As an expert transcriptionist, I have analyzed the context and dialogue to identify the speakers for the Moose Lake townhall meeting. [0:05] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: We'll call the regular ceiling for March 11th, 2026 to order. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance [0:18] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: ...to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [0:36] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Next, we have the approval of the agenda. We have two additions under new business. P will be a United Way gambling fund request and Q is a conditional use permit application discussion. [1:02] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Are there any other additions to the agenda? Is there a motion to approve the agenda? **Council Member Ohly**: Yes. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Juntunen**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? **Council Members**: I carried. [1:20] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Next, we have the consent agenda. We have the regular city council meeting February 11th, 2026. Emergency city council meeting February 17th 2026. Joint city council meeting February 18th 2026. [1:37] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: And the financial reports of city accounts payable February 2026. City financial statement February 2026 and the liquor store profit and loss statement February 2026. Any questions or comments? [1:55] **Council Member Huso**: Motion to approve. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Lower III**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? All in favor? **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Carried. Public comment. This time is reserved for comments from the public on matters not listed on the agenda. Please keep comments to two minutes. [2:20] **Rob Bender**: Hello, my name is Rob Bender. I think most of you know I've been dealing with a neighbor issue. Um it is still ongoing with the the dogs. They've woken me up as early as 4:30 in the morning now. Um, my biggest concern is I call 911 and I either do not get a response from the police or when the they finally showed up this last time, they told me it's not in their contract with the city to enforce that ordinance and they will not address it. [2:49] **Rob Bender**: And I'm wondering where we go from here. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yeah. So we have um implemented our administrative citation process and um if we're we have started sending out um warnings as the first step in our process and that has taken place. [3:15] **Rob Bender**: Um and the only other issue I got again it's something that I've reported to the sheriff's department multiple times. There's an individual lives around the corner from me, has a little red motorcycle that he likes to ride up and down the sidewalk in town and he does not stop for the stop signs. I have spoken with this individual. My neighbor has yelled at this individual and I believe on one occasion the police actually did speak with him. Uh but I know the last one or two times I called about him, the cops didn't they didn't respond. And that that is a concern that I'm having right now with our sheriff's department that when I do call 911 for these issues, it's very spotty that I'm I'm getting an officer to show up and even I I don't care if they show up an hour too late. I want to give a statement because most times like this guy on motorcycle, I got video evidence. [3:58] **Rob Bender**: I got video of him almost broadsiding a car because he's on the on the sidewalk going against traffic and there's a car approaching Arrowhead Lane to make a turn. Um he I just I know what to do here, folks. Um question. **Council Member Kris Huso**: Is this a juvenile or an adult? [4:14] **Rob Bender**: No, no adult. **Council Member Kris Huso**: He's an adult. **Rob Bender**: I mean, I I don't want to throw names out there. **Council Member Kris Huso**: I just was wondering **Rob Bender**: I know who he is. **Council Member Kris Huso**: Um and then I have a question about the dogs. Um this individual has more dogs than **Rob Bender**: Oh, yep. [4:31] **Council Member Kris Huso**: than considered in the um ordinance. We talked about that. So should they not be getting rid of those dogs? **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Um so there was a grandfather clause but they've acred more since then. [4:48] **Rob Bender**: Yes they have. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Correct. And so we have we have issued a warning and have started our citation process. **Rob Bender**: Okay that's all I think. Thank you. [5:07] **Unidentified Resident**: Can you go to public comment? I will it is about the time of the meetings. You know how they forever they were at 6:00 p.m. and now they're at 4 and it changed sometime during the time Tim Peterson was here to maybe get out early or whatever, but there's like a lot of people that can't make it or they have to reschedule work or lose paid or just not get paid. What I mean daycare whatever. [5:41] **Unidentified Resident**: I know a lot of people can make it at 4, but a lot of people can't and I think a lot more people are interested in coming now and it's probably easier for a few people to switch to six than many. [5:58] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: And I agree with that. But what about the shift workers that some people go to work at 6:00? You know, **Unidentified Resident**: I **Mayor Jim Michalski**: if they go to work at 6:00, they're probably off because **Unidentified Resident**: I do understand your **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Yeah, my sister-in-law, but my brother had to pick her up and leave at 3 and they can't make **Unidentified Resident**: I understand your concern. [6:17] **Unidentified Resident**: I'm just saying if it's switched for one person, like, is there a reason it can't switch back? Because 4:00 in the afternoon, there are shifters, but there's also 9 to 5 people, 8 to 6, whatever. I don't **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is your suggestion six, chair? Or is it **Unidentified Resident**: Yeah, just go back like it was because there are like there's still people that probably haven't been paying attention that still thought it was 6:00, but now they're paying attention again. [6:48] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: So, yeah, we can definitely have discussion about that. Thank you. Thank you. Any other public comment? [7:04] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moving on to department reports. Carlton County Sheriff's Report. [7:24] **Sheriff Kelly Lake**: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members. Uh so you should have in your packet the monthly report for February 2026 for law enforcement activity um which outlines the calls for response that the deputies have responded to as well as self-initiated field activity to total 162 calls for service. Um I don't know if anybody has any questions on those specifically. [7:59] **Sheriff Kelly Lake**: Okay. And then um just an update on the administrative support uh personnel for the emergency response center here. Um that person has started and is training right now and hopefully will be um on her own full-time—well part-time according to the contract—before the end of the month here. [8:24] **Sheriff Kelly Lake**: should just stop doing some systems and procedures training. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions for Sheriff? **Council Member Juntunen**: Thank you. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you. **Sheriff Kelly Lake**: Thank you. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: City Superintendent Phil Entner. [8:47] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Mayor, Council, Administrators. I'll start in the water department. Um month of February distributed 2.88 million gallons of drinking water in the month of February. If you look back to January, it's about half. That's how big an influence those two water breaks that we had repaired—um that’s how big an influence they were. So um sewer department collection system collected 8.1 million gallons of waste water every month in February. Treatment facility still uh still waiting for some results on our on our bug program we're doing out there to increase capacity. Um I was in St. Cloud last week at a training hoping to learn a couple other options for sludge removal, preferably not mechanical because it's extremely expensive. So, we're still looking at options there. Street department uh possible pothole filling starting [9:33] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: here hopefully next week. Uh they were actually pretty at a minimum this year for which was which was nice to see. Um shop doors which you guys approved a month ago, two months ago, those were installed last month. Uh equipment everything seems to be holding up. The cemeteries had a couple burials up there this last month. Um, nothing new to report at the campground at the park other than those couple of dead trees we told you we're going to get down. We got them down yesterday. Hockey arena is wrapping up and then there's some other things, but I think we're going to touch them later. [10:03] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: So, is there any questions at this point? **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you. **Council Member Lower III**: Thank you. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Uh, Moose Lake Liquor Store report. [10:19] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon**: Good evening, members of the council, Mayor Michalski, Administrator Owens. Things are going great down with the municipal liquor store. Um, I did give you guys a handout for the 13th annual MMBA help our local animals drive uh for the month of April. We did it last year, went over really well. It's a great cause. So, just some information for you guys to look at. Um, let's see. This Saturday and Sunday we got bands. [10:43] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon**: Saturday is the Rowdy Gins from 7 to 10. Come check it out. Sunday Side Street Detour from 3 to 6. And then uh for St. Patty's Day, we got some promotions going on. We have Guinness on tap and we also have some specials. Uh, Guinness espresso martinis. So, not sure what that tastes like. Sounds good. Come check that out. [11:07] **Finance Director Ryan McKeon**: Um, just finished an application with a new vendor to get some different food items down there. So, things are moving, things are picking up. Snow is melting. Any questions? **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you. All right. Technology, library department. [11:23] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yeah, IT department still working on some speakers that are failing at the arena. We have a meeting tomorrow actually on that. Uh helping Karen work through some credit card machines uh through our third party IT department with the DMV. Um got that new internet router installed in the conference room. Still needs to be programmed. We're working through that. [11:47] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yeah, there's always something technology wise. Any questions technology? **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you. All right, city engineer. **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: Yes, the city council uh received the monthly meeting minutes from March 4th. [12:06] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: Um if there are any questions, as always, please feel free to let me know. We actually have a handful of agenda items later on um pertinent to engineering. So, we'll leave it at that for tonight. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? There's Lake Chamber and Commerce monthly update. [12:30] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Um the chamber met today. Um there's a new visitor guide that's out. Uh the chamber has adopted a new mission statement. Uh really busy event planning for the upcoming event season. All events are listed on the calendar on the chamber website. And they're also currently um continuing to pursue memberships. And so if any information is desired, please check out their website. [12:57] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Any question on chamber stuff? **Council Member Kris Huso**: Um, if people have ideas for the grand marshal, should they just um send them to the chamber? **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes, absolutely. You can send them to the executive director. Uh there's emails listed and contact information on the chamber website. Um any city councilor who'd like to share them with me, I can also forward them on. They are in the process of planning um and they're taking grand marshal recommendations and also ideas through the end of the week as far as Fourth of July themes. [13:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Previously discussed business. A Street vacancy. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. So I just wanted to give council an update of where we are in the process. Um essentially we are working with a surveyor to establish a legal description of the utility easement that will um accommodate a utility easement for uh water sewer and electric. Uh in addition uh we'll have a depiction once we get through that process with the uh surveyor then we will turn that information over to legal. Uh the city attorneys will then draft the documents necessary to um consider the road vacation and there will also be a public hearing associated with that request as well. So more to come. [14:22] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions on A Street? 2025 public budget savings update. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Oh yes. Just want to keep this on the agenda as a placeholder. Uh, one thing that city staff is working through is we did receive a list from council of ideas of where those savings could go. If any new ideas have come up, please feel for—or feel free to bring them forward to me. Uh, we are in the process of getting cost information for some of the ideas uh relevant to the monies and the savings from 2025. Uh, so more to come and this is to ensure it doesn't fall off the agenda. [15:02] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you. Any questions? City West Lake employee parking update. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. So the city engineers have been working with city staff. Um at this point in time there is a design that incorporates between 10 to 12 parking spots. Uh we are working through that and with that will come an estimate from the engineers as well. Once we've kind of hashed that out, we'll bring all that information forward to council for review. Um that estimate information will also be helpful for the previous agenda item as well. [15:38] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? Subsurface sewer treatment system request update. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. So we talked about this at a couple of different meetings with the city council. Um the next phase was essentially reviewing our city ordinance pertinent to our sewer infrastructure. [16:00] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: That ordinance was incorporated in council's packet just for review and reference. It's ordinance number 127. Um it is quite old. Uh there have been a lot of changes that have occurred over time since the um adoption of this ordinance in originality. So we are um looking at it in totality but also pertinent to this particular request. As it stands right now, um if an individual would like to um construct a home over 100 ft from city sewer infrastructure—um as it stands right now, they can put forward a request to have a mound system if the distance is in excess of 100 ft. [16:46] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: So those are some of the items we want to have a discussion with from a council perspective and weigh in and Phil has some more information to share. **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yeah. So, in that ordinance, uh it's I think it's page five and six are pretty much the nuts and bolts of it. Um uh right now there's nothing saying you can't have—and I just lost the page on this. I'm sorry. Um as of right now there's nothing saying that they can't request that. I—there's also nothing I believe in saying that you guys cannot deny it either. Um, I guess my thing is if you're—if we're going to think about allowing mound systems in town, then why do we have a sanitary sewer system? I mean, there's a reason for it, right? [17:27] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Um, I understand for people living in the country, obviously, they have no public utility to look to. Um, but that's—that's kind of just my two cents right now. Um, looking into this ordinance, uh, the administrator myself realized that we probably need to at least see if there's a want from council to look into this ordinance a little deeper as it's over 30 years old. And like she mentioned, there's—there's a lot of changes that have happened in the last 35 years in the wastewater industry. So, I'm going to leave it there for now unless you want me to elaborate anymore. [17:59] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? Well, I think it'd be wise for us if it's 30-35 years old. **Council Member Ohly**: Section 4 does deal with the connection—uh them being required to connect to the city once that is—I guess once the city does have their infrastructure in place, **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Right? And I believe it talked about removals as well. [18:21] **Council Member Ohly**: Yes. **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yep. **Council Member Ohly**: So, I mean that—that is definitely a good piece that needs to stay in there. **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yeah, it definitely needs a review, **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Right. Okay. We can work with uh the engineers and the attorneys as far as what some modifications or recommended amendments might be and bring back to council. Um it is directly pertinent to that SSTS request that's been received so we can continue to work through it. [18:46] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? New business. Moose Lake Area Historical Society sculpture discussion. **Peter Elsher**: Mayor, council members, and city administrator, I believe all of you received copies of what I'm going to talk about today. Um, I’m Peter Elsher. I am a board member on the Moose Lake Area Historical Society and I'm here today to request permission on behalf of the historical society to install a reconstructed wall of the Pure Oil gas station—uh, technically a sculpture—at the north [19:34] **Peter Elsher**: end wall of the Soo Line Museum and Event Center under the eve to the left of the museum entrance. The Moose Lake Pure Oil Station was built in 1937 and was demolished on August 29, 2023 after 85 years of service. The day before it was demolished, I was able to save the station's—the bay window, front door, and the window to the women's restroom with the intent of recreating the station's front wall at the museum at some future date. My conception of the wall was that it needed to fit under the eve of the museum building to protect it from elements and be readily visible to visitors year round. After presenting my [20:21] **Peter Elsher**: proposal to the historical society board and discussing the best fit, it was decided that the sculpture would fit in the roughly 10 ft high by 23 ft wide space next to the museum's front entrance that faces the former Soo Line depot. The wall sculpture would sit on and be anchored to five tube footings to stave off frost issues and be held to the museum's exterior wall with spaced anchors that would allow air flow around both the wall and the sculpture to moisture buildup and deter rodents. The bay window, door, and restroom window would be anchored into a wall framework [21:08] **Peter Elsher**: that we would build, and a white stucco exterior surface would be applied to the wall as per the original station. The bay window would house display of replicas of Pure Oil Company memorabilia with descriptions as well as the history of the Pure Oil station itself. Original blue tiles from the roof would serve as a backdrop within the bay window since they do not fit above—above it in that little space we're using. The area in front of the pure oil station wall would be cleared of crushed rock and—and paved with a combination of new pavers and pavers from the former Northern Pacific depot platform that [21:54] **Peter Elsher**: once graced Arrowhead Lane, giving full access to visitors. It would butt up to the existing sidewalk that goes to the entrance to the museum. The museum's—the museum's goal is to have the pure oil station wall installed—installed and the project completed prior to uh the historical society's collector car show that will take place on August 1st, 2026. [22:22] **Peter Elsher**: Its completion would allow the historical society to dedicate the pure oil station wall and celebrate the first anniversary of the restoration of the Phillips 66 tower at the same event. Are there any questions about this? [22:39] **Council Member Juntunen**: This is going to be on the north wall? **Peter Elsher**: Well, I get my directions kind of confused, but the wall that faces the end of the Soo Line Depot and—and West Road, **Council Member Juntunen**: It's north. **Peter Elsher**: Whatever to me, uh, that's east. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: That's—I just heard north. I don't know what—it’s Peter. [23:00] **Peter Elsher**: What? **Mayor Jim Michalski**: It's a north wall. **Peter Elsher**: Well, they're saying the north wall, but I need a compass to know where I'm at. I have no idea what it is, but it—if you're looking at the event center and the museum, the doorway that goes into the museum, right to the left of that is a perfect spot that this piece would fit in there. And it would be—this this would be on the depot part, not the building behind the depot. The newer construction. [23:28] **Council Member Ohly**: It's the new building? **Peter Elsher**: It's the new building. **Council Member Ohly**: Yes. Yeah. Um, the depot is a museum also—the depot building—but this is the new building that they built. **Council Member Ohly**: Okay. **Peter Elsher**: That is basically behind the depot. **Council Member Ohly**: It—it won't interfere with any of the original—with the original building then? [23:46] **Peter Elsher**: No, there—there's really nothing to—to change. The wall has very little on it. It's just that it has some—lot of crushed rock and some—uh a gigantic uh old root of some kind, a stump or something like that that can just be removed. But once that's cleared away and I've laid the pavers down—which we have a bunch of the Northern Pacific platform pavers behind that building that we can use in this—then uh visitors can come out of the door or before they go into the museum can walk right up to the window, the bay window and look right into the display. [24:27] **Council Member Juntunen**: Will the—will this door be being used? **Peter Elsher**: No. **Council Member Juntunen**: Okay. Nothing will uh open up? **Peter Elsher**: But the—there will be a—one of the glass panels in the—uh in the bay window will be—you can—you will be able to open it so we can update the display as—as needs needs be, but everything in there will be replica so nothing in there will be destroyed from weather or time or anything like that. [24:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Kris? **Council Member Kris Huso**: I just want to say this is a wonderful idea to honor the Pure Oil. I mean, it was sad to see that go. Are you going to be doing this work yourself or? **Peter Elsher**: Yes, I'm working with Mike Twang who's also on the board. **Council Member Kris Huso**: Okay. [25:12] **Peter Elsher**: To take care of this. But we did want to have this finished before August so that we are—we can have a dedication and a celebration of the first anniversary of 66 and the car show all in one. So, it's kind of a big event. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Yeah. **Peter Elsher**: Thank you. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? [25:34] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Do we have consensus to allow them to proceed with this project? **Council Members**: Yes. [25:46] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Short Elliot Hendrickson sewer capacity memo. **Council Member Ohly**: Everybody's favorite topic for the night. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Sure is. **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: I knew I had one. Uh, members of the council and Mayor Michalski, thank you for having me tonight. John Rings with SEH, your current city engineer. Um and I am here to give you a brief high-level update on the pond capacity memo update that we did for calendar year 2025. Um, just a reminder, we've been doing these for, I don't know, six or seven years now to track the capacity at the ponds for planning for development and whatever future needs there are. Um, so the pond capacity is evaluated uh based on the hydraulic capacity which is your [26:31] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: flow and then the organic loading which is um is your other capacity for fuel. Um, current capacity status key results in this memo: You'll see that the ponds are operating at approximately 80% hydraulic design capacity. Last year it was 82.8%. So we've continued to bring that down and increase that capacity of flow which is good things. It showed that those sewer lining projects are actually taking effect and increasing capacity for the flow at the ponds. Um that equates to roughly 460 equivalent households um which is up from last year which was 353. [27:13] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: And then on the flip side, the ponds are operating at approximately 84% organic load capacity which was at 80.8% last year. So equivalent households of 349—equivalent sorry—4-349 equivalent households which is down from last year which was at 442. [27:35] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: So what you're seeing is a shift. We're not any longer uh limited by the flow at the capacity of ponds but we are limited by the load um which was expected at some point with all of this INI reduction efforts that have been going on. Um so basically you have less clean water that's entering the system because of those INI efforts and so you're treating less of that flow—and the—which normally would dilute the organic capacity. So now that it's less diluted you're seeing an increase in that organic capacity or increase in that organics in ponds. Um, so this is very common with INI reduction activities and it is a [28:21] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: positive outcome because you—you—you're doing what you've been setting out to do with these INI reductions. Um, some other factors that play into that is COVID. So many communities saw suppressed organic loading during COVID years due to changes in commercial and industrial activities. Um, and now that we're getting past that whole phase of things, we're returning back to normal and a lot of communities are seeing those organic votes coming back and rebounding. Um, and then also changes—any changes that are uh tied to commercial or industrial discharges could also contribute to the the change that we're seeing, but definitely the INI reduction is a big factor in that. [29:05] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: So, another couple things to note, the total suspended solids. The past two years, we've seen uh and the levels increase in TSS. Um we don't do a lot of monitoring or sampling of that in the year. It's only four times a year. Um so, it could be dependent on when those samples are per—pulled and what's being flushed into the system. But um I would recommend that we talk with city staff and develop some kind of plan to try and address where that's coming from so you can have idea—so if there's any pre-treatment type of things at those source points you can identify that so it doesn't have any effect on the ponds later. Um and then other recommended next steps I guess [29:51] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: um I would continue to evaluate the ponds on this annual memo update um to see how the fluctuations are changing from year to year. Um I think we investigate those elevated TSS trends like I just discussed and then now with this change in um organic loading versus the full loading and how you're limited. [30:16] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: I think we should really sit down with our wastewater staff and city staff and kind of have a working session of what can we do as next steps to address the organic load capacity issue. Um there's—we could do increased targeted monitoring sampling to identify high sources of organic loading. Um we could look at the sludge in the ponds—do a sludge survey—to see how efficiently the ponds are working. Um if we identify point sources of high organics, we could look at what kind of feasibility um feasible options do we have to potentially decrease that amount of organic loading [31:03] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: into the system as pre-treatment so that it's not reaching ponds. Um and then we can look into other options like after we do some of those things look at like aeration at the ponds which could help efficiently uh utilize the ponds and so that they're—you're not increasing capacity but it's creating efficiency at the ponds and that organic loading and so you're getting the best result out of your ponds as you can. Um I wouldn't say completely get away from INI reduction projects. You're still treating as—as you monitor the ponds and um as you get wet weather events, if you're seeing influx of flow from those wet weather events, you still have an INI [31:48] **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: issue and you're treating uh clean water, which is a waste of treating really. Um and so I'd say still monitor that. If you're still seeing those wet weather discharging events uh spike, I think it's still uh a good idea to address those INI issues. Um plus it improves the overall operation stability of the ponds and makes it easier for Phil to know what's going on with those ponds. So that's kind of my quick high-level update. I don't know if you have specific questions regarding the memo. [32:21] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? **City Engineer John Rings (SEH)**: INI reductions also require member—thank you. Thank you. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you, John. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: City Gardener Raenee Bennett, tree grant update. [32:49] **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: Good afternoon, city administrator, mayor, and council members. I wanted to give you guys an update on our progress with the Minnesota DNR uh emerald ash borer grant the city was approved for. Um, since we last spoke, Blue Stem Forestry has completed an inventory, management plan, and analysis of all of the city trees. A total of 961 trees were—were looked at. Um, 67 planting sites and 29 stumps were inventoried. [33:17] **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: Um 408 trees, planting site stumps are all growing in parks and 649 trees are growing on the streets' rights-of-ways. Um each—so each tree that they looked at was given um a number and uh the data includes tree location using GPS, the species types of the trees, the size and then each tree is graded um from 0 to 100, zero being dead and 100 being a perfect specimen. Um lots of other data comes with this. It really—it’s kind of interesting if you're a tree geek like me. Um, and I have that data all listed [34:02] **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: in this. So, if anybody on the council wants a copy of this, it is kind of interesting to see the current situation and then what the future looks like. Uh the inventory um identified 257 ash trees within the city limits which is our main goal of this um whole grant. Um and so those are the ones we're going to be focused on the most. Um the information will help us move forward on what trees uh what ash trees pose a threat of danger to the public and what trees have the most priority of removal. So those are the ones we'll be looking at. Our focus initially of course will be the dead and dying ash trees in our city parks and the public area but like I said before [34:48] **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: all the data includes all of the trees. So there are some other trees that concern us as well and we'll work with public works and um the group to get that figured out. Um, I've requested and been approved to add this data to the ArcGIS system in the city that's already in place and that will help us move forward in managing the tree population both in tree removal and tree planting. Um, and the additional cost that this is going to be at getting added to our current system will be covered also by the grant. Um, as trees are removed, I will select new trees to be planted that include a diversity of species, height appropriateness, [35:35] **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: and those that will thrive in our area and provide beauty and habitat. My hope is to begin planting trees this fall. Um, I'm working with the school, the library, and local volunteers to make this a fun and inclusive opportunity to involve young people. And as I continue to progress through this grant, I'll make uh the city of Moose Lake citizens um aware of what we're doing through our Facebook page updates. [36:05] **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: So, any questions? **Council Member Juntunen**: Oh, these are just the trees on city property? **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: Yes. **Council Member Juntunen**: And they did look at uh what we call the old school woods back behind the school there? **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: Correct. Yep. And including the cemetery as well. **Council Member Juntunen**: Okay. I would—I would like a copy of that report. [36:24] **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: Happy to give you one. Yes, sir. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you. I would also—any other questions with this? Okay. All right. Thank you. **City Gardener Raenee Bennett**: Thank you. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thanks. Uh tree committee appointment. [36:41] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. So we've established a tree committee with um members of city staff and elected officials and we have um an interest from a citizen as well which is an excellent addition to the tree committee. So looking for approval for Polly Purser to be on the city's tree committee. We will then start to conduct meetings and move forward with um necessary activities. **Council Member Lower III**: I'll make a motion we approve Polly Purser. [37:09] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Ohly**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? All in favor? **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Carried. Looks like we'll hoop gambling fund contribution request. [37:29] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Okay. Uh, yeah. So, you received a request from the Moose Lake River Rebels Club. This is exactly what the gambling fund was uh made for. So they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Uh things that this money—these monies would go to are the summer programming development of these kids, equipment, things of that—awards, etc. So any questions on it? It would go to both the boys and girls program. [38:01] **Council Member Juntunen**: Any questions? Just about how much money is in the account right now? **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Uh roughly $25,000. **Council Member Juntunen**: How much do we call—our server from here? don't remember. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? [38:40] **Council Member Ohly**: Make a motion to approve the uh request as submitted. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Juntunen**: Sorry. Yeah. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? All in favor? **Council Members**: I **Mayor Jim Michalski**: opposed carried. [39:01] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Live Barn incorporated venue agreement—rebel—Rebel Home Run Club facility lease. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: So this is a renewal lease agreement that we have with the Rebels Home Run Club. Um the only change is other than the dates—well and the dates—is that it's going from a 2-year to a 3-year agreement. Price everything else remains the same. Nothing else changed. So the only difference is 2-year to a 3-year agreement with them. They requested it. [39:32] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: It did go to park board already and they made the recommendation to move forward. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? Motions. **Council Member Huso**: I can make that motion we approve the facility lease agreement for the uh Rebels Home Run Club. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? [39:54] **Council Member Lower III**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? All in favor? **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Carried. No. Live Barn. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Live Barn. So, um, you know, I'm still getting up to speed on this myself. This is also a renewal agreement. We've had this in place at our—at the First National Bank Arena in town here for quite some time. It's a subscription base, so it cost the city nothing, but the city did install it. Um, essentially it just allows people who pay a subscription fee to the company Live Barn to watch their favorite uh kids, grandkids hockey games. And there is a revenue share portion of this. So if [40:40] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: enough people sign up um some of that money does get kicked back to the city. So it's not a lot. Doesn't cost us a lot outside of a couple hours a year or doing some stuff with the system that's in there. all help them out in that nature. So, **Council Member Ohly**: it's 30%. Have we received anything? [40:59] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Uh, it's been a couple of years since we've received anything. **Council Member Ohly**: So, with that—sorry—with that, I have asked for some new marketing material so we can try and promote it a little more. And I'm sure the—the high school and the hockey association will promote it more as well. [41:18] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? Motions? **Council Member Lower III**: Move for approval. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Juntunen**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? [41:33] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed. Carried. Shipping container discussion. [41:46] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Sorry. Good evening, council. I am Ellissa, City Administrator Owens. We as a city staff have received a couple of comments/complaints about shipping containers on lots along um Arrowhead Lane, the main—the main drag 73. Uh so in um doing research about those complaints, we have realized that our zoning ordinance does not address shipping containers. However, they are addressed in city ordinance 131 pertaining to nuisances. Um, however, that ordinance does not uh specify which zones they're referring to. So, it would be safe to assume that that ordinance refers to all zones, not [42:33] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: just residential. So in um addition to that, we've looked at where shipping containers have been installed or placed within the city thus far. I've made a list of those. Um many of them, and what they're zoned—many of them are zoned C2. There are a couple that are in um you know, the city of Moose Lake has a couple who are zoned P1. There are um I think there's one in an R1 up by um Industrial Road there, but the majority of them are in C2. So that gives us a few options or gives council a few options. [43:17] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: One would be to stick to our nuisance ordinance and not allow shipping containers anywhere for longer than 60 days. We could amend ordinance 131—our nuisance ordinance—and our zoning ordinance to only allow them in designated zones um i.e. C2. However, one of the places where we have had complaints is zoned C2. So that does not take care of that complaint. [43:47] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Um, and the other option would be to amend ordinance 131 and ordinance 104 to allow shipping containers in designated zones but with a conditional use permit. So, um, if that were the case, then anybody in C2 that has shipping containers would then have to come before planning commission, pay the conditional use permit application fee, and request a conditional use permit to have shipping containers on their property. So, um, up for council discussion. Um, just looking for direction on which way we want to go, if we want to look at amending those ordinances, um, and if so, how we want to do that? [44:31] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? **Council Member Juntunen**: Have you had any conversation with any of these um, owners? **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Uh, Lisa, have you—the property that was—a complaint was issued. Have you had a conversation? **Staff Member**: I—I have reached out. I have not had one-on-one dialogue. [44:52] **Council Member Ohly**: I'm wondering on the one for 720 Industrial Road, the first one, if those containers have already been removed. I believe this is the one that's on the north end of town. **Council Member Juntunen**: Was the—I think it's the rental center. Now, what—what was it they implemented before? [45:10] **Council Member Ohly**: They might have been. That was Randy Jusac or—I believe that was—had that in there. I don't know if he sold that out to somebody else or not or **Council Member Juntunen**: Yeah. **Council Member Ohly**: But uh it says there's some on the right—public right-of-way. I think those ones have been removed. If you're—if you're talking about the public right-of-way as being the eighth street there. [45:32] **Council Member Juntunen**: Yep. **Council Member Ohly**: I believe those ones have been removed. **Council Member Juntunen**: Perfect. Okay. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? Suggestions. **Council Member Huso**: We should do some type of breakout with this because I don't think a lot of people are going to want to see uh containers driving down our main drain. [45:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: No, I agree. And I think there—a lot of them are already out there. So, we should be able to give opportunity for permits that—some of these places probably haven't had them for years. I know that there has been verbiage in other ordinances regarding placement. Um I know that Ace Hardware and Lampberts do have them. However, they're in—they are behind their building. Um so there could be room for verbiage that says they have to be, you know, behind the back corner of the building or whatever. They can't be in the front. [46:29] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: So, um, definitely many different directions this could go, but wanted to bring this to your attention so that we could get direction on which way to go. **Council Member Lower III**: Sure. **Council Member Juntunen**: If—if there was to be conditional use permits, that would be like uh each one would be looked at separately, correct? **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yeah. [47:00] **Council Member Juntunen**: That sounds like a good way to go. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Consensus on to go through the ordinance to change that or amend the ordinances—the ordinance. [47:16] **Council Member Lower III**: I guess I'd like us to have a—a full scale discussion about this. I don't think it's something that we should just go into right away. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Right. When we have more—more time on the agenda, I'd like to do that. **Council Member Ohly**: Could you come up with some options of—um different things? I mean, maybe, you know, if they're going to be on the main drag, maybe they could um enclose them so they look more like a building. [47:46] **Council Member Ohly**: Um I don't know. That's just something top of my head, but different options. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Do some research on other cities and how they handle it and if there's something that maybe could work—a table so has a place on an agenda. [48:08] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you. 2026 Fourth of July fireworks display discussion. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes, in the packet. The city council received a couple of options for um a fireworks display. Uh this is the 250th anniversary and so with that the um pyrotechnics company has um issued a couple of options for council to review. [48:35] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Um the last few years the city council has allotted $12,000 for the fireworks display. A lot of that has been um essentially uh covered through reimbursement through the Moose Lake area chamber as they um fundraise independently and choose to make a contribution back to the city for the display. Um so there is the standard $12,000 option. In addition, there is a $15,000 option um that incorporates an extra um patriotic segment um specific for the 250th anniversary. So, I know council had made a request to see different options um and to do something a little different for the 250th [49:23] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: anniversary. Um and so this is what J&M Displays has come up with. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions, comments? Go ahead. **Council Member Lower III**: I guess I would like to see us do something a little special. [49:41] **Council Member Lower III**: It's just my—my opinion. **Council Member Ohly**: I agree. I just see that on the $15,000 one compared to the 12. The 12 says that there's a time of 12 to 15 minutes. It isn't directly laid out in the $15,000 one, but does it—there's a 75 second assorted shot effect? Is uh—do we have a—did anybody else see that there's an exact time on that one? 'Cause I've not seen the exact time. [50:11] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: No. And I can most certainly inquire on that. **Council Member Ohly**: Yeah. We're going to be spending the money. It'd be nice to know how much longer that is. And I do agree with you about having something special for the 250. [50:27] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: portable to—do we need to know when—the question—I think—and I think the patriotic one is like 700 more shells would have to go a little longer—have to think if you want to—right. [51:04] **Council Member Kris Huso**: I mean I'm in favor of—be going with the $15,000 since it is a historic event. **Council Member Ohly**: I guess I'll make that motion $15,000. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Huso**: I'll second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Further discussion. Hear none. All in favor? **Council Members**: I carried. [51:19] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Short Elliot Hendrickson recommendation—recommendation to advertise for bids. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. The council received in their packet um the recommendation letter from the city engineers regarding the Moose Lake trunk sewer line rehabilitation project. [51:36] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Looking for a motion from council to advertise the bid for the joint project um with the city's grant that was received from the MPCA uh in the amount of $658,000. Um, our local match has been budgeted within our uh, sewer fund for as a capital line item and we are looking to essentially um, open bids in order to get the project completed within the timetable of 2026. [52:10] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? **Council Member Juntunen**: Motion to set it up. **Council Member Ohly**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? All in favor? **Council Members**: I **Mayor Jim Michalski**: opposed carried. [52:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Resolution 26.03.02 approving a resolution approving outdoor recreation grant application. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes, this is a resolution essentially um allowing for the facilitation of our grant application for the um new playground at the city park. So, we're continuing to work through that process. [52:49] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: This resolution essentially allows for the application to be submitted on behalf of the city and for us to continue to work on that. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? **Council Member Lower III**: Make a motion. We accept resolution 26.03.02. [53:05] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Ohly**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? All in favor? **Council Members**: I **Mayor Jim Michalski**: opposed carried. Public works pickup quotes. [53:32] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yeah. So on page uh 144 you will find two quotes for the Ford F-350 pickup for the public works department which is a capital expense that was budgeted for in 2026. Uh the first one from Midway Ford—that is state bid pricing. We did—uh I did include an additional quote in there just for transparency. So my recommendation we move forward with this with the first quote from uh Ford. [53:47] **Council Member Juntunen**: Questions. What was the budget amount? **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: I thought it was—I thought we were—I think it was 50 grand. **Council Member Juntunen**: So I think we're just a fuzz over. **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yep. **Council Member Juntunen**: We need to approve that extra amount. [54:07] **Council Member Ohly**: I'll make that motion to go up to the uh not to exceed $52,000. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Lower III**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? Is that what we first made up? **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: That's the first one. I'm sorry. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Yes. [54:24] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? **Council Members**: I **Mayor Jim Michalski**: opposed carry. Resolution 26.03.01 uh resolution to declaring equipment or property as surplus. [54:49] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Uh yes, this resolution essentially identifies uh three pieces of equipment from public works that are no longer needed uh for current or future municipal operations. This resolution essentially um allows uh city staff to then bring them to um public bid in order to have an equitable way to um get rid of that. [55:14] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions? **Council Member Juntunen**: I'll make another motion to approve resolution 26.03.01. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Ohly**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? [55:34] **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Carried. Uh, part-time campground attendant job posting. **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Yes. So, in the campground, there is a—there's a need to hire two uh office attendants uh this year. Uh that went to Monty Park Board last week um with the approval there. So, we're just coming here for approval to uh post those two positions. [55:57] **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: Is there any questions? **Council Member Kris Huso**: Sorry. I was just wondering—was there any last year's people interested in coming back? **City Superintendent Phil Entner**: We have two of them coming back. **Council Member Kris Huso**: That was my question. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? [56:17] **Council Member Lower III**: I'll make a motion that we hire part-time positions. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Juntunen**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? **Council Members**: I **Mayor Jim Michalski**: opposed carried. [56:34] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Weeping Willow application for exempt permit. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. The city received an application um regarding the watercross event and a raffle that Weeping Willow would like to conduct. They do have a um drawing essentially scheduled at the brewery for September 7th, 2026 and they did share that they are implementing a similar um raffle activity that has been successful for other watercross events. Um and so this is their application to the city to allow for that opportunity. [57:14] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any questions on this application? **Council Member Ohly**: Did—did anybody see that there's an end time on this? Because I know we discussed it at the meeting that there would be an end time. I just want to make sure that—um **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: this is not their event application. **Council Member Ohly**: Oh yes. I'm just—but it’s—is it during—this does it coincide with the event? [57:34] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. **Council Member Ohly**: So then I guess it's—the drawing is on the— **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Yes. And their event is over Labor Day weekend. So it doesn't— **Council Member Ohly**: just want to make sure that it's—it’s finished in a timely matter. We don't have complaints. [57:51] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Excellent. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any other questions? **Council Member Lower III**: Motion to approve. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Ohly**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? [58:07] **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Carried. P. United Way gambling fund request back for some more money. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Uh, this literally just came in to us, so there really wasn't time to get it in the packet. Apologies, but they are under a time constraint, so we said we would pass it forward to you guys. Um, the United Way, who's also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, um, is requesting a donation. Um, it would be from the municipal liquor store. It would come out of the gambling fund just like the other request. Um, and then the back page of this handout, there are some sponsorship levels that [58:53] **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: you guys would be able to choose from. These monies go to things like emergency housing and shelter for children, basic needs kits, transportation and state ride vouchers, school stability support, etc. good because they would need a decision here. The timing— **Council Member Ohly**: I make a motion that we um approve the triple diamond. [59:25] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Lower III**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Further discussion **Council Member Ohly**: and that's $1,000. Yes, **Mayor Jim Michalski**: public knows what’s—be pleased. Thank you. [59:42] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Those carries. Q. Conditional use permit application discussion. **City Administrator Ellissa Owens**: Uh yes, the city council received an email this afternoon within the last couple of hours. Uh that was um essentially activated by a communication that the city received from Revolve Labs around 2:00 p.m. Um essentially I want to give an update to council that Revolve is no longer pursuing the project in the city of Moose Lake and they—um I’m requesting that the council make a motion to withdraw the CUP application uh to the planning commission. [1:00:27] **Council Member Juntunen**: I will make that motion that we withdraw the application. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Application. Is there a second? **Council Member Lower III**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Any further discussion? [1:00:47] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Hearing none. All in favor? **Council Members**: I **Mayor Jim Michalski**: opposed. Carried. Reports of correspondence. Uh reports—Ellissa heard home public hearing communication Carlton County Drug Prevention Coalition meeting minutes for March 2nd, 2026. [1:01:16] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Hopefully bingo flyer March 26, 2026. Questions? Any of those community board meeting minutes? Moose Lake Fire Protection District meeting minutes were not provided. [1:01:31] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes March 2nd, 2026. Any questions on those moving right through announcements? Uh, Moose Lake regular city council meeting Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, 4 p.m. Moose Lake City Council chambers. [1:01:53] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moose Lake City Council local board of appeal and equalization meeting Thursday, April 9th, 2026, 10:00 a.m. in the city council chambers. Moose Lake Economic Development Authority, Wednesday, March 18th at 12:00 p.m. in the city conference room. Moose Lake Planning Commission, Tuesday, March 24th, 4 p.m. Moose Lake City Council board chambers. [1:02:21] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moose Lake Water and Light Commission, Tuesday, March 17th, in the Water and Light office at 1 p.m. Moose Lake Housing Redevelopment Authority Board, Monday, April 6th at 11:00 a.m. in the Hillside Banner East. Moose Lake Fire Protection District, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 6:30 p.m. in the Emergency Response Center. Moose Lake Park and Rec Board, Monday, April 6th, 5:00 p.m. in the city council chambers. Any other announcements? [1:02:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a motion to adjourn? **Council Member Lower III**: So moved. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Is there a second? **Council Member Juntunen**: Second. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? **Council Members**: Aye. **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? We are adjourned.