All right. Good evening everyone. Uh this is the March 4th uh 2026 Cottage Grove uh city council meeting which I'm calling to order. Our first order of business is the pledge of allegiance. So if you'd 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 our clerk please do the role? >> Council member Clawson >> here. >> Council member Olsen >> here. >> Council member Theiti >> here. >> Council member Garza. Mayor Bailey >> here. All right. Next on our agenda this evening is open forum. Uh this is the opportunity for anybody who wants to speak on something that's not on tonight's agenda is welcome to do so. Uh we did have a signup sheet out in the entry. We did have two people that signed up. That's usually how we do it. Uh and so we'll start with them and then I'll just double check if there's anybody in the audience that would like to speak. Uh please limit uh your comments to three minutes. So we'll start with uh Piggy Nelson. Um and she has a topic of ordinance. So if you just state your name and address for the record when you get up there. Welcome. Hello everyone. My name is Peggy Nelson and I am here about the submission of a proposal for ordinance to regulate facial coverings by law enforcement in Cottage Grove. I sent this out. Whoops. To all of you, the council, honorable mayor, and to all of you and to the police department. So, I respectfully submit the attached proposed ordinance of your consideration. The ordinance would regulate the use of facial coverings by law enforcement officers while performing visible nonundercover duties within the city of Cottage Grove. It its purpose is to support public trust, promote effective communication, and ensure clarity identified during routine law enforcement. The proposed ordinance includes reasonable, practical exceptions for undercover assignments, tactical incidents, situations requiring protective equipment due to hazardous or environmental conditions. The intent is not to criticize local law local law enforcement, but to reinforce transparency and consistency in visible policy attacks. I respectfully ask the city council to review the attached proposal to determine whether it may be appropriate for referral to staff or discussion at a future council meeting. I am available to answer questions when additional information is needed. The purpose and findings the identification and clarification during law enforcement interactions support public trust community and and confidence. Concealing a facial identity during routine or visible law enforcement duties may create confusion, hinder communication, and reduce transparency. Minnesota statute 609.735 restricts the identity concealing masks in public places except under limited conditions. Certain opportunities such as undercover assignments, tactical incidents, or hazardous environments require special um equipment or identified concealed. Um I'd like to point out that in MPR news, the St. Paul City Council passed this ordinance prohibiting law enforcement from wearing masks. I would really like to see the whole city of Cottage Grove have this. I thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you, Peggy. All right. Uh, next uh that signed up was uh Tracy Hamilton and uh it's regarding cars driving behind Walmart. Sorry, I don't have anything written or anything like that. I wasn't expecting as many people, but pleasant surprise. Um, so as you're aware, I live next or behind Walmart. Um, and nothing against Walmart. It's Walmart's actually been great. Um the issue has been um people from the VFW that frequent it daily, numerous times in a day, living in the neighborhood, using the um field between Walmart and the VFW to avoid driving on the streets after they've been drinking. Um they go through that field and drive right next to our house and then get on the street. There used to be barriers cuz we're in a culde-sac and they couldn't drive through, but then those were taken down. So, I know we worked with Cottage Grove Police Department, but it's such a quick drive like they're not going to get there in time. So, that's I don't know what can be done, but people walk their dogs and stuff like that. So, >> well, thank you for bringing to our attention. To be honest with you, I thought this was going a completely different direction. No, no. Walmart's been great. I haven't had a problem with Walmart. >> Barriers were gone. When did those get taken down? >> Somebody ripped them down. >> I I think we can work with >> Yeah, somebody ripped the barriers down and then Well, the thing is is the barriers were down, then the snow plow actually was putting snow there, so now they're kind of like encroaching on our yard and they literally drive, right? I mean, I would never take my car and drive through somebody's yard. And we've tried to talk to them. Um, but they won't, you know, interact, which is fine. I don't really want to. And then, but and we've talked to Cottage Grove and they went and talked to them, but it's such a quick drive and it's not just one car. Usually, it's like four or five at a time. >> Okay. >> So, that's it. >> No, thank you for letting us know. Have a good meeting. >> Appreciate that. >> All righty. Uh, now that was that was the only people that had signed up uh for open form. Is there anybody that happened to walk in that wants to speak during open forum but didn't sign up? Yes ma'am. >> Hi. >> If you just want to go up to the podium and just state your name and address for the record, please. >> Hi, my name is Allison Steamberg. I own Boondocks Vintage Boutique. Um, basically I am kind of coming to you with a proposal for the Old Cottage Grove Historic District, Lamar Avenue South. Uh, so I know that the tanks farm will be developed into a bunch of different a new development with a lot of new homes and I believe that they're going to have to put like septic and water or yeah, city water, sewer there. Um, I know currently we have a beautiful like we don't have a downtown district of Cottage Grove right now and there's a huge historic like story I guess right on Lamar Avenue. I mean going all the way back to like 1840s. Uh, and I just think that it could be developed kind of like Afton in a small way. But right now, like if you right now, right next to our building is Angeline, which was which is owned by the bank but cannot be purchased. I don't want to purchase it by any means, but it cannot turn into anything because it has no water and septic or parking. And so it just sits there. It's beautifully renovated. He put over a million dollars into it, but it just sits there empty. And uh we're obviously having a lot of issues getting people down Lamar Avenue because there's the sign ordinance is a big problem. And then the fact that there is just there's no no reason to drive down that road unless you know we're there. And I just think that uh it'd be if we could maybe with that new water and sewer maybe get some sort of like hookup to some of the businesses down there. We could like rival Afton. Like people go to the state park and then or re, you know, the ravine park and then they can go after they're done on their hikes, they can go either to Afton and get out of their car one time and go to Selma's and have a ice cream cone and then go to um one of the restaurants down there and then go to like Dwell and Ice Boutique, but they have to get out of their car one time. for our our city, you'd go after you're done, you either decide to go to Afton, Hastings, Woodberry, Stillwater, and do that. Otherwise, which we're losing a bunch of tax money, too, cuz there's just nothing to get out. You go to a strip mall and you get out and you go to ice cream at BaskinRobins. Good ice cream, not going to lie. And then but you get back in your car and then you drive to like 70th Street Junction and then you go to like TJ Maxx and it's just not like a we have a beautiful historical landmarks in our city that I think that we could capitalize on. I don't think it would be real expensive to try to do that or cumbersome. It would just make us have a reason to come down. And with all the new high-end developments that are coming, we're gonna have People are gonna go Sorry. They're gonna go other places. >> No, you're good. Thank you. >> I have this. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Actually, it to me. I'll take it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Alison. >> Thank you. >> All right. Was there anybody else that might have missed coming in for open forum? All right. Seeing none, we'll go ahead and close open forum and then council. Next is number five is adoption of our agenda. >> Move the agenda. >> We have a motion by council member Theiti. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by council member Garza. Um any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. All right. So, now we're going to go to number six, which is we have three different uh presentations this evening. Uh the first one is our annual photo contest which uh our communications manager Phil Jentz is going to take us through this. and council, why don't you join me down in front because we're going to be I think one person's here tonight we're going to give a little check to and Well, thank you, honorable mayor, uh, members of the council, everyone in in attendance. Uh, my name is Phil Jennings, the city's communications manager, and I'm honored and delighted to be here tonight once again to talk about the 2026 City of Cottage Grove annual photo contest. I would be lying if I said that. Um, selfishly, this wasn't one of uh my my and our our communication staff favorite events of the year. just a great way to uh engage our community and kind of share in the vibrancy and beauty that our community has to offer through people's really awesome photography. Um and so this year was no different. It was a lot of fun and a lot of fun to to help manage. And the city, you know, promoted this contest through various communications channels, um social media, the newsletter, the website, etc. And this year our categories included uh life in Cottage Grove, animals, lifestyle, and landscape. And then also a best in show uh category, which of course encapsulates all of the photo submissions that we received uh of which we we got 86 total photo submissions. So a healthy uh library of really adorable, beautiful uh photos from from our residents. And so with that and without further ado, I will move on to our winners. In Life in Cottage Grove is Farm on the Hill by Jean Anderson. Uh I won't bore you by explaining the photo you're looking at, but uh uh it's it's incredible. Um for the category, animals, Fox on Lamar Avenue by Aaron Spence. Uh I thought I heard that this was taken by a phone, which is pretty wild, but also very impressive. And maybe I'm wrong on that, but still a great photo. Uh, for lifestyle, one of my favorite titles that we got, that wasn't a category, but nevertheless, uh, Baby Rainbow on the way by Zua her. Uh, I think that's just a very, very awesomely titled photo. And then we have for the category, Landscape, Where Summer Lingers by Charlene Swanland, also amazing and beautiful. And then last and certainly not least, our best in show category, uh, mirror flight, also by Charlene Swanland. And so again, 86 total photos. Uh, city of Cottage Grove staff compiled them, voted on them, and those are your winners for the 2026 annual photo contest. With that, I will yield back to you mayor for >> All right. So, I believe we have one of the individuals. So, just so everybody's aware there, um, we in the recognition, we present you with a, uh, certificate of appreciation with the picture on there of what you took a picture for within the city of Cottage Grove and then you get a little check that comes with it, which is always kind of nice, right? And so, Aaron Spence is here this evening with us. The rest of them, I don't believe are, but yeah, come on up. Let's give her a round of applause, please. fun part there. So, is this something you like to do all the time? Do you go out and just or this just happened because that is cute. That is a cute picture. >> And we uh pulled over and took the photo. >> There was two little guys and we were we actually seen him twice in the same week and then the second time we pulled over and took the picture and he was just like >> staring into our holes. Did you get it? Okay. Need a pick? >> Well, maybe if we can just get together and we'll do a quick group over here. One, two, three. >> This won't be as good as that photo, but thanks. >> There you go. All right. >> Samsung Galaxy. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Round of applause. And and just so the public knows too, just one of the things that we do, part of the deal with this uh photo contest is we take these photos and utilize them in different um advertising that we do within the city of Cottage Grove, whether it's economic development. Um, so matter of fact, eventually here we'll see we'll show we've got kind of a new backdrop that's on our trade show uh kit and a lot of the pictures that are from on that backdrop are actually from residents at Cottage Grove that took amazing pictures of what is life is like in Cottage Grove. So thought I'd just mention that to the to the group there. Uh, all right. So the next thing we're just going to stay down here because the next great thing we have going on uh which is B is the firefire paramedic swearing in ceremony. And I believe our director of public safety is here. We also have uh Deputy Fire Chief Nick Aragoni. And then I think we also have uh Fire Chief Pritchard is here. So, we'll uh turn it over to them and and get things rolling. And I see a bunch of people out in the way back audience there. >> Yeah. So, if if we can, I think the first thing we'll do is invite anybody that's here to support our firefighters being sworn in tonight. If you can kind of file in and uh come in and support them have line up. >> Yeah. You'll line up back there. Come on. What do you got? Perfect. >> True. >> Welcome to the party. Where's the red button? >> All right, as we're getting settled, uh, mayor and council, thank you for having us tonight. As you know, the fire service is deeprooted in tradition. Uh, and one of those traditions, uh, is swearing in of firefighters. Um, throughout the country, this takes place for various reasons, uh, promotions, appointments, and a probation period. So, um, tonight what we'd like to do is perform the swearing in of Mike Dandel and Sam Anderson who have, um, completed paramedic school and have also completed their task book as a paramedic. So, um, for lack of better terms, there are fully functioning firefighter paramedics now, which is fantastic. And then also, we would like to swear in Adam Higgley as he's nearing the end of his probation period. So, the Adam will go first. So, um, Adam began his began his fire service career as a fire explorer with the Roseville Fire Department. He graduated from Mountains View High School and the opportunities and emergency care program at Spring Lake Park High School in 2020, earning his EMT, firefighter 1, and firefighter 2 certifications. He then began working for the Lake Johanna Fire Department as a firefighter EMT while pursuing his undergraduate degree at the University of St. Thomas. After completing his bachelor's degree in 2024, Adam attended Century College where he completed his associates degree in paramedic me science. In June 2025, Adam was hired with us as a firefighter paramedic. Since then, uh joining the fire department, he's been heavily involved in the development of our rope technical rescue capabilities and is currently in community paramedic school. When out on duty, Adam enjoys drumming, djing, rock climbing, and teaching. Anything that keeps him active and engaged. Adam finds deep fulfillment in serving the Cottage Grove community alongside a public safety team committed to excellence on every response. He is grateful for the leadership and crew members who have invested in his personal and professional growth and looks forward to the opportunities that to serve that lie ahead. And then after his swearing in his mother Aaron will be binning his batch. >> All right, Adam, please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Adam R. Higgley, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and of the state of Minnesota >> and of the state of Minnesota >> and faithfully discharge the duties >> faithfully discharge the duties >> of the position of firefighter paramedic >> position of firefighter paramedic >> to the city of Cottage Grove >> city of Cottage Grove >> in the county of Washington >> in the county of Washington >> and state of Minnesota >> state of Minnesota >> to the best of my judgment and ability >> to the best of my judgment and ability. So all you Wow. Zone. Next up will be Sam Anderson. Sam Anderson grew up in Cottage Grove and graduated from Park High School in 2022. Before joining the fire department, Sam was involved in the Cottage Grove Police Explorer program and continues to stay involved as a reserve officer. In 2022, Sam was offered a part-time firefighter position with the Cottage Grove Fire Department. During this time with the fire department, Sam has completed numerous state certifications and training programs to further develop his skills in fire and EMS. Last year, Sam had the privilege of being hired as a full-time firefighter with the Cottage Grove Fire Department while attending paramedic school through Century College. Sam obtained his paramedic certification last year and has since been working as a firefighter paramedic. Sam has a strong interest in public education. Uh he does a lot of our teaching CPR, our bleeding control, and fire safety. And then outside of work, Sam enjoys playing video games, building Warhammer models, and playing tabletop games with friends. Uh, after his swearing in, his mother, Tessa, will be pinning them. >> All right, Sam, please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state >> I Samuel >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and of the state of Minnesota >> and of the state of Minnesota >> and faithfully discharge the duties >> and faithfully discharge the duties >> of the position of firefighter paramedic >> of the position of firefighter paramedic >> for the city of Cottage Grove >> for the city of Cottage Grove >> in the county of Washington >> in the county of Washington >> and state of Minnesota >> and state of Minnesota >> to the best of my judgment and ability >> to the best of my judgment and ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> CONGRATULATIONS. MR. Mike Dandel. >> Mike and his family moved from St. Paul to Cottage Grove in 1995 where Mike graduated from Park High School in 2000. On May 13, 2002, Mike officially began his time with the Cottage Grove Fire Department as a paid on call firefighter. For near for 22 years as a paid on call firefighter, Mike obtained his EMT, nearly every fire certification offered through the state of Minnesota, assisted with training, became a lieutenant, and was honored as being the first two-time firefighter of the year. Done a lot, my friend. Mike takes Mike takes absolute pride in representing the department out in the community and is usually one of the first to sign up when opportunities become available, which I can confirm. In October 2024, Mike finally got the ultimate honor of being offered a full-time position with the department. He started paramedic school in January 25, 2025, and officially became a paramedic just before Thanksgiving of 2025. Mike has also assisted with training the next generation of firefighters as em and EMTs as an instructor with Centry College. And when he's not working, he enjoys taking his oversized truck out in the mud with friends and family. Enjoys watching wild hockey, watching his daughter play volleyball, and collects and displays action figures and merchandise of his favorite WWF wrestler, the Ultimate Warrior. Also can confirm if you ever want to come visit his desk. Mike has done many things in his time in the fire service, but the thing he's most proud of is being called a husband, a dad, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend. Uh, unfortunately, Mike's wife, Amanda, is sick tonight, so hopefully she's watching at home. So, after the swearing in, his daughter Braia will be pinning him. >> All right, Mike, >> raise your right hand and repeat after me. >> I state your name. >> I state my name. >> Hi, Mike. Okay. >> Do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and of the state of Minnesota >> and of the state of Minnesota >> and faithfully discharge the duties >> and faithfully discharge the duties >> of the position of firefighter paramedic >> of the position of firefighter paramedic >> for the city of Cottage Grove >> for the city of Cottage Grove >> in the county of Washington >> in the county of Washington >> and state of Minnesota >> state of Minnesota >> to the best of my judgment and ability >> to the best of my judgment and ability. So help me God. >> So help me God. >> All right. So we got FedEx here. >> Sam, you ready? Someone something >> picture. >> Yeah, please. Yep. Bring them on. >> Some of you guys can come on down. >> Whoever wants to come down and get in or just stay back, whatever you want to do. Michael >> right up here. Good. >> I can't get everyone. All right, as they're leaving, why don't we give them another round of applause? >> See you later. >> See you. See you. >> See you later, guys. Pretty amazing. Our We had some of our former firefighters, the current firefighters. Hey you. >> Hey, you. How's it going? >> Yeah, there you go. >> I didn't even recognize Wall-E. We're just gonna let them kind of work their way out, Pete, and then we'll get started. >> Yeah. All right. So, we're going to move on to uh item C, which is the Woolery Scholarship Fund Check uh presentation. And our director of public safety, Pete Kerner, is going to take this uh or kick us off, I should say. Um, and I do know that we have uh uh Mr. Woolery is here this evening along with his wife Katie. And then the public safety board is also here this evening. So, let's get you up here. Katie, you don't want to come up with >> You might need help uh holding that arm up. >> Public safety board. We want you up to >> Yep. And any Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, right in the front front row. >> No, you're good. >> Barb, >> you got both. >> Barb, we'll get a picture. Barb, >> we'll get a picture. Barb, get up there. You're a member. >> Come on, Barb. >> Yeah, Barb. >> All right, kick it over to you. >> I'll kick it off. Thanks. Yeah. >> So, um, I just have a couple slides that I wanted to cover tonight. first just kind of highlighting all the great things that our public safety board uh does for our public safety team and our community. And then after that, obviously a few words from the the Lions Club as well. And then Justin and Kim, they also help with the scholarship funds. So with that, I just real quick though, um the public safety board is a 501c3 organization. Um it's made up of citizen volunteers from various backgrounds. We do have a llays on from both the police and fire department. Ryan Pierre from police and fire right now. I think it's more John Pritchard is hits most of the meetings. So, um just kind of as a plug for them if anyone ever wants to get involved looking to volunteer. They do meet once a month and they do a variety of um fundraising events throughout the throughout the year. So, um their their mission is to provide financial support for equipment training and programs to enhance safety and to provide uh crime prevention safety information to citizens. um our finance director, they're our finance director's best friends every time we have a a donation. So, thank you. Um they they get really involved in the community through different events. They're at parades. They're at our strawberry fest. Um they sponsor things with night over the years. They've sponsored uh safety camp. They're always at our uh police and fire open houses and most recently again at the the hero center open houses and the community showcase. So, they're out there um out and about. uh funding opportunities. Sometimes they get they'll get just a grant, but most of the time it's just um blood, sweat, and tears going out there getting um doing fundraising, getting donations. I I don't know if one of them will bring up later, but they just started a a raffle that I think they just kicked off, too. But um one of their uh members is really into the plushies and all the different patches and everything. And they also started selling challenge coins. So, they're they're looking for a lot of unique ways to to raise money. um a lot of money that they have donated both to the police department fitness center and most recently the fire fitness center, the portable speed signs you see around town. They've donated those. They notated the the message board that we have. Uh most recently they cut a check for about 20 thou just over $20,000 for our newest K9 to to pay for a lot of the um equipment u squad setups and everything. And now they're really doing a lot more with the technology too. Most recently, they donated a state-of-the-art drone to us and that was upwards of over $10,000. So, and um of course the Craig Woolery scholarship. So, um with that, uh just have a couple slides about the um scholarship. I'm not going to read it all to you. Council member Olsen, I don't want to steal his thunder. And I mean, I've heard he likes to talk a little bit. So um but the application is on the cottage uh the city web page if you click just on um the public safety board we have a link to everything um and it's I think with the amount of money they've been raising they used to just do one and now you have a few I think they'll be looking for. So um all of that is um on our website and with that I'll I'll turn it over to Council Member Olsen first. >> Thank you. Uh thank you Pete. Uh thank you to the Cottage Grove Public Safety Board and uh Cottage Grove Lions Club for being here this evening along with the city council and of course most importantly Craig Willery and his wonderful wife Katie for being here this evening. Uh for those who may not be aware, the Craig Willery Scholarship is intended to support young people in our community who want to go into a career in public service as a firefighter, an EMT, or a police officer. We have been grateful over the years to have had many worthy recipients, uh some of whom are now in their full-time careers, which is very rewarding. Um, this scholarship was started uh I think seven years ago because Craig has been retired for what, eight years now? >> Is that right? Boy, the time flies when you're having fun. Sure does. Yep. And he's still the most handsome police officer in the history of the city of Cottage Grove. If anybody asks that, hands down. Um, just just take my word for it. But, uh, you know, Craig is one of those people who, uh, when he retired as our public safety director, um, he he walked away from, you know, a long very, uh, honorable career of service with the city of Cottage Grove. And he served in a variety of capacities, not just as a police officer, but also as a paramedic. He also served as a commander on the SWAT team for more than 10 years, 15 or so. Is that right? 11. Okay. It was a long time. Um so uh commander on the SWAT team trained a lot of the uh current SWAT officers who are um serving on the SWAT team. He was a uh bike officer. So he got to ride his bike around town and hand out um you know the trading cards to the kids and things. He was a DARE officer. And uh I tell this story a lot, but one of the things that impressed me most about Craig is when he became the public safety director after a career in law enforcement. He actually went to firefighter school. He he put himself into firefighter school because he said, "You know, I'm going to have to supervise firefighters. I better know what it's like to be a firefighter." and having uh just this past summer with uh council member Garza and the mayor spent a day doing firefighter related activities. I can tell you that is not for the faint of heart. Um that was uh I took a nice long nap after that for sure. Um so gave me a little extra appreciation for what Craig did. The Woolery Scholarship is intended to um reward those who exemplify the very best in those who want to serve their communities. And it's appropriate that our Cottage Grove Lions to my left uh also partner with us on this scholarship because the motto of Lions is we serve. And there is no greater service to your community than being a part of the public safety team. It's a very rewarding way of uh going through your career, but uh it also comes with lots of challenges, whether it's um being away from your family, uh being on call all the time, etc. So, it takes a special person to do that, which is why when my wife Kim and I started this scholarship in Craig's name, we wanted it to go to young people who have that passion to actually give back to the community and know what they're getting into. The public safety board has administered this scholarship um since its inception and they do a really good job of uh taking applications, selecting the candidates and then following through to make sure that you know those candidates are rewarded. So this year, uh, we are able to make a donation of $1,500, uh, as a family to the Wery Scholarship and an additional $1,500 on behalf of, um, the Cottage Grove Lions Club for a matching donation totaling $3,000. And we'd like to present that check to Craig and Katie this evening in Craig's honor for this year's uh, Craig Willery scholarship. Thank you. Well, as part of the subpublic safety board, we are honored to be able to administer this. Um, it's it's been great and we've had plenty of um applicants in mo, as Pete said, have or Justin, they have become officers or fire or EMTs. So, we're very proud of that. Um, we unfortunately right now have not had any applications. So, I encourage the public if you are in high school at uh in Cottage Grove, please uh please apply for this. It is well worth it. And you know, we are honored to do it. And we it depends on how many we have is how much goes out. So, the minimum is the $1,000. So, and I thank Justin and I thank the board, the Lions Club to donate this money to us. >> All right, any words? >> Which hand do I give it to? >> Only got one, >> right? >> Uh Justin, Kim, you guys have been so generous. Um, and great public servants, mayor, council, the crime board, and the Lions. Oh my gosh. So, I know as it at times are difficult and you justify for dollars and and public safety needs and what the public expects, um those funds make a huge difference and to see that keep coming and see the good use it's being put to just makes me really proud to be retired old guy. So, >> thank you. >> Awesome. Yeah. >> All right, let's give everyone a round of applause. And again, I'll make one last plug for uh applications for this scholarship. Maybe we'll work on some communication through social media and such within the city just uh maybe an extra push to make sure we get some applications in there. And I also want to I'm going to kick it real back. I don't know if if Cindy, you want to take it. He was mentioning about a raffle. you want to tell everybody because that's a fundraiser. >> So, we try to do several fundraisers during the year to help raise money to support our police department, fire department, and our whole public safety board. We um at this time are selling raffle tickets. Um they are >> $25, >> $25 a piece. And with that money, we are hoping to raise to help um get more in our account because we paying for the dog. We kind of took a little hit, but that's what we're here for. We do that. So, if if you see any of us around, feel free to grab us for a ticket. >> All right, sounds good. So, thank you again, Lions, for uh doing that. Thank you for the members of the public safety board and for all of those uh out there that are donating to this cause and again if you want to donate I should mention that too to the Craig Wery scholarship fund you're welcome to do that whether you reach out to one of us on the council we can get you the right person or or the public safety board will take care of it for you too. All right, picture. Yeah, Pete, you got to get up here. >> Squeeze it in. We can >> awesome. Thank you. Welcome back. >> No, I can't just burn. Yeah, that have been a long two weeks. Good seeing you, Brenda. >> See, mic. 32. >> Okay. >> All right. >> And believe it or not, we have one more. >> Okay. >> This evening under presentations. And if people can see, I think maybe they can see it. The picture up there. The item D is a proclamation uh that we're doing for uh Gary Spooner Day here in Cottage Grove. And I did ask our uh council member uh council member Theiti to uh read the proclamation and then we'll look uh for him to make the motion and the second to accept that for um a special recognition on his uh birthday in about another week. >> And also known as as Santa to most of the the kids in Cottage Grove. uh uh the proclamation for March 15, 2026, Gary Spooner Day, whereas the South Washington County Bulletin started in 1958 as the Newport News and was sold in the early 60s as a tabloid. And whereas the bulletin was actually purchased by Gary Spooner and John Herman in 1970 and was converted into a full newspaper. and they operated the newspaper and opened the Bolton License Center along 80th Street, which is the current site of Kohl's. And in 1983, Gary Spooner and William Krueger bought out John Herman. And the South Washington County Bulletin continued to serve the Cottage Grove community under the operation of Mr. Spooner until it was bought by the Republican Eagle in 1994. And whereas Gary has been and continues to be an integral part of the Cottage Grove community, he is a charter member of the Cottage Grove chapter of Lions Club, a charter member of the South Washington County Rotary, a founder of the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce, served on the budget committee for the school district, and much much more. And whereas Gary Spooner has given was excuse me was given the 2025 historic preservationist of the year award by the Cottage Grove City Council for his work at the Cottage Grove Bulletin. And whereas the celebration for Gary Spooner's 87th birthday is being held on March 15, 2026. Now therefore, the mayor and city council of the city of Cottage Grove, county of Washington, state of Minnesota hereby proclaim March 15, 2026 as Gary Spooner Day. >> All right, sounds great. So, >> and I would like to make that motion that we uh we proclaim that Gary it's uh March 15, 2026 is Gary Spooner Day. >> Sounds good. Oh my goodness, we got everybody seconding on this one. So, uh coun council I think I heard council member Rosa. So, um motion made by council member Theiti, second by council member Olsson, though I think we all would definitely second it and first it together. So, uh all those in favor uh signify by saying I I opposed. Motion carries. And just for the public, um you might go, well, what are we doing doing something at 87? You know, it sounds like a I'll call it an odd year that you would do it. Uh Gary is going through some pretty serious health issues right now. And so definitely prayers and such to him and his family. Uh and I uh in in consultation with our staff um being that they're his family is putting together this kind of big party this year, I thought it was only fitting that uh we recognize him for his many many years of of uh community spirit, community uh focus um aka our Santa here in Cottage Grove. and uh wish him uh much success and I'll be able to present him with uh the proclamation at his birthday party uh next week. So, thank you uh council for uh acknowledging that. All right. Uh next is seven is consent agenda. Is there anything council would like to pull on consent? >> Pull F. >> You're going to pull F. Council member Mthiti and Council Member Bolson. >> E. >> You're going to pull E. Was there anything else council wants to pull? All right. We'll just go backwards and if that's okay with you, I'll start with uh council member E, which is planning commissioner appointments. Council member Olsen. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. Uh as you can read here, this uh item is a recommendation to appoint Brad Madison to the planning commission with a term ending on February 29th, 2028, and appoint Commissioner Jessica Fischer to the planning commission chair position through February 28th, 2027. Uh I uh put these forward uh with the understanding that um our current chair Evan Frasier uh has um timed out in his uh tenure on the planning commission and uh Evan did just a magnificent job for the entire time. Uh he served on the commission um and has been our chair for the past several years. Um Evan is uh certainly going to be missed, but uh his departure leaves us with an opening both at the chair position and uh at a planning commission member position. So I would ask for your consideration to appoint Brad Madison to fill that spot and appoint current commissioner Jessica Fiser to the chair position uh so that when we convene our planning commission meeting here at the end of the month, uh we're at full strength. With that, I'll turn it back to you, Mayor. >> Sounds good. Thank you, Council Member Rosson. And then we'll move to uh item F, Council Member Theiti, which is some more appointments for the Historic Preservation Committee. >> Yes. We had a couple openings on the historic preservation uh commission. So, uh, Emily and and Max and myself, we talked to a few different people and and we thought that, uh, a couple of great additions to that, uh, that, uh, group would be, uh, Joseph McDermott and Mary Dohony. And, uh, Joseph actually is has a strong interest in in historic preservation of Cottage Grove and and interested in historical research, has some property law background, things like that. Uh so he was very energetic uh when we talked to him. And uh Mary is actually a retired uh registered nurse, very involved in the community. She lived in the community for 42 years. She volunteers at the local food shelf and actually serves as a master gardener. So I'd really appreciate your confirmation of uh having these two people uh join the uh historic preservation board. >> You got her. Thank you, Council Mathe. With uh that if there's nothing else for pled to comment or uh on consent I'll look for a motion to approve consent. >> I'll move to approve the consent agenda. >> All right. So we have a motion uh by council member Clawson. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Second by council member Garza. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. So, if you happen to be here for anything that was was on tonight's consent uh consent calendar uh on our agenda, all of them have been approved. We'll move to number eight then, which is approved dispersement. 8A is to pay the bills. >> Move the bills. >> We have a motion by council member Olsen. >> Second. >> Second by council member Garza. Any discussion? Seeing none there, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. Uh nine is public hearings. We have none this evening. 10 is bid awards. We have none this evening. Um 11 is our regular agenda. We have two items on our regular agenda this evening. 11A is the Panera site plan review and conditional use permit. And our uh planner, Max Ericson, is going to walk us through this. So, welcome Max. >> Good evening, Mayor and members of council. CA commercial development has applied for a site plan review and conditional use permit to construct a drive-through restaurant which will operate as a Panera Bread. Site is located at 7162 East Point Douglas Road South. The parcel is approximately 1.2 acres. It is east of 80th Street and uh Highway 61 interchange. Uh the parcel is unique in that it is combined two lots of St. Paul Park acre lots which was originally platted in 1888. The site has previously been used as a fuel station which was originally approved in the 80s. Uh the old fuel station building on site uh it remains on site with signage removed. Uh the fuel canopy and the pumps have been removed uh as well as the underground tanks. Um an environmental study has been conducted for the removal of the fuel tanks and it is currently under review by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The site is zoned mixeduse commercial uh and is consistent with the 2040 comp plan. Site is currently surrounded by other mixeduse businesses on the north side of 61. Drive-through restaurants are considered conditional use in the m mixeduse zoning district. The applicant proposes to redevelop the entire site. Um the existing building will be removed and replaced with a 2600 square ft fast food drive-through restaurant uh with outdoor seating. Um, as the fuel station was constructed under old code standards, uh, the applicant proposes to construct new storm water features uh, which align with modern storm water standards. The applicant proposes to reduce uh, the accesses from 3 to two along East Point Douglas Road. Uh, the eastern access is proposed to be reduced to 26 ft in width um, which meets current code requirements. Uh the eastern access will function as a right-in, right out access as it currently functions and the southern access will remain uh as it functions as a two-way access. The city is expecting to make improvements to 80th Street and East Point Douglas Road adjacent to this property. Um construction of this project will align a little bit with that uh redevelopment of 80th Street and uh East Point. So coordination between the city and the applicant um will be had to ensure uh efficiency for both projects. A general flow of the site will be of a counterclockwise fashion with the drive-thru and the southern parking will remain as a two-way. Uh the act the applicant proposes to construct a private pedestrian sidewalk which will connect to the public sidewalk along East Point Douglas. Uh this will slightly encroach into city rightaway which will require an encroachment agreement. City code requires uh this proposal to include 28 parking spaces. U the applicant proposes 38 which is a combination of angled and front-end parking. City code title 1142 requires drive-throughs to provide a minimum of six vehicles for car stacking in the drive-thru. The applicant is proposing eight which will meet code standards and all u setbacks uh will meet city code standards. The applicant will meet city code requirements for architecture by providing an exterior primarily made of earthtone brick and glass. Um fiber cement panels will accent the proposed brick uh with a metal trim surrounding the windows uh as well as an aluminum uh canopy. uh all proposed architectural materials will meet or meet city code requirements. The applicant proposes to remove 11 trees. Uh this will not require mitigation per city code requirements. Uh the applicant is um proposing to meet all landscaping plantings uh required including um perimeter plantings around the building. Uh because of the site limitations of and the storm water requirements of the site. Yep. applicants proposing to add plantings within the drainage and utility easements um in the site. Uh staff have determined that this uh has minimal to no impact of current uh features of of these easements. Um and it is the un staff have made the applicant aware and their understanding that um these plantings will be at risk of future removal if city needs to go in and do any work. And it is also um the applicant has also made been made aware that the property owner uh is uh will be the responsible party to replace these plantings uh such that time as as any work uh would occur in these areas. City co uh parking lots greater than 25 spaces require parking lot islands. City code the uh applicant has proposed several uh landscape bumpouts throughout the site. Uh this code is uh to break up large swaths of pavement on large parking areas. Um their proposal meets city code requirements. They also plan to uh landscape the um perimeter of the building including uh a little bit of a larger area uh for the uh uh drive-thru. All proposed landscaping will meet city code requirements. Uh an existing pylon sign remains on site from the fuel station. This sign was legally placed under a prior city code as pylon signs are no longer acceptable. Uh this sign is considered a legal non-conforming sign. Uh the applicant plans to utilize and modify this existing sign in lie of a new monument sign uh to provide uh good sight lines from Highway 61 as advertisement. Uh per city code, legal non-conforming signs um are allowed to be modified as long as the modifications do not make the sign more non-conforming. Um the applicant recognizes that this is a legal non-conforming sign uh and proposes to remove the lower cabinet of the existing sign uh reducing overall square footage of of signage. Uh this the applicant plans to paint the post pylon pole black and add the Panero logo um on the existing square footage on the top of the sign. All proposed modifications uh meet city code requirements. The applicant has provided a lighting plan for uh proposed lighting on the site. Uh per city code, um the applicant has demonstrated that uh no no larger than one foot candle of lighting will leave the perimeter of the property line. This proposal will require three additional easements to be implemented on site to maintain full maintenance access uh from the city should the need arise. Um, as a lot was created prior to modern lot requirements, uh, there's no 10-ft drainage utility easement around the perimeter of the property. Um, uh, there's an existing 10-ft that exists on the north side. Um, so when a remaining 10ft drainage and utility easement, uh, we will be required, uh, for the remainder of the property. This will prevent building encroachments uh, within these areas uh, if the city needs to implement uh, future utility or storm water uh, features. uh current public sidewalk uh encroaches uh onto private property uh and will require an additional easement for the city to maintain full maintenance coverage of this public sidewalk. And lastly, an existing utility easement exists on the southern part of the property. Uh there is a sanitary line uh that is located outside of this easement. Um, so an additional easement to encompass the required area of the sanitary line is required based on the depth and with that I leave the recommendation before you and the applicant is also present for any questions. >> All right. So thank you uh uh Max. Is there any questions for Max uh from our council? Council member Olsson. >> Thanks Max. The second time I got to see it and it gets better every time. So good job. Appreciate it. Um this uh may be for you or uh you may want to phone a friend. Um the first question I have is uh with regard to the property behind the facility. that property has historically been poorly maintained and I know that the bank has often had to interact with the previous tenant asking about removal of branches and uh I think there was even a dead tree at some point back there. So um my question is this uh what can we expect in terms of the landscaping etc behind the building? I saw the, you know, the the plan for um some of the plantings, etc. that you shared, but you know, behind the building, just maintaining that and kind of keeping it clean and um visibly appealing because if you're at the bank going through the drive-thru, um clearly you see it. And uh there was even a point in time, I think, where a tree may have fallen into the drive-thru area of of the bank in the past. Uh, do you have any thoughts on that or? >> Uh, Councilman Olsen, uh, mayor, members of council, um, the site plan, I could back up to it. Um, does demonstrate that well the the there's a trash enclosure that will push up to that 10 the existing 10-ft uh, DNU. Some of the storm water will storm water basin will cut close to that. So, there will be some removal. Um, and I can point to I can point to um Emily to provide any more comments. >> Like I said, always always feel free to phone a friend. >> Mayor council teamwork always, right? Um, it's important to note that a lot of the existing trees are on the adjacent parcel, council member Olson, that you're referencing and those will remain, but any existing trees on that northerly property line of the site to be redeveloped will be removed and that new landscaping will be installed, hopefully eliminating uh the challenges with some of those maybe dead or dying trees back there. >> Beautiful. Thank you. You're welcome. >> I did have another question and that relates to the sign. Um I know that the intent is to reuse the sign. Is what we saw from uh the presentation um an accurate depiction of what we can expect from that sign or will there be any dynamic elements to it? In other words, you know, will there be pricing of some sort or a message of some sort that rotates on the sign or is it just going to simply be the Panera logo? Council member Molson, uh, Mayor, members of council, um, the submitted sign, uh, depiction, um, is it will remain static. No, and per city code, uh, no moving. We wouldn't allow for >> Yeah. Perfect. Great. And then the last question I had might be for Ryan and that has to do with um there's a water mane that uh kind of sits in that intersection where um East Point intersects uh right in front of it used to be the Speedway and now it'll be the Panera. as this construction is uh being um progressed over time, uh do we have any work that we're going to be doing on that main or any of the pipes underground at that point in time? >> Mayor, members of the council, uh no work with this project on the water man. There is also a sanitary sewer that runs on the property, which I think Max mentioned is being corrected for. >> Um any water main work with East Point Douglas Road would would likely occur >> in 2027, unfortunately. a little bit of a delay, but that's typically when we would complete the necessary work. Right now, we're not anticipating any um with the age of that water man and the issues we've had, we're not anticipating any full water man replacement. >> Okay, that's really what I was asking about was based on the age and condition if if that needed to happen. So, perfect. Thank you. Back to you, mayor. >> All right, council. Uh yes, council member Garza. >> I'm sorry. Um thank you. when you just mentioned the water mane and it may or may not be an issue or not, but I just remember when it was Speedway, they had a serious issue with some type of sewer something or other. Is that going to be an issue with Panera? >> Mayor, time you walked in the store, it smelled really, really bad. >> Mayor, members of the council, I think with the I'm not directly familiar with that, but I that can happen with different issues and older properties with the way they're reconstructing a new building. It'll meet all new building codes with traps and such. So, I wouldn't anticipate any challenges going forward. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else? Councilwise, uh was would the applicant like to speak on the >> topic? And again, just state your name and address for the record, please. Thank you. >> Sure. Uh it's Mark Wilho. I'm VP of development for CA commercial development out of Cincinnati, Ohio. 3805 Edwards Sweet 390. Um, and yeah, I thought all these people were here for our Panera project. So, it's like that's a good thing. But, uh, it's great. I mean, >> well, they're going to be there. It's not the picked for. >> Been to a lot of city council mains across the country and I haven't seen this much support for paramedics and fire chief. You know, it's it's really great to see and I think that's one of the reasons Panera has wanted to end up in Cottage Grove. They've looked here for 10 years. Um the VP of real estate was a McDonald's guy and we ended up running into this site um catching it and we actually was a quick update. Uh we did close on it today. So, we own it. Congratulations. >> And we're ready to start construction, open it this year. Um we need to open it in 26. So, we're we're ready to go when city staff can free up permits and uh we're moving on. But, um no, we're we're excited here. And if there's any other questions, uh and I didn't realize could could we make the sign turn around? >> Yeah. Can we do that? >> No. So, it's it is a static sign. It'll be lit. Um and that was one of it was the only deal point that Panera took through their real estate committee was that the existing sign had to remain. So, they actually wanted the bottom half, but through some difficult negotiations with Emily and Max, we ended up uh compromising, pulling Yes, we pulled that bottom half off, which I think again it's a non-conforming sign, but it's a it's an important sign. So, uh you can see it from 61 and Panera's embedded in in that little area right there. So, um we're all excited to get this thing going. So, appreciate everybody's help. >> Well, and I can share with you uh when I put little postings out on social media the excitement for Panera coming. And the question that you already just answered it by the end of this year is when will it be open? So by in 2026 >> it it will be. Yeah. Sooner sooner the better. So definitely by by the end of the year. >> Sounds good. Council any questions for middle. >> All right. Thank you for the update. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. So with that, council um uh Max, thank you for your presentation. We have three, I believe, uh different motions to be made. Who would like to? >> Well, Mayor, I'd like to to uh move that we adopt resolution 202636 approving a site plan review for the construction of a restaurant and associated site improvements to be located at 7162 East Point Douglas Road South. >> All right. So, we have a motion by council member uh did I hear a second from council member Garcia? All right. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signifies by saying I. >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. Number two, >> I'll move to adopt resolution 2026-037 approving a conditional use permit for a restaurant with a drive up window to be located at 7162 East Point Douglas Road South. >> All right. So, we have a motion by Council Member Garza. Do I have a second? >> I will second. >> Second by Council Member Clawson. Again, any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. And finally, >> uh, mayor, um, I'll move to approve the permanent utility easement encroachment agreement, permanent drainage and utility easement, permanent sidewalk easement, and the storm water management and facilities agreement with DCJ Cottage Grove LLC. Second. >> All right. So, we have a motion by council member Clson and then seconded by Council Member Olsen. Last chance. Any comments? All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. Looking forward to it. Welcome to Yes. Glad to have you here. >> Awesome. All right. Uh we'll move to B. Uh B under the same uh agenda is New Life Church 11245 uh Point Douglas Drive South site plan review. And uh our community development director, Emily Schmidz, who you met a little bit ago, is back to take us through this one. >> Back, mayor, council. Yes. Uh New Life Church, I know they've been planning this for quite some time. Uh are working through a site plan review. Um their their uh location is located just south on Highway 61, just south of um uh River Oaks Golf Course. It is a unique building down there. If you've ever been down there, you know exactly the one that I'm talking about. It's kind of an octagon uh shape. It is uh in the R2 uh zoning district. So, they did secure a conditional use permit for their operation um as a place of worship, I think back in 1990. So, they've uh been operating for quite some time and are outgrowing their walls. So, they are proposing about a 5,800 ft² addition to their building. As you can see, it's essentially just to the east of their existing building there. Um, it will be lobby space uh but mostly focused on creating some additional classroom space um for their Sunday and Wednesday uh youth operations and and education um opportunities that they do provide. Um uh their site is a little bit larger, I believe about 10 acres. So they are meeting all of those setbacks with their proposed addition. They access directly off of Highway 61. That access will remain um uh for the time being. Obviously continue to work with Mindot as needed if they make some adjustments um uh for safety purposes on Highway 61. Um but as it relates to parking, they do have parking on site to support uh their existing use plus the additions. They're okay there. Um they are proposing and showing on their site plan some proof of parking. So those classrooms are going to be utilized just on that Sunday Wednesday time frame. But of course, we always want to be proactive and if at some point uh you know, they're interested to expand in some type of education capacity, we want to make sure that we're uh thinking ahead on that site to allow for those additional parking spaces to be utilized. Given this site is uh quite a ways outside of our service current service area for city utilities. It is served by a private septic and well. Um the applicant is proposing to move their well with this project. The existing well is uh today is right where they're going to put that building addition. So they'll be moving that well. Um and then they're also uh working with Washington County to ensure that they've got a compliant septic system. So, I believe they're actually installing a brand new system uh out there to support not only their existing use, but uh the expansion as well. Um we'll want to make sure that we see both of those permits before we do issue them a building permit to start with this building addition activity. There's excuse me quite a bit of uh tree cover on the site as I mentioned. Of course, it's a larger site. Um they are proposing to remove a minimal amount of trees. Um, our zoning code does allow for um us to evaluate mitigation and removal based off of um large tracks of existing trees. Um, and so we're able to navigate that and understand um that they will not trigger mitigation with the trees that they're proposing to remove. And then of course with all projects they are proposing a landscape plan that does align um with our required landscape standards and maintaining uh that minimum open space requirement on their site. Given they are proposing to add some additional impervious to the site um with all of our projects we want to make sure they're meeting those minimum storm water standards. So they are installing some additional uh storm water infrastructure on the site to be able to manage and support that additional uh runoff. And finally their architectural materials. We did uh work with them through ensuring that they were aligning with our standards uh meeting that combination of class one and class 2 materials on their building. Um so they are proposing uh some brick um that will align as best as it can with the existing building. Obviously it's a unique structure out there but they uh certainly have every intent to make sure that it does flow together. So with that there are two recommendations before you this evening. Uh obviously I'm available and I know there is a representative from the church who's available as well for some specific questions as needed. >> Thank you Emily. Uh, first of all, council, any questions? Okay, sounds good. Is the applicant here? Would you like to speak? And again, just your name and address for the record if you would. >> Sure. My my name is Dan Torerson with Station 19 Architects. I uh I live in the great city of Ramsey, so 16934 Camite Street in Ramsey. Um, I don't really have anything to add. I think Emily hit on on everything. Uh, the church offers the bread of life through Jesus. Um, unlike Panera that just offers bread. >> I see what you did there. >> You have been waiting for that all week. >> Yeah, >> I just thought of it now. I didn't know if Panera was going to be here, but >> Well done. >> That's right. >> All right. Any questions for the applicant at all? >> Nope. >> Looks good. Thank you, sir. I I do before I uh go for motion in a second, Emily, one quick question. This is just in general and it doesn't appear looking at the picture, you know, as we know at some point in time highway 61 is going to be upgraded or and or added, you know, uh I want to say frontage roads or whatever. I'm assuming this addition isn't going wouldn't be far enough that you'd even have to worry about that in the future. Is that correct, >> mayor, councel? No. any adjustments on Highway 61 wouldn't impact this particular addition or vice versa. >> That's what I thought. I just want to make sure I brought that up as we see things continue to develop along Highway 61 there. So, okay. Thank you. All right, council. Uh so, who would like to take number one? >> I'll take that. Um, I'll move we adopt resolution 2026-035 uh to approving the site plan review for a 5,814 square foot building addition to the existing New Life Church building located at 11245 Point Douglas Drive South. All right, so we have a motion by Council Member Clawson. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> Oh, I got a second down here. So, uh, second by Council Member Olsen. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Walsh carries, you want to take number two? >> Sure. Um, mayor and council, I will move to approve or ask to approve the storm water management facilities agreement with New Life Community Church. >> All right, second that. >> Sounds great. I have a motion by council member Garza, second by Council Member Theiti. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. Good luck. Congratulations with the addition. Awesome. All right. Uh, next on our agenda, council is number 12, which is council comments and requests. And I will start with council member Clawson. >> Mayor, I have nothing to add tonight. Thank you. >> All right, sounds good. Uh, we'll move on to council member Olson. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, one thing that I wanted to mention this evening is, uh, we've turned the page into March. Um, today actually felt like a little bit of touch of spring. Uh, which is nice to see. I wanted to remind everybody that March is women's history month. Uh it is a national proclamation made every year by Congress and the president. And uh this month is intended to uh recognize and honor the contributions of uh women to society uh throughout the history of the United States and of course in the modern day. We are extremely fortunate in the city of Cottage Grove to have uh many very accomplished women who serve the community here on our city staff. We also have uh the honor of being represented by Senators Clolobachar and Smith, uh Senator Seabberger from uh the Minnesota State Capital, our county commissioner Carla Bigum, and of course our very own council member Monnique Garza. And uh each and every one of them do a magnificent job representing the community with honor and dignity. and we're uh grateful for their willingness to serve to the staff. Um just know that uh your contributions are greatly appreciated and uh duly noted regularly and we maybe never say thank you enough, but um let me take this opportunity to personally thank each and every one of you for what you bring to the table. It's a hard job running a city, especially a growing city, and a city with a city council like ours who's so dog on engaged in day-to-day business, uh that we're constantly asking questions and um you know, at least from a personal perspective, probably being a pain in the backside more often than not. But, uh, we're grateful and just wanted to make sure that we acknowledged all that you do this evening and thank you for their, uh, service that you provide our residents. With that, mayor, back to you. >> Thank you, Council Member Bosen. How about Council Member Bethi? >> All right. Well, first I I should say there's 106 days to to Strawberry Fest, so uh, the countdown is going, but uh, also something that's maybe a little bit of a coincidence. Uh we actually recorded the the Grovecast yesterday for this month and uh you know one of the things that I I happened to mention in the in the Grovecast was that that uh over you know multiple times in the in the past uh 16 years or more you know kind of mentioned it'd be kind of neat to have uh you know Cottage Grove to have a downtown area and that it'd be kind of neat in old Cottage Grove to to actually find some developers or or whatever that could develop and make a an old Cottage Grove and have some some stores there and things like that that might be more focused uh you know on you know crafts and and and some more local type of things you know country store type type deal a general store type deal and everything. Uh, and uh, it it it just kind of it caught me a little bit with the with the gal that got up and and kind of talked about that prior to our meeting tonight that uh, you know, because she's got the the business what's called boondocks. >> Boondocks. That's right. Boondocks down there. And and that it'd be kind of neat to to maybe do some of that. And again, it's it's all about timing with some of these things. So, you know, it might be interesting to to see if there's some way for for that to develop. >> You know, we have the new frog farm down there too. >> The what? >> The new frog farm. >> Yep. Frog farm. >> Yep. That's exactly right. Go in and check it out. It's pretty cool. >> We should hop right into that one. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> Is that it for you? >> Okay, that's it for me. >> Oh, did I say that with >> That's probably plenty, right? >> Thank you, Cat. Uh, Council Member Garza. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor. Well, I will mention there are a couple of fun events that are happening at the Ice Arena at the end of March. So, March 28th, we have the Cottage Grove Easter egg hunt. That will happen at the Ice Arena starting at 9:00 a.m. And you can register online for that at our um um local website for the Ice Arena. And it looks like it's eight bucks for for each person to participate with a lot of prizes and a lot of fun stuff. So, if you have some if you haven't if you don't have plans, come out Saturday, March 28th, 9:00 a.m. to our um Cottage Grove Easter egg hunt next that we're having at the Ice Arena for the following week. It looks like on April 3rd, they're going to have a miniature golf event at the Ice Arena. Interesting. So, that is $42 for a group of six. So, you can have up to six people that can participate and it looks like it it'll be a lot of fun. And that's on April 3rd. So, Fantastic. Thank you. Yeah, they're trying to do a lot of different things with the ice. >> Arena is having a lot of fun events. >> Yes. Yes, it is. All right. So, I thought I'd just share a couple quick things for the public. First of all, I want to acknowledge uh in our audience tonight, we chatted earlier this evening. Uh our Mick Council representative Mark Jenkins uh sat through here uh got to hear all the fun stuff going on in Cottage Grove and public safety and all that. So, Mark, we appreciate uh the community and or the communication and such you have with our community. um nothing against our previous representatives, but we get to see you a lot more than we've seen the other ones. So, it's nice to see your involvement uh and constant contact with us. So, thank you for that. Um and then also wanted to mention, I know we were talking about Strawberry Fest 106 days away. Uh beyond that, I don't have the dates down because it's not on my little calendar thing here, but uh Fourth of July fireworks celebration uh here in Cottage Grove. And for those uh may or may not realize, this is the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. And uh there is a plan to have a bigger than normal fireworks uh uh >> quite a bit bigger than normal >> uh that at our at our um at our uh Kingston Park in Cottage Grove. And um so what I've been doing as the mayor have for many years is I do reach out to our uh local businesses um and ask them if they'd be willing to help donate to put money towards uh the Fourth of July uh fireworks celebration in Cottage Grove. And I just want to let you It was interesting. I think I just put it out or requested some or some emails out. I think it was last Sunday and by Monday evening I already had uh four businesses reach back out to me uh totaling over $25,000. Um and so I just want to acknowledge already uh Renewal by Anderson uh stepped up immediately. uh 3M uh tennis sanitation in a big way and then North Point Development has already reached out to me uh pledging uh money that I'm going to be working with the Lions Club because they're actually the one that put the the celebration on and uh we again that's just the start and there's more coming. I know I'll announce those once uh once I know for sure that that isn't the case. But we want to very much thank them for uh supporting our community. And then frankly, um I would ask you if you see anybody that works for these companies or you happen to cross them or you're going to go in and look at windows at Renewal or whatever, make sure you say thank you. Uh it is so important. They don't have to do this, but they're doing it because they uh they're part of the pride of Cottage Grove and um we do really really appreciate that. >> Mayor, the fireworks will take place on Sunday the 5th of July at Kingston Park and uh the event actually starts at 5:00. That's when we start serving food and doing all those fun things. And then fireworks at dusk. >> There we go. Thank you. Thank you for that. Uh and then last thing, it was the only other thing kind of the only other thing on the list uh that uh council or staff usually gives us kind of hey here this is what's coming. Do you want to say anything? Um and that is the Friday night fish fries which are going on everywhere right now. But I will mention um I did also make reservations um for this coming Friday uh for a group of us going down there. Uh but it's from 4:30 to 8 at the Cottage Grove uh at the uh River Oaks uh golf course and Event Center. It's it's very good. Uh a few of us were there um about two weeks ago I believe and for the first night of it and it was the food was amazing. Staff is very very uh very good. I'm not saying just cuz it's a Cottage Grove owned facility, but the fact is they do a really really good job and it was packed uh when we were there. So reservations are required. So it's easy. You just go on to the website. It's a simple process to get yourself uh reserv uh reservations there. So whether it's there or the VFW or somewhere else in Cottage Grove, I encourage you to get out and support the local uh local businesses. All right. So with that, um the next item on our agenda is a workshop which is open to the public, but we'll be doing that workshop in the training room. Uh there are two items in our workshop this evening to share with the public. Uh 13A is an ordinance amendment workshop uh that will be going over a variety of amendments or changes possibly to some of our ordinances that we're looking at in Cottage Grove or have in Cottage Grove. I think some of them the specifically the public is going to be very happy about what we're and we'll get to that more later. Uh and then the other one is Milan overlay improvements to 95th Street uh and some lane reallocations. I've actually had somebody just recently reach out and ask me about 95th Street. perfect timing uh that we're going to be discussing this right now and there are no workshops closed to the public. So just for the public be aware we won't be adjourning in here. Uh but do want to wish everybody a great evening and a nice warm weekend coming it sounds like. So everybody take care and again uh we we'll be moving to the training room.