This transcript has been formatted with speaker names based on the context provided and the dialogue within the recording. **Note on Personnel:** The transcript mentions a Finance Director named "Dan" and a Council Member named "Cole," who were not in your provided list but are explicitly named in the audio. I have identified them accordingly. *** **[00:00:00] Technical Staff:** Recording in progress. Recording in progress. Test, test, test, test, test. Yeah, that’s better. Look at you, you beat everybody. I know. Every now and then. How you doing? Good. Excellent. Quiet night tonight? Yeah, that’s awesome. **[00:01:45] Police Chief Phil Baebenroth:** ...be able to incorporate our CSO on this. Because CSOs aren't doing traffic stops, it allows them to identify vehicles with headlights out and then write them down. And then that's the instance where we would be sending out the letter requesting the driver to come in and receive the voucher. I reached out to a couple of auto shops in town already to gauge their involvement; haven't heard back from any of them yet, but I'm going to continue that engagement to try to bring them all in. We are working with Maplewood, who received a full-time employee from the County Attorney's Office to help facilitate the sending out of letters and all the paperwork backend channel. So we're going to be sending any information that we get related to the program directly to that FTE funded by the County Attorney's office that's going to work in Maplewood, and then they're going to be facilitating that backend paperwork for us. So, kind of a true collaboration of work on this project. **[00:02:40] Council Member Wong:** That's always great to see many partners at the table. Do you see that there will be—is there a clear understanding between the different parties? Like for Maplewood, is it the evaluation data or is it the financial pieces that that individual will take care of? **[00:02:58] Police Chief Phil Baebenroth:** I think they're going to be writing the letters and actually sending out the letter informing the driver, "Hey, we spotted your vehicle without a headlight. If you'd like to come in to the City of North St. Paul..." If it's inspired from one of our incidents, then it would have our branding on the letter, versus Maplewood will have almost the same language but it's going to have the City of Maplewood's information on there directing them to Maplewood. Any other questions? **[00:03:22] Sherman Patterson (Guest):** Yes, Sherman Patterson. So each voucher will have each department's logo or emblem on it so that's identified. And also what Lights On will do is we will also update the departments periodically—now we do it twice a year, but we're probably going to move to quarterly—to show them how many they have redeemed so that can be measured and they can see the outcome and see how the program is working. So we're working with that, and then with the program where we're working with North St. Paul and Maplewood, we're working that out now. **[00:03:52] Council Member Wong:** Okay, wonderful. Thank you for that. Any last questions? All right, thank you, gentlemen. **[00:04:02] City Manager Brian Frandle:** Thank you, Mayor. Next up is our 2024 internal service funds and other budgets. We’ve got Dan here, our Finance Director. **[00:04:15] Finance Director (Dan):** It worked. Well, good evening Mayor and Council members. This is the last installment of the budgets. The first meeting in December we will have the Truth in Taxation, which is the public hearing regarding the budget, and then the budgets will be approved in the last meeting in December. In tonight's installment, we'll be talking about our internal service funds and our other budgets, which are really our special revenue funds. Internal service funds account for the financing of goods and services provided by one department to another department within the city on a cost-reimbursement basis. We have five of them: Information Technology, Insurance, Equipment, City Mechanic, and the Building Maintenance internal service fund. For Information Technology, the budget is a balanced budget of $495,000. The significant change is the contractual services expense budget for Metro-INET that has increased. Yes, we will be looking at other ways to provide those services and do an analysis before the middle of next year because that is the time that we would have to give notification if we were to go away from Metro-INET. This is the second year that we've seen significant increases. Last year was a 20% increase; this is a 12% increase. Projections look like 10% increases for the next few years, so we definitely need to look at if we can get a different service provider. Then we have the Insurance fund. It's a balanced budget of $525,000. We're increasing it from our 2023 budget by approximately 7%. That includes workman's comp, property insurance, general liability, and auto. The Equipment fund budget is $411,000. All items were included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Revenues are a little over a million dollars, coming from department chargebacks and the Public Safety funds of $542,000. The City Mechanic is a small budget, approximately $42,000. Finally, Building Maintenance—taking care of Public Works, City Hall, and parks—has a budget of $631,000. A big component there is the police garage doors. We moved that up to 2024. I’m going to stop here and ask if there are any questions on these five internal service funds. **[00:08:45] Council Member Cole:** I do. I’m getting confused on the "supplies decreased" being an increase in cost. Can you explain that to me? **[00:08:53] Finance Director (Dan):** It’s not an increase in cost; it’s a "significant change." Significant changes can go up or down. **[00:09:05] Council Member Cole:** Okay. **[00:09:07] Finance Director (Dan):** The other budgets are Special Revenue funds: Community Center, Community Event, Fire Relief, Park Fund, and Street Maintenance. The Community Center fund shows no rental revenue since we lost our tenant, but has $87,000 in operating expenses. That will have to come from the fund balance. The Community Event fund accounts for arts, culture, and the car show. The Fire Relief Fund accounts for state aid; the Fire Chief is recommending changes to the pension contribution, which needs more analysis. Finally, the Park Fund includes the McKnight Field planning and Casey Lake parking lot. Any questions? **[00:12:45] Council Member Wong:** In regards to the Community Center, does that mean that there are no funds available in it at the current moment? We have to draw it from another place? **[00:13:02] Finance Director (Dan):** The Community Center fund balance will cover the $87,000, but eventually, it will run out. The city needs to make a decision on the future of that building. **[00:13:35] Council Member Wong:** And what is the balance after those operating costs are taken out? **[00:13:42] Finance Director (Dan):** Off the top of my head, I'm going to say it probably will be underneath $100,000. **[00:13:58] City Manager Brian Frandle:** Thank you, Mayor. Next up is the 2024 Municipal Fee Schedule. We have Brandy Howe here, Community Development Director, to discuss. **[00:14:10] Brandy Howe (Community Development Director):** Good evening, Mayor and City Council. We’ve modified the fee schedule layout to be more user-friendly. Administrative changes: candidate filing fees proposed to increase from $5 to $50. Animal registration for bees, chickens, or kennels—we’re suggesting $25, as they were absent from previous schedules. Building and plumbing permits will be re-evaluated as we move toward a new contract inspector. We are proposing to refund duplicate permits fully. For business licenses: Amusement parks would be $350 for temporary or $2,000 for long-term. Christmas tree sales increase to $250. Massage therapist Enterprise fee: we propose dropping it from $2,000 to $600 to align with neighbors. Contractor licenses: flat rate of $80. Block parties: $20. Utility changes: Oakdale residents will see a 3% franchise fee for electric starting January, and there will be a 4% increase in surface water and wastewater rates. **[00:19:15] Council Member Cole:** One of the things I was surprised not to see... isn't there a separate cost for putting a deck on? **[00:19:25] Brandy Howe:** That would be a general building permit. **[00:19:34] Council Member Cole:** With all the proposed rate increases, what is the net income result? I challenge some of them just because other communities are higher. I don't know why we have to be unless we've got deficits. My other challenge is the water rates. I don't understand why we have a three-tiered water rate based on usage why we just don't have a flat rate. **[00:20:10] Finance Director (Dan):** Historically, that’s how it’s been. Higher consumption is, in certain ways, penalized to promote conservation. **[00:20:30] City Engineer Morgan Dawley:** Mayor and Council, the block tier water consumption is actually a requirement of the DNR to promote conservation. All cities have some version of this. **[00:20:55] Council Member Cole:** I’m not aligned with it, but thank you. I don't think government needs to dictate how much water you use. **[00:21:10] Council Member Wong:** Regarding the massage enterprise fee, it dropped to $600, but I see Maplewood is $309. I feel like $600 is a bit high and prohibitive for small business owners. I would propose $150 or $200. **[00:22:20] Brandy Howe:** I can seek clarification and make modifications. Were there others? **[00:22:30] Council Member Nordby:** The Auctioneer license is $25, which seems low. But as a member of the Minnesota Aquarium Society, I've had to get one for local club auctions. I like it being low so it’s easy for small organizations to stay within the law. **[00:24:10] Council Member Cole:** I want to jump in on Park and Rec. I have concerns about Casey Lake Pavilion. It’s a bargain for residents, but the property takes a lot of abuse. I’d like to see the building hours be consistent with the park hours—closing at 10:00 instead of 11:00. Also, we need an additional fee for people who don't vacate on time. Our cleaners have to sit and wait or call the police. **[00:26:10] Council Member Nordby:** I second that. I know Public Works has had a lot of headaches and cleanup. **[00:26:50] Council Member Cole:** I’m also aware of event planners who rent it from the city and then re-rent it for their own events. **[00:28:15] Finance Director (Dan):** If there are rate changes, we need 10 days of public notification. If we want changes for the December 1st rental opening, we might have to hold off. **[00:30:15] Council Member Cole:** I recommend we delay the rental opening until we have the policy updated. **[00:33:00] Council Member Wong:** I agree. Also, the $50 candidate filing fee is too high. I’d like to see it at $15 to cover processing but keep it affordable. **[00:33:55] Mayor John Monge:** Any other last discussion? If not, can I get a motion to adjourn the workshop? **[00:34:00] Council Member Cole:** So moved. **[00:34:01] Council Member Nordby:** Second. **[00:34:05] Mayor John Monge:** Meeting adjourned. *** *(The Council reconvenes for the formal meeting, starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call)* **[00:34:45] Mayor John Monge:** Roll call please. **[00:34:48] Staff:** Council Member Cole (Here), Council Member Schweer (Absent), Council Member Wong (Here), Council Member Nordby (Here), Mayor Monge (Here). **[00:35:05] Mayor John Monge:** Motion to adopt the agenda? **[00:35:08] Council Member Nordby:** So moved. **[00:35:10] Council Member Cole:** Second. **[00:35:15] Mayor John Monge:** All in favor? (Aye). **[00:35:20] Fire Chief Jason Mallinger:** Welcome Mayor and Council. I’d like to welcome my team: Assistant Chief Fyksen, Captain Johnson, and Firefighter McKenzie. This year’s campaign is "Cooking safety starts with you." I’d like to have Assistant Chief Fyksen come up. **[00:36:45] Assistant Chief Brent Fyksen:** During Fire Prevention Week, we visited five elementary schools and 1,100 students. We had a poster contest with over 500 entries. We have the winners here tonight. (Presents awards to Paxton Tow, Hazel Vu, Moria Bane, Genevieve, Jocelyn, Kalisa Calvin, Maggie Gil, Chase, and Hope Yang). **[00:41:40] Mayor John Monge:** Next is the Consent Agenda. **[00:41:45] City Manager Brian Frandle:** (Reads items A through X). **[00:43:20] Council Member Wong:** I’d like to pull Item B and Item I. **[00:43:35] Council Member Cole:** I’d like to pull Item P. **[00:43:55] Mayor John Monge:** Motion to approve the remaining consent agenda? **[00:44:00] Council Member Wong:** So moved. **[00:44:02] Council Member Cole:** Second. **[00:44:10] Mayor John Monge:** Open meeting to the public. **[00:44:30] John Schalget (Resident):** Thank you. I’ve been at this a long time. Regarding the electric fund—taking $1.2 million from the electric fund to fix roads. I remember Mayor Sandberg saying the electric fund lets us do things other cities can't. But we are overcharging citizens for utilities and using it elsewhere. Council Member Nordby asked where the money comes from—it comes from charging too much. You’ve got to get this under control. **[00:47:30] Mayor John Monge:** Under City Business, Item A: Tobacco regulations ordinance 823. **[00:48:30] Council Member Wong:** I’d like to clarify the distance—750 feet. I would like to see flavor restrictions added. **[00:48:55] Council Member Nordby:** I’m comfortable moving forward as stated and coming back to flavor later. **[00:49:10] Council Member Nordby:** Motion to adopt. **[00:49:12] Council Member Cole:** Second. (Adopted). **[00:49:50] Mayor John Monge:** Item B (Pulled Minutes). **[00:49:55] Council Member Wong:** Just a small correction: I didn't ride a hay bale at the Hangtime Board Shop event; I rode a skateboard. (Minutes amended and approved). **[00:50:40] Mayor John Monge:** Item C (Zero Death Grant). **[00:50:45] Council Member Wong:** I pulled this to discuss traffic safety. I read a daily report from November 11th. An officer stopped a driver going 78 mph in a 35 mph zone. The driver was a Ramsey County Correctional Officer with two priors. Only a verbal warning was given. Why is it acceptable to go 78 in a 35 and get a warning? **[00:51:30] Police Chief Phil Baebenroth:** It's a fair question. Our mission is compassionate service. Officers have discretion. We issued 487 warnings and only 12 citations since July. This is an educational approach. The officer decided a warning was the best way to achieve behavior change. The driver is a resident and was very appreciative and said they wouldn't do it again. I trust my officers' discretion. **[00:55:10] Council Member Cole:** When does it become careless driving? Over double the speed limit is dangerous. **[00:55:40] Police Chief Phil Baebenroth:** Officers factor in the weather, time of day, and pedestrians. In this case, the officer chose a warning. **[00:56:50] Council Member Wong:** I disagree with these practices. 43 mph over the limit with two priors? It hurts public trust, especially when the driver's role as a correctional officer is noted. It feels like a violation of trust. I’m for the grant, but implementation is questionable. (Motion passed to participate in the grant, Wong dissenting on implementation). **[01:00:20] Mayor John Monge:** Item D (Park Rental Policy). **[01:00:25] Council Member Cole:** I pulled this. I won't support it until we have better education on the fees and damage deposits. **[01:01:10] Council Member Wong:** So moved (to deny/delay). **[01:01:12] Council Member Nordby:** Second. (Motion to amend denied; policy sent back for more work). **[01:02:40] Council Member Nordby:** I want to highlight the North St. Paul Christmas Tree Project by Rachel Thompson. She’s done amazing work since 2020. Please look them up and support them. **[01:04:15] Council Member Cole:** Happy Thanksgiving to all. I attended the Veteran's Park celebration on the 11th—phenomenal job by everyone involved. **[01:05:00] Mayor John Monge:** Motion to adjourn? **[01:05:02] Council Member Wong:** So moved. **[01:05:04] Council Member Nordby:** Second. **[01:05:08] Mayor John Monge:** Meeting adjourned.