This transcript identifies the speakers based on the roles and names provided in the municipal context. [0:04] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: I'd like to open the council meeting. This is a regular Moose Lake City council meeting for Wednesday, July 12, 2023, and I'd like to start with the pledge of allegiance, please. 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. [0:39] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Okay, welcome our guests here today. The next item is approval of the agenda. We do have an addition, and that is on a second page under item 6; this will be A, and this will be part of the closed session—this is a land purchase agreement discussion. Also, to note, H, I, J, and K are all in closed session, just for your knowledge. And also another item on the front on 4D: because of some security reasons, that also will be in the closed session, specifically the technology part—part of that server deal. There's some data that we have to discuss openly, and because of security reasons, we can't do it publicly. Are there any other additions or changes to the agenda? Hearing none, do we have a motion to accept the agenda? [2:00] **Council Member**: Motion. [2:01] **Council Member**: Second. [2:02] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. [2:03] **Council Members**: Aye. [2:04] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Motion carried. And also, as you can see, Greg [Sarvela] was not here today. [2:13] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moving on to the consent agenda under 2A, the minutes. Number one is the regular city council meeting for June 14, 2023, and number two, the special city council meeting for June 27, 2023. Do you have any discussion or questions on the minutes? [2:35] **Council Member**: Motion. [2:36] **Council Member**: Second. [2:37] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. [2:38] **Council Members**: Aye. [2:39] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Motion carried. Under 2B, Financial reports: number one, the city council payable for June 2023; number two, the city financial statements for June 2023; and number three, the liquor store profit/loss statement for June 2023. Any questions and or discussion? [3:20] **Council Member**: Motion. [3:21] **Council Member**: Second. [3:22] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor say aye. [3:23] **Council Members**: Aye. [3:24] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Opposed? Motion carried. [3:26] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Number three is public comment. This time is reserved for comments from the public on matters not listed on the agenda. Please keep your comments to three minutes. I know there may be more than one here that wants to speak during the discussion on farm animals; at that time, we will have that open for 15 minutes. But I will move on after 15 minutes just for everyone's information. Thank you. [4:15] **Terry Corinth**: My name is Terry Corinth. I want to make a couple of statements unrelated to that. I know it's a three-minute timeline. The power [department] has been fantastic in working with me. There was a truck that came through last year to install a power pole and it left a pretty big hole. They came out, I believe last week, and got everything filled in and flattened out. It actually looks better than it did prior to the truck coming in. I also want to say I really appreciate the recycling center. One of the staff down there has been fantastic. I want to thank Public Works; the compost center really helped. We installed some new gardens and rather than having to go to the store and spend hundreds on dirt, we were able to collect it there. I also wanted to acknowledge Taylor Hansberry; communicating with her has helped me navigate the process of City Council meetings as I've never attended one before. [5:43] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Very good, thank you. Thank you very much, and we will pass it on. Seeing there are no other persons for the public comment, we will move on to departmental reports. 4A: the police chief for June 2023. [6:03] **Kelly Lake (Carlton County Sheriff/Law Enforcement Lead)**: Mayor, members of the Council, Administrator Owens. In your packet, you'll see the police report for June, which included 132 extra patrols, 111 traffic stops, 91 community engagements, 19 assists to other agencies, 72 calls for service, and four medicals. As you can tell, summer's here. We're trending in the right direction with calls for service decreasing each month. Sarah just completed a class today for her records retention and redacting specific to Minnesota. Last night I attended an ATV meeting regarding an event on September 11th. We're the first in the nation they're doing this for, trying to kick it off big with professional riders from all kinds of sports coming in to promote safety for kids on ATVs, boats, and snowmobiles. [7:36] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Will it be held at the Barnum Fairgrounds? [7:39] **Kelly Lake**: Right now they're wanting everybody from first grade on up. Moose Lake is committed to fifth and sixth grade. There have been way too many young kids getting injured or killed, so they're making a big push. They'll be giving away helmets and merchandise. [8:40] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Can other people come out, like parents? [8:45] **Kelly Lake**: Yes, they can. It takes these younger kids to come home and tell us what's going on—kind of like seat belts, the kids are the ones harping on the parents. It should be really good. [8:58] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Fantastic. Well, it's great news, so keep us informed. 400 and some calls, that's a lot. Thank you. All right, 4B: Superintendent departmental report, June 2023. [9:44] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent)**: Mr. Mayor, members. Busy month. We distributed 6.6 million gallons of drinking water in June. For Wastewater, we have a shooting discharge which is normal for us. The Street Department is busy; we're almost completed [with projects]. If there are areas we missed, please reach out to Public Works or City Hall. Cemeteries, Parks, and the Campground—things are just happening down there, keeping up as always. We have a lot to touch on later in the agenda, but that’s it for right now. [11:08] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Thank you very much. 4C: Municipal liquor store. [11:15] **Ryan McKeon (Finance Director)**: The liquor store, just to give you guys a quick snapshot: for July 1st through the 4th, last year we did $57,000, and this year we did $60,066. An increase of over $3,000. That’s impressive because this year it was Saturday through Tuesday versus Friday through Monday last year. Great job to the staff. I’d also like to thank the public works department for their assistance with setting up the barricades, tables, and chairs. We are still running into some staffing issues, so we're probably going to post soon for part-time bartenders. Also, the air conditioning unit on-site is not working. TJ from Region Electric was down there today. Any questions? [13:06] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Does this sound like a major problem with the air conditioning? [13:10] **Ryan McKeon**: I don't know yet. I just know it hasn't been working for a little while. [13:20] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Very good. Thanks, Ryan. Anything on the library quarterly update? We have Laura. [13:56] **Laura (Library Director)**: Thank you, council members. The numbers at the library continue to climb. June had an average of 87 people each day, a 55% increase from last year. We had our annual book sale on the 16th and 17th at the arena, which was a big success. We got over $4,600 this year. That money goes back into the library for programs and materials. We’re adding puzzles and games, and we recently added a "STEAM" cart for teens. The summer reading program is also going well with 90 people signed up. We have craft programs every Tuesday and "Bubble Wonders" on July 27th. [18:30] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Great job. Congratulations on the book sale. Moving on to 4E, city engineer monthly report. [18:39] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: Because of the holiday, this month’s city engineering meeting occurred on July 10th. That didn’t give them much time to turn around the minutes, so I included the agenda in your packet. I will include both July and August minutes in the August packet. That meeting is open to any of the council members to attend if you want to get more involved. [19:40] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All right, thank you. Moving on to 4F, Chamber of Commerce updates. [20:00] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: There was a chamber meeting today. The Brewfest committee is looking for volunteers for October 14th. Regarding the Fourth of July: there were 61 parade entries, the most on record. The flyover was a success, and we've had positive feedback on the fireworks. Council invested more in the display this year, and the chamber raised over $10,000, which is the most ever. It almost covers the city’s $12,000 expenditure. We did get some negative feedback regarding porta-potties and we've regrouped on that for next year. [22:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moving on to number five, previously discussed business. City of Moose Lake Campground boondocking discussion. [22:29] **Walter Lower III (Council Member)**: I had a map put in here of a suggestion. The main point is to increase city and business revenue. This would be a project with limited cost for the city because there are no engineering fees—we’d basically be using chalk to mark out 19 sites on the football field. This can be built on in the future if we get grant funding, or used for housing later. The map shows sites at 30 by 60 feet. The engineering design only had eight sites, which I didn't think was viable for the money. My plan allows for a 35-foot trailer and a truck. It’s a learning experience for if we do receive grant money. I talked to Phil briefly about this. We could save money by not having engineering fees if we do it in stages. Bill Carlson mentioned pickleball or horseshoe pits, which could be looked at elsewhere. I’d like to see this move forward so we could get this in by this year. [33:15] **Douglas Juntunen (Council Member)**: 15 through 19—is that where that fence line is for the existing Campground? [33:28] **Walter Lower III**: The existing fence line would be the line all the way to the right. [35:14] **Douglas Juntunen**: To me, you have the fence line already. If you're going to try something, I’d just try five or six sites along that fence line because you have to be within 400 feet of the bathrooms. We could put it on the website and see if there’s interest. [36:45] **Walter Lower III**: I’m glad we brought that up. I was going to suggest you could do half of this to see if it works. [37:50] **Phil Entner**: There may be some curbing that would have to be removed and class five brought in to level it. [38:10] **Walter Lower III**: I figured out that 19 sites at $25 a night is $475. Over a three-day weekend, that's $1,425, plus retail spending in town. I agree we could do part of it and see how it goes. [40:07] **Kris Huso (Council Member)**: As a camper, I know it's hard to get into campgrounds without making reservations a year ahead. I’d like to see us do a part of this and see how it works. [41:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: My only concern is that our public works department is already buried. I want to make sure they're not taxed. I also want to talk about the budget, as there will be some expense. [42:26] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: There is a little bit of legwork from an administration standpoint—getting sites entered, taking pictures, and making sure it's communicated clearly that this is a "dry" site. It’s not impossible, but it will take a little time. [43:59] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: To me, this is a very workable idea. Since we have consensus, I think we should take the next step. Phil, meet with Walt, come back with a budget item in August. [46:58] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moving on to 5B, ordinance number 170, an ordinance for the keeping of livestock and hobby farms. This is the second month. We have a guest here. [47:35] **Jerry Corinth**: My name is Jerry Corinth. Regarding ordinance 170—my understanding is we would need a quarter acre to have four chickens. That is in direct conflict with recommendations from the University of Minnesota Extension. I have had chickens in the city since 2001 and I've had zero complaints. I own 0.17 acres, so this ordinance would make it impossible for me. This spring, we invested in a new setup, quadrupling our coop size. My chickens eat food scraps and bugs, reducing mosquitoes and flies. I use the waste for compost. I provide my chickens with a safe and ethical home. I can tell you who laid each of these eggs; I can tell you their names. Tina is my favorite chicken; she’s my flock protector and she nuzzles my arm every night. If this ordinance passes, I lose that. I’m expecting my first child in a month and I wanted to teach him responsibility through this. This feels like a punishment for someone who has done nothing wrong. [59:37] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: We take note of what you said. How many do you have currently? [59:44] **Jerry Corinth**: I have four full-size and four growing, so a total of eight. [1:00:21] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: I’d like to share concerns from a resident who asked not to have their name shared. Their concerns were regarding ducks and rabbits being bred in a backyard for meat. There were issues with feces contributing to a fly problem and smell. This ordinance does address those concerns. [1:01:41] **Kris Huso (Council Member)**: I’m trying to think back—we did have a discussion on chickens years ago. I thought there was an ordinance, but we can't find it. [1:03:15] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Taylor has done a ton of research and cannot find it in the files. [1:05:40] **Jerry Corinth**: I looked into ordinances for bigger cities. In Minneapolis, it's up to 30 chickens with a permit. Just a thought. [1:06:53] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: This is the second reading. We are still fine-tuning, so we will publish it when Council feels comfortable. We can look at different levels or steps for different lot sizes. [1:08:14] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Would you be open to council members seeing your setup? [1:08:16] **Jerry Corinth**: I’d be more than happy to. [1:08:31] **Walter Lower III (Council Member)**: If there was a previous ordinance, we should find it so we aren't introducing something new that might conflict. We should check with former Council Member Peterson or John Onsen. [1:13:19] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Moving on to new business. 6A: Department of Revenue local sales and use tax agreement. [1:13:30] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: This is an annual agreement. Looking for a motion. [1:14:41] **Walter Lower III (Council Member)**: I thought there was a 10-year max on this. [1:15:10] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: It was 2019, so we’ve got until 2029. [1:15:40] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? Aye. Motion carried. 6B: Highway 73 Trail phase two project update. [1:16:12] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: The city was awarded a $250,000 grant from the DNR. We have now received a total of $742,000, which should fully fund the last phase of the trail from the roundabout to the existing Portage Trail. This will not cost the taxpayers. [1:17:48] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: 6C: 4th Street reconstruction project. [1:18:00] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: Pay application number seven, $46,067.39. We should have one more after this. [1:18:56] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: 6D: 2023 sewer lining project. [1:19:10] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent)**: We need to approve a quote for cleaning and televising. I recommend Nelson’s. They are $500 more expensive, but they’ve done work for us before and I’m comfortable with their videos. [1:22:20] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Motion for Nelson's? Second. All in favor? Aye. Motion carried. 6E: Wastewater treatment facility sludge discussion. [1:23:05] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent)**: Turns out we have a lot of sludge. It takes up a lot of capacity. In 2017, we spent $65,000 just to move sludge to different corners. There's a biological program now that eats the sludge. It's about $18,000–$20,000 a year. To manually remove it from one pond would cost $180,000. [1:27:35] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: The state, the district, and the city all use these ponds. That cost needs to be distributed among all parties. We need to discuss this with them before their budget cycles. Do we have consensus to look at this more? (Consensus reached). [1:31:21] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: 6F: Lift station lining quotes. [1:31:35] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: We received a $10,000 grant and budgeted $4,500. The lowest estimate is $15,600, so we're $1,100 short. [1:32:45] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent)**: I recommend Everlast. They did the campground lift station last year and we haven't had trouble. [1:33:55] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Motion to move ahead? Second. All in favor? Aye. 6G: Moose Lake Gravel Pit discussion. [1:34:40] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: We need to look at logging the land to prepare for the gravel pit. [1:35:10] **Phil Entner (City Superintendent)**: I have two quotes. Palmer Logging is a bit better. This saves the city money because 30% of the 4th Street project cost was gravel. [1:37:35] **Kris Huso (Council Member)**: I want to be respectful of the cemetery. I want to be sure there is enough of a buffer zone so that when I’m visiting my mother, I’m not looking at a gravel pit. [1:39:15] **Walter Lower III (Council Member)**: How far down can we dig before we hit water? [1:39:50] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: I think we should go step by step. We can clear the land first. I suggest the council visits the site to set the buffer boundary themselves. [1:45:06] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Motion to accept Palmer Logging's bid with the understanding that Council sets the buffer? Second. All in favor? Aye. [1:46:43] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: We are going into closed session for items H through K and the server replacement quotes. But first, reports and correspondence. [1:47:35] **Ellissa Owens (City Administrator)**: Regarding Bill Carlson’s communication: Ryan and I have been in dialogue with him. Regarding the broadband grant: the state says we aren't eligible for funds because we already have a provider that meets their speed threshold. Also, the city did not receive the LCCMR grant for the campground expansion for 2024. [1:50:30] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: Announcements: Regular meeting August 9th at 4 PM. EDA meeting July 19th. Water and Light July 18th. Motion to go into closed meeting? [1:51:38] **Council Member**: Motion. [1:51:39] **Council Member**: Second. [1:51:40] **Mayor Jim Michalski**: All in favor? Aye. Motion carried. We will go into closed session and then come out to close the regular meeting.