[0:00] Clint Hooppaw: {MUSIC} All right, good evening. We'll call this meeting to order for the November 13th, 2025 Apple Valley City Council meeting. Welcome everyone this evening. For any [0:48] Clint Hooppaw: members of the audience who have signed up to speak, when your name is called, please approach the podium to address the council. With that, the first item on our agenda is the pledge of allegiance. And I would ask everyone to rise and join us in the pledge. I pledge 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. [1:16] Clint Hooppaw: All right. Thank you. The next item on our agenda is to approve the agenda. And Tom, are there any changes this evening? [1:22] Tom Lawell: Mr. Mayor, members of the council, good evening. We have no changes to tonight's agenda. [1:27] Clint Hooppaw: Perfect. Thank you. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda? [1:30] Tom Melander: So moved. [1:31] Clint Hooppaw: Motion from council member Melander. [1:32] Ruth Grendahl: Second. [1:33] Clint Hooppaw: A second from council member Grendahl. All those in favor indicate by saying I. [1:37] Council Members: I. I. [1:39] Clint Hooppaw: Opposed. The agenda carries. The next item on our agenda is the audience participation portion of the meeting. This is for items that are not on our agenda. And Christina is telling me somebody just walked in. Gotcha. Thank you. Um Karm, you had signed up to speak. Would you like to come forward? [2:12] Karm: Hi. Um thanks for hearing me. Um, I'm here to check on the status of what I was on here for last time with the animals getting approved to be inside of Apple Valley Senior Center if the weather's bad. I mean, if the weather's good, we actually prefer to be outside. So, anyway, that I just wanted to see if you guys had talked about it yet or come up with anything yet or whatever. [2:33] Clint Hooppaw: So, as we talked about that with staff, right, there are certain rules they have to they have to abide by with what can and can't be outside. We know we are allowing the service animals in, right, that that we would allow. But I would say any decision beyond that is a policy decision that staff is able to make and have made. I I don't believe we're intending to change the policy. [2:53] Karm: I wasn't aware of that. I because um my understanding was that it would have to be changed in your city code or whatever you call that document, you know, um that it could um you could allow other types of animals because it really limits it if I mean it's hard to get a service animal that and again I don't think most people understand what surface animals really are. [3:21] Karm: They are mostly just for people that are usually very disabled physically and it's their pet, you know, it's for them pretty much. They don't, you know, they're not trained to go out in like Apple Valley Library. I noticed um I was there the just a little bit ago and um they had uh they have reading therapy dogs coming in where the kids read to the dogs inside. Okay. [3:45] Clint Hooppaw: And you know, and and so my understanding was and my request was to have that code changed to include like at least therapy dogs or emotional support animals or whatever, you know, other types of animals besides just service because it's hard, you know, when staff when we ask staff to make those policy decisions, right? they needed to consider all the users of the facility and the decision at this point is not to change the facility rules to allow emotional support animals, pets, other animals that are not service animals to be allowed into the facility and brought in. [4:23] Karm: Okay. So, so that's the that's the decision that has been made in the city council. [4:28] Clint Hooppaw: That is a decision staff is capable of making and we have delegated those type of decisions to the staff that run the facilities and we're comfortable with that. [4:38] Karm: So you guys can't change the city code on that. [4:40] Clint Hooppaw: What we can do and what we choose to do would be two might be two different things. This body is comfortable with staff's ability to make those decisions and the reasons they've made them. And so we don't we don't intend to override those decisions. [4:52] Karm: Mhm. Yeah. I still disagree with it because I mean I think you're you're kind of taking the joy away from other people that you know I understand some people don't enjoy animals but some people do and it's like you're not giving them a voice you know. [5:04] Clint Hooppaw: Yeah. We do have a voice and I would just say the distinction between not being heard and not getting an answer that you agree with are different. Uh we also have to consider those who might have allergies, right? With what those animals do to the facility. We don't have a way to accommodate for all of those. And so that's why the decision is as it is. [5:23] Karm: And cats, I I guess I could understand cats more, but usually most people are not allergic to dogs. [5:33] Clint Hooppaw: But there are people who are allergic to dogs, right? We need to consider those. And so I mean, I will just say that that I don't believe as a the decision is we are going to stay with the policy we currently have. [5:44] Karm: Okay. All right. And if I have another issue, do I need to then probably come to the next city council meeting? And when is that? [5:52] Clint Hooppaw: I would suggest if you have issues, you address them with staff related to those issues. If they're park related or park and wreck facility related, Eric Carlson, our park and rec director would be the most expeditious way to have those heard. [6:04] Karm: Well, the one I'm thinking of though isn't this one isn't involving um the Apple Valley Senior Center. It's involving Apple Valley Library computers. [6:13] Clint Hooppaw: Apple, excuse Apple Valley Library. The libraries are are run by Dakota County. So, we have no there's nothing on a Dakota County issue that we can help you on. [6:24] Karm: Okay. All right. Thank you. [6:26] Clint Hooppaw: Thank you. Ruth, did you have something? Sorry, I didn't see. [6:27] Ruth Grendahl: I just want to reinforce that I certainly support the current policy. I have two sisters that would probably leave if some dogs were there. Forget allergies. I have two sisters who one was attacked by a dog once and boy, they're not high on their list. [6:45] Clint Hooppaw: Perfect. Thank you. Anyone else in the audience with any other topics? All right, seeing none, I will move us on to the consent agenda. And these are items that are considered routine and they'll be enacted with a single motion unless a council member or a citizen request to pull an item. Council members, are there items you would like to pull this evening? Anyone in the audience, other items you'd like to pull from consent? All right, seeing none, do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? [7:13] Ruth Grendahl: So moved. [7:14] Clint Hooppaw: Motion from Council Member Grendahl. [7:15] Lisa Hiebert: Second. [7:16] Clint Hooppaw: A second from Council Member Hiebert. All those in favor indicate by saying I. [7:20] Council Members: I. [7:21] Clint Hooppaw: Opposed. That item carries. And that moves us on to our regular agenda and item 5A, which is to adopt a resolution to support the Dakota County draft 2026 to 2030 capital improvement plan. Matt, all yours. [7:34] Matt Saam: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. And it looks like our technology is working. So, that's wonderful. [7:42] Clint Hooppaw: You had to say that, didn't you? [7:43] Matt Saam: Oh, yeah. I had to say. Um, well, thank you once again. Um, so each... [7:53] Tom Lawell: Okay, Mayor, if I may, that map that we're attempting to show is also in your printed packet. [8:06] Christina Scipioni: Thank you, Christina. And I do have it ready for the dot cam if we need to do it. [8:09] Matt Saam: Oh, okay. We'll do it this way. Let's see. Can we zoom in here? Here, I'll do that. scrambling. Sorry, mayor. You can't make this up sometimes. Okay, we'll get there. That's what we're going to go with right there if you allow me a little leeway. Um, so thank you once again. Each year, Dakota County um as they're putting together their five-year CIP, the update for it each year, they request that every one of the cities uh take a good look at that, review it, and then provide a uh resolution of concurrence. And that's the item that's before you tonight. Before we or before you all entertain that motion, I just wanted to go over a few of the major projects that will be um expected to occur within our city limits over the next five years. So, let's start with um this is 42 right in the middle of town. You can see 150th Street here. That's the other term for 42. So, next year... next year they're going to be milling and overlaying all of 42 from over here is 147th Street. So, that's near Bachman's if if folks know where that is along 42. And then going east again, they're going to mill and overlay the pavement going east all through town to our eastern border at Diamond Path, which is just off the screen here, right here. And then also, just so council and the public knows, they'll be continuing on into Rosemount next year all the way to trunk highway 3. So a large majority of 42 and both our town and Rosemount next year will is planned for a mill and overlay. And then in 27, this is Cedar Avenue again, right at 42. They're going to plan to mill and overlay Cedar, also going south out of town down to County Road 9 in Lakeville. Of course, they did um Cedar Avenue north of 42. This past year and then also beginning in 27 is the major project on 42. This is the west end of... oh, sorry, west end of 42 here. So, picking up at that 147th Street going west to our western border with with Burnsville, basically Redwood Lane. That's going to be the big reconstruct project. It'll be a two-year project from 27 to 28. Going to fully reconstruct 42, including the frontage roads that we have on both the north and south sides. Um, so people will definitely see that project. And then we have a quite a few signals that the county's planning to replace beginning in 28 down here on 46. A signal at Galaxy and County Road 46. And then also Foliage in 46. Both planned to be done in 28. Moving back into 42. Here's a signal at Pennock in 42. And then also Galaxy and 42. They are planned to be redone in 29. And then one more I wanted to mention over here on the western end of town right down where McAndrews meets 140th as you go into Burnsville. The signal right there going north is County Road 11. The signal right there is planned to be also be redone in 2029. So those are um a few of the highlights if you will. I think the good news is that within the next four to five years, we all know there's a little pain with construction, but after four to five years, all of those major roads, Cedar and 42 in our city will all be repaved um and redone. So, that will be a positive. Um with that, Mr. Mayor, we are um or the recommendation before you tonight is to adopt the resolution of support for the Dakota County 2026 to 2030 capital improvement plan. and I'd be happy to take any questions. [12:12] Clint Hooppaw: Matt, thank you. Council member Bergman, you have a question and your microphone is not on before you get started there. [12:18] John Bergman: Not talking loud enough. Okay. Um Matt, on the County Road 42 at 150 at the North Creek Greenway, the underpass. Oh, in 2030, would you like to explain that? And then I guess the other question I don't see here. I don't see anything in regards to over by the... they talked about it over by the uh Redwood um swimming pool area. They were going to do an underpass there. Is that in is that in somewhere in the plans? [12:44] Matt Saam: Yep, it's there. Correct. Yes. Um Council Member Bergman and and council. Um first you mentioned that North Creek Greenway underpass. So that is um planned in 2030. Um it and it would be um an underpass or tunnel if you will under 42. It's just west of Johnny Cake. So um it's the property just west of the new Menards. Uh the county purchased some property there. So that's where um that would be connected. And then the other one you mentioned, you were asking about um a planned tunnel, also an underpass down at Redwood. That will be part of the uh 42 project. Yeah, I summarized that. I didn't mention everything, but there's signals with the 42 project. There's the tunnel in addition to the pavement and everything. [13:39] John Bergman: Okay, thank you. [13:41] Clint Hooppaw: Other questions? Lisa, go ahead. [13:42] Lisa Hiebert: Yeah, thanks Matt. Um I I think it's really important. My understanding is that by uh approving this plan, we are not financially obligating the city with any specific dollars of match, you know, the required matching or anything at this time. [13:59] Matt Saam: Correct. Yes, council member, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Um each one of these projects, if the county wants a city contribution, a cost share if you will, there would then be a JPA, a joint powers agreement that would come back before you all um and you'd have a chance to vote on that. So, yes, you are correct. [14:16] Clint Hooppaw: Just to clarify on that, we can probably expect some cost share from the county though on these projects, right? It's... [14:21] Matt Saam: That is also correct, Mr. Mayor. Without the cost share, the project probably doesn't happen. Yes. For most of these, I will say the milling overlays, they did get federal money on those. So, there isn't planned to be any cost share to the city. So, that's a that's a positive. [14:38] Clint Hooppaw: My only question in here and we had a couple residents bring it up uh with some concerns on Jonathan and we've heard from a few folks who live in the neighborhood of Kent, right, where there's been some discussion, right? That's access to our fire station. Um is that still an ongoing discussion with the county as to uh protecting that access? [14:55] Matt Saam: Mr. Mayor Council? Yes, that is being reviewed um currently uh with the county and then we'll be having further discussions with them. Of course, fire department's involved with that as well as our engineering staff. So, yes, still an ongoing issue. [15:07] Clint Hooppaw: And so, by I just want to make sure by approving this, right, we're not saying, "Oh, we're okay with whatever you have planned on Kent that they know there's a statement here, right, that we're still working through that issue." [15:20] Matt Saam: Correct. Yes, we did add um I didn't go over each of those conditions, but as part of your resolution, it's the last um condition where we just state that. And yes, county is well aware of that. again that JPA would be coming back before you all and we'll make sure that that issue is put to bed by the time that JPA comes back. [15:40] Clint Hooppaw: I know what was in the packet. I just think for public consumption and those watching, it's good to note that since we know that intersection has got some attention. So, other questions for Matt. If not, I would take a motion to adopt the resolution of support for the Dakota County draft 2026 through 2030 capital improvement plan. [15:58] John Bergman: So moved. [16:00] Clint Hooppaw: Motion from council member Bergman. [16:01] Tom Melander: Second. [16:02] Clint Hooppaw: Second from council member Melander. All those in favor indicate by saying I. [16:05] Council Members: I. [16:06] Clint Hooppaw: Opposed. That item carries. Thank you. That'll move us on to staff communication or staff and council communications. And Tom, why don't you start us off? [16:11] Tom Lawell: Mr. Mayor. Yes. Uh just a reminder of our 2026 budget open house open to the public. Uh this is coming up on Tuesday, November 18th. Will be held here at the uh municipal center from 4 to 6:00 pm. We encourage everybody to come out. If you're curious about the city's budget for 2026 and the proposed uh elements within that budget, uh this is your opportunity to come and meet with city staff, view a lot of uh display boards that help to help to tell uh the highlights of the 2026 budget. And we look forward to people coming out uh again on Tuesday, November 18th. [16:51] Clint Hooppaw: Great. Uh thank you. Anything else? [16:53] Tom Lawell: Uh, Mr. Mayor, we do have the mayor for a day slides if you would like to uh discuss that. [16:58] Clint Hooppaw: Happy to happy to. So, every year the League of Min... We won't see the slide, but we'll just talk through it. Uh, every year the League of Minnesota Cities has an essay contest for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders on what would they do if they're a mayor for a day. And so, the top four entries, I believe, statewide get $100 and get their uh article published in in the Minnesota Cities magazine, which I'm sure everybody gets and reads across the state. Um, we'll also get copies of any essay submissions from Apple Valley students and we'll have a chance to kind of recognize them here. So, we'd encourage uh students who are, I'm sure, watching this at home this evening rather than being on their phones, right, to uh to submit that. We've also sent this out to the schools. Um, it's kind of a fun thing to do as well. Um, our video staff, we shot a quick video promoting this the other day. Um, we had all kinds of fun. I was going to bungee jump up off a water tower and we all kinds of fun stuff and then we just decided that we probably shouldn't do that and did a rather normal video instead. So, should be fun. Encourage people to jump in and take that chance to submit their item. Anything else from you all? Council members, anything? Council member Grendahl? [18:03] Ruth Grendahl: I I just want to comment on the um the moving Veterans Day ceremonies. Um the school district, which I was unable to attend, but the um I've heard it might be the best one in the state. Um and then the um Legion um it was phenomenal. Our very own Tom Goodwin received the quilt of of valor for his um service in Vietnam. And we had a World War II veteran that I have a video. I mean, I have the audio like eight minutes when he spoke and it's just unbelievable. P for 15 months. He was 102 years old and he stood up and he didn't miss a beat and he was right on and maybe we can put it on our website because I think everybody should be able to hear what they went through. [18:46] Lisa Hiebert: Thanks for being there, Council Member Grendahl. Um I was we're on the same page with that. I just wanted to acknowledge and thank um Apple Valley High School, the principal, the teachers, and the students. It was my first time participating and attending their annual Veterans Day assembly. And from the moment you walked in and you were greeted by the students and the breakfast and the thank you cards for the veterans and the the program with the wind ensemble and the and the choir and the speaker, it really was outstanding. And for those people who, you know, veterans to come and be a part of that, you know, don't miss that because it's amazing. But, um, also, you know, the public, I know they open it to the public. And it really truly is top-notch. And just wanted to say it was great to be there and acknowledge their amazing uh, tradition of honoring our veterans. [19:39] Clint Hooppaw: Thank you, Council Member Bergman. [19:40] John Bergman: Thanks. I concur with everybody what they say about the uh presentation of the veterans at the Apple Valley High School. I would say this or suggest this maybe between Mr. Lawell and the mayor, maybe some of us. Um after the all the ceremonies that were throughout the state of Minnesota, they're always put on the news. And from the time that I've been on the council or on the planning commission, I've really never seen Apple Valley be put on the news. And I think they do an outstanding phenomenal job. Um it's almost to the point of boot camp to start with and end with, but I think they they would could get some good exposure by um somehow connecting with the news media to uh present their... unless they don't want to and they may not want to. [20:34] Clint Hooppaw: Well, I would say our our local paper reporter Tad Johnson was there uh that day and you know that that uh ceremony is on the school's YouTube channel, so it's it's recorded and available for anybody who wants to pick it up and go watch it. And I would recommend doing that. That was good. It's always good. Anything else? If not, we will move on to our calendar of upcoming events and our next city council meeting is Tuesday. Again, that's Tuesday, November 25th at 7 PM uh due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The next the holiday tree lighting will be at 6:15 prior to the November 25th city council meeting and we would invite everyone to join us and attend that event. With that, I would take a motion to approve the calendar of upcoming events. [21:14] Ruth Grendahl: So moved. [21:15] Clint Hooppaw: Motion from council Grendahl. [21:16] Lisa Hiebert: Second. [21:17] Clint Hooppaw: Second from council member Hiebert. All those in favor indicate by saying I. [21:21] Council Members: I. [21:24] Clint Hooppaw: And opposed. The calendar is approved. Item eight on our agenda is to convene in close session under the labor negotiations exception to the open meeting law to discuss the AFSCME and LELS union negotiations. We have a motion to convene in closed session. [21:42] Ruth Grendahl: So moved. [21:43] Clint Hooppaw: Motion from council member Grendahl. [21:44] John Bergman: Second. [21:45] Clint Hooppaw: Second from council member Bergman. All those in favor indicate by saying I. [21:48] Council Members: I. [21:49] Clint Hooppaw: Opposed. Uh that item carries as well. We will convene in just a few minutes across the hall in close session and we will adjourn from over there. Thank you everyone. [22:15] Clint Hooppaw: {MUSIC}