This transcript has been formatted with the appropriate speaker names based on the provided list of officials and the context of the meeting proceedings. Note: The transcript contains several phonetic misspellings of council members' names (e.g., "Jelly" for Hjelle, "Gisler" for Geissler, and "Jones" likely being used in place of Councilor Peterson or LeBlanc). I have mapped these to the correct names from your provided list. *** **[0:01] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** ...and Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call please—oh sorry, we don't have a clerk tonight. Councilor Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Here. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Councilor Geissler? **Councilor John Geissler:** Here. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Councilor Hjelle? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Here. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Councilor LeBlanc? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Here. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Mayor here. Announcements: do any councilors have announcements they'd like to make this evening? **[0:46] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** I just one: I've been told that our resident judge Harris is not seeking reelection. I'd just like to thank him for his contributions to the community. We have no public hearings, no communications. Mr. Mulder, do you want to go over the presentations with the synopsis? **[1:35] John Mulder (City Administrator):** Sure. So, Kevin Orme, our Director of Finance & Administration, provided kind of an update of where we're at the budget and where we are quoting with finance assets, and then just talk briefly about our fund balances of general fund expenses and how we're trying to maintain a certain level in order to meet our expenses but also just in terms of maintaining a good financial health. Eric Johnson talked briefly about some residential connections and Stebner Park and some possibilities of working with developers on those road connections. It says me, but we had a KA [Kraus-Anderson] presented the design development along with DSGW just to give you an update of where we're at with the budget and design of the Ice Arena. And based upon that, we're have later on... **[2:23] John Mulder (City Administrator):** ...you'll have a resolution approving plans and ordering the bid package. We were going to have an infrastructure financial planning project presentation, but because of time, we're going to hold off and do that at the next meeting. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. That brings us to item eight: public discussion. This is a time for individuals to address the Council about any item not on the agenda. We ask that you limit your time to three minutes per person. We will have time later during agenda items for public discussion on those specific items. If anybody wishes to address the Council, please start with your name and address. **[3:10] Joel Kristoff (Resident):** My name is Joel Kristoff and I live at 5212 Kingswood Lane, and I'm here to ask about reducing the speed limit in our neighborhood. I see that there's other streets in town that do have reduced speeds and there's uniqueness to them with curves and hidden entrances. In this short stretch, each street is about a quarter mile, one's a little more. We have two 90-degree turns, one snake street that goes like a snake, and one that's crooked—we don't know where the center is. So I'm asking if we could drop the speed limit. Also, the other uniqueness is we're by the school, and when parent pick-up and drop-off happens, it's plugged up on Ugstad and West Arrowhead. Some people really like to use that as a shoot-through there. **[3:58] Joel Kristoff (Resident):** I know the speed limit is only supposed—Officer Gunderson has been really good about enforcing things for us and doing things—but I'm asking if we can reduce that speed limit to 20 through there. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** We'll consider that at another time. We have to put that on another business. Please let me know. **Joel Kristoff (Resident):** Mayor, yes, thank you. **[4:27] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there any other public input at this time? Yeah, anyone online, please just start with your name and address. **[4:49] Joe Wicklund (Assistant City Administrator):** Is there anyone that wishes to discuss anything with the Council at this time? If so, start with your name and address. **[5:04] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** We'll close public discussion and move to motions. We have the consent agenda: minutes approval or correction of the April 15, 2024, City Council continuation minutes and accounts payable. Approved General City warrants from April 16, 2024, through April 30th, 2024, in the amount of $306,172.50. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Move to approve by Councilor Peterson. Is there a second? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Hjelle. Roll call please. **Councilors:** Hjelle: Aye. Peterson: Aye. Geissler: Aye. LeBlanc: Aye. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. **[5:51] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Next: Ordinances. This is a first reading of Ordinance 2024-06, an ordinance amending Title Two of the Hermantown city code by amending the official zoning map of parcels 395-1320-10 and 6740. Mr. Mulder, do we have a short explanation of this? **John Mulder (City Administrator):** This is what we're proposing here—is to rezone Stebner Park to Hermantown Marketplace. [Doughnuts/Food] are allowed in the Marketplace, but not allowed in the public [zoning], so we are asking to rezone that so that we can proceed with development. **[6:37] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Is there any public input on this ordinance? Even though it's the first reading, if you wish to speak to the Council, please start with your name and address. Mr. Wicklund, any raised hands online? **Joe Wicklund (Assistant City Administrator):** [No response/indicates none]. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Okay. Is there anyone that wishes to address this ordinance change? Any public discussion on Ordinance 2024-06? **[7:20] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** This item will be brought up again for vote at our next meeting. Resolutions. Resolution 2024-51: authorizing and directing Mayor and City Clerk to execute an acceptance of easement to the City of Hermantown from Ram Hernesman and Gail K. Hernesman for the Hermantown Road Bridge Project for road and road improvements. Is there a motion relating to this? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Move to table. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor LeBlanc to table. Is there a second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. All in favor say aye. (Ayes). Opposed, same sign. **[8:06] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-52: authorizing and directing Mayor and City Clerk to execute an acceptance of an easement agreement to the City of Hermantown from Gloria Plack Nelson for the Hermantown Road Bridge and Road Improvement. Is there a motion relating to this? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Move to table. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Peterson to table. Do we have a second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. All in favor say aye. (Ayes). Opposed, same sign. Resolution 2024-53. **[9:06] John Mulder (City Administrator):** This is to complete the road work. Each person was paid $500 for that temporary [easement]. There are six of them. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? These have all been signed. Anything else from Council? Mr. Mulder, did you have something? **John Mulder (City Administrator):** I didn't get the motion and second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** The motion was Councilor Geissler, second was Councilor Peterson. Lots of opportunity to correct it tonight, though. With Council discussion complete, is there any public input on this motion? **[10:11] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Any public input on Resolution 2024-53? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). Resolution 2024-54: Resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for bid package number one for the Northstar Ford Arena. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Motion to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Hjelle. Is there a second? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor LeBlanc. Mr. Mulder? **[10:58] John Mulder (City Administrator):** So this is bid package one for those long-lead items—the earthwork for the arena. We want to get those bid packages out there because we know that it's going to take some time to get the structural steel and pre-cast panels. So this would go out this week to potential bids and be presented back to the City Council on June 3. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** It was nice to see the price not drastically changed for the first time. It was amazing. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Anything else from Council? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Hope it goes down. **[11:50] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Anyone from the public wish to comment on this resolution? Please state your name and address. Is there any public input on Resolution 2024-54? Last opportunity for public input on the resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for bid package number one for the Northstar Ford Arena. Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). **[12:37] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-55: Resolution approving a grant application to the State of Minnesota for the Hermantown Ice Arena. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder? **[12:45] John Mulder (City Administrator):** This is the application that goes to the State of Minnesota to receive the money which they have set aside in state bonding for the arena. This is just a process that we need to go through in terms of making that application for them to start making payments. This is a draft application that was sent in early last week, and we'll need to tweak it a little bit and have some discussions about what else information the state may need. This is a step in that process. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any comments or suggestions from Council? Just make sure it happens. Anything else? Any public input on this resolution? **[13:46] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there any public input on Resolution 2024-55? Any public input on the resolution approving a grant application to the State of Minnesota? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). **[14:18] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-56: Resolution approving a special use permit for grading and filling within a natural environment shoreland overlay area. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Peterson. Second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder, do we want Mr. Johnson to take this one? **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Eric? **[14:35] Eric Johnson (Community Development Director):** Great, thank you very much. As you'd mentioned, this is for a special use permit for grading and filling activities associated with two particular projects within Figner Park. The first one is the main park reconstruction, which is essentially on the south side of the Rocky Run Creek. The other project is on the northern portion on the old football field. That is purely a grading and filling operation; that site is projected to take access fill from the Hermantown road project and be placed on that field and brought up to grade for potential future development. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? Is there any public input on this resolution? **[15:51] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Any public input on Resolution 2024-56? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). The next four resolutions are all fairly self-explanatory, so I don't think we'll need any extra explanation. Councilors can ask questions during the proper period. Resolution 2024-57: Resolution awarding contract for play structure materials and installation services at Figner Park to Flagship Recreation in the amount of $457,900. Is there a motion? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Motion to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Hjelle. Is there a second? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor LeBlanc. Do any councilors have questions or comments on this? Hearing none, is there any public input on this resolution? **[17:02] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Last opportunity for public input on Resolution 2024-57. Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). Resolution 2024-58: Resolution awarding a contract for skate park materials and installation services at Figner Park to American Ramp Company in the amount of $200,358.14. Do we have a motion? **Councilor John Geissler:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Geissler. Is there a second? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Peterson. Do any councilors have any comments or questions? Any public input on Resolution 2024-58? **[18:15] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution about the contract for skate park materials. Is there any public input? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). Resolution 2024-59: Resolution awarding a contract for baseball field turf materials and installation services at Figner Park to FieldTurf in the amount of $589,500. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Peterson. Is there a second? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Hjelle. Any comments or questions from Council? Hearing none, any public input? **[19:29] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-60: Resolution awarding contract for baseball field lighting materials design and installation services at Figner Park to Musco Lighting in the amount of $203,750. Is there a motion? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Motion to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Hjelle to approve. Is there a second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. Do any councilors have any comments or questions? Hearing none, is there any public input on this resolution? **[20:38] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). Resolution 2024-61: Resolution authorizing the Director of Finance and Administration to amend selected 2023 budgets and make transfers. Is there a motion? **Councilor John Geissler:** Motion to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Geissler. Is there a second? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder? **[21:00] John Mulder (City Administrator):** These are budget transfers and budget amendments that we made at the end of the 2023 budget prior to completing the audit to reflect some of the expenses that we incurred in certain areas. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? Any public input? **[21:53] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-62: Resolution calling for a public hearing on a proposed tax abatement and the intent to issue General Obligation bonds and approving the form of notice of public hearing. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Motion to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Hjelle. Is there a second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder? **[22:25] John Mulder (City Administrator):** So briefly, we will have a public hearing on June 3 because we're going to propose the tax abatement on some properties to pay the issuance of the bond. Jason from Ehlers is here if you have any questions, but this would be so that we can issue the bonds at a later date. **Councilor John Geissler:** Establish what properties? **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Ehlers will identify those properties that would need to pay for it. The tax abatement is then actually—a goofy word in this case—it's not like those parcels don't have to pay the taxes. What that says is that those taxes are used instead of the general fund to pay the bond. **[23:14] Councilor John Geissler:** Have we done this process before? I know tax abatement was put for roads. **John Mulder (City Administrator):** We did do it for the Wellness Center several years ago because in that particular case, the legislature at that point in time did not give the specific bonding authority to use sales tax for that. So in that case, we identified a bunch of property to abate and then paid it with sales tax. You have to have bonding authority and you can use tax abatement as the bonding authority. **[24:36] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there any public input on this resolution? Any public input on Resolution 2024-62? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). Resolution 2024-63: Resolution of the City of Hermantown Minnesota providing for the sale of General Obligation bonds series 2024A. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion to approve by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder? **[25:15] John Mulder (City Administrator):** This is the pre-sale report. Jason from Ehlers is here for questions. This would be for the Hermantown Road and Figner Park projects. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? Any public input on this resolution? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). **[26:25] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-64: Resolution approving preliminary planned unit development for JP Holding Company development. Do we have a motion? **Councilor John Geissler:** Motion to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Geissler. Is there a second? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Hjelle. Mr. Mulder, would we have Mr. Johnson explain this? Eric? **[26:45] Eric Johnson (Community Development Director):** Great, thank you again. Previously this year, the City Council approved a PUD extension on this property for a 103-unit apartment building. Assuming approval of this new PUD this evening, that previous project would become null and void. What this envisions is a mixture of twin home buildings—approximately nine buildings for 18 units total—as well as 18 single-family lots. It gives an overall density of 2.85 units per acre, which is obviously much less than that previously approved PUD. This development would be accessed by way of an extension of the roadway that currently exists as a stub right now that accesses the Pillars property. That would be a public right-of-way and extend to the north for future development. **[28:23] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Do you have any questions or comments from Council? Hearing none, is there any public input on this resolution? Any public input on the resolution for the approval of a preliminary planned unit development? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). **[29:05] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-65: Resolution authorizing the disposal of surplus city property—been told it's a 2014 police squad car. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Peterson. Is there a second? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor LeBlanc. Mr. Mulder, anything to add? **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Whenever we get rid of a squad or an asset like this, it's a process that we go to the City Council for. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? Hearing none, is there any public input on this resolution? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). **[30:25] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Resolution 2024-66: Resolution awarding contract for the purchase of two police vehicles in the amount of $113,250 plus applicable taxes and fees. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Motion to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Hjelle. Is there a second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder? **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Every year we purchase two squads, and this year we are following that plan. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council about this motion? Hearing none, is there any public put on this resolution? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). **[31:54] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Last item. Resolution 2024-67: approving the purchase of a 2025 Western Star truck chassis from Boyer Trucks in the amount of $143,370 plus applicable taxes and fees, and approving the purchase of a plow truck package from Towmaster Incorporated in the amount of $115,673 plus applicable taxes and fees. Do we have a motion? **Councilor Brian LeBlanc:** Move to approve. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder? **[32:25] John Mulder (City Administrator):** This is a plow truck that we have in the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan. Because of the long lead times, we're asking to authorize purchase now. Money won't be spent until 2025, but this gets us in the process. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments? We were told earlier that there's a nine-month lead time on ordering this. Anything else from Council? Any public input on this resolution? Roll call please. (Council votes Aye). **[33:30] Mayor Wayne Boucher:** And we have no closed session this evening. I need a motion to recess. **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Move to recess. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Peterson. Is there a second? **Councilor Andy Hjelle:** Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Hjelle. All in favor say aye. (Ayes). Opposed, same sign. We are in recess.