WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=jC1hQmt7brg Part: 1 1 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:18.960 Call the meeting of the Panic City Council June 16th order. Please stand for 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 2 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:38.399 under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Thank you everyone for coming. Right. Next we have the consent agenda and there's some changes and additions to it and Elizabeth could you announce that please. 3 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:55.840 >> Correct. So the agenda you have before you um is different than the agenda that was posted. There is a request um to add uh a timeline extension and approve part-time employees under the consent agenda. There was a request to remove 4 00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:12.479 the public comment policy from the consent agenda and that has been added to administration and then also um a resolution 2628 has been added under administration as well. Um we probably should have a formal motion to accept the updated agenda. 5 00:01:12.479 --> 00:01:30.720 >> I'll move to accept the updated agenda. Second second. All in favor? Belina >> approved. >> Bolton. >> I. >> Bernins and I. >> All right. Consent agenda. Accept this. 6 00:01:30.720 --> 00:01:46.960 All right. Next. Um, I'll read off the items here just for the consent agenda. So, you know what they are. The May 19th, 2026 regular city council meeting minutes. June 2nd, 2026 city council work session meeting minutes. Request 7 00:01:46.960 --> 00:02:02.479 for alcohol on public property. Request to approve city hall printer lease. Request to approve raffle permit for the Pine Island Youth Baseball Association on December 5th, 2026. Pine Island Football Club crearyy 8 00:02:02.479 --> 00:02:19.120 request resolution 2626 approving election judges for the prim primary and general elections held on August 11th and November 3rd. Request to approve extension of recording deadline. Uh request to approve part-time 9 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:35.280 employees. Thank you. Next we'll move on to public input. >> We can move the consent agenda. >> Oh, I'll move the consent agenda. Second. Second Elena. >> Hi, >> Copen. >> Hi, >> Brandy. 10 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:50.560 >> Hi. And >> Vernon and I. >> Next is public input. Uh before we get started on that, I just want to remind everybody that's here about our our rules of public quorum decorum. When people are speaking or after they're 11 00:02:50.560 --> 00:03:05.360 speaking, refrain from any clapping, cheering, doing, no name calling, attacking, etc. We've done pretty good the last few times. let's just keep it going. Um if not, I mean uh this will end up changing our public input policy 12 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:22.920 down the road. So your reactions here reflect highly on what we do in the future. So with that, I think we can call up our first speaker. Um that will be Susan Blazic. 13 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:42.319 Suzanne Blazic, sorry. Susanna Blazik, 1315 County Road 3 Southwest. Good evening. I want to address the recently suggested policy and public input. Specifically, the bullet stating that public commenters shall refrain 14 00:03:42.319 --> 00:04:00.959 from allegations, charges, complaints, or name calling against any city employee or community member. Every council meeting, we are reminded to behave properly. Yet during the Cheesefest parade, one of you openly and loudly booed us in the no 15 00:04:00.959 --> 00:04:16.880 data center float in front of children and your constituents. Are the rules just for us but not for you? We've discussed leadership before. Be leaders. You set the standard. The second point concerns the bullet 16 00:04:16.880 --> 00:04:33.199 that prohibits raising new information about matters that have been given a public hearing. I want to talk about water, which we've talked about plenty, but not enough. On page 28 of the AUR, you state about Project Skyway, the Pine Island Hypers Scale Data Center that waste water generated under both 17 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:48.639 development scenarios would be conveyed to the city of Pine Island's municipal sewer. There is no mention of pre-treatment of this water. Our current wastewater facility built decades ago does not treat or test PAS VOCC's 18 00:04:48.639 --> 00:05:04.320 non-corrosives or emerging contaminants linked to hypers scale heavy industrial data centers. This information is public. The proposed wastewater facility in Zimroda shows no plans to address this either. Air cooled systems, especially closed 19 00:05:04.320 --> 00:05:21.360 water and glycol loops, require flushing to remove construction debris and prevent corrosion and microbial growth. These flushings introduce chemicals, not heavy chemicals or nutrients which we can treat in our wastewater plants, but complex substances into our wastewater streams. And the flushing needs to be 20 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:36.080 done every 3 to 5 years. Are these contaminants simply going to be released untreated into the North Zumbro River? You keep telling us there are no other options, but we know that 21 00:05:36.080 --> 00:06:05.440 there are many options. Thank you. All right, next up Joe Blaze it Joe Blazic 1315 County Road 3 Southwest. So during Cheesefest, I had the opportunity to talk to a great deal of people. And what I found was that 22 00:06:05.440 --> 00:06:22.479 everyone I spoke to fell into one of two camps. The first camp were those that were uninformed, knew nothing about the data center, and thought it's just a done deal. Camp number two are those people that are highly involved in the community, are anti- the data center, 23 00:06:22.479 --> 00:06:38.319 but fear retribution from the city. So then I ask I ask them are you for it against it neutral and they say well I have to be neutral about it to which I respond you can remain neutral but your silence becomes consent for the 24 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:54.400 developer for Google and for those that stand to profit and they say well what else are your thoughts Joe? Well, I'll tell you one of the travesties was the zoning of light industrial. Let's talk about power for a minute. The power consumed by Pine Island at around 20 megawatts. The power consumed by 25 00:06:54.400 --> 00:07:10.240 Rochester around 300 megawatt. The power of the state of Minnesota is 10,000. And the data center is 2700. Can anyone guess as to the largest consumer of electricity right now in the state of Minnesota? That's the Pine Bend refinery tipping the scales at 120 26 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:26.800 megawatts of energy. This facility is 22 times the largest consumer right now. And is Pine Bend a light industrial application? Of course not. All of us know the answer is no. 27 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:43.360 Project Skyway has largely been the baby of our administrator, engineers, council, mayor, anyone who signed those NDAs. And no one likes being told that their baby is ugly. But what we're asking for is someone to admit a mistake was made along the way and have that 28 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:59.960 person or those people stand up and help us as a community reverse some of those decisions that led us to where we are today. >> Thank you. Next up, Tucker Oakland. 29 00:08:09.919 --> 00:08:27.280 Tucker Hogland, 14677498th Street Way in Pine Island. Good evening. My name is Tucker Hogland. To be completely honest with you, I was somewhat neutral on the data center project for a long time. That was until my good friend Joe Blazic asked me to 30 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:44.080 get involved. Joe was a Marine officer who led young men across three different deployments, putting his own life on the line to keep all of us safe. When a man of that level of integrity asks you to step up, you do it without hesitation. Public service runs deep in my own family, too. Uh my late grandfather, 31 00:08:44.080 --> 00:09:00.959 Lyall Hogland, sat on this very Pine Island Council many years ago. My dad, Keith Hogland, spent 15 years on the planning and zoning board of a nearby town. Because of them, the weight of your responsibility is not lost on me. I understand the challenges you face in trying to improve our great city while 32 00:09:00.959 --> 00:09:16.480 keeping residents satisfied. But this data center is a deeply serious issue. A project of this massive scale and location is entirely unprecedented for our community. An unprecedented project requires unprecedented scrutiny. I know 33 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:32.959 you are all good people trying to do the right thing. If you feel you must allow this project to move forward, I ask you to do one thing tonight. When you lay in bed, ask yourself if you are absolutely 100% positive that this is the right move for us, our children, and our 34 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:49.279 grandchildren. If you hesitate for even a second, then you owe it to yourselves and to this town to apply that unprecedented scrutiny, even if that means pausing or changing previously adopted procedures. This is permanent. It demands more careful thought than 35 00:09:49.279 --> 00:10:16.480 anything this council has ever done before. Thank you. you. Next up is Rod Lanners. >> Good evening. The shenanag the shenanigans of Ryan companies and 36 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:33.519 Google. The people of Pine Island should have more influence than Ryan Companies and Google in deciding what is built in our community. If data centers are truly beneficial, why has this project advanced with so little transparency and public involvement? I moved to Pine 37 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:49.120 Island 53 years ago. Met my wife Joyce here and together we raised three children. We chose this town because of its rural character, small town values, and strong sense of community. These qualities are worth protecting. Today, I 38 00:10:49.120 --> 00:11:04.720 feel cheated and betrayed. If the Google data center project moves forward, residents could face significant safety, health, and quality of life concerns from locating a massive industrial facility so close to homes. It is 39 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:20.160 heartbreaking to think families may eventually leave or feel pressured to leave because of the influence of a wealthy corporation and decisions made by a city government that has not put residents first. Ryan Companies and Google came to Pine Island because we 40 00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:34.959 have the power, water, and infrastructure they need. In return, a 36 million tax incentive package was negotiated behind closed doors. property was reszoned as light industrial avoiding a more 41 00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:50.640 comprehensive environmental review. Watching this process unfold has been frustrating and disappointing. Fortunately, the court has paused the project so important questions can be answered before additional actions taken. Something should have happened 42 00:11:50.640 --> 00:12:07.120 from the beginning. The project initially presented as project skyway, not a data center, allowing approvals to move forward before residents fully understood what was being proposed. A trillion dollar corporation may not care about the concerns of a small town, but 43 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:24.480 our local government should. Our health, property values, quality of life, and community character matter more than tax incentives and development deals. Government should protect residents and rural communities, not sacrifice them in pursuit of revenue. Thank you. 44 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:52.000 >> Thank you, >> Ethan Jones. Ethan Jones, Rochester, Minnesota. Data centers are a cancer upon the land and society that they are built upon. In Canton, Mississippi, ever since the Amazon data center started operations, 45 00:12:52.000 --> 00:13:08.959 residents reported lung irritation, breathing difficulties, and elevated reports of asthma in children in Monterey Park, California. Local modeling studies found that the proposed data centers had the potential to increase fine particulate exposure and cancer risks as well as cause more 46 00:13:08.959 --> 00:13:24.639 issues for California's chronic water scarcity with its 500 million gallons of annual water demand. On top of these issues, data centers can also cause noise pollution that can exceed 90 dB with anything above 85 dB being 47 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:40.959 considered harmful to hearing and light pollution that disrupts sleep cycles and melatonin production as well as described the migration patterns of birds, bats, turtles, and insects among other creatures. And despite all this, the Democrats and 48 00:13:40.959 --> 00:13:57.920 Republicans of the Pine Island City Council have chosen to not sign the moratorum my organization, Worker Strike Back, have put forward. Instead, they choose to let Project Skyway go on unhindered, effectively giving tax cuts to trillion dollar companies like Google 49 00:13:57.920 --> 00:14:12.560 while also choosing to let their constituents slowly die from cancer and illness from the eventual pollution in the name of profits. Shame upon every single elected city council official and I ask all constituents in this room to remember 50 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:37.839 this come time for elections. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, Aubrey Dirkson. Aubrey Dirkson, 340 Prairie View Drive, Northeast Pine Island. I actually don't have a type speech for the first time tonight. 51 00:14:37.839 --> 00:14:53.360 Shocking. But something that has been standing out throughout all of this. Never underestimate the capacity and the propensity for the local government to make poor decisions. It's been the number one lesson learned from this. 52 00:14:53.360 --> 00:15:16.720 As residents, we deal with the brunt of the impact when the local government fails. And none of you have been able to actually acknowledge that there's been any impact. And when you fail 53 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:34.079 and that impact falls on us, the cleanup in turn also falls on us. We have repeatedly asked you to change course. what you have been doing, responding in punitive ways that infringe upon our 54 00:15:34.079 --> 00:15:51.279 First Amendment rights, that ignore environmental laws, that continue to maintain one-way conversation instead of two-way conversation, that continue to exacerbate the problem that got you here in the 55 00:15:51.279 --> 00:16:09.680 first place. It's not working. The request has been the same this entire time. Slowed down, two-way conversation. We are at the table. We are awake. We are active. 56 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:28.240 That is an asset. And the call is for you to actually rise to the occasion and actually join with the residents in two-way conversation about the betterment of the community, which you have not done. That ask is still there. You can still 57 00:16:28.240 --> 00:17:06.559 change course. Thank you. Next is David Dirkson. Reverend David Dirkson, Pine Island. On Sunday, I sent you all an email about the change in policy and my concerns about that. 58 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:22.319 There's a proverbs, Proverbs 20:11 says, "Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure and whether it is right." So this evening, I'm asking you to do the right thing and not make this 59 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:42.080 change. The purpose of the change says that it's for efficiency, efficient common period. Our government is built on efficiency. Dictatorships are though. 60 00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:57.440 I stood here before you last session saying, "Let's have a conversation. We have an opportunity to come together just as my wife just said, have a two-way conversation." Instead of building on that opportunity, 61 00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:13.840 we got this policy put into the order for tonight. a policy that restricts conversation. That's not how we repair relationship. If you have someone who's upset with you, you don't say, "I can only listen 62 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:29.760 to you for 2 minutes, and if you say certain things, I'm not going to listen to you anymore." Period. End of story. Just because I don't like what I'm hearing from you. That's not how you repair relationships. Yet, that's what's under consideration tonight. 63 00:18:29.760 --> 00:18:45.760 So what I ask you is to do the right thing. Our government is based on robust dialogue. That's our freedom under the Constitution. Let's have robust dialogue. Even if we don't like necessarily, we might not agree. That's 64 00:18:45.760 --> 00:19:10.000 okay. But that's how our government is based and it's a cherished right. Let's honor that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jason Lindall. Hello council. Thank you for this opportunity. I do want to show my 65 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:26.960 support repeatedly for your approach to community development, economic development, and managing the needs of this town. Thank you. I do want to address a few things. One, I see the opposition to the one project 66 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:43.200 that has people riled up, brings a lot of literature. They're they are organized. I give them that, but I don't have that approach. I have an approach of looking people in the eye with no paper, no computer, no phone. 67 00:19:43.200 --> 00:20:00.960 I would like to have conversations, but I do understand that representation and our democratic process relies on people being elected and doing a job, the job you were elected to do, and I know how thankless that is. 68 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:16.000 I am in a representative role in my labor union, Salt of the Earth people. But I grew up here. I've said it before. I've watched countless opportunity miss this town. I grew up on a family farm 69 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:31.440 that lost its availabil or lost its possibility of a future. Right? The farming is not is not happening. I support farmers to this day. Everyone I don't believe this land would be sold if the farmer wasn't willing to sell it. 70 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:48.640 And and I know that there's lots of CRP land that we're paying to not farm. So I don't believe that is the heart of this issue. Also, the MNPCA, one of the strictest in the United States, has approved this or we are stricter than that. So, I don't 71 00:20:48.640 --> 00:21:04.480 understand why we were told that this is such a bad project, but the environment when this one of the strictest in the country says that it is okay. Um, I was also I like to address the closed loop glycol system. 72 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:21.440 I have that in my house. My grandpa put it in at 75 years old. You put in a geothermal system that was supposed to be the answer. Thank you. I would love to continue this conversation at my dinner table with anybody that would like to have it. That is one thing I miss about my family farm. When I every 73 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:37.039 day when I leave for work, I see the farm, the house is gone, but there was an open door with a dinner table where he would discuss anything and I'm the same. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Jason. >> All right. That concludes our public 74 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:58.480 input for tonight. Uh, next up is the administration. Let's move on to I would first like to read off a purple heart uh proclamation here. >> Doug Andrist here. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. I will read off 75 00:21:58.480 --> 00:22:13.440 our proclamation here. Supposed to be in the packet. Oh, here it is. Thank you. The city of Pine Island proclamation purple heart city. Whereas the city of Pine Island in the state of Minnesota has always supported its military 76 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:29.600 veteran population and whereas the Purple Heart is the oldest military declaration in the present use and was initially created as a badge of military merit by George General George Washington in 1782. 77 00:22:29.600 --> 00:22:44.559 And whereas the purple heart was the first American service awarded or decoration made available to the common soldier and is specifically awarded to members of the United States armed services armed forces who have been 78 00:22:44.559 --> 00:23:01.039 wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in combat with a declared enemy of the United States of America. And whereas the mission of the military order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill among the combat wounded 79 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:16.960 veteran members and their families, promote patriotism, support legislative initiatives, and most importantly, make sure we never forget. And whereas the Panaland area has a highly decorated veteran population, including Purple 80 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:33.440 Heart recipients. And whereas Panalan appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients made in defending our freedoms and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they 81 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:49.760 have earned. Now therefore, as the mayor prom of the city of Pine Island, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the city of Pine Island as a Purple Heart city and encourage the citizens of Pine Island to show their appreciation for the sacrifice of the Purple Heart 82 00:23:49.760 --> 00:24:05.120 recipients have made in defending our freedoms to acknowledge their courage and to show them the honor and support they have earned. and witness where I will sign it and uh set my hand and cause corporate seal of the city of B 83 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:39.000 Island to be affiliated the 16th day of June 2026. Doug, would you please come forward? This Eric sign that would be great. Thank you. Thank you for your service. 84 00:24:45.279 --> 00:25:12.559 >> Thanks. Thank you much. And again, we thank all military active and members that have supported our freedoms. So, moving on, we have the next item of here for administration. Do I have resolution 85 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:29.919 2627 approving liquor license to Los Reyes Kitchen and Bar? Would you like to take that? >> Yes, we have a liquor license request. Um, it will be noted most did have a liquor license in 2025 that did expire on December 31st of 2025. And they did 86 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:46.000 continue um selling liquor into 2026 um after a few warnings um and getting law enforcement involved. They they did stop and now they have reapplied for a new liquor license. Um our code says 87 00:25:46.000 --> 00:26:03.760 that we could suspend or um not approve a future liquor license. I do believe that um there might have been some misunderstanding about the need to reapply for a liquor license. So we are recommending approval of the liquor license um and then we will work with 88 00:26:03.760 --> 00:26:20.400 them to make sure that they apply for a liquor license again for >> aware of the change. >> Yes. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> If we were to deny it, it would have a significant impact on the business. >> Yes. they wouldn't they would not be 89 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:37.520 able to uh sell any any sort of liquor. So, and this is for on sale only um for an intoxicating liquor license. >> I'll move approval of resolution 2627 approving the liquor license for Losa's kitchen and bar. 90 00:26:37.520 --> 00:26:55.720 >> Second motion a second. Delena. >> Hi >> Colton. >> Hi >> Randy. >> Hi >> and South Vernon. Hi. >> Next up is to request to approve the facade loan application for Mama Soulies. 91 00:26:56.320 --> 00:27:12.880 Thank you. >> Yes. Good evening council. Uh before you tonight is an application from John Mangoris, the owner of Mamasuli's uh to apply for a facade improvement loan. Uh he's working on installing some awnings, some new lighting, and doing some window 92 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:29.919 trim work around his building there to improve the facade. Uh the EDA did go ahead and approve this and uh per that agreement per the program, it does have to come before council to uh finalize that. Um so he is requesting uh the amount of $5,000 of the to help pay for 93 00:27:29.919 --> 00:27:45.600 the $16,545 total for that project. Any questions for Mitch? >> Did see the photo. It looked really nice with the outside lighting that they're proposing and everything. >> Yeah, it's going to look great. 94 00:27:45.600 --> 00:28:00.880 >> So, it'll be And for everybody's reference, that is the little Morgan boys in the Chinese >> restaurant. >> Does that include this side of the building? That's some of it purple. >> Yeah, they're going to be painting so that that purple will go away. 95 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:16.399 >> The purple will not exist. Not that I don't like the purple clearly, but it just kind of >> at least that's my understanding is that he's painting it. >> Okay. So, >> all right. >> I'll move approval for the basone application for mama's release. >> Second. 96 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:31.679 >> I have a motion and a second. Elena >> I >> Brandy >> I >> and Vernon myself. I >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks Mitch. Next up is ordinance 183 revising council meeting order of 97 00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:48.559 business. >> So chapter 2 section 2.04 of our code says uh the order of business that shall be conducted at city council meetings. It seems that throughout my tenure um that councils have requested to change 98 00:28:48.559 --> 00:29:03.039 the order of business uh to fit their needs. And so um council had requested to change the order of business. Um, at council meetings, Attorney Vos and I decided that it would best be to change 99 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:20.240 the language of what should be um uh what what should be considered at city council meetings, but then leave the order of the city council meeting up to the current council. So that way we don't have to change the ordinance every few years and the order of business can 100 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:37.039 be left up to the current council. So the same agenda items would be on the agenda. They would just be um appearing in whatever order the city council would wish. >> Any discussion? >> Oops. 101 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:54.080 >> I'll move ordinance 183 revising the council meeting order of business. >> Second. I have a motion and second. Delena. >> Hi >> Wilton. >> Hi >> Randy. >> Hi >> M. Hi. >> Next is public comment policy and rules 102 00:29:54.080 --> 00:30:09.760 of decorum. >> Um and what this all came about this stemmed from the uh evening where we could not conduct our business basically because of the disruptions that happened during our public input process. So that 103 00:30:09.760 --> 00:30:26.559 is why this has been on the agenda now added at our work session. We had a discussion. The council very much would like to continue the public input, but if this continues as is. Um, our attorney here, Bob Voss, has made it clear that there are and we've also 104 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:41.840 checked with other cities that they don't have public input at their council meetings. So, the question is is, you know, if we can behave and act accordingly with public decorum, we can continue our public input. And uh we'll 105 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:59.279 let uh somebody want to speak on this or not? >> I do. Yeah, if I can. >> Yeah. So, acting mayor, um you I've said repeatedly um at your meetings that uh what you just said, mayor, acting mayor, um Minnesota cities are not required to 106 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:15.679 take input from the public. Uh folks don't like to hear that, but that's true. Cities don't have to in your council meetings take public input. I don't know if a majority of cities at this point don't take public input, but it's getting close to that because people come into these meetings and they 107 00:31:15.679 --> 00:31:31.760 individually call out elected officials. they call them out by name and talk about their kids, talk about uh in in the case of of this of this data project, I've heard multiple occasions where people have accused directly or 108 00:31:31.760 --> 00:31:47.600 indirectly city council members or public officials staff of being on the take of being paid off, being bribed to support this project. It's absurd. It's an absurd allegation to make. No one has 109 00:31:47.600 --> 00:32:04.080 any evidence of that. No one has suggested they have any evidence of that. But yet people say that it would be, if these were not public officials, slanderous. It would be actionable kind of stuff. But these are public officials and it would be very hard for you to sue somebody who makes a claim like that. 110 00:32:04.080 --> 00:32:20.000 But it's absurd. It's absurd to come into a public meeting where people are effectively acting as volunteers for your community and to accuse them of crimes with no evidence. But that's happened here. Okay? And and 111 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:36.799 what's happened that's happened in in city council meetings across the state and cities have frequently said, "Forget it then. We're not going to have public input. If you're going to come in and you're going to call people out individually by name and accuse them of criminal activity with no evidence, we're just not going to have it anymore. 112 00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:52.640 This city has said, and I commend you. I represent eight cities. I'm city attorney for eight cities. Most of I think all of the cities that I represent continue to take public input. I think it's great. I think that's the way government should work. I think we should hear from constituents. I think 113 00:32:52.640 --> 00:33:07.279 you should hear from your constituents. But if you're going to use the opportunity here at a council meeting to come in and make allegations about people being on the take, but why why does anyone want to serve in government if that's the way it's going 114 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:24.799 to work? So my understanding is you've proposed some changes to your policy to avoid that. PE people people here have every right to not like this project and to say they hate the project. Think it's terrible for the environment, think it's terrible for their children. They have 115 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:41.200 every right to say that. If you're going to have public forum, let them say that. But to call people out individually, to to accuse them of criminal activity with no evidence, it's not right. So I'm speaking right now. This is not the opportunity for public input. You are 116 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:58.240 making my point. Thank you. So anyway, um you have in front of you a change to your policy. Do I think do I think that if somebody stands up in a meeting and refuses to say where their address is, which is part of your 117 00:33:58.240 --> 00:34:14.240 policy, that you can throw them out? I don't think that. Can you have that be part of your policy? And then if people are not going to comply with that, if they're not going to comply with a two-minute limit, get rid of the policy. Yes, you can do that. And I think that's the point of the changes to your policy. 118 00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:32.000 They are to make clear to folks what you're going to allow and what you're not going to allow. And if people are not going to comply, if your community is not going to comply, which historically for 50 years, 60 years, I don't know, as long as Pine Pine Island's been a city, everyone's been able to comply until very recently. Um 119 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:47.440 then I guess you'll consider not having public forum anymore. But that so anyway, I guess I've gone off on a bit of a tangent here, but that's I've sat here and witnesses. I serve as city attorney in eight cities. I go to three council meetings a week. I sit through 120 00:34:47.440 --> 00:35:04.240 council meetings ad nauseium for three decades. And um it's it's, you know, that's the way the country's gone is that people are going to get called out as being public servants. Um and it's, you know, people should disagree about policy 121 00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:18.960 vigorously. that's what America is all about. But to call people out individually and to to call them names and to accuse them of things, it's just it's it's disappointing. So I think that's the point of the change in the 122 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:35.280 policy and u you know I've rattled on long enough. So thanks for the opportunity to speak on that. >> Thank you. And a lot of this stems I think from the issues too. You got to check your political egos at the door. This is not time for comments right now. So you 123 00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:50.880 >> and we don't do anything here right now. This is >> I just want to talk to you bullet number four. >> We know about that and her attorney has addressed those issues already. So it's taken. >> Thank you. >> Yep. 124 00:35:50.880 --> 00:36:08.240 So any other discussions council >> here? >> No. >> I just want to add that you know we check political eagles at the door. We don't do anything here about bombing Iran or Gaza or anything like that. And we don't appreciate this being used as a 125 00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:24.320 public forum for political positions and stuff like Steve Young did. And we want to maintain the public input from the residents of this town so we can hear what they have to say about the projects and the agenda items that we have on 126 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:43.599 before us every night. We don't like to be sidetracked on issues that we cannot control or do anything about. So, thank you for that. >> All right. Any other questions or >> not? Take a motion. 127 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:59.599 >> I'll move approval of the public comment policy changes in rules of for rules of decorum. >> A second. >> We have a motion in a second. >> Why do you change them? you haven't showed anything here. You got to unleash present. >> So, Mayor and Council, let me I mean, I 128 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:16.800 I went off of my little tilt there. I went off my little tangent. Um the policy is in the packet. It's available online. And if folks want to avail themselves of seeing what you have in front of you, they've had a week to do it or almost a week to do it. So, and I'm I'm not I'm not gonna I'm not gonna 129 00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:35.359 >> I'm not going to engage in the debate about it. >> Sit down. >> Sit down. continue to be removed. Thank you. >> What we are doing has been published out there. It is we are limiting public input to 20 minutes. 130 00:37:35.359 --> 00:37:51.119 >> Her illegal. >> Do you want to eliminate public input completely? We can do that. >> It is not illegal. >> Democratic statement real illegal. Minnesota statutes have that. >> Right. >> All right. That's enough comment from 131 00:37:51.119 --> 00:38:09.359 the galley. We'll move on. Next comment, we'll ask you to leave and if not, we'll have the deputy escort you out. All right. So, back to the discussion. We had a motion and second. Elena, >> I 132 00:38:09.359 --> 00:38:27.200 >> Randy. >> Hi, >> Vernon's eye. Next is resolution 2628 declaring a vacancy for mayor. Anybody with? >> Yes, we have a resolution before you. 133 00:38:27.200 --> 00:38:43.839 Uh, resolution 2628 declaring a vacancy for the mayor position. Uh, the city received a resignation notice from Mayor David Fes. Um, and so I have that letter before you and I also have prepared the 134 00:38:43.839 --> 00:39:00.320 resolution. per Minnesota state statutes, uh the city council may appoint someone for mayor uh until the next election. So that would appear mayor's term is already up at the end of the year and his position would have already been on the ballot. And so it 135 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:15.599 would be my recommendation to approve the resolution declaring the vacancy, but then uh filling that position at a future council meeting. >> Any questions? Um I'll move resolution 2628 declaring a 136 00:39:15.599 --> 00:39:30.960 vacancy for mayors. >> A second mayor if acting mayor before you take a vote on that just um this is all standard practice where a public elected official resigns a relatively short period of time before a general 137 00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:45.839 election. It would be typical to appoint a replacement until that general election. I mean obviously in this case folks can sign up to run for mayor if they wanted to do that. I guess the only thing I would add uh to the motion you've made which is to approve the 138 00:39:45.839 --> 00:40:02.480 acceptance of the resignation and the declaring of the vacancy. The only thing I would say is if if the council will is to accept um uh folks interested in temporarily being appointed as the mayor, you might want to say that. Or if 139 00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:19.200 you'd rather uh look to your own council, I mean, you you may want to say something tonight about how it is you want to go about appointing uh the replacement uh for the mayor. And so maybe you could have a little dialogue before you take a vote on on that about how you want to go about appointing uh 140 00:40:19.200 --> 00:40:35.119 the replacement >> or would that be something that we >> or you can take the vote and and talk about it at the next meeting. Yep, that's fine, too. But I I want you to I want you to at least uh I think it it it can be it's perfectly legal to come to a 141 00:40:35.119 --> 00:40:51.760 meeting and just appoint somebody. But it's I think it's a better it you know public perception is a bit better if you sort of say what you're going to do to decide who to appoint. So whether you do that tonight or at the next meeting I I guess I'd leave that up to you. But I I would encourage you to say something about that at some point. 142 00:40:51.760 --> 00:41:07.920 So, I want to put on the record that um for everyone in the room that we are just comprehending this ourselves. This just happened. We are going to take into consideration what we need for the city 143 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:23.119 and we will come to you with a decision next meeting. It is going to be something that we will not take lightly and we will be having deep discussions about it. And keep in mind it is six months. 144 00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:39.359 So we have a filing period in July and that will h whatever happens there happens there. But we will be addressing it and it will be open and discussed in July. >> All right. I think that sums it up. And 145 00:41:39.359 --> 00:41:56.480 this is declaring the vacancy because of the reservation that was just submitted. So can I get a motion or any discussion? Uh I move for the 2628 declaring of bank for mayor. >> A second a motion and a second. Delena 146 00:41:56.480 --> 00:42:10.800 >> I. >> Colton. >> Hi. >> Randy. >> Hi. >> Vernon. I All right. Let's move on to planning commission. Anything there? All right. Public works and engineering. >> Adam. 147 00:42:10.800 --> 00:42:26.880 >> Get Adam tonight. >> Haven't seen you in a while. >> Yeah. Uh good evening members of the council. I'm Adam Tlescort with Woods Engineering Firm. Um first item on your agenda here is uh approving change order number one on your street project that 148 00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:41.520 we all see right outside our window there. Um essentially what this is is the the project was designed with a 36inch storm pipe running under the ground with an assumed depth of a massive uh duct that Bevcon uses. It's 149 00:42:41.520 --> 00:42:59.200 their main duct that feeds a major part portion of their service area. Um, and then immediately once the project started, uh, that duct was the first thing we dug up because we didn't verify the depth. Um, it was a couple feet lower or, uh, 18 inches lower or so than 150 00:42:59.200 --> 00:43:15.599 we expected. So, we had to switch our pipe from a regular cylindrical 36-inch pipe to an arch pipe um to get underneath that and to keep the same capacity in that pipe. Um arch pipe is very very expensive in comparison to the 151 00:43:15.599 --> 00:43:32.480 regular cylindrical pipe. So, uh to avoid 117 foot long run of that arch pipe, we added a manhole um and just have a 25 foot stretch of arch pipe and then we switch back to the circular pipe. So, all told, it ends up being around $12,700 152 00:43:32.480 --> 00:43:49.200 um additional um that's expected as this change as part of this change. Um but like I said, the the cost savings of running that entire stretch at Arch Pipe is it's over over $25,000 savings. >> Uh it's right outside here. 153 00:43:49.200 --> 00:44:05.200 >> Yeah. Yeah. It's like right next to the It's the duck the duck crosses and then it's right after the the duct crossing. >> It wasn't on the street down there. was right out front here. >> Yeah, the duck goes up this alley here. Yeah. And we had a manhole just 20 25 ft 154 00:44:05.200 --> 00:44:22.400 um be west of there, but we're adding another one >> just to switch the pipe over. >> Has it been looked at like elsewhere to make sure there's no other changes there? >> Yeah. Um we dropped some grades of some other pipes too. There's a smaller store manhole that we have to drop a little 155 00:44:22.400 --> 00:44:37.280 bit too, but um no changes that affect cost really. So this is the main cost difference I guess that warranted a change order. >> So you just need approval for that additional >> Yeah, that's item A. It'll be up to talk 156 00:44:37.280 --> 00:44:54.640 about item B, but I'll be around for other questions, I guess. >> Um, I'll move approval for the change order number one for the 2026 street improvement project. >> I'll second. >> A motion and a second. Elena, >> hi >> Wilson. >> Hi Randy. 157 00:44:54.640 --> 00:45:11.119 >> Hi >> Vernon. Hi. >> Exit. >> Um yes, this item uh it's just payment application number one. We do these monthly. Um the majority of the items on the street project for this portion are uh it's the first one. So mobilization 158 00:45:11.119 --> 00:45:28.560 charge is um a large portion of it and then the rest are removals um and some minor pipe that's gone in but mostly pavement removal, curb removal, mobilization, tree clearing um front end stuff on on a project. So all told it 159 00:45:28.560 --> 00:45:45.040 adds up to 191 or 195,000 um $291. So that is payment application one. If you have any questions for that, I'll be around as well. >> I'll move approval for the 2026 street 160 00:45:45.040 --> 00:45:59.839 improvement project pay application. >> Second and a motion and second. Delena. >> Iton. >> Hi. >> Randy. >> Hi. >> Vernon. >> Hi. >> Out of curiosity, what is the timeline? Me reminded like for the whole 161 00:45:59.839 --> 00:46:16.319 >> Yeah. So, it's a it's an odd project because it's this portion, but it's also Second Street over there, and it's also Willow Circle. >> Yeah. >> It's split up. So, um all told, it wraps up in the fall. Like they pave, you know, October time frame. Um September, 162 00:46:16.319 --> 00:46:32.720 October. Um that's what the contract says, but that doesn't mean that like certain portions might not be wrapped up before then. Um the contractors let us know that this portion will be first. I mean, they've started there. So, um I would imagine it'll be a gravel road with, you know, concrete curb and gutter 163 00:46:32.720 --> 00:46:50.240 pretty early on in the summer or, you know, midsummer, I would say. >> Will there will there be any impacts to the school over here when we get to that one? >> Yeah. Um, so that's in the contract uh that that street specifically needs to be basically started and finished in the 164 00:46:50.240 --> 00:47:06.560 summer months. So, just Second Street's got to do a little extra language there. It might be paved during school, but it'll be um >> open. >> It'll be open. Yeah. And the the all the underground utility work and stuff has to occur. Okay. >> During summer. Um all the concrete stuff. 165 00:47:06.560 --> 00:47:24.319 >> That was one thing we wanted to make sure happened to reduce the issue with traffic and >> right. Yeah. It would be kind of a nightmare otherwise. So yeah, that was in the plans to Okay. >> to get that done in the summer months. >> Perfect. >> Thanks. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next up in the department monthly 166 00:47:24.319 --> 00:47:39.440 reports legal. >> Oh legal. Sorry I apologize. >> Yeah. No, not at all. I just to acknowledge I think it's been widely reported in the press. There is an additional ruling in the court case involving the data center. Um uh uh 167 00:47:39.440 --> 00:47:56.200 parties have been enjoined from moving forward with construction uh until some additional information is provided to the plaintiffs in the case. the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy is the plainif. Uh, and that is the update. I'm happy to answer questions about that. 168 00:47:57.280 --> 00:48:12.800 Again, I'm not litigating the case, but I'm I've read the order, so I'm aware of it. So, >> and I think that stemmed from the fact that they couldn't certain links and some information. >> Correct. There was an attempt to provide the information apparently, but they weren't able to open it or access it or 169 00:48:12.800 --> 00:48:31.040 something. And so, yeah, that's exactly right. Okay. And I have nothing else. >> Thank you. >> Next up will be claims. >> I'll move claims. >> Second motion and second for claims. Elena >> I 170 00:48:31.040 --> 00:48:45.440 >> Randy >> I >> I now we'll move on to department monthly reports administrator. >> I don't have anything for 171 00:48:45.440 --> 00:49:04.240 about with the wastewater treatment any updates there you >> uh no just that uh we're working with both the state and now >> yeah the bonding didn't come through the amount that we were asking all the cities you know right 172 00:49:04.240 --> 00:49:23.599 >> yeah so we received this $1 million and then uh in the other omnibus bill uh the state legisle put in language that $80 left over from a previous $10 million can be used for project that those were pre-esign that 173 00:49:23.599 --> 00:49:46.319 link so that half million would pop up. >> All right. Well, thank you on the library. Rachel, >> hi. I just wanted to give you guys an update. County funding. We had a bunch of gray clouds last time. Um and this 174 00:49:46.319 --> 00:50:03.440 time it's not quite so gray. Uh we had a meeting with Good Hugh County last week at the outside agency's funding um request meeting and then we've been in communication with them again today with their committee of the whole meeting and they are going to be just freezing our 175 00:50:03.440 --> 00:50:19.520 funding. They are not diminishing our funding, but we're not going to get a bump for the uh standard of living increase >> next year. So next year that'll return um but they're just freezing it for one year and they're trying to do that across the board for the outside agencies. So that's good news for us. 176 00:50:19.520 --> 00:50:36.079 Hopefully we won't be losing the 10. Well, we won't be losing the 10% that we thought we might be for that Mstead County. Um the uh commissioners and the administrator have also been taking a look after we've been pushing back a little bit on their 177 00:50:36.079 --> 00:50:51.520 funding formula that they presented which included programming numbers and they are looking to us we actually have a meeting on Thursday the library directors to look at different ways that we can split the pot of money that they're going to be providing. So, the 178 00:50:51.520 --> 00:51:08.240 libraries will be funded at 1% of the county levy and we can kind of as long as it's in our annual report, it's data that they can um verify, we can use that information. So, hopefully that will mean that 179 00:51:08.240 --> 00:51:25.520 our library is not losing I think that was $11,000 for this next funding year. So, fingers crossed I'll keep you updated for next month. And of course, Dodge County is the same. No changes there. Uh my other big news is that summer reading is going on. We have over 180 00:51:25.520 --> 00:51:41.520 I think we've got we've reached the 300 kid or actually a participant number for summer reading signups. We've had a um 92 stuffies at our stuffy sleepover which was our kickoff the first week of uh the month which was our biggest 181 00:51:41.520 --> 00:51:56.559 number yet. We think we had about 140 people at that program. So, we were very very pleased and we are really appreciating the support. Take a look at our website and Facebook if you're interested in more information or the council packet. Also, I put the listing 182 00:51:56.559 --> 00:52:13.760 of our different programs as well. And also, just to give you all a heads up, I will be out of the office from Monday through Wednesday this coming week, probably Thursday. I am going to a conference on America 250, which will be giving us programming ideas for the anniversary this year. And I'll be in 183 00:52:13.760 --> 00:52:29.200 Cincinnati for that. So, super exciting. Um, and um, then they'll also the the con the conference is also providing a stipen for programming after the fact. So, hopefully we'll have a really good slate of programs this fall. 184 00:52:29.200 --> 00:52:49.240 So, stay tuned. Any questions for me? >> Well, thank you so much. >> Thank you, Courts. Nothing. Thank you, EDA. Fire Department 185 00:52:49.599 --> 00:53:05.599 County Sheriff. Okay. Cemetery Board, License Bureau, Emergency Management. And we already talked about the North Sumber Cemetery District 186 00:53:05.599 --> 00:53:22.480 Image Committee. And we'd like to thank them for all their work on that sign. That was very nice. Everyone got a lot of positive feedback on that stood out really nice and public work and thank you for all your work. 187 00:53:22.480 --> 00:53:38.800 >> Good county board minutes available at Good County. And with that I think we wrap it up to adjournment. >> Move to adjourn. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Zelena Iton. I Randy I Vernon and I. Thank you 188 00:53:38.800 --> 00:53:42.079 everybody for God.