[0:00] Wayne Boucher: Okay, let's 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. [0:24] Alissa McClure: Please. Councelor Geissler. >> Councelor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: here. >> Alissa McClure: Councelor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: here. >> Alissa McClure: Councelor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: here. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: here. Um announcements. Do any counselors have announcements this evening? Um okay, we will move on to communications. Mr. Mulder. [0:56] John Mulder: there's one item in the packet um beyond the ones that are listed that just gives the uh 150-day extension um for the uh data center land use application. [0:56] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. And would you like to mention the presentations of employee recognition? [0:56] John Mulder: Each year we represent uh or we recognize uh employees that have served multiple of five years and we do that at the last meeting of of of the year. So um recognizing uh employees that have been here for 5 years. Samantha Nap uh one of our um administrative assistants in the uh police department. Lindsey Townsend who does our utility billing and Olivia Gosschild, one of our police officers. Having served 10 years, uh we're recognizing Jake Williams again, a police officer, Kevin Orme, our director of finance and administration, Alissa Dalan, who is our part-time custodian. Um not on this list um because she actually served 10 years, but then she give gave her notice and left employment since her anniversary date. And today is uh Dana Ross, also an she was an administrative assistant um in the sheriff's sheriff police department. [1:57] John Mulder: My old county experience coming through. Um 15 years of service. We recognize Christopher Dervac. Uh he's one of our public works employees, one of those guys that's out there uh before the sun rises when we need um the snow plowed off our streets. And then 20 years of service is one of our police officers, Jason Saleo. Um it is with our employees that we get the work done of the city. Um it's it's our employees that serve and build our community and so we want to thank them for their years of service. [2:21] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Uh would you like to mention the section 14 update from our city engineer? [2:21] John Mulder: Sure. David Bull presented um the city engineer presented um kind of a 60% plan for the proposed uh road work and utility work when what we call section 14 or lightning drive. Um we'll be redoing Lightning Drive and some of the utilities there. We'll be redoing Gel north of Maple Grove to um Lightning Drive and then we'll also be putting a trail there from that trail will connect the intersection of Maple Grove and Stener to um Levake um just north of uh Maple Grove. So we are doing uh 30% plans there. We'll have a public information meeting shortly after the first of the year with the affected businesses and residents. Um, and then shortly sometime in the spring, we'll be have plans back to you for final approval and to go out for bid. [3:37] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Next is public discussion. We have a list here. First person who wishes to speak is Thomas Bates. Could you please step forward and state your name and address for the record, please? [3:52] Thomas Bates: I'd be pleased to. Good evening, Mayor Boucher, is it Boucher? >> Wayne Boucher: Busher. >> Thomas Bates: Okay. Um, members of the council, um lawyers directors thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak. By the way, I've talked with with U officer Saleo and I found that he is just a peach. He he really is. He's just one of the finest. One of your finest. Um I was privileged to give a presentation to the Democratic uh leadership, the caucus leadership. And the more I dug in, you know, preparing for this this presentation, looking all over the country at at the the data centers that have been built and and how they approach people and and what they did, please be careful. Please be careful. These guys are ruthless. They have no heart. Um, I can't I mean, you know, you guys are are are um experienced. Not saying you're not I'm not saying you're not well traveled, but these guys are billionaires and have been for more than a day and they will take advantage of you if they can. They really, really will. So, please be careful. And that's really my whole pitch today is just please, please be careful. Do this with your, if you're going to do it, do it with your eyes open. Research all you can about about parallel um installations in other other parts of the country. Even if it's not with the same same company, see how it went. Um because boy oh boy oh boy, they're about as friendly as a hungry crocodile. I'm serious. I'm serious. They may give you $2 million, you know, for something and then be doing something else over here. So please be careful. Please, please, please be careful. And that's it. Thank you for your time. [6:19] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Next is Kira Simmons. just step forward and state your name and address, please. [6:39] Kira Simmons: Hi, my name is Kira Simmons. Um, I live at 5112 Eagle Lake Road in the Rice Lake Township. I'm just here to speak about the data center. Um, I urge all of you to halt the proceedings with Mortonson regarding project. Hermantown lacks the experience and the knowledge necessary to move forward with this development responsibly. The state of Minnesota lacks knowledge and language to regulate the development of these hyperscale data centers. Data centers are not new to Minnesota, but the ones that are proposed in Hermantown are new. The language to protect citizens and the environment has not caught up with the development of these hyperscale data centers. And these developers are taking advantage of this. Projects that benefit a community should not be planned in secrecy with city officials signing NDAs. Hermantown and St. Louis County had an opportunity to say no to NDAs and failed to do so. Superior set an example when you wouldn't. As a citizen of this county, I fear that this project will be detrimental. There are known health and environmental impacts due to hyperscale data centers. Within the first 20 pages of the AUR, the negative environmental impacts are clearly stated. You all feel that this is sufficient and denied a more thorough EAW. This type of development is brand new and you are all declining to do your due diligence on a project of this scale with significant opposition from your constituents. On page 13, the project is cited to contribute to increased impervious surfaces, which will likely increase a chance of flooding in 30 years. There will also be extended heat waves and temperature fluctuations in this area. Page 14 says, "Water resources are likely to increase in temperature as well as the volume of water impacting designated trout streams near this development. The ecological systems near this will be irreparably changed." Page 15 also says suitable habitat will become unstable due to land changes, increased temperature and increase runoff. Page 16 cites 150 acres of mature trees will be cut down. Trees that clean our air, decrease temperature, regulate water, and provide habitat for wildlife. This will all be destroyed, and we will never get this back. Now, for health concerns, have you ever felt like you can't breathe? Have you ever felt like you can't catch your breath? It's anxiety-inducing. People who live near this hyperscale data centers live like this. Health concerns include COPD, asthma, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, cancers, and premature death. Is this the cost of business, the billions of dollars that are proposed to you all? It's not worth it. [9:23] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Next is Emma Rickman. And someone later down the list here has seated their three minutes to Emma also. [9:39] Emma Rickman: Uh good evening, Emma Rickman. Uh 5215 Chris Drive. Yes, thank you. I'm trying to keep this under three minutes, but I'm a bit of a slow reader. >> Wayne Boucher: Yeah, six. >> Emma Rickman: Yeah, under some stress here. Um I hear you. That is what I keep hearing when I reach out to elected and city officials regarding my opposition to the proposed hyperscale data center and it's immediately followed up by but there are people who are writing and calling who don't feel safe enough to show up to voice their support when you respond to these supporters do you also show me and the people like me reciprocity in your response to them do you also say yes I hear you but there are people who don't want this too because when you tell me that you hear me but in the next breath you validate and protect the people who want this. This tells me that you have already made your decision. No matter what comes forward, the development agreement, the permits, the name of the Fortune 50, the public process, the civil discourse, taking part in investing in the future of our community, when you tell me you hear me and you validate them, you dismiss me. It is hard to stand up here and speak my truth. The last time I spoke up here, I sat back down and had an adrenaline crash. uncontrollably shaking and trying to be my best to quell it and not be noticed. So when I tell you that I feel this on a cellular level, this is not an exaggeration. My body is telling me not to be here, but I am showing up despite what my cells are telling me because this matters to me. And I resent that people who sit behind a computer or a phone voicing their support that their opinion holds more weight than mine. I am getting off the couch. I am engaging to the fullest extent and it seems and it seems to matter for nothing. Or at least that's how it feels to me sometimes. Will one of you stand up and say, "I hear you. I support you and I'm going to do something about it." Where is that kind of representation? Show us that we matter beyond and I hear you. If at least one of you would vote no to something in this process to the hyperscale data center, it might give me some hope for the future of our community. Because if you were going to rezone the 14 or 17 parcels in regards to this to grow our commercial tax base, what are the next and the next and the next? It is my understanding that this is one of the last places to develop in Hermantown. As we are all aware, this project is like no other our city has ever seen before. The size and scale are monstrous. And some of the talking points Mr. Wicklund distributed to the city officials shortly after the Star Tribune article came out. One states, "We are studying the feasibility of supporting potential development in the southwest corner of Hermantown so we can create a strong and more diverse economic foundation for the entire region." However, isn't it risky to devote such precious and limited real estate to one developer, let alone to an industry that is being described as a bubble? That is not diversifying. That is putting all your eggs in one basket. You are asking this potential development to be the workforce for our economy when there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding its future and longevity. So I ask as you learn more about this project to continue to ask thoughtful questions. It is you who determine if this is truly for the common good of our community. Please do not take this responsibility lightly. Thank you. [13:19] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Next is Jeffrey Donahghue. I've got it here. [13:26] Jeffrey Donahghue: Good evening. I'm Jeffrey Donahghue, 5540 Pine Hill Road, Duluth, mailing address, but I'm in Midway Township. Uh, happy holidays everybody. Uh, this project has energized the population in the north. We have at least 5,000 people that I know of that are uh following the website or following the Facebook page. Uh, nothing like this has ever happened in the history in the north as far as I know. Uh, it's a lot. I'm going to read a letter from uh from Dan Leser to Eric. Uh, Mr. Johnson, this dated uh December 5th. Mr. Johnson, in a followup to the letter dated November 10th, 2025 attached, Mortonson is requesting a 150-day extension to revise the application materials and request review and approval. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the city of Hermantown to ensure this project reflects the values and priorities of the community while meaningfully participating in the public process. Interesting values and priorities of the community. Values and priorities of the community. 5,000 people are already telling you what the values and priorities of the community are. The values and priorities are don't build a data center in the north. Don't use your constituents money to fight a lawsuit against your constituents. There's a lot of things that are wrong with this project. AUAR is the laughing stock of a document and you guys all know that. It's why you pushed it through. I'm enraged. This is a ridiculous process. But none of that matters. What matters is your constituents and the people in the surrounding communities are telling you what the values and priorities are. We don't want the project doesn't go here. It just doesn't go here. You can't build the largest project outside of the Twin Cities, the largest user of electricity in the state of Minnesota next to a residential project. [16:00] Wayne Boucher: 30 seconds. [16:00] Jeffrey Donahghue: This is not this is not light industrial and you guys know it. It's heavy industrial and it can't go next to a residential community and you will lose. So, let it go. Please resume back to what it was. Thank you very much and happy holidays again. And I do appreciate the opportunity to speak. You seem open-minded and thank you for that. [16:27] Wayne Boucher: And next is Peter Haftton. Okay. >> Peter Haftton: Our looked like an N or vice versa. >> Peter Haftton, 5971 St. Louis River Road. Thank you for having me tonight, council members. Um I'm here to share a conversation that I had recently with a manager of a local data center, Arc Data Centers, that's here in Duluth. Um it was an interesting connection, but I actually reached out to him and and connected on a phone call conversation that lasted about an hour. So I have three minutes, so I won't tell you the whole conversation, but I found it fascinating. um he was a really nice guy and it was actually the day right before deer hunting. So I had just got in from the deer stand um that's in my backyard that's less than a mile from where the data center will be built. Um so we kind of found a little common ground over deer hunting um and kind of our excitement about going and I said you know this area will be really impacted by where I'm hunting because the data center will be built you know less than a mile from my house literally could walk through the woods to get to the location. um and he shared with me a lot about his experience. He managed a data center and helped build one um for 10 years. And so he talked about the strict environmental codes, um the runoff, the the watershed, um the electrical use. I mean, he talked to me for about 45 minutes and I just listened because I didn't know very much about it at all. I mean, I had never put any thought into this before. So, I was just kind of soaking it up and asking a few questions here and there. And he talked about the employees. He said, you know, he was very proud. we we had to over 25 employees working at the data center. I was like, okay, that's that's amazing. Um, he also talked about the land that they cleared. It was about 17 acres to create this 27,000 square foot data center. And so I let him really kind of tell me all about his experience and all the benefits. Um, and then we kind of pivoted and I said, you know, well, how much do you know about the Hermantown data center? He said, well, um, I know a little bit, but not a lot. And so I shared some of the details that I knew. you know, about 400 acre area, 1.8 million square feet, um, a wooded area that's proposed for the location, um, protected trout streams, a number of different things. Um, and as we talked, I thought he would be excited about the project and continue to try to tell me more benefits that it would have. And then he said, "Wow, I really see where you're coming from. I don't think I would be for this either if it was that close to my house." And I I was shocked because I was like, "This guy's supposed to be the one telling me about all the benefits." Um, and as we talked, Marie said, "I don't think I would be comfortable moving forward with a project in that location due to the runoff and impact that it would have on the trout streams and the local neighbors." And I I was shocked because I was consider I was thinking he would convince me of how great this would be. And at the end of the conversation, he was going, "Wow, yeah, no, I don't think that's a good location at all." And then he became more and more interested and asked, "Where is this going to be? What is the, you know, what is the trout stream? Where do you live? What are your um, you know, your road names and things like that?" And so at the end of the conversation, we actually kind of agreed on the project being in a a poor location and not the fact that maybe there there aren't certain areas that these things should be built, but this particular location was bad. So, um I will leave you with this. Um, I would ask you to reverse the rezone approved on the ordinance 2025-17 um to oppose the Hermantown data center um for the protection of our community, the wetlands um and just to keep our home and property safe. So, thank you very much. [20:02] Wayne Boucher: Next, Noel Donahghue. Oh, Noel, I'm sorry. [20:02] Noel Donahghue: Noel handwriting gets shaky every time I come here. Uh Noel Donahghue and I'm at 5540 Pine Hill Road. Address is Duluth, but I live in Midway Township, so just really close to you guys. And I want to go back over something that you've already done, you've already moved forward with, but but I don't understand it. And so I'm going to voice my my concern of it. and other people have talked about it tonight already, which is the and I have to have it in front of me because all the little initials drive me crazy. The AUAR I I get that you've done that and that you've decided that that's all you need to do. There's no reason to go forward and do anything that would be more intense, right? That would be site specific for the EIS. But what I don't get is this. If the AUAR gave good information because you you're you want to move forward with this project from it, why wouldn't you want to do one that's really site specific that says it's a hyper data center and this is what we're going to do and then they look at all the details because if you believed the answers were going to come back positive and support your decisions, you would go forward. You know why? You'd hold that report up high and you'd show it to every one of us and everyone in this community and you'd say, "Look, people, you're all crazy out there. We did exactly what you asked. We went forward. We did a really good report. We found out we know exactly what it's going to be and here how is how we're going to take care of the community because we did what you asked. We did the deep dive. We looked into the good information." But instead you said, "No, we don't have to do that." It's kind of interesting that you self police yourselves, right? Like you decide that the AUAR is what you want to use and then who decides if you have to go forward and do the EIS? You do. Like, isn't that really cool if you think about it? I mean, five of you are like sitting up high above everyone else making decisions for this entire community. And it's not just Hermantown. I mean, if if if you were in a bubble and you wanted to self-destruct yourself, like, put it next to your house, right? Like, put it by all of your homes cuz you think it's great. But for the rest of the people who don't find it to be wonderful, for the people who are going to be living by it. [22:48] Wayne Boucher: 30 seconds. [22:48] Noel Donahghue: Thank you. And don't get any benefits, which I don't haven't seen any yet in anything that you've put out, Mr. Uh Dan Leser and I well I email him every single day. He doesn't always respond though. He did in the beginning but now he just ignores them. I also leave him a voice message only Monday through Friday because I don't want to be rude and considered a stalker. But I will continue to do that through the 150 days if the project goes forward. I will continue to report to him because I don't think this should happen here in the north. Thank you. [23:18] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Next is Sarah Lopald. [23:29] Sarah Lopald: Uh my name is Sarah Lopald. I live at 5502 Hermantown Road. Uh and here I am again ready to express my concerns regarding the data center project. Uh and I have so many questions and I realize that this is not a question and answer forum. You have made that very clear. Uh however that type of forum forum would be greatly appreciated and attended attended if you would organize it. Uh instead some of you will speak to individuals and media when approached. There is a vague FAQ page on the city website. Uh but you haven't spoken to us in a larger format, a format that would allow concerned citizens to ask specific questions, provide detailed answers, and dive into the things we are worried about. uh that type of format would help to enlighten everyone uh with the same information at the same time and allow for the sharing of concerns and knowledge for the entire community. Uh and whether that is due to the lawsuit or your undefined safety reasons or some other reasons, I can't say. Uh, but you have left the people of Hermantown and the surrounding area begging for information that is hidden behind an NDA that city staff signed back in May of 2024. Uh, when an elected council is trying to change the face of the city that they represent, one would think that they would want to hear the opinions and voices of well-informed citizens, the very people who make up the fabric of this community. uh you want to get ahead of any potential misunderstandings, conspiracy of malfeasance or distortions by being transparent and forthcoming with the project details from the beginning. Uh and in truth, you did get some opinions uh quite a few years ago. You heard from the residents of the Adolph area and they made it pretty clear that they did not want the industrial development of their rural corner. They were not interested in tearing down the residential homes of their neighbors, in leveling their forest, in filling their wetlands, eliminating the green space, as you like to call it, uh, and filling it with concrete, 50-foot buildings, loud diesel generators, and parking lots. They told you what they wanted and you chose to ignore it. This process has not been fun for any of us in this room or otherwise. Honestly, it feels like you knew that people would be unhappy with this project that you would be met with heavy resistance that people would look at the project and be appalled. And instead of being fully transparent, the entire process has been tightly protected. The interests of a Fortune 50 company has been protected over the well-being of the citizens that you were elected to represent. [26:20] Wayne Boucher: times up. [26:20] Sarah Lopald: So, here are a few of my questions. It'll take... [26:37] Wayne Boucher: 10 seconds. Are you Kathy? The only person that signed up is Kathy. Go ahead with your 10 seconds. I think if she sees after I can still speak on multiple times. She hasn't signed up to speak. You are Kathy. You got another three minutes. [26:53] Sarah Lopald: Thank you. Um and since I have three more minutes, I'm going to add a couple of things in here. Have you at one of the meetings we talked about how that area is already partially industrialized? I want to know, have anybody has anybody looked into how many Adolph stores fit into this property? How many FedExs feel fit into this property? How many uh Meansen's auto body or I guess it's now a car uh sales place? I don't know. How many of all of if you took every single industrial business or just a business in the area, how many of them would fit into this property? And I think you guys would be very surprised. I think you guys would be very surprised because it's something like 45 FedEx or something ridiculous like that. Um, this is way bigger than any project Hermantown has ever seen, bigger than Walmart, bigger than anything. And that is what is getting a lot of us is how massive it is and how little people are really kind of setting it aside like, oh, it's just another business. It's not another business. This is huge. But to go back to where I was going, where I had my 10 seconds left, here are a few of my questions for you. How do you feel about the rapid erosion of trust that your neighbors once had for this council? How do you feel that many citizens of Hermantown and the surrounding area feel betrayed by this lack of process? Uh feel like their elected officials have purposefully left them in the dark. And finally, if the residents of Hermantown show up in force to city council meetings and voice their opposition to inviting a Fortune 50 company to a to build a 1.8 million square foot data center complex in the middle of a rural area. Will you stop the project? Thank you. [29:12] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. We've reached the end of the list. If anyone else wishes to speak, there's a list out in the hall and go and sign up and the people in the hall will bring it up. Anybody else? [31:13] Joanne Bates: Thank you. Joanne Bates. 5369 Morris Thomas Road, Hermantown, Minnesota. And I'm just basing my comments today on what seems reasonable. An AUAR if I have the initials right. um when they have no idea what the project will be just with logic feels to me to be out of balance and I like the others just ask you to reconsider. [32:00] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Next, it looks like Lynn Bradford. Name and address, please. [32:00] Lynn Bradford: Lynn Bradford, 3525 Solway Road, Hermantown. Thank you. I'll be very brief. At one of the last meetings for our group, the stop at Hermantown data center, one of the individuals that do uh canvasing spoke uh about their experience and what they've done so far. At the time, and I think this was about two weeks ago, at the time, they had canvassed over 1,000 homes in Hermantown, Solway Township, Midway, I think some in Duluth. Of those 1,000, there were 20 that were in favor of this program. Let that sink in for a minute. 20 people out of a thousand are in favor of this data center. Now, that was two weeks ago. The canvasing still continues. So, those figures might change, but I was astounded with that figure. Nobody wants this except you. [33:33] Wayne Boucher: And we've reached the end of our public discussion unless anyone else wanted to go out in the hall and sign up. Okay. With none, we will move on with our agenda motions. Motion to approve or deny the following tobacco license renewal applications. effective January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026. Contingent upon complete applications being received, successful background checks, and license fees paid in full. Adolf Store 3710 Midway Road Atlantic Gas LLC 5691 Highway 2 Fleet Farm Fuel 4181 Loberg Avenue Corner Store number 100 4704 Hermantown Road Kwik Trip number 216 5805 Miller Trunk Highway. Kwik Trip number 220, 4878 Miller Trunk Highway. Kwik Trip number 572, 4145 Haines Road. MNC store, 4221 Haines Road. Pure Pleasure Dimema Corporation 5193 Miller Trunk Highway. Speedway number 4602 5601 Miller Trunk Highway. Stokke's liquor store 3706 Midway Road. Turning Leaf 4120 Richard Avenue, Walmart number 1757 4740 Loberg Avenue and Dollar General 4678 Vox Road. Do we have a motion relating to these renewals? [35:36] Brian LeBlanc: Move to approve. [35:36] Wayne Boucher: Move to approve by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? [35:36] Joe Peterson: I'll second. [35:36] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder, do we have any information on these? [35:57] John Mulder: Yeah, just real quickly. These are um this is an annual thing that we uh do or tobacco licenses in December of each year. Um these are all renewals. [35:57] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? Any public input on this motion? Any public input on the motion to renew tobacco licenses? Any public input on the motion to approve or deny the tobacco license renewal applications? Roll call, please. [36:30] Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next is the consent agenda minutes approval or correction of December 1st, 2025 city council continuation minutes and accounts payable approved general city warrants from December 1st, 2025 through December 15, 2025 in the amount of $79,918.16. Do we have a motion? [37:03] Andy Hjelle: Make a motion to approve. [37:03] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Hjelle. Is there a second? [37:03] John Geissler: Second. [37:03] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Geissler. Roll call, please. [37:19] Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next is ordinances. Ordinance 2025-23, an ordinance of the city of Hermantown, Minnesota, amending chapter 18 of the Hermantown zoning code by adding a new section 1830 accessory dwelling units. Do we have a motion relating to this ordinance? [37:36] Andy Hjelle: Make a motion to table. [37:36] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Hjelle to table. Is there a second? [37:36] Brian LeBlanc: Second. [37:36] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor LeBlanc. Roll call. [37:54] Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next are resolutions. Resolution 2025-189. Resolution requiring write-in candidates to file a written request for votes in their name to be counted. Is there a motion relating to this? [38:10] John Geissler: I'll move to approve. [38:10] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler to approve. Is there a second? [38:25] Joe Peterson: I'll second. [38:25] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder. [38:25] John Mulder: Um this um resolution would require simply writing candidates. If they wanted to have a writing candidate for office, they could certainly do that. They would just need to file a written request at least 19 days prior to the election for the um poll workers to go through and count each of those names. Quite often we get a lot of um names that um are written in and it takes a lot of time to count those and there's only maybe two or three but we have to count each one. So this would um if somebody does want to run right in they just need to notify us that they want their votes counted. [39:03] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? [39:03] Joe Peterson: Probably worth noting for the people in chamber this is a common practice across the state not just us. [39:03] John Mulder: Correct. [39:03] Wayne Boucher: Any other questions or comments? Is there any public comment on this? Any public comment on resolution 2025-189? Any public comment on the resolution requiring write-in candidates to file a written request for votes in their name to be counted? Roll call, please. [39:38] Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-190. Resolution authorizing and directing mayor and city clerk to execute and deliver agreement with NASCAR Towing LLC for record service and vehicle storage for the city of Hermantown Police Department. Do we have a motion? [40:15] Joe Peterson: I'll make a motion to approve. [40:15] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Peterson. Is there a second? [40:15] Brian LeBlanc: Second. [40:15] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor LeBlanc. Mr. Mulder, is this a renewal of an annual agreement? [40:38] John Mulder: Uh we have a two-year agreement for towing services we do every two years. Um we've had the last two years we've been with NASCAR. We went out with it for that process again and uh we're recommending NASCAR towing. [40:38] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council hearing? None. Is there any public input on this resolution? Any public input on resolution 2025-190? Do you have any public input on the resolution uh for an agreement with NASCAR Towing for Record Service and Vehicle Storage for the Hermantown Police Department? Roll call, please. [41:16] Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next. Resolution 2025-191, resolution authorizing and directing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and deliver a cooperative agreement between St. Louis County and the city of Hermantown for 2026 maintenance striping. Do we have a motion? [41:34] Andy Hjelle: Make a motion to approve. [41:34] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Hjelle. Is there a second? [41:34] John Geissler: Second. [41:34] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder. [41:51] John Mulder: we had discussed this uh two weeks ago. Um, this is just a uh cooperate agreement with the county that they'll do um our striping as opposed to us going out for a separate bid. [41:51] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? Any public input on resolution 2025-191? Any public input on the resolution between the city of Hermantown, an agreement between the city of Hermantown and St. Louis County for maintenance striping. Roll call, please. [42:37] Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-192, resolution authorizing the city of Hermantown to support St. Louis County for the 2030 project CSAH 56 Morris Thomas Road sidewalk. Is there a motion? [43:03] Joe Peterson: I'll make a motion to approve. [43:03] Wayne Boucher: Motion to approve by Councilor Peterson. Is there a second? [43:03] Andy Hjelle: I'll second. [43:03] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Hjelle. Mr. Mulder. [43:03] John Mulder: So St. Louis County is looking at the possibility of putting a sidewalk uh along Morris Thomas from Haines Road to Getchell Road. I said that before, not GOS, that first half mile. And that would then be able to connect um for pedestrians, the sidewalk on Haines Road and the neighborhood um in that those intersections down to uh the trail that leads to uh south to Keene Creek Park. And by 2030, you'd also be able to go north toward the Boulder Trail. So, they're apply they're applying for a grant to get funding for that sidewalk. [43:55] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? And this is for the year 2030. Any public input on this resolution? Any public input on resolution 2025-192? Any public input on the resolution authorizing the city of Hermantown to support St. Louis County for the 2030 project sidewalk? Roll call, please. [44:32] Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next is resolution 2025-193. Resolution authorizing and directing mayor and city clerk to execute a second amendment to the engineering agreement for consulting services with Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH) independent contractor. Do we have a motion? [44:55] John Geissler: Move to approve. [44:55] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Geissler to approve. Is there a second? [44:55] Joe Peterson: I'll second. [44:55] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder. [44:55] John Mulder: As you recall, back in uh 2022, we had SEH do some water modeling and looking at our entire system. And one of the concerns that was raised at that point in time was the fact that we only have one connection to the city of Duluth um the water system. And so at that point in time, they recommended that we at some point in time we consider a um a second connection. Um a couple years ago when St. Louis County was redoing Haines Road. We put the pipe under the ground at Anderson Road to make that second connection. Last year, we went out for bid to do that. Um, as they looked at that um bid, we ultimately didn't award a bid at that point in time, but we're making a couple changes to hopefully make a a more competitive bid and the timing would be better. So, this is just an amendment with SEH to do that um design, final design, and then the construction administration of that project. [45:58] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? This is uh the pipe is already in the road, but this is for the construction and design of the pump station that it would need to work. [45:58] John Mulder: Yes. [45:58] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Any public input on this resolution? [46:29] Paul Fish: Paul Fish, 3935 Solway Road. Does this extension of the waterline have anything to do with the proposed data center? [46:29] John Mulder: It does. It doesn't. [46:29] Paul Fish: Thank you. [46:47] Wayne Boucher: Any other public input? Last opportunity for public input on resolution 2025-193. Roll call, please. [47:03] Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Next. Resolution 2025-194. Resolution approving pay request number 18 for the Northstar Ford Arena to Krauss Anderson Construction Company in the amount of $274,779.73. Do we have a motion? [47:29] Brian LeBlanc: Move to approve. [47:29] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor LeBlanc to approve. Do we have a second? [47:29] Joe Peterson: Second. [47:29] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder, should we have Mr. Wicklund describe this? Uh I'm gonna do this one. I'm gonna let him do the next one. Oh, okay. [47:45] John Mulder: Um this is for the work that was done in the month of November on the arena. Um we are getting really close to being it's substantial completion is done. There's been a certificate of occupancy um um issued. Um ribbon cutting on January 2nd. First game's on January 3rd. Um, but this is for the work in November and I would imagine we'll have see some one for December certainly and maybe a couple closeouts in for January and February. It'll be pretty minor. [48:15] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? Do we have any public input on the resolution to pay uh Krauss Anderson for $274,779.73 cents for their pay request number 18 for the Northstar Ford Arena. Um last opportunity for public input on resolution 2025-194. Roll call, please. [49:09] Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Resolution 2025-195. Resolution purchasing Mary Murphy House and Property. Do I have a motion? [49:28] Andy Hjelle: Make a motion to approve. [49:28] Wayne Boucher: Motion by Councilor Hjelle. You have a second. [49:28] John Geissler: Second. [49:28] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Wicklund. [49:28] Joe Wicklund: Mayor and council. Thank you. Uh this is a combination of two incredibly uh unique moments in parts of our community's history that we hope to combine into a a single long lasting tribute. Uh Mary Murphy's impact to our region as the longest serving uh female legislature in the state history is incredible. There's simply nobody like her. And the creation of the Jackson Project homes is obviously a watershed moment in our uh city's history. So now the city has an opportunity uh uniquely as it's about to turn 50 years old this month uh to purchase this home uh and property and create a park that will capture the legacy of the incredible person and also the experiences of these uh special homes. Staff's worked closely with the Murphy family to find the best way to handle this transaction for their uh the needs of Mary's estate. She passed away uh Christmas of last year. Uh as well as the city's desire to have uh park space that is not um primarily sports centered. Um the offer from the family is is fair and allows the city to secure this historic site. Um we're also looking forward to the future on how best to maintain it uh and create meaningful experiences for uh visitors who are intrigued by the Jackson homes. Uh certainly unanswered questions for us as we uh get into this and how it'll operate over the coming years, but there is a desire both by the city and the Murphy family to create this opportunity. Uh we'll have partners in the Hermantown Legacy Fund, the Hermantown Historical uh society, as well as uh connections that we know down at uh the state capital through Mary's work down there uh through the DFL party obviously, which she served for years and years, as well as um some legacy funding. So, this opens up a ton of opportunities uh that we'll be able to look at in '26 and beyond. And we certainly believe that um Mary would be thrilled uh with the prospect of her, you know, long beloved home for folks who know her. She would talk about it regularly being able to be a space that would be uh enriching and uh wonderful for others. [51:24] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? Please start with your name and address. [51:39] Paul Fish: Paul Fish, 3935 Solway Road. I think it's an excellent idea that you guys purchase Mary's house, but my concern is if there's no other funding available. Is there going to be a guarantee that in 5 years down the road, you're not going to tear it down and build town houses or something like that? I mean, I know things have changed in Adolph, so I'm just using that as an example. So, how are the citizens of Hermantown going to know that that house will be preserved the way Mary wanted it for as long in the future as we can find? [52:12] Wayne Boucher: Thank you for your questions. I'll refer them to Mr. Wicklund. [52:12] Joe Wicklund: Mr. Fish, it's a perfect question. Uh, in the agenda, there's even restrictive covenants uh listed uh that outline um our arrangements with the family to maintain the property in perpetuity uh as well as some funding mechanisms that will go into it. So, as part of our purchase, uh, we've entered into a contract to maintain it as is. Uh, folks who are interested in the history will see some changes that are allowed. Uh, Mary painted the garage. Uh, and it is maybe the only polarizing thing that she really did in her whole uh, time. And we have, the Murphy family has asked us to repaint it back to red. Um, so we'll oblige to that. There may be some fencing put in um to work with the neighbors as the property does change a little bit. But uh as part of this purchase uh we have entered a contract to maintain it as is for perpetuity. [52:12] Paul Fish: So if all the other funding sources dry up, the city of Hermantown will preserve the house as is. [52:12] Joe Wicklund: Correct. [52:12] Paul Fish: Thank you. [52:12] Wayne Boucher: Thank you. Is there any other public input on this resolution? Any other public input on resolution 2025-195? Roll call, please. [53:29] Alissa McClure: Councilor Geissler. >> John Geissler: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Hjelle. >> Andy Hjelle: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor LeBlanc. >> Brian LeBlanc: I. >> Alissa McClure: Councilor Peterson. >> Joe Peterson: I. >> Alissa McClure: Mayor Boucher. >> Wayne Boucher: I. Uh, Mr. Mulder, do we have any need of a closed session this evening? [53:29] John Mulder: We do not. [53:29] Wayne Boucher: Next then on the agenda is a motion to recess. Do we have a motion? [53:49] Brian LeBlanc: Move to recess. [53:49] Wayne Boucher: Motion to recess by Councilor LeBlanc. Is there a second? [53:49] Andy Hjelle: I'll second that. [53:49] Wayne Boucher: Second by Councilor Hjelle. All in favor say I. >> I. Right.