All right. All right. Good evening, everyone. It is July 13, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Um, I am Mayor Shelley Carlson. The Morehead City Council welcomes public input on issues that are listed on the agenda or of general community interest,
time, and council permitting. Speakers will be limited to three minutes each. If you would like to address the council during the meeting, you'll need to fill out a form provided by our city clerk, and I will call you up during the citizens to address a council item on the agenda. You'll need to state your
name and if you are a Morehead resident. If comments were submitted to the clerk prior to the meeting via email or phone, those comments will be entered into record. For more information on participation, please visit the council meetings page on the city of Morhead website at morheadn.gov.
We the Mortise City Council collectively and with gratitude acknowledge the sacred land the city of Morehead is built upon. We acknowledge the people who have resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Dakota Ojiway Mati and all indigenous indigenous communities permeate this land. Uh with that, could I get a roll call, please?
>> Ryan Nelson >> here. >> Nicole Matson here. >> Heather Nissmire >> here. Emily Moore >> here. Deb White >> here. >> Lisa Borggan >> here. >> Sebastian McDougall >> here. >> Chuck Hendrickson >> here. >> Mayor Shelley Carlson >> here. And for those who are able, please
stand for the pledge of allegiance. and justice. [clears throat] >> Great. And do we have any uh agenda amendments? >> We do not have any agenda amendments this evening, mayor, but I do want to introduce a job shadow who is with us tonight. Please meet Sabrine Wani. Uh
Sabrine is entering her senior year at Morehead High School. She's also the president of the student council. Um she's interested in a career in public policy and administration or criminal justice. Um future city manager Wani uh connected with the city of Morehead um
through a compass profile which is a partnership with the chamber's work learning initiative. It's a newer initiative that the city joined a few months ago. And so credit to Sabrine for being a trailblazer and it's great having you on the team Miss Wani. [applause]
and and also a secretary of the the Morhead or the business professional group at the high school as well. Correct. Yes. The key club. The key club. Yes. You you are very involved. We got to meet for a little bit before the
council meeting. So, welcome. Um moving on. Uh do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So, move Nissa Meyer. >> Second. >> Motion and second. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call vote, please. >> Matson, >> yes. >> Nissmire, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> White,
>> yes. >> Borggan, >> yes. >> McDougall, >> I. >> Hendrickson, >> yes. >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Right, that motion carries. And we are on to recognitions and presentations. Our first one is a recognition. And I will turn this over to our fire chief,
Jeff Wallen, who Oh, there you are. I'll just say one thing. You don't necessarily have to sing it. Okay. Look at that. Always ready to help, which is why we're here tonight. Uh so
um mayor and council members um we're presenting a uh citizen recognition award to two of our city employees who happen to get involved with a situation that happened in the community. Uh I couldn't be prouder or happier to be here for this occasion. So I'll just read through what they did. On Monday,
May 11th, 2026, City of Morehead Assistant building official DJ Stefen and building inspector plan reviewer Blake Krueger were in South Morehead when they observed a cloud of blacksmith rising above a neighborhood in the 4,500 block of 19th Street South. As they approached the scene, they found flames
were racing up the side in the back of a duplex. With no emergency responders on the scene, Blake called 911 and then, fearing for the safety of any occupants, they took action. DJ raced to the front door of the burning unit, bringing the doorbell and pounding on the locked front door until the homeowner's son
evacuated the home with his dog and a few possessions. Meanwhile, Blake ran to the neighboring home to the south and alerted the unaware occupant to the danger, convincing her to evacuate as well. DJ then sprinted to the north unit of the twin home where he found another confused homeowner just opening the
door. He guided her to safely to the boulevard as fire was spreading from spreading from the original structure to her home. both confirmed that there were no additional occupants in any of the buildings. They relayed that message to the police officers who then relayed that to the fire department.
DJ and Blake's actions immediately removed people from life-threatening danger, allowing the fire department to quickly focus on extinguishing and minimize the damage from the fast developing and wind-driven fire on that day. Their selfless acts demonstrated the city's core values of collaboration,
honesty, and accountability as we all work to provide for public safety and improve the quality of life for our citizens. So, on behalf of the city of Morhead and the Morehead Fire Department, it's my honor to present you with this Morehead Fire Department citizens recognition award for your courageous acts of service. Please
accept this with our sincerest appreciation. [applause] I think this just also illustrates while the mayor is coming up for pictures how almost everything we do in the city of Morehead is a collaboration of teams working together in service to the citizens. So, thank you again.
>> Thank you. [applause] You guys ready? You guys can look at me and then we'll let Go ahead. Okay, before you leave, gentlemen, I just wanted to say on behalf of my friend who
was the homeowner in that north unit, um she talking to her about this. I think people don't realize how quickly these fires spread. And I know that she got out of her house with two unmatching shoes on her feet and her cell phone,
but thankfully she and her little boy, her husband and little boy weren't there at the time. They lost everything, but it could have been so much worse. And so, um, as difficult it is to recover, you saved their lives. Uh, you you know that that little boy still has his mom
and um, they will recover. Uh, and it could have been much worse. So, just thanks on behalf of her. >> Yeah. [applause] And and DJ and Blake, just again, I don't know that I can say it any better than Council Member White. Uh, the gratitude for everybody um is just
immense for you to to step in. I don't really think that that would ever be described as other duties as assigned. Um, and I think you just went above and beyond and just simply acted as human beings that just saw something that needed to be done to care for somebody. So, thank you from the bottom of our
heart. Um, I think this is why I I'm always so proud and love to brag about the the people that we have that work for the city of Morhead. The staff here is incredible and you always go above and beyond. Maybe not to this level and I hopefully we don't have any other staff that have to do that or any
citizens. So, thank you so much. So, all right. [applause] All right. Moving on to um the next item on the agenda. This is a presentation by Greater Morehead Business Association. I'll turn this over to executive
director uh Stacia. I said your last name right? It's okay. Hi, I'm Staca Sitesma, executive director of the Greater MBA. Um, I brought reinforcements with me. Um, >> arm candy. [laughter]
>> Um, basically what we're here to talk about is touric cones. I know a lot of you have already heard about it and thank you so much for supporting it. Um, but it's just an example of what happens when you have a conversation. So Sean and I were talking and we were talking
about just what's going to happen when construction happens on center and there was already construction there and it and it got worse. Um, of course it's going to get better, but to help those businesses in the meantime, we came up with tour to cones. And really, it's
nothing more than a social media campaign because those businesses that are there are really unique and special. And really, all they just needed was to be highlighted and talked about. Um already we had our first week last week
and it was words to live by and Jill the owner was thrilled by the amount of people that gave her support and the foot traffic that came through. So everybody that um uh reposted and showed
up to those to that event, thank you so much and we're going to keep doing that. So what tour to cones is is we are going to highlight a new business on center avenue. And keep in mind these businesses opted in. So it's not all the
businesses on center. A couple of them said they were fine. They didn't need to. They wanted, you know, the other ones to be highlighted. Um but so every week a new one will be highlighted. Coming up this week, it's Starburn Lounge and they are doing Christmas in
July in the 90 degree heat. That sounds super fun. Um, but yeah, I'll let Sean talk a little more too about how um the Greater MBA and him collaborated with even more people to make this happen.
Uh just to reiterate a little bit of what Stacia was saying, it's I think this is a good example of how businesses when they communicate with each other, you can grow something pretty cool for your community. Uh and giving giving
them the opportunity and helping shine a light on those that maybe not get the same uh amount of I guess fanfare sometimes really just helps boost their business as well. So again, use your platform to the best of your ability.
Come together, work together. That's what community is all about. So thank you for sharing what we're trying to do and promoting everything that we're doing to get through the next couple months. >> Wonderful. Can you one of you share maybe where people can find the
information? And if it's on a website, if it's on Facebook, >> you can if you're on any kind of social media feed, it should be coming across your uh your feed as well. Um like and follow all the businesses that are involved. Um if you go to Swing Barrel's
site, we're posting on there a lot about which businesses are involved. Um we'll continuously put out every week along with the city, along with the greater NBA is putting out whose special week it is. Um, every week is different. The
businesses are in charge of what they want to run for their specials. So, follow all those businesses involved and that's probably the best way. >> Well, too, and if you want to be on the email list of um I have a group of about 45 people that I have been emailing on
Monday just so you get it firsthand. Um, I can include you on that. I don't want to assume and then all of a sudden you get spammed with stuff that you didn't want. So just feel free to reach out to me and I can just get you directly on that email list and you can share it yourself. Does anybody have any other
questions? Right. Thank you so much. And in honor of tour don two years ago at the state of the cities I had the bright orange suit to represent spuds and safety but also that there was going to be a lot of constructions construction in Morhead
for the next two years. At the end of this year, a lot of this major construction should be done. But I was also gifted cones. >> Nice. >> Earrings. Yes. So, >> you'll have to wear those proudly. >> We really, really want to have a big
block party at the end of this. So, >> yes, I think >> let's all come together for that one. >> I think that that is something we can make happen. >> Yeah, let's do it. >> So, sounds good. >> It has also been really great to watch these businesses and the community just come together. the way that they've been
helping each other is truly a testament to into what Morehead is. We're a community that helps each other. And I'm not going to lie, following, you know, people that just saved people's lives was a little intimidating, but you know, it just also shows like what a great
community we have here in Morehead. >> I agree. Thank you so much. And Morehead people are very loyal to their businesses. So, um, everybody just get out and support them as often and frequently as you can. All right. [applause]
All right. Moving on to the approval of June 22nd, 2026 meeting minutes. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. Motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none. Uh, roll call vote, please. >> White, >> yes. >> Oregon, >> yes. >> McDougall,
>> I. >> Hendrickson, >> yes. >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Matson, >> Nissa Meyer, >> yes. more. >> Yes. Right. That motion carries. Moving on to citizens to address the council. We do have one individual who would like to speak to the council at this moment.
Um Jane Groberg, if you want to come up to the podium. Um there's a very fancy contraption up here that will tell you uh when it's green, that means your three minutes are still going. Red it means that you'll need to wrap it up. And we'll just have you state your name
and if you are a resident of Morehead and you can begin anytime you want. Okay, thank you. My name is Jane Groonerberg and I do live in Morehead and I am here today as a survivor of domestic violence to speak
on behalf of myself, on behalf of all other survivors who find it unsafe to speak and especially on behalf of those women who like Sahar Ramirez no longer has a voice to speak. I'm here to speak
very hard, uncomfortable truths out loud. It has taken me years to gather the courage to speak and it was a difficult decision decision to make. Difficult because I know the backlash and harm it will cause to me and my children. But hearing about Sahara and her children has stirred my heart and
soul to break the silence about this growing epidemic of hatred and violence in our community. Being an advocate for others comes naturally for me. I have a parallegal degree from MSUM and worked in the legal system for 20 years. I started my career working for the Rape
and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo Morehead as a legal advocate. I then worked for Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, assisting with family law cases involving domestic violence. I was also involved in the creation of our community safe exchange center, which I
actually have to accept credit for naming as Rainbow Bridge. For the last 10 years of my career, I worked in the Klay County Attorney's Office as a coordinator of the crime victim advocacy program. In 2005, I was forced to end my
career. The terror, torture, and trauma of living with a psychologically violent husband since 1987 had become too much. I had no choice but to stop working and start receiving Social Security
disability payments. I am very familiar with how the system works and responds to victims of domestic violence. And when I say it's tragically broken, I have personal and professional experience to back up that claim. Victim blaming and shaming is
common. Cases that do not involve physical or sexual violence are not prosecuted at all. Meaning women such as myself who are subjected to psychological violence with no physical contact are completely
dismissed and ignored by law enforcement and the legal community. In fact, most of us are often labeled as crazy and the problem. I have learned through the course of my self-taught education that psychopathic narcissistic personality
disorder drives the hatred behind domestic violence. Narcissism and psychological violence of an offender is rarely if ever considered in any charging decision. Decisions to prosecute are rarely about what is best for the victims and the community as a
whole. Playing the system, pleasing the system and not the people is status quo. In my opinion, Sahar's life ended because of extreme violence, not because of suicide. In 1989, I was left very ill and left
for dead by my psychologically violent husband. I would have died had I not gotten an emergency surgery and I got myself to the clinic by myself. To this very day, he has had no accountability, no responsibility, and no consequence
for his actions during those days that he left me for dead. nor any of the nor any of the other times that he was psychologically violent with me. The broken system has failed Sahar and her children. The broken system or this the
broken system has failed me and my children. We need a system that treats the cause behind the abusers behaviors rather than a system that simply punishes actions. We need to stop the violence. So
>> it we need to stop the violence because the healing is just as difficult. And I I just want to end by saying I I want to quote Edmund Burke, which is the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. And it
seems to me there's a whole lot of good men and women doing a whole lot of nothing in this community. and evil is seemingly triumphant. Thank you. Thank you. And I will say that domestic violence is
is an issue and a challenge. I think that you and I both know um full disclosure, Jane and I used to work together at the Klay County Attorney's um crime victim services and um if anybody is experiencing domestic violence or knows somebody to reach out
to which you is the new name um of the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. Their services are free and confidential. >> Can I add one thing? We need more than a a phone number for a nonprofit organization. We need change in the system because it is broken, not a phone
number. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Moving on to uh public hearing. Uh yep. Public hearing. Um, so I would entertain a motion to open the public hearing
regarding the request of Innov LLC for Renaissance Zone property tax exemption and for community uh commercial renovation project located at 7:30 center avenue. Do >> I have a motion to open >> a motion and a second? Um, any
discussion? >> None. Roll call vote, please. >> Yes. >> Nissa Meyer, >> yes. Moore, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. Borggan, >> yes. >> McDougall, >> I. >> Hendrickson, >> hi. >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Matson,
>> yes. >> All right, that motion carried and we are now in public hearing and I will call Mr. Lysathth up to the podium. >> Thank you, mayor, council members. I am excited to present this project to you today. This has been a long time uh coming that we've been talking about it.
Uh project in front of us is Essentia Health plans to substantially renovate uh the former Wells Fargo building uh located at 7:30 Center Avenue to establish a new fullervice healthcare clinic. This project will include major exterior improvements to the building
structure, parking lot, and private utilities, which will provide immediate visual enhancements along the Center Avenue corridor. Essentia Health will initially occupy approximately 11 to 14,000 square feet on the first floor.
Their expanded services will include family medicine, urgent care, radiology, laboratory services, retail pharmacy, and physical therapy. The remaining 21,000 square ft located on the second and third floors will be renovated later
to accommodate future growth. Situated within Morehead's Renaissance zone, this redevelopment complements existing businesses, supports the surrounding neighborhood, and aligns with broader downtown revitalization goals by generating additional activity and
providing critical health care services within the district. Essentia Health's investment in this project is estimated to be $ 8.6 million. At a $245 per square foot investment, it exceeds the $150
uh dollar per square foot qualification. Therefore, Essentia is eligible for the 15-year exemption. >> All right. Are there any members of the public who wish to speak on uh speak during this public hearing?
Again, any members of the public who wish to speak on this hearing? Seeing none, I will in enter in enter. Oh, is there somebody here that would like to speak on this topic? Okay. Yep. It has to be this topic. So, seeing none, I would entertain a motion
to close the public hearing portion of this item. >> So, move Nissa Mayor. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none, roll call vote, please. >> Borggan. >> Did you say Borggan or Morgan? >> Borggan. [laughter]
>> Yes. >> White. Yes. >> Moore. >> Yes. >> Nissa Meyer. >> Yes. >> Matson. >> Yes. >> Nelson. >> Yes. >> Hendrickson. >> I. >> McDougall. >> I. >> All right. That motion carries. The public hearing portion of this agenda is
closed. Uh, council. Do you have any questions for Mr. Lysath? Council member White. >> Thank you, mayor. I just want to touch on a couple of things that I brought up in the EDA meeting. Um, this project is obviously a great addition to our downtown. this having this resource in
the downtown area will be great great for the community. But I also just wanted to highlight um in terms of how it fits in with some of the current work that we're doing in downtown Morehead. If you think about even right now the big construction project that we have going on that will make that area of of
um center a more bike and pedestrian friendly um have a bike path. Well, when you look at the designs for this, they're really tying into all of that. So they are putting in not just, you know, a great space indoors, but on the outside they have great public space.
There's seating areas, there's plantings and things like that. And so really, as we think about that future downtown that we're getting closer to, this is going to be a new added amenity and part of that. And I even appreciate that the architectural details that they're trying to tie in really connect with the
new build that we're doing in that area, too. And so, um, and just to show what a great neighborh they're going to be, one of the things that I'll share that I really appreciated is that last month we had a 5K at Swing Barrel. And of course, Essentia is just starting to do the work
on the building, so the building's vacant. Um, they could just let it sit there while they're working on the inside. Well, the day after the 5K, I was over there doing some things in the parking lot, and they already had people working on maintaining the parking lot, maintaining all the grounds, making sure
that everything looks good on the outside just for us to enjoy while they're doing all the big work on the inside. And so, just really excited to have them here. Appreciate their investment. But I wanted people to know again these little things that show what a great neighbor they're going to be. Thanks.
Any other questions or comments? Not I would uh entertain entertain a motion to approve this resolution. White moves to approve. >> Second. Nissa mayor. >> There's a a motion in a second. Any discussion? See none. Roll call vote,
please. >> Moore, >> yes. White, >> yes. >> Borggan. Hendrickson, >> yes. >> McDougall, >> I. >> Nisser, yes. Matson, >> yes. >> Nelson, >> yes. Right,
that motion carries. And I too am beyond thrilled that we are now going to have an urgent care facility in downtown Morehead. This comes at the conclusion of I think nearly 5 years of meetings off and on with Essentia Health. And I
wanted to personally um give a shout out and give gratitude to uh Al Hurley uh Dr. Heaggard who started this whole process, the two of them. And then uh Dr. Stephanie uh Gero who's been part of those meetings as well. Um you know, one
of the things that I was asked continually during this process was what does Morehead need? And I said, well, first of all, they need a hospital. Um, I knew that that was throwing that out there and it probably wasn't likely going to happen. But an urgent care that
is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year is really one step close close to a hospital. So, um, just a lot of gratitude to Senia for choosing Morehead um, for donating a million dollars to the loop and for an additional funding that they're going to use in our
downtown Riverwalk area as well. So, thank you. Right, we have another public hearing. Um, so I would entertain a motion to open the public hearing for special assessments 2025 unpaid administrative penalties and abatements.
>> So, move Nissa Meyer >> second Nelson. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion? See, roll call vote, please. Matson, >> yes. >> Nisser, yes. >> White Moore, yes. >> Borggan, yes. >> McDougall, hi. Hendrickson
>> I. >> Nelson. >> Yes. >> All right, that motion carries. We are in public hearing and I will turn this over to Christy Lasheski. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. The request of the council tonight is to hold a public hearing and staff is recommending approval of special assessments related
to unpaid administrative penalties and other maintenance actions. The assessment at tonight's hearing include unpaid charges from 2025 for property maintenance, rental registration, tree removals, and unfounded alarms. There were a total of 102 properties within
the initial notice. Um, the assessments have a one-year repayment except for the petitioned tree removals, which are a 5-year repayment. Uh as it relates to the property maintenance related assessments, um the city operates on an administrative
citation and penalty system uh which was approved by the Klay County District Court in 2004 and has been utilized by the city since 2005. The process includes that any complaints are verified by an inspector. If the complaint is verified, a letter or a
property placard is placed with the compliance timeline. On average, between 90 to 95% of property owners address the violation without any follow-up or fines. Uh, if a violation is not corrected and it is snow or grass related, the property
owner receives a $100 civil penalty and the issue is abated by a contractor. If it is not snow or grass related, additional fines apply. It could be $100 a day up to $2,000 per year and abatement may also occur. Um before we get to the hearing tonight, there are
multiple invoices and at least two reminder notices of the penalties, abatement costs, or any delinquent charges that are sent. Um I do want to note that our goal is compliance. So if someone does get a notice regarding a issue and it is unable to um fix that
issue by the timeline, give our office a call. Uh we can adjust that timeline and work with you whatever is needed. Um again, our issue is comp is to get compliance. Um, following publication, a number of invoices were either paid or adjusted and removed from the resolution, and
that is outlined within your report. We have had one objection received for snow and ice removal services at 14024 Street South. Um, the property was sold following the snow and ice abatement that is on the resolution tonight. The written appeal along with staff
responses is in your packet and I believe you may have additional information as well. Um I do want to note regarding um properties that are sold when a um issue has occurred um and the new owner um when we generate fines for invoices or any contractor services
that it is immediately updated on our website. Um so you know if you're working on a property um talk to your closing company or your realtor to um double check that or go ahead and look on the website. You can look it up by address and it's on the special assessment page. Uh following the
hearing, the resolution request is to approve the special assessments related to unpaid administrative penalties and maintenance actions from 2025. >> All right. Thank you. And we do have two individuals who wish to speak to this agenda item. Um the first one is Charlie
point Pointer. Um if you wanted to come up to the podium, Charlie, and state your name if you're a Morehead resident. and you'll have three minutes on the clock here in order to speak. >> Great. My name is Charlie Pointer. I'm
here in reference to 14024th Street South in Morehead. Thank you very much for taking the time to uh speak to me today. As was noted, I did not own this property at the time. In fact, I now own it a year and a half after these services. So, I do have an issue with
the responsibility of charges. I think it should go to the previous owner, not to the to the property. understanding I'm probably not going to win that argument tonight. I do want to talk a little bit about uh the actual uh charges. Uh first would be the accuracy of billing. I did receive backup. I
asked for backup on this. I was told that there was one hour of broom tractor for $90. 4 hours of snow shoveling at $80. That's a total of $410. I should note that the I was told by the city that originally the city was build
$900 for this property and then the city challenged that and it was lowered to $65. I then was told that the difference is um a um a fee and ice melt. So, if you
turn to page two, I asked for background on on this. On the upper leftand corner, you'll see that I was uh given the before, during, and after pictures. It's hard to read. So, at the bottom, I blew them up. You can see what the property looked like before, during, and after. Again, this is a year and a half before
I owned the property. These pictures were provided by the vendor. They were not provided by me. I didn't know this property, so I had I had no horse in the game at this point. I would note on the before pictures January 6 at 3:46 p.m. showed a clear
sidewalk. No ice melt was visible. I was told that uh the uh bill included six bags of ice melt, but eight bags of ice melt were used. That 50 lb bags, that's a lot of ice melt. I would challenge you to find any ice melt in that picture.
The during picture at 4:33 p.m. shows a little bit of the approach, which frankly could have been from a snow plow the the night before. Still no ice melt visible. Any after pictures on January 7th show the the same uh as the before and during. So my
questions for the city council are this. The before picture showed a cleared sidewalk. Why did the city engage a vendor? Again, it's not my property. I didn't own it. I'm I'm I'm coming into this a year and a half later, but I have to ask, why did the city engage a
property for snow removal when it's clearly a clear sidewalk? The time between the before and during pictures is 47 minutes. When were the eight bags of ice melt placed? I checked that day in 2025. It was 10° on that day. I also
checked with turbo melt. It takes 60 to 90 minutes before activating. The time between the before and during is 47 minutes. And again, the sidewalk's clear. So why where where was the ice melt? If the property was built for a
blower for an hour, show me in these pictures what that what that blower did that that was paid for. [clears throat] Again, these pictures provided by the vendor city was originally build $900 for this. It's crazy. but settled on 605 and I have to
pay that. That's issue number one. Issue number two is I was assessed $45 in March of 2026. Again, I did not own the property at at this time. I'm going to jump down to the bottom because I want to be u cautious of of your time. According to the city, I talked to the
inspector on February 19th. I bought the property on February 27th. The service was done on February 25th. >> And Mr. Pointer, um just so you know, you were over your time. So, if you can just wrap it up in the next 15 seconds, please. >> Yep. 15 seconds. Look at the pictures at
the bottom. I was build for this and that also was not cleared. Why did the vendor not clear it on the 26th? So, respectfully, I'd ask you to eliminate both of these. And I would ask for the city to look uh at this vendor and and
frankly question any of it if uh if other owners are going through this too. these sidewalk. The first sidewalk was clear and the second one wasn't done to the standard. Thank you. >> Thank you. The next individual who would like to speak um under this item on the
agenda is Matt Crosby. Matt, if you come to the podium um state your name if you're a Morehead resident and you will have three minutes on the clock here. >> Hi, I'm Matthew Crosby. I live at 1516 4th Avenue North. [clears throat]
property in question is 1522. Uh I did not own it when this assessment. It's for two trees that got removed. Um the county owned it when the trees were removed. They had seized the
property from my prior neighbor Jeff or I forget Jim Bombgardner. Then they assessed this. Uh when I purchased the property, there was no like I asked specific questions about all the bills that he had racked up
because the county had seized the property from him. I am the neighboring property. And then now I get this letter on the June 25th for prior 2025 stuff when they had removed these trees. And
I just don't understand why there's a special assessment. When the county owned the property, you guys come in, cut, take the trees down, and then now I'm being assessed and need to pay this $1,300 133091. I don't believe I should have to pay
that. I do pay a forestry fee every month in my electric bill. I understand they were Dutch elm disease or whatever the reasoning was. They also did a very poor job of cleanup on everything. I ended up cleaning a lot of
it because said neighbor was gone. I was planning on buying this property. I'm still currently working on cleaning it up. I don't know if any of you know this property, but it was quite a nuisance for many, many years. And now I own it and I'm in the process of cleaning it
up. I don't believe I should have to pay this. So, I would like you guys to not charge me for it. >> All right. Thank you. >> I don't have as much research as that guy, but [laughter] >> All right. Are there any other individuals in the audience who would
like to speak during this public uh meeting agenda? Any members of the public? If not, I would entertain a motion to close the public portion of this agenda item. I >> move Nissa Meyer. >> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor of Well, roll call vote, please. >> McDougall, >> I. >> Hendrickson, >> hi. [clears throat] >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Matson, >> yes. >> Nissa Meyer, >> yes. Moore, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. >> Borggan,
>> yes. >> All right. Uh the public hearing portion of the agenda item is closed. Um do council members have any questions or comments? Um and possibly Christy, you may need to come back to the podium. Council member White.
>> Thank you. And I do want Christy to come back to the podium just to talk a explain a little bit more about this because I think having I've had conversations with you about it and I and I I understand the the frustration that folks are feeling but my understanding and let me know if I'm
incorrect about this when we have some of these properties that have been um foreclosed and they're you know they're owned by the county. Um uh so first of all when there are maintenance issues so we're looking at things that are the real costs. So we've had to bring
somebody in. I'm not going to get into the details of the quality of the work they did. I I can only imagine that the difficulties of you know we're not talking about these folks having to keep an eye on how one house was taken care of but so many different houses. Um, so
but it but the fact is that the city had to hire somebody to come in and do real work and so there is a real cost associated with that, right? And then that cost so this isn't even just a a fee now that we've put on. It's actual
things that were paid the um my understanding is at the county level when folks are purchasing these that that information is supposed to be provided to them when they're buying it. And so, and again, I'm not I'm not trying to pass the buck here, but on the
city's end, we don't control that, right? So, um, but somebody who's buying it from the county is getting the information about these actual costs. And so, um, I don't know if there's a breakdown
there or not, but in the end, if you know, um, it to come back, you know, that isn't something that we have control over. and then to come back and um if we don't recuperate that money, I understand the the new homeowner. I would be frustrated too, but I also
don't think it's fair for us to pass that on to other property owners, too. So, because that would be our only recourse then if if the property owner of that household doesn't pay for it, then our their neighbors have to pay. The other people in Morehead have to
pay, right? Um so, let me know. I again I it's not an easy issue. I I understand people's frustration but I want to make it clear in terms of that process and where our responsibility is in that too. >> Yes. So um I'll kind of focus on two
different areas. So if we are assuming it is a uh standard closing where one property owner is selling or is selling to a buyer. Um oftent times what we'll see from closing companies is a settlement statement. And so those closing companies will look to our
website, find those fees, and if they were issued prior to a sale happening, um it'll be worked out between the buyer and seller. Um in the case of county tax forfeit properties, it becomes a bit more complicated because when a property
goes tax forfeit um essentially and I I hope that I am relaying this correctly because it is not my my uh mind to implement. As I understand, when a property goes tax forfeit and it goes to the state of Minnesota and Klay County to handle, um, they essentially remove
the unpaid taxes and specials from where you would normally go to the county website to look for that information. It basically wipes it out. And when they're selling property, they do put a note, you know, on the sale information. and you know, please contact whatever
jurisdiction the property is in to see if there's any unpaid fines, fees, or special assessments. Um, again, people could still go to our website at this point. All of our information stays online. It's just the county information that's a little bit different. Um, but I would what I would recommend to anyone
who has a finer fee um that was from when the county or state of Minnesota owned the land through the tax forfeit process would be to um check in with Lorie Johnson, the county auditor and treasurer to just see if any of the
funds that were paid to the county could go to pay for that fee. Um, ultimately that is not our discretion or anything that we can do or I can do to get the county to pay for certain fees or taxes. Um, but I know that others have visited
the county and had those conversations um to see if the county would be willing to pay for those fees. So, I would definitely recommend doing that. And just so you're aware, uh, Miss Lashesky, uh, our city attorney who is online is nodding affirmatively that the information that you were sharing was
accurate. Council member Borggan. >> So, I think my question might be for Matt Crosby. >> Have you talked to the county about paying the fees? >> I have not. >> Sir, you'll need to come up. Council member, sir, you'll need to come up to
the podium because otherwise people online can't hear you. >> I I have not talked with the county. I just I got the letter in the mail. I had no idea this was coming. >> Right. So, I appreciate >> and I had talked to the auditor as well. We did a lot of research on buying this
property because the previous owner had racked up a lot of bills. That was kind of what was stopping me from purchasing it because I didn't want to pay that much for a piece of land. And then when it it went up for auction, it went up for sale. Then they contacted me and
said, "You're the only one that's been interested. Do you want to buy it?" I said, "Tell me what the information about it." They told me. I said, "Yes." I agreed. I went and paid them cash, purchased it. Then this comes down and it was something that happened while the
county owned it. >> Right. So my question to you is have you contacted the county to tell them? >> Okay. So you have not done that. >> So I think >> I >> as as Miss Leasheky said. >> So like the other council woman said
that you guys hired a service. No. Morehead public service does all of our tree removal and tree stuff, right? >> No. >> So Mr. Cosby, I think what is >> they did >> I think what's trying to be in communicated and what Miss Lashi just talked about or we just talked >> it was MPS that did it.
>> We don't have any discretion in this. You will need to talk to Klay County and work this out with Klay County. This is not something that we can override. This is something that you have to deal with Klay County on.
>> Okay. So, I have to deal with Klay County about a Morehead special assessment. >> Correct. Correct. And you can maybe visit with Christy Lasheski um in the hallway um to provide even more specific steps and maybe explain the reason why
you have to deal with the county versus dealing with the city. We just get the information, pass it on. >> All I've received said attend the meeting otherwise it's going to be assessed and I have to pay it. So, >> all right. Thank you. >> Never done this before. So, >> nope. It's I get it. Thank you though, Council Member White.
>> Thank you. And and I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for coming too and really for investing in some of these Derelch properties for f both of the folks. We really do appreciate that. And it's uh and so I just I would say to be a little clear, it's not that like in
terms of our end of it, um we still have to cover that cost. We've still had to the work was already done and so that has to be covered. But again in the agreement with the si with the county there have been cases recently where they have covered that and so that could be so it's just that Morhead has to
recoup it because in the end and this is part of my point was that if um if not we just we have to pass that on to other residents and so so it stays with the property and either that would be through the original owner which they
didn't fall they didn't do it or now that they've collected some that the county could cover it or it has to be you. But um it still has to stay with that property. Um otherwise we have to pass it on to to other people in Morehead. So but I do I think it's uh
you know I'm glad glad that Chrissy shared that information with you that we have seen that where if they have money left over from it from what they collected that they can put it towards that towards the cost of um for this assessment.
But thank you. >> Any other questions or comments uh from council members? And if not, um I would entertain a motion to um move to approve the res resolution. Uh council member Borgan, >> I would just like to make a comment to Mr. Pointer. I totally get where you're
coming from. I think there's other remedies for you. I mean, the like council member White said, the city's already paid for it. We have to recoup that money. You have other options like consiliation court. If somebody else had the property, they should have paid it.
I think you could use consiliation court which is small claims court. So just an just an option. >> Can I respond to that? >> Yes, you come to the podium please. >> Sir, sir, you need to come to the podium though, please. Thank you. >> I hear what you're saying. My objection
to that would be to look at the before picture and that I that I sent to you. This sidewalk was cleared. The city of Morehead contracted with this vendor to clear it. You made the decision to
contract with the city for a cleared sidewalk. It never should have been cleared. I am now sitting on a $65 bill because you contracted with this vendor and now you're coming back and saying it's my
issue that I have other remedies and I'm telling you that it's your issue. This never should have been contracted in the first place. Look at the picture >> and then look at the picture on the second one. I know I'm out of time. Well, and I want to say too that there
there those are two separate issues because there's a bill that was paid and has to be recouped in some way, shape or form. So that's contracted for it and you shouldn't have paid for it. That's my whole point. >> I understand that many sir. Sir, that's not what this hearing is about though. That is a separate
hearing or a separate conversation that our city would need to have with that vendor. >> I understand that. But in the meantime, you're putting it on my back to pay it. And it's wrong. It's wrong. How many other citizens are having snow removed
that didn't exist that just blindly pay these bills? It's wrong. As a city council, you should look at it. You should look at the picture and say, "You know what? I think he's right. This one shouldn't be charged." That's what you should do. That's what you
should do on behalf of your citizens. >> Thank you, Council Member White. Thank you, Mayor. I wondered if if Christy or Alan have any additional information about that. >> Um I'll just note that we do have a number of different photos that show
that there was significant ice buildup um on the lot which is what we had gotten complaints about. Um the >> the individual was correct um in that when we initially received the bill from the contractor we did believe it to be a
very high amount. So, we immediately contacted them to get a better understanding of um why it was so high and where they had spent their time. Um and they did end up reducing it by over $300. Um even though their costs really
were higher than that for the work that they had spent on that lot. >> Council member Matson. Thank you, Madame Mayor. I used to live one block two blocks from there. I was like on the opposite corner. So, I know I know that I haven't lived there in a long time,
but I know that corner. Um, I wasn't there. I don't know what happened. 4 hours seems excessive, but I also don't know what what they you know, it's very possible that they marked it as snow shoveling when they were chipping ice. You know,
that that particular spot I if I recall correctly does have it's kind of like it does collect water and ice and it freezes and there's a lot of foot traffic there because it's not too far from Concordia. It's not. It used to be where right where by my where my kids would get on the bus. So kids from that
side of the block would walk around the corner to get on the bus. So while I I do hear your frustration, I also I can when I saw snow shoveling, I was like, how are they going to get four hours of snow shoveling out of that? But if they marked as snow shoveling when what they were doing was actually physically, you
know, try to deal with the ice, that to me would make more sense. That having said, I do having been said, I do think it's worth um if this if we're continuing to work with this vendor, um I would say either we need to examine what they're doing or
examine in the way that they're reporting what they're doing so that we can have more clarity on that. So that's all I have. Thank you. Um I do not see any other hands raised. So would again entertain a motion to approve this resolution.
I'll move to approve the resolution to adopt special assessments 2025 unpaid administrative penalties and abatements. Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. Matson. >> Okay. There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> See none. Roll call vote, please. >> Nelson,
>> yes. >> Matson, >> yes. >> Nissa Meyer. >> Moore, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. >> Borggan, >> yes. >> McDougall, >> I. >> Hendrickson, >> I. All right, that motion carries. Thank you. And thank you gentlemen for coming
here and having this discussion with us. And I believe Christy Lashesky will be able to visit with you further um if you have additional questions out in the lobby area. Um we have our third public hearing for the evening. Um I would entertain a motion to open the public
hearing for ordinance 2026-05, an ordinance granting a fiber opic franchise to Metro Fiberet LLC. >> So moved. Second >> motion and a second. Any discussion? >> See none. Roll call vote, please. >> McDougall,
>> I. >> Hendrickson, >> I. >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Matson, >> yes. >> Name, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. >> Oregon, >> yes. >> All right, that motion carries um and is approved. I will turn this over to Mr.
>> Uh yeah, thank thanks uh Mayor and City Council. Uh tonight you're uh asked to conduct a public hearing and consider approval of an ordinance granting a non-exclusive fiber optic franchise uh to Metro Fibernet. Uh Metro Fiberet is
seeking to build a fiber optic network in the community and uh intends to use the public right ofway for this purpose. Uh the city charter requires that companies be issued a franchise to conduct this activity in the public
right ofway. Uh they are not uh offering uh multi-channel video programming services uh commonly known as cable services. Uh so a franchise fee cannot be required. However, the city is uh the city's permitting fees for the use of
the rightway will be paid to compensate for the impact on the rightway and the costs uh the cities incurs. >> All right. Are there any members of the public who wish to speak to this agenda item? Again, any members of the public who
wish to speak to this item? See none, I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing portion of this agenda item. So move. Nissa Meyer. >> Second. Nelson. >> Motion in a second. Any discussion? See none. Roll call vote, please. >> White.
>> Yes. >> Morgan, >> yes. >> McDougall, >> I. >> Hendrickson, >> I. [clears throat] >> Nelson, >> yes. >> Matson, >> yes. >> Nissa Meyer, >> yes. >> Moore, >> yes. >> All right, that resolution carries. Um, and open for questions or comments from
council members for Mr. Reits. And if there are none would entertain a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance of 2026-05. >> Move accept. >> Oh n >> I'll second Chuck's motion.
>> Okay. Motion and second. Any discussion? See none. Roll call vote please. >> Nissa Meyer. >> Yes. Moore. >> Yes. >> White. >> Yes. >> Borggan. >> Yes. >> McDougall. >> I. >> Hendrickson. >> I. >> Nelson. >> Yes. >> Matson. >> Yes.
>> Right. That motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Eats. All right, we are down to mayor and council reports. Do any council members have any reports from uh boards or committee hearings the last couple weeks? Council member Nisser.
>> Thank you, Madam Mayor. I have got uh several things to cover. uh safe city uh night is going to be this week, Wednesday, July 15th from 5:30 to 7:30 at Romke the best W to park if I say so
myself. It's looking very nice after the over one mill or 11 million uh improvements. And so um it's free food, um ice cream, activities, um all night. And so, um, I'm hopeful a whole bunch of folks from W 2 and beyond in our
community can join us for that wonderful, um, program that is put on by PALS, which is our Morehead Police Activity League. I don't know what the S stands for now that I say that. Maybe it's just PAL, singular. Um, the second is the Solid Waste Advisory Committee is
next week, Thursday, July 23rd at 8 am at the Resource Recovery Center. And as a little highlight of some of the things we're going to talk about, um, I have some excellent news. Uh, the, uh, county, Klay County, was awarded, uh, MPCA or Morhead,
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, uh, $2 million grant for organics recycling. And so that is a program um that was brought up by interested uh community members in um Morehead and was brought forth to many of our boards and
commissions throughout our metro area and it was picked up um for collaborative efforts uh by Klay County staff. And so a highlight to their work in submitting that grant with residents um and uh looking forward to purchasing
that equipment and having that organics uh composting site at our resource recovery center which is just in the outskirts of Morehead. Um the first annual or our current no first our annual resource recovery center meeting
is at 9:00 a.m. on July 23rd. It's another open meeting to talk about our collaboration efforts between the city and the county. And I encourage uh folks to come out and celebrate the uh grant as well as the good work that we do collaborating with the county on all of
our solid waste recycling and educational efforts. >> All right. Thank you so much, Council Member White. >> Thank you, Mayor. On uh the 24th of June, I attended the age friendly Morehead meeting and we had a good
conversation about things that will make things that makes Morehead more walkable and accessible for um seniors in our community. Um I shared information with them about some of the portaotties that we'll be adding thankfully to our pickle
ball courts if they I'm not sure if they've already been added. if not they will be coming to our pickle ball courts and the discussions we're having about other places. And then um the committee expanded that even to look at how we might encourage more um making retail
spaces more walkable too, even like having a program where we can provide benches to different retail spots too. Um so they're looking at funding for things like that um that could go throughout the community. On the 25th, I attended the CAPL LP board meeting. And [clears throat] one of the things I
wanted to point out is that we um as part of our meeting, we reviewed the re, [clears throat] excuse me, recent um assessment of the community Head Start program. And um one of the troubling findings were within that report they found an uptick in the number of Head
Start children that are underweight and the number of families that are reporting um problems with food insecurity. And so we did have a discussion about that and the executive director for CAP LP associated that with um the difficulties from Operation Metro
Surge and that a large number of families in our community that were fearful to leave their house. And so, um, getting things like groceries became more difficult. And so, sadly, we're seeing that play out even on our youngest residents here in Morehead till
still today. Um, on the uh 29th, I attended the ribbon cutting uh with many of you at Ramy Park. And again, if you haven't been there, it's a really fa fantastic facility, and I appreciate particularly all of the attentiveness to um uh accessibility that they put into
the design of our new park and swimming area. On the 6, I attended our economic development authority meeting and we had a very lengthy discussion about how we can improve our outreach, communication, um and really maybe revise some of the tools that we have for supporting our
local businesses. So, um, we've all been concerned. It's when we've heard about some of the businesses in the not just Morehead, but in our metro, um, that have been closing recently. Um, we know that there are a lot of, uh, challenges within our country right now with
tariffs and high in inflation and all of those things where we see businesses that in the past would have been very successful and are really struggling. And so, um, thankfully we had a good discussion about what are some of the things that we could do beyond what we're currently doing to support those
businesses to hopefully get them through these difficult times. And so I know that we'll be devoting time in our August meeting to really uh exploring some of those options and even looking at some of the current things like some of our border city um enterprise funding
that we have and our Morehead revolving loan fund and how perhaps we could use those differently to support local um our existing businesses. Um on the 8th I attended the Great American Community Potluck right here in Viking Ship Park. that was part of the America 250
celebration. Um, great turnout for that event, lots of good food, and it was great to see people from throughout our community there to celebrate the history and the diverse cultures that we enjoy here in Morehead. On the 9th, we had our conversations and [clears throat] excuse
me, conversations with council members event um at Romy Park in the Oasis room. So, it was a great opportunity to highlight that room. Um, I want to thank the 25 to 30 citizens that attended it. I would say it was one of the best ones
that we've ever had. Great conversation around a wide variety of issues and um and again we just value citizen input so much and it helps us all be better council members. Um on the 9th I also had the opportunity thanks to Klay
County Commissioner Jenny Mojo of being um an assistant at the Klay County Fair 4H competitions. Um, I was there to help with fine arts, definitely outside of my wheelhouse, so I mostly just put the awards up on the shelves, but um, it was great to see so many Morehead kids
participating in 4. And then lastly, um, yesterday I attended the Kurdish summer potluck bash at MB Johnson Park. Great turnout. It was wonderful to be there um, to celebrate with our Kurdish community. And thank you to the
Kurdishamean Development Organization for the work they did to put this together. Thank you. >> Other council members have report uh council member Matson. >> Um not a border commission, but I did um along with council member Moore personally do quality control on the
water slides at Rom King Park and I think we can report they were awesome and fun. I'm also curious if you did the climbing wall. Um, I have been slacking on my weightlifting and so I will save that for next year after I get some more gym
time. >> All right, Council Member Nelson. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. I'm sorry, I got lost my train of thought there. [laughter] Um, yeah, just real quick, uh, end of June, we had the Red River Regional Dispatch, uh, Board of Authority meeting
where we, uh, set the budget, final uh, finalized the budget um, for that organization for next year. um and forward that to city staff so we can start working incorporate that into our budgeting process here. Um just one thing to note there, we did um the board agreed to uh change the allocation
amongst the entity involves uh involved. Uh so what's going to happen there is essentially going to lower uh Morehead's allocation responsibility about a half a percent um for the remainder of the uh essentially the well it'll lower that a half percent going forward. Um, so
that'll have some cost savings um in there. So there'll be a new uh joint powers agreement that'll be drafted uh that's currently being drafted and we'll have to sign that in the near future. So that's about it. That's all I have. >> All right. Thank you. Any other council members with boards or
commission meetings? See none. Um I have a couple things off my list now because they've already been mentioned. Um, and one that I'm actually very surprised that council member Nissa Meyer didn't mention was our award that we received at the Coalition for Greater No, the League of Minnesota Cities. We
received the step four and five green step cities award. Again, I don't remember how many years that we've gotten four and five. Um, that is usually something reported on by council member Nisser. So, I had assumed that she was going to do that because you do
that. But um it was a great conference that was attended by myself, uh city manager Molly, uh assistant city manager Mike Grez, council member Nissa Meyer, and our governmental affairs director, um Lisa Bod. Um the Metro Flood Diversion Authority also
had a planning committee. Um we are discussing right now a flood mitigation insurance program that will need to be in place by January 1st, 2026 or 2027, I should say. Um, so more to come from that, but that will be something that we'll be putting together with the
diversion authority. Um, and uh, we'll make sure that farmers are made whole if and when we would have to ever operate the flood diversion project. Um, yeah, and I would just concur with council member White that the community
potluck was an immense success. The line for that potluck was huge. So, um, a lot of gratitude and thanks to the historical cultural society, the city of Morhead recreation department and culture rat who put that together and it
was a beautiful, beautiful day, which was the day after it downpoured. So, every the weather worked out very very perfectly for a beautiful, beautiful night in um in Viking Ship Park. So, those are only things that I have and I will turn it over to you uh city manager
Molly. >> Thank you, Mayor. uh with Sergeant Scott Castor here in the back room. I just want to say thank you and u related to safe city nights that's coming up this Wednesday Wednesday night for all the partnership, the fun activities,
everything that you put together um for the for the neighborhood and the community. Um folks should come out. There's free pizza, there's drinks, there's ice cream, there's lots of fun and hanging out. You went from bringing in one helicopter to multiple helicopters last time. Two.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I mean that's impressive. That's impressive. So, um, safe city night, Wednesday, July 15th at Ramky Park, 5:30 to 7:30. Bike safety days also, um, there was one held today at earlier today at SG Reinardson. The next
one is Monday, July 27th at Dorothy Dods from 9 to 11:00. Um, night to unite is around the corner. That is, um, uh, Tuesday, August 4th. So, registration for neighborhood gatherings um, are open and happening now. a link uh is on the website or you can just call uh the PE
police department or any of the the main lines at the city to get set up um multiple multiple neighborhood gatherings uh every year. So that's that's really a a fun night out that's in a few weeks. Um, I want to say a big thank you to our community development team um, in Morehead public works, park
maintenance, I wrote these down, forestry, streets, recreation, engineering, the schools um, and all who collaborated with the Klay County with Klay County Public Health and Partnership for Health to complete the multiple projects related to funding received from the settlement from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Um,
there was a public engagement process. Hundreds of um comments came in and um all of that uh the work and the funding is complete to um there were numerous tree planting events um from uh in the spring and summer until now. Crosswalk
improvements at every school. Um river door, river corridor benches were installed, a bike repair station, um work um support for blue stem bridge lighting the trail. Uh that's all complete. and then river corridor pollinator plantings all along um all
along the river. And finally, I just want to say thank you to Sabrine. That is really a nice name, too, by the way. Uh it has been a joy u being with you and getting to know you today. So, thank you, mayor. >> Right. Thank you. Um and we do not have
an executive session tonight or any new business. So, it is 6:39 and we are adjourned. Good night, Morhead.