This transcript features the Moose Lake City Council meeting from March 8, 2023. Based on the provided context, I have attributed the dialogue to the appropriate officials and speakers. [0:03] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Like uh welcome everyone to the regular meeting of the Moose Lake City Council for a Wednesday March 8 2023 and I'll start with our pledge 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 thank you. [0:38] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Thank all our guests here I'm going to start with agendas there any discussion I've been married by the council David motion to accept the agenda we moved can I have a second all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried because we have so many guests here on this one to give some information on how many people want to speak to the council tonight okay we do have a time period um a public comment number three. [1:23] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** And it's a 15-minute block of time each person gets three minutes if um somebody wants to speak that is the time to do it and we do have a sign up sheet um so if you do want to speak for sure you're on that list and there's just a few informations about how we run a meeting since there's normally not as many people here we do go by Robert rules and uh at that at the scent of the that three-minute period I will go by the first name on the list or the first person that on the list that wants to speak okay it sounds like. [2:09] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** They would look like a lot of people did not want to speak there's a couple of rules that we follow with Robert rules if there's a personal attack on the counselor or any person I gavel and that it's the person is is halted that time and escorted off the property and that's not anything different than any City or Township or County or state how they run the meetings it's just the rules everyone buying it helps the meeting go timely and in an orderly manner what's that does anybody have any questions about Robert rules and also goes also for the council I have to recognize the council member before they can speak and if they speak. [2:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** At a turn I do the same thing I gavel them and they'll have to wait until they're recognized so with that I will start the rest of the agenda under consent agenda 2A we have the minutes regular city council meeting for February 8 2023 is there any discussion for questions on the minutes of February very none do I have a motion so is that a second second all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carry under 2B Financial reports number one the council City accounts payable for February 2023. [3:42] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Number two of the city financial statements for February 2023 number three the liquor store profit loss statement for February 2023. are there any questions or discussion on the financial reports hearing none all in favor say aye or Alaska emotion excuse me you have a motion I'll make a motion no I have a second all in favor say aye aye suppose motion carries and they'll come down to the public comment time remember this this is a 15 minute block of time and each person has three minutes and uh I think we had two people that. [4:28] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Wanted to speak in public time period. [4:36] **Public Speaker (Unnamed):** Do you state your name and the address please yes thank you um I'm just here because I heard Elaine got fired from The View and I'll learn if I give you more information on that because all I've heard of rumors all that uh let's see. [4:45] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** The administrator speak to that and yes so the city complies with the Minnesota data Practices Act and with that it treats private Personnel data as confidential there's a lot of information that we cannot disclose either that confidentiality um and I and I know it's frustrating but we do have to comply with that data access. [5:12] **Public Speaker (Unnamed):** Well that's the answer I expected so what that all I can say is from the rumors that I've heard I've heard anything Justified her being fired and as a voter in this community a taxpayer I'd like to see here to drop back with back pain that's what it should be done thank you appreciate that. [5:30] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** But there any anybody else want to please stay tuned address please. [5:45] **Darwin Chester:** My name is Darwin Chester I'm from Barnum and uh I too have some questions about I'm very upset about Elaine game let go of she was doing an excellent job down there and uh I don't understand why she was let go and also the way she was let go escorted off the property and I don't think that that was called for but I have we're not going to get her back though so there isn't anything we can do about that but I'm concerned about is uh Winston cities wiring practices I mean when you're going to get rid of a person do you have policy is there an arbitration to your decisions as far as getting rid of people and uh I'm curious to whether the city of Corning was involved in letting Elaine go didn't anybody have to do that. [6:34] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** I had to refer to the city administrator thank you thank you. [6:45] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** I can assure you and everybody else here that the city conducts itself in accordance with state law and City policy in addition to that our city attorneys provide us with guidance in in all of our decision making. [7:15] **Darwin Chester:** Um let's just stick to this one particular thing that's was she was the attorney involved in the plan. [7:21] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Yes okay there was no fight to you there was no fight the individual they could either be released or resigned there was no like strict timeline the person had time to make a choice if they are released we have to State here by the release and give the cause and the reason or if they choose to reside then that's confidential and we can't speak about it so the employees giving that choice if they want it to get confidential or told publicly and she chose suicide [resignation]. [8:07] **Darwin Chester:** Okay and that brings up another thing is uh was she required to sign anything oh God heard on her. [8:15] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** I'm relieving was as far as the procedure and what went on during it I'll speak to any procedure that happens within the city as far as a voluntary resignation is concerned all voluntary resignations are done in accordance to policy state law they are signatures are garnished and our city attorneys are involved in all any resignation acknowledged by council is voluntary in nature. [8:45] **Darwin Chester:** So was this a mod a momentary thing when did uh can you tell me when this all began. [8:55] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Very important that we protect confidence she chose to sign that document on her own not triggers he had numbers of days it's up to her when she said that became confidential we have to honor her request and keep that confidential. [9:20] **Darwin Chester:** Um okay if the City attorney was involved when was he brought into that. [9:25] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** He or she would never she our City attorney is consulted at any point in in process where we're engaging what personnel Matters from the very beginning to the very well. [9:36] **Darwin Chester:** Did this take place over a week a month a day. [9:41] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** That's the specifics aren't something that we can disclose at this time why This Confidential as per the Minnesota yeah spent on getting rid of or a person leaving is confidential. [9:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** You're asking for specifics regarding process and and it's important that we follow confidentiality and any other City employee former capacity you know performances are given and that's performance is over a time period And so over looking back a year at performance and all the different aspects and it could be any Department it could be many different items within it and and I have to tell you we're at the three minute Mark if you have one more question and then I have to move on. [10:28] **Darwin Chester:** Well I heard this is what's out in the community if you're interested in hearing about what we've got working more than likely share it is that she was let go because she wasn't doing her job and I'm uh a veteran that meets at the cop [cup] or at the municipal every morning for coffee there's a group of us and I can assure you that the shelves were all full there was always somebody there to take care of us and uh the bathrooms there was always toilet paper napkins everything worked the everything we shuffled out so I'm just curious to why she was let go for doing that and I say that goal because that's what what we're hearing. [11:26] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Right and I cannot correct and if she voluntarily left why was she escorted off the property yeah I mean somebody actually took her in and had her remove her her personal items and escorted her off the property of security and things that are involved there's passwords there's Keys there's all this different things that go into running a business and and that's all we can say about it and that that is just like a normal process that's another no that's not for the three minutes not for somebody I'm sorry your three minutes are up I do have pain behind it I thank you for coming oh. [12:26] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Um is there any other public comment anyone at this time. [12:38] **Lucretia Jeffers:** Good afternoon my name is Lucretia Jeffers and I see that somehow my name got on that I was going to say the menu It's the agenda sorry um and I did write all of you uh I thought it was a kind of a private non um attacking email just kind of questioning exactly what we've been talking about here it's very disruptive to the community and disturbing to have someone that's so respected and so light and has gone above and beyond many many times that we've seen her for people that simply couldn't help themselves or didn't or weren't able to even ask for help and Elaine always did that and it it makes it very uncomfortable as a community to think that someone who was such a good and trusted and dedicated and kind employee can be treated like that it's just a little disturbing and I don't think anyone here is not giving of their time and talents for this I don't think anyone went out to attack it's just very sad that it happened in this manner and in fact she got the job after someone else was hired when she was clearly there working and so it's there's a little rub there that she the job after that even after being slighted and and did such a good job and just got up and just every single day went in and helped people and I think you feel that all across the community for many years I appreciate your time thank you. [14:02] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Thank you is there anyone else yes sir. [14:13] **Ted Eastman:** Ted Eastman yes I was not planning on saying anything but I I guess I have to do this preserve I had so much respect for Elaine and every time I've been in there people talk about what a great job she has done and to see her let it go I'm I'm concerned that we are not maybe a city is not concerned enough about management and experience um that's why so many many medical record stores operate in the red because they hire somebody off the street that doesn't help the business we've had a wonderful manager there she has done a good job and I feel very upset about it too it wasn't right thank you sir. [14:59] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Yes did you did you sign the paper application I'm sorry what do I say do we have one we should we have to keep a record of all okay okay thank you to everyone here um when you do a performance evaluation that's not based on personality it's because everyone's like Elaine that I know of including us it's based totally just on performance and there's many performance items if any of you have been through uh a performance evaluation like that it could be dozens of items it's not based on on anything of the person itself their uh personality and a great thing because we all know that she did all that in the community so believe me that is not involved in any of the the official valuation it's doing it's based totally on on the management and processes within the establishment that we cannot speak about yes please. [16:00] **Public Speaker (Unnamed):** All right okay did I say my name yes please okay okay I don't know Elaine that well but I know she got my daughter a job there and then she left because she got threatened by a co-worker so she quit doing those 200 retired she was gonna quit so she quit and um but it seems like she does a lot good for the community and and people if they like who's working that's probably why they go there if they didn't like who's working they probably wouldn't go there so it's we don't know why you guys are letting her go maybe you guys know but I think she should continue working and there's not a good reason or thank you for coming. [17:10] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Anybody else trying period we're getting close to the 15 minutes anyone else here none thank you very much I appreciate you coming here tonight you uh you're welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting or you can be part that's your pleasure moving on to the departmental reports police chief Department report in February 2023. [17:49] **Kelly Lake (Law Enforcement Lead):** Mayor member of the council administrator Owens in your packet you'll see the police report for February self-initiated activity we had 58 extra Patrol 112 traffic stops 71 Community engagements nine assists to other agencies 84 calls for service and three Medicals totaling 337 calls for service so right after we were at last month if you look back on your pie chart that you have in your packet again my goal is again to be more proactive here than things so we're having less calls for service well 75 percent of our activity again from this last month was proactive so above 25 percent um receiving other calls outside of that we've got a little damage from one of our Squad carers we had arrested somebody uh domestic that tried to kick out both back doors even though this page is on them and mold both the doors out on the new Squad and bent all the cages inside so we're getting some estimates and filing through restitution on that um we've had a large number of dog complaints so I know later in the thing tonight I think it's going to be the final reading of our pet ordinance um I mean there's some that will be at three times a day um for some of these there so we need to get that kind of cleaned up and people need to make sure they're staying on a leash um had another ATV meeting here and you're all aware that we've been doing this for about two years now I think we're getting really close to getting some funding through MnDOT and some other people for an ATV bridge to cross the moosehorn River on the west side of 7327 so we've got a couple more meetings with that to go forward I've got to put the bridge quote together um probably be connecting with Phil a little bit on some of that but it's looking pretty good and there's a lot of Buzz involved what's happening here and getting some of the funds for that we also met with the State Rep that's going to support us moving forward with these projects so other than that it's been busy but uh yeah snow snow again probably coming up but for me a lot of calls 337 in one month that's a lot. [19:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Yeah I mean it's been busy but yeah you know again it's uh hopefully more on the proactive side yeah appreciate that so please pass it on to all the guys that's good I appreciate it thank you. [20:10] **Kelly Lake (Law Enforcement Lead):** All right thanks. [20:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Moving on under 4B City Superintendent report for February 2023 Phil. [20:34] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Thank you members of the council to the city uh we're still uh I'm sorry we're not still I just last Wednesday uh applied for that Source water protection Grant which is what we got last year I thought before the last month up here to help the city financially with all the state police station mining project we did the campground um ran some more numbers on that where steel Buster minus one percent on cost of that so we're like right there for what that crack is worth what administration has budget is we're right there so hopefully it goes through the sewer department like the 9.8 million month of February currently and still random Wastewater sampling is happening throughout the city um that's going to be a really big thing for us this summer there's a lot of areas to test there's a lot of things to look at there's a lot of parameters to try to pull through and I'll talk with the PCA about and figure out what we can do when we forward to uh better make someone to to let some of these results help them work for us and figure out where and why some of the strengths in our Wastewater are the way they are and kind of designate some of the significant users throughout town and then kind of look at look at the problem areas as well as well so it'll be a really good thing uh one thing to touch on last month as well I will again Minnesota little water uh USDA and state of Minnesota uh has the pond optimization plan that's in place we are and we took place part of that so we are contributed to that with that there's a lot of paperwork that's going with that too essentially get a baseline for what our Wastewater facility looks like and with that being said those three agencies are going to take that information and put it together and figure out what types of projects we can do in Wastewater facilities to better upgrade this Pawn on position plan so we can actually get this done because right now let me come up with this plan we can't do anything because the valves don't work the structures are going apart the pipelines that holds on them and it's it's state life it's everywhere so with this being said USDA has come up with a pot of money that they're going to send over grants Grand applications from multiple different projects so we can apply essentially for up to 10 projects different projects for our Wastewater facility we probably won't get them all but we're going to try so as we know we have financially especially the Wastewater side we're struggling a little bit but we're doing our best so every opportunity that comes to the table like this where the main management. [22:54] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Moving on the street department potholes I know I get it I get it they're all filling today they'll be all filling tomorrow up until we've set up plowing they'll probably actually start plowing some of the pothole fashion put in the whole out about an hour later but that's life and that's how it works we have a huge volume of hot mix to put out this year a lot of areas you see with problem spots this street Second Street First Street there's gonna you're gonna see huge matches come right out the room because all it is right now is it's patch after patch after patch and finally you get down there it'd be big to that it's nothing but hope action from one end of the other there's not an original piece of mat without buying company at all so there's going to be a lot of work to do and then of course good news optimix went up 10 bucks this year so that's awesome but we'll get through it uh doing it inside in-house we're saving a boatload of money so kind of stretch the dollar as far as we can plus no flower ice removal as always you guys know that um storm cleanup we got a bunch of storm cleanup done the Republic's taking out of the snow ended up being about three two days worth correctly um went really well we got we covered all of town by the cemeteries moving down in this week but it is what it is um the state reached out yesterday day before Monday and asked whatever Road and salt requirement was for 2023 2024 which is a really depressing report from here fill out because we're just getting overwinter and now we're already planning for that January because we have to be on that list in order to take to get put on the state fair so we can buy something at the decent price um other than that Cemetery stuff the columbarium got set today that was a nightmare but it's in so that's great um Campground here at the end of this month if you need next month we'll be starting to do some of those capital projects for that bathhouse renovation we don't lose much of them in-house as we can this is money there is some contracted Services we'll have to go after and get that taken care of but we'll handle them as they come in um the arena Doug is taking over that was a seamless transition just done just awesome so everything's going well down there um everybody's getting along things are happening they're on their last amendments at 12th on Sunday correct after that at the arena so right now flipped off actually the morning of Sunday just doing a thousand Isis are warming up we'll start cheating myself and we're we're doing the full ice remove one third okay so that'll be the best game but we'll get it done um author then that was. [25:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Your your budget goal for sand and salt for this year so far where are we at. [25:52] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** I hope it doesn't snow in November or December that's how I'm going to answer that because we're right there we're right there the state right now at the company ran out of winter sand we ran out so we were already up to where we can I place a number with the skate for how much salt we use right with that instead of purchasing uh wash them for because we mix up we run a 5050 mix between salt and sand instead of personally now all right from the vendor we haul that out of control County bit because it's a third of the morning so we ran out of all that excess that we had on top of it the stated in the polygon I think it was 600th time here lasted me just to try to Patches through the rest of the year not just us but the state as well um yeah so stuff everybody's already at 120 of their Max which is what they can purchase on that purchasing menu so if you stay bid we can purchase more but it's going to be a lot higher rate so we're just going to try to sneak through here the best we can we have reserves we'll be fine um we're putting some salt restrictions in just to kind of tighten it up a little bit I mean we have I mean it snows at night and by one o'clock business reporting so now it's even enough to know so I mean we're taking that note about through just we're trying to we're trying to deserve as best we can. [27:03] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any major breakdowns. [27:05] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Yeah there's been tons have we got anything in the shop right now everything's still rolling yes so everything I think has something broke on it but it's still rolling so we're getting it done but it's it's part of the game that's how march Works around here so yesterday got the opportunity to run down the same probability and to the trade show for this and water um really good event there was 5000 people down there over a thousand vendors got a few good contacts for lateral service lining so we can talk about how we do made like relining projects every year right the next part of this is to look at the service lines so our points still or that's as that goes through in the service line needs to get upgraded there's someone they can't get done they can't be dug up they will want to be a building house they don't want to they don't care for sidewalk the option that other option is to be like um so that means that's possible now. [28:13] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Then trenchless. [28:14] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Yes absolutely yep yep nobody I should say nobody very few contractors like to like to mess with it um but there are some they're they're mainly focused out of the southern part of the state. [28:28] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** And then how how expensive is it. [28:30] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** It's about it's about things about the same same as David but it's a option. [28:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Yep less invasive for sure especially if you have if your service runs under your garage and there's a lot of them at Dominic that's an option for example. [28:44] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Try to get some contact information there's a lot of cool stuff on the market I go down I try to get down there every year I did last year and every time I walk in there it's like I wish like there's so much cool stuff down there there's so many things that the industry is doing and we're just so far behind it's not even funny but I'm hoping we'll get there. [29:05] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** That kind of information about for the service line so we should once we get it we should uh put that on their website somewhere that people know that that's an option form okay. [29:15] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** So Taylor has built in a page dedicated to that process after our ordinance was passed so we can be certain to put that information on there yeah any questions. [29:30] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Citizen contact people at the tree cleanup. [29:32] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Yes you did and uh I told him if we were either of services but I thanked him for his inquiry is willingness to help anything else thank you sir and we're passing on to the crew I will do that. [29:46] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** 4C Municipal liquor store Department report for February 2023 Ryan. [29:53] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** Members of the council Mr Mayors the administrator uh yeah just a quick update um first I'd like to start by the same a big thank you to Marty Boss we're very fortunate to have her down there she's done a great job stepping up and helping workflow to keep things moving in speaking with her One update for you is that the vc3 air company that comes in and works on software they were down there and they did replace the workstation on February 20th which helps to control the cameras in there so that's been completed as of February 20th. [30:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Did that correct the the thing you hit when you keep track of time. [30:38] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** Uh nope that was something different and that's been corrected too. [30:41] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** That's good yeah thank you thank you questions for the council thank you. [30:52] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Technology and Library Department report security camera update Ryan. [31:00] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** Uh yeah uh well before that just to let you guys know I'm exploring the possibility of joining the Minnesota cyber task force it's a group of small cities and counties that get together monthly there are benefits to it like if a data system is breached I would be alerted immediately no matter where it is in the state of Minnesota so there are a lot of advantages to it but I'm just starting to explore that uh another update would be on March 20th we got some workstations that are being replaced one at the police department one at the DMV that'll be vc3 that comes in and this is just normal Replacements because they're outdated uh and then to their camera update I did provide you guys with a list of cameras that the police department oversees and then the status of those cameras I know last meeting you wanted to know kind of want to know where they're at and which ones are faulty so if you have any other questions or just one or cc3 item. [32:16] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Uh I have a question right yes sir the Elm Street 360 camera is that is that the camera that was right out front here. [32:27] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** Yep yes and I believe that is not only not working but it's they took it down there I want to say they told me they took it down like it's not operational at all the housing is there and everything but the internal unfortunately we could have one there it's not currently there. [32:45] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Just one quick question yeah or to eventually changed the system in the liquor store with the cameras replaced also. [32:51] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** Uh cameras were not it was just the workstation the controls like the monitor yeah so by replacing the station now the cameras are operational. [33:02] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** The 360 camera front there was that a grant from Homeland Security or something like that when we first originally got that for the computer does anybody know right now I think it was I think it was I think those were from from a grant because I wouldn't be having 31 cameras but is there any other grant money for things like that out there that you know. [33:31] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** I haven't seen it but you know good luck. [33:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** I believe that first expenditure was about 80 000 that the city did on campus if I'm in my cushion prep remember that too and I think it looked extensively for grants for security and and uh truthfully I don't remember the one getting one from Homeland if we did that yeah it may have been only one because I would remembered if it was more than that if 80 000 back then yeah probably gonna cover everything it did no it wouldn't it yes. [34:14] **Council Member Kris Huso:** Is that something now we're going to look into replacing I mean we've got businesses along there you start you know implementing ones that will work with the existing system we have you know there's a hard drive thing we'll have to update on our end but some of the main traffic areas like you say one out here is nice the two intersections you know just before I came here we had another person stopping on a video footage of another incident that took place so it's it's pretty constant but um I think we got to this position now as things weren't replaced for a while and now they've been left to catch up and now you've got a big bash to try to fix so I think Brian's been in the process of also looking at a whole different company but at least some of all the internal workings of the hardware will still work with each other so and that's the same thing with water and light you know with their new cameras and stuff I think they're adding two more now I went out and looked at their facility on it and uh so we can you know get those you know viewed inside the department so okay we'll just have to start prioritizing for if you guys go with it where you want to see them but uh we've got some high traffic races that we could probably be the best place to start and that would be my recommendation my priority like a phased approach to it and we can continue to look for Grants as we go along and I think they had a program too where but then on how you paid for the cameras and stuff so there's um there's almost like a rent to own type thing so you're making a payment on it and it's going towards that purchase of the camera so there were some other options with that too. [35:46] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** All right would you look at the ground the Broadband initiative that the state is coming out with because there was a lot of different categories under it with grants but I I yeah it's a pretty comprehensive and I see it I'm not sure if that applies to this. [36:03] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** And I didn't either they're usually very large amounts that have been applied for Right Way Beyond but we we could do or what we could is probably a 50 50 match to the second are they sound great but then if you get a grant for two million you have to have two million to add to its okay not easy with their hands so we do have a replacement schedule that we utilize for all workstations within the city departments so it it could be such that we build a replacement schedule for some of these cameras our replacement schedule based on recommendations from bc3 has workstations and about that four or five year mark they're automatically transitioned to new workstations something similar or that or a camera component could be added to that so we could look at a few maybe a recommendation of one or two for replacement now and then prioritize the other ones within that same type of schedule budget correct. [37:22] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** You know just a little history from this we kind of had that same plan back in 2008 or 2009 going forward and what we found out every couple of years the software changes okay so the newer cameras will not work with your software and if you change the software and then your old cameras don't work so it's kind of a tricky thing to accept that the uh industry move so fast that it changes things so suddenly I don't know how hopefully this dehistory will be able to help us transition through that because that that became a real problem technology changes so fast and updates come so fast it makes everything obsolete in a couple years sure just something to be aware of just to pass on that information. [38:08] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** Yeah and with the new cameras and their abilities and depending on how many pixels you go we can eliminate other cameras so like you have a foot on the hallway here you have three up there one will replace all three of those so we'll be able to drop the number of the amount of cameras depending on you know what the clarity is and if you're going to do it you want something that you can read from a certain distance you can read at night stuff like that so I think we'll be able to eliminate quite a few on the list any other questions. [38:43] **Public Speaker (Darwin Chester):** I have a question when you're talking about the Departments are given the reports are you allowed anything like audience. [38:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** I can do that if it's if it's kept to a minimum amount of time so yes if you want to ask a question or Ryan go ahead. [39:03] **Public Speaker (Darwin Chester):** Well I assume that you're also speaking for the municipal liquor store. [39:06] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** I speak with Murray [Marty] and myself yep. [39:10] **Public Speaker (Darwin Chester):** Okay um how many employees have we got there. [39:14] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon:** Oh good question um is that something I can answer. [39:20] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** An idea so it should be the student administrator on Personnel so actually what was recommended To Us by uh the city attorneys is any type of specific information um is is public data and what the process is did you fill out a public data request you just write specifically what you're interested in in finding we then verify that it's public data with our city attorneys and then we in a timely fashion respond to your request appropriately and can provide that that information so there is a process and a way to do it and we most certainly want to follow that. [40:00] **Public Speaker (Darwin Chester):** Good thing I asked we sure can fill out that form and we'll get you the information Bill sorry about Ryan any other data No Limit. [40:11] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Are there any Council thank you thanks guys moving on to the city engineer monthly report from March 1st 2023. [40:24] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Oh yeah so there's a lot of information within the um 80 minutes for the month of March a lot of it will be covered within additional agenda items later on in the meeting I will just touch base on a few items here I know uh City superintendent Edgar [Entner] mentioned that he had applied for an implementation grant that Grant um just to reiterate is ten thousand dollars that application was submitted on March 1st and it would coincide with our existing 4 500 Grant and so the combination of the ten thousand and forty five hundred and our our budgetary item would help us line lift station number seven so uh we are we are hopeful we've been successful in the past that's um thank you to superintendent edner for um applying for that Grant and we will keep you informed on whether or not we receive that. [41:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** You got a question on the new wells or is that closed out totally known do we have any other items on the new wealth building. [41:31] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Those are closed the old Wells and uh the tests that we had are all clear we're all good yep. [41:39] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** The Elena we're waiting for now is an update to our Wellhead protection plan. [41:42] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Correct and that is why it's staying on the on the engineering agenda because we are waiting to hear from ndh whether or not our previous Wellhead protection plan is can still be in place or whether or not we need to modify amend or start over based on the changing of our wells. [42:14] **Council Member Walter Lower III:** Just one other question do we have any new information on on Pond capacity. [42:17] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Not currently at this natural nothing new okay thank you counsel. [42:25] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Any questions yeah I have a question on uh Kay the city-owned 40 acre parcel look uh Gravel Pit is it possible that we could get a map showing us with where that location is exactly here. [42:43] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Thank you for bringing that forward um the city is just starting to internally from an administrative standpoint just look at a couple options we will be bringing forward a lot of additional information on that in in the months to come so this is actually the first time we had these discussions with our city engineer about that particular parcel and opportunities so more to come absolutely yeah I think it is a good idea for the city to have a gravel pit not just have some just curious how close it is yeah to the gray garden how you would be able to manage that so what we did now is we requested information from the city Engineers regarding process what it looks like to to start what permits are necessary just things like that just just getting our toes in the water in addition um in March here the grants are due for Campground expansion so we'll be applying to a DNR recreational outdoor Grant and then lccmr again we're working with our city Engineers to get those Grant applications completed and compile all the necessary data for those as well in addition our city Engineers this year are engaged in a lot of what is happening at a state level and so with that they're helping us coordinate and apply for project applications that would then receive state funding so one of them for Stoppers local community projects initiative we will be submitting an application for an ini reduction project throughout the city in addition for the Smith Klobuchar we will be submitting the same type of project proposal for that as well so we are engaged at a state level of what funding is available and working with our city Engineers to try and capture as much as we possibly possibly the rest of the items if there are no further questions should be um covered in additional agenda topics one answering questions after stopping discussion. [44:38] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Thank you moving on to 4F chamber Commerce updates it was a chamber meeting today we did the attendant they are in the process of planning the the events for the coming summer the major events like day to days and uh those kind of things they're also re-looking at their their updating their I can't think of them strategic strategic plan trying to finalize you know move ahead with the items they worked on last year looking ahead to this this following year who had the membership um drive going on so I don't know if just the word of businesses or individuals that have not put in their their application they are trying to finalize that as soon as possible planning events or there is a they're going to start a volunteer coordinator to help with events so people in the community have an opportunity to volunteer for some of the events that they so choose to there will be more information coming out from the chamber on the different events and they're starting that process all all over again for New Year I miss anything they had to ask me for letters for letters to support material you have extension there may be just you could think because we'll we'll cover that on B okay very good thank you thank you any questions the chamber you remember move on number five really excuse me previously discussed businesses ordinance 169 in order to slice me and regulating and keeping the cats and dogs Taylor. [46:47] **Taylor Hansberry (Deputy Clerk):** So tonight is the final reading of the pet ornament what we discussed at the last meeting was the edition of some verbiage regarding Kennels can also meaning a place where dogs would be ported for daycare grooming that sort of thing as a business and so under number 13 I added some information there to summarize uh we would require an application for a license and or that license to be approved they would have to go through the Planning Commission and the city council so that there were you know there's review of where this kennel is going to be what impact it would have notifying people in the surrounding area to let them know what or to see what their thoughts were about having a kennel close to their house so just just implementing a process to make sure that if this is happening within City Limits it's done correctly so we're good to go and Darren [Chief] said that he's had a lot of calls about pet related issues so I'm really excited for this to find me thank you. [47:43] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Thank you very much thank you now that was our final third reading for all of you to review we're looking for emotion now to accept so let me the next born of this unless you have questions that you want to discuss first if we have any other uh input from uh citizens um no we have not says presented is that a second. [48:15] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I'll second that. [48:18] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Thank you for the questions discussion you're in that motion all in favor say aye aye aye oppose motion character thank you thanks Taylor good job on this ordinance moving on to 5B this is a 73 phase two Trail project updale update and Ellissa. [49:15] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Yes so um we've been working with the city Engineers regarding the phase two of the trunk Highway 73 Trail excuse me in the packet I have included an updated estimate the estimate for estimate for the at the trail sits within the exhibit provided is that it will cost 734,734 dollars with that the city has already received three hundred thousand dollars of funding with an attack Grant and so what we're in the process of doing now is applying for a DNR Grant and so we have been working with the city Engineers on that in addition we partnered with the Moose Lake Area Chamber they so graciously sent out a communication requesting letters of support in a partnership with us and so we those letters are starting to trickle in we will include all of the letters of support in our Grant application to be submitted at the end of the month we're requesting that all the letters be submitted to um city hall or myself via email within this week here and so we're thankful we are getting a lot of support if anybody has any questions regarding the specific route of the Final Phase it will go from the roundabout and um back on through an easement and back on John Riley all the way connecting into the existing Portage Trail so with that Final Phase of completion we will have a trail encompassing and looping around the entire city of Lewis lake so we are extremely excited about that um and are working really hard on securing the rest of the funding required in order to complete the trail project. [50:45] **Council Member Kris Huso:** Yes sir yeah the uh 300K that we already have received is there a timeline that we have to spend that money. [50:54] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** So we they're really good about um the timing of the grants and currently that's set for 2025 construction so we have a little bit of time here so the idea was to secure that funding then you kind of utilize that as a foundation to then apply for additional Grant monies and so they kind of look at what you have versus what you need it starts to build momentum for the project luckily that tap Grant is to be utilized for fiscal year 2025 the DNR Grant would be the same time frame so we're aligning those in the background once you have money it's always easier to get more monies as backing for the project grows So currently as it sits we are looking at a 2025 or 2026 construction here any other questions thank you you're welcome. [51:50] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Moving on to 5c doc msop 15 inch clay sanitary sewer project update Ellissa. [52:08] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** DLC and Joint project with that there is a desire to line a 15-inch clay sanitary sewer that essentially is let's see here capacity of what it is 92 percent of the flow from the state facilities and so with that they've agreed to to partner with us we've come up with a line project in its totality the cost of the project is six hundred and one thousand dollars we have been notified by Senator rarick's office of an opportunity to potentially go down to the capital next week and provide testimony to a senate finance committee in in hopes to gain funding for this project so if we are called upon we will go down next week I will provide testimony and we will hopefully get our project funded with Doc so progress. [53:07] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Absolutely I think oh you know we've been working on this since 2010 it's been a long process to get uh the cooperation to get this it's about 90 years old and it's a clay line and uh I think we've got their attention when we told them picture this that clay line collapses and you have 1500 people essentially incarcerated I know msop there I'm not sure that a good patients their residents all in different names but you have that many people without sewer and you can imagine the problems you would have I don't know if you could get enough porta potties in there quick enough for the people but that kind of got their attention where they're gonna hopefully work with us to get this clay line finally. [54:11] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** I will say that um I I would I would like to thank Gordon Collins who's been in support of this particular project and who's been working with the city in partnership with us to get movement so we've had great support questions. [54:39] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Number six a we're in a new business excuse me 6A is getting and televising sanitary quotes Phil. [54:51] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** So for three years now we've done Landing projects in Wisconsin that's great right and we're going to keep that ball rolling right right correct right okay so with that being said the first part of this is to see what the televised let's see what the pipe looks like right see how bad it is I mean we know it's bad we know that we didn't there's definitely ways to tell that but as far as Excavating from estimating reasons for cleaning purposes and just general maintenance um we don't know what it looks like in order to get estimates out the door we need to know what it looks like we need to have televising we need to have we need to have televising already done in order to provide that for contractors for pricing we in the past have had televising done before we had records of those areas we are now caught up to where we're we had televising records to here and now we were lying into here I do not have any future or past um televising records of any kind or the expansion of this project this is an estimate to get back up. [56:01] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Are we looking forward to me are you looking for emotion um tonight or is this informational right now. [56:10] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** So it's it's to serve as both so first of all just wanted to be transparent of a new cost affiliated with the lining projects moving forward um this will be a budgeted item um in in years to come this is you know within the scope of um approval for the city administrator but I wanted to be transparent in that this is something that we're going to have to expect moving forward regarding the lining projects and not only that but um we can find a place in the budget for it and that's what we'll be doing we'll be sitting down within that budget and determining where we want to take it from for this year and so I just think it's important that we understand that moving forward here we no longer have any televising records of of what we're dealing with and we know that there's an issue in the potential project to be approved for the 2023 lighting project and so we need to go in and see what we're dealing with. [57:15] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Yes sir the uh previous briefly tell us the process that you're going by uh how you're choosing which lines you're televising in this upcoming process. [57:28] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Absolutely so um the area we're starting in is basically where we left last year right and when we started this project three years ago we wanted to start with our biggest worst enemies that we have right which is everything that's below the lake level and close to the police station you know there's large amounts of iodine right with that being said as we come up to about third Second Street we start getting other dog water bottles so meaning we need the elevation of that fight gets above the lake levels and ini is still a factor but it's not a constant Factor right so it's you get a lot of rain the ground is wet you're getting some water reaching here you have a clay tile my vein like under elevation of the lake and I mean that lake is underneath us right now so I mean if we were to dig a water main break here we got down deep enough to Lake level a lot of people in it that's just the way it works if you have a clay tile line with a whole bunch of holes in it underneath that level it's constantly filtering it is why we didn't have any a whole lot of differences in our dry weather and weather close so our dry weather meaning winter right is the ground that's Rose and in summer that'd be your wet weather with all the storm water so that being said we're picking up where we left off um essentially we're yes we're out of televising video so we need to get some more of that um and then secondly depending on whether we focus funds here or somewhere else in town with late with uh correct with VOC with some type of our mission there if we have to we have funding to do that but this is the next step we can't bid this project without this happening I shouldn't say that we can but I will tell you right now we won't get we won't get any type of product to work because there'll be multiple multiple overages because we don't know what we're looking yeah we run a camera down there between everything off we televise it we have a problem perfect it's called out the contractor knows about it they admit it accordingly. [59:15] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** It's the follow-up question is this this uh televising this lining as a 80 to 100 year old money or fighting that we're still talking about the play type stuff is up or Worse to left. [59:28] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Yep oh yeah we will be for a very long time yeah absolutely so we had a video of the product products or the projects that we did before correct okay and we don't have video for uh coming correct okay. [1:00:03] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** I think everybody sorry Chris go ahead. [1:00:08] **Council Member Kris Huso:** I was just saying is this the same company that we've been using. [1:00:11] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** No this is a different company that we're using I have used them in the past yes the problem with time if so we could go and we could get this information right we can get it privately in-house for a lot cheaper dollar than Incorporated in the project and now our project length gets a lot shorter right because this is this is extremely reasonable right pricing I've used that before we use them for real estate agent Maybe we have pages of twice for televising super good not an issue with them not an issue whatsoever I compared the prices what they're charging us here to do the same because they do this task before and after lining right just for documentation this is above 20 of what the other companies rights exactly right so could we incorporate the project absolutely we'll need control to shoot this up absolutely yep any other questions. [1:00:50] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** So we're going to go with your recommendation. [1:00:52] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** Did Greg did you speak. [1:00:54] **Council Member Walter Lower III:** No I said just just recommendations yeah but your recommendation on which contractor you're maybe that's who you got two of them. [1:01:05] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** No we just got the one just the one we just got the Ferguson no next page update Nelson I'm not around the park Nelson sanitation. [1:01:21] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** What page is that. [1:01:24] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Okay so you're looking for a motion to make from the console yep. [1:01:29] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** So Council I'll make that motion to go with Nelson or Genuine televising sanitary sewer yeah I believe it's four thousand seventy four dollars an hour. [1:01:41] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Do I have a second. [1:01:43] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I'll second. [1:01:45] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** If there's any further questions or discussion clearing none all in favor say aye all right opposed promotion Kerry under 6B hydrange bloody bolts. [1:02:12] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** So Ted from that page 64 Pages down is a tool called the item buddy [Hydra-Buddy] okay before we talked about this before because I applied for a draft 40 once was unsuccessful apply for it again with a successful grant that was only 600 instead of forty seven hundred and we chose not to do anything which was totally respectable it wasn't in the budget I told to get that um and here I have two quotes for the same thing again and you're asking me how we're gonna pay more right when you guys approved the trailer last month okay that trailer weed that I have specked out it was a 2023 okay that's great that's Gandhi lead time on that trailer there was 14 months let's face it let's let's not wait 14 months right if we can help it we got the same exact trade at up to 2022 you know 14 000 pound trailers so I have a sixteen thousand pound trailer we'll be carrying all of our equipment that we need there's no difference between the two but they had a fourteen thousand pound trailer Lane right there and I can pick it up today essentially we saved 1500 a week so now I want to spend the additional money on the Hydra money so that right here buddy is that was that with that being said um there's one thing I think I haven't brought up here yet to this Council and I've been here 11 or 12 years now and it's called a valve exercising program what that does is when we have a water break downtown we don't have to shut off the entire North at the top we can isolate a block like we're supposed to be able to because the valves don't work because they're not exercise right you usually turn them at that point you have a water break you go to turn them off but you really explode I should say usually 50 of the time last year's block was fifty percent just because they're sold we have and in the last five years we've been putting new belts into quite a new oven and this tool will literally exercise out up and down so on an eight inch gate valve and we have probably 40 of them there's 61 turns to get it all the open all angles and you want to cycle three times so it's a really good workout program for right now it's amazing the stuff is tough one and we I don't think we have any we haven't had any injuries or any Guardian well we're not affecting them so you're thinking that also if you have this of saving up an annual pay with an annual uh maintenance maintenance program for the waters yeah keep those exercise unusable you got it and to be able to use them like they should be yeah. [1:04:51] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** So superintendent Edgar [Entner] and I have had conversations about this for about exercising maintenance program but in addition from a safety perspective and so um you know every time we have the conversation we said you know if their grants are their grants or their grants and and I feel like we are essentially a little bit on borrowed time with it and so once there was the opportunity with the money saved from the trailer um it would be my recommendation that we would move forward with this as well. [1:05:18] **Council Member Walter Lower III:** Yes sir what is the cost of a valve Clinic broken for us or a ballpark for us to go down and dig it out employee hours to go down the whole restore the whole Ministry compared to the 7 500 bucks. [1:05:39] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** So 7 500 to replace one and then your your program is there an estimate of what that's saving other than that one Bell um and does this I'm sure we could I know where you're going yeah and I have a question you're answering and where's our where's our dollar savings right absolutely um we're I'm not gonna lie to you we might not see the dollar savings as long as I'm here but the next guy and the next operator that I screwed through the vessel won't be doing the same things working I guess I should say the life expectancy of the bowel since it's being exercised has to pull up Expedition area yes so to a point if it hasn't been exercising 25 years you know not just new and then you have it in the system EU daughter absolutely um with that being said now something I touched on earlier that Bond optimization plan right um the reason hardly any of the facilities in the Sonic and actually study their ponds as they have isolate them you isolated with a valve right sure we have 80 or 81 Metals in advance some will work someone don't some are super tough going I mean I have some some personal tools that I own personally that my business owns that we bring interview borrow to the city just to get some of those things done um not to mention 160 water valves close to that benefit you can shut off an area with the minimal effect to the residents once the program is put in place and it's been utilized yes absolutely so like if this was to happen at a bigger city like let's say 40 miles an hour figure and they have water breaks every day right because we all read about it I mean they should literally will shut off two pots at night and they'll look for everybody around well we have the ability to move everybody but we can't show everybody enough we catch up about one area large volumes area affecting everybody and to be honest with you guys have witnessed this with me if we're going to run this place let's run it right and be done we should be doing this anyway it's our infrastructure it's falling apart we know that yeah let's go all into it. [1:07:54] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** What is your recommendation on the same exact same exact unit two different vendors. [1:08:00] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** Ferguson I think was three three or 500 bucks cheaper. [1:08:03] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** I would be just by Vanilla to go what's that you're saying lowest yes absolutely yep okay any questions by the council administrator do we have a motion. [1:08:18] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I'll make a motion you can go with Ferguson Waterworks to type. [1:08:31] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Do I have a second any further questions all in favor say aye aye oppose once you're carried moving on to 6C 409 4th Street rezone request Ellissa. [1:09:05] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Uh yes the city received a a request from a potential buyer of 409 4th Street and with that request it was determined that the property at 409 4th Street was grandfathered into our zoning ordinance so as it stands right now the the property is Zone C1 commercial and with that it's been operating under a warehousing and distribution model that particular business type is not a principal permit of use under our C1 zoning and so it's it's necessary that we rezone the property to Industrial if we are going to allow for the usage of that building to continue as such the new property owner or potential property owner is Michelle line the city has been working with Michelle to establish a result request the request went in front of the Planning Commission this week and there was a recommendation from the Planning Commission to rezone 409 4th Street to i1 Industrial as defined by the city zoning ordinance number 104. and so with that I can share about the potential use of the property when selling wholesale party supplies and seasonal merchandise they sell the brick and mortar stores online retailers across the U.S and have been in business for over 13 years they have other warehouses within 3040 mile radius and they believe this building will be a perfect fit to operate as such and so prior to the sale of the building they are requesting an A Reason. [1:10:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Council discussion questions and there was a recommendation to result in the final Commission no question is do we have a motion. [1:10:48] **Council Member Douglas Juntunen:** I'll move it. [1:10:50] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Second. [1:10:51] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** Second. [1:10:52] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any further questions all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carry under 6D Resolution 23.03.01. [1:11:05] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Oh yes this is a resolution regarding supporting an application for the Minnesota DNR local Trail connection program so this is relevant to the trail grants that I spoke about earlier this evening and so in order to apply we include a resolution within our Grant application and this is something promotion by the council this is the same thing in the last first phase. [1:11:32] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** A motion to approve resolution number 23-03 initial do I have a second. [1:11:41] **Council Member Walter Lower III:** Second. [1:11:42] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Any further questions all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carried moving on to number seven reports and correspondence seven Innings of Minnesota Pollution Control agency letter. [1:12:00] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** So this letter was addressed to uh flake actually it's just for your information only at this time just providing transparency to an issue that was taken care of with the Department of Human Services and msop. [1:12:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** So notice for us then it was there something happened okay within the city limits correct okay under 7B Kettle River Upper St Croix one Watershed one plan meeting data. [1:12:44] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Kind of got a a debriefing of what was discussed in the types of activities that happened with that particular group and so again just providing additional information as to some activities that are going on in the area and what's superintendent edner was a part of. [1:13:14] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Quick cut question will that be some future action that we have to take. [1:13:17] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent):** A little bit on my end but I should open the door for some more grant opportunities water stuff for us so more transformation coming. [1:13:28] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Yep there will be eventually I they they I think will need me twice a year okay so that's going to be a very slow process but all right with you any questions. [1:13:42] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Moving on 7c letter I think this is informational only for the council. [1:13:48] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens:** Yep so so letters addressed to council our public data and so this is information only All City councilors should have received this this letter. [1:14:02] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** Moving on to eight committee and board meeting minutes the park board and regular meeting minutes for March 6 2023 any discussion or questions hardcore hearing none moving on to uh eight announcements this would be nine announcement excuse me regular Moose Lake City council meeting Wednesday April 12 2023 4 P.M right here Moose Lake Economic Development Authority Wednesday March 15 2023 at 12 p.m at the city conference room Moose Lake Water and Light commission regular meeting Tuesday March 21st 2023 at 1 pm at the Water and Light office Moose Lake Housing and Redevelopment Authority board Monday March 13 2023 11 A.M at the Hillside Manor office closer Area Fire District March 14 2023 6 30 am at the Emergency Response Center Bush Lake Park board meeting Monday April 3rd 2023 and 5 p.m right here anything from the council administrator to have a motion to return. [1:15:05] **Council Member Lou Ohly:** I'll make a motion. [1:15:06] **Council Member Kris Huso:** Second. [1:15:08] **Mayor Jim Michalski:** All in favor say aye aye opposed motion carries thank you very much.