We have to take two days on a week. >> What holidays tomorrow? >> Oh, the school's closer. >> You think they go the other way? What I mean is >> you guys ready?
>> Mhm. Hello everyone and welcome to the special city council meeting today, Monday, September 22nd, 2025. I'll call to order this meeting. If you could all please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Roll call. >> Brian Wishkerson >> here. >> Kyrie Miller >> here. >> Tom Berg
>> here. >> James Bipka >> here. >> And Scott Favo >> here. It's like a radio. >> Got a little bit of a delay. >> Can I Can I Can I ask you to turn down your radio, sir? >> I just want feedback. So, we're off to a good start. >> That is good.
>> All right. Tonight's agenda is 10 A. Well, we got 9A today. Are there any additions, deletions, or corrections to the agenda? >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Motion by Miller. Second by Wormcersian. Any further discussion?
>> All in favor? I. All opposed. There are no minutes. There are no public hearings. Presentation of citizens petitions and comments. Comments limited to two minutes. So if you're not on the agenda, now is your time to speak. All right. Nothing on the consent agenda
tonight. On to old business. Discuss the city's preliminary 2026 budget and property tax levy. Joel Ericson, city administrator. All right. Thank you, mayor, and members of the council. Uh this is the seventh and uh final meeting on the city's preliminary budget and
property tax levy uh prior to it being uh considered uh at the September 25th council meeting and has to be certified to uh Rice County and the Department of Revenue by September 30th. uh items proposed for discussion is the entire 2026 budget, the property tax
levy, and then uh any additional priorities uh of the council. Uh our last meeting was earlier this month and um talked about the fact that there was um a deficit in the uh funds
that are relying on the the property tax levy. Included in the uh packet is staff's report on potential cuts. This is a combination of um what department heads um submitted uh to me and then uh
some additional items for consideration that that I added um based off of reviewing where we were year to date with the budget. Um, my overall goal was to propose cuts that had the least amount of impact on the the residents.
So, um I guess really um we can we can go through them or if you guys have thoughts on on potential cuts or uh additional revenues um as proposed by staff there there it's a combination of
cuts proposed and then um increase in the property tax levy above what the council has discussed previously. So, I don't know if you guys want me to go through the the recommended cuts or if you guys have
any comments or thoughts. >> I have a question. So, for air raators for the uh secondary pond at the wastewater treatment facility, is that included in next year's budget? >> Yes. >> Okay. Is there any way that we can just
pull that from the reserves? uh more over kind of the bonding that we received back from the city hall purchase and remodel um cuz I think that was 180,000 right Joe for the airator
>> I don't think it was that much I think it was 140 40. So yeah, um departments that cuts are proposed are just strictly uh funds that um have a reliance on the property tax
levy. So they didn't include anything as far as any of the enterprise funds for uh water, sewer, or liquor. Okay. Um, Brian, is there anything that you want to add or ask for question wise?
>> Um, not at the moment. Not pass. >> All right, Krie. >> Um, okay. So for the cleaning of city hall 4,800 that's for the full year >> correct. >> Okay. And we have did we have cleaning
at the previous? >> We did not. No. >> Okay. How did it get maintained prior? >> It was all of us on a Friday afternoon cleaning toilets and dumping garbages and >> fun. >> Friday happy hour. No, I'm just kidding. Um all right. And then for the LMC
conference, um is that for the council members to attend or is that >> uh No, that was for um staff. >> Okay. And sorry, I'm jumping back up for the siren electrical repairs for the civil
defense. I think it's important to have a working siren. When was the last time we needed to do maintenance on the siren? Uh well I think we had problem two years ago. >> Two two years ago I would say. >> Yeah. So again that's just I mean yeah if if something happens to the siren
they're going to get they're going to have to get fixed. >> Yeah. >> Just kind of looking back at historical and um you know we've always budgeted >> um just in case something you know does need to be repaired. But I think it's once in the last four years that we've
actually had to spend money on on repairs versus uh just uh electrical. >> Um >> I guess well and we need to do the street maintenance, but um we did talk a little bit about a possible assessment.
Would that help to reduce that 155,000 It certainly would help. Um, >> but I'm going to have to lean on Joel for this one. I don't know the timing of that if that is something that the council would want to do if that would be in place in time by the time we're
ready for a project. Typically, our milling overlay projects are we're right out of the gate. We bid in January to have our milling overlays in May. So, not saying that has to be set in stone. That's just how it's traditionally been done and I
am assuming there's a process for >> right >> as assessment >> correct um yeah you'd have to have assessment hearing um typically what you would do for assessments is um issue debt and then you would coincide those
payments with um the assessment repayments on an annual basis. So, if the city didn't assess for a project um or if if they did assess for project and didn't bond, you'd be laying the
paying for the project and essentially getting reimbursed over the next three to five, seven years, however the council deemed was an appropriate length of time. >> And we haven't typically done any
assessments in the past. Correct. No, >> no, not for milling overlays. >> Okay. >> For major reconstruction. Yes. >> Not milling overlays. >> Correct. Yeah. So then you would issue that debt and then you know use those uh annual special assessment payments to
offset the or you know a certain percentage of that that debt service payment. >> And of course I don't like assessments either, but I have to ask the questions. So, >> um, yeah, I guess for right now, that's all I have.
Maybe more after more discussion. >> Okay, Jamie. >> How many mill overlays have we done without assessing for it? >> Is it less than a half a dozen or is it a lot? >> Oh, I'd say it's more than half a dozen.
I mean, we've been doing milling overlays since early or I should say early 2000s. Trying to Were we doing them at least 10 years ago? >> Yeah. Give me one second here.
Because I do know when they did the reconstruct in our area, we were all arguing that we'd have rather paid for milling overlays and maintenance along the way than have the street go to, you know, what it was like and then have to pay for a total reconstruct.
>> Mhm. >> And then it was $15,000. Yeah. >> So, it probably goes back to >> 2014. >> Is the last I have records for >> till after we started reconstruct. >> Correct. Yeah, we heard that loud and
clear that up until recon street maintenance was lacking. >> And now we have the capital LA project um for the millet overlays, right? like a schedule we've been talking about.
>> That's the goal with the payment management plan. >> Okay. >> We have know how much we have in place for features also because they can use that for the furniture >> right there. >> Uh I believe the the last treasures report was about 52 or 5,800.
>> So >> not quite half but there >> correct >> that was 2019. >> Yep. And that was in uh in conversations with Chief Schmidz was the plan to use those funds for that. >> You got any more?
Is it worse if we don't do the apartment complex as far as the deficit? Um well, it will I mean we won't receive anything in in um >> whack and sack.
>> Well, yeah, that definitely would help. Uh water sewer. Mhm. >> I don't remember those numbers off the top of my head, but I think you give somewhere where a couple hundred thousand >> I think by as far as tax revenue >> by the time it got fully valued and on the tax roll uh you'd be looking at
>> 28 >> 28. >> Are they like in the proposal is he proposing if it all works out that it would be constructed and done in 26 completely? Uh yeah, we were told it's about 11 12 month build.
>> Okay. >> So I mean it could >> that's from to completion or >> construction >> construction time alone. So barring. >> So you're looking at the early 27 >> 2 >> and then at that time I guess whatever whatever is built
>> would be taxed for 28 because they're always setting values a year in advance. >> All right. And then can the police department fund raise for their sidearms? I guess if someone wanted to donate to
the police department. >> That's all I have now. All right, Scott. >> Um, well, kind of to copy on Ki about, you know, some of the maintenance. You know, we don't want to the street maintenance. We don't want to um push it off, but at the same time, that's one of the biggest expenses
there. So, if we can portion it out over the next couple years, um Jamie, comment on the sidearms. I I don't know that that is necessarily a priority right now. I understand the
reasoning for it, but it's um def it's definitely something that we can strive, you know, strive to do, but I don't think that's a priority. I mean, everything else is just little little bits here and theres. There's nothing.
Um, it all it's all adding up, but it's uh >> I I know our I know our people do a really good job of work, you know, stay working with well within their means. Um,
I don't want to say that the public won't notice a difference in the quality of service, you know, on anything, but there's going to there might be a few things that would be uh somebody would say, well, why why isn't this being done? It's not in the budget this year. Um, I don't I don't think there's going
to be anything drastic that would um look reflect negatively, but Yeah, it's not easy.
>> We're already pretty bare bones, so it's hard to get even more. >> So, how many um treatments have we had with the mosquito spray as of now? Do they ever send you those kind of emails?
>> Four >> for mosquito treatment for the whole year. Four times >> that were um missed or rescheduled. Yeah, I would say it was four. >> But how many total are we at like of today? Cuz we got How many treatments per year?
>> Uh 22, I believe. >> 22. >> Oh, and actually the last one will be uh tomorrow night >> even with the four mask. >> Correct. Yeah, because it only goes to the first or not the first, but the first like part of September. So, do we
get reimbursed for those four times they missed? >> Uh, no. They were done sporadically. >> Okay. >> And then how many streets do we have that are on state aid or would be state aid if we get to 5,000?
>> I don't I don't I'm not sure. >> That's some that's something the engineers would help figure out. I believe from the conversations right when we were originally talking doing our engineering >> my understanding was there had to be
>> connection to the state highway and a certain amount of usage if I remember correctly so it's not like >> not every road >> right 100% >> so it it's not based on tonnage >> I think the roads that would be safe to
say qualified be like 8th Avenue Northeast Fig >> Idaho pond. >> Yeah, it's like the big trunk streets. >> So, it's like we're not going to get >> Old Northeast done because of state aid
>> is my perception of it. >> Yeah. >> Granted that those funds that we would normally use in house could be applied to those other areas. >> Yes. Certainly. >> Yeah. So then the way the budget is
right now, does that include the 15,000 for dental? >> Uh, it does. Yes. >> And then how much is in reserves right now? Let's see.
September, October. I hope not. >> You're on thin ice. [Laughter] uh as of the end of July about 9.7 million. >> Is that with cash and investments?
>> Yes. >> When was it at 12? Uh probably when we received the funds for city hall >> that contracts with the remodel project. H >> are we and are we still getting the
recycling rebate >> regardless of not having the bins? >> Yeah, that's on the actual >> Yeah, that was on the actual curb side. >> Okay. >> So, >> have we gotten that yet? >> I think I estimated uh I think we've gotten three payments. >> A month. Oh,
>> it's a month ago. Okay. >> So, I budgeted 8,000. 15. I'd hate to push off the uh sergeant ref uh um receptionist area cuz that that should have been done when we were bonding for the whole thing.
>> Um >> chief needs a new chair. >> I witnessed it. >> But then also I kind of look at the department issued firearms as that should have been something from a long time ago as well. Um, and you you pay for it once unless
for some odd reason there's a replacement over time, but pretty sure there would be one or two spares. Um, that seventh officer when it becomes
time for a sergeant position, um, I mean that position could be open for a year too, you know. Um >> again that seventh officer is the vacancy that we currently have.
>> Okay. >> So we would just stop advertising for the time being. >> Not like we're getting tons of hits right now. >> That's that's when they come in is when you're >> That's right. Yeah. >> Yep. >> And it is expected to be a promotion
from within. Do you think >> I would anticipate for the sergeant? Yes. >> And for some of these things, it's easy to say, yeah, you know, like >> maintenance, seal coating, you know,
but if maintenance comes up, then we can look at saying, well, we can go to reserves for that at the time if need be. So, it's easy enough to say some of that stuff, right? you know, like the League of Minnesota Cities Conference. I don't think it's
going to kill us to miss a year. >> Are those pretty effective for you, Joel? Is >> uh They can be. Yeah. I mean, we haven't been to one for four or five years. >> So, taking that out of the budget's not
really a big pain point by any means, >> but what is it? Uh $1,500. >> Yeah. I mean I I mean what's our end goal here? Not to to levy to have 0% of a
levy because I mean I'm also looking at budgeted items that were before and switching them to reserves and reallocating them. And then that way you're looking at a smaller amount for a levy. Every other city's looking at 9
10%. But I mean, I have a hard time, you know, wanting to dial back street maintenance. >> Um, especially after we spent all this time talking about it. Um, >> Yep. And that just that just brings it down to this year's funding level,
>> right? >> But yeah, based off of keeping the tax rate the same, our levy um increase would be 5%. That's with the deficit. That gives us >> Oh, that's keeping the tax rate the same. >> Mhm.
>> If it was these cuts and the levy increase, 7.8% increase >> for the tax rate or for the levy? >> Uh, the levy. >> What if we >> But the tax rate would stay the same. >> I'm sorry. The
>> What if we bring the tax rate up to what it was a couple years ago? because we did drop a couple tents off of it. It's not been discussed. So, dating back to 2020, it was we'll just say 54. >> Mhm.
>> 21 was 55.9. 22 was 56.4. 23 it dropped to 544. And then in 24 it went down to 5252. And this year it is 5268.
>> The levy >> the tax rate. >> Okay. The levy Joel's got it for 5%. >> If you kept the tax rate the same, the levy would increase 5%. Gotcha. So with this uh 10 grand out of uh EDA,
that just means the operating budget for EDA would go from 50 to 40. >> Correct? So then the 43,000 from the city hall purchase, is that the remaining amount?
>> Um >> that would be going towards next year or 2027 that you're mentioning, >> last budget meeting. >> Uh no, there would be um there would still be a a fund balance in that.
How much would I come up to? Joe, can you pull a number for that airator? The airator. Let's see here. Three air raators I had quoted
at. So, the original quote was for four. I dropped it to three um after the last conversation that we had. Um based off of I know you had told me to get a quote to have one as a spare.
>> Yep. >> I think that's a really expensive thing to have a spare for $31,000 spare. So, um the quote for the air raators is $100,000. Um, and then there's some freight and shipping and things like that on there
for probably another $3,000ish. Um, and then it would just be Colin Stasney. So, if we drop that number to three, Joel, I don't remember what we said.
120,000 is the number I think that sticks in my head. that we had discussed budgeting. So, but the equipment, yeah, the equipment could show up on our doorstep for 105,000.
>> We budget 140,000 for all hookup and then 8,000 for the feric acid pump. >> Okay. And then I'm I'm assuming we we estimated 80,000 or something like that for electrical for that and that would
reflect in this budget as well. >> Yes. >> Yep. >> Okay. And then to follow up on that, city hall uh probably around uh $70,000 surplus for 27 If we held off on Veterans Memorial for
the 30,000, um, would we still be able to like fix up the fountain and planters? Yes. So, that was a discussion that Joel and I had. Um, I guess my opinion is that that one's an
easy cut. Nobody's banging our doors down. Yeah. >> For those pavers. >> Um, in my 220 account for repairs and maintenance, all of those repairs can be made. >> All the necessary repairs. So, >> because sadly I'm feeling the same thing
that since we don't have a huge demand for more pavers at this time, we still have a couple available. Ideally, it would be nice to have it, but considering the amount of debt, >> right? >> I just think we should prioritize these other items sadly.
>> So, if we >> That's 30. If we take the aerators and we move it just to reserves. If we apply all city hall funds to 2026, if we remove dental
and then if we remove the veterans memorial project, we're at $210,000. >> But the the aators are coming from aren't even included in in this. >> Okay. All right. >> So, we're just >> I thought they were We're just looking at the general fund. So it would be
administration, P&Z. >> Okay. >> Police, EDA, parks, >> library, >> library, road, and bridge. >> So if we cut the 13 from parks and the 10 from EDA, that's 40. >> Mhm.
>> We still have 200,000 to go. >> So move. >> Yeah. I know. It's tough. Joel, the dues and subscriptions from the library, do we know what specific subscriptions those might be for dues
for what specifically those were? >> Uh, that I don't. That was a number that was provided to me. >> Okay. So, another question. Um, in EDA this past week we talked about a Smith grant
>> that was specifically for >> budget cuts reductions. >> When's the deadline? October for that. >> October 10th. >> Is it possible to call a special EDA meeting to circle back and say yes now
we want to do that? I thought we agreed that we were >> Oh, we are going to pop. I thought I I I'm sorry. I can't remember. I have to go back and look at this. >> We were going to write it up and see if it worked. If >> throw it out there. >> So, >> I guess we never had any specifics and that's Scott. Help me remember here. We
didn't specifically We're doing this thing here. >> Yeah. >> We didn't have specifics on what we wanted to go for. So, this can give you Joel some >> Well, some of we did that market study. >> Yeah. >> For $9,800. >> Okay. Um because what was the max we
could go for on that? >> 20. >> I mean, do we have to would we have to get the EDA to say we want to go for the full boat and pick something here to kind of back fill >> because the market study was what we were tagging it, right? But then >> now we have opportunity for I mean we
have real opportunity here because before we were kind of like well we can try but we're probably not going to get it because it technically at the time didn't feel like a a real cut. Um I mean we we were kind of working on our own spin to ourselves to to justify it as a cut.
>> This right here is is justification I believe to to meet the requirements, right? >> I would agree with that compared to discussion at the meeting. >> Yeah. So I mean do we need EDA? Well, I suppose we don't. Well, I guess we EDA is a little unique in the advisory board
world, isn't it? Because they can take independent action beyond the council. But I mean, could we say we want to go for the full 20? Do we need to have an EDA meeting to do that? I mean, I want to get you the tools.
>> What What would we add to that? >> Well, we got a list of things that are getting cut here. But that >> on the EA side though the only thing that would be >> um other than our
well we budgeted for the the the grant the facade grant >> that was >> we got 10 grand right there for >> we could say you know I mean the marketing >> I mean we run the risk >> right we run we run the risk of saying
>> cut the EDA marketing budget completely to zero and go for the Smith grant for it cuz there's a real cut now. >> Yeah. >> Whatever is getting lost in this $10,000 from the operating budget. Um what else did we have? We had
>> Well, I guess when I look at cuts, this 10,000 is the only cut. >> Okay. >> The EDA saying, "Oh, we're not going to do that this year." >> Mhm. >> That's that's the point I was trying to make at the meeting. That's not really a >> you you still have the same amount of revenue coming in. just choose not to spend those funds
>> on that. >> Didn't allocate it for sure. >> Well, I'd say at least go for the 10 grand then, you know, bump it up if if we're if we're going for the grant anyway, right? >> Yep. Yep. That was the plan for the 9,800. >> Yeah. We talked to the fire department about
um you know maybe having the uh relief pitch into their uh 2026 budget. They're not in this. >> Yeah, they are $76,000. >> Uh we could I know they're they've been
very generous over the years and only donate I'd say at least 20 grand a year. >> Where's the fire on here? >> I didn't include it because that budget's already been >> established. Okay.
So Joel, you said we have the 9.7 in reserves, but weren't we at 12.3 or something like that? So what did we do with that? Couple >> spent $3 million on >> this building. >> Mhm.
>> Okay. I just wanted to clarify. Can we can we apply for uh the EDA's revolving loan? >> Yeah, the city now applies. >> Got to open your books, though. How much is the mosquito control again? >> About 50,000.
>> 50. And that's the spring and the the water treatment, >> correct? >> For the ps and all that. Yeah. >> What was the the larva side? What? That's what it was. What do you remember what their difference was? >> Oh, I bet it's around 3,000. >> Okay.
>> Scale that back. >> Mhm. >> I like the I like the pucks. >> I think they do quite >> I just was curious if it was a it was a big number. >> But >> but we never tried just the pucks though, right? We just did the spraying without it for the longest time, then we
ended the puck. >> Correct. >> Yep. >> How about if we cut the spraying, did the pucks, see how that goes, and then if people if we notice a big difference, then we could revisit the spraying. >> Um
>> I >> my recommendation is is the phones be ringing off the hook and I would say once that decision would be made, it would be too late in the game to get on someone's schedule. kind of ring that bell. What about scaling it back every other
week instead of weekly? Because I mean that would kind of bring it down half the price. >> The other question I was bring to the DNR about possibly getting them to do some of that stuff and stuff. They do that out to the farmers all over the damn place.
>> You guys ever reached out to talk to them? >> They have to be special DNR waterways for that treatment. I mean, that's something I think about if we haven't reached out to them and talked to them about it >> because they're always driving out to the farms. My mom's got a wetlands and
they're out there four times a year in >> those are managed wetlands. That's why they do it. >> Well, yeah, but I'm just something we can think about. Maybe they might have something for us. >> I mean, a little bit.
>> Could ask them now that we got that pond nicknamed. Yeah, >> it's a real It's not a nickname. It's a real name. >> It's a real name. >> A real name now. >> It's a hidden Willow. It's not the unnamed pond. >> I mean, that one might qualify. >> I don't know. I was just You guys,
>> yeah, >> I just know farms they do that. So, >> actually, I think Heath Creek right past the lumber yard. That's actually >> on a map it shows that's a navigable waterway. >> Mhm. >> Yep. >> Yeah, it's an RC boat. Yeah, I was going to say a paddle boat.
>> Somebody has kayaked it. >> Yeah. >> So, does that mean we can set up a port authority? That might bring us in some. >> Let's do it. Yes. It gets really tricky downstream. >> Trying to get under 19 is interesting. >> That would help. >> Were you the one that tried to
>> No, they get on in in on my uncle's property and then start going through culverts and pastures from there on. But some of those pastures >> have trees over the creek and barb wire or fences over the creek. So yeah, it gets tricky.
>> I guess one thing I'd like to say >> and they don't breed in moving water, so you don't really treat creeks anyways. >> Go ahead, Joel. Um, I guess with my talks with Joel about this budget, um, he already said this
earlier, but really the goal was to propose the least impact to the residents. Um, when we're talking about mosquito spraying, I have personal testimony here that reducing
our applications to half. My fear would be we're just throwing money away. There's a community to the southwest of us that does it half as much as we do and it's like they it >> like they don't even >> it's like it's nothing.
>> You will get carried away. So before you think about that, I think that's a very important um service that we provide to our residents. >> I just know that we've had some multiple comments um given about the negative
impacts of the spray for vegetation and gardens and pollinators and things like that too. So I just wanted to bring it up so that it could be an open discussion on the record as well. Nobody likes mosquitoes. >> No. And unfortunately, the next biggest
dollar item, you know, Joel and I went back and forth on this so much with with street maintenance, you know, >> it's the biggest number there. >> Yes. >> And put a lot of work into making sure that this street maintenance program keeps rolling. Um, we do have a
capital improvement plan or pavement management plan coming down the line. Um, it's just >> Yep. >> Sorry. >> What are some of the things with the street?
uh milon overlay, new black top, um uh GSB88, which is kind of like the new seal coating. >> Okay. >> Uh crack film patching. >> You don't really want to cut the GSP88 because that just >> Well, we've invested millions in our
streets. We've assessed millions. >> That's Yeah, that that just you're taking away that protection for long term. Uh the uh so you you can see on here that's one of the cuts that I proposed to Joel and that's not the recommendation. >> Yeah. That's Yeah.
>> So >> it's just we're just delaying the inevitable. If we don't do it in 26, we have to do it in 27. >> Yeah. And I don't want to do that to you, Joe. I mean, you've been hitting this point since what, 2023? >> Yeah. >> It it I don't I'm okay with going to
reserves. I totally am. just to fund everything that's on here. I totally am. Um I think that part of our responsibility too is to make sure that things come into the city and add to the tax base as well. But I mean this seems to be kind of a weird off year to be
budgeting because we do have 75,000 from the fire department's budget that's hidden us. And then we did do the wage study and the wage study is only going to you know the wages are only going to go up. So, I mean, we got to get our tax base up, too. Um,
I I mean, I would apply whatever we got planned out for 2027 to 2026, dial it back a little bit to hit soften the blow with uh reserves, but maybe we should be looking at assessments for some of these milling overlays. you
know, $2,500 every we'll pay it out five years. >> Most other cities do the assessments for those. >> Yeah. And and I would have to to confirm if they're doing, you know, such a large project where they're bonding for it and
then, you know, using, you know, having an annual debt service payment and using some of the levy and >> is that because that's the only way we can do that, right? uh you have to assess a minimum of 20%. >> Yeah. So we'd have to take we'd have to incur more debt to be able to assess for
it. And if we can avoid additional debt service >> you know I I I I don't like the idea of taking on more debt for the sake of being able to assess. You know it's just you know it adds
additional cost. even if it's negligible, it's additional cost down the road that then we're going to have to address for in future levies. Um Jason, um as far as the furniture for
the sergeant's office receptionist area, >> yes. >> What do you have now? I mean, do you have stuff? Do you have the ability to furnish what we we've got? Say we have a sergeant start tomorrow. We have furniture, right? They're going to have an office. They're going to have what
they need to do their job. >> Well, they would just basically continue to work out of the room. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> They got the room. It's just not >> not It's not furnished. Correct. >> We could grab one of these tables. Just
kidding. >> Just kidding. I want you guys taken care of. Is there anything at the old city hall they could use if it came down to it? I >> think we've emptied that out, haven't we? >> Yeah, there's um there's some work in
there. >> What I would >> if it's your old desk or Candace's old desk, but we still have that. >> What I would hate to do is that we already set the president of this place. I mean, because we brought up, well, can we use stuff from we use the chairs from
the previous city hall? And it was, well, no, we want everything, we want this to be all included and then to short change the police station when they were already built and established. >> I don't think that's right for the police officers. >> I don't either.
>> So, we already set that in motion. Otherwise, we could have taken tables and we could have done the break room over there >> with chairs. >> We could have saved a lot of money by doing that. Um, these chairs here, we could have saved a lot of money on. So, I don't think it's fair to just because we're facing the doom and gloom of a
deficit. I just don't think it's fair to keep kicking that can off the road. >> I agree. >> Thanks, Jason. should have been, >> you know, and I guess as far as, you know, I try to be consistent across departments as well,
>> I can see delaying the Veterans Memorial until 2027. Mhm. >> Yeah, we can always look at grant opportunities for that too. Different places. >> I believe we are exploring some grant opportunities for that too because we were looking at organizations for veterans.
>> It would well and should the city be the only one funding that project, >> right? >> Outside of grants. >> Cross it off >> or donations, you know. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You guys know how did
>> it is a big one. Yeah. >> How they do it there? >> Ask them how they went about doing it. >> They >> Well, we got I mean between grants and the city and and donations. That's how we got to where we're at today. >> Yeah. I know the land was all donated. >> That whole corner was donate. All the
land there was >> No, the land the land was purchased. >> It was I thought that was all donation. The corner >> the corner was purchased and then the demolition was donated. >> Gotcha. >> Where the house was, we the city purchased that house. >> The plaza was donated.
>> The plaza was donated. >> Okay. Yeah. Okay. I knew there was though, >> Tim. Yeah. The the the the fountain area, the the that area was uh Rude's donation and then >> sandbox >> and then we bought the house
for to de demolish it and clean up that corner. >> So, What is you want to do with the memorial here? >> We needed to finish it. >> Add additional papers for veterans names. >> We're kind of we're reaching the end of
the usable. >> Yeah, we have a couple of um >> blank >> blank uh pavers. Thanks. Word finding is hard sometimes. I thought about doing what you'll do with theirs cuz my uh brother bought one for my dad and for
his older brother. >> We do that stones you could take and sell them for whatever. I don't even >> sell them right now. >> That's what this >> but we're we're we're just about out of blank ones. So if we're if anybody wants
to purchase, you know, somebody said, "Hey, I don't What are you even getting for it now?" >> 750. >> Oh, no. 300. But we had to to cover our cost. It was like 1,600 bucks. >> Yeah. >> So, we have $1,600 for a paper.
>> No, that's why we were looking into the grants from other organizations that support veterans um so that that could help defer the cost between >> the person buying it and the city's cost. >> Yeah. So, it's it's basically a little bit of a deferred cost. So, it's buying
the material to sell to recoup a portion of it essentially. >> Yeah. And we just wanted to finish off because there's two more areas for a total of 60 pavers, 30 each, I believe.
Yeah. Um that is in the plan to complete it. We're hoping to do that, but um I just if we need to make cuts, I feel like right now and then we could budget it for 27 and continue looking into those grants and if we can come up with the grant
money ahead of time, go for it. >> You can also look at doing some fundraising. in that time frame to help you guys something
as we do that the flea market did the farmers market stuff like that can we have something there that see if anybody does anything you know whatever people can donate that's right there farmers market you know be surprised people
donate just for something like that and then whatever the cells for it goes toward that that could add up to >> now it help the project staff's been told to reach out to some of the local
civic organizations for for funds >> working on it >> I haven't been to any of these meetings first one so >> thanks for being next week So the main decision that needs to be made is what is the levy going to be?
That is the main decision that that needs to be made tonight for for Thursday. I mean as far as cuts I'm hearing conferences >> the LMC. Yeah. But again, all these little things are
just like nickel and dime things. >> Yeah. I'm just trying to get a sense of >> exact numbers being thrown around >> 300. >> Yeah, >> just shy just shy of 300. >> So, is that conferences across the
board? Is that cleaning across the board? >> I think cleaning across the board. I mean, since it's pretty consistent in there, um, I think, you know, >> are you weekly cents or on the rugs or bi-weekly? >> Uh, seasonally, it depends. So, like in
the winter it's >> more. >> Yeah, >> cuz when they rugs are like $13.52, so >> yeah, >> you're lucky. Ours were like every 3 months we could have bought a new rug, >> so I told them to leave.
Well, you know, the other thing is is about the conferences is you do have the library that does go to that MLA conference and they do get a lot out of that. So, if we're going to go across the
board and cut conferences, I you know, I have a a hard go with that. planning and zoning LMC conference, you know, um probably
>> 10 from the EDA. Mhm. 30 parts. >> I think the debt service one that's the the city hall because we've got the sale coming up. I think that's an easy one to work in there, right? I don't see any
>> big detriment for that, right? >> Not till 27. >> Well, yeah. >> Our tax base and then we don't have to worry about it by then. >> Mhm. business is coming in like crazy now. Come to Ldale.
So look at leaving street maintenance as is is proposed down to 25 levels. Does that give you Does that give us enough? I mean, I see it's a smaller amount on the map from
this year or from Oh, no, that was 25. Sorry. I was thinking what your map showed was uh what we're doing in 26. Yeah, 26 I think was kind of that southeast Woodidge Court singing hills.
>> Is it a similar amount from 25 to 26 as far as >> originally proposed was more than 25?
Um, after the discussion about making cuts to the budget, we're proposing the same as 25, which translates to
it's it's so hard cuz it's it's the it's approximately the same amount of >> street, >> square feet that we're getting. condition as a as a factor. >> Like my my biggest thing with it's location, let's keep the work over here,
right? When we spread it out, >> then we start losing square footage that we get done. >> Mhm. >> Um these original areas that I proposed to you guys back however long ago. Um,
you know, they're mostly in the southeast with the exception of one patch on 8th Avenue in a in a reconstructed area which takes priority, but um the the facts of it is we're
the streets are as big as they are and in order to you know, I guess it wouldn't be the same level as the residents, but you know, if we just went down to all patching, but you're kind of throwing good money
after bad even when you're doing that. >> So, >> um patching I like to look as reactionary methods and like I've been trying to get this to a systemized program because the the the facts are
our streets, we have 40% of our streets all built within a four-year window. Well, that's what we're up against here. >> I just don't think >> can we do it.
I I'll say I think so. But I also remember some marches when we thought we could do it as well. >> And you're plowing literally the street into people's yards. >> Yeah. >> I don't think we want to be in that situation.
I just don't think we can compromise on the roads. We've been working really hard to come up with that plan and like you said, we shouldn't be reactionary. We should be more proactive and >> and and I agree. It's just it's just the
fact the facts are it's the it's the biggest number on the sheet of paper. >> So, >> but it could be more if we have to replace every road >> 100% >> for not maintaining >> 100%. Those prices are going up on top of that
>> and people like good roads. That is something that directly impacts people in the community cuz you hear about it when there's a bad road. >> So, are we projected to have a surplus by the end of this year?
I would have to look at um Hammy's working on the the treasures report. >> Mhm. >> Um I guess I would want to look at that information. >> Sure. I would I would say if it is it would be a very small surplus
like a 100,000 50,000 15,000. >> Yeah. I guess before I gave a number I'd want to look to see see where we're at here today in each each department and >> don't get pigeon holed in there. Well, it's all your
>> But we've had things come up as well. The van breaking down, buying a new truck, you know. >> Mhm. >> All your toys. That's why you always come in under budget. So >> Yeah. I'm trying to think of of nonenterpriced things.
>> Yeah. >> I guess JC Park was under budget, but it's a why it more or less. So, is there a way that we can apply for more LGA? >> No, it's strictly based off of uh formula. >> Yeah.
>> Which none of us will ever be able to understand. I care. >> I know. I I tried. >> I don't know how St. Paul gets 82 million. >> I work there and I don't understand it. >> I can tell you how they get it. >> How? >> They have lobbyists.
The city of St. Paul and the city of Minneapolis. >> Yeah, but Minneapolis doesn't get any. Apple Valley doesn't get any. Lakeville doesn't get any. >> LGA. >> Yeah, >> absolutely they do. >> No, they don't. Go look it up. >> I I've been watching this stuff for months. They don't get any LGA,
but then St. Paul gets 82 billion. It's It's actually comical when you go and look at it. >> Well, they don't want the streets around the capital going to >> Well, they already are. Got a lot of questionable people around over there. Well, okay.
>> Yeah, Minneapolis gets in 2023. They got $84 million. >> Look at Apple Valley and Lake Ball. Make sure you're looking at the chart though for LGA. There's an actual chart. Last I saw, Minneapolis wasn't getting
anything for 2026. Well, you're using AI. You little cheater. I had to scroll. >> That's $1,500 on the budget. >> So, I guess as far as the levy, are we looking at being consistent um at
keeping the tax rate the same? So, the 3,217,350 What do you think, council? >> You already know me. I don't like taxes. >> Nobody likes taxes. >> I know. I also like the idea of assessing for
the street no one overlays. But >> is it feasible? >> That's just one one portion of it. >> Even if we did that, we're not going to >> Well, make a smaller number.
>> But if you're assessing it, it's going to make a bigger number. We have to do more to justify the unless unless we're going to do it in house, which doesn't help us at all. Finance it in house.
Brian, you got anything? I mean, I I know you brought it up. I I'm personally not opposed to looking at reserves to to help offset for one year. I mean, I don't want it to become a habit, of course, but,
you know, I feel like we've got a lot of opportunities that we're looking at coming up. And I know a lot of that's not going to be till 2728 before we fully realize some of that stuff, but a year of breathing room, I think, to really think things through. I'm not
opposed to that personally. Now, I do see there is some some fat to trim, you know. I mean, the cleaning thing. I mean, I'll come up and help empty garbages. I don't care. >> Me, too. >> We're not saving any money. I mean,
quite frankly, probably cost staff more to do it in house. >> I mean, at the end of the day, we're talking about, you know, small amounts. The stuff that's easy to easy easy to stomach. The easy to stomach cuts are negligible. Um, you know, and some of it too, you
know, you start talking about maintenance. These are potential costs that we may not even realize. um some of the conferences, you know, again, but they're negligible costs. Um you know, I as a member of the EDA, I
mean, I think I'm okay with us taking a hit from the EDA budget. Um sounds like Carl, you're fine with the parks taking the hit. >> Um you know, those are some substantial numbers to a degree. Still doesn't get us all the way there.
I mean, I kind of did some quick calculations on the stomachable total amount. It gets us to maybe 150 to 170,000, which halfway. I don't know.
I could entertain a combination, I guess. I mean, I'm going to entertain whatever anybody wants to talk about, but >> I see I see some opportunities to look at a combination of cuts and potentially dipping into reserves as as an option.
>> All right. Then we sell the rest of that land, >> get all that stuff off for next year. >> Yes. We >> just get aggressive. Curry, >> I'm feeling the same way. Um, I just feel like us taxpayers already have some
stuff being forced down that we as a city don't have any control over. Um, and I know some of the cuts. It kind of sucks, but we have to have a tight budget for this year to kind of hold on
spending, get those businesses in here to increase our tax base and then look ahead at 2027 and hopefully not have a big increase in 27 as well. Um, I just like to make sure
that we're being as fiscally responsible as we can be, staying within budget on projects, but also planning it so that we are proactive and not reactive. Jamie, [Music] >> a little bit of both. Like make some of
these cuts because even $10 to every homeowner means they can eat out one day at McDonald's. >> No, at Smoke or Rail or >> No, you can eat out at Smoke or Rail for $10 though. >> I know, but it's 10 bucks more in our
city. >> Burger night. makes no sense. I don't >> want >> Scott, >> you know, um I think one thing we kind of, you know, we we lost a little momentum this year with the housing
market slowing down. You know, that's that's another thing, too. There we go. We're we're working off the anticipated valuations being where they are, which is kind of kind of we're kind of set up in a bad spot because we're just guessing that that's what it's going to be. You know, who knows? It it could
come in higher and we'd be lucky, but we have to have this all figured out before then. So, may hopefully the market kicks up again for next year and makes it easier. Um yeah, along you know, Brian's um
opinion on that, I I I kind of mirroring that a little. I know early on when we started this uh for the season, you know, he asked us, you know, what where we all fel felt and I said, you know, I don't see us doing this without a a tax
increase, you know, um you know, without going into reserves. So, um, >> and really that's what it comes down to. >> Yeah. >> Do we do we use reserves or do we do we increase? >> I mean, >> yeah, >> that's the question. >> But people people are people are really
feeling it. >> Yeah. >> You know, u right now you at so many different levels. So, an increase >> because I mean even with the cuts that we have proposed here to get us to net zero,
>> it it just feels like even that is is not even a step far enough. Right. >> Well, my question is is how bad is it going to hurt the city? How bad of an impact would that have on your guys's budget or city's budget?
really I mean it's just something I'm asking >> I mean it depends I guess on how much right how much do you go into reserves because the idea is if you go into reserves at some point you want it to go back >> you know ideally >> but in order to make money you got to
spend money like you said you guys got a lot of fires or pokers in the fire for next year >> that could offset that back in >> well and part of that too is is you know it's it's a gamble Right. Because
nothing's 100% certain until it's signed in the show. I mean, even the signing doesn't get us there. >> Not not even that. Not even that because we've had situations where we've had um earnest money in hand and deals didn't
happen. You know, we've, you know, you get a little bit out of that, right? Because you keep some of the earnest money when somebody walks away from a purchase agreement. But it's it's >> how much it's actually going to hurt the budget itself. >> Well, it won't hurt the budget. It's it's more longterm, right? That's that's
where we got to think about >> what are you taking out of savings? >> Yes. And how are you going to get it back? >> Yeah. >> You know, it's one of those things like you look at your household budget and I know it's it's easy to compare to a household budget or run it like a business.
>> It's it's it's easy to say run it like a business. It's harder to implement running at any level of government. Run it like a business. You really can't >> impact so many people that it makes it a hard decision.
>> Right. Right. >> That's what you guys take into consideration. A lot of people don't think that. >> Yeah. So going so to I guess to circle back and answer the question from from my understanding and and correct me if I'm wrong Joel dipping into the budget
won't hurt or I'm sorry dipping into reserves won't hurt our budget for next year. >> It'll take money that we have in the bank and apply it to the budget >> which depending on how next year goes
it could be a good risk where Yep. that's going to get back filled by 28, 29 because the deals happen, >> right? >> Or it could be you just kick the can down the road. We don't know and we're not going to know for at least a year or two.
>> So now some of the projects that or some of the things that are coming up, which are some of the stuff that's coming up for next year that if it does go through would make the biggest impact on the return back into the reserves. That's hard to say, too, because right now a
lot of I think what's out there is pretty early on, right? I mean, we haven't even gotten to negotiations with things about like are you just going to come in and build or are you going to ask the city for something to offset to incentivize? Um, I know that came up. I I was
watching the the meeting about the the apartment building, you know, and I think that's one of the things where, you know, from my perspective watching that, not being here, I was out of town, but you know, there's a lot of steps for any, you know, whether it's residential
housing, whether it's it's an apartment building like has been discussed, whether it's a business coming in, they can say, "I'm in. I like the land, I like the property, >> but I want this." Mhm. >> But in that case, that's even that's even property we don't own,
>> right? So they they buy the property. We don't see anything. >> Yeah. It's not as a general fund. >> Nothing is going to we're not talking >> the liquor store, you know, 2.1 million in sales. >> You know, $900,000 in water sales, sewer sales,
>> you know, the general fund doesn't >> Mhm. >> provide >> any revenue to the city. That's why >> Yeah. That's all coming from >> reliance on the property tax. >> On the taxes. Yep. Yeah. >> And that's why a diversified tax base is so important. >> That's why I asked the question I'm
trying to wrap my mind. >> We have other, you know, there's other properties people are looking at buying, but if we don't own them, it's, you know, it's it's just it's happening in the periphery. >> You just have the increase in property value over what they're valued at now.
>> Yeah. which empty lot is >> just to make sure it's out there. We do not the city does not own the land that this proposed apartment is I just want to make that clear again because it's a consistent >> land with an arc sign on it. Well, and and and frankly, you know, I didn't
bring it up just, you know, to to open up that discussion by any means, but, you know, >> it's it's a risk you take either way, right? Um I don't I just I see the benefit in in looking at it like okay is this a year
where we take that risk and keep the the the levy flat or not flat but don't increase it anymore and then take some from reserves take some cuts and hopefully next year we're in a better position we don't have to do that
>> and pay back that reserve. So, I got about about $22,000 of like one off. And I'm sure if I really looked through the whole entire thing, there'd probably be a significant
amount more, but they're all just kind of oneoff >> um things. So, I don't see them repeating to next year or to 2027. Mhm. >> And so that's why I'm okay with utilizing the reserves because
ultimately I can tell you flat out honest right now, I know I'm going to be hurting come 2026 when the county has their prelim uh even if the school board, you know, went to their referendum and >> and whatever comes out of this, I I know I'm going to feel it, too. I mean,
everyone's, you know, if we can reduce that burden as much as we can, and that's ultimately why we do have the reserves is for those kind of things to to help fund government to lean back on, too. So, I'm
I'm totally okay with it. It's just where I was at from the beginning of the year. Well, kind of like after election was we thought AES was coming in. We thought that was totally going to offset uh the debt service for, you know, this
building and the cost for this building. We thought for sure it was going to happen. We're looking forward to it and then next thing you know, um >> the bonding certification came in and then AES backed out on the purchase agreement. So, it's, you know, for us
it's I don't want to fall into that trap again. And um so even if all this stuff that we're talking about comes in and affects us, you know, this next year, >> um you know, I'd hate to
I don't know. I I guess I would hate to bank on anything happening next year. And so >> I think uh it's a it's a good reality check for all of us to be like, "Hey, you know what? Yeah, okay, we stomached it, but let's not do this next year." It's kind of like even with our Legion
when we reduced the liquor license, we're like, "Okay, you guys have a hard year this year, but let's see you do better next, you know, and and taking that that, you know, uh act of faith on them and um
and that's not to single out the Legion at all, but uh you know, just a analogy of what happened, but >> so get out there and support the Legion." But I mean, you know, EDA's got the EDA is going to have a task. I mean, I know
Joel and I sat down and uh I know Joel's talked to two interested developers for commercial space. Um, you know, I I know we sat down with that daycare, too, and there's there's a lot of opportunity. And then, uh, we're
hearing good things about that business in the business park. and you know um and then of course you know the apartment conversation. So there's quite a bit coming in to to help increase that and water and sewer accounts and um you know and it's all based on based on
needs. That's what we're really focused on. Um so hopefully hopefully we can get something accomplished to add to that uh 2027 budget. I'm thank you for for making the point that some of this is onetime spend money too
>> because you know that makes it >> easy to say if we do go to reserves we we know that's not going to be a next year problem as well >> and I I can't >> I can't say specifically for the fire department but >> right but other things
>> I felt like that was that was one time >> the increase >> uh that large of an increase would be a one time. >> Yeah. >> But other things like we're not buying furniture for a sergeant's office every
year, >> right? >> You know, if if we go ahead with >> or their firearms >> firearms, we're not doing that every year. That's a one time, you know, probably not a one time, but it's what once in a decade. >> Well, then it was it was also seal
coating, you know, and and like that's why I said that was this was immediate. I'm sure I could dig into this whole thing and pull it one time, >> right? >> And it would be significantly more than that, 202,000, >> but >> and we in comparison to other cities run
a pretty tight ship with this budget in front of us. Like this is not a bunch of >> extravagant things. Yeah, exactly. And and there hasn't been a lot of fluff in the city, but I mean this is what third second I can't remember, second or third
time going third time maybe going through the budget process as a member of the council. And it it's I'm very confident in saying the budget isn't full of pork. It's not full of fluff. And and I I haven't seen that in any of
my time here. And granted, you know, Scott, I'm sure you'd probably say the same thing. thing. I mean, you've been here longer, >> but I think as a city, Lawndale's done a very good job of trying to be responsible, as fiscally responsible as
possible. It's not like we're we're I mean, we buy used fire trucks. >> Mhm. >> You know, we look for a good deal. >> You guys got the ones from Northfield, however, long ago. >> Our new our new ladder truck we got from Bloomington. >> Yeah. I mean,
>> you don't need brand new in order to have >> Yeah, we have we ever boughten a a brand new fire truck? >> We have the little >> Was it last year? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. But, you know, >> those are those are
>> when we see those opportunities, >> just not a ladder, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, what are we looking at then? Um, I mean, if if we're if we're going to carve out the the one-time stuff are,
you know, kind of separate that, what what do we want to do with it then? Do we we want to go with the proposed? >> I think the reserves for it and then cut the things that we >> and then and then remove like the the vet the vets the parks,000
>> and the trainings maybe. I know it ain't much, but I'd pay for the chamber dinner. Check. >> I'll pay for my own. >> Take that out. >> Um just for this year for the trainings, I
think just so that we can re-evaluate. >> Is that is that across the board? >> I would leave the libraries in. >> Yeah, >> she does attend that every year. But remember, so these were the
department heads reservations. >> The reason that one's high this year, I believe, is because I think it's in Duth. >> It's a hotel and stuff. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I believe that one's all that stuff. >> Last year it was in Rochester, so they were able to kind of commute, but this one's expensive because it's out of town.
>> Yeah. The conferences and training were something I added. >> Oh, okay. >> Or um cleaning And you think cleaning is actually cost more if we do it in house? >> You're saying? >> Well, we're already paying it, but I mean, if you had hourly wages.
>> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Who do you have cleaning it? >> Uh carried away cleaner. Cleaning. >> Oh, carried away. >> City Hall and the library, it's $50 an hour. Maybe we could make that a volunteer project for community
groups to come in. We were talking about it for the planters and stuff like that. I don't know. >> I don't think you can use that as an Eagle Scout project, cleaning the bathroom at city hall out. >> Why? It's a usable >> home classes. >> Yeah, home. Home maintenance. We can
start our own curriculum. >> Yeah, the cleaning is really a toss up cuz if Joel's spending time cleaning, that's more than 50 bucks an hour. Unless he's twiddling his thumb behind his desk anyways. And there. >> How much downtime do you have?
Everyone chips in. >> Yeah, >> it is what it is. >> I'll bring my rug doctor up and clean the car. Just kidding. >> I mean, >> it's on record, though. >> That's fine. I'll do it. >> Hey, you're on record saying you come in and haul the trash out, too.
>> Yeah, >> we want to help. >> We do need to make a decision on the levy, though. That has to happen. Okay. >> Tonight. Yeah, tonight's the last night. >> Okay. So, if we keep it at the current
proposed, the 5%, make the cuts that we've been discussing, take the rest out of reserves for this one year. I think that's the way I want to go after all this discussion. >> So, no change to the proposed levy?
>> No. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but if we go this route, if we say, okay, we're going to assume that's going to be 5%. For that levy, and we say we're going to go through reserves,
we can dial that back after you submit that number to the county, >> you can always lower the levy, >> right? >> You can't increase it. >> Okay. My re my recommendation is set the levy and keep the levy there. >> Yep. >> Because no one once they get their tax
statements in end of November, beginning of December, that's the number they see. >> No one ever goes back or comes back and says, "Oh, I got my property tax statement in May." And >> was less. >> You guys reduced my taxes based off of what you said. >> No, thank you.
>> Because they don't see that letter because it's escrow. The number they see is the number that we're deciding on tonight. >> Yeah. That's why I don't care for the whole go as high as you can and then cut back later. >> I don't >> I think that's uh >> because the high number is what gets
published. Yep. >> Or I should say published, but >> that's what they say. >> Notice taxpayers. >> So we're proposing a 5% tax levy. >> Same as last year. same as last and I believe the year before
>> which I think is pretty awesome that we're not raising it. >> Find another question on that. That's fine. Go ahead and do it. What is that on the average across the board increase? I know you're not everybody's a little different. Just what's the
average across the board? The houses that we're tracking range anywhere from $32 to1 180 185 >> per year >> I know it sounds >> and that's just that's just the city portion that doesn't include schools or
county >> was county's 9% >> yeah I believe So, >> and then uh Joe, you got a lot of trees you got to still cut down, right? >> Yes. >> And what did you put in there for that? Was that like 5,000 or
>> I think it's eight. >> Eight. >> It's Yeah. Eight. Why you want to go cut down trees? [Laughter] >> I don't need time. Joe knows. I already told him. >> Yeah. >> You go. You call me. I'll be out there with my chainsaw.
>> Mine's in the back of my truck. >> Mine walked away. >> It did. >> Well, I mean, we're not getting anywhere. I'll make the motion. Keep the levy at the 5%. >> Well, yeah. We don't need a motion. It'll be approved on Wednesday. >> Yep. >> I'm sorry. >> Thursday.
>> Oh, okay. >> But I needed that number so I can >> 5%. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't hear anybody proposing anything different. So, I'd say let's go with that. Keep it where it's at. >> Mhm. >> And we'll figure out cuts slash reserves.
>> Okay. All right. Are we ready to move on? >> You got what you need, Joel? >> Yep. Thank you. >> After all that, finally, huh? Mhm. All right. Consider approval of resolution 2025-41,
a resolution approving a purchase agreement for the West 100 ft of Baldwa B Ldale Business Park. Joel Ericson. >> All right. Thank you, mayor, members of the council. Um the city was approached by um Circle City Outdoor Minnesota
about leasing a portion of property in the business park. Um after going back and forth, it was determined that um they would purchase a 100 foot wide parcel so they can construct their uh
outdoor dynamic billboard. Um did receive an email this morning that um they did agree to the purchase agreement that is included in the u in the city council packet or the city
council's packet that you guys received. Um, we certainly can go into close session if you would like. We've done that in the past. I think this is pretty straightforward. I don't know if we if we need to, but I wanted to um provide that opportunity.
>> Anybody want to go close session? You want to keep it open? I >> I'm fine with keeping it open. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> All right. So, the property's the proposed the west 100 ft of outlaw B the Lawndale business park. uh purchase price of 60,000. Uh city to obtain
owner's title insurance policy. Buyer has the right to access the property for inspections. Uh looking at a a quick turnaround here. Uh closing date of October 31st. Um, so if uh if approved tonight, I'll
coordinate with the uh city engineer to get the platting process started and then um reach out to planning and zoning possibly for a special meeting. I guess we'll have to see how what the timeline on or what the date is on that. Uh
closing cost, split uh industry standards 50/50. uh city uh paying the cost of issuing the title commitment, state deed tax, conservation fee, buyer recording the deed, 50% of the cost, closing costs, and then the premium for the owner's
title insurance. Uh and then approvals would be uh replat based off of what uh is attached included in the in the staff report. Uh by approving resolution 2025, the city is agreeing to sell the parcel according to the proposed purchase
agreement and then is also authorizing the mayor and/or city administrator to execute the deed and other closing documents as necessary. Alternatives would be not to approve the purchase agreement uh proposed revisions to the proposed purchase agreement uh and then
dedicate the proceeds to a different fund than in the debt service. And then included with staff's report is the proposed resolution purchase agreement and then the plat for the Londale business park showing where this
parcel is located. So there's any questions. Staff would recommend approval of resolution 2025-41. >> Thank you Joel. Uh Curry, any questions? >> No questions about this. Jamie, >> just what's the depth of the lot?
>> Uh, about 200 feet. >> All right. So, about two bucks a square foot. >> That's all I got. >> Scott, >> um, is it is there driveway uh, curb cut or anything on that or is that just highback? As far as
>> uh, it is highback. >> Okay. >> So, I think any business that locates in there has to do a curb cut. So, would we require a curb cut for that being that it's just the sign? There'd be whatever the maintenance access would be. I don't know. I I just
was curious. >> I probably wouldn't just in case um if they end up owning the property, they they can sell that lot out to somebody else and then they can determine where that curb cut is going to go so it doesn't affect that future business. >> Yeah. I I I just was curious. I just
wasn't sure what as far as >> both for uh you know getting equip know equipment in there or whatever. >> Sure. >> For footings and whatnot. You'd be >> driving over the curb. So >> Dwayne, can you maybe >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Can you maybe speak up on that a little bit?
>> Yeah, sure. >> My name is Dwayne Ferson. I'm former general manager city, Minnesota. Um in reference to your question um the curving yeah what we do we've done that
and what we do is we'll just put blocks up there so we'll need to get a cement truck in there but there's I think three yards of three to four um we'll drill a 36 in
diameter hole down 12 ft we put a 20 and then we'll pour out the edge of that because I would say the way it is right now that won't matter. >> Okay, that's all I had. Okay, Brian,
>> what would be the estimate? Joel, do you any idea of estimated annual property tax on that if we break it down to that that lot size? Since this is a unique structure, it's kind of >> Yeah, it's minimal. Basically, the value of the property because I believe in
correspondence >> the billboard is taxed as personal property, not as real estate. >> Okay. >> I guess our intent would be to has to in a sense partner with the city because somebody comes in there that
wants to have more land or that portion of the property work with you to turn that into something that's going to be an asset. >> You're talking about the land out outside of the concrete that you pour. >> Yeah. >> Sure. Sure. There's currently a uh 10
foot eastment on the front along with 19 and then also on the west side. >> Sure. We would have if we ever Thank you, Carrie.
Um, no. Other than Ty did awesome at the races at Elco. >> Ty won his race at Elco. So, good job. Yeah. Were you there, too? That was awesome. >> Yes, it was awesome. Okay. Sorry.
That's all I have. >> All right. Well, I got nothing to add. This has been a long journey. >> That was chilly all when we started. >> Yeah. And it's going to be chilly by the time it gets done. >> No, we got a beautiful weather.
>> I'm sorry. I got When When are you looking to start working on this property once it closes? >> Well, I I'm guessing the first week of early first week of November then since closing would be the 31st, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, you're looking like get in there and get going right away.
>> We'll have everything all >> frost line doesn't matter. >> Fueled up. >> Okay. Dwayne said uh or Dwayne said he would rather have the ground a little bit more cold to drill that down. >> Especially after the rain we had last night probably
know we'll just put and then >> so shovel ready for you is any time of the year. Okay, perfect. Sorry, that just came to me as we started talking. Thank you.
>> Okay. All right, >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Motion by Miller, second by Vika. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed. All right. Motion carries. >> Yay. >> Thank you, Dwayne.
All right. Does anybody have anything? Oh, there's one last thing I kind of wanted to bring up. Um because that concluded our new business, we should probably discuss um Thursday, uh since council member Palava will not be here
and uh probably propose a special meeting for the uh reasonzoning comp plan amendment. So, I don't know if you guys could just pull up your schedules real quick and just kind of give some dates.
>> How long are you gone, Scott? >> Uh, I'll be back Sunday night, but then uh Monday the chamber and community days has the follow-up meeting. So, we're we have our I'm then busy again Monday
night. So, Um, but then it looks like I'm back the rest of the week. >> Does the second look okay? Let me double check that. >> Not for me. >> Yeah, I have the night.
>> Unless we do it early, but I feel like the might not >> just insistence. you know, just being consistent. >> I mean, unless you guys discuss >> th 30th soon enough or >> I can't do this.
>> What is it? 3 days notice, Joe. >> Correct. >> So, >> I would not be able to be here on the 30th. >> So, you guys would schedule the >> I could do the third >> special meeting on the 25th. >> That's the third Friday. >> Okay.
>> One, two, three. So, anytime after the 29th. >> Fridays are bad days to do those types of meetings, honestly. >> I know. >> It's not fair to staff either. >> No. >> Um, well, the 7th, it's a Tuesday. We
have the liquor board meeting at 6. >> What about the sixth? There's no reason we can't do a Monday, right? >> The sixth. I can't I have the um ambassador board meeting. >> No, you're getting to that point. You might as well just stay keep it on for the 9th on the regular. >> Exactly. you know, >> you know, if if if >> Yeah.
>> If it's just to make it to get it done, I mean, otherwise, you know, if you guys want to discuss it on on Thursday and >> make a decision, then >> I don't know. I really thought it would be important for everybody to be present for
>> the final discussion. >> None of the days work, we can just >> do it on the 9th. Is that soon enough? It's going to have to be. My schedule's crazy with meetings. I'm sorry. >> What are your thoughts?
>> I'm I'm open. >> I just know that uh there's there's a sensitive uh timing for closing >> and that's with every project. >> Where does that put cuz we're only
>> I don't days into that. >> I don't remember when he uh when his closing was. I think it was 120 days, but that would put you at about on that third week since our our last council meeting. So, you just pushed it
back three weeks. What about the 29th? I forget. >> Oh, yes. You have three days. >> Doesn't because we would have to table it on Thursday and then that's when our three days would start. Oh, thanks.
>> Thanks, Dwayne. >> Thanks, Dwayne. >> Well, I think a bigger concern for the city is that you're going to be running up against the 60-day rule. So, if no decisions made, then it just gets approved. When would that kick in?
>> I'm trying to find his application. >> Was that on the last council meetings work packet? I think it was. >> Let's see. >> Was it? Yeah. On the 11th. >> Where is his? >> Yep.
So we could do the ninth maybe they didn't give us anything at the pling is only level. I guess I don't see when we received the application. It's not filled out on this form here. 7 uh 225.
Oh, wait. No, sorry. That was fire department. My gosh. >> He's dated 81. I guess I would have to confirm that. >> So, be 60. Well, I don't I don't know. Staff didn't fill out the application. Doesn't application received that date is not in
here. So, I'll have to go track down some emails, I guess, and find out what what that date was. >> That was the land use, right? Well, yeah. It's dated 81 by the applicant, >> but you just don't know when it was submitted.
>> Correct. I >> mean, I could if we had to, I could miss the auxiliary meeting on the second. >> I'm sorry. >> Pretty big decision for the city. >> Yeah, definitely. The second would work for me, I guess.
>> Is everyone else free on the second? >> As long as it's after 7 p.m., >> Scott. >> Yeah, works for me. >> Okay. >> Should we say tentative based on what you or do we want to just say the second right now?
>> I'm fine either way. >> Well, we're going to have to we're going to have to table it from the council meeting. So I mean it would be like we would say now well the 2nd of October works out good and then Thursday it would be right when the approval of the
agenda is make the motion >> to change >> to change it to >> I guess I guess the qu let me rephrase the question. So if we're not running up against this 60-day by going to the 9th so you don't have to
miss another auxiliary meeting if you intend to go to that >> is that so we'll make the determination based on >> the email >> based on the emails. Is that is that what we're talking about here or are we hard saying the second is the date now? Either way it's fine for me. I'm you're
the one who's got the conflict. >> Yeah. I need to see when the >> that 60day >> when we receive payment of the application because that's when it would be deemed complete. >> Didn't do a special meeting for planning and zoning. So,
it probably wasn't close enough or was too close to the August meeting to even get it on the agenda. >> Correct. Because we had it September 4th. I'm fine with the second or the 9th >> cuz the 9th is already a scheduled
meeting. >> Yep. >> So, >> go with the second for now. >> Okay. >> All right. >> All right. Sorry about that, guys. I totally spaced that when we >> It's okay. >> Take note. forgot. >> Don't worry. >> Booked this booked this trip months ago. >> I've got nothing to say cuz I missed the
last one. >> As soon as we said it, I went, "Oh, the 25th." Yeah. Yeah, that sounds great. Because the number was in my head cuz I was leaving that day. >> Yeah. >> I'm glad that you got enough stuff done where you can take a vacation, Scott.
>> Cuz you were telling me if I don't get this stuff done, I might not be going. So, it sounds like you got it all done. >> Yeah. Some of it. Some of it. >> Enough to go though. That's important. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's good. Okay. So, at Thursday's meeting, we will table this
discussion for the apartment reszoning. >> Yeah. >> To >> to the second or >> or the n depending on depending on the outcome of the application receive date. >> Sounds good. >> All right. >> There's a lot of words. >> Yeah. >> Mhm.
>> Okay. All right. Anybody have anything else to add? >> Nope. All right to adjourn. >> Motion by Warcrian. >> Second. >> Second by Miller. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. All right. This meeting is now unjoured.