We need everybody to speak very very slowly. >> Why? >> Because Clinton is taking minutes tonight. >> Because why? >> Taking minutes tonight. >> Oh, >> Sarah's got a concert for her kids. We
will call the meeting order at 7:00. Please stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation [clears throat] under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all. Is there any changes or additions to the agenda? >> No. consents agenda. Okay. Uh you have a copy of the payables, receivables, and the minutes. Um the minutes in your packet did not
have the last page didn't copyright. So you have the correct minutes in front of you tonight from our last meeting. [clears throat] Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Did you? >> Motion carries. 5. Motion by Alman. Second by Kyle. >> Yep. And then the approval of the agenda. Do you want to do that, too? >> Yeah, we skipped that. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries. 5-0. Motion by a woman and second by Sarah. Public forum. Anybody wish to speak through public forum tonight. Yep. Come right up there, Frosty. Give us your name and address for the record.
And All right. Everybody knows who I am, but Alan Feckire, 608 West Allen Street, Jainsville. I come for my taxes. uh by taxes increasing 32.7%. The city of James went up roughly $600.
Why? That's actually a preliminary tax levy. When we pass the real levy tonight, it is going to drop about 33%. Cuz our preliminary levy was around 15%. We're actually under 10 now. >> Okay. You see you're at 15 and you're
going to go down to >> under 10. N 9 point something. Yeah. >> So >> it'll drop roughly a third. >> Okay. So how much is that going to affect my taxes? >> Roughly a third on the city portion. >> City portion will go down a third.
>> Yes. Some of the like your valuation and stuff that's all set by the county, >> right? >> So we don't really have a lot we can do with that. You can go to a you can go to a meeting there and see, but it usually >> Yeah, that's next week. >> It usually don't do a ton of good, but >> next week, >> but yes, your your city portion is going
to drop. >> Did your valuations change? >> Yeah, it went up. Valuation went up, but the homestead excursion, you know, the reduction went down.
>> Any idea why that is? >> No. That'd be a county question again. >> That's a county question. Okay. >> When we pass our initial levy, our preliminary levy in September, basically we we're we're cautious, so we shoot
high. >> Well, you have to because you can't go up, but you can >> as the months go on, we chisel away at different things. And now we're going to be under 10% tonight. So, we went from 15 to under 10. >> So, yeah. So, that should drop this. >> That'll drop that. Yes.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. That's about all you can do. >> That's That's right. >> I mean, there's no other thing else you can do other than try to get Now, does the taxes based off of the of uh >> value of the home?
>> That's what you guys base the taxes on? >> No, we base our taxes on our budget, >> on what we need >> and what you need to to operate. And then the county sets how much each home actually is going to pay. >> Okay? >> And that's based on their value.
That that most of that comes from the county. The value >> all of that comes from the county. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. >> You bet. >> Diane Hamilton, 519 West Street. I'm curious about the taxes, too. And maybe you've already answered that question. >> Do you have any other questions? The
answer would be the exact same for you. >> Yeah. Okay. It was just curious because our house is 5.65 65 and a garage we've had on the second lot since 1994 went up 32.9%. So >> yeah, any type of valuations all has to do with the county.
>> Okay. So that will go down. You said about a third then >> yeah this your city portion will the county the the valuation stuff you have to talk to the county if you want to argue about that. >> I know people have done it in the past and not had the greatest luck but I'm not telling you you can't. No, no.
>> Question. You don't understand it or not. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Well, we like like I was saying to Becky, we always set our levy high to be safe. >> Sure. >> And then we start chiseling away and try to get it as low as we can get it. >> Okay. I appreciate that.
Can I leave then? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> You're going to miss the party, [laughter] though. >> Okay. >> So, it's going to go down a third. >> Yep. >> So, it's at 32%. So, it's going to go down 10%. A third.
>> No, our levy is at 15%, it's going to drop to a little under 10. Our preliminary levy. >> Your your total increase is 32%. Not all of that is city tax. >> Right. Right. >> Only the city tax
>> will will go down that amount. >> So, it should go down roughly 200. >> It didn't go up 600. Went up to 600. I assume >> it went up 600 more >> the city portion, >> right? >> Okay. Then it's going to drop 200 out of that. >> Yeah. So it's all going to go up $4,400.
So that's still 20%. >> Well, the rest of that's based on the county's valuation and >> part some some of it in there is school tax. You know, there's a lot of different portions to it. >> So that 20% but the city went up
600. >> Yep. And you'll >> go down >> down to four. You'll lose basically. >> You're still going to you're still going to be paying uh >> Can I see something? >> Yeah, sure. >> Part of the city portion's raised too is
it follows in line with the valuation, right? >> You know, a house with lesser value pays less into taxes. >> I just wanted to make sure your special assessment was number No. Yeah. Yep.
>> Okay. Well, I guess let's go talk to the county and see what we can do with them. >> There you go. >> Thank you very much for your time. I appreciate it. Have a nice evening. >> See you. Anyone else wish to speak through public forum? Okay. Notice and communications.
Um, the only notice in communication I have, Jeff Bartle could not make tonight's meeting, but he [clears throat] had some of the similar concerns here that Diane and Frosty just had. So, he sent me an email today. I I put that on your table for you. That's all I have. Maybe reach out to him and
tell him to watch the video of tonight's meeting that we tried to do a good job explaining it tonight. >> Council reports. Um, we met, but we'll be covering what we met. >> Mhm.
>> As we go. So, that's about it for me. >> I don't have anything since the last time we met. >> Nothing. >> We didn't meet. >> Okay. While we're on council reports, I would like to uh shore up next year's council appointments. [clears throat]
Are people okay with the boards they're on? Are they absolutely cannot do a certain board or want something different? I'm fine with what I'm on. >> Ivan, I'll do whatever you need. I like where I'm at. >> Okay. I am going to give up EDA for some
conflict of interest, but I did speak with Sarah. She will take that for me. >> Yes. >> So, Clinton, if you make that note, everyone else is going to keep their boards. >> Okay. >> Will we adopt that resolution when we get down to number C or >> Yes.
>> or letter C? Well, that's that's for the new people we have coming on to the boards. >> Gotcha. >> This is just council reps. >> Yep. >> Um administrator report. Hey, I guessed guessed it right. Okay. Attached in your packet tonight,
you have the November reconciliation from the bank. Um, you also have the cash balance report. Uh, going to talk about Christmas Eve hours here in a minute. I did want to jump ahead. Um, the library. I stopped there yesterday. They were painting the
inside last week and they indicated that they're probably going to be done by today. I stopped there at like 2:00. So, I think he still had a little bit to go, but uh, that should be done. So, that's good. that it looks nice in there and you should check it out. Uh we did
receive the second half taxes from the county that was in today's mail. So we got a little over 755,000 which covers, you know, like the special assessments for the second half of the year plus the property taxes for the second half of the year.
So we got that today. Uh Christmas Eve hours. I guess I was just going to ask you, I know traditionally we've closed at noon that different city city sites. Um, last year the council motioned to be closed that entire day.
Is that something the c council is interested in now or should we go back to the half day? >> I will move to be closed on Christmas Eve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion by Arnold, second by Almond.
Motion carries. 5. >> All right. >> You're welcome. >> Thanks. >> That's your Christmas present. [laughter] >> Better than a black eye, right? >> I don't think so. >> You're not over yet. >> Yeah. The meeting's not done yet.
>> Okay. Under administration, we have the 2026 budget. Troy, we you missed public forum, but if you got something to say, I'll jump back to it for you. >> All right. Okay. Will you just cuz our normal meditator isn't here. Give me your name and address. I
>> Troy Summers, 533 Allen Circle, Jamesville, Minnesota. My question was, my proposed tax increase on my property for my house is 18.9%. >> Okay, I'll go through this. Um, there's a city portion on there. >> That's what I'm talking the city
portion. >> Okay, >> that's the city portion is 18.9%. >> Our preliminary, that was our preliminary levy. We're actually going to adopt a levy really shortly here which is under 10. >> Okay, >> so that is going to save you some. >> Okay,
>> it's going to save you about a third as far as our levy. A part of that is going to be your valuation went up, so your city portion went up. >> Correct. So, we are tonight we are going to try to adopt about a 9.8% levy. >> Okay. Because historically it been about
6.9%. >> Yes. >> And all of a sudden I'm looking at 18.9. I'm like that's a 12. >> Our preliminary levy was set rather high. >> Okay. >> We had some we lost some income this year. We uh decided to take on some of the
uh schools debt on the SRO. >> Okay. >> And that helped them with their budget. So it it took away some of our income, if you will. So that does reflect somewhat in our our levy this year. >> So she did better than this cuz this
seemed like an awful large jump. >> Yeah, we are hoping to approve a 9.8 one in a minute. >> That's still you're still you >> 9.8 is still high. >> Yeah, it's a 50% increase roughly. Close to it. 40% anyway. Still significant.
Okay. Sorry to interrupt. That's all I needed. >> As soon as I could get here. Sorry. >> I know you're a busy guy. That's why I went back for you. That's for friends. What am I supposed to do? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Yes. Thanks, Troy. All right. So, I'm going I'll give our
annual budget presentation here. Kind of go through that. Okay. Tonight we have the annual budget presentation, the budget hearing which we are required by state law to have. We need to hold it by the end of December every year. So after tonight, if we're
able to pass the resolutions adopting the budget, I can submit all the information to the county and then begin the state reports probably this week. Uh we begin our budget process in basically
July, August of every year. Um, and to let to let you guys know out there, um, we've been doing this for quite a few years now, but beginning in July, we take each council meeting and we look at a different portion of the budget instead of slamming it all through in
one one long meeting. So, that's been working out pretty well. So, beginning in July, we will work [clears throat] with department heads and the city city council will look at the budget. We have by the end of September. U Minnesota statute says we have to submit our preliminary levy to the county. So we
did that by the end of September and then like Andy was just saying now we have from September until December to reduce that levy if we if we are able to. So we were able to do that this year. Um I want to give a little summary. I
always like showing this. If you look at this, it shows how much the general fund budget costs um like per day, per month, per year. Does that make sense? So, an example would be um
you have like the accounting the general government building. This building right here is going to on average cost $171 per person to fund this building for next year. That's that's
>> per home. >> Yes. Per home. >> Not per. >> No, this is per capita. >> Oh, it is divided by 2500. >> Okay. Yep. So, uh yeah, it cost 14 bucks
a month. So if you go on the very very bottom per capita per day it cost a little over $2.50 to fund a general fund budget.77 a month
about 925 a year. So a lot of times I like I kind of like to look at this and think about okay what do I what do I pay for my cable bill? Well, my cable bill at home is like 140 bucks.
So, I always try to find Can we find 140 somewhere? 171. So, you can compare it that way. Um, per month per capita is $77. So, that's what 2/3 of my capability. I
just kind of try to compare things like that every once in a while. I think it kind of it helps I think with residents to kind of understand um where we're sitting. Like Andy had said earlier, we were at 15%, we are now down to about 9
12% increase from last year. I want to thank all the department heads and city hall staff for helping put these budgets together. Um, and actually thank you to the council too because you guys uh always do such a good job as we go through this throughout the last several
months. There are two items that the personnel committee has discussed and if we can possibly discuss them a little bit tonight. These two ideas are in the attached budget. So you have them the
numbers are in your budget right now. Um, the personnel committee would like the council to consider hiring Caitlyn as a full-time community development director. We've had that position here in the past, but as you know, the last, you know, couple years or whatever,
we've had we've had some shortages in there. I have talked to Caitlyn. She would be very interested in working here full-time. Um, we do have the seed to contract that we're going to be looking at later tonight, but if the council does decide to offer the full-time,
you know, we can just uh formally not accept the seed of contract later on tonight if that's okay, if we want to do it that way. There's a very very small budget impact by having Caitlyn full-time. Uh basically the
biggest benefit of it would be is a we have a person in that chair 5 days a week and b the regular planning and zoning duties that everybody else has kind of been picking up and covering. Uh Caitlyn can do those now.
>> Um you say there'll be a small budget impact and which way are we going? Um, [clears throat] by doing this full-time, the budget increased, I think, >> about $5,000 a year, >> something like that. So, basically, we
can add two days a week for $5,000 a year. And the thing I would like to point out, as some of you may remember, we weren't super excited with some of our CEDA representatives to start with. Now, there's no guarantee that even if we renew with CEDA that Caitlyn's the
one that stays here, >> right? So, I personally am leaning toward the full-time position of Caitlyn. At least we know what we have there and it's a very small increase to get two extra days a week.
>> I are Are we into the discussion on the CEDA [clears throat] thing or are we >> No, we're on this. >> Okay. >> This is going to make the decision for the next one. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> So, it's a matter of which if we want to pass this levy or we have a different
one. if we do not wish to offer a full time position. >> Okay. So, >> my concern here is uh one of the reasons Caitlyn has been so effective and fit into her position
is because she has CEDA backing her up. if she's got a question, she can call one of 15 to 20 other cities and their ceda person will have the answers for her.
So, I would hate to see her lose that tool to function here. >> How much is she using that tool? Are we aware? Quite probably quite a bit. >> Yeah. Okay.
I I don't know if something could be worked out with CEDA where she could still contact them for questions. >> I would guess not would be my guess, but I don't know. >> Mhm. >> So, >> and then another option, kind of a
curveball here at you, but right now we contract three days a week. If you still wanted to keep that that seat of resource, do we offer to maybe contract four days a week? just thought I don't I don't know what that cost would be.
>> But then you're still missing out on that person for your side of the business. >> Right. They are >> as well as we have no idea what SEA is going to give us in the future. We had a couple other SEAD people that were we were less than impressed with. >> Right. Right. Um what duties aren't
being picked up right now that she could >> the building building permit processing? Uh Sarah Britain does that. Um, a lot of the planning commission things, uh, planning and zoning, I do that now. Um, so yeah, you would, we would be taking
away some of those responsibilities so I can do administrator stuff. You know, >> it it's to me it's a tough call. I I I just see that as a useful tool. She's uh
not a year out of school yet and, you know, it's her first real job in the field. So to have some men mentoring available to her I think is something that should be looked at.
>> Okay. >> Has she seem I mean you've spoken to her um year out of school and she is interested. Does she seem confident that she could do this? >> Absolutely. Y >> confidence does play a part.
I guess I could say this much. If we choose to hire her and it isn't working out for whatever reason, I'm sure that CEDA would take us back, you know, even if we don't renew their contract, we could sign a new contract with them.
>> Not again, you don't know who you're going to get is the issue that I have. >> Yeah. Yeah. I kind of like that option. >> So, resolution 202519 has her as an employee of ours in there. >> Yes, it does.
>> Okay. Yep. I would like to make a motion to pass resolution 2025-9. >> Well, hold on a second. That I got a couple other things here. Quick. Oh, okay. Yeah, I guess. >> Yeah.
>> Um the the personnel committee also has been discussing this the last few months. Uh when Scott retired at the clubhouse, we opted to hire a clubhouse manager, which we have done. And the personnel committee had been talking about
um giving Jacob like the general manager type duties that that would be on our the city's pay scale. The only thing is it would not be the same as what Scott had because Scott was a certified pro that gave lessons and things like that. This does not have that, but it has that
JAT title. So Jake would have a little bit more budget and personnel responsibility. Um that's that's in the budget as well here tonight. Um we also thought it would help with the new guy at the golf course. Jacob has
been working on budgets out for years. Mhm. >> This guy is new to budgets. >> I really think that's a good idea because I I think Jacob has done an outstanding job. >> Jacob has proven himself to us without a doubt. For sure. >> Yeah. I seeing him here all the time at our meetings.
>> No, he's done a great job. He's he's proven himself to us without a doubt. >> I would have to say I would have to agree with that. I think he deserves it >> for sure. And with the budget stuff, you know, um Kevin, like you said, hasn't done a lot of it where that'll
ultimately be under Jacob's umbrella for >> going through that with him and making sure. >> Yeah. I'm not saying Jacob wouldn't help him anyways. I'm sure he would cuz Jacob's a great person. >> But this way, Jacob has some teeth in it, too. And >> Right. >> And then obviously that'll all it'll take a lot of the burden off of
>> compensated for what he's doing. >> Right. Correct. It would move him up a little bit in the pay scale. >> You got an exact number on that, Clinton? >> Or a rough a rough number? >> I know we discussed that too, but Oh,
yeah. I mean, his waves is on the is on the sheet there. >> Yeah. And that is also included in this resolution. >> Yes, it is. Yep. Yep. So then that resolution that you're looking at tonight would adopt based on
these two recommendations with that 9 and a half% increase. Um, do you want to talk about those items any further or >> I'm I'm in favor of moving uh both of
them into position stated cuz we since they're both going to be under the same resolution. Correct. >> Yep. [snorts] >> That's my that's [clears throat] my take
on it. I guess as it stands personally I would have to vote no. I just feel that connection with SATA at this time uh we're looking to the EDA is looking to kick off that business challenge and uh
a lot of that uh has been put forth by SATA already uh to set that up for us. So, I I guess I would have to vote no at this time.
>> Do you have anything else you'd like to put into the resolution? I'll vote on resolution. >> No. >> Okay. >> Then I will make a motion to adopt resolution 202519. >> Can I make an amend to your motion? >> Yeah.
>> If she doesn't How did you say that before? >> What with say that? I probably said it wrong, but if she doesn't if it doesn't work out >> right, that's what >> Yes, >> we can go back and >> Yeah, that's our op. >> I think once
if that did happen, we can go back to seed any >> we can go back to. We can try to hire someone else. We can do whatever we want to do. >> So, we don't need to make a amendment to that. >> I don't I don't believe so. >> Okay. >> I mean, we can we can go any which way we want if it doesn't work out the way we want it to. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> four to one. >> Arnold motion. Alman second. Yep.
Transfer fund balances. Uh this is that time of year where we do have a couple transfers that we need to do each year. According to the auditors, they asked that we adopt a resolution to do that. So, we will be transferring some money for a project and then also
some money for the revolving loan fund program. We we budget money in the general fund budget and put it into the EDA funds at the end of each year. So, that's what the resolution tonight looks at. Number 20. I'll make a motion to adopt resolution
202520 to transfer funds. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Second. >> I motion by Sarah, second by Ivan. >> Oh, sorry. >> Okay. U board and commissioner
appointment. >> Yes. uh in your [clears throat] packet that you got last Friday, we still had a couple blank names on the resolution. Andy was able to talk to a few people um before tonight's meeting. So, in front
of you, I believe you have the uh the names. I'm just going to read them all out out loud here. Uh the utilities commission, Paul Weir, planning and zoning, Sean Finley for a full term. Tim Johnson is filling a
vacant term for one year. Whispering Creek, Larry Milo to be back on the board. The EDA, uh, Gina Peterson and Troy Summers both have full terms. And then the park board has Paul Vocus. So that's what your resolution number 21
looks like tonight. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> 50 Z motion by Alman, second by Sarah. Sometime Clinton, I think we should possibly look
at the the term length of that particular board. >> Which one? >> The EDA of the six years. >> Mhm. It's a long time and it which made it a little bit harder for me to get people to commit to it to a six-year
term. That is maybe something we should maybe look at. I don't know if that's an EDA decision or a board decision, but >> um if I'm not mistaken, when we create when we increase the EDA to six members, um I think we're looking at state
statute actually. >> Okay. Well, we're covered right now, but I mean it is a long term I mean that's longer than a council term, right? So, but it's fine. We got the boards filled and I think the people we have are going
to do a terrific job. Okay. Uh contract renewal with CEDA. I think that >> pretty much has been covered. >> That's a no-brainer. I'll make a motion that we uh terminate our contract with CAD at this time.
>> I have a second. And I I was just going to point out that it's a 30-day notice as it states in the contract. So, I can uh get in touch with them tomorrow. >> Okay. >> So, I don't know if the 30 days means January 9th, January 10th,
>> right? >> You know, whatever. We'll get that worked out. >> Yep. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I 5 motion by Ivan, second by Arnold. [clears throat] kind of look stupid. [laughter] >> I I figured you kind of
>> I figured you kind of would have went in line with with your other that's >> you guys already made the decision so [laughter] we have to move forward. >> I was kind of wondering >> I owe him what he caught. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I was just going to let him go with it.
>> Okay. Uh a minute uh improvements. >> Yes. >> To old Highway 14. So, letter E and letter F deal with First Street, Old Highway 14, County Road 14. Um, the resolution number 22, the county is receiving some federal money to kind of
work up the shoulders and things like that on the road just outside of city limits. There's going to be a little road barricade here and there. So, we did need to have the city council approve that work. So
resolution number 22 deals with west of West Street if that makes sense. Way at the far end there. >> This cost us nothing. This is all on the county. They just have to >> do some road closures in town. So they're just >> Well, there well there won't be any like hard closures. Will there be?
>> No. Gotcha. >> Is there a time frame on this or just whenever they >> I don't Yeah, they don't have a time frame. Motion to approve resolution 202522. >> Second. All >> in favor.
I >> 50. Motion by all and second by Sarah. I'll make a motion for resolution 2025-23. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> 50. Motion by Arnold, second by Kyle.
In case nobody caught on, I'm using last names for me and Almond since we both have the same person. And I'm doing this real real thorough tonight in case Sarah has to listen. Sarah Joe has to listen to the tape and do the minutes tomorrow. At least she
knows. That's why I'm being so thorough tonight. I thought you'd just like to hear yourself talk. No, I'm just I was I figured you might make her listen to the tape. Did you even start the recording? >> Yeah. Okay. Well, I figured I figured
you might make her listen to it and do it a minute. >> I can do it. >> Got to make the last meeting of your special. >> Well, I guess so. >> Uh, motion to adjurnn. No. What do we mean? >> Fire pit picnic. >> Oh, yes. I went right by that. >> Okay. I'm sorry. That was an important
one. >> Yeah. A request was made to permute, right? >> Yep. put a fire pit up by the sledding hill there out at the park. I was talking to Joe about that. He suggests that we put it like by that pavilion. There's a little uh shelter there anyway with the
roof if it is snowing a little or whatever, but we can probably put up a sign that says adults are responsible to >> Yeah. Clint and I discussed, you know, basically extinguish your fire when you're to leave. >> Mhm. >> And 18 and older, please, you know, try
to at least try to limit some of the BS. It's pretty common practice if you have a campfire to extinguish it. >> Were you thinking just like a little ring on the ground? >> Yes, that's exactly what we were thinking. >> Are are we looking at the pavilion at the top of the hill or the one at the bottom?
>> Bottom. >> Okay. >> I talked to Joe about it cuz I asked him. I said if a manhole casting is what what we're looking at and it can be picked up with a set of forks and taken back to the shop in the summer so I
don't have to around it that way or sitting around here somewhere. >> Yeah. Or else I said I could I could get him one too. Or if we really wanted to get creative you could dig it down and put a lid over it mow over it like that in summertime and then just take the lid off in the winter and it's open and
>> at grade. I was thinking we have a very talented welding class here at school. They could perhaps uh create something for us with grates over it so the sparks wouldn't take off. >> Yeah, >> it's an option >> if they're interested. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> We could put a we can supply the casting and they can make us a nice >> a nice top for it. >> Yep. >> Definitely. Good plan. >> Well, yeah. Joel sent me a picture of what he had in mind and it should work
good. It was a good idea. And when the person said that to me, I just kind of went cuz we were out there sledding. >> Yeah. >> And he said, "Oh, you should have a fire pit out here." And I went, >> I agree. >> Do you sled or just stand?
>> I made several trips down the hill. A few. No. No. No rescue squad. So that's a good thing. >> Yeah. >> I will make a motion we proceed with a fire pit out of play. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I >> I 50. Motion by all I second by all. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I
41. Motion by Sarah, second by Alman. 35 years ago. 41. >> Yep.