Okay, 7 o'clock. Thank you everybody for being here. We are going to begin with >> Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible
with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Um it's nice to see lots of residents here. Thank you for coming. We'll start with the approval of the agenda. Does anybody have anything to add? I actually do have something to add.
>> Um, would you like to stand up to everybody? >> Yeah. >> What's the topic or >> Oh, I'm sorry. Um, city park. Um, I met or Mark and I were walking in the park the other day and we had a suggestion
from a resident that I thought was very worthy of getting put on the agenda. It was Sunday or Saturday. So, >> so signage in the park. >> Yes. >> All right.
Um, let's add that under new business 5.7. Does that sound? Yep, that sounds good. And then I actually have one more on parking um in front of Bankston's dental office just
so I don't Okay. All right. We'll do that as uh 5.8. Thank you. All right. Uh any other additions? If not, somebody would like to to
approve the agenda. >> So move by Don, second by Martha. Um, is there any discussion? Any discussion? Any [clears throat] discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. Same side. >> We have an agenda.
Um, next is the consent agenda which included the minutes from June 1st, financials and sewer adjustment forms. Anybody like to make a discussion about the [clears throat] consent agenda? >> Motion to approve. >> Uh the minutes um I just are my name is
spelled wrong in I think it's on 4.6. It's Ellie instead of DL. Okay. And [clears throat] I just had a question on the uh post office box. It looks like we just paid it. And if we
got a mailbox for here, if we get some kind of a refund on it, >> we do it. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> Um, so we have a motion to approve consent agenda. Is there a second? >> Oh, sorry. >> Okay. Motion second. Any discussion?
Any further discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> Oppos. Same side. Motion carried. Um, okay. Then we're up guest speakers. Um, Mr. Wayne Nagel is first. Did I get that name right? Nagel.
>> Nagel. Yep. >> You got it right. >> Come on up. Have a chair. >> Well, thanks for having me. I'm Wayade Nagel. I'm the candidate for Cibby County Sheriff. One of the two. I just want to introduce myself tonight and say uh thank you for inviting me to your meeting. Uh, a couple of the issues that
I see that could you use improvement in in our community is a better stewardship of some of our tax dollars by working together a little bit more. That's kind of one of the highlights of things that I'm about. Um, working better together is kind of my slogan. I want to do a good job at bridging and uh regaining
the relationships between the police department and the sheriff's office. That'd be one of the foremost things on my agenda. I really don't want to take a lot of your time. you know, you got look like you have a pretty good calendar tonight. I'll be respectful of that. But I would share my phone number with you guys and I'm going to stick around for
the entire meeting and I'd love to meet anyone that wants to whether it's your you guys or the folks behind me want to talk after the meeting. I'd be happy to stick around and answer any questions. So my number is 952 8469929 and I'd invite you to call me anytime if
you have any questions you like to talk about and where I stand on certain topics and positions I might have. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, thanks a lot. I appreciate your time. >> Thanks for coming. >> All right. Um then we can move on. Um
Caitlyn Becker is up next. Hello, Mayor and Council. Good evening and thank you for having me tonight. My name is Caitlyn Becker. I am running for Sylvie County Commissioner. I live in Milky Township with my husband, Corey, and I have two young boys at home. We're very active members in the Gibbon community and the last three years, I
taught special education at Civil East over in Arlington. Since I announced my candidacy, I've been attending different township meetings and visiting with residents and hearing their concerns. In my conversation, I hear about affordability, maintaining farmers access to market, whether that be by
rail or road, and maintaining our drainage dish ditch systems. I'm running for Seli County Commissioner because too often young mothers don't step up and serve, and we are very important part of our community. I know firsthand the issues facing young families and the impact local government has in our
communities. I'm very passionate about our rural communities and see this as a great opportunity to give back. Affordability is one of the main issues that I'm hearing. Agriculture is key to our community and we need to provide a balance so our farmers are not overt taxed and underserved. We also want to
make Sibly County an attractive place to live and raise young families. I also believe we need to work to make the county board more accessible to the public and promote the positive work being done. All of this can be done while preserving our rural rural way of life that has kept families like mine here for so many years. I'm looking
forward to Farm City Funfest. We're working one of the booths or the um bounce houses. So, we'll be there. Um and I'm hope to visit with you more there. So, I'm ready to put in the work being your commissioner and thank you for having me and I hope I can earn your vote. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. [clears throat] >> All right. Um next up we have Rihanna. She's going to talk to us about Farm City Funfest. Nice segue. >> That I was just going to say that was a wonderful segue. All right. Um, good evening. Brianna Pago for those who don't know me. Um,
I'm here on behalf of Farm City Funfest and the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce. Um, first of all, I just want to thank you um for keeping us in the budget for 2026. Um, I know many things were cut, including the amount that we got uh for 2026, but I just wanted to say that we appreciate every little bit. So, thank
you. Um, secondly, I just wanted to make more of a public announcement because there's been a lot of confusion in the community about who puts on Farm City Funfest. Um and it is not the city, it is the chamber and the chamber is also not a city entity. Um we work together
closely but we are not um owned by the ch or by the city so to say. Um so again we have a lot of the same goals. Our mission as the chamber is to promote business interest, support community events, and enhance Winthre's quality of life. So, we do receive support from the
city um for Farm City Funfest and then assistance with staff um through the weekend, but again, it's um ran by the chamber, not the city. So, just wanted to clear that up. Um and then lastly, I just wanted to mention, I know I don't get to a lot of these meetings in
person, but I do listen to every single one on YouTube. Um we have a lot of community members who are passionate about this town. Um, I would consider or I would ask that you consider volunteering in your community. Um, our citizens, uh, over the years volunteerism has gone down. Um, we're
seeing that again this year with Farm City Funfest and we're ran 100% by volunteers. So, um, even just two hours of your time for the whole weekend is appreciated. We still have spots available even though the event is this weekend. So, um, if you're interested in
volunteering, um, it's on the city website. You can sign up there. Um, and then if anybody is interested about learning more about the chamber, we're also on the city website. So, you can find our contact information there. >> Okay. All >> I would second that. Sign up and
volunteer. It's fun. You get to talk to people and it's just it's fun for sure. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um, last on the list of guest speakers is Ben Weman. >> Okay. How's it going?
>> I am Ben Weman. I'm running for Minnesota House 17B, this district here. I'm looking to put the F back in DFL. Uh the F is a big umbrella encompasses, you know, uh education. Uh that's been hit hard. A lot of closed schools are closing. My uh
sibl east is doing through dealing with some uh funding issues on its own. Uh farmers in general are closing. I know my my family uh my my dad had to retire from dairy farming. Uh wasn't able to keep up with it. Uh a lot of dairy farms in the area are getting closed uh while
there's a big one being built off uh in the northwest there. Uh so I also uh don't want to take out much of your time. Thank you for getting me in at the very last minute here. Uh and uh I have some buttons, some cards, some stuff for you. I can give it to you now
or later. I didn't want to say too much, but uh yeah, I am Ben Weman. I would love to represent you and help bring uh some energy back to the real community.
>> Thank you very much. >> This after. >> Sure. We'll >> we'll find you. >> All right. Um moving on to new business. 5.1 city council date change. [snorts]
In November, [clears throat] we certify the election for the local elections that we have. And instead of doing it on November 2nd, we're asking council to move it to the following Monday and November 9th so we can certify the election results. Uh if council wishes,
we could have two council meetings that month as well. Um totally up to you. >> Are we Did we do that last year? Yes, I thought we did. >> Are we going to need extra budget meetings or anything at that point or
are we [clears throat] going to be >> I mean, we can always call a special meeting on the 9th. You could still have one. The following week, you could still have one. And then all of December we have and we just have to certify the
final ley by December 31st. Okay. I don't have a problem. >> Just moving the moving the meeting or having >> the meeting. You may call a special meeting. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. So, somebody want to make a motion. >> That's my motion. >> I'll second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second to move our council meeting from November 2nd to November 9th. Um, any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please
say I. >> I. >> Oppos? Same side. Motion carried. All right. Uh, moving on to 5.2, library [clears throat] funding and future outlook. >> Yeah. So, uh, we have had a lot of
discussions about library funding uh for the county. There's also a separate handout uh that Julie um had for council uh that you should have on your desk. Um, we're not going to go through all of this, but I will, um,
just say that we have a lot of funding opportunities when it comes to libraries. And I'll get down to the well, actually, the the big issue is that the county funding is their their
proposed funding for 2027 is cut quite substantially to the cities. >> I think a $30,000 cut per library. Yeah. And I think that this helps kind of tie in how we pay Yes. >> for TDS. So, you know, the state statute
has the monies put aside. Uh the county helps subsidize that and then the city puts our own funding in. So, there's really three funding sources. The city, the state, and the county. Um so, we are open to the public in
general. Um, all of our libraries are are all public libraries. We're all funded that way. And what we're hearing being proposed by the county is that each library would be cut by 30ish,000 or more. Um, that will definitely negatively impact the library. Uh,
library that we've already taken about an $80,000 hit in the budget this last year. um city council chose to you know defund that full-time productor position um which drastically reduced uh how much we are giving the library and I think
the the other aspect of this is uh it's it's definitely going to impact hours of operation and what we can actually do um because either a book budget has to be um reduced or um programming which I know a lot of people have enjoyed so I
think that those the programs that the public is enjoying right now will definitely be impacted by a reduction in funding. >> Um, and as background, anybody who knows me knows that I love the libraries and that's why I why I got involved in um,
municipal government in the first place. Um, I had requested a work session with the county commissioners about their proposed library budget and it was scheduled for June 23rd and um, a day or two earlier they canled it. So, um, if
you are a library user or even if you're not a library user and you recognize the value of it to our community, if you could reach out to your county commissioner or all of the commissioners and tell them that you would like to see that funding remain
stable would be fine. I I understand that they're dealing with with difficult budget numbers and if they said to me, you know what, we're making 5% cuts across the board. If they said a a cut like that to the library would be manageable, but they're talking about a
$30,000 cut per city. And so it's would it's $150,000 out of their county budget. But to a lot of us who see the value of a library, $150,000 spread out to the libraries does a lot
of good and it reaches a lot of residents. $150,000 put somewhere else might put gravel on a road or it it's real dollars and I I won't argue that. But if they put that money if they keep it in the libraries, it really has an
impact on so many more [clears throat] residents. It's a 3% increase right there for our budget. >> Oh, absolutely. And if you think about it, um, a city like Given that has a smaller budget than we do, it's that's a much more than 3%,
>> you know, cut hit to their budget. Um, and the other, so one of the issues that commissioners are saying is that as a group, the five libraries in Sidley County are spending too much money and that we're not efficient. And one of the things they're looking
at, they're using the numbers from 2024. So Winthrip City, the library budget was much higher in 2024. We have trimmed it back by more than $70,000. And I think that's also evidence that we're being fiscally responsible.
And I I find it difficult that the commissioners are basically saying, "We think you're all spending too much money, so we're just going to cut the funding." Because as individual cities, if let's say Winthrop says, "We love our
library and we think it's a community resource and we want to invest in it, but the county looks at the overall spending by the five libraries and says, "Oh, that's excessive spending." Our decision to invest in our library shouldn't negatively impact Winthro, I
mean Gibbon or Gaylord or Arlington or Henderson. Likewise, if Henderson decided to invest in their library, it shouldn't negatively impact us. To my way of thinking, the county commissioner should not be telling us how much we or how we should be running our libraries. They're very efficient. We have trimmed
that budget as much as we can. Um if if they make a cut like that, it is going to mean that the library hours are probably less. There's going to be fewer new materials and that would be really really sad for our community. >> Doesn't the county have an obligation uh
of a certain amount that go towards like >> they do and that's what they would cut to. >> It's called the minimum maintenance of effort and they would so and then once they cut to that level they can lower it by percentage a certain percentage every year. So once they get to that bottom,
the bottom keeps dropping. So it's not a good trend. Um and we're we're still hoping that we'll get a chance to meet with commissioners, but um the meeting that we had was canceled. So, I'm I was
disappointed, but there is a group um the Henderson Library Board and Gaylord and some representatives from Winthther are meeting this week and we're hoping to um plead our case with commissioners. >> I think the misn number two about libraries is it's only books and as we
know that's just not true. Our overdrive fees have gone up significantly uh over the last couple months, meaning people are streaming from our services, whether it's online books, videos, music. Um, and so we're seeing an increase as
prices continue to go up. People are cutting back. Maybe they're getting rid of Netflix, maybe they're getting rid of uh their cable bill and they're they're streaming it from our services. So I I think that you know the DVDs I I remember one of my first conversations
with the library I it was Mandy at the time I was like why do we have DVDs? No one's using those and they are the most highly checked out item in the library and we continue to add to that catalog of library and uh it continues to go up.
So, um, a lot of people are actively using our libraries, especially when you look at Gibbon or Henderson, they are the they do 90% of the community activities in those in those places. So, it'll negatively impact the communities.
KYC just did a story this last weekend about literacy rates in Minnesota. They're at an all-time low. They're lower now than they were before the Great Depression. So liter literacy rates are are really bad right now. So
um you know libraries are only going to help with that giving them access to those materials and it doesn't just benefit the citizens of Winro, it benefits everyone in our communities. Um you know we did a live a 911 tribute memorial last year. Um we've had many
speakers. Uh great information gets out through these um programs that we provide. So, it's it's a lot. It would be a lot to to shutter. >> And there's um handouts available, too. It does a comparison of Sley County
compared to Renville County, Waten County, Fairbell County, and Redwood County. All similar in size and scope to our library system. And we fall kind of right in the middle range as far as spending per capita and um open hours in
the library. So, we are not by comparison overspending or overstaffed. Um, and I think that's something to mention if you do decide to talk to your commissioners. And it can be as simple as we really really support the library. Please please consider keeping the
funding stable. That would that would go a long way to help the city all the way around. And if you have questions about it, I always I love to talk about libraries. So, you can always come and find me. [laughter] Um, I I wouldn't mind um if anybody
would like to offer a motion just encouraging city county commissioners to support library funding if somebody want chooses to do that. But >> yeah, I'll put that. Okay. Um yeah, I make a motion to encourage the Sibly
County Commissioners to keep uh spending status quo and not lower. >> Second. >> All right. Motion and a second. Any other discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. >> Opposed.
>> Thank you very much. >> All right. Um, moving on to 5.3 water, sewer, and electricity ordinance update. So, chapter 4 was pretty [clears throat] outdated. um reading through it, there
was a lot of notmodern trends as far as he will do this, he will do that, he will do this. So, we just cleaned up the language a little bit. Um and there were some things that need to be updated for
policies that have been passed by [clears throat] council and needed to be put in there. um clarifying the different practices as far as our meter reading system as far as the EMI tower going in and how that's taken care of.
Um the different regulations that have gone up in state statutes versus what was in our language. There are a few things though that I am seeking clarification on. They were footnotes in the
the item that was sent out and it's as far as the on page four is talking about the charge for the violation if people are using water when the city council has deemed they can't use water. Um it's calling for a $25 a day violation.
And then down in subdivision 4 on the same page, it's talking about when we send meters in to get tested, if the citizens feel like their meter isn't working, will that charge to send it in to get tested
says $10 and it is much more to send it in today versus when this came out. And there's just a couple of other um dollar amounts on page six as far as having um the bond amounts for certain plumbers
to come into town. They're set at like 5,000 25,000 and 50,000. But in another ordinance, we have them set to 100,000 200,000. So, my recommendation is taking that
language out and just putting as deemed by council on the fee schedule. Otherwise, we're going to have to update it all the time. >> Oh, that seems like a good idea. >> And then it can just be set in the beginning of the year. So, we would add these charges to the fee schedule
>> because it's much easier to change the fee fee schedule than >> Okay. But other than that, it's just, you know, the readability of the ordinance, improving the language, and it was sent out to the utility
committee, too, and I did not get any feedback. >> Okay. So, which items do you need feedback on? The first one you said was >> It wasn't just >> It's a $25 um
>> violation [clears throat] charge. Like if we had a shortage of water and council said you can only use water during 5:00 to 7:00 >> and we found out a citizen was using it outside of those you can charge them $25 a day for each violation right now.
>> Is that because of drought or something? >> It must have been. It's probably older language, but if you have flooding too or broken something, I mean it may happen. >> Yeah. Each year the DNR requests our significant user agreements for water.
Obviously the DNR is the one that controls water usage and if they deem it necessary based on our well um testing they they would tell us to stop pumping groundwater.
I don't think it's ever happened but you never know. So other than you would want that to read um as deemed by the fee schedule or something. >> Yes, that works by council on the I have it in here in other place too.
>> So for all of those the $25 fee for that the fee for sending in a a meter to be tested. Yeah. All of those would be just and then the bond amounts for plumbers, what we what we have them insured at for
their insurance. I think that seems like a really efficient way to do it because we don't want to have to change ordinances even every few years. It makes much more sense to have it be on the schedule. >> Should there be a minimum amount? I mean, if [clears throat] the council
hasn't had time to >> to set it. >> Yeah. >> I think if we haven't set it, it would default to what what's currently in the ordinance, right? >> Okay. >> Because there's probably some other ordinances too throughout the year that
are going to get cleaned up and the same language will probably get so that we have the same bond amount in all of them and not three different terms. Okay. So, if somebody makes a motion just recommending that
language go in all of them. Yeah. We cover all of the water, sewer, and electric ordinances. >> Yes. Council. Um, I move that we change the language [laughter] to
whatever Heather said to make it all the same with the fee schedules so it's all the same through all. >> Okay, there's a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> All right, motion second. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any further
discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> Oppos? Same sign. Motion carried. All right. 5.4 updates and revisions to chapter nine. >> So, chapter 9, there's a um
maybe less involved, but in the 1980s, the state adopted um fee schedules for all building permits and the city council passed that I think in ' 85 and 901.02. The fee schedule is very confusing to
people. Um, so what we're asking council to do is get rid of 90102's language and replace it with um fees for land permits and building permit shall be based on fee schedule approved by city council during the
annual meeting and set fee will schedule will remain in effect until the new fee schedule is approved of the zoning administrator self set fee. So that's Darren um by the state statutes. So Minnesota actually has a minimum state statute that allows us to set fees and
it's within our jurisdiction to do so. Um why we're updating this is that people believe that our permits are, you know, you build a $250,000 house and it's only going to be a $50 permit fee. Um and we've thought this multiple times and I give them the state statutes and I
give them the in 2022 we signed the new fees for building permits. Um, and they just there's still a lot of confusion about it all. So, this is just cleaning this up. I will say that planning and zoning is actually going
through chapter 9. Uh, we're doing a lot of work this year. We're going to start this month. Uh, when it comes to data centers and cannabis facilities and all that stuff is getting wrapped up into chapter 9. So, you're going to see a lot of chapter 9 revisions, but I wanted to
get this one started so that it's a little bit more clear when we are getting building permits. >> That's good. I would like us to be proactive on some of those things rather than caught unaware. I think I would also add this is not a thing that's unique to Winthre. I mean,
cities everywhere follow the same codes and have issues with building permits. >> Yeah. >> All right. Make a motion to make the changes to 90102 as presented.
>> All right. Motion by Ed. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Jenny. Any discussion? >> Any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion carried. 5.5. Um, accepting a $10,000 grant from
Department of Public Safety. >> Uh, the extractor for the fire department right now is not working. it's not uh drying the clothing correctly. So, we applied for a grant. It's a $10,000 grant to purchase the new extractor. We do um have to use out of
the fire budget the 8,89355. Um but that would be helping match that grant and and making it up. We put $1850 in for electrical. I doubt we're going to use it. Um, we'll probably have one of our electrical services come in and
just take a look at the thing, but it it should be fine. So, it might be a little bit less than the 18930. >> Okay. So, we just need someone to to approve. >> Yeah. >> Or to accept it. >> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Excellent. Motion by Jenny. Is there a second?
>> Second. >> Second by Ed. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? I just like to thank you to the fire department and city staff for putting together the grant application. Um otherwise all those in favor please say I
>> opposed. Motion carried. Um 5.6 election judges appointing. >> Yeah, we actually have three new election judges this year. Um so there's a lot of training uh that goes into all
of that. Uh and so council has to actually appoint them every single time we have an election. Um so we're just asking that um they pass this resolution allowing us to continue to train them and and get the election done and over
with. >> All right, I'll make a motion again. >> I'll second motion and second. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. Okay. Mo, same side. Motion carried. Thank you to our election
judges very, very, very much. Um, 5.7 signs in the park. Yeah. So, um, I respectfully request that the following item be placed on tonight's agenda, and it is. So, thank you for that. Um,
consideration of installing signs at each public entrance to the Winthther City Park that read, "This is your park. help keep it clean. Um, so my proposed motion, I move that the city of Winthrop install signage at all public entrances
to the Winthre City Park with each sign reading, "This is your park. Help keep it clean." And that staff be directed to determine the appropriate sign size, design, placement, and cost in accordance with city standards. And my
rationale for that, I Mark and I were walking in the park over the weekend and saw longtime resident Ed Begamman come up to me and said, because we always pick up trash when we walk. And he said, you know, this is everybody's park. Why
don't you put a sign that says, well, you know, welcome. This is your park. Help keep it clean and then maybe people will pick up their own garbage. So anyway, that was my rationale for that. So, okay. So, you made motion to that
effect. Okay. Is there a second >> to how much how much to spend on? >> I mean, that's why I said >> and where are you going to put them? >> Drive two.
>> The four um >> where's the fourth? Where which four? >> Uh parking lot. Um >> the one by over by the softball field on the east side. >> Yeah. And then the one on um what is that? Fifth, fourth.
>> Fifth street. >> Fifth. >> Eth no park. >> Yeah. But then um >> right behind the school. >> Yeah. Right by the water. >> Yeah. >> So do we need to find out how much this is going to cost before we approve it or
>> And that's fine. I just thought it was a great idea. So, >> but you're talking about the metal sign, you know, whatever. >> I mean, I am on the park committee, you know, we haven't met, but I could bring it up with the park committee, too. >> Yeah, I would prefer that.
>> You would prefer that? >> We can do that. >> Sure. Maybe the since none of us really have any idea how much a sign cost and sometimes we might be surprised. >> Okay. So, um are you just
um that to the park agenda or what? >> Yeah, I I'm not sure proceed. >> Yeah. >> So, you could postpone it until >> park committee makes a recommendation to the council. >> That's the proper way to do it. >> Yeah. All right.
>> That works. Um next, we added 5.8. >> Um designate handicap parking. [clears throat] >> Yeah. And um this didn't come from anybody. I I drive around that way every
day to get to park at the bank. And um so my proposed motion is that the city of Winthro designate two on street parking spaces directly in front of Dr. Bankston's dental office as handicap
parking spaces and that appropriate signage and paper markings be installed in accordance with applicable state and federal accessibility concerns. >> How many spots are there in front of the two spots that can fit in there right
now? >> Yes. >> But the handicap spot for that is way over on the other side of the parking lot. >> Yeah. So >> now that's a county state aid. >> Yes, it is.
>> Okay. Do they have any requirements that we have? >> I correct me if I'm wrong, but we have spent a fair amount of time talking about that. Those those spaces don't meet state, federal, and handicapping
requirements >> because you have to have accessibility for a wheelchair. You can't you can't >> Oh, because of the planters there. >> No, no, because it's right up against the curve. >> You have you have to have room to open a
door and pull out onto the pavement. You none of them are on none of them are parallel. >> Okay. >> Um to meet that standard. >> Wasn't this decided when Wanda was on the council? I remember speaking about that. >> Yeah, we did. We had pretty long
discussions about it. Um, and I know I know it's been an issue, but we we can't and it would be wrong in the city to if somebody said, "We'll just paint it blue and we we can't legally do that." Sure.
It's not a doesn't meet those standards. >> All right. >> And I think I'll discuss when we were working on the second strip. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. But then I withdraw the motion. All right. Thank you for the things to discuss.
>> All right. Um, moving on to old business. Um, Triine Police Department discussion. >> I just [clears throat] wanted to give you an update of kind of where we're at. Um, with when it comes to Triine, there's not a slide or anything fancy.
Uh, Gaylord City Council was elected to kind of have like an open house, uh, is what they're calling it. I believe it's on the 20th >> of this month. um for the 21st Logan
>> 20th and so uh I I I they're going to repres present some of the data and the information that we already gave them. Um, in lie of that, I'm we're not that's why it's not on the agenda as an action item. But I will tell you that, you
know, come August, we're going to have to make a decision as city council on whether we go out and hire our full-time officer or we continue to wait. I can tell you that, you know, our part-time people have done a great job at filling
in, making sure shifts are filled. Um, and I think that that time is quickly coming to an end. So, uh, you know, as summer kind of ramps up, we see less and less people willing to put more time in because they're going on
vacations and spending time with their families. So, um, that is something to consider. Uh the other option um that we have been discussing just between Gibbon and us uh is you know combining
resources between Gibbon and Winthrop and what is that look like and how can that effectively help coverage. Um so we'll discuss that I think more in August and see what Gaylord comes up with.
That is the only information that I have. >> What was the date of the open house? the 20th. >> July time. >> I don't know if they >> I'm not sure. It's got to be six or seven, but it's at one of the churches that
>> Okay. Okay. >> I'm sure they'll be posting that sooner rather than later. >> I had it. >> If you see that, Michael, can you pass it? >> Sure can. Yeah. I just haven't had it yet. >> Yeah. I think it would not be inappropriate for some of us to be there. There's just to find out what's
going on. >> Yeah. The the only problem that we're going to have is that is our budget meeting. Our first budget meeting is on the 20th. That's why I suggest to not do it that day, but it's okay. >> All right. Does anybody have any
questions about that or >> I I do have not a question about that. Uh with the trial line, I spoke with a resident and and I kind of shared the concern. We had talked about it earlier and that's the penalty um if if a city
wants to leave. Yeah. Is there any way we could build in something in the first year or two um on a trial basis that all the cities revisited for the first year or two to see how it's working? uh
before we set forth that cast in stone uh you know the the squad car stay even if the city wants to leave something like that just to look at it in in the short term um how things are going if
there's any unanticipated problems something like that >> um yep we did discuss that multiple times with the administrators and chiefs the problem that it becomes is the lensure of each police government collapses under one. So, you're going to
have to reissue your cleo and I don't know how easy that is. Um we also felt like if we're going to um proceed forward with it that you know
backing out was you know this is why Arlington and Gaylord to have an ambulance relationship that is extremely fractured. It's because there wasn't a penalty for Arlington just withdrawing from an ambulance. And how well is that working Jenny? >> Not very well.
>> Not very well. And it's not to put Arlington down or Gaylord down. It's just it is what it is right. So we are constantly helping Gaylord cover Gaylord service area because Gaylord is covering Arlington service area and police will
be no different. There needs to be a clause in there that keeps the organization together and that is why they have equal representation on the joint powers board. Um that is why they're you know the ratio of payment is exactly the same
between Gaylord and us. um we have the same crime, we have the same materials, it's the same department, and we're hoping that that can build a relationship so that we can look at things like fire and ambulance. Uh because those, as you heard earlier,
volunteers are harder and harder to find. Um and I would assume, hopefully not anytime soon, but I assume the state is going to start regulating ambulance service far more than they are right now. Um a couple years ago they
started a new department. Um the EMSRP technically is underneath them now and most of them are contracted services somehow. The difference is is Gaylord spends around
over $200,000 on theirs every single year. Plus they lose all all the income, right? um where our ambulance so far this year is actually ahead of the game. They actually have gained income. So
there's a difference in what the service is and our response times are great. Our ambulance service um because of the leadership there in the last couple years has has done great things keeping it alive. And I know that a lot of police or cities have joined together
their their police departments and not heard of any issues. >> No, when I was at the um Minnesota cities conference, I I have a very long conversation with a council person from Falcon Heights. Um they combined with
St. Anthony Village and another another city um about a year and a half ago and she said um it there was a lot of um uncertainty going into it and she said it's been really successful. Um she gave
me the the contact info for the mayor from St. Anthony Village um because she was very instrumental. Um I had the chief's at info too. Um she said it was the best thing they did for their community. I
think sustainability wise it is >> and I think the the withdrawal clause I think if we're going to do something like this it has to be we are 100% in we think this is the best thing for our community we're not going to put one foot in the boat and try and keep the
other foot on the shore if we're going to do it we all have to get in the same boat and say let's travel together and I I think the way it's written where the the withdrawal penalties are kind of stiff but That's I I think that needs to be there because if two out of three are
all in and the third one says I don't know that's an unfair burden then on on the remaining two. So I think that's some of the thought behind >> yeah and and again we did discuss it as administrators and the chiefs and we felt like if we were going to do all the
work to combine and have a joint powers you know there's definitely something that we're going to have to make sure that people don't back out. There's also some records retention issues, you know, if you're separating and then combining again and then separating. Um, there's a
lot of issues with it. >> And we wouldn't be giving up control. I mean, if the board is made up of two and two and two from each city. Um, you know, we still have a very strong voice and we're still determining how much of
our budget goes into it. So, all right. I hope Gaylord I hope Gaylord has good discussions. I'd like to see it move forward. >> Yeah. And again, those were draft joint powers agreements. If they wanted and suggested
>> something different, I >> I don't know that given nor us would mock at it. We're we're up for discussion on that type of thing, but we do believe that there has to be some type of penalty for just walking away.
>> And I think all of those discussions would happen after [clears throat] you have all three entities pretty firmly on board. And right now, since Gaylord is still on the fence, I don't think any of those real substantial discussions are going on.
All right. Any other questions about tri line? All right, then we move on to 6.2 data requests and fulfillment time. >> At the League of Minnesota today's conference, there was a lot of talk about data requests. >> Yes,
>> we're not alone or unique. >> Uh, and I know that the coalition of greater Minnesota cities is actively lobbying to change some of the laws. You're already seeing some changes. So, um, some elected officials will when they file, they notice that there's a change. You can actually hide your
address now. Um, that used to be you had to have it as public information. Um, it is not anymore. So, there are some foyer requests requirements that are changing. Uh, and I guarantee you there's going to be some changes to data requests as
well. At the same time, we want public data to be readily available. And I think that the city in the last couple years has become really good about putting the data online. Um being really transparent. I mean our videos are all
online for everyone to watch. Um but we've gotten a lot of data requests in the last two weeks again. So those requirements that we have to produce the the actual data uh is going to chew up a
lot of our time. And so, uh, again, we're probably gonna come to city council and ask to be shut down on Fridays. Um, you know, just today trying to get back on track from the long weekend. Um, you know, we didn't
accomplish any data requests procurement. So, it it's one of those things where we actually focus and go on. And some of them are like, I want the minutes from 1985. Okay, that's fine. But then I have to go find the book, the minutes, and where they are. And that takes a lot of research time.
Um, and when when people are putting the data requests in, they're saying, "We want everything." Well, that's pretty extensive. So, that's going to take hours and hours and hours. Um, so, you know, whether it's uh emails or
correspondence or whatever, um, or getting clarification about the data requests that they've already submitted, there's three of them right now that are pretty substantial. Um, and so I assume Heather and I are going to ask for Friday's off again so we can start
photocopying and making copies of everything. U but we just wanted to put it on the agenda talking about our time as personnel about you know what are we doing on Fridays? Well, it's basically photocopying and searching for things um
that are readily available either online or um >> so the person that's requested offer >> I mean there but there was specifically one where I said yep every single year um you know we signed a contract for a code enforcement officer this is it and
I pointed them directly towards it because you know we it's just data we want to give them the data right and they still ask for a copy of all of the state statutes. So, I have to copy all the state statutes. I have to copy 1985 when they first officially
produced it. I have to go through all the minutes and see where they I mean, it's going to take months to get >> So, >> well, and I would echo what Michael said. I will firmly and always defend the public's right to request
information. We we live in a society where the government should be transparent and I will defend that with my dying breath. [snorts] But I think we have to be realistic too as a small community especially. The impact of those requests on our budget is real and
it's going to impact your taxes and it's going to impact the number of hours the city office is open. We only have two staff in the library. I mean the library. I love libraries. We only have two staff in the city office. They they can't do all of the things that they
need to do and fulfill all the data requests. >> You're talking about huge data requests. >> I'm talking wanting some information. >> I mean, there's a difference between someone saying, "Do you know when my last uh building permit was and us looking up, right?" Those get I don't
know. We answer that six times of those today. [clears throat] >> No, those are different. So those are, you know, those are just part of the daily routine in the office. But I mean, honestly, this is going to have to be a discussion when we start talking about the 2027 budget because we it's not
efficient use of our city administrator and city clerk. We we pay them a reasonable hourly wage and it to my way of thinking it's [snorts] not efficient use of their skills [clears throat] to spend time photocopying and doing all of
those things. I mean they and they have to because of the data requests but we need to have staffing so that they can be efficient and we can get the things done that the city really needs to do. Does that all have to be hard copied or can it be? >> Just depends. But yes, most of them are
requesting inspection of copies or copies. >> Do they get charged for them? >> They do get charged for copies if they take them. >> Perfect. >> If they take them. >> Yep. >> Inspections are free. >> But we cannot charge for redaction time because certain information is not
public. Has to be redacted. redaction you can't charge for or separation of public non-public uh you can't you can't charge for >> and I think you know going back to the original conversation about charges like now our city attorney is putting in
hours he's like 175 an hour you know that adds up really quickly and there's two of them that he's going to be going through with a fine tooth comb um because some of it's public some of it's not and so it's it just takes a lot of time and people maybe don't know the
consequences of all those. >> And it protects all of us if the city attorney looks at that information before we send it out because it's it's not going to be good for the city if we make a mistake. >> Right.
>> So, pretty much that's just a >> just an FYI that we're probably going to come back and request for Fridays off. >> All right. You keep saying Fridays off. I mean to the public will be closed and we won't be working. >> Yes. Okay. Anything else on that? Any
questions? All right. Um committee updates and the first one is my report from the League of Minnesota Cities. Um I just put together some notes that are in your packet. Um, I was most appreciative of the opportunity to attend the League of Minnesota Cities
conference and I I know it was in the paper, but I have to give a shout out to our city administrator, Michael Lift, who received the emerging leadership award from League of Minnesota Cities for 2026. That is an award that actually none of the awards have gone to a city under a
population of 5,000 before. And there were a lot of applications submitted this year. So, um really hats off to um Winthro AND [applause] I sat at the table with mayors and and city administrators from Rosemont and
New Hope and Woodbury and I kind of slid into that that table because I just saw an open seat and they said, "Oh, you're from Winthrop. You guys have a lot of good stuff going on in that small town." I said, "Yes, yes, we do."
So, um, it I think it speaks very highly of Michael. I think it also says a lot about our community that we are creating things and opportunities that good leadership in the city office um just are going to benefit everybody. So, um I
was very pleased about that. Um, the other thing I took from the League of Minnesota Cities, um, one of the themes that I picked up on was there were workshops on, um, community engagement, um, and basically
just civility. Um, there was a a large board um, there that they were asking any city staff officials to sign a civility pledge. Um, which I did and I have copies for any of the council who wants them. Um, and it it says that I
pledge to inspire civility, dignity, and respect. I pledge to lead by example, demonstrating that differences need not lead to division. And I think that's my favorite. We can all disagree, but we don't need to, but how we disagree is
important and it doesn't have to divide us. Um, I pledge to honor the dignity of every resident and fellow city leader. I pledge to engage in respectful, constructive dialogue, especially when we disagree. I pledge to listen actively to understand, not just to respond. I
pledge to model respectful communication in public meetings, online, and in the community. I pledge to foster an environment that prioritizes shared goals, empathy, and genuine dialogue. And I pledge to hold myself accountable to these commitments. So, you've all
heard me. Um, if if you think that I'm not living up to that pledge, please let me know. Um, and I have them here if any council would like a copy of those. And I think that's all I have unless anybody has any questions.
All right. If not, we can move on to Michael's report. >> So, [clears throat] we're um in the heat of the budget and finance. Uh we should in the next week or so have all of the city department budgets entered uh for
the recommendations on projects. Uh we have two community um requests uh that are in the budget this year um from organizations for helping funding. Uh but we're really optimistic about the
budget. We haven't gotten anything back this year that has been, you know, by this time last year, we knew work comp was going up like 30%. And that has not happened yet. Knock on wood, this year yet. Um, but we have we've had some really good news on the budget. So, I
think we'll have a an easier time this year. Um, going through the budget and finance. Uh, we're working really hard on housing development. Uh, we have some calls with region 9 next week. Um, but also the Minnesota Housing Authority,
uh, if you guys didn't see, I shared it on Facebook just the other day. We're going to get some more inserts, but, uh, they they have a new program for fixing up your house. There's some income quality, um, guidelines, but that program was launched this last
legislative session. Um, and, um, we're working on uh, getting more information. I believe all of the lending banks that they're talking about are actually external to Winthrop because they had to qualify under I'm sure some federal standards. So, uh just so you know that that's that's out, but we're also
working with our developer on the lots out by the industrial boulevard still. Um that grant request has not uh gone all the way through. for emergency services. We are still working on our fire ambulance building, what it's going to cost, all the rest of
the construction documents. We're um we did sign the AIA contract with Larsson Builders. Um so they'll officially start taking over some of those job responsibilities and lining things up and getting cost estimates to city
council. We also applied for a $250,000 federal grant. [snorts] Uh we still have not heard about that. Um it is at uh FEMA. It's actually for the fire departments. It's for the slip-on tanker. So we're still waiting on that.
Um other than that, we have been working really hard on election day stuff and getting training done. There's I know no one sees it in the background, but there's a lot of meetings at night and trainings at night that you have to go to, especially with [clears throat] three new election officials. It just
takes extra time. Um, and then obviously Farm City Funfest is this week. Uh, please come down and enjoy some beer and some new splash pad and all the things. So, it should be a really good time. Um, I just want to say thanks to Mayor
Troublehorn and the city council for the award. It was uh a great honor to represent Winthre and what we've done here in the last five years. Uh it was very fun to be backstage with the League of Minnesota City's president and just kind of commenting on the the great
projects and the things that we've done in the town. Uh he was very impressed. So thank you for letting me do that. [laughter] >> Okay. Any questions for Michael? >> Um otherwise we can move on to fire. >> Uh Adam didn't have any updates but
he'll be here next meeting. >> Okay, good. um library we've discussed. Do you have your plans? >> Yeah. Well, uh we did meet on June 15th and I'm happy to say that Lori Calcula and Jean Sanders were officially hired
as co-directors of the library. So, that was our big move. And then the library will have a booth at Frank City Funfest. So, come on down and >> Oh, nice. Yeah. See, it's been another good reason to come down forest.
All right. Uh 7.5 public works. Anything cooking there? >> Um no. You know, they they've just been working on regular maintenance uh right now. Uh street sweeping will happen the next couple days and that's about what they're working on. >> I have heard really good feedback on um
some of the summer people, our staff, some of the younger people we have. They're um very people see them working hard and they're just doing a great job. So, >> good. >> Share that with them, please. Uh, next up is utilities.
>> Um, yep. I just wanted to let you know that we are having some problems with some of our pumps and the filter station. So, it's been calling us at like 3:00 a.m. It's just a sink issue right now. We're hoping that nothing's broken. Uh, we have some experts coming out uh
this week and next week hopefully uh just to take a look at what's going on. I'm not going to bore you with the details, but uh they're just out of sync. So, they've been calling us at like 3:00 4 in the morning just letting us know that they're not working. Um otherwise, utilities really is uh are
full swing. They're getting projects ready for the 2027 budget. Uh they've also identified some homes in Winthrop that are uh their sockets are getting hot. Either that's because they're under ampage or maybe they're charging something or they have AC running. our
new AM AMI system is actually identifying them and we're going out and fixing them uh which will stop electrical fires and all kinds of bad things. So, uh utilities has been have been very busy kind of projecting what projects we're going to do in the future. We are hoping that in 2027 we'll
actually have a modified uh comprehensive plan that talks about which roads we're doing next so city council knows the path forward. Um so, we're working on that. >> Okay. Um, ambulance. >> I don't have any updates on,
>> please. Logan, what you got for us? >> Just a couple quick things for you. >> So, I just wanted to fill the council in on uh Aaron and I are working on a couple certificates through the Bureau
of Criminal Apprehension. Um, Aaron will be over the next year getting her uh certificate for investigations through the BCA and then I'm working on my senior leadership certificate uh through the BCA as well. So, uh we'll be
utilizing um our training funds to to go to those different classes. Typically, they're in to the city, Cottage Grove, St. Paul area. Um, want to give a quick shout out uh to the library as well. Talked about libraries
a lot today, but they did an awesome uh uh collab with K9 Nash and Officer Action. And tomorrow they're going to be in the park, weather permitting, I'm hoping. Um, and then Nick will do a little spiel with Nash and see what he
does. So, um, other than that, uh, if you guys can make it on the 20th, any of you, uh, for that open house in Gaylord, I think that would be very appreciative from our our standpoint of the the chiefs and
whatnot. >> What time is it? >> I want to say it's 6, could be 7. Um, I just got an email on it today, so I don't know. I wasn't working today, so I had off. Um, but
I'll let you know. I'll I'll send a note. >> Okay. >> Any questions? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it >> very much. >> All right. Um, last on the list is cable commissioner.
>> We tried to meet but we didn't have a quum. So, we're going to try again soon. >> Yeah. >> Okay. If there was some family emergency, >> I believe that's all we have. Somebody would like to move to ajourn. >> Okay. So, move to a second.
>> I'll second. >> I'll second it. >> You can fight over it. All those in favor, please say I. >> We are. >> Thank you everybody. >> I know, but I can't do it on Wednesday. So I told him Thursday. [laughter]
>> So Brian I was on this million dollar. It'll be great. [laughter]