[0:00] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Let's start with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call, please. [0:15] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Counselor Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Here. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Here. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Here. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Here. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Here. Um, announcements. Do any counselors have announcements they'd like to make this evening? I'd just like to make one as far as housekeeping goes. I—we will have a section for public input in a little bit. [0:45] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: And we will also have public input allowed on each item on the agenda if it is an item that will be passed tonight. If something is going to be tabled, there won't be any public input on that item. Um, we'll move on to presentations. Mr. Orme, could you give us a short presentation on your debt service budget for next year? [1:05] **Kevin Orme**: Yeah, so we are—we presented to you in pre-agenda the debt service budget, the preliminary which will come back to you as part of the overall budgets. We've taken a look at our 2022 debts, just a snapshot of where the city is at. The city has about 36 million dollars in debt. This is similar to a year ago. We pay about 3.75 in debt service each year. Sales tax covers 74% of that debt and the tax levy covers about 11% of that debt. We did issue some new debt in 2022 for the 2022 road improvement plan and we're planning on issuing a little more debt in—sorry, in 2021 we issued for the road improvement plan and we're planning on issuing a little bit as well in 2022, but the debt has remained consistent and, uh, most of it's paid by sales tax. [2:00] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: You mentioned, uh, 74% sales tax, 11% budget. Is that other 15% on assessments? [2:08] **Kevin Orme**: That would be assessments and then also a little bit from the utility funds. [2:14] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Okay, thank you. Any questions from council? Okay, Mr. Mulder is not here this evening. We will move on to our public discussion. For general public discussion, this is the 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. Is there anyone present on the online meeting or in chambers that would like to address public discussion this evening? If so, please state your name and address. [2:55] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any general public discussion this evening? With no public discussion, we will move on to the consent agenda, which includes minutes and accounts payable. Do we have a motion? [3:08] **Councilor Hostchild**: So moved. **Councilor John Geissler**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Counselor Hostchild, second by Counselor Geisler. Roll call, please. [3:15] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Counselor Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. And under motions, we have a motion to support a position on redistricting, and this involves the possible redistricting of both Hermantown, City of Duluth in the area for Senate District 3 and Senate District 7. Counselor Housechild, you have the most expertise on this motion. Could you give us a little short, uh, synopsis? [3:55] **Councilor Hostchild**: Sure. Um, so the House redistricting committee chaired by Representative Mary Murphy have had several district committee meetings for each congressional district where they talk about general topics related to redistricting both from a congressional level and a state legislative district level. And so the opportunity tonight is for, uh, Congressional District 8, which is our district. Um, and so we will be submitting a letter, if approved by city council—by our city council—um, asking that Hermantown be both—that the three precincts in Hermantown stay together so that our city is one area, and then also that it's a separate legislative district from Duluth. Um, so that's kind of the general gist of the testimony on the letter. [4:55] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? [5:00] **Councilor Joe Peterson**: I just comment, thanks Counselor Housechild for working with us. [5:04] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. Yes, thank you. And it's a good job on the letter. It's concise. Uh, I support it. Has everyone on the council seen it? Is there anyone from the public that wishes to comment on this matter? If there's any public comment on this, please state your name and address for the record. [5:22] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public comment on this? Do we have a motion on this? [5:45] **Councilor John Geissler**: Motion—follow a motion to approve. **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Counselor Geisler, second by Counselor Peterson. Roll call, please. [5:54] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Ordinances. Ordinance 2021-08. We have the second reading of an ordinance amending Hermantown Zoning Code by amending Chapter 11, Planned Unit Development. Do we have a motion? [6:22] **Councilor Nelson**: Motion to approve. **Councilor Hostchild**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Nelson, second by Councilor Hostchild. Mr. Johnson, could you explain this to us? [6:28] **Eric Johnson**: Yes, thank you. Uh, this is an ordinance change that has been going on for the last few months here. Uh, originally the city engaged the ARDC to help look at our—our zoning code that we had, and then quite a bit of engagement with the planning commission as well. So, uh, this new ordinance will work to define the purpose of the PUDs better, define the application process and what is required for both the preliminary and, uh, final PUD submissions. We'll also redefine the review procedure, define density bonus, as well as identify potential design amenities associated with the proposed PUDs and that associated density bonus as well. [7:10] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from council? With no input from council, do we have any public input on this matter? If so, please state your name and address for the record. [7:34] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public input on Ordinance 2021-08? With no public input, could we have a roll call? [7:45] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Resolutions. Resolution 2021-114. Resolution authorizing a summary of an ordinance amending Hermantown Zoning Code by amending Chapter 11, Planned Unit Development. Do we have a motion? [8:15] **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Motion to approve. **Councilor John Geissler**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Geisler. Mr. Johnson, could you give us a short version of that? [8:28] **Eric Johnson**: Sure, exactly. This is just a summary of the changes to the PUD ordinance, uh, that will be sent to the Hermantown Star for publication. [8:35] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? No? Is there any public input on this resolution? If so, please state your name and address for the record. [8:55] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public input on Resolution 2021-114? Roll call, please. [9:05] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Resolution 2021-115. Resolution to establish a no-parking zone along certain Minnesota State Aid streets in the City of Hermantown. Do we have a motion to approve? [9:35] **Councilor Nelson**: Motion. **Councilor Hostchild**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Nelson, second by Councilor Hostchild. We will turn this over to a city engineer, David Bolf. Could you explain this to us, David? [9:45] **David Bolf**: Yes, uh, thank you Mayor and Council. So this resolution is for, uh, a no-parking zone along our two State Aid routes that we're going to reconstruct next year, that being Ugstad Road from Maple Grove up to Highway 53, and Arrowhead Road from Hawk Circle Drive to, um, Pilkey Circle. So we're going to pass a resolution for a no-parking zone and we need that for our State Aid checklist and federal aid checklist so when we submit our plans, we submit a copy of our ordinance saying that we've, um, designated this as no parking along this route. [10:25] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. 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. [10:45] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public input on Resolution 2021-115? Roll call, please. [10:55] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Resolution 2021-116. Resolution approving an amendment to the city handbook regarding hydrants. Do we have a motion? [11:20] **Councilor John Geissler**: Motion to approve. **Councilor Nelson**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Geisler, second by Councilor Nelson. Uh, let's turn this over to our public works director, Mr. Senst. Could you give us a synopsis of this? [11:34] **Paul Senst**: Sure, Mayor, Council. Thank you. We're just looking to get some formal documentation for our fire hydrant usage and responsibility expectations between us, fire departments, etc. We're proposing some simple language to address the procedure if a hydrant is used, especially during the winter months, um, so who's responsible. So we can maintain functioning hydrants for ourselves and for the departments and minimize, uh, repairs to them. So along with the policy update, asking them to pump the hydrant dry after it's been used—they allow us to know it's been used the next day. If it's a special overnight event, we go back and check everything, make sure it's good. And then we will also provide the fire department some training on how hydrants function so they better understand as to why we're asking what we're asking. [12:25] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. Do you have any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? If so, state your name and address for the record. [12:35] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public input on Resolution 2021-116 regarding hydrants? Roll call, please. [12:45] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Next we have Resolution 2021-117. Resolution authorizing and directing Mayor and City Clerk to execute and deliver agreement for professional services with Ovrum Law PPLC DBA Ovrum Law City Attorney Services. Do we have a motion? [13:15] **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Motion to approve. **Councilor Hostchild**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Hostchild. Mr. Orme, could you explain this one to us? [13:25] **Kevin Orme**: Yeah, this resolution will officially appoint Gunnar Johnson as our new city attorney through Ovrum Law with an official start date of January 1, 2022. [13:38] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. And do we have any questions or comments from council? [13:42] **Councilor John Geissler**: No, just looking forward to working with Gunnar and continuing some expertise as well with Steve, and it's going to be a great transition for us and looking forward to what you can do for the city as a partner. [13:52] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. And I—I also—I'm happy that Steve's not going away entirely, but he's been with us for most of the last 45 years and I think he wants to let go of a little bit of the duties that have been in front of him. I appreciate that and thank him for his efforts and welcome Gunnar into the fold. Any other comments? Is there any public input on this matter? If so, please state your name and address. [14:15] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public input on Resolution 2021-117? Roll call, please. [14:25] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Resolution 2021-118. Resolution to adopt the proposed property tax and proposed budget for taxes payable 2022 and scheduling the truth and taxation hearing. Do we have a motion? [14:55] **Councilor John Geissler**: Motion to approve. **Councilor Nelson**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Geisler, second by Councilor Nelson. The truth and taxation hearing would be December 6th. Mr. Orme, could you fill us in? [15:08] **Kevin Orme**: Yeah, so this is our annual adopting of the preliminary proposed property tax levy that goes to St. Louis County and the residents get notified. It sets the truth and taxation hearing as you mentioned, December 6th. The amount proposed of the total levy is seven million one hundred fourteen thousand six hundred forty one dollars. [15:28] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: That's a big number. Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? I'd like to point out that levy is set at a maximum with this motion, but it could be reduced and the budget could be changed to be lowered at a later date, correct? Any other comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? If so, please state your name and address for the record. [15:58] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public input on Resolution 2021-118? Roll call, please. [16:08] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Resolution 2021-119. Resolution directing preparation of assessment roll for delinquent water and sewer use, hookup permit and availability charges, water and sewer contract payments, and storm water charges, and directing notice of such assessment be given. We have a motion? [16:42] **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Motion to approve. **Councilor Hostchild**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Hostchild. Mr. Orme? [16:50] **Kevin Orme**: So this is an annual thing we do. We run the past due balances as of September 30th. We send letters to people who are past due as of that date. They can request a hearing with the utility commission and we give them until November 12th to pay their past due, and if not, then it gets certified to the county and it gets paid as part of their taxes payable next year. So this just directs staff to prepare that for council. [17:15] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. 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. [17:35] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Is there any public input on Resolution 2021-119? Roll call, please. [17:45] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Resolution 2021-120. Resolution accepting the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act. [18:12] **Councilor Nelson**: Motion to approve. **Councilor Hostchild**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Nelson, second by Councilor Hostchild. Mr. Orme? [18:20] **Kevin Orme**: Yeah, so the city has received the first half of its payment, which is in the amount of 509,879 and 32 cents. We will be getting a second half in approximately a year, and we have through 12-31-2024 to, uh, encumber the money. This resolution just accepts that money on behalf of all the cities—we're one of them that received it—and then we will keep the council updated as we look to spend the money in the next two plus years. [18:50] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. Any questions or comments from council? [18:54] **Councilor Hostchild**: I guess I would just, uh, say the—the categories described in this are just category suggestions and that we're going to work out the specifics. This is just a preliminary look. [19:05] **Kevin Orme**: And yeah, we are certainly welcome to, um, changes and modifying and getting you guys' input as we traverse this—this road we're on. [19:15] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Great, thank you. Any other questions or comments? Is there any public input on this resolution? If so, please state your name and address for the record. [19:35] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Any public input on Resolution 2021-120? Roll call, please. [19:45] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Next is Resolution 2021-121. Resolution approving a grant application to St. Louis County. Do we have a motion? [20:10] **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Motion to approve. **Councilor Nelson**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Nelson. Mr. Orme? [20:18] **Kevin Orme**: Yeah, the county has a 25,000 dollar grant with a 25,000 dollar match that the city would like to apply for. Now this is supposed to be for broadband related planning, so the city would love to gain access to this 25,000 to use in its broadband planning with the new broadband task force and also some money from the American Rescue Plan Act that hopefully we can also use to supplement this grant from the St. Louis County. [20:48] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Thank you. Do you have any questions or comments from council? Is there any public input on this resolution? If so, state your name and address for the record. [21:05] **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Do you have any public input on Resolution 2021-121? Roll call, please. [21:15] **Alissa McClure (City Clerk)**: Councilor Peterson? **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Geisler? **Councilor John Geissler**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Hostchild? **Councilor Hostchild**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Nelson? **Councilor Nelson**: Aye. **Alissa McClure**: Mayor Boucher? **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Aye. Next is Resolution 2021-122. Resolution approving change order number two for road improvement district number 537, Lavaque Junction Road. We've been asked to table this by our city engineer until October 4th. Do we have a motion to table? [21:45] **Councilor Hostchild**: So moved. **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Hostchild, second by Councilor Peterson. All in favor? **Council**: Aye. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Opposed? Same sign. Next we have a motion to move into closed session. Do we have a motion? [22:02] **Councilor Joe Peterson**: Motion to closed session. **Councilor Hostchild**: Second. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Hostchild. All in favor? **Council**: Aye. **Mayor Wayne Boucher**: Opposed? Same sign. Thank you, Mr. Ovrum.