--------- Everybody's logged in and ready to go. >> It's 6:30. Our new time, 6:30. So, um, I'm going to call the meeting to order. This is the regular city council meeting for the city of Minatrista, December 8th, 2025. First order of business reminder, put
your cell phones on silent or airplane mode. And then second, would you please join me for pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance 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. >> Oh, we have a big crowd here tonight. I don't know if the cameras can see all the people here, but anyhow. So, um, again, just welcome everybody here as
well as those, um, in the future wa watching on YouTube. I'm glad you're watching and paying attention. Uh, first order of business is I'm just going to do quick introductions. I'm Lisa Whan. I'm the mayor. And to my left are council members Kathleen Refkin, Peter
Vicky, Claudia Lacy, and Brian Govern. And then um staff present this evening in person is Gary Peters who is our um director of public works, Paula Bowman who is our assistant administrator, um to my right we have Jasper Krugal our administrator, Brian Grim our finance
director, and then we have uh Craig Squires who is our chief of police. We also have a number of individuals that are joining us uh staff members that are joining uh via um remote. uh David Ael, our community development director, and then I believe and Meerhoff, our city
clerk, and then also sitting in for Sarah Sansala this evening, we have um Pete McCale, I believe it is. And then I think Allison is also joining us remotely as well as Allison Falsky who is our city engineer. So with that um then next is approval of our agenda. Is
there a motion to approve the agenda? Is there any changes or additions you need to make? Okay, hearing none. Then is there a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Miss Refkin. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Vicky. All those in favor signify with I. I.
>> All those opposed. Motion passes. So, um next we're going to start out uh we have a um special presentation by our finance guru, Brian Grim. So, just to kind of preface at this, uh, the city council has been
working on our budget and our levy for since August. Uh we have met numerous times in work sessions uh together with staff and uh we have uh crossed all our tees and dotted all our eyes and we have
worked very hard at um levying the the minimum amount that we need but we need certain we need a certain amount of money in order to function and in order to move our city forward. So I'm going to hand this over to Brian. He's going to go through he has a PowerPoint. He's
going to explain uh what we're levying, why we're levying it, and so on. So, Brian. >> Yep. Thank you, um Madame Mayor and Council. So, as far as um yeah, tonight's presentation, we're here to talk about the final levy and the budget.
>> Oh, sorry. So, yeah, tonight's um desired outcome for today's meeting is to adopt our levy. Um we need to um send that to uh the the county by the end of the month here. Seeing this is our last uh meeting of the year. So I guess happy holidays
to everyone, I guess. Happy budget times. And um that's what we're here to do. So yeah, I guess as the mayor was saying, so we've been meeting since August. So a preliminary meeting was back on August 4th to review the initial like tax levy and budget. Um sort of
what we call the the tax levy funds, the general fund and those items that we levy for. And on August 18th, we had another discussion um at the work session and then certified our preliminary tax levy which was basically slightly under a 10% gross levy increase.
We went through the final process of preparing completing final budget. We had meetings on water funds, sewer fund, parks funds and stuff um etc in um November or October, November. And uh from there um the final budget documents
were in the packet. Um and then uh couple items we're uh recommending was to certify the final gross tax levy at basically that 7,838365 for collection in 2026 and then proving the budget documents the 50ome pages
that were in the packet uh uh at at um the subsequent um agenda items under the business portion of the meeting. So we can see we have different components to the levy. Um the largest is the general fund levy which um we did make some slight tweaks. We didn't
change the levy from the um previous meetings, but um we did just move money around a little bit between the general fund and the roads, but you can see basically the 5 million.9 million for the general fund. Our debt levies are about 1.25 million. Uh roads, we have
400,000 in cash levy, but we also have several um of that. The debt fund levies, a lot of that covers roads or whatever, obviously the roads and facilities and stuff. And then our CIP levy we have a 250,000 which helps pay for the equipment wads and stuff there.
So um as mentioned earlier the 7.838 million. We do get some dollars through the fiscal disparities program which is sort of hovered in that $150,000 range. And then the net levy that's passed to our residents is 7,689. Um this is just a chart showing
basically our general fund revenues and expenditures for the last five years. You can see there was a little bit of back and forth like in 22 and 23 where revenues um I think there was some even spend down of some of the dollars of state and federal money you know back in the time and then there was some
building permits were a little higher back in 23 with our commercial property coming in with Mac and the apartments. So, but otherwise since then 2024 was really close budget to actual and we're projecting the same for 25 and 26 budgets for revenues versus expenditures
in the general fund. So, just another trend or chart that shows it a little differently. You can see um some of the uh the top line's our tax levy and net tax levy. The second line is sort of our our reserves um used or surplus we've had. So, you can see
I've sort of referenced our 22 and 23 there. And then we've been um uh spending down a little money and actually that 2026 number we've actually made some adjustments to make that now a positive about 57,000. So that's one number I wanted to update but
>> so um I think I got all the other ones >> as far as tax impact. So basically um taking uh if an home and miniaturista had the average value increase was about 4%. You obviously you had some with more some with less. Um but based on that
levy increase of the um 9.92% with basically roughly around 3% growth in the city, our tax rates just over 21%. So when you plug that into the different property values and run those numbers, um you can see um some of the different,
you know, diff uh level properties, you could be paying maybe $60, $100, $140 more, you know. So when you bring that down to you know month it's more like you know5 to9 dollar or whatever give or take. So um that's >> and that's the city I just want to point
this out because a lot of people have made comments about how their um property taxes have gone up tremendously. The city's we only have control over the city's portion. And so what we're showing here is just the city's portion of people's property
taxes. So, we're estimating it's going to be approximately 60, 104, or 130, whatever, depending on the value of your home. So, that's that's the increase, not the um annual payment, but that would be the increase. Yep.
>> So, a hundred let's just say $100 or it'd be less than $10 a month. Yep. Yeah. Of the increase. >> Yeah. I want to say like on that $650,000 home example, which is around the median home in value in Minatrista, their current taxes are probably might be slightly off and they might be paying
1,400 right now. Now it might be 1,500. Okay? And that's basically and on average it's about 20% of their tax bill. You know, the the county and school are are larger portions in the city. So their total tax bill might be$7,000 or 7500, but we are about
probably 1500 of that. So Yep. Okay. um some of the 2026 um things that the city's covering with this budget. Um obviously there's labor contracts with um our our labor unions. Those are set for 26 as well as the non-union salaries
and benefits has been talked about by the city council at multiple meetings. Um we fund the uh I think I mentioned earlier our equipment, you know, squads, you know, graders and stuff and fund that through our equipment um CIP equipment plants. We're doing a combination of cash levy and an equipment certificate in 2026. And then
the uh pavement management plan as referenced earlier that 400,000 for more of their maintenance type road projects versus um we're also doing a a larger road project in 2026 or the city is. >> So yeah, this is here where yeah, basically the general funds proposed to
go up about 57,000 based on the budget and that's that's to with that second point there. That's to keep our projected we try to keep 40% or more of a fund balance compared to our um general fund expenditures. So, and we would be doing that with the the budget that's presented and been updated and
talked about with city council. Uh, so I guess yeah, the summary um just action on the final tax levy. We've had the really productive discussions. I think um the levies at the 9.92% basically the 7.83 mill gross levy. It's
funding the general fund activities, roads, equipment, and we would be adopting those items later in the meeting. So, okay, if there's any questions or comment from the public or I guess >> Oh, we must have a lot of satisfied um
residents because uh there is nobody here for for this. But, um but councel, would you do you have any comments you'd like to make, questions? I I know we've gone over this um a lot of um over the last four or five months um in work sessions um kind
of kind of beat this thing to death almost but but still um any comments? >> I don't know if this I know Henipin County is in charge of the increase in our property values. Um is there any
kind of um checklist of how they determine because from one house to the next to the next it's it's not static. So they I mean because when we met we meet with them always every year um me and Jasper towards what the end of November and um they've have their
processes they do to basically look at comparable sales in the neighborhood annually for um I guess basically the annual increase and then or increase or decrease it can be you know depending what they're seeing and um then they also do I think more an in-depth look
every five years they divide the city into like a quintile and every >> every four years isn't it or >> it used to be four. I don't know if it's >> it's either four or five. Yeah. Where they break it down and and and do a more detailed look at an area, you know, the city, I guess, basically whether it's
1/4 or 1/5. So, um I guess that's the processes that they rely heavily on um uh comparable sales um you know, what they're seeing in the neighborhood. They look at you know, offshore versus um you know, onshore. you know, they look at, you know, obviously Lake Minnetonka
versus, you know, other lake, you know, I guess Whale Taylor, you know, fewer, you know, different things like that. But I Yeah, they go through their uh and they try to hit certain percent of what um basically if you are selling your property on the market, I think they want to have it valued at between 95 and 100%, you know, is what they sort of
shoot for. >> They have to shoot for a certain amount. >> It's like a state uh >> state mandate. Yeah. Yep. So that was whether whether we'd have the county provide it, which um used to be they charged the city and now they've taken it where it's probably just you know through the county taxes or whatever. So
or whether you had an independent assessor. I mean you basically have to follow the same rules I guess or guidelines. >> Right. In the past they've also and we could ask them to come in the spring um to give us an update and then they
they've provided us with a booklet um and what they compared. So, what the comparisons have been, if you'd like something like that, we can ask them to come. They'll come in. >> I just like to, you know, be able to say to people, here's what they look at, you know, because the house next door sells
and it's completely different than every other house on I mean, how does that >> It's just be it'd be interesting to say this is the checklist. >> Is there an in fact a check? >> Oh, yeah. They they have a checklist. Yeah. they they'll look at the size of the house, the size of the property, um
the location, um the house, you know, they don't look necessarily at all the individual um amenities in the house. So, like if you have a Bosch dishwasher and the person next to you has a a Kenmore, they're not that's not what they look at. Um, but they do look at
square footage, how many bedrooms, um, and they look at the lot, where it's located, and they kind of look at the outside to see what it, you know, is it attractive? I mean, you know, or is it junky? I mean, kind of the, um, what shape it's in as well. And then if you
have a question about your evaluation, you can call them. And sometimes they come out to your house, too. And they'll do either an exterior or even an interior inspection. So, if you have questions, uh, but the time to do that
is in the spring, >> not not now. Now, it's too late, if you will. >> Yeah. Because it' be spring for basically setting next year that what the taxes are for 2027 or whatever. Yeah. Basically, everything's set pretty much. >> So, you want to pay attention. Um, usually they come out like in March.
around March is when your valuation comes in the mail. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because once that comes out, then we'll um and then the county will do um what's called their open book process basically in April and they have several regional meetings I think a virtual one too or whatever. But in and Kevin Win always says just if you have a
question just call. You don't have to wait for these set meetings in April or whatever to right talk about the valuation and what they call their open book. >> Open book, right? There's two different processes and years and years ago the city opted to do what's called the open book. So, the city council doesn't
establish the valuations or even um work with the residents to re-evaluate the property. That's all done by the city by the county assessor because it's just too difficult for councils to do that. >> Yeah, the border review process is pretty tough on city council. You got to
try to be basically a >> de facto appraiser or something or evaluator or >> Yeah. It's not good fun, >> right? >> So, >> thank you. All right. Um All right. So, I I still have to open the public
hearing because um it does have to be I I believe a public hearing. So, for right now, um let's see. I think that's later on in our on our agenda. So, maybe I'll wait and and I'll do that um on number five. >> Okay. Yeah, five will be the public
hearing on the uh fee schedule. And I think actually just by opening up and asking if anyone's here, I think that satisfies the public comment for the budget. So I think we're I mean is that sound right Jasper? Yeah. So yeah the the fee schedule has the components in five for the uh for the public actual public hearing.
>> Actual public hearing. Okay. Well there is nobody here. If they were we'd certainly ask them for comments but um since there isn't. Um now we'll we'll move on to our consent agenda items. They are kind of lengthy. So are there any you need to or would like to remove?
did have a question about uh item I think. >> Okay, let's remove that and then >> it's just a question. >> Okay, what's a Well, what's a question real quick? >> Well, um how did the wells turn out, Gary? Do they u do they look okay? And
>> because I heard this I read this thing called air surging, which sounded ominous. So, >> I can hear I'm sorry. >> The wells, >> what about the wells that they just finished drilling? Do they look okay? And are they functional and >> Yep. everything the test pumping went
well with all that. Um you know and it's you know a per bid you know a per unit bid that comes in. So they we do have extra built into it just in for the just in case stuff. But some of the stuff that we did do in house that we took
care that came off was uh site prep um site clean up. all the the bailed sand when they develop the aquifer, they have to remove all that sand in there and it's really fine uh kind of almost like a sugar sand. We took all that and brought it back here to our shop. So, we
use that um for bedding um pipe that during like water mane breaks or even for culverts works really great. Um we had a great big supply of it when we did uh well four years ago. It's it's really it's was almost gone. So, it's nice to have all that on hand again. Um, and
then, uh, with the with the driveway entrance, we took care of all that, too, which took a few dollars off. But a lot of it comes down to, um, just the supplies that they didn't use. But as far as it goes, everything went great. The screens went in. Um, one of the screens did get a little bend in it. Um,
in this it twisted a little bit, so we did get a extension uh, warranty on that uh, part of it, so that if anything goes wrong, they'll pay for the pulling and the fixing of that. Um, we didn't see it as an issue. Talking with trout and then having uh A2S look at it, it didn't seem
to be an issue. It just it twisted just a little bit. So, instead of being perfect, it's just got a slight tweak in it. Nothing broke or anything. You could they took the camera around it. You can see it. So, but yeah, everything everything went great with it. So, it just took a little longer than we were hoping, but doesn't really matter
because the treatment plant's not online anymore, >> right? Yeah, it's not online yet. >> Thank you. Yeah, I was just going to comment on I of how great it is to come in $500,000 under budget. That was great. That was awesome. So, thank you and your staff and all your hard work on that. >> We weren't all the $500, but you helped
some of it. >> You helped. We appreciate it. Okay. So, then we have our work session meeting minutes from November 17th, 2025. We have approval of our city council regular meeting minutes from November 17th, 2025. We have approve our claims
and then uh D is accepting the donations. Thank you everybody for your wonderful donations for our events. And then E is a resolution to approve our 2025 budgeted transfers. F is approve our front yard setback variance at 5995
Luring Drive. G is approve our lakeshore and sideyard setback variances at 5415 Cedar Point Road. H is approve a guest home conditional use permit at 7655 County Road 15. I is approve and accept
um improvements and authorize final payment for the drilling and development of our two new wells, number eight and number nine. And J is approve our 2026 city council meeting calendar. And note that our first meeting is on a
Wednesday, January 7th. Mark that down so you don't forget. I need to mark it down so I don't forget. Um, and then approve our 2026 personnel policy effective January 1, 2026. And then approve offer of employment for Zachary
Vidmar for the position of a police officer. And then M is approve our pay plan adoption and employee placement. And N is approve paid family medical leave memos of understanding with our various union groups employed at the
city of Minatrista. And then O is approve our whale tale lake alum treatment cost share agreement and there's an amendment to that. Any other questions? Hearing none. Is there a motion to approve consent agenda items A through O? >> So move.
>> Thank you Miss Lacy. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you Miss Refkin. Further questions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify with I. I. All those opposed. Motion passes 50. So next we'll move on to our public hearings. before I
open the public hearing. Um, this is for our fee schedule. Um, I'll hand it over to Brian. I don't think there's huge except for water. Um, changes. >> Yeah, that's I think what you just uh said, Madame Mayor, is correct. The the water rate changes are probably the the
biggest changes that people will see. And that's obviously um we talked about the wells and the impending water third water treatment plant in Woodland Cove. So, that's obviously the driver of of that. And I think um hopefully most people are understanding as that um as
possible. Um otherwise um yeah there's just some you know minor changes to the sewer rate recycling rate and some other items that's have been identified in the um schedule you know with strikethroughs and in in red on pages 250 through 260 basically. Um I guess I can stand for
any questions and or um we'll just have to open the public hearing at some point based on some of the fees that are in there require that and >> Right. Okay. So what I'm just going to start out uh before I open the public hearing nobody's here but anyhow um yes our water rates are going up um no doubt
and we've worked very hard to try and minimize those increases. However, um I do want to point out if you get the Laker that there was an article in the Laker in our neighboring city is um actually as high or higher than our
rates and yet we deliver healthy quality drinkable water to our residents into their home. Whereas some of the neighboring communities, their water is pretty bad and a lot of people won't even drink it. So, I just want to say
we've worked hard. The reason we had to raise our rates uh fairly um significantly is because of the need to um continue to deliver um healthy, safe drinking water. The other thing I want
to say too is if you look at your sewer rate, we have a flat fee for sewer whereas other communities have a a base rate and then they charge you depending on how much water you're using and we don't do that. And our base rate is even
even just our base rate is less than I know our neighboring cities. So if you add those things together, we aren't really all that more expensive than some of our neighboring cities. I just want to point that out. I think what is our um sewer rate is like 128 >> 128 per quarter
>> per quarter, right? And I know our neighboring cities, their base rate starts at like 145 plus plus whatever they're using for water and that's added to it. So um look at that. And the other thing um I do want to point out is that we're going to be going to uh monthly
billing for our waters uh water users. And I think that will also help uh people be able to uh budget a little bit better. Hoping to do that no later than July. If we can do it sooner, we'll do it sooner. So, those are just a few
comments I'd like to make. Any other comments or questions from the council. Otherwise, um even though there's nobody here, I will open the public hearing. Anybody that has comments, questions regarding our fee schedule and or even
our budget and levy, you can do that at this time. Nobody's here. So, I'm now going to close the public hearing and we'll move it back to council. We um we need two two um resolutions or adopt we need to adopt ordinance number 503.
That's adopting the 2026 fee schedule. Um we'll do that first. Is there a motion to adopt ordinance number 503? >> So moved. Um, I think Mr. Govern beat you to it, but Mr. Vickery seconded that. Any further questions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify with I.
I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes 50. And then next, uh, we want to, um, approve the publication of ordinance number 503 by title and summary only. We don't want to do the whole entire ordinance. A lot more expensive. So, thank you, Mr.
Vicky. Is there a second? Thank you, Miss Ruffkin. Any further questions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify with I. I. All those opposed. Motion passes 5. So, we'll move on to our business items. Uh we're going
to start with the LM city applicant. Uh so, we had one applicant apply for the open position. Um as as council knows, uh Michael Kirkwood has served the city um as our representative on the Lake Ritanka Conservation District for the past six years. and he had he gave us um
a heads up that he would be um done um as of the end of December. And so we opened up the application process and we had one applicant, a very qualified applicant I might say. Um and we interviewed her during our work session
and I think um the council is very comfortable appointing um Jane Anderson. Um is that that's her full name, right? >> Jane Jane Anderson Thomas. >> Thomas. Okay. Thank you. Uh to this position. So is there a motion? Any further questions or comments? Hearing
none. Then is there a motion to approve Jane Anderson Thompson to the Thomas to the LMCD as our city's representative? So moved. Thank you, Miss Lacy. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Govern. Any further questions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify with I. I.
>> All those opposed. Motion passes 5. So next we have to do budget approvals. We're not going to do another uh presentation. Brian, you just did that and we've gone through this time and time again. So, if it's okay with the council, if you have any further comments or questions, I'll take those
at this time. Otherwise, is there a motion to adopt and approve the 2026 tax levy? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Miss Brefkin. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Vicky. Further questions, comments? I just want to comment. I
think we all did a great job. the council together, uh the staff, we gave them direction. They came back. Uh we've worked on tweaking it a little bit. Thank you very much for all your hard work. Um both on a council level as well as staff level. So, thank you for that.
So, all those in favor signify with I. >> I. All those opposed. Motion passes 50. And next, we have to adopt and approve the budget. Now, I just want to explain slightly. A lot of people don't understand the difference between the levy and the budget. So the levy is what
we tax people for. That's the amount that is spread out over all the properties in Minitrista. However, the budget is far greater than the tax levy because we have other revenue sources. So the budget includes a lot of other things that um that the levy doesn't pay
for. So just that's a very very short brief synopsis of the difference between a levy and a budget. But believe it or not, people don't know the difference. So with that, um, is there a motion to adopt and approve the budgets, the general fund, special revenue, debt
service, and the CIP fund and enterprise funds for 2026? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Mr. Revkin. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Vicky. Any further questions? Hearing none. All those in favor signify with I. I. All those opposed. Motion passes. 50. So now we'll
move on to administr Anything else? We'll move on to administrative items. Mr. Cool. >> Yeah. Madame Mayor, members of city council, um the only thing I have is, as I think everybody's aware, we had our our third annual tree lighting event. It was a bit chilly and windy. Um but we did have a pretty decent turnout. I'd
say just probably right about the same as last year. Um fireworks were great from what uh we've gotten feedback on. So um I think it was a really well-run um event. Uh big thanks to the public works group. Without them, we would not be able to do it. So they they're out there.
>> Awesome. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. So, they're out there and they uh they seem to enjoy it. I don't know if they put that face on, but um but they they really do seem to like it. So, >> it's a fun event. Um >> you just adopted the calendar for 2026. I think at some point in time, maybe
early in 2026, we should have a conversation if we want to move that date around. Um we've had kind of bad luck with weather the last two years. The first year, great weather. Um but >> didn't like the tree didn't like this time either.
So, we're going to work on that. >> Yeah, >> we did finally get it lit and and I have to get credit. Okay, I gave credit to the public works. However, the tree was lit by St. Bonnie fire. I'm sorry. We have to get they they got it working, but we're going to work on
that one and it'll be perfect next year. So, >> yeah. Yeah. Um, so >> works were awesome. I mean, just awesome. They were awesome. Okay. >> Yeah. So, um, we'll look at maybe think about if there's another date. I know Mound just recently moved theirs to the
Thursday before Thanksgiving. Um but as we know what winter can be like or even fall in Minnesota. You never know what you're going to get. So it could be, you know, middle of November and we could have zero degree temperatures. So um I did get some comments. I've been kind of floating this idea around. Uh but it is
nice if there is snow. It kind of gives a little bit more of a Christmas feeling. So um but we will have a conversation about that uh in the near future. Um the only only other thing I'll bring up is uh we've gotten some questions about what's going on to our to our west. Um there's a lot of earth
work being done. Um and just so I think everybody just to I don't know refresh memories. Um we have a three-year lease. We we typically have done that in an agricultural lease uh year to year, but we ended up signing a a three-year lease with Excel Energy. Excel is going to be using that site to stockpile u
materials. They're also going to be building a small shed which we then get to get or we we we then will own um after they're done. >> Um and they're doing extensive grading out there which will make the site quite uh more usable in the future. So um if
you've been wondering that's what's going on. Um and it's a quite the benefit to to the city. um on top of the lease revenue that we're getting. Um I don't know, Gary estimated like maybe like $300,000 or more in grading work
and work out there. Just with the amount of rock they're bringing in to put this storage area in. It's incredible. >> Just make sure it's where you want the storage. >> Yeah. Do we have any say where the Chen's going? I'm >> trying to talk them into They need to shed that whole area to to protect everything, but uh they're not buying
it. >> What's the revenue? What's the amount we're being paid? >> $3,600. >> Yeah, $3,600. So, it's pretty minimite work and stuff is a big thing. >> It's on par with what we got for the the agricultural lease um per acre, but then we get all these other kind of I call
them fringe benefits um because they're out there in the grading and >> it'll be a nice parking area for Trista Day too and the future, you know, really turns into kind of a parking lot too then. >> Yeah. >> So, it's just for storage. So stockpiling materials um I'm guessing
wire um conduit. >> Those are replace because they're replacing they're doing the power line from the um mound substation down the regional trail behind here all the way to the Carver County border. Then they got one I think in Victoria and one in
Watertown that they're doing. So >> because it's part of that easement we approved or whatever in the correct part. Yeah. >> Right. >> Yep. Yep. So, if you're if you've been wondering, as some residents have, that's what's going on there. And, um, you know, they're following all the all the regulations that that we impose on
them and others. So, um, it'll be good. Uh, but bear with us while they're doing it. There's quite a bit of activity there. >> Okay. >> So, that's all I have. >> Okay. Any other staff reports? Otherwise, um, council reports, anything. I attended the St. Bonnie Fire
Commission meeting back on November 20th. Uh payroll for 2025 um that was left to be paid out of the budget was around $85,000. Call so far in 2025 for Minotaristo is at 127 out of 220 224 total. Uh budgeted
was 220. Uh chief told me or the four of us that were there that the overage is mostly from Lake Township uh from Kong College. There appears to be a lot of popcorn burning going on there. Jeez. Okay. But somebody also burned hot chocolate, which I didn't know was
possible. So, that was a little like information tidbit that we found out. Um, their spring mailer got a great response and got them $20,000 in donations. >> Wow. >> Staffing. So, they added two firemen earlier this year and both of them have completed firefighter one. One of them
has completed firefighter 2 and the other one's currently in firefighter 2. Uh, both have completed their EMR training, which is emergency medical response. And then they both have hazmat training to go. And then as of the meeting, there were supposed to be two new firefighters starting today. Um, which would bring the number up to 27
with a goal of 28 firefighters. So, there's that. Uh, 2026 budget. The plan is for the new chief to be hired by July 1st. Although, the St. Bonnie council member at the meeting made it seem like they wanted to wait until October 1st to do that. Uh, their meeting, I think, is
this Wednesday or Yeah. Well, and if I may, Eric um the current chief um has um extended the offer to stay on board until they find somebody. So, um that might potentially prolong the finding of somebody. So, we will see. >> Uh because council St. Bonnie Council,
the council member made it sound like because um Brenda, it's Brenda, right? Is leaving. They weren't sure about hiring a new chief with Brenda getting replaced. And sounds like they just want to delay it. Um, also we talked about um, chief wants to get two new Taho, one
for the future chief to have so we have it ready whenever that person gets hired and then they need a new duty officer. One, the one they got from Mound 2 years ago needs more work than was anticipated. So, they want to get a new one for that. The price right now is about $85,000 for each um to get them
loaded and with sirens, lights, all the stuff they need. Um, one of the dealerships up north has them. Um the price is good for that. Um the St. Money council member agreed and thought that was a good time to purchase them because they have the money in the budget. So hopefully their council approves that and then they can get them ordered
because it takes quite a bit of time to get them outfitted. So hopefully St. Bonnie approves that because all of the commissioners thought it was a good idea. >> Um purchasing for >> Terrell the um >> it's the younger guy. No wasn't there.
Um it's the younger guy whose name I don't know. Um, >> okay. >> We didn't do introductions. He's bought the last one, too. Um, I can't remember his name. >> Okay. But yeah. >> Okay. >> And then, um, also purchasing for next year is a new skid tank and pump for the
grass rig, which is not a new rig, it's just the thing that goes into the back of the rig. And then also a new skid tank and pump for the UTV, which also just goes into the UTV, not the whole unit. Um, chief does not expect there to be a fire partnership meeting in January. Um, because both Mound and St.
Bonnie are doing their audit and actuarial perform 1231. So, they can literally compare apples to apples of where financially both departments are. Expects the results of that in January. So, likely the next partnership meeting will be in February. >> Okay. Um, find out about that probably
the day before, but he there would be one. >> Um, we talked about shifts, some changes to the duty officer program and staffing. Um nothing major there. Um just that when they have a chief that'll obviously help with the calls during the day. Um talked about EVs, which was interesting. Um they have a blanket that
goes on them to slow the burning of them. It doesn't stop the car from burning, but it slows it. And then we talked about the placement of the EV charging stations in apartments and how they need to be near the garage door. So that way if the EV is on fire, you can somehow manage to pull it out and prevent everything else from burning in the garage. Did confirm the apartment
building does have it near the um garage door. Um he's concerned about people who are charging their electric bikes in their apartments or in their homes. >> So, >> and then just a fun side note, apparently you need like 30,000 gallons of water to to slow the burn of an
electric vehicle. So, do they waste 30,000 gallons of water doing that and trying to contain the runoff or do they just let the car burn, which seems to be the which one is better for situation? >> I think I need one of those blankets. Well, um they have breakfast with Santa
this Saturday and the next meeting will be with for St. Bonnie Fire Commission will be May 21st which I will attend assuming you guys don't kick me off the commission in January. >> Was there any >> I think you can stay >> issues >> that's no because that's the um that's
the partnership meeting and so right that we'll talk about in February once both Mound and St. Bonnie both review their numbers. Um the the St. Bonnie meeting the the five of us all agree that they
shouldn't merge if Mound is still paying out monthly. So that >> there's two different pension plans. >> Yeah. So the the monthly will definitely be the straw that breaks the camel back if Mound doesn't want to end the monthly payouts. which
>> but it's a little more comp complicated because there's a a board, you know, you >> and they have to vote on it and there are a number of people Yeah. that are still on the monthly payment plan before they converted to the annual payout or
the one-time payout. >> And so, as long as there's so if the board won't approve it, that's that's the sticking point. >> Um Yeah. So, we'll see. >> Yeah. And St. Bonnie definitely their
>> it sounds like their relief association won't >> won't go to the monthly. >> Won't go to the monthly like the monthly. It's just more expensive. >> It's more expensive and and >> more work. They have to do more, >> right? Paperwork and everything. Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right.
>> That was my long update meeting. It was nice. It was short, actually. I attended the Pioneer Sarah Creek watershed uh meeting and um of course tonight was a big night because we just approved the final alum treatment for
whale tale and um that's really big uh for a couple reasons. Um the biggest one is that it'll probably take whale off the impire impaired list which just about every lake in this area is impaired. So that is a real step uh forward. Um and the other thing to keep
in mind is that this was a massive project. Um close to half a million dollars. Uh so we really got a huge benefit out of this uh uh compared to some of the you know other projects that are going on and like Greenfield and you
know the other uh member cities. So just delighted by uh getting this done tonight we can go ahead. Um I attended the planning commission meeting and uh uh you know nothing uh major there. Um and of course went to the tree lighting and
I didn't realize I guess everybody was so bundled up I didn't see everybody that was there but but it was a really fun evening. I really enjoyed that. >> Y like yeah >> like oh I thought I was home.
>> No me. Am I done? Are you up? You're done. Okay. Um I went to the the Gillespie Center had their holiday boutique. It was unbelievably um >> uh attended. It was just packed every single day. It was marvelous. And they
they kind of crunched it into a smaller amount of time Monday through Saturday because they had the church service which runs the building on Sunday. So um fewer days but I think people it it worked well for them. Um so that was a great success. And then um I attended
the West Tanka community and commerce meeting that they held at the um Voyager facility. Um I was so surprised to learn first of all the organization is very wellendowed. They have some great supporters, but they have an event. So
they have um every day from 3 until 7, 5 days a week, they have a bus that will pick kids up at the school and bring them there um for um an after school program 3 to 7 serves them a hot meal
cooked by someone and uh and it's completely free. And I just don't understand why this is not being used by more people. So many parents complain, you know, their kids um they need someone to they're paying either for
after school programs when they don't need to. I just don't know. I wish there was a way our city baby could feature this and just get the word out there because they're thinking about discontinuing it. >> Oh wow. >> Be a great asset that we have not
>> let people know about. >> It's beautiful facility, beautiful thing. >> Um I really think maybe we could help in a way to get the word out. Um, and then just in closing, the West Tanka Community and Commerce, I think I
mentioned before, is changing their name to West Tanka Connect or Connect West Tanka, I should say. And uh, it's a wonderful new logo kind of shows a bridge to tie in all the water we have out here with a W in it that look, what do you call those things in a
bridge, Peter? I don't our uh gussets or whatever >> structural yeah trellis or something. It's a it's a wonderful logo and um they're launching that the fees are going to go up substantially. They found that um most
chamber of commerces um or organ organizations like them charge in the area of like $450 a year where um WCC was charging 75 and 125. So, it's going up to 200. Um, but I
think they're in some new exciting young good hands to be doing some fun things for our community. So, >> great. Great. I guess we're joining, right, Jasper? >> I believe so. So, we might as well. >> Great. Thank you.
>> All right, Brian. Anything? >> No update for me. >> Okay. Um, so I don't have a lot of reports. I know next week is going to be somewhat busy. Um there's going to be the North um no this week actually um I I will be attending the uh Northwest
League um of cities and uh we have all of our representatives representing this whole area. So there'll be um two uh senators and three representatives there. And and then next week um I do know I'll be at the um Rotary the um
lunchon holiday lunchon. I know we have a um public safety meeting. I'm looking forward to that. Milo system I think we're going to be viewing or trying out or something. >> We'll definitely be trying it out. >> All right. Good. Fun, fun, fun. And um
and then also there's a Zoom meeting with um um Senator Anne Johnson Stewart with some of the mayors in this area. So those are some of the things coming up, but um you know this is our last meeting for the year and I don't always do this. So, I'd like to um have your attention
for about three or four minutes if I could. This isn't a report, but what I'd like to say is I'd like to say thank you to council members and I'd like to say thank you to all of our staff. Um I know Brian, you're this is your first year
here, so you're the rookie. Okay. >> And um you know, coming on board, I'm sure you didn't know what to expect. I'm hoping that it's been a good experience for you. um almost good as he breaks the chair. Um but I I know too um having a
newbie come on board is sometimes difficult to integrate and and um create um you have you be part of the team, but I think it's been seamless. I think you've been a great asset. You come prepared. You have great great things to say and great great questions and I've
appreciated. I don't sense that you had any kind of personal or hidden agenda. So, you've come um with an open mind and um I've really appreciated that. It's uh very nice to have you on board. Looking forward to next year as well. I'd also like to say thank you to um um Miss
Lacy, to council member Lacy. I know there's times where you've been very passionate about some of your pet. Okay, we won't talk about pet pets, but some of pet pet um things such as chickens. But anyhow, um it was very interesting.
>> All for the people. It's all for the people and I know you have and and that's the thing I I love about um your your um enthusiasm is it's really about community and you know the other thing um I really like is you've been so respectful. It's just um a fresh a
breath of fresh air and thank you so much for that. I really appreciate it. You know when when there's people that you work with and they're they're respectful and they're thankful um you know it's so much easier. And so I I want to say thank you for that. Peter,
you are not very vocal all the time. You you're kind of quiet. You're that contemplative quiet person, but you think and then you speak up. And usually when you speak up, always when you speak up, um it's very well thought out and you have some very good things to say.
So, and you've you come well prepared as as all of our council members do. But um I really appreciate that from you as well. And Kath and Kathleen, I have to say a lot of good things about you as um the acting mayor. You stepped up to the plate and you've you've been there and
you supported me. And I know sometimes we're not always on the same page, but you know what's so important and I think one first, not everybody should have the same opinion. We should be able to come and feel like we can say and give our opinions and even if they're different.
Um but in the end I think we've always we've either come to a a good compromise or else if we haven't what I really think is important that you do all the time is whenever it doesn't go your way after the vote is taken and after we
move on you move on and so many other councils experience um negativity after that and you never do that and I really really appreciate that that is something and you're very thorough as we have um seen tonight in your reports. You're
very thorough and that is something not every council member can do um including myself. But um that is just that's such a great attribute and such a great quality that you bring to the council. I think this year as a council we um and you know I have to say Brian when you
came on board I knew that you'd have some big shoes to fill because an was here before you and I wasn't sure how that would work out but it's worked out um very well. I think as a team we've really worked well together, but I do have to say, and excuse me for talking a
lot, but I have to do this. I have to say the council is only as good as its team, as good as it staff, and we have excellent staff. And I'm going to start with Jasper. Jasper, um, you have done a phenomenal job. And I just want to say
it has been very, um, plea pleasant and and great to work with you. probably I work closer with you than some of the council members, but almost you put up with my calls and my text messages on a daily basis and even on weekends sometimes. And what I really appreciate
is your willingness to to work with the council and to do what the council please um at, you know, what we ask you to do. And you also um work with our residents and um want to make them happy as well. And because of that, I think
and your leadership amongst staff is great. I know you have a great rapport with the staff and I think that's a real big asset. And Brian, I can sleep well at night knowing that you are handling our finances because um you know, I have
heard from other mayors and communities that uh they have some financial issues and we don't. And I I know that you are watching over our finances that it's it's honest and it's it's it's you're very thorough and your team helps you with that. But um I like I said, I
seriously mean um you are very good at your job. I greatly appreciate it because financial part of this organization is is huge and to be able to sleep well at night knowing that being well cared for and well looked after is is a big asset and thank you
for that. I know David isn't here in person, but he's he's probably hopefully still listening in because David, I would like to say something very very nice about you as well. Um I call you and I ask your advice about planning
issues and development issues and I am always amazed at your knowledge um not only about planning but um your knowledge on our um ordinances and it's just wonderful to have somebody that's so wellversed and that's so well
grounded and knowing our community and knowing what the council needs. and sometimes you tell us what we need to hear, not necessarily what we want to hear. And that's really the um the issue with all of our staff. I really appreciate that. But um I think your
expertise in in our planning department and your leadership in our planning department is um above so is is just great. I don't know how else to say it, but I really appreciate that. And then we have our chief of police. Um, Craig, you're new as the
chie as a chief, but I can't say um I am so happy I can say that I'm so happy that about a year and a half ago, we decided to to promote you to be the deputy chief in preparation of Paul's retirement because we knew that was
coming. And we knew that we thought if you could step into the deputy chief position, then it would be a seamless hopefully a seamless transition. And it has been both uh moving you into the chief position and then moving Pat um Cummings into the deputy chief position
has been seamless, has been great. Um you're a great chief. I know you had some big shoes to fill and you filled them very well. And I can I have um great hopes for the future for our police department. I know it's a difficult time um recruit recruiting,
but um I know that um everybody in the department respects you. I know I respect you greatly and I'm looking forward to many more years as our chief. With that, I'd also like to say I know Sarah isn't here tonight. She's not even remote, but um maybe Pete, you could
pass this on to Sarah. She had some pretty big shoes to fill when um Ron Batty left because Ron was here for many many years with a lot of experience and um I have to say Sarah has been a a gem to work with very knowledgeable and
always helping with um uh and telling us what we need to hear and um she's always been there for us and I and to protect the city's interests and I really appreciate that and uh if you could pass that on to her I'd greatly appreciate that.
Next, I'm going to move over here. Um, again, Allison Fowski isn't here, but I've worked with Allison for many years and and uh she is the kind of person that bends over backwards to try and make things work for our residents. And sometimes they don't quite get it or
maybe it doesn't fall exactly like they want it to, but she works very very hard to please them and also to work within our within our um confines of city ordinances and so on. Allison, you have done a fantastic job. I greatly
appreciate working with you. Um, you're just a a great asset to our staff. I know you work have to work with Gary and that could be difficult. I'm sure. No, I'm just kidding. But, um, she works well. Yeah, I know you work well with Gary. Um, both of you work well
together. And because of that, um, sync there, uh, we have been able to accomplish a lot. And Gary, I just have to say you're a rock star. Not just because you you do our gravel roads, no pun intended, but you're a rock star. You bend over backwards to try and
please our residents, and that is huge. And you figure out problems that other directors or supervisors have not been able to do. And I really appreciate you make my job easy because I do not get a lot of calls from residents um
complaining about roads or complaining about um other issues. So I want to thank you for that. Gary, it means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to our residents. Paula, you're new, so there's not a whole lot I can say except you did
also have some big shoes to fill and I know you've done that very well. you've come in with a smooth transition here and um I'm looking forward to to working with you again next year and and um getting to know you even better. I know
your experience, your 24 years of experience and Delano has been a great asset to our city now. So, that is wonderful as well. I don't I can't name all of the people in public works and all of the uh officers and and so on. I know there's um Lori and Amy in in the
police department with many years of experience. They're great at their jobs. Again, thank you so much for their expertise and willingness to serve our community. And also Angie and Renee and Darcy. Again, they do great jobs. I never I don't think I've ever had a time
where I've come where Darcy has been here and she hasn't been smiling. So, um you know, and and I know that's the um what she projects to people that come here and then also that call. So, I just want to say thank you to Darcy and Renee and and Angie for their service to our
community. And Gary, you do have to say thank you to all of the guys in public works as well. Fantastic job for the holiday event. I hope it was fun for them. I know it was for us as well. >> They enjoy it. >> Good. Good. So with that, that is all I have to say. But I think it's well worth
um because not only is there are these people that are um working for this city and working for our residents, but there's a mutual respect, a respect between the council and staff and vice versa. And with that, we can do a lot.
And we did a lot this past year. And because of that, if we didn't respect each other and we didn't work well together, we would not be able to accomplish what we've accomplished. And what our our goal is, of course, is just to create a better Minatrista. And every year we've kind of um done that a little
bit better, a little bit better, a little bit better, better roads, better parks, better, better water infrastructure. And we've been able to do that with this fantastic team, council and staff. So, thank you very much. And that's all I have to say. So,
So um with that if there is a motion to adjurnn we can be adjourned. >> So move. >> Thank you Miss Rkin. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you Mr. Vicky. All those in favor signify with I. I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Thank you.
>> And I didn't even cry. You sound Part: 2
Um it's a 501 or 502 or something like that. So I'm going to call the meeting to order. This is the uh city of Minatrista's work session for December 8th, 2025. Uh we have two items on our work session agenda and that is um we're going to interview uh Jane, Miss Jane
Anderson. Do you go by Jane Anderson? Is that okay? Okay. And then uh for the LMCD position and then also we're going to talk budget. So, with that, I'm going to start out. Um, so Jane has been the sole applicant for, as you know, Michael
Kirkwood has um is resigning um effective December 31st. And uh so we need to appoint a new representative. And um Jane is the sole um person that has applied. So, we're going to go easy on her so she doesn't bow out.
[laughter] Uh [clears throat] Jane, why don't you come to the um microphone, uh introduce yourself, and I have four easy questions for you. >> Good evening. I'm Jane Anderson. I reside currently at 560 Edgewater Drive in
Mound, but my husband and I are building a house in Minatrista on Hard Scrubble Circle. Probably next to our friend. >> Next to whom? >> Yes, we have. We know somebody out there. [laughter] Um, and so I co-founded Harrison's Bay
Association four, five years ago because I have an interest in the conservation of this great asset of ours, Lake Minnetonka. Um because I'm moving out of the bay, I thought this would be a great opportunity and there's an opening with
Mike leaving for me to apply for this opportunity to continue my efforts um understanding coordinating um >> I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. [laughter] >> Um
like Mitaka and being good stewards. I think it's really important to be a good steward to this this wonderful resource, this gem. So, um, first of all, thank you for applying and thank you for your interest. Um, so, um, I just have a few
questions to make sure that you know what you're getting into. So, um, you already kind of explained what your interest is in the lake, so you don't have to redo that, but um, what do you see as the role of the LMC?
>> It is a conservation district primarily. Um, it's a group of 14 cities. I would represent Minatrista um to protect and serve and um
give guidelines and restrictions for those of us that use the lake, right? Um, so the LMCD since 1967 has uh governmental authority over the surface waters of Lake Minnetonka and that's they can control the docks, number of
docks, size of docks, uh, speed limits um, on the lake, that type of thing. So you'd you'd be part of the board that would make those recommendations and decisions. There's ordinances that they have. You probably have already looked at those or some of them. They have a
lot. Um and um it'll take you a while to get through those, but you will learn them. Don't worry. Um so, um they have a meeting schedule. They have they meet uh normally twice a a month for their regular meetings, but they also have
committee meetings. Is this something that would work with your schedule? >> Yes. Uh they meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. I do honestly have a conflict with the second Wednesday in January. So I I I don't
know what how that is resolved. You just Yeah. You're just not there. And and that's fine. We And I don't know what they don't have any specific requirements, but I think our requirements is that you attend a minimum of 75%
of the meetings. And so if you miss have to miss for various reasons a meeting here or there um we would that's certainly understandable. >> Okay, that that sounds very doable. >> Yeah. Um and then um are you would you be able to provide an annual update to
the city council? You would come here during a regular meeting uh provide us with an update or in between and you might want to come and uh present us with some updates if especially if it pertains to Minotarista. Is that something you would be able to do? >> Absolutely.
>> Okay. Any other questions? >> From talking to Mike, it's a pretty big time commitment. You sure you want to do that? [laughter] >> No, we'll stop being honest. It's um and I've talked with Mike as well. Um and I've been to
several of LMCD board meetings. Um it is a lot of doc um permitting and things like that. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp as to what the time commitment is. >> Yeah, >> I'm okay with that. >> Okay. [laughter] >> It's it's not too bad.
And sometimes they don't have two meetings a month. Sometimes because of lack of agenda items, um a meeting is canceled. So, um I think you'll you'll be fine. So, I think so, too. >> All right. Any questions of us?
>> Um I think you've laid out the criteria [snorts] that you're looking for. I feel like I have a pretty strong um connection with that. >> Okay. >> Um and I'm looking for your endorsement. >> Okay, good. I think um I think it's safe
to say that since you're the only applicant, you you're going to be appointed [laughter] and we would and not just because you're the only applicant, but be because I feel that you're qualified to do this. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Appreciate that. We really Now, what we're going to do is we don't do the um
official appointment during this meeting. It'll happen um at our regular meeting following this. You don't have to stay um if you don't want to. I'm sure Jasper will get a hold of you and just confirm the official appointment, but safe to say that you will be appointed.
>> All right. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for coming. Thank you for coming. And it's always nice to put a name to and a face together, too. So, >> likewise. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. So, now we're going to move on to budget.
Brian, um, Madame Mayor and Council. So, it's probably two ways we can do this. It could probably either be more just a uh a Q&A um, you know, council asking questions or suggestions or comments or
feedback. um based on all the information that was in the regular meeting packet, you know, the the public comment documents up front and then obviously the the fee schedule, levy, and budget for the um the business items or public hearing item in business or um I could go through the presentation that
I'll have to go through at 6:30 and you'd see it twice, which I [laughter] I'm head shaking no to that. >> I I think we're okay without the presentation. Um we've been going through this for a while. I just have a couple of things I'd like to um throw
out um as a a possible um it's not changing the levy, but it would change the numbers on the budget slightly. So, here's the thing. We're levying um in the original, and I talked with Brian about this and and Jasper earlier, so
they're aware of what I'm going to say, and [snorts] they're okay with it. So, in our original um uh budget and documents, we're levying $625,000 for roads, and that's that's um plus we're also it's road maintenance and
road projects, but we're also levying additional funds to pay our debt for road debts. Okay? So, the 625 is an addition to that. So, what I'm going to suggest is at the end of 26, it's projected that we're only going to be at
around 38% fund general fund balance. So, I I talked to Brian and I thought I really think it would behoove us uh to levy uh 400,000 for roads and in that one item and then take the other 225,000
take 125 and put that towards our fund balance and that will bring our fund balance at the end of 26 up to 40%. I feel more comfortable with 40% versus 38 because 38 is really getting close to that 35% which is the lowest we'd want
to be. So that would be one thing. The other 100,000 if you looked in your packet there was uh 350,000 that was um ratcheted up to 450,000 for admin costs over the next 20 years for the water treatment plant project. Well, what I'm
going to recommend is that we stick to the 350,000 rather than the 450 because um that way what we can do is next year if we need to or feel we have to we can still have 200,000 250,000
approximately um between 200 and two 250,000 that we could still do for admin costs for their treatment plans. So we wouldn't have to do it all in one year. We could do it um over the course of two or even three years. >> I was going to see just probably a
little context. So if you have the water treatment plant and the roads are doing this, it's probably should push 27 million. If you take 2% of that, that's more than 500,000. And that's usually been our standard to take a 2% admin. So you move that money to the general fund, add it to the project because there's
there's time being spent by people that work out of general fund activities obviously or Jasper, myself, whatever. So, um, so I guess that's where, you know, the mayor's saying, "Yeah, if we ratchet that back down to 350, it would give us maybe we could do 200,000 then for 27's budget and you wouldn't have
such a gap between 26 and 27 budget of a, you know, dollars to cover, you know, because see it's onetime money basically. >> It's one time money, right? >> So, >> and then we also had if you >> splitting it over the two years, I guess, you know, instead of doing more upfront, it would be a little more
because and and the water treatment plan is going to spill into two years. So it might even match better like period to period or whatever. So >> the other thing too is um we have we authorized that 16th police officer and that's going to cost the
city roughly between 130 and 150,000 plus um some other expenses in the police department have come up that we weren't aware of when we um established the levy. So this would give us a little more wiggle room. Now here's the thing. Um, our fund balance and our our road
improvement is uh 1.99 million. I think it is 1.94 million. >> It's 1.4 if we do the 625. It would go up to 1.9. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Because because we're not doing as much. We're doing like 450,000 of maintenance. You having right
now 625 is what's proposed. So it almost >> we should have enough. But if we don't, we can take the money from the fund balance and our road in our road fund balance and shift that to what we might need for roads. And the other thing to keep in mind, I was looking at this and
I thought if we levy and we say we're levying, we can always shift dollars back and forth, but I think it's more transparent and more honest, if you will, if we say to our residents, we're levying this amount for roads. Um, and
if we have to, we can take more funds out of our fund balance for roads versus saying, "Oh, well, this is what we're levying for roads, but now we're going to use some of it for a different use." You know what I'm saying? So, I think it it makes it's a little more transparent,
a little more I don't want to say dis honest, but a little more um palatable to say this is what we're how we're funding our roads, if that makes sense. And then we can still have a healthy fund balance. I really think it would behoove us to try and stay in that 40
percentile. So, and then we can cover the other expenses too. I think there was around 11,000 for um additional pay that we had approved. And then there's also um [clears throat and cough] >> the the police the camera m or annual
maintenance was 12,000 that I think with it being new wasn't quite in the August numbers or whatever. So, so yeah. So, basically the police budget's gone up about 150,000 and then there's been a little bit of the other non-union adjustments. Um, the St. Bonnie fire I
think came back from their August estimate to um now about $25,000 higher I think based on the call. I don't know. I guess it was briefly explained that the calls were a lot higher that you know or I guess >> the I mean from the meeting um the other
week the calls for us is 127 which isn't substantially higher than expected. the more St. Bonnie has had more calls. They're all for Lake Township because of Cronin College. Like they've they've had they've had more [clears throat] calls, but like our portion of the calls hasn't >> not not the last month, but I think it
was more like from late summer fall. I was um >> I can [clears throat] So this is what they told us. This is came from Eric and um uh Chris is that Q3 and Q4 were projected when we did it in August when
we adopted the prelim and then they have the actual numbers now and we actually just got the final final like today. Um and it is 20 $26,000 more than it was in August and Eric when I talked to him on the phone said it was because we had
more calls in Minitrista than what they projected in August. So that's the story I got. >> Yeah, I think Mounds was a little lower. So Mounds was like 8,000 less or however it was, you know, because obviously they're working off of summer projections and stuff and you
>> bound was a little less. Um finance is a little more >> ultimately fire was probably up 18 20,000 since when we you know, >> right? Yeah. >> So, yeah. So there's been some different things that have needed been worked into the the um general fund and they have been so you know on page six the general
fund summary of the regular meeting packet and that's where the you know I think in in August the projection was to be at 40% and now we're at you know 38% and that was even with bumping that admin fee up 100,000 you know to try to help offset to knowing that we wanted to
stay closer to the 40% >> 40% Right. >> Any thoughts? >> What does this do to planning for streets? Gary, >> what was that? [clears throat] >> What does this do to planning for streets? If we take what would you say
150 >> for this year? It's 400 or next year's 460,000 for the maintenance. And I just looked 2027 we're going to be pushing close to 575,000 for the maintenance aspect of >> which is probably okay because I think the one thing when we've been looking at
it over the years is we didn't have a baseline of assessment revenue coming in on previous year's projects >> right >> and now we do so if you look at page 24 in the packet we've had the last two years um 154,000 [clears throat]
in 2023 of special assessments and then 165,000 So really when you add that plus, you know, if we're at four, five, 600, that should be fine to cover what Gary's looking at. Plus, we put about a 100,000 in street aid in there each year. It's been about 90 to 100. So
we've actually been able to, you know, you can see build, you know, I guess, you know, stay pretty steady, but you know, based on what Gary's projecting, we'd be able to probably stay where we're at or build even a small balance yet. So, >> so even if it's 460 and we levy 400, we
take 60 out of the fund balance, which would still give us >> I don't even think we'd have to do that because we we have assessment revenue coming in. >> Oh, that's right. You're right. >> So, I don't even think we'd really be Yeah. >> Yeah. So, we'd still be at 1.4 1.5 even,
>> which is, you know, a healthy fund balance for for roads. And we should be using that money for our roads comments. >> Yeah, makes sense. >> Makes sense to me. >> Okay. >> Did I capture that right? So, did you say I know we had talked on the phone
earlier and then Yeah, I think >> so. 225 >> 225 move from the roads to the general fund levy, but then bring down the general fund. See, we just really need 125 to get to the >> 40% >> 40% then move that admin fee from 450 to 350 and then that should
>> and then the and then the general fund balance will also come out to around 40%. That's right. >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, yeah. So, basically our our net re So, when I do the update the budget document quick, it's just the the uh revenues will go down by a 100,000.
We'll shift the 225 between the two funds. >> Well, the revenues really won't go down. Well, it's just we're shifting some funds. >> Well, then we're backing that admin fee back. So that that would actually for 26 the 100 would go down. Yeah. >> And then but the two Yeah. Otherwise, we're just shifting the 225 between the
two funds. >> Okay. >> Yep. I think that >> Okay. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. But so when I started on council, the goal was to get to a million dollars levying for roads. And every year basically since then, we've decreased how much we levy for roads. I think
we're How much are we We're leving at 875 in 2023. >> I think we've changed our philosophy on how we're leving for roads. We were usually going pay as you go, but we found that you could only get so much done. You know, there's some years we can do the four 500,000, but like this year we're doing we're, you know, we're
levying for 2 three million in in roads and then we'll pay back as principal and interest. just in 2023 we've got um you know the 2023 road projects we basically have an annual levy of 350,000 a year got to add whatever we settle on if it's 400 you got to add
>> 350 >> to that so >> I think it's just we're just splitting it differently but we're still levying if you really look at and we're still even levying for the Hallstead project back in 2017 like 118,000 a year so we we are I think spending whether you pay as you go cash or debt [clears throat]
you know close to 900,000 to a million on roads. >> That makes I guess sense. It's just we haven't our cash levy's gone down a bit [clears throat] based on but I think that also you needed it to be higher until the special assessment started coming in on those other projects. So
that's the other thing though where you're able to back off the cash levy a bit is because we have those other revenue sources that go to the fund >> and we adjusted the road CIP to match that because when we were talking about Brian and I talked about that we t we he
told what we had to have out of there for what we're funding to pay that stuff. So that's coming off the top. So we still have projects lined up to do and stuff in the off years in between here. So um we will have the money coming in and some of that money will
guess go to pay debt but we can use that and what we have in you know in the coffers for other road repair projects or replacement projects. So >> yeah, I think we've just gotten in a pretty good system or planning it out that you do, you know, couple years of the, you know, 500 600,000 then you you
package together some of those bigger ones knowing we're going to issue debt every couple few years >> and then do the smaller ones in between and stuff and it's worth the maintenance aspect is increasing. So that's what we kind of have to kind of keep an eye on. That's going to be the one coming in the future here now. So, >> right.
>> And then where's this where's the slide with the rest of the moving the money from the admin on the water treatment? Like where is that? >> Oh, um >> what page? >> What page? Um I'm [clears throat] trying to think of the best place to >> I'm trying to find it. Um
so the admin fee is on page of the revenue. Um page seven there's there's a third from the bottom other admin charge street basically street and water projects it should say but that's where the 450 and
the revenue you see that there. We back we back that down to 350 and then just obviously the general fund levy would go up by 225 and then the >> on page five is where he explains the 350 to the 450.
>> Yeah, I guess on the on the memo. Yeah, if you go down to the uh second to last bullet point there, I had said after time to try to get it closer back to 40 after adding it out, you know, the police and public safety items and stuff and um yeah, the admin charge is going
to go up from 350 to 450, but now with doing this shift between the general fund and rose, I think we could drop that back down to 350, >> but we don't levy for the 350. >> No, that's just it's revenue. That would just be basically as part of the project
cost, we'll basically basically just make a transfer between the the general fund and the and the water and road funds. Basically, you know, the to transfer the revenue into the general fund and add it to the expenses and the mostly the water, but little to the the road project fund or
whatever. So, >> plus we would have to make that up the following year. >> Correct. And that's why >> that's why the other reason I'm leerary about adding $450 because then we have to make $450,000 up the following year. >> Yeah.
>> And this is just wages being allocated to that. I guess I don't understand what the admin charges is per se. >> Yeah. It's probably I mean I think it's a standard procedure. you know, most or a lot of cities do that. If you've got a huge or big projects that it's going to
basically take, you know, you know, realize or knowing that it's going to take, you know, administrative time to help with whether it's meetings with, you know, UPS and, you know, the your guys' weekend meet or whatever you guys have every other week meetings or so, it's basically just adding expense to
the project fund or whatever, you know, I guess the water fund um for the project and yeah, basically adding costs there and bringing revenue into general fund to to b >> cover that or basically you know make that show that make make the general
fund whole for the time that it's staff and and administrative time and stuff is uh >> because it's not just it for 26 I mean they they've been working on this for couple of years so it's it's all of that time
as a general I guess >> and if I mean there are ongoing things that like Brian will have to do for the life of the bond. It's over 20 years out. So there's a little bit that's kind of why or how you can justify it is because it's you know 20 years of of you know doing budgeting and and making
payments and doing arbitrage and things like that for the whole for the fund. >> Well yeah but I mean that's just part of Brian's job. Cool. It can be it's all how you want to approach it, but we do have the ability to reimburse ourselves >> money out of the loan to offset Brian
like staff's regular salary for doing their job tasks. >> Basically, >> it's set up so that there can be water funds that are allocated towards admin functions and it's associated >> water is separate, not everybody's on it. So,
>> correct. Yeah. Yeah. And it it it kind of grows because it's 20 years. You know, it's obviously front-loaded. There's a lot more work that happens in the first, you know, three to five years, but then after that, it's a little bit less, but it is for 20 years or the life of the bond. >> But you don't you don't um do it every
year. >> No, it is. So, just because we're taking 450 this year doesn't mean we'd have to take it the next year. >> No, but but we're just padding our general fund with money from the water fund, >> right? And so next year, if you have 450
in that fund right now, next year you're going to have to make up that whole 450,000. And that's why I'm saying is I think it's better to do the 350 for 26. Then in 27 if you have to, you could just do 200. You'd still fall within that 2%
total, but you're not taking and then the following year you only have to make up, let's say, 200, >> right? because we're taking money from the water fund to subsidize the general fund more normal >> well matching expenses see that it's
known that there's going to be more time of people whose salaries get charged in the general fund for the most part I have a small portion of mine that gets to like the the enterprise funds and stuff there's going to be more time that I'm going to be working on in these next couple years in water fund activities so
it's it's a better accounting um matchup or whatever you want to call it too by or allocation I of of funds to otherwise sort of like you could look at the flip side the water funds sort of getting off easy by I'm spending a lot of time in it but it's not getting really any salaries
charge to it or much so that's I guess another way to look at it. >> Yeah, it does help I mean I guess it the other convenient thing it does help with is we sort of know our our building permit revenue. I mean we've ratcheted down from 759 to 309 because we know
we're going to run out of lots in in Woodland Cove. So that's sort of I mean it's it helps with otherwise where do we get that $400,000 difference you know in license and permits um that's projected to drop off. Mhm.
>> So I mean, so it there's a few reasons that the admin fee helps and to do it at some somewhat substantial amount in 26 or we're going to be running into more of a a budget deficit or fund balance spend on whatever you want to call it when the actual or you have to raise the
levy. >> Yeah. Or you Yeah. Which >> or you have to raise you raise more in 27 because we're sort of fixed now or whatever for Okay. All right. Any other questions? Anything
else? >> The pie all fit together based on jug of balls, I guess, or whatever you want to look [laughter] at. But I think it's valid. It's not We're not doing something overtly crazy or anything by doing this.
I think it's valid and it's reasonable and justifiable. So, >> yeah. No, I just in general if you're allocating salaries from for the water treatment project, it should be paid out of the bucket of the water treatment
fund bucket because those residents are paying for it and now you're taking that money that we're bonding for that well some of us are paying for and some of us aren't and you're subsidizing other salaries and I guess from an auditing perspective are you submitting like time aotment for what everybody's doing for
that versus the other regulars? duties >> you you will but not for the project itself. So eventually what what happens is when the water treatment well right now even we do allocate certain um hours
um specifically hours for water infrastructure and water maintenance. Um Gary does that and his his people do that and they say okay we spent so many hours in the water treatment plant we spent so many hours for this and you know so they do that already for that but this is for just the administrative
part the additional time that they're spending like Brian said the meetings the all of the stuff that they have to do to make this project come to fruition >> documents on stuff bond over the next few months and see Todd Hagen and every different you know
>> plus and then there's there's ongoing things that they have to do, the arbitrage and all of that. I don't even Yeah, I don't even want to get into that because but um all of that that they have to do and that that's should be covered with this as well over the next
20 years >> and this is pretty standard for like big capital projects at big companies too. >> No, I mean I get it. It just you're moving money from a designated fund to the general slashf fund and then saying it's all being used on these services instead of keeping it in the water fund
where you think you have a separate category in there of extra hours spent on everything and all of that. That's that's just more my thought process. Again, I'm not I'm fine with it. That's fine. I get why we have to do it. I just have questions and I found out about
this, you know, 15 minutes ago. [laughter] [laughter] >> I'm saying once you do this for a year, you have to keep doing it. >> No, it's more to capture because there's going to be more time on the front end. So that's why I think right now we going down the path we probably would do 350
this year and then probably another 200,000 next year or give or take. And then after that really I mean the project hopefully should be done close to the end of 27. So you're you're almost bigger time is going to be in the first few years where the projects are are going versus after that it gets to be more just you know you got to make
your bond payment every year and stuff. it it's pretty uh minimal that the extra effort, but to me I know just from some of these bigger projects and making sure you're you working with the engineers, working with the vendors, working with there's just extra time, you know, as far as
>> and it's not it's Brian's time, it's Jasper's time, it's Gary's time, probably even some of the people's >> Angie's time um a little bit just calls on >> Right. Well, yeah, but I mean again
that's why in the water fund there's a designated salaries line item in there >> and those are in addition to this I mean Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. All right. So, we'll make those changes if you're all
on board. And so, the levy stays the same. We're not really reduced. So, we can't really reduce it. Um, but we can't raise our I think just making those changes will be a little little bit easier. Um, anything else, Brian, that
we should be aware of? No. Yeah, I don't know if anyone has any. Yeah, the tax lobby, I guess, is proposed to stay the same. They'll just be moving the 225 between and actually it's pretty simple for even the uh the documents at the county. They basically consider anything that's not um uh debt related, just
general levy. Um, I guess I'm just Yeah. going to like page 266 of the packet. So, even though I know we break it down more on our resolution on page 264 really and I'll move that, you know, between general fund and roads really. There's nothing else for the the county just um considers any cash levy that's
not debt related basically just general levy. >> And I was going to mention that too that um so even though the road fund balance is um you know 1.4 41.9, whatever it is. But, um, it's not a restricted fund, but
yet it sort of is because we've told our residents, this is what we're levying the money for. So, I think it would be a harder cell. Like, let's say we're halfway through the year and we need we realize that we have this expense or that expense, whatever. It'd be harder
to take it out of the road fund versus the general uh fund. And that's the other reason I want to make sure we have the 40% in there in case of an emergency, in case of something that unforeseen that we need to to do or
purchase or pay for. Um I think it's easier to take it out of the general fund versus doing a a fund balance transfer. So transferring out of the road fund into the general fund. That just doesn't look right to me. That's just where I'm coming from. So Okay. All
right. >> Yeah. I Yeah. And so I guess you have the levy is fine and the the overall budget I know um is on the last page. Everyone, you know, sort of understands the different buckets there on page 269. I mean, obviously, we're going to have the slight adjustment um to the general
fund and the special revenue funds, but um yeah, basically we're looking at spending [clears throat] and bringing in, you know, obviously there'll be some decent bond proceeds with that other finance sources, but about $31 million, I guess, give or take, which, you know, the uh treatment plant's going to be 12
million if we split, you know, half and a half between 26 and 27. The roads is another few million. You know, the general funds seven and a half million. So, you can see how things start to add up or whatever. So, >> um I don't know if anyone has any questions there. And then I guess um
otherwise would just be the the fee schedule. Um I don't know if anyone had any thing there, but you know, um like Angie's got that all uh delineated where um the changes are in, you know, in red and the truck strike out, you know, the current and what the updated changes
are. I think we got the utility rates all right or I hope hope we did. I think based on the previous discussions and you know I think we took and incorporated that um trying to think where the water rates are like 250 uh
250 page 259. So that's sort of you know that base fee. Obviously we'll have the interimm adjustment you know when we go monthly um next summer or whatever. Um but this is how it' be starting January 1 of this year. So,
and then add the sewer and the uh recycling are just going up by those couple. You know, I guess $10 total between the two in storm water. No, we're keeping the same because we are sitting at a decent fund balance on the storm surface water. So,
any other thoughts or >> No, but there if you add it up, um we're levying for the game farm road um bond 129. So basically 130 uh 341 for the um 23 street project and then 194 almost
195 for the uh 2017 street project. So if you add all those together plus the 400,000 we're we're at we're over a million. [clears throat] >> Yeah. And a little bit on that page on 269. Some of that is special assessment but the vast majority of its taxes or whatever. So Right. Right.
>> Yeah. That's why I think Yeah. to the point of are we still collecting I guess you know trying to get 900,000 to a million in in tax revenue for roads I would say we're we're close or at least in that ballpark. So >> in total >> okay um
I think next year um we'll be look we'll have to see where our building permits come in. I think that's going to be the big >> [snorts] >> um the big issue. Mhm. >> Hopefully by 2027 we'll have it back to I mean yeah I guess that's going to be another
>> and to that point in the on page seven under the revenue detail where you have zoning and subdivision fees. You have that at $45,000. Is that realistic? >> Those are just the um those are more the uh like the what do you want to call the subdivision fees when they come in and
apply and stuff. So hopefully we have actually we should hopefully hit that and stuff if we get some of these developments coming in. Yeah. Right. And it might be more. Yeah. Yeah. You know, hope there's a development that kind of goes through the process of getting um all the entitlements done that number will be much higher. So, same with same
with money um related to trunk fees and things like that. Much higher. Um but we don't we don't know. >> Very you were being conservative. >> Yeah. I was surprised it wasn't lower being conservative, I guess. [laughter] >> I was surprised it was the same.
>> Oh, yeah. usually >> they kind of looked at, >> you know, later on. So, >> yeah, they kind of looked at what do we think is on the horizon and and there's there's been some movement by, you know, some properties. So, we'll see. We'll
see if it happens. Okay. All right. Good questions. So, with that then, um I think we're we're good to go. just so what I just does everyone want a copy of the quick I can go do the resolutions probably in
the break here levy and just hand out five copies or whatever >> and then um do we need one for for the public in case we have people okay >> well yeah we'll print off a couple extra >> okay >> sounds good all right >> with that so is there then any other
comments or questions >> all right um is there a motion to adjurnn >> so moved >> thank you is there a second >> second >> thank Thank you, Peter. All those in favor signify with I. I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes and we have 40 minutes.
>> 20 40. Yeah. About 40 50 minutes. >> Yeah. Whatever.