[music] [music] [music] Good evening and welcome. Tonight is Monday, December 8th, 2025. This is a regular meeting of the Minnitankka City Council. I will call this meeting to order and ask you to stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. [clears throat] 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. Miss Larson, would you please call roll? >> Shaq >> here. Wilurn >> here. Calbert >> here. Raley >> here. Kley >> here. Foster Bolton >> here. >> Whisome >> here. Next item is approval of the agenda. I believe we have an addendum. Mr. Funk. >> Yeah. Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council. We have three agenda items for your consideration. The first one is related to item 14A, which is the 2026 operating budget and property tax levies. There's been public comment received after the distribution of the packet since last Thursday. Those are included for your consideration. The second agenda item is then related to item 14B, which is a resolution for the Excelsier Boulevard improvement project. Again, we had public comment received after the distribution of the packet last Thursday. Again, that correspondence is included for your consideration. And then last item 14C is a resolution for the Cedar Lake Road and Ridgedale Drive improvement project. Again, public comment received after was received after distribution of the packet from last Thursday. Those comments have been included for your consideration. With that, mayor and council, turn it back over to you for your consideration and staff's recommendation to approve the agenda as amended. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you, Mr. Funk. Um uh council um any comments or um a motion. Council member Calbertt. >> Thank you, Mayor. I make the motion to approve the agenda as amended. >> And is there a second? Council member Romey, >> I'll second. >> All right. A motion by council member Calbertt and a second by council member Romey. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Rome, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> We motion carries. Next item is approval of minutes. Only one set tonight. That is the November 24, 2025 regular meeting minutes. Any comments or a motion? Council Calbert. >> Thank you, Mayor. I move approval of the uh November 24th, 2025 regular meeting minutes. >> And a second. Council member Romey. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'll second. >> All right. A motion by Council Member Calbertt and a second by Council Member Romey. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Romey, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Wears, >> yes. Motion carries. Next item is reports from city manager and council members. And uh Mr. Funk, I'll let you uh you take that. Excuse me. Special matters. Excuse me. I always do that. Um item six is special matters. Um and we have Thank you for keeping me on track. appreciate it. Um, so we have a recognition for of the 2025 photo contest winners and first of all I want to just comment and say that um we have some very talented photographers in our city and uh the um the photos that were submitted um this year in the winners are really uh pretty spectacular. So, I'm going to uh um recognize uh each of um three individuals um for their contributions and uh they were they won each one in a different category. So, um we recognized the winners of the 2025 Minnotonka annual photo contest. The winners were selected in each of three categories: animals, landscape, and uniquely Minnitonka. So that's landscape and third uniquely Minnitonka. The almost 100 photo submissions were narrowed down to the top 10 based on overall impact, originality, creativity, composition, photographic quality, and technical skills. More than 790 people participated in voting to help select this year's winners. So um I will ask um as each person um is recognized come forward to be recognized and um let's see the first is um the first winner in the animals category is Mr. Corey Manddale and uh with the um uh photo is head do birds need pants and which is kind of a rhetorical question but uh certainly certainly an interesting photo. Now, Corey could not be here tonight, but um please join me in giving a round of applause for his um outstanding work. [applause] And so um sorry that Corey couldn't be here, but we will be sure that he does get his recognition. Then the um winner in the uniquely Minnotonka category is Katie Rach with Autumn Reflections. And I recognize that location, but what a what a great uh what a great view. And Katie, if you would like to come forward, we'll congratulate you. And you can bring your kids, too, if you'd like. [applause] >> Welcome. >> Congratulations. Nice to see you. >> All right. Coach, did you know your mom's so talented? [laughter] [applause] >> And the third winner is uh in the landscape category and another recognizable place in Minnetonka is Chris Smith with Sunrise Over the Minihaha headquarters. And um Katie was the only person who could make here today. Um uh Chris is not able to adjoin us either. Um but again let's uh let's uh show give him a round of applause for the excellent work [applause] and this this um a video of this meeting is available so um each of our winners can go back and look and um see that they were indeed recognized. So again, I just want to thank all of the people who participated, everyone who um voted on their favorite photographs. I mean, there were many great photographs, but it just goes to show Minnetonka is a beautiful place, and we have some talented photographers who are able to capture that, share it with us. So, thank you all. Now, we will move on to the reports from the city manager and council members. So, Mr. Funk, I'll turn it over to you. >> All right. Thank you again, Mayor, City Council. Good evening and also to our guests. Uh four things for you here this evening. First is the Minnitanka Historical Society has a couple of upcoming open house opportunities at the Burwell House. So on Sunday, December 7th and again on Sunday, December 14th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. there's free admission and tours. Uh so exciting event. We appreciate the historical society and their partnership with the city on having the Burwell House open for the holidays. Uh also then want to mention members of our Minnitanka Police Department. Uh we know how great of work that they do uh in our community along with many of our other staff members. But recently number of members of our Minnitanka Police Department volunteered at feeding our starving children. So really appreciate the work of our staff, really reaching out in the community and helping those in need by serving lunches or packing up lunches. Uh and then also want to mention the first winter's farmer market is on the horizon. So, I I know it's that time of year and and fall is far in the rearview mirror. Uh but with our first event, it's on Saturday, December 13th from 10:00 to 2:00 in the community center. And so, we do have a couple more after that, but our first one is coming up here next week. And then last, I just want to acknowledge our staff in community development. Uh Minnetonka was viewed as a national leader in permitting processes. I know, I know that's always challenging. uh there was a ranking uh done by laboris 2025 red tape index and they evaluate over 500 US cities with a population of 50,000 or greater. Uh the things that they look at is measuring for speed, transparency, and year-over-year improvement in our permitting processes. So to wish to miss Wishnack and our team, Minnetonka stands out of four cities in the top 10 and we ranked number eight out of 500. So really appreciate our staff uh and the work that they do in working with our residents and all those applicants. So with that, Mayor and Council, I'll turn it back over to you. >> Well, thank you. First, let's uh well done staff. I'm going to give you [applause] you make us all look good. We appreciate that. Um so that um thank you, Mr. Funk, for your report. And council members, anything that you would like to report on? Council member Kley. Thank you, mayor. I'm just um wanting to report on this um this weekend. I had a couple calls um from residents. Um I had one call um in regards to a protest that happened back on September 17th. I know that everyone received a email because I asked them to go ahead and send an email to all the council members and the mayor, but this particular um person had called me and talked about um feeling like their freedom of speech was being impeached up on and that they felt like they could not um hunk their horns and you know, protest peacefully. And you know, I know he's talked to city staff. there's been conversations and um I spoke with him and just told him I would encourage him to continue to have the conversation with staff and I would bring it up um because you know I think it's important that um residents know that we're listening and that we do care about um you know their concerns and that we are willing to bring it to city staff and we're willing willing to talk about it publicly and so um if you know I know staff is following up with him but if someone could continue to follow up and maybe come to a resolution with this um particular person because um he feels like that he's not being heard. And he really wanted someone to really listen to him and to make sure that um that residents do have um are able to rally and have free speech and to be able to honk their horns if they like. Um, I told him I don't know if there's an ordinance or anything that uh prohibits that, but I definitely would bring it to the attention of um, staff because I have honked my horn when they say honk your horn and I I do quite frequently. So, um, just wanted to bring that up. And then also um, I received another call from a resident who stays in one of our apartments in Minnitonka, um, Hollander Apartments. I I really don't even know where that's at. But um they did talk to me about receiving a email from their city u from their manager um housing manager stating that ICE was in their building and that they were warning folks in the building that to be careful um to be aware. And so um I um you know just been watching things that's happening on Facebook, watching things that's happening on the news, watching things that's happening across the state. And I know that we had a resident who came to our city and um talked about Kevin. He came in a couple Mondays back, talked about um a person in our city being deported uh or arrested and I'm not for sure if he was deported, but at least arrested. And um I know there was that conversation, but it was kind of like one and done. And so it's really been heavy on my heart um because we haven't really talked about it and I would like for us to talk about it as a city as a you know with the staff and council uh maybe put it on a study session because we see that it's happening in St. Paul is happening in Minneapolis. It's happening in Richfield where residents are afraid and I have reached out to um a resident that I know um that um lives in Minnitonka Heights apartment and I didn't get any response but I really would like for us to discuss it and um you know just bringing it to staff attention because I I just really feel like we it's time for our city to at least you know put something out, do something to let our residents know that we do support them. And so, um, yeah, so I just wanted to bring that to our attention. >> Thank you, Council Member Kley. Um, other comments from anyone? Council member Calbertt. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I have um you know been been talking about what um council member Kley has brought up um because I just think it's important for everyone in the community to understand what we can and cannot do as a city um and what our residents can do and what they cannot do. And um you know in terms of honking horns that's the most dangerous intersection in the city. Um, I think it's hard to balance um public safety and and and free speech. It's just very it's a dangerous intersection. So, I'm anxious. I got the same email. I will be talking with that resident when I get a chance. But um I know that our that our um police officers um do a wonderful job and um that there have been you know no significant incidents on that corner. So uh in terms of uh protesting. So um so there's that. But with that um we are entering um the holiday season. And um there's a lot going on in the world and I just want to wish everyone uh peace on earth and goodwill to men and also Hanukkah comes up uh a week from um yesterday and um so just happy Hanukkah to everyone that celebrates and um happy holidays to everyone because we may not be meeting um as a full council before the holidays are upon us. And I just hope that everyone finds it in their hearts to be charitable to their neighbors. We have a lot of neighbors that are hurting. Give to the food shelf. Give to Resource West. Um give to the organizations that give to others. Give of your time. Um and be kind to others. And um that's all I've got. >> Thank you, Council Member Calbertt. Um Council Member Shaq. Thank you, mayor. Um, just a couple things. I'll reiterate what my colleagues have said. You know, we're engaged on things that are going on around the community. I certainly want to reiterate, which is in our mission and vision, that we want Minnetonka to be a safe and welcoming place for all and that's really important to me and and I think that's conversations that we're having with staff and um that's a fluid situation. Um, on much much lighter note, I want I have two short reports. One, I've received several emails actually regarding the Marsh and people expressing their gratitude that they can still remain as a Blue Cross um, insurance carrier, members of Silver Sneakers at the Marsh, and I hadn't even thought about that. And so if you're somebody who has was formerly going to the Y or to Lifetime and can't do that anymore, you can still go to the Marsh and to Williston. Um so that's that's cool. Um the other thing is one of our colleagues has some wonderful news as she's a new grandma. Um and so we're so excited for her for Deb and the birth of her new grandchild last week. And so congratulations, Council Member Calvert. [applause] >> And then Council Member Romey. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, just to follow up on some things that have been said. First of all, on the lighter note, um, Silver Sneakers, I really want to commend staff on that. Um, you know, this is something that is really important to our residents, um, those who are on fixed incomes to be able to come in and use their silver sneakers after they were, you know, cut off from being able to go to the Y and to Lifetime and use that benefit. Um, so you know it's not without sacrifice and um and so I really appreciate that we are making that sacrifice to keep that available so um fitness can be something that can be enjoyed by our seniors um who otherwise might now not be able to do so. Um, regarding the the protester, um, I'm somebody who's probably fairly personally uh, familiar with uh, what goes on there and I want to again thank staff because it has been nothing but smooth and we have had nothing but um, you know, for the most part positive interactions with uh, the Minnotonka Police Department. they have not impeded um and and and on the other hand, the organizers of that protest are are very respectful and have done a great job as well um making sure that things, you know, stay friendly, peaceful and so forth. And that has not been a problem at that corner. And I thank those who are organizing it as well as the uh MPD for for doing such a terrific job in that. Um and oh um I was over at the Ridgedale Commons lighting on Saturday. So that was a terrific council member Calver and I were both there. It was a good time by all. Some great activities, bonfires, fantastic hot chocolate. So again, thanks to the staff who in the recreation department for putting that together and for everybody who came out and if you didn't, don't miss it next year. Thanks. >> Thank you, Council Member Romey. Um Council Member Wilburn. Um just briefly I wanted to mention so uh Council Member Foster Bolton had mentioned at our last meeting the A uh begging for tips um and Council Member Calvert and I were able to uh attend and do that the next day. Uh we had a a very good turnout and just um if you are able are our there's a lot of people in need um and especially over the holidays. So, um, monetary donations are always useful for our food shelves, ICA, volunteer opportunities abound. So, if you're able to help out, I would encourage you to do so. >> Very good. Is there anyone else? Um, I've got I've got a couple of comments. I've been in contact with um a number of West Metro mayors and there's been quite a bit of conversation [cough and clears throat] about um the ICE activity in the Twin Cities and people have reached out and expressed concern. Some cities have put out um statements on that and um thus far we have not but we've had quite a bit of conversation um because um as you as you may or may not know our strategic plan um one of the we have got six pillars and one of our pillars is that we are an inclusive and welcoming community and that is indeed what we are and um with this ICE activity um people are saying well what is a city going to do about it? And you know, that's a challenging question to answer because [clears throat] um our police department does not get involved in immigration um um enforcement. That's not their job and they don't do it. Um but they don't get in the way of it either. And um there's a federal agency, ICE is a federal agency, immigration and naturalization. they they have worked with all administrations, not just the current administration, in terms of managing this issue. And so when enforcement takes place in Anatonka and we haven't heard of much activity in that area um recently, but we know that it does take place and um we will not interfere with that. But sometimes protesters show up and our officers may be involved if if in crowd control and so forth, but we are not involved in immigration enforcement. we leave that to other jurisdictions and they they have the right to operate in our city. So it's a it's a challenging uh issue. We want to be supportive of our residents but we also believe in the rule of law. So it's um um these other agencies and other levels of government may be operating in our city and they have the right to do that and uh we will not interfere with that but we expect that due process and people's rights will be uh respected. So that's where we are. Um I don't have anything to add to that but it but it is a challenging issue because we do have residents who may be immigrants who are concerned and uh we want to be a resource to them but at the same time I think laws will be enforced by the appropriate uh jurisdiction. So I don't have anything to add. Mr. Funk, do you have anything to add to that? All right. So with that um [snorts] so uh I'll just move on. Um, next item on the agenda is citizens wishing to discuss matters not on the agenda. So, this is an open mic opportunity. Now, tonight we are going to be looking at our budget that is on the agenda. So, that if you're concerned about talking about the budget or your concerns about taxes, this is not the time for that, but this is an open mic opportunity. If there's anything that you would like the council to to know about, come forward, state your name and address, be brief, and tell us what's on your mind. We will not take any action tonight. We will turn that over to staff and follow up at another time. But is there anyone who would like to make any comments to the council tonight? Is there anyone if if you have if you'd like to come forward, state your name and address and tell us what you want us to know. Sorry. >> Pardon me. Yeah. Come up here. Hi, I'm Michael Author. I've worked live on Cedar Lake Road. >> Yeah. >> Um I understand what you just said, Mayor, in regards to ICE, but I'm also uh concerned that we say something about the behavior that's coming from there. Uh and that it doesn't unite us. It divides us as as millions and millions of people think. And I'm wondering if the city of Minnetonka can say something about that. I understand that you might not want to and I realize you're all pretty moderate, but there's something wrong with what's going on coming from from the Trump administration in my view. Thank you. >> Well, well, well, thank you for your opinion. Um, yes. Is you'd like to come forward, state your name and address, and tell us you'd like us to know. >> My name is Katherine Johnson. I live on Willist Road. You're not hearing me? >> No, you're you're fine. I can hear you. >> Okay. >> I want to address a similar topic. I live in Minnetonka. I'm concerned about the federal raids around the country. The activities in these raids are often dangerous. They're hurting bystanders and observers and include abductions of citizens and legal residents and visitors. I would like to see the city provide a statement to answer the questions what the city's role is so that we protect the citizens during those federal raids from any unlawful activities and also how will the city protect citizens from people who are masquerading as federal agents. How do we alert city officials and citizens if something is going on that's suspected to be not lawful? Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else? >> Good evening. >> Good evening. I'm Dwayne Stoy, 3181 Lakeshore. >> Yes. >> Um I came in on the the bike issue with uh the the safety on Cedar Lake Road. >> That's on the agenda, so you'll have an opportunity later. >> I just wanted to make sure I was >> right. Very good. All right. Is there anyone else who would like to discuss something not on the agenda? If not, we will move on. Thank you. So, next item on the agenda is bids and purchases. And we have none of those tonight. Um, so then that takes us to the consent agenda. And the consent agenda is items that are typically routine. So, the way we operate with those is they will be read into the record. and pay attention. If there's something that you would like to have discussed further, indicate that and we will pull that item for further consideration. Then we will vote on all of the items that have not been pulled and then um and we'll we'll take that action and then we'll return to the ones that have been pulled for whatever comments anyone wants to make, either a council member or somebody from the audience. We'll vote on those and they'll move on to the next agenda items. So item 10A is a general services agreements with consulting engineering firms for the period of 2026 through 2028. Item 10B is an amendment to an existing conservation easement at 11919 Live Oak Drive and 120 Cambridge Court. And item 10 C is a revocation of an on sale wine and on sale 3.2 malt liquor license for Mega Pickle Ball and Pong Minnotonka LLC at 17585 Highway 7. And item uh 10D is an ordinance amending section 150.010 010 relating to the appointment of the diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI commission members expanding young adult member age parameters. And t item 10E is a resolution for the radio equipment shelter lease renewal at the Ridgedale Water Tower with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. And t item 10F is a resolution delegating authority for electron elect electronic fund transfers. And item 10G is a resolution designating a change in polling place locations for the 2026 state primary. And item 10H is an assignment of TIFF note related to the Shady Oak Crossing development. And finally, 10 I is an ordinance amending the city code section 710.005 regarding certain fees. So, council or anyone, would anyone like to pull any of those items for separate consideration? All right. Seeing no one, is there a motion from council members? Council member Calbertt. >> Thank you, Mayor. I move approval of the consent agenda items 10 A, 10 B, 10 C, 10 D, 10 E, 10 F, 10 G, 10H, and 10 I. >> And is there a second? Council member Kley. >> A second. >> All right, we've got a motion by Council Member Kley and a second by by We have a motion by Council Calbertt and a second by Council Member Klay. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, >> yes. Wilburn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Raley, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Wearsome, >> yes. Motion carries. Item 11 is consent agenda agenda items requiring five votes. The same rules apply here. They will be read into the record. If anyone wants to pull an item, please indicate that. Otherwise, we will vote on all of them at the same time. So, item 11A is applications for renewed liquor licenses for 2026. Item 11B is um regarding grant award and funding agreement for Minnesota housing local housing trust grant program. And item 11 C is the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Foundation Community Partnership Grant and 11D is a resolution accepting gifts, donations, and sponsorships given to the city during 2025. So, would anyone like to pull any of those or a motion? Council member Romey. Thank you, Mayor. I'll make the motion to adopt the resolution. Um, oh goodness. Accepting gifts, donations, and sponsorships given to the city during 2025 as well as, and it's not on the screen. How about just say 10 11 abcd >> ND. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. Glad to hear help out. Council member Calbert. >> Thank you, Mayor. I second. And I just want to give a shout out to about the two grants that are in the the four consent agenda items. >> Very good. So, we've got a motion from Council Member Romey and a second by Council Member Calvert. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, yes. Wilbert, >> yes. Calbertt, yes. Rome, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> We >> yes. Motion carries. So, item 12 is introduction of ordinances and we have two introductions tonight. Um 12A is an ordinance amending the city charter establishing the number of members of the charter commission. And our city attorney, Mr. Nelson, I believe you have that report. >> Sure. Thank you, mayor and councel. Uh the charter commission held its annual meeting on November 18th uh and is uh and is forwarding two recommendations for charter amendments to the city council and as the staff liaison to the charter commission I'm bringing those to you tonight. Uh the requested action for both is the same. It's just to introduce the ordinance and schedule the public hearing for January 12th, 2026. Um I describe both of these amendments more in the nature of technical amendments sort of housekeeping amendments. Um this first one establish establishes the number of charter commission members in the charter consistent with historic past practice which has been nine members. Uh the only that the city charter is currently silent on the composition of the charter commission. There's one provision in our charter currently that says that no more than one sitting council member can serve on the commission at any one time. That has my understanding that has historically been the mayor who has served on the charter commission, but the the uh charter would allow any sitting council member. Uh the expressed desire of the charter commission for this amendment was to have a fixed number consistent with the framework established by state law which is not less than seven nor more than 15 at the discretion of the chief judge of Henipin County. And uh so the amendment before you that we are uh seeking introduction on would establish the membership composition at nine but allowing for the flexibility to expand to 10 with the addition of a sitting council member. And then it defines uh narrowly the the definition of when a vacancy would occur so that it would not occur when an when a current member's term simply ex uh was was when they were up for renewal essentially. So, uh, with that, I would stand for any questions on this first amendment. >> All right, Mr. Nielson, thank you very much. Um, council, any questions on this? So, establishing the number of charter commission members at nine. Um, unless, um, one of them is not a a sitting council member, more likely the mayor, then um, then it can go to 10. So, and this is an introduction, so we'll get another bite at the apple. I think will come back to us January 12th or we'll come back to the remaining council members on January 12th. Some of us won't be here but um so um let's see motion. Council Calbertt. >> Thank you, Mayor. I make the motion to introduce the ordinance and schedule the public hearing for January 12th, 2026. >> Very good. And a second, Council Member Shack. >> I'll second. >> All right. We've got a motion by council member Calbertt and a second by council member Shack. Miss Larson, please call a roll. >> Shack, >> yes. >> Wilburn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Romey, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Wearsome, >> yes. Motion carries. And then um another um introduction uh 12B is an ordinance amending the city charter to reflect state law requirements regarding resident signature petitions. And again, Mr. Nelson, thank you. Thank you, mayor and councel. This next uh recommended charter amendment from the charter commission is a uh clarification amendment. It does not I I was clear in the staff report that it does not make any substantive changes to the law or the process in this area. Uh Minnetonka provides for initiative and referendum in the charter and those are two uh types of of de direct democracy where a a signature a resident signature petition would be required to place an ordinance on the ballot. Uh state law has very specific requirements for the composition of a signature petition and the city charter does address uh at some level the the petition requirements and includes form petitions in the appendix to the charter, but it does not include all of the detail that's required by state law. there is a safety valve that's built into the the process that is in the charter where uh a a group that would be seeking to uh initiate an initiative, a referendum petition, must have the petition reviewed by the city clerk before they obtain signatures. And so at that point, the city clerk and myself would be able to look at the form of the petition and verify that it meets the both the charter requirements and the statutory requirements. So the intent of this amendment is simply to provide greater clarification in the charter about those requirements and and by doing so to achieve better alignment with state law. Uh one thing I'll just mention process-wise for a charter amendment by ordinance which is what both of these are. Uh because these would not go to the ballot. Um there is a very regimented procedure to to to to accomplish these amendments. Uh this first step tonight is introduction which is four votes. Uh we will be doing a publication notice that's required uh before the public hearing and then uh assuming the council votes uh at the public hearing to adopt these amendments. It does require a unanimous consent of the council full vote and changes to the ordinance. Drafts cannot be made at that point. uh they would be effective 90 days after adoption because state law provides for a 60-day period where residents that might object to either could submit a referendum petition within the 60-day period. So, just to note the process going forward, we're just at this first point today with introduction and scheduling the public hearing. With that, I'll stand for any questions. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Nelson. Um any questions for our city attorney on these charter amendments? All right, then. Um, is there a motion? Council member Wilburn. >> I move introduction of the ordinance and scheduling of the public hearing for January 12th, 2026. >> And is there a second? Council member Romey. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'll second. >> All right. We've got a motion by Council Member Wilburn and a second by Council Member Romey. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, >> yes. Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbertt, >> yes. >> Raley, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Wearsome, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Um, next item is public hearings and uh we have one public hearing tonight and that is on the 2026 utility rates and related items. And uh, Mr. Nelson or Mr. Nelson, excuse me, Nelson is there. Mr. Nelson is there. So, >> thank you, mayor, council members. >> Thank you. >> Yes, correct. Tonight is the uh public hearing for our 2026 utilia rates and other related items. Um so we will have a public hearing. So our staff recommendation is to have a public hearing and we'll have five there's five resolutions in your packet for tonight. So we will look to have those adopted um setting the various utility rates and deferred interest rates and we will need four votes uh for those resolutions as this as the utility rates relate to strategic plan. Um this relates to infrastructure and asset management. Uh providing necessary funding for utilities aids in achieving the desired outcome of improving the reliability and efficiency of utility systems. And obviously there's a financial impact as well too. Um our 2026 utility rates would um are built into the proposed 2026 budget and are built into our enterprise funds for our water, sewer, storm water um recycling fund um so forth. So before you tonight, there are a number of items that we're going to look at. So we're going to look at the water and sewer the water and sanitary sewer rates, the storm water fees, environmental recycling fees, um our water and sewer connection, the municipal water and sewer connection fees along with our interest rate um for our refer our deferral program for um the sack, the sewer access charges by Met Council and our city municipal water and sewer charges on that program. Uh the city of Minnitonka has long held a uh held a policy of policy of making decisions with the long term in mind. Each spring and summer, the staff and council analyze the operating infrastructure needs of the city's water, sewer, recycling, and storm water utilities. Um during this is done during the development of our CIP or capital improvement program, which includes cost estimates and revenue estimates over at least the next five years. The first of these five years is then codified into the upcoming budget which would be 2026 for this for this year. Any changes in the utility user rates and fees needed to enact the budget are further discussed at tonight's public hearing. And these rate changes would be effective for the following year with billings in in January. So back in October 27th, the city council had a study session where we the council reviewed the citywide asset management renewal replacement program along with a utility rate study. And so this asset management renewal plan um reviewed has been a year plus long study looking at all the assets of the city, not just water and sewer, but storm water, looking at our parks, trails, our streets, our facilities, all of the assets of the city to understand really what we own and um really the shape of it needs to be in and making sure that we have a sufficient resources to maintain those assets. That asset management plan indicated a steep spike in infrastructure needs starting in 2040. Uh the spike is a direct result of u substantial inf infrastructure that was being installed that was installed in the in the city in the 1970s and a vast majority of these assets are going to be up for replacement here coming up in the in during the decade of the 2040s and then out in the 2070s as well too and I'll show you this graph here where it shows our water main age and we have a similar graph for our sewer and they're kind of pretty much similar. You can kind of see the development of the city kind of started in the 50s a little bit in the 60s and in the 70s is where we put in almost a million feet of water man throughout the city. And so when you think in the 1970s it's getting to be further and further away from us at this point in time. And so um we know we're going to have to address this and make sure that we maintain this this asset of the city along with and this is the same um scenario for our sewer pipes as well. And so here's the expo anticipated expiration of those assets. So you can see during the 2040s upcoming here in 15 to 25 years we have um about a third of that million feet of pipe that needs to be replaced. And then out in 2070 we'll have another big spike in that as well. Um but you can see that we'll be need to start ramping up for that um increase in infrastructure replacement coming up here uh shortly on on that end of it. So, it's crucial that we continue investing in our capital assets to reduce that risk of catastrophic breaks and backups with our water and sewer utilities. Um, we actually have, if you look at that graph from the previous page and that big spike coming up in the 2040s. Uh, I'll go back to there. You can see it goes up to 343 um,000 feet of of of pipe that needs to be replaced. Um, over the next 12 years, we have $135 million of water and sewer infrastructure projects. And so that's even not even leading up to that 2040 time on that end of it. So we have lots of costs that we need to stay on top of and we need to plan for um and staying on top of that at this point in time moving forward. So currently we've been paying for replacement of our water and sewer um utilities through um through a combination of current and future users. So we pay for it with our cash reserves that we have on hand along with our bonding. And so when you pay for it with cash on hand, that's known as pay as you go financing. And so users that are paying for infrastructure replacement now are benefiting from that infrastructure that's being replaced, but future users are also benefiting from that um current replacement if we're using just cash only. And so really what it makes sense to do when you have assets that are 30, 40, 50, 70 years old, it makes sense to kind of have a mix of pay as you go and pay as you use um pieces of that. So users that are currently on the system and users that will be on the system 20 years from now should be paying for that infrastructure that gets replaced today. And so they do that through debt financing. And so um we'd like to use a combination of that. Obviously there's a cost to debt with interest and those types of things as well, but there's kind of a fairness equity fairness piece of it as well too of trying to make sure you have a nice combination of pay as you use and pay as you go financing on that. Um, and it should be noted as well too is that we do not special assess for any of our utility infrastructure replacements um or our street infrastructure. We're not talking streets tonight or at this public public hearing, but uh we do not special assess for any of these types of projects. So, they're either built into the utility rates um or the property taxes with the street reconstruction pieces of that. So, we look at our our utility rates. We did a a rate restructure about a decade ago. it might have been 12 years ago, 10 12 years ago on that end of it. Um, we did that restructure to align with kind of some utility infrastructure planning that was being done at the time and that was really focusing on our vertical utility infrastructure. So really our water towers, our treatment plants, those types of things that are kind of the up and down and not necessarily the the lateral piece of it. This current assessment that public works um worked on included everything. So all of our laterals, that's where you saw the water main graphs there, those are our lateral pipes, sewer pipes, same thing on that end of it. So it's really encompassing entirely encompassing on this rate study here. And so the the engineering firm that we worked with was is AE2s. And so we worked with them on the rate study as well. And since they had a good understanding of the infrastructure that the city has, we piggybacked off of that with a a utility rate study. um and they had a couple recommendations and then as we did as well um kind of seeing over the years of what um causes concerns from our customers or our residents when they call in with utility billing questions and concerns. Um the first one is our infrastructure fee that it often causes confusion amongst our our rate payers. um on the bill it just says infrastructure fee, doesn't necessarily say anything else. And so when they call, we try to explain to them, you know, this is kind of for our our water and our sewer side of our fixed infrastructure, our capital outlay, those types of costs on that end of it and such. And so, um, we thought this would be a good opportunity to kind of restructure that and really put in like a a water really split it between a water infrastructure fee or a charge and a sewer infrastructure fee or charge. Not that it's a whole lot clearer, but at least it puts a little bit more language in the utility bill to help dedicate exactly what those what those charges and fees are for. And so for next year, we're proposing a $63 a quarter water infrastructure fee and then a $31.50 sewer infrastructure fee. So along with that infrastructure fee change, we're also looking to uh request a change in the tiers. Right now we currently have four tiers and we're looking to reduce that from four to three. And along with reducing the tiers, we're looking to adjust the the gallons within those tiers. What we're seeing over the years is that actually water consumption by individuals is actually decreasing over time. And so uh that's really due to conservation efforts, more efficient appliances, just water conservation efforts by um individuals themselves as well too. So really we're seeing an average family or an average household of four is using 5,000 gallons a month compared to 15 20 years ago or was 6,000 gallons or so on on that end of it. So that reduces our kind of our revenue on that end of it. That's why we have to need to rely upon the the fixed fee as well to to cover some of those costs. But really looking to make that first tier kind of that very need-based that's where your um your your needs water is based on that end of it. And so we're looking to put that tier at 15,000 gallons a quarter or 5,000 gallons a month. And that tier would actually drop down to $3.50 per per thousand um from the current rate of $3.69. And then the second tier would be from 15,000 to 30,000 gallons and that would be at $4.73. And then our highest tier is at 30,000 gallons plus and this would be at $7.50. So that's a tier where a lot of that water is being used for irrigation type of things on that end of it. and really trying to promote conservation on that tier as well too is that that's why the the charge is higher on that end of it trying to promote um the conservation of a natural resource there. So looking at the rates as well too um the rates we are projecting to stabilize after 2026 as well. They should be more in that 3 to 5% range looking forward over the next four to five years. And I'll have a chart here at the end too that kind of summarizes all the all the fees and things like that so you can kind of see it on on one bill and what it looks like. But moving on to the storm water fees. The storm water fund or that utility was established back in 2003. So it's a lot newer than our water and sewer utility which was established decades and decades and decades ago on on that end of it. So um we had never done a formal rate study on the storm water utility fund. So we thought this was a time since um the asset management plan was looking at all this infrastructure, we would look at the stormwater fund as well. Um AE2s did um perform an analysis on it. They deemed our rate structure was to be was adequate and that um that the fees generated right now are sufficient for operations and capital needs with one caveat there is that we are expecting capital needs to probably increase in the future with the storm water related um enterprise. But um for now it it does what it needs to do on that end of it. So we're looking to just increase the stormwater fund by about 3% for for next year on that end of it. And we will likely look at we've never bonded within the stormwater fund either. And those assets within the stormwater fund are very similar to that of the water and sewer fund. They're long-term assets, 50 years, 75 year long-term assets. And so there's probably a benefit there to look at some of the the debt financing to make some of those pay as you use um comparisons with the water and sewer fund as well too. So we'll look at that as we move into the future with some of our bigger projects. So there staff is recommending a 3% increase for 2026. [clears throat] So moving on to environmental recycling. Um, the city entered into a three-year extension with Republic Services last year to provide both traditional and organic recycling services to all single household properties. The organic recycling it was or is based off a sliding scale depending on the number of participants. And so our costs increase as the number of participants increase as well too because it costs more for the hauler to um collect that organic waste and to dispose of it and for transportation costs, those types of things on that end of it. So when we initially initiated this program last year, the base rate was an additional $310 to the utility bill and those were phased in at the beginning part kind of the first second quarter of last year of your utility bills. We phased those in from April through Juneish I think on on that end of it. Since that time uh the city participation has jumped two tiers. So we're now in the 15 to 20% participation compared to our 0 to 10% participation initially on that end of it. So, the rate that um Republic Services is now charging us is $410. And so, um every month for every utility billing customer, we're losing a dollar um per account at this point in time. Um which is fine because we can go back and we can adjust our rates coming up here in the beginning of of this year to catch back up a little bit over time on on that end of it. So, um and we are anticipating moving to that next tier pretty soon. we're already um getting close to maxing out on that that third or that third tier that we're at right now. So, which is all good news from the organic recycling process because that's what the intent of the the program was to get more people to participate in that. So, with that, staff is recommending the recycling charge uh for traditional organic recycling be increased from to $12.90 per month or $38.70 per quarter. This rate would include a 4 4.6% 6% increase from the public services contract. So, their contractual um increase that's in the contract, that's 4.6%. Uh the charge for the organic recycling at the next tier, which is that 20 to 25% tier. So, charging customers, we're not quite in that tier, but we will be in that tier shortly. And since we hadn't been charging enough to begin with, uh moving us up to that that next tier. And then cost to operate the leaf and brush drop off site. So, we obviously have uh that's that site available um during the spring and fall and summer for for residents to drop off um debris on that end of it. And then we have special recycling events as well too that get paid for out of this fund. So, the new rate represents an increase of $29 per month or about $627 per quarter. Um and it should be noted too that when we did the organic um collection, when we did the organized collection, um residents were paying their haulers already for organic recycling. And so um we took that charge off of their bill. And so they're in theory they should still be paying now in 2026, they should still be paying less than what they would have been paying if they had maintained their um services with their current their current hauler. Excuse me. Moving on to the municipal water and sanitary sewer connection fees. Uh this fee is directed by city council policy 12.4 which um references an index um which is from the engineering news record for our annual inflationary charge here. And so the increase on this is um pretty substantial for this year from uh November 2024 to November 2025. Um the index incre indicates a 15.2% 2% increase for our water and sewer municipal connection charges. Um so that would bring the charge up to 2473 for water and $1,393 for um sewer. And this would be for new connections um new homes, new um businesses being built in the city on that end of it. And last year's increase was 3%. And so this index, just to give a little bit of clarification, um looks at looks at lumber prices in the metro in Minneapolis area, looks at um Portland cement prices in Minneapolis, looks at um oh and steel prices across the country. So it's a national steel price on on that end of it. And then looks at labor costs within the the Minneapolis metro area as well, too. So and that's what that increase was. And as I mentioned, that's a higher increase than we've had before, but I assume that's kind of related to some of the um current tariff stuff that's in the works on that end of it. So then lastly is our um sewer access charge and our water city and water um wreck deferral program. And that's a deferral program for these charges that we just kind of talked about being able to defer those and pay those out over time. And so the council enacted a an ordinance back in 2017 implementing this program and then we would have to look at the interest rate each year. Um staff is proposing a reduction to the interest rate this year from 3% to 2.88% and that's based off of the 10-year um municipal bond rating AAA bond rating at this point in time. So here just getting back to the utilities a little bit and looking at the rate impacts. And so on the left here is a chart that shows 9,000 gallon average. This would be a low user um that uses about 3,000 gallons per month um on the city and we considered a res residential household that you has one or two people living in it per se on that end of it. And you can see um some of the bigger charges are related to um the infrastructure and the infrastructure here I didn't split out it. It would be split out between a water and sewer pieces of it. I just for this chart combined them um similar to what it was done in the past, excuse me. And then you can see the recycling there is is increased as well too up about just about or 19% or so on that end of it. And that's really related to that organic recycling piece of it. So um we are increasing the utility fees this year um fairly substantially. Try to get our numbers realigned and get those fixed fees in place um to ensure that we have a good revenue stream moving forward and a consistent revenue stream. And if you look at the the 15,000galon one is more that average or kind of a four to three to four or five person household on that end of it. And you kind of see the percentages are pretty similar to that side of it. But um monthly impact is going to be you know $10 to $12 on depending on which size household and then quarterly it's about $30 to $35 change on on that end of it. So, and here's just um a slide from our consultant that did the utility rate study kind of placing some of our peer cities along with some neighboring cities in here just to kind of see where Mitankka lies with our utilities compared to some others. Uh should be noted that the cities on here, this these are their 2025 rates, not taking into consideration any increases they may have for 2026. You can see that Minnetonka is um kind of in the middle towards the and then leans kind of towards the higher part with 2026 rates in there. Um but then again, we do have we are trying to stay on the front end of our infrastructure and I think the council's been consistent with that over the last decade as well too of making sure that we're um being proactive on our on our utilities and our infrastructure improvements to make sure that um our assets stay in good working order. We also looking to do I'm working with communications to put out a big messaging in the Minnitankka memo in January. So we're going to put in a copy of the revised utility bill. And so this is kind of a snippet of what that utility bill will look like in the memo. You can see on the on the right side here, this is a resident residential household that used 15,000 gallons of water for the month or for the quarter and had 10,000 gallons of sewer consumption. So this is a summer one where we base a sewer off the winter usage. And so we don't make sure that you don't if you're watering that usage doesn't go into the sanitary sewer. So we don't bill you for that. So we every spring we do kind of a a look back to see what your average sewer consumption is over the winter time and assume that that's really what you use throughout the year on that end of it. And so you can see on the right hand side this is how the city bill would be would look. And so our water usage is there. city sewer usage is broke out from the Mech Council sewer usage. So, I don't know if you know or not, but Mech Council charges us to process all of the sanitary sewer waste that goes through the system. And so, we get a bill from Met Council for $6 million now. I think it's probably somewhere in that ballpark. And so, we passed that in through as a direct charge on the utility bill. So, that Met Council sewer service charge is a direct pass through. The money collected on that gets passed over to Met Council to pay for their processing of the sanitary sewer waste. And then we have the water infrastructure and the sewer infrastructure fee broke out um like we talked about. And then there's the storm water recycling street. And this account has street lights. So there are some utility accounts that um have special ornamental street lights in their areas and so they pay for um those special lights in in those areas as well too. So not all residents have that, but some do. And then you have your state water testing fee at the end as well too which that is also going up for next year as well too. So um it's not a lot but it is it is going up. So So with that um staff recommends opening the public hearing and then looking to adopt the attached resolutions to enact the various utility rates and set the deferred interest rate. And this would be all these rates would become effective with the new bills issued in January. We issue those at the end of the month. Um, so the due dates are usually the February 20th or so, something like that, for all the utility rates. Um, the sack and or the water and sewer access charges would be separate from that would be effective January 1st of 2026. So with that, Mayor, I'll turn it back to you for questions. >> Mr. Nelson, thank you. Um, that was a lot. Um and uh we we we we understand that these things um um these things cost money and the costs are typically not going down. But at council, any questions on um on our um utility rate um changes? Anyone? Council member, I see you're tempted to raise your hand there. >> Um actually, not so much a question, but a comment when we come to it. >> Well, I'll tell you what. Well, then what we'll do is open the public hearing and if anyone would like to comment on these um um utility rates and uh related items, um please come forward, state your name and address and uh we'll listen to your comments. Then we'll close the public hearing and then we'll have to make some decisions. So, uh uh welcome. >> Good evening. >> Good evening, mayor. Good evening, council, staff. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in front of you tonight. Um, one thing that caught my eye in >> and you are um >> I apologize. I'm Luke Panon, >> 2148 Sheridan Hills Road. Uh, one thing that caught my eye in the presentation that just concluded is the new level for the 30,000 plus gallon water usage tier. I would suggest that that rate as proposed be doubled. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate your comment. Is there Is there anyone else who'd like to comment on our um utility rates for 2026? Let's see. I didn't officially open the public hearing. I probably should do that. Open the public hearing here. But uh um anyone else would would anyone else like to comment? Otherwise, I'll close close the public hearing and we'll bring it back for conversation at uh at the council level. Anyone? All right, we'll close the public hearing and bring it back to council for comments. And council member, I believe you had some comments. Yes, thank you, mayor. Um so, I really appreciated the, you know, kind of clarity in terms of the percentage increase. It was a lot, but um you know kind of having that you know 14% across the board and I'm sure as we communicate you know that'll helpful be helpful as well. Um, I just wanted to kind of comment and reiterate, you know, how how much, you know, I appreciate that we are looking forward because other cities that have not done so and haven't been as good about maintaining and keep upkeeping their, you know, vertical and horizontal uh, water infrastructure have had things recently surrounding close by cities where they've had water manes break um, and other kind of catastrophic failures of their systems where um, residents of those cities were special assessed. 10 to 15,000 per household. And so that is something that we obviously want to avoid or having, you know, being prudent with our spending now and reasonable so that we don't end up spending twice or three times as much to clear up a disaster uh some catastrophic failure in the future. So, I think that's important to keep in mind given that some of the other cities that we saw in that chart are um younger cities and they don't have the amount of aging infrastructure that we have. Um so that's another factor that you know I think is important to kind of reiterate and help people understand why um we are looking at this. And the other thing that probably hasn't been um pointed out is that the state of Minnesota now with the storm water, this is something relatively new. um that hasn't been as regulated before and now we are being much more careful about storm water runoff and things like that making sure that we're you know collecting it and releasing it in a more responsible manner. Um especially important here in in Minnitonka. So I appreciate all the work you know that goes into that. I understand that it's you know an increase and that's not fun for any of us but um you know I'd rather uh pay a penny now than a pound of flesh later. So, um, I will be supporting this. >> Thank you, Council Member Romey. Anyone else? Uh, Council Member Calbert, >> just, uh, very briefly, a couple things. Um, I just want to thank staff for, uh, working especially on the water utility tiers. Uh, I think it's really helpful and on the clarity of the, uh, billing moving forward. I think it'll be really helpful. The other thing I just want um people in the viewing or uh in person audience to know is we're not discussing this at length because we had a detailed study session on this. So it's not even that we just read our packet and showed up here tonight. But um uh we had an opportunity to hear from staff in a study session so that we could ask questions and get clarity ourselves before we came. um to the meeting tonight. So, I want to thank staff for preparing us for that and just wanted the community to know that that's why we're not uh having a deep discussion. We already had the opportunity to do that in another meeting. >> Thank you, Council Calbert. Anyone else? >> Go ahead, Council Member Romey. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh just responding to the comment from the audience. I don't I am not unsympathetic to wanting to you know kind of uh promote conservation by raising uh you know kind of fees on higher tiers and higher usage. However, given what is already happening and that we have a lot of residents um on fixed incomes who are already um you know struggling in some cases I think it's prudent for us to um kind of see how this goes and look at that in the future. However, >> any other comments. Um I I'll make a few cuz I usually do. Um you know, the um uh 13 to 14% increase in our utility rates is daunting. Um you know, how many times have all of us heard from residents said, "Well, inflation is at 3 or 4% and um and uh you're raising rates um a double-digit number." And you know that that is indeed true. Um it's going up more than any of us would like it to. Um however, it's one of those things where you know that that graph of um uh when most of our um um utility um our underground infrastructure was put in was in the 70s. And you know I was I was in high school in the 70s and I'll tell you what, I look a lot different now than I than I did then. And um you know the same things are happening to our pipes and um um you know they don't age well and um and you know I just um council member Mley talked about some things that happen in neighboring communities and and I know that um a mayor friend of mine told me about waiting around in people's basement in um in knee high um rubber boots um in waiting in raw sewage because kicking the can down on infrastructure improvements um usually extan um exacts a toll and and I know that some years ago before we were really intentionally investing in not only catching up but getting ahead of our aging infrastructure um uh we would have over and will correct me if I'm wrong over a hundred uh water man breaks a year and a hundred water main breaks they they typically run $10,000 a piece Um, so you know 100 times 10,000 that's a million bucks. And when you are patching um a water system, you're not making it better. You're just making it good enough to get by. And so it really is intelligent for us to invest to stay ahead of the curve. And we haven't always been ahead of the curve. I mean 100 water mane breaks is more than any of us wants to have. But the number of water mane breaks has been was has been falling because we have been aggressively investing in our underground infrastructure. And I'll add that our consultants told us that Minnetonka is unique. We are more aggressive on this front than our most cities. And you know, I only have a couple weeks left as mayor, but I still do not want to uh be waiting in somebody's uh in raw sewage in somebody's basement. So, um I I think this investment makes sense. Um I I hate to raise rates as much as we are, but I think it's better to do that than than to fall behind and have the kind of catastrophic failures that some of the neighboring communities have had. So, that's that's my little speech. Thank you for bearing with me. But, um anyway, um with that, is there a a motion from anyone? Council member Calbertt. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh one one more comment before there was a slide that showed the inflation for like the cost of steel which I think was eight 18%. I mean it was in the in the high double digits and so there is real inflationary pressures here. It's not just us raising rates >> right? So, um but with that um uh I move uh to let's see where are we? Um adopt the attached resolutions to enact various utility rates and set the deferred interest rate. >> Very good. Is there a second? Council member Romey. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'll second. >> All right. We've got a motion by Council Member Calvert and a second by Council Member Rome. Anyone else have a comment before we vote? Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, >> yes. >> Wilburn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Romeley, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Lester Bolton, >> yes. >> Wearsome, >> yes. Motion carries. So, um that brings us to um item 14. Now, we've been here an hour and 10 minutes. Anyone want to take a break now before because the next one is going to be fairly lengthy. Would like a break or Council Kley? We'll take we'll take a fivem minute break and just give everyone a break and then we'll then we'll get into it. Thank you. All right. On. I think we're ready. So, um again, um item 14A, um is part of other business and it's items relating to the 2026 operating budget and property tax levies. And I believe this will be a shared report from Mr. Funk and Mr. Nelson. Mr. Funk. >> Yeah, thank you, Mayor. That is correct. I will kick us off this evening and then about halfway through the presentation, I'll turn it over to Mr. Nelson for some of the more uh intricate details of tonight's budget. Um I'll start with more of a high level presentation and then we'll um we'll kind of filter it down from there. [clears throat] Excuse me. So the so for really for tonight's action mayor and council um as you noted we'll go through the presentation. Uh staff recommends then at the end of it that you receive public comment on the proposed budget and the levies and then there are three resolutions for your consideration. The first resolution is to adopt the 2026 budget and the 2025 revive revised budget. That same resolution also sets the tax levy for year 2026, excuse me, year 2025 collectible in 2026. And then consenting to a special benefit tax levy of the Minnitanka Economic Development Authority. The second resolution then is setting a tax levy for the Basset Creek Watershed Management District for year 2025 collectible in 2026. And then last, a resolution relating to the 2026 non-UN employee wages. And all those resolutions do need four votes. Uh, as with every staff presentation, we do uh point out where there is strategic plan relatability. Of course, as we're speaking with the budget, this does relate to one of our pillars in our strategic plan related to financial strength. Uh and and really all six of our strategic priorities do come into play and I'll talk about those here in those coming slides. Obviously, there is a financial consideration because council with your approval of the tax levy for next year that has uh lays out the road map if you will for 2026, our priorities and all the expenditures that we'll again talk about in the upcoming slides. really now to kick us off this evening. Uh first really just want to point out our whole budget process and um and really for the audience listening uh this is not new information to the council. Uh we we've I've got a slide coming up that really illustrates the time we spent this last year as we call it our budget season. Uh which tends to be about eight months of work on behalf of the council uh collaborating with staff on uh tonight's process and tonight's vision for next year. So, it's really a systematic approach and really this starts off with our vision, mission, and values. Uh, 2025 is the first year of our new three-year strategic plan. As we look at 2026, that really propels us in year two of that three-year plan. So, really, it starts with the vision. And the vision uh for everyone's benefit is Minnitanka is an inclusive community committed to excellence where all residents, workers, and visitors are welcome in a beautiful sustainable place supported by quality, dependable city services. So that's the vision that's been created that's been supported then by our mission statement which reads provide quality public services while striving to preserve and enhance the distinctive character to make Minnetonka a special place for everyone. We did establish then four guiding principles. Those are noted on the slide as well and those are we earnestly commit to a beautiful, sustainable and healthy environment as a vital part of stable, prosperous and thriving community. We responsibly deliver excellent public services and provide quality opportunities to ensure access to all we serve. Third, we ethically uphold community trust through proactive, inclusive public engagement, transparent communications, and careful stewardship of our financial, natural, and capital assets. And then finally, we nimblely lead our city into the future by anticipating community needs, pursuing service, innovation, and adaptation of new technologies, and forging collaborative partnerships with all sectors of our society. really that vision, mission, and values then feeds into, if you will, our strategic plan. And uh mayor and council, I know you've noted that a couple times here this evening. Our six pillars in our strategic plan are financial strength, safe and healthy community, sustainability, resilience, and natural environment, livable and wellplanned development, infrastructure and asset management, and community inclusiveness. Um, and I would just note again, council, I know you know this, but for those that are here this evening or watching uh on TV or will watch the replay of this, our strategic plan is well laid out on our website. So, anyone can see the progress on our strategic plan. So, I encourage anyone to visit our website uh very detailed in terms of our actions, our desired outcomes and lots of metrics because we do measure a lot of what we do uh to ensure accountability into our process. All of that then really is the framework for our budget, which again is our mission, vision, our values, our community survey that we uh rely on, and then long-term planning documents. And I'll illustrate our long-term planning documents on the next slide that ultimately then sets the groundwork for more detailed work plans. And so annually, our department directors uh work on our work plans. Those include strategic action steps, our goals, our indicators, capital improvement planning and so a lot of detailed work happens in our annual work plans and then also we have reliance on our boards and commissions and council. Uh coming up in January, our boards and commissions will be present and they'll be reporting to you on their specific action plans as it relates again to the budget and the body of work for 2026. So that's again a high level summary of our approach uh to our whole budgeting process and how that all relates to one another. I do do want to then talk about commitment to long-term planning and I think as illustrated by Mr. Nelson in the comments here just a few minutes ago just in terms of the city's commitment to making sure that we're sustainable long term. Sustainable meaning financially sustainable. And so there's a lot of work that we do at the city and making sure that we're looking longterm um for the city and for our residents. We do not look just one year at a time. So even though our budget's one year at a time, we look longterm at all of our systems and our processes. Just some of the documents, and I'll quickly go around this wheel that really shape our budget. Uh we have a trail master plan. In our trail master plan, we have a real long-term approach to our trail system and prioritizing trails in our city. We have our climate action and adaptation plan. Our sustainability commission works on that plan. And so it's our commitment to our long-term sustainability matters. We also have then our business and community survey. Again, that document is instrumental in understanding uh community attitudes and feedback from the community on all the services that we provide. We also then have our public safety master plan and we'll talk about that in our some of our upcoming slides and our commitment to ensuring uh the long-term viability of our public safety departments, both police and fire. We have the assessment, renewal, and replacement plan. We also have our strategic plan that I touched on. We also have our natural resources master plan. And that plan outlines all of our goals for our open spaces in the community and how we approach uh ensuring our greenery and our open spaces are projected long term. We have also our park space and trail system plan. Our post plan we often refer to it. That's uh really a document that's guided by our park board. Uh also with our natural resources management plan guided by our park board, they look at those plans in terms of our park system and looking at our 53 parks in our city and the long-term usage of our parks and the capital equipment needs of those. Uh we also then have our capital improvement plan that takes a look at a lot of our equipment and again I'll touch base on our capital improvement plans which is a five-year document that looks at all of our asset management. We have our economic improvement plan that looks at our business climate and all the investments that we're making in housing and affordable housing. uh that really again feeds into our um decisions and discussions here this evening. Uh then our comprehensive plan which is our long-term visioning document that's our comprehensive look at the city and all the tools in terms of streets and infrastructure and roads and trails and parks. So it's our comprehensive plan that's developed every 10 years. And then last, facility planning. Uh, council, you've been, uh, working on and had, um, presentations from staff in the last year and a half on a lot of our facilities in terms of, uh, a number of buildings here at the city, ranging from our community center to the marsh, Williston, uh, our, uh, Glen Lake activity center. So, again, facilities that feed into our budget. I say all this because of the complexities here at city hall and the complexities of our organization and the amount of effort that it takes to really manage all of our assets and to really look again long term and making sure that we're viable as a city long term. Some of the budget goals again uh not to be too repetitive uh our budget as we approach our budget for 2026 some of our goals does reflect our city's mission vision values. I know I've already said that uh we look to align our council priorities in the strategic plan in our budgeting process. We also again utilize our community survey uh through this process and something that again the mayor and often times our staff and you as a council talk about is our commitment to excellence and excellence comes um with values and it's a values proposition for the city and and where do we look to invest in terms of our service delivery. Uh as we get more specific in the coming slides, uh we look at our managing our our core business of the city. Um oftentimes we refer to as our business as usual. What is what are the costs that are driving existing infrastructure today? And so as we break this down, as we look at our own inflationary factors, just like folks have experiencing in their own homes, in their own businesses, our wages and benefits for employees, we have increased costs in our service contracts, state mandates, as an example, our own energy costs going up with electrical and gas and heating our facilities. All of that is looking at at a base increase of our tax levy next year of 4.7%. Again, we'll look more deeper into these numbers into the coming slides. I also want to be um uh at least point I should say point out to uh to you and to the public that we really conceptually take a zerobased budget approach and that what what I mean by that is we as a staff budget really from ground zero every year. Uh we don't take any of our operations for granted. Uh as staff we look at really starting from scratch every year. Uh so we're not just building in costs just for the sake of building in costs. We really take a look at staffing. We look at personnel. We scrutinize every line item in our budget uh ranging from again some of the things I've noted from staffing to service level contracts. All those expenditures are built every year from the ground from the ground level. Uh also uh looking into next year uh reflect the city's commitment to our public safety investments with their public safety master plan. Uh we're estimating a levy increase of 2.7%. Uh and then also this budget reflects a long-term strategy for financing our facility needs. So, I touched on that on that wheel of wheel of options or the wheel of uh explanation of our long-term commitments. Uh we're so we're looking at a 77% levy increase for commitment uh to long-term financing for fire stations and perhaps community center. Uh in that conversation, uh again, it's a commitment to our long-term planning. And then lastly, I just want to leave everyone with with knowing that uh our next year, our approach is going to be more grounded in priority based budgeting. and council. I know we've talked about this extensively in our study sessions that really is a desired outcome also in our financial strength pillar in our strategic plan is looking at how we can best align our expenditures with our priorities. So from a staff level effort, uh we're going to be engaging in that process and really our budget process will look a little bit different next year as we look to assign more costs to programs. Um so we'll all have a better understanding of again those cost allocations and where they're going in terms of our expenditures. Oops. Sorry about that. The mouse is a little touchy. So, overall with our entire city budget, oftentimes we're asked what is the city's budget? And this really illustrates the entire city budget. All of our funds in total is roughly 124 million. That expresses the expenditures. Really, we break down our expenditures and we think about this 124 million. I often use the word buckets a lot. So think of two buckets. Uh the first bucket is illustrated uh on the left hand side of this graph which is our governmental funds. That's the first bucket. Our governmental funds are those funds that are supported by property taxes. The second bucket is uh in that purple circle which is enterprise funds. Uh so that's a separate uh again kind of a separate bucket in our enterprise funds. That's where you'll find in our earlier conversation here this evening our water and sewer funds, storm water, environmental recycling. Uh this is where Willist Center falls, our Grace Bay Marina are all funds within enterprise funds. In total, that's about 31 just shy of $31 million of that $124 million. Now, going back to governmental funds, um so that bucket, there's then four funds or four buckets within that bucket, if you will. Uh, and I'll just quickly go around um this wheel. Starting at the top in that yellow circle is special revenue. Our special revenue funds are are those that are noted there. It's where you'll find our cable TV fund, ice arena, the marsh, our affordable housing trust fund, our electric franchise fund, our HRA, and a few others. And so in total, those special revenue funds total 7.3 million. Next in that more aqua colored circle is our capital and project capital improvement project funds. That's where we'll find expenditures in our five-year CIP such as our streets, uh technology, investments in equipment, investments in our parks and trails. So cap improvement is that again kind of aqua colored circle, excuse me. The next circle at the bottom is that brownish colored circle. That's debt service. Uh that's $1.5 million. That's where we have our general obligation debt. So that's principal and interest payments really regarding our public safety facility that was constructed about five almost now six years ago. And then last is the general fund that is 60.1 million. That's that blue bluish colored circle. That's where we tend to spend some most of our time and that's where we find our eight departments. So with police and fire uh we'll find legal, finance, community development, administration. We have a slide coming up that shows that in greater detail, but our general fund is typically where we spend most of our conversation because that's where most of our tax dollars are allocated and that's what that graph is over on the right hand side. So on the very right hand side of this is tax dollars allocation. And so this really relates to then governmental funds. So, going back to the governmental funds and the four that I just mentioned, when we break down the property taxes of those four funds, that blue part of the circle, and I'll use my mouse so everyone can follow along. Assume everyone can see this. So, about 80% of our proposed tax levy in this blue part of the pie directly correlates to the general fund. So, again, that's where part of the reason we spend most of our time with the general fund is that's where most of our tax dollars go. And so that's to that general fund. The next piece of that pie is in this yellow portion at 16% that relates to then um and I'm sorry they're not colorcoded. Uh but that really relates to our capital project fund. So 16% related to our capital project fund. Uh 2% is then our special revenue accounts. And so part of that 2% is for uh our HRA levy, the marsh and the ice arenas. And then last 1% is debt. So that 1% little piece is related to debt service. So hopefully that kind of illustrates from a high level perspective all the different funds we have in the city. Uh the governmental funds versus the enterprise funds and then again where a portion and the portions of our tax levy go. Whoops. We do, as I mentioned earlier, we spend a lot of time on our budget. Uh we this does start back in March. And so what this graph illustrates is the meetings that the council has had throughout this uh throughout this year starting back on March 24th with director presentations. What what's on the right hand side of this then it then also correlates to the previous slide that I just talked about. So we want to just point out to you and to uh the the public of when we had conversations and which part of our budgets were discussed. So, for example, on March 24th on those director presentations, all parts and all phases of our budget were discussed. On April 28th, we had community and business survey information. That was more related to our general fund and our capital project fund. On May 12th, we had an official budget kickoff session. Uh that was a study session where we focused primarily in the general fund, our debt funds, and capital project funds. In June, we had discussions our capital improvement plan and our economic improvement plan. Uh that's again kind of noted here by those X's uh indicating which funds uh were discussed. Then in August we had an operating budget study session again focusing on our general fund and our debt funds. In September 8th uh public uh excuse me September 8th regular council meeting there was a preliminary levy and budget adopted. Uh all the funds were hit on except for our enterprise funds. Um that's uh then was discussed our enterprise funds were discussed and on October 27th more of our utility infrastructure and then in November our operating budget study session all of our funds were discussed and then here we are tonight. And so it goes without saying we spent a lot of hours if you add up the hours considerable hours spent really discussing all phases of our budget. So tonight again is our budget um discussion where we will receive public comment. Then on December 22nd is an alternate budget approval date. Again, this slide what it does is show that all funds, so that 124 million that was shown two slides ago, this breaks this down by revenues and then expenditures by program and expenditures by category. In terms of revenues, uh, taxes or property taxes fund generally about 50, it's 49% but rounding up roughly half of the revenues for all of our funds. The other bigger category is then fees and charges and those are really the utility fees that you set and that we discussed earlier. So, a lot of the fees then also pay for those costs related to those special revenue accounts. We also then rely on obviously other revenue sources uh license and permits intergovernmental re revenues and then other incomes. When we break this down, excuse [clears throat] me, expenditures by program, uh streets and utilities is the largest piece of this at 47.4 million or 38%. Next is public safety at around 24% or 30,521,000. Parks environmental at 11% or 13 million. Recreation 11,96,000 development at $6,984 or 6% and then general government at 11%. We further break that down uh differently than expenditures by category. And we often look at we're in terms of program and then the actual cost uh by category. In this example, personnel is 45%, capital outlay of 27%, service charges at 18%, ser supplies at 4% and then debt service at 6%. Again, budgets are um can be um evaluated so many different ways and so we can slice uh slice and dice it a lot of different ways, but we try to keep it in a way that everyone can understand. This here is very similar information, but we take a look at just the general fund alone. So the previous two slides, the general fund is roughly 61 million. This takes a look at just the general fund because this again this is where most of our tax dollars live and most of our expenditures that support that are supported by those tax dollars. So when we look at just the general fund, uh taxes comprise of about 78% of the general fund. Uh the other thing that we really pay attention to and council I know you don't know this is over in license and permits of 4,17,000 that's the community development activity. So the permitting that we do the the growth that we see uh developers that come forward uh we really rely on those uh building permit fees as a to really supplement um the general fund. Uh that always makes it hard because when we do our forecasting or one things that can make it hard when we do our forecasting, if we forecast slower growth in the city and permit revenues go down, that's really gets backfilled by taxes. And so we're really cognizant of how we work with developers and how we work with uh improvement projects in our city because that growth is important and really in on in terms of how we look at our revenue side of the equation. Then looking at again the expenditures by program just in the general fund public safety is the largest portion at 46% which is at 27 million729 very common uh most cities public safety is the largest expenditure it is for us and generally what we see is public safety in that same kind of percentage as compared to many of our comparable cities. Next is our uh general government at 16% 9.694 694 million, streets and utilities 8.754 million, parks and environment at 5 million which is 8%, recreation at 4.7 million or 8% and then development at 4.162 million. And then again expenditures by category uh council, I know you've heard this from staff before, but personnel is our largest expenditure in the general fund. We'll illustrate that more in a coming slide. Uh 78% of our costs are related to people. Uh we are in the people business. uh we're in the service industry and so that's where why we see a lot of our our largest expenditure is tied to our personnel. We show this graph um as not to benchmark but to really illustrate where does Minnetonka compare to many of our comparable cities. Uh this graph illustrates a 20-year look back. Um and it compares Minnitanka to um starting on the left from Blaine all the way down to the right of Eden Prairie. Uh we've done research and really taken a look at how do we compare um to other cities and over the last 20 years. The aggregate increase is uh 99% as noted there. Our uh our we're slightly below that average or 96%. So we are below the average uh aggregate as noted there. I don't know if that's meant to make people feel good or bad, but it's about positioning and where do we compare to other cities. As you hear from staff, other cities have different needs. We have our needs and our budget again is really wrapped around our strategic plan and our own goals. Every city has their story depending on infrastructure, depending on debt service, depending on uh priorities they may have. Uh again, this just really illustrates where we compare to our other cities. Uh one takeaway I'd say is we're not certainly the highest tax city compared to our our comparable cities, nor are we the lowest. we kind of fall in the middle and um one could argue that that is our commitment to excellence. Excellence does come with a cost and this does fit within uh the goals and priorities outlined in our strategic plan. Diving a little deeper then into next year's proposed levy and this is really our drivers for next year. uh when we look at these drivers and I'll go spend a little time on this slide because this really talks to what is driving then our levy projected levy increase of next year. Uh as noted earlier uh next year's proposed city tax levy is 7.91%. What this does then is illustrate what is driving that 7.91%. Uh I'll start with the second line and I'll come back to the first one here in a second. First looking at staffing in cola. So, our cost of living adjustments and market rate adjustments for staff uh based on our pay system plan is 1,457. That has a budget impact or a levy impact of 2.6%. Health insurance costs are rising. The city's health insurance next year is just shy of 9%. Uh that is a shared cost between employees and staff. For the city's share, that is 480,000 or just shy of 1% of the levy. We do have uh a new state law that came into play this last year which is the Minnesota paid family medical leave. Uh that is again a state law that came into play that is required not only by governments but by all private businesses in the state of Minnesota. There are some some exemptions to that but mainly affects everyone doing business in the state of Minnesota even governmental entities. Uh there's an estimated cost of 300,000 that again will be a shared cost between the city and staff. So for the city's share of 150,000 that's.3 of the tax levy. Uh we are asking a staff for a non-p parallegal position to support our law enforcement. And so that parallegal will be housed in our legal department and would support uh again the efforts of our police department in their in their um in the work that they do. That parallegal position salary and benefits roughly calculated 115,000 or.2% of the levy. Um again I want to come back to this now I'll come back to this first line item. So this is the difference of about 400,000 and that that uh expenditure really relates to other inflationary costs of the city. So I alluded to earlier we have uh rising costs for our own electrical bills, our heating bills, we have service contracts that are increasing uh and other other costs that are increasing uh outside of the city's control. So that's where that falls into play. So really when you look at cost of just doing the business as usual really nothing new added to the city except for the position as noted looking at a levy increase of 4.7%. Moving on then to the other budget drivers budget drivers the ice and the marsh uh looking at a $400 tax levy to support those operations that has an impact of.7%. uh we do have a decrease in the levy. So we are able to carry over excess funds from the general fund to the capital improvement fund. So we're able to we're able to reduce the capital improvement levy by 513,000 or a savings in our levy of.9%. We then have our investments and our commitment to the public safety master plan that is 1,464,000 or 2.7%. And then our facility improvements, uh, as noted earlier, uh, increasing the levy by 405,000. That will as part of our long-term planning efforts as we gear as we gear up for potential bond issuance for improvements to the fire stations and perhaps the community center. So, a total levy of 7.91%. When you factor in the HR levy, which is a separate levy of 300,000, the net levy effect is 7.87%. Looking back then at a 10-year levy history, again, uh we work our we work really hard at trying to control our levy. Uh we do have rising costs every year related to staffing, related to our union contract commitments, uh to our health insurance commitments, and to other priorities of the city. So naturally, we would see that increase in our tax levy. This is colorcoded that breaks down u some of the things that our our main budget drivers as I alluded to earlier, which is our capital improvement plan, that's that blue box. Uh the operations of the city, that's that general fund portion is the orange and then debt service is that gray. So those are our biggest uh drivers of the tax levy and those are noted on this slide. So, not only do we look back and give you a sense of what the levy has done the last 10 years, we also then look forward. And so, part of our financial planning, Mr. Nelson and his team look at our long-term financial management plan and we look at what our future levies would look like. And so what this represents is as we look forward again at 2026 7.91% uh we do have uh in looking at 27 and 28 those are the last couple years of the investments in the public safety master plan and then we do see tax levy relief coming out in 2029 and 2030. And what this really illustrates is the impacts of that investments in our public safety master plan. So that's again of going above and beyond what our normal uh general fund operating uh increases would be. [clears throat] We do also do some uh kind of similar to the last slide I showed you a couple slides ago. Uh we do take a look at then in 2026 what's happening with some of our neighboring communities. Uh as you see we're we're about in the middle of that. U again kind of broken down as we've been talking here this evening about I said noted earlier about 4.7%. This slide says about 4.5% that so it's about 4.5 4.7% for our operations investments in the public safety master plan at 2.7% and then our debt service uh commitment of.7%. Uh we don't know how other cities break down their their budget drivers but anecdotally um what I can tell you is that as I talk to my colleagues in other cities uh what's driving these levy increases in other cities tends to be staffing. Uh we're seeing staffing increases in public safety in other cities. That has a lot of explanation in what's happening in in Woodbury and Adina and I don't like the name off these cities, but I do know that in talking with those city managers, that's what's contributing to a lot of the growth in these tax levies is inflationary pressures and increased staffing for public safety. At this point, I'm going to turn over to Darren. Um, again, hopefully you're getting a sense for we're starting out wider with the budget presentation this evening as we'll start to narrow down into more of the intricate details. So, with that, I'm going to turn over to Mr. Nelson who further represent uh the work that he's done with with our directors and myself as we look into again some of those more finite details of those budget drivers. So, with that, Mr. Nelson. Thank you, Mr. Funk. You did a great job of going over this budget, so I will uh try to keep it briefer on my end here. So, um, so looking at the public safety master plan as that's been a driver of the budget here for the last 3 years or so and looking what makes up those drivers for the 2026 budget are, um, we added nine firefighters in 2025 and those were mid-year hires. So, we hired those um, they came on board July 1stish or so of 20 of this year and so we funded those with the 2025 levy halfway through the year. And so since they're now full-time employees throughout the entire year for 2026, we need to to fund those for the entire year. So that's about an additional cost of about $630,000 um to to make those um positions funded for the entire year for 2026. Another project that's been driving the public safety master plan is our um Axon service agreement. And this is for some tasers, body and squad cameras, training equipment, and a records management system. And so this has a cost of about $615,000 for 2026. And this is a 10-year agreement. Uh the cost will come down in the in future years a little bit as the implementation of these various projects including the records management system takes place and we're able to phase out some older software as well too. Um so we'll have some savings there that we'll recognize over the next next couple years on that end of it. But that is a big chunk um of our public safety master plan for for the upcoming year. And then we also have a community engagement officer which is is a cost of about $140,000 and that was um also called called out in the public safety master plan as a as a need um for the department there. And then lastly, we have drones as first responders and that was a a newer program that we initiated this past summer. Um that's about $300,000 a year as well too for the next um nine or 10 years on that end of it. And that first year is being funded for 2026 is being funded out of the capital improvement program or the CIP. Um but we will need to probably bring that into the the operational budget for for next year for 2027 on that end of it. So um and that drones first responder um program or those DFRs um they did supplant the kind of the need to hire some additional um police officers as well too. So um we'll be able to recognize some savings or some costneutral positioning anyway on on on that program. Um, so what else is in the budget outside of the public safety master plan? So, as Mr. Funk mentioned, the the non-UN class and compensation study, um, that is in here as well, too. So, that um, our the cost of living adjustments are built off a 3% COLA and then a 0 to 2% market adjustment based off of the bargain unit or the non-UN wage scale per se on that end of it. Um, and wages are a big part of our general fund as as Mr. Funk mentioned. So, that's $ 1.45 million of an impact or about 78% as as Mr. Funk mentioned within our general fund um health insurance um that was also mentioned. So there's a cost share there about $480,000 um uh cost to our general fund for 26. And then the Minnesota paid family medical leave um impact as well too that comes on comes on comes up becomes effective January 1st of our of the new year. And then we have the additional FTE for the legal department. Um and so that's about $115,000 there. And then lastly, we have been looking for the last few years our cable franchise or our cable TV special revenue fund um is mainly funded by uh franchise fees from the from Comcast through franchise fee through um customers of that they have on that end of it. And as more people have cut the the cord per se on on cable TV or those franchise fees have been reducing over the years. And so we've had a concerted effort to really move staffing from our cable television fund over to the general fund over the last number of years. I think we got that complete. Uh it was either 25 or in 2025 or 2024 we we were able to transfer that last position over to um outside of the cable TV fund and over to the general fund. Um but there still are some items within the in this in the cable TV fund that have kind of um accumulated over the years. So our summerfest program or summerfest festival is in that spe in the cable television fund along with spooktacular and our farmers market. And so we'd really like to get those out. Those are really general fund. Those are programmatic programs within um either recreation um or other other departments on on that end of it. So, we really like to get those in the general fund. We just don't have a way to pay for those at the moment. So, uh, we moved the programming over to the general fund and then we kind of subsidize it with a with a transfer from the cable TV fund with plans in the future to kind of um minimize that transfer, reduce that transfer over over the next couple years to try to um minimize the impact on the on the tax levby for those various events and programs. [snorts] So, as Mr. Funk also mentioned about the facility improvements and so council um you're well aware of this. You did you've looked at a community facility study both back in 2024 and then we reviewed that again um earlier this year in 2025 looking at uh not only the community center but some of the other facilities as well too. And so, um, last year at the preliminary levy, we had, um, initially we had dollars in there to remodel the marsh and other the Wilson Center and other facilities, community facilities, and we ended up taking that out at the preliminary levy time. And so that those dollars weren't in there, weren't in the final levy or anything like that, but obviously there's still a need and some costs out there. Um, and one that was kind of brought up was a community center remodel. That project had been slated to happen kind of right before we bought the marsh. And uh obviously with the purchase of the marsh, we put the community center refurbishments on hold. And so that those refurbishments still kind of probably need to happen at some point along the way. And so looking for a way to try to fund those on a peace meal or on a on a savings account basis anyway on on that end of it. And so looking to um start with the levy for this year with a 7% levy increase to um put away about $45,000 which could be funding either um the community center or community facilities or as as Mr. Funk mentioned the satellite fire stations as well there too. So um so we will have a need for both of those as well too. So looking at a remodel of fire station 2 is our biggest um need at the moment. um that has a a range from anywhere from $2.5 million to to kind of refurbish that to $9 million to actually to rebuild that entire facility. And so um financing those facilities is challenging. Uh we do have uh we did have a an asking to the legislature last year to fund uh the marsh and the op and the opus open opus open space area. um which would you know if we got that funded that would have hap that would have allowed us to probably fund some other projects as well too but unfortunately there was no legislative bonding bill last year. Um we did submit another bonding bill this year for a fire station. Uh we kind of thought our need the needs were um better chance of receiving funding from the state if we look at something on the police and fire side or the public safety side of things versus uh maybe some more so the recreational side of things on on that end of it. And so we did put a request into the legislature for $5.33 million to rebuild fire station 2. And so we'll have to wait and see how the legislative session rolls out to see if we're successful in in receiving those funds. There is a big ask across the entire state on that end of it. It's billions of dollars. So um I'm not sure if our 5.33 million is is there or not, but we're going to do our part to to lobby for it and and do our best to raise our hand on that end of it. And then the other financing option out there um which has a it's had a moratorium over the last couple years is sales tax. And so the city does not have a local sales tax. Um there are a number of cities around the metro around the state that do have a local sales tax. Um the legislature had been seeing a big increase in asks for sales tax and so a couple years ago they put a moratorium in place and so they could study it and kind of come out with a a recommendation on moving forward on what the process would need to be or what would be eligible. um that two-year time frame ended at the end of the last legislative session with uh no change in in law there. So, um it was kind of still open to to back to the old practice now of needing to go back to legislature to ask for approval before you would go to potentially to your voters for and ask for a sales tax there. So, which basically leaves your last financing source of property taxes and so um looking to know that we have a fairly substantial levy increase again with our public safety master plan and that's a a couple years remaining on that project as well too. Looking to kind of step into these um facility improvements that we need. We know we need the fire station. Uh we know eventually we'll need the community center at some point down the road. And so we looked at increasing the levy by this 7% um or about $45,000 um to dedicate towards future facility improvements. And so this would be a a two-year step. So there'd be $45,000 this year and an additional $45,000 next year, which would equal $810,000, which is about the principal and interest payments on a 20-year u municipal bond at that point in time. So um it gives you some options. Um if you start here, we have, you know, a little bit of savings that we we could generate from that as well too from um a bond that we paid off earlier. Um so we'd have a little bit in in the kitty to begin with there. So moving on to the general fund. Just wanted to show briefly. I know we've hit with some charts and graphs and pigraphs on the on the general fund and some of our other funds, but just wanted to briefly kind of show you um the revenues and expenditures and kind of the detailed programmatic areas that that this breaks out. And so if we look at our 26 budget column, that's the 60.1 or $60.2 million of revenues. Um the $47.6 million is property taxes associated with that. And then you have all your other revenues that Mr. Funk mentioned earlier making up that total revenue amount. Then your expenditures are broke down here by u uh program as well too by by function by general government public safety streets parks and environment etc on that end of it. So that brings us down if you're looking at the 2026 budget column we got a surplus of revenues or expenditures over expenditures of $78,200. Um and if you look down just a two lines further there's a transfer out to other funds of that 78,200. Those are some operating transfers that we make. Um, one is to the community investment fund for repayment of the uh, Minnetonka um, art or music Minnotonka music association building from a number of years ago. Um, and then the remaining is a part dedicated to all field fees and things like that. So we we do balance the budget each and every year. So we bring it down to that zero um, zero uh, difference between our revenues and expenditures. But if you look, there's a transfer to capital project funds of $2.55 million. And so those are reserves in our general fund that we ended the year in 2024 with that we're able to move to our capital project funds um to reallocate for one-time per purposes, which um a lot of our street improvement projects or u parks and trails or um capital equipment, those types of things. That's where we're able to reduce the CIP levy by that 0.9% um by able to transfer these reserves out of the general fund over to the capital project funds. A year ago, we weren't projecting that. We were projecting that we were pretty much done with our transfers out of the general fund that we didn't have the reserves available to be able to do that in the future and that the CIP would probably have to stand on its own and not be had the luxury of having some additional transfers. Um we had a good year in 2024. 2025 is looking the same way as well too. So crossing our fingers that we end the year in a good note there as well too to help kind of supplant some of the capital project funds. There's we have a lot of capital project funds and we have a lot of projects and um they're not all sufficiently funded at this point as well either. So um that would all be good news there. And I'm just going to touch briefly on here. So here's that the other kind of bubble or a bucket that Mike was talking about uh with the special revenue funds. These are all of our special revenue funds here. Um, what I really want to kind of call out is the the first line there under general property taxes. And over on the far right, you have three columns there that have numbers in the general property taxes. The first one is the housing and redevelopment authority. So that's our H8. So that's that's that spe special levy that we that we uh it's not work. Is it not working right? Okay. Sorry. [laughter] Um, so that's that's our H levy. That's our special levy that shows up as a separate line item on property taxes. And then the ice arena and marsh fund. Those are um two new levies for this year. The Ice Arena fund. In the past, we have been transferring dollars from the general fund over to the Ice Arena Fund to help um subsidize that fund as it um has had some needs with some capital needs and some operating needs in in the past. Um the ice arena fund will be redoing one of its ice rings, ice arena B, this summer or this spring. will be redoing the refrigeration system. So, the ice rink will be down. Our revenues will be less and so we expect our expenditures to be less as well too to a certain extent. Um, but we're we're assuming that we're going to need a little bit more subsidy in the ice arena fund for 2026. And then the marsh fund um that's we're looking to subsidize that by $200,000 there as well too with um property taxes. Um here are all of our capital project funds. So, we got lots of different buckets, lots of different funds, and all with a dedicated purpose and use on those. And so, here, if you look at the general property taxes line, and you follow it all the way over to the far right, the total capital project funds total there is $9.3 million. So, that's our CIP, our capital improvement program levy that we're levying amount. So, that's and that's the breakout of where the different dollars go amongst the different funds. Obviously, our street improvement fund gets a majority of that at 5 point almost $5.9 million. And here's that other bucket. Here's the enterprise funds. Um there is no tax dollars in these funds, but these are just the the five or six that make up um the enterprise funds. And you can see the environmental, that's our environmental recycling fund that actually has a negative cash balance. Um we're um forecasting for 2026. And that's really where we need to catch up with those organic recycling rates that we talked about earlier as well too. We had a loss that we we're accumulating right now. and that will re recoup that loss over the next 2026 and 2027. So we look at homeowner impacts um and really what happens with um property taxes and with values is that they're shifting values amongst different property types. And this happens every year. Um some years are better than others depending on which category you're in. But if you look at single household residential, that increased 4.1%. That's been about the average for the last couple years, somewhere in that ballpark, maybe been a little bit less in prior years. Um, but if you look at some of the other areas that are seeing a decrease. So look, look at our commercial area is down.5%. So we're hearing stories, Minneapolis St. Paul area where there's big commercial buildings are vacant and the taxes are going away. Well, um, that's not necessarily the case here in Minnetonka. So we do have some um buildings that are vacant, but the property value doesn't go down to zero either. It does get reduced, but it doesn't go down to zero. And we have different segments of the commercial property areas that are actually doing really well on that end of it. So small commercial facility or buildings are doing really well, whereas large office complexes aren't doing as as well on that end of it and such. But what happens is that the property tax burden shifts and so no longer the commercial and condominiums and apartments are seeing a little bit decline in value. Well, now that shift is going to take is going to be taken on by single household residential lakeshore town homes, those types of things on on that end of it. So no matter if we kept our levy exactly flat, all these property owners are going to see a shift in their property taxes either up or down. Nobody is ever going to really stay exactly equal unless it was by chance on on that end of it. So, it's really dependent upon what your property does in comparison to the rest of the properties um throughout the throughout the city. And you can see um a median valued home which is valued at $521,300 will see an increase of about $168 or 9% for this upcoming year. And so here I wanted to just kind of show what that impacts. So that $138 that we see here on that me Oh, this is 138. Oh, okay. I apologize for this. I meant to do the $168, but um if we look at that 25th percentile um home, which is valued a little bit less than that, we'll u see an increase of about $138. And here we break this out um according to that slide that we looked at earlier, what that impact is across all those different line items. And so you can see that staffing that cola and market increase um accounts for a big piece of that of $46, but our public safety investment plan also accounts for the same amount of that $46 piece of that increase. And so these are all the dollar amounts that make up that $138 across the different areas um theoretically and what um that increase in taxes would would pay for across the city. And here's just another graph that really shows kind of the homeowner impacts and that shifting of of value. Um you can see the the light blue is the residential that's been increasing over the last four or five years. And then the the middle part, the commercial industrial has been shrinking on on that end of it. Um the apartment part did decrease this for 2025, but it has been increasing over the last few years as well though too with the addition of new um apartments being added within the city. that brings in new value. Um that gets then is able to spread the taxes the tax burden across all that new value. So when we talk value, we talk both new construction and value increases. And it's new construction that really helps spread the tax burden um for the rest of the existing tax properties throughout the throughout the city. And I wanted to include since it's the mayor's last budget um budget meeting and he always talks about a way to try to explain taxes and values of properties and all that kind of fun stuff of trying to find a way to help simplify it and I don't think there is a simple way. Um, but I did find a slide through the Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers that provides an example of what if you had four homes that were all valued at $100,000 in one year, the first year in 2024. And so your levy is is $4,000. So it's $1,000 split evenly across those four homes since they're all valued at $100,000. And that levy for the next year remains flat at $4,000, but the values of those properties all change. So some of the properties go up. For instance, the first property goes from on the top goes from 100,000 to 150,000. And so what does that have an on your taxes and so that has now you own additional tax burden from the total value in the city. And so your taxes actually go up about 16% on on on that end of it. You look at the next example where the value remains exactly flat. So you would think, okay, my taxes aren't going to do anything. The levy is exact exactly the same. What's going to happen? Well, what happens is that there was more tax value added to the total and now your $100,000 is a little bit less than the total value than it was the year before. And so your taxes actually decreased by in this instance by by $200 or 20%. And so then then you have some of the other examples here, the bottom two of somewhere in between that um$1 and $150,000 example on that end of it. So you can really see that no matter what the levy does, it's these outside pressures that put a change in your property taxes as well too. So it isn't just yes, it is the city levy, it's the county levy, it's all the levies that impact it as well, too. But that's one of the characteristics or one of the um the factors that go into calculating your property taxes. Your value and your proportionate share of the value compared to the rest of the city's value is that other factor. And then you have to take the take the two combined to kind of see where your levy is going to be at. So So hopefully that helps a little bit. Hopefully it's an example somebody can look back at and um try to make some sense of on a little bit on that end of it. But I wanted to throw that in there. So we look at the HR levy. Um, H levy, we've talked about it several times throughout the summer. That really hasn't changed. Uh, we're looking at levying $300,000 for the upcoming year. That's based off of market value and we could levy um based off of state statute amounts. We could levy up to $2.5 million with in that H levy. We've um always been well below that amount and it's been $300,000 now for the last um year or two on on that end of it. And so um council has reviewed that. they approved the EIP in in September and have recommended no changes since that time. So, a little bit about our budget and communication and feedback. So, we always encourage um input from the public on our budget. And so, we do um we have made a concerted effort on Minnitankka Matters, which is our communication tool on our website to try to garner that feedback. We put all of our budget documents out there. It goes out to anybody that signed up for that. We also use other communication methods through our Minnitankka memo and our social media. And then obviously our truth and taxation meeting is tonight. So those notices all went out in mid- November with the proposed property tax statements. Um and we staff has shared all of our our budget comments with the council as well too. And so um tonight's the night for public input, official public input on that end of it. So um I think that's probably about our last slide on that. And I do want to just touch on property tax rebates as well too. I know our property our tax levy is is higher than we want it, higher than what we would prefer to have it, but um it is going for things that we have a need for within the city as well too, but we also want to want to make sure that um property owners are aware of property tax rebates. There are a couple of them out there. A couple of them are um or one of them is income based for sure, but there is one that if your property taxes go up by over 12% and $100. Um no matter what your income is, you are eligible for a property tax rebate there. So when you're preparing your taxes um this spring, make make sure that your tax preparer or [snorts] um who's ever doing your taxes or if it's yourself that you you take a look at this and really take advantage of this. um the property tax refund program for um I know for fixed income individuals can be a very beneficial program and provide sub substantial relief on that end of it. So want to make sure that everyone's um aware of that. We do promote that in um when we have our valuation notices that we send out in the spring with through assessing. We usually put a note in there on that and then we also communicate that uh through the Mitanka memo as well too. But u can't reiterate that program enough is to make sure that just to check and make sure you're to see if you're eligible or not because it is worthwhile. Oh, and so I think that is all I have for for me. U Mr. Frank, do you have anything else? >> Thank you, Mr. and Nelson. Uh, Mayor and Councel does conclude our staff presentation and we turn it back over to you for questions and then, uh, comments from the public questions. >> Well, very good. Thank you, Mr. Funk and Mr. Nelson. Um, that was a lot there. Um, council is quite familiar with it because we've spent a lot of time with you on this, but it's a big topic. This is one of the more important evenings of the year uh because it's important for us to hear from the public. But, council, any questions of staff um, uh, before we open the public hearing? anyone? Like I said, we've we've we've been through this quite a bit. So, um this opportunity um if you have uh comments that you'd like to make on your um tax statements and the tax that um and the uh city budget, please uh come forward, state your name and address and tell us what you want us to hear. Um what uh what happens here tonight uh we we passed a preliminary levy and that was that 7.91%. Um as Mr. Nelson's new slide uh indicated [clears throat] um you know it's not just so simple if we take a 7.9% levy increase everyone's taxes are not going to go up 7.9%. because it's those other valuation factors that may cause your um tax increase to be meaningfully above or meaningfully below um what the overall levy is because it's what your property value uh represents. Um a lot of people think, well, that's a mill rate system and you know, if my house goes up in value, I'm going to pay more tax. if it goes down in value, um I'm I'm going to pay less in in um taxes. That's not the way it works. The way it works is that your value represents a po um a proportion of the city's total u tax value. And so you pay your share. I mean, if if you um you know, if our total valuation is a billion dollars and you live in a house that's worth a million dollars, 1,000th of a billion dollars, um you would um you would uh you would pay 1,000th of a levy increase and that would be your responsibility. However, it's not that simple because we have all these different property value classifications and as uh Mr. Nelson showed some some go up more than others and so um it affects the share that you owe and I think his slide demonstrated that pretty well. So it's it's complex, it's difficult, but there is not a direct correlation between your value um and um your taxes because of these other factors. So complex, difficult, but um um it's not a it's not a direct um um correlation between your value and the taxes you owe. It's um there are more factors involved. So um please come forward, state your name and address and let us know what you would like to hear uh you would like us to know. um the um when we when you received that preliminary value valuation that was based upon the 7.9% preliminary levy. If we were to decide to lower that or increase it, we could do either tonight. And that we can't increase it because because the preliminary levy is the maximum we can do. But but if we decided to lower it tonight, that would that would affect that would affect your taxes. Um but um the preliminary levy is the most we can levy. So that's 7.91 35%. Was that 9? Yeah, 7.91%. >> Mr. Mayor, I think it was 7.9 93 I think it was. We actually did lower the final proposed levy >> to 7.9 smidging rate. >> All right, pardon me for that. So that's the maximum and uh some of the decisions we could make tonight could could impact that in one direction only down. Um but um but uh we've been through it a lot and you know um I think I think our I think our budget's pretty tight, but that's part of the conversation tonight. So please come forward and let us know what you want us to know. >> Yes, it is. Please come forward. State your name and address. >> Good evening, mayor and council members. U my name is Lan Toiver and I live on Yuwood Road. Um I'm here tonight to comment on the city's budget. Um, I've been coming to these council meetings this time of year, several years in a row. Sometimes I've been the only person in the audience, so it's good to see other people here tonight. Um, first I'd like to establish that I've been a Mitanka resident since 1980. Um, first, uh, lived in Williams Lane and then in 1994 moved into my current home. And I've been an active citizen and, um, served on various, uh, Minnetonka boards and commissions. Um along with having serving served uh regionally on the Nine Mile Creek wershed district for 21 years and I've also uh served the state of Minnesota on the board of water and soil resources being appointed by Minnesota's governor for two terms and I currently serve on the Minnitanka Charter Commission and I love Minnetonka. For the most part I think the city does a lot of things right but I feel there's room for improvement. Example, the value of my house raised over $56,000 this last year and my property taxes increased 14.8%. The city's assessing department added taxable items that have existed on my house since my house was built in 1972. My front stoop is now called an open air porch and it's now a taxable item. That stoop was built when the house was built in 1972, but now I'm going to be paying extra taxes on it. A back patio that existed since the 70s has now been added as a taxable item. So suddenly reclassifying and adding items that have existed in our homes for over 50 years, and it's escalating our home values. And this feels like a city that's trying to push its seniors out. And this concerns me. It's a real concern. And at the same time, the city continues with large budget increases. not only adding our value, increasing our values, but now also getting it on the other side with the large budget increases with absolutely no end in sight, which we we saw tonight for the next few years. We used to have a council member that was very budget conscious. Dick Allenorf and with every council decision all year long, not just in December. He kept staff on their toes, urging staff to find ways to accomplish things more economically. Before Dick, it was Doc Renicki. I'm thinking there probably isn't a single council person here that knows those people and possibly most of the staff. But we cannot continue on this spending path. So which one of you are is going to be that budget council uh conscious person for the future? We need someone. And I have ideas, but it requires changes in thinking. First, challenge city staff. Challenge them to be budget conscious. Rather than rewarding staff on grandiose visions of ways to spend our tax dollars, reward staff when they come up with ideas of reducing spending and eliminating waste. We see this in the newspaper every week of the waste that's happening in our state. Have every department do an examination on how they can cut costs. Recognize that staffer who comes up with the most significant cost savings. Second, stick to must-haves in the budget. Must haves. We've heard about it on our utilities. Must haves, but there's nice to haves in there, too. And then eliminate the don't needs. Eliminate the don't needs. My op opinion, the marsh is a don't need. The Williston is a great facility. We've had it for many years. We got along without the marsh for a long time. The MAR should be owned by a private uh company and I oppose additional spending on this and I encourage the city sell it. Sell it. Also, now's not the time to for the city to be buying additional land. Now's the time for the city to be hunkering down with everything that's happening in our country. We are all feeling the pinch. Third, we're adding more staff to implement the master safety plan. So, what other city positions can be eliminated? It's a balance. We just can't keep adding and adding personnel. Are there other city positions that can be combined to eliminate staff? Can we share more city services with other cities? I'm sure other cities are feeling the pinch, too. And then staff salary increases need to be limited to inflation. I read that our city manager received a 7.25% increase salary increase. Unacceptable. I'm sure he's a nice guy, but hey, I'm a nice person, too. I serve my community, but Social Security, they're still only giving me 2.8% increase. So, when looking at tonight's budget, I encourage you only pass the musthaves. Hold off and rep prioritize the nice to haves. And in 2026, take the challenge to do a deep dive into cost savings so that future budgets are aligned closer to the percentage increase that Social Security deems as the real cost of living. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Toiver. Is there anyone else? >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Tom Stockard, 5524 Dominic. I'll be brief. In 2024, the budget projected a 3.43% increase in 2027. This year, it's 8.91% in 2027. And in 2024, it said the taxes were going to go up 1.63% in 2028. Now that's 7.3% in 2028. Every budget for the last decade has projected years four and five with reasonable increases. It hasn't happened. There will be no reasonable increases in the budget until the city council says we need a reasonable budget increase this year. Over the winter, I'll be reviewing the budget in greater detail and will continue to be a lonely voice ahead of some very tough decisions current city spending is creating. 5 to 6% increases, excluding public safety investments, are unsustainable. Though not noticeable in this room tonight, media and well, I guess it is now. Uh media and residents throughout the metro appear to finally be taking notice about increases in city and county spending. Thanks for listening. >> Thank you, Mr. Stockard. >> Good evening. Welcome. >> Thank you. Hi, my name is Kristen. This is my first ever city council meeting and uh I'm pretty pretty excited to be here. I'm nowhere near as esteemed as my fellow citizen here with her. >> Kristen, your last name? >> Uh Kristen Gorder. >> Thank you. >> Yep. I live on Dominic Drive and uh I appreciate all of your service and your efforts to manage what is a very difficult public budget. Earlier this evening, many of our council members, Calvert, Wilburn, Wilburn, and Ramly, raised that many people are hurting. You even suggested that we donate to the food shelf. We, in addition to the plea for charitable donations, we heard Mr. Nelson discuss the increases to our rates and our fees outside of the property taxes. And not just an increase on one item, right? It's an increase on all of the items, utilities, storm water, recycling, etc. That is approximately 14%. The 2026 city budget has raised concerns for me personally due to a significant property tax increase across the board of the 7.91% appreciated. It varies by home value. While [snorts] the city emphasizes that these funds will maintain essential services and support the priorities such as public se uh safety and future community facilities and fire station improvements. The impact on the homeowner is clear. Mr. Nelson also discussed the impact of commercial property values decreasing and that burden shifting to individual homeowners. Unfortunately, I as an individual homeowner and as an individual earner can in no way make up a commercial property tax deficit. [snorts] What amplifies this concern for me is the city's multi-year financial plan, which projects an annual levy increase ranging from 7.4 to over 9% through 2029. And as a budget owner in a corporation, so I do this same process every year. Granted, I don't start in March, but I do this and I am required to keep my budget flat or down. And specifically for 2026, I'm being asked to reduce my budget year-over-year. I am being asked to find ways to do more with less. And that is literal. So when we talk about a business asusual plan as referenced by Mr. Funk, I am unclear why we're starting priority-based budgeting next year. I would urge us to actually throw out the business as usual and start priority based budgeting now. I want to thank my fellow homeowner for her recommendations on how to bring the budget down to a more reasonable level. But really, in the end, many households in this city are already facing economic pressures. This trajectory that has been presented raises questions about long-term affordability and whether alternative cost-saving measures were fully explored. I believe the council should reject the budget. sharpen your pencils and bring the cost for the citizens down. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does anyone else Does anyone else want to comment on this? Now, I'm not going to beg. So, if I'm going to ask one more time, if you don't come, that's we're going to wrap it up. All right. Well, thank you very much for comments. I'll bring it back to the council. So, council members comments. I think I think we're at that stage. So, what are your thoughts? What are your comments? >> Council, I can try to start. So, first of all, I want to make sure that everyone in this room and watching knows that we all live in Minnetonka and we are also taxpayers. So when we raise your loveies, we raise it on ourselves as well. And you may notice that I have a few blonde highlights of my own. Um my husband's been retired for some time and so the cost pressures on people on fixed incomes is very um you know I'm very aware um of those cost pressures and um so just talking about you know some of the things that we have done to save money and the the idea of mustave versus nice to have versus don't need. So, um we have said no to things. Um as was mentioned in the presentation, there was 2% in the levy for this year suggested for improvements to this building and we said no because we couldn't afford it. And just for the record, I do know Mr. Allen Dorf because I sit in his previous um seat. Um and uh we also invested in drones as first responders in part because that because our wonderful police chief um said that it would help uh first of all it would help us do many things including um make our public safety more effective, but it would save two law enforcement officer positions and the benefits that go with them. Um, as far as the marsh goes, yes, it was an initial cost outlay, but I have said this in so many budget meetings over the last few years. We did a facility study um and a a recreation study about the needs in the city, the needs. Um, and we needed another pool because we didn't have enough lane time, lesson time, um, for the people that were signing up for for swimming. So, this is just one example of one kind of facility. To build a new pool would have cost $25 million at that time. So, it'd be a lot more now. We got that whole building, two pools, all of the exercise equipment, all of the the offices, um 4.6 I what is it? 4 point uh 6 point something uh acres of land on the creek and but and uh trying to acquire property along the creek to protect the creek has been a decadesl long goal of the city. So we acco and we also in that facility study discovered that we needed office space um and um it accomplished additional office space, additional meeting space which we also needed, two pools, all of the exercise equipment, meeting rooms which we needed, and more space for senior um uh activities and so forth. So we accomplished much of that for pennies on the dollar just just taking the pool alone. So there sometimes you have to invest to see the the benefit and that's that is how I view that that investment. Um and uh so we have taken a a look at you know what do we need uh what do we want and um I think we've been pretty prudent and I and I also want to say that we are a growing community. We're not shrinking and to serve that community it's not a zero sum game. When you have more people in the community to serve, you need more people to serve them. You cannot keep loading workload on the staff and expect um the same level of excellence that makes people want to live here. Um and so um all of that is an investment. Um but I know that all of us, you know, we you may not believe it, but we all feel the pain. I live in a an 1100 square foot house that desperately needs a new kitchen. So I understand um you know I understand the struggles. I'm I'm a municipal employee. I am not a rich person and none of us get rich sitting up here. So all of that to say um we have um sharpened our pencils. And there are some people that have uh that have been, you know, writing in social media and are taking some of the the um the facts and figures from our budget and interpreting them in ways that that are are may be a little inaccurate. And so I just want to say all of us up here have studied this budget for nine months and it's a very difficult time. All of the inflation that we're feeling the staff tried to tell us about tonight. So just the cost of pipes for this big project that we're talking about that they said it the cost is went up 18%. So somehow we're supposed to absorb that without um paying for it. And it's it's just not unfortunately it's not realistic if we're going to pay for the infrastructure that we need. And that infrastructure that we invest in gives helps give us a AAA bond rating which gives us very low interest rates and saves taxpayers money on those big um projects. So, I'm not going to wax poetic anymore. Um, I'm in, you know, I've studied the budget and I I'm in favor of um [clears throat] I'm in favor of the budget. I am proud of the investment in public safety. My husband's a retired wildland firefighter and emergency manager, and uh public safety is job one um for this city. And so, I am proud of the investments that we're making. I wish it didn't cost as much money, but it does. And I am so grateful to live in a city that has wonderful uh fire and police service. Um, and that has and that is the uh biggest part of the levy increase aside from just straight inflation. So, I'm supportive of the budget and I just want to thank everyone that came in and weighed in and um expressed their opinions about the budget and please stay in touch and if you want to talk at a future time um my numbers on the website Shaq. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'm really appreciative of the folks that are engaged on this and the comments that we've received and and I I don't take any of it lightly. I will say that, you know, I over the course of um campaigning over the summer, you know, I knocked on thousands of doors. I talked to thousands of people and the number one thing I heard is that people love it here. Um and I do too. And um the the second thing I heard is people asking for more asking for more trails, asking for faster fire response, asking for um I just had an email tonight from somebody who wants a neighborhood park, their trails plowed. Um which I think is a legitimate request, right? But people have things that they want done that we tell them no to all the time because we just can't manage those pressures. The and and I know that there are folks out there who want us to do less. But I I I don't think we can bring the budget down significantly without making significant sacrifices to our way of life. this, you know, and and that is by and large not what I'm hearing our community asking for, for slower plowing times, for their inspections on their home remodel to happen slower, for phone calls to be returned from city hall slower. I'm not hearing people willing to to make those sacrifices. And we that is something I'm willing to consider in the future. You know, is there attrition that we can not rehire for open positions in order to save budget? But that means all of us as residents would have to sacrifice. Our staff works incredibly hard. You see them here tonight. There's more than a dozen staff members here working. Um they'll be here. I I anticipate we we will be here past 11. Um as will these staff members who've been here. I get on the phone on Monday mornings with Mike at 8 a.m. So, um, my point is that in order to maintain the city and what people like and what is important to us as council members, this is the budget. This is the lights on budget. There are certain things I run a business, too, and we're we're facing very similar pressures. Um, insurance rates for the city, we're lucky they're only up 9%. My business, they're up 21%. So, some of the things that we pay as a city, pipes, are not necessarily reflective of the inflationary increases that I might be paying as an individual at Target. So, I I want to consider I'm not comfortable with the budget projection going forward. I am comfortable with the budget for this year, for the commitments that we've made to public safety, for the commitments that we've made to our fire stations, um to the fact that we have to pay these medical insurance premiums is it's just something that we have to do as employers. Um, I agree that we need to make tough decisions going forward and we've made tough decisions this year. I believe the first conversation we heard about bud a budget was over over 10%. So, I think we've done the hard work. I also wanted to clarify, you know, we've I would argue and and I've always taken a little issue with the priority based budget label. it. We have always attempted to budget based on our produce. That has been our goal. It's been tied to the strategic plan. There is a budgeting method that um is being presented to municipalities that is called priority based budgeting that we're going to use some of those methodologies. Not that we haven't. I think talking about it suggests that maybe we haven't budgeted based on priorities in the fa in the past and I I don't think that that is the case. So while I wish the levy was lower, I don't think we can continue to manage the city in the way that our residents expect um and bring that levy down at all. >> Thank you, Council Rashack. Um other comments, anyone? Council member Wilburn. Um I don't I'll try to be succinct. I think uh Council Member Shaq sort of put into words a lot of what I was thinking um when it comes to our priority based budgeting. Uh that different residents have different priorities. And so for some people think the marsh, we don't need the marsh, but we get I still get emails from people, thank you so much for for the for having the marsh and the marsh is is is critical for me. And so um it's again as what what uh council member Shack was saying like what are residents willing to give up? And a lot of these services that we're providing and that that the as part of the budget are things that people are not willing to give up. So it you know as we continue these discussions I I invite everyone to get involved early. We start the the start looking at the budget in March. Get involved early. go on Minnetonka uh [clears throat] matters and and share what for you is what are you willing to give up if if that's where we're at in in um trying to bring down some of these numbers. Love you. >> Thank you, Council Wilurn. Um Council Kley. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um for me, um you know, I do support the budget. I say this time and time again. um me choosing to move to Minnotonka um coming from other cities and just coming from another state realizing that to me Minnetonka is one of the best cities to live in. Um I've lived in different states and I've lived in different cities and I see the difference how Minnetonka is ran compared to other cities and other states and if you came from where I came from and you compare it to St. Louis, Missouri or East St. Louis, Illinois, and you see how Minnotonka is wellkept from the roads to the parks that we love so much in our community to um just our police responding, our first responders responding to calls, to emergencies. Um I can tell you I I mean I don't, you know, and I tell people this all the time. I don't like to compare Minneapolis to um Minnetonka because it's a whole different ball game. But I have a sister who lives in Minneapolis who tell me if she called the police, she doesn't get response sometimes and the response is very very slow. And so when I think about the services that we have um in Minnetonka, for me, I'm willing to pay more to be comfortable, for my children to be comfortable. And I know um it is hard, you know, when you see your um dollars that you're working really hard for and they're going out the door to more expenses um to the trash bills, to the water bill, to the light bills. And I know how that feels. I mean, I moved to Minnetonka in the affordable housing program. You know, I pay taxes just like all of you do and I pay taxes on a land that I don't own. So, I feel it all the time, but I know that I chose to move to Minnetonka and I chose to move to Minnetonka because I wanted a beautiful place to live in. I wanted to have a place where I did receive certain services because I came out here and I realized, wow, this is another ball game. Like in Minnotonka, I see what Minnotonka offers. So for me, um, you know, maybe I have to work a little harder, maybe I have to find a job that pay a little bit more. For me, that's what I had to do to stay in this city. And so I was willing to do that. And, um, as Council Member Wilburn said, you know, maybe get involved a little sooner, start looking at the budget. Um, I chose to get involved, um, because I wanted to know what was going on. So, um, for me, I think it's it's valuable to being a city that offers so much. And yes, it is hard for all of us, not just in Minnotonka, but across the state. I mean, it it's hard for a lot of people right now because our incomes are not going up with all of the cost of living. Um, but at the same time, are you willing to give up your services? Are you willing to give up your um emergency response um to um not to pay the bill? So, I mean, you have to make a choice. and we made a choice in our city based on what we heard from residents. Um I know um when I first started going to the march, we didn't have as many people attending the march, but I can tell you our city staff has done a wonderful job with increasing the numbers with um the amount of folks that are participating coming to the march. When I go to the march in the evening time, it is full. It is very busy. And so that tells me that our city staff is doing a wonderful job with the increased amount of numbers of folks that are attending to the marsh now. And um people are asking about the marsh like in other cities like what is the marsh? People are really interested in that. So I think the marsh is paying off. Maybe it's not fully paying off at this point but the numbers have increased and it's doing a lot better than what it was when it when we first um um bought the purchased the marsh. So, um I I am in support of the budget and I'm support of the services and um um the style the the way of living in Minnotonka. So, I support the budget. >> Thank you, Council Kley. Anyone else? >> Well, >> go ahead, Council Member Foster. >> I I support I support the budget as well and um I couldn't say it better than than my colleagues up here. So, it would be a waste of time. So, I appreciate everything everyone said and I agree. >> Thank you, Council Member Romey. >> Thank you, mayor. I'll make this brief. Um, concur with everybody else who's spoken up here. I think um also regarding the because we've been talking about the Marsh just a little bit. Marsh is just a couple of years away from breaking even operationally. Just so um that's out there. I think that's important. Williston already does break even. Um and then some and we're looking to do the same with the marsh. Um like so many people, it's not just a place to go and work out. It's a community gathering space for people. I'm there several times a week. It's in my ward. People come from other cities to use it. And there's everything from ma jang to book clubs to whatever. It's kind of a heart uh you know kind of heartbeat of our city right now. It's becoming more so even than I I would say than Williston at this point especially for the you know many seniors in our community and we are going to be at 35 to 40% uh over 65 within the next few years. So we do need to program with um you know our our elders and I'm about to be one of them in mind. Um so um also agree with the value for the money. I've also lived in other places, everything from Washington DC to uh New York City, um other places around the country. And whether it's permitting, talk to me about Washington DC, Julie. Um or other places, it is this is a city that people want to do business in and people want to move to and live in. And part of the reason that they want to live here is because of all the services and amenities that we provide. Do we have to be mindful of what we're doing? Absolutely. Um do we have to take up on a state level kind of some of the things that are happening with our state um with the property tax system which a lot of these rules are set at the state level? Yes. And I've been talking to several state legislators about this and what we can be doing to provide more property tax relief. So, you know, in addition to becoming involved at the city level, um, you know, kind of early on in the process going forward, I would also encourage people to also start talking to their state legislators and their state electeds and officials to let them know how you feel about this because this is a problem across the country. It isn't just here. Um, we've talked about how inflationary pressures aren't the same when you go to Target. It's, you know, we're talking about healthc care and all of the other things that are are, you know, I won't repeat what always has already been said. We do need to find a way out of this. We are in an economic really difficult time right now. Everything from tariffs um and other things are really going to rack are starting to rack our economy and they're only going to get more so. So, for now, unfortunately, I think, you know, nobody's happy about this. Um, nobody's thrilled about this. I'm I'm glad we're not at 11 or 12% like some other cities are around here, but I do think the money that we're spending is well spent and wisely spent. We are combing through this every single, you know, practically study session from March on. I have spent tens and 20s and probably over a hundred hours looking at this budget over the course of the year. And that's just me as a council member. Our staff um spend much more. Can we do better in the future? Probably. Um, and I I invite people to talk about what you would cut. Um, you know, are you willing to cut public safety? Are you willing to get rid of that 2.7% or 2.5% bring us down to under 5% to sacrifice public safety? If so, let us know. Next year, we can consider that and just backing off that program. Um but for now um for this budget I am going to support it even while we look at you know continue to look for ways to economize in the future and hopefully the economic situation and inflationary and tariff situation will improve uh by this time next year. So with that I will uh voice my support for this budget. >> Thank you council member. Council member Wilburn, >> I just had one quick question for because we've throughout the the budgeting process, you'll we'll hear from people who like, well, maybe just don't pass the preliminary budget if enough people don't show up or just just don't do the just give it statutoily. We have to pass a budget. We have to so even if we got rid of the budget tonight and started for we would have to have something before the end of the year. legally we have to pass a budget. We can't just not by state law. We can't just not pass a budget. So, I just wanted to make sure people were aware of that. >> Thank you, Council Overin. Is there anyone else? >> Um, Council Member Calbert, >> there just just one more thing. So, there have been some significant um increases in certain salaries and uh Mr. Funks was mentioned tonight and um the thing that many people out in the community don't understand is that there were caps um on the salaries of um city managers that were lifted after I don't know a decade and so it was it was a long time and so um to ma to make sure that we're competitive in the future it is important to keep up. And it's the same reason that it's very uncomfortable when you sit on council and you raise your own salary, but if you want to get people to run for these offices that you know are halfway decent, um we don't do it to get rich, but you need it's a lot of work. It's almost a full-time job, and you can easily make it a full-time job. And most of us have full-time jobs. So, um you know, as as far as salaries go, um we the the city council also had not raised their um pay for many many many many years and it was getting increasingly difficult to recruit good candidates. And so there there are reasons and they are uncomfortable reasons, but they are very legitimate reasons. So, while I know it's shocking and it's it's it can be hard to take to be competitive, if God forbid anything happened to Mr. Funk and we had to recruit, we then we'd have to start sort of from scratch on the whole salary thing to begin with because we have to approve it. So, I just wanted to take a moment to explain that. But I appreciate um I appreciate people paying attention to that and I truly appreciate the engagement here. And I think the whole idea of people getting involved early and telling us specifics, people occasionally do tell us specifics of what they're willing to get rid of, but then we have many more times those people saying that's something that they're not willing to get rid of. And that's what we have to balance up here. Anyone else? All right, I'll I've got a a couple of comments and um first of all, I want to thank everyone for showing up and for sharing your opinions both here tonight and um in your written comments that are part of the packet and I've received uh numerous emails and you know this um setting the budget a lot of time and effort goes into that and um and I think we do a good job of it. Um, but I don't think anyone sitting here is really comfortable with a 7.9% um, levy increase. And um, and I've I've really had to study the budget to come to terms with what we're doing. And um and you know I I appreciate some the some of the terminology used by uh the people who have spoken here tonight because I do think we uh we do think in terms of musthaves, nice to haves and um and and and don't needs. I think those are I think that's a good way to segment the budget. Um and one thing that I've noticed is that [clears throat] you know it's easy to start new things. It's hard to stop doing things because people come us, you know, we probably none of the services that we provide are used by every resident. There are many services that um that are used um in our city that um you know a small proportion of the the city use them. I mean how many people have been swimming at Williston um this year? Well, I think if we did a survey, we'd find out that it might be 25% or 30%. So, there a majority of our city. So, well, I don't have to pay for that because why why am I paying for something that um that I don't use? But we are a city that's committed to excellence. We care about that health and well-being of our residents and we have to have des diverse services um uh provided. Um, even though I'm old enough, I haven't gone to the senior set center yet. Now, I probably will start doing that next month or whatever. But, I mean, we don't all use the services, but to being a to be attractive and competitive um, a community, we have to offer those services um because that um, helps the health and well-being of our residents. And we are committed to excellence. And I think we do um a really good job of demonstrating that excellence consistent with our strategic plan. But you know getting into the numbers um I think it's appropriate. And so I look at the operational levy um which is 4.7%. And people can correctly say well inflation um my social security is going up 2.8%. I get social security my social security is going up 2.8% next year. So 4.7% is more. But then I go, "Well, how controllable um how is that?" I mean, our staffing and and cola um and market that's going up 2.6%. That sounds pretty much like the cola I'm getting in Social Security. 2.6 2.8. That's competitive. Um but then we have this darn thing, health insurance. I mean, you know, what do they have their hair on and fire and are shutting the government about? Health insurance. And the way health insurance costs are going up. Um, you know, that's that's the reality. The city does not get to choose. Well, listen, it's going up too much, so we're not we're just going to stop offering health insurance to our employees. That's a good way to lose them all. So, you know, we have to compete and we have to we have to compete for employees and we have to um uh compete with the market. So, you know, the operational levy at 4.7% I think is reasonable and I'm and I and I support that. Um but then we have um public safety investment 2.7%. We did a public safety master plan. Um and you wonder, well, what is that? Well, we looked at our public safety and ever since I've been on the council and that is 23 years. Um I've looked at our police department and I realized you from a staffing perspective, we are understaffed relative to all of our surrounding communities. um we have just as many needs as our surrounding communities, but we we were really pretty lightly staffed. We were doing more with less and we were not playing catch-up for the sake of catchup, but we're recognizing that there, you know, I mean, one of the things our officers deal with all the time is mental health. We've added um social workers and mental health p uh professionals to our police department so we can um keep our community safe and deal with the needs that our our residents struggle with or even visitors. I mean, we don't limit our services to just people who live here and pay taxes here. We provide services to people who work here or visit here, too. um we don't ask for an ID before we um uh we pick them up in an um an ambulance or um or help them in an accident. So, you know, I mean, I'm a real I'm a very strong supporter of public safety and it's important that we are competitive and we're doing a good job. And we made a decision three years ago that we were going to support this public safety master plan. And the biggest part of it is not police, it's fire. And uh recruiting um paid on call fire uh fighters is very difficult. we could pay a lot more and we still couldn't recruit them because, you know, lifestyles are not working very well for being a paid on call firefighter. So, we are going to a combination department and we are hiring full-time firefighters to supplant our um our our um paid on call firefighters. We we would like to stay as strong and paid on call as we can, but we recognize to provide the services and reduce the response times that are to keep our community safe and safer um tomorrow than they are today, we are making investments there. And that with that decision was made a number of years ago and I support it and um you know we could slow it down. We could say, well, we'll we'll uh reduce the pace of hiring. Um, and but all that says is our our response times are not going to come down as quickly as they need to. And you know, I would love I mean, our response times will never be as good as I would like them to be. You know, a fire now, we don't, you know, most of the calls our fire department does are not fires. They're they're public safety. They're they're they're medicals. They're all sorts of things. But but um you know I um my sister had a stroke last year and she got and she lives in Southern California. She got prompt um um public safety response and she had a s she had a stroke on Thursday and she had she um was taken to a hospital through by EMTs. They did surgery that same day and she went home the following Tuesday with no restrictions. It's it's almost a miracle. But I'll tell you what, the surgeon told her, "If you hadn't gotten that prompt response, you'd be dead." That was a widowmaker or a widowerower maker in her case. But but uh quick um public safety response is vital to our health and welfare. So, you know, I support the public safety master plan. So now, you know, I support the um the operational levy at 4.7 and then I apprec I support the public safety investment at 2.7. So that's that that takes us to um uh 7.4 out of the 7.9. And to me, the only thing that is on the bubble is do we want to um um pay that um debt service on our facilities improvements? We definitely need um new fire stations because um we have accommodation department and we need places for firefighters to live and most of our fire stations other than this main fire station and fire station 5 have no place for overnight uh facilities for firefighters. So we can't execute the public safety master plan that we're committed to without new firehouses. So we're talking about um setting money aside to get the ball rolling on that. Now, we don't have to do that this year. If we kick the can down the road on that 7%, we could reduce a levy from say 7.9 to 7.2. But that need is not going to go away. It's just going to be delayed. And oh, by the way, every time you delay something in this day and age, the inflation brings the cost higher. So now it won't be, you know, next year it won't be 7, it might be 08 or 0.9. So, I really appreciate the comments that, you know, we we have to cut to the bone and we have to get rid of the um the nice to haves and the don't needs and I fully agree with that. And I think we need to be more rigorous at looking for those things. What things can we stop doing? Because there are things we can stop doing. I think we look pretty hard, but I think we need to look harder. I agree with that. But, you know, the the basics of this plan are sound and we've we've gotten rid of the unnecessary spending in this plan and I really do support the public safety master plan and we as a council decided we made that decision already and um I give staff credit for spreading it out. So, you know, that's kind of my story and I'm sticking with it. Would I like the number to be lower? Yes, I would. Do I hope that next year we get more rigorous on doing it better and um and tightening our belts and finding more things that we can stop doing? Yeah, I would like that. I hope that we indeed can do that. But to say I don't support it, the only the only thing I could say is if we wanted to reduce the levy tonight, we could kick the can down the road on on um some of that debt and maybe only do half of it or do part of it. I didn't hear people um saying that they wanted to do that, but that to me that's the only flex we have in the budget right now. If we if it was so important for us to drop the levy, we could go down to 7.2 and and delay that debt. Um but that debt will cost more next year when we go back to get it because we're doing it for long-term improvements that we know we need. We're not making it up. We really need them. We need those um those 24-hour firehousers to reduce our response time and keep our residents safe. And to me, that's not negotiable. So, um if anyone wants to make a change, let me know. Otherwise, you know, I'm going to support this budget. So, that's that's where we are. So, our action. So, recommended action. Um so it's uh we received public comment um a res a resolution adopting the the 2026 budget and 2025 revised budget a tax levy for 2025 collectible in 2026 and consent and a consent to a special benefit tax levy um of the economic development authority that's the um that's the HA levy which has no increase in it this year um a resolution setting a tax levy for the Basset Creek wershed management district for the year 2025 and collectible in 2026. Um and then a resolution relating to um 2026 non-UN employee wages. Would somebody like to make that motion? Council member Shack. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'll make the motion um of the previously referenced resolutions. >> And is there a second? Council member Foster Bolton. >> I'll second. >> All right. So, um we have a motion by Council Member Shack and a second by Council Member Foster Bolton. Does anyone have any last comments they'd like to make? Otherwise, Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbertt, >> yes. >> Rome, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> We >> yes. Motion carries. Okay. Um, that takes us to better find my agenda again. >> 14B. >> 14B. So, we've still got some important work to do here. Um, item 14B is a resolution for the Excelsier Boulevard improvement project. And Mr. Manchester, I believe that is your report. >> It is. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor and Councel. Uh, before you is the Excelsier Boulevard improvement project. I did want to introduce a few folks that are here this evening. So, Mr. Phil Olsson, our city engineer, is here as well as Mitch Hatcher, our engineering project manager. And then we have two folks from the county. uh Drew McGovern, the project manager, and Jessa Travoyovich, who is the division design manager for >> Welcome all. >> Um our recommendation proposed tonight is a motion to adopt the resolution receiving the feasibility report improving the concept layout, ordering the improvements, and then authorizing the preparation of the plans and specs as well as the Eastman acquisition for the Excelsier Boulevard project. Um it does follow our strategic profile. and includes the street and pill improvements cost effective way to improve the surface and extend pavement life support the strategic profile in our desired outcome 52 for safe quality and well-maintained road system as well as 5.3 enhancing safety walkability and connectivity of the city's trail system. Uh the project location on Excelsier Boulevard, which is County Road 3, also um is from County Road 101 to Eden Prairie Road and also County Road 4. Uh just to kind of get some background, the project development process, uh this trail segment was identified in the city's trail improvement plan. Um at the same time, the city was tracking a large water main replacement along Excelsier Boulevard and Heneva County was also tracking a roadway reconstruction. um at the same time. So, Minnitanka and Henipin County have been collaborating on the work um in this area just to look at how we could work together and maximize economy of scale on a project of this type. In September of 23 or September 23rd of 2024, council did amend the CIP in order to put together the feasibility report and begin looking at this project to take us to this point tonight where council could consider um any next steps on a project. The background on just our trail improvement plan, we have a number of segments that most of you have seen. Um but for others here, uh we have 71 trail segments totaling 42 miles in our plan. There's a number of segments um and factors that we look at as we prioritize those. Uh in 2018, council and the city did move forward with a gas franchise fee um to expand uh the construction of these trails further looking at safety, connectivity, and then uh trails as a mobility option as well. the trail improvement plan. Uh the segments be for you tonight are actually segments seven and eight and have been included in the budget since 2022. Uh this segment of trail does connect a number of areas of the city. There are two village centers at 101 and highway 7 as well as Glen Lake. There's a number of schools, uh churches, library, and parks open space in this area. Uh for this project, we did send out around 2100 notifications um to 2100 properties just to let them know as the project began to get them signed up for the project page. Um you know, that certainly equates to 4 to 6,000 on average um uh individuals that may be using this trail. This is around our half a mile distance uh to the trail. Uh that we do have a trunk water mane in this area. It's a 24 in um and 18 in which is quite large. It connects to a number of wells in the tower. Serves a large area um that tracks through this entire uh Excelsier Boulevard piece. Certainly, if we were to reconstruct water main, it's something we want to look at to get to the water man. We we get to the street. So, a lot of times it requires significant street work, storm work, other work that's associated to get to that pipe. >> [snorts] >> Uh the sanitary sewer is in fairly good condition in this area and it does have limited storm sewer. Uh the existing roadway uh is Henipin Countyy's road. Certainly it's aging pavement something they've been watching. Uh there's curbon gutter and storm sewer is not consistent through the corridor. There is not a sidewalk or trail in this area generally and um they're always continuously tracking safety improvements on their roadways. When the project started, uh we did do an existing conditions feedback uh review with a number of uh different factors. Um as you can see the circles on the top, uh we did receive 183 comments from 48 commenters and 560 uh clicks. Uh the there's boxes on the left side. It shows that there's support for the trail is what we found. Um and the reconstruction as well as uh intersection improvements at scenic heights. Uh further we identified themes you know the excelsier boulevard reconstruction the trail and then scenic heights. Uh we did look at individual areas to take feedback on as well as part of our feedback uh process just looking at specific projects and uh what type of feedback we receive as we began to look at a project of this type. Um some additional themes that we received, we did have support for roundabouts, sight lines, tree preservation, pedestrian refuge areas for crossings, um and then safe corridor lighting as well as um other connections and native plantings. Uh the preliminary concept does include a trail on both sides, which is proposed at this time. Uh there's median refuges, roundabouts, um intersection improvements, uh boulevards, safety features, which I'll get into as well as we going as well as storm water features um and storm water treatment. The proposed improvements include a full reconstruction of Excelsier Boulevard to county standards. Um it does propose multi-use trails along both sides, which is the county's general practice. If you recall, Shady Oak Road uh and County Road 101 also received pedestrian access on each side, which is something we always look at as part of these projects in partnership with the county. Um as well as intersection improvements, um and then traffic calming and utilities as part of it as well. Um there is a full pavement reconstruction with concrete curb and gutter proposed, a six-foot bike lane or shoulder along the roadway. Um, in addition to the trails, uh, as well as traffic calming and safety, we do partner with the county on the intersection analysis. And so, as a project this type is being looked at, um, we look at traffic signal warrants at intersections. There were traffic signals in this area at Woodland Road and Williston Road. Um, as part of that review, it was found that those signals were not actually warranted based on a number of factors which I, um, have listed here. um low volume traffic for the 8 hour volume, the 4-hour volume, and then peak as well as crash history. And so we look at warrants on traffic signals just to help us identify if the signal actually makes the intersection safer. And in this case, the the volumes do do not support the signals that were put in previously. Uh that said, we did look at roundabouts in place of those signals uh with Henipin County which are being proposed at three locations at Scenic Heights, Woodland Road, and Williston. Um you know, just some stats on roundabouts. They reduce crashes by 60% and then fatalities around 90%, they eliminate head-on collisions generally. Um and then they slow traffic more often coming into the roundabouts. Uh they also improve improve pedestrian safety safety in addition to that speed reduction you know so when we look at a corridor of this type by installing three roundabouts along the corridor it certainly slows traffic when those intersections are in play at those locations. uh the pedestrian safety uh slower speeds, reduces conflict points, and then it reduces crossing distance for pedestrians moving across those roundabouts because of the uh medians that they're able to have uh refuge on, as well as the shorter crossing distance of those lanes. And so, similar to property impacts of other intersection types, with a roundabout, there aren't generally turn lanes. And so, the the area needed is not a huge difference. Uh most of the other intersections are stop signs at the side streets. Uh there would be considerations for intersection alignments for site distances at Highland and Whited as well as West Mill. And then as mentioned um pedestrian crossings to improve safety. Uh there's a number of crossings proposed uh that include center median refuge locations. The crossings are listed. Uh it would include 101, the Purgatory Park underpass, West Mill Road, which would not have a stop uh essentially roundabout or intersection control, Woodland uh Highland, Whited, again with no stop control, and then Willist and Eden Prairie Road. Uh the trail improvements, it's uh the standard practice as mentioned before to propose both sides. Um, it does eliminate the need for neighbors or residents or businesses coming from the side streets to cross Excelsier, which is something we're always looking at avoiding if we can keep more people off of a major corridor of this type. Certainly preferred and much safer. Uh, there are retaining walls uh proposed as part of the project. The project does also propose an extension from Williston to the east uh through some of Glen Lake to Eden Prairie Road to make a connection there uh just as part of the trail to connect that area. There is an overlook um we are looking at around Wing Lake and then uh the pedestrian crossings as mentioned before. Uh there is a segment where the trail is not proposed on the south side between Spring Lane and Clear Springs Road. This [snorts] would limit some impact to natural resources and it would allow uh the utilization of the purgatory underpass and so it would allow a trail connection still but that segment um by leaving it out would help with uh natural resource impacts in that area. Uh any retaining walls that would be considered uh where needed cut or fill would be similar to other projects the city has completed. Uh the water man replacement, it's a critical trunk water mane as mentioned before connects to a number of uh properties in this area. Um it's something we want to make sure you know as the discussion earlier tonight, this is critical infrastructure and you know emergency repairs on a pipe of this size could be uh pretty concerning to the city and so it's something we've been tracking. We want to make sure we're ahead of um any replacements. The sanitary sewer is in really good shape in this area. There would be a couple spot repairs and then there is a Met Council interceptor that we would coordinate with Met Council if needed. That pipe could be lined if needed in the future as well. Uh storm water management, there's limited storm sewer in this area. The project would propose curbon gutter as well as storm sewer infrastructure and then it would add and expand um there's a number of storm water areas uh ponds that are currently existing. It would also look at underground storm water treatment as part of the process. So it would be an area um of you can see these yellow um existing tubes essentially storm water is filtered into those and then it absorbs naturally back into the ground to recharge the groundwater. Overhead burial would be proposed as part of the project. Um the city would assist in burying two properties. Um there would be new cabinets and burial would need to begin ahead of uh the construction of the project in 27 to stay on a 27 schedule for construction if council chooses. Easements, there are a number of easements that would be needed. Um homeowners would be worked with directly on easements uh for anything that would be needed for the project. Um, state coord coordination. We've met with a number of business businesses, excuse me, churches, uh, the scenic Heights Elementary, the library, individual property owners. Uh, Henipin County does propose to contribute financially to this project. So, they would fund 50% of the trail cost and storm water and then 100% of the street cost. And so, that's a huge benefit to the city. Um, there's a a big economy of scale on a project of this type. So, if the street is reconstructed, um that's a great opportunity for us to take advantage of, uh the grading is done. There's no retrofit or piece milling things together. It allows us to construct a trail at a much lower cost than if we were to do a standalone trail project. Uh I'll go back here. Sorry, there is one other item. So Henipa County is looking at mill and overlay projects in 2026 on Eden Prairie Road from Excelsier to 62 and then also Excelsier from Eden Prairie Road to Shady Oak um in 2027. Uh anformational meeting was held for the project on August 26th. There's been a number of one-on-one meetings which would continue. Tonight is council's consideration of this action for the feasibility report. If council chooses to move forward, we would look at final design and then bidding in early 2027. Just like any project of this type, there's a number of property impacts. Um these are very disruptive projects. This would be need to be phased um in a couple different phases. Property access would be maintained during the project. Um traffic control would be up. We'd certainly have notifications as well. And then you know we would coordinate any notifications also on the other county projects. Um driveways, landscaping, lighting, retaining walls, all these things, private sprinklers, um utility replacement, trees. I mean certainly that's a big part of these projects. We would minimize all those to the greatest extent possible. Construction hours uh in the city are generally 7 to 10 Monday through Friday. And just a number of photos just of some of the projects we've done. Uh we continue to do email and communication updates, newsletters, project signs, so you're able to sign up for a project of this type and we [snorts] would send out notifications. We did send out one uh for this meeting tonight to let folks know uh that council would be considering this and I think a lot of those folks are here as well. So we're glad they they've been able to come. Uh the project website, we always have a project website where we provide our updates and so anyone signed up can [clears throat] log on here or we can blast notifications out to keep people informed on what's going on. So, our recommendation tonight, as mentioned before, is a motion to adopt the resolution, receiving the feasibility report, approving approving the concept layout, ordering the approvements, authorizing plans and specs, and then authorizing easement acquisition for the Excelsier Boulevard improvement project number 27305. And I'll turn it back to the mayor and council for any questions. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Manchester. Um, council questions on this large road and trail project. Council member Shaq. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Maybe this morning I was a little hot under the collar about the trail on both sides of the road when I spoke with Mr. Funk. And I understand in an ideal world why that would be the best the gold standard. I do have concerns, you know, looking at our um trail to-do list and, you know, it it feels to me and I and I get that we're not the sole decision maker in this, but it certainly feels to me that, you know, when we have $100 million plus worth of trails that we would like to build, that building on two sides of the street on Except felure is seems excessive. Now I also understand this is a county requirement. I would say the dynamic on the roadway between you know comparing Excelsure to Shady Oak I think you have you mean is a a different kind of situation. I mean is there any do we have any room to negotiate on eliminating one side of the trail? Um, I mean, it's just so much money going into that. Obviously, Henipin County money is our taxpayer money as well. And I'm just so sensitive to that spending and the environmental impacts and all the other the easement acquisitions and all the other things that go along with building out on both sides of the road. >> Mr. Manchester. >> Yeah, great question. Mayor, Council Member Shaq, um, we always have an opportunity to negotiate. Um, we haven't negotiated that or had that conversation. I mean, certainly something we could talk to the county about. They're here. I don't think they're prepared to talk about it this evening, but I mean, if that's the direction council would like to give us, um, certainly something we could pursue. I don't know what they'll say necessarily. Um, in the past, we've put pedestrian facilities on both side. Um, it is a definite safety benefit. And you know, there is a huge economy of scale. So, we get I understand it's all, you know, paid for through taxes. And so, um, the cost to build a trail with a reconstruction project is significantly lower. Um, the county would fund 50%. In the future, if the city were ever to consider, you know, coming back and wanting to build uh a trail on the other side without a reconstruction, the county likely wouldn't participate in that. So, it would be something, you know, now is an opportunity to take advantage of that if it's something we wanted to consider. But, you know, certainly if the council would like us to consider that or pursue that, we could take that direction tonight. >> Um, Council Member Foster Bolton and then Council Member Kley. >> Um, yeah. So, you that's pretty much my question, too, is to build on one side of the road instead of the other. Could you um I mean you you don't know what the county would say but um is it is it a requirement? I mean obviously it's not right like because you it's not >> council or Mr. Mr. Manchester >> um um mayor council member Foster Bolton it it's it is a requirement from the county at this point. I mean certainly we could negotiate from them. It's their road. You know, if it's something you want us to pursue, we'll certainly pursue that. Um but yeah, as a all previous project the county's complete streets have asked us to construct on both sides on their road. I mean I certainly we'd have to discuss with them. Uh it's probably a big decision for them internally as well. Um [snorts] I don't know what they'll say, but we we can certainly ask. I mean, we can I will say, you know, we took this to the neighborhood meeting with a trail on both sides. You know, I don't know if that'll change opinions from others. I mean, there are certainly people that did express interest on both sides. Uh it might be something we need to take um public feedback on again too as well. You know, it certainly could alter support or, you know, I don't I don't know what that would do, but it's certainly something we could we could do. >> Go ahead. Yeah, >> just one more question. So, the money that we would save >> um by not building two trails, could we use that for something else? >> Uh, Mayor Manchester. >> Yep. Foster Council Member Foster Bolton. Uh, the county would only participate in, you know, 50% of the trail construction. So, their money would certainly be reduced. And so, we'd have to look at the overall numbers. It wouldn't be a, you know, an applesto apples change. other um >> other other questions. Uh Council Member Kley. >> Thank you, Mayor. I guess I had a question about the roundabouts. Um there's three roundabouts that's proposed for that area. Woodland, Senic Heights, and um Williston. Um, and today, um, I was trying to get to Vantage program at 8:00 this morning, and it took me literally like 30 minutes of trying to get to the Vantage program. And I'm very familiar with roundabouts. Um, St. Louis had a lot of roundabouts. [laughter] And so now, you know, Minnesota is starting to get more roundabouts. And roundabouts do slow traffic down. However, where we're proposing to put the roundabouts would really back Excelsia up really bad. Um, I think where the position and I'm not I'm not no road designer, anything like that, but my experience with roundabouts to me would really back Excelsier up even more than what it already is. and and it would back it up even farther down Excelsier going back toward um scenic past scenic height school past Hilltop you know so um to me the congestion is really at um the high school area so I know that we um this is kind of we're too late for this but what I noticed which I always thought this was going to be a problem that um vantage program when we did that parking lot over there and people driving through Clear Spring to get over to Vantage. Oh my god, it's a real It's a mess. Like I try to drive around um try to go up seven to get around to come back on the other side to get to the Vantage program and it was it was just a lot. And so I really think that we need to focus in that area. And I don't know if a roundabout I mean like I was just sitting here visualizing what would a roundabout look like on I mean this this is sounds really horrible but I'm like 101 in Excels here because right there is where all that traffic is at but if you put that roundabout on Woodland Sitting Heights or Willist that's just going to back the traffic up even farther down Excelsier. So, I just I don't see it like it doesn't make sense to me. So, I just think we should be really thinking about some other way of doing that because it just doesn't make sense. >> Council member Rome. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I guess I have a couple of follow-up questions and then some additional questions. I mean, I also have lived in places um Washington DC, for example, that has a lot a lot a lot of um traffic circles and I'm I'm just Can you speak to that um issue about traffic backup because that's not something I've ever experienced with traffic circles? Um so can you kind of clarify that please? >> Sure, >> Mr. Manchester. >> Mr. Manchester. >> Sure. Uh Mayor, Council Member Manley, Council Member Kley, we you know, we have looked at the roundabouts. That's part of our modeling and our analysis. In this case, we have met with scenic school. I mean, that would be part of this, you know, to look at some internal improvements on their site to help with the roundabout. We wouldn't propose the roundabout if we felt like it would make it worse. And so, we do feel like it could make an improvement with that partnership with the school. And so, you know, there's always the chance um there could be some delays in the roundabout, but it wouldn't be anything more than a signal. I mean what we're seeing right now is would be less certainly but if you're waiting at a signal there's delays there as well. So the roundabout allows it to keep moving >> but there would be some work with the school we we look at. >> So it's not a question of the roundabout so much as is it kind of dealing with the school and the traffic issues there. >> Correct. It's a combination. >> Okay. Thank you. And then if I could just ask one more question. Um, what about I I'm hearing some concerns about um two things. Both the the property that could be taken because of the roundabout, but from your presentation, it doesn't seem like that would be as much of a concern cuz it, you know, given the fact that there's no turn lanes that it's not really taking up u significantly more property for the owners adjacent than than would a traffic light. Is that correct? Uh, correct, Council Member Mey. They'd be similar. Um, you know, there are easements associated with them. So, there are some impacts. I don't know that it's significantly more than if it was a traffic signal, though. >> Okay. I would, you know, kind of hope to maybe see kind of the number of property owners affected and and by how much, if that's possible. And then similarly with um the bike trail on both sides, I was noticing like I'm Minnatonka Boulevard, which is also a county road. Um there's a smaller grass strip um between the sidewalk and and the the road um and the street. So I'm wondering if that could be um one way to kind of reduce the width and or looking at, you know, kind of uh just creative ways maybe to narrow that. and again kind of have a better understanding of what the property owner impacts are and what could be done to narrow that. I'm personally not a big fan of um you know 101 between 7 and Minnetonka Boulevard. Um I do think Minnitonka Boulevard on the other hand has has been good and I like the idea of more medians and things like that. So, anything that can traffic calm, um, you know, that would be good. But, um, again, trying to address those concerns about the the street width, um, if there's some ways that we are would be possible to play with design and have a better understanding of what kind of the property owner impacts um, would be for that, if there's any way to mitigate that. >> All right, other uh, questions? Um, council Calbert. Thank you. I have a I have a few questions. Um, one of my questions has to do um there was um in the packet it talked about in one section the water mane is considered too large and that we're going to reduce the size by inserting a smaller pipe basically inside the larger pipe. And so my my question about that is, you know, right now clearly they're saying there's plenty of capacity for that water line. Um, but I don't know what goes into thinking about like future capacity needs, you know, when we think about places like Opus and we did the big study and, you know, so we knew what the capacity would be. Can you talk about that a little bit? >> Sure. Council member Calbert, Mayor and Council, uh we have a a model of the city's entire water system. And so when we do a project of this type, we run the model. We look at the comp plan. We work with Miss Wishnack and Miss Thomas just to make sure we're understanding what is happening in the future. You know, we've certainly got some contingency in there as well. Um just the amount of water being used, you know, has changed over the years and so we feel like we're not concerned about capacity. So we look at reducing the lines just to keep the pressures well. Um you know we just make sure we wouldn't reduce them if we had any concerns of anything in the future being a concern. So we're comfortable with doing that. Plus it reduces costs on a project of this type. You know [snorts] if we use less material it's certainly something that's uh a lower cost to the city as well. >> Thanks. And then um there's another section in the um feasibility study that talks about how the sewer section by purgatory is in good shape and isn't going to be replaced which is great cuz that saves money. But, you know, after going through that whole RNR study and um I don't know how old it is. Like right now it's in good shape, but I don't know how old it is. And I just I I asked Mr. Funk this morning if you know if we forego replacing it, are we missing an opportunity just to update it so it has a longer life? >> Sure. Council member Calbert, Mayor and Councel, you know, we look at everything. We do potholes as well, just to make sure that, you know, if it's sanitary sewer, generally that pipe has a much longer lifespan uh than others. And so, we would be comfortable. There's other methods of replacing those in the future, too. As far as lining goes, you know, it's easy to line between manholes on a sanitary sewer. So, it's something even if it were to fail in the future, there's there's other methods that we could do to replace those. >> Okay. Thanks. I I still have just a few uh a few questions. We in reading the community comments um there were people that were concerned about, you know, supporting the businesses through the disruption and also people with disabilities um not having access to their driveways. And um I was just wondering um is it are we too early to be I I mean do we know how we're going to support them or is it too early right now? >> Uh no, Council Member Calbert. Just like on other projects, if there's disabilities, we work directly with the homeowners. You know, if we were to go through a driveway or port curb or driveways or anything like that, we do half at a time just to make sure the access is there. Um, and then other improvements, anybody that needs specific medical attention or anything like that, we just work directly with them to make sure they have it. As far as businesses go, we've talked to Miss Wishnack as well, and her folks would certainly support us, um, on the project to make sure we're working with businesses directly. Also, >> thank you. And then, um, one last thing. So, we're talking about, you know, negotiating some of the big stuff. And then when you talk about some of the smaller stuff, um, people did bring up having sort of wildlife friendly curbs, so like ribbon curbs instead of, you know, taller curbs. And is that something that we can ask for and get, or is Henipin County going to tell us what kind of curves we get? Uh, Council Member Calbert, mayor and council. Generally, the county would want to decide on their roadway. I'm certainly something we could discuss with them, but it's it's would be their decision. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh, Council Member Kley, >> I just have one more question. Um, I know I attended um a meeting, a community meeting. Um, Cindy's here in at Cindy's home and there was um staff that was there who was taking a lot of the questions and answering a lot of the questions. And one of the things I know that I heard at the time that I was there um folks were concerned about their um yard space being taken up. And so my question um in regards to that, we talked about tonight um possibly having um the trail on one side of the road. Um is there a way to shift cuz you know I I always was concerned about Excelsier not having um you know somewhere for folks to walk at and um ride their bikes. I talked about that many years. My son would walk down Excelsier when I didn't want to drive him, you know, back and forth. And I was always concerned about, you know, people walking on Excelsier, possibly getting hit by cars cuz there's there is nowhere for people to walk. And so now we do have this opportunity and it is a really good opportunity but I do have concerns about people yards being taken up especially when on excelsier some of the yards are pretty small and I can understand why the residents were saying hey you know they have a very small yard they don't want their yard to be taken up so um is there a way where you can shift trail um one side of the road to the other side at like maybe half of the road or excels or so many miles or on one side. That might sound odd. I don't know if people do that if that is a such thing or if that's a design but maybe half of side of the road is um you know bike way and another side depending on where people homes are at. Um I don't know if that has happened but um you know is that a possibility? >> Sure. Council member Kley, mayor and councel, you know, anything is a possibility. Of course, we've always tried to stay consistent, you know, to one side only because, you know, then there's less crossings, but, you know, we could certainly look at a corridor. If council has specifics they'd like us to explore, I we'd be happy to to do that. I, you know, my preference would be to stay on one side, try to minimize the impacts as much as possible. Every project we do like this unfortunately has impacts to residents and properties and we try to minimize them as much as we can but there's a lot of competing interests on these. Um you there's natural resources um impacts to properties that it most of the reason uh these trails weren't constructed originally is because there wasn't the space necessarily. And so uh lucky enough for me I'm here to help do that. Maybe I don't know if that's a win or a lose, but um we would certainly try. I mean, if there's directions specifically you want us to look at, we could, but I I prefer to keep it on one side if that's an option. >> Okay, one more quick question. Go ahead. >> I just got just another question about the roundabouts. Um is there any other options other [laughter] than those roundabouts? I mean, >> I don't know if there's something else that could be there. >> Yeah, council member Kley. I mean, the two traffic signals the county has indicated the warrants aren't met and they do not want to reinstall those. Um, you know, the other options would be stop signs essentially. Um, that's why we did look at the roundabouts. Um, from my perspective, we put roundabouts in at Ridgdale. I think they're great. Um, we had the same concerns at that time as well. You know, there's a number of folks that did not like the roundabouts. they've worked well, but I I understand um you know, it's certainly different than what was there, but uh the stop signs from our perspective would not be ideal, but we could certainly explore if there's anything we're missing. I don't know that there is, but certainly could. Any other questions? I' I've got a few. Um Mr. Manchester, thank you. um you know the um as you think about one side of Excelsier versus both sides and the fact that the county um that standard for the county on county roads. One one of the things that I think about is um your comment on the warrants not being met for um stop lightss. And to me, as [clears throat] I as I compare the two examples provided, um, Highway 101 and Shady Oak Road, they seem to be to be to be much higher capacity, um, more traffic, faster speeds, and the idea of crossing um, either Shady Oak or Highway 101 is daunting from a from a safety perspective and when I look at the map of um and my experience with Excelsier um you know it begs the question to me several questions I mean one what kind of roadway is planned I mean is it going to be more like what it is now but updated and and I know that there have been good maps but but I'm um you know in terms of really what's going to be there is it going to look more like 101 you know by by super target and things like that is going to look more like the way it is now and be, you know, a relatively lower traffic. So then you start thinking, okay, I mean, I I can really see why the county would insist on um a trail on both sides of Highway 101 and a trail on both sides of Shady Oak Road. When I think of Shady Oak Road between 62 and um and Excelsier Boulevard, I don't put um Excelsier in the same category. Now, I'm not an expert, but um you know, that's that's one question I have is what do the what's the traffic look like and what's the road look like compared to those other roads where there the the insistence on having a trail on two sides. I mean, that's nice. That's a luxury and it's certainly safer, but on the other hand, it's a lot more expensive. There's a lot more right-of-way acquisition. So, you know, I'm kind of I'm curious about, you know, what you a comparison between the roads in Minnetonka where um a trail on both sides of the road has been required um versus um versus what we're going to see at Excelsure because I think I think that's relevant. I'm not I'm not I'm not lobbying one way or the other. I'm I'm asking the question in terms of you know, how much capacity and what do we anticipate? Because we don't build roads for now. we build them for you know 10 and 20 and 30 years from now so what's our anticipation and you know what are the assumptions that are going into that road so that you know the decision that we make is appropriate and you know I'm not going to fight for you know one one side trail or the other side of the trail I want I want us to make the right decision but I also don't want us to apply a standard that is not appro you know say well we that's the way we've done it and then the and then the standard we're applying is not appropriate here because the road's just not as big or as busy or as straight. So, those are those are the kind of concerns and questions that I've got about that. I don't it's kind of a statement, but there's I think there I think there's I think there's some question in there too, you know, in terms of what are the comparisons. >> Sure. Mayor and council, I mean I mean it would look very similar to today. It would be updated. You know, the road is falling apart. It's something that needs to get repaired and so the opportunity is there. You know, the county hasn't insisted certainly that we have the trail on both sides. I mean, it's something they certainly strive for. I don't think staff here at the city has been opposed to that necessarily. It's definitely safer. Um, but we understand, you know, the comments tonight. So, I it's something you'd like us to go back and talk to them about. We're happy to do that. Um, you know, like I mentioned before, there's a a huge economy of scale to put a trail in at this time, and that's why we looked at it. So, you know, [snorts] by reconstructing the road, um, you're essentially building the trail at the same time. And so, right, >> you know, paving it is really not that much more. And so, it's just something we wanted to make sure we got in front of you. Um, you know, there's been a lot of trail projects we've done over the years where >> people have asked us for trails on both sides. And so, this isn't a new thing necessarily. I mean, if we do go back, if you're asking us to go back, um, I don't know which side we would pick. I don't know who will like that more or less. So, I I can't speak to that yet, but certainly something we could explore. There's probably some more engagement we would have to do if that's the direction you'd like us to go. And and I would just say that I'm not I'm I'm not convinced that the council is saying let's do that. I think it's let's let's make let's get some of these questions answered so we know what we're up against. Clearly, there's more right-of-way acquisition with a two-sided trail than a one-sided trail. Um, I think we would all agree that um a two-sided trail is going to be safer. There's there's, you know, no two ways about that and we believe in safety, but but does this road rise to the level that some of the other roads where we've implemented that solution um where that's is it really appropriate there? Because again, I think we would generally say there's there's not a lot of space there. And so, you know, what are we having to give up to get a trail on two sides? That's that's a question. So, again, um I think those are questions that we have, not um not um boy, we got to do it one way or do it the other is kind of the view I would share. And I don't know if the rest council shack, >> thank you, mayor. Um maybe, and this is an unfair question. And I recognize it, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Um, if we we talk about, you know, economies of scale, which means it's not like you're going to do only one side and it's going to be half the cost. I I hear what you're saying with that. So, are we talking about maybe it would reduce that trail line item by 25% or is that is that a realistic spitballing here number? >> Sure. Council member Shack and Mayor. Yeah, I would say at least 25%. It's not, you know, it's certainly not nothing, but yeah, I mean, it it's it's a lot of money and so it's something we want to make sure is in front of you. >> Great. >> Very good. Anything else? Council member Calbertt, >> I had two other questions. Uh, one has to do uh several people brought up uh the the fen the whited fen and somebody had mentioned that the that the that the pipe the storm water pipe drains directly into the fen and I you know there's um justifiable concerns about protecting it and so I wanted a little more information about that and then my other question has to do with in the feedback summaries. Um, there were items in in dark blue squares. Um, and then there were like suggestions like requests that were in sort of gray squares like a request for a sediment catchment system or similar improvement to protect the wetlands the storm drain discharges into or the request to extend the project limits to Eden Prairie Road, Beacon Hill Road. What What's the What are we looking at there? and how how are those requests um incorporated into the planning? >> Sure. Council member Calbertt, Mayor and Council, you know, the Finn is part of a, you know, wetland area essentially. There is storm sewer in that area. It's something we would certainly protect and make sure that, you know, Leslie naturus's manager would certainly be part of that to make sure we don't have any impacts. um with construction that would impact it more than anything else. As far as you know, there is a connection um essentially at Williston heading east, which would be something that a lot of folks requested. It goes through Glen Lake. Um it also does connect um the whole corridor to the LRT, you know, if you were to go one end to the other through the through the way, but it it's a smaller connection. Um essentially, it's not a huge cost to the project. certainly would add some more cost. Um, but it is something we were working with the county on to make that connection as well. Just since we were there working, it's right adjacent. It's a very small uh ad to the project that which is why it was included. Any other questions, councel? I'm not seeing any. So, I'm going to um the this is not a public hearing item, but um I will we will take brief public comment if anyone would like has want to comment on this. We're interested in hearing you have to say because we um we want to get this right. So, please come forward, state your name, address, and and please be as brief as you can. But, um thanks very much. >> Good evening. >> Evening. Dwayne Stoby, Lakeshore Boulevard. 23 years. Before that, I was over here on Wood Haven. Um, I was a mountain bike coach for seven years for Minnetonka. Uh, I currently volunteer with MCEC. Uh, I'll be teaching a class in the spring for mountain biking at Lone Lake Park. I've ridden all over North America. Um, mountain biking. One option that might be an option for this road would be to put a pave trail down one side, a mountain bike trail down the other side. Specialized Bike Company put out a report. You had mentioned um mental health. They put out a report. Kids that mountain bike two times a week um can reduce their ADD and ADHD medicine by 50%. Um there's a lot of benefits to that exercise. It's leading right to the high school. The middle school uh mountain bike team for Minnotonka has been first the last three years in the state. Um the high school this year was second. In the last two years before that they were first. Uh this late summer I rode for the first time Bentonville, Arkansas. They have trails that go right alongside the roads. They have some of the top race teams in the country. um some of the top racers in the world. California is doing the same thing. Um they have very top teams. You can look up Bear National, some of those teams. Uh Minnetonka has when when I started coaching nine years ago for Minnetonka, there was 30 kids on the team and three coaches. One of them's here, one of the other ones is. So I started coaching with them. The team built to 105 kids. They cap it at that. they will not take anymore because they don't have the room. They Lone Lake Park is too small for them to ride in. >> Um, so they have to go out to Monarch to ride. So other teams will go there that are smaller, but it's too much pressure on the course for them to ride there. Um, they now have average about 30 coaches showing up at every practice. Not only that, it's a family sport. What does that do for family health? So I just wanted to point out a few of those things. you have a real opportunity there. It would make it narrower. Your trail dollars would stretch a lot farther having, you know, a very simple mountain bike trail on one side. How are those kids going to feel in school? You know, um there's a junior at uh Minnotonka High School. She's the fastest woman in state. Her dad was the 11th fastest mountain biker at one point in his life in the world. So, you have a real you have a real neat community here. and uh you can get people involved, you know, to help maintain them, that sort of thing. >> Well, thank thanks for the suggestion. And you're right, we do have a really neat uh community here. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Welcome. >> Jan Rabers's Dawn Drive. Um, and I did attend the August uh session and I was at first pleasantly surprised that there was going to be two two sides of the trail and uh but I've since changed my mind and I I do wish that we can negotiate with um with uh the with Henipin County. That's one thing. Um, another thing is, uh, I have a question about concerns about the fragility of Wing Lake and is construction going to be a concern um, for damaging Wing Lake even more? And number three, please consider environmentally con um conscious lighting for all along Metaton or um Excelsier Boulevard. We can have protective lighting, but we can also have environmentally controlled conscious lighting. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. Good evening. >> Good evening. I'm Richard Stroall. Uh I'm a resident of uh Havenwood of Minnotonka, which which is just a little bit west of County Road 101 on Excelsure on Old Excelsure Boulevard. Um, I probably should have stood up during the item eight on your agenda. Comments not related to anything else on the agenda. But this was what brought me to the to the meeting. uh because we had made some comments on the on the interactive map that was offered. Uh comments were again late after the project was already pretty well developed. But uh there's since we are a little bit west of of 101, there's no access to cross 101 from our facility. There's a library over there. There's a park over there that some of our residents would like to take advantage of. When three and a half years ago when my wife and I first moved in to Havenwood, my wife was, "Oh, gee, look, there's a library right across the street. I'd like to go there sometime." But she had some mobility issues. She used a walker. And we discovered that it was not safe for her to try to drive try to travel over there. we could we could take the car and drive across the road, but that seemed a little silly. But any anyway, uh I wanted to I have no opposition to the project and and I don't really promote the project necessarily, but I I I wanted to address the the fact that somehow we need to get access. I did notice on the on the comments that were uh continued on the concept plan that that you folks will have reviewed. Uh there is a comment to the effect that it would be nice if we could include safe crossing for Minnotonka High School students across 101. Has that comment been is that comment incorporated into the into the plan? >> Mr. Sh, direct your com for your your questions here. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That's all right. >> Thank you. >> That's all I had to say. >> Okay. >> I just wanted to do it since some of my partners over there at at Tavenwood uh were hoping that someone would stand up and and address the issue. >> I did. Well, well, thank you for raising that and I know I was at Havenwood just the other day and so I know exactly where you are and I had a similar experience not too long ago in the city where I um let's see I think I I was having something done on my car um on just north of um um 394 um and uh I decided I was my car was going to be there for an hour and so I I walked walked over to um to Ridgedale because I had some things to do there and it was really difficult to walk there because there were not crosswalks that were usable. There were lights that, you know, had the had the crosswalks on, but there were not crosswalks there. And I felt very insecure crossing the road there. And I think being mindful of that for because I mean I'll always walk rather than ride drive if I can you know I think it's important for us to be mindful of that in different locations of our city particularly where we have um um facilities like Havenwood um where we have seniors who would like to be mobile and if we don't have crosswalks where we need them that's a problem. So just a general comment I appreciate your comments um so thank you for coming. Is there anyone else? >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Cindy Iden, 16824 Excelsier Boulevard. Um, I actually really do appreciate all the work. I mean, it's clearly this has been a project in the works for a long time. A lot of pieces come together to have this happen. I have written many comments and you've all received my comments and I appreciate you taking time to read them. Um, I am in favor of looking for alternatives. So, thank you so much for bringing that up. Look for alternatives to not having it both sides of the street. We have, you know, where I live, I am right next to a new build that was that's a a large duplex uh type of building. And in order for that building to go in, previously it had been a lot that was backed up to the wetland. It was not a buildable lot until the city decided it would be okay to move those people closer to the road which was a change in the city in the city um uh standards at that time. And so this building was pushed closer to the road. This has only been like six years ago. And and so these are the same people that now are having most of their front yard cut off. and one person has already their house is on the market. They've already bought another house in Eden Prairie and they have decided that is not a livable place for them to be. And you know, this is a multi- um you know, you've got two families in there and there are children. I would love to have a a walkway, a pedestrian walkway. I I watch people walking up and down and riding their bikes. I want someplace for them to be safe and I also want our houses that we have bought and that we have invested time in to be continue to be livable places. My place is going to be impacted not as much as theirs. My place is going to be impacted. I see the traffic problems being a concern as you get closer to the roundabouts. I also happen to like roundabouts. I don't know what all the solutions are but um I do think that I think that we could mitigate some of the problems if we had it only on one side and as you know I've given you I've given you my comments in more detail but thank you I appreciate the conversation and I really do hope that we look into that possibility. >> Thank you Miss >> Good evening. Hi, good evening. Anne Hosfeld at Glendel Street right in Glen Lake. And I uh wrote the letter that was added to the packet this morning. So hopefully um my issues about the roundabout in Glen Lake are on your minds. And I won't um repeat all that, but just to summarize that I think the roundabouts on that are in projected to be installed are driver centric and not pedestrian centric. And my concerns as a pedestrian is that I would not feel safe. Having to make eye contact with people that are moving through the roundabout before I can step in the crosswalk. And I feel that's what I'd have to do right now. The traffic signal is a dedicated time if you hit the button for a walk sign and I can cross and have whatever, you know, 20ome seconds. So for me, um I don't think I hear the statistics. they're safer for pedestrians, but as a person, I would not feel safe and can't use that intersection anymore. Um, because I don't want to have to negotiate with someone coming on saying, "Can I can I go?" So, those are my concerns which are in my letter. The other issues I have are kind of questions that I will see if they're interesting for you to ask of city staff. Um, why spend the money to take out the traffic signal? I understand about the county having said they don't merit being there, but is there a cost in keeping them? They talk about uh they're safer. Well, the statistics show there's only one crash in 2020 at the Willis intersection, so it doesn't seem to be need to be safer. Um the feasibility report also stated that it would improve pedestrian safety and having designated crossings like well, we'll add a crosswalk there for you. We already have a crossing at that traffic signal. Why do we need to change it? And so again, the question is, why is there a need to do anything? Isn't it cost-free to leave the traffic signal there? That's one question. Um, another question is, um, can I get a sense if the roundabouts were really being presented by the county first and the city says, "Okay, well, we'll look at that and accept that." or is this something the roundabouts as being a part of this project plan? Is that something that the council has sort of through discussions on their on their own thought, you know, roundabouts are needed, they would help traffic? I'm just kind of curious how much you can push back on the county if they really really want roundabouts because I feel like I'm a voice that I don't want that. I think it's bad for pedestrians. Um, who is supporting those in this project? Um, another question, and this is just a specific question about the Evergreen Academy. This is a question. Isn't there an easement through their parking lot? John Kramer when they were selling that said you can leave through that parking lot, Kramer's parking lot to get to Williston because there's an easement. And the academy was listed in one of their comments is saying or I think in the visibility study that they don't like people driving through their parking lot and therefore they support the roundabout. It'll get traffic out on Excelsia Boulevard. Well, is there an easement still and they really can't prevent drivers through their parking lot? That's a specific question. Um I have another question that's not related to the roundabouts, but it's related to the mixeduse trails. What are mixeduse trails? Are they shared by pedestrians and bikes? And is that safe? Um, I really don't know the answer, but I know that if I'm a pedestrian and I feel like on the same roadway that bikes are on, I'm at risk for being hit. And they maybe say on your left, but can I get some sense of how safe are mixed use trails if they're shared by bikes and pedestrians? And um another question then is related to the stretch on Excelsure between Willist and Eden Prey Road from the map the long you know colorful map that shows the bike lane on the north and south. Um it's currently four lanes and that's a big issue. Two lanes becomes four lanes through Glenn Lake and then ramps down to two lanes on the other side and there's been talk about can we get it back to two lanes. I don't have a sense on that, but it looks like the bike the trails on the north and south will take up one lane and therefore it will reduce that section from Williston to Eden Prairie Road to two lanes of traffic. Is that correct? And my question then is traffic coming from up to Eden Prairie Road on Excelsier from the east driving westwards and there's a traffic signal there. Will that have to then merge into one lane? What is the solution for that? Um, so in addition, I think that ends my my comments and questions if they are something that can get answered or discussed. But to reassert my fear of being a pedestrian when the roundabouts are driverentric and just as a personal comment, I drive a lot of the roundabouts on 150th that are um the bridges being built and they've got these roundabouts behind Eden Prairie and you don't see pedestrians. I know they're there. I know there are crosswalks. It's just the mind is focusing. I don't have to come to a stop. I need to merge into traffic and look left and right. Oh, that's right. There may be pedestrians crossing. And it's not a choice. It's like a mental where's your focus. I just don't think crosswalks at roundabouts are safe. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other comments? >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Thank you for hearing me out here. I feel your pain. I was on planning commission for a while. These things get late. Um my name is Steve Clinton, 17320 Excelsier Boulevard. Um I have the lot that is just to the north side of Purgatory Park. So I have about 330 ft of frontage on Excelsier Boulevard. Um the city or countyy's proposal at this point takes the highly treed buffer that extends from me all the way quite a ways to the east over to uh um the next road. Clear cuts everything. 100% gone. So now my house turns from being near on Excelsier Boulevard to on Excelsier Boulevard. Um the the current plan puts the proposed retaining walls at the border of the rightway, which means that now they have to come onto my property to build their retaining walls, install their tybacks. Um I have other significant trees that are just on my side of the property line and ones that are within, you know, the 15 ft of the easement that you're going to be seeking. um the drip lines, root lines, all of that are all in that area that's going to be having equipment running on it. So, as a local, you know, property owner, what are my guarantees that the remaining pines and oaks that are all stacked up along there? Um what if those I mean, if you start driving on those roots, it's you know, it's over. So, um, without I guess and I did speak at the open house to the city. Um, they basically said there's no tree replacement plan that is associated with this project at all. Um, mildly surprising that when it comes to putting in these bike lanes that the tree protection ordinances of the city basically are, you know, it it's not applicable at that point. Um as a builder I go to do work in the city I certainly have to deal with all those. If there's challenges with trees I have to redesign. Similarly um you know if if I can't even only imagine if I went up to the planning and said hey I'm going to build a retaining wall right on city property and I want to operate on city property to be able to install it. Um they would say redesign your project. You can't do that. you have to operate within the confines of your own right away. Um, so I guess and then the last thing is that the process of this um I missed out on a lot of the beginning stuff. I had a I was rebuilding my house um um and and there was a house fire and all that. So I was a little busy. Um so I got into it. We was notified about the neighborhood meeting in August. Um the project website I have not seen an update since that August at the open house. Uh the staff took individual questions. Uh they did not allow any public questioning when they did their presentation. Um I filled out the card that asked the city to have a on-site visit. I have not seen anything from the city as far as that. and then I get a notification on Friday that 72 hours from now this is going to be recommended to go to the county. So, um just not what I'm used to from the city and city staff as far as communication. I I I can probably own some of that. It's from, you know, through inattention, but it it just doesn't seem like it's gone through the steps um since that August meeting to to, you know, and maybe some of the other homeowners have been contacted, but at least my immediate neighbors, we filled out the cards. We haven't heard from the city yet. So, >> thank you, Mr. Clinton. Thank you. We'll >> we'll follow up on that. Is there anyone else? Good evening. >> Good evening again, Mayor and Council. Luke Van Santon, Sheridan Hills Road. I'm here to uh share how much I support trail on both sides and how much I appreciate the city and the county working together to put in roundabouts in replacement of light systems. uh mostly with the roundabouts because they are safer. They do present certain challenges for pedestrians, but by be by getting rid of those light systems, we're lowering operating costs probably for the county, but lowering operating costs for long term. Um adding bike trails on both sides is definitely safer. And if it gets to the point of trying to figure out which side to put it on, who are you going to ask to sacrifice? Which side wins and which side loses then? All in the name of maybe saving a little bit of space. So again, support fully both sides and I support fully all of the roundabouts. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening. >> Good evening. Um Brett McGra. Um I'm actually a resident of St. Louis Park. Um but I frequently ride um to Minnotonka. Um both for recreation but also to frequent businesses in Minnotonka on Matt Brewing at uh on Excelsier Boulevard. There is one of my frequent spots. Um I want to two things. one really do support the trails on both sides. Um the biggest issue with having a trail on one side is when you have a destination that's on the other side of the street and it's mid block. How are you supposed to get there? Um so you pop off the trail and cross midblock or do you cross or do you cross at the closest crosswalk before you get to your destination but then you're riding in the road um or walking in the road if you're a pedestrian. Um trails on both sides, while they're not always feasible when they can be, are extremely beneficial and really good for safety. Um and then as far as roundabouts go, um roundabouts are extremely important. Um not only do they reduce long-term costs, but they decrease accidents greatly. Mo roundabouts typically reduce uh crashes by 60% and serious crashes including and injury crashes by over 80%. And as far as pedestrians, I walk through roundabouts every day. Um we have the roundabout by the rec center in Minneapolis or in St. Louis Park, the roundabouts on Louisiana and Highway 7. Um it's much easier to cross a road as a pedestrian or a cyclist um with a roundabout because you only have to look in one direction. So, you come, you're at the crosswalk, you look, make eye contact with the driver, and you can cross. Um, I've been hit by drivers who run red lights turning right on red. Um, I've almost been hit on my bike numerous times by drivers making left turns when I'm crossing. Roundabouts eliminate all of those conflicts and they make it safer for everyone. Um, and thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. McGraw. Good evening. >> Good evening. My name is Lori Doms. I live at 16601 Excelsier Boulevard, right near Seeing Hikets Drive. Um, I came today to state my concerns with the current design. Most notably, the decision to install trails on both sides of the road as it results in encroachment into established yards, reducing usable space, and altering property boundaries. It's a dist disruption of long-standing landscaping, including mature trees, gardens, decorative features, and irrigation systems. It's an interference with driveways, creating awkward transitions in some locations, and potential safety hazards for vehicles entering and exiting homes. And it has a significant reduction in homeowner privacy as a trail brings foot and bike traffic closer to the living space. Um, I am a mom with three young kids. The reason we bought our property is because it sets back from the road. Um, the surface space that this plan requires is concerning. And the fact that we might have more foot, pedestrian, and bike traffic in the front yard means we I'm not comfortable having my kids play there. Um, also as a a mother who has children that go to Scenic Heights, Everbrook Academy, and also Clear Springs next fall. I live on Excelsier Boulevard. This is going to impact my life drastically in the next three years. I'm more concerned about the safety of children walking. However, I would not let my kid walk to school by themselves at that elementary age anyway. Um, I have I I pay for busing. Um, and that seems to work just fine in our neighborhood. Um, but I also have been one last year to get to my bus stop. I had to cross one or cross Excelsier Boulevard with two young children in a double stroller and another one walking alongside me. walked down the road about a half a block to our closest crosssection. And you know what? I was never scared. I mean, it was fine. Um, but it would be really nice to have a sidewalk or a trail, but just on one side of the road. Um, I think it's just overkill doing it on two sides. And with everybody's concerns about budgets, um, I mean, let's look where we could cut and what what really do we need in this area. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I apologize. She's still in training. >> Good evening. I'm Terry Bevvens, 16801 Excelsier Boulevard. I am definitely impacted by the roundabout, but I support it. Um, there are many ways to make those roundabouts pedestrian friendly with one, you only have to look one way, flashing light if you need it. Um my understanding on the trails was that it was um a multi-use trail and yet there was still a bike lane also. if I could be wrong, but so long as you have a multi-use trail and you still need to have a bike lane, they can be on either sides of the road because one, our postal service workers have got to be able to not back traffic up while they deliver the post offices or any other Amazon or whoever. That just needs to be taken into consideration. and still you have the use for both your bicyclists and your pedestrians. There's a solution for all of it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other comments? >> Quickly quickly. This has Cindy Iden 16824 Excelsier Boulevard. Um, these have not actually come up. So, I would just like to um bring a point of concern at West Mill Road. Um, doesn't I I am confused whether there's going to be a cross uh crosswalk there for people to get over to Purgatory Park. It didn't look like it. And it just seems like that if we're going to look for safety, it seems like that would be an appropriate place to make sure people could cross the road to get to Purgatory Park. The same thing would be true down at Whited where that that's a fairly dangerous area and I would like to see if there would be some more control in some way for people to be safer there. >> Thank you. All right. Um, I will bring it back to the council and um, you know, staff, I don't know if you've I mean, there were a good number of questions there. I don't know if you have any comments that to kind of um, uh, relate to some of the questions that were asked. Um, Mr. Manchester, I'll kind of toss that your way. Sure, I can kind of run through. Um, you know, we noted the mountain bike. Um there was a request on lighting environmentally, so it's something we'll make sure to look at. Um we heard both sides. One side, um there were some questions on leaving the traffic signal. You know, it's certainly something that is rusting out at some point. So, you know, there is a cost to move it. It becomes a scrap metal situation. So, that that would be the cost essentially taking it down and scrapping it. Um mixeduse trails. Uh what is that? Essentially the trails that are proposed are mixed use. So they would be open to biking, walkers, all types of multimotal transportation. [sighs] Um you know, tree replacement certainly something that could be considered. You know, this the tree um ordinance wouldn't require it. It's a linear project, but you know, we have other projects done tree replacement offered through the tree sale. So there are things that could be done there. Um, landscaping something we would continue to consider. Um, impacts to construction, it's always something top of mind. Roundabouts, um, you know, the function of roundabouts. We're very comfortable with the pedestrian access, like I mentioned before. Those are my notes. If I miss something though, happy to touch on it. >> All right. Thank you for that. Um, I mean, council, anything that you felt staff missed or do you want to just have a conversation? So, um, go ahead, council member Cal. >> There's a question about the easement at the academy um, and um, the number of lanes, you know, the uh, and and reducing the lanes from four to two. >> Sure. Thank you, Council Member Calbert. I'm going to have to check on the easement. I don't have it in front of me. Um and then reducing lanes. We would try to keep the general same lane configuration based on the traffic study. >> All right. And then councilor Shaq. >> Thank you. I just had a question procedurally, you know, if if would it be still still be possible to go forward with the resolution with the understanding that when it comes back to us for approval that that would include alternatives or the possibility of trail on one side. Um, Council Member Shack, Mayor and Council, I mean, certainly that's the direction you could give us. I, you know, unless Mr. Funk or Mr. Nelson have concerns, we we wouldn't have a concern if that's the direction. Um, we could certainly take it back to the county and discuss with them. I don't know what they will say. You know, the initial information they give us is they would like both sides. You know, there's a feedback process generally with what they have, but I mean certainly something we could ask them. >> Mr. Funk. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Thank you, mayor and councel. I would just add to what Mr. Manchester is mentioning in terms of the trail on both sides. I think staff would need some direction from council on on that. Um I think earlier in the conversation, council asked some questions and staff can bring back more information about the trail on both sides. So I think we have that written down. I would want to inquire with the council on your level of public engagement because we maybe ask Mr. from Manchester to pull up the one map early in the presentation. It shows the I think the call it a bubble area of the project because I think at the beginning of this uh Mr. Manchester referenced that uh there are over 2100 properties that have been notified by the city when this engagement process started. So it's it's serving more people than just those most impacted living on Excelsier Boulevard. And so I think what comes to mind for staff is if answering the question of one side or the other, whether that's north or south, that would likely raise um a whole new host of folks either opposed or supporting either one side or the other. And so I would assume there would be some level of additional public engagement needed to take place. Um because I think we'd want to signal as a city to the to the community and to those 2100 properties that the the plans perhaps are being reconsidered instead of both sides of Excelsier Boulevard looking at one side or the other. So that could take some time in terms of seeking public engagement. Again, as Mr. Manchester mentioned, we'd want to reach out to the county to to understand their perspectives on that because again, this their design standards require both sides. And so certainly there's a conversation with the county and gathering more information, but then there's also a timing question of uh what type of additional public engagement you want to participate [clears throat] in and then notifying residents and start a conversation around which side, north or south. And again, you're going to have different opinions on who would support that or one or the other. >> And then I would I would just add, Mr. funk. I mean, you know, I think um I mean, we've heard a number of interesting ideas here tonight. I mean, one side versus two. Um you know, um would you know, could you put a different type of trail on one side of the road than the other and so forth? Different concepts. Now, I'm not saying we would want to explore all those, but um you know, I mean, kind of in terms of the process going forward because clearly if we're going to fundamentally change the project, then we probably need more more public engagement and that really probably is a pretty significant setback. I mean, it's a big project and the trail need significant. So, I think we as a council have to indicate what, you know, what course of action do you want? Do we want you to pursue and do we want to do we want to approve this tonight? Do we want to say no, we need more information and let's come back and um consider it another time or do we want or or is the council going to say do we want to fundamentally redesign this project? And my sense is I'm not sure we're there. But I think we have to provide some direction and I don't think we've done that yet. And I don't know, I think we've heard a lot from a lot of people. We want to listen well. We want to do what's right for the community, but but I think we have to provide you some direction. So with that comments from council members uh council member Shaq. >> Thank you mayor and and I think that was really trying to um organize my comments for staff was understanding what might be possible. So don't want to leave leave you hanging. But I you know I I like this project. I think it's I think it's very well done. You know, I was skeptical. As somebody who lives very close to the Ridgel to Ridgel Drive and drives downtown many times a week, um I that improvement is significant. The roundabouts have really changed how that roadway operates and it it it really calms traffic and it makes it much safer for pedestrians in that area. Now, this is different, but you know, I I'm heartened that there's going to be, I think, some of the same benefits. I, you know, I'm torn. I'm I'm always a big proponent of the trails and whenever we can get trails and whenever we can get partnership with the county, I'm all for it. I'm also just very sensitive to the some of the pressures um on the environmental impacts and also on the on the funding piece and you know if we can save a little money and that's an opportunity elsewhere or if we could get that little bit of sidewalk on old Excelsure Road for those folks you know something like that you know I I want to leverage those opportunities as well. So, you know, if it were up to me and and I certainly understand the engagement piece. I don't want to hold this up completely. You know, I it'd be I'd like to understand the possibility, I guess, of whether the county would even consider a a trail on on one side. You know, it's been my understanding in the past in looking at the Hopkins Crossroad and the Plymouth Road project, those that I'm pretty familiar with that there it it starts to coalesce where um it makes sense what side intuitively makes the most sense, you know, and I think staff has some experience with that. So that would be however that works and whether we table this item to allow for that to happen or whether we can, you know, in the spirit of how we've handled some of these things in the past is having alternatives offered when it comes time to move to the next step and approve the uh whatever the next step is, approve the funding. Um I you know I I would prefer to do that. Maybe that's a little too complicated for the complexity of this project. I don't know. But those are my thoughts and and I really have faith that we can work something out that makes sense for everybody. And and um oh I had one last comment which is you know to the homeowner who is disappointed in the communication that he's had from the city. I I apologize. I can say as having lived through one of these projects, you have a real opportunity um because if the city needs something from you, you know, that conversation is going to happen where um tree replacement and some of those things can be a discussion for the individual homeowners, particularly if the city needs an easement. So, um not to negotiate against ourselves, but you know, that's the way these things go. So, I don't think, you know, it's going to be a clear cutting of the trees and then you're out of luck. I think think the city will do everything we can to to make it right if that's the direction we take. >> Council member Kley. >> Thank you, Mayor. I guess for me, um I would want more community um engagement and then also maybe come with some new ideas on how to um go about with the roundabouts. Um, and then um I guess the the I'm not like totally against um trails been on both sides, but the roundabouts for whatever reason. I I I just I'm not comfortable with roundabouts. Um, and not just my own personal opinion, but I would um I as as we're talking I'm like, "Okay, well, I need to go tell my neighbors because my neighbors on parag um um um PA, they always ask me about like what's happening, what's going to happen with the trail." So, in my mind, I need to go talk door knock on my neighbor's door and say, "Hey, this is happening." Because no one has said anything to me about it um this summer when I was door knocking in the neighborhood. And so in my mind then I I feel like if they haven't said anything, they probably don't know or they're not paying attention. And so I'm I'll be curious about what my neighbors would say. So I really will probably go out and just talk to the neighbors in that space to see how they feel about roundabouts and what's happening. So um more community engagement I think is would be really important. >> Council member Wilburn. >> Yeah. So, I sort of landed in around the same place as council member Shaq and that um if there's a way to table it or whatever and come back with some some more information about the what the cost difference would be if the county is even willing to consider one side. Um I have I am aware of the the the the reasoning for cost savings, environmental impact and and the the easements that would be needed. Um but also as a cyclist I will tell you that I will ride in the street before I ride on the wrong side of the road and then cross and then ride on the wrong side of the road and then cross. It's just [laughter] so as for a safety thing as a as a cyclist having trail on both sides of a road as big as Excelsier is is a significant thing. Um but I don't know that we're we're we don't seem to have be at a decision point tonight. And um I certainly am not in the favor of us doing a like a re a big redesign and holding up this project. I I don't I don't think there's an appetite for that, but if there's a way to table it and come back and get some more input from staff, I would be in favor of that. >> Thank you, uh, Council Calbert. >> Thank you. [clears throat] I I largely agree with uh what Council Member Wilbur, Council Member Shack are saying. Um, as far as the roundabouts, they actually make sense to me. So, I'm supportive of the roundabouts. Um, and actually, uh, in terms of the tree loss, I I drove I drove down Excelsier today and kind of took stock of what was likely to occur and what it would look like and being sort of known as the tree lady, it, you know, it I could really envision it. And um but on page 82 of the um feasibility report, it actually says um as many trees as feasible will be replaced. So it actually there is a commitment in the FAQs. Um and so I I was kind of surprised when people said that the trees wouldn't be replaced. there is no replacing some of the trees on that road easily because there are some very very um mature high priority trees. But um I'm glad we're going to be doing that. And I too I just when I this is such a huge project and when we did Tonka Wood um there we had a lot of opportunity to discuss it and this is huge. um that was also a city project, not just it was just a city project. So the kinds of things that I'm sort of interested in is what is negotiable. I would love to see in some where we could having ribbon um curbs and not not the high curbs because it it is there are a lot of wetlands and ponds and lakes and there are critters that go across. I want to know is it negotiable about which side or the other? I know that there are things to take into account such as which side are the schools on um which side are the utilities on and all of that, but um I just want I just don't feel like I know enough about what our um uh negotiating places are. But those are the kinds of things that I just don't think any of us really know the answer to. And I appreciate um Council Member uh Wilburn's um comments about what it's like being a cyclist and only having the the trail on one side. But I will say that um just having a trail there will be a vast improvement. And I do really take to heart and I I was thinking it and the mayor did articulate what I was thinking which is that you set standards and Henipin County is a big place and it encompasses places like Minneapolis and larger cities and larger cities than ours. And as you go west things get a little countryfrified. And even on Minnetonka Boulevard, it feels a little more urban than it than it does on Excelsier. And so that that oneizefitsall approach like this is how we do it on our county roads. I'm not, you know, I really appreciate the mayor's comments about, you know, does it really fit here? Is this really, you know, what we want? So that's why I just want some more information about what's negotiable and it's not. If if they're just going to require two sides, then we have our answer. I don't want to hold this up and I know that I also wanted to just make the comment that I know that there is a bidding window that we are trying to hit. So, I'm very mindful of, you know, trying to work through this quickly. Um, and depending on what we find out about what's negotiable and what's not, then the need for additional public engagement. But I would want to move as quickly as possible because this is an important project and we do want it done. And I love the comment about the um, uh, low light pollution lights. So, um, which I know we do already. >> Council member Mey. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, I'll, uh, echo a lot of the comments that are already been made. I am in favor of the roundabouts. I'm in favor of looking at, um, you know, curb alternatives if that's possible given the proximity. Again, we have a unique situation here where we're got wetlands all around a park going part of this. Um, so that would be nice to do. It would be nice to be able to work with Hanniban County. I think even on um Minnitankka Boulevard where which is in my neighborhood um there's trails on one side of the road at certain points. So um obviously that was done there. So is it worthwhile looking at this? Um there is a safety issue. So we're going to have to balance. I mean this is always a question of balance. We've got competing interests here in some ways. And so there's going to have to be a compromise. And I think there hopefully is a room either, you know, if we can't do if it's not feasible or the county prefers not to have one lane on one side. And I understand the difficulties of, you know, then if it was to happen, then we're going to have to be careful with crosswalks, making sure that there's places to cross safely. If not, is there a way to do things that we've been talking about like narrowing those grass medians? um you know combining even like uh Weisetta and Panaway where you have a two-way bicycle lane it's on one side and a pedestrian lane that are separated. What how can we squeeze that? Can we narrow lanes um which would also have the effect of of traffic calming hopefully. So are there some creative ways that we can do? Are we looking at, you know, either it's one lane on one side of the road or it's, you know, these two, you know, much larger taking up lots of property. Is there kind of a third way that we can look at this and try to get some of what you know most people nobody's going to be super happy with or going to be totally happy with this but um as our mayor says sometimes that's way the way you know you're kind of doing your job is when you're trying to get the most that you can get for as many people as possible. Um, so I think maybe if we can go back and try to do that, massage that, check with Henipin County, then depending on that, you know, looking at ways that we can um, narrow the the scope of the roadway and the width of the roadway through some creative ways, I think would be a good thing. We want to have um, you know, safety for pedestrians. We want to have safety for um, recreational um, bikers and especially the kiddos who hopefully will bike to school. when people say they don't see wet walkers and bikers now part of the reason is because there isn't there is a safety concern um so we need to do that and then obviously for the avid you know on-road cyclists you know kind of creating um a space for them to ride I don't know if we can also make a space for mountain bikers on this particular that's going to be a a tall order but you know trying to accommodate as many of our users as we can as safely as we can um should be the goal Um, and if we have to kind of, you know, be a little creative on design standards, I think, you know, what Henipin County is interested in, I hope, is making sure that we're making safe streets for as many different modes as possible, especially non-car modes. So, if we can find a way to nail that in partnership with them, that's what I would like to see. >> Thank you, Council Member. I think we heard from everybody. Council member, Foster Bolton, do you have >> I I just feel like it's late and I would just be repeating what people were saying. So, >> all right. Well, I'm I'll make a couple of quick comments. I mean, my my sense is and I think the general feeling here is we're not really quite ready to to pull a trigger yet, but we we don't want a total redesign of the project. We want to keep it moving. Um, this is an enormous project and an enormous opportunity for the city and the last thing we want to do is not indicate our appreciation to the county for how much of this is going to be funded. We want to be good partners. And so, um, you know, I I think that there are questions here that we would like to get answered before pulling the trigger on this. I I I get the general that's the general consensus of the council and I and I agree with that. You know, the whole question of one side versus two. Um you know how many times I've talked about how important um public safety is in cities and um and I really believe that and you know the safest approach is is I think I mean this is this is a 50 plus year project. It's going to be it's going to be a change that's going to happen for a long time and go a long ways into the future. So, I want to be careful about um being shortsighted on this. Um but I think there are some questions, good questions that have been asked by the residents and by the council that to move forward, we need to get those answered. And I would always um you know I mean as far as tree planting and mitigation and things like that. Yeah. I think um you know we want we want to hold ourselves to the same standards we would hold a developer to. And so um you know I think because that's that's just fairness. I mean I think that if we're going to make a private land owner do a certain way um but the city doesn't have to. you know, our our our our rules need, in my opinion, need to apply equally to to us as well as they do to our residents. It's that's just that's just fair and transparent and the right way to do it. Um, as far as roundabouts go, um, you know, I don't love them everywhere, but they're so much safer. Nine times out of 10, I will support a roundabout. There's a couple of places where I really don't like them. I really don't like them in Edina uh between Galleria and Target because it feels like you go 200 feet and you go around another roundabout and I I think that that's overkill. But you know what? Um we've put roundabouts in our community and we've made our roads safer. And you know, as long as I've been doing this, and we all know it's been a long time, I've talked about how important safety is and and pedestrian safety and and public safety. And so I I you know I'm going to support the roundabouts. I think they're the right thing and people don't like change and roundabouts are a change. And I'm not saying you should have roundabouts everywhere. But I think um you know particularly if you're talking about a choice between a stop sign and a roundabout. It's a no-brainer and it's a long-term solution. So, so I think we're not that far away, but I think we need to get these questions answered. And I think we could come back fairly quickly, work with the county, and get a project done. And I think that's in the best interest of the city. I don't want to blow this opportunity. I mean, the the cost sharing and getting this done. I don't want to have so many questions and make so many changes at the county said, "Well, gee, maybe we ought to rep prioritize this project. There's something that they need over in another part of the county." um uh because this was going to be too hard. And I think they didn't threaten that. I just think that if we make it too hard, we may end up with the consequence of making it too hard. So, I think, you know, let's work on it. Let's let's let's I would recommend tableabling this now, but work hard at coming back pretty darn quickly with some answers that that have been raised tonight so that we can do we can move this forward, but do it in a way that we're we're more comfortable with. So, that's my thinking. So, if that's where everyone is, if somebody wants to make a motion, we'll get her done. And and and I don't know, um, Mr. Funk or Mr. Manchester, I mean, if you're if you have some thoughts based on what was said on what the motion should be, please share it. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mayor and Councel. Makes sense uh that uh we table it for this evening. Uh give staff a chance to visit with the county. I think that's certainly an important conversation just in terms of the trail and that possibility and then also some of the design standards that you talked about whether it's the curb or the spacing between the curb and the the potential trail. So we'll we'll work with the Hen County on those design standards come back to you with uh some of those responses and then I think hopefully the next time we meet we'll have an opportunity to to move it forward because I I do think there's some timing of the essence and certainly we all want to get it right. is important for all of us and so spending the next couple weeks to to do that and we'll come back with um some solutions. And Mr. Manchester, anything to add to that? >> No, I think that covers it. >> All right. Uh Council Shack. >> Thank you, Mayor. I will make a motion to table this item to allow additional time to explore particularly the issues we've discussed regarding the trail on both sides of Excelsure. >> And is there a second? Council Caliber. Oh, council member Kley will >> I'll second. >> All right, we've got a we've got a a motion by council member Shack and a second by council member Kley. Miss Larson, please call Rell. >> Shack, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Romeley, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Poster Bolton, >> yes. >> We >> yes. Motion carries. All right, we're getting there, but we're not there. Um, so next item is item 14C, which a resolution for the Cedar Lake Road and Ridgedale Drive Improvement Project. And Mr. Manchester, it's still your turn. It is. Thanks, Mayor. Um, our recommendation tonight is a motion to adopt the attached resolution receiving the feasibility report ordering the improvements, authorizing plans and specs, and then authorizing easement acquisition for Cedar Lake Road and Ridgedale Drive improvement project number 26209. This also follows our strategic profile um 5.2 to provide safe, quality, and well-maintained roadway system. Um the project before you tonight on Cedar Lake and Ridgedale Drive um is a mill and overlay project. There's a number of different classifications and pavement management strategies that we use. Um this is one uh it's not a full reconstruction. So as we just talked about on uh Henipin County's piece um that they were proposing is a full reconstruction. Take off the patuminous, the gravel, everything else that goes with it and rebuild essentially from the ground up. This is essentially a maintenance strategy where we look at overlaying the road. Uh the project spans from Hopkins Crossroad to 169. Uh the existing conditions is currently a three-lane. Uh it's got 12ft lane widths in each direction with a center turn lane. There's a 6ft sidewalk on the north side. Uh 6 to 8 foot striped bike lanes. Um and then it has existing signals with pedestrian crossing and buttons at Hopkins uh North Middle School, Green Bay Road and Royals Drive. Uh it does have aging retaining walls and it is adjacent to Hopkins schools. Uh the proposed street improvements uh range from a number of pedestrian crossings uh overlaying the pavement and restriping. Uh the circle in this drawing indicates a signal replacement. And so this is a milling overlay project, but uh the city did coordinate the signal replacements at the same time just to make sure we're doing the work in conjunction and we're not doing a mill and overlay and then coming back and working on signals a year later. Um [snorts] this red spot also is a storm sewer repair. There's a few repairs. You know, we do repair curb and gutter and sidewalk as part of the project as well. Uh proposes a 2-in uh mill and overlay. Uh we would reduce the lane widths. um helps with our traffic calming. Uh we would repair the curb, sidewalk, storm, sewer, and then the retaining walls. Uh we would increase the shoulder wis bike lanes. So we would would propose a 10-ft bike lane on the south side um opposite of the north sidewalk and then a 7 foot uh bike lane on the north side. Uh the signal replacements would be coordinated um at the same time with the project. This would provide five crossing locations. Uh three at the signals and then uh two other locations that would not be at uh intersections, but we do find um a large number of crossing folks when we looked at the some of the data. So, we would propose those. They do not have flashers right now, but similar to other projects, they'd be push button ready uh for the future. and then they would meet ADA uh upgrades as well as um we would place street signs at the same time. [snorts] Uh some of the crossings do propose bumpouts and median refuges. So we would look at just safer spaces for people to cross and shortening the distance. Uh at the signal upgrades, it would be push buttons. Um they would be timed according to traffic. And then [snorts] as mentioned before, we would reduce the lanes for traffic coming and the bike lanes would be 10 foot and 7 foot. uh just to kind of show some of the locations. So, Hedber Drive is an example. Uh there is no intersection essentially right where the crossing is, but it is a location that a number of uh pedestrians are crossing. And so, we would look at adding a median in that area just to make sure the crossing was improved safety, be push button ready in the future if we were to add a a push button. So, for example, on a project you saw recently um for Tonka Woodcraft, we had upgraded u a previous uh crossing of this type. We had a pedestrian ready and we added the signal later. [snorts] Uh just a few others just to make sure we can cross. Uh Greenbryer is a signalized. Royals is also signalized. So, traffic does stop with the signal. And then at Ford Road, uh there were a number of pedestrians there. So, it's another one we would look at to provide a crossing with a median at that location. And it, as an example, if you look at the green area along Ford Road, we are looking at um adding a wider pavement area um in that just to make sure there's a a location for a bus stop or others um in those areas. Uh we did have resident feedback um at the neighborhood meeting. We had a few residents, they requested a protective concrete barrier curb on the south side. Um we did evaluate that installation. Um we're not recommending it at this time. It does propose some challenges with maintenance. So essentially what was asked for is um this is a milling overlay project. Uh we were asked for essentially a curb and gutter or small barrier curb that would be along where the essentially the bike lane would run. So we were asked for a curb or a little small wall essentially a curb wall and it would separate the bike lane from the pedestrian traffic. So it does propose some challenges in maintenance operations. You know generally right now the way we clear the bike lane is we run a plow through the street. We drop a wing down on the side and we take care of everything in one pass immediately. Uh when we do the street with that curb it would prevent us from doing that. And so certainly we could still do it. we'd have to have a separate machine come back through similar to how we would plow the sidewalks. It would also uh have to look at drainage related to it. So, if we were to put a curb or some sort of barrier, it would change some of the drainage pattern slightly in there. Um and then also there would be a cost to that. Um we estimated around 160,000 to range for the entire width of the project. Um, in looking at it, uh, we would look, we don't think it's a bad idea to separate, you know, certainly this bike lane, but I we would prefer to do it through striping or other means is something we would like to consider as an alternative, but at this time, we're not recommending that. We did want to make sure council had that in front of them tonight as well. Uh we have coordinated with Hopkins School District uh Metro Transit Bus Service and then Henipin County Road 73 is their uh road. And then Mindot uh they do have a signal project uh that is also coordinated at the same time. Mindot is replacing their signals at 169 right at the border of Minnitonka and St. Louis Park. So that project would also be coordinated around the same time just to make sure the disruption happens around the same time. Uh, another piece of this project is Ridgedale Drive and Cartwway Lane. Uh, a mill overlay in that area is shown on this project map. Here's some existing conditions photos. Pavements deteriorated. U, there's multiple lane configurations in this area. They're 12t lanes. There's a 6ft sidewalk on the south side of Cartwway Lane. Uh, the existing signal is also coordinated to be replaced at the same time as the Milan overlay and it would have pedestrian crossings at that location. Um, we would replace the signal. There is some damaged curb and sidewalk that would be repaired at the same time. Um, and then we would re again reduce the lane width for traffic calming in that area as well as uh repair medians. Uh, there's impacts uh certainly to like every project. This is a very busy area. So, this is something we would have to coordinate with traffic control. There'd be lane shifts and flagging associated with it. Um, we'd make sure that during the Cedar Lake project, the coordination would happen with the school. Um, it is a very tight time frame, so there would potentially be some work occurring during school, but we would have to work with them to make sure that we have information out and make sure everything runs smoothly. Um, the restoration, if any, would be seed or sod and irrigation systems would be repaired and the work hours are 7 to 10. Uh, construction impacts, uh, similar to other projects. There's definitely impacts to projects of these types. Um theformational meeting for these projects uh was on August 14th. Uh tonight is council's consideration of this feasibility report and to consider authorization of plans if you were to choose to go forward. Final design would continue and then we would look to bid in March of 2026 with construction following. Um just kind of a before and example before and after example of a millon overlay. We'll generally just replace the street surface and do restriping is primarily the project. Uh we did have community feedback on these comment cards. Uh letters. Uh Mitch and Phil are still here. Certainly they're leading these projects as well. So it's getting late for them. Hopefully they're hanging in there. Uh our communications plan uh similar to the other projects we send out newsletters. We did also send it out tonight to make sure that uh anyone that was interested could come and comment on the project as well. So, we would continue to uh provide notifications. We do have websites uh for both of these, the Cedar Lake project and the Ridgedale Drive Cartway, just so anyone that would like to sign up could continue to be informed. So, I'll keep it short and turn it back to the mayor and council for any questions. Thanks. >> All right, council. Um questions for Mr. Manchester and our team. Council member Shaq. >> Thank you, Mayor. You had to get this in while you still had a word to council member and really sock it to me. Um, I have a couple I have a couple questions. One I think is simple and I'm gonna ask it now, but I I don't think there's an a way to address it here. But one thing that I've been hearing about a lot is that missing trail segment between in front of right on Plymouth Road um and uh Richell Drive and Cartaway all right in there. If we could look at an opportunity to just get that completed, I mean, I think it it does impact the walkability. I probably not with this project, but you know, it's it's our economic engine and you know to have to send people back up to the parking lot to continue their walk and that little segment is is an issue. So, I guess that's not really a question because I know the answer. It's not a part of this project. Um uh the the real concern, you know, I I don't want to miss an opportunity on obviously Cedar Lake Road is a dynamic road with a lot of commuting and then the three schools and a a lot of stuff going on there. A lot of multifamily housing, affordable housing, you know, and are there opportunity? I get that this is just a mill and overlay, but I feel like if we don't do anything related to improving the safety, pedestrian safety, and the biking safety along there while we're doing this, we're missing an opportunity. You know, is there anything between a full trail buildout? I mean, I'll tell you, the sidewalks in that area are crummy. Um, and this little curb thing, which I understand that, you know, I understand the issues with that as well. You know, striping, how effective is that? I mean, are there other things we can do short of a trail that improves biker safety? >> Council member Shack, Mayor, Council, I, you know, the bike lanes are a big safety improvement. you know, 10 foot lean is a lot of space for folks and so we like that this, you know, the county recently striped McGinty >> and they did, you know, different striping that we haven't done. It's not, you know, it's not perfect, but they did some things with double striping to draw more attention to things. I mean, that's something we consider. We could consider painting different things for, you know, bikes or pedestrians. I mean, those are options, too. We did provide the additional crossings. I mean, we wouldn't normally do those on a Millan overlay. Uh, we looked at some of those other refuge locations, too, on the south side. So, we looked at those as well. We did work with Hopkins schools just to make sure that they were comfortable with what we were doing, and they have been to this point. And so, I outside of, you know, continuing to push it to a bigger project. I mean, we haven't done that. certainly an option in the future, but we feel like we've done a lot more than we normally would with the locations of the signals and those other two crossings as well, just to pull people across and get them to the sidewalk. >> Council member Foster Bolton. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, this is I was in this area just a few weeks, months ago during school. I I ran by there and like right when the parents were dropping off those kids and it was a disaster. I mean they are not obeying any lines at all. They don't obey the no turn on red. It is it's a parking lot and if we I don't even think like a curb would help. I think that it needs to be like, you know, those, you know, those plastic poles that are flexible. Like, it has to be something that the cars cannot get in there because right now, and I feel like if we make the shoulder bigger, it's just going to be more opportunity for cars to get in there. And I mean, it was it was backed up pretty much from 169. and cars. I mean, and and I was and the sidewalks are atrocious. And you know, there were there were high schoolers walking to school on this. And at one point, I was at Royals Drive that Right. And you know, we were sitting there at a green light. We had the green light and we couldn't go because the cars were turning red. And I finally was like, "Stop." And this little this high school girl was Yeah. Yeah. I'm like, "Is this like this all the time?" And she said, "Every day." And so I I feel like I feel like it's our responsibility as a city to do something about this because I was appalled. I mean, I took pictures and stuff. It's it's there is nothing safe about that around the school. So, I really feel like this is I like I said, I don't even think a little curb is going to keep those cars out of there. >> Other comments. >> I'll just sort of quickly add on to that is so that's I live near there so I've I've ridden on that uh that section of trail many times heading into St. most park to to get onto the regional trail. Um, [clears throat] and I would agree that like having the the like what they do in Minneapolis with the with the the Ballards um some sort of physical separation with it is not safe. It it just isn't. C for Calbertt. >> So I'm I mean this kind of reminds me of some of the many of the comments that people were making about scenic heights cuz I've seen it and it does it just backs all the way up to Excelsier around the corner blah blah blah. And so you know if you have a roundabout is that you know there um [snorts] but it it's kind of the same thing on um page uh 14. of the feasibility report. It it talks about the curb divider and it said it says the curb divider would allow for only a 7 basically a 7 foot 3 in bike lane to be added which would prove challenging during winter clearing months as a minimum of 8 feet is required. So we're looking for 9 in here. Um, and so, you know, I'd have to really look at it, you know, it's not something that I I'm so not a spatial I have no spatial IQ whatsoever, but um, you know, is I mean, is it just a matter of finding those extra 9 in so that you can get a plow through there or if you put a curb, is it just going to, you know, break the blade or are we just going to end up scooping up the the curb. I mean, I have I have questions about that. And, you know, to uh Council Member um Foster Bolton's point about, you know, the the plastic poles or something. You know, there might need to be some kind of visible line, but if we do that, we get into the same issue with clearing snow and um maintenance and so forth. Um, >> so I just I just wanted to explore that a little bit. >> Sure. And I can touch on that. Council member Calbert and Foster Bolton as well as Wilburn. You know, the delineators are good. We've looked into them before. We run into the same issue with the winter. You know, we do have delineators on the bridge on Plymouth Road, but they're raised and so those have done quite well. You know, the delineators right in traffic. you know, if you drive in other cities that have those, you know, a lot of times they get destroyed pretty quickly, which is why we haven't used them. Certainly, we could. Um, you know, then we get into it' be similar with the plow. You know, we'd have to plow around them essentially, and there'd be a row of snow or we'd have to take them off in the winter and essentially put them back on, which kind of defeats the purpose. And so, outside of them being there, we end up with a wind row of snow. There is kind of the unfortunate piece, but maybe that's a separator, too. You know, we've looked at it. Um we have talked to other cities that use them a lot. Um within a year you lose depending on where you are 60 to 80% of them only because of you know just what they are. You know people aren't as careful around them because they're not as permanent. But I mean they're certainly an option. It's something we could look into. But uh is regarding the 7 uh whatever that was generally use an 8ft machine in the area. We we certainly have others we could switch to. it would just be something we'd have to make a change on to use a different type of machine. >> And then you know the other question to the safety issue around there is you know the school district has some responsibility for you know improving circulation there and I didn't know if we were in negotiation with them or in conversation with them about that. It's it's an issue. I mean, I live I live right next to um the middle school, Hopkins West Middle School, and I I don't know, it took me about 5 minutes to get out of my driveway, and I was facing out. Um so, >> sure, we you know, council member Calbertt, mayor, and council, we have been in talks with the school. I mean, they have they are looking at some improvements. Uh Mr. Olsen and Mr. Hatcher have talked with them. you know, they don't have those in place yet, but one does involve signal modifications in the future and some other access they'd have to come back to the city for. So, they are in the works of doing some of that. You know, my time and being an engineer at the city, you know, schools are difficult only because the amount of volume of people that come to them. You could build your way out of it, but you end up with, you know, huge lane configurations that get used for 15 or 20 minutes, which is why there's always what there is generally around schools. you know, you'd have to have a massive um you'd have to be six lanes across to accommodate it and so generally they don't and that's why there's a a window of time where it's not ideal. >> Council member Mey, >> thank you, Mayor. Um I have a couple of questions. I talked to Mr. Funk about some things this morning. Um, and I don't know if that was passed on or if they're feasible, but I was just wondering about the possibility of using rumble strips, but because they're plowable and um, that would might be an alternative. Is that at all feasible? >> Sure, Council Member Mey, we we've had that request before. We haven't used them only because of the sound that they create to others in the area, you know. So, if you put them in in a residential application or in this area, other people are going to hear them on them often, which is why we haven't generally done it. >> You know, normally when you'd see a rumble strip, it's on a freeway or other highway and so there's not as much residential or other. >> Yeah. Thank you. And then um and then uh just was wondering because it's the there's safe streets and also MDOT has some things about you know again I know painting and striping can be effective in certain ways and if if you know that might be possible again you know and signage like more frequent signage about it. I think just educating is is that a possibility and or can we look at one of the things what we were talking about is what we're looking at at on Excelsier Boulevard which is maybe having a wider lane going two directions on one side. Is that also feasible as an alternative? >> Sure. Council member M. I think we could certainly look at striping and signing and we could we could look at the lane configurations. I don't think that's off the table. Thank you. >> Other questions? Um, again, I' I've got a few. The um, you know, the the interesting thing for me is we've got this transition from St. Louis Park and they've, you know, they did a full reconstruction. They did a nice job and and it's it's great. Um, but we're a long ways away from needing that. And the incremental cost of doing something like that, even if we said we were going to do it from 169 to um to Hopkins Crossroad, um, and do something like that. Um, I mean, I think that's we're probably just in a totally different ballgame from a cost perspective. Um I'm very sensitive to the reality of we're we've got these schools, but I think to the point that um um Council Member Foster Bolton made and you just made um Mr. Manchester, there are problems that um you can't design to fix. um you know, if um if the school district is not going to have a uh a route on their property to mitigate all of those all of those cars, I mean, I've been around a lot of our schools at um entry and let out time and unless there are solutions on the school property, it's just going to be a mess. It it just is. And there's and there's no designing around it. I mean, you know, you have to, you know, you'd um, you know, it'd be like design, you know, building US Bank Stadium because, um, there's not not enough place for the kids to sit or people to sit at the pee-wee football game. I mean, it's just an overbuild and a ridiculous use of taxpayer money. But, you know, the the question I have is is so the the the curb that we're talking about, how um if and I understand I'm not saying I like that question, but how extensive would you propose that being if that were a solution? I mean, where where does that start? I mean, I'm I'm really interested in uh I mean, being safe around the schools is what I'd like to do. Um, and um, just curious how, you know, for $160,000, what are you really getting with that? >> Sure. Mayor and council, you know, I haven't done one since I've been here to be honest. You know, we certainly checked, you know, other cities that do, but >> essentially, you're putting a small barrier, you know, a concrete curb of maybe 6 in tall. >> Yeah. >> Is um, in the area, and it would provide a physical separation. Um, and if it snows, you know, it could be hard to see. It wouldn't be any different than another curb, but it would kind of be floating in a place where people would not necessarily be used to it. So, I, >> you know, there'd be a little bit of a concern there just to we wouldn't want people to hit it that aren't familiar with the area, you know, under winter conditions. But, >> you know, that' be some of the concern. >> Yeah. I I mean, I I really see more problems with that than than solution. Um, the only thing I will say, and I know people are cynical about striping as the solution, but I live not far from West uh West McGinty Road and the county re uh resurfaced that road and they did put double lines and uh and they narrowed the traffic lanes and they widened the the bike lanes and um while you know it's not the beall and endall, I think it I think it's substantially um better than what was there before. And and I think about you know the difference in cost. I mean we're not going to reconstruct this road. I mean that's that's the reality. And short of doing that I think we have to find some cost-effective ways to to make it safer. And I frankly I'm I'm kind of a fan of what was done in West McGinty. uh because I think it is safer and I think that the narrower um roadway lanes um slow people down. Not a lot um but they slow them down. But that combination to me seems seems feasible because I mean we're talking I mean we're not going to reconstruct that road now. and you know um and you know the solution the the interim solutions we've talked about the the kind of the halfway solutions are halfway and they really don't solve problems. So I'm I know I'm commenting more than I should but it's getting late and >> and it just seems that if we put it that that curb it's not a raised trail. It's just separated by this like bump in the road. And that to me also feels a little shaky. >> I'm confident. I'm confident that um that um that solution will be will we will be able to take that out with snow plows. I'm confident we can do that. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> You know, I mean, I've I've just seen too many too many asphalt curbs just, you know, they're brand new and they're gone, you know, [laughter] and while this would be more more robust than that, I I'm I'm confident the same thing would happen. It's not a good solution. >> Yeah. Councilor Romey. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just wanted I'm looking at, you know, DOT manuals for and safe streets for, you know, again, trying to find that compromise, that sweet spot in the middle of doing the painting where you even have solid, you know, pink, you know, striping and then um the delineators like maybe at the school entrance or some places that, you know, you might lose a few, but you're not doing it the whole way on on Cedar Lake. you know, maybe we can, again, I I just challenge staff, I guess, to think maybe a little bit creatively like how we can do a combination of signs and, you know, look at that and look at, you know, do we reconfigure lanes? You know, is that feasible? I guess what I'd like to know is is, you know, is there a way that we can create some improved safety without spending a lot of money or creating other problems for plowing and and and road safety hazards? Um, and I guess that's what I would like to to, you know, challenge us and and you to maybe look at a little bit more as we um go forward. >> So, is there any Oh, go ahead. Um, Council Shack. >> Thank you. Um, so what any of these options feel like they are kind of um aftermarket options, right? Like what are any of these made easier by the mill and overlay? I mean, is there a scenario where we approve this project, go forward with it, and then have a more comp complete conversation about safety options for the road, including I mean, I'm not as skeptical of the little curb thing because I've got the little curb thing right next door and it does have the ballards on it or whatever and it seems to have weathered very well over the past five years. I haven't noticed significant problems with it. Now it's just 100 feet. It's not that long. Um, so I'm less skeptical of that. I mean, I think if it enhances or even has the opportunity to enhance safety for $160,000, I mean, it's something we should be considering. It is it hard to add that even after the millon overlay is done? >> Uh, council member Shaq and we could certainly I mean if you're ask my recommendation would be striping to start. We could always add that. I mean that it it would be maybe a little cosmetic. I mean you could always cut something like that in. You know that'd be the only thing. It it's always an option. It would be cutting the pavement out and putting it in at at some point in the future. it could be something that could be considered. We generally would try to to not do that only because it's a new road and we don't want to do it later. But I mean striping um doing the delineators around the school seems very reasonable. You know, just if we want to try that to start if we were maybe to to stripe things and then use delineators in smaller areas where maybe the plows wouldn't be affected as much or they wouldn't get hit. Our main concern is the delineators on a long stretch and the curb on a long stretch because people don't generally know it's there under tougher conditions. All right. Um we've got some biking interests that are still here and um I'm not really looking forward to hearing from a lot of you, but if maybe one or two of you could come up and make some comments and what um what you'd like to lobby for because we'd like to get this done and I really do not want to have to extend this meeting beyond midnight. And we've got we've got one more we've got one more item on the uh on the agenda. So, if anyone would like to come forward, please state your name and address. If you don't have anything to say, I'm not going to beg you to come, but um uh please consider coming forward and kind of sharing your thoughts on this. I know Mr. Van Santon, you've uh written a an impassioned letter um and and and we've read it, but I appreciate it. So, thank you. Thank you one more time, mayor, for the opportunity to to speak with you. Thank you, council. Also, um the first thing I want to say, which sounds slightly repetitive to what I just said, thank all of you for all of the amazing questions you've been asking tonight and really, really shows how deep you've dove into this topic, and I appreciate the heck out of it. I also want to say thank you to staff because I think they've gone above and beyond in talking with both me and other people about all of the different things that can maybe happen with this. I appreciate that much a bunch as well. I also wanted to say that the plans are really pretty good. We're getting some needed safety enhancements added in all of the crossings. And um for people like me, a 10-ft shoulder is nicer than an 8ft shoulder. Um the only thing about that is that that's for me, not for a third grader. So it's a good thing, but it could be better. Um, even if there isn't any bike infrastructure added to this, Cedar Lake Road is going to be way better for everybody who uses it. However, the proposed plans seem to rely mostly on the status quo with respect to transportation. And that suggests to me that maybe we aren't nimly art leading our city into the future. We're planning for what has happened in the past. And given that we have 20 years before we're going to do something more with this segment of road that seems somewhat problematic is maybe the diplomatic way to say it. So we really need to do something and there's many reasons why we need to do that. The primary reason, as I said in my impassioned letter, is the climate around us is changing. Driving is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Minnesota, if not the entire country. We also have a trail gap plan that allowed fillings of gaps just like this, except we didn't have enough ability to plan this one ahead of time because it wasn't a full reconstruction. It was only a mill and overlay. We've also had that we've completed, we being the city of Minnotonka, uh trail segments on Hopkins Crossroad coming down from the north as well as in the uh Ridgedale area on Plymouth Road coming up from the south. And if we don't do anything with these two places now, both Ridgedale Drive and Cedar Lake Road, we're just going to not maximize those two things that we've already done. >> [snorts] >> So, what am I asking for you tonight? I'm asking for you to vote no on this and return it for additional design consideration of the 10- foot wide two-way multipleuse path separated by either as was um suggested by staff a 9-in tall 6-in wide concrete barrier or as the city of Minneapolis does and has done recently along Henipin Avenue. A 6- in above the surface of asphalt and 3-in embedment into the asphalt by 24in wide with ballards on top separated lane. Minneapolis has a standard plate that they're willing to share or at least they shared it with me that could do this. Obviously 2 feet is significantly wider than 6 in, but there's things like that out there. If you do vote no on that and it can go back for additional design review, then we can get into some of the things like why did a 6-in wide barrier change a 10ft shoulder to only seven 7.3 feet wide? and we can get into the 12T lane, 12T turn lane. Maybe that could be shrunk down to 11 just like the two through lanes that are there now that are proposed to be there now and save us that one foot that we need to be able to get a truck with a blade through. uh in regards to I'm sorry to keep jumping jumping from Cedar Lake Road to Ridgedale Drive, but given that typical lane widths of 12 ft or preferably and as our proposed on Cedar Lake Road 11 ft, why does the plan show lane widths of 13 or 16 or even wider feet going through Ridgale Drive? It seems like those could be narrowed up significantly, which would then generate some space for, you guessed it, bike lanes. Um, and I'm somewhat uh hesitant to say this, but if you can't vote no, then maybe some of the other suggestions that have been put forward by council and by staff tonight can be implemented instead, like a paint buffered shared use path on the south side of Cedar Lake Road and or painted lanes or possibly the sheros on Ridgedale Drive. Regardless of your vote tonight, I hope that uh you will please prepare for the future for when similar things like this happen because luck does favor the prepared. The first thing I think that would be good to help have and Mr. Manchester already addressed this. He said we don't necessarily need to use a truck with a blade there. We have other equipment we can swap out. If you didn't have that equipment, my suggestion would be to please include that in some budget in the near future if possible. There are things like nooso.com, which is basically a snow removal drone that's been developed by a University of Minnesota graduate who has a business selling them. Now there's also other more um residential oriented models called Yarbo. Another thing that could be done is you could fund an additional maintenance position and I'm very hesitant to say that after all of the discussion earlier, but that could provide a little bit of added resource to help clear these things when they become maintenance issues after being snowed on. Um, the last thing that could be done to to prepare for the future is having the recognition that many trails are used for transportation, not just recreation. And if we can have the transportation trails cleared with a higher priority in the winter, that would go a long way towards helping us drive less. and then maybe we wouldn't have to have such horrendous pickup and drop off lines at all of our city schools. And I'll close with that, but I will say to all of you again, thank you very much. You've gone above and beyond, and I sure appreciate the heck out of it. And mayor, it's been a glory talking to you one last time. >> Well, >> thank you. >> And thank you for your service. Um I um with Henipin County on um your u on the group that you're part of in terms of uh non-motorized transportation. I appreciate that work. >> All right, council. What are we going to do here quickly? Um >> I comment. >> You may be quickly. Yeah. >> Not as articulate as that gentleman is. Hi, Mayor and Council Michael Offfield from 10211 Lake Road. So, I'm in >> Very good. Yeah, >> that area. Um, I'm just Whoops. Sorry about that. >> U, I just want to make sure that this is when I heard that this is a one and 20 year project. There's nothing will happen in 20 years. I thought, "Holy Toledo, I didn't realize that." So I hope the division is a little bit I appreciate what the gentleman was saying about just this we worship the car in America you know and I hope we see things 20 years from now hopefully things will be a little different and a little less car dependent. I realize this is the birds. It's not Minneapolis, but I hope we can still think beyond and maybe the great dreamers and thinkers will uh go beyond just, you know, little little projects if if that makes sense. Uh and they also never uh just went quickly, I never thought I'd be here five and a half hours. I've never been to a meeting before, but it's been wonderful to be here [laughter] and thank you for all your depth depths. I'm very impressed with the depths of uh the people that are serving and I'm glad I'm glad I voted for the right people. So, thank you. >> Well, thank you. >> All right, council. Um let's see. I guess we're we're done with questions. Um comments. What What What do you think on this one? We've got um we've got a proposal um in front of us. Um are we in the same position we were on the the last one or are we um >> what are your thoughts? Councilor Calbertt. >> Thank you, Mayor. I um I think staff knows what we're going for, which is more safety. Um I I'm not this is a mill and overlay. I agree that you know we don't want to lose an opportunity to make safety improvements. I think we all agreed that we want safety improvements and so I'm inclined to adopt the resolution um with added direction on [clears throat] just ensuring that there is uh at least the striping and consideration of other bike safety elements. Thank you, Councilor Shaq. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I'm usually really decisive about these things and I'm feeling very conflicted on this one. I mean, it's it is kind of personal to me just because it's such a complex area. I'm I'm inclined to, you know, to support the majority of the council, whatever direction that goes. But I would like us, and maybe this is a note for next week, to talk about how maybe we want to have a better plan for how we deal with these types of projects, a policy, I suppose, from the council on prioritizing, especially where we're not going to see major reconstruction, prioritizing pedestrian and biker safety in areas and using the opportunity when we're doing mill and overlay and particularly on our arterial roads. Um I think that's really important and I think we've maybe been blind to that cuz we haven't had a project like this recently um in the recent past. So those are those are my brief comments. >> Anyone else? Councilor Wilburn. So, I guess my question is what our options are as far as if we if we approve this as and as far as having input further down the road on what the safety I just don't know like where we are if if it's something that we would need to reject and and as opposed to just saying let let's go ahead let's go ahead with it. Let's take I'm I'm a little confused at what our options are. >> And I I don't Mr. M. Manchester, I don't know if you have an opinion on that. If if you do, you're welcome to share it. If you don't, then we'll keep going. But >> yeah, I mean, not a lot to offer, mayor and council. I mean, certainly if you have things you'd like us to look at, we'd like to know that. Um, ideally, you know, the striping is are preferred and the delineators, but you know, if you have others, we certainly like that direction could certainly incorporate it. We do need to come back at some point here in the future, you know, with a plan so you get to see this again before you move forward. I don't know if Mr. Funk has anything else he'd like to add. >> He doesn't. Council member Romey. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, yeah, I I agree that this is a difficult one because I'm conflicted because I I totally respect uh staff's uh recommendation on this. Um, I also, you know, agree that going forward, especially or even here, this is an opportunity to kind of think about how we think about um projects like this going forward. And um I personally would feel a little bit more comfortable if I had more of a costbenefit analysis or at least a cost analysis for the impacts of the cost. I know the 160,000 to potentially put these things in, but the maintenance cost and you know some of the other issues going forward because right now I'm feeling like saying I'm it's 11:30 and I'm really tired and I just want to kind of make a decision especially given what we just went through on Excelsier Boulevard. On the other hand, I don't want to give this the short shrift because I am tired and because of what we just got went through with Excelsier Boulevard. So I would have I hate to do this, but I am more in favor of tableabling, not saying no, and getting information about this other option. I still feel like the striping and the painting and looking at laying configurations are still something that could and and would be helpful. Um, but, you know, I'm I'm looking for a way to be creative and try to meet some different needs here. And um you know if if we can do that by tableabling and taking another couple weeks to do this and and come back in early January um if not sooner then you know I'm happy to do that. But like council member Shaq um I'm also happy to you know if other people feel strongly that we need to move forward on this. It's not a hill that I'm going to die on this time. >> Council member Foster Bolton. >> Yeah I'd like to table it too. I mean, because I I really feel strongly about the added barrier, so I'm not ready to authorize it or whatever. Any other comments? You know, I'm going to I'm going to take a bit of a a contrary view. Um, you know, I I think I think the timetable is tight. I think that um you know this a Miller Mill overlay project and it's got not going to be anything more than that but I would like to I would like to say recommend moving forward with it but also challenge our staff um to look at way you know look at all I mean I think what safety improvements can we make I I certainly I mean I've been impressed with the McGinty road um striping. I think that is effective and and then if there are some things we can do with Ballards and also um ask the question because I think we're facing kind of a fundamental issue here that is okay we are going to face you know we have a pavement um we have a schedule we redo pavement and we don't do redo it cavalerely but at the same time I think that we're running into safety considerations that were different that are different than when the plan was originally conceived. And we're not the first council talking about this. And so I wouldn't even mind some secondary research whether it's by our staff or by a consultant or or whatever to say, okay, when you're facing a situation where you don't have a full reconstruction, but you recognize that there are meaningful safety improvements that are needed, what new ideas, what technologies, what things can we add? Now I don't want to hold this project up but I want to ask that question to see how good can you make a mill and overlay project um when you know that meaningful safety improvements are needed and what's the literature say what are the create you know what are people in different parts of the country doing creatively to to satisfy this issue because this is not we're not the first council talking about this but I think we we need to move this forward or we're you know I mean Cedar Lake Road needs it. And so that that I would throw it out that I'd like to approve it with that challenge. Um put, you know, with staff. >> I'm I'm kind of with the mayor on this one. >> So that's kind that's where I am. But we we'll need a motion and we'll have to see how it does. So Council Calbert, if you want to go for it, not to call. >> I can try. I can try. I make the motion to adopt the resolution receiving the feasibility report ordering the improvements authorizing preparation of plans and specifications and authorizing easement acquisition for the Cedar Lake Road and Ridgedale Drive improvement project number 26209 with the additional uh uh direction for staff to explore for additional safety options. I would I would second that and I I guess I would just um put faith in my fellow colleagues that this will make it to our study session work plan for 2026. >> All right, >> I'll back you up on that. We got a motion by council member Calbertt and I I'll be observing from a distance. Um and [laughter] a second by council >> great distance. >> Um Miss Larson, would you please call roll? >> Shack. >> Yes. Wilburn. >> Yes. >> Calbertt, >> yes. >> Rome, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> no. >> We some >> Yes. So, um yeah. So, I think I think we have a path forward, you know, and but I think it's a you know, I mean, it's it's challenging, but we're not the first council to consider this. So, um you know, maybe it's a intern project or some such thing. Um so, listen, we've got 20 minutes left and um >> have EDA as well. >> Oh, yeah. Thank you for that. That motion carries. So, um that brings us to um item 14D and long-suffering Susan Thomas has waited um all night for [laughter] this. So, um item 14D is items concerning seven brew a coffee and beverage business with a drive-thru facility at 17501 Highway 7. >> Uh uh thank you, Mayor Woram. staff's recommendation on these uh items concerning which are a conditional use permit and approval of final site and building plans uh is to approve that and and four affirmative votes are required this evening to do that. As the council knows the subject property is located in the southeast quadrant of the 101 uh highway 7 intersection. The 12 acre site was originally developed in the 1950s as the Seven High Drive-In Theater and then it was redeveloped in the 1970s with a large Kmart store on the site. In the several decades since then, a uh fast food restaurant was built in the corner. The Kmart building has been divided into several different retail and entertainment spaces, and a variety of seasonal uses have occupied the large parking lot. Seven Brew has submitted applications for construction of what I'm calling a coffee and beverage uh drive-thru business. As was noted in your written report, 7 Brew is an Arkansas based company. It has over 500 locations nationally. a handful currently open in Minnesota, but many others slated uh for construction are undergoing this uh same process. The Minnotonka proposal includes uh locating two structures, enclosed structures within the existing parking area just uh south and west of the entrance, the eastbound Highway 7 entrance to the site. Um this mouse may have run out of batteries tonight. Let's see. [laughter] Okay, here here we are. Um, so this is a blowup of the overall um northern uh parking lot area. And then this diagram on the right is a uh zoomedin area. The main building, which is the easterly building, is just over 500 square ft in size. And it would contain the actual beverage uh making area. And then there is a roughly 300 square ft um refrigerator building to the east. Neither building includes a customer service lobby or a service area because that's the Seven Brew model is uh drive up or drive-thru service. Uh customers would uh pull up to the buildings. a server would come out of the building and uh take an order on a for lack of a better term I'll say iPad uh and then go back in the building make the beverage or someone one of their colleagues would make the beverage as folks drive through and and pick up their beverage on the other side. So, while it is drive-thru, it is actual face-to-face uh service. No um audio um I apologize for losing the words here. Um uh [clears throat] no radio or or audio uh equipment associated with that. The proposed uh drive-through lanes could accommodate 19 vehicles. I would note that uh walk up orders would be accommodated, but it would be done in the same way. you would uh meet a a representative from Seven Brew. They would take your order and then make that. There's not a an order window. This next slide gives you a sense of the scale of the proposed building. Um this is Culver's in the foreground. You're looking uh southeast uh to the building here. And then these uh graphics indicate the style of building um from the front and then each of the side elevations. The building really in uh composition would complement that existing uh Culver's building uh to the west. In addition to the buildings, a few site changes would be needed to accommodate the use. There would be removal of parking uh spaces, installation of parking islands and planting. So actually this decreases imperous surface of the site. Installation of an underground storm water management system. Uh again improving conditions as there's no existing storm water management on the site given the age of the development. And then striping of a bike path from the Purgatory Creek uh trail to the east uh to the um Seven Brew location. As I noted, staff uh does recommend approval of the conditional use permit and the final site and building plans for a few reasons. Uh first, the proposal does meet all conditional use permit standards that are outlined in code. Second, um though the proposal would technically remove parking from the site if parking were needed in the future, there's ample space to stripe parking on existing paved area to the east. Third, the traffic study that was completed uh for this project did not anticipate any negative impact on Highway 7 or site circulation. And just to step a bit into more into this finding, um certainly staff and the city's consultants are aware of the various studies and the safety studies that have been done on Highway 7 uh recently and the plans for future improvement. The traffic study that was done for this specific project looked at existing vehicle trips on Highway 7 and how um this would impact those in the AM and PM PM peak hour. Um daily volume on Highway 7 is about 36,000 uh vehicles. So 18,000 of those vehicles are traveling eastbound on Highway 7. And this proposal would add 104 daily trips eastbound um to Highway 7, which is a 0.5% increase. In other words, that's very it's negligible. The study also considered gaps in vehicles traveling eastbound. So if I'm exiting Seven Brew, how how can I get out onto Highway 7? And found that the average gap is over 8 seconds, 8.6 six specifically which is deemed more than adequate um by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. And then finally, the proposal is consistent with that Highway 7 and County Road 101 village uh center plan which did envision additional development on this site that would be located closer to the highway, further away from Purgatory Creek. Some of you may recall a previous proposal that we had for the site that was located right up against um the creek. The planning commission did consider the proposal on November 20th. Uh there were no uh members of the public that came to speak. The commission concurred with staff's recommendation, which again is to adopt the resolution approving the cup and the site and building plans. Um, >> oh, Julie unplugged something over here. Um, so with that, I will turn it back to the mayor. >> Um, thank you, Miss Thomas. Um, council, any questions for Miss Thomas? Um, Council Member Wilburn. >> Oh, well, it's more comment. >> Oh, okay. Um, it Well, do you have a question? >> I do have a question. So, the Department of Transportation um had some comments about access to the site and they had problems with it and so they're suggesting that that you know we close off the rightin right out access to the site on Minnesota 7 and the entire circulation plan. it sort of revolves around that right in right out and so I'm just wondering can they force it can the mindot force us to do that is that just a recommendation and then you know if if for some reason we do have to do that can we make contingent can we have like plan B for circulation there Thomas may wor I'll start and maybe my colleagues will add on to that. Um the mindot letter u specifically talked about existing conditions on Highway 7 and how under existing conditions um they would like to see um this entry closed. Um they did not say that the city has to close that. That would actually be a mindot action if they chose to close this. um staff's um read into that and our conversations with Mandot, our conversations with our traffic consultant and city engineering staff is MIDOT was not commenting on this proposal. They were commenting on an existing condition and our traffic consultants um have suggested this is this adds negligible uh impact uh to the highway. That's not to say that as part of the Highway 7 road projects in the future that this won't be closed and we have put the applicant on notice that that's something that may happen in the future. >> Very good. Other other questions. All right. Um Council Member Rome, >> thank you. Um I did have one question. I I um this is a driveup only location, correct? Is there any outdoor seating or anything that is part of this plan? >> Um, mayor and and council, uh, there is, and the applicant may uh, choose to speak to this. There's certainly bike um, amenities. Uh, whether there's actual outdoor seating, I I'm not certain. Again, the the prototype, and I shouldn't even say the prototype, all of the seven brews are specifically designed as drive-thru facilities, >> right? I guess I wasn't talking about facilities. We're talking about native plantings and things like that. So, um, you know, I wasn't talking about patio seating or anything like that. More like, you know, is there in these native plantings, are there going to be benches or things like that? I couldn't really tell from the plans or is there places, you know, possibilities, potentials for that? uh Mayor Wears and Council Member Romele um they're not showing anything in these um native plant areas. We by code require a certain amount of native planting on all of our landscape plans, pollinator species. So certainly natives would be included. I think that there's opportunities um for some potentially some um seating in, you know, in a location here and staff could certainly um work with the applicant on that. >> Thank you. >> And council member Foster Bolton, >> I'm just assuming and that the cars are they're running the whole time. They pull up, they're running, >> correct? >> They wait for their food and the car is still running and then they get the food and the car is running. Right. Yeah. >> Uh that that would Yes, that's correct. >> All right. Um Council Wurn. >> So, um I'm [clears throat] not inclined to go against staff recommendations. I just want us in our rapidly filling up uh study session discussions um to have a discussion around drive-throughs and our our zoning permitting around drive-throughs. What our plan is as a city is about that and finding out environmental act environmental impacts, idle times, those sort of things um for future projects. Very good. Very good. >> There's no way around. >> So, um anyway, um anything else? Because is I believe the applicants here and if if you'd like to come forward and um make any comments um please do wake up. >> Well, that's all right. You know, >> see you guys staying late. Uh very much. I'm Mike Gustoson. I represent the franchisee for Seven Brew. Um our we have an area agreement for the Minnesota area. >> Okay. >> Um and we have uh six seven sites that are basically going for development proposals as we're doing here tonight. Um the particular question that you had asked about seating in the planning area. That's the first we heard of that um someone suggesting that it can be arranged. I'm not just complying to say yes to anything. Only thing is we look at in any capacity is safety for anyone and where it is um so on. Uh there is seating underneath one of the overhead canopies. So there is a picnic table we put on every site. In some situations we do too. Um but the seating in the uh I'll call them the the uh planning areas. We can accommodate uh anything within reason. I just wor I always worry about safety whenever we do things. And that's part of the business is we have different several brands we work with um not only for the clients but also for our staff. Um the uh the bike paths are you guys spoke a lot about bike paths. This actually we have to restripe this as part of the agreement. I think it's in the 14 pages which is fine because it's not actually was never been continued across the entire lot to uh the purgatory uh uh trail and we're going to go ahead and finish it out. It's supposed to have been originally the landlord I think was supposed to do with the owner but he never fulfilled that. That is on our striping uh sheet that we have also. Um, is there any other questions or anything? >> Um, I council, any questions? I don't think so. Is there anything else you want us to know? >> No, no, I appreciate your time and standing. >> Well, I appreciate you hanging hanging in this this a long meeting. I'm not particularly pleased that it's been this long, but it is what it is. So, >> thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you. Good luck to you. >> So, um, any comments or motions that anyone? Council member Shaq. >> Thank you, Mayor. [snorts] I, you know, I I don't love the idea of adding more drive-thru only facilities in the city. I think, you know, it's kind of to the conver previous conversations. Um, but we haven't addressed that yet. I I did believe we were going to direct the sustainability commission to have that discussion and it sounds like that hasn't happened. So hopefully we can make that happen in 2026. Um, and but I would I you know it it meets the conditions. It it serves a purpose. It's better than a tire shop. And so I would make the motion to approve. >> Very good. Is there a second, Council Calbert? >> Um, I just want to comment. I It is so antithetical to our environmental uh goals and and and it's such a single use. you know, if for some reason it it it does that the business model doesn't work and it is an odd business model when it's right now it's we're in the single digits and somebody has to walk outside to take the order and then walk inside to make the order then walk outside to deliver the order while a car is running. I have it I I'm very conflicted about this one. so we can vote on it and you know we we have a recommendation from staff and from planning commission to approve it and I'm deeply uncomfortable with it. >> Um are there any other comments? >> Yeah, I'm just I just I totally agree. It makes me kind of very uncomfortable. >> But we don't have an ordinance to deny it. >> Right. >> Right. We don't we don't um my comment would be is we don't enforce ordinances we wish we had. >> Um you know [clears throat] if it's important then let's get it done but right now we we honor the law that we've got and and I will tell you um having gone through the um we did not talk about any of this when the car wash went in and guess what you drive in there and you don't turn your car off either. We never this never even came up. Um so you know I mean it's it's one of those things I'm not arguing for against it. If this is important to this council we got to have that conversation. >> So um got council member >> just real quick. Um I agree I'm not wild about this. Um but again we have what we have. If we can get some seating in there you know that's safe. I think that's a step in the right direction. And again, this is a conversation going forward. >> Very good. So, we've got a motion. I haven't heard a second. Council Romey, >> I'll second. >> All right. Got a a motion by Council Member Shack and a second by Council Member Romey. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Shaq, >> yes. >> Wilbur, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> a reluctant. Yes. >> Romey, >> yes. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Faster Bolton, >> yes. [clears throat] >> Yes. Motion carries. So that brings us to item 15 was appointments and reappointments and we have none of those. And item 16 is adjournment with >> I move adjournment. >> Um council member Wilurn >> second >> and second. So we got a motion by council member Wilburn and uh second by council member Calbert and we don't have to call roll. All in favor say I. I. We are adjourned >> and uh we have to do the EDA meeting and we will do that. And so >> do we have to extend the meeting? Well, I don't know if we do. Do we have to do it for the EDA meeting? >> We have another one. >> Mayor have another one. >> Mayor and council. Yes. For purposes of council rule of procedure 8.6, you should just take a majority vote once you open the meeting to extend the time to consider the item. >> Or or could we wait till 12:01 and um and just call the meeting to order for tomorrow? >> No. technical >> the schedule. >> Okay. Okay. Well, then we'll just extend the meeting. So, >> all right. So, um Mr. Nelson, what's what should our um what should our tell us again what we're supposed to do? >> Mayor and council, it's the the the uh there was a adjournment of the regular council meeting. >> Call to order the EDA meeting. Take a vote to extend >> a majority vote. A motion to extend the uh pursuant to council rules of procedure 8.6 six to extend the time for uh the conduct of the meeting. >> All right, we'll we'll do that. So, um I will call the meeting to order. Uh this is a meeting um it it is still December 8th um uh 2025 and I will call the um um economic development authority meeting to order. Um and let's see, I've got to I've got to get the right agenda in front of me here. Otherwise, we'd do the pledge of allegiance again. We're not going to do that. So, um, bear with me. So, um, um, Miss Larson, would you please doll call roll? >> Kley >> here. Foster Bolton >> here. >> Shaq here. >> Wilburn >> here. >> Calbert here. >> Raley >> here. >> We >> here. Okay, we will um we need to approve the agenda. Is there um a motion to approve the agenda? C. Council member Foster Bolton. >> I make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Council member, >> second. All right. Got a motion by well and it's commissioner. Excuse me. Commissioner Foster Bolton. Commissioner Romey. Um, Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Kley, >> yes. Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Shack, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Romey, >> yes. >> Wearsome, >> yes. Motion carries. Next item is approval of minutes. And we have the August 14, 2025 EDA meeting minutes. Is there a motion? >> Have we extended the meeting? >> Yeah. Then we need to do >> Okay. Oh, excuse me. I'm so excited. >> I make the motion to extend the meeting. Second. >> All right. [laughter] Um, Commissioner Calbertt made the motion and Commissioner Wilburn made the second. And um, Ms. Larson, please call roll. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Shack, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Rome, >> yes. Wearsome, >> yes. Motion carries. So, now we will approve. Um, we'll try the minutes. That is the August 14, 2025 EDA meeting minutes. Is there a motion to approve, Commissioner Wilburn? >> I move approval of the November 10th, 2025 EDA meeting minutes. >> And let's see. Am I on the wrong darn it? What's happening here? >> Mayor, if you just look at the slide, the big screen. >> Okay, there we go. The November 10. I was Okay, [laughter] thank you. And Okay, we've got a motion by Council Member Wilburn. Is there a second by council member Foster Bolton? >> I second. >> All right, we've got a motion by Commissioner um Wilurn and a second by Commissioner Foster Bolton. And we are getting a little punchy here tonight. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Shaq, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. >> Calbert, >> yes. >> Rome, >> yes. >> Whisome, >> yes. Motion carries. So, we've got um item 5A is the 2026 Housing and Redevelopment Authority HRA Tax Levy and Budget. Ms. Wishnack. >> Thank you. Just a short report. Um council, because it is $300,000. I don't want to um skip over this too fast. I know you all know what's happening, but the public may not be aware. So, the three expenditures that you have within the $300,000 is $25,000 for homes within reach, which is the land trust. That's for ongoing administrative maintenance. You have $175,000 for pathways to home ownership. And then you have $100,000 that you will put into the housing loan programs. This is rehab um as well as down payment assistance. So with that, mayor, uh we are recommending adopting the resolution which approves the 2026 H levy >> of $300,000. So um is there a motion to approve the HA levy? Commissioner Shack, >> I make that motion. >> And is there a second, Commissioner Wilburn? >> I second. >> All right, we've got a motion by Commissioner Shack and a second by Commissioner Wilburn. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Shaq, >> yes. >> Wilurn, >> yes. Calbert. >> Yes. >> Rome. >> Yes. Wears. >> Yes. Motion carries. Um let's see. >> Adjournment. >> We have one more. No, we have one more. >> No, we've got assignment of the tiff note. Um so that is the assignment of the tiff note related to Shady Oak Crossing. And Miss Wishnack, >> just a little note in terms of why this is on your agenda. There is a change in ownership of the Shady Oak Crossing building. So, Raw and Clark Construction was the previous owner. Well, they are the owner and they are switching to um and selling to at home apartments, which they're already in Minnetonka on Roland Road. If you're not familiar with that company, there is affordability in that um that apartment as well, and the city is notified uh when these transaction occur because there's tax increment financing involved. >> Very good. Thank you, Miss Wishnack, for your succinct report. So the recommended action is to um we need a motion to adopt the resolution approving the assignment and assumption of tax increment revenue note related to Shadio crossing. Commissioner Wilburn. >> So moved. >> And a second. Commissioner Calbertt. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I second. >> All right. Um we've got a motion by Commissioner Wilburn, a second by Commissioner Calbert. Miss Larson, please call roll. >> Kley, >> yes. >> Foster Bolton, >> yes. >> Shaq, >> yes. Wilurn, >> yes. Calbertt. >> Yes. >> Romey, >> yes. Where? >> Yes. Motion carries. Um, next item I believe is adjournment. >> I move adjournment. >> Very good. And is there a second, Commissioner? >> I second. And I honor Mr. Mayor's last fall meeting. >> Oh, yeah. >> Well, >> Mr. President, >> Mr. President, >> thank you. So, we've got we got a motion by Commissioner Wilburn and a second by Commissioner Calbert. Miss um and all in favor say I. >> I. >> We are adjourned. And and I will say um one I'm [applause] I'm I'm personally very embarrassed that we went this long tonight and that we're we're um wrapping this up over after midnight. But I want to tell you um it's been an honor and a privilege to work with you all and um thank you. >> [music]