All meeting in order. Please stand if you can for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Oh, we're almost done. >> All right. Roll call. Call the uh call to order. Roll call. Starting on my right. >> Council person Josh. Council person Brett Buyer, >> Council Person Craig Anderson, >> Council Person Jerem.
>> Very good. Okay. Uh, next up would be approval of the agenda. Is there anything added? >> We don't have anything here. >> Okay. Looking for a motion on that. >> Move to approve. >> Got a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. And
>> a motion passes. >> Okay. Approval of council meeting minutes for November 12, 2025. I'll make a motion to approve those minutes. >> Okay, >> second. >> Got a motion and a second. Is there any
other discussion on this? With that noted, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any oppose? That motion carries. All right. Uh, accounts payable listing and the additional accounts payable are
there. 1:13 p.m. in the afternoon and pushing it right to the end. I'm just kidding. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Okay, we got a motion. Looking for a second. >> I'll second that. >> Motion and a second. Any further
discussion? >> All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any oppose? Motion carries. All right, that brings us to mo motions and business. The first one, get it open here.
2026 liquor license approval. The city has received the following applications for renewal. The American Legion uh club on sale Sunday. Two Brothers Bar and Grill on sale Sunday. Down Under Bar and Grill on sale Sunday.
Fairway Spirits and More off sale. Honest Liquor off sale. Both Quick Trip locations 32 which I still can't believe we do that. Adamson's Tavern and the Greens off sale on sale and Sundays. So the council action requests it would be
to approve the liquor license applications as listed above subject to proper application. Are we doing this a little bit earlier than we normally or is this >> N right on time? >> Really? >> Of course it's here wrapping up your last year. So everything's going to be right on time. >> Sandra did them.
>> Nice. Oh yeah. >> Training in progress. >> Excellent. Okay. So I'll be looking for a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> All right. We got a motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing that all in favor signify by
saying I >> I any opposed? Motion carries. All right. Now we got 2026 mapo license approval also by Cassandra. The city has received the following applications for renewal.
Casey's general stores both locations. Fairway Stores Incorporated Liquor and Grocery, Family Dollar, Honest Liquor, Quick Trip Store is both Stewie Smoke Shop. Council action requested to approve the tobacco license applications
as listed above subject to proper application. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Okay, we got a motion. >> Second. >> And a second. Any further discussion? >> Does Fairway actually have two licenses
or is it just one? No, it's two businesses. >> I was going to ask that exact same question >> because it it I mean they all come from the same place. They just reach through the window and get on it. But >> they still have to have two different licenses. >> I was Yeah, I was going to ask the same thing.
>> Any other discussion, questions or anything? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? That also carries. Let's see here. Moving on.
Amending the fire relief bylaw articles 7 to 8, benefits and pensions. The Steuart Fireman's Relief Association can change the bylaws regarding the benefits sum per year in regards to sick and disability benefits, death benefits, and
pensions. The requested rate increase is from 4700 to 5100. Even though the relief association is its own entity and regulated by state statutes, it is required to notify the city of any bylaw changes as the city has a legal ob obligation to finance any shortfall if
it should should occur with any city approved bylaw changes. In September, the par night wealth management group met with the fire relief association and based on on the investments, there is a surplus of funding. The fire relief association could increase their pension
amount. Council action requested to approve deny resolution 2025 amending the bylaws of the Steuartville Fire Department relief association article 7 section one article 8 section 1 2 and 3
from 4700 to $5100. Looking for a motion on that. >> Bill, this is what you showed us. Was it last week? Um this one's their um retirement actually and the one we worked on was
their just officers adjustments. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Just really quick, they always invite
either Kelly or I um or past finance people so we can monitor it as well. and they are sitting okay and they're a good enough group that if they ever saw it go the other way they'd reduce the amount. So they're looking good now. >> Good. All right. Well, we got a motion and a second. All in favor signify
saying I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay, that motion carries. Next one up, warming house attendance. In preparation for the hockey skating season, we are recommending the following to staff the warming house at Metal Park uh Metal
Parks. The Florence warming house will be open but no staff on duty. Contractual ser services employees Jacob Chop hiring and back from previous years Kent Larson Benture, Drew Gelanick, James Hail, Melissa Browning. New for
2526 season, Tyler Carrian. Council action requested to approve the above applicants to work the warming house. >> Do we have such a motion? I'll move to approve. >> Okay, I'll second it. Easy enough. Uh,
any further discussion? All in favor, signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? That motion carries. Uh, if I'm still on the right order, the next one up is part-time snow removal. City is advertised for part-time snow plow
drivers. Public works director Hail is recommending hiring Troy Canigings and Parker Bird. Uh motion on the council action requested to approve Mr. Canenberg for on call snow removal. >> So we'll be looking for a motion on
that. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> All right, we got a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? That motion carries.
Bill Shiml is to blame for this next one because this is going to be there's like six pages. City hall personnel changes due to planned and pending retirements in the coming 2026 year for the city clerk planning director and receptionist
deputy clerk positions. The staff and personnel committee have developed a succession plan and schedule for the city to follow. As of now, the receptionist deputy clerk, Laurel Jacobs, will retire on or about January 30th, 2026, and the city clerk planning
director, Cheryl Rder, will retire on or about October 2, 2026. The city has requested and has been grooming the community development coordinator, Cassandra Jefferson, and she has agreed to transition into the city clerk planning director position,
which would commence on February 1, 2026. Clerk Raider would then move over to the front desk so that for an interim period and or possibly through her estimated retirement date would try and handle the walk-in call-in traffic to be
shared with other city hall staff and to enable an easier process of online site assistance for the transition and mentoring of Jefferson in new role. At the conclusion of the transition period, it would be planned to then hire back for the front desk receptionist
position. The city will then start the process for a hiring and replacement for community development coordinator Jefferson to be begin on or about February 1, 2026. These transitions will fall within the proposed 2026 city budget and the personnel committee is
recommending the following schedule and timeline and utilization of the proposed 2026 pay grade grid as position offerings. 12225 advertise for community development coordinator. 12225
applications closed. 1223 to 29 of 2025 review of applications and select finalists. 15-7 of 2026 interview candidates. 113 council approval. February 1, tenative start date and training begins for both
coordinator and city clerk positions. 8126 advertise for front desk receptionist. 91 to 222 2026 review applications interview council approval. 1012026 tenative start date for
receptions. Action requested is to approve as per the personnel committee recommendation. >> You did good. >> I'm looking for a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve this. >> Okay, we got a motion. Second that.
>> And a second. Any further discussion? Anything anybody else needs to add on that? >> It's been about 6 months in the workings to get it all to fall into place. And so then we ran it by um personnel committee for their uh recommendation. So here it is. >> Okay. So all in favor signify by saying
I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any further? Okay. Nothing. Uh that motion carries as well. That brings us to purchase of beach farms land.
Over the past several years with the council and staff discussing a city's expected growth and potential future need for a snow removal site, compost site, expanded public works complex for equipment and inventory storage needs. Staff was directed to research potential
land options for available purchase. This came along with discussions alongside People's Energy, Dairland Power, and Seamac Rolling Hills Transit for suggested planning and working together for joint facility and equipment and inventory space for a
Steuart base as well. Those are the new financing. >> Don't I have the new one here? I got the same one on here. >> Yeah, it's just uh >> just to show you the financing. >> No, I know. But I I upgraded the new one because you added that in this
afternoon, right? Somebody did. >> We should have, but I don't know. >> Either way, I'll So, the fin the opportunity Whoops. The opportunity has arisen for interest in purchasing 92 acres of land from the Beach Farms family trust on the north side northeast
side of town for $790,000. This land will be used for all or portions of multiple prospective items listed above. Beach farms will be paid in installments according to the amortization schedule with a 4% interest
rate below. Land cost 790,000. Year 1 131,666.67 paid rate of closing. Year 2 158,000. Year 3527334. Year 47466 and67.
Year five 142,200. Year 636,933.34. This would amount to 79,000 in interest. Over the course of the payment plan, the city would use funds from recently matured CDs to make the payments for the first couple of payments. The city will
be paying off four of its debt or loans next year totaling over $638,000. So these funds could be used for future payments. The city would also potentially have the option of renting part of the land for egg and or mining uses as well, which would generate funds
toward this purchase. During Land Power has proposed to purchase uh two plus or minus acres for their needed substation. So the action that we're looking for from the council tonight would be to approve or deny the purchase of the
Beach Farms land on that schedule. Their land was only really interested in a couple acres. I thought, >> oh, they might be more, but this is to begin their first substation. Yeah. >> When would the ownership take place on?
>> Uh, right now we're looking right after the first of the year to uh set up a closing. What would that do to the city budget then? It would wouldn't bring it up. Those loans are going to disappear, right? >> It'll be your choice when they are paid off to either reutilize the funds we had
set aside to pay those off or you can retire retire them. Um we've also been given a financing plan um later on if we want from Dairland Power um if we want to use those funds at some point in time. But uh by doing this payment plan,
it saves us from having to um shell out that um big principal amount all at once. So we feel there'll be interest savings for us that offset any interest um if you will they're acrewing. So, it it appears to be a good deal all the way
around. Obviously, as you all know, long time in the works >> um as we research sites around the area and uh if 15th uh can get um paved uh like Sean mentioned, if that ever becomes the complex site, that's two
nice access points into into the city. Um obviously, uh directly to the west to get the north side, then you can head right to the south and come in on 30 um to start the south side of maintenance. >> We'd be financing including the the
mining area is wasn't there question on that at first and then that kind of see >> y a little bit >> negotiated uh they're going to give up all mining rights those will belong to the city. >> Okay. >> And in our initial contact with Uland sounds like for the remainder of this current lease they're just going to
switch um beach farms to the city's name. So, we'll start collecting that um prrated as soon as the property becomes ours. So, there's some uh uh initial income right away that starts offsetting
it. And then um we'll um probably work most likely, I'm thinking, with at least a current renter of the space, see if they're uh for the egg part, see if they're interested in continuing. Um but obviously those choices are up to us, you know, as we continue on. So that
potentially is some immediate income to help us offset these cuz how much of it would be buildable land workable? >> Buildable like where we >> can't do anything in the flood way. Uh the whole 50 some acre field up top is
above the floodway. Uh there's flood zones that you can do some stuff in, but you have to offset how you do it so you can use it. But there's I would say 60 acres that's developable developable for buildings.
And then our other thing that we talked about during those workshops is if for some or any reason the city wanted to abandon it, obviously the land investments ours and so we can turn around and recoup as well. So it appears
to be a win-win all the way around. the the pits. We have gotten permission from uh soil and water that we can fill the pits in because they were mined out. So, we can legally fill those pits in. So, we could potentially we generate filloff projects plus people are always looking
for spots to get rid of it. So, we could fill those in and make that usable land also, but it's just pits now, which would be depending on how you want to do it. There's options to do different things there. >> All right. I'd entertain a motion one way or the other. >> I'll make a motion to approve the land
purchase. >> I'll second that. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion or questions? >> Okay, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? >> The motion carries.
Big spenders today, boys. All right, with that brings us to mayor, staff, and consultants reports. Mayor's report. Sympathies to families of Joyce Olen, Joe Gardner, and Jim Rankin. Happy 90th birthday to I don't
know how to say this. Omi. Is that how you show? >> Oh, yes. >> Is it Omi? >> Naomi is her full name. >> They just call her Omi. >> She always goes by Omi. >> Really? All right. Uh, let's see. Join Tiger Charge and fill the bus with
Christmas gifts on December 2nd at what is it? Oh, at Grizzle. because the bus garage is now different name, right? Um, all stops are local it looks like or Yep. events Thanksgiving 5K Grace
Church. I will not be participating socket to them until November 30th at Old National Bank. Morning Lions tree and wreath auction supporting NAMI. First farmers and merchant merchants open house December 3rd. Check the star
for more details on these events. Snow is coming sadly. Make sure you've signed up with code red to avoid any parking tickets during the winter months. And that concludes the mayoral report tonight. >> Cheryl, they signed up last year. They signed up again this year. Code red. >> No.
>> Should be good to go. >> All right. That moves on to 407 people on there today. >> So there's 407 people signed up for code red right now. Okay. >> And you can do all that through the just go up through the website or you got to do fill something out here. Um the links
on the website. >> All right. City administrators report. >> All right. Report in your packet. I'll let uh Kelly do the main item we've been working on. That's the budget. Uh the finance committee met. So we did um some more shaving to hopefully help that
picture, but I'll let her explain that. And then um we're working on two grants. Uh Nate might touch on one for library edition. And then uh Dylan is just finishing up um putting the application together. He just did. Um uh we're going
to try another state grant for 15th as we're working with the legislature, too. So, >> and then if you'll indulge me in just two items, one you mentioned, today is my mom's 90th birthday. >> That's fantastic. >> I got to have lunch with her today. And
so, she's kicking and raring to go for for another we told her 90 years. So, um, and then on behalf of the staff, as the other indulgence, we all want to wish our acting mayor a congratulations
first of all on your birthday. Thank you, sir. >> And second of all, on a good happy uh retirement ahead. So, congratulations on both. >> Well, when we all celebrate on Saturday, there's a good chance we won't even remember we did it. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
All right, moving on. finance officers report. We're not used to having something here. >> Um, like Bill mentioned, we need to cut about 356,000 off of the levy for next year. >> So, that was approved by the finance committee and the staff recommended by
the staff to the finance committee. So, it will be going down. >> Yeah, that that's fantastic. And I did see Bill, I think in your report or somewhere I I saw you had mentioned it to remind people to if you if it looks like you're getting a major tax increase to look at the valuation of your
property cuz that's out of our control, but that's generally a big big reason for any major changes. Okay, moving on. Public works director's report with pictures of the birds shot. >> Yeah, the report's in there. The
One thing, the leaf pickup is ending this week because of the weather change. >> How were they even able to do it tonight? I passed them when I was coming there earlier today and it's like, isn't it too wet? >> No, >> really. >> They'll suck them up wet, but now they're going to freeze. They're supposed to be low 20s all next week for
highs and worse than that some days. But then they'll be frozen. You can't suck them anymore. And it's just now we need to switch over because we're going to be plowing. There's chance of snowstorm Friday night now, too. not to mention tonight. So, we need to switch that tractor over to put the plow on it cuz we use that for plowing. So, we will be
done with lead pickup at this point. Okay. So, fair enough. >> All right. Moving on. City engineer. >> Um we will be um accepting bids for Second Avenue on the 23rd of December. >> For what? Which one?
>> Second Avenue on the 23rd of December. And I've also been working with Mindot on the signal and getting those plans reviewed and a project number from them. So that is still in process, but I will be coming forward in the future. Do I
ask to put that one out for it also? >> Seems to me you could just say put the light here, here, here, and here. Done. I would Yeah, I'm sure I charge a lot less than you guys. All right. All right. Well, hopefully
we'll just see how that goes moving forward. Good luck. Does not sound fun whatsoever. Anything else? >> That's it for tonight. >> All right. Moving on. Library director's report. >> We're good.
>> Happy birthday. Or what? That's cool. >> Why isn't the guy with the longest report in the packet has the shortest? Well, keep up the good work out there. What's the scoop? What's the short scoop of the solar panel thing?
>> Um, so we are um it's a a Department of Commerce grant. We're asking for $133,000. That'll cover cover the total cost of purchase and installation of enough solar panels and capacitors to
meet 100 103% of the energy needs of the library after the expansion's done. >> Really? >> So, if we do this, it'll be it'll pay off uh as soon as we flip the switch.
and um and probably about $10,000 a year in savings for um anything else. >> Fantastic. >> All right. >> Oh, and um uh we initially reply uh applied on Friday. Um it's due on
December 1st, but we wanted to get in uh our place in line. Uh we got a email back this morning um asking for some follow-up information. I worked with the contractor that we're we're who um
we've been working with on this for this and um we resubmitted to the state this afternoon. And again, doesn't sound all that fun, but thanks for getting her done. No fire chief tonight, no pool directors. We move on to committee commissions and
board reports. Chamber of Commerce. Anybody? >> Nothing. >> EDH met last week. So, we got a nice packet of all the projects that were done. >> Okay. >> The last couple years.
>> Yeah, you guys have done a lot. >> That's pretty cool to see. >> A lot of people interested in that stuff. So, that's great. Uh, finance. I see that there's minutes in there. >> I think Kelly already shared a good. >> Okay. the library.
>> Uh met last week. Um I got some cool artist renderings of the expansion if you want to see them. >> Cool. Parkour. >> Um nothing.
>> Personnel already mentioned the contract talks. That's uh hopefully moving forward yet. >> Yep. They approved your counter proposal to them this morning. So, >> okay. And they understand the clarification that you ended up making on the longevity.
>> You you wrote that out. Yep. >> All right. Planning and zoning, nothing right now. Uh public safety, >> nothing special, nothing pressing going on. >> Public works. >> Ready.
>> Um we did meet it ended up being around Robin of what's happening in the towns. The two big items of discussion. We'll have minutes next time. they didn't have them done. But um uh that regional planning talk again about a regional development organization and then uh
data centers because u uh Pine Island joins in with us and so they were giving some of the rigoral they've been dealing with up there both from a citizen standpoint and what it potentially means. So yeah, those they generate a
lot of people coming out and that worried about a lot of things. I guess you can see it. Roll call. >> Uh they'll be meeting next week. It's got delayed from tomorrow to next Wednesday. So >> transit advisory committee.
>> I do see that bus driving all over the place, man. >> Uh we've got some communications from the Department of Transportation. Uh just stating December 10th public meeting set for Highway 30 resurfacing
for the highway 30 resurfacing project in Rochester and High Forest Township. So people can look at that. >> The reason why you're getting notice there is the detour will come through town. >> Oh, is that right? Okay.
Nothing you can do about it. That brings us to open mic. City council welcomes and encourages participation from community members. Please keep in mind that your comments must be pertinent to the city business must adhere to data privacy rules. No employees name may be used. Please do not expect action from
the council this evening regarding your concerns. We also request that your comments be limited to four minutes. Speakers will be recognized only once. At this time we ask anyone who would like to address the city council please step up to the podium and state your name and address. Either one of you two.
All right. With that I will make a motion to adjurnn. I'll second it. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Okay, that passes. Good job.