I'd like to call the City of Pierz regular City Council meeting to order. Everybody stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> 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. >> Okay. And so, City Council protocol, if you want to take a look at that. Um, today we have Jeff Hage and Ariana
Polonio Bianco from the Morrison County Record. >> Come up here? >> Absolutely. >> I am Jeff Hage from the Morrison County Record and I want to introduce to you my new, um, Pierz reporter. Um,
you know, Joseph was coming here for a couple years and he [snorts] went on to, um, Williston, North Dakota where he's now working. And one of the fun and exciting parts of having Ariana here is that we've
revamped our newsroom assignments, so communities can have ownership of who is covering them. So, Ariana isn't only going to be covering Pierz City Council from now on,
she is taking over Pierz School Board for Sheila. And then her other assignment will be covering the community. So, in our office, we had everybody doing everything and you just, kind of like some good spaghetti, you'd throw the
noodles at the wall and see who had the day off and what stuck, right? But, what I want to do is have, you know, the community, the readers, um, the businesses know who their person is and who covers their community. And for
Pierz and Royalton, uh, that will be Ariana. And kind of the other neat part of that concept, we've kind of sliced the county into strips, right? So, um I'm I have kind of the center, so I have
everything in Little Falls, and now Sheila is Randall, Swanville, Upsala. And Ariana, I'm going to put you on the spot for just a second, cuz I would just love for you to um tell your your new um council just a
teeny weeny little bit about you and where you come from and Not the short, but the um the 2-minute version. >> [laughter] >> Okay, I'll keep it short and sweet. >> Yeah. Okay. Thanks for your time. >> Thank you, Jeff. I appreciate it. >> Yeah.
>> [clears throat] >> Okay. Um good evening, everyone. Um I'm Ariana. Um I recently got hired, as Jeff told you. Um I'm excited um to be covering Pierz and Royalton. I am from Dominican Republic, born and raised. I
came to the US in 2021 for school, and then I've been like going to school and then working in and out. Um so, yeah. I graduated in journalism, and I'm excited for these. Um I don't know. I come from small family. I have two siblings.
Um I come from a warm weather, but I'm I'm used to the winter, so do not worry about me. Um but you'll Don't be surprised if you hear me, "Oh, I'm cold." even though it's like so hot outside. Like anytime I enter into a building, I'll be like, "Oh, it's kind of cold." but it's all
right. Well, that's That's a small brief version, and I'm excited. Just keep me posted. I'm your girl, starting on. So, yeah. >> All right, Ariana. Thank you. Very nice to meet you. >> Thank you. Thank you for having me. >> Good.
Um can we get the approval of the minutes for public hearing meeting July 13th, 2026? >> I'll make the motion for the public hearing meeting minutes. >> Len makes the motion. >> I'll second it. >> Joe seconds it. Any discussion?
All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. And approval of the minutes for the regular city council meeting for July 13th. >> I'll make the motion. >> Len makes the motion. >> I'll second it. >> Sarah makes the second. Any discussion?
All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. Any adjustments to the agenda today? >> I'd like to add a planning and zoning Holy Trinity School, which planning and zoning will talk about. And workshop minutes. I didn't complete
those and had those sent to you. >> Workshop. We'll just put it in the workshop review. >> Just to approve the minutes, yeah. >> So do we want to go back and approve those? >> Yeah. Or we can uh go back and approve the >> agenda first.
I'll make the motion to approve the agenda then with the additions. >> Len makes the motion for the adjustments. >> I'll second it. >> Joe seconds it. Any discussions? All those in favor? >> [clears throat] >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Motion passes.
Right. We need a motion to approve the workshop minutes. >> I'll make that motion. >> Len makes the motion. >> I'll second it. >> Len seconds. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All those opposed?
Motion passes. Great. Planning and zoning. >> All right. So planning and zoning has three different permits. And we'll just we'll first talk about the first two uh Holy Trinity for a sidewalk edition on the east side of the
building. Uh 5 ft 6 in by 166 in and and 8 ft by 50 ft are the two different sections that they want. And then the other one is we have a chicken uh uh 120 Edward Street South is asking for
chickens. They have met everything that that we had laid out previous. And so she's already paid her application fee. So those two the planning and zoning um passed were or agreed that they should get passed. >> [clears throat]
>> The maybe want to make a motion and a second on those two before we do the last one here. >> We take motion on those first two for approval. >> I'll make the motion. >> Sarah makes the motion. >> I'll second it. >> Don'll make the second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> I.
>> All those opposed? Motion passed. >> So the last one is uh Greg Firman, 304 Cassie Street, is looking to add a shed in his backyard. And um it does not meet the setbacks. And so at that point we are denying the
permit. And he is going to be calling in and and will be starting the process for a public hearing meeting for him to allow him to build closer to the lot line. So all of planning and zoning uh was
there tonight to look and and discuss it and go through it also. >> Very good. >> So that one would be that it was that permit is denied. That's why I sprang it separately. >> Okay. Perfect. Thank you. >> Do you want to put the date for the
public hearing then? Or If if honestly it'd be August 24th if we're doing it during a meeting. Because it won't have enough time on the 10th of >> We won't have our 10 days
from from putting it in the shopper. >> Yep. >> So, that goes in this Wednesday, Thursday? >> I would have to have it in this Wednesday, but it won't get posted until Sunday the 2nd. >> Yep. >> So, the 24th makes sense. >> Yep. Let's Let's Let's tentatively set it for
that date then, cuz that's that's the that's as soon as we could do it >> Yep. >> without holding a special meeting. >> Correct. >> And I don't know if we would want to do that. That would be up to the council as a council decision. Would you want to have a council meeting just to approve this, or you want to
wait until it goes through? >> Well, I mean, we can wait unless it's a dire emergency form. >> I mean, I guess if Greg is fine with it, >> Yeah. >> we roll with the 24th. If he's not, he'll just have to send something out. >> Okay. >> Then we reach out. I don't mind doing this >> Okay.
>> special meeting if it's if needed. >> Do we need a motion for the denial? >> I have it ready for the motion. You don't have to make the denial, but you do have the motion. >> Oh. Do I have to take a motion now? >> Oh. >> Take a motion for uh
Who knows denied? Oh, Greg Furmans. >> Yep. >> Denial. >> I'll make that motion based on um what planning and zoning has presented. >> Then makes a motion. >> I'll second. >> Sarah makes second. Any discussions?
All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Motion passes the denial. Okay. We can move on for approval or denial of exempt permits. Piers Lions. >> I'll make a motion to accept.
>> It's for 8/30/26 pull tabs and bingo at the Piers Park. >> Oktoberfest? >> Mhm. >> Must be Oktoberfest, yep. >> I'll second it. >> Sarah makes a motion. Lynn makes a second. Any discussion? All those in favor?
>> I. >> I. >> All those opposed? >> Motion passes. >> Uh next is for Holy Trinity's um 10 10 26 raffle at the Pierce Ballroom. >> That's their steak and wine fundraiser. >> Mhm. >> And you guys can do it all at once too
if you want. >> Read them all off. Let's make a motion all at once. >> Okay. >> Holy Trinity 12 17 26 raffle at the high school and Holy Trinity 4 11 27 bingo paddle wheels pull tab raffle. And a raffle.
>> Absolutely. >> 12 27 is that their calendar? >> That's their uh Saint Nick night. >> Oh, Saint Nick night. >> Okay. And the other one is their >> Um >> Their carnival. >> Carnival. >> I'll make the motion to approve. >> Danny makes a motion to approve all three of those. >> I'll second it.
>> Joe seconds. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All those opposed? >> Motion passes. >> You got the July 22nd workshop review. >> What do you want me to do the review? >> Mhm.
>> My mic doesn't work. >> It's on the agenda. >> Um so workshop last Wednesday the items being discussed were the senior center board had requested to have a workshop to be able to talk to us about space.
Um so we reiterated to them how we are not kicking them out. We're just kind of refiguring the space. So that seemed to go well and there will be plenty more conversations coming. I'm certain of it. Uh public works employee um Tyler's last
day is tomorrow. So [snorts] we had decided to post and just make I think where I would had suggested some edits on the job description. And then we discussed budget and the plans for 2027. So.
>> Perfect. It was a good meeting. Department updates. Fire. Police. Public works. Mr. Work. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh
been hot out. And been wreaking some havoc on the power, [snorts] but uh it it should cool down hopefully soon here. Everybody's just >> September. >> Yeah, well, you know, eventually. Um
we got the concrete poured out here and down in the park and we got the lion fountain up and going. >> Both of them look fantastic, by the way. >> Yes. >> Good deal. Yeah, Premium did really good. I >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Um
our bucket truck right now is at uh Teddy's getting [clears throat] fixed. Thought it was a hydraulic line that was leaking, but the cylinders themselves were leaking. So, it's a process, but it it'll
it'll be up and running shortly here. I hope. Uh we had Minnesota Power come in change a transformer and some lines cuz we were cutting cutting power over at the uh south end of town.
And then Minnesota Power also came in Sunday and had to change a fuse. Uh that ran a leg of homes in the in the town homes, but we got the right size fuse in there now, and it should should
hold up. But uh you know, other than that, just the keeping on stuff. Uh I I'd like to look for approval or a motion to continue
on with our salt shed project. I gave everybody a packet with some numbers on uh quotes as far as labor and concrete. Uh with that, there might be a little
extra for cuz I'll be doing the dirt work, but you can never get it perfect for concrete. You know, that's the concrete guys. So, there'll probably be just a little bit extra for that, not much. Little bit of sand to level. But other than that, that should be our
final numbers that we're looking for. for it. >> And there was 40,000 800 or something in the budget for that, right? >> 40,447. >> Yep. >> Yeah, and the other sheet he gave you is the dedicated funds. >> Yep.
>> It's salt for >> Salt shed falls under >> 40 Yep. >> Well, I mean, there's money in the budget for it. >> It's salt shed. >> So, then do we need to approve each of these quotes separately? Or it
>> No, I would say not because because of the capital. >> Okay. >> I think we just look for a motion to approve the whole project. >> I'll make a motion to approve the recommended um bids for the project. >> And >> second it.
>> Up to any certain price? I mean, I don't want to go too much higher. >> I would say 20. >> 25? >> 20 Yeah, that was kind of what I was 20 25. >> Up to 25? >> Yep. >> Sarah makes a motion to approve the project no more than 25,000.
Linda seconds. >> Yep, I'll second it. >> Linda makes second. Any discussions? All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. Congratulations on your salt shed. >> Thank you. >> That'll be a nice addition.
>> It will be. It'll be a huge help. One person will be able to get the truck ready and go on. >> Yeah. >> And it doesn't have to sit there. >> It'll It'll open up a whole bunch more storage up there and the truck doesn't have to sit full of salt and sand
throughout the winter then. It saves on the box, the sander, the truck. >> Yeah. >> So, it'll be great. Thank you. >> Thanks for getting all the quotes and all the numbers and makes it so much easier to approve it. [snorts] >> It was exciting. >> [laughter] >> I bet it was.
>> So much fun. >> That's That's about all I got. >> Thanks, Rick. >> Thanks, Rick. >> Appreciate everything you do. Thank you. Okay. Public Works. Andrew. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council.
Um I don't have a ton for you guys, just some updates of things that have kind of been going on down there. Um this weekend we had our Global Tournament. It was a pretty good turnout. We had 24 teams. We originally only had 18 that we were
going to have sign up, but people had really wanted to get in, so we we let 24 go. Um it was really cool. Um Brandon and the crew, they lit up the greens and we had some disco balls on like hole four and different like DJ lights. It it really cool. So,
um definitely something to look forward to do again in the fall. Um so, we're kind of working on some details on that and maybe doing like a Halloween costume contest kind of with it, too, or whatever to make it kind of fun. So, um so, that went really well. Um staff has been amazing. They're working super
hard. Um even with uh this week, we had to shut down the back nine, which is unfortunate, but um but talking to Brandon, he said it helped out a lot. So, um he's a was really, really good decision to make. Um we were still really busy even
with all the heat. Um so, um I guess one more thing I got from Jim, he just said that they might possibly be shutting the river pump down here after this week. Um he said the drought really stinks. So, >> Sure. >> Um it'd be really nice to get some rain,
but um their course is in really good condition for what those guys are working with and we've gotten a lot of compliments on um that from people coming through. So, um kudos to those guys. Um other than that, we had the health
inspector came through this week. Um everything was good. She really liked all our updates that we did. Um she's very, very impressed that we're um keep keep updating things. So, um she's really happy. And then we had the gambling um manager from the state came through, too.
Um and everything went well with him and he said we're doing everything that we're supposed to be doing. So, um outside of that, I guess I don't really have anything unless you guys have any questions for me. No? >> Thanks for keeping this out of life. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> little shout out to you. Like you, Jim, and Brandon, you guys and your guys' crew, you're doing a spectacular job down there. You're nothing but positive. >> So. >> Thanks. >> I think you got nice to ask for permission for some rain, but I don't know. >> [laughter] >> Start dancing some more. >> Yeah.
>> Sounds like you might get it possibly Thursday. >> I'll tell Amy to wash your car again. >> Fingers crossed. >> Fingers crossed, yes. >> Um >> [snorts] >> other than that, yeah, we have busy couple weeks coming up here. We have like three tournaments in August and um bunch in September, so should be good.
>> Nice. >> Good golfing. >> Thanks, you too. >> Oh, yeah, thanks. I forgot. >> Going to the golf course today. Uh city administrator update. >> Um I did Bob from Ripsaw did share a lead service update that they are a
couple of days behind, but the blacktop and concrete should still be done in a couple of weeks and it's still going to be completed by the parade. So. >> That's the goal. >> Um the other items I have are I gave you
all a picture >> Mhm. >> which is very exciting. This came from Jenny Smoothie who is doing the Walking Wings where they had come in, I want to say in February April April to present the idea of updating the veterans voting
a veterans memorial in Okay, so this is their idea. Um not so much like the landscape, it's not to scale, know that. But the statues, the flagpoles, that's their plan.
Some of the things she needs to know is how far east we can go. So in the skating rink. >> Yeah, they would like to encroach on the skating rink and move to it. >> I would think that's [clears throat] okay. I mean I talked to Ricky and he said that
based on their plowing and stuff this winter, it's not really used as a ice rink. >> Right. Let's say the one on the west side gets gets used the most. >> Yeah, all the traffic. >> It was it was put there because then little kids wouldn't have to cross 25, but reality is they still
come here. >> Still cross 25. >> Yeah. >> So I I we would we need to as a council need to approve not making it a skating rink anymore. And then she'll work with planning and zoning in terms of where she can go and how far back and north and south.
>> [clears throat] >> So, but that is one thing that planning and zoning or that we have to decide as council first before planning and zoning can do their thing, so. >> Well, I guess we can entertain a motion to not have the skating >> the other year. You want to shut down
the ice rink. [laughter] >> I would make I would have make a motion to discontinue using that part of Billy Park as a skating rink in the wintertime. >> So, we make a motion to take away the skating rink. >> Sounds like I'm taking candy from kids.
Geez. >> I guess I got to >> skating rink next to fire hall, I guess what you'd put it as. >> Okay. I'll second it. >> Joe seconds it. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. I. I. >> All those opposed?
Motion passes. >> Okay. And then with that, they will be able to do a more of a scale, work with planning and zoning like they had said. Um another item she had shared with public works and I is that because the
current flag poles are the city's, they were not planning on doing anything with it. Um because it'll be a duplicate. One of the flags will be a duplicate. We weren't 100% sure how the city would
want to move it. It kind of seems a little weird. I would >> That's a question I have, too. How how is that going to incorporate what's there? >> Yeah. Uh so, possibility of removing the flag poles. Now, one of the items is the POW flag is not in this setup.
>> Yep. But, we could probably do a police and a fire along with a POW in front. And then that would be one little memorial and this would be the other. >> Okay. That that was a good idea. The other idea they had thought is there's a flag on the fire department. So put the
POW with that. I don't know. But >> I like your idea, Donnie, but I also think that we need to pull in the Legion because didn't they pay for that? >> Yes. >> Yeah. So I mean, I think that this committee this Walking Wings Committee
should also work with the Legion to see if they're okay with that also. >> Well, I think because they were going to leave the poles and it was up to the city, should we work with them? Cuz they said they were going to leave them up. And if we're the ones maintaining >> poles, though. It's also the Isn't there
monument things there, too? >> Oh, they plan on utilizing >> those, too? >> Yes. The stat- uh other >> Not the Father Pierces. I'm talking about the one closest to the fire hall. Where the flag poles are. >> They plan on leaving that, but I don't
uh I'm having a hard time visualizing it. >> It should It should be far enough off to the north that it shouldn't When you look at this, it's actually and you see this tree here, it's still farther left than that. >> Yeah. >> Compared to when you're walking in. >> But still have a conversation with the
Legion. >> Yes. >> Should the Walking Wings and Planning and Zoning have a meeting together? >> We will. We needed to find out of what we want to do with the ice skating rink and some of that stuff first. >> Sure. >> But yes, we will be meeting with them. >> Perfect. >> Um
Okay. Those were the That was the biggest things they needed to hear then. The other items I have are just simply reminders. Um Rock Roll 'n' Stroll event August 6th, Walk 'n' Wings is August 29th,
Pier's Oktoberfest is August 30th. And tomorrow is the last day to put your affidavit in for council. So, closes at 5:00 p.m. >> Cool. >> That's all I got. >> Awesome. Thank you.
>> Thanks for everything you do as well. >> You're welcome. >> Any council updates? >> I don't have any. Joe? >> No. >> Nothing Nothing for me. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> 7:25, I'll make the motion to adjourn.
>> 19:25, Donnie makes the motion. >> I'll second. >> Here a second. Any discussions? All those in favor? >> I. >> I. All those opposed? Motion passes. Motion carries.