You good? All right, I'll call the uh meeting to order. We'll start with a roll call. McKe here. Lantern >> here. >> Friedrich >> present. >> Baronamp >> here. >> And councelor Nichols is absent this week. Having fun. Um you like to stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All righty. Thank you. Uh move on to agenda approval. Uh doesn't look like we have or maybe there was one update from uh staff prior to this. The I think on 8A. Yeah, this and then 128 the schedule was updated too. >> So there are two minor updates. >> Perfect. Anything from council >> and I will entertain uh a motion to approve the agenda as amended previously. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Perfect. On to presentations and we have uh state representative and recently announced gubanatorial candidate Kristen Robbins. Thanks for joining us. Thanks for having me tonight. >> Just want to do it. >> Get it out there. So I always try to go to all my seven cities and just a little update after session and um you know September but here I am because session ended special and husband of the students Just want to collect last night. A very strong community. Um so the legislature as you know it went for the first time since 1979. The house was in a So nothing happened unless they had bipartisines in the special session. But the main thing that got done was the state budget and there were billion dollars in tax which was helpful trying to balance the budget because we have billion dollar deficit left over from last bianium and that puts us going into the coming benium we're in the new budget year so for the next the current budget year that start July 1 we're balance but for the years um the next two years we're still in a billion deficit so money is tight at capital um I would say the most important thing we did for cities and counties that we protected local government and county program that had been on the topic and just different things that we were able to do the communities we were able to protect that we didn't get an increase but it didn't get a cut so I know that still local strain because you would hope for an increase but I still count that as um they did also do a bonding billific for this year. Um and actually no specific project some of my other cities where I don't know others have specific projects but instead they decided to do a broad bonding bill with categories and so there is money for drinking water for infrastructure infiltration programs um for construction bonds housing bonds um so categories and you're all welcome to apply for that and I'm happy to work with you on different categories of funing but it's all have to go through the portal and apply. Um, >> is there a place that all of the different categories are listed or could we get a list from? >> Yes, I can. >> That'd be great. Thank you. >> Yeah. So, so then in the next, so we were off. They didn't do bonding bill two years ago and normally in a budget year, you don't do a bonding bill, but we did one this year. Next, this coming session is usually the traditional bonding year. So, I do think we're going to have another small bonding bill this coming session and I'm hoping that any local projects that I can get over the finish line. So, a couple other highlights increased police officer training reimbursement and support duty in which I think our law enforcement help. We also got for assaulting firefighters and jailuties. And I know that's something our law enforcement and our first responders have been looking for a few years. So I'm glad that got over the finish line. Um we also did increase mandatory minimums for first degree sex trafficking and expanded crimes for telecom infrastructure um harm which I don't think has been an issue here but has been an issue in other communities. So the big thing to be paying attention to which um I think you're all well aware of that bill takes effect January 1st and we changes that we tried to accept cities we tried to small businesses we tried to get an offer public delay of one year none of that happen and so that will take effect we do not take effect January 1st we do not go into February 17th so there will be a gap of six weeks in there maybe the whole session any tweaks to it. You have to assume you're comp. So, I've had probably the most outach on that. I'm working to see to try and get anformational um Q&A session in or near our district. The closest so far we've been able to figure out if something we'll let you know. I've been working closely with West Chamber, the Rockford Chamber to bring that together. So, if you have specific questions related to the city, just email me and I can run it up and try to get answers for you. Um the other important reform is North County, but we did put $40 million into upgrading SSI system for how you navigate social services and um confirm eligibility and that I mean it's not implemented yet. We got the money and now they're doing you know request for proposal and trying to figure out how they're hoping that that our technology as a has been incredibly different. Um, let's see. Legacy funding came out again. We can talk more through that. There's the parks and trails fund, the cultural heritage fund, the clean water fund. Just reminders. This is in the legacy amendment constitutional amendment academ sales tax that you're already constitutionally obligated to pay. things that match the city in there to look at. One thing I'm hearing about people very huge concerns about property taxes that you know is a byproduct of all the billions in deficit that you know we used to be able to help property taxes and that will not happen. So there's not really any additional relief coming even though it's not a cut. So I continue to hear that. I'm sure you're welcome to encourage people there are some programs especially for seniors like the property tax deferral program. If someone trouble staying in their home they can apply for that program. The other big news from session as I'm sure you all are aware the only committee in the house that was not um co-chair and even membership with my committee. I chair committee committee in the legislature and we um have uncovered in conjunction with our federal partners and other people that have been helping work on this um what they think is more than billion dollars of fraud in state programs. started with our future. That was just the tip of the iceberg. And now we found fraud in housing stabilization, autism centers, summer homes, recovery specialists, non emergency medical transportation. Like we every month, even though we're out of session, that committee keeps meeting. Our next meeting is September 17th. And the deeper we dive, the the more it just starts unra. And so stay tuned. We're we're not giving up. We're fighting for We're fighting for the people who need the services, but um it's unconscioning that committee through next >> session. So we it's a new committee. We got it as part of the negotiation. And so my goal is that the committee continues beyond this session. Two years right now, but I hope that we provide enough value that the legislature wants it to continue as a permanent committee no matter who's in charge because we need accountability from the legislature or the executive branch. It's not a partisan issue. It's a separation of powers issue. So I hope that the committee will continue and I hope our friends in the Senate will put their own committee together. So I have a counterpart in the Senate. Any other questions? >> Questions if I may. >> Yeah. >> Kristen, thank you for everything you do for our community. You see you at all of our events, everything. And your support is very much appreciated. I wanted to thank you for that. So appreciate you very much. >> We have the best district and the best community. >> A lot of pretty cool events going on too. So thank you. >> One miscellaneous thing I wanted to bring to your attention maybe for next session and maybe Matt you can speak to this a little more. The issue with um sidearms that we're seeing I don't know if it's more widespread in a lot of departments in Minnesota. Can you maybe explain the issue to Representative Robins quick and then I can >> Yeah. Um So, our agency was one of the handful of agencies that used that um issues the SIG P320 and there's been to this point SIG has denied there being issues with it. There's been research showing that there were issues with uncommanded discharges. Um and they're claiming that's incorrect information, but there's videos out there showing otherwise. Um we're being forced to we're going to out an abundance of caution change our issued firearms. So, obviously that's unplanned expenses and there's a lot of I think out there with trying to find some resolution to >> I know there's been a number of departments at least nationally I'm sure throughout the state and like the air force changed all their sidearms from they were using that model um and I believe the reason I'm bringing up to you is I believe that last year's public safety funding had a provision specifically prohibiting spending on um firearms or anything like that that maybe if something comes up in the future could be tweaked to try to help recoup some of that probably be very helpful. >> I appreciate you bringing that up and then I can connect you with our public safety committee researcher. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah, just just kind of started really spiral. >> Yeah, we jumped Mark. >> Yep. Mark took that and >> we're just >> we are putting a some money to the point of keeping our officers safe and stuff >> and the public and everyone >> and the public and stuff. But it's not a big dollar deal, but it's an expenditure that we didn't plan on. But, uh, Mark put that out there. I second it. we all agreed that we're going to do this and and change our change ours just out of the pure pure safety until something comes from >> the investigations and stuff. So, >> appreciate you looking into that. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Thanks for Thank you. Thanks for making it out. >> All righty. Then on to open forum. >> Uh Mr. Mayor, we have one this evening representing the North Henipin Pioneer Society Bonnie. I please invite you please state your name and your address for the record and address any comments you have to the dism and I'm here with to represent the north pioneer society the one room schoolhouse in that we have last one out of eight that we're taking care of and because of your generous help last year, u we've been able to fix the roof and fix the chimney and rebuild the bell tower. We have one more thing we need to finish. And so, uh, now we're working on scraping off all the paint and repainting. Then our outside should be good for quite a long. So, what we were requesting was some help to pay for this for our uh carpenter and our painter uh that we got some and they're getting started as soon as possible. Uh we were requesting 13,000 from um fund that is possible that covers. >> Any questions? Bonnie, I was out at the uh Summerfest. Is that what we you called it? And such. It's great. It's great to see the new roof, the floor, which was done the year before, the bell tower, the chimney, and and the pride that you guys have in keeping that history and such. So, thanks for coming back and asking about it. I think we need to dive in and understand what we want to do and those kind of things. So, um, the question that I really had, and I think I was asking you about it when I was out there, is some of the deterioration of some of the siding and stuff that 13,000 would replace and >> strength. >> Yep. >> And just so everybody knows, you can't put steel siding on or anything because it's got to be just as what it was when uh when it was built. How many years ago? Everything is >> 1994. >> Yeah. So, it's it's And if people haven't been there, gosh darn it, it's a neat deal. Every every year I go, I see something different. So >> Oh, the kids love it. Especially when they bring them. >> Yeah. >> It's always fun. >> Especially when you get people that came to a summer class and said, "I didn't live here. I didn't go to this school, but it reminds me of the one I went to in Kansas or Michigan or whatever." And it brings back lots of memories. And I just happened to be there last week and for someone to get up into the attic and look at some of our loopers that are in there for ventilation to see it up. Maybe that's where we need some work. And um a couple came, it was a brother and a sister. They went to school there and we have a picture of them sitting in their chairs in 1965. >> Wow, that's cool. >> And he was visiting here from Utah and she was lives in River. They're twins, I think. Possibly the only twins that came from school. And So um they're quite thrilled to see the school as it was and he happens to be a retired um ranger at the Zion National Park. So he's really into history. So he was really into I'm glad to see what you're doing. Give me your address. I'm sending some people that went there as kids. >> Thank you for coming and asking. >> Thanks. Anyone else? >> Mr. Mayor, we received no other online or in person requests. >> Then with that, we will move on to consent agenda. Uh we have consent agenda consisting of items 6A through 6H. Does anyone want to pull anything? >> I'm trying to figure out why somebody's in the audience. Yeah, I'll pull uh 6D. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> That was the one I was going to pull too. Uh, anything else? Okay. I will entertain a motion to approve consent agenda items A through C and E through H. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Okay. D. Dean. >> I my big thing and I do it every year and you always tell me it takes a pile of people. Thank the pile of people for me. Um, >> yeah. Night to Unite is near and dear to my heart. I love making trips around. Um nothing but good comments from folks. Um I had one that wanted to know why they we can't have the the public works event a different night than the parties in the neighborhood. And they said have the party in the neighborhood and get done at 5 and then go to public works. And uh just kind of a goofy comment. >> I couldn't quite get through to them, but uh night is one night and the parties if they >> finish the party and then go to public works, the pork chops on his stick were great. Everything out there was undergo is great. So thank everybody, staff, the whole nine yard. >> Well said. And there's a whole pack a resolution of everyone to thank. It's lengthy, but I encourage you to take a look through it if you're interested because we couldn't do it with all without all the help from >> staff and volunteers and residents and >> community tables. >> Yeah. >> I mean, even even that we had probably 10 or 12 different tables that wanted to be involved and we had more that reached out. >> Um, we do try and limit it to like nonprofits or local organizations that serve the community rather than having like businesses just to kind of keep that community tie focus rather than Um, but it really does take everyone. Having them there gives an extra opportunity. We've got those partnering agencies like the sheriff and >> oh my gosh, state patrol. >> That that guy was something else. >> Medical helicopter. >> Yeah, >> it it really does take an entire city, county for that matter. But Officer Hoffman was going to be here as well to kind of give her piece as well, but she got called up to a call. priorities, >> but thank you. >> Well done. >> Thank the businesses and seriously the support is incredible. >> The donations were awesome like >> we throw the best party. >> I agree. >> Cool. Thank you. With that, I make a motion to approve 60. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. On to uh we have no planning business, unfinished business. We have one item which is the recycling proposals and award bid. And who's taking this? >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the council. Would you like me to go through the presentation or would you like to go straight to council direction? >> So De, if you could just go to slide seven options for council considerations. So, we had four haulers submit uh proposals for the RFP that we posted. Uh following staff's analysis of the submitted proposals, the council should consider one of the three options. One option would be to disqualify Waste Management's proposal due to non-compliance with RFP requirements and consider the bids from Republic Services for curbside waste as the selected provider. Another option would be to consider waste management proposal and negotiate a contract without accepting their exceptions to the RFP. And if they refuse, direct staff to negotiate a contract with Republic Services for curbside waste. The last option would be to consider waste management's proposal as directed and then um staff should update the RFP and repost it so all of the proposers can submit a fair bit. Um so staff is looking for direction on selecting provider, the contract term, and billing frequency. >> Okay. Any questions? >> I I don't have any questions, but um after reading this, I I I mean I I think that option one is what I would recommend and that's to disqualify management. I would I would agree with that. >> Yes. Y I would agree too. >> So then um we're going to look at republic republic services or curbside waste. Um so there's a 36month contract and then a 60-month contract. >> So which option would c you consider >> I think 60 month seems to make sense. >> Yeah, I agree. 60 month. >> Y that >> Yep. >> Okay. And then um the last uh decision for council would be the current billing structure. So we're currently under an annual billing um which residents are currently build annually with payment due at the beginning of the year which can be a large upfront cost to some residents. This also creates challenges during property sales in which residents who move partway through the year, you know, they pay in advance and then they don't get a refund. Um, so staff is recommending going to a quarterly billing model if the council's agrees with that. >> Yeah, I I would agree with that. >> Yep. Me as well. >> Good. >> Okay. So, um, just to conclude, I'm hearing we're going to go with a fiveyear contract with Republic Services and then move to a quarterly billing model. >> Yes. Do you need a motion on that? >> It's direction. >> Um, yeah, if you could just >> I'll make a motion to that effect. >> Second. Any discussion? >> I I continually get conversations related to Republic upping the price of their garbage collection. I know it's a different deal. Um, I experienced myself. I didn't realize the numbers went up the way they did. And uh, >> when I called the other haulers and called back, they said, "No, we can take it back down to that." And it was over $100 reduction and such. Can we do anything to understand why that keeps changing? I mean, I I I just tell I just tell our residents to please call. >> I think that's the holler advice. That's the only thing we can do. Okay. >> That was my only discussion. I just it >> there's something wrong with the way the system is and I'm not going to >> So, we can certainly take that information back to the public sources and have a representative come to a council meeting to address this concern that >> Oh, is there one here >> from public? >> Yes. >> Sorry, >> but something. I I can't speak directly to that. >> If you can come up to the microphone, please >> and I can I can be specific. In my case, my billing went up from 80ome dollars in about a year and a half all the way to $180ome dollars for three months. And I just I couldn't believe it. Somebody said they just called Republic, which was Randy's. Randy's was a great community member and such. Did a great job for everybody. I called and I explained and they said, "Well, the cost of garbage is up. I'm going to go to one of the other haulers and in a matter of six minutes they reduce me down to about $70 every three months." >> Sure. >> Why? >> Yeah. So, uh, good evening, council members. I represent public services. I'm the municipal manager. I can't speak so I can't speak directly to that, but I can certainly take this back to the individual that does manage this. And by all means, work with the residents and make sure that they're all receiving a fair. >> We'd appreciate that. >> That would be great. >> Could I ask you a quick question? And if you don't have the answer, you can you can get back to us, too. But can you maybe explain the different price taxes that are included in in a garbage hauling bill? Because I know there's one from Henipin County, and it seems like that one has also jumped greatly, like between 10 and $20. And is that is that something that's happening at the state level that's pushing costs up or >> those rates have not changed. >> Okay. >> So you have a county um fee and you have a state fee. >> Okay. >> Right. So collectively there 25%. >> Okay. Because my county fee just went up. So I'll have to check on that. And it was not with with your provider. It was with a different provider. >> Yeah. >> But it wasn't you. It was a different provider. But yes. Thank you. >> Most fees have not >> got >> Okay. >> But yeah, if you could uh bring that feedback back to uh whoever does do the garbage side of things that really appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> So, with that a motion, you want >> Yeah, we had a motion and a second. That was discussion. Anything else? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Okay. And with that, we have no new business. Uh staff reports. >> Nothing from staff at this time. >> Okay. Council reports. I don't have anything uh really. Anyone else? >> Um one comment. The work at the park is awesome to see. Um I don't think you can have that many I never thought you could have that many people working on that. um the expeditious whatever word I want to use the speed at which you're working and stuff. It's wonderful. I I'm excited. I wanted to say I can't wait but I got to wait. I'm excited to see it finished. So, is there a uh is there a timeline or it's all related to weather? >> There is a timeline and it's related to weather. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. both but it's roughly what next. >> So different things are going to happen at different times. Yeah. So so uh I I wouldn't want to say things are going to come in uh here soon and by soon you know 3 to six months you're going to see what what you're seeing is laying the groundwork and then things happen even faster. >> Oh it's just it's so cool to see >> like a ribbon cutting for the building or something. >> Uh we haven't scheduled that yet but as we get closer so so similarly oh great remind uh our work session on the 25th. >> Yes. >> So just >> no work session on the 11th, but we do have one on the 25th. >> Times to be >> meeting here and we'll send out details on what that looks like. >> U but but that's that would be an example of how uh we had a ribbon cutting plan and stuff happens and so >> we we will have something planned as soon as we have a clear understanding what the timeline's going to be based on weather. We can see if we can borrow the chambers big old scissors. >> Yeah. >> And then the other thing I think we've all said it and whatever, but uh the events yesterday and such, my thoughts, prayers go out to that community, individuals, families, everybody. Um we're we're fortunate to have what we have here, but something like that obviously can happen anywhere. So, it uh it's it's just been a crazy year as uh this Robins documented too. So, >> yeah, very sad. >> I don't know how to say it any different, but we are thinking about many many things right now. So, >> I do have an alibi, Mr. R. Uh so um on a different note, we met yesterday with uh BKV and Cross Anderson. Uh pretty exciting. They we went through yesterday our facilities condition assessment. >> Uh if you recall, that's one of the reasons why we chose that particular vendor and I have to tell you, I'm thoroughly impressed with the level of work that they did analyzing our facilities, uh everything that's in it. I I look forward to when we get to bring that forward to you. But I want to let you know like that's where we're at. it's August and they've already got the Fidil facilities condition assessment done. It's great to work with professionals that are on it and and showing up. And that's just the draft. We're going to be refining it, analyzing it uh over the days and weeks ahead. And then also, we've got the rough draft uh after our initial meetings with all of staff about what our space needs will be. >> And so, just the update on that is it's progressing. We're ahead of the timeline where we thought we would be and I'm encouraged by the results. >> Great. >> Something uh falling apart out there. >> Hand dryer. >> Sounded like a bulldozer coming through. Okay. >> I think someone's drying their hands. >> All right. Good deal. You can handle that. >> Or or it's a bulldozer. >> All right. Anything else? >> Nope. >> And with that, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. Hi, we're doing to for the win and