Let's call our meeting to order. First order of business will be the pledge of allegiance. Please stand if you're able to. 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. >> Like to welcome everybody to our council meeting at St. Patrick's Day. not too green outside. Um, so we are going to jump into consent
agenda. Have a few items on here. February 17th, 2026 regular city council meeting minutes. Pine Island Chamber of Commerce assembly permit application. Pine Island Pickle Ball Association Chiefs Festival Tournament request. Uh, Pine Islands and Roppa Gymnastics
request the parking lot and also the Pine Island Community Education request for road closure. Any questions or comments? >> Uh, I'll move the consent agenda. >> I'll second. >> Made by a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda. Anything else
questions? My ways. Delena. >> Hi. >> Colton. >> Hi. >> Vernon. >> Hi. >> Brandy. >> I. >> And David will be. >> We'll get into public input. We have a list here. And we are doing uh like usual, we'll do our two mill minute two
minutes. And for those of you that may have not been here um at city council, we just have a few guidelines for public input. Um it's an opportunity for you to um share thoughts or um comments to the city council. And this is a a way for
you to um just share what you have to say. We ask that you conduct yourself with a civil and conductive manner. Uh, please refrain from any personal tax and name calling. This applies both to the public, the council staff or department heads. Um, I'm just asking you to please show respect and avoid interrupting the
speakers. Um, and we just want to be able to allow everybody to share their thoughts. Uh, we're here to conduct our city business and ask for your cooperation to make our meeting successful with that. Um, in repeated warnings, um, we will address those.
So, uh, yes, two minutes will be on the clock for you to introduce yourself, make sure you say where you live and your address, and then we will be able to get everybody through. Um, so our first speaker tonight is going to be Nicole Mills.
>> Welcome. >> Y, >> Nicole Mills, 12517 New Haven Road Northwest. I'm here tonight to give my two minutes worth of thoughts about the proposed largescale data center you've invited to town. Since having relocated
our family here in 2019, we've immersed ourselves in the community of Pine Island. Our daughter goes to school here. We buy gas, groceries, building materials, and even our chicken feed here, which the mayor himself has helped me load into the back of my Jeep. I've moved our banking and hired a local CPA
here. We frequent the restaurants, provide business to the local vet, and board our dog here. We've hired the local painter, handyman, electrician, plumber, and car mechanic. Our daughter takes music lessons just a few doors down. I've also built my business here by purchasing what I had hoped would be a
permanent home for it right on Main Street. I hung up my shingle and got to work. My business is a bit different than the ones mentioned above, as they keep people in Pine Island, where mine brings people to Pine Island, which can arguably be just as important. 80 to 90% of my clients do not live in Pine
Island, but visit from surrounding areas. All this to say, we're invested in this small town, and I feel we do our part to help Pine Island thrive. It wasn't long after we settled here, I met our now mayor, David Freeze, while walking our daughter to and from the elementary school. And when I pointed
out where we lived, he regailed me with a story from his childhood, namely that his family would buy eggs from the then owner, Glattis Hopper. And did I know she raised her chickens in one of the upstairs bedrooms. I'd heard the story along with many others, and to be honest, I took pride in knowing we'd inherited such heartfelt, amusing
heritage when we moved to Pine Island. But now the tides are turning on how I feel. And if I were making the decision to invest so heavily in the Pine Island community now, I'm not terribly terribly confident I would do so. So, let me ask you this. How confident are you that this data center will be a positive
beacon for community growth in Pine Island? How certain are you that you aren't causing irreparable harm to this community? I don't think you can be certain. I think the short-sightedness being shown by the city and you, the council, may prove to be the beginning of the end for this small town America.
Not the reawakening you can only hope it will be. And I say hope because that is what you're gambling on. Not thorough research, not due diligence, and certainly not community. The very thing you're supposed to represent. And I am very saddened by this. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Reverend David Dirkson, you're up next, sir. Evening sir, >> Reverend David Dirkson. I live this up a little bit before Prairie View Drive Northeast the Highland.
years ago, I worked at Hazel Hazel and Betty Ford Foundation as a chaplain providing spiritual care for people trying to recover from addiction. One of the principles of addiction recovery is that you have to be honest
because dishonesty is the rot that keeps one bound in spiritual and physical and emotional sickness. I am concerned as a citizen that there's been a lot of dishonesty around the project with Sky View.
The last meeting where things were voted upon in January the 20th, the city lawyer sat there and said that he was sympathetic to a delay, but we had to vote on it because of the 60-day time limit
in that law, which he knew because I talked with him afterwards. He said, "Yes, it's true that you could have put in writing for a 60-day extension and got it to 120 days." So, you could have said yes to your constituents,
but it was misrepresented to everyone in this room that that wasn't an option. And that's frustrating. You wonder why we're upset. Well, we asked for something and the answer was no. So of course we'll be upset
and on top of it the dishonesty around it. Also when laying out the the preliminary development plan, one of the slides about water says no water usage will be used for data center cooling. And then it was followed up with zero
water will be used for industrial purposes. Yet I just had a exchange in writing with Steve that water will be used to charge this cooling system. I don't know about you, but that's off sounds awful lot like more than zero
amount of water for industrial purposes. It also sounds like it's part of the of the system used to cool this. It's another issue of dishonesty. We need honesty in order to have a working relationship and I ask for that respect
as a committee member. Thank you. Aug Dirkson. >> Welcome Aubrey Derkson 340 Prairie View Drive Northeast. The ASC from residence has remained constant. We want honesty, transparency in a seat at the table. The AU, the PUD,
and the city continue to say that no water is going to be used for cooling purposes and that there is no industrial water use. But Steven Shivville, you put in an email that the system will use a closed loop system that will be filled with water for cooling. So, by the city's own admission, you're using water
for cooling purposes while simultaneously saying the exact opposite and then wondering why people don't trust any of you and are upset. Closed loop systems use water for industrial purposes. You are still required to disclose how much
groundwater. Yes, that is where you are getting it from. You are withdrawing to fill the system and Pine Pine Island has not done this. You have to disclose any chemicals you are putting into that system, which Pine Island has not done.
You have to analyze whether the water treatment plant can remove any of those chemicals that are discharged into the area's water system, which Pine Island has not done. When companies and cities are not honest, it has real life implications. I grew up 2 miles away
from 3M. My high school tartan is known for the number of kids that have gotten cancer from PAS contaminated water. I buried my classmate. My older friends buried their classmates. My younger siblings buried their classmates and it
still continues. I will never forget Aaron Fowler's dad walking across the stage at my high school graduation 6 months after his son died from leukemia to accept his son's diploma. PAS regulations have been enacted in
this state because my because family members and alumni from my school are tired of getting sick and burying people. Pine Island does not have to be another tartan. It's really not that hard just
to do the right thing. Excuse Welcome. >> Good evening. >> Susanna Blasc 1315 County Road 3 Southwest. Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan non-advocacy fact tank based
in Washington DC that provides informationational social issues and public opinion. A new study from Pew Research Center asked Americans about their feelings toward data centers and it is not positive. Pew published this study the day after Senator Bernie Sanders called for a nationwide moratorium on data center construction
in the US amid mounting public concerns about the building's impact on local communities. Pew found that most Americans pled had heard of data centers and the more they learned about them the less they were in favor. The more they learned about them, the less they were
in favor. Yet in our town, information has been obfiscated. That means deliberately made vague or difficult to understand. often done to conceal the truth. One example, we've been told the data center won't use any more water per acre than a residential development. What I hear is that human water
consumption, my kids bath water, our clean drinking water, is no more valuable than hardware evaporating it. This example also hides the massive scale of the data center, potentially for valley fairs. We all know knowledge
is power, information is power. Because the city administrator and deputy city administrator entered into NDAs, our community could not stay informed about the major development of Project Skyway Pine Island data center that may impact our environment and our daily lives. NDAs have no place if we want
trustworthy governance. Because we could not stay informed, it was maybe hoped that the opposition would be weak. Because remember, the more people learn about data centers, the less they are in favor. The information gap between you and us is massive and I think very much
planned. The imbalance erodess our ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. Many residents and community members in Pine Island are still learning and still making up their minds. And I have yet to hear a single one who on deep consideration of what this data set might do to our community
comes away in favor of it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Joseph Placet. You're next, sir. >> Welcome. >> Joseph Blazic, 1315 County Road 3 Southwest. What is the long-term goal for Pine
Island? And why do we need a data center to get there? That should have been the very start of the conversation the moment it was being considered. In a conversation with the mayor, I asked if the duty of the council was to represent the people who elected them or to make decisions that they feel are best for
them. His answer was both. And to that, it can't be. If it were, the council would not vote 5 to zero in every step towards building the data center, including but not limited to approving the final AUR, reszoning from agricultural to light industrial, and
approving a tax abatement. When asked why the rush, our administrator said, 'Well, we have 60 days to make a decision, and so long as the application does not conflict with our local laws and ordinances, we have no means of denying it. That brings up two things. Number one, the council has thrown up their hands at every step of the way
towards the data center and said, "This doesn't mean we're approving the data center. This is just the AU or this is just a zoning." when in reality, our local government was well within their means to institute an ordinance that would place a moratorium on or ban completely a hyperskll data center from
ever coming to our town. Number two, would you please make public how many 60-day extensions were filed throughout this entire process? When asked to slow down, an appropriate response from the council could have been to file an extension and cite the statute that says an agency may extend the review period
by up to 60 days if it provides the applicant written notice of and reasons for the extension before the end of the initial 60 days. The notice of extension must be made after the complete application is submitted and the initial 60 days has begun to run. Extenduating circumstances do not need to exist for
an agency to extend the review time. It is enough that the agency needs more time. There are far too many known and unknown hazards to having a data center in our backyard. I really do hope that I'm wrong and that the extra tax revenue is worth the impact on current and
future generations in our small town farming community of Pine Island. >> Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Lannard, you're next. Welcome. Yeah. to the mayor, city council, city
administrators regarding the data center project. You should not have allowed wealthy corporations to dictate terms to the city or expose residents to exploitation by big tech. Your duty to the people you represent,
not to Ryan companies or Google. You should not have placed a hypers scale data center so close to homes. Numerous residents at a school, assisted living, a uh nursing home, and local businesses
are situated far too near the massive AI complex. Impacts to public health are simply too great. He should not have finan put financial gain above residents, health, safety, and well-being.
As 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, for the love of money is a root of all evil, you should not have hidden major decisions behind code names like Project Skyway or shielded public business behind unnecessary non-disclosure
agreements. Transparency is not optional in public service. You should not have bypassed stronger environmental review by labeling a hyperscale data center light industrial. A project of this magnitude demands a full environmental impact statement, not a limited
alternative urban areawide review. You should not have rushed approvals while basic questions about infrastructure regulations and community impact remain unanswered. You should not have dismissed residents concerned as as activism. Many of us have lived here for
decades. Our voices deserve respect. You should not have minimized public opposition or limited opportunities for residents to speak. You should not have granted a $36 million tax abatement to a trillion dollar corporation at our
expense. Residents deserve transparency, accountability, and leadership that puts a community first. on this project. You have fallen short of that standard and demonstrated conduct that is inconsistent with the responsibilities
of public service. >> Thank you, sir. Toby Holidayiday. >> Welcome. >> Thanks. Uh I'm Toby. I live in Rochester and I'm a member of Workers Strike Back, a national independent movement
organizing against the billionaires and their political servants. Over the last six months, I've watched the politicians on this council shamefully approve every step of Project Skyway. Rochester shares Pine Island's aquifer, and any harm done to the environment or people of Pine
Island is harm done to the entirety of southeast Minnesota. Billionaire tech giants like Google are going to operate and profit off this new data center and are hoarding the world's wealth while working people around the country are suffering an unbearable cost of living
crisis in part fueled by foreign wars at our expense. Despite this, this council has voted unanimously to give massive tax breaks to support Google. Council members claim that there will be long-term fiscal benefits to the city, but those could never outweigh the
damage that will be done to our environment and the lives of residents. All elected officials who vote for projects like this, whether Democrat or Republican, should be thrown out of office. The billionaires know all the detrimental impacts these centers will have, and they do not care because they
have no regard for our lives and the impact on our communities. The same is true for the Democratic and Republican parties, which are both parties of Wall Street and war. This is why Workers Strike Back is calling for a new party for working people with demands like a
$25 minimum wage, healthc care funded by taxing the rich, national rent control, and ending military aid to Israel. We are also supporting Shyam Sant's socialist campaign for Congress against wararmongering Democrat Adam Smith. Our movement is modeled after the strategy
Shama used while serving on the Seattle City Council. A strategy that won the highest minimum wage in the country, attacks on Amazon for affordable housing, and historic renters's rights. Our method of class struggle is crystal clear that our allies in the fight
against this data center are the working class and our enemies are anyone who sides with big business like those on this council and the entire Democratic and Republican parties along with them. I urge everyone who agrees with this to join our fight and workers strike back solidarity.
>> Thank you, David Montquin. I'm sorry if I mispronounce your last name. >> That was correct. >> Um, thank you. So, I'm David Montequin. Um, I live in Rochester. Um, I'm a public sector worker and a member of Ask Me Local 319 and I'm also a member of
worker strikeback. It is estimated that Project Skyway here in Pine Island will gobble up a whopping 152,000 gallons of water per day. That is equal to half the city's annual water usage. Only the tech
billionaires behind this project will profit. Greenlighting this project will be detrimental to workingclass people in Pine Island and everywhere. It will accelerate the cost of living crisis faced by working-class people and it will take the environment with it. Both
Republicans and Democrats on the Pine Island City Council are playing an active role in making sure that this project is completed. Both the Democratic and the Republican parties serve the interests of the billionaires. Both are allowing data centers like
Project Skyway in Pine Island, like data centers in Rosemount and Farmington and elsewhere. Both have refused to tax the rich to fund working people's needs. Both have created and funded ICE. Both have funded the genocide in Gaza. And both have given a trillion dollars to
Donald Trump for his horrific war in Iran. Working people urgently need to get organized independently of both parties and throw every elected representative who supports these data centers out of office. That's why I'm a member of Workers Strike Back, a
nationwide organization that is mobilizing working people for an independent fight back against both parties of Wall Street, the Democrats and the Republicans. That is why we are also supporting Shamas Sawant's independent socialist campaign for US Congress. During her decade on the
Seattle City Council, Shyama won the nation's highest minimum wage and defeated billionaires to win the Amazon tax. And we need that kind of fight back in Congress and across the country. to any workingclass or young person who is watching this and agree that we need to
break from the Democratic party to urgently stop the proliferation of these hyperscale data centers then I urge you to join workers strike back down with Republicans and Democrats we need a party of the working class solidarity.
Thank you, Roxan. Or yes, Roxan, you're next. Ethan Hick, >> welcome. >> Hi. Uh, I'm Ethan. I'm from Zimroda. Um, and while I might not be a member of
Pine, uh, the community in Pine Island, I, uh, will still be affected by all of this. The people in Pine Island who are advocating for this data center have to also recognize that this is not just affecting Pine Island but also Zimroda and all the communities surrounding it
and how this data center is going to harm every comm community uh every community in the area. There is not a single good argument for this data center being built. And I think that
uh the I think I think that the community uh who you are representing is going to remember your support for this and how in a cost of living crisis uh already when this data center being
built is going to increase water prices, increase electricity prices in uh increase general environmental damage and the costs that are um supporting uh that will be associated with this data center are extremely destructive.
I believe that each of each of the the uh council members here are going to be remembered and not just the council but the mayor every member of this government is going to be remembered for what they've they are doing trying to
build this data center especially considering that the public is being misled if not outright lied to by the members of this council and I believe that everyone here is going to be remembered with hate.
>> Thank you, sir. >> All right. So, we're going to jump into administration, which is our first This is a good project. Request to approve the purchase of outdoor all season for the cheese factory from fund 280
came out of this stuff past our work session. Who's going to take this one? I will take this one, Mr. Mayor. Uh, so as you know, each fall we do a staff development day with staff uh where we get everyone together across all the departments. One of the fun activities
that we do is we break into groups and uh each group is able to come up with an idea. Uh they pitch it to the council and the council is able to um implement that as they wish. And so, uh, there's
really no rule to this except that we encourage staff to make it, um, at least attainable. And so, they can switch a policy, suggest a switch a policy, purchase something. Sometimes um, our staff are the ones who
see, um, they're kind of boots on the ground. They see problems that we don't necessarily see or that the council doesn't necessarily see. So, one of the groups uh, presented the idea of purchasing an outdoor AED for Trail Head Park. uh this was pitched to you in a work session and uh you asked staff to
get some folks together so we could present it to you here at this council meeting. And so this AED would be climate controlled. Uh it's a climate controlled cabinet. Uh we're suggesting fixing it to the crearyy. Um that way it's centrally located to the Douglas
Trail, the pickle ball courts and the park itself. And so it would be heated in the winter, it would be cooled in the summer, and then an alarm would sound when the cabinet is open for the AAD to be accessed. And 911 would be called and so that emergency services can come um
immediately. Uh we would also suggest having it on the crearyy because we have multiple cameras there and so we can um watch it for vandalism. And so we did seek two quotes. We have one quote for $6,96 from advanced first aid and that
does include four years of the cell coverage. Uh otherwise um we had to kind of peacemeal the second quote and so uh we would order the cabinet from um it would be Ches Peak AED services that
does not include any cellular. Um so we would have to pay for cellular separately. It does have an alarm that would sound though if the cabinet was opened. And then uh the AD would be purchased from AD superstore. That is for a combined total of $6,927.
And so it is cheaper to purchase uh the whole entire unit together from Advanced First Aid. Uh I would be recommending that we purchase this from fund 280, which is the charitable gambling. Um typically those are funds that we receive from the Pine Island Fire Relief
Association uh that they get from um their gambling proceeds throughout town. They usually donate to the city each year. We put that in the fund to save for large capital purchases. Typically, we save those for uh fire department purchases. However, I have spoken with
the fire chief. He's okay if we take this out of that fund. Um we thought it would be a a good way to put those proceeds towards something that would benefit the entire community. I'll move approval for the purchase of the AED for the cheese factory from the
advanced first aid estimate. >> I'll second that. Motion a second. Uh >> I I would just like to add that this was a request as well. Um I think last year the pickle ball association also I think that's where staff got the idea from. So I do want to give them a shout out um
because the pickle ball association did request that uh I believe Rochester has one. Theirs was actually used and did save lives. So, >> and I know we talked about this at the work session, but are we still planning on doing signage just to let them know like you? >> So, we'll order signage that AED is
located here. We'll probably put it on all um sides of the crearyy so that people know where the AED is located, but then by the table, we'll have a big sign that says >> emergency services will be called and alarm will sound if cabinet is open. So, >> was that going to be on the east side?
Did we talk about or >> Yeah. Yeah. I think the east side facing the parking lot is probably the most visible. >> But then we'll make sure there's signage on the west side >> for anybody using the ice. Yeah, that will say um a building.
>> Okay. >> I think it's a good project to to implement and >> if it provides resources for one person be rescued, it's a good thing. Yes. Um, we had a motion, a second.
Anything else? Otherwise, Delena, >> I Colton, >> hi. >> Vernon, >> hi. >> Randy, >> hi. >> David, >> I new city staff resolution 26-12, which is a new business tobacco license for
Island Tobacco. This a change? >> Yeah. So, Island Tobacco is um has been purchased by a new owner and so tobacco licenses are not for the business. there for um the uh each specific owner. And so because it's switching ownership,
they would have to apply for a new tobacco license. >> A lot of talk with trailers going back. >> Be an action item. >> Um I'll move 2612 for the new business tobacco license, assuming we have everything we need.
>> I'll second one. Okay. Pending their certificate of liability. >> Then I'll second. >> We have a motion and second on that. Thank you, Stephanie. >> None. Delena. >> I >> Holton. >> Hi. >> Vernon.
>> I Brandy. >> Hi. >> David. I. >> Which brings us to a sign of spring and summers. Thank goodness. Resolution 263, which is a mortal fluid life. This going to be a renewal for 2Kman
Rland. >> Yep. So, it's the mobile food license so that they um food trucks can operate on private property, but uh we do have a mobile food license for food trucks who want to operate on public property. So, this way they could I think they
typically set up shop across from city hall, not parking lot. They're very communicative. They always let us know when they're there just so that um we can let them know if the parking lot's being used for anything else. Be very good food. >> Uh yeah. Um I'll move 2613 for renewing
two caveman Krillin's license. >> Second motion a second for two cave and grillin. Any questions? Otherwise Delena >> Iton Vernon >> I >> Brandy >> hi.
And we are going to be moving on to a request to approve the purchase of the air packs for the fire department. Um, which is going to be a resolution 24 2614 approving the cooperative purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus. A lot of words there, but that's how we
govern. >> So, are you taking that first? >> I will. I can get going and then I'll have Chief Sailor um answer any follow-up questions, but I know he's been following a lot. So, I'll try to um
get this right. So, the SCBAs um at the fire hall, most of them are expired. They have a 10, 15, 15 year uh lifespan. And so, this is something we knew that the um SCBAs for short um that they were
expiring. We've attempted to get them replaced because they are very expensive. as you can see on the quote before you is for um $246,000. Uh we have applied I think for three different grants the last three years to try to get this um get them replaced
through a federal grant. Uh the I think the first time we uh applied on our own. The second time we applied with another agency maybe. >> Okay. Yeah, we applied twice with Rochester. And then last year we hired a
um grant writer to apply and um it's very competitive grant. We did not get it, but we got to the point where we can't pick the can down the road anymore. Um and we do need to replace them. And so the quote before you is for 26 SCBAs or 25 air packs and one RIP
pack. I'll let Cher explain the difference between those. Um, this quote does have a discounted price of $37,000. And that's because state statute allows um cities and government entities to come together and do joint cooperative
agreements. And so essentially they enter into a contract with a uh with a vendor for a certain price on a certain project. And so there is a resolution along with this quote where I am recommending to council that we approve
the resolution which would allow us to join that uh joint cooperative agreement to get the discounted pricing on uh the SCBAs. This price is only good through April 1st and then after April 1st the new pricing will come out for the next
year and they will have to redo the joint cooperative um agreement before you. So, uh, Chief Sailor and I have already approached and presented this to the Royal Fire Board. So, typically at the end of the year, the Royal Fire
Board is, um, invoiced for 50% of the expenses of the fire department of the previous year. Um, we did essentially want to get their approval first. Um, so they knew about this, they were on board. uh they already voted to
approve and designate uh funds to cover 50% of the cost of this. So the city would be purchasing the entire all the SCBAs but then we would be invoicing the world fireboard for 50% of the cost. Um
we've been saving for this. So as I uh the we have fund 250 which is our capital savings account. Uh Chief Sailor and I have been working knowing this purchase has been coming, hoping a grant would take care of it, but since it hasn't, we we have been saving for this. We also have fund 280, which I just
previously talked about, which is the charitable gambling donations. And so we are recommending the purchase of this. I'm recommending that 50% of the city's cost comes out of fund 280 because we can only replenish that account with charitable gambling funds. So we would not be able to replenish that account
with funds from the Royal Fire Board. But then the other 50% if we paid out of fund 250, the capital fire department uh account and then when we receive the uh reimbursement from the Royal Fire Board, we can reimburse that capital
fund uh 250. So >> if you have any technical questions about >> the new ones have the 15year lifespans in too. >> Yes, this 15. >> All right. And that's where with the fire department working to keep the
current equipment up to as well maintained as possible. Yeah. As we start running into replacement issues. Um I would say that the department has done a fantastic job trying to keep the equipment as long as possible and
keeping it operable. So >> yeah, >> make sure people can breathe when they go into smoke. Do we need two separate approvals for this? >> Yes. So, I would need uh one approval of the resolution to enter into the joint
cooperative and then a second uh motion to approve the quote. >> And with the joint cooperative that drops the price, >> correct? That's where we get the $37,000. >> So, we do that. It goes from 246,000 to 37.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Adds 37,000. If we don't enter into the dread coffin, there's nothing to cop. there's no cost associated with entering into the joint cooperative. Um it's just >> the the agreement is in the packet and it's just saying that these cities came together >> um to essentially form this joint
purchasing. So um >> um I'll move approval for the purchase of the air packs for the fire department and move approval for the resolution 2614. Um, what wording do I need to use for the resolution to enter into the joint
cooperative agreement? >> I'll second that and second the second. >> Yep. >> We have a motion, a second. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? Hearing none. Delena >> I.
>> Holton. >> Hi. >> Vernon >> I. >> Brandy. >> Right. >> David will be five. What's the time frame say? >> Um 45 to 60 days is where it's very
okay until that point. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> They have to be ordered before April the price, right? >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that? >> They have to be ordered by April 1. We
get the price though, right? >> Yeah. I would just Yeah, we just have to commit to the purchase. >> All right, council. We're going to move on to graffiti discussion. We're looking to approve a quote for the graffiti coating on the community mural that's in works.
>> Mitch, good evening, mayor and council. Um, so as you know, we're continuing to work our way through the uh graffiti uh or the the mural and we're looking to get a quote approved tonight for getting a graffiti coating putting over top of it once it's complete. Um, in your online
packet, it's the wrong quote, but in the printed one, you should have the correct quote. Now, um, that quote is from Nick Slavic for $3,18126. Um, again, that would be to put that clear coating over top of the mural once it's complete. And essentially it makes it so that if somebody does do some
graffiti on it that we can clean it off fairly easily with some warm soapy water essentially. Um it's just a way to help protect the integrity of that over time. >> Um where is the budget coming from? >> The budget
>> it so this would be coming out of the um the improvements account through the park board. So they did set aside $10,000 for the community mural. we were able to raise the cost covering the total cost of the actual mural. Um, so
we do have that $10,000 that we reserved for other expenses. The city's responsible for putting up the the post and the backing that the mural will go on and then this would come >> as well. I'll move approval for the graffiti coating because people are always nice.
Second motion and second on the quote for the graffiti coding >> and I will just add this probably answers your question better. Those are budgeted. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Another question from Mitch getting excited for this. So
>> I know >> we are still on task to be done by Cheesefest, right? >> Yes. >> Okay, cool. >> Elena, >> hi >> hi >> Vernon. Hi >> Brandy. Hi, >> David is I mute. >> Thank you. >> If that changes, let me know because I'm
planning my whole routine for cheese fest around that. >> Sounds good. >> We we met at the mist two weeks ago >> and I only take them a week. Did they say >> it's okay? >> On the theme of cheese fest, we are
going to jump into the detour discussion. >> So, last last year we tried something new and we closed off Second Street. Um I think we all got a lot of calls about it and it it didn't quite work. So last
week uh Todd Bryce and I met with um council member Paul just to discuss what worked at Jyn since council member Paul's public works lag on um and we are recommending the council to not close that street this year. However, we would
leave Second Street open, but the south side would remain available for parking, but we would make the north side no parking just to assist one, give more room for traffic, two, then we won't have pedestrians crossing Second Street, and three, to allow access to the local
businesses because I think that's where we really struggled last year. >> Yeah. The the issue that came up was the semis backing up to Lando Lakes and blocking traffic. good stuff for a lot. So,
>> I felt like the old arcade game Froggy trying to get in between card with the forklift. >> So, we made it work. But, >> so that would alleviate some of that, but we'll still have the detour, go over to the third, you know, go to the next
street down and come over and >> hopefully most people will still take that. Mhm. >> And then uh Todd also mentioned about no parking from like the uh uh water or
your washing for the egg parters >> from there to the corner so that you can come in from that street and still make the turn in. So there's no way parking from that driveway to the street there. >> I just appreciate the conversation.
You have comments done. >> I said that was Bryce's idea. >> Oh, sorry. Bryce's idea. It came up in the discussion and a little foggy with my cool >> got to the point where we need to apply to the county tour. So, >> okay.
>> You're just looking for VA. Okay. Or just >> Yeah, I think it's just a we don't need no official motion, but I think a general consensus that that's okay. Um, so then we can submit our detour, >> whatever public works. >> Yeah, we'll let him be updating.
>> Yeah, we can. >> That's your brace. >> We can talk to him and let them know that it's going to be open this year. >> Had to. >> I'll be arrested. So, that'll be good. No, that
>> I wouldn't count your chickens before they >> I know. All right. My hair's turning gray. >> I I wasn't going to say anything. >> Well, last year last year was tough, too, with Quick Trip closed on the entrance and stuff for some traffic and >> Oh, it was >> it was a nightmare there. So,
>> yeah. >> So, it was a good cheese fest. >> It was. >> Yep. >> Sound good? >> Yep. >> Perfect. Let's jump into our local library. We want to keep it warm. >> Yeah. So, we have to have it too warm sometimes. Okay.
>> Um, so I brought before you a couple of quotes uh for a new boiler for the library. Um, and Hawk Service has stopped by today just to kind of take a second glance to make sure everything was up to snuff with their quote. Um, and they estimate that our boiler is from the 50s. It's got the nice clean
curved lines. It's teal. I mean, it it kind of fits that thing. And it's it whenever the temperature of the library gets over the outside temperature gets over about 40 degrees, it's hard to wear anything more than a t-shirt in the upstairs portion of the library, it just gets so hot and it's super inefficient.
It really we can heat the whole building just by propping open the door to our boiler room. Uh so we're looking to get a new energy efficient model. Um, instead of the 175 uh,000 BTU that is in the packet, they actually are going to
be doing a 200,000 BTU, just a little bit bigger. After they did some final measurements, they are not charging us any more money. So, the uh, quote that is on the quote that they gave us is the one that they're still sticking with that number. Um, my board unanimously
agreed that this was the better of the two quotes that we received. Basically, based on cost and just the customer service we received from Hawk, they were willing to come out tonight to be here to answer any questions and to do anything like that. Um, they're very,
very eager and they're able to install it in April. So, that's really makes me really happy. Um, we'll probably close for the day that they're doing most of the work. Um, but they are willing to work with us if we want to stay open as well. >> Did you have any questions at all for
me? >> Is it going to be zoned controlled? >> Yeah, we currently have three zones. >> Okay. >> We've got downstairs, there's one that's upstairs, and then there's one that kind of makes right next to the elevator upstairs and then the the stairwell is all on one. So, um, and they'll they're
going to be redoing basically all the pipes inside. They'll be taking out our back window that we currently have into the boiler room. Um, basically because they're going to need to be putting out some PVC pipe. Um, but they'll be using a a exterior grade plywood and we can
paint that however we want to. Heidi and I have some thoughts about maybe making it a hobbit door or something fun like that outside. So, we'll see what happens with that. >> That would be fun. >> Hob on it, too. >> Maybe. >> Be cool. Okay.
>> Um, I'll move approval for the replacement of the boiler with the Hawk Services quote. >> I'll second motion second to go with Fox. Where are they at? >> Or Opople. They used to be Pine um Pine Hour. >> Gotcha.
>> And then they wanted to get out of that franchise, so now they're Hawks. So, >> yeah. See their truck down at age repair the other day. >> Yeah. Any other questions for our library director hearing? None. What's the time frame?
>> April. >> Perfect. Okay. Delena. >> Hi. >> Holton. >> Hi. >> Veron. >> Hi. >> Randy. >> Hi. >> David will be I get it done. >> Thank you all. And just so you are aware, we did have this budgeted. Um, so that is all set to go. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Council, we're going to jump into planning mission with ordinance 182 approving the reszone for the time 3, which came up last month. Are you taking this?
>> I can start out with it here. So, um, in your packet you have ordinance 182. Um, it references an application for reszone that we received from Bigalow Homes. This is in reference to Pine Prairie Third, their third edition of the um residential subdivision down by the
elementary school. Um the request for reszone is the northernmost portion of that land down there. Um the reszone they're requesting is larger than the area they're currently platting. Um just to save time and money going forward.
They don't have to then come back when they do their next phase and reszone again. Um they're just reszoning a larger portion now. um to save time down the road. Um they are requesting zoning change from agg to R1 which is the
resident or suburban residential. Um that is what the current zoning is for the rest of that subdivision. So um it's in line and then kind of the findings for the criteria they have to meet are in that ordinance there. Um otherwise pretty straightforward. We had a public
hearing on the reszone at the planning commission meeting on the 10th of March. Um and the planning commission approved a recommendation to the council unanimously. >> Perfect. >> Terrific.
>> Any questions for Stephen or Craig on this birth part here for 182? >> Has anything changed much since we talked about it last month? No. Okay. I didn't think anything had but >> All right. Um, move ordinance 182
approving the reszone for the Pine Prairie third. >> Uh, before we get to that, I wanted to ask, did you guys have a chance to get out there? >> Okay. >> Um, so here this morning,
>> welcome back. >> There were four there were four conditions brought up at the planning and zoning stuff that they had to meet, too. So, yeah. >> Yeah. All right. Sorry. No, you're good. I'll second it. Have >> a motion and second ordinance which is
approve the read zone. That's going to R1. >> Any other discussions or questions? Hearing none. Delena >> I. >> Holton. >> Hi. >> Vernon. >> Hi. >> Brandy. >> Hi. >> David is I which will jump into
resolution 2615 which is approving a final plan for January 3rd. Yep. So, again, um following up on last month's preliminary plat, um Bigalow Homes did submit an application for final flat. Um it's about 15 acres, 28
residential lots. Um again, this went to the planning commission. Um on the 10th, they approved a recommendation unanimously. Um I'll let Craig go through some of the kind of the technical um requirements or conditions in there. Um kind of the more
administrative things. Um Bob's office is uh reviewing and putting together a PLA plat opinion. Um once they get that to make sure all the title work um is in order, they won't be able to record the plat until Bob's office issues that title commitment.
Oh, we just got it actually. So how about that? Um and then um on the other side, uh we'll be entering into a development agreement um for this third. We've had development agreements for the first couple phases. So, we'll have another new one um that addresses all that. We're not going to have that
before you tonight. Um we'll have that either at the special meeting in April or our regular April meeting. Um so, again, they won't be able to record the plat until um they approve that development agreement, but we just have some uh some fees and parkland stuff to kind of hammer out before we present it
to council. So, >> I think that was probably the only question I had from any of the neighbors out there was how this was going to be zoned, whether we were going to start seeing apartments coming up or not >> with that or no. >> So, not in this northern portion. Um, we
do have a a master plan that was submitted back in 21, I believe, or 19 or whatever it was, the 21 the first phase. Um, and that master plan had all multif family further south towards County Road 5. Um, so they just haven't got that far yet. So I think they're
doing single family first and then shift absolutely southward once that's done. But I'll throw it over to Craig. There's some kind of grading and storm water and um public conditions in there that he can speak to. >> Yep. Good evening, Mayor Council. So the um the one condition that we had in the
preliminary plot was to accommodate a trail uh possible trail uh link from the school um over to Elkrun Drive. Um and so the there was currently or there was a a 30- foot wide outlot. Uh we asked for a 40 foot wide out lot just to allow
for a little more room um in between the homes there and then also just to accommodate any grading. Um and that was reflected in the final plat. So that uh condition was met. Um the at the public hearing there was uh the resident that lives on the far east side on the south
side of Elkrron Drive did have some concerns about drainage. Uh so we spoke with the uh consultant that is working on the construction plans um about that and and so um Todd and I will run out there um as well. We just didn't get a chance to do that yet. U meet with the
resident and then um address their concerns. We had looked at that before, but I think um I think the from my what I understood of the issue is a little bit different than what uh they were explaining here. And I think we can accommodate uh some grading back there
with some reshaping of the of the channel there. But um but there was some some of that area was intended to back up because it's providing some storm water treatment. So um so that we'll just run through that with the resident there. But other than that, um the
construction plans will still be submitted. Um and though that is a condition that those will be reviewed and approved before construction can start. So um those are the main main items and yeah any other questions that you might have.
>> I guess the one question I would have as we as this area is growing the long-term plans for secondary access out there we're right now are we looking longterm to get a road pushed through to the north or the south would you say?
>> Um the road the reason not to the e to the north um likely I mean when the when future phases go out but this this will be a big horseshoe here so that they will have two means of uh ingress and egress uh where we were looking at um
the possibility of an extension over to the east um that it just is going to be a little difficult to to make that happen. So that's why and another reason that we asked for the additional width on that out lot. So um if there was an emergency at the school that um that
that trail could possibly carry that bridge could carry uh emergency vehicles or buses across it. So that's still something that we're looking at but that's um that's again the reason that we ask for that additional width. >> Great. Thank you.
Any other questions for Craig this one? Exciting to see it's moving. >> Yeah. Seconded. >> Resolution 2615 approving the final flat for Prairie Pine and Prairie Third. Sorry. >> I'll second.
>> A motion in a second 2615. Any other discussion, questions? Hearing none. Delena >> I. >> Colton >> I. >> Vernon >> I. >> Randy >> I. >> David will be I. Which brings us in Chinese public works engineering will
pay us at number one to global specialty contractors in the amount of 77,500 for the water slide project. Another sign of spring excited. >> Yes. So um as you remember global specialty contractors won the bid for
the wateride project. Um they uh requested a pay estimate um pay estimate number one for 77,500 that covers the engineering of the project and then they began to fabricate the slide. Um I believe they have been
in or are planning to be in um to start excavating um working on that. I know they're also working on the pump um and kind of the the internal stuff inside the building. Um and then they are shooting for having the slide um fabricated and delivered in early um
April I believe. So that's kind of the timeline to get that installed and up and running for when we build a pool come. >> So we're having a test party, right? >> Yep. >> That'll be crucial with not having pool. Yeah.
Uh, I'll move approval for the estimate pay estimate one for the $77,500 for the water side. >> I'll second motion a second for the estimate number one. Uh, been a long
long journey. So, I'm glad to see this move through. >> The only thing I'll add is the monetary portion. And so council has already approved when we ordered the slide that um the majority of the funds would be coming from the swimming pool capital
fund 250 and then um what's not covered um will be coming out of the unrestricted capital >> fund. So >> okay motion a second question.
There is one more item too on that. So the amount certified would be that 77,500 and then there' be a 5% retainage on that. So the total payment amount would be 73,620. >> Oh, thanks. >> Y >> perfect.
>> Thank you Delina. >> Hi >> Colton. Hi >> Vernon. >> Hi >> Randy. Hi. >> David will be I will be the first one. Hey, you're like the first one in the
bottom. There you go. That was my day. >> All right, we are going to jump into a discussion lawn more for public works. This is out of the Catholic Equipment Fund. Are you taking this one, Bryce? Evening, mayor and councel.
Before you use three quotes, uh to trade in our 2016 Ferris zeroturn finish mower, uh took in those three quotes and after taking a poll with our uh current operators, uh they seem to like those
Ferris mowers. Um. >> Mhm. >> And we also have an abundance of inventory for spare tires, wheels. Uh, and we've had really good luck with the 2016 that we're trading in that's got
just about a thousand hours on it. So, I would, uh, there's also a corrected bid. I mistakenly put the wrong bid in the memo. So the the bid I would like to amend is
recommend is the one from Loader Meyers for the one with the Vanguard 40 horse engine with the OS and uh those funds would come out of the 250 parks capital outlay account.
>> Are we doing like one a year now? Uh probably depending on how the more mowing we gain, the more hours we put on. It may vary um like every five possibly with the amount of hours we're putting on each one now.
>> Do you want the load or meer one? >> They get used. >> Yeah. >> I'll move approval um for the purchase of the lawn mower from the loader meer quote. I'll second it. >> Motion and second on the recommended
motors. Who does your mowers? You guys generally do your maintenance, but who services? Do you guys have anybody that services? >> We do the we do the normal maintenance, the PM stuff, and then anything that needs to go um that we can't do goes to
Lotomire or whoever the dealer was on it. >> Perfect. >> You guys like those over gravely? Yeah, the the operators really like them. Um, we've had really good luck like with this 2016. That's a pretty good amount of hours. We don't have some of the best mowing around, so they take
the abuse. And the big thing with the Ferris, too, that the operators really like is it's a full suspension unit. >> Yeah. >> So, after eight hours a day on it, it's a lot easier on the operator. >> The Gravely, the larger ones have suspension, too. >> And this this one here, this 2016 that we're trading in, actually came from
Eminem back in the day, but then they changed >> they changed to Gravely. So, >> okay, >> that's why we ended up at Lord Myers for anything we do with the fairs. >> Did we have a motion on a second on that one? >> A motion, >> right?
>> Can't remember if we had a second. >> Yep. >> Um, Delena, >> hi. >> Colton, >> hi. >> Vernon, >> hi. >> Randy, >> hi. >> There is. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank council. For our last item on public
works is going to be the correct the request to county public works invoice for the bridge inspection which is going to be a split tape. >> Yep. So for the 511 street bridge, the county worked with us and got a state
aid and federal um bridge replacement dollars. And so how that worked is that covered the construction and all but $10,000 of the engineering costs. uh with that the city was responsible responsible for 100% of the bridge
inspection costs which was those services were provided by good county public works. Uh if we received that invoice from last summer and so the bridge inspection fees were $72,420. Uh so I am recommending that we pay that
invoice with using 50% of um our general fund capital away account and then 50% would come from our general fund 250 capital account. >> Um I'll move approval for the payment of the public works invoice for the bridge
inspection. I'll second >> motion a second on the payment as described by Elizabeth and the split costs and two. Any other discussion or questions for her on that? That's a good project to get done.
>> So then we're done, right? >> Yep. The project is uh done. I don't think there's anything left to go on. So uh yeah, the county did nominate the bridge for an award to see if we could get an award through the state, but we did not win.
It did look did look nice though. >> Sorry. >> Yeah, they did comment for such a small bridge. It >> it looks really nice. So, they really like the they compliment the design on it. >> Nice. >> It's going to look even better with the dog park all completed next to it and
landscaped. >> Elena. >> Hi. >> The barber park. Sorry. >> Hi. >> Brandy. >> Hi. >> Brings us to legal. We do not have Bob with us tonight. So we can jump right to claims unless you have anything you want to add legal. Okay.
>> I do not go to claims. >> I'll move claims. >> Second. >> Motion in a second on claims. Elena >> approved. >> Copen. >> Hi. >> Vernon. >> Hi. >> Granny. >> Hi. >> David.
>> Elena threw me for a loop. >> Approved. >> I was reading something. We're going to jump into departments. Um, and I'm just going to start off by saying uh I had the privilege here
weeks of running together. I think it was last week I was up in St. Paul. Um, meeting with Prairie Island and some of our representatives up at St. Paul at the capital and we also had the privilege of being able to meet with some of our
state legislators, things like that. And so one thing that I took away from that I we we had a good discussion and a long discussion um both the regional treatment plant out of that conversation came a lot of positive feedback from
state leaders including Prairie Island and uh representatives in St. call about our public or our staff here at in Pine Island. And out of that was a lot of um a lot of commendation for Elizabeth
and the work that she has done um with the with the regional treatment plan project but also just the overall work that has been done in Pine Island and uh along with our staff and I a lot of times we go through council meetings
and we just click right along and don't always have the opportunity to re recogize as our staff. Um, and I mean it's no secret it's been a very very challenging last nine months to a
year. And I would say that I want to commend our staff for being able to do a fantastic job as council. We take and we make the decisions in the past to our staff to to do the work. And I want to publicly thank them for that and thank
Elizabeth and just know that council is very appreciative and it was really really neat being able to see that from people in St. Paul. I that that was just really really neat and uh made me proud and I appreciate that. I'm just I want
to say thank you to Elizabeth you know and I overall just the professionalism and uh I want to say thank you for that and to your staff. So um it was a good meeting. It always it's
a lot of enjoyment being able to meet with our Prairie Island partners and just the work that they're doing to help support as well. Did you get a bonding bill? >> We're working on that. We are right in that. >> We need that.
>> It was It was >> Don't worry. Probably be the first ones to know. >> It was reiterated with our fearless leaders in in St. Paul. It's going to be a lot of work with very little gain this year. So, it's an election year. >> Sorry.
>> Keep telling us that we need to do this, but yet they don't help us. help us get that underway. >> No, I I there's a lot of people I think beating their heads against the wall that they're just we do everything that we're supposed to and do it the way they
ask us to do it, >> then just wait. >> At least we're not in the situation that good is in. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Anything from the administration side?
>> Uh I do. So, first things first, um the city completed its audit last week, so we had our auditors on the site. So, um if you see Rachel, give her a pat on the back. Um she did a phenomenal job. It's been a busy month for her. Uh just with
the sale of evergreen plays, she had a few um extra things on her plate and she she did a wonderful job. Um so, we'll be wrapping up the auditor. I'm guessing um the auditors might be at our next meeting in April to to get the report.
And so um as far as I've heard, they don't have any findings. So uh >> nice. >> And then also just a reminder that um we will be sending out official communication. It's not our project, so we can't lead the communication, but with the County Road 3 bridge
replacement project. Um, so we did have a pre-con meeting uh last week or two weeks ago with Mstead County and so they are targeting May 15th for that closure date. The contractor wants to get in early but we're not sure if they will be able to, but the school, the county, and
the city are working together kind of on joint information so we can all release the same information. We know it will be um a rough couple last weeks of school, but the reason for them starting early is then they have a completion date uh to be done before the next school year
started. So, they had to be in one of the school years. So, um they opted to start early. So, like I said, it's not our project, so we don't have a whole lot of control over it, but um yeah, when when that date is um uh we did the park board, we discussed
with the park board and um we made the decision to close Z Park for the summer just because we didn't really know how to provide access to Z Park. Um, so the county's grading project I believe will go all the way to the Roundabout and so um but that way they can use the park 2
for staging because they have limited the construction company has limited staging area. So >> um with that the city's looking at uh some utility replacements so we can extend utilities to Willowport as you know and so we had some discussions with them on that just timing because it'll
be different contractors so um >> be busy. So is that able to coordinate with the >> Yeah. So the the contractor for the bridge for >> Yes. Mininoa. Um so they um they're
aware that we are looking at that as street project and that we won't be awarding that bid until April and so but they're they're more than willing to work with that contractor. So Okay. Um on that and so >> perfect. >> Yeah. We'll coordinate that. >> Yep. Yep. So, a couple items of note on
that too. The uh sanitary sewer and the water man. Those those are utilities that will be run as part of the project. Um, we originally had those plans to run down the center line and just off the center line. So, they put those utilities in the street.
All right, >> you're up. >> Um, so that was originally it, but um in order to uh avoid conflict with the existing storm sewer that's there, we have to run the sanitary actually east of the storm sewer. So that will develop the right way. We're also getting a
price for directionally drilling all that water. So we may not actually be that uh um that much in the way I guess if we can directionally build water main and then also keep that sanitary sew down of the street. So
because they will be reconstructing to just south of the 8th street intersection. So >> okay right at that intersection >> we'll have to extend through the intersection utilities. So >> some intersection will be closed down
for a week something that >> and they can yeah they can divert and come around >> on that. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Okay. >> Anything else? >> The only update I'll also add is um just
a quick update about the pool. um forget the date the swimming lessons are going. May May 1st swimming lessons will um be available. Last year because the pool um is closed, we were inundated with um
some bro residents for uh swimming lessons. We heard a lot of feedback last year that a lot of Pine Island families were not able to get into swimming lessons. And so the park board did make the decision to limit for the first week to everyone with a 55963
um >> zip code and then I think a week later it'll open up swimming lessons to people outside that zip code. I may be wrong on the timeline. look for that advertisement, but we're giving um preference to local families first >> and that information will be out on the
website then. >> Yes. So, we already sent the advertisement to the community ad brochure and then um we'll get it on the website as well. So, we just finalized that last week. >> Sounds good. Anything else? >> And that's still going through normal
for the early learning center too, right? >> Yep. So, Panther House will be separate. Okay. Um they have their sign up separate from the public sign up. So >> thanks. >> Anything else you need to administrative?
>> All right. >> Hi everybody again. Um just wanted to let you know I've had a busy month in February. We had a great turnout and participation with One Town One Title. um already looking forward to next year. Um maybe have someone like William Kent
Krueger. We'll see. I'm just starting to kind of put feelers out. So stay tuned for that. But thank you to everyone who participated. We had some really good um conversations about uh local foods and that kind of um topics. Uh summer reading is underway. That
planning is happening. We're going to have a plant a seed read theme. Um, and the packages just showed up today for all the swag and the t-shirts that the staff has. We're really, really excited. It'll be really good programming. So, stay tuned for more info. I am starting
a new um thing at the library. Actually going to be putting them out tomorrow. We're going to be doing postcards um that are preprinted that says, you know, why is the library important to me? Just so we can get an idea of what people are thinking about and what they are valuing
from us. Um it'll have the all of the libraries in uh Good Hugh County are looking at doing something similar so we can kind of get together and maybe present that to the county as well. One of the big things we discussed, we had a meeting this month um was the possible funding deficit that we might be
receiving from the county. Um so hopefully we won't lose a lot of money there, but it is possible that we might not get as much money as we have in the past. So that's one of the things that we've been working on as well this month. Is that just the county or is that Selco in general?
>> Uh just the county. Um but yeah, they're looking at all secondary agencies getting diminished um funding getting less money because they just have they're foreseeing a deficit. So
>> I think Homestead County voted to reduce that amount. I don't think Good Hugh County has taken action. >> Correct. Yeah, we got a little bit less money than we expected uh for this fiscal year. um from Olmstead and Dodge County is never changing theirs. They can help it
because they're at the minimum maintenance of effort that they're required by law. Everyone else has been a little bit above that. So, or at least a little bit if not more. >> Otherwise, we had our annual report um at our last board meeting and I gave you
a really nice little uh one sheet on it. I just wanted to highlight the fact that we had over 10,500 visitors last year and the amount borrower the items borrowed was almost 40,000 items. So, thank you to everyone in the community
for your support. This was up from last year. We keep track of um everything going forward and we're really excited to see that continue. Hope they're okay. Um, library programs. We had 157 library programs with 2,300
attendees. We had about 2500 Wi-Fi connections. Public use of the public computers in the library was 742. And then we had a good amount of library items. The number of items we had when we did the annual report was 22,169.
We have taken some of those items out already because we did um a big weeding project at the beginning of the year for the audio books because they just weren't going out. So, you'll be seeing a lot of shifting of the shelving this coming month of changes. So, it'll be
fun and exciting to have a little bit more room maybe upstairs for some more books. Otherwise, I just thought it was really interesting that our top uh checkouts of the year included The Firekeeper's Daughter and Women of Copper County. Those were both book club books. Um and then Bluey the Creek was
the next one. And then Fourth Wing has been a very popular book still and I knew Brandy would be happy to see that. And our fifth most uh checked out item at Pine Island was the Karate Kid Legends movie that was out this last year. So, I just wanted to thank again
everyone in the community for your support for the library and I look forward to more. >> Yay. >> Looks like the numbers are up too. >> Yeah, we've been up a little bit already this year. So, >> we're doing our best to keep that progress. Any questions for me?
>> Well, thank you all very very much. Hope >> works. Oh, do you have >> I'd just like to thank uh thought the work staff for the last three days. Been some long days for us. Um >> yes,
>> I' like to thank the residents and business owners because it was a mess and uh everybody was pretty good and just want to thank them. So, thank you guys. you guys. >> Yep. Thanks. I think it turned out really nice because everything's open
again. >> Yeah. >> Appreciate all the work you guys have done. Thanks. >> I don't think people realize how how much time and effort they put in. So, they were in at 3:00 a.m. Three days in a row. So, they're they're tired. I give
them credit for being here tonight. So, >> out there. All right. The EDA >> fire department. >> They're busy.
>> Cemetery board session license bureau emergency management north Elizabeth. Anything to add with the north san district? >> Yeah, the only thing I'll say about the san district. So, we're we're still working with our lobbyists, uh, meeting
with legislators. Um, we we're close on two fronts. One, um, so we we qualify for PACE funding, which is point source implementation grant. And, um, with that is it has to be funded
typically through a bonding bill. And then, um, we're also seeking standalone dollars through the bonding bill. And so we are working with local local legislators, meeting with members of the capital committee, um things like that. As far as the uh PG funding goes, it's
unclear how regionalization uh qualifies for their our project priority points. Um and so that ranks us essentially when we get funding. And so they create a list of projects that are ready to go. When they receive funding, they essentially just go down the list.
They fund as many projects as they can till they run out of money and then they have to wait to be funded again. Uh and so we are working with Senator Duskowski and Representative Jacob uh to try to get um that defined through NPCA uh on how we would rank. And so we've been
working on that like the last two to three weeks. Um so hopefully we can get clarification on that. Um so we're proposing that uh legislation with our bonding bill. So Thank you. >> Very good.
>> Anything from the image committee county board limits are available if need be online with that. Anything else? Otherwise, I'll ask for adjournment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Have first second. Everybody here