How about now? There we go. Good evening everyone. My name is Chuck Hendendrickson, Mayor Prom. This Morhead City Council welcomes public input on issues listed on the agenda or of general community interest. Time and council permitting. Speakers are limited to three minutes each. If you'd like to
address the council during the meeting, please fill out a form provided by the city clerk and we will call you upon call you up during the citizens addressing the council. Please state your name and if you are a morad resident. If comments are submitted to the clerk prior to the meeting via email or phone, those comments will be entered
into the record. For more information on participation, please visit the council meetings page on the city of Morhead website at morheadmaninnesota.gov. We the Morhead City Council collectively and with gratitude acknowledge the sacred land the city of Morhead is built upon. We acknowledge the people who have
resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Dakota Ojiway Mes and all indigenous communities permeates this land. With that bring us to um agenda item number one. Call to order please and
roll call. Ryan Nelson here. Nicole Matson here. Heather Nissmeer here. Emily Moore here. Deb White here. Lisa Borggan. Sebastian McDougall here. Chuck Hendrickson here. Shelley Carlson.
If you are able, please rise and we'll recite the pledge of allegiance. brings us to agenda item number three. A agenda amendments. Dan, is there any amendments? Uh yes, Mayor Prom, can we swap um items 5A and 5B? We're waiting for uh family
for the police wearing it. Okay. Yep. With that, I'm looking for a motion to approve the amended um consent agenda. So move Nissmeer second more. So we have a motion and a second. Uh all
those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, same sign. And that does pass. Which brings us to um recognitions and presentations. And with the amended agenda, we'll do 5B proclamation.
Excuse me. Oh, go ahead. You guys got it. Um we passed over the consent agenda. Oh, I'm sorry. We yeah we didn't we sort of like mashed up the agenda amendments and the consent agenda at the same time. So I think
that's the issue right so just go for consent vote on the consent agenda please. So move na mayor second. So we have a motion and a second. Um, any other questions?
If not, all those in favor of the consent agenda say I. I. All those opposed, same sign. And the consent agenda does pass. Which Okay. So, we can move to 5B. Now, the proclamation 2025 welcoming week.
And I believe council member McDougall will read the proclamation. All right. uh official proclamation whereas we envision a community where all individuals including immigrants, refugees, and new Americans have the opportunity to reach their full
potential, actively engage with their neighbors and contribute their unique talents. This vision is is essential to the prosperity and the well-being of Morehead and enriches our shared future. Whereas the input and perspectives of both newcomers and long-standing
residents are vital to shaping inclusivity and welcoming. And whereas collaborating collaborating together fosters greater understanding particularly among those who may have concerns or limited awareness of the evolving demographics within our community.
Whereas every person brings unique talents that contribute to the vibrancy of our community and our welcoming efforts should embrace inclusivity for all groups. And whereas the best outcomes are achieved when diverse backgrounds and perspectives are meaningfully engaged, fostering an equitable and collaborative
environment, whereas differences are valued and harnessed. And whereas leaders are have a pivotal role in recognizing and supporting community partners who are instrumental in enhancing our collective capacity for this important work. And we're as excuse me and where it is crucial to appreciate
and promote multis- sector collaboration as a means to build a stronger, more inclusive community. Now therefore, be it resolved that uh Shelley Carlson, mayor of Mor, City of Morehead, does here proclaim September 12th through the 21st, 2025 welcoming
week in Morehead and encourage all residents to celebrate the spirit of inclusivity and unity and to work together to build a community where all where every individual has the opportunity to contribute to their best. Thank you, Council Member McDougall.
Did you want to go back to 5A or should we go to 5C? Yes, 5 A, please. 5 A. Yes. Okay. Uh, agenda number 5A, please swear in and badge pinning. And I believe Chief Helm has this. Evening council members. Sorry for the
slight delay on this, but we're coming and adapting here. So, um, it's my honor again to stand before you tonight as we welcome five new officers to the ranks of the Morhead Police Department. Uh each of these individuals has demonstrated the integrity, commitment,
and courage that our profession demands and that our community deserves. Their decision to serve is not just a career choice, it's a calling. And tonight, as they take their oath, they join a proud tradition of public service rooted in trust, accountability, and a deep responsibility to protect and serve.
Please join me in congratulating and welcoming our newest officers as they begin this important journey. Uh again, we have five officers and I'll invite them in one at a time. As they come in, uh their friend or family member will come up and pin their badge on. We'll have them step aside and once they're all done with that, we'll have them uh
come forward. We'll have uh Council Member Hendrickson, uh come up and swear them in. So, first, uh we have Officer Emiline Bazovski. Have your family member coming up? [Applause]
Officer Binyad Brky. [Applause] Officer Aaron Brewer. [Applause] Officer Michael Tol.
[Applause] and Officer Razwan Muhammad. [Applause] First of all, Roswan, Michael, Emilyn,
Benhad, and Aaron. Thank you. This is a great day. I have a brother in law enforcement, and he talks about his when he was um took the ills. So, and I appreciate everything you guys do. keep the city safe. We have to have a safe city. So, thank you very much.
With that, um, please raise your right hand. You have cards. I need mine. I state your name. do solemnly swear that I will support
and comply with the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution and laws of the state of Minnesota, the charter laws and ordinances of the city of Morehead, the policies and procedures of the
Morehead Police Department, and in the law enforcement code of ethics and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as a police officer to the best of my ability. I further pledge that on my honor
I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold my community and
the agency I serve. Congratulations [Applause] What was it? Five last week and or a
couple weeks ago and five this week. So, we're doing well. It's good to hear. Uh that'll bring us to agenda item number six a approval of the minutes. you know, if there's no changes or anything or if
there's changes, but if not, uh, read 5C first. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. 5C. Presentation of Klay County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. And I think that's Dra. Sorry about that, Dara. I kind of skipped.
Okay. And, uh, good evening, Mayor Prom Council members. My name is Don Bacon. I'm the deputy director with Klay County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. I also serve as the executive director for Morehead Public Housing Agency. And joining me this evening also is Dara Lee, the executive director with Klay
County HR. Um the HA serves approximately 1,600 people. The majority are children, people with disabilities, and seniors, and really those most at risk of not having a place to call home. We're here
today to request the consent of the council to a $300,000 special benefit HRA tax levy for 2026 that was adopted by the H board of commissioners. The Klay County Commission consented to this
on September 2nd and our next stop after this meeting is to go to the Barnesville City Council to ask for their consent as well. The proposed levy for 2026 is the same as this previous year. So, we're not requesting an increase, but holding
at the same amount as last year. And this local funding makes it possible for us to do a lot of really important work at the HR. Um, it helps us work towards ending child homelessness. Um, an example this past year is we partnered
with Churches United for the Homeless and Klay County Social Services to begin providing support services at Bright Sky and Silver Linings apartments. We were already providing rental assistance to families with children at Bright Sky and so when the need arose to broaden that
partnership, we were able to respond very quickly. The local funding also supports us at preserving our aging affordable housing stock. In the last year, we've successfully competed for 2.8 million in state dollars to fund
renovations to Riverview Heights high-rise and Sharp View Apartments. This was really only possible through the collaboration with Morhead public housing and the Klay County HRA as well as the support from the city of Morehead
um that approved um SAHA or statewide affordable housing aid dollars to um to the um PHA to support that very competitive application. and our local funding has gone a long way for us in leveraging outside
resources for a variety of affordable housing programs. So, we believe that the investment this last year of 300,000 um will bring in about 8.5 million in new funding to our community.
So, that's about a $25 return on every dollar invested at the local level. So, I wanted to keep my comments really brief, but just to provide that quick overview of our request um and the work of the HR. Um, we're of course available
for any questions or comments that you might have. Any questions? Council member White, not really a question as much as a just a I wanted to say along the same lines of what I said last time you were here that I wholeheartedly support this and I
and I actually think you should be doing more of it. And so, you know, as you know, uh you know all too well, we have a housing crisis. We have the highest number of unhoused, unsheltered folks in our community that we've seen, I think, throughout the city's history or the
region's history. Um, we need to use every tool that we have in our toolbox. And what you're asking for, just to, you know, to point out, first of all, it's such a small amount. It's 3 1,000 of a percent tax on or on taxable market
value. That's minuscule. Um, it's not even up to the highest that you could go. And, as you noted, um, you've been very, um, uh, judicious in using this. So you we're at one of the lowest levels
um in the state for the number of times this is used. Um and the return on investment is astounding. So for every dollar taxed, you are able to turn that around and get $25. And so to me it's it's a Excuse me, council member. I just want
to interject. We will not promise to always do that return on investment. Okay. Well well I appreciate just how successful you have been in leveraging this in order to get other dollars. Um, so again, I I just think it's so important and um and I would like to see
you doing more of it. Thank you, Council Member Nisser. Thank you, Mayor Prom. I want to um provide thanks and accolades. I think it is very difficult work. Um the Morehead Public Housing Group as well as Klay
County um house the most difficult to house and I don't think that that is often a conversation. Um, I also agree with Council Member White in that any way we can do more to supply more housing, but also help individuals at
risk or are marginalized by um the systems that we have in place. I think using all the tools that we have accessible is very important and so I want to thank you for being here tonight and for all of the work that you do. Uh, one to 25 return is outstanding. I was
even impressed by last year's like 1 to3 or 1 to 16 which was again uh I I don't know lines of work or business that have that sort of not only return but to think of the ripple effects throughout our community is absolutely
outstanding. hearing um ways that you have been able to increase your impact. You mentioned children and families being impacted because the ask was there and you were able to step up and do. I think that um is often work that goes unnoticed and unsaid and unheard just by
virtue of um folks who are being serviced and um it's not a really great conversation to have, but it's an absolutely necessary conversation in our community. So, I support this as well as I support going for more next year. You know, wink wink, nudge, nudge if we need
to. Let's do it. Let's um support more individuals and families um who would not have housing if we did not do this for them. Thank you. You, Council Member Nisser. Anybody else with questions? If not, um, we're going to, since
they've got to go to a different city, we're going to skip down to 18A. Resolution to approve consent to the S Lake County Housing and Real Development Authority for the 2026 special benefit tax. Move to approve. Nissa Meyer White second. We have a motion and a second. Any other
questions? If not, all those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, same sign. And that does pass. Thank you so much for coming. Okay, now we'll get to six approval of the minutes. 6A. Uh looking for approval
on the minutes for August 25th, 2025. So move Nelson. Second. So we have a motion and a second. Any other questions? If not, all those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, same sign. And the
minutes for August 25th have passed. That'll bring us down to citizens addressing the council. And we did get a few emails in. And the first one is Jamal. Jamal, you will have three minutes to speak. Um, green is green is when you're
speaking, yellow is it a 30 second warning, and then red will stop. So, go ahead. Thank you. Uh my name is Jamal Abigaz. Um and I'm here today to ask some questions about uh your renting
licensing ordinance and the enforcement of what a habitable dwelling is in the city of Morhead. Um I'm unable to determine who in the city or the county I should call about a mold problem in the building that I live in, uh which is
in South Morehead. Um, one of my neighbors uh today just had the fire marshall inspecting and the report included the words of the walls are squishy.
Now, I was told by the fire marshall that the fire department is not able to inspect for mold. And I asked, okay, is that the building inspector's job? and I was told no. Uh, specifically with
regard to mold, I was advised that there's not a specific enforcement statute that allows them to test for mold. Apparently, that wasn't always the case. Nevertheless, that's what I was told today. Um,
we've had two floods in the building, right? And, uh, only one of them was actually addressed by our landlords. were in I'm currently in a rent escrow action with those landlords, Skyline Property Management. And
when I presented a picture of what I'm pretty sure is some mold that wasn't allowed because there's no foundation, right? There's no certified expertise uh person with certified expertise saying that this is
in fact mold. Now, if the city doesn't do it, because the fire department is supposed to inspect buildings to make sure they're habitable, right? The building inspector doesn't do it. I went, you know, let's take a look at the county, right? So, I went to the county public health department. Well, they linked to the Minnesota Department of
Health who said, who has a big page on their website explaining the reasons why you shouldn't actually spend the money to inspect for mold. And among them, who to assign blame to, right? The position of the state department of health is just clean it
up. Now, that's all well and good except for the fact that it's your money, your time, and your health. And this landlord has already demonstrated that they won't uh repair things until they're taken to court. So my question
for the city councilors today is does the rental licensing regime ensure any level of habitability? If not, why not? And two, who in the city is supposed to check for mold?
Who contact? Uh, council member M or city manager Molly. Could we put him in touch with somebody who does handle location? Well, and it sounds like Jamal was in touch with the fire marshall today and rental property inspectors. Is that correct? We he uh went to go do the rental property
inspection and found that the building essentially is not watertight in that particular unit, which we already knew. Um, I'm a member of the Four Seasons Association of Tenants, uh,
who are organized at that building and have organized to try to get repairs made. So, where do we go? Yeah. So, you know, our rental housing program is based on housing quality standards, which is a national standard and all of that. There's a fair question
about mold. I think what we should do is talk with community development director Christy Lashesky who oversees that function and um and try to figure out the question where do we go? I don't believe I'll I'll be honest I mean I don't have the information right
in front of me but I don't believe mold is addressed in the HQS list of standards. I mean it is a minimum housing standard. Um, a lot of times it deals with u broken glass and handrails and and different things like that. So,
um, as far as the the qu the public health question, um, we'll have to find more information and get back to Jamal. Thank you. Uh, I guess I and we usually don't do a back and forth with the city council, but um
Well, I I don't think the question was specifically a matter of public health, so I don't feel like the question was necessarily answered, although that information is helpful and I'll look forward to doing that. Um, the instance of mold in a building creates a cause of action. Somebody can go to court, right,
and decide that, hey, I want to take my landlord to court, file the rent escrow action, etc. I'm asking as a matter of enforcement. Is that anybody in the city's job to make sure that mold
doesn't exist in the rental units that the city is licensing and giving some measurement of or making a claim as to some measurement of the habitability thereof. And we we will look into that and we will get back to you. Um um and Christy
Lashesky, you said Dan will help him out with that. Okay. Yeah. And we will address that. So I look forward to an answer. Thank you. Thank you. Um have another person who wishes to address the
council. It's Jeremy. If you could state your name and your address. Uh my name is Jerem. Okay. Go ahead. Okay. So, council members, you begin every meeting with a land acknowledgement. You say you honor
indigenous peoples as the first stewards of this land. But when you refuse to back those words with action, that acknowledgement becomes an insult. It is not respect. It is performance. And it is deeply offensive to those of us who've lived with consequences of your inaction. My brother Joel Framboy was 17
years old, native, unarmed, shot dead in Morehead. The shooter walked away. Police buried evidence. Prosecutors looked the other way. And years later, his death was turned into a classroom lesson without truth, without compassion, without consent or dignity. This is what happens when natives lives
are treated as expendable. This is what your words cover up. When you repeat an acknowledgement every week, but refuse to address misconduct, you prove its emptiness. You claim honor while you hide behind silence. You claim honor
while you uh you claim moral leadership while you refuse accountability. This is hypoc this is hypocrisy. This is complicity and it adds insult to injury for native families who are still grieving and still fighting for justice. I need you to understand that every time
you recite the acknowledgement without action, you are not honoring us. You are mocking us. It is a shield for cowardance. It is a script you hide behind. It does more harm than good because it makes you feel virtuous while nothing changes for the people who you claim to recognize. And when you say I you have no jurisdiction over this
matter. That is not true. You hold power over budgets, appointments, and the police chief. You swear on officers. You authorize the funds. You've empowered the very officials who failed my brother. Pretending you have no authority is either ignorance, incompetence, or a deliberate lie.
So I implore you to if you're not going to be prepared to act, then you stop using the land acknowledgement in these meetings. Stop insulting us by speaking our names while refusing to deliver justice. Tear it out of your agenda because until you uh pair
it with real action or real actions or accountability, every word of that statement is a reminder of your failure. Thank you. Um, with that, that brings us to agenda
item number nine and public hearing. And our first one, our public hearing is public hearing to consider the 2025 border and city enterprise zoning program. I get a motion to open the public hearing, please. So move Nelson.
Second, Nissa Mayor. So we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I. I all those opposed same sign. Mr. Le Point. Thank you. Thank you very much and good evening everyone. Uh public hearing tonight is an annual um uh action on our
border city enterprise zone uh and specifically related to the workers compensation program that uh is established and overrun by our uh economic development program administrator Amy Thorp. Uh just as a a couple housekeeping items. Uh so the
border city uh enterprise zone is unique to our our area of of Minnesota. There's five communities that receive uh annual appropriations. Uh that includes East Grand Forks, Dworth, Morehead, Breen Ridge, and Ortonville. Um each uh jurisdiction, local jurisdiction has
their own kind of way of of handling these appropriations. Uh and we at this point in time utilize these funds for uh workers compensation uh disparities between the two states. Uh our annual appropriation became u permanent in 2019
uh due to large part in some advocacy work by Lisa Bod uh and obviously great support from our local legislators here as well. Um this year we are looking to have a few different changes thanks to uh some great discussion that we had at our EDA and I'd look to council member
Moore or White to share some insights there. Uh but per our review we had uh in 2024 we had 88 businesses complete the application. uh that represented about 2100 full-time employees. Uh and that was a total uh appropriation of
about 350,000 of credits paid to businesses. Um we have been looking at how to continually continue to uh promote uh and get more businesses to apply for this program. This is a yearly application that needs
to come through. uh and looking at the appropriation of about 525,000 we are making some adjustments looking seeking for an adjustment uh to our program limits here this year uh per the discussion of the EDA we are looking to increase our credit level amount from
25% to 30% this year uh with an increase of our program cap of 30,000 to 40,000 per business uh for the program funding of 2025 if approved here today the work is is truly underway with uh with Amy Thorp and preparing marketing
information uh including in the inclusion of putting inside of our city insight website uh online application portal business list flyer uh and then multiple engagements that we try to get the word out to as many businesses as possible. So uh with that being said uh
in your packet here you can actually see what uh the previous uh contribution was. So, at that 25% credit level with a $30,000 cap, uh that was about $350,000. If we had that same 88 businesses apply
with the 30% credit level increase and the $40,000 cap, that would be about $428,000 uh again of the 525 that we'll see next year. So, still gives us room for hopefully more businesses to apply um but doesn't put us in a stress point from a budget standpoint either. So with
that, I'd look to maybe council member Moore or White to share any insight from uh the unanimous uh recommendation from EDA here uh earlier today and uh and seek any questions you may have as well. Go ahead. Thank you. Thank you, Derek. Uh yes, and
our it's just a couple of things to mention in our conversations. One that precipitated it is that you know we will um uh in the be in the beginning of the year paid family medical leave will come online and we do know that some businesses have expressed concern about the cost and this gives us another tool
to leverage as we're talking to businesses that we would say well we also have this other we're adding to this as a way to support local businesses. Um, I know that we were talking about the sustainability of it of making sure that we're not um creating a scenario where we're spending
down too much of it because as Dererick noted, we want to grow the program and attract more businesses and use it as a tool for attracting and retaining our businesses. And um this amount really doesn't it still leaves a lot of leeway.
Like for instance, for this year, we'll still have about $100,000 left over. And so there's room to grow with this, but also it gives us something that you know that when they are out there speaking to businesses that it really could be another thing that will help keep people
in Morehead and bring new businesses into Morehead. So I support it. Um, is there anyone before we close the public hearing, is there anyone here in the audience that would like to speak on the public hearing?
Is there anyone here in the audience that would like to speak on the public hearing? If not, I'm looking for a motion to close the public hearing. So, move Nelson Mayer. So, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I.
All those opposed, same sign. Okay. Um, any questions for Derek from the rest of the council members? If not, I'm looking to get a motion on the item. White moves to approve. Second floor. Your guess.
So, we have a motion and a second. Um, any other questions? If not, all those in favor say I. All those opposed, same sign. And that item does pass. I'll just say thank I just want to say a thank you to to our legislators, too.
This is a critical piece of um of legislation for us to be able to work with our businesses. It's a small tool. Some of our uh businesses only receive about $500 out of this too, but it goes a long ways in um trying to bridge some gaps here on the border as well. So,
we're very grateful for the legislation and and making sure that we have this uh for the border communities. It's a helping hand. Yeah, absolutely. Okay. And Derek, I think you've got the next one. 11A resolution approve an option agreement for the DG Fuels for
city-owned real real property described as all our portion of 2900 50th Street South. Yes, thank you. And uh I'll be brief on this, but uh uh uh for those that have kind of been following the news on this over the last year, u uh back in uh
2024, we received uh word from DG Fuels and Chairman Michael Darcy that they were prioritizing Morehead as a potential site for a future sustainable aviation fuel project. Uh this is a large project with um um lots of considerations from the state of
Minnesota, the federal government as well as uh infrastructure that uh is needed for this type of project as well. Uh as uh discussions have continued over the last year uh and Mr. Darcy and DG Fuels uh prepare their federal uh uh application for the Department of Energy
and some of the tax credits that are available to them. Uh one uh piece of that uh next step for the Department of Energy is site uh control. uh in discussions with Mr. Darcy, uh an option agreement was one form of of having that site control for them to
continue that application project process. Sorry. Um this again is a is a a substantial project with um lots of time and consideration uh that needs to still go through due diligence. Uh if you're processed today of the 554 acres
that is immediately west of uh the Morehead airport, uh we will alert DG Fuels that will continue their their application process and we continue to have uh extensive due diligence uh with our local Morhead public service, Missouri River Energy, uh the state of
Minnesota, Greater MSP and the SAFHub uh and many others over the next 12 months. So we feel that this is um low risk uh to the uh the city of of Morehead. uh we feel that this uh is a a a great first step in really kind of securing some uh
time and uh due diligence needed to make sure that this project can move forward in a in a real detailed way. So with that, we'd be seeking action from the council to consider um consider entering into this option agreement with DG Fuels.
Thank you. Any questions for Mr. to the point to approve. Nissa mayor second. So we have a motion and a second. Uh one last any questions? If not all those in favor say I.
I. All those opposed same sign. And that item does pass. Thank you Mr. La Point. Thanks for being here. Thank you. And that is progress right? That's that's progress. Okay. That will bring us to uh mayor and
council reports agenda item number 19. Does anyone have reports? Council member Niss Meer. Absolutely. Thank you, Mayor Prom. Um I want to extend my thanks for all of the participants, organizers, and attendees at our Greater Morehead Days parade last
Friday. It was outstanding. um the inclusive Morehead um social afterwards at MState. I have never seen so many performers and community members there. Um there were so many folks. We ran out of food. We ran out of ice cream. It was a good problem to have.
So, uh look for a bigger and better social next year is what I'm thinking. We'll start planning it probably tomorrow. Um, I also want to uh share my thanks for all of those who attended the um flyin and drive-in this last
Saturday. Um, I gifted all of my fellow council members uh a uh 30-year memorial sticker um for Florence Klingan Smith field. Uh we had a wonderful um ribbon cutting. Thank you uh council member uh Hendrickson for being there. It was
absolutely outstanding. Again, ran out of food. like we ran out of pancakes before 10 o'clock in the morning, which was really okay because um the volunteers were able to magic up some more pancakes and um have enough to keep the line going for longer hours than they had planned. It was just an
absolutely outstanding event, beautiful fall weather, and lots of um cars and helicopters and planes and wonderful things. So, the feel that I got from community members was that it was absolutely outstanding and we'd like to do it again. We haven't had one for a
couple of years and so um as a member of the airport committee I would like to extend feedback for that event. Please feel free to email me and at our next quarterly airport meeting I will share that feedback and hopefully put um the impression um upon folks that we would
like to do it again um for the 31st anniversary of our uh Florence Klingan Smith field. Um I have additional updates from our um Klay County Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting which was on um Thursday, August 28th. Um
there has been lots of discussion about the resource recovery center um and we continue that discussion at that meeting. We also were made aware of wet trash being an issue in our community. And so, um, Klay County, uh, solid waste
has put out some really great infographics of reminders for people to close your, um, trash. This goes for, um, apartment buildings, individual residents. Keep the trash closed. We've had a very wet year this year. I mean, we've talked a lot about mosquitoes, but
now we can talk about wet trash, and wet trash isn't very good for anybody. And so, um, look for some of those reminders and share that information with your neighborhood to really help keep, um, our trash in fine, dry conditions. That would be appreciated. Um, also look
forward, I know it's not quite fall yet, but, um, Takeback Jack is a program that Klay County is choosing to continue this year. And so, um, look for that the first week of November as an opportunity to take your, um, fall and Halloween
type decorations that are organic in nature and dispose of them throughout a variety of sites throughout Klay County. So, we have a good way to um reuse all of that organic waste. Uh, thank you, council member. And the
and the flying was fun. And my son saw a couple Ferraris there. He's only in seventh grade, but he asked if I'd buy him one, and I said, "Well, not in this lifetime, but you know, but they're beautiful cars." Uh, go ahead.
Thank you, Mayor Prom. Um, I just wanted to give a report from our park board meeting on August 28th. A special recognition to Ronan John, who is an Eagle Scout, and he did a presentation on his project. It was so cool. He put
together a life-size chess set at Davy Memorial Park. I encourage everybody to go and check it out. He showed just so much I I don't know. He He was just a very impressive young man just showing the vision, project planning,
flexibility, fundraising. Um, and I truly feel as though he's a rising star in our community. So, thank you to him for his great work in our community. And then I want to follow that with our economic development authority meeting today. Um that we had and thank David
Hayer and James Whirlwind Soldier from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for their great presentation and our discussion with them where we discussed job creation funds and investment funds and just all the different opportunities out there
for Morehead businesses to be supported and thrive within our state. So, thank you to them. Thank you, Council Member Moore. Council member Nelson. Thank you, Mayor. Um, back at end of August 26th, the Red River Regional
Dispatch Authority Board had a monthly meeting and everything is uh on track there. As you know, we're with the new facility. It's scheduled to be completed about midocctober. So, it's less than a couple months away. They're putting the final touches on the on the facility. So, just a lot of uh great work by all
the staff with all the entities. um and obviously the the board but really the staff behind it to also get it to that point. I mean you think about this between the different entities and the different policies and procedures and funding methods and all the stuff behind the scenes for all those entities come
together finished product. Um it's going to be great to see. So that's uh that's awesome. That's just to support our public safety uh professionals. So um other than that uh they continue to run just about at full staff there. So things are are going well. And then uh
tonight uh we swore in five new officers. Sorry, give me a second. I want to congratulate all of them. I want them to be safe. I'm going to continue to pray for their safety every
single day. The last time we did that here at council, a few hours later, our law enforcement in the area were under fire, literally. So, I'll be thinking of everybody. Um, so thank you
to the brave men and women that are taking the oath here tonight. That's not an easy thing to do. So, thank you to the officer in the back of the room, the entire team. Uh, Chief Helmick who's leading a great department. Um, so just time to sit back and pause with all
the business and go. Those folks were taking fire after we swore them in a few hours later. So, um, yeah, it's a hell of a job they're doing. So, thank you. U, we'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We support you and, uh, stay strong. Thank you.
That's all I have for my report. Thank you, Council Member Nelson. Anyone? Council member White. Thank you, Mayor Prom. Um, I wanted to give you an update on Mattbus. Uh, and there's some things just to keep this on your radar. You'll you'll see some things within the I think maybe at one
of our uh next meetings. Um, it's been a difficult couple of meetings. Um, as we are working towards putting together the budget for next year, as you probably are aware, the city of Fargo is having some very difficult uh, financial
challenges and not map bus related, but as a result of that, they had initially proposed a approximately $2 million cut in their local share, which would be about a 40% redu reduction in um, their share uh, for Mattbus and also um,
numerous cuts to roots and services. As a result, that would mean that Morehead ends up covering a much higher Morehead and Dworth would cover a higher percentage of the cost at with a diminished services. And so, we've been in some really tense negotiations and I
want to um really give credit to our staff particularly in our our um finance office for the work that they've been doing trying to work out some of these. But um this will become coming to us. We do not get to approve uh the Fargo
budget obviously, but um but we are uh it will we will be working on approving the Morehead budget at some point. Um we have a special meeting this week for Mattbus um to discuss this and look at some of the proposed route changes and
budget proposals and then we will have another meeting the following week which would be our regular meeting. But it it has been really challenging and really you know um we're fortunate that we live at a place where we can partner with our with other cities in the area and in
many cases it works extremely well and this is one case where it's particularly challenging and um and so going forward we have to really think about that and um in terms of what this means for our partnership and so um lots of discussion but I wanted to make sure that you're watching that closely because some of
this will be coming forward and as you're hearing from folks even if all of the currently all of the proposed service changes are on Fargo's side, but that impacts our Morhead residents who are trying to get to jobs and to school
and to other important places on that side of the river. But also that shift means a substantial increase in the share that Morehead would be paying um because of the funding formula. So um lots of important information. So again, I know um there'll be more coming and I
want to make sure that the council members are watching that. Thank you, Council Member Ner. I'm sorry, I forgot two things. Um, Council Member White's um, comments about some of our metropolitan collaborative efforts reminded me that
on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at uh Metro Cog, which is Kitty Corner from uh the city of Fargo. Um the we're having a Casc Food Commission meeting, and the topic um or one of the
topics that we're going to discuss is um federal and state funding changes in for our food systems um for SNAP, as well as a variety of other things. um supports that um go for our food banks, our
farmers, our a variety of things have recently taken a number of hits and challenges. And that uh meeting from 10:30 to noon at MetroCOG this Wednesday. I encourage people, you can tune in. It's a a web public meeting
that's accessible via web or join us in the boardroom um at Metrocog to um share in the discussion about changes uh both federally and at the state level and how they will potentially impact our community and what um have some ideas about what our community can do about
changes. The second thing I forgot is the longest table. Um that uh shindig is coming next week, Thursday, uh September 18th. Um the meal starts at 6:00 p.m., but you can uh check in and register as early as 5:30. I encourage you to bring
your neighbors, your elders, your youngsters. Everybody is welcome. You can get tickets on Eventbrite. Um, and it is a really great uh conversation time for everybody who doesn't know one another to get to know people in our community, share a meal. Um, and there
are specialty meals available depending on your dietary restrictions. And um, we hope to have a really outstanding um, attendance. It is being held at Trinity in their new newly renovated space. So, even um, if you don't have time to get a
ticket, we'll still be there and we'll still have enough food for you. please get a ticket so we know um how many kiddos are coming um and we can have the appropriate amount of sack lunches um for kids so they can roam around and have lots of fun while the adults do lots of talking about food systems and
families in our community and you send it to Trinity. Yes, it is at Trinity. Yep. Okay. Thank you very much. Any other reports? If not, uh, just have a couple things and I'll lighten up and I know you guys
had some tough news to bring, but um, on Wednesday, Septe September 3rd, Council Member McDougall and I attended the American Red Cross Battle of the Cities presentation in Fargo Battle of the Badges. And it was it was just a friendly uh, competition between Morhead
and Fargo. And I was going to let the mayor announce this, but uh, we won. So that's all. [Applause] Council member McDougall, if you want Did you want to add anything to that or just did a great job. I like I like beating Fargo. So, same.
Yeah. Nothing against Fargo, but it's nice to win. Um, second thing, last th Wednesday and Thursday, we had uh Red River Base Commission, and on Wednesday we didn't personally, I had meetings all day that day, but uh we toured they they toured the FM diversion projects and I
guess they're really impressed. zone and then and that's driving forward and then we had a regular meeting on Thursday and one interesting thing about that is uh there's a weather outlook for this winter. So all I can say is I hope we
have warm coats because it's going to get cold. So with that uh city manager Molly any Yes, thank you. I don't have an update other than to say so that battle of the badges the blood drive if I you went to
the Fargo City Commission room. Yep. Okay. And then they were they were doing the presentation and then they awarded it to Morehead. Yeah. In front of all the Fargo City Commissioners. Absolutely. And I turned around and smiled at him. Okay. Just because we won. I was happy. And
then I just want to say thank you too to everyone that's been participating in the Greater Morehead Days events. I mean they just they go on every day. Um and they've been a lot of fun. Attendance has been really great and so it's really the weather now it seems to be turning out um this week as well. So just want
to encourage folks to keep coming out. I believe this morning was the um the uh boy the medallions. Those things get found in it's amazing how they were found in like 4 hours, right? That is amazing and kind of a bummer. I like just seeing like little
clues post and people like, "Oh, it's not here. It's not here." It I'm sad it ended so quickly cuz then the engagement is down. But next year, I will say that the person that hid them was James. I won't say his last name, but he was going to hide them in a very Harry Potter-like fashion. And so, but
they were still found within by by noon. Um, tomorrow is the farmers market. Then kids kids fest on Wednesday at Blueest Stem. And things continue. through the Red River Run on Saturday. So, um, lots of fun happening these days.
Thanks, Dan. I don't believe we have an executive session and, um, there is I don't think we have any new business. So, with that, it's agenda item number 23 and we're adjourned. Good night, Morhead.