Based on the context provided and the roles within the Hermantown City Council, here is the transcribed meeting with speaker names added. **Note on Council Members:** The provided list mentioned Councillors Hjelle and LeBlanc; however, the transcript audio records **Grant Hauschild** and **Gloria Nelson** as the members present and voting during this specific session (which aligns with the 2021 date mentioned in the ordinances). *** [0:10] **Unidentified Staff:** we're live already [0:22] **Unidentified Staff:** you shouldn't be doing that right [0:39] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** okay thank you [0:57] [Music] [1:03] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** it's harder than you think it will be okay everyone it's 6:30 it'll call a meeting to order and let's stand for the pledge of allegiance... [Pledge of Allegiance] ...roll call please [1:40] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Councilor Geissler? (Silent/Present) Hauschild? [1:42] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Here. [1:44] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Here. [1:45] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Here. [1:46] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Mayor Boucher here. Announcements? Do we have any announcements from counselors? [1:48] **Councilors:** No, not for me. Nothing from council. [1:50] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** I have a couple. I first want to apologize for uh wearing shady lenses tonight. I had my pupils dilated, having a little trouble seeing, but we'll get through this. I'm not trying to hide from anyone. Also, I wanted to touch on the subject of public input. Tonight's meeting will have three separate times for specific public input. We will be having two public hearings at the beginning of the meeting, though there will be public input as part of those hearings about those subjects. There is a time of general public discussion near the beginning of the meeting where anyone can address any item to the council. We ask that you not address items that are on the agenda because later on during the agenda, when we bring up each item, we will open up a period of public discussion for any agenda item that will be voted on tonight. So some of the resolutions and ordinances, if we're going to take action tonight, we will have public hearing as part of the process of discussing each of those items. We will move on to the public hearing. We are now having a public hearing for road improvement district number 536, Sunbee Road and Swan Lake Road, and I'll turn this over to Mr. Mulder. [3:22] **City Administrator John Mulder:** So this is the uh final step in the process of getting public input relative to the road improvement project on Sunbee and Swan Lake roads. This process started in 2020 when we had some of our first public information meetings and we talked to the residents about our road improvement plan, our financial management plan, and our plans to improve these roads. In June of last year, we had a feasibility report completed and the city engineer um recommended that we do this project. At that point in time, we had an estimated cost of just over 400 thousand dollars. Um as we continued through this process, we engaged um St. Louis County; they did the engineering work for us um and then they did the design work. Um their estimate was 440,000. We went out for bid in um early this year and on February 16th, the city council awarded the contract to Northland Constructors for a total construction cost of 451,000. There are 11 parcels on this um these two roads. Uh we're proposing to assess them 9,750 each. They'll represent approximately 24% of the entire cost of the project. [4:48] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Okay, do we have any input from council at this point? Okay, and I'm now going to open it up for public input on this public hearing. If someone is contesting the assessment, we will set a date at a later date for an individual meeting with that person on their contesting the assessment. Is there anyone that wishes to speak at the public hearing for road improvement district number 536 Sunbee Road and Swan Lake Road? Anyone present in chambers, please approach the podium and state your name and address for the record. Anyone online, please either raise your hand in the meeting format or state your name and address for the record and address the council. [5:45] **Assistant City Administrator Joe Wicklund:** And like Mr. Mayor said, if there's anyone in the online session you can either raise your hand or unmute yourselves and speak at this time. Thank you. [6:00] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you, Joe. Is there anyone either in chambers or online that which it wishes to address the council in the public hearing for road improvement district number 536? If someone is present in chambers, please approach the podium and state your name and address for the record. [6:22] **Resident:** My name is [Inaudible], 4725 Swan Lake Road. So I'm in this deal. I only have one question: did you—you did receive my letter? [6:40] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Yes, so you know I just want to make sure—we have received your letter and we will schedule you for an individual meeting. Thank you. Is there anyone else that wishes to address the council in reference to road improvement district number 536? [7:05] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** With no public input, we will close the public hearing on road improvement district number 536 and open a public hearing on road improvement district number 537, the Levaik Junction Road. Mr. Mulder? [7:18] **City Administrator John Mulder:** Again, this is the uh last opportunity for public input relative to the assessment of this road improvement program and this particular project. Um again, this data goes back to probably March of last year when we had some of our first public information meetings. Um and then in June of last year, uh the feasibility report was accepted by the city council and later the council did the design contract in September when we hired Northland Consulting Engineers to do the design work. At that point in time, we estimated the cost of 1.8 million for the construction. To date, we have paid out 1.49 million dollars for this project. We are proposing to assess, I believe it is 43 parcels, again 9,750, and it's right around 420,000 dollars in total assessment. Again, that works out to be just under uh 25 percent of the total cost. The rest of those costs will be covered by the city either through storm water utility funds and/or general levy in a bond that—that the levy will pay off the bond. Um I should have mentioned this the previous public hearing: we do have two um letters from residents, one from [Wala Kuza]—I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing this last name right—and the other one from James Sunstrom. So you should have that on your desk and on city council. [9:05] **Councilor John Geissler:** Mr. Mayor, I just have a clarification for Mr. Mulder. John, you said 1.49 paid out to date. What was the contract amount? [9:15] **City Administrator John Mulder:** We awarded the bid on February 16th for 1.35 million and we've had two change orders. [9:21] **Councilor John Geissler:** When you say paid out—paid out to date or that's the current contracted amount? [9:25] **City Administrator John Mulder:** Those are the approved um payouts. [9:27] **Councilor John Geissler:** Okay. Okay. So do you know how much more we have left to pay off the top of your head? [9:30] **City Administrator John Mulder:** No, I haven't done that math. [9:31] **Councilor John Geissler:** Okay, I was just wondering what the projected project total is. [9:34] **City Administrator John Mulder:** I don't know that off the top of my head. Okay. I mean we're pretty close and there—there wasn't too much work left to be done in that final payout. [9:45] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** And John—sorry—it's less than the estimate? The estimate is 1.8 and we're going to be less than that? [9:55] **City Administrator John Mulder:** Yes sir. Yes. [9:56] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Okay, perfect. Thank you. [10:08] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Okay, and we do have two letters of appeal that have been given to the council. Neither of those residents are present, but uh individual hearing meetings will be scheduled with those people, and as with all of those meetings, they are open to the public. Is there anyone present in chambers that wishes to speak to the council about road improvement district number 537 Levaik Junction Road? If so, please step forward and state your name and address for the record. [10:50] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** The second call for people in chambers to address the council on road improvement district number 537. Is there anyone present in the online meeting that wishes to address the council about road improvement district number 537 Levaik Junction Road? Please open your microphone and state your name and address for the record and proceed. Go ahead, Mr. McDonald. [11:18] **Casey McDonald (Resident):** Yes, my name is Casey McDonald. I live at 5236 Levaik Junction Road. Um I feel that we're getting penalized, the people on Levaik Junction, because it's—the road is a city road, not a county, and why is there need to be assessment when we all pay property taxes? That should include myself; I'm a disabled vet with—on SSI, and I'd like to object to the assessments. I feel it should all be paid by the city or the state. [12:00] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** I think we will schedule your individual meeting on the date. [12:12] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** He's objecting. If he's objecting... [12:15] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Are you objecting to the assessment? [12:17] **Casey McDonald (Resident):** Yes. [12:18] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** He has to have it in writing today. And we have to have it in writing today. You can deliver it to the council chambers before the meeting's over. [12:22] **Assistant City Administrator Joe Wicklund:** This is Joe Wicklund. We've worked in the past. I can uh send you a quick chat message on how you can send that to me. [12:35] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Um he can also email it. [12:37] **Assistant City Administrator Joe Wicklund:** Yeah, if email works for you, Casey? [12:40] **Casey McDonald (Resident):** You do. Okay. [12:42] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** I was being given direction from staff here, so perfect. Um we will move on and uh if that gets to us, we will schedule a meeting with you on this matter. Anything else, Mr. McDonald? [12:55] **Casey McDonald (Resident):** Um no. No, thanks. [12:57] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Is there anyone else present online that wishes to address the road improvement district number 537 Levaik Junction Road? [13:10] **Katie Van Loon (Resident):** Yes, this is Katie Van Loon, 5180 Levaik Junction Road, speaking on behalf of my ownership and my mom's ownership on 51... [13:22] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** I'm sorry, I'm having a little trouble hearing you on this end. Joe, can we up the volume? [13:31] **Katie Van Loon (Resident):** 5180 Levaik Junction Road. My mom, 5182 Levaik Junction Road. One question on the payments is: are minimum payments required or can the entire payment balance with accrued interest be paid at the end of 15 years? [13:45] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Uh I will let our—are minimum payments required or can payments be made or how—Bonnie? [14:00] **Staff Member (Bonnie):** There are certain regulations on when a payment can appear ahead of... if you pay it off early, you have to pay the full amount. If it's paid off early, you have to pay the full amount. Otherwise, it'll be assessed annually. Otherwise, it's assessed annually on your property taxes, but you cannot defer it and pay it off later plus interest. [14:25] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** If a—if the assessment is approved by the City Council, an action will be taken next in two weeks. That assessment will be split over 15 years and that amount will be due with your taxes. [14:38] **Katie Van Loon (Resident):** Okay, that's what I needed to know. Thank you. [14:40] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Anyone else present online that wishes to address this matter? Please state your name and address for the record. [14:58] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** With no more public input, we will close the public hearing on road improvement district number 537 and move to communications. Mr. Mulder? [15:08] **City Administrator John Mulder:** You just had two items. One was for your information regarding the Duluth Loop Reliability Project by Minnesota Power, and the second was a notification from Western Lake Superior Sanitary District about their 2022 budget. [15:25] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Public discussion: This is the period in time where anyone can address the council about items that are not on the agenda tonight. Is there anyone present in chambers that would like to address the council? If so, please step forward to the podium and give your name and address for the record. [15:56] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there anyone present in chambers that wishes to speak to the council this evening? Is there anyone present online that wishes to address the council about items not on the agenda? If so, please state your name and address. [16:26] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there anyone online that wishes to address the council about general items not on the agenda? We will have a time for agenda items for public discussion later during the discussion of that item. Anyone online? Okay, we will move on to the consent agenda. Do we have a motion for the consent agenda? [16:55] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** So moved. [16:56] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Second. [16:58] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motioned by Councilor Hauschild, second by Councilor Peterson. Roll call please. [17:02] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Councilor Hauschild? [17:03] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [17:04] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Nelson? [17:05] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [17:06] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Peterson? [17:07] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Aye. [17:08] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Geissler? [17:09] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [17:10] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Mayor Boucher? [17:11] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. Next we have ordinances. Ordinance 2021-09, an ordinance amending code of ordinances section 270 fee schedule. This is the second reading. Do we have a motion? [17:25] **Councilor John Geissler:** Motion to approve. [17:26] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Second. [17:28] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Geissler, second by Councilor Nelson. Mr. Mulder? [17:35] **City Administrator John Mulder:** Every year we go through and review the city's set fee schedule and to look to see if any adjustments need to be made. We're recommending a number of different changes and those are all included in your packet. Just to clarify, though, the one on the park fee for single family/two-family—it looks like it's striking 1100, but that actually is not being stricken and that will—that would stay the same. [18:00] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Do we have any questions, comments, or concerns from council? Is there anyone present either in chambers or online that wishes to comment on Ordinance 2021-09? If so, please state your name and address for the record. [18:20] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there any public comment relating to 2021-09, an ordinance amending code of ordinances section 270 fee schedule? Roll call please. [18:40] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Councilor Nelson? [18:41] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [18:42] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Peterson? [18:43] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Aye. [18:44] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Geissler? [18:45] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [18:46] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Hauschild? [18:47] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [18:48] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Mayor Boucher? [18:49] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. Next we will move to resolutions. Resolution 2021-130, resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and deliver a cooperative agreement between St. Louis County and the City of Hermantown for the 2022 crack sealing CP 000-477-502. Do we have a motion? [19:15] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Approved. [19:16] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Second. [19:18] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motioned by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Hauschild. Mr. Mulder? [19:21] **City Administrator John Mulder:** So we are proposing um this cooperative agreement with St. Louis County because we're planning on crack sealing Arrowhead Road from Highway 53 to Filkey Circle um in 2022. And so this is just kind of a joint effort with the county that would um just coordinate our efforts and we get a better price on it. [19:45] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any comments from council? Is there any public comment on resolution 2021-130? If so, please state your name and address for the record. Any public comment on 2021-130, resolution authorizing a cooperative agreement with St. Louis County? Roll call please. [20:25] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Councilor Peterson? [20:26] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Aye. [20:27] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Geissler? [20:28] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [20:29] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Hauschild? [20:30] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [20:31] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Nelson? [20:32] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [20:33] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Mayor Boucher? [20:34] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. Resolution 2021-131, resolution approving utility and infrastructure manager job description and position. Do we have a motion? [20:45] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Motion approved. [20:46] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Second. [20:48] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Hauschild. Mr. Mulder? [20:52] **City Administrator John Mulder:** We have been uh talking about the possibility of adding a new position for several months and this one is designed to take the lead in planning and operating our utilities. We have four separate utilities: water, sewer, storm water, and we also have a streetlight fund with over a four million dollar budget combined. Um in addition to that, we've taken a more proactive approach to our road improvement plan and some planning some of our infrastructure improvements, particularly some of the sewer projects. Um finally, we've also had to take on the MS4 and the stormwater—that's taken a lot of work by lots of different individuals. Sometimes the expectations and responsibilities aren't real clear, so we want to centralize that in this new position. If approved, we would start advertising um in the next couple weeks with hope of getting somebody on board shortly after the first of the year, if not before then. [21:45] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Any questions or comments from council? [21:48] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** I just um you know every year we kind of evaluate what's happening, what the needs are. We operate with such a lean staff um that I know at times it can become a lot of work for individuals to manage and making sure that we're following through in particular pieces, especially with the expansion that we're looking at from a broadband perspective. I just think that this is a very welcome addition to serve not only the employee side of it but also the community as a whole with some of these initiatives. Thank you. [22:15] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Anything else? Yeah, and John, just—I don't know if you mentioned it, but I think you know not just to fill in on areas where we have needs, but also to take a very proactive approach to our future utilities um and and really help take this on from kind of a management role. I think that'll be extremely helpful as we, you know, grow as a city and we have a lot of things going on. So I look forward to this position hopefully coming on. [22:45] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Anything else? So boiling it down to a short description: we have more work than management can handle efficiently so they need some help. Do you have any public input on resolution 2021-131? If so, please state your name and address for the record. [23:18] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there any public input either online or in chambers on resolution 2021-131? With no public input I would ask for a roll call. [23:35] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Councilor Geissler? [23:36] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [23:37] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Hauschild? [23:38] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [23:39] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Nelson? [23:40] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [23:41] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Peterson? [23:42] **Councilor Joe Peterson:** Aye. [23:43] **City Clerk Alissa McClure:** Mayor Boucher? [23:44] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. And last but not least uh we need a motion to recess. [23:48] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Motion to recess. [23:49] **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. [23:50] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Nelson, second by Councilor Geissler. All in favor say aye. [Ayes] Opposed same sign. Thank you all, have a good evening.