[0:00] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Good evening. We will call the meeting to order. Everyone stand for the pledge of allegiance. 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. [0:25] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Please. Councilor Peterson? [0:27] Councilor Joe Peterson: Here. [0:28] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [0:29] Councilor John Geissler: Here. [0:30] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [0:31] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Here. [0:32] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [0:33] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Here. [0:34] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [0:35] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Here. Uh do any councilors have announcements this evening? [0:38] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Uh short one. I've just been told in the last 15 minutes that there's several tornadoes on the ground a little southwest of here. Uh be prepared for bad weather in case it shows up. [0:45] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Uh we have no public hearings this evening and no communications to highlight. No presentations. Item eight, public discussion. This is for discussion about items not on the agenda. If you're here to watch something that's going on on the agenda, there will be a discussion period during that time. Does anyone have any public discussion for an item not on the agenda? If you do, step forward to the podium and start with your name and address. [1:23] Jim Sweeney: Good evening. My name is Jim Sweeney. Um, my address is 3929 Teal Lane in uh, Payton Acres. And I just wanted to ask, I've been in contact with the Gilberts over this project and it's hard to get a straight or a clear answer and I understand because they're very busy. But we're living in an uh, on the end of a cul-de-sac where it's it's not done. It's not cleaned up. It's a just a mess. And uh I was just wondering if anyone had any kind of a time frame or uh any contact with them over that. I know there's been others here about drainage and that is a problem and we probably did it worse than others. Um so but I I'm mainly wondering about just the finished grading and the cleanup. [2:09] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Uh Mr. Mulder, should Mr. Johnson be asked about that? [2:25] City Administrator John Mulder: Eric or David, do you have a—one of our staff will address your concern. [2:30] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: Yeah. Thank you. So, you can wait there if you'd like. So, um, Mayor and and Jim, I was out there this, um, spring with the public works director a couple of different times and the context that we were out there was looking at the drainage issue on the would be the west side and the corrections that we are going to have um the the Gilberts prepare. Um, on Friday this week, I drafted up a letter that I'm going to be sending to the Gilberts. I I have not sent it yet, but I wanted to um staff to review that. So, if there's something, are you referring to the um the the wash out next to your driveway? Is that what you're referring to? [3:26] Jim Sweeney: That's not—That's what other people have talked about. So, I didn't want to bother with that because it's done. I'm talking about uh the finished grading behind the curbs right now. It's just it a big washed out mess and uh you know it's not finished. Um our neighbor was told there would be sidewalk there which and there is none. I don't know if that's was going to happen or not if that was supposed to. Um, you know, having been in the that type of business myself, you know, I'm I'm surprised that it was left like it is for as long as it has been left this way. [4:04] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: So, I will review I'll go visit the site before I send out the letter and we have not formally accepted the project yet. We have accepted the utilities but I have not made final recommendation of the council for uh approval of the road yet. So we'll make sure that that is um addressed before we make uh final recommendation. [4:32] Jim Sweeney: Uh when would a normal timeline be this year for acceptance of that road? [4:38] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: I' I'd like to get it done in in July of this year. Okay. Does that help you out? [4:45] Jim Sweeney: Yes that—Thank you very much. [4:50] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Is there anyone else that has anything to to discuss with the council that's not on the agenda? If so, step to the podium and start with your name and address. Is there any general public discussion for the city council this evening? Hearing none, we'll close the general public discussion and move on to motions. A motion to approve or deny the renewal of liquor licenses for the following: Maya Authentic Mexican and Holiday Circle K contingent on paperwork being received. Do we have a motion relating to this? [5:35] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Move to approve. [5:36] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? [5:38] Councilor John Geissler: Second. [5:39] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Geissler. Roll call, please. [5:42] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [5:43] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [5:44] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [5:45] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [5:46] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [5:47] Councilor Joe Peterson: Hi. [5:48] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [5:49] Councilor John Geissler: Hi. [5:50] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [5:51] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next, we have the consent agenda. Minutes approval or correction of the June 2nd, 2025 city council continuation minutes and accounts payable approved general city warrants from June 1st, 2025 through June 15, 2025 in the amount of $820,265.16. Is there a motion relating to this? [6:20] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Motion to approve. [6:22] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Hjelle to approve. Is there a second? [6:24] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second. [6:26] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Roll call, please. [6:28] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [6:29] Councilor John Geissler: I. [6:30] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [6:31] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [6:32] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [6:33] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [6:34] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [6:35] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [6:36] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [6:37] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next we have two city ordinances. First is ordinance 2025-11. An ordinance amending chapter 5 land use regulations. This is the second reading. Is there a motion? [6:54] Councilor John Geissler: I'll move to approve. [6:56] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler to approve. Is there a second? [6:58] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second that as well. [7:00] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder. Should we have someone from staff address this? [7:09] City Administrator John Mulder: Yeah, if Eric Johnson, our community development director, could. [7:14] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Mr. Johnson. [7:15] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: Great. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor and members of the council. uh before us this is a uh ordinance amendment to chapter 5 section 535 which is the business and light manufacturing zoning district. Uh so to give a little background uh the city has recently completed our comprehensive plan process. Uh as we were going through that there was discussion both at the staff level as well as with the consultant and potential language changes or any use updates to the city zoning ordinance. So this is essentially one of our our first looks at some different uh pieces within our zoning ordinance. We expect that there'll be some more of these in the future sometime. Um so in addition to these discussions to create uh potentially some new zoning districts within the city as part of the comprehensive plan, we also spoke about adding permitted uses within the ordinance that reflect either new trends or business opportunities and where these would best fit within the existing zone work or framing of our zoning ordinance. Uh so what we've been discussing is communication services as part of the business light manufacturing. Uh this has been heard a couple times at planning and zoning uh where there was some initial language from the staff standpoint. Um there was some concern from the staff standpoint that some of the language may have been a bit vague and there's an opportunity to expand on that. Uh so uh staff has looked at this further and we've added some additional language that business light manufacturing as it applies to communication services and that's what's reflected in tonight's ordinance. [8:39] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from councilors? Hearing none. Is there any public discussion or input on this ordinance? If so, please step forward to the podium and start with your name and address. Any public input on ordinance 2025-11? Be the last opportunity for public input on ordinance 2025-11 an ordinance amending chapter 5 land use regulation. No public input. Roll call, please. [9:27] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [9:28] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [9:29] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [9:30] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [9:31] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [9:32] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [9:33] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [9:34] Councilor John Geissler: I. [9:35] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [9:36] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is Ordinance 2025-13, an ordinance amending chapter 7, special use permit. This is a second reading. Do we have a motion relating to this ordinance? [9:50] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll make a motion to approve. [9:52] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Peterson to approve. Is there a second? [9:54] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Second. [9:56] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor LeBlanc. Mr. Mulder. Uh let's have Eric present. [10:11] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: Great. Thank you again. Uh similar to the ordinance that we just spoke to. Uh this is another basically cleanup of language within our ordinance particularly in section seven uh which is our special use permit section. This speaks to the duration of permits. So, it has always been implied or understood that when a special use permit is issued, it actually runs with the property, but that language did not actually occur within our ordinance. So, what we're doing is we're adding that language into the ordinance. So, it's actually codified as part of the city zoning ordinances as it relates to the duration of permits and approvals. [10:36] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from council? Hearing none. Is there any public input on this ordinance? Does anyone wish to comment on ordinance 2025-13? Is there any public input on ordinance 2025-13, an ordinance amending chapter 7, special use permit? Roll call, please. [11:23] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [11:24] Councilor John Geissler: I. [11:25] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [11:26] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [11:27] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [11:28] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [11:29] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [11:30] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [11:31] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [11:32] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next are resolutions. Resolution 2025-92, resolution approving final planned unit development for Sumus construction development. Do we have a motion? [11:45] Councilor John Geissler: Move to approve. [11:46] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler to approve. Is there a second? [11:48] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second. [11:49] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder, should we have Mr. Johnson address this also? [11:54] City Administrator John Mulder: Yes please. [11:55] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: Great. Thank you again, Mr. Mayor. So before us this is the final planned unit development uh by Sumis Construction for the construction of a 35 unit three-story apartment building. This is located in the southwest quadrant of Arrowhead Road and Stener Road. Um as we mentioned uh this has been through uh planning and zoning both from a preliminary standpoint and a final. Uh obviously council heard the preliminary about this uh earlier this year. So, just to give a brief recap for the people in the audience here as well, this is an 8.9 acre property. Once again, in that southwest corner of Arrowhead and Steener, uh there's generally a large wetland complex that's located on the east side of the property. Uh there's essentially about um six acres of wetland within that quadrant. In that area, there is what we call upland area down in that southwest corner and along the western property line. Uh that's where the applicant is proposing to construct a private driveway that'll run into this proposed development with that apartment being located down in that southwest corner of the um of the site that way. Uh the building's approximately 43 feet in height and it's going to be made of a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments essentially equally spaced out that way. Uh the sizes range generally from 675 to 1,000 square feet. uh as part of the parking for this applicant is proposing 52 surface parking spaces as well as 18 garages associated with this uh as part of a planned unit development. It speaks to public benefit and uh what an applicant would be proposing for that. In the case of uh this proposal before us uh the applicant is proposing obviously community gardens on the uh eastern side of the driveway as you come in. Uh these these gardens are open not only to uh residents of the proposed building but also the general public as well. They would just coordinate with the office manager on the essentially um be able to use utilize one of the garden spaces and the relevant tools watering etc. At that point um there was a uh for the final planned unit development uh that came before the planning and zoning commission back in May. Uh the applicant uh had asked for a two-week continuance associated with that before it came to city council because they wanted the opportunity to meet with other property owners particularly in the um the Hartwoods development just over to the west of that as well as one of the uh property owners that directly abutted the driveway coming in. uh the applicant has uh uh basically discussed with them uh the ability to add some other certain features to this particularly some very tall fences to potentially uh screen out viewsheds into the property as well as potential headlights. I believe there's also been some discussions with the private property owner about planting trees within that private property as well. Uh lastly, one of the other uh concerns that was raised by the public was the location of the trash enclosure, which originally was on this the western side of the parking lot closest to the neighbors. Uh the applicant has switched uh since switched that to the eastern side of the parking lot away from those residents to uh basically uh work with them on that location that way. Um, as I mentioned, there's uh been a lot of back and forth from the plan standpoint uh that the applicant has um generally uh addressed concerns associated the residents of Hartwoods here as well. Um, this property is approximately about 175 ft from the nearest resident uh associated with the Hartwoods development and as part of that they're also providing landscape screening generally along the western and the southwest corner of the site that way. [15:37] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? If so, please step forward to the podium and state your name and address. [16:06] Don Miy: I'm Don Miy, 4280 Hartwood and uh my my communication most recently has been with Windsor engineers regarding the the screening of the fence and also the planting of trees and I'm assuming based on correspondence I don't know whether they've discussed this yet or not but I would like uh uh Jesse at least to talk about that. I'm going under the understanding right now it'll be 9 ft tall. It'll extend 130 ft down the property line and trees planted on my property below that. So I don't know if anybody here has heard that or not. [16:39] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Are you able to speak to that, Mr. Johnson? [16:41] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: That is my understanding with conversations with both the applicant as well as their engineer that there have been basically either discussions that way as far as actually seeing physical agreements—I have not seen those. I believe maybe Mr. Sumis could could speak to those at when his time comes as well. But it's my understanding that they've worked both with the gentleman before us as well as a property owner of one of the Jackson homes that directly abuts that driveway with the construction of a 9-foot tall fence along that portion as well. [17:16] Don Miy: Thank you. I just wanted to make sure before there's any vote that this is discussed and approved because I need that. [17:21] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Yeah. Thank you. Is there any other public discussion at this time? If so, if so, please step up to the podium and start with your name and address. [17:42] Enis Chandler: My name is Enis Chandler, 4928 West Arrowhead Road. So, we are the property right next to the apartments. And two, we just want to like—that the fence, the 9 foot fence going to be built for our privacy and trees going to be planted. That's it. Thank you. [18:03] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Would like to speak to the council? Please start with your name and address at the podium. [18:14] Debbie Anderson: Hi, my name is Debbie Anderson and I live at 4286 Hartwood Lane. I'm one of the two homes that is probably most directly influenced uh by this apartment building and uh it it's has become evident that it's probably going to be built. Um it's unfortunate that a compromise couldn't have been made. In other words, maybe a two-story instead of three, smaller unit or a couple of twin homes. However, um I have to say that the m—Mr. Sumis has been very forthcoming in working with us to adjust the shocks to our property, the 9-foot fences and the trees. Um his cooperation is appreciated. I guess the reason I want to speak today is in the future as as the apartment house is being built, I'm hoping that if we have concerns about um intrusion or interference on the quality of our established neighborhood that we will be listened to. I think we will. But I'm just—I want to keep that line of communication open. Um I know most recently there was a problem with some of the workers working on the property parking their cars on the sidewalk. Um and that was addressed immediately. And um I just want to congratulate I guess it was the police force that did that. I'm not sure who did, but if in the future if there's any—I don't want to use the word threat, but you know—intrusion on the quality of our neighborhood, I hope that you will listen to our concerns as you have in the past. Thank you. [20:20] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Uh at this time to designate who to contact in staff if there are any problems. Would that be Mr. Johnson and Mr. Wicklund? [20:42] City Administrator John Mulder: That'd be the typically the spot where you would just talk to community development department and then if uh that isn't uh possible to Mr. Wicklund. [20:53] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Yes. So those are the two people—the gentleman over here. Okay. Anyone else wish to speak to the council at this time? [21:00] Jesse Sumus: Jesse Sumus, 4323 Lake. Uh my family and I are hopefully going to be the builders and the owners of this and manage it. Um I just want to let you guys know that um I think we started this in February is our first meeting and I've given my phone number out to everyone in Hartwood Lane and anybody affected and uh call me anytime. I've said this at the at the planning and zoning. Um, I've had three people call me, uh, Debbie Anderson, John Bonte, and the Chandlers, and I've met with all three of them. I have no problem meeting with everybody, uh, in the future. Um, I feel like we've done our part. Um, the city says that you can only have a 6 and 1/2-foot fence unless engineered. I promised John I'd put up a 9 foot and I got it engineered. Um, same with Chandlers. We're going to go 130 ft from my corner. 3 feet on my property is which I believe the fence yeah is supposed to be 3 feet on my property. So I will go 130 ft down on the south side which John lives on and then I will be going 300 ft down from the road uh to the back of Chandler's property. That's it. We agreed on that. 9 ft tall, 9 ft tall. Um like I said, we've got it engineered. Uh, I'm assuming it's going to be approved with the city because that's what they told me we had to go with is uh an engineering on it. And uh yeah, uh like I said, I've had no other phone calls. I would be glad to talk to anybody. I said this at the last meeting and as far as uh problems—to answer Debbie's question, I feel that it'll never be brought to you guys because I'm going to take care of it. I I stand by my word and uh if you guys have a problem, I would hope you call me first. And uh as far as uh I looked into a little bit of the apartments in the area uh in Duluth Hermantown and apartment living is—you hardly—from what I was told I've asked a lot of people now who own them—uh they hardly see the tenants. They just sit and they come and go and that's about it. They're not outside. That's what they do. I don't live in an apartment, but they don't get out much. You don't see them much. They come and they go. That's about it. So, I can't see there being a problem. And uh I live a block from there. I mean, call me anytime. You guys have my number. And if there is a problem, I'll take care of it. So, I don't ever expect it to go to you guys because it won't go that far. So, um that's it. Hopefully, uh we can work forward and work together and continue on. Um, we're super excited for it if it gets passed and uh we're ready to go. So, thank you. [23:45] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else that wishes to speak to the council about this resolution? Last opportunity for public discussion on resolution 2025-92. With no one coming forward, I'd ask for a roll call. [24:16] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [24:17] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [24:18] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [24:19] Councilor John Geissler: I. [24:20] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [24:21] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [24:22] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [24:23] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Nay. [24:24] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [24:25] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Hi. Next is resolution 2025-93, resolution approving a lease agreement with the Heiner Homes Designs LLC. Do we have a motion? [24:32] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Move to approve. [24:34] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? [24:36] Councilor John Geissler: Second. [24:37] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder. [24:41] City Administrator John Mulder: Heiner homes has been a tenant in the uh old city hall for a number of years as a sublease to the Arrowhead Builders with the recent um reworking of the lease with Arrowhead Builders. Um Heiner Homes is going to lease it with us directly. Um this is just for two office spaces. Um and it's for 13 months through June of 2026. [25:06] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? [25:08] Councilor John Geissler: Just one quick question. Does that run—is that the Arrowhead Builders through that same time frame? [25:12] City Administrator John Mulder: Yes. [25:13] Councilor John Geissler: Okay. Thank you. [25:14] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Any other questions from council? Is there any public comment on this resolution? Do we have any public comment on resolution 2025-93? Any public input on the resolution approving a lease agreement with the Heiner Homes Designs LLC? Roll call, please. [25:56] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [25:57] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [25:58] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [25:59] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [26:00] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [26:01] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [26:02] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [26:03] Councilor John Geissler: I. [26:04] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [26:05] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-94, resolution adopting performance measures. Do we have a motion? [26:24] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Motion to approve. [26:26] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Hjelle. Is there a second? [26:28] Councilor John Geissler: Second. [26:30] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder, should we have Mr. Wicklund address this? [26:35] City Administrator John Mulder: Yes please. [26:36] Joe Wicklund (Assistant City Administrator): Right. Thank you, Mayor and Council. For uh the past several years since 2018, we've uh executed the annual community survey uh and we've just wrapped it up again. Uh the results from it will be posted on the website uh in the coming days. Um but overall that we can be pleased that we uh maintain an incredible level of safety in our community that kind of permeates from a lot of different uh areas, especially our public safety folks. and that the areas where we've chosen to focus and that's been driven by resident feedback. Areas like streets and parks and those types of maintenance, we've seen those numbers rise over time. Uh we get a small bit of local government aid that gets attached to this. So there's a little financial remuneration for our efforts, but the bigger part is to have those year-over-year comparatives to make sure that we're headed in the right direction and it seems so. [27:14] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Again, thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from council? Thank you for your hard work on this. Uh it's a valuable insight into our service to the community. Do we have any public input on this resolution? Do we have any public input on resolution 2025-94? Any public input on the resolution adopting performance measures? Roll call, please. [27:47] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [27:48] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [27:49] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [27:50] Councilor John Geissler: I. [27:51] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [27:52] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [27:53] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [27:54] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [27:55] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [27:56] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-95. Resolution approving pay request number 12 for the Northstar Ford Arena to Krauss Anderson Construction Company in the amount of $1,165,332.28. Do we have a motion? [28:14] Councilor John Geissler: I'll move to approve. [28:16] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler. Is there a second? [28:18] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Second. [28:20] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor LeBlanc. Mr. Mulder. [28:22] City Administrator John Mulder: This is for the work that was done in May. Um the pay request was delayed two weeks because of the Memorial Day holiday. So thank you. [28:34] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? Any public input on resolution 2025-95? Any public input on the resolution approving pay request number 12 for the Northstar Ford Arena? Roll call, please. [29:05] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [29:06] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [29:07] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [29:08] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [29:09] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [29:10] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [29:11] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [29:12] Councilor John Geissler: Hi. [29:13] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [29:14] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-96, resolution authorizing and directing mayor and city clerk to execute and deliver an agreement for professional services with Bolton and Menk Incorporated, city engineering services for the road improvement of Lightning Drive and Thunder Chief Lane, including sanitary sewer extension and other infrastructure improvements and trail extension in section 14. Do we have a motion references? [29:49] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Motion to approve. [29:51] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Hjelle to approve. Is there a second? [29:53] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second. [29:55] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder. [29:57] City Administrator John Mulder: So, um, two weeks ago you ordered the project, um, to reconstruct Lightning Drive, Thunder Chief Lane, Getel, Water and Sewer in Getel. Um and also um the the trail um and sewer pipe um across from Stener almost to Levake. Um we went out for proposals for engineering services. We had two proposals, one from Bolton Menk, one from uh Northland Consulting Engineers. Uh the city staff is recommending that we enter into a contract with Bolton and Menk. The approximate cost is $669,000. Um, as you recall, this is about a $10 million project. The um plan or kind of schedule at this point is for us to do the design work between now and the end of the year so that we could go out for bid early in the first part of 2026, start construction in 2026, but we're likely wouldn't finish construction until 2027. [31:07] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? Any public input on resolution 2025-96? Is there any public input on the resolution authorizing an agreement for professional services with Bolton and Menk regarding road improvement of Lightning Drive, Thunder Chief Lane, including sanitary sewer extension and other infrastructure improvements and trail extension? Roll call, please. [32:15] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [24:17] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [24:18] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [24:19] Councilor John Geissler: Hi. [24:20] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [24:21] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Hi. [24:22] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [24:23] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Hi. [24:24] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [24:25] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-97, resolution authorizing and directing mayor and city clerk to execute and deliver an agreement for material testing services for street improvement district number 452 Lightning Drive and Thunder Chief Lane, including sanitary sewer extension and other infrastructure improvements in section 14. Do we have a motion? [32:32] Councilor John Geissler: Motion to approve. [32:34] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler to approve. Is there a second? [32:36] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second. [32:38] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder. [32:41] City Administrator John Mulder: As part of the project that you ordered two weeks ago, um we want to start the process of getting um soil borings along the route of the um improvements particularly uh in Getel Road just to see what kind of uh material that we're going to have to deal with in rebuilding that road. But then also in terms of uh rock and wetland issues relative to uh putting a sewer pipe across that section. The contract amount is for about 52,840. We have a standing professional agreement with um Braun. This is for geotechnical services, not material testing. [33:20] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. The resolution does say material testing. [33:23] City Administrator John Mulder: It does, but that's—change that to geotechnical services. [33:27] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Uh councilors Geissler and Peterson, are you okay with that change to the motion and second? [33:31] Councilor John Geissler: Yes. [33:32] Councilor Joe Peterson: Yes, I am. [33:35] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? Do we have any public input on resolution 2025-97? Any public input on a resolution on a agreement for geotechnical services for street improvement district number 452. Roll call, please. [34:05] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [34:06] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Hi. [34:07] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [34:08] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Hi. [34:09] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [34:10] Councilor John Geissler: Hi. [34:11] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [34:12] Councilor Joe Peterson: Hi. [34:13] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [34:14] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Resolution 2025-98. Resolution accepting large specific project scoping document and authorizing the preparation of the draft alternative urban areawide review AUAR document for the section 31 Hermantown industrial project. Do we have a motion? [34:55] Councilor John Geissler: I'll make a motion. [34:57] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Well, I think we have Councilor Peterson got that in first. Do we have a second? [35:01] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I'll second that. [35:03] Mayor Wayne Boucher: A second by Councilor Hjelle, Mr. Mulder. Uh, let's have community development director Eric Johnson, who's kind of been leading this. Um, Mr. Johnson. [35:12] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: Great. Thank you again, Mr. Mayor and members of the council. Uh, what this is, uh, it's basically a couple different steps here. So, a large specific project scoping document was prepared by Kimley Horn uh earlier this year and it was published to the environmental quality board in May of 2025. Uh that document looked at um the environmental review and essentially laying out the groundwork or framework of how an AUAR would go forward. So, this is an areawide review of 395 acres and upwards of 1.8 million square feet of light industrial buildings. So the city as the RGU or the regulatory government unit received two public comments associated with that scoping document which we have since uh passed on to Kimley Horn. So the next step would now be the ordering of the alternative urban areawide review or the AUAR uh which will delve deeper into those items that were identified as part of that scoping document looking essentially at the environmental aspects of the project. So the AUAR actually will be expanded to 403 acres and it's located in that southwest corner of the city within the section 31. Uh lastly, it's anticipated that the AUAR will take about 2 to 3 months to u—to uh go through that work. It'll also once again be published in the EQB for public comment and eventually will come before the city council uh perhaps in September of 25 for their ultimate review and perhaps approval at that point. [36:37] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? Any public input on resolution 2025-98? Any public input on the resolution accepting large specific project scoping document and authorizing the preparation of a draft alternative urban areawide review document. Roll call, please. [37:25] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [37:26] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [37:27] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [37:28] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [37:29] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [37:30] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [37:31] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [37:32] Councilor John Geissler: I. [37:33] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [37:34] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-99, resolution approving an agreement for consulting services to provide review of an alternative urban areawide review AUAR with Braun Intertec Corporation in an amount not to exceed $20,000. Is there a motion? [37:48] Councilor John Geissler: Motion to approve. [37:50] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler to approve. Do we have a second? [37:52] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second that. [37:54] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson and Mr. Mulder. Let's have uh community development director Eric Johnson talk about this one as well. Thank you. [38:05] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: Great. Thank you again, Mr. Mayor and members of the council. Uh so during that large scoping document that was prepared earlier this year, the city engaged Braun Intertec as its agent to review and and comment on that scoping document. So what we're looking to do is continue their services as this AUAR is being performed. So what they would do is Braun would conduct third-party technical review of that document in accordance with the EQB requirements. Uh what they're going to also do is distribute environmental review documents. Uh they're going to compile and review all public comments received as part of that AUAR process, prepare public comment associated with it. Uh once again, they'll also review uh the aspects associated with the AUAR and refer those back to Kimley Horn as the agent preparing those. And then lastly, the ability to uh attend meetings as needed on an as-needed basis. [38:54] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from council? So is anyone from staff are we reviewing the reviewer? So I guess if if Braun misses something and it ends up costing the city down the road, does Braun get held accountable for that? [39:11] City Administrator John Mulder: Well, two things hypothetically is that maybe um that they will have errors and omissions policy, things like that, but also our own staff will be watching that process as well. Both Eric and Chad will watch to make sure that all of the issues that are being addressed. [39:28] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Follow-up question, if Eric and Chad are reviewing the reviewers, why are we paying their reviewer? [39:35] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: So Braun is one of the few basically firms in this area that's actually expert in the fields of this. The city had engaged Braun Intertec when we did our own AUAR for the Hawkland Business Center. Uh their expertise and staff level well exceeds whatever staff would be able to bring to the table. Uh they're versed in everything from plant species to um essentially wind, air, soils, all that sort of information. different scientists, geologists that they have on staff are able to review those documents and really delve deep into those things. As part of that um the scoping document process prior, we had a number of work sessions online where it was ourselves, Kimley Horn, uh um Braun Intertec all involved in that going through essentially a page by page review of that of that scoping document and those same things will happen as part of this AUAR process as well. So once again, Chad and I have a specific areas of expertise. Braun is able to greatly expand on those things and bring that—those talents to the table for us. [40:42] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I guess I'm just because we've already done this once, right? I maybe it's a scope thing. This is obviously much larger project than potential project than we did our own AUAR. But I I'm just a little confused over why how we were able to do our own. But now this time we're gonna we're going to have our own people review someone that we're paying. I just— [41:07] City Administrator John Mulder: when we did our own we also engage Braun to review our work. So again this is a situation where it's like this particular project given its size—and given the expertise that they bring to the table and that we're going to get reimbursed by the potential developer is why we want to have somebody on board with that. [41:28] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: May I uh uh Councilor LeBlanc? So when we did our own Braun Intertec essentially did what Kimley Horn is going to do. So we paid Braun at that time to to fill out all of the necessary documents, do all the necessary science. Uh in this instance, Kimley Horn is going to do that. Uh but because we're the responsible—we're responsible for the document. They're going to review what Kimley Horn does. We don't have the technical expertise to look at habitats and you know, hydrology and all that stuff. That's where Braun would step in. Does it make sense on the two? [42:12] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Yeah, I I it all makes sense to me. I'm sorry. I I I get it. I'm just struggling with the fact that we're hiring Kimley Horn to do this, right? [42:19] Community Development Director Eric Johnson: No, they are. They are. Correct. The development team is hiring Kimley Horn. We're hiring Braun to check the development team's work. [42:30] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I just—I'm—I'm confused why we didn't need to hire someone to check Braun's work last time. That's why I'm a little confused, but I'm all for the project. So, let's hope. [42:40] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Any other questions from council? Any public input on this resolution? Any other public input on resolution 2025-99? Any public input on a resolution approving an agreement for consulting services with Braun Intertec? Roll call, please. [43:20] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [43:21] Councilor Joe Peterson: Hi. [43:22] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [43:23] Councilor John Geissler: Hi. [43:24] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [43:25] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Hi. [43:26] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [43:27] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Hi. [43:28] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [43:29] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-100. resolution authorizing and directing mayor and city clerk to execute and deliver a reimbursement agreement with Mortonson Development Incorporated. Do we have a motion? [43:44] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Move to approve. [43:46] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor LeBlanc to approve. Is there a second? [43:48] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Second. [43:50] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Hjelle and Mr. Mulder. if we could have uh Mr. Ronchetti, our economic development director, explain this, that'd be awesome. [44:05] Economic Development Director Chad Ronchetti: Uh, Mayor Boucher, councilors, uh, this is a reimbursement agreement uh, similar to an escrow agreement. Essentially the same thing. These are common practice in uh, in developments to have uh, to have the city to help the city in covering their costs associated with project due diligence uh, such as engineering, environmental studies, uh, and things of those na—of that nature. Uh in fact uh the environmental ordinance uh for the city of Hermantown requires that escrow for environmental reviews such as AUAR uh be created and established and and funded. Uh in January, uh staff executed a one-sided reimbursement agreement for $225,000 with Mortonson development uh to for the study of their light industrial facility, a proposed light industrial facility. Uh that covered things like environmental legal engineering water modeling, those kinds of things. Uh because Mortonson's development is progressing, it's going to involve exploring right-of-way and easement acquisition uh to get public utilities to the site. um which uh they've agreed to deposit additional funds into escrow to cover those costs. Um the other—that is the impetus for this uh for this amendment. Uh the other two things that this addresses the deposit uh um or sorry it removes HEDA as party to the agreement. Uh we staff doesn't feel that HEDA nor the development team feels that HEDA is going to be party in any activities going forward. And then it also amends the terms around invoicing to remove the risk of uh the gap between the city incurring costs and the developer cancelling the agreement. Um so to the end uh continued exploration of this utility extension is to the benefit of the community. Uh and so even if this proposed project does not move forward uh the city stands to benefit greatly from continuing on in this relationship in terms of extending the utilities. [45:56] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council hearing none. Is there any public input on this resolution? Does any member of the public wish to comment on resolution 2025-100? Do we have any public input on the resolution authorizing a reimbursement agreement with Mortonson Development Incorporated? Roll call, please. [46:40] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [46:41] Councilor John Geissler: I. [46:42] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [46:43] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [46:44] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [46:45] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [46:46] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [46:47] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [46:48] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [46:49] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-101, resolution authorizing and directing mayor and city clerk to execute and deliver an agreement for professional services for right-of-way and easement acquisition services with Kimley Horn and Associates Incorporated. Do we have a motion? [47:08] Councilor John Geissler: Move to approve. [47:10] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler. Is there a second? [47:12] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second. [47:14] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder. Is anybody else going to address this? Again, let's have Chad Ronchetti. Mr. Ronchetti. [47:29] Economic Development Director Chad Ronchetti: Uh Mayor Boucher, councilors. Uh so this agreement with Kimley Horn uh is to help the city continue to evaluate the possibility of extending public utilities to the new urban services area uh which was adopted as a part of the comprehensive plan update in the southwest area of the city. Uh the project uh just high level at this point is we have not started any design uh but is identified to uh to include approximately nine and a half miles of 8 to 10 inch water main uh along three main sections uh from Morris Thomas Road to Midway Road—sorry Morris Thomas Road from Midway to Levake Road, Midway Road from Morris Thomas Road to trunk 194 and then also from 194 to US 53. Uh it's also anticipated to uh include a water tower uh and a pressure reducing valve. Um the sanitary side of the project is 12,000 lineal feet uh and up to four lift stations. Um the project is expected—again using assumptions because we aren't anywhere into design—uh but because we want to be as expeditious as possible uh and do the do the background research necessary to facilitate the right-of-way acquisition. Uh we operated on assumptions in this proposal. Uh and that assumes 30 permanent easements uh 15 temporary easements and five potential fee uh fee title acquisitions. Scope of service includes project management which would be workshops and coordination meetings uh quality assurance, quality control, those things. And then the first step which uh we will move toward immediately uh if uh the council approves uh would be property investigations that includes things like title commitments uh property exhibits summary uh summaries and preliminary appraisals. Um and then should the project continue to move forward uh and we would go to actual easement and right-of-way acquisition uh the scope would include negotiation acquisition services and engineering support and items like that. [49:28] Councilor John Geissler: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council and uh we pay as we go, right? I mean, they do some work and we pay and and and only pay for the work that we have done. [49:40] Economic Development Director Chad Ronchetti: Uh Mayor Boucher, Councilor Geissler, that is correct. Uh we will be invoiced. We will get those invoices uh and then we will submit them to the development company for approval. Uh once they're approved, we will code them for payment. [50:00] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Um, any other questions? This is probably more of an adjacent comment, but have we had any discussion at the city level about how this may affect our rural part of town and and maybe zoning to protect that part of town from development per se. Um, not to say it— [50:13] City Administrator John Mulder: Well anyway yeah, specifically we are looking at um a couple of different potential ordinances that would control and regulate um how um and when people could connect to these uh um systems, which might be different than say um the infrastructure that is in place um in the urban service area. [50:31] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Okay. Obviously with city utilities generally comes development. So I was just curious if we had been thinking on those lines. [50:36] City Administrator John Mulder: and we've we've been preparing some drafts. We've had a little bit of discussion at utility commission about that. Um at some point in time they'll come to city council as well. There'll be a large amount of infrastructure that will not be in the municipal service area. And what we're working on is an ordinance that would say if you're not in the urban service area, you cannot connect. [51:14] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Awesome. [51:15] City Administrator John Mulder: And you certainly cannot develop and connect unless the council lets you. The city council can do what it wants to do with a four-fifths vote. [51:28] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Any other questions or comments from council? There any public input on this resolution? Is there any public input on resolution 2025-101? Any public input on the resolution for an agreement for professional services with Kimley Horn and Associates? Roll call, please. [52:05] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [52:06] Councilor John Geissler: I. [52:07] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [52:08] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [52:09] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [52:10] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [52:11] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [52:12] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [52:13] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [52:14] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. next is resolution 2025-102 resolution receiving bids and approving award of project design and oversight to LHB for the professional design services necessary to implement the repair and upgrade of the Hermantown city administration and public safety building HVAC systems. Do we have a motion? [52:39] Councilor John Geissler: Move to approve. [52:41] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler to approve. Is there a second? [52:43] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll second. [52:45] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson and Mr. Mulder. Uh Brandon Holmes, our building official, has been kind of leading this effort, so I'll let him uh discuss it. [52:57] Building Official Brandon Holmes: Uh, mayor, council, uh, before you is the, uh, proposal from LHB to provide design services for the HVAC upgrades. Throughout this process, we received bids from two separate companies. Both had roughly commiserate uh, backgrounds, work experiences, um, experienced personnel involved. So in this case, the determination came down to cost with LHB being nearly 50% cheaper uh than the next closest bidder. Uh so at this time, it's staff's recommendation that we award them the contract. Uh and then they have said they would be ready to provide us um or it's our recommendation we award them the bid. They will work on the contract which they said they would have ready for our approval by July 14th. [53:42] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Yeah. Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? Thank you. Any public input on this resolution? Any public input on resolution 2025-102? Any public input on the award of project design and oversight to LHB for design services for the HVAC system in the city administration and public safety building. Roll call, please. [54:30] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [54:31] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [54:32] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [54:33] Councilor John Geissler: I. [54:34] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [54:35] Councilor Andy Hjelle: I. [54:36] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [54:37] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [54:38] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [54:39] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-103, resolution approving first amendment to agreement for naming rights. Do we have a motion? [54:49] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Move to approve. [54:51] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? [54:53] Councilor Joe Peterson: Second. [54:55] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson and Mr. Mulder. [54:58] City Administrator John Mulder: Um the city previously entered into an agreement with the school district and with Northstar Ford for the purposes of um a naming agreement for the uh arena that's being built. Um as we made application for payment from the state on the state uh funding of it, they um required several changes. Um so and one of them was the term. Instead of 20 years, they were only allowing us to do that for 15 years, but we could also renew for 5 years. We'll pro—we'll probably do that. Um and then there's just a couple other um conditions that the state put on. We've shared this with both Northstar Ford and with the school district that they were agreeable to that. So this would allow us to um make an amendment to that agreement and then get reimbursed from the state for the grant that we have from them. [55:50] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? [55:52] Councilor Joe Peterson: I have one. Uh if it's renewed for another five years, is there additional money that goes along with that? [55:58] City Administrator John Mulder: No. More likely is that if it's not renewed, we won't—we will miss out on some money. Because the original amount was for 20 years. [56:05] Councilor Joe Peterson: Okay. Thank you. [56:07] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Any other comments from council? There any public input on this resolution? Do we have any public input on resolution 2025-103? Last opportunity for public input for the resolution approving first amendment to the agreement for naming rights. Roll call, please. [56:45] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc? [56:46] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: I. [56:47] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson? [56:48] Councilor Joe Peterson: I. [56:49] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler? [56:50] Councilor John Geissler: Hi. [56:51] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle? [56:52] Councilor Andy Hjelle: Hi. [56:53] City Clerk Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher? [56:54] Mayor Wayne Boucher: I. Next close session. A motion to close the meeting of the Hermantown City Council pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13D.05 subdivision 3B3 to develop or consider offers or counter offers for the purchase of real property. Following this closed session, the Hermantown City Council will reconvene in an open session. Do we have a motion for the close session? [57:20] Councilor Joe Peterson: I'll make the motion. [57:22] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Peterson. Do we have a second? [57:24] Councilor Brian LeBlanc: Second. [57:26] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor LeBlanc. All in favor say I. [57:28] City Council: I. [57:29] Mayor Wayne Boucher: Do we need a roll call on that? We will give a couple of minutes for everybody to clear their stuff.