Based on the context provided and the content of the meeting, here is the formatted transcript with speaker names. *Note: In the original transcript, the name "Kada" or "Kabata" appears to be a phonetic transcription error for **Councilmember David Clausen**, and "Pete Ker" refers to **Pete Koerner** (Director of Public Safety).* *** **[00:00] Mayor Myron Bailey:** [Music] All right, good evening. Uh, it's a beautiful evening out there. So this is the July 17, 2024, Cottage Grove City Council meeting, which I'm calling to order. Our first order of business, actually, is the Pledge of Allegiance. Will you please rise? 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. All right, will the clerk please do the roll? **[00:30] Tammy Anderson (City Clerk):** Councilmember Clausen? **[00:32] Councilmember David Clausen:** Here. **[00:33] Tammy Anderson (City Clerk):** Councilmember Olsen? **[00:34] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Here. **[00:35] Tammy Anderson (City Clerk):** Councilmember Thiede? **[00:36] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Here. **[00:37] Tammy Anderson (City Clerk):** Councilmember Garza? **[00:38] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Here. **[00:39] Tammy Anderson (City Clerk):** Mayor Bailey? **[00:40] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Here. Uh, the next item on our agenda this evening is open Forum. Uh, this is the opportunity for anybody who wants to speak on something that's not on tonight's agenda is welcome to do so. We did have a sign-up sheet out in the entryway for open form, uh, and nobody did sign up. So I just want to make sure there wasn't anybody in the audience that came in... okay. So I will go ahead and close the open forum and we'll move to number five, which is adoption of the agenda. **[01:05] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Move the agenda. **[01:06] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Second. **[01:07] Mayor Myron Bailey:** So we have a motion by Councilmember Olsen, second by Councilmember Thiede. All those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. All right, next uh this evening is presentations. We have two. Uh, the first presentation is the Darts 50th Anniversary Proclamation. And before we um, uh, invite Craig up to speak, um, uh, in which is the director of Home Services, I am going to ask, uh, Councilmember uh Monique Garza to please read the proclamation and then Council will, uh, motion and second it and then we'll let him come on up and share a little thing. And we've got a framed, uh, certificate that we're going to go down in front for a picture. Okay, so I'll let you read. **[01:50] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Thank you, Mayor. The proclamation: Darts 50th Anniversary. Whereas the City of Cottage Grove is committed to providing residents access to a high quality of living as they age in their communities, since 1974 Darts has served older adults, their families and caregivers with the mission of creating connections that enrich aging. 2024 marks Darts' 50th year of providing services for thousands of older adults across the southeast metro, including Cottage Grove. These services include housework, outdoor chores, home repairs, caregiving resources, resource connections, fulfilling volunteer opportunities, and transportation. Since 2019, The Cottage Grove Loop has helped area seniors stay connected. Volunteer dedication has created intergenerational connections which in turn result in learning buddies reaching more than 80,000 students and fulfilling aging journeys for our older community members. The City of Cottage Grove celebrates the 50th anniversary of Darts and recognizes the incredible role it plays in helping people age with dignity in the community of their choice. Now, therefore, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Cottage Grove, County of Washington, State of Minnesota, hereby proclaims Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 as Darts Appreciation Day. Passed this Wednesday, the 17th day of July, 2024 by the Mayor, Myron Bailey. **[03:10] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right. All right, thank you, uh, Councilmember Garza. So, since you did the reading, do you want to make the motion to accept, uh, move forward with this Proclamation? **[03:18] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Sure, I'll make the motion to accept the Darts 50th Anniversary Proclamation. **[03:22] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Second. **[03:23] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Second by Councilmember uh Olsen. All those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? So we're official now. So if you would like to head up there and just, uh, state your name and address for the record. I know it's Craig... is it Egerman? **[03:40] Craig Egerman (Darts):** Egerman. **[03:41] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Egerman. Uh, and you are the director of Home Services? **[03:43] Craig Egerman (Darts):** I'm just a program manager of Home Services. Um, as you mentioned, thank you for having us, uh, Mayor and, uh, Council and City staff. Uh, we're in our 50th year and Cottage Grove is the latest city that we, um, have started to serve. Uh, we started the Loop five years ago and now we're expanding into Southeast Washington County, and we are honored to provide, um, outdoor chores, home repairs, the Loop, and volunteer opportunities for seniors in Cottage Grove. So thank you very much for the honor. Uh, we are happy to be here and, uh, hope to be around for another 50 years. **[04:15] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Fantastic. And I guess, yes, thank you. And I would just say that, you know, our relationship, uh, and partnership at Darts has been amazing, especially with, uh, the Loop, as you're calling it, uh, in Cottage Grove. And and it was funny, I was talking to, uh, Tammy a little bit earlier and then and she was commenting when she used to work down at Public Works, the number of people that would call down to Public Works looking for somebody for help, and she commented, "Boy, back then I wish I would have known that we had this great service," uh, which we do now. And so we'll make sure that that message, uh, does get out. But, uh, I also know that, you know, in speaking with our County Commissioner, um, between the city and the county, we're kind of looking at, uh, possibly expanding, uh, the services within Cottage Grove Darts, uh, uh, due to all this—I don't say all this—but this extra transportation dollars that are out there, uh, that we can maybe, uh, serve more of our, our community. I know predominantly right now it's more of the elderly, uh, going between those facilities, but we also go up to the library and and those neighbor—uh, neighborhoods up in that area too. **[05:15] Craig Egerman (Darts):** Yes, so we're—we're honored to serve this area and, uh, we're excited for the partnership with the City of Cottage Grove. **[05:20] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Fantastic. So, Council, um, we would like to do a picture of that, of, uh, presenting him with the plaque here, uh, to honor their 50th anniversary bash. So if you want to meet me down front... [Pause for photos] All right, thank you. Thanks for coming tonight, appreciate all. And I do know that it is up on the screen, uh, just to put it out there, um, on August 1st, uh, from 5:00 to 9:00 at the Wexford at EML Greens and Hastings, uh, there is actually a Birthday Bash, uh, that I'm assuming all public is welcome... it is a ticketed event? Okay, so there is a registration—you can register if you want to go, it looks like. So that is darts50thbash.givesmart.com if you want to sign up for that. Looks like there's some silent auction, music, it says drink tasting—that could be a little interesting—games and prizes, and obviously, it's, uh, all of this benefits an amazing cause which is obviously Darts. So again, thank you, uh, for servicing the City of Cottage Grove and residence. Perfect. All right, uh, so next under presentations is, uh—which is hard to believe it's coming up this quickly, isn't it?—uh, is the Night to Unite, uh, Proclamation. And so what I think I'll do, if you're okay with this, is I'm going to have—we'll follow the same thing—uh, I've asked, uh, Councilmember, uh, Clausen to read the proclamation and then we'll vote on it and then let you present. Perfect. **[07:10] Councilmember David Clausen:** Whereas the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association, along with AAA of Minnesota Iowa and local law enforcement agencies, are responding—are sponsoring a statewide program called Night to Night on August 6th, 2024. And whereas Night to Night is designated to get to know—designed, sorry, to get to know one another in your neighborhood, build neighborhood involvement by bringing police and communities together, and to bring in awareness to crime prevention and local law enforcement efforts. And whereas Night to Unite supports the idea that crime prevention is an inexpensive, effective tool in strengthening police and community partnerships. And whereas Night to Night provides opportunities to celebrate the ongoing work of law enforcement and neighborhoods in Cottage Grove by working together to fight crime and victimization and increase public safety for all citizens. And whereas the citizens of Cottage Grove play an important role in assisting the Cottage Grove Police Department through joint crime, drug, and violence prevention efforts. And now therefore, Mayor Bailey and the Cottage—and the City of Cottage Grove do hereby call upon all citizens in Cottage Grove to participate in Night to Night on August 6th, 2024. Further, let it be resolved that, uh, the City Council of Cottage Grove, County of Washington, State of Minnesota, to hereby proclaim Tuesday, August 6th, 2024, Night to Night in Cottage Grove. **[08:25] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, so, uh, Clausen, would you like to make the motion on this one? **[08:28] Councilmember David Clausen:** I would move that we adopt the proclamation. **[08:31] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Second. **[08:32] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Second by Councilmember, uh, Thiede. All those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. And so now I'm going to introduce to the public here—this presentation—is our Director of Public Safety, uh, Pete Koerner. So welcome, Pete. **[08:50] Pete Koerner (Director of Public Safety):** Well, honorable Mayor and Council, thank you for having me. Um, tonight I am just the pretty face because I'm—have awesome staff that does this. Obviously, the Night to Unite—we started as Night to Unite or National Night Out back in the late 80s with Greg Riel, and we had the big city celebration at Woodridge Park. Uh, Gail Griffith then took it to a new level with the Night to Unites. Um, I always—I was always content when we had about 30 or 40 um neighborhood parties, but of course the Mayor and the Council—you guys—that's never good enough, and you challenged the community. So last year we had 58 parties, and I've—I talked with, uh, Charlene Raymond, who's the one that coordinates this, and she's anticipating upwards of 70 parties this year. So that's a lot of us out mingling and everything. So it's—it's been a phenomenal, um, opportunity for us to engage. And from the proclamation that Councilmember Clausen read, you know, originally it was all about crime prevention, saying goodbye to crime. We've taken it to a whole new level with, um—it's not just the police officers. We all know police show up, kids like the squad car, fire trucks come and we get pushed out of the way. Um, you know, and you guys have that same thing. Everyone wants to know what developments are coming in, what restaurants... so I go with the Mayor, you know, and I—I feel as though Councilmember Thiede should be up here with his Strawberry Fest enthusiasm and and getting people, um, all, you know, riled up for this. And Councilmember Garza, you're in for a treat this year because we—we like all the Councilmembers to go with and and represent with us. So, um, obviously the—I have the purpose up here and it's become a lot more. It's a community engagement, and it's not just the police department. When we do the noon outs and stuff, um, Public Works brings their truck down, parks folks come... so it's really, um, all-encompassing with all of us. But we really just—we want to invite our residents to sign up. It's really easy. Um, and every party we go to, there's some parties that have eight people and there's other parties that are a whole development with 200 people. So, uh, I know you guys have all experienced and it's just an awesome opportunity. So, um, just want to highlight that it's not just police anymore. It's—it's all us with the city and our Public Safety Board is a huge contributor to this as well. Um, just want to highlight we do the noon outs. That's something that we started years ago, too, where we hit a lot of our, um, senior housing. Um, and I just love that picture of firefighter Bill King; he was escorting all the ladies to the table. So, um, and then the other picture obviously shows at—at the Legends with our ambassadors. We're there with, you know, Council and all of our staff. So, uh, we're maintaining a couple of the same campaigns. Obviously, it's the "Fill the Bag" campaign, and that's where we asked for toiletries for the Friends in Need Food Shelf. They used to do the foods and now it's just—they need paper, toilet—you know, the different toilet papers and paper towels and, um—and that—that picture just shows with, um, Sergeant Shown last year... um, it was phenomenal. We filled the whole—the whole truck up. The Public Safety Board took it upon themselves to purchase, uh, backpacks for any neighborhood that wants one, and when we say "fill the backpack," it's crazy. People do more than fill a backpack. It all goes down to the Friends in Need Food Shelf and kids are able to come down and pick out notebooks and pencils and so they have a similar, um, shopping experience, too. So, um, it's just an incredible opportunity. Um, we've partnered with the Parks and Rec department. We do the, um, coloring book contest. Kind of like me being the director, Zach, are you aware of this? Okay, cause Zach has awesome staff too that—Molly's been so involved with us. And so they offer up the, um, the package with the—the rental at the outdoor park and they—they do all the extra things, too. So, um, how do you sign up? It's all on our web page. We've done quite a few social media posts already. Um, our communications team will continue to put things out, and I think it's also been in our The Cottage Grove Reports at the last time. So, um, go online, fill out the registration form. The one thing we do ask is if people register by, um, August 1st, just so we have a chance... I mean, it's—we have a whole Command Center where they have the maps up and and Charlene's assigning like, "who wants the canine," "who," you know... the Mayor and I are always bottom of the list, everyone wants the fire truck and the canine. So, um, but we—we look forward to any kind of involvement and it—it grows every year. So, um, with that I was going to ask you guys to read the proclamation, but you already did that, so we appreciate it. So again, I—I have to give a shout out to Community Engagement Officer Ryan Pierre, who's kind of leading and it's really, um, our support staff—Charlene Raymond really runs with it. So, um, but everyone else steps up that day and I get to reap the benefits and have fun and eat good food and socialize. So there you go. Thank you very much. **[13:40] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Awesome, thank you. And, uh, I know, uh, like you said, uh, Councilmember Garza, this will be your first year doing it the way this way. And you know, you get tired by the end of the night, but, uh, the people and the visits are absolutely amazing and everybody's excited no matter who's there. I know, well, many of us bring our spouses with to keep us on time—thank goodness my wife's not afraid to tell me in the Mayor that we need to move, otherwise we could talk forever. **[14:10] Pete Koerner:** Talk for hours, yes. And and I—we'll just say one last thing about that. Uh, they all know where the good food is too. So word gets out over the radio who's got something special or unique, uh, so that's kind of fun too. **[14:25] Mayor Myron Bailey:** It does kind of go by seniority, so... **[14:30] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Yeah, sorry, don't mind. I—I'm open for all the things, so I'm open. My—my family is hosting Night to Unite as well. **[14:35] Pete Koerner:** So okay, I'll get back just in time for the movie and the cul-de-sac. There you go, it'll work. Awesome, thank you. Uh, thanks, Pete. All right, uh, so next on our agenda this evening, Council, is consent. Uh, was there any items that Council wanted to pull for further discussion? All right, seeing none, I'll look for a motion to approve consent. **[15:00] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Move consent. **[15:01] Councilmember David Clausen:** Second. **[15:02] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, we have a motion, uh, by Councilmember Thiede, seconded by Councilmember Clausen. All those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. So if you are here for anything on tonight's consent agenda, all of those items have now been approved. Next is approved dispersement—8A is to pay the bills. **[15:25] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Move the bills. **[15:26] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Second. **[15:27] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, we have a motion by Councilmember Olsen, second by Councilmember Garza. Uh, any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. Nine is public hearings and we do have two public hearings this evening. Uh, the first one is Oltman Middle School easement vacation, drainage and utility easement. Uh, and Emily Schmitz, our Community Development Director, is going to walk us through this one and the next one. **[16:00] Emily Schmitz (Community Development Director):** I am. Good evening, Mayor and Council. This first one, as you indicated, at Oltman Middle School. So as the district starts to work through some of their improvements at some of their facilities throughout town, uh, one of them is at Oltman Middle School. They're planning for, um, a classroom addition kind of on the south side of Oltman Middle School, and in preparation for that, um, they're getting awfully close to a water main. So as part of the approvals in the construction, I think it's 2017, um, that water main looping extend around the entirety of this building. So as a part of this addition, a small portion of that water main actually needs to be relocated and this slide helps to kind of have a visual. Um, that super light blue line, uh, is the current water main location. Because of that addition, that water main needs to be relocated to more of that dark blue line. Um, so as a part of that, we do have to vacate that segment of the easement that exists today and relocate that easement over that relocated water main. So again, in preparation for that work that they're planning for in 2025, uh, we're being proactive and adjusting that easement at this point. So several recommendations in the process before you this evening. I am available, as well as the school district's engineer, if you have some technical questions. **[17:15] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, uh, Council, any questions for either our staff or the representative from the school district? Okay, I'm seeing none. Um, I'm going to go ahead then officially and open the public hearing. Is there anybody that would like to speak on this, uh, particular topic this evening? All right, uh, seeing none, I will go ahead and close the public hearing and, uh, Council, it looks like we have three separate motions, uh, to complete here. **[17:45] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** I'll go ahead and move that we adopt resolution 2024-106 partially rescinding, terminating and releasing a permanent easement/temporary easement for watermain for Lot 1 Block 1, Newman Middle School. **[18:00] Councilmember David Clausen:** Second. **[18:01] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Seconded by Councilmember Clausen. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. Who would like to take, uh, number three on the screen? **[18:15] Councilmember David Clausen:** I will motion to approve a temporary drainage easement and utility easement over a portion of Lot 1 Block 1, Newman Middle School. **[18:22] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Second. **[18:23] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Seconded by Councilmember Garza. Uh, any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. And number four? **[18:35] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Mayor, I'll move to approve the permanent drainage and utility easement over a portion of Lot 1 Block 1, New Oltman Middle School. **[18:43] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Second. **[18:44] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Second by Councilmember Thiede. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. All right, and now we'll move to another public hearing, which is B, is Summer Valley easement vacation, final plat, development agreement, and development plans. And again, uh, Emily Schmitz is here. **[19:05] Emily Schmitz (Community Development Director):** Yes, Mayor, Council. Uh, second public hearing. Typically you don't see these final plats, but, uh, we're going to encompass it in because this particular project does require some easement vacations. Uh, so Summer Valley, if—if you don't recall, is kind of that final puzzle—puzzle piece in this area north of Military, kind of at our Woodbury border. It's kind of fun to see this area, uh, finally, uh, come full circle and complete. But like I said, a couple of easement vacations before we can move forward with the final plat of Summer Valley. A handful of these easements as the properties surrounding it have developed, uh, for some turnaround purposes as well as some utilities have extended onto this final piece of the puzzle. So we kind of need to, uh, clean the slates, wipe the—the slate clean, um, before we get that final plat recorded over top. The final plat is 71 lots, uh, 65-foot wide. Uh, it's very similar to those, uh, developments that you see, um, surrounding Park View Point, Rolling Meadows. Um, Summergate development as the developer, um, they are working with D.R. Horton as the builder, um, uh, planning of course... well, they're out there moving dirt if you've been in the area, but having some lots, um, available this—this fall. And finally, with this one, I get very excited about this final trail connection, um, uh, extending into the Watershed District and their plans that they've made this beautiful connection with our wonderful Glacial Valley Park building that's finally completed. Um, this project is going to create that connection into their future, uh, trail connections up to Woodbury, down to Glacial Valley Park. So I really wanted to highlight that, uh, as a part of this wonderful project. And with that, another very wordy recommendation before you, um, but I am available and I know the developer is here for technical questions as well if needed. **[21:10] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, uh, first of all for staff, any questions on this item? Okay, uh, any questions if we want the developer up to the front? No, I think it's pretty going to be easy for you tonight. All right, so what I'm going to do is go ahead and be official. We'll open the public hearing. Uh, if there's anybody that wants to speak on this item is welcome to do so at this time. Um, seeing that there is nobody else in the audience, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing. And Council, it looks like on this one we have four separate resolutions that we need to do. **[21:40] Councilmember David Clausen:** I'll move to adopt resolution 2024-103 vacating the public drainage and utility easements within the proposed development parcel PID 0302 72121 03. **[21:55] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Second. **[21:56] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Seconded by Councilmember Thiede. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. Who would like to do number three? **[22:10] Councilmember Monique Garza:** I would like to move the recommendation to adopt resolution 2024-104 approving the final plat for Summer Valley. **[22:18] Councilmember David Clausen:** Second. **[22:19] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Second by Councilmember Clausen. Any other discussion? Saying none, all those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. Now we'll move to number four on the list. **[22:30] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** I will move that we approve the Summer Valley development agreement with Summergate Development LLC with minor modifications as approved by the City Attorney. **[22:40] Councilmember David Clausen:** Second. **[22:41] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Second by Councilmember Clausen again. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. And number five, last one. **[22:50] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Mayor, I'd like to move we adopt resolution 2024-105 approving the Summer Valley development plans dated May 21st, 2024, prepared by Westwood Professional Services Incorporated subject to final approval by the city engineer in writing. **[23:05] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Second. **[23:06] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Any discussion on this last one? Again, seeing none, I will, uh, call for a motion. All those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. So thank you. All right, uh, next we're going to move on is Bid Awards. We do have one this evening which is the Summers Landing fifth, uh, bid award. And Ryan Burfeind, our Public Works Director, is going to walk us through this one. Welcome, Ryan. **[23:30] Ryan Burfeind (Public Works Director):** Thank you, Mayor, members of the Council. Uh, so as you mentioned, this is the Summers Landing fifth edition final streets and improvement. This is the last edition of Summers Landing, um, so it's kind of interesting. I remember being here in 2016 when we approved the—awarded the bid for the first base improvements and I think at the time it was supposed to be 10 or 12 years to wrap this development up, so—so it's gone—gone very well. It's kind of exciting to award this last and final project. So we did take bids on last Tuesday, July 19th. We had four bids received and we did get a good bidding for this project. These—these final streets projects are, you know, pretty straightforward, pretty fast projects that contractors can move through. Um, so it was below our engineers estimate of $262,200. You can see the low bid there from OMG Midwest, uh, DBA Minnesota Paving and Materials. So, um, with that, I have the recommendation on the screen in front of you and I will say that this contractor has a long history of working in Cottage Grove. Prior to this, they were known as Hard Drives, so many projects, um, going back with them... so very familiar, uh, with this contractor and comfortable with the award. **[24:50] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, Council got any questions for Ryan at this point? All right, seeing none, thank you, Ryan. Um, uh, Council, somebody would like to make a motion on what's on the screen? **[25:05] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Mayor, I'll make the, uh, motion to adopt resolution 2024-107 awarding the bid for the Summers Landing fifth edition final Street Improvement project to OMG Midwest Inc., doing business as Minnesota Paving and Materials, in the amount of $233,900. **[25:25] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Second. **[25:26] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? Motion carries. Thanks again, Ryan. 11 this evening, which is regular agenda, we do not have any items on there. And then we move already to Council comments/request and I will start with Councilmember Clausen. **[25:45] Councilmember David Clausen:** Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, again, just want to wish everyone a safe weekend. I know that we've had, um, some unfortunate accidents with regard to swimming and using our public waterways. Um, we're coming off of a lot of flooding and I just want everyone to be safe out there. **[26:05] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, sounds good, thank you, Councilmember Clausen. How about Councilmember Olsen? **[26:10] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Thank you, Mayor. Uh, first and foremost I want to, um, thank the public for coming out to our, uh, unfortunately rain-delayed Fourth of July celebration this year at Kingston Park. Uh, we had, uh, an amazing crowd when we moved the event from the fourth, uh, which was a Thursday, to the Sunday. And, uh, appreciate the Public Safety team kind of watching our backs. Um, they saw that the potential for severe weather on the 4th was pretty high in partnership with the National Weather Service, and so they encouraged us to make an adjustment which we did and we had a record crowd. It was, um, unbelievable. Uh, we did have our Cottage Grove Lions meeting for July last night and all I will tell you is the generosity of the public at that event was unheard of in, um, the several years that we've been participating in this. So, um, we are taking a very strong look at, uh, potentially making this a Sunday after the Fourth of July event on a permanent basis. Um, seemed like it worked out very well for many, many members of the public. I also wanted to thank the sponsors who allowed us to have the fireworks this year. I know Mayor Bailey has mentioned them several times, but, uh, I don't think we can really thank them enough. We had five $5,000 sponsors. Uh, Tennis Sanitation was, uh, very generous as well as 3M, Hi-Vee, uh, North Point, and, um—I'm forgetting the fifth—Renewal by Anderson. Thank you. So, um, we're very grateful for their participation. Like anything else, the price of fireworks has gone up as well, um, but, uh, we're going to make a—a really concerted effort next year to try to put on a $30,000 show. So Mayor, I'll be asking you to twist some additional arms at some point. Um, but it was a really nice event. Uh, last but certainly not least, I want to thank all the members of the Public Safety team and the Parks department who helped make the event, uh, a safe event for families to come and participate in and also to keep the park in—in very good shape, checking garbages and so on and so forth. Uh, we had Mike Dandal, Richard Green, and, uh, Sam Anderson from the Fire department who were there with the big ladder truck and I think they probably had three or 400 kids climb on that truck throughout the course of the event and they did it with a smile for the first child and the last child. We also had our Community Engagement Officer Ryan Pierre as—as well as Sergeant Mike McCormack on hand, in addition to numerous other members of Public Safety team including, uh, Sergeant Nick Bailey. Um, and again they made sure that the event was safe for everybody involved and the kids loved getting the tours of the police cars as well as the fire truck. Uh, in fact, um, Sergeant McCormack brought the UTV out, which is something a lot of people don't get to see all the time, so they thought that was pretty neat. Um, I also wanted to take a moment to congratulate one of our own, uh, who's in the room tonight, Zac Dockter, who is our Director of Parks and Rec, as the new President of the St. Paul Park Newport Lions Club. Uh, if you guys aren't aware, Zac's been a very involved member of the Lions Club for, uh, numerous years and I know he served in various leadership positions including Treasurer, but, uh, this year he became the President of that club and I believe that's a two-year term, is that right? One-year term? Okay, well if they love you enough it'll become a two-year term. So anyway, um, I just wanted to take a minute to congratulate Zac. It's a—it's a real honor, uh, to be placed in that position. The other thing I wanted to mention, Mayor, is, um, during Night to Night one of my favorite things is we've now got staff members who travel with us. I know over the last several years we've had our City Administrator who's gone to, uh, numerous parties, etc. Great opportunity to gather feedback from, uh, the members of the public. And our staff members aren't just there to, um, smile and and, uh, say hello, but they actually take copious notes on the things that, um, people bring to us because, uh, as you might imagine, um, when—when somebody has our ear, um, they—they certainly want to share their thoughts and ideas for how to improve the community. Um, often times they want to complement, you know, the way in which, uh, you know, city projects are getting done and—and being run. So, uh, it's a real advantage to have City staff out there with us taking notes and then they can respond in kind to those folks and and, um, I mean we've had a lot of really good outcomes that, uh, have come out of those ideas. For example, I mentioned Zac earlier... um, it was either last year or two years ago the Sunny Hill Park group came out and they were asking us about, um, "can we get some soccer nets and can we kind of, you know, put some—some, uh, additional equipment out there for the members of the community?" And and Zac and his team did a great job with that, but that was born out of those conversations. One of the things people love to talk about is of course, uh, roads good or bad. Uh, they like to talk about, um, road construction road construction projects etc. And, uh, there's awful lot of questions that—that go on out there. Last year we heard a lot about the, uh, Jamaica Avenue and East Point Douglas project, which is now in year two. And so I just thought maybe, uh, our Public Works Director Ryan Burfeind could take a minute and give us a quick update on how that project's coming along. I drove by there earlier today and really seems like it's tracking well. So, uh, if you could, just a moment or two of your time on kind of where we're at and what's left to be done, I'm sure the public would appreciate it. **[31:40] Ryan Burfeind (Public Works Director):** Yeah, certainly, Mayor and Councilmember Olsen. So as you mentioned, we are in year two. It was kind of a different challenge this year. Year one was the—the constant traffic control changes at Jamaica and East Point, and and this year was kind of moving through those different phases. We did the roundabout first. We got an early start this spring, of course, with the—the lack of a winter. Um, their goal was to have that roundabout open by July 4th and they were able to—to beat that—um, beat that date, so that was good. Then we moved behind Target, and behind Target was a challenging area because the road is too narrow to do the full reconstruct that was needed but then keep two lanes of traffic open. It just physically wasn't possible. So, um, we had to kind of strategically do this—this one-way traffic pattern, um, both to try and best serve the area but also keep access—access to that 92nd Street cul-de-sac that has all the townhomes. So, um, that first phase of—of Phase 4, as we call it, Phase 4A... so that'll be wrapping up, um, in the next week and then we're looking about, you know, the week with, uh, July 27th in it, so the following week after that that we'd switch to the other side. So we'll be complete with the first part of that total reconstruct, um, and we'll flip to the—to the other side of the road, um, with that continued one-way traffic pattern. So, um, folks will have to bear with that for a little while longer. And kind of while they're doing that, the—the final piece of the project is the mill and overlay from kind of RSE Fargo roughly down to Menards, that last stretch of the old section of road. That section is not as old, the curbs in a lot better shape, so that was really good for mid-overlay. And then you're probably seeing that the streetlights, uh, the old ones have been taken down, um, the ones that had turned purple at one—at one point and were fixed, um, because they were a problem for us. But we have the new streetlights going up, so that's very exciting to see as well. So probably wrapping up sometime in September. Um, seems like Mother Nature is going to cooperate a little better moving forward, um, with not quite as much rain, which would be—I hate to ask for not rain after two years of droughts, but, um, we could use a little break to get these projects wrapped up. **[34:10] Councilmember Justin Olsen:** Well, thank you very much for the update. I know that, uh, people have been eager to see that, um, finished product when it's all done. And, uh, as you, um, predicted when we first authorized this project, it was going to take two construction seasons and it certainly is going to take—take all of that. But the good news is, um, if—if we get cooperative weather, uh, sometime in September the whole thing will be open and people will be able to enjoy much better traffic flow and a much safer experience as well. Thank you to you and your team for doing that. And with that, Mayor, I'll turn it back to you. **[34:40] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Right, thank you. Excuse me, thank you. Uh, now Councilmember Thiede. **[34:45] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Yes, thanks. Well, one of the things that I wanted to—to kind of mention and and, uh—that over this, uh, past month, uh, we had both the police and the fire departments present their five-year strategic plans. Uh, very well done in—in similar formats with the two of them, so they're—they're easy to—to kind of follow along with and and understand. Uh, some great metrics that are—are being shown that are going to be done and everything. And and so I would, uh, highly recommend to—to people that if they're interested at all at that, uh, to contact the city, go on the maybe the website—I don't know if it available on a website—and, uh, you know, it's a—it's a good—uh, good read, and, uh, good way to—to understand kind of the—the mindsets in the direction that, uh, that our Public Safety department is—is headed down. So, uh, it was excellent job. And and I got to see both presentations twice, being—being the liaison to the Public Services Commission. So, um, let's see what else... I think that's all I had. **[35:45] Mayor Myron Bailey:** All right, thank you, and good—good call out for both of those. They were really good. Uh, Councilmember Garza. **[35:50] Councilmember Monique Garza:** Um, I don't really have much. I'm just looking forward to, uh, Night to Unite, getting out there and continuing to meet our community and our neighbors. Um, it's going to be a fun evening. So I'm just looking forward to that. That's pretty much all I have. Everybody be safe this week. Um, pay attention to all the things that are going on out there. We don't want any more accidents. But other than that, there you go. **[36:20] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Thank you. Uh, and I've just got two items for—for the public. One is, um, uh, this last Friday night we did have, I guess that would be the makeup, uh, event for, uh, Movies in the Park. And, um, the good news is the next—this coming Friday, which is, uh, July 19th at 7 o'clock, uh, we have another, uh, Movies in the Park event happening. And by the way, just so you know, this is should be the next... **[36:50] Councilmember Monique Garza:** 19th. **[36:51] Mayor Myron Bailey:** 19th, my apologies, 19th. I wrote the wrong day down. Uh, the—so Friday, July 19th at 7:00 PM. And the movie this week is "Migration," uh, which believe it or not my wife and I just watched it less than a week ago and it's absolutely amazing, it's fun. Uh, but again it's at Highlands Park, or for those that wonder, it's the splash pad. Uh, they have a lot of extra events that are happening there, a lot of, uh, things that are free but also things if you want to purchase, uh, you know, food trucks, things like that. Um, when I was able—able to drive by there—I wasn't able to stop this last week, but when I drove by there, there was a lot of people there. Uh, so you can tell that our community, uh, maybe some of the surrounding communities too, are very excited about this, uh, having, uh, Movies in the Park. So I encourage everyone to come out. It's supposed to be a—I won't jinx us, but it's supposed to be a nice—uh, nice weather day. Uh, so hopefully, uh, we'll see a large crowd there and, uh, come enjoy this movie, "Migration." It—it's fun both kids and adults, I will tell you that. One other thing... **[37:55] Councilmember Monique Garza:** It will now or we are going to offer the movie in closed caption for any of our community members that would love to come out. Um, I've figured it out and we will have closed caption for everyone. **[38:10] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Yeah, it was funny, and I apologize I didn't bring that up because that is, you know, as we learn things, if you will, and people reach out and say, "Hey, can we do this or can you do that?" Uh, one of the things that was, uh, asked of us is for, uh, people, uh, that obviously are—are deaf, uh, if they're able to, um, if we can do close captioning, and, uh, found out how to do that, so that's pretty amazing. So we're glad that, uh, we're able to see that happen. Um, and then lastly, um, I just want to mention, uh, uh, I know, uh, the City of Cottage Grove as of late—and Zac's in the back corner back there—but, uh, we have been, um, just starting to give information out to the public regarding the, uh, sales tax referendum that's going to be, uh, before the voters, uh, this—this coming November. And, um, a lot of the information that's out there, I just wanted to mention, you know, when this—when the staff is working, uh, to put information out to the public, it is truly just that. It's truly to give good information to the public, uh, so that when you decide what you want to do, uh, as a—as a—a citizen of Cottage Grove, what—whether you want to vote for or against, it's totally up to you. But the idea, uh, is to give you as much information to be informed as possible. Um, the reason I'm bringing that up is I know I happen to see on one of our city, uh, postings, uh, we had, uh, uh, put out a map that kind of shows sales taxes, uh, or sales tax effects in other communities around the metro. And I know there was kind of a—a feeling, if you will, uh, on that thread that basically made it like, "Well, you know, just because everybody else does it we have to do it." Um, I don't believe that that was the intent. Um, my belief of the intent is a lot of us are shopping in these other communities and don't realize that we're supporting a sales tax, uh, that is providing parks and infrastructure or whatever in these other communities. So I do appreciate the fact that, um, staff, uh, worked together to put that information out because again it is just that: it's information so that when you think you're going to another community and you're buying things in those communities, uh, uh, and many, many cities are already doing it or have been doing it and there's other cities like the City of Cottage Grove that's looking to do it very specifically, uh, for this project. The next thing I want to be very, very clear about is, um, these sales tax referendum questions, uh, have an end date. These are not something where the City of Cottage Grove can, okay, we're going to keep going—that's—that's not legal, it's not possible. Um, and so I just want to mention that. And then lastly for that is, uh, if you want information, and there's a very, very good website—I was—I pulled it up while I was, uh, sitting here—has all the information, has an opportunity for you if you have a question to submit a question and you'll get an answer back. Um, and so that is preserveplayprocess.org. And again you can see a video on there, you can see information on there, you can see a fact sheet, the cost, the whole nine yards. So, um, definitely want to make sure that the public is very informed as they go later this fall, um, or as early I guess as September because that's when early voting starts in Minnesota. Uh, but that is also why you're starting to see more and more information come out because we do know there's a lot of people that want to, uh, vote early, uh, and so we want no matter whether you decide to vote in September, if you decide to vote in November, uh, we want everybody to be informed. So I just thought I'd throw that out there just from... and again I'll also just throw in for us up here, if there's any questions whatsoever, uh, feel free to reach out to us. If we can't answer it, we've got great staff out there that can, uh, help us, uh, get you the answer, um, and, uh, be upfront and truthful and honest about the whole process. So, uh, that was my two items. Um, that is it. So then this evening, uh, there 13 is a Workshop open to the public... there is this evening. 14 is the workshop closed to the public, which are on this evening. So we're literally at adjournment. Look at—they're fighting here. So, uh, we have Councilmember Clausen made the motion. **[41:40] Councilmember Dave Thiede:** Second. **[41:41] Mayor Myron Bailey:** Second by Councilmember Thiede. All those in favor signify by saying "Aye." (Group: Aye). Opposed? We are adjourned. Good evening, everyone.