Great. Yep. Welcome. I call the meeting of uh January 15, 2025 to order at 7 p.m. Please rise, I'm sorry, July. Please rise for the pledge.
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Um first item on the agenda is to
approve the amended agenda. There's a couple different versions. I will make a motion to approve the agenda uh the amended version two agenda as presented. Second it. All those in favor? I I opposed. Motion carries. Um next thing
on the agenda is the consent calendar. Um all matters listed here are considered routine by the council and will be enacted in one motion. I will hold Prom mayor, can can you resend that so I
can discuss? Um, we'll make a motion then we'll discuss. All right. Is the proper way to do it? I think I think he's requested to pull something off the consent. Well, I want to pull off what I have is a few questions on it that I would like
um department to look. Yeah. Pull it off and approve the consent agenda. Yeah. And then we'll discuss it. Okay. I just want to pull C6 off for right now. C6. Okay. The public works department report.
Yes. Okay. I'll second. Make it. Is that a motion? Second. Yeah. Okay. All those in favor? I I post. Motion carries.
Okay. Now to approve the rest of the calendar. Make a motion. Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve the consent calendar C6 off which we will discuss after the vote.
Okay. I'll second. Okay. All those in favor? I motion carries. Um number D, open form. This is the time anyone in the uh public would like to comment.
Um before people comment, I just want to let people know that we'll keep it to uh 3m minute limit and I'll let people know when the three minutes is up to me. Go ahead. There we go. Good evening everyone. Um, I just wanted to take the opportunity to
thank you guys for the city's contribution towards the Freedom Day fireworks and also a special thank you to Jesse for his uh personal contribution. The fireworks were spectacular. I hope you got to see them. Um, I also just want to give a big thank you to the public works team. Bub,
Craig, and Pete put in so much work before, during, and after the event. um their efforts helped everything run smoothly and I just wanted to make sure they got the recognition they deserve. I'm grateful to the Niswah Police Department for having all hands on deck.
I know um they put in some long hours over the holiday weekend and um your commitment does not go unnoticed. I truly value our partnership and appreciate working with all of you. And thank you to the Niswah Fire Department for working with us on parade staging and being ready to go to help keep our
community safe. Um it was a top tier top tier unforgettable day and it wouldn't have been possible without your partnership. So thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? evening council.
Usually when I show up, it's not a good thing. There's a few familiar faces from quite a while ago. Hi, Tom. Um, but this time I'm actually going to say I'm going to keep it to positive things. Um, and maybe next month we'll we'll
address some other issues. But last time I was here, I wanted to address the leaving of your chief. And I would like to say that it was a a great loss and it was. But I think overall I think you made out pretty good with
your new chief. He's going to fill Craig's shoes quite well. And the reason I bring up the past is that myself along with the city, we had a tumultuous beginning.
and Chief Craig Taylor at the end of all the rigomearroll he started kind of ironing things out and I think he needs that respect given to him and I think that needs to be cleared up because I don't think I did an adequate
um attempt at giving him credit for what he actually did. Um he mediated quite a bit at the end of that tumultuous time. there's a lot of lawsuits going on and everything else. But the one thing that I did appreciate the most is that he
gave personal attention at the end of that rather unfortunate uh incident uh with the city. Um the city itself
handled it quite well. I think overall it it came down to a communication, a little breakdown in communication. That was unfortunate, but I'd like to clarify with regard to everyone involved in that incident. I certainly am one that could
have handled that incident a lot better. Um, but I will have to say that upon the leaving of of Chief Taylor, he left you guys with a sensational uh and very professional police department. Uh, you got a great chief,
the sergeant uh that you guys uh landed, good guy. And I'd like to say that officer Thompson and Officer Rooney are standup gentlemen, too. I'd like to say that during that that time they actually
were amazingly professional. So I think I'm one to criticize when criticism is due. So I'd like people to kind of weigh the gravity of the compliments that I'm given towards the city's police
department. So, with that said, uh I think I'll wrap it up and I uh congratulate uh Todd or I'm sorry, Chief Todd and uh go from there. Thank you.
Thank you. Anybody else for open form address C6 under for one second. Emma should Emma can go. She's Well, she's a special line item on there. If you want to talk first on open form.
I can do that from here. Yeah. You don't have to go upstairs. I I just I just want I know Tom's here. Um after reading C6 under the public works and everything going on, I was kind of surprised with everything that came up with the comus. Um I was just wondering
if Tom if he wants to could come up and kind of explain that in layman's terms about everything that that they found on Ncomomas. Also um the possibility of the huge extra cost that will come to that when we actually have to do it redo that
whole road. So I don't know if Tom wants to address that C6 in Really all there is to say about that is I think when I presented the paving that we did there, it was a band-aid project. It was something that was going to get
get us through. Uh the road was shot to where you couldn't really drive on it anymore. We couldn't fix it anymore. So, it was a stop gap measure until we could do a larger, more comprehensive project in most of those areas. Now it and
Bonnie can speak from Grand View. He's happens to be here too if he has any interest in speaking to it. But um at least the areas in resort, you know, they're subject to heavy traffic. There's trucks and things. And so when we milled off the pavement throughout
the that whole area including East and West Lindon, um we had contracted to mill off an inch and a half of pavement and put back an inch and a half of pavement. Ordinarily that would be sufficient for what we were trying to do because underneath
there there would be an inch and a half of old pavement because our standard calls for three inches of total pavement. two separate lifts of an inch and a half. Well, in this case, we only had an inch and a half in most spots. And what was underneath? Sand or gravel.
And that was it. That's it. Yeah. So, when you're driving on those new roads, they look great right now, but there's not much supporting them underneath. And so if they're subject to heavy truck
traffic, especially in the springtime, eventually they'll break up faster than what we would like. So I would say, you know, these roads were a part of our 27 road bond. We're not dealing with the details of them yet. That'll probably be
coming next year. But I think we need to leave those in that discussion for what we're going to do long term with them because I think there will need to be some base correction for sure. We'll have to figure out how to add more pavement thickness at a minimum to keep
those to last. So now there's other issues. You know, we've got to talk about drainage and other things. um they're what is desired, what we can do, what we should do. So, just to be aware, the road looks great
right now. There's no problem. But in those hit areas where there's commercial traffic, we're probably going to have to redo that soon. And that'll because currently right now that we're hoping that will last what, five, six
years with the kind of traffic that's on there and the weight? Uh that's probably the longest you're going to get. Okay. And then once that comes up and we have to redo it, my assumption is we have to bring in a whole bunch of classify everything. Well, it'll be a longer project. You
know, this was only a two-day project. We did it, you know. So, they completed the whole thing within about a week's time. The next time it'll be probably half a season, month-long project maybe. It depends on what all is done. So if we had to up for instance uh the station 3
is down here as well and so we've talked about there might be some work we have to do with force main um there's a discussion about there's going to be water main placed in the road um things like that and I can't answer
that there's a whole bunch of discussions that have to be had with the stakeholders down there of what they want to see and what we recommend and then what ultimately you want done. So
I think by the time I think when we get into the 27 road bond we need to talk about what the plan is going to be have the meetings with the stakeholders figure out what the plan is and have it ready to go. So as soon as that new pavement shows signs of breaking down
whether it's year three year five year 10 I you know whenever that happens we need to be able to go with it. There's also some um with the with the way the bonding works, we have a window of time that we can do those projects. So, if say you do that
bond in 27, I think you've got I could be wrong about the amount of time, but I think you have a year to initiate those projects. So, it could be that we do the planning for it in 27 and then build
that part in 28. I think the other roads that are on 27 I would like to get done in 27 because obviously they're shot. Okay. Didn't mean to put you on the spot. I was just wondering about that one because No. And I'm feel like I'm getting a little windy on this, but it's it's it's
complex. So, well, if I if I look at it, that's going to be a a rather large expense just for that little section of road. Could be. Could be. But there's going to have to be a lot of discussions on that. So, thank you, Tom. You bet.
Sorry for that. No problem. I'm done. Sorry. Um, no problem. Moving on to item item number two. Emma Cougar, owner of A&W. Hello everyone. As the council, mayor,
pickle manager, and Nisa police department are aware from my email sent on July 6th, I'm bringing this forward to the public because of my care and love of Niswah. Our town is a family centered community as well as a family centered tourism destination.
An intoxicated middle-aged man came from the pickle on July 3rd directly after the fireworks and got in the face of one of my employees, a minor employee, and was threatening physical vi physical violence, brawling, fighting, and intimidation.
We had all safety measures in place to protect my staff that evening with two team members going out at a time to handle the patio tasks. The minor female had just walked inside when the man committed this atrocious act on my minor
male employee. He did so in front of an entire patio of families and young kids. The inebriated male was with his similar middle-aged um brother or friend and a son or nephew of that individual from what we assume.
Both were also intoxicated. The young 20-ish male was standing with the initiator defending him saying, "Is this true? you want to fight us to my employee only ganging up on him. My employee was absolutely terrified from what took place and couldn't even speak
when he came up from the basement and hiding there in fear that this man was going to fight him. I asked him to just say one word as he was crying so hard, hyperventilating, and saying he couldn't talk. When he told me the man wants to fight, I immediately dialed 911. This
employee is an athlete in the Briner School District. He's an excellent student. He's a social employee, an outstanding employee, and has lived in Nisa his entire life. I witnessed the truck leaving my back lot with a female driver. And at that
point, my mom instincts kicked in and I stood in front of that truck, preventing it from leaving on Lakers Lane and shouting for Officer Rooney had who had come to the scene as Alan from the smoke stack was also standing with me protecting and said, "Officer Rooney
just pulled in." To this day, I still do not know if officer Rooney was at the right place at the right time in downtown Nesa or if he had gotten it on dispatch. I'm not sure. So, I shouted for Officer Rooney and from there he jumped into action and pulled them in for questioning. He did a sober check on
the driver and issued the asalent a citation for public intoxication and I believe also for disorderly contact conduct. I have with me here tonight my employees parents who are here to support their son. This man couldn't walk. He could hardly
stand up without leaning against the patio railings. And he was uttering things only one who was over the legal limit would say. Multiple employees witnessed his F-bomb tirads on my patio, including the family's eating. Whether the pickle was his only stop, his
starting point, his finishing stop, I have absolutely no way of knowing any of that. But I do know that is where the group of three had walked from based on eyewitness accounts. I thank officer Rooney for everything he did and for caring
and um and for everything he did and for citing that man with as much as he could. He was exceptional with his care and kindness and calmness with my employee. I thank God this man didn't lay hands on my employee. I cannot take my brain there because I get too shook up to think about it. When my staff is
with me, they are my kids. Their parents entrust their safety to come and work in downtown Nesa. And I do my all to protect these kids as my own. And this hit straight in my heart because this employee should never have experienced this. I can't take that away from him.
And that kills me. These are my kids. We personally ushered our staff home that evening to all their homes in the Nisa area. And we closed around the time of the incident. We stayed open. We have stayed open late the last couple freedom days until midnight because there is such an influx of people still in town
and not wanting to head out in traffic and deal with that. So, they'll stay and eat before leaving. Even at after we ushered our employees home that night at 1:00 a.m. when I finally pulled out of the restaurant, there were still families walking in downtown Nysa with strollers.
Um, but again, this happened right after the fireworks. It's not like it was a midnight event. I received immediate responses from my emails and have shared screenshots of everything to my employees parents. We appreciated the response and apologies and have shared them also with the victim. I received
responses from everyone that I emailed except for the new chief. As I stated in my email, events in this town have grown so huge that a small police force and this year down two police officers cannot handle the magnitude to protect the safety of the locals, the business
owners, and the enormous quantity of visitors. and that needs to change. We need the two spots filled as soon as possible. Unfortunately, they were not for Freedom Day. Um, in another event that I had held on Saturday, we appreciated that the new Chief Todd had
come for nearly the entire show and was providing as well security. We need to have backup for them for events. We need more volunteers for safety. There's a community college in Brainer full of law enforcement students. Heck, there's the Camp Ripley
just south of town. We cannot simply say, "Well, we have 16 to 20,000 extra people. There's going to be some that can't handle themselves." No, we need safety and security of protection. For the public record, there were incidents at the pickle that evening as multiple
people have come forth with witnessing them. It was not just what occurred at my restaurant. In addition to the pickle, we have other beer, wine, and liquor being served throughout the downtown as well as coolers coming in. And in my 22 years at the A&W, as it was my first job, I have never witnessed the
next morning cleaning up as much cans, alcohol glasses, bottles on the entire Lakers Lane area and in my parking lot as I did prepping for the car show. Um, the open carrying and tailgating was absolutely out of control this year. And
I've spoke to many store owners who also can tell you of the sloshing of drinks through their merchandise. My next questions are what safety measures are in place at the city bar to protect from over serving and the training and checks on the strengths of the drinks? Are there cameras at the
pickle? Um why was it seen on multiple outlets of social media that there were guest bartenders? Are individuals allowed to serve drinks no matter who? What training do the guest bartenders go through? Who's monitoring the open carrying? Who is monitoring the drinking on the street, sidewalks, coolers at
fireworks, etc.? and how will this be handled moving forward? I realize we're not citing everyone carrying an open bottle down the street, but wrangle them back in to where they need to go. We have events and festivals coming up yet this summer and fall, and we need change
in knowing we will be protected for those events. This cannot happen again in NESA. The psychological trauma from this event will never be forgotten by my employee, and he'll carry that nightmare with him his entire life. If something worse had happened, then what? What if it had gone a step further and he laid
hands on my minor employee after coming from the cityrun bar? I'm coming forth asking for help to protect the businesses and their employees, the locals, the spectators, the visitors, the homeowners, and our entire community to make our town safer and to prevent an incident like this or worse from
happening. It is on you, the city of Nisa, to do that for us. Thank you. Thank you, Emma. Okay, next item is reports. Um, first, do we have anything from the city attorney? Yes, good evening everybody. Just an
update on uh Royy's Landing. Um, I think Bill can confirm this, but I think we have all the analytics now from WH per that process that the council approved to have that uh topographical divide determination
reviewed again by our city engineer. Um, in talking with Stephen today about process now, um, the idea is obviously to get it back on your agenda, uh, to review those results and make a determination, but it also makes sense to me that it would cycle first back
through the planning commission. Uh, they did make a motion to deny that request uh, originally, but they didn't have the benefit of the updated information. So, if the council agrees, Stephen and I will direct that uh that set of information from WHIDS to the
planning commission for a discussion there before it comes back to you. Do you need a formal motion or just general consensus from the council? I think just general consensus. Yeah, it also has to go back to the DNR. Correct. Yeah, I think uh Stephen confir. That's
true. Yeah. Yep. So, if that's the case and you're okay with it, then uh Stephen will get that on the next planning commission agenda should be in shape to be on your agenda then in August. Okay, sounds good. Thank you. That's all I've got. Thank you. Thank you. Um any updates, Bill, from
the city engineer? Yeah. Um again, I've been working on the Go Lake Trail. They've been finishing up the walls, coming up with a few little problems that you're going to hear about a little bit later, some change orders. Um
been working on the um 2025 streets trying to get all the rightaway issues resolved and getting started on the city hall street and church street noma or niswah avenue. Um survey crew is probably going to start either this week or next week to pulling
the roadway getting the information that we need. Um yeah that's pretty much it. Thank you. Um, old business next. First, we have the Verizon cell tower draft lease and site plan agreement um for the
fire station location. I see Stephen here and Woody on Zoom. Thank you, mayor and councel. Um, so in preparation for a variance in a conditional use permit application, the applicant has requested a sketch plan review of their proposed location at for
a cell tower on the property owned by the city of Niswah. That would be P28110763, which is the Niswah Fireh Hall. Um, my planning commission reviewed the proposed um site plan in your packet and I've attached the minutes from their
meeting. Um, the recommendation uh for approval or denial of this location will move forward. um here to you now uh for review. Um the site plan depicts the location on the northwestern
side of the fireh hall um as shown in the site plan. And again, we're just looking for that formal authorization to move forward before the applicant starts expending costs on a survey and submitting that application. I don't know if Woody has anything additional to add to that for summary.
Woody, do you have anything additional? Oh, you're muted. Yeah, not at this time. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor, if I may also just to add to that, um I'm talking with Woody this afternoon, too, and Stephen this afternoon. Um if you approve the site
plan as presented, then it will also help populate uh part of that lease because it has those open items. So, that will allow uh Woody's firm to either uh offer up survey information that they have related to that or complete it. I'm
not sure where they are with that, but your your approval of this site plan tonight will allow that lease consideration to go forward. Also, do we have a motion to approve the site plan agreement um as presented?
I I so move. Second. All right. Is there any discussion from councel? Mark, Bruce, Jesse, Joe. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Right. Motion carries.
Thank you. Thank you. Um the next item as we move to new business is the interim city administrator update. Um so at our last meeting, council made a motion for the
personnel liaison to work and go back out and um begin the search for uh interim city administrator. Um the council should have received a privileged and confidential memo from our labor attorney, Flity and Hood. Angel is on with us tonight um outlining
that. Um but we did find uh an individual interested in the interim city administrator role, someone that we had interviewed during the first round. Um Keith Hiller, who is here with us this evening. Um you guys all had a chance to interview him back in May. And
then we have also motioned and brought him on board as a consultant to conduct an organizational assessment which it sounds like he will have the completed results of that to us by the end of the week. Um this is kind of different on the agenda. The employment agreement is second and the discussion is first.
Normally we should have a motion first and discussion second, but because it's this way, um, do we have any discussion or questions? And Keith is here. Um, Joe, we'll start with you. I don't either. Nothing. Bruce, no.
Mark. Okay. No discussion. Um, second, the employment agreement. Hopefully everybody had a chance to look that over. Sorry, I printed the I don't know if you guys got this email from Yeah, I see.
Okay. from Angel, but this is the motion language um for the employment agreement. The what is not noted on here is the start date where uh Mr. Hiller would be
able to start with us would be July 28th. So then based on that, the last date of performing city administrator duties and responsibilities per this motion language from our labor attorney and related pay would be the 27th.
So if you guys have a chance to look over that, if anyone would like to motion, Monday, the 28th is Monday. So the 27th is Sunday. Yeah, 27th is a Monday. 27th Sunday. I think it's a Sunday mark.
Well, I'll make a motion that the city council appoint Keith Hiller as city administrator. The employment agreement between city and Nisa and Mr. Hiller be approved and the mayor and city clerk execute the agreement based on the foregoing Kiki Lindberg's last date of performing city
administrative duties, responsibilities, and receiving and related pay will be July 27th, 2025. and Maggie Wentler's last date of perform duty in the deputy treasure duties and responsibilities in receiving any
related pay will be July 27th, 2025. Second. Any additional discussion or questions? All those in favor of approving the motion as presented signify by saying I. I. I. Okay. Motion carries. Congratulations.
We look forward to having you join the team in a couple weeks. Okay, next on Oh, go ahead. I don't know if this is good for us or for the staff, but I think quite a few of the staff like Mr. Hiller. So, yes, I think it's a win-winwin all
around. Um, okay. Next up under new business is approve a recommendation to hire a police officer. We'll call on Chief Shamansky. Good evening. Um front of you there you have a recommendation to hire Dustin Hines uh for one of the open vacancies
for police officer be grade 11 step three um he would be coming to us with a few years of experience currently at the Crosby Police Department been there for full-time over a little over three years
uh part-time experience before that with Crosby as well and several years and corrections in Aken County and Max County as well. So, uh it' be contingent on background check, uh psychological, medical exam, all the standard things.
So, do we have a motion to approve the recommendation to hire the police officer? Make a motion recommend hire this officer. I'll second. Any discussion? Uh we're still looking for the second
one, correct? Correct. Uh we've currently exhausted all the other applicants from the previous posting and just getting the ad up and posted again this week here. So, okay, good. Sooner the better. Bruce, do you have anything?
No. Um I just want to say um I had the opportunity to be a part of the interview panel with Todd and Scott and they did a wonderful job. Great professionalism. and they brought in great candidates and they are doing great things to strengthen the NISA
police department. So, you know, great start to the new leadership in Niswah. Jesse, anything Joe? Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Okay. Motion carries. Next up, Gull Lake Trail change orders. Um there's four
change orders. Number one, two, three, and then number four, which was a late addition. Amber, you and Bill have updates on this um or you? No, they're all in your packets. You guys have already seen the change directive number one um that came before
you. Everything else was administratively approved. And then if you have more technical questions, Bill can help answer those. Do you have anything? Bill, I have a question to start off with change order number one. Is this above and beyond what we met with met
about last Monday at 8 a.m.? That's this is the same one that yeah understood that work directive work order directive that's just being approved as part of change order. Any other questions? Jesse? No, I do not.
Joe, no. Bruce Mark, what was the total that would affect the budget? Was that around 20? Um once you get through change order 4.
Yeah. Um that brings the contract price up to 530,855. Um so it's an increase of like 33,000. All of it is still within the grant funding and um reimburseable, but that'll take the 33,000 off of the
you know, as we just discussed that end. So, it'll take 33,000 off of that end, which was approximately 200,000. Correct. Um, yeah, there's still wiggle room. I was crunching some of the next several topics are all regarding the same thing. So, I was doing some number crunching
today with the grant funds and these change orders and the proposals that's coming down the pipeline here in a couple items. Um, there is still some wiggle room, some contingency. we still have um
room within the reimburseable professional services. So, there's still wiggle room, but it is something that I'm very mindful of. And um I think we're getting close to the end of this issue with the retaining wall. So, um there is wiggle room looking at the
current project and these change orders with the proposed addition for the bathroom and the trail at this lake park. That's why I just brought that up because I think I'll want to discuss that when that comes up too because there may be
an amount put on the city if that's just my addition and I'm not very good at math but you know because we have the proposed amounts how much it'll be and so forth and we have X that will come back on that. So
correct I'll discuss that later. we have contingency built in on the um the amended scope, okay, as well. So, there is we're still okay. We're still within the grant funds and there's still wiggle room for that project. Um
Okay, this work has to be done. Okay. Do we have a motion? I can take a stab at these. like to make a motion to approve change order one regarding the G Lake Trail phase 4B project for the amount of
16,743.30. I'll second. Any additional discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Okay. Motion carries. Like to make a motion to approve change order number two for the Golic Trail
phase 4B project in the dollar amount of $6,667.0. 0 cents. I'll second. Any additional discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Okay, that motion carries. Like to make a motion to approve change
order number three for the G Lake Trail phase 4B project for the amount of $234520. I'll second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. And I'd like to make a motion to approve
change order number four for the G Lake Trail phase 4B project for the dollar amount of $7,18165. We'll second. Any additional discussion on that one? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Okay. Motion carries. Thank you. Um,
next up is the pay application number two for the Gull Lake Trail. if these change orders are not reflective on that because the work happened after um and so that's just for the work that's um that was done through June.
Yeah. Cut off date was July or June 30th. So none of these happened till after that. So they'll appear in the next payout. Okay. Um do we have a motion for pay
application number two for the Gway Trail? I make a motion to approve payout number two for $123,576.15. I'll second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I.
Okay. Motion carries. Um, next number six is a proposal for professional services for the amended Gull Lake Trail phase 4B project. Yes. So, I submitted um the request to amend our scope to include the pave
trail into Niss Lake Park with a flushing toilet um and a few additional amenities. Uh and that was approved at the end of June. So, the contract has been finalized with the DNR um and that is now a part of the Gull Trail phase 4B
project. Uh in order to um implement that, we do need some professional services. Uh Woods will be putting together the um specs to build the trail. Um working with the city to identify the well location, utilities,
things like that. Um and so this is their proposal for those services. um when we did put the original numbers together, we did uh an estimate of 20,000 in that budget and so it is very close um as Mark was mentioning of just
where that wiggle room is and it's pretty much hitting on target with our original budget. So we should be fairly close at the end there. One thing I have to I want to ask is I know there it there may have been some frustration recently with uh the
engineering on this on different things but I was just wondering um when would all the engineering have to be done because there is a timeline for this on the third 30th of June. So, when does all that engineering, when does all this have to be done so that we can get this going? Because I think pretty sure that
this has been okayed by the um greater Minnesota. Oh, I screwed up. Rob Rob doesn't like it when I screwed up. Um so, so they're over okayed it. They've okayed the project and the contract has been amended by the DNR.
So, this would be the final step in order to get going on those professional services. Okay. So, so I I I kind of have another question after this, but but that one is so in so in reality, we'd have to have all of that done by
by August 30th. Sooner the better. No, I'm I'm your opinion. I I value. Um yes, that's kind of one of the biggest things is trying to get that foundation complete. Um figuring out the
timeline of all of that. And so we've talked preliminary, Tom, myself, and Bill about what that timeline looks like and trying to get all this in motion as soon as possible. Um, and what can be built before fall? Because then we do have to work with the
production of the toilet shell and what their timeline is as well, right? Because they have a they have what was it a 90day approximate give or take and then Okay. Um,
there's a lot of moving pieces to put in place, right? I mean, if if if things aren't done by October 30th, then you might as well say we're not going to do this. That's my opinion. I might be way off. Am I kind of close on that or not? We're going to
be working very diligently to Okay, I'm very aware of the timeline on this and who knows what mother nature's is going to give us for winter. So, as quick as we can get going on this stuff and get
it figured out and laid out like that's that's our aim. Um because I don't want to push our backs up against the wall come spring. And then the other thing I want to put on there, and I'm I'm not I'm not trying to put you on the spot, Amber, but um so if let's say we get this in and everything's going good like
that, um I know that the Greater Minnesota Wreck Park Trails that they're going to look at redoing their master plan for the Go Lake Trail. I um that would be initiated by the four communities,
right? But but my my what I'm wondering is is if if if we're approached on that that that's what they want to do. Is there any way to is the lake park a destination off of the the G Lake Trail? Could it be
considered a destination park? How would we go about that? Would that have to be put into an amendment on that? Would that be voted on with the um certainly we could look into whatever details there are. Um they did allow
this project because in the G Lake Trail master plan that was adopted in 2015, it does list Nisa Lake Park and so because it was specified in that master plan, they're allowing it as more of a enhancing as it trail head.
So I don't know how much more money could be put towards the park. like I don't think it go as far as docks. Um but whatever would support the trail I think would be included. Okay. But certainly if we were going to go the route of updating the master plan um to ask those questions.
Okay. Thank you. Do you have anything else, Mark? No, that was it. I just wanted to have that clarified for me. You know, just something else is uh we have been been in discussion with Landwear to uh kind of work with them on coming up with the
costs. There are a lot of costs that we already have as part of from the Gol Lake Trail, but um they seem fairly receptive about working with us to come up with some of the costs for um the foundation um even the well where the well and the septic system and stuff
like that. And they would they'll just tell us when they said that they would be more comfortable using somebody else. Okay. Okay. They're willing to work with us. That's good. Good quotes. Bill, are we getting quotes for more than just lineware? We can
think that's in our best interest. Yeah. I mean, a lot of the a lot of the trail there's a lot of items from the trail that we already have unit prices for, and if they're willing to use those, then that's a really good place to start with. Um like the well for example if if we went out and did the
well on our own um we wouldn't have to pay um landw wear a basically a a fee of five or 10% for them managing their subs. Same with septic system or the step
station I guess. Um so those t those two things like that might be okay to maybe go outside but it brings in a little bit more of a you know, with the cost or something like that, it might be a little bit more difficult to uh get a bid or something
like that, but it's doable. Ch. Are we looking at heating the bathroom? Yes. So, it be open year round. Is that the plan? Yes. Do we have any more grant money available still or would this pretty
much max it out? Um, I will say I'm comfortable with the wiggle room it allows just knowing that we are in the middle of current project and then we don't know exactly what the costs are going to be for this one yet. Um, when I was doing a little bit of number
crunching earlier there there's about 60,000 available for professional services and then um that would be reduced if we spent more on infrastructure. So, just kind of depends on how we slice the pie at the end of it. Um,
but there's a fair bit of wiggle room. Um, the reason is going to ask and we can bring this up at different time at the end of the meeting, but just signage along the trail. Yeah. You know, that needs to be addressed over the Fourth of July. I know I had a
conversation even with Tom and whatever, but there are still more people walking, riding bike, everything down the middle of the road than on the trail. So, it was pretty horrendous the week of the 4th of July. They're just
for whatever reason, people are not using that trail. And I'd like to see signs put up telling people to use the trail. It's just not being tough. you should come to my property. They they're on the roads instead of the Paul Bundon trail. People will do and I understand it
because it's a safety issue that we have to deal with on that one. It's a huge safety issue. I mean, it's on Lower Roy on any given day here over the last month. There's still more people in the road than on the trail that witnessing on a daily basis. So, I
think some more signage or something's needed to encourage them. Honestly, I believe a lot of people think it's a golf cart path and they don't walk on it or something. I don't know why, but it it's a it is a big issue. Yeah. The the only thing that I have in
as far as this plan is um now we'll have kiosks at um like lower Royick Road and then at the tunnel we'll have kiosk with park rules and maps. Um and then I did get some metals or park rules, sorry, trail rules. And then I do have some
more metal trail rule signs that do say like no golf carts, things like that. Share the trail. Um, so we can talk more about whatever different kinds of signs might be effective. Walk on the trail, not the road. Big arrows. Walk here.
Yeah. Honestly, it's it's pretty bad for people that are up and down that road every day. You know, we are there is going to be some sort of serious incident out there. brand new trail and they walk down the middle of the road. If you can if you can tell me how to keep them from parking on my road to use
the fall bunny trail. I maybe how if we if we have some more money I'd like to look at some more sign I'm glad you brought up money because that's the question I have is the one thing we have to look at now that we have a flush bathroom. There's a couple of things we're going
to have to fund in the budget for parks is um the supplies that'll have to go in there and the cleaning. Um um because that would fall under Jeff's, correct? Or was would that be public works?
Um based on past practice, I'd assume it's under parks. Okay. So um those are just some of the things we have to look at to keep that funded. Okay. Do we have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve Woods
proposal for professional services for what was as presented. Do we have a second? Second. Any additional discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I.
I. Motion carries. Thanks, Amber. Thank you. Um, next up is the pay application number three for city hall remodel. Tom, good evening again. Um, I think you have the document in front of you for the
pay request. Uh, the amount is 164,930 and 12 cents. Um, I think some of the work that you could see that's been done is all the windows are in now. Um they put in blinds in all the offices and here
um they've done the concrete work around the building. They've done some of the tuck point on the block. Um they've done a bunch of painting. Um I can say that the work that we've been built for is definitely they've done it.
So I'd say we're over the halfway point done now for sure. So very good. Do we have a motion? I'll make a motion that we approve the uh pay application for $164,93012 as presented.
I'll second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Okay. Motion carries. Um Tom, you are up for the next three. So, public works request for council action sewer main
air release structure repairs. Right. So, this has been uh a budgeted repair we've done for the last three years. Um, we're taking a few of them each year, trying to bust up the cost of it a little bit that way. Um,
the last few have been done by D Shantel Excavating. And then, um, on this one, I believe Dantel is the lowest quote that we have for this again. Um, and I would like to ask that we go ahead
with that quote for shoot that copy is really bad. I believe it says 43,000 $3. Um, do we have a motion? I'll make a
motion to approve public works request regarding the sewer main air release structure repairs as presented. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Next. Public works request to update MMUA.
My eyesight's bad now. Delegate appointment. Yeah. So really all I'm asking for in this is um with Jenny Max leaving as a city administrator, she was the other person besides myself who was the delegated appointment for MMUA for the
city of Niswah. Um I'm just simply asking that we can remove her from that list and once we have another permanent person in that position, we'll put them back on. Tom, my only question I had for you is do we need an interimm appointee until
we have that full-time? I don't think so. Um, you can if you want, but it's it's there's not much that we do with that. It's just MMUA provides our safety training just kind of for your background. So, uh, I'm
the safety coordinator for the city. So, got it. I'll make a motion to uh, accept the update for MMUA delegate appointee list as presented. Second. Any additional discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I.
I. Motion carries. Um number 10, public works request to advertise for a maintenance technician position. Okay. This is um a backfill position. We never uh refilled this position after we
promoted Mike Deck and Corey Larson. Um so we've been running a little bit short staffed. We did that uh somewhat just to wait and see what was going to happen with uh the budget coming up for 26. We didn't want to put ourselves in a position where we might have to lay
someone off. I believe um after observing some the way the city has been running this this summer and what we're looking to do probably for next year, it's going to be pretty important that we have this person in place. And so I'm
asking with that to advertise uh to those. Bless you. Um do we have a motion? I'll make a motion that we move ahead with looking for a replacement maintenance deck. Second.
Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. Motion carries. Um I think that's it. Great. Thanks, Tom. Um last under new business is the fire department request to purchase a trailer.
Chief Bailey, good evening. In front of you, you guys have a a request there for us to purchase a trailer, and I'm looking at buying it from Looney, and we're looking at the one with a wood deck for 65.40.
We recently sold our Tahoe for $5,50, and I'd like to roll that money into our trailer and then take the additional out of my budget to purchase this trailer. Um, the buggy this trailer is going to hold is a buggy that we bought through
our fundraising. Now, it would be nice to be able to travel with it. Um, do we have a motion? Make a motion to uh purchase that trailer for the fire department. Thank you, Bruce. Is there a second? Second.
Um, any discussion or questions for Chief Bailey? Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. All right. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. Um, next up is council and liaison reports. Um, just for my mayor's report, I just have two things. Um, I
attended the League of Minnesota C's annual conference. Uh, towards the end of June in Duth, there were over 700 elected officials in attendance as well as city staff. It was an incredible experience in terms of learning, education, networking, and I shared this
with staff. Maybe it was this morning or yesterday that I think in the future it would be great if we could have additional folks go because I think I felt like I was the only I was the only city where I was the only one. Like for example, Peekquat had three people there. Cross Lake had two, right? Uh
mayor and um city staff. But again, there's just so many educational sessions that touch on different things, but when you're only one person, you can't go to five sessions at the same time, so you have to pick one. But if we had maybe staff and if it fit into
council any or all to attend, um I found it very beneficial. And then the second thing I had is um we've started doing our regional mayor's lunches that we're going to be doing quarterly uh with mayors from around the area. So our first one was on Monday. There were five
of us there for that one. Our next one's going to be in September. What was great about it is again kind of some best practice sharing um amongst us mayors within different cities. But I want to say the mayor of Breezy Point, he brought up this idea which I think has been discussed in the past is that when
we're looking at things for our city, we should also look beyond to the region as a whole and see if there are areas where there are efficiencies. reason like the example he brought up is he said, you know, Peekquat just put in this great splash pad. Why would we need to burden our taxpayers with with the splash pad
and Breezy, you know, and same with the libraries? Peekquat and Cross Lake both have libraries. So like in that case, Breezy wouldn't need to undertake that endeavor and he is happy to, you know, promote folks in his area going to surrounding communities. And so just it
was just an initial thought that he shared, but we're gonna continue meeting quarterly. And then an idea that we're going to work on at some point is to try to do some kind of a larger I don't know if it would be an informal work session with different mayors and you know if
any council members want to attend and maybe include some of the county commissioners so we can build that entire approach throughout our area to see how we can all work together productively. So I was really energized by that lunch and just wanted to share um council member reports. Mark, we'll
start with you. I just want to say something on that is is you always hear about the Brainer Lakes area. The Brainer Lakes area. I've heard that almost my whole life. So the question is though is much people don't go to Brainer for their vacation. They come to
Nisa Peekquat Breezy Cross Lake. So maybe we got to change that a little bit. But that's just me. Um, all I have to say is I know that the the parks uh commission they're working on how to entice spring whatever um
hockey day to Nisa when it be here in 2027. So, we'll see what happens. Thank you, Bruce. Nothing. Jesse, uh, one idea that's come across, uh, my mind, and I know it's been discussed previous councils, is, uh, to consider
pushing our regularly scheduled meetings up by 1 hour from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., perhaps even sooner, 5:30, if it's accommodating to the staff, they can make it work. Uh, I do know that there's going to have to be some considerations just based on the calendar already being
published, but perhaps even if we can do it for 26, perhaps we consider it now. So, um perhaps next meeting we can discuss further with a uh council motion. Yep. We'll put it on the agenda. It's a great idea. Joe,
no. My only question is, you know, um some of the budget stuff, you know, if is that going good? Questions? Anybody? Not put you on the spot, but I just today we are working on it. I am meeting with
department heads next week and the following week just to get all of their updated numbers. We'll compile it together and um hopefully have something for you in August to look at. Super. Okay. Thanks. Thank you. Um anything else?
Okay. Announcements and upcoming meeting dates are listed here on the agenda. And finally, a motion to adjurnn would be in order. Make a motion to adjurnn. Second. All those in favor of adjournment signify by saying I. I. All right. Meeting adjourned. I think
that's our fastest time.