We are good to go. Okay. Good evening everybody. Happy new year. Um I would like to call the city of Nisa regular council meeting on this Tuesday, January 20th, 2025 to order and it is exactly 6 p.m.
All right, we are going to start with the pledge of allegiance. Please join me. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> All right. Um, the next agenda item is to approve the agenda. We had our organizational meeting prior to this at 5:00 pm and there were a couple of items
that we continued to this meeting. Um so I would like to propose that we just amend the agenda to add the items from the organizational meeting and put them under uh old business uh item after item
number one. So that would be the city appointments, the council leaison appointments and the commission committee assignments. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Um all those in favor signify by saying I >> I >> opposed. Okay. Motion carries. We will
put that under old business. >> Additionally, madam mayor, on old business, item number two we discussed at the liquor meeting. >> Thank you for catching that. Um removing item number two under old business, Lonnie benefits request uh and
pushing that to a future council meeting. Um >> yeah. >> Okay. So, do we have I make that motion. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> opposed. Okay. Motion carries. All
right. Just gonna note this here. All right, next up is the consent calendar. Our consent calendar, our consent calendar uh for this month looks a little bit longer than it normally does. Um because we have a lot of
meeting minutes here included in the consent calendar. Um so to the public, all matters listed are considered routine by the council and will all be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless good cause is shown prior to the
time the council votes on the motion. Um, do we have a motion for the consent calendar? >> I make a motion to approve the consent calendar as presented. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Okay. The consent calendar
approved. Next on our agenda is open forum. If there is anyone that would like to come and address the council, you can approach the microphone over here. Um, state your first and last name and your address and then you will have 2 minutes. I will be running a timer um and we'll alert you when that time is
up. again if you don't mind stating your first and last name and then I will start the timer and you will have two minutes. >> Oh, is the microphone on? >> No, I think it's on. [clears throat]
>> Good evening. My name is Fred Hidman and uh live at 4794 Central Avenue or that's my mailing address. Um former mayor. Um I really did not want to get up tonight. Uh well, I should say I did, but I don't.
But at the last council meeting, um I recall uh Joe Hall saying that all of the non funny business and nonsense should stop, come to a stop. And uh since then, I've learned that Joe
Hall has told people everybody in town hates Fred Heidman. Well, I maybe that's true, but I was at the Festival of Lights and people I was with are like, "My god, or somebody who's so hated, you
sure have a lot of friends." And then secondly, um either Joe, it sounds like you either made it up or you passed along the fact that the mayor and I are having a affair. And that's that's here kind of fine with
me, I guess. But, you know, the gal I'm seeing who's not the mayor was like, "Well, that rotten dog." Um, so that wasn't the word she used, but along that line. I just want you to know personally I don't dislike you. Um, and I, you
know, I wish you would watch what you say. If you're asking the community and other people to do things, please do that yourself. And then lastly, and I don't like bringing this up either, but since the last meeting,
I have they might be old post, but I have Jesse, I have seen where you liked comments that people made that were negative towards the mayor. It might have been before the last meeting, I don't know. But if if the city is really
going to move forward, I would just ask that this is led by the council. Thank you. >> Time. Thank you. >> I would like to respond. >> Well, I'm not supposed to, but I will. I
wasn't even at the last meeting, Fred. Let the meeting note show. I I I I wasn't even here. >> So, >> for the record, thanks. >> Okay, let's let's move on, please. Thank
you. >> All right, let's have decorum in the chamber, please. We have someone else that would like to approach. If if you can state your first and last name, uh your address, and then I will start the timer.
>> Okay. My name is Sandy Pop, 6053 Shady Acres Court. I've given a lot of thought to this whole episode and I think the key issue here is that we have a resident of Nisa that was accused of
assault. It was not substantiated by the Nisah police and that she was traumatized by this situation. So everything else up to that point, you can talk about that all you want, but at the end of the day, there
was someone that was accused by the mayor of assault and it was not substantiated by the NISWA police. If I were in her shoes, I would be traumatized. And accusing someone of assault is
called defam defamation. And if a police report that was filed that was knowingly false, that does not fall under first amendment protection. Thank you. >> Thank you.
All right. Anybody else? Okay, we are moving on to city reports. Uh and we will start with our city attorney. >> Good evening everybody. I don't have anything to report at this agenda spot. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, next under reports,
our city engineer, >> right? Yes, we're progressing on projects under contract with the city. Couple of agenda items later on. That's it. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Now, we will move on to old business item number one,
discussion regarding the conduct of Mayor Carneahan. So, I'd like to briefly recap the landscape of what's actually happening here. Um, this issue has been circulating for about two months now. Um, and yesterday on a state and federal
holiday with city hall closed and only a day before this meeting, council members received uh a hollow resolution that fails to identify any specific conduct, any specific provision or any mandatory standard that was allegedly violated.
This document was not included in the council packet which was published last week nor made available to the public. uh now to the substance of it or more accurately the lack of it. The resolution does not identify as I
mentioned a single provision of the code of conduct that was allegedly violated. Not one sentence, not one paragraph, not one page. Instead, the entire eightpage code of conduct is what's included in the packet without citation, reference,
or explanation. The language being relied upon in this uh resolution says may and refers to conduct that is intentional and repeated which is aspirational language. There are no
findings of fact, no evidence and no articulated standard that has been met here. We do not in the city of Nisa ambush applicants when they come to apply for variances or or any other item before the city. We do not ambush our
contractors, folks that we work with every day to move the city forward. And we do not ambush our residents with undefined allegations. We don't place vague accusations into the record and expect people to defend themselves in real time and we should not be doing
that to one another. That is not how this city operates and it's not a professional process. What this document actually does instead is just express dissatisfaction. It does, as I said, it does not allow a mis alleged misconduct. It doesn't establish a violation or
identify any corrective action. Disagreement is 100% allowed. Political opposition is 100% allowed. But using public funds and resources to formalize personal dissatisfaction without substance or authority serves no
legitimate purpose for the city. All this document does is basically say we don't like Jennifer and we don't want her to play in our sandbox anymore because I decided not to resign because I was elected by the people and I will remain here for the people. So I want to
be clear about reality of this resolution. It has absolutely zero operational effect or legal teeth. It does not remove anyone from office. It does not restrict restrict participation in meetings on committees and
commissions. Um I could attend any commission committee or meeting that any other council member can attend before this resolution and I can attend after and I'm still the mayor of Nisa. The only thing that has changed here is the taxpayers will now receive a
bill from the city attorney for having to put together political theater, not city business. So rather than elevate these antics and carry this drama forward another month, it's time for us to get back to city business. And I'm prepared to treat this resolution
exactly as it's presented. I note again that the adoption of this resolution does not allege misconduct, does not vi establish any violation of the code of conduct, does not alter my role, authority or responsibilities as mayor, and does not alter my ability to
participate in any and all city meetings that my peers who are also elected can participate. So with that, because I think this is very thin, I will actually move to adopt the resolution as presented. Do I have a second? Council members on
Hi. >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. All right. Let's move on to the next item, which is a continuation from our organizational
meeting. Um, so Council Member Hall, we held a couple things because you weren't here and we wanted to make sure that you had an equal voice. Um, so the first one is the 2025 city appointments. Um, I don't know if you have that in front of
you. We went through and talked about where there are some names on here of um, employees who are no longer with the city. So, for example, under city administrator, it says Jenny Mack. So, we changed that interim city administrator, Miss Maggie Wentler.
That'll change once we have a new administrator clerk. We eliminated uh or removed city clerk, uh Miss Kiki Lindberry, because she's no longer with the city. We changed the police chief, emergency management, uh director to Chief Shamanssky. Under labor attorney,
Council Member Hall, it says TBD under 2025. As everybody knows, we've been working with Flity and Hood um in 2025, but I brought up the discussion because I had heard uh at different points throughout the year that there might be an interest in going to an RFP process
to look for a new labor attorney. Um Council Member Zan indicated he would be open to that process. Council member London uh also was in agreement there. We changed the regular meeting schedule from 7 p.m. to 6 pm. And then the last
thing, which um I didn't feel comfortable having us vote on until you were here, was the fire relief association trustees because for last year it's uh well, Bruce, Council Member London, uh Chief Bailey, but then the third was Miss Lindberry who is no
longer with us. And I felt that because you are on the fire department that we should have you weigh in on who that appointment should be. Yeah, I guess. Um, is that something you'd be willing to do, Maggie?
>> For the pointy, >> certainly. >> We'll give you food if you come to the meeting. [laughter] >> Then definitely. Yes. >> Okay. Um, were there any other changes or anything I missed with this document
uh gentleman that were here at the organizational meeting? Document B1. >> B1. >> Okay. If there's no other uh questions or discussions around that, council member Hall, unless you have any other input. >> So, this is for the
>> B1 >> B1. >> Correct. >> No, I guess um with in regards to flarity and hood, that's just uh to be determined at a later point if we would. Well, what we
said is we'd go to an RFP pro Oh, sorry. Uh the conversation was that the council members were open to going to an RFP to look for a new labor attorney after we get through like but use Flity and Hood to continue and finish the labor union
negotiations. So, it doesn't mean that you couldn't happen concurrently. >> Sure. >> Does that make sense? So, do we need to specifically vote on that item or or what you're saying right now is we' vote and that would
>> and that would be included as a part of this. Yep. With all those changes mentioned. So, Miss Wentler um as a a fire trustee in place of Kiki, moving the meeting to 6 p.m. versus 7 p.m., right? Um updating just the names of people that
aren't here anymore. Okay, that was my question. >> All right. Um, I will entertain a motion to adopt B1 with all of the changes that we discussed uh as presented. >> So moved. >> Do we have a second? >> Second.
>> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. All right. Uh B1. Okay. B3. So B3 council liaison appointments. Again, in your packets from the
organizational meeting, it just lists the 2025 council liaison appointments. Um I had asked council member Zhan if he would like to make any changes to those as presented. He wanted to wait until you were here, council member Hall. So I
suspect that you have some changes you would like to make. So, I will turn the microphone to you, Council Member Hall. >> Changes in regards to what I'm doing. I mean, >> no, I'm fine with that. >> The document as a as a whole.
>> In regards to what? Do you want my Well, we passed a resolution that says in the resolution that you guys, the council did not want me serving as a liaison to the liquor committee and the personnel committee. So, I'm asking if you would like to
adopt those changes or if you would like to leave things as presented. >> So, you're asking me what I think about we were waiting for you or my position. >> Mine because that we have to adopt the document as a whole. Does that make sense? >> Sure.
>> So, right now the liaison appointments are exactly the same as they were in 25. So, everybody here was comfortable with their liaison appointment. Um, all the council members were and Miss Wentler confirmed for us that council member
Freilley is comfortable and requested to stay the parks liaison. >> Okay. >> So, there are no >> asking me the same question then. I'm comfortable. They're comfortable staying on planning and zoning. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, but then are you asking me a
secondary question? Who should take over what you were doing? >> Correct. >> Well, yeah. So, the liquor committee then isn't Jesse already on the liquor committee. Yes. As a pro 10. Y. >> So, Jesse would take over the liquor committee. What else would need to be
addressed? >> Personnel. >> Personnel. Um, I guess Mark had I I could speak for Mark, but Mark had expressed interest at one time in the personnel, but I would leave that up to Maggie to maybe contact
him or ask him. >> Um, I talked to council member Freley some time ago and he expressed he would be open and interested in taking personnel. >> So then I would recommend that we put mark on personnel. >> Okay. Okay. >> And then that that
um that's it then, right? >> Um correct. So the changes to this would be council member Freillley would have parks and personnel and council member Zan keeps his but instead of prom he's
just liaison. >> Yep. Correct. So then just stays >> and mine would stay the same. Bruce's would stay the same. >> Correct. >> Yep. >> Yes. And before we before I call the vote, I just want to note for everybody here in the audience and for those watching online, um committee
assignments are administrative and council liaison roles to a committee do not create exclusive access to information, nor do they override any council member's role as an elected official. So choosing to remove a council member as a liaison or choosing
not to appoint an elected member as a liaison does not actually prevent participation. uh nor does it change any elected officials authority or responsibility in governance nor does it override our statute statutory authority
to attend and participate. So that said I will be attending all of these meetings as my schedule allows moving forward public works planning and zoning parks liquor uh personnel labor negotiations and all other strategic meetings that any other elected official
is invited to attend. I was elected mayor and I have a responsibility to be informed about what is happening in the city and a statutory authority by Minnesota state law. So staff please ensure that I am informed of these meetings. Um with that I will call the vote as presented.
>> Oh time out. Um, >> Council Member Hall, >> maybe I'll turn it over to [clears throat] um, two or more council members by state statute can't be at the meetings. Otherwise, we have >> two or more council members by state statute cannot be at meetings without
the meeting being noticed um, to the public. That is uh, an open meeting law. So, any elected official can attend any committee, commission or other meeting that any other elected official is at. Staff just has to appropriately notice it. That is state law. I have confirmed
that with law firms and the League of Minnesota cities on multiple occasions. >> So like with the labor negotiation stuff like that, that is not an open meeting. You will not be able to attend that. >> That's actually not accurate. I spoke to the labor attorney about that. Um
>> on Monday, >> I guess I'll defer to the city attorney. >> You can defer to the city attorney, but state law uh presides. So >> what are you deferring to? Well, I get I don't know. I don't know how this can be true and accurate
>> because council member Hall, we are all equally elected. We all have an opportunity for governance. State statute overrides it. So, >> you you can you can attempt to try to censor me, do a vote of no confidence, and push me off as a liazison of the committees, but I am still under my
right under state law by the people that elected me. I can sit in on any of these meetings that any of you can. You can sit on any of those meetings as anyone else can. We all can because we hold equal election certificates. Now, if more than two of us want to show up to a meeting and I believe Mr. Blomber um
when he held a meeting in November about the safe schools, uh there may have been more than two of us that were going to show up to that. He just had to properly notice the meeting in case that did happen. Uh, Miss Moon Peterson did that as well. When there was a listening session with the uh, downtown chamber
and the business owners when it came to the local option sales tax, there might have been more than two of us there. She appropriately noticed the meeting to the public. So, >> sure, for for some of >> that is the process the contract negotiations with the uh with the
different unions that is not an open meeting that can ha happen. And I'm saying that that specifically with that, okay, >> it's not that's not an open hosted meeting. >> Um when the contractations with the unions have >> Okay, we don't need to get in the weeds on it. It's fine.
>> Well, I I just I'm just stating it for for the record. Um so anyway with these liaison appointments as is uh do we have a motion with council member Freillley on personnel with council member Hall and council member Zan as the uh key liaison
to the liquor committee >> if I may >> and all other uh assignments as noted. >> If I may we're talking fast here tonight. >> Yeah we're talking fast here tonight. So, just to be clear, the personnel committee meetings that involve labor
negotiations are by definition closed meetings. They can't be noticed as public meetings and there can't be more than two council members present there. So, let's make sure we're clear on that. Second of all, in as much as there will be more than two council members at any
committee meeting, that also would constitute an open meeting law violation if there's more than two council members there. And although you're right about the idea of noticing those sorts of meetings when it's known that more than two council members will be present,
that certainly can be done. But there's got to be some sort of protocol for the people who are in charge of making sure those notices are done correctly in advance of those meetings about who will be there and
whether a notice is required. And so the idea, I just want to make sure everybody understands, the idea of just popping into committee meetings, popping into other meetings where there'll be other council members present doesn't allow the appropriate notice process to take place. So there's got to be some
understanding about advanced notice of appearing at these things if there's going to be more than two council members there. So there isn't some inadvertent violation of open meeting law violations. >> Correct. We don't want to violate open meeting law. So, um, the right process
would be to determine and find out from different department heads at certain meetings if there will be more than two council members there. And if there are, then that meeting should be noticed to the public to make sure that the city of Nisa is not violating state statute. >> But it's you saying that you intend to
be at committee meetings where you're not on the committee. So, it's up to you to give enough advanced notice to the people in charge of doing those notices so that they can post. >> I'm happy to do it. Just make sure that I have the schedule and agenda for when all the meetings take place and I will
confirm the schedule on my end. >> Thank you. >> That's all I have. >> All right. Do we have a motion? >> So moved. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. And the
last item for the organizational m uh meeting is item B4. It's the commission committee appointments. And really the only changes here are to make sure that the like the personnel committee aligns with what council just voted on on the
previous document. Um, and then but I do think there are some corrections that need to be made on the planning commission because I know that there's a new member >> I've updated.
>> Okay. So, if those are updated with the corrections, do we have a motion with all the correct uh >> updates? >> Well, let's correct the updates first. >> So, like for example, Aaron Base >> personnel committee, we'd put Mark on there. Yeah, I just stated that in
>> remove Jennifer and I've added Mark to the personnel committee. Public works stays the same. Oh, I have to remove >> I think a few people off the public works. Correct. As of right now, just Cam Dorian, correct, Tom? Yeah. >> Nod. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> But Maggie said she had captured all
those corrections for the different committees. >> And I will say mostly for like the secretarial stuff, I just put myself at this point, but as we get Jane potentially trained in and whatnot. Um, and then for the liquor committee, I've removed Jennifer from that. Parks and
Wreck, I've removed Blake and Sherry and added Dan and Steve. For planning commission, I've removed Danny and added Aaron. And I'm guessing Tom's going to talk about the liquor committee or the P public works.
>> Yes, Cam Dorian is no longer on the meeting. >> Removed him. And I believe we have a topic >> for the public works meeting tomorrow in regards to >> correct >> D. Dill has served two consecutive terms and
he is would normally be expected to take a year break um and then he can reapply. Um so I don't know if there's a way for us to wave that requirement so he can be continue on with the committee. he would I've asked him and he would like to
continue with the committee. So I I can't answer that question. I don't know if that's an allowed >> option. Hold on. >> Okay. >> So, Miss Wetler just read all the updates to
this document. I guess my question uh for you, Mr. Pearson would be can we move to accept this document and then take that as a separate item or take that after their public works committee meeting because if it's changing policy that the city has wouldn't we have to go
through that process first >> are we just talking about adding a public works >> they're asking to one of the members by the policies is supposed to take a year break but he's willing to continue serving and that is a pretty thin committee in terms of participation
right now And so, uh, Mr. Blommer is asking if there's an openness to allow that continuation to happen. Do we Is it out of order right now to vote on that >> as opposed to doing what? >> As opposed to They've got their public
works committee meeting tomorrow, voting there, and then coming back to the council. >> So, as I understand it, that's a council decision as to what the makeup of the public works committee is. Mhm. All the all the public works committee can do is recommend. So I I know the member Bill
Dill stack willing wishes to continue with the committee. >> Oh, but you won't have the meeting tomorrow until tomorrow to know if there's a recommendation. >> Yeah. >> So couldn't you just simply um appoint him to the committee tonight conditioned
on the approval recommendation tomorrow from tomorrow? So, we can do that from a parliamentary process. Okay. >> Can I say something? >> Uh, Miss Wentler, go ahead. >> Okay. I believe our policy, do not quote me on this, but I believe our policy states that if
um we post this position and nobody applies for it, Dill can stay in this position until the position's been filled. Um, I don't know if there's any I'll say language in there that states
that he can apply for another term without council approval. Um, at this point, >> okay, I just know there's language in there that he could actually stay until it's been posted and published and the position's been filled if somebody does
apply for it. >> So, Mr. Piercing. Should we follow our We should follow our >> I I can double check the language, but I believe that that's what it states. >> What do you normally do, Tom? Do you post those? >> Um, [clears throat]
we haven't had a vacancy in a long time, so I'm not sure. Well, >> for other commissions and committees, we've posted as a city I I guess what that means is this.
Um don't appoint him tonight. Let your public works committee go through its meeting tomorrow night if they have a recommendation to add him and if it complies with the policy then that can come back to the council to add him at the next council meeting. >> Okay.
>> One more follow-up question if I may. Um, we've talked about possibly restructuring the the makeup of the committee as well. Can we come back with that recommendation at that same time? >> I think you can always do that. >> Yep. >> Perfect. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. So based on the discussion and the input and the feedback, we would be approving um these committee and commission assignments um as presented and then the public
works as it relates to Dill that will be taken up tomorrow evening at the public works committee. Do we have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve um this with the updated changes that Maggie's taking notes on. >> All right. Do we have a second?
>> Second. >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Okay. Motion carries. And um our last item under old business is pass tract D update. Um Mr. Pearson, that's you correct. Or
is it? That's me, I think. >> Okay, go ahead. >> Yeah. Um, just to orient everybody, this is um this is conversation going back to when we were dealing with the Foxy Properties application to construct that laundromat. It was discovered uh during
that process that um the city should have been title on what's been called track D, which is a small sliver of property that's on Church Street. um a prior city approval from some years ago conditioned approval for some development on that property to the city
receiving title to track D, but that wasn't followed through with at the time. Um so the city is not entitled to track D. Track D is um necessary for the city to be entitled for uh future street
improvements through that corridor. I have had some discussions with the owner of that parcel um trying to get that worked out for a conveyance to the city so we can clear that problem up. So far I've been unsuccessful in doing
that. I'm really just updating you now to tell you that um it may be necessary for me to ask you for permission to take some uh title action with respect to that because again that tract is implicated in uh 2027 road uh
improvement plans downtown. So I'm not asking you for any um authority yet or any approval. Just to let you know that that's on the radar. I'll take one more opportunity to try to get that ironed out. It may be that I'm coming to you in the near future uh
asking for permission to do what's necessary to acquire title to that parcel. >> Thank you. Do we do we have any questions for Mr. Pearson from councel? >> All right. Thank you for that update. Okay, we'll move on to new business. And
first up, we have a Wonderrek Children's Museum presentation by Mr. Olsen. Um please come to the microphone and thank you for joining us this evening. Thank you very much. Uh my name is Peter Olsen. I'm the president and museum project director of Wonder Trekk Children's Museum. Um I know you all are
doing the serious work of governance and I just really respect that and appreciate it. However, I'm gonna ask you to put on your children's hat for a moment and just think back a long, long
time ago when you're little kids, really young, right? Think back to early play memory. Just remember back when you're a little kid, wherever you were, whatever you're doing, but you're outside,
inside, with friends, with family, by yourself, but you were playing. We all did it back here in your brain stem. You have those memories. If you don't mind, just indulge me and take just a second, think back to that. While
you do, would it be okay if I approach to hand these out? >> Yes. Thank you so much. Please do. Thank you, sir. So when I when I go back in a play memory, I'm back on the farm with my
brothers, maybe I'm second grade, seven years old, and I'm in Ottertale County in the hills and every spring, we'd get a good snow melt and there'd be that one day where the the ribbullets would would
be pouring down the hills. There'd be little streams coming as the snow banks are melting and I'd get out there and I'd dam it. I'd get in the mud and I' I'd divert it. I'd play for hours. It was just cherished memory. Curious if
any of you any of you have a play memory you'd share with me. >> Joe, what what was the question? Sorry. >> What What's a memory of playing when you were a little kid? Something you did when you were a little kid that you wouldn't mind sharing. >> Oh, played with trucks in the dirt,
[clears throat] >> Mr. Zan. >> I used to play hockey right behind us in the public rink here. >> Broke my two front teeth there. >> So, you're seeing my shiny veneers I've had for most of my life. [laughter] >> Mayor, may I ask you?
>> Yes. We had uh our first house that we grew up on. It had like a lot of woods in the back that went down to a channel >> and so we would create little forts in the woods like our little houses and then in the winter we would create different paths for our sleds to go all the way down to the ice.
>> Love it. Now, were there any grown-ups telling you how to do that? >> No. >> No. Very interesting. Thank you for sharing. >> Council member, would you mind sharing? >> I just uh like any other kid, you know, we had our forts and stuff like that. just played around stuff, you know,
kicked the can and >> Yeah. >> had our forts and >> did the basic things that all kids do, you know. >> I imagine you were >> you you were out there doing it without grown-ups telling you how to do it, too. >> Any uh would you city uh engineer, would
you mind sharing? Yep. I think um for a lot of us of a certain age, we grew up playing and we know that human biology, that's where a lot of development happens. I'm here to uh represent Wonder Trekk Children's Museum. I won't get into all the
details. You can go through our our Ready for Wonder Trek booklet. It has a ton of great information. It's all on our website as well. Everything you find in here is on our website. But at the end of the day, what we're doing is we're creating a place to bring back
childhood. We're bringing back the play in childhood. Uh and it's a very important project because unfortunately we're seeing a lot of uh declines in early childhood indicators. There's a lot of stress that's happening um in
childhood that never used to be there. And at the same time, children are playing less and less. They're on their devices more and more. So, Wonder Trek, it's in development. We're on a 9 acre campus right down in um Baxter.
Um if I go too long, just tell me to shut up. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Thank you. Uh we've been working on it for about 10 years and we've already broken ground and we're building a 9 acre campus right on 371 just south of
south of uh County 48. if you know where that is. Uh, Highland Scenic Drive. So, we're south of Walmart, uh, but on the west side of 371. We have a beautiful parcel of, uh, Pine Plantation. And, uh,
we're breaking ground and we expect to be open by the end of next summer, early fall. Uh, and we're doing the first of two planned phases. And when you get uh when you bring your children, bring your grandkids,
uh you you come on site and you get nine acres of fencedin freedom where children lead the way, parents take a break and let the kids play. Uh I think in today's world where everything feels elevated, everything feels like it's the end of
the world, everything is on your phone, this is the place where you can really get back to the physical world. Take a break, have some fun, play. It's what we should do as humans. Uh and it is
it's very simple, but it's very special at the same time. It's like how a leaf can be the most beautiful thing in the world. Uh this is a look at um our uh our vision. This is very accurate to
what it's going to be like. Uh we have our children's museum facility. This is the second phase. This is not coming this fall, but it will eventually. This smaller building is coming this fall. We call it our adventure outfitter studio
and it's built to gear kids up to get outside and adventure all ages birth and up. We're building a creek. We're working with a very talented company out of Nisa to build this creek. Uh and uh we're building a wetland pond. Kids like
I did when the snow would melt, they're able to manipulate the water. They can build bridges. They can dam it up with stones. the endless play where water and sand uh come together. It is uh better
than any app. It's better than any test in school. This is where learning and development happens. Uh and I mentioned our first phase, our adventure outfitter studio. Uh it's a beautiful 2500 square
foot building open year round. Six glass garage doors, all on grade. Projects start inside and they move outside. Uh, cosmetic and family dentistry out at Baxter sponsored our Adventures Outfitters station. We have a grant from
the DNR to have all sorts of recreational gear and equipment. Uh, kids are going to play forever. So, could go on and on and on. That's just the tip of the iceberg. really check out our website to see the rest. But I'm here today because we're really trying
to build up community support around the region. We've raised over $6 million. We have a million-doll capital campaign right now that we're working on. About 800,000 left to go. So, we can do this. And we're doing all sorts of recognition
opportunities. We're the most high profile project in the region with visibility right on 371. It's all on our website. uh and we're just so grateful to all the support we've received so far. The region is really stepping up to support children in this way in their
play and it's a real honor to be part of it. Um so with that I would be more than happy to entertain any questions of if anybody has any for me. >> Does council have any questions for Mr. Olsen? >> Council member Hall.
>> No, it's going to be a great project when it's done. Council member Zan, >> I agree and I uh I like seeing the presentation again. I I was able to meet Peter a few months back and uh you should give us a walkthrough of what of
what this display is, Peter. >> Thank you, Mr. Z. So, our signature exhibit, this is actually this is actually in 38 in scale.
model 36 foot tall mass here but it is our treehouse member Swiss family grounds like I do bring back and it's all we take very seriously we design things right
development so like imagine you're I don't know your cruiser who's 18 you're 12 months They're starting to really get mobile. Uh they can get up to this bottom platform. That's about it. Next time they can get up here. By the time
they're in the half, they're getting up to this platform. By the time they're four, keep racing to the top. They know just what to do. Bringing up all sorts of materials in the woods, branches. We'll provide tarps,
clothes pins. You guys know what clothes pins are? We call them We just don't grow with them anymore. But all sorts of building materials really to make it accessible. We're raising money to build a play for all access.
It's about 150 running feet completely ABA accessible with all sorts of interactivity along with it. So you know grandma can get up there too. Council member London, do you have any
questions? >> No, no question. Sounds like he's done his homework. >> Wish him well. >> Thank you, sir. >> What did you say the fa the timeline for the phase one or it's already underway? >> It we're we've broken ground. >> Okay. >> Uh and uh we hope to be in there
September, October, but don't quote me on that. Yeah, >> there's it has a lot to do with the spring thaw. Very impressive. Is this the project, Council Member Hall, that you're working on? >> Correct. Yeah. >> Yeah. Very cool. >> Wood Seth is also working on it.
>> We're 100% local regional contractors and uh the community is there. We we do all sorts of uh work within the comm share too. We've uh wonder truck uh we drive around with programming all over the the five counties. We've reached
about 60,000 kids with programming so far thanks to state funding that we've been able to bring into our local community. But thank you. >> I guess I would just lastly say for those watching online or those in the audience that want to possibly make a
donation or contribute to this great uh effort that will be huge for this region, how can they best do so? >> Just go to wonderekre museum.org and it's all on there. It'll bring you to a phone number where you can call me. I love to come out and talk to people, present. So, uh, just go to our website
and look me up. Thank you. >> Thank you. And for those that didn't hear, wonderek museum.org if you're interested in learning more, donating, um, please go there. Thank you so much for presenting. We appreciate you being here. >> Big thank you to me for all the coordination. I appreciate it. Thank
you. >> Thank you. All right. Next up under new business spirits, um, donation to the Nisa Park Enrichment Fund. And I do not see Mr. Frell. So, Miss Wentler, I'll turn it to you. >> Um, this is just some additional
fundraising that Brian has raised over at Spirits, just kind of a roundup program that he would like to donate to the Nisa Park Enrichment Fund. So, we just need an approval to make that happen. So, I would entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to accept the
donation to the Nisa Park Enrichment Fund as presented. >> Do we have a second? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Okay, motion carries. Thank you. Um, next up we have police um the Crowing County 2025
hazard mitigation plan resolution. Um, with that we will call up Chief Shamansky. >> Good evening. Um, in front of you there you have the hazard mitigation plan that was put together by Crowing County Emergency Management. Um they did so
with input from all the cities within Crowing County and townships. Um myself, Tom, and Steven all had input on that. They're essentially identifying specific hazards in within communities. Um mainly
weather related and uh things like that. So, it's just kind of an in-depth look at what specific issues are and what everyone's doing to kind of combat them or lessen the severity of them. So, just
looking for your blessing to kind of go along with that plan. >> Does council have any questions for Chief Shamansky? Council member London, Council Member Zan, Council Member Hall. All right. I would entertain a motion.
I'll make a motion to approve the Croman County 2025 hazard mitigation plan resolution as presented. Second. >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Thank you very much. Um, next up under parks, we
have community center quotes for repairs and updates. Miss Moon Peterson. >> Awesome. Thank you. Good evening. Um, most of the information is in your packet there. You have two very different proposals. Um this did go through the parks commission um at
length. We had several discussions about how to proceed and ultimately they did recommend going forward with the high-tech proposal. Um we do have that money in our capital reserve. It does take basically all of the capital
reserve to achieve those goals. But if you guys remember back to our walkthrough in April, um those are a lot of the listed items as well as the parks commission recommendation to kind of lump it into one larger project to reduce downtime. So happy to answer any
questions. >> Does council have any questions for Miss Moon Peterson? Council member Hall, >> are there any other major things that still need addressed that just didn't quite make this list that you want to
share? Yes. Um, this is kind of dealing primarily with the interior and the most pressing items of the exterior. Um, and the larger component of the exterior, if you guys remember, we do get some water in the basement. We believe some of that
is due to the grading of the parking lot. So, we're hoping to address some of the foundational and exterior work with that water leaking in when we look at the parking lot and the 27 road bond. Um so that's the next major component um
for the structure of the facility that is not included in here. Um so that would be the largest thing and then various components of the concrete pad or the awning also are not in that list. >> Any followup? Okay. Council
>> no I I think looking at it in conjunction with the pro or with the parking lot repair I think that's in the next couple years. Is that Tom? 277. Yeah. Would be the appropriate time. >> Amber, I have a question. Looking at the Nor proposal, unless I'm missing it, I
don't see a dollar figure for Nor. >> They their proposal is to um do what Hi-Tech did. So, their proposal is to get a quote instead of providing the quote for the work.
So, their their proposal is for professional services. Yeah. So, it's $5,000. >> Got it. >> Council member London, any questions for Miss Peterson? >> All right. Um, with no more questions, I would
entertain a motion. >> We'll make a motion that we move ahead with the high tech quote as presented for the um, community center building. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Council member London. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.
>> Opposed? Okay. Motion carries. Um, parks again is the next item. The Nysa Lake park plans. >> Yes. So, uh, Witsath has been diligently working on getting these plans and an updated cost estimate. Um, if you remember back in November, we did
approve the purchase of the toilet based on that timeline for production. Um, so here tonight, you have the plans and updated costs because we're under contract with other places and the grant um, with Landwear to conduct that work. and this estimated
amount for the amended part into Nis Lake Park, we can obtain quotes. So, what we're looking for tonight is to kind of parallel what we would normally do on a project where we present the plans, present the updated costs, um but instead of going for bid, we're going to move forward with quotes. Um Dave, do
you have anything else you want to add? >> No, that's that's the plan moving forward. >> Okay. Um, does council have any questions for Miss Moon Peterson about the Nisa Lakes Park plans? Council member Hall? >> No. >> Council member Zan, Council Member
London. Okay. Then I would entertain a motion. >> Make a motion to approve for move forward with the Niswah Lake Park plans as presented. >> Second. >> Did you get the Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I >> opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Um the
last item here tonight under new business for parks is the parks commission vacancy. >> Yes. So we kind of discussed a little bit of this earlier. Um we have Sherry in her last month here and we um did interviews back in December and we are
recommending um to appoint Steven to the parks commission as presented earlier this evening. >> Okay. Wonderful. If there's no questions or discussions for Miss Moon Peterson, then I would entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Steven
Berdick to the Parks and Recre Advisory Commission. >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay, that motion carries. Thank you so much. >> All right, next up, um I got this one, too. >> Okay. Planning Commission. Um the PCBOA
application. Uh so, Miss Wentler. >> Yes. Um, as Stephen has provided in your memo in the packet, um, Gary Harris's first term is expiring um, at the end of January this month, and he just, um, he's interested in
running for a second term. So, we're just looking to reappoint him for his second full term on the planning commission. >> Okay. I would entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve Gary Harris for a second term. >> Do we have a second?
>> Second. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Um, next up is public works. Uh, item number eight, proposed 2027 street improvement design proposal and we will call up Mr.
Blomer. >> All right. Um, so I'll ask Dave to jump in if he has comments or questions, but in general, what this will do is this will allow um Woods to begin working on 30% plans for the areas uh in the 27
road bond that are within Grand View. And the purpose of doing that is uh generally so that we can have some concepts developed so that we can have further discussions with Grand View as far as what those roads might look like uh moving forward uh to give them some
ideas of what we can or possibly do down there. Um the other uh component of this is uh 100% design for uh remaining project areas. Uh this would be like upper Roy Lake Road uh areas outside of
um City Hall Street and Church Street, the downtown area. So um this is more of the rural areas. Um so that they will uh finish on those areas. Um in general, that's what we're looking for. Um
so there's a fee associated with this. I don't know if you want to jump in here, Dave, or if you want me to finish. >> Sure. So, as Tom said, this proposal provides through 30% plan completion on
a portion of the roadways for 2027 that are mainly within the Grand View Lodge area. And there's some [clears throat] utility coordination items there that uh we need to review, come to a full
realization of what that scope will be, and then we would submit um the supplemental proposal to bring final plans to the table after we know what the scope is. Um the rest of the projects are fairly well set in scope,
so we're confident that we can move forward with those and that includes parking lots um and addressing drainage issues over at the park that were just mentioned and things like that.
>> And so the fee for that we put together for this is um a total of 269,000. and that brings these projects through those stages and including bidding for
the 2027 projects. And this is um put be for you tonight so that this can stay on the schedule that has preliminarily been prepared and discussed through public works and with the council so that we
can stay on schedule for construction 2027. >> Thank you. Um, do we have any questions or comments for um either Mr. Blom or Mr. Reese? I'll start actually with council members on
>> No, I do not have any. I'm well versed in this as leaison. So, >> thanks >> Council Member Hall. >> Just a question. If I recall, in 2026, the number for this was relatively the same, maybe a little less for this portion. Correct. About 240.
>> Yeah, >> it's in that ballpark though. Not way up. >> Roughly the same, >> I think. So, >> right. And then there was an additional 200 225,026. Once again, I'm just going off memory for additional I'll say surveying work
stuff like that. That would be to come in 27 like 26. So, we so to take it to the second phase, we would still have that once this is defined. Maybe another couple hundred thousand. would that be? [clears throat]
>> It really depends on what the status of the rideway is out there and what type of rideway acquisition efforts are needed if we need to do rightway plats or easement descriptions for acquisition. I think that's what you're
referring to. >> Yeah. And that was about in 26. I'm just wondering, >> do we anticipate that to be about the same or more or less? you know, as a whole number in 26, I think the total number was more around 500,000 and this would be maybe more around 5 to 600,000
if staying on track. >> That's as good a guess as you can have right now. Um, it could be more, could be less depending on what the status is of the rideway, >> but just fair to say that there will be more to come. I guess this, you know.
Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that I was tracking which portion this was. >> Anything further from you, Council Member Hall? >> No, that is my question. >> Council member London, anything for you? >> Okay, then at this point, I would entertain a motion.
>> Like to make a motion to proceed forward with a proposed 2027 street improvement design proposal as presented. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Uh, next
up, still under public works, is advertise for bids for the 2026 street improvements. >> Okay. Um, this is kind [clears throat] of um, uh, a routine
process. So, we're ready to um, begin. Maybe I should let Dave speak to this a little bit. Um, >> okay. So typically what we do is prepare an advertisement for bids um which you have in your packet. This gives a
general description of the scope of the work for 2026 and we need council authorization to put this project out for bids. Um and then keep this construction schedule on task for 2026.
[clears throat] >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Anything else? Okay. I have nothing to add. Nailed it. >> All right. Uh, any questions from councel around the advertisement for bids? Okay. Then I would entertain a motion. >> Like to make a motion to proceed forward with the advertisement of bids for the
2026 street improvements as presented. >> Do we have a second? >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Um, next we have the highway 371 build grant letter of support. >> Yes. So, um, a year ago, this was called
the raise grant project. Um, and it does basically the same thing. County is going to be submitting for a project to um, do various projects along 371 underneath what is now called the build grant. And they've asked for a letter of
support. I have prepared that letter and this is just informing the council that I have prepared that letter on your behalf. This is a similar letter to what was done last year. Identical. >> Identical. Okay. Um if there are no questions from council, I would entertain a motion.
>> I'll make a motion to move ahead um as presented with this uh letter. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Um next for public works, the boiler replacement
at the maintenance garage. Okay, so this was brought to my attention in relatively in between meetings here around the holiday. Um, we had one cold snap in the past and we recognized that there were some issues with the boilers uh down there. We had two different
contractors check them out and basically what we were told is that they were shot. Um, so we had to replace them right away. We knew this cold snap that we're currently going through was coming up. Um, the contractor was on site today. Um we have taken a quote from
Superior Mechanical uh for 5975 for boiler. Uh that would be a total for the both of them of $1,950. >> Do we have >> If we didn't do it, we would have trouble with the building. >> Yes. Uh do we have any questions for council for Mr. Blommer? If not, I would
entertain a motion. >> Make a motion to approve the boiler replacement proposal at the maintenance garage as presented. >> Do we have a second? Second. >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed. Okay. Motion carries. And then
lastly for public works, the addition of the street light to the Hills crossing for consideration and approval. Mr. Blomber. >> Okay. So, this is similar to um a request that we had uh back in November. Um the only real difference is is one
location hills crossing and the other thing is is this would be under Minnesota power and not crowling power. >> Um so I have met with a representative from Minnesota Power as far as what it would take to install these lights. Um they are requesting the the living
center up there on Hills Crossing is requesting two. They would like one uh coming off of um Lower Colin Road um where it comes into Hills Crossing. They would like one there uh and then they would like another one up closer to their buildings
uh where the intersection is going into um uh Trailside Run. So with those two locations, uh installation would be $1,500 each. Um there's options for the light that
goes in there. We're currently recommending the lowest lumen possible um to try to avoid light pollution. So, uh I guess what I'm looking for is do you want to continue with one or both lights and uh any questions you might
have regarding that? >> Who is asking for? >> Uh the administrator in charge of Hills Crossing, the nursing home up there. Any additional questions for Mr. Blommer? Council member Hall, do you have
additional questions? >> Um, have we ever asked for anybody to reimburse the city for an expense like this? >> We have not. >> We could if we wanted to perhaps, but we've never asked that.
>> I don't have any other questions. >> Okay. council members on >> I think this came up again in October or November of last year. I think you were reached out to and I think I'm going to say the same thing
that I said then when one request comes another will follow and light street lighting is is considered a public safety. There is an aspect of that absolutely but the cost is borne by the taxpayers of the city in this law. So, um I think I said then that more will
come and here's another. So, uh >> you did >> we may need to consider some sort of precedent I think or just a comprehensive review perhaps of city roads and streets so we can at least have some identified areas versus doing it on a on a
>> case by case or a a individual request. So, not not I'm not trying to refute the need that a a living facility like that would need it. Absolutely not. Or the intersection on the county road needed it last fall as well, right? But
>> these will add up and >> maybe it's something that on the public works committee you guys can talk about as your agenda and get feedback from that committee. >> That's a fair idea. >> You certainly can table it. That would be no there would be no problem with that >> tableabling this. >> Yeah. >> Okay. and then come back after you guys
have your meeting anyway tomorrow. >> I like that. >> Um, Council Member London, do you have any questions? Are are you okay with tableabling? >> Okay, if we're okay with tableabling, uh, thank you. And we'll move on to the next agenda item. >> You need a motion for that? >> Oh, yep.
>> I'll make a motion that we table um the lighting agenda item G12. >> Okay. Do we have a second? All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> opposed. Okay, motion carries. Um, thank
you. Local board. Next up, item 13, the local board of appeal and equalization meeting for April 17th, 2026 at 1 p.m. Miss Wentler, >> this is we kind of talked about it at our organizational meeting. So, we kind of approved this, but just as um a techn
just to make it official that the county this is their date and time that they are requesting to host the meeting here again at city hall for the NISA residents. And the only thing I would note, if I remember this correctly from last year, is there have to be at least three of us from the council here,
otherwise the city loses the opportunity to have this hearing uh moving forward. And I don't know if people know their schedules now, but it's good that we have this out now. >> I'll be there. >> Yeah. And I will be able to be here as well. >> And then just noting, I mean, we're good for a few years, but one of the people
here need to be trained. So there are three of you, Jesse, Jennifer, and Mark. Um, Jesse, you're good through 26. After that, you would have to do >> No, I'm good. I'm good through >> 2 >> July 1st. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Well, it gets us through this year. >> Oh, yeah.
>> But if council members on and I are both confirmed that we'll be here, so that's covered and we just need to have one additional council member be here so we don't lose this. >> Correct. >> Because it's important for the community. >> Untrained and a quorum. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh do we have a motion to uh
accept and affirm the local board of appeal and equalization meeting for April 17th? >> So moved. Second. >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Okay. Motion carries. Uh and then lastly, we have a 2026 pay equity
report. And I'll turn that back to you again, Miss Wentler. >> Yes. Every three years we are required to go through a process to affirm that our pay between
men and women in the same point grade positions are paid equally. And so again this is every three years that we do this and this um task has been done and we have passed. So I just need a motion to accept
the pay results. Okay, I will accept a motion. >> I'll make a motion to accept um the pay results as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Okay. Motion carries. And then
item 15, we had discussed we actually do not need to go into a close session this evening. Correct. >> Okay. >> Well, I take that back from our liquor committee conversation. That meeting started at 4 pm. Our our liquor committee meeting started at 4M.
>> On that 30 minute break in between the organizational meeting, I looked at my inbox. I have received an email. >> We do need to go into close. >> I haven't reviewed it >> to its entirety. Haven't >> we've been here since. So >> Okay. >> Um >> I read it. I don't think that there's
anything in there >> that we need to. >> Okay. So you'll just let us know when we need to. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Where? Yeah, there there's no updates right now. >> Okay, we will move past that then. We don't need to go into close session this
evening. If there's a need to do it before the next meeting, uh you find gentlemen will let us know. Next up, our council and liaison reports. Um I don't actually have anything to report this month. Council member London, council member Zan, >> nothing.
>> Council member Hall, >> you go. Uh, council member Hall first, then I will go to Miss Wonder. >> Just um I'd talk to Maggie about it, but just we need to get a uh a meeting set up um for the resorts in the area to
just res discuss some P&Z stuff. >> We talked about that on we had a a tenative date on in the organizational meeting when you weren't here. Okay. When we went but but the date's wrong, so we need to regroup and then get that >> get a date on the calendar and make sure that council's aware. That's my only
thing. We need to get a date set. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Wentler, you had something. >> Yes. I received uh a statement from Mark Freillley. If you're okay that I read this. >> Oh, for his council report. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh, recently has come to my
attention that some residents have been speaking unkindly about fire department and the police department for reasons I cannot understand. as I know they are an asset to our residents and others of the surrounding communities and if you ever in need you should be thankful for their
assistance as their jobs are thankless one on December 17th I underwent an angiogram to have a stint placed in my LA artery as it was 95% blocked and causing me much discomfort and distress
the lad artery is known as the widowmaker because it goes, so does the person it happens to. Later that day at 400 p.m. while at home, I started to have a cardiac distress and my wife had to call 911. As I was laid out on our
bed, two paramedics, two first responders, and one Nisa police officer responded to the call and worked in unison to get me onto the ambulance and into the emergency room. It was there that we found out that during my stint placement, the artery was nicked. just
one of the things I knew could happen and the space between my heart and the sack around the heart was filling up with blood. Obviously, not a good thing as my heart could rupture. The medical staff in the ER, the cardiologist, and
the doctors on the IMCU floor were able to get everything under control, and I will be recovering at home for a little bit longer as it takes time for fluid to absor absorb and the swelling to subside. However, if it were not for the initial
responders, things may have turned out much differently. As there is knowledge, professional attitude, and their training was on the full display that day, and there is nothing I can say that can thank them enough. As a resident of Nisa, I am proud of our fire department
and our police department and nearby ambulance personnel. I want to thank the following Nisa heroes. First responders Doug Buell and Mike Hemrich Jr., police officer Dustin Hines. Thank you for your job well done. Forever grateful. Mark,
>> thank you. >> Thank you to our police and fire department and we send our best to council member Freilley uh for quick and speedy healing so he can be back here uh doing the great work for the city of Nisa. Um lastly on the agenda are the
list of upcoming meeting dates and announcements. Um that is there for everyone to see. And with that a motion to adjurnn would be in order. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Okay. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you everyone.