This transcript features the Moose Lake City Council regular meeting from May 8, 2024. Based on the context provided, here is the formatted transcript with speaker names. ***Note on the Mayor's Name:*** *The transcript audio refers to the Mayor as "Ted" or "Mayor Shaw." However, per your provided list of officials, the Mayor is **Jim Michalski**. I have used the name provided in your list for the transcription.* [0:03] **Jim Michalski**: I'd like to open the regular meeting of Moose Lake City Council on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. here in the City Hall. Uh, first item is the Pledge of Allegiance, please. 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. [0:42] **Jim Michalski**: The next item is the agenda. And do we have any—I do have one addition and I'm going to—it's under new business. I'm going to put it before 6A, and it is this handout she got on the old Tower Station Tower placement. So I'm going to put that above A, please. Do you have any other additions or changes to the agenda? Hearing none, I have a motion to approve the agenda. [1:17] **Douglas Juntunen**: So moved. [1:17] **Lou Ohly**: Second. [1:17] **Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carried. Um, just for everyone's information, we do have one counselor that uh, did not make the meeting—excuse me, I'm not sure if he'll come in late or not, but uh, he did notify us that uh, he wouldn't be able to be here for the start of the meeting. Then moving on to the consent agenda. This is 2A, the minutes. Number one: the regular city council meeting for April 10th, 2024. And number two: the joint special city council meeting for April 30th, 2024. Do I have any discussions or questions on the minutes? Hearing none, do I have a motion to approve the minutes? [2:05] **Council Member**: Do I have a second? [2:05] **Council Member**: Second. [2:05] **Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carried. Under consent agenda 2B, the financial reports. Number one: the city accounts payable for April 2024. Number two: the city financial statements for April 2024. And number three: the liquor store profit loss statements for April 2024. Any questions, discussion, or additions on the financial reports? Hearing none, I have a motion to approve the financial reports. [2:53] **Council Member**: Second. [2:53] **Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carried. The next item, number three, is public comment. This time is reserved for comments from the public on matters not listed on the agenda. Please keep comments to three minutes. See, we'll move on then to number four, and this is departmental reports. A: the Police Chief Chad Patterson for Department report April 2024. [3:39] **Chad Patterson**: Counselors, Mayor, Administrator Owens. Uh, so for April 2024, uh, we had 79 calls. So it went down. I don't know if it was the weather—it seemed like it rained all April or what—but calls did go down a little bit. Um, we had 25 business checks (20 last month), 15 extra patrols (there was 16 the month before), four traffic stops (still working on getting that number up). Uh, Community engagements: there wasn't any, but now with spring and summer coming, the community stuff's going to fire up, so that number will definitely go up. Um, assist to other agencies: none. And then there was 45 regular calls for service (47 last month), and no medical calls that I had to go to, which is probably a good thing, and there was three the month before. So 79 total, 90 the last month of March. So I'm guessing the calls will probably start going up now that it's warmer and the sun's out, but we shall see. Any questions for me? [4:25] **Jim Michalski**: Just thank you at the bottom. Absolutely all your work. And I know this is next month, but the uh, Moose Run went very good. I don't know that I totally agree with the route they ran this year crossing Hero Road Lane twice—that got a little fishy—but otherwise it went well. Appreciate it very much. Good job. [5:12] **Chad Patterson**: Um, I would like to ask uh, the council... well, Kris is here on... Ellissa, if we could schedule a meeting with you in the next week? I just want to go over a couple things. [5:12] **Ellissa Owens**: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, whenever you let me know, I'll be there. [5:12] **Jim Michalski**: Kris, you open to that? [5:12] **Kris Huso**: Okay, sounds good. [5:12] **Jim Michalski**: We'll do. Thanks a lot, Chief. Appreciate it very much. Thank you. For B, the City Superintendent Phil Entner, Department report for April 2024. [5:12] **Phil Entner**: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, Administrator Owens. Um, we're—we're busy. If you guys haven't noticed, we're... I think we're digging in almost every single street already in town. It's—it's kind of a mess, but we're—uh, there's a lot of repairs to make and—and we're getting it done. So soon to be—uh, soon to be finished. We're hoping to have the majority of these repairs taken care of by the end of this month, so we'll lead back to normal operations. So we'll start in the Water Department. The Water Department uh, the month of April distributed 6.4 million drinking water. Uh, hydrants flushing is complete. Uh, water system repairs are currently happening today, yesterday, all last week, and the remainder of this week as far as service line repairs, some service breaks we have, some main breaks we have. So we're—we're working through those. The Sewer Department, the collection system uh, collected 13.8 million gallons of wastewater month of April. So as you see the spring weather out there, those numbers are going up. Um, uh, the treatment facility, um, we did do a spring discharge here last month. Everything worked good for that. Uh, all parameters were met. The PCA is happy, we're happy, so things are moving in the right direction. The 2024 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project—I know there's a little bit of stuff on that in the engineering minutes—but there was—uh, there were nine repairs that had to be made prior to being able to line that section. Uh, those repairs have been made; they were made last week and the week prior to that. So with that being said, Street Department, right-of-way clearing. We got a lot of sidewalk to pour this year. Um, we—we already did pour a couple last week already. We did a few pours, so we'll be continuing to do that throughout the summer. Hot mix plants fired up yesterday, so we'll be putting that blacktop up here shortly. It'll be, you know, the whole May "orange construction cone season" in Moose Lake. So we're doing the best we can with what we got. Cemeteries: uh, did have two burials last month. The water systems are on at both cemeteries, by the way, as well. Um, spring cleanup for those cemeteries is still underway. We'll have that finished up by Memorial Day. Campground: that is all fired up as well with all utilities. That starts Friday—opens Friday, yes, that opens Friday. So everything is going on okay there. You're uh, in the process of taking applications for that, two of the—the two open positions that we have. Um, I think that closes Friday, is that correct? [7:32] **Ellissa Owens**: Yep. [7:32] **Phil Entner**: Um, the Arena, that's pretty much shut down for the year. We got a gun show coming up next week, we got the Library book sale, and there's one other event I cannot remember what it is, but anyway, it's—it's there. The recycling shed is running. And what else I got? Um, that is running, that's up and running, it's going good. Um, we're waiting on the point of sale system and the computer for that. That should be by the end of May we should have that in place. Other than that, there's a lot to talk about later, but that's all I have for now. Do you guys have any questions? [8:18] **Jim Michalski**: No, I just want to make a comment. I had an opportunity to uh, look at the infrastructure firsthand on First Street when Tim was digging the other day. [8:18] **Phil Entner**: How did it look? [8:18] **Jim Michalski**: Well, I didn't get right in the hole, but I was like, wow, that is an old... [8:18] **Phil Entner**: Yep. Yep. A lot of them are. It's—it's a lot of repairs. [8:18] **Jim Michalski**: Was very interesting. Yes. Very, very, absolutely. [9:05] **Kris Huso**: I had a question, Phil. What was that material that they—they found that was put into the house up Fifth Street? You know, where Ray and Donna—they had that sewer replaced? It was a different material that I had heard of. The sewer service to the house... yeah, what the heck was that? Orangeburg? What does that—is that made out of? [9:05] **Phil Entner**: That is essentially fossil-like um, asphalt roofing. So like shingles, right? The tar paper that goes out underneath the shingles. Uh, it was very common in the 40s to use that. It's like a roll of tar paper and—and the inside is hollowed out. That was when there were big metal shortages back in the 40s during World War II, I suppose. Yep. And there's actually a lot of that in town. [9:05] **Kris Huso**: How the heck did they hook that up to the main line in the middle of the road back in the day? [9:05] **Phil Entner**: Yeah, um, tar. I would assume tar. It could also be lead, because they did have brass adapters and they would pour with lead back in the day. That was way before my plumbing days even came around, but there was—there's multiple ways. Yep. A lot of those types of uh, upgrades that you see, those cut down on inflow and infiltration big time. Now, if—if they have that, like I don't even know... maybe I have that. Once it leaves the house, can you put in a sleeve or, you know, a liner? [9:53] **Phil Entner**: Liner? Yep. You—you can if the pipe is structurally sound enough to do so. Yep. A lot of the times they're not—they're collapsed or they're oval-shaped. So when it's Orangeburg, it's really tough to line that. [10:39] **Kris Huso**: So that happens? You can't even line them? [10:39] **Phil Entner**: Well, some you can if—if the integrity of the pipe is fairly round. Um, liner it definitely is a lot better in clay-type material or in cast iron. [10:39] **Kris Huso**: Okay. How many would you estimate? More up on the hill than...? [11:25] **Phil Entner**: Yeah, Sunset Hill has more definitely than... probably built between the end of the war or during the war till maybe '47, '48, when steel and more materials were available. Correct. I would say that '35 to possibly '45, '48. Okay. Would be my guess. [11:25] **Kris Huso**: I didn't know there was such a thing. [11:25] **Phil Entner**: Yeah, there's a lot of different types of stuff that's out there. Okay. Thank you. [11:25] **Jim Michalski**: All right, thank you. Good job, appreciate it. Under 4C, Municipal Liquor Store department for April 2024. [12:12] **Ryan McKeon**: Thank you members of the Council, Mayor Michalski, Administrator Owens. Liquor store: uh, we continue to do well down there. Amari's doing a fantastic job. She went to the MMBA conference. Um, so I'm happy about that. She met with Brenda from the MMBA; uh, they exchanged some uh, ideas as far as efficiencies. So we continue to improve down there. Um, numbers are where—we're about right where we want to be. Uh, you'll see the—uh, on the expenses and the report that you were given, it's up a little bit. That's because we took advantage of some sales that were going on, so you'll see that come off. Uh, let's see. We met with Garder uh, as far as the heating and cooling controls um, at the last liquor meeting. That went good. Um, in fact, it might turn into a bigger project. So Phil and I are actually meeting with the governor next Monday. So all—all in all, good things happening. Any questions about the liquor store? [12:12] **Jim Michalski**: Sounds good. Appreciate it very much, Ryan. [12:12] **Ryan McKeon**: You're welcome. [12:57] **Jim Michalski**: Moving on to 4D, Technology / Library Department. [12:57] **Ryan McKeon**: Yeah, so they're—the big thing is we had the server upgrade last week. Um, all in all, pretty—pretty darn—went pretty darn well. There were a couple of things that we need to backtrack as far as mapping for people's printers to print stuff. Um, there might be still one lingering thing with a credit card machine in the DMV that we need to figure out. Um, perhaps Bill's Banyon, which is his way to look at reporting and stuff. Um, all in all, went—it's one of the better upgrades that I've been a part of, so that was good. Uh, let's see. The DMV's new passport machine came in. We went and picked that up from Water and Light; it was delivered there. So we'll get that assembled at some point here and get it up and running. And then I'm not sure if I mentioned it or not, but the Library Wi-Fi was fixed. So that's up and running. Any questions, Council? [13:45] **Jim Michalski**: No. Great. Thank you very much, appreciate it, Ryan. Moving on to 4E, City Engineer, the monthly report for May 1st, 2024. [14:32] **Ellissa Owens**: Oh yes. A lot of the items on the engineering report uh, for the meeting minutes this month we'll cover later on in the meeting. Um, one item that I do want to discuss is the Trunk Highway 73 uh, phase two of the trail. So um, we are working on design still, and at this point in time, we're working through um, the exact trail route. And so um, we're in the process of looking at what easements exist um, and—and what is the best way and um, the most fiscally effective way to approach the design for this trail. So a couple of options we're working through um, and we'll have more up-to-date information as soon as we jump a few of these hurdles. Um, and it's possible uh, we're going to have to meet with DOC regardless of what option is selected because some of the trail will be um, on property that's adjacent to their—to their facility too. So we're working on those meetings in the background and uh, working through design and the route of—of the trail. So more to come on that. Again, that trail is fully funded by grant money. Um, and so we're trying to optimize that as best we can. Um, and so we will have more information to share as time passes along. In addition, I wanted to discuss um, the—see here... um, the city did have representation down at a Senate Finance Committee meeting. You'll see that in the meeting minutes as well. So Superintendent Entner um, attended a presentation with our city engineers for a sewer lining project. Um, and so that was done in front of the Senate Finance Committee. So hopefully we'll hear in the next couple of weeks how that went. Um, in addition to that, you'll see that there were submissions to the office of—uh, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith. Um, those submissions were worked on with our city engineers um, just to make sure that we are accessing and—and um, attempting to get, you know, funding and—and—and projects funded for the city from all available avenues and resources that we have as a city. So I did incorporate those submission documents in the reports and correspondence this month as well, so you can look at the applications and—and what was involved in those um, um funding submissions. So if you have any questions, please let me know. [16:53] **Jim Michalski**: I got one item I want to talk about it in the engineering part. It has come up in the last month and that was a complaint on that trail on the east side of the lake, and it crosses Portage River. I'm glad Mike is here, actually, because I think he worked on that with the county. From the bridge it goes over the Portage River to... well, it clears that low area through the swamp and then it comes up to the road axis it goes to the freeway, and it floods every year. So the complaints I got: that it is unusable for periods of time in the spring, and if there's a heavy rain, it floods over. I tried to find out if the county would repair that or if they would add it as a project, and they said no, that's Moose Lake's responsibility. And what I could find out of Moose Lake, all of those were handed over to the county. But Mike, do you remember the—the final discussion because you were on that committee? If you could come up to the podium and share whatever you know. Thanks. [17:41] **Mike Peterson**: Mayor, Council. Yeah, from the bridge uh, south, it's the responsibility of the DNR. The—the bridge itself is the responsibility of the DNR, and then from there north to 27, that's actually a township right-of-way. So then that goes to the township. You know, on the Sue line now here... yeah, that's county—county um, owned that suite. So that would be their—their responsibility there, the county. [18:28] **Jim Michalski**: Interesting, huh? That's why the county didn't know anything about that. I couldn't find anything on that either. So... [18:28] **Mike Peterson**: Yep. DNR is responsible for it. [18:28] **Jim Michalski**: Okay, thank you. Thanks, Mike, I appreciate that. That's information we couldn't find anywhere. That's dangerous Mike Peterson. That was it, thank you very much. Moving on to uh, 4F, Chamber of Commerce updates. [19:15] **Ellissa Owens**: Oh yeah. The—we attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting today. Um, just a couple of tidbits to share. So they're up to 120 members, so their membership drive has gone really well this year. Um, that is—that surpasses last year, so that's really exciting. Um, their Executive Director um, Michelle, has—has been working really hard on that um, and so that is—that's excellent. In addition um, there will be a ribbon cutting at the Only Art Gallery on Friday, May 31st at noon. And so um, that particular event will um, essentially be the kickoff of the new art gallery in town. So there's um, a lot of discussion about that and just um, wanting to encourage participation. Um, as far as the summer activities and—and events, the Chamber continues to work through those. The City's involved in a lot of them from a planning and facilitation standpoint, so we continue to meet regarding those events. Um, some new updates: the flyover has been requested for the parade again this year. So we've not got confirmation on that, but um, the Chamber has made the request for the flyover to happen. Um, in addition, the Nine and Dine golf theme uh, was announced today, and that theme is "your favorite Western character." Um, and so that should be a great fun event as well. Um, all of the event details uh, for the summer events are on their website if anybody has any additional questions or would like to browse them. [20:01] **Kris Huso**: Yes, have a clarification um, on here. It says the ribbon cutting is at 2 p.m. [20:01] **Ellissa Owens**: There's an error on the agenda, she said. So it's at noon. Yeah, thank you. [20:47] **Jim Michalski**: Thank you. Moving on to number five, uh, previously discussed business. Number A um, Moose Lake CIP 2024 update, Road Project Street Selection Discussion. [21:33] **Ellissa Owens**: Oh yes. So at the last city council meeting um, we had discussed selection of and prioritizing of the next road project. Um, throughout that discussion, Council had requested that uh, we update the um, 2019 CIP list. And so with that, Superintendent Entner and um, our City Engineers went around. And so uh, Phil, if you could give it a kind of a little bit of background about what that process looked like with you and the engineers and then what was discovered. [21:33] **Phil Entner**: Yeah, so starting on page uh, 53 in your packet. If you'll notice uh, those top 10 projects I believe are—are—are updated now with current pricing. And then of course the, u, I guess the uh, importance of getting them done or the—the condition of them has changed a little bit. I do just want to call out the uh, 55 and 56—uh, they look at the same page basically. What it is is one page is out of the '19 CIP plan, the other page is out of the '24 updated plan. Um, the basic change you'll see is First Street did jump to the top of the list. That was done basically because there is also a force main that is in that road that was not accounted for previously—and obviously we didn't just install force main, so it was missed on the initial survey. With that being said, we looked at road condition, looked at water/sewer utilities uh, we looked at storm water, we looked at traffic loading, and then we looked at uh, any road base material that we could see through the blacktop. And there it was actually quite surprising how much road base material is sticking through the blacktop and that's how poor the blacktop is. So I did want to just make that one fair call-out there as to why that—that—that ended up uh, in a different order. Um, I guess for me, if you look at uh, page 54 and that—that lower right-hand corner, that 1 through 10 project list, that—that is a boatload of money in 10 projects. A boatload. And I mean, this survey doesn't lie. This—every one of these streets in this town, we all know we're in tough shape. And we all—we all help. So however we get that, however we—uh, can get around to getting that taken care of is—is huge. And any way we can find funding is amazing. And I know from a Public Works standpoint, I'm doing everything I can to try to find options and avenues for that—I know Admin as well. Um, but yes. [23:56] **Jim Michalski**: Well, how many projects are on this list do you know? I mean the full list? [23:56] **Phil Entner**: I think the full list is almost—it's 60—between 60 and 65. Okay. Yep. [23:56] **Jim Michalski**: So do anybody have about 25 million to give us? [23:56] **Phil Entner**: 25 million, yeah. That touches it. [23:56] **Jim Michalski**: So without being said, that big change of First Street flip-flopping a little bit was—was—was definitely a little eye-opening, but that—that is exactly why that was the case. [23:56] **Douglas Juntunen**: So I had a question on uh, with that, with where we're at right now with First Street. How long will it take us to save enough money to do that project? [24:42] **Ellissa Owens**: Mayor Michalski, there's a couple of variables with that. Um, we have the gravel pit um, that could be contributing. And so depending upon prioritization of getting the gravel pit operational, um, that then reduces the project cost by about 30%. And then we also have the accrual of the sales tax. Um, and so both of those metrics kind of uh, contribute to the overall annual savings at this point in time, which then would determine the—the length of the project. So um, there has to be a commitment to the savings for the gravel pit to get it operational um, then that would reduce the cost by 30%. Um, if you take the 30% off the 2.5 million... [24:42] **Douglas Juntunen**: Um, if you're looking for how many years it'll take to save to get to that project... [24:42] **Ellissa Owens**: Um, we'll just have to do a little bit of math here. Okay. We can do that um, offline here. [25:22] **Douglas Juntunen**: It gives me an idea. You told me the amount, I got an idea how much we're—we are bringing in a year, so I... that kind of gives me an idea. [25:22] **Ellissa Owens**: So 30% of the 2.5 million is $750,000. So you could reduce the project cost by the $750,000. That would be about the 30% contribution from our—uh, from a city gravel pit. If sales tax is about 250, so... kind of gives you an idea how many years it'll be. [26:09] **Jim Michalski**: Um, just a suggestion. And I know I brought this up before, but I—I really believe—and I'm not going to bring it up again, I've done it too many times and it doesn't click—why we really should look at a grind and overlay on if not the streets throughout the town... because I've asked about that and that's always been known. But from 73 right at the lights coming into the bank, that intersection, that is an entrance of the downtown area and that is horrible. It's in terrible shape. Um, and I know you've attempted, you know, to fill pothole after pothole after pothole and putting the slurry on there which did help, but I—I just want the council to consider take a look at it this next month going up in front of the City Hall to Douglas, I believe on top the hill. Um, this would be something for you guys next year to think about planning in the spring for the following year, as we've already budgeted everything this year. But I just wanted to bring that up once. Take a look at it. It's an entrance to your downtown area. Um, to me that should be a grind and overlay. Um, it's not even on the list here, or so far down that I don't even see it, which means it would be 20-30 years. You can't do that to that downtown area. Sometime you're going to have to look at that. That's just my opinion. It's up to you guys when you plan the next projects for the next year. Um, anything for Phil, anyone? [27:41] **Walter Lower III**: Yes, sir. Quick question. Could you come up to the podium? Have we looked at [the LRIP] program through the state? Thank you. [28:26] **Ellissa Owens**: We did apply for the LRIP grant. Okay. Um, the LRIP grant we actually applied for First Street this year. We were notified in the last couple of weeks here that we were not um, awarded the LRIP grant, but we did apply for it. Thank you so much for bringing that forward. Um, our city engineers help us apply for the LRIP grant on an annual basis, and we'll continue to do so. So um, every year we're going to try and—and put in an application for LRIP. Um, and so while we're saving um, we can put in that same application next year and—and the year following. Um, and—and we'll continue to do so. So... [28:26] **Jim Michalski**: And that'll be a matching grant if we get it and we continuously do it. We did get it once several years ago. We did uh, Kenwood... um, that was like 800,000, Phil? [28:26] **Phil Entner**: It's part of Third Street as well. Yeah, part of Third Street. [28:26] **Jim Michalski**: So and I'll tell you what happens a lot of times when you are awarded one: you have literally hundreds of cities applying for them, so if you get one you usually kind of transition to the bottom of the—back of the line again. Yeah. But it is—they—they try to look at need also. And I think that would help us there because that was at that time the entrance to the hospital and nursing home, so that kind of raised it up. Um, but all we can do is keep trying, and we definitely will. A match is better than nothing, right? Yeah, absolutely. Even a match on First Street still mean the city would have to contribute years worth of sales tax. Yeah, just to pay for that, right. [30:00] **Lou Ohly**: Jim, what you brought up about this—this street out front here, the main street coming into town. Is it possible to get some kind of a quote on how much an overlay project of that type would cost? [30:00] **Phil Entner**: Absolutely. I can get square footage quotes fairly easy. Doesn't cost us anything; I just got to run some numbers just to get a ballpark. Okay. You know, we won't pass this on to the engineers unless we get serious and we'll get hard numbers. But... [30:00] **Lou Ohly**: And then then one other thing. Last month we had a little bit of discussion on whether or not if we did not have the—the amount of money to do the whole First Street project, if we could cut off that one block and look at just doing part of that. We had discussed a little bit of that, too, from first up to... I mean from 73 up to Elm, excuse me. [30:46] **Douglas Juntunen**: Yeah, and—and then I believe Doug had brought up possibly using some of the savings that we're saving on the Police Department this year by not having it fully staffed, being able to use possibly some of that funding to do one of our projects, too. [30:46] **Jim Michalski**: Yeah, we won't know until the contract's actually in place with the county and the start date. Mm-hmm. But uh, yeah, there's going to be some funds available for... [31:33] **Ellissa Owens**: So we do have a meeting with the county on May 13th, and so hopefully that will give us a better idea about start date and/or phasing into the um, to having deputies um, available to the city. And so once we know a contract start date and how we're going to phase into um, having deputies available to the city, then that changes the cost for these first couple of months here. Um, and then we'll know what's—what would be left over. Uh, we can do that assessment then of—of what's left from the 2024 budget once we know what the cost to facilitate law enforcement is through the rest of the year. So we should have more information that we can share. Um, we do have a meeting on the 13th and hoping to make progress on that. Um, and so if we get the answers that we're looking for, um, then we can put that as an agenda item for June. Thank you. [32:18] **Jim Michalski**: Actually, and that's what I—I—I should have stated that the meeting I want with Kris with the liaison and the Chief and you is after that meeting. Yeah, so we—we sit down and review, you know, what was—what came out of that meeting. Thank you. Some plans and whatever we need. Thank you. Um, evidently you have Part B, the pedestrian crosswalk rapid flashing beacon request for Highway 73 and Lakeview Drive. [33:04] **Phil Entner**: So last month's meeting there was a resident in town that—that asked you guys to look into a rapid flashing beacon for the crosswalk in front of the brewery in the arena. So uh, Earl [Highway] 73-27 or 73 and Lakeview Drive. Um, on 57—page 57 and 58, there's an email communication from me to MnDOT. Obviously goes 58 to 57 the way the chain works. Nuts and bolts of this is: that unit would have to be paid for by the City of Moose Lake, cost of $40 to $50,000. That unit would also have to be maintained for its lifetime by the City of Moose Lake. So we did do our due diligence, we did look into that. That is definitely not budgeted. Um, so however we want to move forward or put it off to the side and give us some thought and see what we can do. [33:49] **Jim Michalski**: Are there any uh, that we know of, safety-related grants for things like that? Do we... maybe we should check on that. [33:49] **Phil Entner**: There's nothing off the top of my head, but definitely... yep. But I can definitely look into it. We could—we could ask the engineer group if they've ever ran into that. Um, I would—I would think or hope there is something in the safety-related area or something like that. [33:49] **Jim Michalski**: And the only thing then, the next step is to make sure it's on the agenda in August for budget discussion for the following year. Since we're not budgeted for it, it's way too much to come out of the general fund. Um, Phil? [33:49] **Council Member**: Yes, sir? Is there a sign there now? [34:37] **Phil Entner**: Just a regular plain sign there is. A crosswalk on both sides, both north and south. There's once in a while before they have one sitting on the street, crosswalk. Yes, and those were... Lane? [34:37] **Jim Michalski**: Yes. Um, mind we had a bunch of—mind wanted a lot of them removed. We sit with two, one on each end of town. I told my crew they should be out on Monday—I don't know if they made it out to be honest with you—I will check on that. But yes, they—they do well. [35:24] **Council Member**: We still have? [35:24] **Phil Entner**: Yes, absolutely, yes we do. Yeah. I will keep in mind, though, that is a state right-of-way, so we cannot just go willy-nilly and do whatever we want to in a state right-of-way. We have to have permission, pull a permit. There's typically a permit fee that goes with that. Um, the temporary centerline delineators, they never struggle with those, they just put them in, fine. And there was an issue with the volume that we had at one point, which is why they wanted them taken down. So... but yeah. [35:24] **Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? Thank you, Phil, very much. Moving on to new business, 6A... this is actually before 6A: the tower station, the old tower, the placement of it. If whoever is a spokesperson, please come up. [36:04] **Mike Peterson**: Council, Mayor Michalski, Administrator Owens. Thank you for getting us on the agenda. Sure. We're um, looking for permission to move the Phillips 66 Tower from the—its position right south of the Sue Line Event Center and—and to put it predominantly right in front of our building to attract traffic, people into our museum and into our city. I believe you all should have something there? Yes. And that includes a short story of the tower. It was on a gas station in 19—I'm sorry, 1988, I believe. The tower station was torn down. Someone took the tower and we received it in 1999. And we—we have um, plans if approved to move the tower to the—in front of our area there and to completely refurbish it and—and put lights in the top. Not circular lighthouse lights, but just some nice lights. [36:51] **Jim Michalski**: So to me, long it's side of the right-of-way. Phil, do you know what the... well, actually your building where you have that old putt-putt, that's off the—actually off the right-of-way. [36:51] **Mike Peterson**: We're planning on moving that also. That's kind of where we want to put the tower. So we're going to move the sled to another position and then hopefully uh, get some nice sidewalks in there so people can... [37:38] **Jim Michalski**: Like a little mini-park? [37:38] **Mike Peterson**: Yeah. [37:38] **Jim Michalski**: Do you know that the distance...? [37:38] **Phil Entner**: We can definitely figure that out. I can contact MnDOT, we can get the edge of the right-of-way shots so we know. [37:38] **Jim Michalski**: The only other thing I could think of is that you don't want to put it over any kind of power lines, water lines, or anything else, so you don't have to move it if something goes wrong underneath one of them. [38:23] **Mike Peterson**: Mike Peterson, one of the directors for the Historical Society. I did talk to uh, Water and Light. Okay. And I know there's a minimum setback yeah, from them. So I'll have it verified when I actually get around to putting the permanent location. [38:23] **Jim Michalski**: Do you have consensus by the council? [38:55] **Council Members**: Yes. [38:55] **Jim Michalski**: Do you have consensus? Glad, thank you for the communication. Yeah, kind of looking forward to seeing that. It's such a history. Was like take any volunteer help we can get... I can be a great supervisor. [38:55] **Mike Peterson**: Mike, I can be there and direct. [38:55] **Jim Michalski**: I got plenty of supervisors. Thank you. And you guys are welcome—you're welcome to stay or leave at your choice. All right, moving on to 6A, Municipal Liquor Store off-sale THC beverage discussion. [39:42] **Ryan McKeon**: So last month we met with the Liquor Committee um, and outlined kind of what we want to do. Uh, we'd like to sell—start selling the THC drinks in the store itself, not in the bar. Um, and it's a pretty painless process to do that right now, just got to register with the state. Uh, in 2025 they will start mandating that people get licenses—it's probably going to be about 500 bucks—but for now this is where it's at. We wanted to let the dust settle and kind of figure things out. In fact, the MMBA was recommending all municipals wait to do this for a while, but now it's starting to pick up steam. So um, I did put like kind of like a case study in front of you guys. That's this sheet. It's an inventory sales report just for THC drinks. This is from Apple Valley. They started doing it. Um, and this is just for 3 months. You can see their profit, gross revenue. So just an idea. I'm sure they have a lot more volume than we do, but we want to start to—to capture some of that revenue. So again, the—the committee was all for it. Let's go ahead and start going, but we thought we better bring it to council as well and get a stamp of approval. [40:29] **Council Member**: Isn't the state right now still developing the laws on all this? [40:29] **Ellissa Owens**: No, it's going to continue to change. And sure, so the—what the state is developing is for um, the actual plant um, and not the edibles portion of things. So the edibles have been approved. Um, there's actually THC drinks being sold in other locations around the city currently. Um, so we're a little behind um, from that perspective. [41:16] **Council Member**: So the THC, that's the active element that uh, supposedly that's what every way people want it? That's... okay. [41:16] **Jim Michalski**: Open it up for discussion with the Council. I know they're very popular. Um... [41:16] **Kris Huso**: Great. You raise your hand. Oh, question on "School of Ice Cream." What is that? Something—something to put in the ice cream or what? When you... [41:16] **Ryan McKeon**: Oh, I have no idea what that is. It's probably a different flavor that store had that had the element in it, THC. I'm not recommending these are the things we buy. This is just the last page of the summary of their report. [42:02] **Council Member**: Yes, but then basically everything in the—in the package store is going to be like in beer and so on and so...? [42:02] **Ryan McKeon**: Yeah, it'll just be a little section. We'll start off small and see what kind of traction we get. I only know a little bit about this because I know what distributor... but yeah, it's these are just names of stuff to kind of get you... white, I think. Um, but yeah, it's all—it's like a bottle of, you know, that you buy beer or whatever. [42:50] **Jim Michalski**: Anyone else? I'll just make a statement. I'm not in favor of anything with THC. That's just personally. And—and just so the Council, I won't vote for it, but it is a Council decision. You're looking for a motion to that, correct? [42:50] **Ryan McKeon**: Yeah, to move forward and then go ahead and register and start doing it. Okay. We'll follow all the rules if any new rules come out and get licensed and all that stuff. [42:50] **Jim Michalski**: So before I ask for a motion um, Chief, do you have any input to this? Because we're talking about a drug. [43:37] **Chad Patterson**: Not really. I mean, it's—it's not a whole heck of a lot different than alcohol. It just, you know, it causes the same effects basically. Um, if it's regulated correctly, I don't think it's that bad of a thing, you know, as long as it's regulated correctly like the alcohol sales are, stuff like that. It—you know, it is what it is. It's legal in the state now, so people are going to use it either way. So understand. [43:37] **Jim Michalski**: Yeah, thank you. [44:25] **Council Member**: Yeah, in all honesty, I don't—I don't see it as too terribly much worse than alcohol to be honest with you. And not having it in the bar takes a huge liability off of us, so just being in the store. Understand. Um, Council decision, motion, anything? [44:25] **Council Member**: This was you said um, the liquor committee recommend? [44:25] **Ryan McKeon**: Okay. [44:25] **Council Member**: I'll recommend that we approve the sale of off—off-sale THC beverages starting at a smaller scale. [44:25] **Council Member**: I have a second? [44:25] **Council Member**: Any further discussion or questions? None. All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Oppose, no. (Jim Michalski: No). Motion carried. Thank you very much, Ryan. [45:09] **Jim Michalski**: Moving on to 6B, General Fund checking account transfer discussion. [45:09] **Ryan McKeon**: Oh, got you. Yes, B. Yes, that's okay. So we've talked about this several times. I—I did put a letter in front of everyone. Um, this is just stating we fill out all the appropriate documentation to be able to get our new account up and running. The next part is actually transferring some money, and then there is a laundry list of places we need to notify to get transfers out of this account. Personally, I'd like to get this as soon done as soon as possible because I'm going to have to bank reconciliation two accounts at the same time. It's not going to be fun. Um, so the sooner we can transfer everything over the better. But I also don't want to make any mistakes. So um, my recommendation is to start with just the city payroll, make sure that's going well and move on from there. So my recommendation would be, I guess, we transfer 200,000 into the new account that was created due to the check fraud months ago. [45:54] **Jim Michalski**: Gotcha. So looking for a motion from Council. Um, and this is just based on the account being compromised. First National Bank is recommending we establish a new account, and so we'll go through the process of transitioning everything. Being the lower amount, the security would be a smarter way to do it. Any discussion by Council? [46:39] **Kris Huso**: I just have a question. Yeah. Um, so if—if we're doing payroll starting out um, and there's any sort of hiccups and it's [hard] to fix it away, I'll be working with people who will be relying on their paychecks. [46:39] **Ryan McKeon**: I—we'll know the day before. So okay. Yep. [47:28] **Kris Huso**: Okay, then I'll make a motion we transfer $200,000 to help that bank and start with payroll. [47:28] **Jim Michalski**: Do I have a second? [47:28] **Council Member**: I second. [47:28] **Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion or questions? None. All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Oppose? Motion carried. Thank you. All right, I know you want to get to this one. [48:14] **Ellissa Owens**: He's ready. As part of our Health and Wellness Plan for the city and its team members um, Ted and I actually had a meeting with Essentia Health a few months back um, and they drafted this um, this idea of fitness services uh, for the City of Moose Lake team members. Um, this is really—I'm not looking for consensus or anything. It's strictly informational at this time. I think we'll continue to go back and forth and see what else is out there, but just letting you guys see it now if you have any questions. [48:14] **Jim Michalski**: Yep. Um, what if we had more than 25 individuals that wanted to participate? [48:14] **Ellissa Owens**: That's where they capped it off. That was a question of ours as well: determine who gets the... correct, correct. So not—not ideal. And the cost is not something the city can afford at this time. So essentially it's kind of back to the drawing board, but visibility that we're working on it. Um, and then hopefully it's a conversation starter for other opportunities either with, you know, another entity or continue to dig in with them. This was—this was their first offer to the city, but it—it won't—this won't work. [48:59] **Jim Michalski**: It's great they're willing to, you know, put something together. So we'll just keep on it. I was hoping they would do it per individual, because what if we agreed to that, did 12,000, and only two people joined? Or did it... right? I mean, that's not very efficient. I was hoping like they'd give us a discount on each employee that chose to do it, but um, like you said, that's a starting point. Don't know where it'll lead to. Do they have no interest in doing it that way? [48:59] **Ellissa Owens**: We brought it up several times. Um, this is, I guess, just the first round of what their idea was. So thank you. [49:47] **Jim Michalski**: You're welcome. Moving on to 6D, Moose Lake Campground seasonal camper agreement discussion. [50:03] **Taylor Hansberry**: Good evening Council, Mayor, Administrator Owens. At the Park Board meeting on Monday, we presented a seasonal campers agreement and Park Board has recommended passing this agreement for all seasonal campers starting this year, um, the 2024 camping season. We started looking into this just because it seemed like throughout the past two years that I've been here, it doesn't seem like we had a very clear understanding of what the expectations are for our seasonal campers. We would just have them um, look over the terms and agreement for normal daily weekend campers. Um, and some of the things that seasonal campers encounter aren't the same as the things that weekend campers encounter. So um, this agreement just outlines when their property can be brought to the campground, when payments are made. Um, if payments aren't made by a certain date, then they forfeit their site and need to be put back on the waiting list. Um, construction of storage sheds and decks: this is something Council saw a few months ago um, outlining what they can and can't put there. Anything um, on the ground needs to remain under 6 inches in height. Uh, household trash: um, we've had some... at the end of the season, there were a lot of things that people dumped at our dumpsters that were not just regular household trash. This outlines what is accepted in our dumpsters and what is not. Um, golf carts: you must have a driver's license to be driving your golf cart. Um, let's see, anything else that's notable? Oh, seasonal campers are limited to three dogs per site and this also notes that they should not be in the playground or on the beach. And um, I believe that's it. In addition to that, at the end we did include a camper code of conduct just to reiterate that respectful behavior is expected at all times with seasonal campers, with other campers, and our campground staff. So this was recommended by the Park Board and just looking for a motion to approve so that I can send this out to seasonal campers before the season starts on Friday. [52:23] **Kris Huso**: I just have one question. Sure. Um, under pets and the "up to date rabies vaccination," oh yes, how are we going to enforce that? Do we require that they submit a copy of the...? [52:23] **Taylor Hansberry**: I'm not sure if that's something we want to take the time to enforce, or if it just is something that ends up being a problem and that's... [52:23] **Kris Huso**: Well, definitely something that we will take counseling... not I guess... I mean, I own a trailer park and we—we require that, simply because if somebody gets bit, is this going to go under our liability? Or because if they say, "oh well, I have it" and then they really don't... [53:09] **Taylor Hansberry**: I mean, I'm going to request that this agreement be signed and returned to me, so I could just ask for a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate with the signed agreement. And/or maybe... [53:09] **Ellissa Owens**: Talk to the insurance company, see what our liability is on that. Sure. So essentially, if they're signing off and it's kind of "on your honor," does that then negate our liability? And we don't have to do the verification check? Just simply you've signed off and this is us doing our due diligence by having it as part of our agreement. [53:09] **Jim Michalski**: Just—just for your information um, similar things like this that we had to research for our baseball fields um, that we have there on City property: even if they sign the agreement, we're always a part of the liability. Always. And—and that just—and that's every city everywhere. They all have playgrounds because that's the same thing with a playground and using the playground equipment and all that stuff. We always will have that—that liability. [53:54] **Kris Huso**: I guess then maybe I change it to "all pets must be up to date on vaccinations according to state law and a copy must be provided with this." That's what I like to see. [54:40] **Jim Michalski**: That's my recommendation. If you... is that your motion? I should ask, are there—is there any other discussion? [54:40] **Council Member**: Yes, sir. She's correct. Most people, if they take care of their dogs, they have that certificate at all time. I, you know... I mean, have to look for it, but yeah. [54:40] **Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? Discussion? Motion? Do we have a motion from the floor and add in whatever you have appropriate for this? [54:40] **Kris Huso**: Um, I'll make a motion that we approve the—the seasonal campers agreement with the inclusion under the pets about providing a copy of the their vaccination, up-to-date vaccination record when you talk to... [54:40] **Jim Michalski**: I should... is there a second? [54:40] **Council Member**: I'll second. [54:40] **Jim Michalski**: Have a second. Second. Any other questions? All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carried. [55:57] **Taylor Hansberry**: We could ask them if—because they probably don't have copy machines—if they brought it in, we could make a copy. Yeah, and there's—there's a printer with a copier at the campground office as well, so absolutely. They can use that. Thank you very much. Good job. [55:57] **Jim Michalski**: Moving on to 6E, Riverside Arena rental fee waiver: Moose Lake Hockey Blue Line Club Car Show fundraiser discussion. [55:57] **Ellissa Owens**: So uh, representatives from the um, Moose Lake Hockey Blue Line Club attended the Park Board meeting um, this Monday, this past Monday. And so they have put in an application to rent the Riverside Arena for a car show. Um, the fundraiser um, will essentially donate 100% of the proceeds to the Moose Lake Blue Line—Blue Line Club. It's going to be a new uh, first annual event for the car show. Um, at that meeting, the Park Board did recommend to Council that the fee be waived. Um, and some of the uh, discussion was surrounding the fact that the Blue Line Club um, is the high school hockey um, entity—funding entity—um, and that they are a lessee of the arena. So we—we already have an established lease with um, the high school hockey um, with high school hockey essentially, and the—the Blue Line Club is affiliated with that. So with them already being an established lessee and 100% of the proceeds going to that um, that was the discussion that was had from a Park Board level. Um, and so they—the recommendation to Council is that the fee be waived um, as a result of those um, ties that we already have. [57:33] **Jim Michalski**: Discussion by the Council or motion? [57:33] **Council Member**: Yes, sir. Well, I—I guess I agree we should do that, but it also sort of should be stated into a point that it's that actually what we're doing: we're benefiting a hockey team, we're benefiting the school, and we're benefiting Arena better things on the slate. That's... yes, I'm in favor of Council. Thank you. [57:33] **Jim Michalski**: Any other discussion? Questions? You have a motion? [58:19] **Council Member**: I'll make the motion to wave the fee for the Riverside Arena rental for the Blue Line Club Car Show. [58:19] **Council Member**: Have a second? (Second). Any further questions? Discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). All right. Oppose? Motion carried. [58:19] **Ellissa Owens**: Thank you, Mayor Michalski. The event will be June 29th um, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Riverside Arena. [58:19] **Jim Michalski**: Is that a Saturday? [58:19] **Ellissa Owens**: Something... yes. Yes. Thank you. [59:07] **Jim Michalski**: Moving on to 6F, Water and Light electric utility waiver, 3-year extension discussion. [59:07] **Ellissa Owens**: Okay, so I wanted to provide Council with an update on where we've—um, where we're at right now as far as um, meetings and progress for the residential development. So um, the City administrative team has been meeting with the city engineers and the developer um, for design components. Topography has taken place. Um, wetland delineation permits have occurred. Um, and so with that, we've been talking about the rural versus the urban design for the residential development. Um, and so where we were at is that the rural design penciled as far as for the developer—it made sense. Um, the urban design uh, we were looking at having to cut some of the components in order for the project to be viable fiscally. And so we took a look at four components that essentially changed the design from rural to urban. Those components are: curb and gutter, um, drain tile for storm sewer, uh, sidewalks, and street lighting. And so the estimate for um, those four components for the entire residential development were coming up to about $542,000. What we—the partnership, the new partnership that the city has engaged with—with Water and Light over the past two years essentially waived the city's electric utility fees um, annually. And so what that looks like for the city is that's a—that's a—a fluctuation of about $180,000 of savings per year. And so I took a look at the $180,000 savings and drew that out over the course of 3 years—that comes to $540,000. Essentially, that covers the $542,000 cost of the urban design. And so um, we attended the most recent Water and Light Commission meeting and requested a three-year extension. The three-year extension would then give the $180,000 annually um, or would free up... it's not "giving" or no monies are being transferred, it just frees up that money out of the city's budget to then be dedicated to um, the urban design characteristics for the residential development. So the Water and Light um, made a motion to approve a three-year extension. Uh, the contingencies on the motion included that the City Council be willing to dedicate um, the $180,000 worth of savings annually to the residential development. Now, where we're at with the developer is we're looking at having two development agreements: one for the first four parcels of the residential development and then a secondary residential development agreement for the remainder of the development. So the developer would like to engage in building this year still. So what we're looking at is it's essentially lot 46, 47, 48, and 49. I do have larger copies that I can distribute to Council um, as well. Um, it is the same thing that's in your packet, but I know it's pretty small. So we're looking at identifying those first four parcels—those are u, multi-family designated at this time—so it would be uh, the developer would be building the duplexes on those first four lots starting this year. Depending upon how those go, uh, the developer would then engage in a development agreement for the remainder of the development. Um, essentially it's kind of like a—a—a market test to see what's—um, what the demand is and um, essentially could initiate some cash flow for the rest of the project. Uh, where we're at right now is um, the—the Water and Light Commission has put a January 1st deadline um, on the city having a signed development agreement with the developer for the remainder of the um, residential development outside these first four lots. So we've got a lot of work to do between now and December 31st with the developer. Um, so we are highly engaged with—with these activities on a daily basis. Um, um, if—if this goes well and we can get this residential development um, off the ground, essentially the ask of the Council would be then to commit the $180,000 annually um, to be reimbursement for those items within the residential development. So looking for consensus to continue to move on these types of activities with this process in mind. Um, obviously there'll be development agreements, too, that would come forward to Council. Um, we do have a timeline of January 1st that we're working towards um, but really exciting that the Water and Light Commission was willing to commit um, to that type of partnership with the city again. Um, and you know, everybody is—is working collectively and collaboratively to try and uh, get this residential development to come to fruition. So really exciting. Looking for consensus today and motions later on as we continue to hit some of these milestones with development agreements. [1:04:31] **Jim Michalski**: Discussion? I think it's very exciting. I do too. [1:04:31] **Walter Lower III**: Yes, sir. You want a discussion on whether or not—which direction we want to go either or not? [1:04:31] **Ellissa Owens**: Thank you, Lower. Thank you for bringing that—that forward, Councilor. So we—we at one meeting a couple months ago, there was consensus from Council to pursue the urban design because that's always been the desired approach, right? So we're all working to try and make the urban design pencil, which is how this idea came to fruition. Um, the developer wants to do the urban design as well; it just needs to make the math—needs to math, right? Um, in order—in order for it to make sense. So um, we did have consensus from Council to utilize the urban design—that is the preferred approach by everybody. Um, it also increases the lot value and—and—and the property value in itself. So from a city perspective with, you know, funding off of property tax, the urban design is more beneficial to the city, which is why this partnership is so important. Those property values are increased and then of course then the city is getting increased property taxes in return for each of those lots with those design characteristics in play. Any other questions? Discussion? [1:06:05] **Council Member**: I'll just make a comment that I guess if we're going to, you know, do this development, I think we need to start it out right and better all that stuff is—is the right direction if the numbers... I appreciate you bringing that forward. [1:06:05] **Ellissa Owens**: You know, from—from a city perspective, when we were discussing things at an administrative level too, it's, you know, we don't want to have to settle for the rural um, design. So what can we do? And um, Water and Light is—is on board to continue to partner with us, and then it's accountability and commitment from the city's perspective to then put the monies where we say we're going to put the monies and then, you know, essentially contribute to the urban design. [1:06:53] **Jim Michalski**: Anything else for the Council? consensus? Kris? [1:06:53] **Kris Huso**: Yes. Yes. [1:06:53] **Jim Michalski**: Very good. You have—we have consensus move ahead. Thank you. Moving on to 6G, the skate ramp discussion. [1:06:53] **Ellissa Owens**: Um, yes. Council, you'll see in your packet there was in uh, a communication from the city's insurance agent. And so what happened was the city was receiving complaints about the—the safety of the skate ramp that's on city property at Riverside Arena. So an inquiry was made to the city's insurance agent, and essentially said, "What is the city's liability here? What does this look like?" Um, the communication that was received in return was, "Once you have a complaint and once you're notified um, that there could be structural integrity issues with that particular piece of um, equipment on city property, it essentially starts the clock um, and—and your liability increases once you know, once you're notified and/or you receive a complaint." So what we did at that point in time then was engaged with the city's building official. Um, Andy Sharp then went around and did an inspection and wrote up a um, a report of what his findings were—that's also in the packet. Um, and so these findings and this information was brought to the Park Board on Monday. Um, all of the pictures were shared and all of the correspondence were—were shared with Park Board as well. The Park Board did make a recommendation to the City Council um, to remove the um, skateboard half-pipe upon review of the findings from the city building official. So we're looking for a motion to complete that process. [1:08:28] **Jim Michalski**: Questions, discussion, or motion? [1:08:28] **Council Member**: Yes, sir. Oh, okay. They—basically what showed in the report that that's got a goal. No, do we want to build another one and move it, or what's the consensus? We want... [1:09:17] **Ellissa Owens**: Thank you. So today we're looking for um, a motion for removal, and it'll essentially be um, taken to um, a landfill um, and disposed of properly. Um, the discussion at the Park Board level then is, you know, "What is the opportunity for replacement? Where is the right location for replacement? What is available to the city?" There was a gentleman that was potentially willing to donate something of this nature, and so the Park Board has been doing that light work for Council and engaging with those people and having those discussions. A couple of areas have been called out as potential sites um, for something like that. And so um, once we make a little more progress as a Park Board, we can bring that forward to Council. Um, so looking at the viability of replacing it um, and what that looks like at the Park Board level currently. [1:10:04] **Jim Michalski**: I guess the may be different items that are used instead of half pipes. Maybe—maybe it's just, you know, ramps and stuff and it may be totally different and—and there are different locations being considered too. Yeah, but basically we want a consensus now to remove it? [1:10:04] **Ellissa Owens**: Correct. Correct. Yes. [1:10:51] **Jim Michalski**: I believe when this was brought in, it was a used item that was donated. And I—I think over the years it has been used for more than just skateboarding or you be that lights or whatever they use. Um, and I—I don't recall that... I mean, you go by there more than I do. Um, is it used much anymore? [1:10:51] **Ellissa Owens**: You'll see kids on there during the summer um, doing what... I've seen the skateboards, I've seen the BMX bikes on it. Um, you know, it's used but it's—it's intermittent. [1:11:36] **Jim Michalski**: And it could be because it's in a bad shape, too. Well, and to me it looks more like a liability with no sides and protection and things have changed since it was put in. [1:11:36] **Ellissa Owens**: Whatever that... some of the discussion at the Park Board level has been that because of where it's located, there's dirt that gets on the ramp because it's not on a concrete slab, and then that actually becomes more of a safety issue and a hindrance for skaters. So the—the discussion has been: if there's going to be a replacement opportunity, where is it, and can there be a slab? Because ultimately if—if it's not functional or—or usable at its current location, then that wouldn't be the best place to put something back in either. So having all those discussions... [1:11:36] **Jim Michalski**: There's so many other things you can do, too, if you're doing cement, where you don't even use a half-pipe. You—you probably have some little ramps and doing all kinds of different stuff. I'm sure a lot safer and—and not as expensive if we were to consider something else. I would copy say, seek out some more professional advice of what's the best route to go rather than accept something that's... I mean, it was—we're very grateful in this gentleman or like—I don't remember who um, donated it to us, but I mean it was very gracious at that point. But I think we just need to get it removed and then if they decide to do something else, seek some professional advice on how and where maybe would be better locations. And Sandstone has one in their town, right? They put it right in their City area, and there's all kinds of totally different ideas. [1:12:22] **Council Member**: Yeah, I missed the last Park Board, but I would have suggested that you know, contact Sandstone and see how well theirs is used and any other ideas that they could... I know information that they could give us. [1:12:22] **Jim Michalski**: [Unclear] built a whole new skate park, too, so they would have data also—what really works or what is dangerous or... because they've had it up and running for a few years. Thank you. Yeah. Do we have consensus to have that removed? [1:12:22] **Council Members**: Yes. Yes. [1:12:22] **Jim Michalski**: So it's a go. Thank you. [1:12:22] **Ellissa Owens**: You want a motion? [1:12:22] **Jim Michalski**: I think it just... it was donated and I think... Park Board already approved it, I think a consensus would be enough. Okay. Right. Moving on to 6H, American Legion flagpole request discussion. [1:14:00] **Mike Peterson**: Good evening Mayor and Council and City staff. Um, I just wanted to start off by saying I noticed I didn't have a hard time recognizing one your staff members because he's a redhead now. And—and Phil, I didn't even recognize you. That's okay, that's... I appreciate that. Absolutely. Mike Peterson. I'm here as the—uh, adjutant for American Legion Post here in Moose Lake. I'd like to uh, besides picking on Phil—you're doing good there Mike, you're doing good there. I couldn't help... I take them when you get them, buddy. I get it. Um, and we're looking at... we—we like flags in town. And the—the city and town, everybody's—loves to see flags up, and you can see they're all over town. And we noticed there wasn't one in the main city park—it used to be. So we worked on getting the—uh, school—the owner of the—of the school, and he donated us the old flag pole that was um, somewhere around 1922 they put it in, right after uh, the fire in 1918. There was another fire at the school in the 30s, but it did survive that. Um, what we're looking at because the Legion's interested in it is um, dedicating this to our hometown heroes. So those who went to school there and um, then enlisted in the service or drafted or whatever. And here, I've goty here... I just talk real loud here. So this is kind of the dedication that we're looking at um, [shows handout]. And so that flag pole has been flying a flag for over a 100 years there, and has watched all these young men and women graduate and move on. In u, and then in believing in uh, our democracy, joining the service and protecting this for um, our—everyone's democracy. So we'd like to see them recognized in this flag pole. Um, so here's what kind of the rough i... um, dedication is. Everything is still a draft, nothing's for sure yet, anything. But we're here to look at uh, we need to um, adopt the city's plan in placing this a flag pole. And uh, we have no uh, problem with that. We're looking at donations so it won't cost City anything in putting this flag pole in. And uh, um, the only thing changed from what the Park Board meeting would be that we're going to be sending a letter to the city engineers and asking them to donate or waive the um, expenses of engineering this for the city, because it came into over $1,000. I know being on the Council, we've had engineering companies donate things in the past like this. And uh, yeah, we didn't want this to be a burden for the city; we want this to be all donations basically. So that's all I have and anybody ask questions. [1:17:10] **Jim Michalski**: It's a good idea. It's a very good idea. It's still the same site we looked at, basically right in there? If there's any... you know, again it's not—nothing's in granite, it's just a yeah, draft of the area where you need it. If somebody has something else better. One thing that hit me is I start thinking about First Street. When we—we did First Street and we were told when you... because it's right in front of that big tree. When you cut down to those roots, they usually die. Do you remember, Phil, that whole discussion? Mm-hmm. And I don't know if we're talking... if we would kill that big tree by putting that big foundation by cutting through the roots going down. [1:18:43] **Mike Peterson**: Sure. I think a meeting on-site probably once approved here tonight, meeting on-site will be the next step. Because there is all that open area from that tree going towards the walkway into the pavilion where we got a lot of room where it could go where we wouldn't... yeah, there's got... yeah, any tree. And again it depends on the type, you know, if it's a tap-type tree that goes down or one roots are on the surface. I'm not sure. [1:19:30] **Jim Michalski**: I think that's a Cottonwood. Um, this base here, this would be the same as what Mo looks like, correct? [1:19:30] **Mike Peterson**: We're making a mirror image of... again, this is one of the ideas. A mirror image of the one that's down at Veterans Park. We wanted the natural fieldstone because of the... a lot of the area, you know. And some left rock are a big thing around here. Um, and then we wanted to use uh, black granite from um, St. Cloud's um, quarries. And uh, try to keep it kind of just have a little bit of type lighting on it so you can see it from the moment at night and that's about it. [1:20:18] **Jim Michalski**: Very nice. Thanks Mike. [1:20:18] **Mike Peterson**: Thank you. [1:20:18] **Jim Michalski**: Thank you. Did we want consensus to move ahead is that...? Yes, please. Okay, so consensus from the Council to move ahead? [1:20:18] **Council Members**: Yes. Yes. [1:21:08] **Kris Huso**: Okay. What's this "block" thing about in—in the middle of this? Buying a block? How do you get a block? [1:21:08] **Mike Peterson**: Um, that was there uh, the idea of... [1:21:08] **Kris Huso**: She is talking about this [indicates paper]. [1:21:08] **Mike Peterson**: Oh, sorry. Pavement. Um, we were looking at for one of the fundraisers um, pavement blocks that you've seen, you know, and you we would charge for them. And you know, and that would help pay for this project. And then it would be of course loved ones could put their family's name in there for "Private So-and-So" or... so it'd be like a walkway up to the memorial or around it. [1:21:08] **Kris Huso**: Okay. [1:21:08] **Mike Peterson**: Yep. The things instead... kind of like... you know, either way, or maybe both depending on how many pavers you have. So we've got one already set aside, you know, for Colonel Eaton. Dad, he was... [1:21:58] **Jim Michalski**: Thank you Mike. And we have consensus to move ahead. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right, let's see here... moving on to 6I, Sewer Bill rate modification request: resident summer watering inquiry. [1:22:20] **Ellissa Owens**: Um, so the city has received a couple of inquiries um, about having sewer rate billing um, modifications implemented for the months of the year when the residents water their lawn. So right now the—the um, you're getting billed... your sewer bill is essentially a duplicate of your water usage. Correct? Correct. And so when this inquiry came forward, we just kind of started to discuss what... Hey, that's okay, good to see you. Um, we just wanted to... Chief? Hey, Chief, if you have your taser or get ready... a one-liner. [1:23:42] **Chad Patterson**: I get both at the same time now. [1:23:42] **Jim Michalski**: You can see why we got nothing done. Um, you're not done yet, are you? [1:23:42] **Ellissa Owens**: Essentially I asked Phil um, what does this look like? How can we implement this? Let's just bring some information forward to Council. And so Phil, can you please share what your findings are? [1:23:42] **Phil Entner**: So yeah, there's... I mean, uh, I believe the city had something like this in the past. [1:23:42] **Jim Michalski**: Correct, used to have. [1:23:42] **Phil Entner**: Used to have something like this in the past. Yep. And I would assume it was probably just a deduction off of the usage versus some type of average usage. I have no idea—probably wasn't living here at the time. It would probably be very similar to like our frozen water suine policy, which is they're billed on an average of what their normal usage would be during that period time we ask them to run their water service. In this situation, they would not be getting that charge on the sewer bill, if that makes sense. Um, if we want to get really carried away, we could go ahead and—and put meters on—on the outside hose bibs and meter the water they're actually putting on the grass that's not going down the sanitary. I mean, there's a couple options I guess. Before we get that far, whether or not... regardless of whether or not we get there, I guess do we want to go down this path? Do we not? What is—what does this look like? I do understand the—the concept behind it, and it makes sense. It always does. [1:24:28] **Jim Michalski**: Would this be like just a flat change across everyone's bill, or would it be only the people that are using? [1:24:28] **Phil Entner**: I would recommend we—we treat it very similar to our u, frozen water line policy: that the resident has to get—the resident has to get a hold of the Public Works Department. We put them on a list, we—we go through a couple of questions, and then a start time and end time, that kind of thing. I mean, it does add a little bit more work, but I—I definitely see... [1:25:15] **Jim Michalski**: [Hard] to charging people that aren't using it. Correct. So it would have to be a requested deduction kind of like... like an off-peak scenario? [1:25:15] **Phil Entner**: Um, sort of. More like our running water policy. You're on the right path. Yeah, you'll get there. [1:25:15] **Ellissa Owens**: But um, we also had discussions with Water and Light to make sure that this is something—because they facilitate the billing—um, that this is something that can be done and—and isn't burdensome. Um, we did get a thumbs-up from Water and Light. So it's merely, does Council want us to kind of keep digging and try and present the best solution for this? Um, we did look at the cost of those meters—are about $250 a piece. A piece. So there's the component if—if a meter is going to be placed on a hose or spout, so to speak, there is a—a $250 price tag on that. Um, so there are other ways we can do it using averages and just looking for direction from Council. [1:26:48] **Kris Huso**: Yes. Well, wouldn't that charge be assessed to the person requesting it at $250 for the meter put on? [1:26:48] **Phil Entner**: That's all up for debate at this point. However that looks, I have no idea. The only thing I would say is if we choose to move forward with something, I would like a policy in place moving forward so it's—it's black and white, there's no gray areas, nothing slips through the cracks. But that would be obviously decided after... I'm guessing you would store these meters every year and reuse them till they quit. [1:26:48] **Jim Michalski**: Yeah, if I had a recommendation... I won't use meters. Say that again? If I had a recommendation, I won't use meters. Very dirty. Be costly to... Well, great. [1:27:36] **Walter Lower III**: Okay. Walter, did you have a statement or question? Well, I mean, if—if we were to use meters, I mean, I wouldn't see making the taxpayer pay for just these people uh, that want to do this. I also wonder, you know, are there other... are people going to be coming to us like, say, "I wash my car a lot," you know? And other—other things that people are using water for? Sure. You know, you're g... [1:27:36] **Jim Michalski**: Okay, great. Oh, that's a good point, Greg. My—my thing would be that when you start... I'd say about washing your car and that's your normal, that would be normal. That's not a reason to have it changed. So it would be in Phil's best interest, or Phil's job, to make sure that what they asked for... makes—it has to be a purpose for it that's worthwhile. [1:28:23] **Kris Huso**: Yes. But I mean, I could see also that, you know, people get these big above-ground pools that, you know, they're also watering their lawn, but then they're going to put, I don't know, a whole bunch of water case to fill something like that. [1:28:23] **Phil Entner**: You know what...? Yeah. I mean... but remember, they're still paying for the water usage. They're still paying... I mean, they can let that run... I mean, let that run, H... let that H run... I'm in the life-selling business, right? Yeah, let's send it. It—it would just deduct the sewer, because that water would not go down... [sewer]. [1:29:08] **Kris Huso**: Got it. Absolutely. I—I love it when they fill their pool three times in the wrong place. I love it because we sell water like crazy. That makes more sense. Sorry I missed it. [1:29:08] **Jim Michalski**: That's okay. No. Okay, what are we asking for, then? Direction. Okay, are you... how would you charge them? [1:29:08] **Ellissa Owens**: Okay, if we give you direction, how would you charge? If it was not a meter, we sit down with Water and Light and essentially come up with a process and present it to—to Council. Okay. So you're looking for consensus to move ahead and you come back with us—to us with your suggestion? [1:29:54] **Phil Entner**: Correct. But by next month they'll already be in using it by next month. Possibly. It rains every other day now, so there should be no reason for that service right now. So I guess consensus for them to move ahead to try to develop a program that will work for the city. [1:30:40] **Kris Huso**: I just have one more comment. Yeah. Question: Is this something that um, a citizen had requested, or is this just something that...? [1:30:40] **Phil Entner**: I got the request from the office, so I don't know where it came in if it was... there was somebody—there was somebody because I happen to be one of them that requested it, because I'm going to put on a whole new sod my whole yard already again. And—and that—that—the point that I'm going to have to water for two to 3 months. Well, I—I agree last year everything was just... yard. No. Okay. [1:30:40] **Jim Michalski**: And I hear—I hear complaints on this every single year. Okay. Yep. It seems like every end of July and August I hear about it. Absolutely. [1:30:40] **Kris Huso**: I was just curious. [1:30:40] **Jim Michalski**: So do I have consensus? (Council: Yes). Yes, so you have consensus to move ahead. consensus. Thank you. Moving on to 6J, bio-augmentation sludge reduction treatment quotes. [1:31:28] **Ellissa Owens**: It's a really fancy yeah, leave it off. I'm just making some... it's a really fancy way to talk about our "bugs" at the pond. Um, and so um, Superintendent Entner has brought forward two different quotes um, to purchase the bugs. This was an item that was budgeted for in the 2024 budget. Um, so um, I guess explain your—your quotes and what you'd like to see. [1:31:28] **Phil Entner**: So a couple of things. Yes, there are two quotes in here, but first we're going to back up to this handout, which I apologize you missed in the uh, the packet. That—that's on me, that was my mistake. So um, we've seen this before. You might not remember it, and that's fine. I believe it was during budget season last year we went over all this—it was maybe September, August, something like that. Um, there's a lot of information here. What this process is called is called "sludge judging." We send out this super-cool speedboat that's ran by remote control—I'm not kidding, it's really—and it flies to—across the sewer ponds and it literally levels, measures the depth of the pond, and then it also measures the depth of the sludge that's in the pond. So sludge is obviously a byproduct of waste water... that's how aeration works. Um, over the course of time, that sludge level starts building up—typically deeper in the primaries than it does in the secondaries. I only had enough money to—to sludge-judge three ponds this year instead of all—all seven primaries that we have. The big thing... there's a lot of information in this packet. There's a lot of colors, which I'm sure the City Administrator likes. Um, the big thing that you need to take out from here is this main page here in front, and—and it's on three ponds: on one, two, and three. And this is where—this is—this is where all the information is. What you can see... um, the average cost of sludge removal: that process literally is sending a machine in the pond—it's like a huge vacuum cleaner—and it sucks up all the sludge on the bottom of the pond and puts them in trucks and it sends it right to WLS and it's extremely expensive to remove. Bio-augmentation is a biological process with bugs that eat the sludge and—and they have a—they have about a year-and-a-half life expectancy, but the—the volume of sludge that we have makes it so we need so many bugs, right? The big one here is the volume of sludge per cubic yard and the depth of the average sludge and the volume of sludge in gallons—that's the big one. And if you were to take those three ponds (one, two, and three), the volume of sludge, add them up, multiply that... okay, so hold on. I'm going to back up just a second. I'm sorry, I took this... I did not give you guys the math because you probably be able to read my handwriting, but this is—this is close. Okay. If we took 240 gallons per day of waste water per household, which is what the MPCA regulation um, ballpark averages for a household... you multiply that by 365 days, it gives you 800-887,000 gallons of waste water per year per household. Per household, yes. Thank you very much. If you take that number and divide it across your total volume of gallons of what the sludge is taking out—taking from the pond... because essentially this layer of sludge that we have in the pond, we're keeping it for whatever reason. I have an idea, right? We want to get rid of it because that is extra capacity that we could then put in and have more ability to develop in our system, which has been a huge topic here in the last few years. The volume of sludge that we have in that pond equates to approximately 78 new homes, right? [1:35:17] **Council Member**: In one pond? [1:35:17] **Phil Entner**: No, that was three ponds as a whole. Those three ponds as a whole. That's still less than half the pond. That's correct. We have 11. Yep. So that's a really big deal. That's a huge deal because and we—we definitely do not want to remove the sludge and send it off-site, pay for it, because that would total up to be just shy of $500,000 if we had to go that route. [1:35:17] **Council Member**: Yes, sir. Has this sludge been removed in the past? [1:36:02] **Phil Entner**: Sludge has never been removed. Sludge has been dispersed and laid out to different areas of the pond, especially in areas that—that has—that have less sludge accumulation in them. Typically we have a predominant northwest wind, so typically the southeast corners of all the ponds are a little bit heavier in sludge accumulation. [1:36:02] **Council Member**: How much sludge will these bugs eat? [1:36:02] **Phil Entner**: Very good question. That's a very good question. Um, we try to... a healthy pond runs between one and three inches of sludge. If you look at these three, we—ours are not healthy, so we have—we are overloaded in sludge. I was told we can get somewhere around 3 to 5 inches of removal over three—over three—over three years time. So it's not a fast process by any means. Sure. But it is definitely cheaper than mechanically... [1:36:48] **Council Member**: Like how many inches of sludge are in there now? [1:36:48] **Phil Entner**: So if you look at these main cover pages here, it'll give you the breakdown. So in Pond One right now, the average sludge depth is just over a foot in Pond One. Pond Two is about 8 and a half inches, and Pond Three I believe is more... oh, Three is about a foot. [1:36:48] **Kris Huso**: And Ryan, were you going to take you out there? [1:36:48] **Ryan McKeon**: I am so bringing you out there. Have you walk... shoot bugs out there. [1:36:48] **Council Member**: Um, how long did you say the bugs live? [1:36:48] **Phil Entner**: Bugs live about a year. Now, these processes... three-year... three to five years, correct. These processes are made and put in place to happen here continually. Yep. [1:37:35] **Jim Michalski**: So this would be the first time we budgeted for it, correct? [1:37:35] **Phil Entner**: And the first time we're implementing it, correct. [1:37:35] **Kris Huso**: Didn't we buy bugs we another... I thought we had bugs in there at one point. [1:37:35] **Phil Entner**: So I... we got some residual bugs that... okay, so we got some residual bugs from a neighboring town and I wanted to do a pilot study on the pH some... we didn't have the... no, we actually got given to so... anyway, we uh, tried this pilot study, turns out we didn't have the volume we need. I mean, we needed way more. And these were given to us. I do remember this process. Yeah. The application of it was amazing actually, but it's really cool. [1:38:19] **Council Member**: Don't they make and create more bugs? [1:38:19] **Phil Entner**: Oh, do they reproduce? They do reproduce. They do, but not to the level that we want to see would include these. [1:38:19] **Jim Michalski**: [The grading of these bugs covers... hard to so...] This was a budgeted item for 2024. There are two quotes on the table: one from Team Lab for 168... P you got ch uh, 90. Thank you, yes. For $16,800. And then Water Treatment Services, which is another bug provider (which there isn't a whole lot of them), uh, for $25,725. [1:38:19] **Kris Huso**: Pretty big difference. [1:39:05] **Phil Entner**: There is a big difference. Yep. Yep. Um, Team Lab is—that is who we typically use for most of our chemical treatment already. They are like—they are the leader in the nation for wastewater chemicals. [1:39:05] **Jim Michalski**: Do you remember what was budgeted? The allotment? [1:39:05] **Phil Entner**: I do—I do not. [1:39:05] **Ellissa Owens**: Okay, I do—I do not. These both came in on—I believe they—I believe Team Labs did. I believe the other one came in a little higher. I say 20... [1:39:05] **Kris Huso**: Can I just ask this, maybe a dumb question? But um, it says they ship these, so how do we... like open the can and just let them crawl out or...? [1:39:51] **Phil Entner**: No, they're not—no, no, no, no, no. They come in packets. Oh, as soon as they're—as soon as they're put into the water, they take off and away they go. Okay. Like dissolvable packets? Yes. [1:39:51] **Kris Huso**: Do you have to put them in the middle of the pond? [1:39:51] **Phil Entner**: No, you can do around the perimeter of the pond. [1:39:51] **Kris Huso**: So we can all the field trip and we launch...? [1:39:51] **Phil Entner**: That's a great idea. Do you know how we put those in? Why did they show you pictures of how we...? There's a slingshot. That's amazing. It's like a farmy stream. We have so much fun. Sounds like it. It's a homemade slingshot that we built and fire—you just fire. But you haven't put any bugs in there before? We had those ones from neighboring, yes. Yeah, so you might need make more. I already made a couple, yeah. Good. [1:40:37] **Jim Michalski**: Okay, so I... so budgeted um, you're looking... there's two bids, you had a third one. Yep. These bids... so you're looking for lowest bidder, or do you have a recommendation? [1:40:37] **Phil Entner**: No, I'm looking for lowest bidder. [1:40:37] **Jim Michalski**: All right, so Council, any discussion or motion? [1:40:37] **Phil Entner**: One thing I want to say: yeah, that 78-home thing, and I just did the math on this this afternoon... that's a really big deal, especially with the issues we're fighting. And I mean, I've sat here now two or three months in a row looking at telling you guys I was going to look into other options for trying to increase our capacity of the bonds. 78 homes is huge. And that's three—three of the parts—three ponds. So if we were to do the whole thing, it would be much more than 78. Okay. [1:41:14] **Council Member**: I'd make a motion that we accept the bid from Team Lab for $16,800. [1:41:14] **Jim Michalski**: I have a motion. Do I have a second? [1:41:14] **Council Member**: I'll second. [1:41:14] **Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion, questions? All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed say no. Motion carried. Thank you Phil. Moving on to 6K, hydraulic angle boom attachment quote. [1:41:14] **Ellissa Owens**: I would actually um, like to table this and bring it back to you guys next [month] if that's okay. Sure. Okay. Very good, thank you. [1:42:04] **Jim Michalski**: I should ask the council member to table that item. [1:42:04] **Council Member**: I make a motion to table that item. [1:42:04] **Council Member**: A second. [1:42:04] **Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Oppose? Motion carried. That is—that is tabled. Moving on to 6L, residential development property hay harvest discussion. [1:42:50] **Ellissa Owens**: Oh yes. So um, the property that was acquired from the school district for the residential development at one point in time was being harvested for hay. Um, and so the remainder of the school property still is. That particular gentleman contacted the city and asked if um, they could hay this, what now is the city's property that will um, soon be developed. So I inquired with the superintendent of the schools um, and was informed that they went through a public bid process um, to establish who was going to hay that field. Um, and so looking for direction from Council. That is something that we can facilitate; we facilitated many bid processes previously. Um, if Council would like to see that property—the hay on that property harvested, we will facilitate that process. Um, am I missing anything? No. Just looking for a direction. [1:43:35] **Jim Michalski**: I'd like to see it still harvested. Simple fact: school already does all bidding process, right? And that's probably per acre in some way they figured that. I don't think it paid so much, right? [1:43:35] **Ellissa Owens**: I don't know how the school process works. I don't. But they do it by a bid by... I've been told the process is what you... somebody was just say. Yep. I—I've been told that the district doesn't have... I mean, if the school goes through a bid process for the amount of money they get for the purpose of haying it, as long as they've done the bid process, why should we add to—add to fixture? [1:44:21] **Jim Michalski**: There's one item though that we have to take, because we started um, going into an agreement with the developer and we really need to put him into this whole discussion, because um, we're kind of dedicating that land to him. He may have ideas himself. So we do need to get him into this conversation also. [1:45:08] **Council Member**: Yes, sir. I mean, okay, if he... to the conversation, the first thing is: is he going to do anything with the property by the first of August? That would be our concern. [1:45:08] **Jim Michalski**: We'd have to—we'd have to ask these questions. He may say he doesn't care at all, or he may say, "well, this is what I'm thinking." Um, and then we could go on with that discussion. Um, I'm sure they're—they're... they want direction real soon, so we'll have to of course get on it right away. [1:45:08] **Ellissa Owens**: The public bid process would be a requirement of the city because the city owns that property [at this] time. And then to make sure that it—there's an equitable opportunity for everybody to be able to potentially harvest that property, we would want to make sure that it was public. [1:45:54] **Jim Michalski**: Very good. So you're looking for consensus to move ahead? (Council: Yes). And the Council... you can make a decision to say no or to move... consensus to move ahead. Is that moving ahead with talking to him first? If he approves it, then we go? Well, right. And by then you're... um, are you looking ahead to move ahead and accomplish it before the next council meeting? [1:45:54] **Ellissa Owens**: Yes. [1:45:54] **Jim Michalski**: Okay. So part of that consensus would be to give Phil and Ellissa the direction: if the developer does not want to deal with it, then to go ahead with that process of harvesting just to speed things up. Kris? [1:46:40] **Kris Huso**: Yeah. Yes. [1:46:40] **Jim Michalski**: All right. Very good. Thank you. And you must have the next one, I'm assuming. If I don't, I'm going to be asked to... okay. 6M, Adopt-a-Drain discussion. [1:47:27] **Ellissa Owens**: Um, this was brought forward from um, a resident who participated in the—the um, concept in another area in the state. And so um, the information was shared with the city. Um, I essentially [took] her resident's request and bringing it forward. Um, Phil, do you see that something like this could be advantageous? What are your thoughts? [1:48:14] **Phil Entner**: It could cut down on a little bit of time if, you know, we have people who do—who do decide to do the storm drain and they want to make sure it's cleaned off and that sort of... mm-hmm. I mean, it would cut down a little bit. I have to research the process of it a little bit more just to understand exactly what they're doing, and then if—if it's through the... I don't even know who it's through, to be honest with you. But if there's any reporting that might go on with any of this that... I don't know what that looks like. But as far as the—the Adopt-a-Drain process and people will be willing to keep an eye on their storm drain, clean it off, and get full, I agree. Yes. That will definitely save us some time. It'll be—be a good community outreach to—to some members of the public. [1:48:59] **Council Member**: You had the question? Well, I was just going to ask, you know, actually be somebody... say if 25 of them get adopted, it would really after that point it would be little or nothing when Phil doesn't even have to look at... you just go drive by it, or whoever's doing it. [1:48:59] **Ellissa Owens**: So yeah, there is a time savings as well, because after a storm, you know, they are driving by checking them. Um, so you know, there—there could—that could be beneficial. Um, it would just be the process of getting the program up and running and what does that look like? Just looking to see if it's something Council's interested in the city participating in, and then it would take more work after that. [1:49:48] **Jim Michalski**: We have consensus? How much is this lady want to handle? She had two... consensus. I think looking into it. [1:49:48] **Phil Entner**: Yeah. I already have adopted a few drains... anytime you can sign out, get it on the books. [1:49:48] **Kris Huso**: Can they paint them and everything? Put on the drain? [1:49:48] **Jim Michalski**: You have consensus. Thank you, Phil. Thank you. Okay, moving on to number seven, reports and correspondence. 7A: Bonding Bill presentation representative, Jeff Dotseth, City of Moose Lake I&I reduction project. [1:50:34] **Ellissa Owens**: Just visibility as to what the handout was for the Senate Finance Committee with the city's presentation. [1:50:34] **Jim Michalski**: Any questions by the Council? Moving on to B, Senator Klobuchar's Congressional District spending form for FY25. [1:51:25] **Ellissa Owens**: Again, this is just providing visibility to the city's submission um, to Senator Klobuchar's um, application for funding request. [1:51:25] **Jim Michalski**: So it's worthwhile for everyone to look through that. Yes. Moving on to number C, Senator Tina Smith Congressional Directed Spending form for FY25. [1:51:25] **Ellissa Owens**: They are the same. Yep, they are the same between the two. [1:51:25] **Jim Michalski**: And before I move on, any questions on those two from Council? Hearing none, moving on to D, letter of interest: the MLWSSD Wastewater collection system contract. [1:52:11] **Ellissa Owens**: Oh yes. The um, Moose Lake-Willow River Sanitary Sewer District did put out um, a—a posting for an opening for an operator. They did um, say that it could be an individual and/or contract opportunity. So uh, the city did draft a letter and submit a letter of interest to operate the Moose Lake-Willow River Sanitary District. I think we [should] return on... we've not heard. We have an interview... I don't think it's officially closed yet. We have hope yet. [1:52:11] **Jim Michalski**: There's hope. Think we get an interview. Any questions for the Council? Moving on to 8, Committee and Board meeting minutes. 8A: Moose Lake Area Fire District meeting minutes, April 9th, 2024. um, 8B: Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District joint meeting minutes, April 30th, 2024. 8C: The Park and Recreation Board meeting minutes, April 1st, 2024. Um, there was one other communication from Mr. Carlson? [1:52:57] **Ellissa Owens**: It's going in next month. Next month, yep. Very good. [1:52:57] **Jim Michalski**: Do you have any a comment on—on his letter? [1:52:57] **Ellissa Owens**: Um, we can—we can do that. Um, should we do that when it's in the packet? [1:52:57] **Jim Michalski**: Okay, I was just checking with you. Yep. Okay. All right. Um, moving on. Any questions on—on those reports or correspondence in the Council? Okay. Now moving on to 8, Committee and Board meeting minutes. 8A: Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District meeting minutes, April 9th, 2024. 8B: Moose Lake Area Fire Protection District joint meeting minutes, April 30th, 2024. 8C: The Park and Recreational Board minutes for April 1st, 2024. There's a 4E review. Please bring any questions or comments to the City Administration. [1:53:45] **Council Member**: I just don't believe that the uh, Police or the Fire Protection Board meeting minutes were as inclusive as they should be. That's just... [1:53:45] **Jim Michalski**: And the—these were given to us by the Fire District. Correct. Would you like that passed on to them? [1:53:45] **Council Member**: No, I'm just making a statement. [1:53:45] **Jim Michalski**: Okay, thank you for the public. Thank you. Moving on to announcements. Uh, regular Moose Lake City Council meeting: Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 4:00 p.m. right here. Moose Lake Economic Development Authority: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 12:00 p.m. the city conference room. Moose Lake Water and Light Commission regular meeting: Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, 1:00 p.m. Water and Light office. Moose Lake Housing Redevelopment Authority Board: Monday, May 13th, 2024, 11:00 a.m. Hillside Manor office. Moose Lake Area Fire District: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Emergency Response Center. Moose Lake Park Board meeting: Monday, June 3rd, 2024, 5:00 p.m. also right here. Anything from the Council, Administration? Do I have a motion to adjourn? [1:55:18] **Council Member**: I have a motion. [1:55:18] **Jim Michalski**: Do I have a second? [1:55:18] **Council Member**: Second. [1:55:18] **Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. (Council: Aye). Opposed? Motion carried. We are adjourned. Thank you very much.