[0:07] call to order the October 6, 2025 meeting of the Bayport City Council. Let's all rise for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. [0:33] >> Let's do a roll call again, man. >> Council member Bliss >> here. >> Council member Gilmore >> here. Council member Dah >> here. >> Council member Hill >> here. >> Mayor Hansen >> here. Do we have a motion to approve tonight's agenda? [0:49] >> I move to approve the agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Thanks, Katie and Carl. All in favor? >> I agenda's approved. Let's uh go on to proclamations combinations petitions and announcements. The first is that Sarah has coordinated another curbside collection of mattresses and box springs through second chance recycling during the month of October. [1:17] Um, so this is free and to all Bayport residents on Wednesdays throughout this month. Pickup is limited to two items per household. And to schedule a pickup date and time that works for you on those Wednesdays, you can visit their uh website secondchancereerecycling.com and then click on curbside collection program. If you need any assistance with that, just contact City Hall and speak to Mary or Cheryl and they'll help you schedule the pickup. So, thanks again for doing that. I know it's hard to find a place for those sometimes, so it's nice that they'll come and do the curbside and it's free. [1:59] And then the second thing under this section is a um thank you from the Bayport Community Action League. Um they did a nice letter here. The members of BCAL and the Derby Days Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the city of Bayport and the incredible departments that help make our events not only possible but successful and safe for all. Um they gave shout outs to different employees, Joe Hansen, um and the public works department. They continue to go above and beyond with setup and clean up for Derby Days. Their hard work behind the scenes ensures that everything runs smoothly, looks great, and is ready for the community to enjoy. [2:38] Uh the creek looked awesome with the rocks this year, by the way, with the ducks. We're truly grateful for the dedication and effort. And a special thank you to Jill Smith and the Bayport Library for adding joy and create creativity to the events from the incredible entertainment at the Duck Derby to the wonderful reading time at Mabels. The library team brings so much heart to the weekend and helps foster a love of learning in the community. We also deeply appreciate Chief Eisinger and the Bayport Fire Department for their presence and commitment to safety during the fireworks show at Lakeside Park. Knowing your team is there gives everyone peace of mind and your professionalism and preparedness never go unnoticed. Lastly, our heart heartfelt thanks go to Chief Jackson and the Bayport Police Department for keeping the streets safe, directing traffic, and ensuring a secure and [3:25] welcoming environment for all attendees. Your visibility and care throughout the event mean the world to us and the families who come out to enjoy the festivities. Takes a strong community to make events like Derby Days happen, and we are proud and thankful to work alongside such dedicated city departments. Um, please extend our thanks to each team member who played a part in making this year's celebration a success. With sincere appreciation, the BCAL and the Derby Days committee, I echo all of those thank yous. I think we have great teams here and the BCAL too deserves a huge thank you for putting on that event. Um, it was great to see everyone out even on Friday in the rain. [4:05] People tried. So, all right, on to the open forum, which it looks like we can skip cuz nobody's here. So, we'll go to the consent agenda. Consider a resolution adopting items 1 through nine. The September 8th, 2025 city council workshop minutes and the September 8th city council regular meeting minutes. September 16th city council special meeting minutes. [4:31] September payables and receipts. September building, plumbing, mechanical, and zoning permits report. The special event application for the annual hero sturgeon excursion fishing event at Lakeside Park. Reappoint of Anna Da Roseby, Jenny Davis, and Wendy Harum. I hope I'm saying her name right. [4:53] I've never had to say her last name. To the library board. Reappoint of Colleen Sigfrieded and Aaron Oaks to the planning commission. And then policy number AD31, classroom discrimination policy for the police department. [5:09] Do we have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> I'll move to adopt a resolution approving the consent agenda as it's been presented to us. >> Thank you, John. >> I'll second. >> Thanks, Ethan. Roll call. [5:25] >> Council member Bliss. >> I. >> Council member Gilmer. >> Hi. >> Council member Dah. >> I. Council member Hill >> I, >> Mayor Hansen, >> I. And we have no public hearings, no unfinished business, no new business. On to city council liaison reports. Let's start with Carl. [5:43] >> Uh, nothing to report this month. >> That's easy. Ethan, cable commission. >> Ditto. >> Whoa. >> Three for three. >> Three for three. Wershed hasn't met yet. Okay. And we went over all the derby days was great. [5:58] >> Derby days. Yeah, their meeting was only getting ready for derby days and then planning commission was before this. So, >> okay, >> no pressure, madame mayor. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Sorry. You know me, I got stuff I got a lot of stuff I do every month, but um I had the I had a really fun meeting with a former mayor, Jim Cosmo, back in early September, and we talked a little bit about what he went through. We had similar um uh goals. So when he became mayor, he was looking at reducing the speed limits in town, which we eventually got through when I was mayor. [6:30] And then he wanted to have a senior community, which Croydale is now there, you know, and um his last one was uh starting a foundation for the city. So I thought he and I could get together and talk a little bit about that. So we're still working on the whole foundation thing, but anyways, we had a great conversation. He's an incredibly interesting man. uh went to the Bayport Bash at the bank and officer Cornell and Maize were there and they have a great turnout as always. Um I wasn't able to go to the library board meeting on the 16th because um and then none of you could go either because we all were at the budget meeting that night. So um there really isn't much to add from Jill does a very thorough report for us in our packets and I think that was plenty. [7:16] Uh, like I said, I did go to Derby Day's party in the park in the rain for a little bit and there were people out there dancing and having a good time. I think there's probably some good memories for some of those kids that got to run in the mud and the rain with their friends. Um, Derby Days on Saturday was great. We had wonderful weather and the fireworks. There was one little scary incident during the fireworks that one didn't quite make it off the ground and I was standing next to Britney when it happened, the officer Leowski, and she ran and came back and said, "Everybody's good." So that was good but >> got a little there was a little and it was nice to see there was like 12 boats or so, maybe more, hanging out in the bay there watching the fireworks. So kind of cool. Um, let's see. I did the King Plant stakeholder meeting on the 24th. I think the biggest takeaway from [8:04] that is that they do have all the land either purchased or leased that they need in order to put in the solar farms that they need because that's the point they're going to have solar coming through and it will be the current plant will then be a transmission site for that power. They're still working through battery storage and what they're going to be doing. So hopefully we're going to learn more at some upcoming meetings. I think we actually meet in person at the next quarterly meeting and those always seem to go a little better. [8:36] Um, I did a Monday with the mayor at Community Thread in Bayport on the 29th and had I guess it would be a total of five people come um including one who was like under six years old. [8:53] But no, it was it was very interesting and good and I'm hoping to do more of that. I think it was also very helpful for community thread because every one of those people that were there didn't realize that Bayport had an office for community thread a location. So they learned something, they got information about it and so we can spread that word. [9:15] Um uh doing some Halloween planning with um Officer Ryan Jones and the Lions Committee. So we're going to have the event in the fire hall as usual as we have been doing the past few years. we reinstated that. So, that will be happening on Halloween. And then on the 30th, I went to the Tri City Mental Health Summit with Commissioner, our county commissioner Bethany Cox. Um that was the cities of Bloomington, Adina, and Richfield. The mayors invited other mayors to attend. Um they're kind of taking the lead on trying to think through how we can provide better mental health services in our community. So, I thought it was helpful to have the county commissioner come with us since she can do more at that level than I think we can at the city. Um, did a few [10:02] chamber events, a ribbon cutting at Vitality Wellness in Oak Park Heights. They offer infrared saunas and cold plunges. Um, a mixer at Frontline Roofing in Oak Park Heights. Pole Barn in downtown Stillwater had a new owner. They had a ribbon cutting. And, um, the chamber ambassador meeting. Again, we covered some mental health mental health um treatment facilities. Someone from um these facilities in Stillwater came and spoke about that. It is mental health awareness month. So, I think that's why all of that is happening. And just a reminder, at those events, I'm able to do a quick promotion of Bayport. I we typically stand in a circle and everyone gets a chance to promote their business. [10:44] so I have a chance to talk about what's going on in Bport and remind people to come and check out our businesses and keep us top of mind hopefully. Um been working with Wall-E Reynolds, the owner of Maples, on getting a trolley for um River for the not Rivertown, that one's done for Harvest Fest this next weekend. And he said he was going to be reaching out to staff. Did they he do that today? Okay, great. So, um, people that live in Bayport and other people will be able to take not a trolley, but I guess a bus, I think it's going to be from Bayport, downtown Still Water, so you don't have to worry about parking. So, it's free shuttle service. [11:30] And I didn't get the details yet. Are they being picked up in the Graph lot or what's the Okay, so the Graph lot is the one um just on the west side of Lakeside Park. that big lot. That makes sense. [11:45] Yeah. >> So, you can go there and I that it'll just keep running the route and come and pick you up and drop you off and you get dropped off. If it's the same as the trolley, it would be outside of the valley book sellers in the coffee shop right there in the heart of >> spot >> the activity. So, and I' I've done that trolley before for other events and it's great. I don't know. They had talked about offering free Did he talk about anything like people who ride? Okay, I won't say anything then about that, but just keep your eye out for that online. [12:14] I'm sure like on their website and Facebook and places they'll be advertising that. Um, and then lastly, um, I finally did a more fine tooth comb review of the walkability report that we got from Safeep and, um, we got some feedback also from resident Carrie Christensen who is her expertise is in this area. So, she gave some great feedback and comments. Um, and special thanks to her for that, taking the time to do that. And next step is for city staff and all of us to kind of get together and figure out what feedback we want to provide to Safeep to get that final report and then how we're going to relay some of this to the to the community. And then we will be getting [13:00] like a a brochure as well that highlights uh our city. So, that's what I have. Sorry. Good thing you guys had nothing. Okay. Um, staff and city administrator reports. >> Uh, Fire Chief Eisinger. [13:21] >> Good evening, madame mayor, council members. Uh, for the month of September, our call volume was 95 compared to 108 in 2024. Our 2025 year to date is 1,6 compared to 2024 of 167. Monthly drills were auto extrication SCBA quarterly quarterly review. Fire inspections are ongoing as well as new plan reviews. Uh our past meetings were we had the Stillwater Area High School homecoming carnival which was well attended. Our derby days as mentioned before, our 911 tribute. Uh, and then we had County Fire Chiefs, the Minnesota Fire Department Association conference, we had a member attend that. Our anniversaries for September are Barney Sachs 13 years, Cam [14:07] Godford, 5 years. Uh, upcoming meetings, we have fire prevention week, that is this week. The theme is charge into fire safety, lithium ion batteries in your home. Just reminder, um, only charge those lithium ion batteries on flat surfaces, not in couches or blankets or anything. And once the battery is charged, unplug it. Um, if you remember last fall, I believe it was, Woodbury had five houses go up. [14:37] We've had two houses with lithium ion battery issues. So, >> wow. There's something I personally when I charge my batteries for my tools, soon as the steady red light is on, I take them out. So, don't leave them overcharging. So, we do have uh activities this week. Tomorrow, we got Anderson Elementary School with the preschoolers and kindergarten class. [15:02] Then we have Pony Preschool on Thursday. Our open house this Saturday. We changed it. We're going from 10 till 1 because the 9:00 wasn't working too good. So, please stop out. We have our signs up for that. Then we have our football standby till the end of the year or season hopefully. [15:20] So, go into state or something. But with that, I stand for questions. >> What can people expect at the open house? >> Um, a lot of seeing the trucks, uh, be able to have snacks and just talk to the meet the firefighters and have some giveaways. We always have giveaways. our ex exit house that we ordered through our uh national fire prevention uh fundraiser event where we get our all of our uh handouts for the kids and that uh isn't going to get delivered until >> oh >> afterwards. So >> that's it's an inflatable one. So look for it at next year at derby days and a different events and that. So >> okay. Is there will you do some kind of posting or will the city that we can share that event because it's coming up and I think we should get the word out. [16:07] >> I thought Sarah might have been in contact with Jake but I don't know. I've been out of town for the last two weeks. >> Oh, okay. But if Yeah, if we can start spreading the word I think I mean and just seeing our beautiful facility is kind of nice for >> families. It's on our calendar which reminds me we did had have a little hiccup for half of Bayport or annual fundraiser. We do the mailing uh to all the cities that we cover. Half of the route in Bayport did not get delivered. [16:37] >> And we don't know why. >> Somebody didn't do their job and we're out the money. >> The at the the post office didn't do the delivery. Is what you're saying? >> They just didn't deliver them. >> So there's nothing for us to do. We have no recourse to go back. [16:57] >> So they just tossed them or where. >> Oh, well that's unfortunate. >> Yeah. >> Are they Is it cuz they're not first class mail that you don't have anything to >> Shouldn't matter. I don't know. >> Well, no, cuz you know like postcards and all the things like if you don't Sometimes it doesn't. It's the same. [17:16] It's It's We paid a lot of money >> and to have them printed, have them shipped postage and >> we didn't get any return on. >> Yeah. Again, let's try to if we can advertise that raffle or whatever we can do online for you, let's do that. [17:32] >> Should be on our website, but I not >> Yeah, but people aren't going, you know, they're not going to go look for it. We need to push it out to them to make sure that that's top of mind for them, too. So, >> Chief Eisener, does lithium ion batteries that include charging these guys? [17:47] >> I'd be careful with everything. >> Yeah, they get hot. >> Um, my particular phone is approaching 3 years and it gets hot, >> so I'm worried about it. So, >> thanks. >> All right. Yeah. >> Any other questions? [18:03] >> Hey, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Chief. Uh, police chief Jackson. >> Hello, Mayor, members of the council. >> Hi, J. >> Um, we started off uh since the last meeting um we escorted the Anderson Elementary kids to their um Diggy Dash event on the Barker's Alps. So, Officer Tesy, I believe, got them safely to and from several times uh on the 26th. [18:32] Uh as you can notice, I do have my pink patch shirt on for breast cancer awareness month. Um, we are also selling our patches here at city hall for $10 each. So, if you want to uh support uh that endeavor, please do so. Otherwise, you can shoot me an email and we'll get it figured out. Um, we're hoping this year now that we're established from from doing it last year that we'll actually be able to send out a check this year um to support breast cancer awareness. So, hopefully that will be happening this year after the event and I will update you guys on that when it happens. But all of our officers, I believe, are participating this year. [19:08] So, if you see us out and about, we will have our pink patches on. Um, the next event is going to be Halloween and the planning is still underway on that, but it's going to be at the old fireh hall. We have a great event with the Lions Club that we partner with and uh it's always well attended. We'll hopefully be giving out glow sticks, so stop early so you can have them on. The idea is to try and get the kids visible to cars. Uh we will boogie putting out roadblocks. I'll meet with Joe. Uh it was wellreceived last year. [19:38] Putting them out on the side streets just as a slow down type of thing. Vehicles can still pass by them, but it did seem wellreceived last year. So we're going to try and do that again this year. And then I was invited to um teach the fraud presentation with community thread again on November 18th. [19:55] Uh the location is still being determined, but it'll be 2:00 p.m. either here or at the Stillwater location again. So, um I was invited by the uh bank again. So, we'll try and make that happen um that day. But, I will put that out on Facebook as we move forward. Wonderful. [20:13] >> Also, not on my um memo is also to start thinking about toys for tots. That is just around the corner. I know we don't want to talk about until after Halloween but keep it uh in mind for us. So after that I will stand for questions. [20:28] >> I just want to commend Bayport PD and staff city. We had an unfortunate tra tragedy in our house uh two Fridays ago. Our dog was unfortunately hit by a car and passed away. And um Officer Tesy showed up and was very helpful just getting everybody calmed down. um happened in front of a child and it happened in a very busy time in our neighborhood. Um and then officer Leowski visit or visited and came in and chatted with us and and dropped us off a very nice card. Um so uh heartfelt thanks. Uh little Mina was the heart and soul of our family. She was only a 2-year-old pooch and we expected to have [21:14] lots of years with her. So it was >> sad to see her go. Um, we have a little half brother of hers coming in November. So, we're excited about that. Um, and I just wanted to, you know, remind people nobody did anything wrong in this scenario. Was a freak accident. One of those things that happens, but continue to, uh, the residents of Bayport to please observe the speed limit and slow down and be aware in these residential neighborhood neighborhoods there where the dog was hit, there are kids playing constantly. There's a bunch of little girls who live next door and it would have been much much worse had it been a a child. So, >> please slow down, folks. [21:55] >> Sorry about that, John. Thanks for showing. >> That's it. Thank you very much, Chief. You're welcome. Thank you. >> Thanks, Jess. >> Uh, public works director Hansen. >> Uh, Madame Mayor, council members, uh, public works, uh, September update. Uh city staff continues their routine maintenance throughout this month and we have begun our fall maintenance activities both in our parks and our streets. Um Valley View Tree Planting completed its installation of 28 new disease resistant um trees in town as part of our asht tree replacement program. [22:35] Landbridge Ecological conducted a full year spray up at Barker's Elps Park. Um, this spray helps to promote our native non-invasive vegetation growth. Uh, that treatment targets buckthornne and honeysuckle that were removed during last winter's management efforts. [22:56] RCM Specialties completed its asphalt curb re rehabilitation along 1st Avenue between 5th and 6th Street on September 23rd. Staff will continue to evaluate this rehab method for potential use in further infrastructure projects. [23:16] Um at the fire station, Wolf River completed the installation of the solar array. Um, so all the solar panels are up currently. Uh, Excel Energy is scheduled for a temporary power shutdown on October 13th to complete the interconnect. Uh, during this installation, we had some downtime where uh, National Resource Services completed their prairie restoration throughout the solar panel site uh, converting it to native vegetation uh, to support our conservation goals in that area. Uh, that completes my update and stand for any questions. [23:58] >> Sounds good. Thanks. I I expected the solar arrays to be much bigger, but they don't really take up that much space. It looks pretty pretty nice. So glad that's done. Finally. >> Thanks, Mayor. Uh, administrator assistant administrator Taylor, >> Madame Mayor, members of the council. [24:16] Um, it's been a busy, uh, month for sure. projects have included updates to the cannabis and hemp ordinance. Um, as we discussed earlier tonight with the joint planning commission meeting, uh, publication of the September newsletter edition, uh, preparations for the launch of the new city website, and we'll be reviewing that following this meeting tonight, um, to get some feedback from the council, pre-construction meetings for Bay Haven first edition and pre-application meetings for Bay Haven second edition. uh preparing for updates to the personnel policy related to paid leave laws that will be in effect on January 1st. Um collecting data for consultants to complete the salary survey and pay equity study. Um assisting Matt with the PAS grant application that's due this Wednesday [25:03] and zoning plan review for print and permitting for various residential and commercial improvement projects. A planning commission will not be held in October, but a meeting will likely be scheduled for mid November and December potentially for some of the various improvement projects I mentioned as well as the second phase of Bay Haven. And uh finally, I would like to thank Beth Kelly for her service on the planning commission as she will be retiring this year. And then also recognize Colleen Sigfreed and Erin Oaks for their willingness to continue serving on the planning commission and their re reappoints were on the agenda earlier this evening. [25:38] this time for questions. >> Thanks. Busy busy. >> Thanks, Sarah. Uh, Madame Mayor, I just have a couple items. Um, follow up with Sarah on those. Um, the fire chief position. Um, we are city staff and I've talked with a couple firefighters and the fire chief about specifically waiting until the pay equity and salary survey has come in. It should only be another month extension onto that to um get a salary that's what's likely going to increase and be more in line with some of the other fire chief salaries in the area. Um try and bring in some other applicants. Um as Sarah indicated um we are finishing up the um phase 2 grant [26:25] smittle for the PIFA. Um that project or that smittle is due October 8th. um we feel that we're in a pretty good spot for that and hopefully we can um acquire some grant funding to get started on that property. Um and then finally, the DOC, the Department of Corrections, um a couple of their officials and I met on September 23rd to discuss another lease extension um for the old fireh hall. Um it would be in their interest to um do at least a three-year renewal. Um we can talk about that. that the lease doesn't um expire until June 30th, 2026. Um they would like to uh obviously nail that down sooner than that. Um and if we can have [27:12] a discussion here in the next couple of months at a workshop about our future plans for it potentially um or whether it's in the best interest to um renew the lease again. So we make a significant amount of revenue off of that building. um it will need some some touch-ups here in the next couple of years, but um well worth the revenue and it's a great relationship that we have with them. [27:37] >> With that, I will stand for questions. >> Thanks, Matt. Yeah, I agree that in the meantime, there isn't we I don't think we'll have any plans to use that space for anything else, but we will be talking about redoing that lease. I'm also hoping to get some input from Chief Jackson about how to better use that space for the police in the back so we can work together with them, but also make that space more user friendly. If you've ever been in there, it's even just some paint would help, I think. But um and then just to clarify on that PIFA grants submitt. It sounds like we're getting a grant because of a PAS issue, but it's actually a grant that will help us with improvements to the land and water legacy property. And it's kind of a little complicated, but [28:24] hopefully it is a grant that will help us with some of that improvement down there that has been long long time coming. So, all right. Uh, anyone have any other items or announcements? Otherwise, take a motion to adjurnn. [28:41] >> So moved. >> Thanks, John. >> Second. >> Thanks, Katie. All in favor? >> I I >> All right, we are journed. Now we will have the