on the call meeting to order and we will start with the pledge. >> I aliance 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. >> All right. Um before I start with approval of the agenda, um since I'm sitting in the mayor's chair, I thought about it. I recently got a request to put together a state of the city um report for the paper and kind of seemed like a good idea to sort of touch on
some of those things here tonight. So, I'm going to just beg a few minutes of your time before we start with the agenda and I promise to keep it short because we all want to go home. Um you'll have to bear with me if I get a little philosophical. Um I've always believed in the importance of people working to give their time and efforts
for the good of the community. um that might that community might be school, it might be civic groups, it might be church, our most relevant here, our public service. As elected officials to our city, our community is richer and we are better off because working together, we can always accomplish more than we can alone.
Everybody sitting here um knows me. I've been on city council for 10 years and mayor for two. I strongly and truly believe that good things happen um in local government. Nobody sitting here at this table does it for any reason other than we want to see Winthre maintain
where we're at, thrive, grow um into the future. Even though it sometimes feels like things take forever because this is government after all, city government is truly personal and immediate. Our decisions impact people on it on the most daily moments. They
the when they turn their faucet on, the water runs. when they pick up a library book, if they need emergency services, um or when they drive down the street that's newly plowed and clear of snow. Every one of us on this council has that impact on people. We we all live here.
We've lived here for a long time, most of us. Um we're to the public, I guess, is my the who I'm addressing this to. We're the individuals you see at the grocery store, at church, at school, out on a walk.
We're willing to serve this community. And because we are elected to these positions, I would really sincerely hope that the public will put their trust in us to do what we believe is good for Winthre in the short term and the long term. And I think that concept of trust in any
sort of government right now is impossible to find in any discourse you're listening to or hearing about um in today's hyperpolitical world. I can't have any impact on what happens at the state or federal level. But I can ask the citizens of Winthrop on behalf
of the entire council, I assume, and myself to trust us and trust our intentions to I'm asking you to trust me and Dawn and Martha and Kelly and Ed and Jenny to do what we think is best for all of you.
Communicate with us. Tell us what you think or where you'd like to see Winthre going in the future. Tell us if you like what we're doing. Tell us if you don't like what we're doing. But talk to us about it. You'd probably be amazed to know how seldom we actually hear from
residents and and we do want to know what you're thinking and wishing in the world that is so hyperpolitical. It's always refreshing to me and why I got involved in local government that local government is truly nonpartisan.
We don't have party letters attached to our name on a ballot. We don't come with any preset platform other than goals that we might believe are important for our city. We leave that super polarized approach to decision-m out of our city meetings and discussions and we work on what
needs to get done. One of my priorities for this year is to maintain that this city council chamber is as partisan politicfree zone as we can make it. Polarized viewpoints about government inundate us everywhere and that adversarial approach just always
makes things harder. So I will strive as much as I can to keep our meetings focused on the work at hand. Another goal I have for 26 is building on the good work that the EDA has done and continues to do. Without individuals in the past who could look ahead and see
the possibilities that might be there, Winthr would not be home to Heartland Corn Products, Central United Co-op, or any other number of local businesses like the several which recently opened in the last couple years on Second Street. We asked the EDA to look ahead and find
those future possibilities for us. Economic development always involves some level of risk. Um, but the successes that we can see are real. My main focus, at least for the beginning of this year, is going to be maintaining and supporting our emergency
services, fire, ambulance, and police. We have an important work session next Tuesday where we'll dive into some of the real challenges that the city faces um with all of those departments, but we're also going to talk about the many strengths and benefits they bring to our community. Um the public is invited and
warmly welcomed to attend that meeting and give us your feedback. Um, on my watch, we will continue to strongly support emergency services. Lastly, and this is true every year and all the time, but it bears repeating, um, my goal is to have the city of North
provide the best services we can to all of our citizens in the most cost-effective, efficient way possible. We are all city council and city staff always aware that we are trusted with your tax dollars and we need to make good use of them and we will continue to
strive to do that. that let's get on to the agenda. >> Thanks for letting me have mic >> soap box for a moment. >> Thank you. >> Um we can move on with approval of the agenda. Does anybody have anything to
add? >> Yes, I would like to add one thing to the consent agenda. Um Martha um actually made a request to Perennial Bank for a donation of $500 for 2026 and we put it in the safe and I forgot to
add it to the consent agenda. So the donation came from Perennial Bank um in the amount of $500. So that'll go under 3.4. >> Oh, excellent. >> It was supposed to be for 2025 the donation was it not?
>> Yeah. We got it in 25, but it didn't really say, so we thought we'd spend it in 26. >> That's perfect. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, do we have anything else to add? >> If not, someone would like to move to approve.
>> So moved. >> Okay. Motion by Kelly, second by Don. How about that? Um, any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion carried. All right. The consent agenda um includes minutes from December,
financials from December, um second reading the ordinance about the fee scheduleations. There was a typo in the minutes. Um I think when my husband was brought up, the our last name was spelled L E
instead of E L. And I know a lot of people do that, but it is under uh 4.1 um under the minutes. >> Oh, yep. In the second part of it. Okay.
>> Yeah. >> So, if that could be corrected. >> All right. Anything else? Have someone like to move to approve the consent agenda? I'll move motion by Martha. Is there a
second? I'll >> second. >> Second by Ed. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> Oppos. Same sign. >> Motion carried. Moving on to new business. Um, resolution 2026003
ambulance grant. Give us the scoop, Michael. >> Um, so this was a onetime grant. It was actually from the office of emergency medical services. Um if you remember two years ago we got a grant for $62,000
um for shortcomings. This was actually on tax and tax prepared services on Winthrop ambulance. So that's what they're giving back to us as a grant this year. So it was that 13,8645 um that is coming directly from the
state. We already have it. So, >> no. Okay. >> It'll be used in 2026. >> Good. >> Can it just be used wherever it's needed? >> Um, no. It's either um wages or equipment and operational expenses.
>> It should be easy enough to do. >> Oh, it'll be plenty easy to spend. >> What? >> Plenty easy to spend. >> We need a motion to accept that. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> So, move. Motion by Kelly. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Second by Jenny. Any discussion? Any discussion? I would just like to thank Heather for putting that together. She's willing to appropriate the grant. Um, any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Oppos? Same sign. Motion carried.
4.2 Approval of vendor payments. >> Yeah. Um, so, uh, Ed, uh, council council member stole gave me two corrections. So, we we actually do use um Walton Law Office for a couple of different things. The EDA is currently
working with them for some real estate um items. Uh and then uh Central United Cooperative um is still in our books as uh UFC that'll switch. We haven't used them since this summer. We use them for
chemical spraying by the ponds um in our wastewater ponds because it's a very specific type of chemical. Um but when we get that new W9, we'll update that on in our books. Um but other than that,
this all started uh in 2022 where some of our local vendors were not getting paid in a very prompt and timely manner. Um there's a lot of reasons for that, but we decided that as a city council, if we have those local vendors on our vendor
approved list, um as long as it's under um $5,000, I believe is our goal, um we will automatically pay them as long as it's an expense that's approved within the budget. So >> So do you need to raise that rate from
a,000 to 5,000? We keep it at a thousand uh as staff only because 5,000 is a lot of money to just be spending at like for for instance Napa or >> Hans dining. So we as a policy anything over a thousand usually comes to city
council for approval first. >> A motion to approve that. >> Okay. Motion by Ed. Is there a second? Second by Jenny. Any discussion? >> Any discussion? Any discussion? All in favor please say I. Post same sign.
Motion carried. Uh 4.3 approval of the good Samaritan payback agreement. Finally, we have action on this. >> Yeah. Uh so we have as staff have been working on this for about a year. um way
back when uh the good Samaritan uh was paying us the incorrect amounts and it caused a lot of accounting um and a lot of business acumen to keep up with it. And we are at a
point where we would just like to pay it back so that we don't have to keep extra books so that it's not extra work on our audit. Um there was also just some things starting in 2017 to you know this last year that
were just not correct and you know it was in a non-interest bearing account. They thought they were gaining interest on it. Um there was just a lot of things that there was a lot of assumptions on that account that they were making this interest and that interest was helping paying off the bond. Um and that just it
wasn't the case. uh it was a non-interest bearing account. Um we don't know how they got the information before. So what this is going to do is kind of eliminate that problem altogether. We are going to pay them back. It's already in their bond account. Um as an overage
anyway, we'll pay them back and we'll no longer have to report back to Good Samaritan. >> How much is it? >> Um well, it's in the packet. Hold on. >> 10,000. No, it's like $36,000. >> And that's in Where does that come from?
>> That actually is in the bond account right now. >> Okay. And we have it as an overage because they paid. >> Yes. But the the real problem was is because whoever they're they're in that aphformentioned letter. Um, but they
thought that the bond interest and principal payments were due in one lump sums in February and that's not the agreement. The agreement says you have to pay the principal in interest by February. They pay a monthly fee and then there was some months for a long
period of time that it was not paid for six, seven months. They forget to pay. Well, then that like screwed up the books, you know, because we have to pay it on time. So at the end of 2022 when we did our final audit um they were really
persistent about us demand they were demanding reporting on the account and we want to know the balance of the account and we want to know this and we want to know that and we just kept saying you know like the account doesn't interestbear so the account is going to
be the same all of the time. So, it took almost two years for us to finally just say, "Look, we'll just pay you back." And then we won't have to do all this extra paperwork and accounting and email back and forth about what's right and not right. And um
it's it's good to get it off our books. >> How much is left on the bond? >> It's a really good question. If Heather was here, she would know. Okay. >> It's it's roughly like 400 some thousand. >> Okay. >> And it goes till what year? We can call it in 2028. Um, but it goes until 36
I believe. >> Okay. >> So, that payment amount according to the letter is 42180. >> 42180. Yep. >> To answer your question. >> Yeah. >> I don't have every screen up in front, you know. So,
>> and both parties agreed on that. So, >> yeah, it was, you know, it's been through like three sets of lawyers at this point. Um because we just there was this so at the end of 2023 they stopped they didn't pay there was some accounting
things on their end where they didn't pay for us for like seven months and it was because we weren't giving them this reporting well the reporting was in banyan our old system and it didn't convert very well into our new system civic system and
by the time we were done with that conversation I was like can we just stop fighting over you 40 grand and just give it back to you and we won't ever have to have this conversation again. It'll be better for everyone. You know, it was it was a mistake that they made to begin with. And on the backside, we should have just
sent the checks back to them and not cashed them. And I will say city staff, if you look at the email thread that I enclosed, like they were on top of it. They said, "We don't know what this is for. Why are you sending us this money?" >> Yeah. >> And they did that like three years in a row.
and they finally stopped it I think in 2020. So that's how it kind of accumulated in that account. >> All right. Somebody like to move to approve. >> So move by Don. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Second by Ed. Any discussion? >> Any discussion? >> Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. Post. Same sign. Motion carried. >> That'll be really fun to get off. Heather will be excited. >> Yeah, believe it. Uh, moving on to 4.4,
approval of winter police policy number 15 regarding death investigations. >> Yeah. So, currently we go by state guidelines with death investigations. Um, this policy most like the rest of our policy updates in this last year is
really about a review and getting certified. Um, also I would I would say that um having this policy really helps the officers that are on duty when something like this happens. Um, you know, it's not every day that there's a
death investigation inside Winthre. Um, so we um have updated this policy. It was from a different police department. Um, it's gone through kind of that accreditation process. Um, we're just asking for it to be passed and then we'll put it online.
All right, >> I'll uh make the motion to approve it. Just make sure that that BPD gets >> Yeah, I sent that to Logan. He should I'll second. >> Okay. Motion by Ed, second by Kelly. Um any further discussion? Any
discussion? Any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Motion carried. All right. 4.5. This gets deer replacement go there. How is
stuff breaks down? Yeah. Um, you know, we know how important equipment is uh to Winr. Uh we're not a large city, so we don't have a lot of spares just hanging around. We saw that during the snowstorm recently.
Um, you know, when a when a large piece of equipment breaks, it delays everything. And, uh, we've had some problems with the skid steer this summer. Um, specifically with the hydraulics. Um, that fix alone is almost $5,000.
Um, but there's some major repairs going to come up on it. So the the pinning that holds the like attachments onto it are starting to wear thin and we assume pretty soon um that's going to need to
be repaired as well. Um that's between you know 10 to $15,000 worth of repairs. Um the equipment was bought new in Winthre in 2013. It does have low hours but just heavy use. We use it for all of our departments really. I mean, it does
everything from said light poles to clean sidewalks. Um, we obviously use it more in the summertime, but um, so we went out, Troy found the best of most appropriate bids, um,
for the skins deer. There's a couple in there um, that we um, we included. One was from John Deere. The other two were from um or sorry there was one from CRC and the other two are from RDO. Um RDO
is the John De dealers dealership in Mano. So um UFC or CRC sorry uh is quoted us at 59,000. That's basically taking a machine like we have right now um and
just buying a new one. Um the other um one that they also gave us was a lower model um which also would work fine. John Deere um our RDO um gave us two
quotes. They gave us one that uh I think there was a 500 horsepower difference and Troy felt that there there was no need to really upgrade to the larger one. So, the one that Troy is asking to be looked at is the I got to get my
glasses. The 36870. Um, we get a $24,000 trading credit versus CRC. CRC's trading credit was I think 15 um yeah, 156. And so, you might ask
about attachments. So, all of our Bobcat attachments will work with the John Deere. Um there's um a high- flow attachment that they sell with the John Deere that goes with all of our skid steer attachments.
This also puts it um under a 2-year warranty with RDO just like our initial um purchase with them with the um payloader. Have you looked into buying used like
good used Yep. Um, so used equipment doesn't get a discount and they generally won't give us a trade in value. Um, so we we can still explore that, but there's not very many used equipment on the lots right now.
>> And they get used pretty hard. >> That's what I'm thinking. >> I mean, especially if you're going to grab something that um already has a lot of hours or a lot of usage, you're asking for problems down the road. And we're looking at the one we have right now needs how much in repairs?
>> Well, immediately it would need 10 grand. >> And then it would probably need another >> 10 to 15 is what Chris and Troy are estimating. And it really is about the so where they the hydraulic locks go in and hold the
attachments is the best way to describe it. Those pins are getting, you know, really worn out and they get really expensive to repair all that. What which one's he looking at? The >> I think the middle one. >> It's the middle one. >> Yeah. >> Um >> so if you're looking at
>> the 320,000 in repairs and 36,000 in repairs or >> more than half the cost of replacing it with a 2-year warranty. I would think if you're you're looking at used, it's going to be exactly like
we're trading our something like >> I mean we have bought used equipment in the past especially when we know it's not something that we're going to the snowplow is a good example that you know we bought the new snow paw used because we only use it three months well maybe four months out of the year this year.
Um same with a road grader. You know, we don't use the road graater all that often. That's why we bought it used. >> Okay. >> And this is something that we use all the time. I mean, just it's a it it has a significant amount of value to the city. >> And that John Deere is the same size
horsepower or so on. >> Yeah. As the Bobcat. Um it's a little bit less than the they quoted us to the three sorry numbers 324. >> That one has a little bit more horsepower, but Troy just doesn't need it. Okay.
>> You know, it's the one that they gave us a quote on is comparable to the Bobcat that we have now. >> Okay. >> And we honestly thought going to John Deere was going to cost us more, but it in the long run, you know, is saving quite a bit. >> Well, they're giving us more trade in
>> way more trade value, >> 30% discount instead of >> Yeah. I mean, it's an almost $10,000 difference CRC and John Deere and that is with the state price and
that's why there's no tax on it too. >> Yeah. Which is, you know, do you want to just give some background about that, Michael? How that state bid process works? Most of us council probably know that, but it doesn't hurt to refresh and it's
>> just good to get it out. >> Yeah. So, we as um the county, the city, the state, we all have a state bid process and they've made it kind of easy um where this the dealers have a discount for municipalities or counties.
So, the discount on the list price, so the actual unit cost 78,101. So, if Julie Trouble Horn was like, I'm going to move at this John Deere tomorrow, can't wait. Um it would cost her almost 80,000 without the trade in >> um >> plus tax.
>> Plus tax. Yes. Plus tax. >> Um and so the the discount just based off our municipal status gives us $23,000 off the list price right away. Um our new skids attachment is $2,200.
Um, so that brings the total equipment and cost to 60,000 and then they're giving us a $24,000 trade in for our old unit. So that brings the total then to 368770, but that 30% discount is significant.
It really brings down the sticker shop >> and the funding for this comes from the enterprise funds. Great question. >> So it has no immediate budget effect, >> right? So the capital expenditure accounts for both sewer, water, and
storm and electric are going to take care of the majority of this. We're going to split it four ways and have them pay for it. And all four of them under that capex account had have been saving for this for a while.
I think there's over $60,000 saved just for SK steer replacement and >> all those departments use this equipment in different ways. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Especially electrical. We use it more now for electrical than anything. When we got the attachment that actually tips
up all the the light poles and you know a power pole if that has to get replaced, that attachment has saved a bunch. We also got a concrete destroyer, a little jackhammer for it so that we don't have to call anyone anymore. We just do it ourselves.
>> Nice. >> All right, council. What are your wishes? >> Kelly made a motion to accept it. Second by Jenny. Any discussion? >> Clarify which one. >> Oh, good point.
>> I assume the middle one. >> Yes. Okay. So, >> yeah, sure. Um, any further discussion? Any discussion? Please tell Troy thank you for doing the uh >> Thanks for the work >> work on that. >> Yeah.
>> Um, I'll call the vote. Any all those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. >> Motion carried. All right. Um, then move on to 4.6. approval of a response to complaint from
2025. >> Yeah. So, um under a new complaint process, if there's a formal complaint um filed with the city, um the admin committee starts the formal complaint process.
um they have a right um now that the city is going to approate they would have the right to appeal it or to ask for a public hearing um on the complaint um which would happen next month if they
wish they had 30 days to respond we've sent it out in December to them uh basically there's five points um for the complaint we responded with statements of facts um and the conclusion that the admin and uh committee found is that
based on the findings and statements of the facts, the city acknowledges a receipt of Mrs. Nassa's complaint. Upon completion of the investigation and review of a available evidence, the city finds that um they have not substantiated her claim by the preponderance of the evidence and no
wrongdoing by the city of Wood was found. um she was given um an opportunity to come speak tonight if she wanted to, but um I have not I have not heard back from her. Um some of the you know overview of the
complaint is that um the the property at 213 South Nicollet that is Mr. During Michael Durian's property, um she was stating that, you know, based on our our fines and uh
our immediacy for them to clean the pro property up um constituted harassment uh by the city police department. Um they also uh had complaints that their fire bills uh uh were too high and that they
didn't want to pay the late fees. So, we uh we've found that we gave them almost over 3 months on each one of their bills and we're asking for the late fees to be paid. So, the in general, that's the the gist
of it. All right. Um, >> and the late fee is total >> $248. >> Total amount unpaid is 596. >> Um, yep. Total amount uh not paid is 596
and both fires um that occurred in in excuse me in 2025. Both uh fires were submitted on time to the payment company and to him and they just never gave it back to us. I mean it was like three
months for each one of them. So after 60 days we start putting late penalties on fire bills now >> which is I might add that's our policy. It it's not obvious. >> So how much does the total pay owes >> just the 596 his insurance company did
make a payment of 312,000. Okay. >> So, what do we need to >> You're just going to approve the facts and findings tonight. Okay. And then if she would like to have a public hearing next council meeting, she she has that right. >> Okay.
>> Okay. So, if somebody would like to move to just approve the response to the complaint. >> I'll make a motion to approve the response. >> Motion by Jenny. Is there a second? Okay. Second by Don. Any further discussion? Any other questions for Michael? Further discussion? All those
in favor, please say I. >> Same sign. Motion carried. All right. Uh 4.7, the resolution about annual appointments to committees, newspaper, positions, etc. Um I didn't make a lot of changes to
committee appointments this year. Um we did some rearranging. Kelly is now the agreed to be the uh representative for MMPA because it was hard for Martha to get away from work for those things.
Um let's see. I moved Ed to EDA. Don, I felt like you had or wait, no said Jenny. Don I knew those meetings were hard for Jenny to make because you're usually at work, too. So, um
I was trying to work around some of those things. Um, Michael, do you have anything to add? Anybody have any questions about any of that? >> I'll make a motion to approve the appointments. Second and whatever else.
>> Motion by second by Kelly. Any discussion? Any discussion? Any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Same side. Motion carried. All right. We are moving on to committee notices and updates.
Admin EDA, what do you have for us, Michael? >> So, the EDA was granted $20,000 from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for continued work with between us, Givit, and Fairfax for the um 17-M EDC.
Um that group is starting to get active again. We kind of last year, you know, we hired Mary. She did a great job. Unfortunately, Mary has like three other jobs and so we're we have to find a new e navigator. Um but she did a really
good work. Um she had over 36 visits to businesses um between the three communities. Um she met with 16 entrepreneurs um just recently about their new business. Um she did a great job. Um we're going to try to replace
her and move on. We also built a website uh in this last year which was very unique for the rub communities. Um the other things that we're working on is really streams. Uh so if you can imagine March is almost tomorrow and and
government world. So we are currently um meeting with MPCA next week. Again go over kind of the scope of the project. um they really want to start the EAW which is environmental review um because
that will take almost two years um so we really want to get that started as fast as we can. The other thing that we're working on as streams is the the actual designation of streams as an organization and not uh just the city of
Winthre being the financial burden. >> So we're working on that. Again, that has to go through a couple different processes depending on how we want to do it. Um, most uh wastewater districts get appointed by a judge and then it has we
have to have some public hearings on it and so there'll be a process uh for that for sure. >> So, is that like a joint powers board or >> It actually has more authority than board. >> Okay. >> And how does um Gibbon backing out does
that affect? >> Not really. Um so Gibbons's grants um wouldn't have even covered their conveyance to Winthrop and that's really where you know the the rubber hit the road for them is that
they would still have to pay extra and if we especially if we don't get uh the $4 million grant from this city or from the state um and they they just have other city priorities right now and I respect that and I appreciate them backing out now and not another year from now. it would have been really
difficult. There are some opportunities with neighboring businesses um that are not in Winthrop that are thinking about joining. Um there's a lot of pressure on industry right now with the new standards that MPCA is giving out. Um a
lot of them are affluent limits that we've never seen before in this area. Um and that is all because of the Mississippi wastewater stream. So, um, so for instance, um, you know, if
there's someone really close and on the route to where we're already running pipe, they there's definitely an opportunity to tap into that system. We're actually getting requests now from um from large agriculture. Um, and so
that that's that conversation's not going to be done yet. But we also are talking about what do we plan for in the future with streams. So yes, we can build it to scale directly right now in no capacity
uh to add other towns or build it to over capacity and see what happens down the road. Um so there's going to be a lot more discussion about what what that looks like. But given dropping out doesn't tank the project. Um it actually doesn't
even adjust our request from the state um because it was we were still the fiscal sponsor. It's Winthrop asking for the money. >> Um but what we're we're seeing is that now that we went with a new engineering company that knows maybe more of the
landscape and process in Minnesota, they have been reaching out to other industries that are along the pipeline going know this is coming >> and because these things are really expensive. I mean, look at Norwood Young America. They want to relocate their wastewater plant because they are
landlocked. >> That cost is $68 million. So, what is Norwood Young America doing now? Hey, Winthrup, we're, you know, 17 miles from New Auburn. Can we just build a pipe? So, there's going to be a lot more
discussion as we go down, but the funding mechanisms are what are going to be important this year. Um, construction documents, EA EAW reviews are really expensive. I mean, very expensive. We could not go it alone. Um, so those are
the things that we're really gearing up on. You know, what does that one page leave behind look like for our congressional leaders? What does it look like for us testifying at the state? Those are the two things that we're really focused on with streams. >> I mean, if they're talking about uh building capacity, I don't agree with
that. I think we have to think about the future and other towns that would need to get into it. >> But um Norbert, Young America, that that's quite large. What what kind of room do we have >> to build the facility like that? >> Yeah. So that's those are great
questions and we wouldn't know until we studied their affluent limits. The the good thing is is that Winthre um on our discharge rate, we are almost the same as them because we take all of Heartland Corn products wastewater right now. um which is pretty significant, >> right?
>> Um them moving their plant causes a lot of problems for them. >> Um not only like where this gets really technical, but not only where they discharge, but their new permit for their plant makes them build a reverse
osmosis or a line. So it gets really expensive. And so us banding together, you know, in three years is Bruntton gonna have a change of heart probably because their discharge limits are also coming up for review. So
there's going to be a lot of that in our area. >> When would that wastewater district be created? >> We're probably 12 to 24 months off the wastewater district being created. >> That takes the burden off
with that. >> Yeah, we have to wait. We really have to wait until the state says yeah or nay to our grant and then we can form it because that's going to get because then all grants future funding would go through the wastewater district and not
through us. >> Okay. Interesting stuff going on. That's for sure. Um anything else for admin or EDA? That's pretty big stuff. >> Um no. Okay.
>> Okay. If you have stuff for Michael to do, don't give it to him in March. >> March. >> He's gonna be busy. >> Um, okay. Fire is next. Anything there? >> They uh actually will hear back on the tanker repair. >> Oh, yeah. They, you know, they just
haven't got to it yet. Um, but they are looking at uh what the options are from the welding company. >> Okay. Um, >> did they get their battery tools yet or are they ordered? >> They're still doing demos. I think they have a demo next Monday if you want to
come and check it out. See if we could just >> Yeah, let's >> hold your arm out. >> Okay. Martha, library. >> Yes. Uh the library has not met since our last council meeting. Uh Terry Shy and I did uh represent the library
friends at the Christmas downtown and we gave out books after the kiddos had seen Santa and Mrs. Claus. So that was a lot of fun. that. >> Yeah. And I'm not sure when we're meeting yet. >> Okay. Um public works, we talked about the
Bobcat. Is there other stuff going on that >> um there's a lot of >> they've been they've just been really busy moving snow. But in other news, um you know, when this freeze thaw pattern happens, uh there's going to be more
water main breaks. >> So a more consistent temperature is better for everyone. But if your water um shut off valve is moving up and down in the sidewalk, that's actually normal. And we suggest that you leave it alone because if you take a board to it with a
hammer and slam down on it, it most likely is going to cause Troy to come over and fix it. >> That doesn't sound correct. >> So, we know that they move. They're intentionally made that way. There's extra piping in the ground for him to move up and down in Minnesota. Um, in on
Second Street, we we we didn't stop that. It actually they are moving, but they have caps on them. Uh, so that's why you don't see them, but on like Carver Street, you'll see them with like tubing around them, and they go up and down. Um, Fourth Street is really notorious for a lot of movement. Um,
just so you know, uh, don't hammer them down, please. >> Word to the wise. >> Word to the wise. >> Okay. Anything else from public works, um, planning commission? They haven't met, but I will tell you that there's a couple things in the in
the pipeline for them, so they'll be meeting soon. >> Okay. Um, RS Fiber, we have a joint powers board meeting on January 14th, so I will report on that next month. Um, utilities committee.
>> Um, the only thing that I was going to add other than MFA is that just so you know, our new rates do go into effect this billing cycle. So, uh, and there are extra copies of the rate changes in city hall on the desk.
>> Okay. And I was not able to get December. >> Okay. >> Or >> it was like the week of Christmas. I think they should have probably >> I don't know if anyone >> um ambulance. You got anything cooking?
>> Uh, nothing big right now. Just, you know, got that grant. So, we need to >> y >> figure out which piece of equipment it needs to go to. >> Nice. >> As I mentioned, through the budget process, we've got about 60 $70,000
worth of needs and outdated equipment. So, >> um police is next. >> Uh Logan and Aaron are both at um a state conference today and tomorrow. Um so, you'll see Uh Karen today and Larry
tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Just patrolling during the day. >> Um cable commission. Martha. >> No. Uh we met in Gaylord on December 11th and approved the remaining grants for 2025. So that was it's always nice
to give uh Sibly East and GFW their money for the year. And our next meeting will be January 28th. Okay. park committee who's reporting on that. >> Couple of us were there
>> shortly. >> True thing, Michael. >> Um we we talked a lot about um the updates in the park. Um there is um some questions about the fixtures in the bathrooms getting replaced yet. I know
BNR is looking to help with that. Um, we also talked about the donor wall and what we're going to do and then what a grand opening party looks like for the splash pad as well. Um, the splash pad itself is going to have um
some tests run in April. Um, obviously the splash pad won't be open. It'll probably be too cold. But that's when the weather breaks, they're going to want to start testing the filters and the recycler. So we'll see more information about that I'm sure shortly.
>> So they had all the cement replaced. >> Yeah. So all the cement replaced the piping that was below the cement is replaced. the electrical um grounding, which is extremely important during electrical um storms, um >> is all replaced and it did pass
inspection from not only our engineers um >> but also the health department approved it. >> Excellent. >> So, >> okay. Well, hopefully that will be hopefully we've jumped enough hurdles and it can be smooth sailing once we hit
spring. >> Not enough. >> Okay. Anything else on committee notices? I just want to say again, we have a um work session Tuesday at 7 o'clock here. Um invite everybody you
know who wants to know anything about police, fire, ambulance, um all of those emergency services. We are going to um do a pretty deep dive into how those all work, how we're funding them, how we're going to fund them in the future, and
have some good discussions. So come bring your questions, bring your thoughts. Um we are looking forward to it. Um there's nothing else. Somebody like to move to adjourn. >> So move by. Is there a second? >> Second. Second by Jenny. All those in
favor, please say I. Motion carried. We are adjourned.