This transcript features the Hermantown City Council. Please note that while your list mentioned a "Joe Peterson," the transcript context (specifically the resignation mention and historical records for this 2022 meeting) identifies the councilor as **Natalie Peterson**. Additionally, **Councilor Grant Hauschild** and **Councilor Gloria Nelson** are present but were missing from your initial list. [0:02] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Hey, let's uh, call the meeting to order and stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I'd like to use "the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands." [0:27] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Peterson? [0:27] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Here. [0:28] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Geissler? [0:28] **Councilor John Geissler:** Here. [0:29] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Nelson? [0:29] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Here. [0:30] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Hauschild? [0:30] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Here. [0:31] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Mayor Boucher? [0:32] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Here. We have no public hearings tonight. Uh, Mr. Mulder, you have some correspondence to highlight? [0:40] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Just uh, the one piece was the resignation letter from Councilor Peterson. Um, so we'll um, just run short for um, i guess three months—October, November, December—and then wait for the outcome of the election. Thank you, Natalie, for your years of service. [1:04] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** We're not done yet. Presentations. Mr. Mulder, we had several presentation—or two presentations—at pre-agenda. Would you like to highlight those for us? [1:09] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Yeah, so the first one was from Eric Larson, DSGW, who's doing the design work for the ice arena. We looked at a couple options. Um, first the option of building to the west and then the preferred option of potentially looking to build um, an addition to the east, and both in terms of kind of the budget plan and then kind of the "dream plan." They were going to talk to the school district tonight about um, the school's willingness to allow us to build to the east and potentially add school district offices to the ice arena. [1:51] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** And then the Finance Director presented the general fund budget preliminary for next year, and I'll just give you a brief um, for anybody watching: um, the proposed budget is a 7.92% increase in um, expenditures, a 6.91% overall levy. We had some general fund levies going up a little bit more, that levy is going down quite a bit. We're at about a 7% increase in the levy, but because of equalized um, values have gone up and we've had new growth, um, the rate will go down uh, 2.6%. Um, so you know, if if somebody's home did not change value, they would actually pay less in taxes next year. Um, but it's likely everybody's home increased in value a little bit. So we've tried to kind of um, use that growth to uh, reduce the impact on people's tax rate. [2:42] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. I glossed over number four, announcements. Do any council members have announcements? Now we have item eight, public discussion. This is a time that individuals can address the council about any item not on the agenda. We ask that you limit your time to three minutes per person. There will be time later for items under each individual item for public discussion, but if there's something that the public would like to discuss either in person or online, this would be the time. If you could step forward to the podium and state your name and address for the record. [3:42] **Brad Salio:** Brad Salio, and I live on 5931 West Arrowhead Road, just outside of Hermantown in the Solway Township. Um, just came to briefly discuss—I didn't get it on the agenda—but came to briefly discuss the Hermantown City bow hunt. And a recent proposal actually was carried through in the City of Duluth bow hunt: they eliminated the "earn a buck" requirement. And currently, I don't know if you know this or not, but in the City of Hermantown, we require that a doe be shot before the hunter could go after a buck. And so uh, basically the city made that decision with the ABA, or the Arrowhead Bowhunters Alliance—that's the group that runs the hunt—and they've decided to put a one-year limit on that rule, basically because the deer population is down quite a bit for a number of reasons. The bowhunters have been quite successful in limiting the population, then of course you've got growing coyote, wolf, and bear populations taking their share. Then there's always the winters that we have that limit the population as well. So that's—so my proposal is to do the same thing in Hermantown. Um, I do not think it would be a problem. I heard from quite a few hunters that it takes a lot of effort to find that doe, and all the while there are bucks walking right by them. I've experienced it myself. Um, so actually in the long run, it may allow us to take more deer if those bucks are allowed to be shot. You know, some hunters aren't picky; they want to shoot the first thing that walks in front of them. But that's—I could go into a lot of background information, but in the interest of saving time, that's—that's the gist of it. [5:23] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you, Brad. What we would do is something like this is forward it to staff for recommendations. We have administrative staff that is in charge of this policy and implementation, namely the Chief of Police, and we would give it to him for his overview and recommendation back to us. So staff looking at this at the earliest possible convenience and uh, get back to us on that. [6:02] **Brad Salio:** Very good. I remember talking to Jim last year about it. [6:07] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** But we'll be forwarding this to him and asking him to look—he's the one that looks out for the city's interests, best interests, in these matters, and he will be able to formulate some type of recommendation. [6:19] **Councilor John Geissler:** Maybe—nice, good question. Sure. Maybe you said this and I missed it, but when would the season start and when would you need to know a policy change? [6:28] **Brad Salio:** Yes, good questions. Um, season for bow hunting starts generally in the middle of September, so this starts September 17th. Okay. And then uh, I think that Jim has the ability to change the policy probably any time he wants. Um, and hunters would pick up on that fact when they come to get their permit, right? Okay. [6:48] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Most hunters should be doing it. Is that something that should—that would have to go to the Council, or is that something Jim just can change? [6:56] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** I was going to look. I don't know if it's by ordinance or not. If it's by ordinance, we'd have to have—you'd have to approve it. Um, and you'd have to approve it on the 6th and the 19th. Um, but if it's just a policy, then that could be just whether that's something Jim can do or whether it needs to come to Council. But there's time for that process if that's the way it has to go. [7:18] **Councilor John Geissler:** Perfect. I think, John, you did get this inquiry, right? [7:21] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Correct. [7:22] **Councilor John Geissler:** And sent it to John, and John—Brad had sent an email today that we—yeah, I—I got a copy and I supported it. And then I've had a couple other hunters comment the same thing, others that hunt in Duluth and um, Hermantown. And so Jim's received it already, which is great. [7:41] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Good. Okay. And thank you for sending the email, that was helpful. [7:44] **Brad Salio:** Yeah, thank you. [7:45] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Any other questions? Nope. All right. Do I need to spend more time here tonight? You can leave if you've got something. It's—it's very exciting, entertaining, and informational. If you have other priorities, we understand. Thank you. [8:06] **Brad Salio:** All right. Thank you. [8:08] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Is there any other public input, either in chambers or online? Anyone have public input? Please state your name and address for the record. One last opportunity for public discussion. [8:39] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** We will close public discussion and move to the Consent Agenda, which has the minutes from the last meeting and accounts payable. Do we have a motion? [8:53] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** So moved. [8:54] **Councilor John Geissler:** I'll second. [8:56] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Hauschild, second by Councilor Geissler. Roll call, please. [8:58] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Geissler? [8:59] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [9:00] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Nelson? [9:00] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [9:01] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Hauschild? [9:01] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [9:02] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Peterson? [9:02] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Aye. [9:03] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Mayor Boucher? [9:03] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. We have no ordinances this evening. We have Resolution 2022-105, resolution authorizing and directing Mayor and City Clerk to execute and deliver agreement between the Hermantown Police Department and the Hermantown Community School for Police School Liaison Officer. [9:34] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Mr. Mulder? [9:35] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** So this is um, a renewal of the contract that we've had with the school district for a number of years that just allows us to provide a School Resource Officer uh, with the school's use. Um, the school board hasn't approved this yet, but they reviewed it last week and we expect them to approve it next week. [9:53] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from Council? [9:58] **Councilor John Geissler:** I just want to say that I—I support this, especially as a former School Resource Officer, that this is a very valuable component of our community and our relationship with both the school district and uh, our students in the district. In that they are—are not just uh, school officers are not just there to arrest; they're there to educate and provide a counseling resource to our students and help guide them through rough periods in life. And this has been a very positive aspect of our community with considerable community support, and I appreciate that compared to some other communities that may not have that kind of support. Thank you. [10:40] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Just questioning—uh, they still teaching the DARE program too? [10:45] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** DARE program is still part of this, okay. It also provides officers for athletic events that need it, like hockey games, football games, at no extra charge. [10:56] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Anything else from Council? Is there any public input on this matter? If any member of the public wishes to comment, please state your name and address for the record. Last opportunity for public input on Resolution 2022-105. Roll call, please. [11:27] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Nelson? [11:28] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [11:29] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Hauschild? [11:29] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [11:30] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Peterson? [11:30] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Aye. [11:31] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Geissler? [11:31] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [11:32] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Mayor Boucher? [11:32] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. Resolution 2022-106, resolution approving agency agreement with the State of Minnesota for federal participation in advance construct for SAP 201-101-14 / 202-104-012. Do we have a motion? [11:58] **Councilor John Geissler:** Motion to approve. [11:59] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Second. [12:00] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Geissler, second by Councilor Nelson. [12:03] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** So the city is scheduled to get uh, federal money for the Uggstad Road project. In order to do that, we need to have an agreement for the MNDOT to act as our agent through that process. [12:12] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Do you have any questions or comments from Council? Is there any public input on this resolution? If so, please state your name and address for the record. Is there any public input or discussion on this resolution? Is there any public input for Resolution 2022-106? Roll call, please. [12:55] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Hauschild? [12:55] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [12:56] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Peterson? [12:56] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Aye. [12:57] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Geissler? [12:57] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [12:58] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Nelson? [12:58] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [12:59] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Mayor Boucher? [12:59] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. Resolution 2022-107, resolution accepting the proposal from Northland Consulting Engineers for engineering services to remove the bridge on Lindahl Road over the Midway River under the City Engineer's contract with the city. [13:21] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** [Motion] [13:22] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Second. [13:22] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Second by Councilor Peterson. Mr. Mulder. [13:24] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Um, so we've talked about removing the bridge over the Midway River over at Lindahl Road for a couple years. So this would uh, get that process started with preparing plans and specs, and then we'd remove that um, next spring. [13:39] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? Just my usual comment with contracts with Northland Consulting is that my son works for Northland Consulting Engineers. That the result of this contract has no financial benefit to him or myself. [13:58] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any other comments? Is there any public comments on this resolution? If there's any public input on this matter, please state your name and address. Is there any public input on Resolution 2022-107? Roll call, please. [14:34] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Peterson? [14:35] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Aye. [14:35] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Geissler? [14:36] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [14:36] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Nelson? [14:37] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [14:37] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Hauschild? [14:38] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [14:39] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Mayor Boucher? [14:39] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. Resolution 2022-108, resolution accepting the proposal from Northland Consulting Engineers for engineering services to design and construct sanitary sewer trunk line spur from Oak Ridge Drive to the Section 24 trunk line under the City Engineer's contract with the city. Do we have a motion? [14:57] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Motion to approve. [14:58] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Second. [14:59] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Hauschild. And Mr. Mulder. [15:00] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** Um, this has been kind of a part of the discussion uh, several years ago about eventually connecting Oak Ridge with the sanitary sewer that goes to Section 24. That would allow us to remove a lift station, and all of that sewer that can then go by gravity. This would also allow for the development in the latter half of the Paintmakers development as well. [15:21] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Any questions or comments from Council? [15:23] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Uh, the same as the previous: the result of this contract has no financial benefit to my son or I. [15:30] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Is there any public input on this resolution? Or any public input on Resolution 2022-108? If anyone from the public would like to comment on this resolution, please state your name and address for the record. Roll call, please. [16:04] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Geissler? [16:05] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [16:06] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Nelson? [16:06] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [16:07] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Hauschild? [16:07] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [16:08] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Peterson? [16:08] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Aye. [16:09] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Mayor Boucher? [16:10] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. Resolution 2022-109, resolution authorizing and directing Mayor and City Clerk to execute and deliver a cooperative agreement between the City of Hermantown, City of Duluth, and Saint Louis County in project SP-069-691-033 / CP-0091-401108. Do we have a motion? [16:38] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** So moved. [16:39] **Councilor John Geissler:** Second. [16:40] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Motion by Councilor Hauschild, second by Councilor Geissler. Mr. Mulder. [16:41] **John Mulder (City Administrator):** So this agreement would uh, be with the county so that we could have the um, stoplights that hang in um, Anderson repainted next year as part of their Haines Road project. Um, we had previously did that several—a couple years ago, but at the time Duluth did not want to proceed, so we did not do it. Um, but now they're ready to proceed and we want to do this as part of the county's project next year. [17:15] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Thank you. Do we have any comments from Council on this? Is there any public comment on this resolution? If so, please state your name and address for the record. We are open for public comment on Resolution 2022-109. No comment. Last opportunity for public comment on this resolution. Roll call, please. [17:49] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Nelson? [17:50] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** Aye. [17:50] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Hauschild? [17:51] **Councilor Grant Hauschild:** Aye. [17:51] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Peterson? [17:52] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Aye. [17:52] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Councilor Geissler? [17:53] **Councilor John Geissler:** Aye. [17:54] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk):** Mayor Boucher? [17:54] **Mayor Wayne Boucher:** Aye. And last, we have a motion to recess. [18:01] **Councilor Gloria Nelson:** [Motion] [18:02] **Councilor Natalie Peterson:** Second.