Good evening. I'd like to welcome you all to the Atgo City Council meeting. Audra, can you have the record show that our attorney is online, our city planner is present, our city engineer is walking in right now. Council member Dunlap is present. Council member Gaty is present.
Council member Tanner is present along with our assistant city administrator and our administrator. And I actually believe Council Member Lond is walking in right now. All right. Once Michelle gets herself here, I will
ask you all to stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Thank you. Our first item this evening is the open forum. This is the portion of the meeting where residents can come to the podium, state their name and address, and limit comments to 3 minutes or less. Would anyone like to speak this evening? Yes.
Hi. Um, Madame Mayor. Yes. Can you state your name and address? Is this is this loud enough? Yep. Uh, Madame Mayor, council members, city staff,
thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Stuart Turnquist, 1120 95th Street Northeast. When I uh finished building Pattern Station Artist Studios and Conference Center, which was renamed Riverwood
Conference Center, I left. It had taken 30 years. And so I started building my a new home and mulling around. Uh did I want to start another project?
After all, at that time I was already an old man. What? Yeah, I think that's going to happen. So, I started putting together this idea about a farm, but a farm that would be
agriculture and nature and art, rolling the three together. And that meant putting together different uh pieces of land that surrounded me. At that time it was
unfortunately a bad time for farmers because the dairies were going under and a lot of people were putting their the land up and Peralt had uh come over and asked if I'd be interested in the piece
across the road and I said yeah because it had the big woods and the big woods has always been really an amazing piece of uh ground and um
he he had another buyer that was a a developer from Maple Grove and I bid and so got that piece. So that made five different parcels which allowed me to
get that all changed into being a new farm. USDA recognized clear water farm and the uh the the the pieces are significant because that is just a
wonderland. If you go for the north, the boundary there is a Mississippi River. If you go heading south and you have to cross 39, which intercepts that piece that I had put together, uh, you hit
that 105 acres that I gotten from, um, Jerry and Kenny Pearl and that had that 20 acre last piece of this magnificent big woods which went from the Mississippi River all the way to the
southern the prairies that was all over 4,000 square miles, but it had been cut to the point that they hardly could find a piece that was pure anymore. And I had someone look and they took core samples and said the soil there is original,
that it hadn't ever been tilled. There was nothing that turned over and there was a lot of native natural uh living there. So that meant that I had enough to go forward with this idea and um
the next thing was and I had to steal an idea from Sego because wondering what to name it and and I remembered that HGO had been a township but what did they become?
What are you all here for? Your city. They made it a city. And I thought, well, how about if I change the farm's name to Inner Species City? And he'd say, "Okay, so now you got a farm named Inner Species City. What
where are you headed here?" Like, who are the citizens? you rock, you walk that and if you're starting at the river and you end up with the big woods, you've got I think I counted you know right there like well
over a hundred citizens and then studying a little further it soon became so many citizens that you know with this idea of inner speeies city the the notion is is to celebrate the shared experience of all life forms. So, it's
got a real simple sort of the whole idea. The uh the putting it together is what I'm in the midst of now. It's been 25 years, you know, since I started there with the uh with with the Pearl
Farm and um and now and and and now we've got uh it's a two-hour film that's being finished and and over 20 uh call them fairy tale photo books, you know, where you're taking you take a
particular creature and you start to follow it and you start to write. You can find a book in that and you go from book to book. The piece that I'm at is uh is now uh the challenge because I never expected
it would be a challenge because I had started out with a 12 acre piece uh from my uh uncle who who lived in that farm. And um
and and one of the last pieces I bought was that 8 acre farm and it was largely because of my aunt and uncle and that farm was sign significant and if I pres preserved it and you're looking at a project you then have quite a a range of
activities that have occurred historically on it. But um the next it had at that time a classification of future commercial. And so I have that map that shows that
and it says and that was in 20 2010 or something like that. It shows it anyway. It's commercial and and uh the the next piece that came in was to to
make a uh a bed and breakfast, a farm store, and a new bar. The next people that appeared were the
culdeac or the roundabout people. And that had been a very dangerous that corner there in 1939. You know, back in the beginning, there was no stop signs whatsoever there. And people, you know, had a free for
driving all over the place. And uh when they put the stop signs in that that that improved things, but not enough that my my cousin had to leave the farmhouse because he he didn't dare try to get into it anymore. and we all get just sort of looked and gave up and
trying to get in there and that's why it's been kind of sealed off for all these years and why it's become kind of a magnet for all of the industrious teenagers that like to come in there and break over the weekend and you know
really have a great time you know in there. Um, so here's the situation. To go forward, I need to have it once again returned to commercial. That's that's that 8 acres.
And uh then I can go forward with the bed and breakfast because as this thing grows, there's some national interest in in in it. And and you can see where a bed and breakfast would accommodate people that are coming. interesting about it treating the farm as also a
stage set and you're using that because everything that's coming out of it filmically or book or whatever creativ creatively is is um uh go going to be on the uh
going to be made there. So you're going to see that that that suddenly you're into an area where is this is this uh forbidden and so the idea of it being commercial is
pretty cool is pretty essential and the idea that when the roundabout people came in I had seen the very beginning of of the roundabout and and that's because I
went when they were uh when they what is they're laying it out anyway. And it was around it was four stubs like all of those and the and the
fourth stub ran north and it then allowed a branch off. If you went to the left, you got into the treatment center. If you went to the right, you got into the old ter the old farmhouse.
The new one shows a stub that that densen. It's like a crooked tree. It hits it hits that and then it bends off to catch what is now the entrance to the treatment center. That meant that I could not get on to
that roundabout. And at first they said, "Well, you're going to get in there and all we have to legally do is give you how to get in and you can go into that entrance that you have, the drive that goes back to your house." And that was quite a ways away.
And that and that made no sense. And I said that I wouldn't sign it. and they said we'll take it by eminent domain. So that's kind of where it lays here. I don't know where they're going to find finally put it up, but they've they've now come a little bit saying the
original driveway in can be used to that farmhouse. But that stops short of being in the roundabout and be for that reason it if you get out go out you're fine and you go east, west, north or south. And
uh but if you try to get back, you've got to go get into the eastbound or the westbound County Road 39, which means that you've got to figure out by after seeing the place, how do
you get there? Who's going to know that they're going to have to go three miles that way to the next roundabout and come back to get in? So that's the short of it. Thank you. Thank you, Stuart. Let me turn it over to the
engineer. Ron, do you have It's obviously a county project. Do you have any information? Correct. Yeah, it's it's a county project that they're getting uh federal aid money for or state aid money to um fix it up into a roundabout for for
safety. Recently, it's actually a safety money called Hzip. Okay. Highway safety improvement plan. I would agree with his comments though. If he if you if this is going to turn into a bed and breakfast and driving back three
miles to get into it, are they looking at that? Could there if if as Mr. Turquist said, originally there was the north to it. Yeah, if you've looked at it, um there are elevation challenges going towards
the north. Um Mr. return quest property is is higher and uh that house is is fairly close to that. But uh I think they've reviewed it to see if they could put in a what would you know be a city street with maybe uh
turnaround in there that would provide access to both. But that requires you know quite a bit of property and potentially gets pretty close to Mr. Turnquist's house that he has there.
And again, the elevation challenges that they're looking at, the access point that he's he's has right now to the house. Uh, one of them is about 370 ft from the roundabout, but that one actually goes, uh, to the
toward the back of the property. The one that goes to the house is much closer. I think that's probably within, let me see what it says here, about 150 ft. So that would be in the the gore pattern of the roundabout and make it
extremely difficult to put a lefthand turn in there uh while cars are still making their way around the roundabout and pulling out from it and then all of a sudden a car might be in front of you taking a left waiting for cars that are passing through going westbound. So, are you saying the one, if I'm looking at
this map, the one on the east would be this right where your cursor is, that's out of where the roundabout piece that would be beyond the gore pattern and technically could use a lefthand turn. We'd have to work with the county to see if that's allowed. The other one
that's much closer and has quite an elevation difference going up into it. That is would be too close. Too close. Okay. Have they talked to you about that east driveway access? Would that work for
what you're No. No, not at all. Okay. That would make it even harder to figure out. It would give you full access though from east and west. Excuse me. I'm not sure about that.
Ron, you said it would be out of the turn. I'd have to talk to the county, but I believe it would be on the turn. They would have to connect those two driveways in order for him to access back towards that house that I think he's Are you talking about the east east
driveway trying to get me into that one? Correct. And connect it back to your uh house where you're looking at doing the bed and breakfast along the side of the road as a driveway. I don't see how that that would work.
Are you able to see the screen at all? Okay. Pardon? Are you able to see this big screens on either side of you out in the audience? I'm sorry. I'm having trouble hearing. Oh, I I haven't heard anything that you said. Okay.
Um Dan, can you talk? So, on the screen, we've got shown what the county is suggesting in the red line. So they're basically saying what the county is saying is you could do this east access and then back to the house
across versus Okay. So if you're coming from south or you're coming from public, you're taking a right and now you've got to try to get across all the oncoming traffic, which is what
I now try to do and you can't because they get really pissed. They think you're they're lane because it's the lane that's going to turn left to go on to 19. And so it
right now. It's a fool's paradise is what it is. Trying to get into that middle lane if you get in it and they're coming down and there's a long line of them, which it usually is. One that's first to see you then can
quickly jump to the to the right, but they're very close to you. One just behind them don't even see you until they're right on. So that's what I'm saying. You've got to go out there and do it. Go out there and come from
that driveway or come from try to get into that driveway. Mayor, y I I think with the roundabout, you'll see a lot different traffic pattern and you won't see the stacking up of vehicles that Mr. Turnquist is talking about. and uh the people uh there'd be
better gaps created even during the peak times and I'm sure the county you know they might have even a one of those models that they have that shows the vehicles moving through there during peak periods but uh they tend to keep
the vehicles moving even during peak times and uh yeah currently with a three-way stop traffic does back up but that's the whole point to putting in the in the roundabout is to keep the traffic moving.
Dor, were you able to hear what Ron said? Yeah, I I I am. And I know that it really isn't I mean th those things are logical when heard but illogical when you're getting in there and trying to do it because they're backed up. They want
to go. They can't because you got to line up in both lanes. And you've got to get into that middle lane because if you don't, they'll hit you
from behind. If you get into the middle lane, they'll hit you from the front. and supposedly a roundabout. And I like roundabouts and I'm for them, but that one isn't working because of
the heavy traffic that is coming down 39 heading then to either Monosel or Elbertville. So you really don't you don't have a solution there. You know, maybe it's
different when you get way a mile away or so, whatever. But that is not a solution at all. It's that's a nightmare and it's going to get worse. Mayor, we can uh bring up the comments that Mr.
Turnquist has and look at maybe a lefthand turn lane towards the end of the the go for uh the cars that are wanting to turn left have a have a safety location to make that turn and and wait for a gap so they're not
worrying about cars behind them. Um but then that also would require Mr. turnquist to to agree to connect the two driveways and make it more accessible to get to his uh property uh that he want the house that he wants to turn into a
bed and breakfast. I mean so I mean we can we can do our part as a city and talk to the county but uh we need the property owner to work with us and we also need the county to work with us. This is the county's jurisdiction so we can only do so much uh on the city side
but we can help facilitate it. I think I mean I agree with Mr. Turnquist that we want his business to be as successful as it can be um and for people that go there to be able to safely access it. My one question is is
I get the north side and we're connect connecting the treatment facility. Are they looking at the east side of the property as being commercial or what were they just looking that as a egg property right now?
Mayor, so what Mr. Turnquist wants to do with the property doesn't require commercial zoning bed and breakfast farm store that's all allowed in the agricultural district. So we've explained this to county staff that what he wants to do is allowed on the property. Um, and you know, we've tried
to encourage finding a way to make this access to the north, uh, if at all possible. The response thus far has been no, it's not because of the topography and, uh, some of the other issues in that area. So, um, you know, again, we
can continue those discussions. Ultimately, it is county jurisdiction, but but I would hate for them to cut off one parcel that they're not allowing access and when you're coming from the east. Correct.
Madame Mayor. Yes. Correct. Kind of on that same point, wouldn't that driveway to the east and the next U property kind of be running into the same thing? I guess what I was what I was wondering, I don't know how it works at the county level. Are they more apt
to to change their plan or update plans based on if it's egg or commercial? Like that's kind of where you were going, right? Yeah, that's why I was asking. Does it change? And and that it's a business.
I mean, even though it's not commercial, but it'll still be a profiting business or the mayor, it's not a land use issue. It's a design issue for the transportation system, right? And I was Yeah, I was just wondering whether if that property was guided
commercial, we'd be in the same position. Okay. mayor, they they provided a continuous left for traffic to um be allowed to pull in there safely and then wait for gaps to turn in. So
those next driveways, I mean that that road is going to continue as a three-way road for the um near future, probably foreseeable future until uh they continue what they've done for lane
to Odin and then they're continuing it out to Nashwa. But we're still a long ways from getting to Labot. So that so it would stay with a center turn in the center and then just two lanes. So we're not going into a double like we are down on correct
39 and 42 and page. Okay. So there is the possibility as you said to see the spacing. Right now we don't see it because it stacks because of the stop sign. Correct. And mayor, what the engineer and I were
drawing out was basically maybe there's a way to extend the island coming off the east side of the roundabout to create a left turn lane for this property because the access is so close and because of the commercial potential that's being discussed.
Okay. So that would give you know the ability to come out pull into a dedicated space to wait to turn. Sure. Do you have Mr. turnquist information. Yes. Um Ron, do you also I I mean I I think his
points are very very valid. Um obviously this is the county's project, but you are a resident of Osteigo, so we do see the issue here and we we agree with you. Um so we're I mean I guess I would say
I'm speaking for myself, but I think staff has heard your comments. Stacia reach out to you and follow up with the county on how we can make this more accessible. We have had several conversations both with Mr. Turnquist as staff and then staff to county staff regarding this
matter. So it's been a work in progress. Okay. Any other comments from council? Okay. Thank you for coming this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, we are still under open
forum. Does anyone else have anything? All right, we'll move on to item two to consider our agenda for approval. Does anyone have anything that they would like to add or delete at this time? Madame Mayor. Yes, Ryan. I'd like to uh on the consent agenda
bring down 3.3 and 3.5. We can make those 6.1 and 6.2. two. Does anyone have anything? Madame Mayor. Yes, Ryan. With that, I move to approve the agenda
as amended. Okay. Is there a second? Second. Motion by Ryan, seconded by Michelle. Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, same sign.
Motion passes. Moving on to the consent agenda. A motion would be in order. Madame Mayor, that's right. I move to approve the consent agenda as amended. Is there a second? Second. Motion by Ryan, seconded by Michelle. Is
there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes. Moving on to item 4.1, the Osteigo I94 West Industrial Park, fifth edition. Dan,
thank you, Mayor. Uh, Particle Control Incorporated uh based in Albertville is looking at establishing a new division uh as part of their operations uh and they're identified a site in Atgo uh to locate this uh which we're very pleased to have them select the city. Uh so the
applications that have come forward include a preliminary and final plat to combine two existing lots within the let's see I94 west industrial park into one lot and one outl lot uh site and building plan review for phase one as a structure which is 38,400
ft. Uh the plans also show a future phase warehouse of 87,500 ft and together with the plat there's also the need to vacate existing drainage and utility easements. Um the property is located again within the Oiggo I94 West Industrial Park located
at Cadler Avenue and 70th Street. Uh it's guided for industrial land uses by the 2023 comprehensive plan and zoned I2 general industrial district. Uh there are existing industrial uses on all sides of the property and also some of currently vacant lots that uh are
expected to develop with industrials in the future. Uh so this is an appropriate land use at this location. Uh the preliminary plat again combines two existing lots into one uh to create a 7 and a half acre lot for the proposed business and then wet an outlot encompassing the wetlands and storm
water basins. Uh easements would be vacated uh within the existing lots and reestablished in accordance with the uh subdivision ordinance. Uh as these are two existing lots, there's no need for park dedication because there's no additional impact to the city system. Uh
with the platting of the property and additional public improvements that go in with the site and building plans, there is the need for a development contract. Uh city staff has drafted that but not reviewed it. Uh we will do so and then forward it to the developer. That would come to the council for action likely at your next council
meeting as a consent agenda item. Uh the site plan shows both the phase one building and phase two uh meeting all the requirements uh for setbacks at the perimeter of the lot off street parking uh depending whether you're looking at the architectural site plan or the civil site plan uh shows that the adequate
there is adequate parking on site and the ability to provide it. So no concerns there. Uh landscaping is shown fairly minimal based on the operation that particle control has. that's sensitive to uh plants uh and contamination issues. So
again, it's fairly minimal with evergreen trees along the east side. Uh we also discussed at the planning commission meeting the irrigation system that's required. Uh the developer would prefer to use more natural landscaping that can reduce water usage which uh can be accommodated subject to staff
approval. Uh they also are going to look at relocating the waist storage container again to um probably screen that with natural plantings versus a fence enclosure which again can be made subject to staff review. Exterior lighting would be reviewed at time of building permit and they have provided
plans for connection to utilities which were reviewed by the city engineer. Also storm water management plans for the site uh to address storm water runoff with the additional impervious surface. Uh the building uses pre-cast tip up concrete panels which meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance.
It's a one-story structure 36 ft in height. Uh does comply with the height limits of the zoning ordinance uh for that zoning district and then it shows one sign on one elevation. Again, that can be installed with a sign permit
reviewed by city staff. Again, uh very pleased to have particle control looking at OGOT uh for their expansion of their business is consistent with the policies of the comprehensive plan. The use complies with all the requirements of the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance. Planning commission reviewed
the site and building plans in the plat at their meeting on August 18th. Uh they conducted a public hearing as required by statute. There were no public comments and that hearing was closed. After their discussion on landscaping and some other related items, they did vote six to zero to recommend approval.
That approval would be subject to 14 conditions presented in the findings of fact in decision your packet this evening. Thank you. Does the applicant wish to comment? Staff did a good job then. All right. Right. We'll bring it up to council.
Questions for staff or for the applicant? Cory, Madame Mayor, um I just have a couple questions. Uh just some general stuff about how many employees do you guys think might come to Seagull?
Sorry, I got you up there. Um it'll take some time, but it could be up to 40 probably or a little little more maybe 50 at that location. Okay. So phase one would include what you currently have for employees. Would you be growing what you have currently?
We'll have to immediately hire. It'll take some time to, you know, develop the processing lines, but um we'll grow as fast as we are able to. Now, are you going to be relocating or are you keeping both facilities? Keeping both. Okay, cool. Right.
Um the other question I had was uh can you expect a lot of truck traffic or along that road? Um probably it it'll slowly ramp up over the years. um probably, you know, starting out within a year probably doing eight
trucks a day. Okay. Thank you for looking at hot seagull. Appreciate it. Yeah, no problem. Glad to be here. Any other questions or comments? Madam, I just had a quick one. I just thought of it, Dan. I'm sorry. But the um
signed permit that may potentially be required, what would be allowed under the current without a signed per permit? Mayor, all signs require a permit. Okay. So, they're allowed 200 square feet of wall signs or a freestanding sign up to 200 square feet and 50 feet in height.
And this is within that. They would still just need the permit. Correct. Okay. Gotcha. Any other questions? Okay. If no one else has any questions, a motion would be in order. May. Yes. B.
I'll make a motion to adopt resolution 2025-39 vacating existing drainage and utility easements approve a preliminary plat and final plat 94 West Industrial Park fifth edition and site and building plants for
block one block one I 94 West Industrial Park fifth edition subject to conditions as stated on the finding of fact and decision as presented. Second motion by Corey, seconded by Tina. Is
there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, same sign. Motion passes. Welcome to OIGO. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome. All right.
Moving on to item five. Item 5.1 is consider approval of purchase of the fleet vehicle. Um Ro, do you mind presenting? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I was doing something else. Uh we are on item 5.1 for the uh SUV
SUV. Okay. So uh state bid for emergency services vehicles opens once per year. Uh first step is you have to request an allocation. Uh if you're lucky enough to receive an allocation,
then we have to go ahead and ask do the actual spec for the vehicle and order it. Um we did ask for an allocation um back in in uh probably June. We asked for to be included. We did receive an allocation. Um you may or may not know
that emergency services vehicles are very uh hard to get right now. Um a lot of the departments are multiple years behind on vehicle replacement. Uh but we were able to get an allocation for a Tahoe. If you remember be actually
before I was hired but when I came here uh you purchased F250 the for me to drive uh the reason that vehicle was purchased is there were no SUVs available on state contract that year. So we purchased the F250 with the intent
to convert that to a brush truck once the department is up and and operating. So the allocation now is open for the SUVs. Uh we were able to do that. So, by placing the order now, we'll receive the SUV sometime in the first half of next
year, and that will give us time to have it outfitted and ready for operation once the department is up and running. Okay. So, what we're asking for approval today is to actually place the order for the vehicle. Uh then we'll be coming
back at a later date to uh get approval to do the upfitting. It is part of our startup uh budget that we had planned for from the very beginning. Any questions, Madam Mayor?
Cory, I just had one. Do we do we still have the the intent with the F250? What what we had planned to do with it to become? It will it will become a brush truck once the department is starting to be staffed up.
Okay. Great. Any other questions or comments? Corey. Madame Mayor, I'll make a motion to approve the purchase of 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4 special service vehicle from
North Country GM in the amount of $55,739.56. Second. Motion by Corey, seconded by Tina. Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. All those opposed, same sign.
I. Motion passes four to one. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Moving on to item, we'll do 6.1, then we'll do updates if that's okay. Sure.
Okay. Item 6.1 was the previous 3.3. Ryan, thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, I just wanted to bring this down for a separate vote. I oppose this action because our city is able to receive excellent service from our existing contract providers at a price point that is
costefficient for the taxpayer. If approved, uh, this will increase the total spend on our fire department to $6,90,46952, which is 4.4 times the cost of the contracts. Madame Mayor.
Yes. I'd like to uh do a motion for to approve the pay application number eight in the amount of 1,324,68246 for the work completed on the fire emergency services facilities project. Second motion by Michelle, seconded by Corey.
Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. All those opposed, same sign. I motion passes 4 to one. Item 6.2 was a previous 3.5. Ryan.
Yeah, thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, I guess my issue with this item is that I don't really have an issue with the item itself. It's more about the underlying ordinance. Um,
I think uh this is the second time in three years that we've had to modify this ordinance um in order to make it easier for city sponsored events to utilize food trucks. And really, I think our goal should be to make it easier for residents to have
that same level of access. Um, a few weeks ago we had the Night to Youite event and there were lots of neighborhoods that had food trucks in them and there were even some that were there were some photos that were taken by city
staff that showed food trucks out and about at um in residential neighborhoods. And every one of those food trucks would be in violation of our ordinance. Uh, but I doubt that there's a council member here who would be willing to stand up and say they should have been
fined or we should have had the sheriff's office tow those vehicles. So, to me, we have an ordinance that I believe we would all be in agreement that it should not be enforced. And if that's the case, then I think it should be repealed.
So, that's why I would oppose this amendment to the ordinance. I will turn this over to Audra and to Dan because there was a lot of discussion about this. Um it sounds like we I'll let Audrey speak. It sounded like we were going through one channel to get
one set of license and another group to do the other license. If you could comment on that. Sure, Mayor. If I could add some comment and I'm sure Dan can add into we were finding parks were doing an approval that was maybe slightly different than what staff were doing and it was confusing who needed a
license and who did not need a license. Was it a pride event? Was it sold to the public? So staff looked at it and in the interest of everybody, we're looking at all the licenses with this proposed amendment so that everybody's treated
the same way and that we're verifying that they're in good standing, have insurance, um they're up to date on all their licenses with the state, and then they pay one fee for the year. And if they go to different sites, depending on if it's
a park event or private event, they may need to just let us know where they're going to be. There's no additional cost for that. So, it was mainly to streamline it because it was confusing on who needed a license and who didn't. Dan, do you have anything to add, Mayor? That's correct. And the one
additional item that we did add was that with the license, there'd be a fire inspection. Uh, one community work had one of these explode while parked in somebody's driveway. So, um, you know, there's legitimate public health safety issue involved. Where it started was we
had a request for National Night Out where the truck was going to be parked on a public street adjacent to a park. Uh, so it fell into a gray area of whether it was a public event, private event, parked on a street, you know, how how should it be addressed? So, uh,
staff was refining what is in the ordinance to treat all food trucks the same, whether it's a city event, private event, or open to and accessible to the public on a public street. Um, and to maintain the regulations as they were.
Um, it's a philosophical question and policy question for the council, uh, as to the extent to which you feel these need to be regulated. Food trucks are here to stay would be my point. Everyone has them. To Ryan's point, there's many block parties that had them. There's many people that have
graduation parties that have food trucks at them. So, are you saying, Ryan, you don't want any license for these food trucks or I guess Yeah, I So, the the food trucks that we often see now would not be in compliance
with our current ordinance. So, my argument would be we should be getting rid of the ordinance. Food trucks are still regulated. I mean they still have to go through department of health. They still have to p pass all those types of inspections. So I don't see the need to
add on the extra layer of bureaucracy if most of them are not even complying today anyway. Do we see some I this would be a question for staff. Do we are we aware that some are not to your point Ryan they may have already have a license that they were at these
events? So, you cannot in the city of Oiggo, and I talked to the food truck, the Minnesota uh food truck association about this. In Oiggo, you cannot operate a food truck on a city street for a
public event unless it's on Parsons between 85th and 87th or if it's in the B3 district. And mayor, that's been changed to remove that provision with this. Yes, I did not see that in there.
May add also um they'll get some advertising because we'll have a listed on the city website of approved mobile food trucks. So hopefully that encourages them to comply so that they're getting more business because they're being advertised.
Madame, yes. Um maybe while he's looking uh maybe a question for Dave. Um, does one way or the other if we license them or not or have permits or not leave the city liable
more than one way or the other? Well, mayor, I I guess I would say a lot of city licensing process on this is just to verify that the food trucks are properly licensed by the state and
haven't had any violations, you know. So, it's kind of a double check to make sure that you don't have a food truck operating in your community that's had problems or violations. So, they are regulated by the state to some extent, but cities often like to double check that and make sure they're not getting
food trucks in their communities that may have problems. Mayor, yes. So um on page four of the draft ordinance section 4-12-5 section B public rights of way and city properties um this section was revised
uh to allow mobile food units to park on public streets in accordance with specific u specific criteria all subject to staff review. So, we did the previous ordinance, council member Dunlap is correct that it did have a
limitation only on Parson's Avenue between 85th and 87th Street within the B3 district. That was removed to rec open it up to the whole city. Yep. Mayor, I guess I just add another reason to consider regulating food trucks is to
define things like hours of operation and location, things of that nature, so you don't have food trucks operating and hours and locations that cause problems. So, that's another reason to review it before the food truck goes into
operation in your city. This would be a question for staff and Dan, you work in other communities, so maybe you're more um have a little bit more knowledge on this one. It's my understanding most cities do require their own private license that these
food trucks are coming into the city to get licensed to operate in those communities. Mayor, some of the cities we work for do require them, some don't. The larger ones where there is more activity, too. Okay. Is anyone aware of our neighboring cities,
what they do? Madame Mayor, I can What I do know is the when I asked for examples from the Minnesota Food Truck Association of sort of um cities that they would look to for good ordinances by their standards. Um
they told me Maple Grove and Blaine. I don't know if that's helpful for anyone, but um I looked at Maple Grove. Now, this is a while ago. They might have changed it in the last year or so, but for most food trucks they did not require a license
and I can't recall Blaine to be honest. Just since some questions have been raised, is there a way for us to I mean this this doesn't go in effect until January, so we do have some time. Um I guess I would like to see what those larger communities what their ordinance
looks like personally. Um, I I can agree with what Ryan's saying to the point that these trucks are being licensed, but to Dave's point, somebody could just buy a trailer, put a sign on it, not have anything through the Department of
Food Safety is or whatever your acronyms were, Ryan, and then they're setting up shop. So, I do have a little concern with that, too, that people will assume the city is licensing or not. And I will say on the festival side of things,
those people that come to our events are never concerned. I mean, they know they usually have to check in with the city and have a food, you know, get a license through the city. So, I've never heard someone complain that they had to do that step and those are the businesses that are obviously coming in to do it.
So, I would I would I would think differently if they're they're all saying, you know, at Sego's ordinance is the worst ordinance ever. We're never we're not going to participate in that. that that's not been the issue that we've heard of so far unless you've heard something differently. No, I would say for our city sponsored
events, I think I don't know that I've received any particular feedback on that. It's just the ordinance in general that I was thinking of, but I wasn't reading this ordinance as a completely revamped when I was looking at as kind of a red line. So now I'm
kind of quickly thinking through my thought process here. Uh, mayor, the council can certainly table this and we can review the Blaine and Maple Grove examples. Uh, check and see which of the surrounding communities also require licensing report back at a
future meeting. I just threw that out there if that helped Ryan to come to a decision. I obviously supported the mobile food license before. I do like that there were changes to this. Um and and again at admin subcommittee when the inquiry
first heard about it, it was streamlining it between the city clerk and the park and recck department that this was going to be one everybody was going to be treated the same now. So there wasn't any cross questions with if they came to the
prairie festival, could they then go to a a different event that they were called to go to? Yeah, we did ask about um if they, you know, let's say they set up at Ryan's house and had a food truck event, but then they're invited to Corey's house and they just said you would just call the
city and you can update and you could list all the events that you might go to and it's there's no additional charges. It's just more or less that the city would know where these trucks might be if they do get complaints. Yeah, mayor. One of the reasons we took out that provision regarding Parson's Avenue was
to streamline it because otherwise, well, if you can only park on a street here, what if you go to somebody's house and park along the street, you know, adjacent to the yard? So, it was creating an overlap that didn't work. Sure, Madame Mayor. Yes.
And I can I can appreciate Council Member Dunlap's questions. I think they're good questions to ask. Uh the part I like about it is having the permits or license. It gives you the
ability to for recourse, but I would like a little more information. I think I think it brings up just to compare to our neighboring cities. But yeah, the goal was just to streamline it.
Other comments? I yeah, I just I I like the the fact that we are streamlining it and not picking and choosing, but I do like having the city knowledgeable of where these food trucks are. I just think for safety purposes,
um after a fire or whatever it may be, because they come in our neighborhood, too. I mean, all the time we have different events going on and they're parked on our city streets and I just think right away of public safety because again, if there were a fire, there's no way that a fire truck get
through there with all the parking with the food truck and then the parking. So, for me, I I like that we would know where these food trucks are. That's a good point with the the fire services and different things that would have to get through. Yeah, there's no way that a firet truck could get through
with the food truck parked where it is and then cars parked on the one side, but they don't always listen to that either. So, but I think as far as a city goes, it makes me feel good as a resident um just to know that, you know,
we're aware and if anything were to happen, um we're just aware of it. comments. Um, resounding what everyone else is saying, kind of taking a look at what other cities are doing, the larger ones, um,
you know, focusing on Blaine and Maple Grove since they have some stellar reviews from on on the state level or whoever had made that comment. I guess Ryan, whoever that was, but it would be good to see what they're doing and um see see how we can apply some of those
strategies here if we haven't already got those captured. So, I am surprised that you know and Ryan, you said it was a year ago, but I am surprised that Maple Grove wouldn't have licensing for their food trucks. Most of them. Yeah, that actually surprises me. So,
but maybe, as you said, maybe they've changed it in the last year. Very possible. So right, what is everyone feeling? Do we move ahead? Do we get some clarification on a few of the points that you've brought up this evening?
Madame Mayor, yeah, I think maybe just clarification and table it for just to get some more information. Uh I think one of the things that at two it was causing a lot of overhead, right, Audra? I mean, that's why we streamlined it to what
it was just more confusing if a license was required or not required depending on where it was located. And just at a quick glance, Albertville, Rogers, and I'm sorry, Albertville, St. Michael, and Elk River all require licenses. I just looked while we were chatting. Okay.
Okay. If that helps you. Well, that might have answered a lot of our questions. Well, and I I I'm not against it. I think more information. I think it would be good just to see what what how are people maybe managing the whole fire um
route or challenge. I mean, if there if it's over a certain size, maybe they can't park on certain roads. There might be some limitations we might need to set forth on that, but I don't want to create more work either. So, uh I'm not sure what the best approach is. And
maybe that's comments from people. Yeah, we'll look to you on that too. Mayor, we like work, so that's good. If you want the information, we can provide. What a happy guy. I mean, is Sergeant Alman's walking? Oh, he comes
now. Now he's gonna say something. We're gonna just move this forward, right? What do you got for us? Food trucks. Food trucks down. So, one of the comments was made about like the sheriff's office having to remove something. The state lure is more of a civil penalty. So if someone were
to call up and say hey this food truck doesn't have a license that would likely be more on health human services and the lure from the state we would likely have almost no recourse or leverage to say you need to move this because you don't have a state license if there isn't
something local. If there's something to the point if they don't have their license um and there's a city ordinance saying you have to have a license of some capacity to operate this then we would have the ability to say hey we have a city ordinance the sheriff's office can take action in whatever capacity that is okay
if it's just a state that has a license there's nothing from the city and that makes me a little nervous I don't think we would be able to go okay we'll write down this write down your information and take some photos and we'll send it to the state and they'll address it in the next month.
So, by us approving this, it actually gives us the ability and you the ability to enforce something. There's no recourse if I start dragging my trailer around and
selling sloppy joe's out of it and I don't have a state license. Right? I'm really bring it down to the basics on how that would work. But like I said, if if I'm trying to think of the example of the the stock camp sloppy joe trailer, right? Um makes a park makes really good ones
parks on the side of whatever capacity. I I don't know how I could tell you to you have to move it because of the food service versus, you know, I'd have to get creative with parking, emergency routes. I'd have to get creative to force somebody out of that. Otherwise,
the sheriff's office really isn't in the position, and this would go back to other statutes that we've had in the last 10 years as far as food service where local law enforcement doesn't really have a lot of uh leverage, I guess, when it comes to that sort of stuff. And a
lot of that is a observed and report forward to the state. And like I said, I not rip on the state, but I'm going to guess that's something that's not going to be handled expeditiously. Then I guess I will say with those comments I would support this and I don't need more information. I would
want to be able to if there is a situation allow our right county deputies to handle it appropriately and given that information they would not be able to do that if we don't have something in place. Sure. And I guess and making a comment on the philosophical side of things
obviously like we genuinely do like as silly as it sound we do get phone calls on like the lemonade stands like and so clearly we on one end of the spectrum we do get calls on like little little kids having lemonade stands or to the you know the next step up is a table that
has Girl Scout cookies on the corner. We have people that call in on stuff like that. Obviously we're going to use discretion when it comes to that's again sure one way. So we're going to use discretion as we go through that. Yeah. to to Ryan's point on the you know having government step in on a neighborhood block party. They certainly
don't we don't like to be in the business that sure but I think if it's now easy for them to understand and again I was speaking for all the vendors that we have at the the festival we give them the option to once you've been here come come back to
go set up shop wherever you can you know if you're paying once for the license it's probably more beneficial for you to come often so and that hasn't been a concern but um thank you for the information really
directed my thinking on it also. So, I would support moving forward tonight, but again, I would open it up to the rest of you if you're making a motion. I'm open to any comments you might have if you're I I agree with you. I mean, I that
really helped helped me. Anyone else? I agree, too. I mean, I said it before and that just confirmed Right. Yeah. Madam Mayor, I'll just conclude with uh I I appreciate the discussion. I
think I think there's some good pros and cons. I think ultimately I still kind of land on the side of I don't really think we need this level of regulation. But I will say this is a step in the right direction. I do think that the licensing process should be
simplified. I like that we are actually opening up to the entire city. So I think my my disagreement at this point is just the philosophical one. So okay, with that said, we need a motion. I'll make the motion. Motion to adopt
ordinance 2025- six or eight. Six. Thank you. Amending the city code regulating mobile food units and approve publication uh is summary form. Second
motion by Tina, seconded by Michelle. Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, same sign. I. Motion passes 4 to one. Really good discussion everyone. Yeah. Discussion.
Okay, we are still on city council reports and updates. We'll first go through commissions. Uh first is heritage preservation 40. Thank you, mayor. Um, the commission met on August 12th and continued working on festival planning.
Okay. Park and Wreck Bishop, we did not meet last week as I stormed into another meeting. Wait a minute. This is great. Yes. Next is planning commission Ryan. Uh, Madame Mayor, the planning commission
met uh last week and discussed uh particle control, which we just approved earlier tonight. I believe the next planning commission meeting is canceled. So, the next one scheduled is for September 15th. Mayor, that's correct. All right. Okay.
And next is public safety. And yes, we met last week. Um, pretty much spoke about uh the Prairie Festival, which is again September 13th. Uh we're gonna have a table and trucks by each other and uh get some a couple things ordered
for the kiddos. So all in all, it'll be great. Perfect. All right. Any other council reports or updates? Uh madam mayor, just something uh really quick. The uh public works subcommittee has been working on the RFQ uh process
for the cell central uh water treatment plant. Okay. and it's um we're on a tight timeline for that. Um so I just wanted to check with the rest of the council and make sure that the council was okay with um some members of the public works
subcommittee handling the RFQ scoring process for those um candidates I guess you could say. So we we've our engineering team has put together uh a pretty lengthy RFQ that they have to
respond to. we will go through and score those interviewing those um and the plan is to come up with between two and three um eventual candidates. If we needed the whole council to do that, we would be able to hit the deadline by the end of
the year. So um I was hoping that uh there would be no objection to us handling that. It is correct. Is that Yes. Yeah. Yeah. It it's it was um basically the timeline in order for us to meet all the dates really comes down to crunch time
right now. Okay. Uh so um if you guys are comfortable with Ryan and I and um other people that would from from staff making up that committee, if you're comfortable with that, you want to be a part of anything or privy to anything, please let us
know. No, I guess just updates along the way if you're able to Yep. share that information with us. But um thank you for doing that to make sure we're meeting our deadline. I'm fine with that. You okay with that? Yeah.
As a matter of fact, Ryan and I will be potentially meeting um in between our our monthly meetings are scheduled. So just to make these Yep. Just to dates. Okay. Well, thank you for doing that extra
work to make sure that we get that done. Yep. Anyone else have anything? Okay, moving on to staff reports and updates. Sabrina, thank you, mayor. Uh, I'm probably going
to steal this from Adam. Uh, we are closed Monday for Labor Day. Well done, Sabria. We'll expect you here. Just kidding. Adam, mayor, councel, uh reminder, there's a 5:30 budget meeting scheduled for
September 8th, and Scrina and I have been meeting with uh numerous people uh looking to fill the interim uh position for emergency services. So, we hope to have an update or an action item to you on September 8th.
Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, guys. All right, Audra. Thank you, Mayor. I have no updates. Date updates. Thanks, Mayor.
Dan, after assistant administer update, I you want a one uper? On top of Dan. Okay, Ron. Thank you, mayor. Just a few updates on some projects. Uh, the overlay project
is complete. uh Macyver Avenue and the Marlo Avenue roundabout. That's planned to start uh day after Labor Day, September 2nd. So, County Road and then County Road 137 in MacGyver. We had a precon on that uh
just a week or so ago. Um that will start September 9th. Uh, but the detour signs will be set up for the Marlo and Macyver, but you will be able to still travel on 137
up until September 9th and then they'll close off 137 through there. Also, um I don't know if there's any other questions on that. I'm wonder I have one. Um, can you have staff, your staff contact the bus departments for
both STMA and ISD 728 because those may impact those routes, especially givingven that it's within that first week of school. Yeah, Barb usually does that. So, we'll uh inform Barb and she's got the contacts. Okay, that would be great. I just know
that they're feverishly getting out bus routes and some people don't have them yet. So where they may start with their pickups may be impacted the next week and they can maybe implement that into their plan. Okay. I wonder um madame mayor if we should have some sort of message go out
maybe Facebook or whatever to parents who maybe are driving their kids that way who are mayor. We we do have the uh the sign wagons that'll be up a week before the closure. So it might even be up right
now. Okay. Okay. So if we can get sign closures and then if Heidi can do a big Facebook blast, mayor, we reached out to the county staff today asking where that was and we don't have it as of now. But it will be live on the website and
social media once we do. Okay. Okay. Thank you. The the other item on there is that the only project that they plan on working on this year is the roundabout at 137 in Marlo. That's phase one and then they'll
get that open for the winter and then it won't be till next year that they'll be working on the next segments phases of the project. Okay. But that would be in the spring. Correct. Okay. Okay. Uh the trails 80th Street, Cass 42,
those will be starting after Labor Day. Um and then the Odin Avenue water main project, that's to start the second or third week of September. So the trail will be closed for about a week, then reopen with gravel patches and then shut
down um maybe three or four weeks later for a day to put the pavement back in and then reopen again. Well, it so right now it's closed on the corner of 75th and Odin where the fire station is. There's that little section there. Y
when they're repatching or further down Odin, will they be doing that whole stretch then at one time or will that corner still stay gravel? And maybe you don't know that answer. That might be that might be a Darl question. Okay.
Okay. That was last of my updates. Okay. Sorry. I just I'm like, well, if we're going to be in there patching, are we doing it all at one time? It's very likely that that will stay closed through the winter. That piece will Okay, that will until they're ready to start paving the uh approaches into the station.
Okay. All right, that makes sense. They'll be doing some p paving within the site, but where the trucks are coming in and out, they'll wait till they're pretty much done before they do that. Okay. All right. Well, it is Darl. Actually,
it's your turn. Sorry. Stay up here. Okay. All right, Darl. Uh, they should have finished enclosing the perimeter of the building today. Uh, Councilman Gaty stopped and and got a little tour the other day. I encourage
all of you to stop by. Um, I would just ask if you do stop there, um, go to their job trailer, make sure that they know you're on site so they give you a helmet and vest. So, and then stay out of the way if they're swinging panels and stuff like that. Those panels weigh, uh, significant amount. We wouldn't want
to squish one. You will be flat. Um, that's all I have other than to say thank you for the support of the last couple years. I really appreciate everybody's input. Even when we disagreed, I think the questions that were asked made the project better. I appreciate it.
You can, Darl. I have a few comments if you're okay. Um, I didn't know when I should do it, so seems fitting right now, but um, so it says, "Darl, from the day you joined the team, you were entrusted with the responsibility of laying the foundation for the ATGO emergency services department. You
approached this with an unre unwavering integrity, dignity, and grace. You became the point person for emergency management, an area of urgent need, and you stepped up without hesitation. You established a thoughtful and strategic timeline to guide the creation of the
Atgo emergency services and fire department with the goal of full operations by 2027. Under your leadership, we broke ground on our emergency services facility, which is now under construction and will stand as a lasting symbol of your vision and dedication. You also led the efforts
to define specifications and secure the department's first four apparatuses and you helped shape the staffing model framework for personnel and operate operational policies. These will all be essential elements that will ensure this department serves at Seagull for years
to come. While it I'm deeply saddened that you won't be at the helm when the doors do open, your legacy is already rooted in Sego's future. You have given us the road map and we will carry it forward. On behalf of the entire city of Atgo and those that will benefit from
all your efforts, I thank you and continued prayers for you and your family as you navigate your next steps. You will be missed. Thank you. Hopefully I'll be back when you have the open house. We hope to have you here. You'll be back. I'll come get you.
All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Chief Pers. Is it not going up? Is it not? Maybe it's not plugged in. That's fine. Oh, you can crouch though. Uh, this time I was actually invited up here. Uh, so
Hey, you weren't here last time. I did. Nope. You were in the back. I was told I get one phone call per my turn. I now have to make sure I get up here. So, um I made sure to check the
trademarks uh stock camp sloppy joe's. You guys stop by. I'll make them. I'm actually making them tomorrow. You guys really should stop by. Sweet. Come for dinner. [Laughter] I just invited the whole city hot
seagull. uh this time of year obviously that we're going back to school. So a couple things that we're trying to do with that. I will not only will I be we're going to have kind of dedicated some more traffic enforcement for the various problems. If nothing else on my part, I try to get out there and just kind of
observe whatever problems that we're going to run into because inevitably there's going to be, you know, there's always different routes inside the schools of different uh drop off routes and it always there's some law of unintended consequences of something that happens out on the road whether it's MacGyver or River Road or whatever the case is. So, I'll be out there
trying to uh watch and see if there's anything major that we need to improve on. And obviously the school resource officers had a couple in-house training days just dedicated specifically to school stuff. Um their last day of that was today. So they kind of go start getting into their their roles here
starting tomorrow. Uh I know kind of I'm hijacking a little bit from the newsletter uh part of the sheriff's office's article, but the school bus ar violation things we are enforcing pretty heavily. Um, initially when I started
back in ' 07, we would typically treat school bus arm, you know, the stop arms that pop out, those violations. We kind of put the burden on the school bus driver to pursue what those charges would be down the line and like they would end up having to be the kind of the sole
representative of how that charge went and going to the county attorney and having to go into court and testify on it. Fortunately, that philosophy has changed as well as having the statute basically reflect um if a vehicle passes an extended uh
stop warrant that the statute says that we can essentially charge the owner of the vehicle just there. If we have the license plate, we can simply charge on that. We typically do more due diligence than that. We will investigate it thoroughly. We watch all the videos. We go to the house. We speak with the
owners. We go pretty pretty heavily into these things because we obviously don't want accidents and we want to make it clear that if that thing if that top part is out is stopped. So we do hundreds of those a year and again almost all the school buses in this area
St. Michael Al the Elk River School Districts, especially here in Asiggo, they have cameras all over them and they typically have those reports to us uh within an hour with license plates, descriptions of people if there are kids out and about. It's a gross misdemeanor
level to pass a stop arm that is extended if there are kids outside of the bus. So, it is a misdemeanor if the kids are still on the bus. If the kids are outside of the bus in any capacity, it's a gross misdemeanor. Is technically an arrestable offense. So,
We're taking it pretty seriously. Do you anticipate because I know both schools have tried to change their patterns in internally on how they're going to get parent drop off to go a little faster. Are there any
changes that they're implementing this year that you're aware of? Or my understanding is whatever things are mainly in the parking lot. where they're going to put the cones for, you know, drop off or the certain time. It's going to be kind of minor stuff and it's just kind of trial and error because it's just like anything
else. Yeah, we have this good plan in place in the SRO's uh everybody at school administration's all uh think and plan it out and then there's something that was unaccounted for when it actually goes into place and you go, "Oh crap." Right? We didn't think about that. So, it just that's how it goes
with traffic and that's how it's always been with any school in the county. Sure. Quite literally. So, every every single school I know has issues with drop off. I know in Albertville we've had issues with the line snakes all through the neighborhoods and everything like that. So, do we have the same SRO officers this
year that we did? Okay, good. Yep. He's he's been with uh now for five, six, seven years I think now just schools. So, and then we have we have two supervisors now too that are both sergeants that just oversee school
resource officers and so we'll have uh that supervisor goes and just goes in between different calls at the schools make sure everything is handled correctly. So, pretty good system. We got enough school resource officers in the area between Hudsville, St. Michael Aubry build, Monosello. So if there's major issues or whatever the case is,
they need a hand, they just kind of flex up and down and that supervisor floats in between the different calls too. Anyone have anything? Thank you. Yeah, appreciate. We'll make sure the podium rises next
time. This podium. Yeah. Yeah. I guess lock during. There you go. All right. If no one else has anything, then a motion to journ would be in order. So moved. Second.
Motion by Tina, seconded by Michelle. Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. All those opposed, same sign. The meeting has ended. Thank you all for attending.