All right. All right. Uh, good evening. This is the July 16th, 2025 Catage Grove City Council meeting, which I'm calling to order. Uh, before, uh, we move any further, I'll just mention that this meeting is being recorded by True Lens uh, community media. You can view city meetings live and replay them on cable channel 799. and meetings are also streamed live and then archived on the city of Cottage Grove's YouTube channel. So, I just want to mention that for the public. Uh the next item uh other than calling to order is the pledge of allegiance. So, if you please rise. >> 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. All right. Will the uh clerk please do the role? >> Council member Clawson >> here. >> Council member Olsen >> here. >> Council member Theiti >> here. >> Council member Garza >> here. Mayor Bailey >> here. Uh next on our agenda is open forum. Uh this is the opportunity for anybody that wants to speak on something that's not on tonight's agenda is well willing is able to do that. Uh we do ask you to limit your uh comments to three minutes. And I should also mention that uh council will not comment on those items. We do take them uh under advisement and then our staff actually uh will respond to you that way. Uh we did have a signup sheet out in the entryway and we did have uh three people that did sign up and so I'm just going to go down from top to bottom on the list. Uh and then if you would just go up to the podium over here, state your name and address for the record and then you can share with us. Uh so we'll uh start out with Peggy. Who is it? Nelson. >> There you go. Uh 7490 I think it's Hinton Park Avenue South. >> Would you like me to read? >> Yeah, you go ahead and do it then. It's probably better than me. >> My name is Peggy Nelson. I live at 7490 Hinton Park Avenue South Kage Grove. All right. Um, my question actually is for the police chief Pete Kerner and my question is, sir, do you know if ICE agents are in Washington County or in Cottage Grove at this moment not training at your hero building? He he uh Peggy uh actually our director of public safety wouldn't necessarily answer that at the moment. That's what I was just mentioning. So what will happen is if you want to ask questions like you're doing, our staff's going to take the information down and we will get back in touch with you versus having a back and forth with the audience. So if you if you have more questions though, you can ask because this is all being taped anyway, so we'll know it. >> Okay. Um, my other question is about the hero building and um I know that we have ICE agents that train in there as well as other federal agents that do that. Um, I'm hoping that as a group from All Saints Lutheran Church that we can try and stop that. It's just a suggestion. I'm I'm hoping that there is some legal path to doing this. Thank you very much for listening to me. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh the next one on the list here is Ruth Jones. >> And I won't read your address since you're going to say it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Ruth Jones and I live at 8180 Janiro A South here in Cottage Grove. The first thing I would like to say is I appreciate public servants very much. Thank all of you so much for what you do for our town. And uh we moved to Cottage Grove in January of 2021 right during the pandemic uh from Lacrosse, Wisconsin of all places. And I wasn't sure what it was going to be like. And I love it here. The longer we're here, the more I like it. It's a great little town. It feels like a little town, you know, feels a little bit rural. I love it. So, it's a great place and that's a lot due to you guys. So, I appreciate you. But the one thing that concerns me is the lack of local media. So, I was at a protest at the Capitol and people came up to us cuz they saw on our our shirts that were from Cottage Grove and they said, "Did you know ICE is training at your hero center? They have a $270,000 contract." And we all looked at each other and said, "No, we didn't know this." So, then we started investigating. Apparently, even though we pay for the hero center, I looked at I think it got built right before I moved to town and it passed like a big ballot measure. We don't want a community center, but we want a hero center, I guess. I mean, I was really disappointed we didn't get the community center. Anyway, it was a it was a passed on ballot measure. Um, and it's funded by taxpayer dollars. We apparently have no say over its use. I admire law enforcement. I think it looks like a wonderful center from what I saw online. I mean, it's state-of-the-art. People are coming from other places. Something to be proud of. However, I am not happy about ICE being in it. And I just wanted to express that and I'm just going to use my voice because I feel like it's important as a citizen to speak up and register my voice. And also, what can we do about not having a newspaper or local radio station? So, you know, so we know this thing. So, if someone comes up to me and says, "Did you know?" We be like, "Yeah, we know. We're concerned." Not like, "Huh? What? Are you kidding me?" So, that's a problem. And then I look, I read your thing you send out every month. Like, "Oh, I'm so glad you sent that." Like, I really do. I read it from cover to cover. I learn a lot from it. There's nothing in there about ice training in the Herald Center. So anyway, that's my concern. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um, so the third person that I just realized that signed up is actually uh Dresley, but do you want to do it now or do you want us when we pull it for separate comment? What? You can pull it. >> Okay. So, it's on our it's on our consent agenda, council. So, we'll wait on that one. Um, and I'll pull it just for discussion. Uh, rest. Any is there anybody else? That was it. That was signed up. Is there anybody else that wants to speak on open form at this point? Anybody at all? Okay, I will go ahead and close uh open form at this point and we'll move to uh the next item on our agenda, which is adoption of the agenda. >> I'll make a motion to adopt the agenda. >> All right. So, I have a motion by uh council member Garza. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by council member Clawson. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. Next is six is presentations. We actually have four of them this evening. Uh the first one is the 2025 green garden award presentation and our director uh parks and recreation director Zach Doctor is going to at least kick this off. And do you want us down in front now? >> No, no. We'll go through the presentation then we'll bring you down for the award. >> Thank you. >> Uh good evening mayor and council. It certainly is gardening season. You can see that just looking out the window uh here in Cottage Grove. And I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the season and all of its beauty that it brings. Uh this year is going to be our 14th year of the green garden award where we receive nominations and then we reward some of or award some of our more outstanding resident gardeners. This is a great time and intro also introduce you to our horiculturist Cole Holmes who I don't believe you've met yet. He oversees the planting, mulching, weeding, watering, and care for over 400 public gardens and thousands of trees in Cottage Grove. Cole will also introduce one of the two uh both interns tonight. All right, they both threw I thought we were down to one. He's going to introduce you his uh two intern team um who's also going to help present tonight and then walk us through the green garden award and talk about the the the awarding itself. So with that, I will turn it over to Cole and his team. >> Hello everyone. I'm Cole, the horiculturist here at the city of Cottage Grove. Uh we're here to present the green garden award for 2025. I'm here with my two interns, Teresa, who's currently going to Henipin Tech, and Chris, who's currently going to the University of Minnesota. Uh, so with that, I'll let them take over. So, before we begin, I just want to thank everybody for being here. I know it's kind of crappy weather out, so I'm glad everybody can make it in and kind of get to experience this with us. Um, so we're really excited to share the Green Garden Award this year. Um, it was a lot of fun working with this project. Uh, sorry. Um, we got to experience a lot of the community firsthand, see how people like work, see see what people are doing, and just see like a lot of the effort that goes into gardening for people's public or private property. Um, so yeah, with that, let's get into the um the categories and the criteria for the ranking. So we had two different category and that categories and that was residential and sustainability. For residential we graded it based on appearance, plant variety, uniqueness, creativity and the upkeep of it. And for sustainability we um graded it based on native plantings, prairie areas and water water conservation and pollinator areas. >> So the first one is the residential garden. This is made by Barb and Karen. Um they created this garden this year. So, it looks pretty good for just creating the whole space this year. They worked really hard to make it an enjoyable place for residents to sit down and relax. And they had a fun variety of both perennials and annuals, as you can see, with patunias and cone flowers and lavender, iris, and cosmos. >> So, our second nomination was uh Megan Zachman. And right off the bat, you can see that she just created a very peaceful and serene feeling in her backyard. The landscaping work here was really well done and really well thought out. And it just kind of makes you want to sit down and relax for a few minutes when you go back there. Um, we really liked the water feature in the middle uh with the bridge. And we also really like the plant variety, how it seemed almost natural, but like everything had a place with it. Uh, yeah. The next residential one is Melody. She had a really beautiful fountain as you can see in the middle of it. And she also had a bench along the side so that you could sit and relax, enjoy the view. Um you can see that she included manarda which is beeb balm the red flowers. Uh those are really good for pollinators and she also had dlies and flocks and a couple other things that um are awesome. And then she has al also had really pretty arborvades leading um down the pathway. So, that was pretty unique. >> All right, for our fourth one, we had uh Jenny Dawandorf. So, Jenny's garden shows just how much can be packed into a small residential yard. She's got three different garden beds, all with their own purpose and their own variety. Her first one, as you can see in the top left corner, is in her front yard, and this one's just a standard floral garden. Really colorful, nice selection of flowers, uh really nice patunias, as you guys can see. Her second one's on the bottom. It's on the side of her yard and that one was a big pollinator garden. Uh it's full with a lot of native plants that just attract a lot of pollinators and she's put a lot of work into making sure she supports our local bees and other pollinators around. Finally, her third garden was her vegetable garden in the top right. She grows a lot of different varieties of vegetables here for not only herself, but she also gives back to her neighbors and will just leave them out for people to take when they want. Um, this one is Jan's garden. So, since uh because she has a lot of trees in her garden, she's primarily shade. Um, but she didn't let that let that limit her varieties. So, she has a lot of hostas. Um, which was really creative. She labeled, if you can, if you look closely, she labeled each individual hosta, all the different varieties. So, there's fire and ice, gold standard, and blue umbrella, and a lot more. Um, so she also has some coral bells and a still bee growing and um you can see the mosaic steps leading through her garden. It's really peaceful and invites uh viewers into her garden. And then she also has annual pots um which is a really good addition. >> All right. And for our last one, uh we have Steven Rdberg. And for Steven's garden is a great example of a sustainable garden. It's just a full wildflower garden with minimal maintenance and care. He doesn't mow it. He doesn't uh trim or he trims it, but he doesn't use any insecticides or pesticides or anything like that. Um he just planted wildflower seeds and basically let it grow besides the path he has there. Um not this is a sorry uh this is just a great example for pollinators. It attracts a lot of pollinators and we were just seeing a lot of bees and other insects while we were out there. Additionally, it also has the bird feeder which attracts a lot of other animals as well. >> So, our recommendation is to award Jan the winner of the residential green garden award and Steven the winner of the sustainability guard award. >> Yeah, that's good. Jan, sorry guys. >> I was going to say I know all the Pineriidge Garden Club people are all here. It's amazing. When I saw you over there, thank you guys too for all you do and congratulations. Beautiful. Beautiful. Absolutely. >> This is quite an fall on a hillard fall behind you. >> I bet you probably especially with this weather. >> Well, no, this is >> Well, this I suppose, but it was a little humid the other day. >> It was right. >> Well, just first of all, thank you to um our interns, I guess, is what I'd say. And uh we do appreciate all the efforts that you have and uh we do appreciate um our neighbors and obviously the Pineriidge uh garden club. Uh we appreciate everything you do, especially out here. I love what you guys do out in front here. I love the area down by uh East Point Douglas there. Um and I'm sure there's others out there that I well I know there's others out there, but those are the two I recognize the most. So, um, it just does a lot to beautify our community and obviously what you're doing in your neighbor, uh, in your neighborhood and such is absolutely amazing. So, thank you. >> All right, let's give her another round round of applause. >> Thank you. I might need some cuts. >> And we'll and we'll personally deliver um Steven's plaque to to him at his house. >> There you go. >> But but yes, this this crew, they do a lot of hustling. So, so, uh, thanks to them for all their work and, uh, >> the summer the summer's not over, so we got work to do. >> It goes very fast. But, yeah, >> the end of August. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, thank you guys. >> Thank you guys for doing what you're doing. >> Okay. >> All right, Zach, you you want to take us the recreation uh uh park association of award award of excellence. >> So, got something you want to share with us today? >> Yeah. If the Green Garden award was not exciting enough, I have more great news to share. Uh we won some awards. So really cool awards. Uh I'm going to turn it over to uh Nicole Greenwell from the Minnesota Recreation Park Association who's going to tell us a little bit more about the uh the program and our awards. >> Fantastic. Welcome. >> All right. Thank you, Zach, and thank you, Mayor and Council. It's an honor to be here to present a Minnesota Recreation and Park Association awards of excellence to the city of Cottage Grove. Two of them to be exact. Uh the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, MRPA, was formed in 1937 to foster the growth and development of the parks and recreation profession throughout the state. The MRPA awards committee was created for the purpose of acknowledging individual members and agencies for their excellence in the field of parks, recreation, and leisure leisure services. The awards of excellence is an annual program of MRPA that was created to recognize agencies and their staff for exemplary projects in seven different categories that was either implemented in or received substantial revisions in 2024. So on behalf of the MRPA awards committee, it is my pleasure to present an award of excellence to the city of Cottage Grove for its winning park facility and program. The park facility was Glacial Valley Park building and the program was pickle ball. [Applause] So, I have a little more to explain just about each of those pl or facilities and programs. Um, Glacial Valley Park in Cottage Grove stands out as a remarkable achievement in innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. The park building features modern technology like keyless entry and solar powered systems along with eco-friendly design elements building a strong indooroutdoor connection. With extensive community input, the park has become cohesive and an impactful recreational space. In addition to the award-winning facility, Cottage Grove also fostered a new pickleball club program that grew from a 30 member volunteer group to more than 230 engaged players in just one year. Also in 2024, there were a total of 49 league teams. Then in 2025, the program expanded to 119 teams, added youth and adult lessons, and ran a successful spring tournament with 43 teams. The program created new social connections, expanded league play, and boosted use of Glacial Valley Park, making it the city's most requested facility in 2024. With strong public support and plans for further growth in 2025, it has revitalized adult recreation in the community. The MRPA awards committee would also like to recognize Brad Muckenhorn and Noah Reum who prepared the nominations for the awards of excellence. Uh thank you all for allowing me here today to present and be a part of this fantastic achievement. >> Thank you. Thank you. All right. >> Yep. Let's bring everybody up here. Bring the awards. >> Molly, aren't you coming up? >> Oh jeez. >> Congratulations. >> Nice job. Nice job. >> Nice job. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate it. That's awesome. >> Yeah. >> Great job. >> Thank you. ready. [Music] >> All right. Thank you. Thanks, guys. >> Thank you for presenting to us. We appreciate that. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Congratulations, guys. >> I'll just say, Zach, that's, you know, a testament and I'll say to the council, too, with our staff, you know, the fact that we got the awards. Um, it's talk about collaboration between the council, uh, parks and wreck, the parks and recck commission, all of our staff. I mean, that park is absolutely gorgeous and obviously it's being recognized that way. So, kudos to you guys for putting it all together and for those guys for the programming. So, >> thank you. >> All right. Next, we'll move to uh, first proclamation. That's why Zach's still there. And it's the park and recreation month. And I he's just got the uh the emblem up on the on the screen for people to see, but I've asked Council Member Olsen uh to please read uh this proclamation. Then I'll look for a motion in a second to accept. >> Thank you, mayor. As you mentioned, this proclamation is proclaiming the month of July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month, and it reads as follows. Whereas parks and recreation are an integral part of communities throughout this country, including here in Cottage Grove. And whereas parks and recreation promote time spent in nature, which positively impacts health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks. And whereas parks and recreation encourage physical activities by providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, biking, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles. And whereas park and recreation programming and education activities such as out of school time programming, youth sports, and environmental education are critical to childhood development. And whereas parks and recreation are fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community. And whereas parks and recreation are essential, adaptable, and make our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change. Now therefore, the mayor and city council of the city of Cottage Grove, County of Washington, state of Minnesota, hereby proclaim the month of July, 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month, passed this 16th day of July, 2025, and signed by Myron Bailey, Mayor. >> All right. Thank you. Uh, Council Member Roso, would you like to make the motion to accept this proclamation? >> Thank you, mayor. I will move that we accept this proclamation proclaiming the month of July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month. And I will also add that we have the very best parks department in the state. No questions asked. >> Yep. No questions. All right. I got a motion by council member Olson. Do I have a second? Second by council member Theiti. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. Thank you, Zach. >> And uh the the final proclamation this evening is night unite. And I did ask um council member Theiti to speak on that one or you have anything you want to add or >> Well, I have like 20 slides. Mayor, >> go ahead. No, that's fine. And then we'll do the proclamation. >> I just want to make sure we don't there. >> Um yeah, I just wanted to take a couple moments on honorable mayor and council just highlighting again um our net night to unite. Um obviously all of you have participated for many many years. Um it's a it's a great event, but I just want to highlight some of the things that we're doing. It's very similar and I can't take credit for any of this other than every year the mayor and I we go out and hit parties and we know which ones have the the great food and everything and I know each council member kind of has their favorite uh neighborhoods as well. So um but it it really is about joining uh communities, building trust. It's part of our community engagement efforts and we've been doing this since it was nightight. We met down um national night out met down at Woodidge Park. So it gets bigger and bigger every year. I've asked council to quit encouraging people to sign up because we hit our limits. You know, years ago we were at 20 and you know, we hit upwards of 50 and that's perfect for our staff. So, you don't have to go and encourage more, but we do need the people to still sign up. Um, it isn't just a police event. Really, Cottage Grove is taking it to a next level. You know, it's our public safety, it's police, fire, um, and we also have our elected officials. City staff comes out and our public safety board does additional things. I know um people think it's pretty cool when the mayor comes to the party, but as soon as a fire truck gets there, they push him out of the way. Um and I know as council members, you get a lot of questions about what businesses, what's coming in, and it it's just really good conversation. Uh we also have been doing for many years the noon um cottage public safety elected officials. We do three different we do um White Pines, uh the Legends, and Norris Square, President Homes. We have three different events and we're going to do those again this year. Each each year they do something a little different. Um but if you if you come down to Nor Square and they do some PA bands and stuff, Council Member Theiti, he's he's got it down when he dances there. So, but >> good old twostep. >> Yeah. And we we are still participating in um two of our campaigns. We're doing the fill the bag campaign and everything that we pick up, we come, we go out the next day, you know, toiletries, things like that, paper towel, toilet paper, um, and we bring it down to the friends in need food shelf. That's just an example from last year. We end up, you know, usually getting a couple pallets full. So, it's a it's a really good um, donation that people participate in. And we also do the uh, fill the bag or fill the backpack campaign. uh the public safety board for any of the neighborhoods that want to participate, they donate a backpack and we encourage people to fill it. They don't just fill this backpack, they give us boxes of school supplies and that all also goes to the um friends in need food shelf. And we have partners also with the um um parks department and I'm this is the picture they used last year. I haven't seen the new one yet, but it'll be posted here soon. and the the winner they they get the outdoor family fund package with the sidewalk chalk, water, balloons, sports balls, s'mores supplies, and more. So, Molly and her team are very generous and participate with us. Um, finally, how do you sign up? If you go to the the city's web page and just type in night, it will bring you right to the link. And we would like people to register by Tuesday, July 29th. That guarantees that you'll um get a stop by police and fire. Afterwards, our our list gets pretty long and and it's harder. So those that get to us by that date, you know, we'll make sure to to hit that. So, um, and our web page also has a lot of additional ideas. With that, I'll turn it over to the mayor and council for the the proclamation then. >> All right. So, I did, like I mentioned earlier, thank you, uh, Pete. Uh, Dave Thei, our council the I apologize, uh, is going to read the proclamation. >> All right. Whereas the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association along with the AAA of Minnesota, Iowa, and local law enforcement agencies are sponsoring a statewide program called Night to Unite on August 5th, 2025. And whereas Night to Unite is designed to get to know one another in your neighborhood, build neighborhood involvement by bringing police and communities together, and to bring an awareness of crime prevention and local law enforcement efforts. And whereas night toite supports the idea that crime prevention and community engagement is an inexpensive effective tool in strengthening police and community partnerships. And whereas night to unite provides opportunities to celebrate the ongoing work of law enforcement and neighborhoods in Cottage Grove by working together to fight crime and victimization and increase public safety for all citizens. And whereas the citizens of Cottage Grove play an important role in assisting the Cottage Grove Police Department through joint crime, drug and violence prevention efforts. Now therefore, I, Mayor Myin Bailey, do hereby call upon all citizens in Cottage Grove to participate in night to unite on August 5th, 2025. Further, let it be resolved that I, Mayor Bailey, and count city council of the city of Cottage Grove, county of Washington, state of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, night to unite in Cottage Grove, and I would like to move this proclamation. >> Fantastic. Thank you, uh, Council Member Theiti. So, you made the motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Seconded by, uh, Council Member Garza. All those in favor, uh, please signify by saying, "I." I >> I opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. And yeah, it's always a fun time for all of us out on uh Night Unite, that whole day for that matter. So, all right. Uh next on our agenda this evening is consent, uh which is number seven. Is there anything council would like to pull on consent? Nothing. Um I'm going to pull, just so you know, I'm going to pull X. Uh only because the applicant is in the audience here and would like to speak to it. And I did ask I'll get you here a sec. And I did ask our staff to be able to talk through this which is regarding an accessory structure condition use permit. And then council council member Bolson did you have something? >> Yeah mayor I'd like to pull item G which is the 2025 donations but um I'm going to need some help because I don't have a device with the donations listed. So if I could borrow yours that would be wonderful. >> I can do that. >> Thank you. Give me one second here. >> No problem. >> I can give mine too. I just have to page to it. >> Well, if council member Thei would like to Oh, you have it right here. Thank you so much. >> Shall I go ahead? >> Yes, go ahead. >> Okay. Thank you. Again, uh item G is an item from staff recommending that we accept um our second quarter 2025 donations. And uh it's always good for us to be able to acknowledge these publicly and thank the individuals who made these donations. So, uh, as follows, for the second quarter, we'd like to thank Tennis Sanitation for a $5,000 tennis or excuse me, Fourth of July fireworks um, freedom weekend sponsorship. North Point for a Fourth of July uh, fireworks freedom weekend sponsorship. 3M uh, for a $5,000 Fourth of July freedom weekend uh, fireworks sponsorship. Hi ve for a $5,000 uh Fourth of July Freedom Weekend fireworks sponsorship. We'd also like to thank Van Meter for $1,000 sponsorship for the 4th of July uh Freedom Weekend Fireworks. Uh we received a $1,000 um donation as well for those fireworks uh directly to the Lions Club from um formerly known as Northwoods Barbecue, but now it's called Whiskey Creek. So, we want to thank Matt Miller and his family for that. Jane Chatterton uh made a memorial bench donation of $2,500 and the Cottage Grove Athletic Association also made a $2500 donation for a memorial bench. So, thank you to everybody who gave generously to the city for all of these various events and donations. And I'll tell you, as somebody who has uh participated in some memorial bench donations myself, they turn out really, really nice. So, I'm glad to see we had a couple of those. And with that, mayor, I'll turn it back to you and I'll give you your device back. How's that? Thank you. >> All right. Sounds good. Thank you, Council Member Rose, for recognizing all of those great donations. So, all right. Uh the next item that I did pull off consent was an accessory uh structure uh which was a condition use permit and variance. And I'll have Emily start us off and then the applicant would like to speak to the council before we vote on this item. So Emily, mayor, council, good evening. This next item uh is kind of three-fold. So, I'll work through each of the requests just a little bit separately. Um, but a conditional use permit for an accessory structure. Uh, our code allows for a total square footage on residential lots. This particular proposal is proposing to go above and beyond that total square footage. So, a conditional use permit is required. Uh, first uh two variance requests uh one variance to uh put that accessory structure in front of the principal structure which our standard uh in our code requires it to be behind the principal structure. And the second variance request uh is for the exterior material uh which is proposed as metal uh when our code has some additional uh specifics that I'll get into just a little bit later in the presentation. But this particular parcel is located on Hadley Avenue uh just adjacent to the Eastbrook development if you're familiar. Uh it is a little bit of a larger parcel at 4 acres. The house on the site was built in 1994. Um and then an accessory structure or accessory building that you can see outlined on the screen was constructed in 1997. Um under those code standards um that accessory building was constructed to match the principal structure um which is a stuckco material. The property is zoned R2 which are those sometimes larger lots that are nestled in those developing areas with those smaller lots. Um, so we recognize that in our zoning code. Um, it is guided as low density. Um, as we look at areas in our community, this is one of those where we do see that redevelopment potential, right? It's a growing area. Um, and we know that some of these areas are right for that redevelopment potential with those smaller lots. So, as I mentioned, three requests. The first is the conditional use permit. Um 2,000 square feet is the total accessory square footage that is permitted on a residential lot in the R2 zoning district. This particular request would uh put that total square footage at I believe it's uh 2340 total square feet on the site with this additional accessory building which is 340 square ft over that 2,000 total. Um, a conditional use permit is an option within our zoning code for parcels in the residential zoning district to support that additional square footage as long as they are meeting some additional setbacks um, which this particular request is doing. The first variance request as I had indicated is to build that accessory structure in front of uh the principal structure or the home. Um, obviously as you can see in 1997 they did something very similar and here's why. uh the the elevations kind of on the north side of the lot um are a little bit tricky to get a drive aisle behind there. And then on the south side of the principal structure, you can see in that yellow circle um that's where their uh septic system um is located, which again cannot drive over. So access to that backyard to an accessory structure would certainly be what we would consider a practical difficulty. uh something that exists that isn't necessarily the fault of the property owner um but does uh limit or create a hardship for them to meet the minimum standards. The third part to this request is a second variance. Uh the applicant is requesting uh to use metal on the exterior of this accessory structure. Um our current code requires uh uh structures principal and accessory in residential districts to be uh uh comprised of wood, brick, lapsiding, vinyl, uh materials of that sort. Um it does not specifically indicate metal. Um this code was uh amended in 2012 to be specific to the materials that we would allow for on structures in residential districts. um they do have to complement the principal structure as well. The intent is of course to create that uniformity and that consistency within our residential neighborhoods um within the community. The applicant didn't provide uh a handful of images that I did want to make sure that I shared with you. Um this particular image is uh the the the um type of building that the applicant is proposing. It does not necessarily exist in Cottage Grove. um but wanted to share uh this second building. Um these next couple slides are a couple of buildings that exist within the community. Um and so I just wanted to share just a little bit of the history. So this particular building um it it did exist. Um and we issued a building permit to take the building down and rebuild. It's what we consider to be a legal non-conformity. It didn't align with our standards, but they were not expanding it so they could construct it back exactly as it was. Uh this particular building, I believe the building permit was issued in uh 19 I have my notes here. Let me make sure. 1997. Again, that was prior to the 2012 zoning code that created that clarity for the material. Uh this particular building permit was issued in 1999. Again, prior to that 2012 clarification in our zoning code um for the specific materials permitted. And then these three images uh you may be familiar with. These are our temporary water treatment buildings um that uh are just that temporary. Um and we work through a variance process to ensure um I'm going to say perhaps in this emergency situation that we were able to get these buildings up um and that they would be removed uh once those permanent structures or temporary treatment plants um were constructed. So with that, I will leave the the two recommendations before you. Mayor, as you indicated, the applicant is in the audience and of course staff is available for questions. Yeah. And Emily, just for my clarity, I know it's in our packet, but for the public, it uh it did go through the planning commission, and the planning commission approved the the conditional use permit. Uh but they denied the variance as it relates to the materials. Is that correct, >> Mayor Council? The planning commission recommended 7 to 0 uh to approve the conditional use permit, the variance to allow for the structure to be constructed in front of the principal structure, but did recommend denial of the uh variance for the material. >> Okay. All right. All right. Thank you. Any is there any questions by the way for Emily at this point? No. Would the applicant like to come and speak? Just again state your name and address for the record. Share with us your thoughts. Uh good evening uh mayor uh city council members. My name is Al Dresley. Um I live at the 6255 Hadley Avenue that's being discussed. um other words known as um the West Draw. So, I'm sure you know a few uh members up there I've recognized from the past. Um uh I I lived uh at this location with my family since 1994. Um and I've seen a lot of changes and some of the changes that I've seen were um different zonings um different setbacks for housing all around me. Um I live on a lot as it was mentioned, it's a little over 4 acres. um what I'm proposing. Um I've met all the setbacks, side setbacks, everything that the city has requested. Um but I'm looking at a material that is metal. Um and some of the things that that I that have changed in 2012, as it was mentioned, the the definition of the metal or using the materials changed to metal. Um I lived there since 1994, so I'd be hoping that I'd be grandfathered in of some sort. one of the other buildings that were showing up here um that was done in 1997. That's my neighbor. Um I've got letters from my neighbors stating that, you know, it's fine. I'm not doing anything to harm any of the environment, which the planning commission also said everything looked great uh except their one check box and that's metal. Um I think that that's what's concerning is the metal is the up and cominging thing that's being used. I mean, we see these these uh barnaminiums, I think they're called. We have steel roofs. Um it's not the old uh sheds that you'd see on the the old farm fields or anything like that. Another thing I wanted to bring attention to, this uh personal storage unit that I'm building, you can't see it. It can't be seen by the road just as my neighbors can't see it. Uh so when I asked my neighbors, he said, "Well, you can't see mine. I'm going to be see yours and they're going to butt up right next to each other." I asked my neighbor to the left of me. I asked my neighbor to the to the right of me and across the street and everybody's okay and you should have those letters that are in there. Um some of the buildings that I also took pictures of the city owned buildings, one of them is at 87th Street that's right in the middle of a neighborhood. Um it's on a corner. There's houses all around it. Now, I know it's that you said it was something that was temporary, but I mean to have that building there and then when I'm requesting something that no one's going to ever see, um I just would hope that the council would look at something like that. And I guess the biggest thing is that when I moved in in 1994, you know, you move to some acreage lots uh so you can do some of these things. Um I didn't get a letter about the 2012 variance change or the definitions change. Um not saying that I would have built one at that time. I'm not I'm not saying that, but I didn't get that letter. Now, when I did my application, um which also I wanted to thank Sam and Max, um the planners, they were excellent and helped me with all the paperwork. Um, I really thought that this was going to be something that was going to be not a problem because all the metal buildings around my neighborhood. Um, I know that there's there's going to be development in the years around that area, but it's not going to be by my house because I've got neighbors that got 4 acres uh side of me, across from me, behind me. Um, so it's something that again that I can't stress enough that's not going to uh be seen and it's not going to hinder anybody's uh visual or anything in the neighborhood or the the look of the neighborhood. It's still rural. Uh you still have the rolling hills. Everything's there. Um so I'm asking um again for the variance of of the metal. The other question I real quick that I had if if if it's if it's metal that that is so um concerning that someone doesn't want to put up and as you saw the pictures up there, I've got the Wayne's coating, I've got windows, I've got the overhangs, the gutters, the everything that's going to look. Um what would be the difference if I just built that and put wood on it? I mean, put paneling on it. I mean, that would look awful. And now I'm trying to abide by looking at, you know, again, Wayne's coating, nice looking uh barn, but I'm just curious what that would be. I I know you can't answer that right now, but just a thought that I could go out and put plywood all around it cuz that's basically what the definition saying. It's got to be by wood. So, I know these buildings look a lot nicer. So, I want to thank you for your time tonight. Any questions? >> Council, any questions? Uh, uh, Council Member Bza. Thank you for your presentation. I have a couple of questions because I do agree. I see a lot of um there's a lot more pole barns and a lot more metal barns that you do see in a lot of different neighborhoods and the durability of them are a lot different than what they were maybe 20 years ago. So my question to you um one would you be having it um um professionally installed and then what is the longevity of that um >> that um unit that you're putting up? Good question and it's in the packet. Um the the longevity is 100 years on the metal. Um also with the metal um your other question was I'm sorry it is the >> would it be inst would you >> professionally installed? Uh it's by J Jensen Builders in Wisconsin is I've got three or four different build bids. Um they're the largest builder in the Wisconsin uh state of Wisconsin. They'll be doing that. Um, I'm having it uh concrete flooring, insulated, heated, everything you you would see in a in a regular house or, you know, uh, another garage to say. Um, so everything would be just the same as as you were, you know, 100 years as I mentioned. Another thing that they always say is, you know, if you had wood out there, I mean, I'm in a rural area with all the woods. I mean, you're apt to get, if there was ever a fire, that's going to, you know, go up a lot quicker than anything with the metal and that's going to last for 100 years. Another question for Thank you for that. Um >> what is ex the exterior appearance over time like is it expected to um start rusting? Is what what is that? >> No. And what that is is because they pow powder coat this metal um so it's got a heavier coating on it. They give a 10year warrant. It's a 10-year warranty on the metal as it it sits if something was to crack or anything like that. But no, I I haven't seen any. And you saw some of the ones. Well, my neighbors is uh 1997 and but there's no rust. There's nothing on it. And so and then we've got some that were in that pictures were 2001. Um so there's nothing there. I did want to bring up though, I did go get bids on wooden barns. Um it's three times as much. So, I know you, you know, there's the the saying that you you can't look at a, you know, a hard chip or anything like that, but for common sense, uh, three times as much on every two or three different builders I went to, and those were the wood ones. And and again, it's they're not as strong as the metal ones. So, >> okay. Uh, councel, any other questions at this point for the applicant? >> I will just just for your awareness, too, on on a couple things and maybe one question a little bit for our staff. First of all, in the buildings that you're talking about, like I think you said 87th or whatever. >> Yeah, I believe it was. >> Yeah. Just so you know that those those three buildings that you did, we did those as a declarated emergency. >> Okay. >> Uh when the water treatment we had to put water treatment in and they will be taken down. >> Okay. >> That was they were temporary cuz even some of them aren't on the one isn't even on property we own. It's on somebody else's property. They loaned it to us uh while we did that. So, I just wanted you to be aware of that. And then from a staff's perspective, I know we haven't seen it at the council yet, but I saw planning commission. Is the lots behind him part of the next developer? >> No, the the the current uh plan that as of right now um is not behind me. It's to uh the 65th. I'm on I'm on Hadley, so it's on the 65th going uh east and that's where it goes in. You will not be able to see it from my area. >> Okay. And that's why proposed one right now. >> Yeah, that's why I was just checking from our staff standpoint if because I'm not I I know there's a planned >> possible development over there. Is that still the case and how far does it come over? Can you share? >> Yeah. >> Y excuse me, >> mayor, council. Uh so the developer that is in process of evaluating um as you can see on the screen uh to the east is uh the assemblage we've been calling it off of 65th Street that they're working on. Um however our understanding is they are uh in conversations with other folks that may uh be on Hadley Avenue as well. Again very preliminary conceptual but there is the potential for that redevelopment in the area. But is it my question though is the one that I think was tabled at the planning commission is that the 7200 7248 that's what I thought. Okay. So I didn't know if you knew that. I >> I was at the meetings. >> Okay. >> Um and also as she mentioned the Hadley Avenue those are three brand new houses. I don't see anybody going to you know and when my neighbor saying yeah we don't I mean I think he would say you know I might sell my land um both sides and across from me and those are three brand new uh houses right there all done so just FYI >> all right thank you >> thank you >> all right so with yeah Council Broen >> yeah I have a question for staff and I'm going to aim this one at Corey and she can punt if she wants to so um the planning commission conversation ition which I was able to observe since I'm the liaison to the planning commission uh really focused on the fact that um there are specific legal requirements to grant to variance and I wondered if you might take a moment and just remind us again of uh what those requirements are and how they may be applied um and and maybe you know is there any flexibility is there wiggle room or not uh in a situation such as this. >> Your honor, members of the council, I um you've attended some of my trainings before. >> I know how you feel. >> And and you you you know, I have this this mantra that I like to use with variances. And the first uh the first thing I like to say is a variance is permission to give your teenager the right to stay out past curfew. >> Right? You're giving them permission to break the rules. We have rules and we have rules for a reason. We set these zoning standards in place. Um, we even redid the zoning ordinance not that long ago and we upheld this particular provision in the code. So, it's not that it was just it's just been on the books since 2012. It was relooked at within the last 5 years exhaustively by the planning commission and the council. So, having said that, what is the test for variance? You can't grant a variance unless it meets the test. And the test is first we'll be putting the property to a reasonable use. I think we can all say yes. A garage for or a storage building for residential property certainly reasonable use. Are the conditions unique to the property? No. I can't I can't fathom a reason why it is unique to this property that he can't comply with the code. Just doesn't want to. Will it alter the essential character of the locality? The intent of the code is to make consistent buildings throughout your residential neighborhoods. So yes, it is true there are some grandfathered in buildings. I don't know how proximity wise he said he says his neighbor has one. That is true. Otherwise, everybody's complying with the code. They have had to since 2012. So it it will alter the essential character of the locality. So is there flexibility? The council can do whatever you want, but I like to warn planning commissions and councils that once you grant a variance for something that doesn't meet the test, you have changed your standard >> and so you may as well change your rule. >> Set a precedent. >> You may as well change your rule. >> Right? Okay. And the reason I asked for the explanation is um you know in circumstances such as this at least from my chair uh the common sense piece of this um for you know 99.5% of it is why not makes sense. But um with respect to the legal ramifications of granting a variance without meeting those uh various requirements um we then become I believe the terminology is arbitrary and capriccious where we're giving a benefit to one that we haven't given to all and as you said earlier then uh we might as well change our rules and so at least from my point of view um based on what I know to be true about uh the the legal elements of you know granting variances etc. Uh having done this for a little while um I think the planning commission was correct in their recommendation. That's not to say that maybe we don't need to uh have another conversation and another point about um this particular element of our city code because of some of the things that the applicant stated very eloquently. You know these metal buildings have changed. there's evolution in uh standards and construction and and that's probably a conversation worth having, but that conversation won't happen tonight. So, um at this point, I think um you know, the the wise choice and and uh frankly the only choice based on our responsibility as council members to follow the law uh to the letter without being arbitrary and capriccious is to um adopt both resolutions. And I'm not sure if there are other questions or um >> I'll let council say on this one and then since if well go ahead council member and then I'll comment. >> I guess I you know I probably have to agree with council member Olsson in this one. my my logic would tend to say, well, it you know, because I I was kind of looking at it and I was kind of looking at where the trees are and and you know, I kind of looked at the angle down the driveway and and things like that and and even even if houses are put to the east, you know, you probably may not see it, but you know, again, we do have to be careful about the the presidents we set and and while it it may be something that we should take a look at, Mhm. >> Um, it's probably, like you say, it's not going to happen tonight. And, uh, and so, uh, as as much as you're going to be disappointed, uh, you know, I'd probably I'd probably have to to kind of go along with the the planning commission also considering the the the different situations and the and the conditions and the and the legal aspects. >> Okay. Any other council comments? Okay. Since there wasn't, we didn't pull it for a separate vote. Um, and so we to allow the applicant to speak and staff to make sure that we had all the details that we needed. So, at this point, >> move consent. >> All right. So, I have a motion by council member Olson to move consent. Uh, do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by council member Clawson. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. Thank you. >> And Corey, thanks again for, you know, the reminder. We need that every once in a while. So much appreciated. And as I said earlier, I think it would make some sense to have some dialogue about this element of the code. So if the applicant wanted to wait and see what the outcome of that dialogue looks like, maybe that's an option. But uh um definitely had to make the decision we had to make based on the law as it stands today. So thank you again. Okay. All right. Next on our agenda is eight is approved dispersement. 8A is to pay the bills. >> Move the bills. >> We have a motion by council member Olsson. Do I have a second? >> No second. >> Second by council member Garza. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. Nine is public hearings. There are none this evening. 10 is bid awards. There are none this evening. 11 is regular agenda. There's nothing else on the regular agenda this evening. We're now to council com requests. and I'll do my normal and start with Council Member Clawson. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor. We're in in the pro we're in the process of a very large pavement management project and a very large public works project. I'm told this is biggest one the city has ever done. Um, and they all seem to be going uh well so far. I council member Thei and I live right in the heart of one of the major projects and uh no one's been banging on my door complaining. Um, I understand there's been some minor inconveniences with the weather and some locating, but otherwise the projects are moving together uh well this year. Thank Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you, Council Member Brolen. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, a couple things here. First of all, just a uh overarching thank you to our amazing city staff who once again uh contributed a tremendous amount of time, energy, and effort with uh this year's Cottage Grove Strawberry Festival. Uh we all prayed that we didn't have rain and we got what we prayed for, but uh it was about 1,000° outside. Um, tell you what, work working the lion's tent and working the grill was not a pleasant experience uh in that weather. But at the end of the day, uh, the public came out and had a great time. Uh, the Strawberry Fest committee did a marvelous job of putting together some uh, tremendous bands and different events. I thought um, the drone show that took place was just amazing and there was so much positive feedback about that. But, uh, you know, none of this happens without city staff. None of it happens. We had people there from the Convention and Visitors Bureau. We had people there from, um, you know, general government staff, obviously, a ton of public safety personnel, uh, public works and and parks personnel. And, uh, you know, they're the ones who keep that whole thing going. So, uh, I just want to say again, thank you. I know that in many cases um you know they're working the weekend and and uh it's not necessarily what they're used to, but um they all did really well. And uh I would say the same about those who helped us out with our fireworks show this year for the Fourth of July Freedom Weekend. Talked about the sponsors earlier, but uh again, um Kingston Park was packed. Mary, you were there. You saw it. Uh it was a very successful event for our Cottage Grove Lions. I I can tell you that. Um to be sure, uh we didn't run out of food this year, which was good cuz we bought a lot more, but uh we served a lot of people and uh public safety and parks and all the rest of the city staff that were present uh really helped us make that event go off without a hitch. So, thank you. Uh, I also wanted to mention that August 1st this year is the first annual um hometown heroes golf tournament which is being put on by your Mississippi River Valley Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network team here in town in partnership with the Cottage Grove VFW and the Cottage Grove Lions Club. Uh, this uh used to be the public safety board tournament. they decided they wanted to focus their energies on some other fundraising efforts and so we were happy to pick that up as a Mississippi River Valley beyond the Yellow Ribbon team. We still have uh a spot available for eight teams. Otherwise, we're going to be packed out. We're going to have u 144 players. The event starts at River Oaks at 8:00 a.m. on August the 1st. And then uh the afterparty, as it were, is at the VFW where we'll have some raffles and do some different things. All of these funds go to support military families, veterans in the community, and our public safety personnel. So, please join us if you can. If you need more information on that, you can certainly reach out to me or anyone on our Mississippi River Valley uh beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network team or anybody in our Cottage Grove Lions Club and we'd be happy to direct you. But, uh looks like it's going to be a phenomenal event. Um the other thing I wanted to mention is the Mississippi River Valley Beyond the Yellow Network uh team is also doing a first annual it's called a walk run ruck event which is again intended to raise funds for military veterans and families. And that will take place at Kingston Park the morning of the food truck festival. So that's Saturday, September the 13th. Uh the start time is going to be nine o'clock. Um I have not participated in one of these before. This will be my first one. But it sounds to me like um it's a pretty popular thing with uh military folks um because uh not only can they run either a 5K or a 10K or walk, which I'll be doing the 5K or the 10K. Um but they can also ruck it. And uh by that they carry their rucks sacks on their back just as they would in uh basic training or a military event. Uh we have several members of our Cottage Grove Lions who are going to participate. So we'll be sponsoring them specifically. But uh for more information you can check out our Mississippi River Valley Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network Facebook page or again you can reach out to me and I'd be happy to give you information on the event. But registration's open now, so you'll have the opportunity to walk, run, ruck alongside um you know, all the folks that are going to be there trying to raise money for military families and veterans. It it'll be a ton of fun. And with that, mayor, I'm going to turn it back to you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Theiti. >> All right. So, as I uh as as council member Olsen kind of alluded to with Strawberry Fest and and uh while we had a a good festival, we we uh we definitely had a lot of people there, more people were there in the evenings and uh then necessarily in the middle of the the day and the afternoon. And uh you know some of our marketplace people weren't all that happy because the you know it was a little bit light on people through their their their shops and so forth out there their their booths. But it all in all it was good. We got did get very good response back from on the drone show and and so we had our our review meeting the other night and we're probably going to do the drone show again next year and see what uh what kind of new things we can uh have with that. and such and um and we definitely are have talked about having some different new things and some new ideas and and things like that. Uh uh obviously to to do more things like that. We need uh people to to help us and and volunteer and and become part of the the committee and and uh and such. So uh I would definitely encourage people to get involved. you know, a lot of the people that we have on the committee are people that have been there for for years and and years and and uh you know, so we we really enjoy getting newer people on the committee, getting some newer ideas and things like that. So uh so definitely uh uh if you're inclined to that a little bit, it is a is a fun time to to get things planned and set up like that. And uh we always have a good uh good event. Um, I'll also mention another fun event uh is Movies with Mo. And uh again, I guess there's uh there's one this Friday night. So, people are going to have to watch this uh this recap of the council meeting fast so they get the information for Friday night, right? But uh it's at 700 p.m. on Friday, July 18th, Highland Park, and it's Paddington in Peru. Let's see. That's a bear, isn't it? >> Should be fun. All right. So, uh I think that's that's all I got. There you go. Awesome. Thank you, uh Council Member Garca. >> Thank you, Mayor. Well, there's a few other events that I'd like to mention. Um I happened to run into the locally grown theater up at the Lovelin Park this past week and they were practicing getting ready for their um events. They had several weekends that they're showing the around the world in 80 days. So, coming up on July 19th through the 20th, they'll be showing that play here at City Hall at the Ample Theater. That starts at 7 p.m. It looked like a lot of fun. Their costumes look like a lot of fun. So, I would encourage you all to come out and watch it. I've seen them last year. Um, a different play and it was an amazing play and it's a free local play and they accept donations. So, um, and our food truck festival, it is around the corner. It's already so close to September. September 13th, we have the food truck festival. It's an all day event from 11:00 to 6:00 p.m. We have more than 100 food trucks this year. Is it? >> No. >> 40. More than 40. Sorry. Sorry. Okay. I'm putting it out there into the world and we will have a 100 food trucks next year. >> Tammy goes, "Oh god, no. >> That would be a lot." But there's a lot of amazing food trucks that are always there. our um people love to come out and that food truck festival is so similar to Strawberry Fest because a lot of our community happens to come out and enjoy a lot of food and fun activities that are out there. So, if you have time, come on out September 13th. Thank you Mayor. >> Awesome. Sounds good. So, two things real quick. Um, one is I did want to mention um we for the first time ever, well, first of all, I should say we've had um our new Strawberry Fest ambassadors that were crowned right after the festival um which was awesome and they've already been hard at work, by the way. They've been uh they helped out at the Freedom Celebration weekend celebration. I don't know how many parades they've been into already, but >> I thought I would mention it's I think it's pretty amazing. We we have our first king uh that was crowned in Cottage Grove. So we now have uh a male person up in the front up on the on the float. So I thought that was kind of cool uh for the first time. So it's been one thing. I know that the the group was really trying to get more I'll call it literal diversity uh male female and all that. And I I think they've done a great job of of making that happen. So, just uh thank you to them and I'm sure you'll be seeing them around in uh in future events around Cottage Grove and and surrounding communities. And then lastly, just as a friendly reminder because it seems like it's been so long ago, um after the last city council meeting, we did do a performance review check-in with our city administrator, uh Jennifer Levit. And as per the law, I'm just uh updating the the council or updating the uh the community that uh the review overall review went very well. Uh and again, it's more of a touch base to see how things are going from uh the goals and objectives that we worked together uh for her original uh performance, if you will, way back, I don't know, it was back in October, November, December, somewhere in there. Um but uh very happy with uh what we've uh I think council is uh good with everything that we we talked through and and thank her for continued service to our community. So with that um next item on our on our agenda here is a workshop which is open to the public which I believe will be moving to the conference room and that is regarding emergency medical services update. Uh there is no workshops closed to the public uh so we will not be adjourning in here. So, if you want to come join us in the uh the training room, uh you can listen about public safety. Take care. >> Training room or >> I think it's training room, isn't it?