Good evening. I'd like to call the regular city council meeting to order for March 9th, uh, 2026. Please 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. >> The city council members are here to serve the city of Pierce. We expect respectful conduct at all times. Slander or inappropriate language not will not be tolerated. Please speak only when
addressed one person at a time. Each speaker has a 5m minute time limit. Uh thank you for your cooperation. Uh first I would like to get approval of the minutes for our regular city council meeting for February 23rd, 2026. >> Make that motion. >> Gary makes a motion.
>> I'll second it. >> Donnie seconds the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Uh motion carried. Uh next would be adjustments to the agenda. Any additions or anything like that over
there? You good, Gary? Donnie. >> Good. >> Good. Lynn. Okay. Laura. >> Okay. >> I'll make the motion then to approve the agenda as is. >> Okay. Lynn makes a motion to approve the agenda. >> Second it. >> Gary seconds the seconds it. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> Uh motion carried. Um, so the next would be um approval. Oh, we got the approval agenda, right? So, let's go. What I'd like to do is since we have the fire fire hall here, we have them down at number 10. I'd like to move them first
so then they can go through all their stuff and then uh they don't have to sit for the rest of our meeting. So, uh who would like to sit on? >> I would. >> Steve. Okay, Steve's here. He's gonna pass it around. talk about the fire relief association.
All right. Thank you. So, this is kind of an annual that we do it uh every year in March. Um the first sheet we're going to look at is the one that says Pierce Fire
Department Retirement on it. It's this sheet here. This one right here. So, and what I'm just trying to show you here is our total assets to start the 2026 year is 1,795,544. We have a couple uh guesstimations or
estimates. Uh the city and rural contributions are 30,250. Return of our investments, we're hoping to earn 5% by the end of the year, which would be 90 thou 91,290. estimated 2% and I always we have to
almost estimate that you know it just kind of fluctuates so much from year to year. I think last year's scooper if I'm not wrong was $95,000 correct. So we're going to estimate it at 91290 and and Jeff Ferman and I we just sit down and and uh just kind of pull that number
together you know from the last couple of years of uh contributions from them. So, an estimated um assets at the end of 2026 would be 2,12,084. We then look at the year of service or the the retirement. Right now, we're at
$3,200 a year for uh each fire member. And there's a calculation that we have to use. Obviously, somebody that's got 20 years or better, we have to have 100% funded in our account set aside for that member. And then as you go backwards
then it's it's a little bit less. So our total assets if we had stayed at $3,200 um would be1,517,352 which is about 132% funded. Uh we felt that was a little too much funded. Um
the last few years we've been trying to roll right at that 110,000 because of where everything is at right now. We would like to move it to 3,400. That's what the rank and file had voted on and approved at our meeting. Um,
which would keep us at 119% funded. I know that's a little more than that we usually run at at that 110, but with all the uncertainties and and we just don't want to be uh be putting anybody or the city at a in a bad spot with our retirement. If you remember back in
2008, Donnie, how we had a D and the rest of the guys were we had to go backwards and take a hit on a retirement and it's it's just not a fun thing to do. So that's why we're being a little more conservative. Uh also at our last uh meeting with the townships, they also
have shared that they would like to um participate or share that loss if that would ever happen again where the city would be uh responsible to make it 100%. um they would like to share that responsibility with us and and I don't
know if Cooper has anything more on that but >> yeah actually was brought up two years ago I think when writing last year it was brought up you know there and they agreed to it so it's in >> I was going to say do we have that in writing somewhere >> I believe it's in >> okay
>> just reaffirmed it this year >> yeah that's great and it's really appreciative too because I know that was a long time in the making probably I just talking to Donnie probably 10 years that's been talked about. So, >> that's great. >> So, we're we're pretty excited to share
that news with you and uh and uh we would like the blessing of the council to raise our retirement from $3,200 a year to $3,400 a year, which like I said would be $119% funded for the assets
that we have. >> Yep. >> And where the, you know, and toward, you know, against the liabilities. And then just to let and let me know if I'm wrong, Steve, but we our share still stays the same. We're funding 26 people um all that and we which is really nice
that we're still able to move that up to 3,400 a year by doing that. >> Yes. And and we're budgeted for that. >> That's correct. And and and thank you for budgeting that. And that is what I'm asking for is just the the same as what we've been doing for gosh a lot of
years. And uh and it's what you're you're seeing it here that it's it's keeping us in the means or the middle with a lot of departments our size and and uh that's all we're asking for to stay as close to that middle y >> as we possibly can with uh our surrounding.
>> So if I could I get a motion you guys to move it up to 34 uh 3400. >> I'll make the motion. >> Okay. Donnie makes the motion. >> Second. >> All of us did. >> Who's Sarah? I'll give it to Sarah. Sarah seconds the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. Uh we that's okay. Great.
>> Okay. Thank you. And then the second part of that I don't know if that needs to be a separate motion or what you want to do um as far as the uh the >> the >> So it's 550 for 26 people. Oh Sarah, you probably remember. Is it five? It's 550
that we put in. Okay. Laura, we do for 26 people. If I could get a motion to do that again this year. >> Make that motion. >> Harry makes the motion. >> Second it. >> Uh Lynn seconds a motion. All in favor say I. I I >> opposed. Uh motion carried. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Question just for my own knowledge. >> Yeah.
>> So it was at 32 last year. >> Uh correct. >> What was it the previous year? >> Uh do you remember? >> Three. >> Three. Okay. >> I think 31. >> Was it 31? We only went up 100 last year. >> It went up 100 last year. >> Yeah. I don't It was right there. >> Right around there. Yeah. Okay.
>> So, um the second form that I have is just our article 9. This is for our own uh policies and procedures in our in our file. And uh this is just uh again the same as all the other years where we're asking the clerk to sign it. The state looks for it when we we have our audit
and uh and then Laura got it for me last year and you know so whenever you can do that again and then I just take the minutes off the off the internet then and attach them. So once they're approved next month. So, okay. Uh, our
meetings are still, uh, the second Thursday of every month. So, this Thursday is another meeting. And I strongly encourage you all to comment as I do every year. Uh, we do so much more than just put fire out. So, >> so, uh, Steve, do you want to touch base on those uh those breathers or whatever
it is that I think >> I'll do that? >> Oh, you're okay. Scuba. Okay, great. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> That's all I have and I appreciate you all. Thank you. Thank you very much for everything you guys do, all the sacrifices. >> Appreciate it.
>> Am I? >> Yeah, you're up. >> This is just the annual report. >> Thanks, sir. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Have two.
Yeah. All right. So, like I said, this is just the uh 2025 report. As you guys know, the leadership never changed at all. Um command staff stayed the same, which is pretty lucky. This year, it'll be the
chief and the uh captain that'll be up for if they want to re-up. So, um, just a couple notes, the coverage and response area, really nothing to do with the city, but, uh, Moral Township approached us and they wanted to bid
with the the with the townships and then we took the whole township on now or they wanted us to cover cuz I think Foley might be getting a little bit spendy for them. So, we're covering. We had six townships, now we have all 36. So, wow.
>> Um, so that'll be a little and really there's not a lot of calls. It's a lot of swamp. So, maybe a couple grass fires, but um total calls for 25 was 77. Um, and then the total value loss as you see that that's just kind of our
guesstimation. You know, when we go to a call, put the fire out and we kind of guess roughly what was damaged and and we come up with 1.2 million roughly in that area on our estimations. Um biggest thing mutual aid calls was nine. Of
course DNR a lot of grass fires eight of them. Garrison fire had that >> uh uh resort on fire. We helped them that one day. So that was that one. And then it just breaks down the different types of calls that the fire calls of course
medical assist. We actually and that that the motor vehicle with accident those are all included. So that's why 30. That's kind of a big number, but everything's included in there along with the medical like we have the Lucas there. Sometimes we get called out to assist with that.
Um not a lot of false alarms. Um I guess 10. I guess that's about average. Um six of them canceled in route. Couple gas leaks. Um just comparing to to 24, it's
really not. That's the most I've ever seen was 98 and 24. >> I don't know what I think we figured it was all the grass fires and things early on. And if we don't get any rain, it might be the same this year. But so that was and a little of course more damage,
property losses. So it was for fire, I guess. I don't know if it's ever good, but it was better than 24. And then it just breaks down um as you see all the townships, the cities, uh what kind of calls. Um if we look the peers, we had
11 total in the city. We had two medicals. Um one accident with without injuries and we had three with injuries, which is kind of not very common, you know, usually in the city, but it was kind of a bad year for that. Really bad, I
should say. Um and a couple false alarms and we had one fire. here. I don't remember what the >> sers. >> Oh, yeah. Trey, his house. So, yeah. Um, then it just goes through all the
townships. Let's see. Here's what you were talking about, John. So, we brought it up, I'd say two, three years ago. The SCBAs, they'll be out of compliance uh December 31st of this year. Um, every 10 years you got to
got to re reup them or re purchase them. So we went and we just got roughly some bids. Um last year it was between like 160 and 180 and of course with inflation and everything else. Right now it's at about 190 to 210 for replacement of
SCBAs. But with that noted um last year and the year before we applied for grants of course we got denied and we'll do it again. We're going to do it again this year and that's up to 50,000. So hopefully if we can maybe get that
grant. Um Pioneer Mutual Insurance has given us 20,000 already. So that'll come off the top. And this will be uh the the townships voted on it and they agreed to do it. You guys and then the our fire is going to do a third too. So that'll be
split into three three entities. Um and I mean that'll be the end of the year. So, it'll probably be next year, budget year is when, you know, the the bill will be due. So, I guess you got a whole year or so, even next year to to think about that. But, like I said, we're
going to apply for the grant. Hopefully, maybe we can get it. But if not, we still have to do it. You know, it's and like John Dener is one that has to deal with it. But, it's always trouble trying to get parts and pieces and these are just they're out of they're out of date
and it's time. And honestly, it's probably our most essential uh PPE that we have, you know, that we have to have it. And so, it's something we need. And it's just crazy how much they cost, but it is what it is. So, that's where
that's at. Um, just a note, last year Harding Lash gave us two a $2,000 donation and with that we you we used our money from the from the gambling or call it the truck fund, but we we purchased the critical airbag lift
supports. Those are the airbag systems. We haven't um the ones we had were since I got on. So, it's a very big upgrade and it's I mean it's huge. You know, they can lift up to 100 120,000 lbs. So, it's was needed and it's a very good
asset to have. Then the last page, um Dustin, you kind of maybe I can ask you a little bit on the the equipment replacement. We I don't know maybe 3 four years ago, we kind of wanted to show where we're at. >> Mhm.
>> When the year like when these vehicles are coming due roughly. I mean, this is just a timeline. The pumpers are the main ones, you know, 25 years and uh those have to be be replaced. But I guess our biggest thing coming up, of course, will be the pumper. Our our
backup pumper will be 25 years old in 2029. So that'll have to get replaced somewhere in that area. And then you can just see, you know, whatever. All the mother ones of course can be you know
adjusted either way with the budgets and so it's just kind of a um gives you guys some projections or kind of where it's at >> and then half of that would be the responsibility of period. >> Yeah. This is a full Yep. This is a full
and these are just guesstimates too. you know. >> Mhm. >> I don't know. 700,000 seems like a lot for a pumper, but >> that's projected out to I can't remember what year though >> is the other one. >> Saying in 2040 we figured it'd be worth it.
>> Okay, that makes more sense. >> That cost would be about 700. >> Oh, >> obviously a long ways out. >> Yeah. Okay. So, yeah. All right. >> Yeah. I really the 502 comper would be the one that's >> Yeah, that'll be the next major thing that >> grant opportunities for those two.
>> Yep. Yep. So, if we can um the grants aren't quite as FEMA isn't given quite as much, but I mean a lot can change from till I mean at that time. So, >> when you put these out of commission, what do you do with them? You sell >> We sell them, but I mean you really
don't get >> Right. No, I was just wondering >> you don't get much. Yeah. Laura, do they do anything with uh Sourceville at all for this kind of stuff? >> Yeah, Sourceville does grants, but we get >> Okay, it's >> Yeah,
>> so that I mean just >> just time out, John. >> That is that a sourceful grant that we >> Yeah, that's the one we're applying for. >> Okay. >> For 50,000. >> Yeah, I was just say for budgeting reasons, this we might want to start looking at some of the stuff.
>> Uhhuh. put maybe put some extra money in there for budgeting for starting >> 29 looks like a bad year. >> Yeah. >> But a couple of those trucks we realized likely aren't going to need to be replaced at that point. >> Okay. >> Like Scoop was saying that the pumper truck is the main concern for that year.
>> Yeah. Yep. >> I think there's an equipment van on there. That's >> Yeah, there's a couple others. >> Couple down. >> Yeah. And like the grass rig is >> Yeah. The reason that it's on there for the 25 years, that's when, how did you say it
the other days? That's when they go out of service. >> Yeah. Like NFPA standards, >> you know, and then you kind of lose on the uh I can't even think what's that rating, ISO rating. You kind of lose points, you know, so it kind of counts against you for the city for the
insurance rating or residence. But >> Mike Ras DNR sometimes helps with that, too. Correct. They can. We've gotten those in the past. >> Yep. That's an option, too. So, but that's down the road, I guess. And >> it's still something we need to look at.
>> Yeah. Yep. And it's just >> as far as those those masks and stuff, we we will need to do like a resolution at some point, I suppose, for it. And it doesn't sound like you need nothing coming up soon. >> No, we'll worry about Yeah. Okay. I just want
>> Yeah, we thought maybe August, September we'll get some demos in and >> yeah, >> probably make >> I think apply for that grant in September. >> Yeah. So, we really can't do much till then. >> October 15th. >> That's right. Yep, that's what it is.
So, we can't really do much until then anyhow. >> Okay. >> Oh, yeah. It helps. >> Yeah. But other than that, we got a great group of guys and everybody's involved and we're lucky at this time. You know, you
hear a lot of stories that people, they can't, you know, they're not getting a lot of people that to apply and we got a lot of dedicated. We got a lot of senior guys, you know, a lot of guys over 20 years, but and we've been, you guys do a fabulous job. We and we've been very
fortunate as a city, whether it's employees for the city or the firemen. We've never had to to work hard to get employees to work for us, too. We were very fortunate. We got a great town. >> Yeah, we do. >> Problem with that. >> I agree. >> Anything else?
>> Any questions, you guys? >> No. Thank you again for everything you guys do. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for letting us in. >> So, are you up now, Dustin, or >> Yep. What do you want to know? >> Yeah. Thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. >> Have a good night.
>> So, next we'll go to our claims report. That's number seven. And we'll have Ka. >> Okay. Claims February total 323,382.87. >> Okay. If I get a motion to approve that, >> I'll make a motion. >> Sarah makes motion. >> I'll second it. >> Uh Gary seconds a motion. All in favor
say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. And then we also then we have the treasures report for February. >> Ending balance for February was $3,329,198.99. >> Awesome. If we could get a motion to approve that. >> I'll make that motion.
>> Lynn makes the motion. >> I'll second it. >> Donnie seconds a motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. A motion carried. >> So the next item is our workshop for March 17th at 5:30. I think we went through all that last time. So it's approved. Is that just kind of a
reminder? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Remind There's a reminder. So then we go, we skipped number 10. We covered 10, the fire department. Then we go to the police department. And I think we don't have anybody here unless you got something, Laura? >> No.
>> Okay. Uh then we go to public works department. And Donnie, we have something. >> So with with our public works, uh our new pickup is in uh it's in service. Um looked at it again today. Working well. Um there's a little sheet of paper on in
front of each one of you. Um Rick had stopped at my shop this today and and asked if we have objections that would be the stickers that would go on the two sides of the door. And what we're looking at is it's sort of an updated looking logo. And then if we do
something with that squad car, the old squad car, we would use this same design and just change the public works to say something to go with that car and get rid of the two shovels and then maybe it would be the city logo or something different to be in the middle. >> But that would be our city appears new
sticker that we're looking at. >> So >> So would you like to is that you want to do a motion? >> I don't think we have to motion it. It's a matter of if anybody objects to it. I guess say let's >> I like it. >> Let's hear it. Otherwise, I'll let Rick
know that it's a >> that's fine. Go ahead. >> Quadruple the price. >> He's gonna he's going to get pricing on it and and we'll go through that first, but I'll work with him on that to make sure. >> Great. >> New guy Rick making big strides already. >> Big strides. He's doing a great job.
>> Uh next, uh we have the clubhouse. We have Andy here. You're here to talk about the clubhouse. Yep. All right. Good evening, guys. >> Good evening, Andy. Um, >> I guess I don't have too much stuff. I just thought I'd kind of update you guys on the stuff that's kind of going on
down there. Um, today the hood and the mini splits were finished completely. >> Great. >> Um, yeah. No, that's been the Yeah. Um, so they're finally done. Um, they are going to come back. They have to Well, we have the
electricians got to do some some work in there yet with that to get them all up and running. Um once he gets everything wired, they're going to come back and just make sure that everything um is running smoothly with that. Um so we got that. Um flooring in the back is also um
going to be finished tomorrow. He's got a couple touch-up things to do. Um so that'll be really nice. We can start kind of organizing things um and putting them where they need to go. Um and then the rest of it, he told me, will be done by next week. So then we can kind of get
things um in place up front. Um we've been really busy with like vendors and and meeting with all them guys. Um so I know like next week I got three or four different ones coming down there. So um we're kind of getting into crunch time here now. So
>> Oh yeah. >> Um and then um the painting and everything is pretty much finished inside too. Lynn did an amazing job. Um, I know I sent uh my weekly update like really like you guys to kind of come just check it out and see what you guys think. Um, especially maybe after they
finish the last of the um the flooring stuff in there. But um I'm excited. It looks really nice. >> I don't want to say too much cuz I want people to come check it out. So um but yeah, no, I I'm you know, I'm excited. We're getting there. The weather this week really gets you uh going and then
you you kind of look for Thursday and Friday and you're like But yeah, no. Um, it's definitely getting to be the busy time of the year now and um, crunch time's coming. So, but yeah, I guess um, other than that, unless you guys got anything for me, um, >> that's really all I guess I got.
>> Nice job with the uh, upgrade project. Thanks. You know, managing well. >> It's great. >> Thanks. Thanks. >> You're doing a good job. >> Good. Thank you, Andy. >> Uh, next we have the golf course. I don't know if we have any updates on that at all. Um, I said we got some trees being cut down there. Huh. That's
some Oh, those are some big oak trees. Boy, holy buckets. Okay, so we're good there. Uh, city administrator update. >> Um, still working on the audit items as they come in now. The other part is I
was able I received an email regarding our ARPA fund closing it out. This is back in 2021, but we can close it out this year. We had a the option to do it early and since ours are all done, I was able to get that closed out. I'm just
waiting to hear if they accept our close. >> Great. >> Nice. >> Yeah, that was exciting. But that's all I have. >> Okay. Um, any council updates? >> Nope. >> Nope. >> Wow. Awesome. So, >> uh, we have our first meeting >> with St. Croy
>> next week. Um, the playground, >> the they're coming out next week. We have our first meeting with them to set up a timeline. That'll be right before the workshop. >> Great. That's perfect. >> So, we can update you guys on that after the meeting. >> Fabulous. >> I'll make a motion then at 7:25.
>> D makes a motion to adjourn at 7:25. >> I'll second. >> Sarah second the motion. All in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. My motion carried.