East Bethel City Council — Transcript
Monday, August 24, 2026
2027 Law Enforcement Contracts
Fence Ordinance Amendment
Parking Ordinance (Five-Car Rule)
Williams Landscaping Business Operation (Public Forum)
Municipal Notary Public Policy
Firearms and Disorderly Conduct Ordinance Amendment
Advisory Boards and Commission Code of Conduct
Votes (7)
Consent Agenda - Item C (Approval of Minutes)
Moved by Unknown [1:31:30] · Seconded by Unknown [1:31:33]
A council member moved to pull and table the approval of minutes from the consent agenda, citing the need for significant additions before approval.
Consent Agenda - Item D (Approval of Hire of Seasonal Ice Arena Attendants)
Moved by Unknown [1:33:14] · Seconded by Unknown [1:33:17]
A council member questioned the number of seasonal ice arena attendant hires, noting more names than typically approved. Staff clarified that the listed hires are needed to fill the schedule and are within the ice arena budget, not all working simultaneously.
Final Development Agreement (Final Approach East Bethl Plat)
Dissent: One 'I opposed' vote was registered, likely from a council member who voiced concerns about incomplete review.
Moved by Unknown [1:41:26] · Seconded by Unknown [1:41:40]
Staff presented a final development agreement, a standard tool outlining responsibilities for a new plat, including a PILOT provision for potential nonprofit ownership and shared storm water maintenance costs. Concerns were raised by council members about approving the agreement without final engineering plans and complete city attorney review. Staff and city attorney explained that the engineering details are objective and the developer requested expedited approval to begin construction in September.
Municipal Notary Public Policy for East Bethl
Moved by Unknown [1:46:58] · Seconded by Unknown [1:47:04]
Staff presented a new notary policy to formalize procedures for city staff who serve as notaries. The policy aims to protect the city from liability, as current practices could involve inappropriate document signings for minimal revenue ($30/year). The policy defines acceptable notary services and discontinues public notary services. Two separate motions were required: one to adopt the policy itself and another to approve a resolution modifying associated fees.
Resolution number 2026-42 modifying fees to be collected by city of East Bethl
Moved by Unknown [1:47:49] · Seconded by Unknown [1:47:51]
Following the adoption of the notary policy, a resolution was needed to formally modify the city's fee schedule, removing the fees for public notary services which will no longer be provided.
Ordinance Amendment Regarding Firearms and Disorderly Conduct
Moved by Unknown [1:58:39] · Seconded by Unknown [1:58:43]
An amendment was proposed to the firearms ordinance to address nuisance discharge, defining it as disorderly conduct consistent with state statute. A council member suggested stronger language allowing temporary firearm confiscation, fearing the proposed penalty was insufficient. The city attorney clarified existing powers for confiscation in the commission of a crime. Despite suggestions to table for further amendment, the council passed the current version to immediately provide law enforcement a tool, with a commitment to review and potentially amend the language later.
Advisory Boards and Commission Code of Conduct
Moved by Unknown [2:07:54] · Seconded by Unknown [2:08:00]
Staff presented a proposed code of conduct for appointed advisory board and commission members, drawing inspiration from Orno's policy but modified to exclude elected officials. The code aims to provide ethical guidelines, address potential conflicts of interest, and establish a complaint process. It seeks to fill a gap in formal training for appointed members. Suggestions were made to add links to educational resources from the League of Minnesota Cities, and a minor textual edit was noted.
Notable Quotes (16)
See, I want to I want to table these minutes. I'll meet with staff and go over it. I think there's needs to be a lot added to it.
It seems like there's a lot more people. we are hiring is maybe I'm incorrect but um is this a lot more than what we usually have back there because I thought we only had like three or four and this is six or so.
They they don't necessarily all work at the same time. We're just trying to fill the schedule, make sure that we have someone to staff.
Ultimately that lists all the responsibilities of both the developer and the city but fundamentally rely on the developer to install the road, provide the utility extensions pay for all the design, the engineering, oversight of the project by the city engineer, installing all the storm water and drainage improvements, securing all the easements.
There is a provision under item 12.7. It's a short provision that basically requires the developer in the city to enter into a pilot understanding or payment in le of taxes.
So, why are we approving it without all of the um final review and approval by the engineer and administrator? That just seems like we should see those documents before we approve it.
Two weeks in construction season right now doesn't make a big difference. is the critical mass. But to the city attorney's point, um I don't know if there's anything in the final engineering that, no offense to any of us, that we might know what we're looking at with great detail to say something is wrong. We're not engineers.
Currently right now on average we make about $30 a year on notary services. So it's insignificant. Um and if it was 300,000 you might assume the risk but at $30 you probably don't want to assume the risk.
what's not identified in here essentially we are we are not going to be be providing those services to the public as a service that somebody can come in and and have a not find a notary.
I think in situations such as this, we kind of know that well, you're not sighting in a gun. you're not, you know, necessarily using it for hunting or something of that nature, but when you're when you're intentionally trying to cause a disturbance like this. Um that our firearms ordinance should somewhat identify disorderly conduct or at least give the opportunity for the city to contact the individual and say, 'This is our ordinance. You're kind of out of line.'
I think the penalty needs to say and before I even say this, I want to say I am not pro taking away anybody's constitutional rights, but I think that the police need to get involved and be we need to give the police permission to temporarily confiscate that gun.
A firearm used in the commission of a crime can be confiscated by law enforcement. This is defining the discharge of in a manner that is otherwise a nuisance or or harassment of other people. So therefore, the officer on scene determines that that crime has been committed and they have the ability to obtain that firing.
So, so I would like to incorporate your language, but I also want to get this passed right away and then just have it come back.
As appointed members, there really isn't that option out there right now. And so this document here kind of gives a uh just a bullet point type of a this is what you need to be aware of what we our expectations are.
elected officials have I think a different um you know threshold and that that's being that they're elected and you are responsible to the the members of the public. Your your conduct is evaluated every time you run for election.
I would also like to add some links to the league website. Okay. uh because we're part of this was uh educational and just a quick search that uh I did on the league website they have planning commission guide learn ways the city may create change or discontinue a city planning commission provides information on appointments of members commission powers and duties and meeting rules.
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Contracts with the sheriff's office under discussion for potential hour and cost reductions.
City ordinance governing fence height and location, proposed for amendment.
City ordinance governing vehicle storage on residential properties, including the 'five-car rule'.
Section of the city's firearms ordinance discussed for amendment regarding nuisance discharge.
State law defining disorderly conduct, referenced in the firearms ordinance amendment.
Resolution modifying fees collected by the city of East Bethl, related to notary services.
Newly adopted policy defining standards and procedures for city notaries and discontinuing public services.
Newly adopted code of conduct for appointed advisory board and commission members.
Agreement between the city and Final Approach for the East Bethl plat development.
Permit type required for outside storage of more than five vehicles in rural residential districts.