Based on the context provided and the dialogue within the transcript, here is the formatted version with speaker names assigned. [0:05] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: 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 thank our guests here tonight for being present thank you the next item is approval of the agenda for the re reorganization meeting have a motion on the agenda a second all in favor say I all right oppos all right we do have uh a time for any comments on the public [0:54] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: for matters not listed on the agenda have any looks like none moving on to uh new business this is the 2024 annual committee and board appointments and everyone should they have a a copy first one is the City attorney um I should State how we do this we'll go through down through the official City newspaper and then I'll ask for a motion and then we'll start down to the Planning Commission to the housing Redevelopment and we'll do another [1:40] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: motion and then we'll do the next half fire district and then down for the city officers and officials so the first one is the City attorney flan Hood the city engineer Matt both SE City Finance advisor Northland Securities Bond Council kendi and Graven chartered City auditor Westburg I how you pronounce i City fund depositary First National Bank in Moose Lake official City newspaper start his head do we have a motion on [2:26] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: those companies have a second a second any questions or discussion he none all in favor say I I oppose motion carried moving on to the Planning Commission myself the city council member Doug jman Doug Skelton and he's a Water and Light rep Joanne unsen and William Hayden The Economic Development Authority dou jman city council great Sara city council yvon Skelton Terry burn Steve [3:11] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Olson on the zoning Administration Alysa or city administrator that's his zoning administrator excuse me Housing and Redevelopment Authority Sharon hoppy Catherine weth Alice Miller Barb ISAC and janne morisy do we have motion to accept those individuals on those committees have a second any discussion or questions all in favor say I I oppos motion carries moving on the Parks and Recreation board myself on the council l [3:59] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Council Becky Leaf kuster Township Ross Stewart Barney Hollis gr nolene l urban John L under the library board Walter lower councel Karen Johnson the mus Lake Township an Sawyer Emily hetman and Dave misto Cemetery board Greg Sara Council Mike Peterson June Mackey Walt lower madley for Public Utilities Commission Doug jutan Kurt yort Doug Skelton Fire District board Walter lower Council and John L City do we have a motion to accept those [4:46] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: individuals for those committees do I have a second any questions or discussion three none all in favor say I I oppose motion carried City officers and officials the mayor protemp Doug jman weed and tree inspector myself and uh need a train a traine volunteers I go with you you said something about a trip to Alaska so doesn't say where we check weeds to [5:32] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: learn Safety Officer Phil etner Waste Management director Phil etner building official inspector Andrew sharp that's that's pronounced correctly right correct Township en range Animal control officer movs like Police Department Board of Health Gateway clinic Physicians emergency preparedness myself cable television Public Access coordinator Rory buckitz and Ryan H do we have a motion to accept those City officials in their houses got a second I'll second all in favor say I [6:18] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: all oppos motion carried city council committees munici lior excuse me municip municipal liquor store Doug J and Greg sarala police protection Chris H administrative committee Chris whoo myself cable television commission and Communications tech committee myself I hav't met very much myself just so you know Chamber of Commerce myself W lower Minnesota Department of Corrections advisory committee myself Doug jutan active living Coalition mayor Ted Shaw and Doug [7:07] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: jutan committee Safety Committee myself Phil lner Public Safety Officer Alysa ow City administrator Jad Pon the police chief Ryan mcken Finance director do we have a motion to accept those appointments to the city council committees the second any discussion or questions all in favor say I I oppos motion carried City Administration and Department directors City administrator city clerk Treasurer Alissa olens City administrator Deputy clerk Taylor hansbury Finance director Ryan mck [7:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: electronic fund transaction designation ryanan Public Works superintendent Phil etner interim chief of police Jad Patterson Municipal liquor store manager Mari Voss Library director Laura Hedwig the motor vehicle Deputy register Karen [8:22] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: delene but those do we have a motion to uh accept those Ms a second second any questions discussion all in favor say I I oppose car on the last page I suppose I could just read the length of appointments Planning Commission four years Economic Development Authority 3 years Housing and Redevelopment Authority 3 years part par and Recreation board 2 years Cemetery board 3 years Public Utilities 3 years Library board 3 years maximum of three consecutive [9:18] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: terms that's all we have but any questions or comments from the council thank you all for your s do we have a motion to adjourn the reorganizational meeting have a second all in favor say I I oppose all right we are [9:51] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: returned we will now open the regular meeting for the Moose Lake City Council Wednesday January 10th 2024 at 4 p.m. we have already done the Pledge of Allegiance so we will move on to the approval of the agenda are there any items on the agenda or additions changes hear none do we have a motion to approve the agenda have a second second all in favor say I oppose motion carried on number two consent agenda 2A the minutes number one the special city [10:38] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: council meeting December 8th 2023 number two the regular city council meeting December 20th 2023 number three special city council meeting November 29th 2023 and that's a Revis after number three do we have a motion to accept the minutes any discussion or questions I have a second a second all in favor say I I oppose motion carried moving on to 3B Financial reports number one city counts payable for December 2023 number two the [11:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: city financial statements December 2023 number three liquor store profit loss statement December 2023 any questions or comments discussion on the financial reports done do we have a motion to accept the financial reports so I have a second all in favor say I I oppose [12:13] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: this moving on to number three public comment this time is reserved for comments from the public on matters not listed on the agenda please keep your comments to three minutes I have one could you state your name? [12:28] **Jim Michalski (Citizen)**: Hi, Jim Michalski. Um, it's my question: the storm sewer drain in the bar parking lot is sinking pretty bad. That's a fairly deep hole. I just wondering if that's on the agenda to get fixed? [12:44] **Phil Entner**: Or I'll put it right now on the list, yep. Absolutely. [12:48] **Jim Michalski (Citizen)**: I that's probably 10 in down so it's got to be hard plow. [13:00] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Where is this, Jim? [13:02] **Jim Michalski (Citizen)**: Where—it's on the north side of the building in the driving lane in the parking lot. [13:07] **Phil Entner**: Okay, yeah. Where floods all the time. It's just I don't know what we'll do in the—just kind of a hazard because everybody drives through it, people complain about it. Sure, thank you. We'll have to put a cone around it for sure. [13:19] **Jim Michalski (Citizen)**: The cone keeps getting pulled out, there's been one there. [13:21] **Phil Entner**: We'll just barricade it off. [13:23] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: That's great, thank you. Any any other comments from the public at this time thank you hearing none we'll move on to number four departmental reports police chief Department report for December [13:46] **Jad Patterson (Interim Police Chief)**: 2023 counselor, Mayor, Administrator Owens um so this month well last month I suppose I uh have a riping head cold that's I got the mask for I don't want to give it to anybody uh we had 135 calls for service uh which is down from November where there was 183 but it usually goes down in the winter time thankfully we did get the business checks up uh that was something I wanted to do um we made sure to get those up we had 26 business checks where there was only three in November 27 extra patrols uh there was 39 in November 24 traffic stops 68 in November there were six Community engagements um 10 in November and that's going to go off with hockey games and basketball games starting up and everything like that uh five assist [14:33] **Jad Patterson (Interim Police Chief)**: to other agencies six of November 44 calls for service there was 50 in November and then three medical calls that we responded to we also started our 24-hour coverage at nights uh we two officers on night know and that seems to be working well um we're not getting the calls of PD of people's Vehicles being tampered with or anything like that and I haven't received any calls of businesses or mini storage or any of them that were having problems before so just having guys on Nights 24 seems to be taking care of the problem like I was hoping it would so um we do have an officer that is probably going to be going back to F the black police department uh August Reynolds he has a psychological eval on the 23rd which is [15:20] **Jad Patterson (Interim Police Chief)**: usually the second to the last thing before he gets a start date um just wanted to let C let everybody know that he just told me that today the date for his psychological exams so he doesn't have a start date he hasn't put any two week notice or anything like that but that's usually the uh last thing that happens before he gets a start date at uh the new place so that is all I have any questions? [15:43] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: no thank you very much and uh please pass on good job thank you City superintendent Phil etner Department report for December 2023 [16:01] **Phil Entner**: Mr Mayor, the council, Administrator Owens um starting the water department uh the Water Department distributed 5.7 million [16:07] **Phil Entner**: gallons of drinking water the month of December I'm currently working on the source water protection Grant out I've gotten now four years in a row um we have a couple of ideas in mind for what we're going to do with that I don't exactly know which one yet but we're going to we're going to put something in and hopefully we have the same success we have in the past Sewer Department collected 11.8 8 million Gall Wastewater the month of December uh the new npdes Wastewater permit went into effect the first of the year that's a book about this did that's a big pain but we're learning it so it's a whole bunch of new guidelines that we have to follow for the BCA we've been through four of M since I've been here we'll get through this one it's just a matter of uh a little more learning and things that have changed and we'll get there [16:53] **Phil Entner**: um the 2023 sanitary sewer lining project that is would say 90% completed at this point we're yeah we're about 90% it went well um couple things were working out but we'll get there the 2024 lining project is already being planned the the treatment facility there's nothing to report that's pretty much put to bed for the L it's pretty quiet there um Street Department right away um right clearing taking place P filling as always uh snow and ice removal now is underway cemeteries are shut down pretty much for the winter I'm aware of a couple of services we have coming up here later in the spring but nothing relevant right now the campground bath house renovation is what 85% so it's and it looks really good [17:40] **Phil Entner**: it's that project is going to turn out really nice and we saved a pile of money so that was that was really good the arena is running smoothly the recycling shed is all done but that fber switch which we need to talk about next week at the yes correct at The Parting other than that safety training videos did go to some departments um department heads this last week with some instructions they've all been informed if you have any questions contact me super simple everyone has their list of not everyone but those department has have their list of safety videos that employees need to watch fill out their forms come back to meeting and we should be all satisfied with our requirement for our safety for cityan so we're starting that there's a couple of departments that haven't gotten them yet [18:26] **Phil Entner**: you're going to get them don't worry guys I know you're super excited it's coming so and then with that I guess the last thing I got is Jim thanks for reaching out with that storm Ser that was the first I heard about it um but to the public if you see something say something whether it's City Hall the mayor anyone these elected official myself any Public Works truck mention it to it and uh we'll definitely take care of it so any questions? [18:50] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: yeah before you go yes listen first it just came to mind while you were presenting um do you have the number of discharges or could you get the number of discharges from the pond this year to Prior years or an idea of such maybe even for uh um a council meeting in the in the future just to kind of gauge as far as our um lining [19:13] **Phil Entner**: projects the impact significance EXC me 23 was 2 and a half discharges so roughly probably 60 million gallons okay 2022 I believe for solid so we're down considerably that's pretty close to what 120,000 120 million so we're we're down a lot last year was super dry remember keep in mind you know we didn't have the ion info that we typically have we didn't experience a whole lot of that I mean I couldn't buy a drop or R for my second crop in July so I mean it was really dry so we went from what number to four we went from like 2 and A2 in 2003 2 and a half discharges [19:59] **Phil Entner**: and then 2020 2022 at four complete distru roughly 40 million is gallons 35 to 40 million for district one real quick question on the wellness program are you going to update it somewhere else yes it's on the agenda okay thank you good because I have nothing that [20:19] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: thank you Phil 4C Municipal liquor store Department report for December 2023 [20:30] **Ryan McKeon (Finance Director)**: good evening city council Mr Mayor administrator Owens uh things at the liquor store have been going great mari's doing a great job we did complete our inventory on the [20:45] **Ryan McKeon**: first so a big thanks and shout out to everyone's hard work that came in to help Jim included we really appreciate it otherwise that ends up being a long day um so thank you um we have reached out to the mmba also now I know last council meeting I found some training surf safe training it was like 15 bucks for an employee uh the mmba also provides that so for them to come onsite it's only $250 I prefer personally on-site training so I think we're leaning towards that um so just letting you know we're working on that um mari's been hard at it she's going through inventory relabeling stuff um looking at barcodes [21:31] **Ryan McKeon**: descriptions all sorts of stuff um so she's been doing a great job the ice machine was cleaned last Friday so that's good I think that was just routine uh we're looking ahead at bands and forecasting for things uh this coming summer and other months so we have an entertainment budget that we'd like uiz a little more so yeah any questions for CER you happy with inventory uh report? [22:04] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: you know I'm not done with it completely but I'm happy with it great questions oh thank you thank you Jim for your efforts pass that on to the crew I [22:20] **Ryan McKeon**: will so I take you you have technology and Library Department with Laura Laura's here for Library um it just one quick thing uh we did send out our first uh quarter fishing and training campaign this went out to 12 people within the organization and I'm happy to report out of the 12 only two employees clicked on the link that was in there but no data was sent so that's good nobody sent out information they shouldn't have um so yeah good first start all right thank you than you any questions? [22:58] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: right thank you Laura Library report [23:08] **Laura Hedwig (Library Director)**: hello good evening members of the council and City Administration um the library has had a wonderful year um it is getting winter now so that we are getting less people but I was looking at our numbers compared to previous years and we have had um about in total this year um 5,000 more people in the library than last year we've averaged about 450 more people each month um so we're working on getting more programs um newer items and just overall more that the community can do in the library to draw them in and it's it's been going pretty well um for right now we do have our winter reading program going on and there's already like 30 people signed up [23:52] **Laura Hedwig**: and that all goes all the way till the end of February no and February 16th sorry um um so people can still continue signing up and it's for all ages um they can win prizes and get some free books so it's always good to come to the library um another thing that we have added to to draw more interest to library we've got games added to the library right now they're only usable within the library or during our our game night program um but someone generously donated 33 board games to the library we weren't able to keep all of them we don't have space for that many uh but I was able to share them among the other libraries in our system so um a lot of people will benefit from having all those fun games to play all right [24:40] **Laura Hedwig**: um yeah so uh I'm working on getting programs for this coming year um and we've got a lot of really fun stuff lined up um and I'll be starting the annual report for uh 2023 at the beginning of February and looks like we came in nicely on our budget so we don't have worries about trying to meet that again any questions Council? [25:10] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: excent yeah thank you please PL thank you to the all the people working volunteers thank [25:21] **Karen Delene (Motor Vehicle Deputy Register)**: you m vle Department quarterly update good evening everybody andela um well I'm happy to say that um our normal winter hours have been um not normal it's been usually we have a lot of downtime this time of year or before Christmas and we haven't um it's been today I think was our quietest day in a long time which was wonderful because it would we I got to catch up on a lot of stuff but normally in December we're going going through closets and boxes and drawers and purging stuff and we haven't been able to do that but that's a good thing um so since um I was here [26:09] **Karen Delene**: last um our regional supervisor came to do our um driver's license audit for our proctoring the exams in November and he was um he was really happy to tell us that our office has the highest total of exams administered in his region um we had a total of 561 the day he came in and that was November 22nd and I think we did um over 60 in December so over over 600 total so and that was really nice and um he gave us nice nice comments um we keep everything nice and organized um he likes our meth methods that we use to keep our record keeping [26:56] **Karen Delene**: for we have to keep records of every person that comes in even if they come in three times we have to keep record of it daily um and he likes that because I have to send him a monthly report and it makes his job easier too so um I think he likes to come visit [Laughter] more um luckily he doesn't come too often uh this uh past year has I think this is the changes that we've ever had in legislature for changes of things for our office um there has been from the beginning of the year like every three months we've had changes of um [27:41] **Karen Delene**: new every like between fees and um procedures and um more trainings and so it's it's been a crazy year and to try to remember everything and get everything organized so um all our new information and all that is been um when we have downtime so just not very often lately um well one of our newest changes is um in January 1 um every motor vehicle transaction that we do we get a dollar SAR charge for every transaction so DBS um was not supposed to mail out the January and the February [28:27] **Karen Delene**: registrations until December 29th and the vendor mailed them out early on December 15th so everybody that came in from that day to the end of December we could not take that dollar the state won't let estate that dollar so we lost out all that Revenue so not very happy about that um but um what we have done so far from January um it's even though it's dollar it it adds up it adds up really fast so we're happy about that um so any title transfers registrations duplicate titles like anything motor vehicle dollar extra [29:13] **Karen Delene**: so and it's a SE charge they put it in as a SE charge so it's separate from a filing fee so we don't know if that's they really haven't said it that they we going to discontinue or so it's just nice to have like the time right now so um we've been getting a lot of inquiries um from the veterans that started also um in January if they're 100% disabled um they can get registrations free driver's license transfer titles and then come in July um they will also benefit from buying a vehicle their excise tax will be fre so it's about time right for them oh I forgot to bring the plates I was going to show you we got uh new plates uh the blackout plates came [30:00] **Karen Delene**: in last week um and the Vikings plates came in last week for us so I have not been able to get them displayed yet but um we sold a few blackout plates no Vikings plates no no Vikings plates I don't think they're doing very well are they um so we'll also be getting uh shortly twins wild timber wolves l um missing murdered IND indigenous relatives and the Lion Clubs so we'll have all those plates some will have to be ordered but I know all the sports teams well we should be getting in the office they are not done designing them yet so once that's done then they'll be processed yeah and [30:48] **Karen Delene**: those teams are the ones that have to pay for those to be um out there like for us to be able to sell them they they have to put up money for them for us to out um we did some training the end of December um one other thing our office is going to be doing is Crash and motor vehicle records so I remember years ago when I started um we used to have these crash records in our file cabinet and never was talked about them I'm like what do what do we have these here for we've never been asked for them once in a blue Mo somebody would say something but um the customer would have to mail in for them or request a motor vehicle record from the state for money well now we're [31:33] **Karen Delene**: going to be doing it and that will bring us more Revenue also once that word gets out um andbe it depends on if they want a copy or a certifi copy so it will either be making between 9 and 1050 per application so that'll be good and and I don't know if I mentioned this the last time I was here but um we would like to start processing passport photos in our office and I have contacted uh previous DMV lady that processed them and she had great reply for that um she said one year she made 20,000 and the other year the next year [32:18] **Karen Delene**: she made 30,000 there isn't a lot of places that just do the photos people have a hard time finding that so when I reached out to her the vendor that sold hers um it would cost us between like 2600 and 2800 to get set up and it'll be like a mob like a mobile thing that we can slide over when we're not using it um and they get printed right in our office so um I haven't really been able to talk to you about it too much yet so we will we'll be doing that and we can get uh $15 per photo we cannot do the passports in our office um because we do driver's license so um we could if we had a separate station [33:04] **Karen Delene**: and separate person doing that but we don't have the room or the yeah so but we can do photos so I guess we could kind of from that okay and I think that's all the left so any questions that's only a small portion believe me I couldn't I started writing on my no thank you please pass on to thank you to will you oh sure busy year thanks yes moving on to 4f the city engineer monthly report for January 3rd 2024 oh yeah just a couple of items within the city engineering meeting [33:50] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: minutes that I'd like to highlight um one is regarding Pawn capacity so at the end of December here uh superintendent etner was able to pass along the flow data uh necessary for SE to go back and um essentially update our pond capacity memo through the end of the year so that is something that Council will see um in the weeks to come and that we've engaged with our city Engineers on um in addition um Finance director Ryan mcken and and superintendent Eder and myself met with Northern Securities regarding a new rate study um and that is for the sewer fund they did mention you know sending over a proposal that might include an update for the water fund as [34:37] **Ellissa Owens**: well uh Northern Securities are the one that uh the The Entity that executed our last water rate study so they have a lot of our information um now um there's a lot has transpired over the course of the last you know 5 years since the the study was done um four or five years but we'll just check cost and bring to council the difference between looking at the sewer fund and the water and sewer fund collectively to get updated um an updated rate study so more discussion to come on that but we did have our additional meeting and we'll be uh receiving a proposal any day now that will be shared with Council um in addition uh superintendent edner got an updated estimate for the compressors at the Riverside hockey [35:22] **Ellissa Owens**: arena and so um essentially the estimate came in at 600 10,000 the previous estimate was about 520,000 so it has gone up over the course of the last year um this new estimate will be used to apply for the mighty Dux Grant we have been notified that the mighty Dux uh Grant has been funded again applications are due on February 13th we are engaging with our city Engineers on that application process um there's different levels of um eligibility eligibility so to speak with the grant so our system we'd be looking at eliminating our 22 refrigerant for an indirect system so we qualify for up to [36:08] **Ellissa Owens**: $250,000 so we will be requesting the $250,000 with that there is a um a matching portion so uh the city would be looking at what means uh do we have collectively with the Hockey Association the school district um Community Partners things of that that nature to engage in order to get the other half um of the monies needed for replacing the compressors so all of that is in the works if you have any questions please feel free to ask in addition we are um continuing to engage with um St Luke's and Aspirus regarding the Community Partnership so where that agreement currently stands is we have communicated that the the language and the agreement that we would like to have um as a city [36:55] **Ellissa Owens**: um review view of what is going on the building as far as signage is concerned uh so they're creating some language for that agreement and putting it in and be sending it back um as another draft and so they've had some um with their transition from St Luke's to as virus they've had a lot of things going on um internally for them so it's it's taken a little bit of time but now that that transition is complete they know then what signage they'd like to have on on the side of the building and and what that'll look like so um time well spent and we're continuing to engage in that we'll also be engaging with the Hockey Association they do have money set aside for compressors so looking at what that fund balance is um and how we continue can continue to partner with uh all of [37:41] **Ellissa Owens**: the relevant entities to try and help fund the new compressor system so more to come on that but we were excited that the um Mighty Duck Grant has been funded again and so we will make sure that we submit an application and um put our best put forward on that is this the time to talk about anything on capacity um we as far as Pond Capac yeah uh we can touch on that on the proposal for the district yeah sry any questions on the engineer report? [38:23] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: lot of dat in there to read through good for Chamber of Commerce updates? [38:34] **Ellissa Owens**: yeah so the annual dinner for the Chamber of Commerce is going to take place this Saturday January 13th at the um suine Event Center so the um chamber's been working really hard for organization with that in addition they'll be looking at um appointing new officers and conducting their annual you know appointment activities they have started to set dates for upcoming events in 2024 so we'll be sharing those as as they become relevant um but they've got a lot going on and and this time of year they really heavily engage in the in the planning processes so we'll share dates [39:12] **Ellissa Owens**: as they become available for us for events moving forward in the year thank you any questions? thank you I think before we go into the previously discussed this I'm going to move up our state represent Jeff Dotseth and uh then we'll go back to uh number five thank you [39:35] **Jeff Dotseth (State Representative)**: thank you Mr Mayor, fellow council members. It's truly an honor to be here today and uh number one I just have to say it's really an honor to serve our community and uh you know we really have a special gem here right in our own backyard that uh gets overlooked it really is an honor to be down the capital and actually represent everyone here I'm here today just to uh more address the council I've actually [39:58] **Jeff Dotseth**: had a number of meetings with the the mayor and uh Alissa and so we've been in touch and ins syn all the way through the uh legislative session last time but I just want to let you know I'm here to provide a service I'm actually working for you let you know I'm a phone call away if there's any issues any challenges uh reach out to me I think U you with a $17.5 billion Surplus that we just uh U I'll just say we blew through uh last session that I wasn't agreeable of how some of those money were spent what I am focusing on is the money that were spent that came back into our communities I think we've got a bonding project uh that we're resubmitting I actually worked last session um where we actually presented a bonding project for reigning our lines and now we're [40:44] **Jeff Dotseth**: actually resubmitting that to U some increased costs and we're actually uh I this is going to be helpful with the study that you're coming out with as well with the wastewater treatment and what's uh still available that's going to really uh give us some tools to work with I just want to let you know that I'm uh you know just more of a informal uh addressing that the Council of be just let you know if there's any questions don't hesitate to reach out to me I've been trying to get out to a lot of the different communities and really you know there's such a wide array of different challenges that we face I mean all the way from fire law enforcement each each Community has a little bit of different uh feel and a different flow but uh at the end of the day we're all in this together so we really have to look at uh what's in the best interest of uh greater Minnesota here and really [41:29] **Jeff Dotseth**: work together in achieving that end goal but uh and along with that you know the fire department uh police department I think uh uh they can contest that we've had a number of different dialogues uh uh over the last session and we're now entering session uh moving forward in February uh actually I just came back from St Paul I actually uh had meetings down there this morning I had run down to an address but uh I I'm local here so don't hesitate to to reach out to me grab a cup of coffee uh meet me at my office that I have here locally once I get back in session it gets a little bit more challenging that's why I want to address the council now before we get back in session and just to let you know put a wish list together you know and I think uh our list has been wonderful on [42:16] **Jeff Dotseth**: doing that already but if there's any additional items don't feel hesitant to uh approach me with those a lot of the stuff takes time and what I learned is that you know first run I think we had that dialogue that uh you know don't expect it the first run but now I think uh moving forward uh uh we've got uh people start getting aware of these projects and knowing that there are some real needs and there's also other Pathways that we can approach as well you I think that was like you mentioned the Mighty Ducks that's a great uh opportunity for the Hockey Association to take advantage of that you know there's a lot of challenged uh legislation that was passed I think our DMB expressed some challenges license t things like that that all boils down to money that goes back in the consumer pocket that is [43:01] **Jeff Dotseth**: being pulled right away from them with this inflation but uh you what we've got to focus on what we can do for our community you know we're not Minneapolis St Paul we're mus Lake and we're I'll just say it we've got the Barnum we've got the CL we've got Carlton uh there are some real challenges that we face that have been overlooked for a long time just on a state level just because uh you know they I shouldn't say it but they just haven't looked at Greater Minnesota as they should have but I think we're starting to gain a voice Downy at the capital which is encouraging I think we've got a lot of good support from some other members that are down there as well so it's encouraging to see what's taking place I mean we've got the msop right here in our own backyard I mean there are some real challenges that you know that we're [43:49] **Jeff Dotseth**: looking at in the next 2 years 5 years 10 years but U I'll just open up the floor there's a few questions I know I've got about what 45 minutes but there any a quick question I can answer or uh address got one on the top of my head I know that you you know pushed the PTSD funding moving the insurance into the state funding do you see anything moving on that this year? [44:27] **Jeff Dotseth**: you know my concern like I actually expressed with you before is uh um that the funding for continued monies uh hasn't been addressed yet yet the way it should be and that's a concern that I have is how that's going to be two years from now my concern is that our state is going to face a I really predict the [44:35] **Jeff Dotseth**: deficit come 2025 26 uh with some of the forecast that we're looking at and that that's unacceptable I mean we just had a$ 17.5 billion Surplus and another 10 billion that was spent on top of that um you I shouldn't say this but it's a the average resident doesn't understand they're not paying enough attention to what's actually happening out the capital we need your input don't hesitate to send those emails down to the capital myself pick up the phone give me a call I think a lot of you have my number uh if not the Alissa has it she'd be happy to pass it on to you but uh you know these are real things that need to be heard not just to me because I your voice and I I understand it I get a lot of it but if there's blind spots that I don't see let me know you're [45:23] **Jeff Dotseth**: right PTSD I mean we were on um uh phone calls back and forth and uh with Darren the former Chief of uh police I actually had a number of conversation with him on that as well U when we were actually looking at some of the votes and some language that was there and Mr Mayor I shared that with you that the first time we were promised that it was going to add some language in they came back and they didn't add that language in and that's unacceptable I mean because then also puts a burden back on the cities in the future if something isn't rectified in the next couple years so that is a concern that we have to look at any other questions? [46:04] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: nope just push infrastructure money for infrastructure that's the biggest thing is that that's a big one [46:08] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: msop and mcf U it's nice that you know they're able to use our system but it's been very difficult to get things done on a local level because everything gets shipped back down to the state and it gets pushed aside um they're really not paying their fair share of our system and keeping up our system and it's taxing the people that live here 30% of them are paying for everyone so I think there needs to be we're looking at SIU agreements and things and we can definitely use help making sure that they understand how this is negatively impacting the citizens M slake we're flipping the bill for um a service that we're not really getting that what we should be getting out of it as well as with the D&B we're [46:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: coming a couple hundred, short every year and that dollar search charge is going to help and we'll see how that that uh Works in our favor but those were a couple things that are pressing for us these are real I think you bring up a good point those are real major assets for our community that the city is actually take an additional burden on I'll just admit originally when I uh first got involved I didn't realize a lot of that stuff uh uh how the Dynamics worked and how it affected the city and the extra burden of the $200,000 for City for a a DMV I mean that's unacceptable and I think I've had a number of conversations down there at the capital in regards to the commissioner I've actually had some dialogue with him about some of the challenges that we face I think we're we're very fortunate to have the local [47:42] **Jeff Dotseth**: leadership that we had uh at msop I think that's a tremendous asset and we have to capitalize on that again I've had a lot of conversation there as well with that good point I think just one one one more item unless someone else has something you know and that it it's kind of a thing that that really affected us with msop coming which will affect us for years and um I don't know how in depth they thought of it but the first msop probably took about 15 to 20% of our sewer capacity we're always running I know 60 [48:27] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: 70% um this is back in the early 2000s and they took a huge amount of the capacity away and and uh and you know the jobs the having them here is great A lot of people get employment not only here but the region and then the second one was built and took away another I don't almost 10,000 I think we lost overall probably 25 to 30% of our capacity so instead of running around 60 with all this great capacity for years to come we're we're in the 90 percentile I believe before we started relining and [49:12] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: we've gained some back but that is going to affect us forever that capacity um we can gain so much by by doing all this relining but it doesn't solve the future problem for development in the area it really PES to limits and uh There Was You Know push in the past to get more ponds and I think you know that whole story I W even to go into it but at some point it's going to we're going to be right back there and uh that halts all development in in the town and it really halts the state from [49:58] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: expanding um they got all that land and they could build another one but I don't know I that's just something that to me should be addressed again and I know that there have been communities that that have had their sewer systems redone or paid for by the state and uh it's just something here that that I think should be looked again Mr may you bring up a good point I think that's where we need to start revisiting some of that old dialogue and start addressing some of these issues I think the more we bring it to the Forefront and bring attention to it uh because there's a lot of the old faces [50:43] **Jeff Dotseth**: that are down there that uh are gone and the new faces aren't aware of some of the challenges that were placed in cities like Moose Lake and I mean these are real issues these are real challenges that we're facing I mean this is you know how many years from now are you going to have to update our system I mean that 10 years go by 20 years goes by quite quick I think that's something we have to look at and that message needs to be relayed about the state so I'm going to pull on you for your assistance down there at the capital if we need some testifying down there regard to some of those issues yeah we've been there and we'll do it again amen yeah yes sir what about when we when we were they were supposed to hook up to the new system for the [51:30] **Douglas Juntunen (Council Member)**: ponds and they were supposed to hook up and they were supposed to pay so much and they wouldn't hook up so that we ended up paying for all that extra and the state didn't hook up we ended up paying that bill and we're still paying that bill right what year was that well this is when uh expansion the joint effort it started in like around 2008 planning engineering it was like about a $7 million project and it was both um the first part of it was the collection part and that was the the twin roads going up to the doc they were totally tore up new infrastructure put in um is that a 10 in [52:18] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: sewer 10in 15 15inch sewer pipe it was put in that's when the grinder was put in correct from the grinder down by the bridge all the way up the twin roads up to the prison right up to their entrance um and then their plan was to hook up to it because they're on this old 85 90y Old Clay line that runs under 73 and runs down through a swamp towards the the hospital um and that was put in when the state hospital was built so they're still on that Old Clay [53:03] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: line um they never hooked up to the new one we got halfway through the project the second half was to build three ponds which would have given us capacity for years and years and years we would't even be worried about it now would would have solved all the problems even without lining um but they pulled out of project right in the middle of it and they diverted the funds to new locks instead of hooking up to the sewer and agreeing to pay for help pay for the three ponds is it was not on percentage if they were 60% of the flow they' pay for 60% of the ponds the city would do I don't know 2530 and then a [53:50] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: district the rest of it but they pulled out my money was diverted all the supplies had been bought for that project and part of it is still sitting up by the pawns we utilized as much as we could and sold what we could because you can't have that stuff sit above B like that it deteriorates um so that project the the funding for that once they pulled out we had to tell the the contractors we can no longer afford to do this project they want the money up front well when the state diverted their Millions we didn't have millions to pay [54:37] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: so we cut we stopped the project we had to pay off the contractors I think it was I can't remember now maybe million and a half the city paid out to Halt the prop project the project just doesn't stop the contractors were already here they had all their equipment we had all the supplies were were bought so we had to Halt all that pay them off and just store the material and use it the best we could and they never hooked up to that pipe that 15-in pipe which is right up at the front gate of the prison it's just sitting there unused is [55:24] **Jeff Dotseth**: it in a hole on their property I believe right on the edge of the property yeah they'll pay well yeah I mean those those monies that um 7.5 million or whatever it was that each entity had to put in a 20-year plan for that project or the state would not borrow the money the funding mechanisms so everybody had put their 20e plan including the the Sewer District and I think just this year one of the bond payments are just starting in into the 2040 something [56:09] **Ellissa Owens**: right yes there were four four um four bonds and then um one fell off but then another one came on so we have three lines that we've been paying on um consistently on an annual basis and one was deferred um to help with mitigating cost on an annual basis but we' just started paying on it this year but anyway you know things like that I think you got very Point that's another example of this overreach of government uh think you'll find that I'm one of uh less mandates and let the let the city be able to operate on their own and communities operate on their own uh and so all these up were mandates that being applied to have costs that are [56:56] **Jeff Dotseth**: carried down to the smaller communities and that's a challenge I have with all these different mandates and uh government overreach is it really affects real people and that's what I'll just say it that gets lost down at the capital and sometimes Common Sense gets flushed out I think that's where being a voice of reason but again hearing some of these comments from you is helpful because these are real stories that I can actually share that I can document and say okay this is Happen because some of the individuals down there aren't even aware of these challenges that took place no it's 10 years ago longer longer again I justess want have to say that it really is an honor to serve each and every one of you in the community don't hesitate at all uh to reach out [57:42] **Jeff Dotseth**: give me a call or send me an email uh emails are great to you know it's important because it gives me validation when I try to bring some of these issues up down there at the capital as well and again and uh you know I'm a phone call and a step away down the street if you need to reach out to me definitely do so thank you glad you're here appreciate it thank you thank you much moving back to number five previously discuss business this would be 5A ordinance number 171 an ordinance amending ordinance number 127 an ordinance establishing use and rate regulations for Municipal wastewater treatment facilities of the city M Lake um this [58:30] **Ellissa Owens**: agenda item is essentially going to be a placeholder this month for next month so one of our requirements for a third and final reading is publishing uh with the holidays the um the star Gazette is going to be able to publish this particular ordinance on January 11th tomorrow and so because it didn't make the previous add uh previous request for publishing last week we are going to wait to do our third and final reading in February so um again visibility to this we are going to meet our publishing requirements and so we'll have our third and final reading next month if anybody has any additional questions questions moving on to 5B ordinance [59:15] **Ellissa Owens**: number 172 in ordinance amending ordinance number 122 flood plane management um this is our second reading for for um ordinance number 172 again this is a requirement in order for us to be able to participate in the flood insurance program if you have any questions as you're diving into this please feel free to reach out I do have resources to which I can then um direct any questions that I cannot answer myself uh this is the second reading um so we will be publishing this as well and then having a um a third reading in February for this particular ordinance this is probably something that we should give a copy to the fire [1:00:01] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: department um part of Emergency Management just uh have that understanding of what it's saying and and I think least you should read through that too sure I can absolutely email it out there's a lot of stuff in there and it it's good to know I will do that thank you remember I should State um please feel free to leave if you if you need to um welcome to stay just want to tell you I'll stick around for a few more minutes under 5c L Mexico Barn Grill liquor license [1:00:46] **Ellissa Owens**: request uh yes so um I did send a communication out to council with a little bit of clarification of the questions that were raised on the initial um request being made of council and so um what we have the information that we've obtained from the state is that based on population the city has two on sale liquor licenses so the city is utilizing one at the municipal and we have another um this does not include off sale licenses so um not to be on sale and offsale are two separate categories um with that there are a couple of business categories that do not count towards our two um threshold for onsale liquor licenses and one of [1:01:33] **Ellissa Owens**: those categories is a restaurant so the um the city does have the authority to issue a liquor license to a restaurant and it does not take away from our our total you would still have one to give with that being said um the city does not have the authority to limit a liquor license in this particular manner so um we cannot uh limit the type of liquor or anything of that nature if the liquor license is issued to the restaurant it is issued in its totality so those answer the questions that have been brought forward thus far um and so that is all the additional information I have to share with Council regarding that particular U [1:02:18] **Ellissa Owens**: request so we have the authority to approve a liquor license for this business so I'll open it up for discussion and questions yes when was their um anticipated opening date or does it all hinge on this liqu L it would be it was the spring I believe they said that there they would move ahead if they get the Liquid license and it would be spring I did receive a communication from um Mr Mike Anderson and um he did communicate to me um yesterday and the communication stated that um he uh the [1:03:07] **Ellissa Owens**: owners of the restaurant have signed to your lease um with him for that establishment I don't know if their lease is contingent upon the approval or not that was not shared with me it was just that um he is engaging in a lease with the restaurant owners at that particular [1:03:32] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: location any other discussion there a motion I make a motion to Grant license do I have a second I'll second further questions discussion yes sir liquor license for the restaurant yes sir that's what it says that's yes I agree withc license for the rest yes we could essentially designate it to that particular restaurant name and or location as well so that it cannot be moved to another location without our approval so the liquor license would be [1:04:18] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: for the people that are leasing at that location that at that location I guess I didn't amend it I would um that Del license would be for this restaurant only and not transfer anybody else or building location that location yes who did the second right any other discussion questions statements none all in favor say I oppose motion Carri so you can [1:05:05] **Ellissa Owens**: notify thank you moving uh back to new business this would be 6B musary Historical Society annual update councilors mayor City Administration I'm Steve Olson I'm executive director of the M historical society and I brought along or she came with me whatever Rose Coleman is the president she probably brought me along uh we just thought that we should do a little update for the counselors in the city what goes on up there and started with our mission statement is to collect preserve and promote the history of Moose Lake in the surrounding area we do that in many ways some of which are listed and I'll go through my list and [1:05:52] **Steve Olson (Historical Society Director)**: then Rose is going to tell you about what her archive group does every week uh we average between 800 and a th000 visitors to the museum every year only 5% come from the local area we keep track of that so it's amazing that most of the people in town have never been in the building uh we hosted visitors from far away as London England this past year these visitors spend time in the area the E tier the shop and it all comes back to the city and some sales tax we provide free space for meetings such as the voice gos roll water Community Christmas and any other nonprofit that ask to have a meeting up there we have five part-time employees who live and shop in the [1:06:37] **Steve Olson**: area we host the DMV testing and Road testing for a small fee that kind of covers our custodian setting up and clean up every Thursday and just this week the examiners told me they're now going to have two examiners in Moose Lake every Thursday instead of one because they can't keep up with the demand and they also say that 80 to 95 80 to 90% of the demand comes from the seven County Metro Area these people can't get scheduled down there to take their road test so they're coming to Moose Lake and you know they're here they buy the stuff they like it um and M cling us none of this would be possible if we didn't have the support of our 200 members the city in the township around [1:07:24] **Steve Olson**: here that contribute to us because it's a big Pro big event to run that place and without help we'd never make it [1:07:33] **Rose Coleman (Historical Society President)**: hi good evening I just wanted to bring to to you all the fact that we keep history of Moose Lake we've got over since the start of the Moose Lake Municipal the city um we are in the process now of computerizing an index of all this information and it's a slow process we are indexing photographs that we receive from the fs photography light um uh Studio we have obituaries from as far back as we can collect them we have plat [1:08:12] **Rose Coleman**: Maps we have City minutes we have family history a great place if you want to do genealogy in fact you could come in and say run this name and we can run it through our system and we can find your grandparents graduation picture from FS so we can get you a hard copy of that we can find out that you're listed in one of the many books written about the area um we have access to all the historical information that we keep along with all the artifacts that we also keep in the museums um we try to keep local we have some things that are just generically fun so we do keep that but a [1:08:58] **Rose Coleman**: lot of local history and it's a it's really coming around with all the information that we do have so if uh you would ever do have a question we either R we even ran across a story and this was regarding a council election from years back and there was a tie and they said well should we have another election and they said no let's just flip a card they did a card draw for the winner of the draw for so that was kind of interesting all this information so anyway and again like Steve said thank you for all your support thank you very much appreciate your coming thank [1:09:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: you moving on to 6C Arrowhead Transit 2024 subscription Transit service agreement [1:09:56] **Ellissa Owens**: yes has been an annual agreement for the city of Moose Lake uh the cost has stayed the same year-over-year so um it's $500 per month that's build uh to the city um this a standard contract again this is an annual thing for us and looking for formal approval Council I'll make a motion we approve the um trans contract a second service second any questions discussion yes sir they added this $38 an hour rate is there any chance of that could impact the $500 per [1:10:33] **Ellissa Owens**: month change that for us um nope that's uh they bill us the flat 500 per month so I think that that's that would be for additional service um request things of that nature we have only seen a flat $500 per month which you know that may be something that EG days could be for EG days there are other um City events and things of that nature that request additional service and so that new rate is attached to whatever additional hours that they would the city would be requesting or a separate entity would be requesting I will pass that along thank you because it looks like we're using that 500 equal 13.15 hours and I don't [1:11:19] **Ellissa Owens**: know how many hours we're using the service right now something to absolutely if you look at that appendex a they do one route 10300 average m 120 miles Tuesday and Thursday and and does that include their mileage from Carlton here is that included in that those mileage that's 120 miles those are questions have this right so they've given us that FL flat rate to $500 per month but if we do want extra we will pay the $38 per hour you got it [1:12:09] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: people all in favor say I I oppose motion car 6D 2024 city of Mo Lake fee schedule [1:12:20] **Ellissa Owens**: Council has had visibility to all of the fees on this particular fee schedule um the last modification was the rate increase for the campground fees um this is just an all-encompassing this now has those new fees on it and it's part of our annual adoption in January um so this is the official city of Mo Lake Fe schedule and looking for formal approvals open up for discussion questions I just had a question on the uh electric for the campground fee is [1:12:54] **Douglas Juntunen (Council Member)**: there so many kilowatt hours that they're allowed or or how are basing that Fe is there a limit or do they pay more so the daily you're looking at the daily fee of $40 no I'm I'm looking at a seasonal permit they paid $2500 is that unlimited kilowatt hours of electricity or because other other campgrounds like idle we does $500 kilowatt hours I think that we should be looking at that and find out how many kilowatt hours each person is using if they're using a lot it's it's maybe we're not coming out on the other end sure so we might want to set a ceiling on that and U charge them accordingly excellent I think we would need to study this year and then make addressment yes [1:13:40] **Douglas Juntunen**: be next year just be nice to be able to pull that out if we can pull out what they're what they're using all that would take the meter down there yes sir they have I think they have a pretty good idea because what side the what didn't yeah well like at idle wise each one of us has our own uh leader and then they they read it at the beginning and at the end and if you're over the 1500 Kow hours you be paid that's excellent thank you who has a motion to approve the Fe schedu for 24 do I have a second all second all in [1:14:29] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: favor say I I oppose motion carried moving on to 6E Homeland Security and Emergency Management 2023 flood event reimbursement update Council mayor administrator [1:14:59] **Taylor Hansberry (Deputy Clerk)**: oops I dropped um so we were um notified by the department of 3 Federal Emergency Management agency that our obligated um reimbursement for our project category B was approved um and that total was $56,950 we also have project um category G project that has been obligated to us I'm not sure if that one has come through yet um it did perfect and that one was for $23,500 um there is a third category [1:15:38] **Taylor Hansberry**: that we can put in for reimbursement for um that is category Z and essentially they will reimburse us for the cost the administration and management costs of facilitating this reimbursement so any meetings that we had to have with FEMA um any trainings that we had to do any time that we spent putting together spreadsheets we can be reimbursed for that cost um there won't be a lot for this because um we have learned essentially from past experiences so we have pretty much everything ready to go and we were we were pretty quick and didn't spend a whole lot of time on it so um we can ask for reimbursement but those are going to be very minimal question Council? [1:16:23] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: no thanks good job thank you very much I would just like to thank administrative staff too I mean this project was wrapped up within a matter of months um as far as the incident is concerned and in the past it's it has taken years so um to be able to get this amount of money back and as quick as we did it was definitely a win for uh good job thank you you must have the next one wellness program okay [1:16:53] **Taylor Hansberry**: so we started at uh towards the end of the year of 2023 we started working on a wellness program um this was initiated by suggestions to have this in place for all our Public Safety officers uh this would be really good to have for our entire staff however so um a wellness program typically focuses on four main areas your physical health emotional health social inner self and your financial well-being um so some ways that we have decided to um to focus on these categories is um maintaining sleep nutrition and exercise so things like making sure that all of our staff has access to clean filtered water in all of their locations and making sure that scheduling always allows employees to get adequate sleep between their shifts um for example if we have a training mandatory for our munity employees at 8 a.m. don't schedule them to work the night shift [1:17:56] **Taylor Hansberry**: the night before um so just being mindful of their physical health in that respect emotional emotional health um just making sure that we're doing regular check-ins with our staff to know to make sure that they're feeling good um peer support there are some trainings that we have looked into um particularly in the law enforcement department um peer support is very very important and I know that there are some trainings offered on a county level that we could look into and typically they're not very expensive um social and inner self this comes from providing opportunities for volunteering and getting together either with your um your co-workers but outside [1:18:45] **Taylor Hansberry**: of work or even just being involved in other activities with people you don't see at work um so we what would like to Grant free admission to open skate to any of our employees um we also have many volunteer opportunities such as eggot days Fourth of July Trunk or Treat um things that you can be involved in we always encourage people our our employees to take 15 minute breaks every couple hours just to refresh your bra um and then um scheduling other things like a cleanup for Earth Day in the spring and and then doing a 5k which wouldn't actually be a 5k cuz I'm sure most people would decide to just block um but [1:19:30] **Taylor Hansberry**: threw on our trails in October cu the the Fall colors are very pretty and so utilizing those Trails as a group to kind of walk through and just see the beauty of the town that would be great um and then as far as Financial well-being goes Alyssa has spoken with a couple of financial institutions um in the area Tia gusy at Edward Jones has offered to do a couple of training or informational sessions at um no cost to us so that would be very helpful um we also have just compiled some contact information for Mental Health crisis lines and um Chief pison helped me find [1:20:15] **Taylor Hansberry**: some psychologists that are trained in public safety and PTSD so that they have access to people that are best suited to meet their needs um and that is about it so um we were actually notified that if we have a EAP program which we do we have qualified for reimbursement for PTSD um claims this is just another asset to help us um be in compliance with that as well so any questions on W program? [1:20:45] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: no fantastic thank you is there any word on uh on the uh that workout center heard from them yet not heard that about a discount yeah I heard so we'll continue to modify the the program and and kind of tweak it find to and we have a really good foundation in place so making sure that we have events annual and and opportunities for City staff whether it be Financial seminars or um cleanups things of that nature we'll just make sure that um you know we continue to to work through it and then on a quarterly basis each quarter will'll have a different focus and then um we'll be meeting with uh department heads to make sure that they're engaging with their staff and and documenting and and so um we should be um set for our requirements as far as uh reimbursement is concerned but also just making sure that we're taking care of City staff as [1:21:49] **Ellissa Owens**: well good job thank you all be involved with that appreciate that yes please is this something that's sent out to every employee or we giving it to the supervisor hand out or hosting it how is this being both um [1:22:04] **Taylor Hansberry**: so we are going to send it out along with all of our quarterly information as administrator ow said we're going to focus on uh one topic each quarter so at the beginning of the year we will send out the wellness program in its entirety and then continue to set out those supplemental documents each quarter we also have a new bulletin board in the office to provide a space to post all of this in there as well [1:22:36] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: great coordinated Business Systems copier quote [1:22:45] **Phil Entner**: I am back uh the copy machine we have up in the city office it's on its last leg um it's lasted longer than most do uh we filter a lot of stuff through there so we're at that time where we did budget for it um you'll see there's two different copers uh that you have in front of you both from coordinated uh the reason there's only a bid from just coordinated is for one they already uh have an agreement and they work on all of our printers as is the other the other reason is at the top of the page you can see the Minnesota state contract that's because there's no bartering the state actually tells them [1:23:31] **Phil Entner**: what they can charge a city so it's no there's no going up or down so it is what it is uh my recommendation would be the greater of the two so we can get things out of there faster and quicker so we did budget 8,000 I believe and both come on under that Council which one do you like uh the 7601 the 5054 CI there wasn't an option for uh leasing uh there are options for leasing y we currently own the one we have um so maybe we'll repurpose that somewhere else we can lease definitely leas I [1:24:18] **Phil Entner**: don't have those Clos in front of I'm just one I know the Le and by the time you get done with the copier it's not worth anything sure you know just maybe for the next round and it's the same thing with the one up there they I mean if they took it away they would just be recycling it so they wouldn't pay us for [1:24:42] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: it Council a motion for the how you pronounce the name of it yeah K yeah I was 5054 CI for purchase price of 7,6 do I have a second I'll second any further questions none all in favor say I I I all right oppos much 68 Riverside Arena bleacher heater quotes yes so in uh the 2024 budget we have a bleacher here in our uh for [1:25:36] **Phil Entner**: Capital Improvements and on page 106 and 107 we playing two quotes for that one from d& heating and cooling for 5800 and one for region electrical mechanical for $6,000 is it no 62 is with that credit card uh processing 6,000 he your recommendation I don't I we the city of moake has hired both of these companies in the past and they have done very good work both of them so I do not have a recommendation open it up for discussion questions or motion I would just say if we're there's we have another one right after this do [1:26:23] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: we not and it's that same two companies and it's even more noticeable that the cheaper company I think is is cheaper on the second item as well so I would say that we should probably at the cheapest ones [1:26:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: and all right do I have a second I'll second that any questions comments ments all in favor say I I oppose say no carried okay number six I Community Center Rift toop unit quotes same thing 2024's budget we prob it for another rooftop unit for City Hall here we do have seven of them up there this is the fourth one I believe we have replac uh the next two pages down uh here's quotes for for unit as well from the same two contractors same old thing one D for [1:27:32] **Phil Entner**: $7,650 and one from region electrical mechanical for1 19,500 Council questions discussion motion for 17 have a motion that was my motion that was a motion we have a second second questions discussion all in favor say I I oppose motion carried who do you use mostly on maintenance of those? [1:28:10] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: so we actually use dnf the arena for maintenance on everything that's down there and region we use up question that I have will region work on these units that will be put in? [1:28:17] **Phil Entner**: yes they will okay I should asked that before we motion but thank you all right moving on to J Mo Lake windir Sewer District draft proposal to the city of Mo Lake [1:28:55] **Ellissa Owens**: yeah so there's a couple of different components that are included in the P this month um City staff and uh Personnel met with the Sewer District regarding a uh proposal that they had for the city the idea that was brought forth um is actually something that has been discussed previously um and with it it incorporates just um there's a shared location on Kenwood North where there are 22 homes 18 are the district customers and four are ours so with that um based on the current location of the FL there's been um it it has led to a lot of tension between both entities um there's uh distrust regarding um how uh flow is being measured or how readings are being taken or the city's uh Frozen waterline policy and and how that contributes to excess um flow within that those counts [1:29:49] **Ellissa Owens**: in that particular area and so the district came forward with a proposal for the city um in essence where we're at right now is we have engaged the city Engineers to discuss what the cost of moving The Flume would be and so that's also Incorporated in the packet um where we're at is um with Council consensus I would like to continue to be able to engage with the district on this particular topic whether or not um the final result is what has been proped proposed or a combination of what is proposed versus um you know what we find might be in the city's best interest as far as pursuing uh there are some really good things in The Proposal um things that [1:30:34] **Ellissa Owens**: we've we've discussed internally um but also as a city we do need to be able to accomplish a new contract um and engage in that process with with the Sewer District so um the initial proposal was um taking care of these issu issues outside of the contract and so what we've communicated back is you know we'll share this information with Council um but we would like to engage in um looking at the the metrics of this proposal within the new contract so building in these these metrics within um we can address billing in there we can address capacity um their particular proposal as it stands right now negates the need for additional capacity as [1:31:20] **Ellissa Owens**: they'd be turning customers over to the city the city does need to look at if we move the floam where would we move it what is the best case scenario how many customers are actually impacted by that and how many would come back to the city versus stay with the district so lots of homework needs to um continue to be done in addition within this proposal another topic that has has come up a lot is the request for capacity for the Sand Lake Resort um as it stands right now we have informed the district dist that they need to um notify us and get approval for additional connections there is a precedent set between the innerworkings of two entities that they have requested additional connections from the city but [1:32:05] **Ellissa Owens**: not capacity so as it stands right now the city can issue connections um that are separate from additional capacity because that's how we've handled it previously just approving connections um you'll see in The Proposal that they've outlined you know some potential um legal ramifications for the city regarding um the outstanding capacity request for Sand Lake Resort and the district um from my perspective and and what I'd like to share with council is um the Moose Lake sanitary sewer district is um their own utility provider so their customers are their customers and they are the utility provider there's nothing at this point [1:32:51] **Ellissa Owens**: in time that's um forbidding the district to issue um additional capacity to anybody um in addition uh there are times where they send us over the 67,000 gallons per day um regularly and we accept the flow and there's overages that are associated with such um we've never told them that they can't send us more than 67,000 gallons per day um and and quite frankly they do on a consistent basis so um I just want to highlight the opportunity to um a based on president look at connections um separate from capacity and also that there is separation from [1:33:36] **Ellissa Owens**: us with regard to the request in that we can handle capacity between the city and the district um within our own contract and essentially that's a side issue to um the request that's being made for for additional capacity for San Lake Resort so um wanted to have open dialogue this proposal brings all those different issues forward I think there's definitely a need from a city perspective to continue to engage um with the district on these particular issues uh but also handling them within the contract and so we kind of have you know I think they would like to have it all built in together um and addressed outside of the contract now that doesn't that's not in the best interest of City [1:34:21] **Ellissa Owens**: so we'll make sure it happens within the contract but also um their interfacing with their customers is is separate from the city and should be handled as such so if we approve tonight number of hookups how many would that be? [1:34:44] **Ellissa Owens**: it will be 15 new connections and so what the precedent is and um what has occurred is they just email us and say hey we have a new connection we have a request for new two new connections and so the city's approved the connections um without modifying capacity in the past and so um you know if if Council would like and and they would like to issue the additional connections I can always draft a letter to the district daating such um and then um that capacity would be addressed in a different form. [1:35:16] **Greg Sarala (Council Member)**: yes Greg this this number of connection specifically for— [1:35:19] **Ellissa Owens**: so in their proposal they highlighted that um that the Sand Lake Resort has requested 15 new connections um so in other words we're asking for family correct correct and again that inw workking I mean we can grant the district such and it doesn't even have to be you know specific again that that takes place between that utility correct Y and we still have the contract work ahead of us what's their proposal? Phil any comments on any of it? [1:36:12] **Phil Entner**: part said this proposal look good um I guess tonight I would kind of like a let's investigate this more there's a lot of work that's going to go into even deciding if this is the right decision for the city of look L there there's multiple hours that I need to spend in their field figuring out what their equipment looks like what their utility looks like what's their FIP their manhole there's a pal service station a whole many s um it's going to take some [1:36:41] **Phil Entner**: time obviously we don't mind doing it but it's we need to know that either this is something you guys want us to look into and give us your essentially your go ahead okay um or not [1:36:58] **Douglas Juntunen**: yes sir I just at a moment I'd like my thoughts are is to go ahead with this now and go ahead with dealing with the—yeah there'll be two two uh motion okay I mean basically to go ahead with giv them the so-call hookups right and and then the dealing with the proposal right with the soal with the district all right before I open up anything else to add in Phil? [1:37:34] **Phil Entner**: not currently okay [1:37:36] **Kris Huso (Council Member)**: yes sir my concern is that I I believe that we're in negotiations the contract and I read it and it looked like there's a lot of good things and we we as a council did not even receive this until what yesterday did for um this information I think for us to act on something that we just received that is very lengthy I I do think that we need a little bit of time I see what you mean where it's to investigate it's not to approve it's a motion to investigate their proposal I [1:38:12] **Kris Huso**: think that be that' be proven because uh I was very um hopeful when I read this but there's a we haven't even talked right um Phil probably needs what do you think a month or more at least yeah I would say a couple of weeks for the fieldwork but there's a lot of administrative stuff that yeah it would just to go ahead with their proposal the approval and then we would be acting on it in the next few months and I do like the fact that it gives us a solution to uh uh their consumer that's been coming to them for a couple years now and wants to do something for I think that's excellent but I think that we do now that we have this information we do need to dissect it and make sure that U [1:38:59] **Kris Huso**: everything's done properly yeah yes Chris well but by giving the 15 additional hookups will that affect anything in here? [1:39:13] **Ellissa Owens**: go ahead please just for just for clarification thank you for bringing that that forward councelor jent um all that superintendent superintendent enter and I were were looking for today was just essentially um in regards to this proposal just consensus that you want us to continue to put City resources and time and effort into investigating this we did get we did get um information from our Engineers you can see that in here you can see what the number comes back at um again we're going to have to [1:39:44] **Ellissa Owens**: look at flum placement um you know the transfer of customers what that looks like issues I mean there's so many different things but we just want to make sure that council's engaged and wants us to continue to put resources towards that um the connections um request is a separate issue it's listed in here um because to them it's a immediate action piece um but it really is separate from whatever we determine to do with the district um so however Council would like to proceed but as far as the proposal is concerned just looking for um the green light that City resources continue to go towards investigating um this particular [1:40:33] **Ellissa Owens**: option and I would say the connection issue is is not a separate issue uh if you're talking about 5,000 more gallons or whatever it is coming through we're talking about a lot or whatever that total was and a big amount it does impact our total capacity that we've been fighting to increase you know so I I just want to make sure that we're not putting the cart in front of the horse right now when we have very promising information I'd really like us to dissect this and make sure that we have all the faal information before make that decision to [1:41:19] **Kris Huso**: do anything else Council gentleman is here who asked to come to the this meeting tonight to stay the word more welcome to come up please can you state your name to the record please? [1:41:35] **Mr. Lambert (Sand Lake Resort)**: Lake Resort never miss a chance to make an audience right thank you um Mr Mayor uh administrator of council the uh the 15 hookup seems like a very Equitable solution to the problem and I would be willing to withdraw my request for the 5300 gallons which is what I thought we needed to do I think that uh you know maybe we were work looking too [1:42:04] **Mr. Lambert**: hard or too intense at that uh if the solution is that the district can with you or notd grant me the 15 hookups that solves the problem and uh I I think they seem to feel that they need to look to youit get some sort of a nod not it's simply you're okay you know with 15 hookups obviously there's consequences that will come by that and I know that everybody's working hard to resolve those consequences but from our point if you sure could uh give Alyssa the nod to uh send a letter acknowledging the 15 hookups that would get me on my Merry way thank you [1:42:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: thank you any further? [1:42:50] **Douglas Juntunen**: yes sir I mean I brought it up to you basically to get emotion I I had a long discussion with Bill well today on on the part of moving ahead on the other part of taking the part over part of their so-called hookups and stuff over to us on the part of being us being able to get more some more pieces and our future down a line of possibly some other direction for us going for having more property and and stuff like that for what we could be going in the future and expanding the city of M and directions and stuff like that so I I wasn't just [1:43:39] **Douglas Juntunen**: necessarily looking at only one direction I was also looking at the direction of also can we expand move slate too also and I know we're going to have trouble as far as our so to toal sewer capacity and we're going to have that no matter what coming down the line we have to do something because we aren't going to have the sewer capacity for most like the way it is period if we even with what we have because we expand up by the new school if we expand here at the old school and if we expand beyond that point and we expand it to new school and if we sell more the school gives us more property how much more we got we have got enough now so we have to do more than just what we have [1:44:25] **Douglas Juntunen**: the to my point is the 15 hookups is a point to where to get things moving and get point to get the so-called Sewer District to the table and get things moving in the direction that things get moving because the Sewer District to my point has been H to deal with from the beginning so that was my point so I'm done I'm sorry sure no thank [1:44:58] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: you um I guess it's uh up the council here we got two issues um we can ask for consensus to move ahead on the proposal from the SE District first um that'll give uh direction for um the staff to start working with uh the SE District you consensus Greg? yes Chris? yes yes so you have consensus to move ahead with that proposal and uh start that research on that uh those properties up up past Kenwood kenw Mark and uh looking at at that [1:45:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: equipment and there's possibilities to me that to me that uh it's a negotiation part by taking them over and not moving the flum may be part of the discussion that we solve with them um we maybe come to an agreement on on the the flows there by us taking over those 18 they IM need mediately gained how much capacity themselves if you do an average 43 4500 gallons a day right there just [1:46:33] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: on that 18 right so they were anticipating throughout the proposal that if we if we do a transfer of customers and there's no need for them to even request additional capacity from what they currently have um and that's understood um but that's not the only issue that needs to be resolved that's just part of that whole proposal which I think is a good a real good starting place but with where we've been at for the past for me 20 years for some of you past two or three years um so we have consensus the next issue would be the 15 hookups granting them to the Sewer District [1:47:23] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: and uh by granting them um that is up to them how they use that it's not us um we have gained enough capacity we know that we know we can give it there's going to be more coming um from the the uh Engineers on the total will that be are we looking for that for next month the total amount because they're going to recalculate the total uh Super Capacity correct [1:48:02] **Ellissa Owens**: yes we are next month out again and right now we have gained how much it was in the document we presented to the public last quarter wait I don't have that off top my head I'm sorry 10,000 they haven't not given us that end of the year stuff that three month period that's what we want correct so then we can make it I think we gain 10,000 gallons per day I I like I that was last it was last quarter they yeah so I guess that is on the the the table for the council to to approve or not approve 15 hookups to the district at this time the sewer district has communicated to the city [1:48:54] **Ellissa Owens**: that they um would like to avoid potential litigation um with the Sand Lake Resort and and the way they presented it within the prop proposal says the city will avoid potential litigation over the Sand Lake Resort now um you know from a city perspective our argument is is that the request is not made to us directly um they are the utility provider um for that particular request so um if those connections are granted at any point and Council chooses to move forward with that at any time even after reviewing the additional capacity or things of that nature um the Sewer District contract with the city states 67,000 gallons per day and then an overage fee is in place so the Sewer District um if obligated to move forward [1:49:40] **Ellissa Owens**: or if litigation occurred between the Sewer District and and any of their customers um the um the Sewer District would have to essentially pay the overage on any flows that came to the city unless we engageed in a new contract and so um the new contract would then have Provisions in it that um would be beneficial for both parties but also um you know I anticipate that has that is in play here with the with this proposal and I just want to be transparent with Council on that Phil comments? [1:50:23] **Phil Entner**: um if we acquire 15 18 of their customers up here do we have to grant them anything isn't that we don't have to I was going to say isn't that the amount of connections that Mr L need that's where we would be negotiating how we negotiate when it okay um you guys have got that consensus to move ahead with that yep so that's where that would come in so so why are we not waiting just to see what the lines are looking like enter into the good faith negotiations with this new contract and get it that way why would we right now it could take six to eight months it could but again we worked so hard to get the capacity then just to give up the capacity um and then we're also taking on their [1:51:15] **Phil Entner**: extra customers I I think that we're I think we're a need your reaction based off of somebody say that they're we might be getting sued and that the same person is the one that hasn't paid us for two months you know if someone threatens to Su us we we stop all communication with that that entity immediately we always have done that and that is the that's how the city operates our communication would go with the law firm then we have not had that threat but if that happened that's that's what you would do with uh uh according according to like the league of cities you immediately stop every all communication goes to the law firm I [1:52:00] **Phil Entner**: believe that City administrator just stated no that was with the with the uh with the Sewer District Sewer District that's what I'm talking about not us Sewer District no they stated that City could potentially be suit right and and my counter was that that it's not our customer no so I'm not worried about that no that's not a concern of mine however I'm stating that that is a contributing factor of their proposal to us and their desire to engage the way that we're engaging currently and we should continue to engage so we can get a resolution done as soon as possible and help help out the S Resort at the same [1:52:45] **Phil Entner**: time go ahead please City Council Council I just wanted to respond to that um the challenge that we have is if the pathway is truly 15 hookups with uh windir uh Sewer District you know we're certainly happy to proceed that way the the challenge that that we have had frankly has been I feel a little bit like a ping pong ball bouncing back and forth and and my my fear tonight is that you're about to send me back for another four to six month bounce uh I'm fully permitted I'm fully improv I've got 25 existing hookups there construction's 18 to 24 months away and in the meantime I've got an architect engaged we're doing plans and I'm trying to frankly [1:53:32] **Mr. Lambert**: figure out if I can close the resort September or if I need to keep it running another year and and suffer the construction costs in the Lings so at some point I understand that the city out of everybody here sure feels like it's getting the wrong end of this stick I feel like I'm getting the wrong end of the stick I guess my request for you is if you're going to negotiate with them if you could find a way to maybe make a a contingent uh offer where take the 15 if you need them now avoid the litigation which frankly it's not aimed at the city as you guys know it's aimed at the Sewer District and and and then as you negotiate the Takeover of that if you want to claw your 15 back from them if you do take that back claw it back from them that but but I I guess my request is get me out of this because [1:54:18] **Mr. Lambert**: somehow or other I'm the I'm the hostage or I'm the whatever and I'm trying to build a $10 million Resort I have fought the DNR for two years I've spent $250,000 on attorney spans I don't really feel like I want to sue the Sewer District for something that everybody thinks we should do Nots the head but says well we're not quite there yet and so you got an opportunity tonight to let me get on my way I I I'd ask if you can make your resolution to or consensus to to let us have the 15 and then maybe it's subject to taking those 15 back if you do take over that neighborhood to to bring the count back to where it is I I'm not asking for a hatrick I'm just asking for something to say you know help help me move on and help me do what I've been fighting to do for 2 and a half years as opposed to another four or [1:55:04] **Mr. Lambert**: 6 months thank [1:55:14] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: you yes yes Chris what we the um so if we granted the 15 hookups and then um this wind miror declines the 18 then we're just we have extra flow I mean we have extra flow and less [1:55:42] **Ellissa Owens**: capacity so at that point in time they they already exceed their 67,000 gallons per day so if they sending us additional capacity at an overage rate that is significant over their base rate they will be paying us substantially for the overage of that extra flow unless they engage in a new contract and essentially they would have 18 to 24 months prior to receiving any extra flow in order to address the outstanding issues but it does start a clock on the other [1:56:28] **Ellissa Owens**: end we have worked extremely hard for for additional capacity and and and need to be very mindful with our development opportunities that we have going on here um we do have information at this point in time that we we can make decisions off of we'll have new information coming next next month uh another couple weeks doesn't you know doesn't Shuffle anything too significantly but um a planned approach to how we want to handle this proposal and a planned approach to to capacity is is something that has to be established I guess at this point in time with everything that's on the hope for development um whether it's internal or external if we can do this in a timely [1:57:14] **Ellissa Owens**: manner make this Swap and get the inspection done there's no reason why in my mind that we couldn't make this happen uh even for next month sure the The Flume cost to move The Flume came in at $170,000 so another thing that you know we've discussed is do you forgo a lining project and move The Flume in 2024 are there other ways to do it without moving The Flume what does that look like where would we put The Flume maybe if we're going to make it a significant project and utilize the the Capital Money set of deci side for a sewer front project where do we where do we need the F to go all that does take you know a significant amount of time just to make sure that we do our due diligence and [1:58:00] **Ellissa Owens**: that you know Council has the best information to make decisions on and if we did approve something here in a short term one one option would be to uh take these hookups and the district would need to be okay with it that uh we have we have the extra or the extra charge but maybe we go something like two and a half times the extra rate to keep them at the table if they're going to continue to go above that um the capacity that they have understood because then we can make this exchange happen we can get going this project or they can get going with their project excuse me options negotiating what you do [1:58:47] **Ellissa Owens**: that and that's another right there but we take it over right with the 18 customer there's we haven't even started it we just gave them consensus tonight there maybe a you know who knows um how we can uh work with this proposal and I know Mr Lambert has been going through this and uh they've been going through this for a long time but we literally got this draft proposal information I think it was yesterday and we got it Friday so I I don't think that's for us back acting in the best interest of the [1:59:32] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: people that we represent to make make a decision but I from what I've seen I think it's very possible that we can make something happen possibly the next month if we have the right information do you inspect that information or do you inspect that pip they're okay with the the units they can get started on their project that's what I guess well last consensus great can I ask a question first [2:00:10] **Kris Huso**: yes please is a four week delay in us making a decision going to affect you significantly? [2:00:20] **Mr. Lambert**: no I I can make February work but at some point I'm going to lose a whole construction here so I guess if you can push me off to February okay but but please then give me 15 I'll cut some February I mean I I I understand I'm in the pot with everybody else and the the miserable thing about this is this thing really shouldn't exist you should have one community that has one sewer one set is owning that would allow me to have you make a decision that Sand Lake Resort is an asset for the community and it's going to be a good thing for everybody what's happened is windir Township makes a decision that then draws into Sand Lake or to windir Sewer District and then shows up where I'm on your doorstep and frankly you got nothing to G and you're absolutely right you're going to give up your sewer capacity but Dam it it's all our Super [2:01:06] **Mr. Lambert**: Capacity we're all here and so it's it's it's it's this this little business of these you know little beefs that that make this so tough but to answer your question Chris please I I can make February work but but but I can't keep going March April May June which is my point for jumping up thank you and it would allow the the engineers to give us the new capacity um above what we gained already um which would be good we would know how many I think we what we were talkinging 10 and some residents from right keep trying to pull information out of me you I honestly don't know I can't [2:01:52] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: remember all of it it's just good that the council is aware of all that data again that it's been a number of months since we got that report I think it was October one more thing it would have been September was it it was September then because it would have been the fourth quarter um who did I ask for consensus where did we you were you were asking that I mean we already have consensus to move forward to discuss it and he's already said to give us one he'd give us one month for the record I need to hear consensus for what consensus to well because I asked a question about [2:02:38] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: a motion which one and it was a and there was a request for 15 hookups so consensus to go to the next month and not act on it this month or or however you want to State it I just make a motion we table it till next month there you go second I'll second all in favor say I I oppose motion carried so that will be on the agenda next month thank you everyone I do I do really appreciate your consideration I'm very grateful and I understand that for so anything if I can help let me know thank you so much you moving on to 6K moake Gro company temporary on sale [2:03:23] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: liqu license for ice Bachi I gu this event become an annual event um this particular wither license is for February 3rd and is relevant to the Ice event at the Moose Lake perect motion to approve second all in favor say I I oppos motion carried under Al musle Brewing Company temporary on sale liquor license ice fishing tournament approve second second all in favor say I all right oppos motion carried and mus gr company lg24 premise permit application ice [2:04:09] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: fishing contest tournament sorry this is the uh offsite gambling permit for the ice fishing tournament at the have a second second all in favor say I all right oppose carried in public meeting January 24th 2024 at 6: p.m [2:04:36] **Ellissa Owens**: uh yes but um at a previous city council meeting the request was made of administration to be able to design and send out a poll or survey regarding public opinion for um the provision of law enforcement Serv services in the community um we have gone back and forth with the um City attorneys and um what we've been advised and what I wanted to share with council is um the city needs to be very mindful that the document doesn't appear as a voting mechanism or as a ballot um so at that particular time um the initial correspondence was let's come up with a a different design for the survey or poll and then in doing so they said in order in order to be Equitable the the presentation of the document needs to to be as um straightforward nonbiased as and share as much information as possible well as those designs started to unfold it's a matter of you can't share this information you can't share [2:05:40] **Ellissa Owens**: that information you can't share this information um and so then we said okay how about we do an internet survey and then the attorneys came back and said well um you have to have a passcode or some some mechanism or some something in play in order to be able to make sure that it's city of Mo Lake residents that are responding to the survey not anybody outside this you know that's a non-t taxpayer so then you send out something in the mail that has a passcode on it and they go take the online survey and so we were talking about all these different things another metric that came into play was you can't just send the survey to a household because there might be differing opinions within the household so you need the voter registration list which is something we could obtain we have spent so much time [2:06:28] **Ellissa Owens**: and energy trying to engage and come up with a format that's that doesn't create liability for the city and it has not happened so now we're getting close to the January 24th meeting so looking for additional direction from Council um we I really think it's important that all the information gets out there um how Council wants us to achieve that open to discussion and and um ideas at this point I recommend you drop the idea of the mail out with all the different problems and we just advertise the heck out of that date that there's a public hearing and why it it get too complicated and we [2:07:14] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: don't have enough time um to do everything they're talking about and get the information back in a timely matter any it's to me getting cost prohibitive to I don't know I was wondering if there was some type of document that could be provided at the public hearing that they Dro in a box on their way out or something but again I guess there's it's so important that the city doesn't um present the polling mechanism as if it is a vote or or non they kept saying nonformal referendum or you know what what the problem the information too available the county hasn't done [2:08:01] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: negotiating so you can't give data in their from their negotiations because that that is held private till it's concluded we're in negotiations and haven't completed so we can't give that data out so comes down to what data can you give out it becomes limited we got two different it's the same Union but two different areas negotiating and all that data is privacy so it added another element to this whole um idea of getting cards out to the community we could put something on the Internet um but [2:08:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: then you know a simple survey but then it it would just have to be understood that there's not a control mechanism in play for somebody going in and taking the survey 20 times and it's then extremely limiting as to um or or it's Unlimited in that anybody can participate in the survey even if they're not um within the city limits there's also I'm going to say anonymity issues as far as if you're asking for put in your address put in your whatever at that point in time then you're collecting information that then you know it it doesn't become an anonymous poll at that point so we've really gone through we've presented ideas and and [2:09:33] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: options and we're in a really tough spot based on all of the open negotiations and contracts and processes that are in play it's really difficult public meeting is is going to be an opportunity for us to share budget information um scheduling shift coverage um expense information Staffing information but um the budget we passed the budget we passed their proposal at what it is now because they're in negotiations correct um so and so then it was as we had that presented on that polling document that was shared with Council um we said well [2:10:19] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: let's just change the design because they thought well this looks like a voting card let's just change the design well then it was um the presentation they said was appeared biased because it was so simple and didn't have details it was just kind of like this is a no-brainer well to us it's you know to to to council to to community members it might not be a no-brainer but from a legal standpoint they were like this looks biased and that was just by providing what the information that was on the card originally that Council had um access to you so they were telling us that our our format was biased by presenting little information [2:11:06] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: and not including information that we can't share [2:11:10] **Kris Huso**: my only concern this may is that we are going to have a public hearing unless something's changed on this date and I don't believe that the council is going to get a true representation of all the citizens in new slate because you're not going to see a lot of 70 80 and 90 year old people coming out in the middle of winter to stand in a public hearing and give their in um so that that's a concern and I understand as the mayor said it's really getting cost prohibitive to try to do something like uh send something out and our hands are try can't send out the information that we have so I guess we'll just have to take it maybe with the grand salt with uh and try to get out as much as that we legally can out public I know Alissa and Ryan have worked hours and hours on this with phone calls and with not only the law firm but with the league of cities and with every every Avenue to see how can we do this and get it out almost now it has to go up like now because the 24th is just two weeks away about I mean we're we really hit a time frame here that makes it hard is it possible to have this broadcasted on a wz as well at the same time can you possibly contact them and then uh people [2:12:38] **Kris Huso**: can have their radios on and listen to to it live and at least have that information at that point I mean every every that we have we should be doing I could see advertising it but I wouldn't necessarily want a radio station here while we're doing it I think it's full disclosure I wouldn't have a problem with it but that's again just an no I think it' make it more complicated to run the meeting no I mean people just be hearing it on one end no different than if they're watching it on uh Facebook or something like that I understand but what would be the benefit then just those people that maybe are not on Facebook that are shut in would have the opportunity to turn on their radio and listen to it I would see putting it on the radio that we're going to have the [2:13:24] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: open meeting I really I really don't see it the benefit here they adhere it but what would that do then it would allow them to have factual or updated information because they're not those are the people that are not going to be able to come to the public hearing would they be able to watch it on the television they they I'm just saying could be broadcast this this could be broadcast locally I don't know you guys would have to decide that if you want a radio station you guys would have to be a there have to be consensus to do it it's just an ide—yeah I would think that the broadcas on the broadcast should be done live can [2:14:11] **Kris Huso**: we do that live our normal Council I don't know what the programming is we'd have to make sure that uh the programming has changed let be yeah you can you can schedule anything from sure and how many how many households do we reach on our on our broadcast? [2:14:38] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: well we don't have those specific number numbers from Mediacom but like at the other the other venue we have with the public access broadcast is that there is an online uh component to that too so the same thing that we're broadcasting to Mediacom customers is accessible to anybody so it might be to push that a little bit too because I think there's a lot of people that don't realize that if they're not on Mediacom you know they they would have to have internet access but they could pull the same content that's getting played on our Public Access television and that's where mediaon is finding that more and more of their customers are not necessarily television customers but they're providing internet access you know to customers so still what we're doing with Public Access television and having that online presence of our station mirroring online what's what's planned on the station is makes it much more accessible too and that'd be my concern too have 63 64 households how many of the elderly population is using internet [2:15:43] **Kris Huso**: to is going to be doing that I I don't know I'm just saying one more opportunity for people to hear I don't see behind well it goes over a large area just is in Loose Lake you're talking about many communities around the whole area um I don't know I I just question if that's really necessary and how and what who would be calling in are we going to get calls from all these other towns and no I'm not saying all in I'm just saying just hear what what's happening I understand but they could call then after they could call the city office um I just know if that's a good venue for [2:16:29] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: us well again it's not a v—no you know it's would just be in their their personal feeling and that's um well you you're the council you guys have to have to come up with those things if you want to if you want to have uh the administration look at it at the radio station that's up to you I would say I I I won't vote for that do you want a motion or do you want to go with consensus it's it's up to you Hest because I don't know what what is a cost what is a I mean there's different things you'd have to find out about it they have [2:17:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: programming scheduled um I don't even know if that's even possible I I could go with consensus and they would have to you going to have staff take the time to do all that research it's up to Alas for consensus Greg what you going to what you going to advertise now with authority out that we're going to have a a meeting on the 24th right and it's already advertised that way right you're already going to have [2:18:00] **Greg Sarala**: that I'll wait I'll come back to done I would love to see that I'm not necessarily thinking it needs to be on the radio but I think we could put it on the public channel so no to the radio know to the radio but yes know to the radio I'd like to see it on the TV I said no we don't have consensus but definitely on the television I think we need to blasted out I don't mind tell having it on the radio that we're going to have on the 24th and the paper and uh it should go on the bulletin boards and it should be [2:18:46] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: put on here and there again cuz like this is this is online coming so I mean it's the same mirroring of what's happening on the people that are watching on television so I think if we put a link on the website that goes directly to that would definitely uh where they're just to click away and they're they they have access to that if they're on a computer or a phone great so I mean pretty much everybody would have access at that point would have to necessarily be media comp customers yeah great I think we have to start all of that this week because advertising even for the paper um it was very disappointing um I have a passion for Equitable facilitation of [2:19:33] **Ellissa Owens**: local government that's why I work for you um it was very disappointing that we couldn't get something out in the Forum that we had originally discussed um it is so important to get community feedback um so with this discussion um we will shift gears and make sure that we're doing everything we can to hit every single Benchmark and um the sharing of information that the more that the more inquiries that I get in my role um and the more dialogue that's had um I think it just reduces the the tension around the issue as well um because there's so much passion and there needs to be it's very important um but the more information that's shared then it's just a matter of decision making based on the information and and [2:20:19] **Ellissa Owens**: it doesn't have all of the um the Mis misinformation um attach to it so we'll continue to work as hard as we can I was very disappointed that that could not occur and so um we'll start directing energy and resources towards promoting M mayor we going to promote on the radio I would say that we should I think that should go out as much as we can um able to make bues and get them to those places where you know can't be go to go to the chamber building and then spread out throughout the chamber there's 80 some [2:21:05] **Ellissa Owens**: members in the chamber mostly businesses so it could be posted that which we've done before posted that the businesses you contact the nursing home there SE home in the housing complex up here a lot of residents that would be helpful if we were already going to mail out a survey you're already expecting that expense could we mail out a notice to each household about the public hearing and ways to tune in then we don't have to use the voter registration list and we don't have to do all that it's just merely informational so suggesting doing a mail out to all the residents just one per [2:21:52] **Kris Huso**: household because then you're not asking for a response it's just simply notification one per household of and we already have that list um as a city do that I think [2:22:09] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: that that's the people all right moving on to number seven reports and correspondence this start is at 2024 official newspaper bid letter think that's on page [2:22:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: 126 any discussion or motion on the STS that being our official newspaper say that we Yep this is just uh the correspond just the letter thank you y I'm just checking to see if you guys you guys passed 7B city of Moose Lake Arbor Day Proclamation that is in your on page 127 think the city has done this for quite a few number of years [2:23:22] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: moving on to eth committee and board meeting minutes 8A Moose Lake Area Fire District Protection District meeting minutes December 12th 2023 since we have Jim here anything outstanding or need to be put to the whole Community don't believe so on your budget what did you guys pass is—I do not know up the top of my head how many communities does the fire district serve? [2:24:02] **Jim Pederson (Power Superintendent)**: the district yeah so Moose Lake Township and the City Moose Lake are in the district and we contract with a portion of windir or all of windir and a portion of silver any questions? we got Jim here this is the time hearing none moving on to 8B Park and Recreation board meeting minutes there was no December and they won't meet in uh February either they did have the reorganizational meeting last night uh Monday night Monday night and B is the still the president he was nominated yes that grade Nene is the vice chair all right nine announcements regular Moose Lake City council meeting Wednesday February 14th 2024 4 p.m. right here [2:25:02] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moose Lake Economic Development Authority Wednesday January 17 2024 12: p.m. City conference room Moose Lake Water and Light commission regular meeting Tuesday January 16th 2024 1 p.m Water and Light office mus Lake housing Redevelopment Authority board Monday February 12 2024 11:00 a.m. Hillside manner office moake area fire district Tuesday February 13 2024 6:30 p.m. Emergency Response Center Moose Lake Park board meeting Monday March 4th 2024 500 p.m. right here also any from the council Administration have a motion to adjourn I have a second all in favor say I I oppose we are adjourn thank you.