So, we'll open the meeting. Today is January 13, 2026 at 601. And we'll start out with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> Mr. Johnson, will you do roll call, please? >> Mayor Hib. Council member Brian >> here. >> Council member Glazer >> here. >> Council member Rando >> present. >> Council member Swenson >> here. >> Attorney Rupy >> here. >> Chief Miller >> here. >> Lieutenant Bangader >> here. >> And engineer Nelson >> here. >> And myself Johnson. >> Mr. Mayor Rainbow. Prior to you starting, I would like to um just state, as I've explained to Natalie, I may have to um due to a medical situation we're dealing with. Um there's a chance I may have to excuse myself from the meeting. So, if I close out, that's that's why, but I will try to keep that to a minimum, but I just wanted that to be known. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. So for the agenda, uh there's two items that uh one would like to add on under uh new business. Um it should be the Comcast update for the internet now then. And then also there's uh um a resolution or request for council action for furnace. So I would like to make that agent I under new business. Is there any other agenda items that need to be discussed? >> Yes. Um consent consent item D please pull that up. >> Um just move that down business for some discussion questions. >> So make J9. Any other adjustments to the agenda? We get a motion to approve the agenda. >> Mr. Mayor, council member O'Brien. >> If there are no um other changes to the agenda, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as amended. >> Second. >> Second from Council Member Glazer. Any other further discussion? Hearing none? None. We'll move forward to vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Mr. Mayor, >> you need to do a roll call. Roll call. All right. Thank you for correcting me. All right. Council member uh council um council person Rainville. Council member Rainville. Uh since we have to do roll call vote, we'll start with you. >> I council member Swinson. >> Hi. >> Council member Ryan. >> Hi. >> Council member Blazer. >> I. >> And I'm also an I. All right. After all that work, the agenda is approved. Okay. So, we are going to start out with the uh uh public forum. And to do that, I'm going to start out with u Mr. Rupy. Uh we're going to have Mr. Nelson explain it and then we'll open up the public forum for comments. So, here's tonight we're here for the first of two required public hearings regarding the 2026 overlay projects within the city of Malden. So this this first public hearing is called what they call the improvement hearing. This is a public hearing where you can learn about the project. We're going to have a presentation put on a slideshow presentation from the town engineer. He will explain the project, go through the various components of it, and then what will happen is that you will have an opportunity to give comments back to the city council about the project itself. So this is not something that gets put to a vote resident because this is a representative democracy. This is with the town board. But this is your opportunity to explain whether you believe this project should move forward or not and your rationale for that that comment. This is also an opportunity for you to learn about the project to ask questions and it's also an opportunity for the city to learn about the area. Maybe there's something that is not addressed in engineer Nelson's comments. drainage issue or something that you'd like to bring to his attention or the city council's attention, this is an opportunity to do so. Any decision that the city council makes tonight is just to make make the take the next step in order to keep moving this project along. The point of no return on a project like this is the point where after all the plans and specs are done, it's put out for bid. we know what the actual costs are because right now anything we talk about are just going to be estimates based on our best our historical uh costs that we've seen in other projects. But it's an estimate. But once the bids once the plans and specs are done and it's put out for bid as required by law, we have to go with the lowest responsible bidder that comes back and the residents will then know exactly what the project costs are. Then what we're going to do is have a second of these two public hearings called the assessment hearing where you will get a notice of what your proposed assessment actually is. Right now everything we talk about is just an estimate. And so at that point in time you can give comment and feedback back to the council as well at another public hearing. At that point in time then the council has to make a decision. Do they award the contract and move forward the project or not? I can get them out of everything until such time as they award the contract. Then we're going to get sued if the contractor doesn't get the business. So tonight, remember everything here is just an estimate. This first public hearing is for you to give comment back about the project and ask questions. at the assessment hearing. Typically, that also is a point you're supposed to be talking about the assessments, but typically that also is a chance for you to ask questions and give information and interchange with the council and the engineer and myself. So, with that, I would recommend, Mr. Mayor, that you would turn this over to engineer Mills. >> Mr. Nelson, you want to take it from here? >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, sir. >> So, I have a few slides I'm going to go through and then after that, like Mr. Mr. Rupy, I will open it up for comments and questions. Uh so this project location uh includes several several roads, several developments uh indicated here with the green line. The first location is Country Meadows. Uh the second location is a development called West Paul Country Acres uh east of Britain Street. Uh the third location is a development called Morton Farm Preserve off of Highway 47. Uh the next location is 224th Court east of County Road 70 and then we have 218th Avenue which is east of Xenon Street. So just by way of background uh now then owns and maintains approximately 36 miles of paved road and 25 miles of gravel road. Uh the reason why that's important is you know this is a couple miles. So it's just a fraction of of the city's overall uh road mileage. Uh and the city does not levy enough uh money to fully fund their reconstruction or other major improvement projects. uh they have for the past uh 20 or 30 years funded their projects by a combination of city funding and assessments and then this project is being considered for 2026. So some additional background uh so this pavement is about 20 years old uh and it's it hasn't completely uh failed yet and we we were aware of that. That's why we're proposing uh the improvement at this time. So, it's 20 years old. Uh, normal deterioration uh has occurred and what we're proposing is a strategic overlay uh to extend the pavement life, add strength, uh improve the ride, and delay more expensive repairs in the future. I'm having technical difficulties. All right. So, I just I'm going to go through a few quick pictures. Uh these are the current conditions of the road. Uh this is a picture in Country Meadows. You can see a a transverse crack here. A transverse crack is normal. That happens in the wintertime when uh the pavement cools. It contracts uh and so that's what causes the transverse cracking. Uh you can kind of see some a little bit more pattern cracking off in the distance. Uh here's another picture that shows uh slightly more cracking. Again, this really isn't uh at this point, this pavement has not failed yet. Uh it's still very serviceable, and that's why we're proposing uh that's why it's still in good enough condition to uh construct this overlay improvement. Uh this is Westp Country Acres. Uh on this development there's a pretty much a a longitudinal crack the entire length of this picture and then again some normal transverse cracks maybe a little bit more pattern cracking uh right in this area. Again a combination of of normal deterioration and some a little bit more advanced uh when you see that pattern cracking or the uh you know the something more than just a transverse crack every 50 or so feet. Uh this picture is a Morton Farm Preserve. Uh similar pavement condition. I think also there's a a piece of curb here uh that maybe has uh heaved and is holding water. You can see water in the curb line. Another picture of Morton Farm Preserve. Here the curb line appears to be functioning uh well. Uh this picture is of 224th Court. Uh this is 218th Avenue. Uh and again the pavement's all kind of what we would expect for something uh that's approximately 20 years or so. Uh so now we get to why is the city proposing this project? Uh and to answer that question first of all just uh briefly. So uh the city of now then doesn't do our own pavement research. We rely on MINDOT to do that. Uh MDOT designates.5% of their total allocations uh for research every year. If you ever been to I94, they have that uh Minave that research uh area uh kind of just oh just north of Rogers or west of Rogers between Rogers and Monosel. and they they spend between three and four million annually on research. Uh so we don't do our own research. We rely on on what the experts tell us. And basically what they tell us is that pavement follows this what what they call a typical pavement deterioration curve. And what you'll notice is uh you when the the road's new uh and it's first put into service, it actually stays in really good or excellent condition for quite a long time. uh until it starts to to fall down this curve. And the interesting part is the first 40% drop in quality happens over 75% of the payment's life. So in general, a payment is considered a 20-year uh improvement. Uh so that means that that first 75% if it's really 20 years would be over the first 15 years and then uh the next 40% drop in quality happens over 12% of the payment life. So what that tells us is you know after after we start to see some deterioration uh it takes a long time to see that first 40% and then a much shorter time just a few years to see the the next 40%. So, we're trying to prevent that that next 40% drop in quality. We're trying to uh do a renovation or an improvement here uh when it's more economical rather than let the payment continue to deteriorate to a point where a more expensive repair is necessary. Uh so, just a little bit about pavement. Uh pavement is uh really it's a combination of aggregate or rock uh and then it's a sand which is kind of a filler and then it's an oil and the oil is kind of considered the glue that that holds everything together. So when the the road's first paved, it has this nice black color. You can see it's a nice smooth surface. You have all that sand and the smaller aggregate kind of filling in the gaps between the rocks. So what happens over time just from normal weathering is uh the weathering degrades that oil on the surface. It dries it out. It no longer acts as that glue. You start to have uh what we call raveling of the pavement and you lose that you you first start to lose the the smaller particles the fine sand. Uh then you start to lose the the larger rock. So that's one one thing that occurs. Uh also again it is normal for the pavement to crack. Uh it primarily cracks because we have severe temperature differences in Minnesota. Uh you know you might have 100° days in the summertime. Uh in a zero degree day or even negative uh weather in the winter months. When we have those negative uh temperatures the pavement contracts. That's what causes the the cracking. And if those go on maintain uh that those cracks serve as a direct conduit for water to get into the aggregate base and one thing that happens when water gets into the aggregate base any material when it gets super saturated you think of quicksand it loses it stability. So even though we have a aggregate base which is generally a good road road building material when it becomes super saturated it becomes soft and you have a you drive over it cause downward pressure and it causes cracking of the pavement surface. This is kind of how those secondary cracks develop around your primary transverse cracks. Uh in the winter time we have uh something a little different going on. So that water gets down in the aggregate base. Uh when water freezes, it increases in volume by approximately 9%. Let has an upward uh pressure on the pavement. And if you ever been on a a road, uh sometimes you there's a county road or sometimes even like a on-ramp where you feel those bumps, those big bumps, uh that's the the pavement tenting because of the the water underneath it freezing and pushing up. So over time uh unmaintained and unimproved your pavement will eventually have that raveling up of the surface and then also uh the cracking will continue to expand uh until you have what we call elevator cracking. And at this point uh you can't just overlay it. It's it's too far gone to do a kind of a minor improvement. Uh at this point you need either remove all the pavement and start over. So, we're trying to avoid going to this point with our payment. So, again, our proposed improvements would be a strategic overlay or strategic overlay timing. Uh, and again, we're trying to extend the pavement life, uh, add strength, add structural integrity, and delay more expensive repairs in the future. Uh, so if this project moves forward, it would involve patching of the failuna. So, any area that looked like that uh picture two slides ago uh would be patched. Uh we'll thoroughly clean and and uh clean the pavement, apply tack coat. The tack coat kind of serves as a bond for the overlay and then uh construct a platuminous overlay to 1.5 in compacted thickness. And again, really the the main reason that we're doing this is because we're trying to extend the the service life and really achieve the lowest life cycle cost of that pavement. So this is just a typical section of what the overlay would look like. So again, so on this picture, the kind of the darker shading would be the existing pavement. And we're just proposing 1 and 1/2 in overlay. So that that new center line or that new pavement would be approximately inch and a half uh above the existing. Uh and then on the uh Waco Street um the Morton Farm Preserve area, I think it's Wel 213 where there's curb and gutter there. There be it's what we call taper milling 8ft wide taper mill that would create inch and a half uh here at the uh at the lip of the curb and then that new batuminous surface would look something like this. Uh so our estimated project cost as attorney Rupy mentioned at this time these are just estimates. We don't have actual plans uh we we haven't done any any field work yet. Uh but our budgetary estimate for the repair cost to be paid in full by the city is 128,000. That would include any patching. Uh it would include those curb repairs uh that we saw on Waco Street. Uh and then the the cost estimate for the overlay improvement, so the inch and a half of new pavement would be 462,800. So again, that's for all the the areas in this proposed project. And the city's policy is they assess 50% of the overlay improvement cost to the benefiting properties. Uh so again, this is based on payment research and what we're trying to do is do a structural improvement here. Well, it's more economical, achieve the lowest life cycle cost, and we're trying to avoid going down to this next uh improvement uh reconstruction of the surface or a total reconstruction, which would be much more expensive. Uh so, uh benefiting properties. So, all the properties that have been uh identified as potentially benefiting from this project have a a circle with a a number in it. So, they're all shown on these maps. I'll just kind of go through them really quick. Uh, and and all of them would receive uh one assessment unit. I wanted to point out on this slide, this property is actually located in the city of St. Francis. So, we would propose that they would pay an amount equal to one assessment amount uh for these improvements. Okay. So, uh again, uh the city uses a per unit assessment method. There are a total of 65 uh properties that we've identified that would benefit from this project. 64 of which are now then one is in St. Francis. Uh so 50% of the cost uh assessed to the properties is a total amount assessed of 231,400 which yields an assessment amount of $3,560 per property. Uh and generally once uh if this project moves forward and if that uh assessment is uh this assessment amount is uh certified to your property, you generally have two options. you have an option of paying it off in full prior to a deadline. It's usually around November 15th or November 1st of 2026 or if you do nothing, this amount of just certified your property taxes and then it's payable uh generally over 10 years. So, a little bit about the schedule. There are several steps for doing a uh chapter 429 assessment project uh for a city. Uh we've already done kind of these first two steps of ordering a feasibility report that's just kind of a high level uh review of the proposed project estimated cost and determines uh estimated assessment amounts uh in December. The city council called for this meeting. Uh and here we are tonight in January uh conducting what we call the public improvement hearing. Uh this will be your opportunity to uh speak to the uh the construction construction would occur this summer. Uh with that, Mr. Mayor, that's all I have uh in my presentation. So you could uh open it up to the public for comments. >> Perfect. That's exactly what we'd like to do. So if you would like to uh come up and speak, uh come up to the podium. Please state your uh your name and your address. Um and we are open for comments. So open uh open form right now. Would anybody like to speak or uh touch base on the information I was just I'm uh 6230 218th Avenue Northwest. Um 218th had a culvert replaced this past summer. Is this in relation to repairing the road from that project? >> Yeah, Mr. Mayor. So, uh this project would include first it would include patching the pavement. So, where the pavement was removed to replace that culver, we would put a patch in there. Uh that would be kind of step one. And then step two would be constructing the overlay over 218 all the way from Xenon to the PA stack. >> Have you been to 218? >> I have. Okay. So, we have to take a dirt road on Xenon. Right. >> Um my my personal opinion, I don't know if my neighbors going to feel the same way, but I feel that Xenon being paid might be more important than 218 freedom. Um, also knowing that it's roughly a/4 mile that road, um, I would take into consideration your um, assessment as far as like the ability that what each piece of property is gain from that. um roughly quarter mile road. We already had a project that in my opinion should have had the road repaired with that project. I would be skeptical to think that it's it's not worth it for 218, but that is my opinion on it. So, thank you. Thank you. Any other comments? Grand 6280 218th Avenue Northwest. So I'm actually on the same road as Rogers. Okay. Um I guess I had a question about the life that this is going to extend it. So you mentioned 20 years is what you get out of a repair before you put do it to try and do it as the most economical as possible. So with a resurface what does that get us? Does that get us another 20 years? Does that get us 10 years? Is it five? Can you clarify? >> Yeah, that's a excellent question. Uh so again, MDOT with their payment research has said that overlays extend the pavement by at least 10 years. But what we find is in in practice it's closer to to 15 or more. Um there are roads that I've overlaid in like 2008 uh that you know now not quite 20 years but it's definitely beyond 10 uh and and they're still in much better condition than they were uh when we overlaid them in 2008. So um again 10 years I think in practice it's it's more like 15 or more. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I guess I kind of tend to share Roger's position that was just shared. Um I don't know I I don't know that that 2018 is as terrible shape. I understand the benefit of trying to do it early and I guess I trust an engineer's position on that, but I do agree it's it is kind of awkward having a paved road that's only accessible by gravel and the benefit of having it even be as such. But um I guess if if if at some point xenon would be improved even though we're not directly residents on it, would we also have a facing assessment then for that upgrade of moving it from gravel to asphalt or would that be only covered by people that are directly living on xenon? I don't know if that's maybe not a question for you but >> yeah I mean Mr. Mayor I'll probably give a >> give it your best shot. Yeah, I'll give it my best shot to turn it over to council, but uh I guess from my perspective, Xenon is not going to be improved uh anytime in the near future. We we have quite a few paved roads that are in a you know, we had a lot of lot of lot of development, a lot of roads that were paved in the 1996 to like the 2008 2010. That's almost all of our paved road. That's almost when it was all done. Uh, so we have a lot of miles of of road that's coming up on 20 years. And I think the city is going to have a hard time just budging in enough money to pay 50% of maintaining what we have as opposed to upgrading a gravel road to pay. That's my best shot. Uh, with that, I'll let the council speak. >> Yeah. And that would be something that we would have to look at at the time and see what the cost is because as part of the law in this area, the amount that you can be assessed for a project has to be correlated with the benefit to your property. So if your prop very simple way, very simple way if your property is worth 100,000 with the road and its current condition, how much is your property worth after an appraisal is done to show how much the benefit is? That's the amount of the assessment. Every one of these we have to look at on a case-byase basis. And there is a method and we have done that here where people that are directly on the road have a what they call a full assessment which is what Shane is talking about here per parcel. But then parcels that would benefit the property would increase in value but maybe not as much because of that road being improved that's they're not directly on. they get what they call an indirect assessment, usually a quarter of the amount. We have to look at all of that and as a with that in mind if xenon was ever going to be improved. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for having us. >> I had a quick question. My name's uh Dick Sewell, live at 22 225 Iman and most of our roads are in pretty good shape. They're getting like say they're getting there, but um our major problem is that the utility easements or the crossings have created um voids and they're pretty substantial. I like them personally because it slows the traffic in them. Don't get speed because it's like a speed bump. But, um, doesn't sound like the overlay is going to address that. Is there anything more that you can add to that? >> Uh, we we will. So, so if you're talking settlements because of a underground utility that was born under the road. >> Yep. >> Yeah. We would address the opener. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We have a item we call skin patching. Uh, and so we do skin patching uh to kind of level those areas out prior to the opening. >> Like I said, they're pretty substantial right now. there like a UPS truck comes by and you can hear him coming a block away. >> Sure. >> Rattles the truck. So >> yeah, I see him all over the place. >> Yeah. Thank you, >> Mr. Nelson. Could you just talk to our residents just a little bit and just say say you don't do this overlay and you delay it and you talked a little bit about your slides, but the difference in cost from doing the overlay now is waiting four years and then you have a full fully deteriorated road. What is the cost difference? Okay. I know it's an estimate, but >> yeah, I mean, it's probably uh three to four times the cost. So, so reclaim and pave after we start seeing elevator cracking or pattern cracking or really once it's kind of past a point where it overlay is no longer the right improvement, uh then it goes to three or four times the cost. So, instead of this one was around $3,500, uh you're probably 10 to 12,000. Um, and that's what we're trying to avoid by doing these overlays. >> Thank you. I I think that's exactly the key point is by avoiding that. We have some roads that are deteriorating and now then that we're going to have to face up to this that we didn't get them in time and it's going to cost residents a lot more money. So all these ones that we can jump in and do the overlay and save the roads, uh, to me it's the most cost effective approach back to our city. So I just think it's a really important point to bring home. three to four times the cost of each catch. Okay. Any other residents that would like to speak? >> Yeah, I'll do a quick comment. My name is Judah Griswell, 6333 218th Avenue. also from 2019. Um just a quick comment with if if you do go forward with resurfacing the road and improving it. Um that project that Roger mentioned uh to replace the culvert the south side of the road has had problems with the erosion control uh that's been put in place. Uh some really big wash outs have occurred there. So maybe consider taking that into account with the assessment as I think it would be severe enough that it could risk washing out the bird itself. >> Okay. Thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? Okay. Okay. So, all my comments are complete. We'll close the uh the public forum and we are going to move on to uh 3A. Shane, do you want to do a quick explanation on that or has that already been fully explained at this point? >> Uh so, yeah. So, Mr. Mayor, I believe you have uh two resolutions uh in front of you tonight. Uh one would be ordering the improvement. Uh that would be ordering the plans and specs. So that's when we actually uh put together the actual quantities for the project that allows us to uh go out for bids for the project. >> Uh and then the other resolution is uh the resolution for reimbursement for bond that just allows you >> why don't I just jump in there. The first one is the resolution ordering the improvement just means we're going to the next step. That doesn't mean like I said earlier to the residents, that doesn't mean that we can't put the brakes on it. But this is the term used in the statute where we order the improvement and we move on to the next step in the process which is asking the engineer to prepare plans and specs which is required for putting it out for bid. And then the then the next document is a resolution declaring the intent of the city of now then to reimburse uh certain expenditures from proceeds of improvement bonds issued by the city. We don't know what the project might cost. We don't know what the city's financial state is. I always do this immediately if we can and telling the IRS we may reimburse ourselves by issuing debt. We try to avoid it, but sometimes that we do and even the best towns and cities who have no plans on doing it, unforeseen things come up and they then determine maybe we do need to for cash flow, we need to have a bridge loan or something. This is a legal document that is required by the Internal Revenue Service to say that we are intending to potentially reimburse ourselves. Doesn't mean we have to, but that's what it's for. And it's mainly for telling them that not only will we are we going to do that, but we're not going to use it for arbitrage. We're not going to be borrowing money and not using it for a project. We're just going to use it for investments and so forth. But that's what this second resolution is. It's got to be done at some point. I always like to do it in the very beginning so we don't forget about doing it because if we do issue bonds, the bond attorney and the financing people are going to be looking for this document. So, we will go back to uh 3A at this point. Resolution ordering improvements for the 2026 overlay project. Open it up to the council for any questions. >> Mr. Mayor, Council Ryan, >> there are none. I'll uh make a motion to approve the resolution ordering the improvement for the 2026 overlay project. I'll jump in and second that motion and open up for discussion if there's any. >> All right, not hearing anything for discussion. Let's move to vote. It will be a roll call vote like start on this uh this side this time. So, council member O'Brien. All those in favor say >> I. >> I. Council member Glazer >> I. >> Myself, I'm in I. Council member Swansson. >> I. >> And council member Randel >> I. Okay, moving on to 3B. Um, as uh attorney Rupy just talked about, uh it's the declaration uh declaring the official intent of the city of Naden to reimburse certain expenditures from the uh proceeds of improvement bond to be issued to the city and it's only uh it's an as needed or if needed um process that it's a precaution precautionary process. There we go. So open up for any discussion. Hearing none. Council member O'Brien. >> I'll go ahead and do it. Uh I'll make a motion to uh approve the resolution declaring the official intent of the city of Neland to reimburse certain expenditures from the proceeds of improvement bonds to be issued by the city. >> Second. >> Second from Council Member Glazer. Thank you. Open up for any discussion. Hearing none. We'll move to vote. Roll call vote. Council member Rainville. >> Imber Swanson. I also an I. Council member Glazer. >> I. And council member. >> Hi. >> Okay. So, both were approved. Mr. Mayor, just for your residence, the reason they're doing a roll call vote is that council member Rango is appearing electronically and she has a right to do that by following the statute. But the statute also requires that if a member is appearing electronically, all votes have to be done by roll call. That's why that extra formality, which you may not see if you watch the videos of earlier meetings. If everybody's if everybody's present, then it's just a simple motion and everybody's saying I or nay or then you can the mayor can always call for a roll call vote. If he has a question about the outcome of the vote, but anytime somebody appears electronically, you must do the formal roll call. >> Thank you. All right. So, Mr. Rookie and Mr. Nelson, that completes uh so you guys are dismissed unless you guys would like to stay. So, we will move on to the consent agenda. >> Mr. Mayor >> Rebuild. >> I I move the consent agenda um as amended. >> Second. >> Okay. Start on this side. >> Council member O'Brien. >> Hi. >> Council member Glazer. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Council member Spencson. >> Hi. >> Council member Randall. >> I. >> Okay. Consent agenda is approved as amended with being pulled out. Moving on. Chief. So, we're going to talk about the fire department and the monthly report. >> We are >> sir explanation what I had before. >> Chief, whenever you're ready. >> All right, mayor, council members, thank you very much. Uh, I'm here uh to uh give an update for the um monthly calls for December. Um, we had 25 calls in the month of December. Um, nine were fired, 12 were medicals, two were public service assists, and two were law enforcement supports. Um, December was another busy month that included our department celebrating our holidays together. Um, we hosted families of the fire department for a public dinner at the fire station. This was well attended. Um, our families had an opportunity to socialize with others who support our mission as responders. In December, we also completed hiring process to move four candidates forward for recommended hiring, which is a great boost in our staff. Um, these candidates will start training in uh early February. The department would also like to thank the citizens of Alen for their patience and grace while we supported the law enforcement efforts of the sheriff's office during a law enforcement operation that included a shelter in place order. Um, these situations can be very dynamic and can lead uh to confusion and frustration as information can be limited and it's released for safety reasons. I would also like to thank our department staff who work this event. Um, some of our members as long as 20 hours in one day to support this response. Um, our response was then supplemented by many area fire departments that provided equipment and manpower throughout the incident. And lastly, um I want to talk about some preliminary numbers, year-end numbers for uh 2025. We answered 292 calls of service. This is an overall increase of 18% from 2024. Um I'd like to thank the firefighters for their response and support for our department. And for myself, as I complete my first year as fire chief here, I would like to thank the citizens and the council for the support that I I have as fire chief to move this department forward as a standalone entity and a model for others to look forward or or to look towards in providing professional emergency services to their community. So, thank you very much. With that, I'll stand for any questions. I I definitely have one one comment as I run into Chief Schmidt who used to be the prior fire chief uh after the incident of the shelter in place and um his statement was that now the firefighters are are very professional. They just did an excellent job throughout that whole exercise and they were on call and they were here and they were there. Um so it was just fantastic feedback back from Chief Schmidt who was and you were you were there at the in on also. >> Yes, I was. So I would absolutely concur with that. We have top-notch people. Other than that, thank you guys for what you did. 292 calls up 18% uh year-over-year. So that's fantastic. >> So thank you, Chief. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Council Member Glazer. >> Chief Miller, could you do me a favor and the qualifying the the nine fire calls? Obviously, one was for the shelter in place because of the fires that were set by >> Yeah. So gentlemen, >> absolutely. Uh mayor and council was council Blazer. Um so these nine fire calls included the one um structure fire we those uh the fire calls also include mutual aid calls that we go to to other cities. Um fire alarms within our community are counted as a fire call um because that's the way nearest uh national reporting uh system classifies them. So it could be a number of of instances not all of them are structure fires. So, so we didn't besides the one the shelter in place. Did Mal then itself have any structure fires? >> No, we did not. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions for Chief? >> Yeah, Mr. >> Um, with the reduced calls at bar none, do you find it strange that we still went up so much? I'm just curious. >> Uh, great question. Uh, Mr. Mayor, council members. Um um Miss Johnson, the what this shows us is that yes, we did have a reduction in calls at Barnamon because we we worked with Barnard to reduce those calls for for medical, which happened to be um you know, one of our um busiest users of service. Um what that's showing us is we're we're more out into the community for calls. And so we have an aging community. We have a community that that has um a population that um in some instances is struggling to live um properly on their own because of their age. And so that is driving some of those numbers up. We have quite a bit of calls for assistance um for people that um are struggling to take care of themselves um especially when they they fall ill. >> Any other questions for Chief? All right. So, we got a resolution to follow this up. Chief, you want to talk about the resolution? >> Yeah. So, thank you very much, uh, Mr. Mayor, council members. Um, so we have a resolution to conditionally hire four firefighters. Um, we, uh, we had a extensive or exhaustive, um, hiring campaign this fall. Um, I believe it was very successful. We focused it around the heritage days um which really draw drew in a large crowd and you know we were able to talk to a lot of different candidates. Um also um we invested in some signage around the community. Um seems like everybody saw those signs which was wonderful um for hiring and so that drew in um quite a number of candidates out of that pool. We we did a a a um um an interview process that brought us down to these four candidates that are that are presented tonight. Um those four candidates um what why we're doing conditional hiring. Um is that um we want us uh reserve four slots within the county um fire protection council's fire academy. And to do that we need to do a conditional hiring. um these candidates um are at the very final um uh end of the processes. We don't see any um issues with them passing the final steps. So with that, I'll stand for your questions. >> Mr. Mayor, Council Spencer, >> I had sort of a related unrelated question. I'm just curious. The four uh candidates that you ended up hiring, do you know off the top of your head where I guess they learned the job? I'm just curious what was our most effective advertising or recruitment as far as you know why we came in this. >> Absolutely. Uh Mr. Council membersh Council member Swanson um it sounds like um it was kind of a 50/50 aotment for the the people that we interviewed about 50% um found out from the Heritage Festival and actually having conversations with firefighters and about 50% of them saw the signs along the way. um two of the candidates that we were proposing to hire um actually responded to the signage on the roads because we we put the signage so extensively out there rather than just a couple of spots. Um so we're able to reach more people that way. >> Any other questions for Chief Miller on the resolution? >> Mr. Mayor, >> if there aren't any other questions, I'd like to make a motion to approve the resolution. is authorizing the additional hiring of four new firefighters. >> I'll second that. That's fantastic. Any discussion? Hearing none. Council member Rainville. >> I censor >> I. >> I'm also an I. Council Blazer. >> I cry. >> Yes. >> Is that Yes. >> Is that concern? >> I All right. All right. That resolution passed. Thank you, Chief. We're going to move on to the sheriff's department for the monthly report. You throw me a yes. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor and members of the council. The following is the sheriff's office report for the month of December 2025. Deputies responded to 132 calls for service. Our 2025 total calls for service was 1,638. That's up 8% from 2024. uh breakdown of those calls. 13 were bar none calls were up 16% there this year. Three alarm calls that's down 4% from last year. 14 medicals that's up 12% and 10 animal calls down 8%. Uh brief overview of some of the bar none calls. On the seventh we had an assault report where one juvenile was charged with fifth degree assault. Uh on the seventh we had a medical call. On the eth we had two disorderly juveniles. There was no charges on that call. On the 11th, another group of disorderly juveniles, two were transported to the hospital by ambulance. On the 14th, a delayed assault report where two juveniles were charged with fifth degree assault. On the 28th, a mental health call where two juveniles were transported by ambulance. Again, on the 28th, uh reported a disorderly juvenile damaging property. Uh that juvenile was charged for criminal damage to property. On the 29th, an assault report where one juvenile was arrested and transported to RJC. On the 30th, mental health call where two juveniles were again transported by ambulance. And on the 31st, another mental health call with no transport. Moving on, other noteworthy calls for service. On the 13th at St. Francis Boulevard on 215th, deputy responded for a report of a vehicle in a ditch. That deputy notice signs of impairment from the driver. Uh the driver refused to do field sobriety tests and was arrested for a thirdderee DWI on the 18th in the 18800 block of Jasper. Deputies responded for a male who had multiple felony and gross misdemeanor warrants. Uh that call was made from the suspect's family who resided in the same house. Uh when deputies arrived there, the male threatened to shoot deputies and barricaded himself in the basement. Our SWAT team responded and negotiated with the male who remained barricaded for around 18 hours. Uh the male started multiple fires inside the home during the standoff, but he did eventually surrender and came out of the home. Uh from that incident, he's being charged with two counts of arson, a count of secondderee assault, threats of violence, and firstdegree damage to property. On the 20th in the 22400 block of Garnett Street, deputies responded for a disturbance. They mediated that situation and arrested an adult male from that residence who had a misdemeanor warrant out of Kbec County. On the 29th in the 2000 block of Iguana Street, deputies responded to the business for an alarm call. Uh three people were seen on camera on that property. They were damaging and suspected of stealing scrap items there. Uh there's no suspects at this time, but that case remains under investigation. Uh with that I can stand for any questions or uh any other clarifying questions on some of the statistics that were included in the report. >> Can I just ask on bar none real quick? So 13 calls that's you know 16% up year over year but uh 13 seems quite high. Looks like the third highest throughout the year. anything is that just I don't want to say is that normal for Barnon is very you know we worked with them to try to reduce the calls and now we find ourselves right back up in a pretty high number double digits >> yeah bar none goes in waves and what I've found from the reports it usually correlates with a new resident or new residents coming into the facility uh you might have someone come in with unknown to the facility mental health issues that's what a lot of these calls are for either mental health self harm disorderly behavior uh so as a new jugal comes in and adjusts to the facility and the staff adjusts to that jugal and that behavior can be contagious too where they have a new mode of self harm and then all of a sudden two or three other kids are doing the same thing swallowing glass pens cutting their arms whenever they can get their hands on all kinds of stuff. >> Got it. Thank you. Thank you for the explanation on that. Any other council members have questions for uh >> Mr. Mayor? This is >> probably a question for both yourself and the fire chief as well. Um I believe I could be wrong. I have to I just quick trying to look. When I saw that he was charged with arson, I believe that gives the city the right cost. >> Uh >> I don't know anything about entirely. just I just remember because we we've previously had the ordinance uh in the past where um there was insurance involved and I know that we made changes to that specific ordinance but if I just recall without looking it up quick just at least to make a note as I believe there's something in ordinance that says if >> um if there was criminal intent that that we have the right to go back to recoup costs >> Mr. Mayor >> so Mr. Mayor One second. Council member Ray Bill. Go ahead, Chief. >> Mr. Fair, council members. Um, we I'd have to look at the ordinances, but I believe there is. I believe there is something in in our ordinances for that. Um, I think the difficulty would be is who caused the arson because I believe the individual that is being charged was not actually the owner of the property. Correct. >> Correct. So, we'd have to look we'd have to definitely look into that. So, >> I just think it'd be worth it certainly would be worth looking into. >> Absolutely. >> M. Mr. Johnson statement note that was >> uh council member Randville looks like >> Mr. Mayor uh council member Brian is correct when we revised our policy on the um fire department we did include um criminal activities. Um but as was spoken the suspect is not the property owner. So we will have to look at that. Um, and I don't know if there's a a method of going after him, if he has any um ability to cover costs. >> There there is a method where the city could petition the court on a criminal case for restitution. >> Um, I I'm not directly involved with that at all, but I can try and find some resources and get administer for how that might work. >> If you could >> I just thought I'd bring it up before I forgot that especially knowing how many how involved that was and how many um departments responding. It certainly would be worth pursuing at least looking at. So >> and yes, again I would say thanks very much for both the sheriff department and the fire departments being there for that day. Basically had a lot of questions that night and the day of. So >> Mr. M Johnson. >> Um, with that, the three of us have sat down and had a conversation about what went well, what didn't go well, what was our role. We had residents calling saying that they could, you know, could they leave? We didn't have a lot of information. And, you know, with this information, I'm not supposed to have a lot of information. Um, they're busy with the event, so it's not necessarily true that I'm going to have the correct information. We were able to go to dispatch who gave us some of the information that we could put out on the website then. Um, but I didn't have I don't know if you guys did, but I had a couple residents that were mad because we didn't have the information that they were looking for. Um, that was one of the reasons we met. But what I found out is I'm not really supposed to know. So, >> yeah, our main modes of communication are going to be for dispatch, who's putting out the alerts to residents, for shelter in place, those types of thing. It sounds like the net was cast maybe a little bit wider than it needed to be in this. So, I'm working with dispatch on that and I don't know exactly how that reverse 911 system works for setting that net for how wide they send out the alerts. Um, so I'm trying to find out some more information on that. But aside from that, really our only other mode of communication while the event is still active would be through our public information officer that's putting out, you know, updates on our social medias and those types of things. But they're they're going to be very limited. They're not going to be very detailed. And that's just for the safety of everyone that's there. >> And I and I can add to that if it's an active something actively happening. I I'm just going to speak generally and say that residents cannot expect an update on what's going on if it's an active process. After that, we can provide some amount of facts, but that's not our role. It's the the sheriff's department or the fire department that are leading these active pieces. Um and even as council members, did we know everything that was going on? Perhaps not, but it's not our job to know that these guys are actively working on the issue and we can get updates after it happens and we can follow up with questions. So, I I think that's important for residents to know that they're not going to actively be updated on what's going on. There's a process for that and the information will come out. >> The um the suspect's parents were the ones that made the call to the sheriff's department. Are they the actual owners and permanent residents of that >> parents. Okay. I'm just Are they okay? >> Yes, they're okay. They got out right when our deputies backed up before squad came in the same kind of officially started. So, nobody else was injured there. >> And council member Glazer, to follow up on your question from uh last month as far as the Barn arrests, they accounted for 75% of all arrests within the city. So as far as the numbers trending upward, fire department is responsible for 75% of our arrests. >> Does that correlate to the assaults then? Is that really >> Yes, that's kind of what we had talked about last month. Why were assaults going up so much? The majority of those were at bar none. So there's a whole stat sheet included in the packet with the breakdown of all the arrests for the city and then some more specifics on the rest. >> Thank you very much. >> Well, thank you. Any other questions for Lieutenant? Well, thank you, sir. Appreciate everything you guys do for us today, uh, Chief. >> We do appreciate you guys keeping our city safe. All right, moving on to the next one, which is planning and zoning. We do not have city Nash here. Is there any questions or any discussion on page 113? There's nothing to vote on. It's just purelyformational and it's in the in the packet if anybody wants additional information. Everybody okay if we move on? >> Yes, sir. >> Perfect. Moving on to number eight, which is uh Miss Johnson's update. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Um I'm thinking I know what the problem is is our subscription must have run out and we're on the pre Zoom. That's why I couldn't live. So I may have to go restart again, Mary, in just a moment. >> In four minutes. >> In four minutes. Um, my update is just kind of like a list of the 2025 tasks that were done. I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to city council for their efforts in hiring additional staff over the past year. Um, the expansion of our team has made a remarkable difference, allowing us to complete several key projects that have been on the list since 2022. Um, the staff has been outstanding and has helped with many items and have been able to answer a lot more questions and such. Um with the uh support and forite for foresight of the council, we've been able to make meaningful progress on the long-standing goals to better serve our community. Thank you for recognizing the importance of investing in our workforce. Um everything that is in bold is stuff that has been on the list um as long as I have been at the city. Um and we accomplished a lot of it. Um, very proud of the work that the girls and I did and a lot of the public works. Got some sign signage done that's been on the list for a long time and working on the escrow system. That is very good. Um, the mayor signed some checks today for um returning escrow so that we can get that those numbers off of our books. Um, other than that, I'll stand up for questions. I don't have too much else other than some new business of things that have broken up. >> They're just one comment on just looking. You said the ones in bold and I did a count. I might be off by one, but it's approximately 25 items. >> So, it looks like a very successful year. You got two and a half pages of accomplishments. Some are very minor, some are pretty major. So it it does it boosts the teamwork the council supporting you and the teamwork that uh you and the not only administrative team but the public works have been able to do. So thank you for your work on that. >> I'll second that. >> Mr. Mayor >> Rainbow, >> I went third bat. >> The sta staff has done a wonderful job and I thank them for all of their efforts and their consistent dedication to getting the work done and and bettering this city for its residents. Thank you. >> Do you want fourth or fifth? >> Go ahead. I'll >> go forth and I'll fix that. >> Sure. Okay. >> Excellent. So, we got a fourth and fifth. >> We're trying to figure out who's going to say four and who's going to say five. >> Um I I do in February, we'll probably bring a list and see what the priorities are for council as to the items that we believe need to be accomplished and um see where the priorities lie. >> It' be wonderful. We'll make our our priorities for the year again. Hopefully, it doesn't have to be quite that long of a list. Um it's 2025. You guys got a lot of stuff done. a very busy year. We had a lot of council meetings also. >> May maybe we can bring that back down to notch this year. >> Well, that's your next item. >> All right. So, if you're complete, we'll go on to new business, which is uh number nine. And first thing is talking about number 9A. It's a request for council action. Looking at the dates for not only the council meetings, but also for planning and zoning. So, there's two different columns. On the left, the city council and planning and zoning on the right. And then you've got some additional dates proposed for CIP and ERP. Um and then budget budgeting meetings. Is there any discussion you would like to talk to on dates? >> Yeah, the August meeting is the election. So we will need to choose a different date whether you want to go the Thursday or the week before or the week after. >> I'm confused. What what what election will we have in August? >> Primary for governor. >> Okay. >> Primary >> primary for >> whatever state offices would require whatever offices would require a primary. >> I would suggest going the week the following week >> 18. Council Rainbow, can you see us? Okay. Or hear us. Okay. >> See us, >> Mr. Mayor. I was able to re get to reassign myself here. Um, so I we were the last I heard is we were discussing August 18th. Was >> is that a vote now? >> That's perfect. That's where we left off. Customer ring bill August 18th. I just confirmed it with council member Brian is the date that he was recommending. So I wanted to one write it down. The other statement I said is uh uh Miss Johnson said the administrative staff would send meeting notices out to us so we don't have to punch all these in. >> That would be nice. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> I may I probably will not if this if something is scheduled for the 20 May 28th I will not be better. Oh, for the CIP. Is that because of a watershed or something? >> No. So, I have more than likely we'll have other commitments. >> Okay. Is that Do you have a different date you would recommend for? >> I'm well probably I would >> Well, actually not. I was going to say two days before, but that's going to be that's going to be PNC. >> This one is a if necessary and one that we can reschedu after the first CI meeting. >> Well, oh, I see a typo here. Um, just considering PNZ, you have May 12th for both P&Z and council. >> There is a typo right there. You're correct. So, it should be >> it should be May 20 26th. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, >> I was just backtracking from two days to get to the Tuesday and realized that it was May 12th. So, Um, I mean, yeah. I don't I actually have no idea yet, but we can just be left as it is, too. >> So, you can leave that as is and we can propose a different date as we get closer. You're okay with that? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> And and Mr. Mayor, >> Randel, >> if we're And maybe I missed this one. It cut me out. Um, we have August 18th for the second budget work session. We just chose the 18th for a council meeting. Or we could just piggy back on it. >> One of them is short. >> As long as, do you want to throw your candle or your >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> There we go. Thank you. >> There you go. Sorry. >> Yeah. >> So, do we want to change the August 18th because we already got a budget work meeting, which you can pretty much guarantee we'll have a couple budget work meetings. Go >> the week before. Go the week before. >> I think that was that would be more Yeah, there's not a watershed meeting that >> we can't go the the 11th because that's the primary is the 11th. The fourth is not wershed. So that would work. >> The fourth there's another session. >> Oh, there you go. >> Could we shift this one to maybe the 13th or the 20th? Just move it to that Thursday. If >> I may propose that let's move the budget to the off Tuesday schedule. Um, I will tenatively say yes because these dates all came from Lori as she was setting her dates for >> what she what she needs to be available for. >> Whatever works. I just >> But that would make sense if we can't do the 11th. We shift ours to the 18th and we move the budget meeting to the 20th, two days later. Is that your proposal? >> I just at least would throw it out there so that we try to keep at least some semblance of having our council meetings on on Tuesday. I will that faster tomorrow. >> Okay. Any other discussion on this? >> Would anybody like to make a motion on this? >> Some moved. >> Okay. Any other discussion hearing? None. Council member Rainville. >> I council member Swanson. >> I. >> I'm also an I. Council member Blazer. I >> council member Bry >> I >> okay complete motion carries so-called next one which is the uh what do we got here approval a resolution to approve the purchase of more is that am I in the right order here >> no we have the annual appointment >> did I miss one >> okay a resolution making annual appointments I did I feel great >> any discussion on this >> you're the weed inspector >> yes It certainly comes along with mayoral duties. >> Mayoral duties. Yeah. >> Got a lot of drugs. >> Not really. That's not It's not a real important one. We don't spend a lot of time on it. >> It's not that big. >> No. No. Not that kind of >> Mr. Mayor. Council. Um the one thing that I would like to discuss and um it's it's not for council member Rainbow's lack of knowledge or experience that she's um provided to provided and continues to provide for the city. I'm just wondering about the importance of having an active due to the fact that she's out of town 3 to four months out of the year. Um, I'm just wondering about the uh like to have some discussion about the importance of having an acting mayor that's in town and available in the event that you're absent. Um, and in which case I would propose council member O'Brien um for that responsibility if the u council's receptive to that. I I certainly am. The intent is just to just say that I get hit by a bus, somebody could step in. We prefer that person being here. Council member Rego, do you have any comments on that? >> Uh, Mr. Mayor, to council member Glazer? No, I I'm fine with that. I will just say that um there was one time I had to start a meeting in the absence of the mayor and I think there were a couple times I signed checks or documents um on behalf of the mayor and they have my stamp so they they they've used that so there's not a lot of commitment with it but >> right so from a from a commitment standpoint it would be we need from an administrative point we need a stamp would that be the All right, council member Brian or council member Swson, you guys have any feedback? >> No, I think it's I think it's sensible idea. So, >> council member Brian, do you support this? >> It's like the most important piece trying that I in case something comes up, it take a while to hit reservations and whatever and then usually around. So, >> so no, I think pass the common sense test right away. Is there any other comments on this that >> Mr. Mayor? >> Council member Randle. >> Um I would just want to clarify too I've gone three months out of 12. Um but I am accessible all during those three months and have constant contact with staff on things and residents. So um my being out of town does not take me out of the game. Thank you. >> I don't think anybody's taking that out of context at all. So, and we appreciate all of your work even though you're not physically here. Um, yeah, you do more work than I do even when I'm here. So, thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. Council member Blazer, there's I don't know whether this is, you know, super important, but I just wanted to update council, you know, staff received an email from uh the uh the watershed in regards to attendance to meetings, and I just wanted to thought it was important to update that it's it's not uh Council Member Brian and myself that it's other cities that are a concern in regards to attendance that's causing u our meetings to fail for lack corn. So, or or we get outvoted and they decide to have watershed meetings when we have council. So, >> is is that something we should have a third person? Can we even do that? >> We we we can if we need to, but I don't think it I don't think it's an issue and we've been I've been vocal about it to pick other nights. So, um I don't think it's a problem. But yeah, it's mainly been other cities that haven't haven't been attending people. >> We appreciate both you guys covering that PDA and and breaking up the duties and responsibilities so not everybody has to go to spend too many too many nights away from their families for city duties. So, thank you. >> Any other comments for the appointed duties? Yeah, for clarification, were we removing Mary or just adding D or >> I think you would remove um Council Rael and put Coun Brian. >> I don't think you need to acting. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Council member Brian, >> I will make a motion to making the annual appointments for the city of Melvin based on the adjusted proposal. >> Second. Any other discussion? I would love to say all those in favor, but we will go round table or uh roll call vote as they call it here. Council member Bryant >> I council member Glazer >> I. >> I'm also an I. Council member Swiss >> I. >> Council member Rainville >> I. >> All right, we got that one. Check the block. Thank you. So the next one is uh request for council action approval of resolution to approve uh the purchase memorial plaque for Judy Cara. >> Okay. Um Miss Johnson, do you want to talk on this? You probably know most >> I do. Um >> maybe Mary would also know a lot about it. >> Yeah, Judy has done a lot of things for the city of Nelan. Um she's been a member of many things and with her passing there are things that are going to get dropped I believe as far as the noun and alliance are concerned. She and her husband um took it upon themselves they collected all of the bags. They made the the benches that we had and we have the one bench that's right outside the recycling center. Um, and because of her dedication to the city, they would like to put a plaque just onto the bench to dedicate the bench to her and her legacy. Mary or Council Member Ranger, do you have anything else to add to that? >> U, I I agree wholeheartedly. Judy was um very instrumental in things that were occurring in in the city, whether it be in the Lions or on the um park and wreck. And I apologize. I need to take a call. So, but I approve of the plaque. >> Okay. So, uh, one additional thing here is there's two options on here. Do you want to One is a a bronze and one is aluminum. Do you have a recommendation out of the two? >> So, if you look on the next tape, there's a sample of what it would look like. >> I don't know which one's which. >> Pretty much. Yes. So since I did not know Judy very well, I I don't know which plaque is most appropriate. So if there's a recommendation on what you guys like to see, is there an actual proposal with working or >> basically it'll have her name on it and may the peace of the Lord be with you with her birth and death date. Is it possible to say put something else together about what Judy has done with the city and >> you know in recognition of your commitment to the city or something along that line? >> Absolutely. >> That just seems a little more >> appropriate for for the intent of the >> black. And then I was just also wondering because she has been involved more in involving the parks. Do we want to To me, it just seems that it might be more appropriate to put something in the pavilion or in the parks than versus just at the recycling center. >> Or if we're going to be or it's getting another bench and putting them putting another bench in the in the in the park instead of just at the recycling center. >> Um right now about them doing it, we don't have anybody that's doing that. Dileia has been working with the Girl Scouts um I believe on not only the flag recycling but with potentially wanting to work with the bags again and try to get the thousands and thousands of them. >> Sure. I will get the flags to the Elk River line the Elk River um legion. >> Okay. >> So to take care of that >> and they're going to start taking >> Yeah. Um some of the flags there is somebody who has offered to come and take care of them and dispose them of the proper >> Yeah. the legion has a ceremony every flag. So >> if if no one else will or it's just literally or it be just somebody running them over to the legion that they should >> that would be great. We will >> we have started taking them out >> now to be recycled properly or disposed of properly. >> Not recycled. >> Yeah. So, Mr. Mayor, >> Council Randle, >> um, I'm back. False alarm. Um, which is good news. Um, I agree with Council Member Brian that I think any memorial should be focused on what Judy did for the city and her involvement. Um, I do like the idea of something also in the park. Um, as a start though, we could do the bench that is out in front of the recycle center. Um I'm wondering um if we can then talk about something at at the park if we are able to get a second bench down the road um put a bench there or maybe something on the pavilion. Um she she led the park and wreck for many many years and um really was the driving force behind anything that was accomplished by the park and wreck. So, I think that would also be appropriate. >> I just remember Judy saying that they had like enough bags for at least like four more benches. So, I don't just don't know if those ever got processed or if Mark was planning on that or um >> that I have not we have not heard from Mark. >> But um but yeah, I >> and I believe it was a bench every six months is what you could >> or something like Yeah. No, there was just plenty of bags to do more than one because I know at one time I was talking to her and she said she was looking for places to take them. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Would you be okay with Councilman Randall's um concept to use on this bench for right now so we can move forward with the PL? I >> I think the park's a great idea also, but we need to put it. We don't have one right now. >> You wouldn't have to put it on a bench. Could just mount it as building. This is just a you know an idea but based on what council member Marino was saying I I didn't you know I've been in Alen for 20 almost 20 years but I not aware of all that Judy did for the city and it sounds like she did a lot for park and rec is this a situation where you know somebody makes significant contribution to the community that you you know uh name the pavilion after or something like that. Council member Rainbow with any ideas about that. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Council Rainbow, go ahead, please. >> To council member Glazer, um I think that's an excellent idea. Um we as a city have really not done that. They did name I think that was it council member Brian was it the engine that they ma named after Bart Hay at the fire department? They named something >> was his badge number. Yeah. >> Was it okay? Yeah, that's what it was. Um, but that would be an excellent um memorial to Judy. I mean, the one thing that she worked really hard on was getting a Minnesota Twins grant to redo the field over in Twin Lakes Park and we named it the Ernie Coler Field. And um that wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Judy. She worked extremely hard on that. Yeah. >> And so, um, I I would think re not or renaming that in her honor would be just an excellent thing to do for her >> and and maybe it's it's a situation where the it's a brass, >> you know, plaque there. >> It just goes right >> to the building to the building. >> Is there a particular pavilion which one you're thinking about? >> Memorial. >> The mainland. >> Yeah, I agree. I think that's a really good idea. You're on fire with the good ideas tonight. Jim, I did have a question. What is the now then Christmas tree living? >> That is something that they used to do and they would decorate the trees right out here. >> I actually thought this winter. Why would we do that? We should >> put something else. It was the lions that maybe did it and then had hot chocolate and cookies and and Santa came through. I want to restart that. >> You're volunteering to take the trip up to the North Pole to see if he's available. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. So, out of this uh we the request was for black um bronze is what I'm hearing. Um for $229ish. Who's going to determine the writing? Does that go to you, Miss Johnson? And then can we vote on this? and re and renaming the >> is the lettering gonna add to it if we vote on $229. So, we're gonna have to vote again if it has >> I don't want to vote again. >> I know. So, should we just give her a blank check? >> Well, blank check um something less than $350, something like that. I don't know how much writing is going to cost, but if we're going to do it, I mean, I think this is really good stuff. Mr. Mayor Council, >> maybe because of the relationship to council member Rangles, she could have this insight as to out of word that what's stated on that on the law. >> Yeah. Would you be up for that? >> Mr. Mayor and to council member Glazer, I I would be happy to. Thank you for that. Um I will work with staff and and we will make sure that what is there is appropriate and um respectful to Judy and all her efforts. like to hear a motion for the resolution. >> Mr. Mayor, council member, >> I'd like to make a motion to approve the resolution to uh purchase a memorial plaque for Judy Herala in dedication uh and and dedicating the memorial park pavilion in her memory. >> I would second that. >> And do you just want to add something on the cost is going to come over $229 something $350 or something like that. >> And if if the if the cost of the of the the plaque is to exceed $350, it would come back to council. >> I would accept that. >> We've already got a second on that. Council member Brian. >> So just to clarify, is this still is then the new updated plaque going in the pavilion or is it going out of bench? >> Going in the pavilion. Okay. Okay. >> That work. Would you uh you vote yes? I Oh. Oh, we're voting. Yes. I >> I also squeak sneaked in while >> I >> Thank you. All right. So, that one's complete. All right. So, we're on to the next one, which is resolution for the the tool cat. Uh and then also in front of you is a trade-in value that would come in with this. So, is that an updated um RCA resolution altogether up there? >> Um, no, I do not have the trade in on the RCA. >> Okay. So, the traded amount, what I'm reading here from profit equipment is $17,000. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And then they also put an option in there for the tool cat that they could sell on consignment and they would get 10%. >> Correct. I have no idea what the value of this piece of equipment is, if that's a good or bad deal for us, but I would like to >> Mr. Mayor Council, >> on that note, if you don't mind me interjecting, please when I saw that that we had this um here for us this evening in regards to the trade, I did take a a couple minutes to look at what um the same equipment is selling for on a retail basis with similar vintage and hours and things like that. and the the trade itself is is in the ballpark of what those vehicles are selling for. So, you know, I think uh we've done well by by Crawford uh with that trade in allowance for that particular vehicle. >> I was hoping somebody looked at that. So, thank you. I did not. >> So, your recommendation would be to take the trade in for 17,000. Well, it it's certainly um you know it's it's not a uh it's a reasonable offer >> to to consider. >> Any other conversation on it? Natalie, do you want to go through this real quick? But we know it's a last year's model is a 2025 model >> with that. It brings the cost down slightly. There's some additional things like you're going to do some l rhino lining on it, >> right? just to help preserve the life of the back. >> Well, it it Mr. Mayor and M. Johnson, I I took I took a little bit of time and met with Eric and Isaac last week in regards to this subject because I wanted to see the actual condition, the hours and so forth. And in conversation with Isaac, the the the rhino lining isn't um just to protect the the bed as as you would have a pickup truck spray. They're going to use some other spray for typical areas that are susceptible to um corrosion. Uh you know, this this vehicle that we have um we got we bought secondhand. It was a I believe it was the guys in public works believe it was a trade from a school district and they probably used it for a lot of um saling in the winter time. Um and so it saw you know more wear and tear from that standpoint but uh what's being proposed isn't just for the bed itself. It'll it'll spray part of the vehicle to the those those typical areas that can be a challenge. Um, and then Isaac did uh uh we would just go direct to the uh application company. They're actually in Ramsey. I use that for some work on my truck and so they're a reputable company. So that dropped the cost from like 1,200 down to 950 because of the >> actually actually the the 12 I believe based on my conversation with Isaac the 1200 is is very conservative on the high end where um his his estimate by going direct was was $750 which >> is even less than >> anything else from your conversation would like to add that would be good for the council to know. So, it's I don't think it's something that we have to that the city would have to decide on now. But um I did ask Eric to uh inquire as to the standard warranty um on this piece of equipment um and then what it would cost for an extended warranty. And some of that information was provided in an email. Um and the the only thing that I would like to have conversation on it, it was the kind of the the the warranty that offered the call it the best value to me isn't necessarily um may not be the right one for us. It only extended the warranty um by a year. So from from 12 months to 24 months um and if we look at if we look at the historical usage of this piece of equipment for the city of Allen, we don't we don't use it a lot on an annual basis. So a little over 100 hours a year. So just adding that second year I don't know is is the best value there is. So it'd be the lowest number of hours which is which is 2,000 total hours. Um there is an option to go up to four years and we would just have to look at you know what what's the cost per hour for four years versus the cost per hour for an additional year. And I I think it actually drops it down. just drop it about in half because it was about $6 an hour. >> Yeah. >> For the additional 12 months. >> So, it be it would be a little bit lower per hour by going uh to 4,000 hours or excuse me u four years versus versus two. >> What kind of cost are we talking about for the 2-year or the four year? >> So, adding an additional year to the to the warranty to go to 24 months, I believe it was $1,300. going to uh 48 months from 24 was an additional 1,700 >> additional on top of the 13 >> on top of the 13 but you know >> $3,000 >> $3,000 but you know this is you know warranties are one of those tricky things that you know do you buy an extender warranty I you know I bought a brand new piece of pickup truck in 2024 and what's the cost of repairing those motors I put I don't typically put extended warranties on my cars but with that one You know, I it was a smart thing to do. And I did the same thing when I bought my skid loader at that if the pumps go out on those things. That's a the hydrostatic pumps, it could be a $4,000 part right there. >> So >> So would it be your recommendation to add the $3,000 on which gives us an additional four years? Is that correct? On top of the >> It takes it It takes it out to four years. >> Okay. So it's three total years on top of >> on top of the 12 months. So it's basically $1,000 a year. But if you look at just like you said, if one pure peace go out or any pumps, you're you're going to absorb that amount. >> The other thing is that you know to do this >> I've experienced it. You know, Isaac brought up because Isaac has sold equipment. Um when a when a piece of machinery is under warranty, if if there's an issue where it has to go in for service, you're going to get a loner. If if you don't have if it's not under warranty, there are no obligation to to I don't know how critical that is with this piece of equipment, but so for $3,000 we get an extra three years takes the total warranty to four years. Um I know that, you know, initially we're talking 71, but because we're buying last year's model at 67, that $3,000 could get rolled up right that that cost and not have any negative effect. Um I I didn't plan to do that. Is there a recommendation also to do spend the extra 3,000 >> if it was if you were buying if it was a piece of equipment I was buying for my company because I like with my with my skid loader. I I kept it beyond the the standard warranty. You know, I've had it for five years now. My warranty just ran out. But it's it's insurance. It's peace of mind. I guess >> it's just like your family. >> Yeah. Yeah, I I I mean I I' I've voiced my opinion about, you know, what we're buying this year and stuff like that, but I I guess I want to have some input that we try to make the best decision and plus we're getting another $17,000 on a trade for >> I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor. Yeah, go ahead. >> All right. Thank you. Um I I agree with going with the extended things are so complicated nowadays. Um unless you're a a certified mechanic, trying to fix things is difficult difficult. And if it's electrical, it's three times as hard. Um, and given the fact that we're getting $17,000 minus a consignment fee um, as a tradein, that is that that is helpful and bringing our total costs down. And I like the fact that we would just do it the consignment trade because what that does is take any staff time that would be needed to try to sell this to a private party, advertising, whatever. We don't have to do any of that. It's It's done. We We give it to to Crawford's and we're done with it. >> Council member Spencer or Cmber Brian. Any comments? >> Mr. Mayor Cson. >> Yeah, I think it's an excellent idea to extend the warranty. I uh I do believe it makes sense to get new equipment, new vehicles to save on the maintenance and and that on the nightmare to extend the warranty further sort of adds to it. So, I think it's a great idea. >> Good support. Customer Brian, any comments? >> Well, I just I heard a couple things >> meeting. >> Looks like it's time to upgrade. >> All right. Are we I heard two different things. Are we going to trade it in for the $17,000 or are we going to put it on consignment? >> Nope. >> So, I've heard I heard Council Member Rainbow kind of say trade in consignment. So, I just want to clarify which one was which one it is. >> You want to clarify your comment? >> Thank Thank you. What I meant is that we're trading it to to Crawford who then they'll sell it is what I'm we're not dealing with. We're just getting >> we're just trading it in and getting the 17. >> Nope. All right. Just clarify. >> So therefore reduce the staff times again. We don't want to be in the business of selling stuff. >> No, but no. The the question was do they just take the 17,000 or would they be selling it on our behalf for 10%. >> It's 17,000. >> That was a recommendation from Pastor Glazer. Mine's good. I'm just clarifying because it because it to get rid of the confusion. So yes, I was going to suggest the same thing. >> Yep. >> Any other discussion points? >> Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion of accepting the purchase of the 2025 Bobcat Toolkit from Property Equipment in um include um up to I'm just going to well it should be easily less than the 679,1411 including the Rhino lighting as well as including the tradein for $17,000. >> And can you add please that threeear extended warranty >> including including extending the warranty to four total four years total. Perfect. >> I'll second. >> Well, we got Council Rainbow to it. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Council member Brian, you lead off with the vote, please. >> Hi. >> Council member Blazer. >> I am also an Ison. >> I council member Randville. >> I. >> All right, another one done. Thank you. All right, that covers all the way through D. Uh, going on to E. Um, occupational health and DOT compliance. So Natalie, you talk about this one. This is drug testing. >> Yeah. This is one of the items that when going through the personnel policy, DIA was able to um determine that we are actually not in compliance with DOT and we have not been doing any kind of drug testing on any of our employees um CDL or not um and it is required. So she did some research and talked to some other cities. this is a company that can do it for us. Um, and if we want to just go ahead and get it going, then our potentially new employee will go get his drug test there to get it started with. It's not super expensive. Um, there is an annual fee and a pre-appointment testing if we need it, but it is something that we are supposed to be doing. I don't know how we do a random test other than just say we're going to rotate the three public works people and get a random test. >> You could take quarterly and you could do an Excel spit out >> it can be done and Excel will help you do that. >> So, but it is something that we do need to have it. It is referenced in our policy and we didn't have it. >> So, what was our what were we paying before? >> We weren't paying because we weren't doing it. >> Well, we did a test, didn't we? I think the ignition drug test was completed. >> Oh, we just didn't do anything. >> Mr. Mayor, at the time there was discussion that there was some something about a county pool and we were if if if we were included in that or not. Um because obviously that would would be a larger number of of people involved in that pool. So there were certainly would be more randomness, but it sounds like that wasn't the thing. >> No, it must have been like 10 years ago. >> Okay. But it hasn't been since before Lori was here. >> Okay. So then Yeah. So then that plus Yeah. So that that ended. Yeah. Then we're back to Well, going to be one of the four draws who who drives the shortest drop. >> Then it just makes sense to get in the place now as we're hiring somebody for that. >> I would definitely recommend you keep it random. And by keeping it random once a quarter you draw the names. It might be the same person three times in a row, but if that's the random selection, it keeps you on your toes. If you do a regular schedule that that defeats the purpose of a random schedule. I've got plenty of experience with randomly selected being randomly inspected and sometimes it was three months in a row. Um just looking at it looks like the cost is $450 in 2026 and then $150 annually after that. That's that's a complete cost all rolled up. >> I believe they do a $50 for pre-appoint as well. >> Yeah. Check. >> Okay. >> Mr. Mr. Mayor, >> make a motion to approve the resolution accepting Northland Occupational Health and DOT compliance at the drug testing company for the city of Melan. >> Second. >> Second from Council Member Blazer. Any discussion? Hearing none. Council member Rayville. Roll call, please. >> I censor. >> I also coun. >> Council member >> I check block on that one. >> Okay. And before we move on to the next one, I'm gonna stop and have her jump on again. >> Okay, >> one more time because we're running short on time. All right. So, we are on uh page 136, resolution authorizing the conditional hiring of a city maintenance employee pending successful completion of a pre-employment requirements, which is letter F on the agenda. Um I'll start off and just talk on this a little bit. U so there was a process we had uh Phil Glaze retiring after 34 years. Um we as a council elected to open the position up. You had a lot of applicants. >> 70. It was a lot. Um, so out of that process using a a criterion chart to try to get down to the top five. Top five were selected and brought in for interviews. The interviewing panel was Natalie included both public works which was Isaac and Eric and then myself was a council member. We went through over the course of three days interviewing five people laid out criteria. We did comparison criteria and then we did another set of criteria just from their their thoughts on who would be the best based off this. Um either way we did the criteria that that came out with uh um Matt being the number one candidate >> and that is the recommendation going forward. I'm assuming his name is listed on here somewhere >> and it's on the new resolution that was brought because we finished it >> because it wasn't ready at the time. >> Right. He signed Yeah. At the time the packet went out, we didn't know if we were even going to hire yet. >> Just looking to see where his name is listed on there. >> Right in the middle on the right hand side. >> Number two. >> Thank you. Matt Ferman is his name. Um you can see the rest of the information on number two. Um but I'll go back to the the the vote. Um it was unanimous across the board. This guy comes in with the most experience of grading experience and plowing experience. He's worked for multiple different cities, one larger and then much smaller. Um seemed to be a very good fit from a team player. Um flexible and dynamic and just come with experience on all aspects. So that it was a that's a quick summary of eight hours of sitting down and discussing and interviewing. So that's the 32nd version of it, but it was unanimous across the board and he had the highest criteria because he thought the most skill set that was applicable to the city grading being a very very important one. Is there any questions that I can answer or Mr. Johnson could answer for the council? >> Mr. Mayor Johnson, >> uh, not that it's super relevant, but does he live in Nan? I'm just curious. Is he from the >> He does not. No. >> Out of the five, only one live in Nan. He does not. >> And you mentioned a lot of experience. I mean, how much experience does he have years doing the city work? >> 13 years at the lead outship. >> Yeah. And then >> and then several since it got absorbed by Stacy. He's worked with Randy County. And um >> I want to say 25 total, but I could be slightly off on that number. It was a lot of years of experience. >> Yeah. But like five years of specifically grading, spending literally, you said 40 hours a week in a grater. I mean, so we're talking grading experience that I I can't imagine spending that much time in the grater. >> Well, and I know that we're starting well proposing to start them out at 31 an hour. And that's uh what was the bottom range? >> 28. >> 28 to 36 was proposed. And so I I certainly think that's appropriate, but on a sort of unrelated note, I mean, our current public works employees, I would I would say that we should stick them in on that pay scale, you know, for how many years of service they have. >> I think that'll come out and how I'd like to address that is the STEP program that will be proposed in 2026. So what I I talked to both of the our current public works employees about this because they've been there and they they know it's public information. Um, and my goal is I by adding somebody, I don't want to lose one of our current public works in place. So, it is really important to get input, see where this all fit in. And, um, I'll say that we got alignment on it. Um, and we're not going to lose any staff members because of this, right? That was a really critical piece of this because it's not like we're hiring public works people very often. >> All right. That's all I got. Thank you. You guys have any questions on this? >> No, I'm just excited. you know, the level of experience he comes to the city. >> And it will still be a six month probation. So, after three months, we'll sit down and kind of do an informal. And at 6 months, we'll do a formal review to just see. But he seemed like he was I mean, he had photographs of replacing culverts. He had photographs of different um machinery that he had torn apart and was, you know, digging into to fix. of and I should speak on a covert replacement. He's got extensive meaning he's done multiple and up to 36 or 48 inch diameter covers doing the entire job planning it, coordinating it, blocking off the roads and doing the entire thing. >> Um, so you have I'll say from the pictures really helped because he brought in something and showed us I did this and I did this and so he was able to explain it but not everybody did that. Uh, one they didn't have that level experience and two they didn't explain themselves like this. Um, so Matt, I I hopefully we'll move forward with hiring him and then we can bring him to a council meeting so that way we can but I think he's going to be a really good fit. So it's not my recommendation. It's a recommendation from the other. >> Any other questions on this? >> Mr. Mayor, >> council Randle, >> if if there are no if there are no additional questions, I move that the council approves the hiring of Matt Ferman for our public works >> position. >> I couldn't even get that second out fast enough. >> All right. >> Council member Brian Brian, he's ready to go. Any other any other discussion hearing? None. Roll call vote. Council member Brian >> I. Council member Glazer. >> Hi. >> I am an I. Council member Swenson. >> All right. >> Council member Raenville. >> Hi. >> Okay. Thank you. I appreciate you guys supporting the whole process on that. >> Next one. >> Appreciate you doing the interviews. >> Yeah. So that's it was nine hours of time off work. >> Just listening to it. Awesome. >> It was a lot. >> So we're going to go on to G, which is the sale page 137, the the sale of the rolloff container. Um, who do you want to start this one? I can. Yeah, it's a a roll up that has been sitting in the back. Has not really it's been out of commission, I believe. Council member Wrangler, you can confirm, but since we purchased a new one for over at the recycle center a couple of years ago. >> That is correct, Miss Johnson. >> And it's uh got the broken handle. It basically has just been sitting there. Um there was some discussion when cleaning up the backyard and getting rid of it as far as scrap metal. Um but then uh Dave, who volunteers over at the recycling center and takes some recycling stuff for us, um offered $2,000 and he would use it for another project that he has going. So it's about the same as what we would get for scrap and we would get it out of the backyard. >> Mr. Mayor, M. John, you you were kind enough to send me some photographs today and I >> I could easily see that the you know the um the gate handle the door handle needs some repair work done on it. >> As far as the the pictures that show the inside of the of the box didn't show that any of the rust was through the box. >> Yeah. >> So it's the the >> the interior of the box is still >> the steel is the steel is sound. So, and and I appreciate, you know, moving on a a piece of equipment. Um, Mr. Mayor, I I do want to I do want to express that I I think that and you know, I like Dave Pomroy. Um it has this has nothing to do with Dave, but I think um a best practice that that most cities follow is that um things like things like this equipment are taken out of inventory and then sold publicly so as to avoid any um uh issues with the public from the standpoint of of preferential treatment um or you know favoritism. And so I just I want us to have that discussion about about this um and about other equipment, you know, applying that to other equipment moving forward. >> I just talk from experience at work. Everything we do, we end up doing a public uh all employees and they can put it's just a blind auction. They put their bid in. So, I definitely can understand where you're coming from. Does anybody do you know any value of this? use it. >> So, I I talked to somebody who has experience um uh with these types of things, fabrication, repair of of uh rolloff boxes, and at at auction um this could fetch, you know, 3 to 3500. >> So, it could be worth a little bit more. >> Yes. And so that, you know, from that standpoint, um, I I think it's important that the the city do its due diligence and put it out there. We can put a reserve on it. Um, and, uh, what you propose we run it. We just do a blind auction where people email in and email in. I think Ken should be the auctioneer. Well, >> because the process is really important because guess what? Somebody's got to do the work and gather it all up. >> So, so I I I did talk with a another a council member from another city that that I'm acquainted with. Um their city, what they would do is they would take uh sealed u bids and those those bids would remain sealed. Come to the next council meeting, council would open them and it would go to the highest bidder. >> We also have an auction. Don't we have like two auction houses in the bid to lay in? We do. >> But you know, you're going to have to pay sellers premium. >> Where would you suggest we market it? Just on marketplace. >> Well, you know, our Facebook page marketplace. Um, we could probably, you know, get it out to >> Can we put that on the bulletin board? >> The bulletin boards. >> Are there like popular used equipment websites where you just throw something up, notify people? >> First place I go to nowadays, you know, unless it's an auction, I I go to marketplace. So if you put it on marketplace just because this will be a little bit different because typically on marketplace you just sell the item you put put a number and they come by they buy in this case it would be a sealed bid where they'd have to send in something to the city >> and then bring it to the next >> and I I don't know if you got sitting and open here but the concept is before the council meeting somebody goes through because if you have a 100 votes that's the last thing I want to do is watch you open a 100 items and try to figure that out but conceptually There it is. That and you'd say, "All right, here's the high bidder." If that person now, what if the person backs up and you go to the second bidder and >> sir? >> So, it takes a little bit of time, but I don't think it's an exorbitant amount of time to do that. >> Yeah, I don't fetch some additional money. >> Mr. Mayor, >> I believe we've done this at least once in the past for something some other piece of equipment where we just said, "Hey, you've got to pick pick a date. You got till, you know, end of business at 4:00 to drop off the sealed envelope with what you want to bid for it and then yeah, literally just after that time frame, here's your open them up, find the highest one, and congratulations, you just bought yourself a robot. >> So, could they go to give you an example deal? Um, and could they come in via email and they could come in? >> I think it should be a sealed vision. >> Well, I I don't know how you do it. Otherwise, they have to come here to drop them off and that might reduce >> a significant amount of the people that want to come to the city when they're open and drop off a bit. >> So, I if you're going to do it, can it be sealed? As long as the individual is collecting them and not talking about it, I think it could be fine. >> And maybe that's you. I don't know. You collect them up. That's last thing I want to do. >> I just haven't done this before. So, I'd be happy to do so. >> Mr. I just think that does give the opportunity for other people who who may see it and may be involved to um get get a chance instead of just just reserving very consistent process. >> You're exactly correct. And then nobody can say hey you sold this and I wasn't aware of it. >> They have to go on the >> and we post it on the city Facebook or city website and also on marketplace. So the seal bid concept this is what comes in. Now, you might have somebody outside the city, people on the marketplace that wants to buy it, >> but it wouldn't go to Nel, right? >> And they have to come and pick it up. >> Yes. >> We'd be very clear that delivery, right? >> They get to own it and they get to pick it up, >> but it may it would go outside of Elden. That's very awesome. Are we okay with that? >> So, >> Mr. Mayor, >> does that >> Okay. Any other comments on that, >> Mr. Mayor? Um I I believe I've never seen and maybe I am not looking enough at it. I've never seen on marketplace where you do bids on something. It's they have they ask you to put a number in. So I I don't I don't know if that's an option or not. Um, >> I think that if we're going to do something new, um, that we should have a plan in place that we vote on, >> okay, >> and then move forward with it. >> Um, I I think that's better. um if uh council member Glazers brought forward the the thought of doing this, if he if we would allow him to work with with staff to come up with a policy that then we'll have on the books and we can follow. >> So basically come up with an RCA that gives a process on it. >> Yes. >> Do you want to do that? >> Sure. >> Go ahead. I I guess what what I would and I would take the time and go to, you know, another city that is currently has this process in place and get find out what the policy is. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. And there's Yeah, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. You can ask a couple other cities what they do, take that and adapt that to now then. >> Okay. Okay. So, for page 137, the request for council action, we are not going to move forward with this uh council relation. Can you bring some feedback? >> Yes. Okay. Is it going to hurt anything if the container sits out there for another month? Perfect. So, it's not time sensitive. Okay. Uh the next one is uh just to provide the update on Comcast. Um so, we met with Comcast yesterday. Uh there's a map u sitting in front of you. I'm holding mine up. The biggest thing is if you look at uh it's RO2 up in the northwestern corner of now they've got two poles remaining there. Um no I said that incorrectly. Uh they're in the process of disconnecting everything. So let me backtrack. So we met with Comcast just so you guys are tracking. Uh many areas are complete. They've got over a thousand um areas that no not subscribers that areas that where people have the ability to subscribe. So they've covered a majority of now at this point. If you go to the RO2 which is the northwestern corner, uh they're making that ready right now. They'll finish that up in the next couple weeks. If you drop down to the southwestern corner, it's RO uh six. That's the area that is the un unsubscribed >> unsubsidized. >> Unsubsidized. Thank you. Um they have some polls to set in that area. There's a total of 26 polls left. Two from packet 14 and then 24 from packet 15. Uh they're projected. They're going to continue to work. Now what interrupts them is the snow or rain. And when that happens, they're off the roads for like 2 days until all the plows can come through and then they can continue to work. So they've had multiple interruptions. This is absolutely weather dependent. Um, so to finish the sub unsubsidized area, uh, they're looking at hopefully by February, but it probably will trickle into March before everybody is complete. So definitely longer than what we had talked about in May and June where we thought we'd have it complete by November, but they are continuing to work and that's the most important thing. Um, could you post this on our website so people can see that with the notes and information? >> Y, >> that's a quick explanation. We'll meet again with them next month uh the day before the city council meeting uh just to make sure we've got the most accurate information, but they are continuing to work. Uh Kexus is supporting it uh and Comcast is is following through. Now, not every cable will be fully buried, you know, right now and they may have to come back in the spring to do the final burial of it, but getting them connected, getting the connectivity and getting households uh the high speed internet is the most important piece. >> Hooked up works great. >> Did you get some >> the c? Yeah, the cable's literally d coming down from the the aerial line and just kind of dangling there and then um it's almost it's probably about, you know, not even a penny thick and just uh running right up to the house. So, mine was cheaper than staying with center. So, >> it's fantastic. It's pretty cost effective, isn't it? >> Is it fast? >> It's blazing fast. >> It's what what was my rough math? 16 times 16 times faster than what I have now. >> And >> 116 times >> 16 times faster. But my next door neighbor, it would have been a hundred times faster. It's if they went with the top one, it would be 100 times faster. >> So, uh, Comcast and Kexus in unison working their tables off. Um, so that's the update on that. Any questions on Comcast? >> Okay, next one. Let's move on to the furnace. Uh, Miss Jones, can you talk about this? This is a fresh one. >> Um, so it was just written up today. >> Yeah. So, the furnace went out a couple of days ago. We had someone come out. They put a new circuit board in. They said it was a motherboard and that fried again. So, the office has been between 58 and 60° with our little space heaters going. Um, trying to keep it warm enough. Um, the furnace is 20 to 25 years old. We're thinking it was at least 20 years old. Joe thought it was put in in 2006. >> So, which would make it 20 years old? >> Yes. >> But you think it could be older than that? >> He thought it was put in about the same time um when they decided to change it over. So, it had to be in, you know, 19 or oh, I'm sorry, in 2005, 2006, somewhere right in there. So, the current furnace is approximately 20 years old. We'll leave it at that. >> Um, one of the manufacturers is like, hey, if I were you, I wouldn't put any more money into this old machine. >> Um, it looks like we could maybe fix it for between, you know, $1,200 to 15, maybe $2,000 depending upon everything starting. Or we could do a potential for a new furnace. Now, I did get we got one quote in, but before I left the office, we didn't have a second. Um, also, in the meantime, one of the furnaces here also went out. Um, Air Comfort this one in. So, that was who came out and looked at this one. Um, it's still chilly in here, so I'm not really sure if everything got done. I didn't see all the paperwork before I left. >> I don't know if we did. You turn it the thermostat up when you got here? Well, and this is the the one in this room was supposed to be working and the one in the kitchen is the one that's not working. >> Yeah, but if we didn't turn it off, >> but it's still Yeah. >> Um, so I will find out more about that tomorrow. Um, in the meantime, I just What is council's preference? Do you want us to just try to fix it or do you want me to just go for a furnace? >> Can we talk on the quotes on It's on page 204 on the back of this thing. It's got this thing listed as a cash or check discount. Does that mean we get that discount? Uh, you know, on one example, it started at 9,600 and then with this $1,800 discount puts it at $7,774 or there's a cheaper version that cuts it down to $6,561. >> Right. And but I do not have another number to compare to to see if it's comparable yet. >> This is both from Elk is what it's from. >> Um, this one is from Air Comfort. Air comfort. >> It is a Melvin, right? >> It is a Melvin. >> Yeah, they're on Jasper. >> They're off of Jasper. They're the ones who put these two in. >> And then so you going to get a second quote. I'm just going to give you my spiel. When you hit 20 years of service on a furnace, I'd love them if they go longer, but at the same time, I don't want to invest 12 $1,500 to have a 20-y old furnace. So, we're talking about this in two years. I would much rather do the investment. Um, and if I only had this to look at, I I have to tell you, train units are fantastic. That's the one for 7,774. I would hands down put it for the more expensive unit. >> All I do is put train units on all of our buildings. Uh, they're fantastic. They're very professional and they're longlasting. I know there's multiple other brands and you can spend less. Um, we have like 64 units on top of our building and I have them all trained just because they're they're fantastic. That's my >> Who's next? >> So, the the train equipment that's being offered by Elk. Is that right? >> Well, yes. It's Air Comfort. They must all be one. >> Oh, the same company. >> It's the same company. That's all. >> So, when I said Elk right next to it, it's Air Comfort. So they go by air comfort but they're either linked in with >> Okay. So they they they've kind of merged >> something or they're partnered or something. >> Okay. And so this is the only bid that we have. And you're working on other bids? >> I am. Yeah. The other company that came out was Majestic. Um but they did not get me a number before we left. >> Okay. >> We just found out like at 3:00. And where are they from? >> They're close. It was u must be right now then too because Joe had them come out first. >> Majestic. Majestic. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Council Rainbow. Please go ahead. >> I could be I could be wrong, but I I think I see Majestic um vehicles over in the the bootleger building. >> I think they're out of there. Yeah. >> Yeah. Not that I hang at bootleggers all the time, but >> but I I just know that I have um I have had excellent um experiences with Air Comfort. Um residents that I know that have used Air Comfort have been very pleased. Um they have been very um responsive to the city when we've had different issues. >> Um I'm not saying Majestic isn't. I don't I just don't know Majestic. But >> did you find Majestic? >> Yeah. And El River address. >> Yeah. So and that's El River over there. >> Oh yeah. 1973. >> Okay. So they're also So we get So we'll have two two beds from now. The question is I don't know what equipment they offer. Um they might and there's other brands that are good. Don't get me wrong. >> This sounds like a training. >> I I am after after seeing it after having a >> Is there some logo on their website that >> I'm looking about which what equipment they they use. Well, while we're looking I uh I agree with you, Mayor. uh new versus used or repairing new is the way to go with 20 unit and I'll just defer to your expertise and what you know we fit. >> And I did talk with Lori because I said like >> we don't have you know capital improvement fund basically for this. She said we can use the building capital which is where it would come out of. Um, and then I suggested that the artist in the shop is also 20 years old. Um, here it's not so bad. I think these are newer >> turn 2016 2017 that that genre. Yeah. >> Yeah. And it just I I my experience is as soon as one thing starts to go, it seems like they all seem to go. So, as far as like the air conditioning and all the stuff that goes with it. >> So, can we do this the other one uh in the shop, which is a much larger one. Mhm. >> I I would maybe bring the company that we select to put this new one in. If we go that route, have them come in and do an assessment of it >> and bring a proposal back. Just cuz it's 20 years old doesn't mean we got to replace it. >> Is that Is that a unit heater that's in the shop? >> It's an air exchanger up on top and then it's in the southwest corner. >> So, it does bring in some fresh air. >> But there's no AC in that, is it? >> No, not for the shop. >> So, that unit sees fewer hours on it than And even though it's 20 years old, like we're concur with the mayor that we >> can't we can't go start replacing everything. >> We have we have an emerent need now to look at getting this one in. >> What I asked Lori is at budgeting time, can we put a line item in for building maintenance equipment, not just trying to take the walls or that kind of stuff. I think maintenance is one of the key things we learned from budgeting last year that we need to do a better job with projecting forward and having a maintenance spot and whether it's for vehicles or whatever the case is so we're not dealing with hey the furnace went out where we pull this >> so that's my key takeaway from last year I learned a few things I will tell you that >> so say you get um let's take this scenario you get a a bid in from Majestic and it's less than this they have a comparable unit Um, can we make a motion to approve what we have? This is what I'm request uh what we have and if we get a a better bid, a cheaper bid. Now, we just talked about the prices here. So, >> except that it's not live and it's not on the website. So, >> um, so maybe you postpone putting that up for 24 hours. >> Well, you're going to have like five different recordings, right? Yeah. >> Yeah. They're going to have to splice them together. >> Yeah. So you can just hang on to this last one. >> Just post the first four just stops. >> That's good. >> Yeah. Before it's posted, you get the other bit. But >> I I I got to tell you, even if you said it's 7,700, you're going to give me a train. Yes. I don't got to worry about 30 years. That's how strongly I feel about it. Would it be worth making a motion to to replace the furnace at the office with a train S9B2-BS 97% furnace two-stage variable speed ECM fan or equivalent? >> Yes. >> Up to, you know, not to exceed the maximum >> the uh $8,000. $774. >> $7,774 86. >> That would be my recommend that we we get the cash discount. >> I'm assuming we get the discount because they put a line on it, >> right? And we would just cut a check as soon as they were finished rather than wait for claims. >> You have to pay for a permit. >> Sort of a silly question. >> That is kind of a question. I don't know. >> As I understand it, because we are a we are the city, we do not have to. But I would imagine I still have to have >> You don't need a permit to to replace your heating. You're installing a new one, but to replace them. >> Yes, you do. >> Yes, you do. >> I'm just saying we still have to have to look at it. >> They have to >> open up the gas lines and >> like when say he comes to your house, do they pull it to do that? >> Yes, >> they do. Okay, that's where I'm >> They're supposed to >> supposed to. All right. That was might be an electrical one, too. >> Any other discussion on this? >> You already made the motion. I'll second his motion. Any other discussion? >> What was the motion? >> I know it was something with training, but what was the money? >> It was the exact It's the 7,7486. >> I mean, I I'll take the one extra efficiency for So there there's and there's going to be quite a few rebates. Did they list the rebates on here? >> They did not. >> Mr. Mayor, >> Angel, I I believe all the rebates were ended um via an executive order as of the 20 December 31, 2025. So I there are no more there are no longer rebates. Uh, so Council Rainbow, can you state that one more time? You believe all the rebates have ended at the end of the year? >> Correct. Via national um our president signed as an executive order to eliminate uh rebates and such. So they all ended December 31st. >> Just hold on. All right. Are you complete? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. whichever one of you guys want to speak. >> So, so Council Member Rainbow, I do not believe that that does not apply to um rebates offered by utilities within the state of Minnesota that are mandated to um state reduce their their cost or their energy output through rebates. Um so, Centerpoint Energy is still going to have a rebate on the furnace. Um I would have to check and see what Kexus is rebate that's going to be based on SE rating and the air conditioner. Um but these 96% plus furnaces with the DC motors on them >> have you know pretty substantial rebates. >> Mor the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission mandates these by uh by utilities in the state of Minnesota >> and that and that's wonderful. I just know everybody that I everybody that I know that needed a furnace was told by whoever installed it to do it by December 31st, 2025 because the rebates end. Maybe they weren't being given um a correct sales pitch. I don't know. But that's and that's fine. Hopefully there are rebates. >> Yeah, I think I think that that may be federal tax credits. >> Just a quick Google. I I don't know if this we're talking air conditioning on here. You're only talking the furnace. >> Furnace. >> So, this is furnace only at this point. >> So, I want to be careful that we're not talking air conditioner because this would have an additional cost. I don't know how old the air conditioner is and it might come this summer that you say, "Hey, this is 20 years old. We should have replaced it." But I think we addressed that >> right now. It's not that's not the >> in the office. It's actually 16 degrees in there right now. I was there before I came over here. So, >> this covers the immediate need and then we can follow up. All right. So, we have a motion. You actually asked them to repeat it. Are you clear on the motion? >> Yep. >> I second this motion. Are we ready to vote? >> Okay. Council member Rando. >> Hi. >> Council member Swansman. >> All right. I'm an I. Council member Blazer. >> I. Council member Ryan. >> Hi. >> Okay. That completes that. Council member Glazer, you have uh J, which is 4D from the front that you want pulled up. Can you talk on what you'd like to see there? >> Yes, sir. Um, so I just I just want to understand um Could you give us a this is something a little bit new, Miss Johnson? Could you just give us a little bit of a background on this? >> Yeah, I can. We had a complaint and we didn't really have a procedure as to what we were going to do. And then going through the personnel policy, we actually had a paragraph that um referenced a complaint on the seat and how to handle them. So, a complaint a complaint about either a staff member or a somebody on the council or >> or a council member, a public works member recycling, any anybody in the >> individual, >> right? Whether it was internally or externally and we just really didn't have one. So, uh Dia did some researching with other cities and came up with it. As long as our personnel policy had referenced it, we should probably have something to follow. And just because of what had happened earlier this year it was or last year it was uh this will be kind of nice to have steps to follow. >> Sure. Okay. Thank you. >> That's all I have. >> Okay. So we have to approve that one as we pull it out. Yes. >> Mr. Mayor Council. >> Uh I would like to make a motion to approve uh the resolution updating the personnel policy, city council policy um with a detailed complaint policy. >> Second. Second. Council member O'Brien. Roll call vote. Council Brian, you start off, please. >> I council Blazy. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I. Council Swson. >> Hi. >> Council member Rainbow. >> Hi. >> All right. Council member Ryan. Mr. Mayor. Motion to >> second. >> All right. Second. nursing just