got we have an hour and 35 minutes before the next meeting. So >> can you >> we can circle back to this too. We'll be bringing it forward to cow. I just wanted to start peing the interest of like this is what staff spends time on looking at how we can just make
processes more efficient. Um, so I'll keep going through here. But um, and then we can circle back on that if council said that I put it on the goal setting as well first obviously because if it's something that you're not interested in, technology is not something you want to invest time in,
it's good for us to know that. Um, but we can continue the discussion too towards the end. >> Okay, sounds good. >> Thank you. >> Uh, the next goal area is attracting and retaining quality employees. So conduct regular salary surveys to ensure pay and benefits are competitive with other
municipalities as well as the private sector. Invest in professional development through training, conferences, and certifications. Foster an environment where employees feel valued. Continue quarterly department employee recognition and trainings. Equipped employees with up-to-date technology and resources to do their
jobs effectively and not hinder productivity. Emphasize the public service mission and community impact of municipal work. Many employees are drawn to government work because they want to make a difference in their community. Reduce delays in hiring that cause qualified candidates to accept other
offers. Support wellness initiatives, employee assistance programs, and create a culture where taking care of oneself is encouraged. And really, this goal area is super important because the cost to have staff turnover and having one staff taking their time away to train
over and over and over is a huge burden to the city. So, um, and attracting qualified candidates. I mean, it's not about the number of applicants you get, it's the quality that you get and making sure that when people come in here, they can hit the ground running
because of their expertise. And we've worked really hard. HR has done a fantastic job of um getting people in for interviews really fast and things. So, we try not to lose those candidates because usually we do find when people apply for a job here, they're applying for jobs other places. Um, and so that
does happen where we our top candidates are well I already accept another job. So we do work really hard to make sure that we're um getting out there but getting the people to get in place as soon as possible. So that's what I have for just some
goals areas goal areas of what staff works towards and what I encourage our staff to be working on as I lead um operations here. And if we wanted to go on to the next item, uh this is I have some questions on there to peique some interests and topics of setting goals
and objectives for the year. Um we can definitely go back and revisit those ones that I shared with from staff's perspective, but um I'll just read them out to the public if that'd be okay on E5. >> All right. So for discussion topics to guide upcoming goals and priorities for council, what has been the city's
biggest successes in the last three years? What is the city doing right and what could we do better? What do you want the city of Icand to look like in five years? What are your top three priorities for the city? How do you see the city continuing to move forward? What changes, if any, do you feel need
to be made to council meetings, packets, or agendas and etc. What issues do you feel the city needs to address? And then general comments and discussion on other goals and priorities. Sounds good. So, I guess we'll kick it off. Do you guys want to talk about uh
each one of these items maybe a little bit? Um, what do you guys think has been the city's biggest successes in the last three years? I know we we've done a lot in the last three years, but what do you guys think has been the biggest? I mean, I'm going to start with taxes. >> Reducing tax without a doubt.
>> Tax rate reduction in taxes >> compared to surrounding cities. We've held the line very well. >> Decreased actually. Yeah, I think we're at 22.5% roughly tax rate reduction in the last three years. That's pretty good. So, I'm
I'm really happy >> is amazing. I mean, it's something to be celebrated. >> Yeah, I'm really happy with the work that all of us have done. Department heads, city staff, uh all of us. We've we've done a good job, I feel like, trying to tackle every little thing um everywhere we could and still not lose
any services. I really haven't seen any more complaints about anything that we've cut. I mean, we really haven't cut anything substantial either. So, um you know, the PD's fully staffed. Uh most of our departments are fully staffed. Um, and I think it's been going pretty good the last three years. I think public
outreach has really improved. I know, uh, in the last three years especially, we've really made a push to try and get more information out on social media, Facebook, uh, the video live streaming started 3 years ago. Uh, we've seen over a 3,000% viewership increase in that. Um, which I think is important because
people are more educated on what's happening. Um, you know, police being fully staffed, I think that's a a milestone in the last three years. That's that's a big deal for departments, you know. So, uh I don't know what else.
>> I think we've done a great job expanding uh homeowners land use rights in certain certain respects. I think we cleaned up a lot of ordinances that were needed to be cleaned up. Um >> we've made the city significantly more
business friendly. >> I was just going to say that significantly more business friendly. And I think, you know, we're we're moving in the right direction. And the direction is to get more businesses wanting to locate here, making it easier for them. Um, more developers want to
come in, build some quality developments. I think we're doing I think we're doing a good job. Compared to other cities, I think we're moving along pretty well as far as what you guys have on board. This following
year is looking pretty promising. just one thought. >> You know, we have had we've had apartments buildings apartment buildings built in the last three years and they're somewhat frowned upon by by some, but they're pretty much full. And I think that fills a need for a, you
know, it's market rate, but it's still a transitional space for, you know, older folks or younger folks trying to get into a home or out of a home. And I think that's something that, uh, we've done really well with zero of our dollars going into. Um, so that's been great. It's just all market driven growth. Uh, it's efficient. it and it
saves taxpayers money. So >> Steve, what do you like that we've done the last three years? >> I think biggest key is >> staff. >> The biggest key is the staff retention.
You know, trying to keep our workers here. I I I don't care what anybody says. When you retrain, you bring in new people, it costs a lot of money. you're better off to pay your employees to keep them because you're going to end up spending tenfold in five
years time what we lose. When we lose a staff member, it's going to cost us a load a load of money. Anyway you look at it, it's going to cost you money. It's it's not just that staff that person coming in. It's the staff that has to take the time to train them, get them up
to speed what they got to do. Staff retention is huge. I've always been a huge advocate for promoting with from within because that gives everybody a sense of value. If you bring in somebody new to
say replace Keith, you know, the staff that's working hard or his his uh assistant manager that's steps up when Keith isn't there or whatever, he looks at it like, "What am I? Chopped liver." You know, I mean that
in itself ruins things in city, private sector, no matter what. You know, sometimes you you have to pay to keep things. But when you do pay that, it comes back because you're not spending a lot of time retraining. Retraining costs
a lot of money. You get somebody that comes in that isn't certified. If you have somebody you need to hire that isn't certified to work in public works, if you're hiring that person knowingly that they don't have that and that
event, we don't need that that certification right away, you can always work them into that. But to replace that person that is certified, it's going to cost us more money than you think. So, you know, that being said, you it's that's been a huge thing and I've always
been a big advocate of that. You when you promote it from within, it makes everybody feel that they can move up the ladder. >> I think we've done a great job at doing that. And I think in the last three years, we've retained employees. I think we probably have a better average than
most surrounding cities. I mean, I off top of my head, I can only think of one or two that have moved on in the last three years. I'm sure there were more because there's a lot in the background that that I don't know. >> Liquor store has a lot of turnover. >> Well, you're going to have that. >> It's the nature of the part-time.
>> I think it's you don't probably have higher rates than what normal retail has. >> No, the turnover that we see over there is mostly part- timerrs. For example, the gal that just left, she got a promotion at her full-time job and had been with us for six years. Was sad to
go, but excited to only have to work one job now. >> Yep. And that's on the consent agenda tonight. Yep. >> Yeah. >> But that that that's what I was saying is, you know, liquor store has a turnover, but that's it's mainly the part-time help. And, you know,
you you think of Walmart, Walmart does not have many full-time employees. And the reason is is they keep that number down the full-time employees because then they don't have to offer benefits and everything else.
But you have 200 employees when you probably if you had full-time employees, you would only need 150. So, it does, you know, you'd have to really sit down and crunch the numbers. But I'm I'm just saying that is is part-time help is
always going to turn no matter where you're at. Uh, you know, we did lose, you know, an officer here a few years ago. He went to North Branch because they threw an assload of money at him. And you can't belittle that person for that.
But we also have to be competitive to keep that from happening. >> What year was that? It must have been 2021, 2022. I don't remember that when I've been on council. >> Okay. >> But that was, you know, and it took us a
while to to get another officer and and unfortunately younger people aren't going into that. Unfortunately, what I do for a living, younger people aren't going in for that, you know. So, it's, you know, even auto auto body mechanics, auto body guys,
mechanics, they're younger people aren't getting into that because they don't I don't know if it's they don't like getting dirty or or, you know, they think everything's greener on the other side of the fence. It's going to make their life easier. you know, when electronics was all a big deal, everybody was going into computer
science and computers and all this. And those people are searching for jobs. I've seen it. I've seen them come in and say, "Hey, you know, I I I I'd like to get into something I can sink my teeth into, but you know, they already invested all
this money into doing that." So, it it employee retention has always been huge and I've always been a huge advocate for it. So, >> sure. um you know um illuminate Iani that's been a big success this year. Uh so that's a I think that's been a success in the last three years. The way we've
we've tried to reorganized that multiple times you know there was a lot of sunk cost in 2022 when it was started you know over $100,000. So we we've tried you know since then um with what we had to try and do alternate methods and I think this year there's finally a method
that's sustainable. Um so I'm excited about that success. What do you got, Nick? What do you think that has been done well? I mean, you've been on a year and a month. A year roughly. >> Yeah. Year and a month. >> Yep. What do you think's gone well or
successes in the last three years? >> I mean, as far as what I want from the city government, it's mostly to be left alone and not cost me an arm and a leg. And at reducing the cost, I've been thankful for that you guys have taken on for a while now. Um I didn't notice any
kind of shortage of services or change to the to how I perceived it from the outside. Um the the road projects seem to have gone off efficiently and there's been some minor um nuances that didn't go great.
But as far as the cost that they ended up at and the uh water uh project, yeah, cutting out $500,000 out of that was cool to see. Good job, Jason. >> Um, I mean, like I don't want it to do a
whole lot. I just don't want it to cost, >> of course. >> So, >> um, yeah, transparency, putting out the stuff to Facebook and trying to get people. If people aren't aware of what's going on, it's because they don't want to know. I mean, it it's easy to get to
the information and to get it from the horse's mouth. There's it's out there. And so transparency, accountability, um, financial stewardship have all been really good over the last few years. >> Sure. And I do have another recent
success to share. As of last night, uh, I submitted my first article to the paper for a standing column. So that'll be in the newspaper. Uh, we're going to be I'll be working on that hopefully every month or so. So that's a that's a big that's a big success for for us. And if you guys have any ideas on what I
should write about, uh, the first one's on Illuminate. So hopefully you see that tomorrow. >> I did have two more that came to mind. >> Okay. >> I've heard nothing but great things about the sledding hill. That's not huge cost, but huge appreciation from the community for that amenity. >> And then I don't every time I go to the
archery range, it's not as used as I thought it would be, but I've heard a lot of positive things about that. And also using unused land at very low cost outside of the uh the target covers being more than what we had expected. But >> yeah, and that archery range was three years ago, too. So, it's been within the
last three years. Yeah. Okay. Well, I think uh that's that's a good start for something. I could talk about stuff that's maybe not as known or things like that. I'm trying to keep it more informational and positive. >> The new playground trying to do that in house and make a a wood-based one where
the metal is kind of >> uh good outside the box thinking and trying to reduce cost but also mix things up. Well, there's a whole article right there. Good thinking. If anybody else thinks of anything else um open to ideas for that, I think
that'll be awesome. >> Just to expand on that one, the Bluebird Park um project with being ADA accessible and that >> we're hoping um that'll be more of a regional draw, which is very exciting for the community and beyond.
Any other successes you guys want to talk about from the last three years? Otherwise, we could move on too. I think it's been awesome working with a good group of people. I'm very happy with the city staff um being a city council and now in this seat. I think
it's been great all around. So, all right. So, that uh is question one there. So, what is the city doing right? I think we covered most of that. Now, what could we do better? The harder question. and drop >> always do something >> right
it's it's hard to answer that question because I feel like we just think about these ideas when they come when they come to us like now that we have this uh the software digitizing like okay that that never crossed our mind so you don't think about it until you think about it uh so I think that's maybe a little harder
Um, Steve, you got anything that you think we could do better? >> There's always certain little things, >> right? >> You know, um, I was thinking about this and it's and it's stupid, but it it it
is something that drives me nuts. I cannot stand when I blow my driveway clean and the city comes through and I got to spend days. I'm getting too old to shovel that crap. >> Every time it snows, I hear that from
somebody. >> You know, it's >> I just got done. >> But, you know, there's there I've seen some I actually seen a video from in Alaska. But, you know, there you got to remember I mean, if they were to do the same thing that they do, they drop the wing and they pull it back. They'd be
going like this constantly all the, you know, with all these driveways. And it's and it's not even feasible. But it's it's it's just one of those things. I've had I had to go out at Christmas with my chipping hammer and chip out the ice from the end of my driveway because the froze there and I couldn't get it
out of there. So, it's like driving over a mound to get in my driveway. >> You know how to avoid that? >> You can you can actually clear out an area so that the snow that's on the blade has somewhere to go there. Sure. Yeah. But that helps. That's I'm telling people that all the time. >> It I do it and it still gets there
because they're pulling it from the all the way down the street. So that short area that I would clean doesn't catch at all. And I and I don't know what the right answer is. You know, I you know, I thought maybe sometime they could go in and if they're running around the skid loader, try to clean out some of that,
but then again, it's taking more of their time. >> It is just a frustration. >> Yeah. >> And let's face it, there is a lot of elderly people in this town. I just can't physically go out and do it like that anymore. You know, I'm not 20
years old anymore. I mean, >> gotta get some of them nextdoor neighbor kids working >> to build more apartment buildings, I guess. >> Yeah. But I mean, I understand. I understand. It's It's physically impossible. But that is one thing that drives me >> Okay. >> crazy. And, you know, maybe he can come
up with an idea in the future. I I just know it's it's not an easy solution. >> See, I thought it was because the snow banks get so high they can't push the snow over them. So, they wait for everybody to shovel the driveway. So when I go down, it has a place to go.
>> I know they make that a wing thing that will drop in the driveway, but it would take our fall event and triple it probably. >> Yeah. Yeah, I know. That's what I mean. It if if it was if it was a stretch between driveways, it probably wouldn't
be so bad. But when you got a driveway every, you know, 300 ft, you you he's going to be sitting there going like this and it's just going to drag and on and on and on. I mean, >> what if we were to consider that idea, but we have people sign up
and they have to pay for that service. Like we have a signup list like maybe elderly folks, hey, this is going to be an extra 20 bucks or extra 10 bucks, whatever. every snow event we drop the we drop that blade there and we keep your end of your driveway a little bit cleaner. >> I mean, I'm sure that'd be an administrative nightmare.
>> It would be hard. >> It'd be like the garbage man having a route, right? >> Okay. Maybe just something to consider. I don't know. >> How is there GPS in those trucks? >> We don't have GPS. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Yeah. No, that's it. It It would It would be a nightmare there, then it' be a nightmare here, and it's just >> Yeah, it wouldn't >> it wouldn't work. It just it's you know it's unfortunately that's what we have. >> I don't think there's any other solution. No. Otherwise >> I mean they could you could get someone to do your drive, >> right?
>> Sounds like it's a great business opportunity for someone. >> Get them neighbor kids shoveling. >> Yeah. >> All right. What else do you think we're we're short on? Admittedly, I uh I started off a little rough on Facebook last year. So that's that's definitely
something I'm working on. So that's a shortcoming that I've had >> off off the top of my head. Like I've liked the direction with the illuminated stand. >> I'd like to see more of it being absorbed by them, but maybe applying that to other things. Like I don't know if uh there's other events that could be
including volunteer help drive down the amount of staff time needed towards those like the uh splish blast summer bash or the street dances. There's way to incorporate volunteer groups into those organizations as well or events. Okay, that's I think that's a good idea.
And that was kind of the hope I think when when we when I really pushed or we really pushed for that that volunteer group. I really hoped it would start something. And I love the fact that they named it together because it doesn't limit it to just that. >> Um so maybe that is something in the future. I mean maybe they could have
different divisions of that or something that do different things. I don't know. That's that's something, you know, if the community wants more of stuff, I think we just got to make it abhorently clear that if something has to go because of cost, then the community has to step up in its place if they want it to happen. Like that's what community
is. We're not, you know, blanket taxing is easy. Making things, you know, accessible for people and getting the community involved is difficult. So, I think that's a good point to continue pushing on that path, too. So, if anybody's got any ideas,
what else you think, George? You think of what else can we improve or city staff? Let's hear it straight. >> I think I when you talk about that, I think what she's talking about with the payroll and digitizing that, >> right,
>> that you Yes, it is a big dollar amount, >> but it none of that pays for itself right away. But I think in longevity, easier tracking, I think a lot of those things pays for itself
in that efficiency time. You know, you think about it, they spend x amount of hours doing it. That's an hour from something they can't be doing somewhere else. I always look at something if it takes you only an hour to do something. I just for example and I and I apologize
but this is the best way I can make analogy of it is just like if I'm on a job and I got two hours work left and I'm done at 8 hours. Well, it's a 2-hour drive for me to get there. Would I be better off spending two hours
to finish it than going back driving back down there two hours to do it? You know, it takes couple hours to unload and load your tools at the end of the day. And you think about it, it's more efficient for me to just work that two
extra hours, be done with it, and I'm not losing two hours or four hours. Two hours the next day equates to four. So it doubles that because now I had that day half two hours of that day I've
spent two hours where I couldn't be doing something else. So it you know it you got to look at it that way because it takes you that much. Now you lost that hours of other pro productivity that you could be doing. Now that just that other hour just
turned into two more hours because now that delays the next pro part their job, the next part of their job, the next part of their job. It just it just it just runs downstream. >> Mhm. >> So, so yes, you spend some money here, but it will pay for itself sooner than
later. >> Any anything else you guys think we could approve? Sorry, go ahead. >> Are we going to talk about that? >> We'll get We'll get to all that. Well, I would like to I'd like an example exactly how it works. >> Um the software because you
>> let's talk about that at the end if we have time. Yeah. Try and get through this so then because we have it on a cow agenda so we can talk about them but hopefully we can get through this >> before and talk about it. Uh >> so let's move on. Uh what do you want the city of Sani to look like in five years?
>> I similar to what it is more business growth. What' you say? >> Recognizable. >> Recognizable. That's a good one. Yeah, I don't have any huge goals to we don't I don't think it's a huge goal to make it grow on not on its own. So market
growth what happens happens try and get I I would like to see uh you know continued business growth I think that's somewhere that we greatly excel. Uh, I had a meeting with two business owners yesterday and they had talked to me about how much more friendly our staff
was and our council was and our policy was and they night and day chose us over a city to the north and another city. Uh, so I think, you know, if we continue on that path in the next 5 years, that'll do nothing but help our
community and help continue to to grow businesses and reduce taxes. Um, that's what I look for. Um I I hope we don't have a huge huge development of 500 houses or something crazy. I just think uh this community likes, you know, what we have. Um but obviously it's going to
grow at some rate. So >> question on that that similar project salt to me there is that in the city that so that where that line end where that property end that's the end of the city limit. I mean
theoretically, yes. >> Theoretically, yeah, you like that. >> It's the property border, but if the adjoining property owner requested, you know, to annex in on their own or a developer purchased it. >> The reason I say that because we are running out of areas for developments.
>> There's quite a bit still. We I would say because we're not landlocked by by another city specifically on all sides, we have a lot of room to grow. So >> we have room to grow, but that right now a lot of that property is in the tier
one, which I'll be honest with you, as many years as I've been up here, I thought it was the dumbest thing in the world. Because now you're telling somebody that doesn't live in the city, they can't do anything unless the city says you can. So there again, you force in the word annexation on things and I
don't like and I don't like that word. >> Never use the word forced annexation with this. >> I would say >> no I don't agree with that. I just I never have >> and >> not forced but requested annexation. >> They can request it, right? They can
request it, but if that's why that tier one drives me nut nuts >> because we're telling them people you can't do what you want because this even though you're not in the city limits, we're going to regulate you. That is you got a call from
>> I've got two calls this week. One was against the tier one and one loved the tier one because they're didn't they want to develop the property. So, it's kind of a horse a piece. >> Well, one has tier one. >> Yeah. And he he went to the county and the county says, "We'd love to let you do it, but it's in a tier one. You have
to go to the city." >> Yep. And he was told and I I talked to him and I told him to come in and ask us for what he wants. >> Yeah. I told him that. I told him that. And I said if I told him to go and see talk to Stephanie and she's gonna you know prime example Bruce Jurgens had his
property his flipping field from his building to his house which is in the city in the city but it's tier one. He had built a roadway so he can just drive from his from his shop to his house or his house to his shop without having to come out on the road. Nobody's asking
him telling him that the city has to maintain it. He's going to do it all on his own. To me, I thought that was stupid. That should have came in front of us to discuss before it was told no.
And that's what I told the gentleman. I don't I'm not >> that was probably years ago. >> Yeah, it was I can't remember what her name was. >> I I if you know me well, I I don't believe in my job being the authority to
tell people no. So I um as a zoning administrator, my job is to direct them to statute in our ordinance and show them their options for how it can fit or what their next steps need to be. >> Yep. >> To make it work. >> Yeah. And I told that gentleman to get a hold of you and then has to be put on
the agenda and be discussed. >> And >> so I mean if we say no, that's a different story. She should never be for her. She can just like she said, state statue, this is that, but we as a
council up here, we can make those decisions based wholearly. Just like the guy on Broadway when he wanted to build that garage. What irritated me in the fact was he was told no to come in front of the council and he still did it anyway. And at that point, that was
wrong and that was my stance on it. If he would have came in here before we started anything, we could have had a conversation and worked that out. But instead, he did it and saying, "Screw you. We're going to do it anyway." I don't like that. >> Yeah, that was during COVID and he couldn't he came on to city hall and
nobody be here because everything was locked down. So, it's like, yeah, I get that. But we were able to change that ordinance because people are flexible and >> but I but my point was you >> I also know somebody and for a fact he says I don't care what the city says. I'm going to do whatever I want. And
that didn't sit well with me. >> So >> all you have to do is have them come in and have a conversation. >> I think staff is doing an okay job. I think >> if it makes com if it makes sense. If a >> person has a larger piece of property and wants to do something that's unconventional, but not within
ordinance, but >> realistic >> probably be allowed. Let Yeah. Direct them to us. At least we can take a second look at it instead of >> I don't want to make that decision by myself. >> I know. Well, just like this one, he wants to develop it. So, there's a whole
good chance it will get annexed in at some point. >> So, >> we'll have that discussion when it comes. But, as far as the next 5 years, I mean, I don't think we're not trying to sprawl. We're not trying to become a metropolis. >> Just kind of going with what the people
want and what what comes and that's that. >> I think growth should be organic and and if somebody wants in the city, let them in. and the city shouldn't be unless it's absolutely there's only a few circumstances I can think of um let
private property be private property you know >> all right so with that what are your top three priorities for the city we've already talked about taxes look at Josie taxes you already know that you can write that three times
or four um property rights. I I don't know. Such a broad question. You know, Steve mentioned it might have been Steve. Somebody on this console in the last 10 years said something. I I
don't know if it's feasible or if it can even be worked in over like a decade or if it has to be done all at once. But assess assessments, road assessments, or assessments you were saying should just somebody said it should just be paid
through the general fund. But I don't think it should be done with new property. I think new property should be, you know, if somebody's going to develop property, they should pay for the infrastructure and any >> they usually do. They do, >> right? But existing property that's already done it like for road
improvements and things like that right now we assess. I don't know what the formula would be to maybe change that because everybody in the city at one time or another is going to get assessed for a road. >> So is there a way to >> over there's a time.
>> So so one thing I want to tell you >> you already looked at it. You know, before long before, I mean, we're talking 10 years, we had m payment management plan. There
was funds in there. A certain person used that to cut taxes. That money went away. If that money still would have been in there today, that pavement management plan would have covered all of those
costs without assessing taxes. That's why it's imperative that we get back to getting that fund built up. God bless his heart and rest in peace. Mike Becker even said the same thing is
by keeping that money going into pavement management, you will be able to do these projects without all those assessments. >> I haven't heard that argument or how it would work, but I'd be interested in in in listening to that.
>> But that's why the money has to be put into pavement management. And Jason's doing an outstanding job by going out and getting to these roads that need mill and overlay
or seal coating. That kind of stuff prolongs those streets quite a bit. You take uh where is that? Town's Edge Road. is that things probably should have been
gone over quite some time ago, but now it's gotten to the point it's too late. So when you do those things and you do that mill and overlay, costs are way down. Longevity is longer.
Preventive maintenance, preventive maintenance, preventive maintenance. And that's what the pavement management plan is supposed to do. >> Is that something you can put together, Jason? would you have a lot of time into putting something together if we made that a goal? >> So,
uh I mean it's totally worth looking at. Um the city of Elk River specifically um changed to a franchise fee where everybody just gets build something like five bucks a month on their monthly bills and eliminated assessments. Um, you know, you got to kind of do a study
to figure out what that number needs to be and there's a whole process to go about it, but it is a thing you can change. Obviously, the last person that got assessed, >> you're going to be pissed. I I hate I hate the idea. I'm not going to lie to you. I going away from the assessment,
that's been our policy for a long time. And when you buy a home, you know, or your realtor should tell you, hey, this road was assessed three years ago. You shouldn't expect to have a road. good realtor will tell you if you should expect assessments. So when you buy a home, that's just typical practice. And
if we end up switching away from that, the people the last year, year before, year before, anybody that's ever paid an assessment is going to be pissed because now they're going to have to pay more on their taxes again on top of the assessment. I don't know that there's a way that you can ever implement that that would actually work. And it's not
really I don't think it's really fair to tax everybody if their road's already been done. >> But here's here's a way to look at this though. Also, how many streets do you drive on that you've never paid an assessment? >> Right. We all pay taxes, though.
>> We pay taxes, but that isn't what that's in totally intended for. But it's like five out here. >> Mhm. >> How many people drive down that road do not live in the city by Sandy? >> But we pay taxes on that for the county.
They don't they don't assess for that road. So, we all pay taxes already. >> I'm just using that as example. you you look at how many people drive down these streets that do not live there, do not pay those assessments. That's it's just like I go down South
Passage and then downs at the road out, but the people that live on there are paying that. But I'm also using as much if not more. I shouldn't say more, but just as much as they do. It's it it's kind of unfair to them and
a blessing for me, but I'm still using it. We're not collecting we're not collecting tax on the gas in town. The county is and that would be another legitimate nightmare to try to get tax dollars at
our pumps here to come towards us than to the county. So, I'm not against that idea, but I don't think it's something that you can just say, "Okay, next week we're going to this." I think it's something maybe we should look into,
>> maybe start building that to that >> and then five years down the road or whatever, maybe we can start implicating it. I mean, I I I'm not against that idea. I think it's fair. It's fair to the people that live on that street or road
that other people use. >> Well, we would still need the ability to assess in certain circumstances. I mean, we have a bunch of ordinances on >> and that's where it goes astray. You tax them and then you assess them on top of it. Again, you're adding you're just
adding another avenue for the government to take money from the people. you know, if if we add this this franchise fee and say it's $5 a month and then another council says, "Oh, we're going to start we're going to bring our assessment policy back again." So now that these people are paying the $5 a month and then getting assessed as well. Like
that's you're I think it's open in a can of worms potentially. But it'd be interesting to see. >> But but I'll be honest with you, >> if you if we did that, they would be totally nuts in the head
to say, "No, let's go back to assessing I mean, seriously, >> I know. >> I mean, you you you'd have to be so far out in right field or center field or whatever field you want to call it. >> You still have to have the power to assess in certain there's certain
circumstances where you just have to. >> Um, but I I I think we should >> not shoot the idea down. I think we should look at it and look at it as a potential to see what we can do with it.
Nick, what are your thoughts on that idea? You think there's some promise there potential? I >> think it's a tragedy the Commons and a lot of people would have issue with that they are going to get double
double build versus other people are single build and how you make that equitable and fair is quite a mess. And >> that's why I said what it takes decade to >> the whole concept of like what's your actual damage to the roads and which roads are you traveling on versus what
are your actual costs. I mean it's all a convoluted nightmare. >> That's another question I had. Most of the highly traveled roads in the city are state aid routes which I mean I would say that if you live in a neighborhood I mean depending where you live in a neighborhood 80% of your travel to your house is probably going
to be a state aid route, a county road or a highway. and then you're going to have the last, you know, little bit in your neighborhood. Would you say that's probably accurate that most of the major roads here are are not assessed and they're paid for by state aid or or the county or the state?
>> Um, I guess specifically to answer that, we assess everybody equally. So any street, whether it's a state aid route or not, is assessed. >> Sure. >> So that it isn't dependent on where you are. It's everybody in the end would get their fair share of their street. Um, so
I mean we don't assess for county roads and state roads, but the state aid routes we still assess. >> That's what I was thinking. Whiskey road, whiskey road, we didn't assess >> or did we assess? >> We haven't assessed mill overlay or seal
coats. We don't assess the maintenance. >> Okay. Um, and what we're trying to do, that maintenance is trying to prolong the need to actually do a full reconstruction or a reclaim project where we would need to assess, which is what our assessment policy is. But then
once that road gets to that point, if it's a city street, we're assessing it consistently to everybody. And that that's how we're trying to keep it uniform on no matter where you are. Um, you know, regarding the the cost and the
distribution, um, I think we might have a gap kind of coming up in a couple years where we don't have many projects like you saw that maybe would require assessments and maybe that's the gap where we have a a time where there aren't any for a while or, you know, or
something along those lines or our projects don't time out that way. And then if we start doing that um a franchise fee or a different way to go about that um you know maybe there'd be at least a leg before somebody just got
hit with an assessment and then starts paying a franchise fee. Um but I believe there's another city that tried this and did it for like one year and decided to go back >> and really got a lot of people fired up. >> Do you know what city that is? >> Um >> or could you find out?
>> Okay. >> Huh? Yeah, I'll I'll I'll dig that up. >> Let me know and I I mean I could reach out and find out why. I just be curious. >> So, um I mean that's at least something we can look at, but otherwise uh you know, >> so the milling overlays are paid for by
general taxpayer money already. >> Yep. Our maint >> So if if we never get behind on the mill and overlay, theoretically, you you never have to assess somebody hopefully. >> No, no, I mean our maintenance is good, but it's not impossible. I mean, okay. >> You're always going to have to
reconstruct a road eventually, like >> the under, you know, condition of the road. You know, we we have our program to try and mill an overlay even two rounds on a road, which, you know, we're still pretty much you're never really going to get away from, you know, 60, 80 years
out. >> Oh, yeah. Obviously, >> the road's going to need to be done. >> Well, no matter how long it is, once that cycle starts, everybody's getting hit once. you know, it's just whether we're getting it to be every 30 years or 100 years or 50 years, you know, is we're trying to get the life out of it,
but essentially the cycle continues. Um, and we're trying to do what we can to get the life out of it that we can and spread those assessments as far apart as we can to get the value out of them. Um, but it's going to happen, you know, sometime. It just comes down to that
topic of switching to a franchise fee and the last guy that got assessed is mad, but the first person that got it is the happiest person you ever met. And from there on in as a resident of a city that has it when they do your street and do your residents come and ask, well, am
I getting assessed for this? And it's like, well, it's part of your franchise fee, you know. No, we don't have to go through the assessment process. We don't have to. They're more than happy to, you know, the the general feel is a lot less contentious when you're doing projects once you're not doing assessments and
having those direct meetings and the hearings and everything that goes with it. And so once it's rolling it, I've seen it as a pretty smooth general, you know, public feel. And when you establish the amount to base it on that uniform how much we were going to
need, you know, to cover the what would have been assessed amount. Well, essentially it's just that same dollar amount you would have gotten hit with when we did your street in a smaller increment over a lot longer time and that's the that's
the change but it you know it really does eliminate a lot of that contentious element of assessed projects >> okay >> and I will just clarify the city does currently collect franchise fees on electric and gas bills
Mhm. All right. Well, that's something to consider. Maybe we could set that as a discussion item at some point. Maybe further or >> Yeah. Just I didn't mean to open a can of words. I'm just curious. >> Interesting.
>> Yeah. All right. Uh let's see the next topic on there. Uh top three priorities. Sorry, we're still on that. I guess taxes, long-term planning. That's I mean that
would fit in that envelope. Um revenue stream. We've cut enough. I don't know what more we can really cut. We need to figure out ways to get more revenue somehow someway. whether it's grants, whether
maybe the the state cleans up some cleans up some of their misspending and we can maybe get more LGA. Who knows? Maybe it's hopeful thinking, but um the liquor store, I know we've talked about that sign a lot. Um we've talked about the THC stuff, which we'll talk about
again tonight. Uh just another source of revenue because I don't know what else we can cut. like we've pretty much cleaned up 99% of anything we could. I feel like anything else that you guys think are, you know, top three priorities for the
city. >> I think we're right on track. >> Okay. All right. Uh how do you see the city continuing to move forward? I think that's kind of the same same coin. Yeah. Uh what changes, if any, do you feel
need to be made to council meetings, packets, agendas, etc.? >> I think we made a lot of changes over the years. >> I mean, I um one of the things that were dear to me was in the old days, if you were a member of the public and you
wanted to come up and talk about something that was in that evening's agenda, you weren't allowed to. >> Yep. And I think the public should be allowed to come up and influence council members or maybe show us a way to see something different that's on the agenda
that we may not actually be thinking ourselves. And I think uh the the public should have the right to maybe influence or our decision as far as what's on packets. And we've been getting packets earlier.
Yep. Um, I've asked for that and we've been getting mailed to us a couple days early and sometimes that really helps especially if I have a really busy weekend. >> Um, >> anybody else see anything with >> I like how we made them all available to
the public. Yep. >> Before you had to be on an email list. Now you just click a link and and you have a packet which is great. I mean, >> over the years, what what the city has done to be a lot more transparent is phenomenal. >> It is night and day, >> very well received by by a lot of
people. >> And I do want to say thank you to council for allowing staff to be able to move forward with some of these things. Some of these were goals that we had for years and it really is nice. It it it really is hard to quantify the number that of time it takes us. I mean, back
in the old day when you're putting together PDF packets by hand and scanning and printing and I mean, we really have come a long way and staff is very thankful that we're able to get those processes improved. >> Good. Yeah, a lot of stuff has changed
especially in the last seven, eight years. It's been a night and day difference for residents. I remember coming in here as a resident seven, eight years ago and it was just uh >> it was totally different. Yep. You and I were both on the the other side of that back then. >> Completely different city. Really really
was. Um >> can you can staff think of anything different that >> idea? Go for it. >> On the previous site there was the ability to have a iical subscription or other calendar subscriptions. I don't know if that's a feature the new site
can have, >> but that would be something. >> Is that the RSS? >> Not RSS. No, >> not RSS. Um, >> so it automatically upload to your calendar or >> so like you could go on to it like council meetings and you could uh
subscribe to the calendar and it would populate anytime there was an event added to that it would show up on >> your tablet or phone or computer. >> Did you use that as a resident or just a council member? >> Res. >> Oh, interesting. I never heard about
that before. It's kind of cool. It was like add to iical was on the thing and then it would you could subscribe to a calendar and >> we are we haven't gotten that far yet but there are abilities to be able to get notifications we know for um when
packets are being added uh as well as maybe even some texting. So we haven't got that finalized yet but that is in the works but we'll definitely add that to the list and look into it. >> Sure. Yeah. I know the a lot of sports teams do that and that's very handy. Like if you got Twins baseball and it
automatically imports 162 games or whatever to your calendar, it's like that's kind of nice. Don't have to do it manually. That's Yeah, that's a good idea. I didn't know that that was available before. >> On the previous one, >> sure. So, how about staff with the council meetings packets and agendas
other than how long the meetings are? >> It could be shorter and shorter. Go ahead. >> I mean, from staff's perspective, I mean, I think we're it's going really good. I'm thankful to all the department heads who get me their items, Jade and I, their items earlier. Um, it really does help for the review process, um, as
well as getting it to council earlier. There it's it's crazy how those deadlines sneak up every other week, but um, no, I think things are going good. We did on the committee the whole agenda get rid of the categories of new business, old business and no one
mentioned that they were upset that they went away, but it really was difficult to state if it was a newer coming back returning business item for the cow agenda. So, um, all items are important. I think it's just important that we talk about all of them. And we do, it helps to get rid of the two different
categories so then we can prioritize if we have a member of the public coming, we can put them at the top even if it was a returning item. So, um staff did make that change, but otherwise we feel like things are going well. We're really excited to get this website, um up and going. We are
required with statute to have a.gov website um address. So, that's in the works as well as we'll be updating all of our emails and things. So, that'll be coming over time. So, we have imple implemented a lot more
accessibility standards to our new website. So that's great getting wider um public abilities to be able to view um our content. So no I I don't I mean honestly I don't think staff has we kind of bring it forward and we're thankful that we can
bring things forward because we see them need to need to be done. >> Okay. I I think in cow is it should get back to what it was intended for and that was to have liquor store come in one one cow meeting or once every couple
months you know public works same thing PD same thing that is what cow was intended for so that every councilman because otherwise we used to have a council member that went to their meetings which was during the Okay. So, it was
hard for council members to get in there. And when they would come in and do their update, we all heard it at once. It didn't come from me to you to you to you. And if you add other cow items on cow as time
allows, we can discuss those things. I think the first priority should be that these that's what cow meant committee of the whole which was liquor store committee public works committee PD committee that's what it was intended for always
was that way >> I really like that idea >> because that's what it was intended for and I have brought it up numerous times I have no problem having these other discussions but if we as time allows we discuss the
other items, but they should have first priority to have that discussion with us. Keith comes in and says, you know, the last two months we did XXX, we did boom ba boom. Same thing with public works, same with PD. So, we all got that
information at once. That's what call meant. I have no problem adding some of these other items, but I still think we need to keep to our agenda in time frame. Getting out here out of here at 11 o'clock at night. >> That doesn't happen. 11.
>> It has happened many times. >> 11's never happened. >> Yeah, it happens many times. >> Not 11. >> Not 11, >> but 10:30 after 10. >> It's been pretty good lately. I feel >> it. It has been good lately. But I'm just saying is if
>> we had serious ground to make up. There was a lot of fumbled fumbled passes and stuff. >> I'm not going to blame I'm not going to blame. We're done blaming. That's done. It's what's that's water under the bridge. >> But to get to keep this moving smoothly
and keep everything in a personal time frame. Now we're going to get we we should be knowing what these what these departments are doing. if there's some changes that need to be done. That's what I think that is what cow was
intended for because we used to go uh to each one of these different committees and there was only one council member present. So how I interpret something or how I understood something doesn't mean that's how you understand it. And then when I give that
information to you, I'm giving it to you the way I understood it. And it may not be necessarily correct, >> but that's kind of the way we we do committee of a whole because if Keith has something that we add, if he wants it added, he has his time to talk. If Josh has something he wants added, he has his time to talk. That's kind of
>> We haven't We haven't I haven't seen it the way it was intended. >> Do you think it would be more productive if if we did this? I'm not sure. So every cow meeting like the first one Keith would spend the first part of that
meeting giving us an update and so it' be a quarterly update from each department. Public works would be the following month, PD would be the following month and maybe get a more indepth um more indepth of what they're actually
doing and what they're involved in. So >> that's what they did originally. started when I started. We did that on quarterly updates. I gave a police department update one month, the next month somebody else gave their update, the next month somebody else gave their updates. >> Yeah. >> That was done when we started cow.
>> So then we use the rest of that time that they don't use for a regular cow. And then I think we might be able to get more in depth of what each department is doing. They might be able if they're putting a presentation on instead of just doing asks. It's just an idea. Does that add
more does that add more workload to staff versus being here just to answer questions or I mean we talk about we talk about all we talk about public works we talk about police we talk about liquor we talk about all this stuff and it's I think it's really awesome that we have an open forum board where >> our staff feels like they don't have to
go through the time of presenting but they know that we're here to listen. I I like I like the way we do it but >> Okay. >> But what but what what what we're doing now with cow is a workshop. >> Yeah. >> That's what that's called. It's not called cow. That's called workshop.
>> Okay. >> Like I said originally and just like Chief Meyer said, that's what cow originally was set up for. Uh I think Paul was on your on police. So Paul would go once a month to your meeting.
So that was another So when we we did that, we put everybody in that. So we didn't have separate things. Unfortunately, the only thing that we don't do, I mean, because it's not like the fire department. That's why we have
that separate going to the fire department because that's when they have their meetings. So, with that being said, it would So, if Josh didn't need to be at this at this call meeting, he wouldn't have to show up. Sometimes he has to show up because
he doesn't know what's going to happen. So, it's it it limits them to the time that they're here. It gets us all the information that we need to know. They can give us the update. Keith can say, you know, we're doing this, this, and that. I would like to do this. We can
solve that there at that time. >> Keith, did you have anything to add? I saw you raise your hand. >> Yeah. I I just wanted to say that we do put a lot of that information in the admin updates that Josie sends out, but it doesn't allow for the back and forth
um you know, for questions and stuff. But, you know, we do we do spend some time sending her updates every Thursday by noon >> so that she can put together information for you guys. Um, but I mean I'll do whatever you guys want me to do, but I just want to point out that we do try to
I can speak for myself, try to keep you updated on what's going on and yep, >> I'm always available to answer any questions or concerns that you have as well. >> But a lot of those pre meetings, those other meetings, subcommittees was before key time. >> So, to piggy back on that, I do think
that it's beneficial to council to get updates weekly versus quarterly. Um, obviously I was involved with those meetings that we used to have it before and it has CO has >> um transitioned into a workshop, >> but what the the value in having it
there is that council can have a discussion about an item before it goes to council for a vote because sometimes you have more questions you want staff to look into or you really want to dig into it yourself first. So it does give a buffer in between getting an item and making a decision on it right away
because if those items if we didn't have committee of the whole like we're doing now as a workshop all those items would go as business items for discussion on council agenda. Um which is fine. It doesn't matter but then you're either potentially tableabling it to the next meeting. Um
but >> I think it works really good the way it is guys. I like the way it works, but I wouldn't mind like, well, how about a yearly update where they can put a presentation on and and let us know that some back door things that you're doing that you normally wouldn't discuss. Um,
familiar, you know, familiarize us more of what what you actually do on a day-to-day basis. And I think it would come in handy for the public and and for us to to realize how things work. Um, well, I do want to let you know if you ever want to come over to the liquor
store and take a tour, I' I'd be happy to to do that as well. I mean, I' I've have an open door for all of you guys. >> I've been there. It's awesome. I think I've I've toured everything we have now, and it's it's really cool. And also leading up to that, I guess I'll talk about my next goal. It's revolving
around that. So, the last oh about six months, I'm sure you guys saw some of those videos I did on the school referendum, and I it just it it made me think like people really like to see that sort of information, and I would like to do more of that with the city stuff. So, I would like to do um video
work uh on each of our core aspects of our city, like a look behind the counter at the liquor store, um a look at public works, like maybe a short ride along in a plow truck, or just some sort of video so people can see what how it works. Uh maybe just a video about how city hall
works, you know, a video about how PD works, you know, even maybe if the fire department wants to be involved in that. I want to work with um there's a local videographer that I actually talked to last week about this idea. I was thinking about just doing it myself, but then this videographer uh the real rail
fan happened to reach out and asked if there was anything that the city might want to collab with. And I thought it would be a great opportunity um to do that because you know we've had such a focus on getting information out to people so they understand right and if we can do it in video form I think people will eat it up. Um so that's
something that uh you know I think it's essential to to do stuff like that. I've never seen another city do stuff like that. Uh, I know I've seen like interviews. >> There actually are quite a few cities. I will say that like there's the city of Kun Rapids, city of Ramsey. There's quite a few cities that do um and
sometimes are focused on either Pey Wyoming or um public works are pretty famous for doing some in cities and they can be really funny. They can be really um informative. That was one of the things that was on that slideshow if we had a community communications personnel
because I would love to have that here. It's a great way to get people involved in seeing what the dayto-day is like. >> It's just staff doesn't have the time. >> Yes. So, that is something I wanted to pitch as an idea. Um, I did I would be I would be like the I guess the narrator
or whatever and then we'd have say if it was public works Josh or whoever, you know, somebody would show us the water treatment plant, things that we can the public can see. I know there's obviously things that the public shouldn't see, whatever, but um I was able to uh potentially set it up so there's no cost
to the city and we would get a copy and I would so we would get a copy that we could use on our social media, our Facebook, our website. I would get a copy that I could use on Facebook um to spread out to everybody. Um and he would have a copy and he would have first rights to post it. And I I it's it's
open for negotiation or discussion, but I told him, you know, if you want to have it up on your own stuff for two weeks, so you get the brunt of the traffic. Either way, it's a win-win for us because he's using his network. We would then use our network. I would use my network and you guys could all share it. We could all get the community involved in understanding how everything
works. So maybe we get less questions or less misunderstandings on who does what. And I know George, we talked about last month uh adding that stuff to the website about, you know, city council doesn't run the water plant. city, you know what I mean? So, I think that would add to that. Um, so I didn't know if you
guys would be opposed. I didn't know if I needed direction on that, but I thought that would be a pretty cool deal. Um, getting a local videographer involved and myself and city staff and just get information out to people. >> With you sharing that goal, let's move into goals. So, we have a half an hour
here to um write down any and all goals that you have as a council and then we'll try to narrow it down or prioritize them. And that was my first one. So it's pretty pretty good introduction. >> Thank you. >> So what do you guys think about that
idea? >> I think it's stuff one worth a try. >> See exactly how it goes. And >> yeah, now that it's, you know, we could have the summer, we could do the fall, we could do really anytime. Some things are probably more valuable at different times, but uh I can work with the the
video guy if you guys are okay with it. Um, I didn't know if we'd even need permission since there's no dollars involved, but >> we would and I would actually recommend that we have a policy drafted just because if you have staff on something, it still is city content. Yep. >> So, we I'd want to make sure they review
that and it be something that a policy was approved by council. >> Okay. Hey, would we need like a special use permit for that or would just just a policy that's overarching that we could discretion of the board to >> Yeah, I think it could be a general policy that would overarch all of what you're looking to do. But, you know,
like we have to make sure that what staff is going to be involved. Is it staff that have signed that their faces can be made public digital like all that kind of background stuff? Yep. We would just have to um figure out first. >> Okay. >> You guys like the idea and considering
it? They don't cost us anything, >> right? >> Nick, >> anything to showcase the city? >> I said like besides financial stewardship like transparency and accountability and that's definitely towards the transparency side, >> make people aware of what services they're paying for and how they're being
delivered and understanding scope of things I think is good. >> Sure. Okay. Well, that sounds good. That sounds like a good goal for this year. Uh, does anybody want to start? I have a few more. Otherwise, if anybody's >> Go ahead and finish yours up. >> All right, sounds good. Um, so I know
I've talked to uh Josh about this a bit, uh, pre- buying as much stuff as we can ahead of time for consumables. And I think Josh is probably, you know, you've transitioned into this role, so I think you probably did a pretty good job. It's just something I always see more blades string term line like consumables that we always use. And I I've talked to
Josh, so I think that's a a good goal and I think he's been doing a good job over there. Um, but that's just something like if there's any other aspects of the city where we know we're going to use something a lot of would it make sense to buy in bulk and I know I think you guys pretty much do a good job of that, but thought a short few minute
discussion on that would be prudent. Is there anything in city hall where it's like, yeah, we should pre- buy this. Like >> we do well not really I don't know about pre-by but we do buy in bulk all the time and we do um vet out different vendors all the time whether it's
innovative or um even Sam's Club. I did a price comparison one day between all the things we buy for like toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, anything like that that we may need. Um and we just we go wherever it's cheaper. We don't only buy one vendor because we do
price it out every month. >> Okay. >> Um and we do stock up. So, we do buy our paper for our print copy printer. We get a huge delivery of a stack of boxes. Um, so we're getting that those uh better deals. Okay. Buying in bulk. Yeah.
>> And I'm sure Keith, that's part of your daily job. So, yeah. I I'm sure you got that. And it's kind of part of your daily job too almost, huh, Josh? >> Yeah. After we talked, I added a lot a lot of different oils we get for different vehicles. So, we got bulk oil
coming in. Great. >> Order now for different weights that we didn't have bulk on. So, we implemented that already. >> Awesome. >> How much is it? >> Annifreeze and any of them like 50 gallon barrels of antifreeze.
>> Yeah. We don't right now we're uh we got like ATF 1540, 5W30, 020. We use all these vehicles. We have use different oils. >> Okay. mainly um antifreeze. I think I'd have to look. I mean, I've had the
mechanic like narrow down which ones we use the most of and get all that in bulk. >> Sure. >> How much does it affect the price of oil by buying in bulk versus like five quarts? >> A lot. >> Half or Yeah. >> I don't know if it's quite half. >> It depends on the quantity, but it's
substantial. If you're and we buy like I was seeing stuff for like O'Reilly and Napa where though you'd have the onesie twoosie where it just makes sense but you're paying you know 30 bucks for five or more for five quarts versus if you if you buy it in bulk you know
>> and part of it too um is like liquor stores dramatically improved by having the storage space to have those y that was a huge driving factor along with being on 65 was to have the ability for there to be inventory space. public
works falls under that as well. Like uh Josh could pre- buy more items in bulk, but he doesn't have a place to put it, right? So you can't put it on a shelf when you don't have shelf space. So there's that, too. So you do we I think we do a very good job of what we can, but there's obviously ways we could
improve in some areas, but then it becomes where do we put it? >> PD, can you buy like handcuffs in bulk or there's nothing that you guys would need anything like that, is there? >> I mean, we buy our ammo by the pallet, but Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, but I don't really It's a state bid price, so Okay,
it it's per case priced. So even though we buy a pallet full, it really it's state bid price, so we don't get a break at it. >> Okay. Well, sounds good. It's just something that I think is interesting. When you see the checks, it's like, yeah, it's Yeah. So, I'm happy you guys are doing a good job with that. Thank
you, Josh. Uh, sidewalk infill. We're keeping that one on there, huh, Steve? I was going to tell you I got I got three to put on there. Sidewalk, sidewalk, and street lights. Josie, as long as she's known me, those
have been always my things. >> And we are we need to get that one done this year. So, I know we talked about that. So, that one is I'm I'm really excited for that one. That one you see a lot of people walking on Main Street for that one. So, uh my other one, liquor store sign. That is top of my list.
>> Mine, too. Um, >> figure a way to make that happen. >> Yeah. >> Sign up there. It says free beer tomorrow. >> Yes. >> That's a good >> phone number for the complaints.
>> Hey, there's no false advertisement. Free beer tomorrow. >> All right. And then uh continued contractor interactions so we can continue to get more competitive bids. That's something that I think that the sign up is great. I got uh I signed up
for the stuff too and I got an email I believe about outfitting the PD truck or Yeah. or PD car, one of them. And I think it's great that we do that if we can continue to push that um and continue to get more contractors involved so we get more competitive bids and so that people know that this city
is competitive with bids and if you come in here with a nonsense bid, you're wasting your time. So if we continue to do that, we will continue to get competitive bids and that's something we've been really good at. Um so I would like to keep focusing on that. How's that list coming along since we decided to implement that? >> That's a good question.
>> Um, you know, I think we're up to 32 if I remember right. Some people have signed up more than once because they put different um trades in different categories. So, I don't I send out any of our documents and information to
everyone who signed up. I don't say, "Well, if you only put roofing, I only send you roofing stuff." Everybody who signs up gets everything. So there's a couple extra in there. So maybe we're probably around, you know, 27ish people have signed up for it. I just put on Facebook, I think last week, another push for that. Yep. >> Because I haven't seen the numbers
increase in quite a while. So I just promoted that again. Um, so it probably could have gone up by now because seems like when you promote it