[0:00] Speaker 1: [Music] Hey. [Music] [Music] [1:03] Mayor: Good evening. I'd like to call the regular city council meeting of Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 to order. Please rise and join me in the pledge of allegiance. [1:20] Council and Audience: 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. [1:27] Mayor: Well, welcome to those online and uh certainly in our audience. Nice to see a lot of fire people here tonight. Uh any additions or corrections to the agenda? [1:37] Clerk: No, sir. [1:38] Mayor: Seeing none, I'll move the agenda. Is there a second? [1:42] Council Member: Second. [1:43] Mayor: All in favor signify by saying I. [1:44] Council Members: I. [1:45] Mayor: Opposed? We have an agenda. First item up is presentations, proclamations, and acknowledgements. 3A is recognition of retiring Rosemont fire firefighter Bruce Sword Chief. All right, there you are. All right. [2:06] Fire Chief: Good evening, uh, mayor and council. As you see, we have a packed house tonight, and I would say that is deservedly so. Um, as we were here tonight to celebrate the retirement and to honor the service um, of firefighter Bruce Sword, a dedicated member of Rosemont Fire um, who joined in 2003. Bruce began his tenure as one of 14 new hires um, and he quickly established himself as a committed and very capable firefighter. Over the years, he has earned certifications as an emergency medical responder, his fire one and fire two certifications, fire instructor, and also fire officer certific certifications, demonstrating his dedication in professional development and his excellence in service. [2:49] Mayor: Excuse me. Can can you switch the uh to Bruce's picture there? Is that available? [2:53] Fire Chief: I don't know. It's up here. There it goes. Thank you. That's right. Um, all right. So, throughout his career, Bruce served in several roles within our organization, um, including an SCBA manager, which he held for 17 years. He also served for 15 years as our fire department secretary. U, these roles required diligence, leadership, and a deep understanding of our operations, and those are qualities that Bruce consistently showed. Uh, but Bruce was more than just fire calls and training. Uh Bruce was passionate about public education and community outreach. Uh whether it was a block party, a station tour, a truck visit, an open house, a school visit, uh Bruce's name was consistently on that roster. Uh his commitment to engaging with our community and to educating the public uh was genuine. In recent years, uh, Bruce's character was on full display, uh, when he chose to step up and assist our neighboring departments by signing up to work standby shifts both in Burnsville and in Egan, um, during their times of need. His willingness to support others during difficult moments truly speaks volumes about his integrity and compassion. And Bruce, I would say that it is because of your integrity and that compassion that I think so many people were willing to step up and help you um in your time of need. [4:21] Bruce Sword: Yep. [4:22] Fire Chief: Um as a newer member of our department, I didn't have a ton of opportunity u to work closely with Bruce, but I can tell you that his peers speak consistently about his positive energy, his warm personality, and his uplifting presence that he brought to every room he walked into. Bruce was not only an exceptional firefighter, he was a devoted public servant whose impact extended far beyond the fire ground. But there's also one thing I know and that behind every strong and devoted firefighter is an equally strong and devoted family um that is there to support them. So to Linda um to your entire family, thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for your strength to allow Bruce to follow his passion. So, mayor and council, uh, please join me in thanking firefighter Bruce Sword for over two decades of outstanding service, leadership, and heart. Thank you. [5:46] Bruce Sword: [Laughter] Are you sure you want to give this to me? [5:48] Fire Chief: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. [5:52] Bruce Sword: Well, I just wanted to say thank you so much for that uh all those kind words and uh then the recognition. Um I'm going to miss you guys. But uh I swore I wasn't going to get choked up, but uh um I loved working with all of you guys, both incoming and of course the guys that have already left. I have great relationships with everybody on this fire department, and I'm going to do my best to keep those relationships going. Um, I may be off the fire department, but I'm not off the retiree uh uh auxiliary in my column. So, uh, once a month we get together for breakfast. And unfortunately, I have to work Saturday morning, but uh, I'll I'll make it up in other days. But, uh, thanks so much for, uh, the leadership that I had. Rick, um, Chris, Brad, um Pete I tried to outlast you, buddy, but I just couldn't. But, uh, um, I also have a incredible debt of gratitude for the support that I got on January 23rd of this year. Uh for those who may not know, I was uh responding to a call and uh went down with a heart attack at the fire hall and uh without that uh support, immediate first aid and and uh first responder activity um I may not be here. So uh thank you so much for that. You saved my life, boys and girls. I appreciate that. And uh thank you to the city and all the residents for allowing me to be a part of this uh organization with these fantastic individuals that make up the Rosemont Fire Department. And uh I guess that's all I got. [8:02] Mayor: Thank you again. Thank you, Bruce, for your selfless service to the community and especially to your family for their support and sacrifices to allow you to follow your dreams with the fire department. Thanks again. Mhm. So, with that, that completes agenda item 3A. We'll move to our next item 3B, uh, special event update, Haunted Woods Trail, Mr. Schultz. And Chief, are you take Chief, are you taking them somewhere? Are they going somewhere? [8:44] Fire Chief: You don't have to. Yeah. Thank you guys. Thank you guys. [8:49] Mayor: We'll give you that chance to clear the room a little bit. [9:14] Speaker 2: been cutting. [9:25] Mr. Schultz: Pretty tough to follow, huh? Yeah, boy. Uh, Mr. Mayor and council members, I'm uh here tonight just to give an update on the Haunted Woods Trail event that's going to be taking place this Saturday, October 25th, from 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. uh down here in Central Park. Uh this event is in its uh 43rd year of taking place in Rosemount of some level of a Halloween event. We've done we've done trails in Carol's Woods. We've done some different things at the community center and now we're here at Central Park uh and running a community event. Uh we are inviting um preschool through middle school age youth uh are invited to take part in the haunted trail where they will see a variety of Halloween scenes and then also um receive treats from local businesses and service organizations. And I think last I heard there was real close to 25 uh organizations that have come forward to to hand out candy and treats and things like that at the event. And so uh for more information uh people can go to the website uh which is rosemount hauntedtrail.org for event information. Uh there will be a shuttle uh being provided by MVTA running from Rosemont High School from about 5:30 till probably 8:30 or until everyone gets back to the back to the site. And uh they've done that now for a few years, which is kind of a nice opportunity for people to not have to, you know, fight the traffic downtown where it's pretty busy. um they can just go down to the high school park um at the at the high school parking lot and then get on the bus and and take it downtown here for the event. And so um with that um this uh event uh is coordinated by a handful a small handful but a handful of volunteers including our council member Heidi Fresky who is one of the leads on this project along with uh Barb Hester and a few other folks in town. And so if you know anybody who's looking to volunteer on a on a Saturday night, um they're looking for uh volunteers both in the morning and in the evening to help break down and tear down the event. And so uh have them go to the website uh to contact people on the committee uh to do that. But uh with that, I will uh stand for questions and we all look forward to the 43rd annual Halloween activity. [11:53] Mayor: Floor is open to council. Any questions or comments? [11:58] Council Member: supposed to be good weather right? [12:03] Mr. Schultz: You know, I haven't even looked that far ahead. [12:05] Council Member: Doesn't look like rain. There's also football. It looked like it was in the 60s or supposed to be in the [12:10] Mr. Schultz: Yeah. So, this event typically on a good season where the weather's cooperative, you know, it'll it'll draw in the thousands. So, between two and 3,000, you know, people coming out for that. And so, uh, they do accept Goodwill donations at the front of the line, uh, which goes right back into, you know, replacing, um, scenes and helping with the cost for insurance. The event, again, run by the community and supported by a lot of other folks in town here. So, [12:43] Council Member: and you have some new sponsors, too, right? This year, [12:48] Mr. Schultz: they do. Yeah. They've got a lot of new businesses that have stepped up um that are new to Rosemount um and are going to be taking part and it's a great way to get their name out uh get their name out there and kind of share in some community fund. So, [12:59] Mayor: Great. Y thank you. And that'll complete item 3B. We will continue with um response to public comment. Surprised that one's first. Um any followup on ones? I do have one to uh share uh this evening. Uh some of our residents or many of our residents may be receiving a letter that looks something like this. Um which you obviously can't read, but it has Rosemont's uh logo on it as well as the service line warranties. And it's regarding exterior water service and sewer and septic lines. And this is a letter that uh the city of Rosebond is aware of and this company service line of warranty uh is part of uh an a nationwide effort. It's National League of Cities uh partner and uh Rosemont has signed up with them uh few years back to allow them to reach out to residents that may be in need of um replacement of their water service or septic lines re recognizing that from your house out to the street is not uh city. Uh, so there's a there's a spot there that you're responsible for if it ever breaks or um you have issues with it. The uh uh I I did notice the chatter I guess in social media and so I thought it was relevant to let you know that yes, this this is um something that we're aware of. It is uh something that uh while we are a growing community, some of our houses now are getting to that point where they uh you may want to sign up for this insurance. Uh this is an ex this is not exclusive. If you have homeowners insurance, you may find that you can get uh the same uh similar coverage and uh be able to maybe beat their deal or not. But I did want to share a couple things that yes, in our community there's been 399 policies issued for 200 customers. There have been claims. There was 27. Uh they believe that they've saved $12,890 of customer savings. Uh about 2 and a.5% of our homeowners are enrolled. So it is a small percentage but again a small percentage of our city is uh of that older beyond 20 30 years uh that those houses are and they have indicated that customer satisfaction has been 4.8 uh on a scale of 1 to five. So just recognize that it is out there. You can choose not to do it and throw it away. I know I've got more than one of these. So they are aggressive uh but they are trying to uh make you aware that there may be issues that may come with your underground water and sewer. So with that uh that'll uh complete item four uh to public comment and we'll go to public five. Um that was response. Number five is public comment. Anyone wishing to come before council at this time may do so to discuss items not part of the meeting. Um these uh questions or comments should be limited to about uh no more than 3 minutes. Please state your name and address. And the podium is now open. Council's willing to receive your comments or questions. Anyone? And as always, seeing no one making the mad dash one more time, is anyone interested coming forward? Seeing none, uh, we will close the public comment at this time. That completes item five, and we'll move on to the consent agenda, items 6 A through M. Included in the consent agenda this evening are bill listings, minutes of our regular and work session on October 7th, donation acceptance from Cub Foods for $150 that helps support the fire department open house and another by Costco for $50 uh again for the fire department open house. We have an approval for a reciprocal fire service agreement for region one. the area uh cities around us for mutual aid. Authorizing items for the 2026 street improvement project will be occurring between Shannon Parkway and Chippendale and 140th Street to 160th County Road 46. We have a criminal justice network sen JPA amendment for records and we are authorizing lease space to the criminal justice network seg. Again uh this is actually utilizing some space that we have available in our new public works and police department campus. We have a request from Fatalone Companies for the transfer and renewal of the Vestra Stone X smallcale mineral extraction permit and Amberfield's plat 16 correction approval for the treat maintenance agreement at Kamore Crossing and termination of accounts payable specialists was a reduction of a staff position. So with that uh would anyone like to move the consent agenda A through M or wish to pull any item for further discussion? First pulling any items. Seeing none then a uh motion of approval from A through M. [18:31] Council Member Esler: I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda items 6 A through 6M. [18:36] Council Member Klimple: Second. [18:38] Mayor: I have a motion by Esler, second by Climple. Roll please. [18:42] Clerk: Esler [18:43] Council Member Esler: I. [18:44] Council Member Klimple: I. [18:45] Council Member Weisensel: I. [18:46] Council Member Tyson: I. [18:48] Mayor: 6 A through M passes 4 Z completes item six. We'll move on to public hearings certification of the delinquent municipal services to 2026 property taxes. Miss Malikica. [19:03] Ms. Malikica: Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the city council. So the city experiences delinquent accounts just like other businesses do. We do not use collection agencies and we do not shut off services unless the property is vacant. Um so in accordance with state statute, we are authorized to certify the amounts to the county auditor to be added to the real estate taxes. The property owners were mailed notices for their delinquent utilities as of July 15th of this year and they the notice stated they had to pay they had until October 6th to make payments in full on that amount on that account and that there would be a public hearing this evening. At the time of the notice, there were 1,436 accounts that were delinquent and as of this evening on the lists in front of you, there are 696 accounts that were delinquent. Um, and there's $321,338 is what we were at. Um, the city experiences about 18 month uh delay in collecting payments. Kind of a cash flow um difficulty for the city with that. So, some of the customers are repeats. A lot of them are repeats. They only pay on their property taxes, unfortunately. So, we do see a lot of those year-over-year. Um, but we certify to the taxes and collect funds that way. So with that, um, we do allow people to the opportunity to pay ahead if they wish. We put it as a credit on their account. So that's an option if they choose to. We wish more people would take advantage of it. Um, so this evening, we're requesting a public hearing be held and hear from those that any wish to speak and um, after that certify the resolution attaching them to the 26 property taxes. Any questions from Miss Mala? No. [20:55] Mayor: All right. Seeing none, we will open up the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak on this may do so. Come to the podium, state your name and address and your concern or question. The floor is open. Anyone wishing to come forward? Anyone? Anyone? Seeing none at this time, I'll move to close the public hearing. Is there a second? [21:35] Council Member: Second. [21:37] Mayor: Uh, all in favor signify by saying I. [21:40] Council Members: I. [21:42] Mayor: Opposed. The hearing is closed. Uh, any other follow-ups? If not, I'll look for a motion in the affirmative to adopt the resolution. [21:50] Council Member Weisensel: I'll make a motion to approve the resolution terminating employment of accounts payable specialist. Wrong one. Am I on the wrong motion to adopt adopt? Sorry, the bids. [22:04] Mayor: No, sorry. Motion to adopt a resolution certifying delinquent municipal services. [22:07] Council Member Weisensel: Yes. Okay, that one I guess I'll make the motion. Is there a second? [22:15] Council Member: We didn't have that page in the packet like yours. Yeah. [22:18] Mayor: So motion by Weisenell, second by Esler. Is that Yep. Yep. Yep. Roll please. [22:25] Clerk: Climple I. Weisensel [22:27] Council Member Weisensel: I. [22:28] Council Member Tyson: I. [22:29] Clerk: Esler [22:30] Council Member Esler: I. [22:31] Mayor: And the motion is approved 40. And that completes our 7A item. We have no unfinished business under eight. New business 9A receive bids and awards contracts Bonire Path Trail. Mr. Schultz. [22:46] Mr. Schultz: Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council members. Uh this evening before you is a request to uh receive bids and award a contract for a trail project along Bon Air Path. Uh and that would go from Bikardi Avenue till up until Autumn Path. Uh we did hold the public open house uh back in January and discuss the projects with the residents from the neighborhood who property where the trail will be and then also just general folks in the neighborhood uh who had questions about it. Um we were getting pretty good feedback. They were really sort of eager to get this going. They're happy that it's happening. there was no one there that was opposed to it or concerned about the trail. And so, uh, and moving forward, it's taken a little longer than we had hoped to get this trail, uh, project to the finish line just because we've been applying for grants, uh, through the DNR trail projects and things like that. But, um, we're at that point now where we, uh, definitely see the increased development in that area and the need for this trail. And so uh we have recently finished the uh plans and specifications and the project project has been put out to bid. The engineers estimate was $683,510. Uh and we ended up getting seven bids for the project. Um it's some people might feel it's a little bit odd to bid a project this time of the year. Um, we did this knowing that the project's not going to get done this fall, nor did we ask the contractor to consider finishing it this fall. That's just not feasible. But we want this to be one of the first projects out of the gate come springtime. Plus, there is a little bit of time to do some small utility work uh along the along the boulevard over there. So, we're we're thinking that they might get out there and get working on it. But, um, we did get, like I say, seven bids for the project. Uh the bids ranged from 640,021 to a little over 900,000. Um the low bid was sent uh to us um and submitted uh by McNamera Contracting who was a local contractor. Their amount uh was $640,221. Um, and the uh design engineer submitted a recommendation letter uh in favor of contracting with MCRA uh McDara's contracting company here in town. Um, the funding for the project, should it be approved, we have $400,000 that is coming from some encumbered funds that have been collected o over the last year and a half. And then we would use the remaining funds out of our park improvement fund which has a balance of about $5 million. Um, and so, uh, like I said earlier, we're hoping that we might get a little bit of utility work started, uh, this fall with some relocates of some, uh, some utilities in that area, but then a majority of that work would be, uh, completed, uh, early next spring, and then completed, um, by by summertime, hopefully next year of 2026. Um, with that, uh, there is a staff recommendation that the council would receive the bids, uh, and award the contract to the low bidder, Mcamera Contracting, in the amount of $640,221. And with that, I will stand for questions. [26:11] Mayor: Floor is open to council. [26:15] Council Member: Just a quick question. I know we've got some pent up demand for this and we can't control the start date, but how long do you think the construction project will take on this one? [26:24] Mr. Schultz: The goal is to to get some hopeful utility work done this this uh this fall maybe and then we're hoping to have it all wrapped up by early June. Yeah. And so, you know, with the new elementary school out in that area and like I mentioned earlier, the new housing that's going on, you just this is a a a real need to get this um trail installed just because of the amount of traffic along Bonire. Um, and I know tomorrow we have a meeting uh with Dakota County to talk about some funding opportunities to continue this trail to the east towards the elementary school. Um, there is a sidewalk within the neighborhood from Ardro to the school. Mhm. Um or from I'm sorry, from um Autumn Path to Ardro. Okay. So, there's a sidewalk on the residential side that we will provide signage to make sure people know that there's a way to get from Highway 3 all the way to the new elementary school without being on Bon Air Bath. Um, and so we'll we'll do that as part of the project, but uh the goal is to also add another trail, an actual 8ft or 10 foot trail on that section between Path and Ardro. But, uh, I know with the new school, they've made a lot of connections in this area. And so, um, and I will mention that there is, uh, uh, as part of this project, we, uh, worked with our engineering staff. We're going to be putting in a a pedestrian refuge crossing in this area as part of this project over at Bardi and Bonire at that intersection. So, Okay. Y, thank you. [28:07] Mayor: Other questions? And just uh to clarify, is this on one side of the uh [28:13] Mr. Schultz: It's on one side. Correct. [28:16] Mayor: And what side is that? [28:18] Mr. Schultz: It is on the south side. Yep. [28:22] Mayor: All about air was there. All right. Thank you, Mr. Schultz. All right. Anyone like to move the recommended action? [28:27] Council Member Esler: I'll make a motion to recommend the city council receive the bids for the Bon Air Path Trail project and award the contract to the low bidder McNamera contracting in the amount of $640,221. [28:45] Council Member Klimple: I'll second. [28:47] Mayor: I have a motion by Esler, second by Climpmple. Roll, please. [28:51] Council Member Weisensel: I. [28:53] Council Member Tyson: I. [28:55] Council Member Esler: I. [28:57] Council Member Klimple: I. [28:59] Mayor: And that completes 9A 40. We'll move on to announcements. City staff updates. Mr. Martin. [29:04] Mr. Martin: Thanks, mayor, members of the council. Uh just a quick one that Mr. Edgar was going to give us tonight. [29:10] Mr. Edgar: Sure. Thank you. Uh Mr. Martin, uh I wanted to report some really good news that I got just yesterday and that was that we are going to be a recipient for project of the year award from the American Public Works Association Minnesota chapter. That's a mouthful. A lot of words there. Uh so uh for our public works and police campus submitted that just a few weeks ago and they turned around on applications uh very quickly. So uh I'll be in attendance at the conference for that organization coming up in mid- November and we'll pick up the hardware there and bring that back to show it off at one of the future council meetings. But uh very happy with that and uh we continue to stack up the accolades for that monumental project. Congratulations. [30:00] Mayor: Congratulations. Congrats. Yes. [30:04] Mr. Martin: That was it from us, mayor. [30:08] Mayor: All right. So, that'll complete 10A. We'll move to 10B. Our calendar. First item up is we have a youth commission meeting tomorrow, October 22nd, from 3:45 to 4:45. The Steeple Center utility commission meeting on October 27th, 5:30 to 7. That's a Monday. Park and Recck will follow at 7 to 8:00 p.m. Also here at city hall. Planning commission meeting has been cancelled for October 28th. The next city council work session. We have an updated date. It is on Monday, November 3rd from 5 to 6:00 p.m. uh at the city conference. The city council meeting will follow also on that updated date of Monday, November 3rd from 7 to 8. And if you were wondering why we moved, uh on the 4th is a voting election day. I believe we do not have any city elections, but it I think it's just strictly for the school. Y uh they have a levy that'll be on there and school board as well. And school board members. Yes. Uh city hall will be closed on Veterans Day which will be in the future. So with that, is there any other business to come before us? Comments? Seeing none, I'll move to adjourn. Is there a second? [31:31] Council Member: Second. [31:32] Mayor: All in favor signify by saying I. [31:35] Council Members: I. I. [31:37] Mayor: Opposed. We are adjourned. Thank you. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]