Based on the context provided for the City of Faribault, here is the transcribed townhall meeting with speaker names identified. [0:24] **Mayor Spooner**: 6:00 it is. We will call the Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 Faribault City Council meeting to order. First item up tonight is roll call. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Council member Barnes? **Council Member Barnes**: Here. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Doumbouya? **Council Member Doumbouya**: Here. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Ross? **Council Member Ross**: Here. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Rowan? **Council Member Rowan**: Here. [0:40] **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Van Sluis? **Council Member van Sluis**: Here. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Thiele? **Council Member Thiele**: Here. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Mayor Spooner? **Mayor Spooner**: Here. 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. [1:03] **Mayor Spooner**: Our second item is approval of the agenda. **Council Member Doumbouya**: So moved. **Council Member van Sluis**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: I have a motion by Doumbouya, seconded by van Sluis. All those in favor signify. **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: All opposed? Motion is approved. Our next item is presentations. Jessica Kinser, City Administrator. [1:24] **Jessica Kinser**: Yes. Uh, we have the five individuals or groups that are going to be recognized for our Values in Action here tonight. And so, Mayor Spooner is going to be presenting a really awesome little sign that we had made. I'm going to read a little bit about each of the groups and ask the groups to come up as I call you forward. So, for our value of Honesty, we're going to start with the Utilities Division. So, tonight we have with us Travis Craig, Tom Judd, Trenton Fritz, Brian Glenn, Nick Nagel, Spencer McDermott, and Mike Glende. And so, just to read a little bit about what the Utilities Division did: Following a water concern, the entire Utilities Division showed a [2:11] tremendous amount of respect and honesty by visiting the homeowner several times to investigate the issue and educate the resident about the city's infrastructure while ultimately adding a bleed-off valve at the dead-end main near the resident's home. And so they've worked and went above and beyond to make sure that they were building a sense of trust with that homeowner and did everything they could in their power to make sure they were taking care of the situation. So thank you to the Utilities Division. [applause] [2:53] **Jessica Kinser**: Next up we have Keith Walker, Parks Superintendent in the Parks and Recreation Department, with the value of Respect. And Keith's nomination said that while he was meeting with the resident interested in dedicating a park bench following the death of her husband, Keith very literally became a shoulder to cry on well past working hours. He did everything he could to make sure the ground was prepped and everything done so that could be installed this fall, fall of 2025, providing a slight piece of comfort for that resident. So thank you, Keith. [applause] [3:36] **Jessica Kinser**: And next up, under the value of Dedicated, we have Mike O'Rourke. Mike O'Rourke, who is a heavy equipment operator with the Street Division and also the craftsman of these wonderful signs that everybody is getting tonight. And so, Mike showed dedication while working during a recent winter storm. He encountered a disabled motor vehicle. Rather than continuing his route, he showed a great deal of dedication by taking the time to check on the individual and then assisting the driver in getting back on the roadway. And I'll just add that I wasn't there to hear this, but was told that when this was shared as to why he was getting this, someone said, "What? [4:14] That's like the fourth vehicle you've helped this year." And so, it's not something that was a one-off for Mike. So, thank you, Mike, for your dedication. [applause] [4:26] **Jessica Kinser**: Um, next, the final two are actually two of our newer employees in the city organization. Dana Howard, Wastewater Operator with the Water Reclamation Division of the Public Works Department, is getting recognized for being Visionary. Dana embraced the challenge of finding a way to reduce the vivianite buildup on our water reclamation facility pipes. After experimenting in the lab, Dana was able to identify a solution that regained 1.5 inches of pipe diameter, which is a big deal, while saving money and extending the lifetime of our infrastructure. So, thank you, Dana, for your work and bringing some vision to the job that you do at the Water Reclamation Facility. [5:11] [applause] **Jessica Kinser**: And last, but certainly not least, under the value of Accountability, we have Fawn Fuller, Accounting Technician in the Finance Department. For years, customers who have received snow emergency tickets could only pay with cash or check. Fawn knew we could provide better customer service and identified a solution that allows customers to pay with a credit card, even if it means that she has to walk them to a different floor. And one other thing I'll say about Fawn: it was March of last year, I think early March, there were 10 candidates that we were interviewing for the position of Accounting Technician, and Fawn stood out above all others. I'm very happy that we were able to make the decision to hire her. I actually got to hire her because that was when I was still acting as Finance Director before Kindra had started. And so I'm very proud of her and having her as part of our team as well. So, THANK YOU, FAWN. [applause] [6:14] **Jessica Kinser**: AND JUST AS A REMINDER, this is something we're going to be doing quarterly. And just because you get recognized one time does not mean that you cannot get recognized again. So for all of those city employees out there and all departments who are doing great things and showing our values in the work that they do on a daily basis, thank you for everything that you do and we hope to keep seeing positive stories coming forward of the ways that you are showing our values to the community. [6:43] **Mayor Spooner**: Thank you everyone. [applause] Shout out to this group and shout out to city staff and thank you to all the other nominees too that were other people that have done some really good work for the city in the last quarter or so. Thank you everyone. Item number four is approval of the minutes of January 13th City Council meeting and January 13th special City Council meeting. **Council Member Ross**: So moved. **Council Member Barnes**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: Motion by Ross, second by Barnes. All those in favor of the minutes signify by saying aye. [7:29] **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: All opposed? Motion passed. Requests to be heard? I'm assuming we have none. Consent Agenda items 6A through 6Q. Is there anything that anybody would like removed? **Council Member Ross**: Mayor Spooner. **Mayor Spooner**: Yes. **Council Member Ross**: I'll make a motion to approve consent agenda items 6A through 6Q. **Council Member Thiele**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: Motion by Ross, second by Thiele. All those in favor of 6A through 6Q signify by saying aye. **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: All opposed? [8:06] Those are passed. Uh, we have no public hearings tonight. Items for discussion: Ordinance 2026-01, amendment to the rezoning map. Dave Wanberg is here to take care of this for us. [8:25] **David Wanberg**: Yeah. Thank you, Mayor and Council. This will be very quick. This is the second reading of the ordinance. This is changing the former Rice County Jail annex from Public Institutional to Commercial. And so we do recommend—we've made no changes to that ordinance—and we do recommend that you approve the second reading and that'll be by roll call, and then also by separate action approving the summary publication. **Mayor Spooner**: Do I have any questions for staff? **Council Member van Sluis**: Mayor Spooner. **Mayor Spooner**: Yes. **Council Member van Sluis**: I make a motion to approve Ordinance 2026-01. **Mayor Spooner**: I have a motion by van Sluis, second by Barnes to approve Ordinance 2026-01. [9:14] **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Council member Barnes? **Council Member Barnes**: Aye. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Ross? **Council Member Ross**: Aye. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Rowan? **Council Member Rowan**: Aye. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: van Sluis? **Council Member van Sluis**: Aye. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Thiele? **Council Member Thiele**: Aye. **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Mayor Spooner? **Mayor Spooner**: Aye. Administrator Kinser, should the publication be a resolution? [9:39] **Jessica Kinser**: Uh, not a resolution, just a simple motion and a second to approve the summary publication. **Mayor Spooner**: It's listed as an ordinance. **Jessica Kinser**: It says ordinance summary publication to that effect. **Mayor Spooner**: Okay. I get it. Quirky of the English language. [laughter] I apologize. Uh, approve the publication. **Council Member Ross**: So move. **Council Member van Sluis**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: Motion by Ross, second by van Sluis. All those in favor signify by saying aye. **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: All opposed? That motion passes. Resolution 2026-019, amendment of the agreement with the Paradise Center for the Arts. Jessica. [10:28] **Jessica Kinser**: Yes, we discussed this at the January 6 work session and what you have before you tonight are two amendments: one to the actual agreement and one to the loan agreement where the language related to not using the building to secure debt was originally referenced. These have been updated to basically say that the building can be used to secure debt for capital improvements. Anything else, just to be clear, that they would want to do would still have to come back to you for approval if it's not for capital improvements. So that is what's before you tonight. [11:09] **Mayor Spooner**: Questions for staff? **Council Member Rowan**: I've been thinking about this since we discussed it. It's kind of micromanaging. **Mayor Spooner**: Right. Yes, Joe. **Council Member Rowan**: And on that point, we understand that they have to do what they have to do to keep the place running. I don't want this to become a situation where they come back to the council asking for a handout. [11:54] **Mayor Spooner**: All right. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to approve Resolution 2026-019. **Council Member Barnes**: So moved. **Council Member Ross**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: Motion by Barnes, second by Ross to approve the resolution. All in favor? **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: Opposed? Passed. Resolution 2026-021, approval of a cannabis micro-business. Heather Slechta. [12:12] **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Mayor and Council, Ora Serma on behalf of Stoner's Choice submitted an application for a cannabis micro-business at 317 Central Avenue North. They have been issued a license number by the Office of Cannabis Management allowing for this micro-business. A micro-business license is consistent with specific license endorsements and entitles the license holder to perform any items established by Minnesota State Statute 342.28. They have met all planning and zoning requirements and currently are in the building permit process. And so once they are approved by our building officials, staff will send their approval to the Office of Cannabis Management. So, staff are recommending approval of Resolution 2026-021. [13:27] **Mayor Spooner**: Any questions for staff? **Council Member Ross**: Thank you, Mayor. Ms. Slechta, all ordinances and local zoning is covered, right? **Heather Slechta (City Clerk)**: Yep. Everything has been approved other than the building permit. **Council Member Ross**: Okay, thank you. **Council Member Barnes**: I just wanted to say it's good to see another business coming to the downtown. **Council Member Ross**: Mayor Spooner? **Mayor Spooner**: Yes. **Council Member Ross**: I'll make a motion to approve Resolution 2026-021. **Council Member van Sluis**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: I have a motion by Ross, second by van Sluis to approve. All in favor? **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: Opposed? Passed. Resolution 2026-030, execution of a contract for HCM Architects. [14:05] **Rochelle Anderholm-Parsch**: Good evening, Mayor and Council. Tonight before you is Resolution 2026-030 authorizing the execution of a contract with HCM Architects. This contract is for the architectural and engineering services related to the pavilion foundation, the resurfacing garage, and the modern mechanical ice system. Staff recommends HCM; they were the architects on Phase One and so the coordination is seamless. Staff recommends that you approve the professional services agreement. If there are any questions, I'm happy to answer. [15:08] **Mayor Spooner**: Thank you. **Council Member Ross**: Thank you, Mayor. Um, Director Anderholm-Parsch? **Rochelle Anderholm-Parsch**: Close. Yep, that's okay. **Council Member Ross**: Sorry. Um, did this go off for bid or how did we arrive at this? **Rochelle Anderholm-Parsch**: So, we picked HCM because they were part of Phase One, and with professional services, you can do it this way. **Council Member Ross**: And you feel this is competitive? **Rochelle Anderholm-Parsch**: Absolutely. Yep. The price that they came back in is good. **Council Member Ross**: Thank you. Mayor Spooner, I'll make a motion to approve Resolution 2026-030. **Council Member Thiele**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: Motion by Ross, seconded by Thiele to approve. All in favor? **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: All opposed? That motion passes. Under Resolution 2026-034, Stantec Consulting Services. [16:06] **Travis Block**: Thank you, Mayor Spooner, members of the Council. Resolution 2026-034 is seeking approval of a professional services agreement with Stantec Consulting to assist with our Lead Service Line Replacement program. This is the program that we just talked about at the last work session. At that session, I mentioned that we'd be engaging the services of a consultant to assist with that project. Since that time, we met with Stantec to do a scoping meeting to discuss what this would look like. In this project, we're looking at the replacement of approximately 90 lead services. As we go through our records, we are finding that some of those actually are not lead, so that number may come down a little bit. The funding for this is eligible under the Public Facilities Authority grant that we have for the project. That grant amount is $1.375 million. The proposal from Stantec for $236,591.76 has a couple of different phases. First off, starting with the public engagement piece—we're going to have to notify these residents of the project. Then, the design phase, bidding, and construction administration. As stated in the memo, it is based off an hourly rate with a not-to-exceed amount. Our city staff will assist with some of this, like the public engagement piece and inspection services, which would reduce the overall costs. With that, I would recommend approval of Resolution 2026-034. [19:26] **Mayor Spooner**: Questions? Yes, Mr. Ross. **Council Member Ross**: Director Block, this is a big number. Same exact questions as I asked the other director: Did it go out for bid? And assuming that it didn't, are you pretty confident in this? **Travis Block**: Yeah. So, I came across Stantec as they are doing similar work for a neighboring community in Waseca. Mark DuChene, Director of Engineering, was part of this discussion and he's confident that this pricing is fair given this is a pretty compressed timeline on this project. **Council Member Ross**: I appreciate it and I value your opinion, but these last two items are big numbers. For public transparency, I'd really like to see some competition on these big numbers. **Mayor Spooner**: Thank you. Great. Any other questions? **Council Member Rowan**: Mayor Spooner. I make a motion to approve Resolution 2026-034. **Council Member Doumbouya**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: Motion by Rowan, second by Doumbouya on Resolution 2026-034. All in favor? **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: All opposed? Motion passes. Bids: we have none tonight. Boards and commissions reports/announcements. Anybody have anything? [21:13] **Jessica Kinser**: I'll give you a two-week early heads up. We are probably going to do the February 11th Council Chat at the Rice County Historical Society. We've been trying to work with some of the non-profit funding partners and it will not be an evening one; it will probably be sometime during the day. I know that's a conflict for some, but that was how we needed to work that schedule. I just wanted to give you the heads up that there will probably not be a 6:00 p.m. gathering on the 11th of February. [21:48] **Mayor Spooner**: All right, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. **Council Member Barnes**: So moved. **Council Member Thiele**: Second. **Mayor Spooner**: Motion by Barnes, second by Thiele. All those in favor? **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Spooner**: All opposed? We are adjourned.