the goofiest group. I'm on you. I don't know what's going Dave, can you hear us? >> Yes, I can. >> Okay. >> Call this meeting order. Say the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please bear with me. I'm filling in the neighbor the neighbor the mayor has got some family businesses attending too this evening. So, uh, Jenny, we call roll call, please. >> Council members Robinson >> here. Advik here. >> Malbower >> here. >> And Miss Fonis might be late but yet coming. >> All right. Uh approve. Can I get approval of tonight's agenda, please? >> I'll make a motion to approve tonight's agenda. >> Approved by Mr. Mu Mubower. Second. >> I will second that. >> Miss second it. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. None. All right. The consent agenda. We have several items there. Anybody like to discuss? Uh oh. Any like any discussion before we >> I have nothing. >> Nothing. Nothing. >> I have nothing. >> Nothing's there. All right. All right. Uh can I get a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda, please? >> I will make that motion. >> Um is that made motion? >> I'll second. >> Mr. Mel makes a second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> All oppose. None. And then we have a meeting open to the public. Anybody in the public like to speak tonight? We have one guest in here. Very nice to see you. You have any questions, concerns, feel free to hop up here. Uh, special business. Anything special business to talk about at all, Kate? No. Uh, public hearing. Anything? Nope. Nothing on the public side. Any old business to discuss? Wait, this is going pretty smooth. Something's going to happen. Any new business to discuss? >> No, sir. >> Very good. Uh, meeting second time and now open to the public again. Nothing there. All right. Reports. We'll start out with uh Kate city administrator report. >> Sure. Uh Mayor Proimic Council. So we received 14 applications for our finance director position and we are interviewing five. So that is a good sign. Uh just a quick note that the legislative session begins today and they're already down there moving. So we'll keep an eye on that as we again have our bonding request on the floor. um for our underground utility project. Uh the charter meeting did meet and recommended to move all four items that were presented to the city council. So that will be on the March 2nd city council meeting. And then not uh just a quick reminder that our work session is next Monday at 5:30. >> That's 23. >> Right now we have about five topics that we're we're going to look at. >> Good deal. That's awesome. Anything else, Kate? >> No, that would be it. I appreciate. Anybody have any questions for Kade this time? >> No. Thank you. >> All right. Very good. Moving on to the police department report for 2025 annual report. >> Mayor Proam, members of the council. I apologize. I will not be as quick as Kate's, but I'll try to move through this as fast as I can here. Um, before you use a 2025 annual report for the police department. Um, we always begin these reports like previous reports u by focusing on all our department staff. um they are all displayed at the beginning of the report and these are just the the people who do their job day in and day out um and serve this department and this community um and really continue to make this department what it is. All of our officers and staff members are mentioned like I said toward the beginning of the report and they all bring a bunch of unique qualities um and all of them are so important to the operations of the police department. Our police reserve unit is highlighted on page six and this is another group that I can't say enough about. Um, this is a group of people that volunteer every bit of time they put in. Uh, they put in a lot of hours every year and assist they assist us with things like traffic control at events. Um, performing house checks and park patrols. Uh, they assist at all of our community events and also assist assist officers on shift with things like transports and anything else they might need. Uh, so we truly uh just respect and appreciate all of the time and and um for whatever reserves do for us uh each time they're they come on shift and and come into the police department. Uh we did welcome a new reserve this year, reserve officer Randy Narlock. Is a longtime resident of St. Francis and he graduated high school from here. Uh he's been a great addition to the reserves and is very excited to be volunteering and serving his hometown. Uh we did have a reserve officer, Officer Colton Hearn, with us for most of the summer last year. he put in over 400 hours uh in order to complete an internship uh with St. Cloud State University. So, congratulations to him and he's well on his way to a criminal justice degree. And of course, in the report, we want to recognize Officer Chant the Pena for his actions taken that saved a human life uh earning him the life-saving award which we presented to him last year right about this time uh for for uh saving that human life. And of course, there's training when it comes to law enforcement. officers put in 697 hours of training in 2025 in many different areas. Some of the training is mandated by the post board in order for the officers to maintain their peace officer licenses and listed on the training page or some of the courses officers attended. TZD or toward zero death and other traffic related statistics are displayed on page 10. And on a bright note, uh there were over 100 less traffic related fatalities compared to the previous year. And this is no doubt a result of officers extra enforcement efforts throughout the state over the course of the year. Uh St. Francis officers contributed 80 81 hours of TZD enforcement over the course of the year. Um and the top contributing factors of fatality crashes continue to be speed, alcohol, distracted driving, and unbilted occupants. And you can also see that impaired driving continues to be unfortunately an issue here in Minnesota with over 26,000 DWS DWI arrests statewide. Over 1100 of them were in Inoka County and 67 here in St. Francis. Also listed there on the TZD page are traffic stop and citation data as well as vehicle accident uh data for the city. We continue to see a fair amount of activity in our schools. Uh these call types can range from direct possession threats, assaults, child custody disputes, etc. Overall total calls for service and response times were very similar to that of the previous year at 7,436 generated calls. Response time averages at 4 minutes and 51 seconds for high priority calls and 5 minutes and 20 seconds for low priority calls. In the report, you can also see all the how all the call types are categorized per FBI neighbors reporting requirements. And NERS stands for National Incidentbased Reporting System. Um, and that takes us right into our records unit who does an outstanding job not only complying with all the NERS requirements, but also all the Cannabis and Clean Slate Act expungements they had to and are still performing today as part of the legislative and BCA requirements. There's a dedicated page to our investigations unit. The department investigator has a lot of responsibilities as you can see and was assigned 151 cases in 2025. Other duties of the investigator include writing and servant search warrants, signing criminal complaints, conducting police department background investigations, overseeing forfeiture processing, alcohol tobacco compliance checks, and managing the evidence room. And some of the different types of cases that were assigned to the investigator are listed in the report. Page 16 of the report highlights our UAV program, which continues to be a great asset to the community. We had 29 deployments over the course of the year for things including uh threat assessment and monitoring of large public events and other emergency situations. And we'll also be adding a fifth UAV pilot to the program as Officer Hume will be preparing to obtain his UAV license through the FAA this spring and summer. Actually, I think he starts a class this weekend. Uh as we continue through the report, you're all aware of our move to Axon cameras for both of our our fleet, which are our in-car systems and bodywn cameras uh last July, which continue to be approve proved to be a great transition for the department. We're very satisfied with the equipment and the backend uh side of those systems. In 2025, we were very happy to bring back the dog clinic after a couple years um which was as always was a huge success and we partnered with St. Francis Vet Clinic, who is also one of our sponsors for our new K9 program. So, a huge thank you to them. Other ways we continue to serve and partner with the community include our camera registration program, home security checks and courtesy notice tags, our prescription drug takeback program, and all of our permit services. And of course, uh we do go beyond those services through other community outreach efforts, uh which as you can see include a number of events and programs held throughout the year. I do not I I do want to give a shout out to the officers and staff who all contribute and participate in all these events uh in one way or another and make it happen without all of their help. And just rounding out the report, we look into our our new K9 program. Uh the K9's name will be Victor and that's with the K and we expect to have possession of him uh in the next few weeks, early March, we were told. Uh he's going to be approximately a 15-month year old German Shepherd and will be coming to us from Germany. Uh he'll be trained for narcotics detection and apprehension. And after we receive the dog handler, the dog, our handler, Officer, ironically enough, Officer Bark begin a three-month training course uh with the dog through Mcdana Kines and that's down in Blaine. So he's going to be a very busy um very busy at training for about three months time. After training, Victor will be on duty with Officer Bark by about mid June. And uh we of course once we get to possession of the dog, we'll be posting updates and photos on our social media site and website uh and recognizing all of our sponsors at this time at that time which include Bob King and St. Francis Vet Clinic uh who really helped us get this this program off the ground and continue to support us to this day with donations and things. And with that, I would just like to thank council for your continued support of the police department and we look forward to another busy year and I can answer any questions if there are any. >> It's very good. Excellent job. Let's start with Sarah. Sarah, you have any questions? >> I do not have any questions. It's an excellent report and um I just want to thank you for your leadership. You are doing a great job. I feel um all of our officers are seem to be very well respected in the community. Um, again, every time I see them out there, they're talking to people. I I just it it's really impressive to me that they are so involved in our community and I think that helps a great deal. >> Very good. Thank you, Sarah. Joe, any questions or concerns? >> Uh, no questions. Great report and uh send our appreciation to all the staff and officers. >> Very good. Thanks, Joe. Um, any uh let's see, the response time. It was great to see the response time the last few years have come down. I'm sure that that you're happy as well. Uh your community involvement is just unbelievable. It's I mean I know we're a small small community, but the outreach and stuff that you do and the amount of activities that you give for all classes and all all walks of life, it's amazing between the bike stuff and the bowling and the ice cream and the citizens academy which is uh again that's coming up April 7th through the 12th and your cuto off date is April 3rd for that. it. I recommend highly that anybody that had any interest or any didn't have any background in in law enforcement or whatever. It was a it was a great time. I did it several years ago. Uh Joe did it several years ago and actually was part of the taser program. So, but uh >> we just ordered more cartridges. >> Yeah, there you fresh and ready. >> Once is enough. >> Um and any surprises in this report? Did you put this together yourself and saw the numbers come and gel? Any surprises for you? >> Not really. Um it it's consistent which which I think is good. We didn't see any huge spikes in anywhere. If anything, we've seen some declines in certain areas which is to me a good thing. Um certainly the like DWI numbers and things came down which uh is not from a lack of enforcement. I think it's probably an increase in education and maybe messaging that's getting out there both from us and and the state. So um yeah, though I guess any surprises were good surprises that I've seen in the reports. >> That's good. Like I think I mentioned a couple meetings back that education rather than citation. You guys do practice that when when it's warranted and people are are responsive and receptive and not, you know, losing control. But uh any future goals that you have that you as you put this together as well? Anything you see any soft spots for you or something that's really the next big thing other than victory? >> Well, I I think that's the biggest one. That's that's a project that's going to continue and and just because it's off the ground, it's going to take a couple years to to settle in. So, you know, whether it's policy adjustment or whatever else, but that will be our main focus here over the next year or two, at least my main focus. Um, you know, outside of that, we're always looking at equipment upgrades and things like that and and and uh things that could help us with the community. Um, couple things that at least one thing um that I'll be discussing at the work session um you know, maybe on the horizon, too. So, um but yeah, nothing uh crazy right now. Anyway, like I said, that our main focus is going to be that K9 program. make sure that's done. So, >> all right. And then the effect of legalized marijuana, have you seen u has it crept in slowly or has it been >> a bigger deal than anticipated or >> We're not seeing a ton of impaired um situations, impaired driving situations in our city anyway? I know the state has. I I I got a first quarter report from our TZD coordinator. Um, and looking at just first quarter numbers in the state, looks like there were over 600 cases that um, the testing came back positive for for THC already on impaired drivers in Minnesota. So, um, the majority of what we see in St. Francis is is a lot of more of the the open container, not, you know, the marijuana not being in their a sealed container, original container, being used while driving, stuff like that. but not um not to the point of where we're seeing impaired driving or driving conduct as a result of that stuff. So, we're seeing some minor things >> for marijuana for suspicion of marijuana use or driving under influence. Is there a testing apparatus now that you have available to you to use? >> Not that we're using, but the state patrol is. They're using some swab testing. Um I had some information on it, but basically they have a swab test that um helps them build their probable cause on the side of the road um to to make an arrest or not make an arrest. We don't use that here. We we'll still use um the same, you know, between driving conduct and the field sobriety testing. The same signs and things we look for for to for that impairment, we look for from marijuana as well. And that would come down to a search warrant um after that to to get some official testing and see what's what's going on in the blood. But >> all right, >> we don't we don't currently use any roadside testing for that. >> Okay. And then lastly, uh over the last over the last five or six years, you talk about some of these numbers reflect travelers. They're not St. Francis residents that are getting popped for some of this driving influence. Is the traveler effect still seem to be norm? >> Yeah, I think we're seeing a blend. I mean, unfortunately, we do see St. Francis residents um you know, here and there uh for impaired driving, but I I I will dare to guess that it's still a majority of outside residents traveling through um getting from point A to point B. I don't have any crazy destination stories like I I know I have before >> um where they're trying to get to Elely or something, but um >> you know, they're they're they're cutting through. it's uh whether it's coming from work or whatever. But yeah, unfortunately we we do see a handful of signals as restaurants as well. >> Well, it's still good to know who you're who's on the streets with you that's sober and not sober and our citizens seem to be contributing to the the safer side of things. So, that's good. Well, again, please extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation for what you do. Um not many towns our size have a police department. They rely on sheriff or contract out their law enforcement. You guys do an excellent job and uh that's what the public wants and that's what you guys deliver and we greatly appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Quick question, Mr. Mayor. Um the school resource officer, do we have any headway on that at all or not anything new? >> Well, the last discussion I had on that was probably at least a year ago. Um I have not had any discussions with any school officials since that time on the SRO program. So, >> thank you. I'll dump table with that. Has there been any murmurings of um pre-detection or any with the recent rash of the way society seems to be some things are happening school related. Do you any of the are you monitoring any of the schoolboard meetings that are they any hub up about I mean are they thinking about stuff like this whether it's a live inerson situation or some type of pre-screening or >> not not that I'm aware of. Uh we do monitor from time to time some of the school board uh meeting notes and things like that or school officials will bring something to our attention but nothing nothing on that front right now that I've heard of. >> Okay. All right. Again, thank you very much. Next up, public works annual report. Paul Carpenter, >> mayor promic council before you tonight is public works annual report. I'd like to cover staff change initially. Um Tom K after 13 years with us um had left the city to pursue other interests and uh we replaced him this year with Tony Bergman. Tony's done a great job. He's um he's fit right in. Excellent uh equipment operator and I I think he's he's fitting right in with what uh with what we were looking for for the position. Um I'd also like to give a shout out to Mr. Trevor Turner this evening. Um, I believe uh Trevor has had a a a very difficult time making a position up as he went along. Uh, he's done a great job. He's been a big help uh for me when it comes to building maintenance. Um, he always seems to be there for uh phone calls and meeting people. And I I I want council know he's he's uh he's done very well replacing uh a company that we used to use here. I don't know if Jenny wanted to add something as well this evening for Trevor. Yeah, Trevor is great. He's always available and always willing to help and he's been a great asset to the city. >> For sure. Yeah. >> So, I just wanted a little review on >> See the picture in there either. I was going to ask him as part of my deal, but good deal. >> You bet. Uh, uh, snowplowing look was looking up this year. Um, looked like we were actually going to have a normal winter and then it it took a right-hand turn. Um we uh we were planning on giving the kids uh our snowpaul ride to school has been very popular and we were planning on giving uh the kid a ride to school next week, but unfortunately it'll be the same as last year. It's pretty much almost the window down on the way to school and not the plow down. So, uh we've we waited hoping we were going to get more. It didn't work out that way. Uh sometimes I think that the it's more of a hit uh when the plow gets to school because the class likes to come out. So, it's a little warm out. It works out pretty good. They get to check the truck out and and the teachers are pretty excited about it. So, um one thing I wanted to mention this evening, we've noticed, uh you'll see in the report, building maintenance hours are up. Uh in particular at the um police and public works facility. As that as that building ages, we continue to spend more and more time on it. Uh the other thing we're doing now too is because we're all the warranty pier in this building, uh actually Trevor does a a large part in and keeping track of everything that's happening at this facility for us. So um unfortunately as the buildings get older, the costs increase. Um road maintenance went as planned in 2025 uh with rebuilding gravel roads, crack filling and pothole patching. The hot patch trailers the city perched last purchased last year uh it worked amazing. the the the just as planned, the the the hot mix stuck in the holes. We've been inspecting it since we've been plowing this season. Uh we also after doing the math, it literally will pay for itself in three seasons. So, we're pretty excited about that. Um 2025 uh received a far fair amount of rain. Uh we actually didn't even turn all the irrigation systems on. It was an unusual year that way, but when you have that much rain, uh mowing, uh ends up being the majority of our maintenance. So, sometimes things get put on the back burner, um which we were able to catch up on this time of the year, especially with no snow, but we had a incredible amount of uh mowing this last summer. Um majority of park rentals for 2025 were community park and warming house is expected. Um the city completed the RER Woods Park playground replacement in 25. Uh the response from the community was very positive with many residents reaching out to say thank you. It went well. Uh we partnered with the installers so we were able to decrease the cost and um use the talents of the of the guys on the crew. So that went extremely well. um grant work this year uh or excuse me in 25 uh we we were able to uh purchase dog park benches uh with the ship grant. Um the we had the continuation of the EAB grant and then staff started working with the ACD uh for more grant work in Delwood Park uh going back to more prairie getting ready some poison ivy and and so on so forth that's in the report as well. And I and I wanted to mention too when it comes to grant work and and Kate knows this well. Uh grant work can span multiple years. Uh like the AB grant, it started in 24 and we're in the middle of we spent all of 25 working on it and now we'll finish it up by June and 26. So as you hear about them go through, you might hear multiple times what's happening. But that's that's just the way the grant a lot of these grants work out. The ones starting that I've got starting in 26 will be 26 27 probably into 28. So just so council's aware. Um, other miscellaneous projects in 25 were the the replacement of the Woodbury Gazebo roof. Um, and then the refresh and the replant at the at the Woodbury Park. We thought it was a great year to do that. Uh, especially with the with the road work done here in the Wood uh Woodbine area and then also with the new city hall. So, it turned out quite well, including the parking lot now, addition to the parking lot. Um, public works was uh open house was a success again last year. We had a little over 300 children attending and I and I want to thank staff and council for the help. Uh it it seems to continue to grow. Um I don't know how it can get much bigger than last year, but they're already planning ahead. So um I I I believe one of the skeletons end up in the car Trevor uses for the city. So if somebody sees us, somebody riding while Trevor, it's it's just a skeleton. um recycling program uh received a grant last year for 19,000 for bin blocks to help with the separation materials that are for our recycling events. And then we also were able to put more recycling stations in the parks. Um now that Tom's not with us anymore, um we're going to make some changes to the program. Uh and most of it is to alleviate some of the staff time. So you'll see uh you'll see different changes as we go along. And that's just someone when she with the change in the guard, that's usually what happens. So, um, so bear with me and ask questions if you need to as we we'll we'll work on this together. Uh, storm water continues to increase projects as their infrastructure ages. We got several pictures in the report. Culverts, again, a lot of times storm water isn't storm water basins on the streets and it's actually out in the country as well, ditch work, uh, culverts and so on and so forth. Um, we've also started working on on storm water basins and ponds this year. As you go through the city, you can see where some are getting cleaned up. We've actually had a really really good response here. Uh, it helped with the snow. Then the snow stopped. They started working on those. So, it either way we're we're going to have plenty of work for the winter. Um, uh, and so far the the the interaction with the public's been very good. Uh, and what we're doing is we're going in ahead of time. uh leaving door hangers and knocking on doors, letting them know we're working on these things before we're in into the actual basins and ponds and and so far I think that the system is working out pretty good. So, um water treatment plant, uh a ton of statistics there you'll read in the report. Um the water sold in 25 was equal to 24. Uh funny how it worked out that way. It's just uh just the way the numbers fell. uh when the plant was inspected by the Department of Health again this year, there were zero violations. Again, Parish and his team does amazing job over there. If you go into that place, I mean that the 3-cond rule does not apply in our water plant. So, if you have a sandwich fall on the floor, it can hang out there for a little while, it'll be okay. So, um the wastewater treatment plant continue to meet the permit uh requirements and limits for 2025. Uh some neat figures for you. Fergus Power uh processed approximately 1 1.2 2 million gall liquid gallons and turned it into 250 ton of bile solids. So, um it's quite an operation when we're doing it or working on it uh over the summer um down there. It's uh incredible to see. Um there was also there's a report we've got a copy of the SE uh the most current SE report on the wastewater plant in the in the um u annual report. Uh we are at they're saying now approximately 50% capacity. We're in our ninth year of the 20-year design period and that equates to about 1300 RUS or residential equivalent units. So numbers wise, we're we're in pretty good shape. So things are looking well. Uh some of the the and I want to mention some of the projects that the wastewater water wastewater team have done this year. Um they obviously had had kept an eye on the the the wood bind here in the in the annual report. You can actually see the the 73 pipe and the 2025 pipe and it's incredible the difference when we when we go in now. Uh I I think the newer technology will last longer than the old technology. So it's uh it's quite interesting. Um uh you also see uh the wellhouse the the guys actually did that themselves. um Butterfield uh uh hydrant uh generator load bank testing, water tower uh backflow pre um water treatment, VFD replacement, and the Ambassador lift station flow meter. Uh those were the projects this year. And I've we left one we in the report, one of the last pictures is John Mackey standing there holding that mess from one of those pumps. And we'd like to ask the public again if they would not flush flushable wipes. Uh we have had the numbers increasing in Turtle Run and uh it would be nice to to uh to go back to the way it was there for a little while when Mr. Feldman was mayor and he brought that up all the time and uh it was much appreciated and >> what was his motto? >> Uh if it doesn't come out of you I can >> Yes sir. So uh with that I can answer any questions this evening. >> Very good. Very good report Paul. Uh Sarah we'll start with you again. Ladies first. >> I I don't have any questions on this again. It's uh very detailed, very good report. I like all the pictures that helps you helps you see some of the stuff that's going on. Um again, your team is phenomenal. Um it's a pleasure getting to work with the parks department um in the capacity that I get to. So, just thank them for all their continued hard work and for again educating the public. I think that's been huge too for the public to kind of understand some of the moving pieces of the facility. >> Correct. Thank you. I will. >> Very good. Thank you, Sarah. Joe, >> I have no questions again. Uh do a great job. Thank you. And pass it on to everybody. >> I will. Thank you. >> Very good. Joe, thank you. Well, I got a couple um March March snow. Uh can the one of the uh the winner of the snowplow ride with March coming, can it be rescheduled at all or? >> We could possibly. Uh >> the one thing I don't want to do is push it out too far when they get into their summer, their spring breaks and things like that. I don't want to forget. That's part of it. I know we got a lot of us thinking about, but as we move toward March and things get busier, the one thing I don't want to do is um um >> miss it. Uh I want to fulfill our promises and we'll make it fun either way. They get candy, they get a little hard hat, they get a high viz vest, we we try and make it uh fun that way as well. They're uh they get a ride back to the shop. And what we did last year is we put snow in the parking lot and we were able to blast through some piles. One of the pictures is actually in in the report of where Tom and his his little uh preschool partner uh hit some snow drifts last year. So, >> okay. Well, that's a reasonable alternative then. Um the hot mix, where do you get it and how long does it last? Is there different mixtures or recipes for this stuff? Because once you put it in, it usually gets knocked out, blown out, or froze out. >> Sure. Sure. Good question. So, the the hot mix we we pick it up in St. all uh they they actually design it. That's that's their mix. Um when it's put in, it's the guys usually tamp it or pack it. We're actually we're actually going to try and look at a roller that'll actually help it as well. It it the hot mix is like a we'll call it like a sand. It's more like a sand so it flows. Uh and once that trailer is full, it has to be emptied that day. We don't want it we're It actually is uh there's propane flame. It's a propane flame burner. So, we don't want to run that all night. Uh so, as soon as they get it back to back to what I'll do is I'll actually start that gentleman a little bit early so they can go down get the load mix. So, when they're back, everybody else is ready to go. Then I send a crew out to do it. Minimum usually three or four people. Uh and when they start, they finish it. There's no stopping. So, and we've only been able to do one. We've been scheduling like one a day right now because it does take a while to run down there and come back. But it's a it's a pretty solid mix when it's in. We're really impressed with the way it's held this winter. >> Good. It' be interesting to see how it works. And uh the software program I see during our off report, I see some stuff in there. Can you give us any background how it's going, reception, etc.? >> Sure. Sure. So, we had public works sent out a mailing uh talking about it. So far, I think we've received back 12 calls on it. Uh I have a feeling that a lot of the residents are actually it's fairly easy to figure out and and we explained it uh with with Mr. Mubar's help. Um we're still waiting on on you know maybe more feedback from the public but as of right now we're also we're also always getting new numbers too right from we're also having se right now chlorides are up at the plant because it is this is the season right so when you have cars going through those car washes just think of the amount of salt that's going in and and that that that goes right straight to the plant and it's something we're keeping an eye on and and to be honest with you Parish has it well under control Um, and he if he was here tonight, he'd probably give a way more detailed answer than I would. Um, because he is our I mean I call him our water nerd. So, >> but um it's going well. I I was hoping for maybe a little more um resident um interaction, you know, uh and then we'd be glad we'd be glad to help out if more people would call. So, >> any ideas on how to get that out that message out again other than what we say here? >> Yeah, so we did the we did the mailing. I think we had it on on the internet. Um maybe maybe do another blast do another blast out there and ask again and and continually well and it when when our guys go in and talk to folks we always recommend let your neighbor know have your neighbor give us a call. So we're we're always trying to network that way too. There's a lot of neighborhood groups they talk to each other you know. So >> we're getting there. It's it's slow but we're getting there. >> All right. >> On that same note you you you and I spoke a little bit today. You went to Champlain to visit. Can you give us a little insight on that? brief summary. >> I can. Very good. I'm I'm actually glad you brought that up this evening. So, uh, Mayor Promman Council, you've heard me talk about the media at the water plant. Okay. It it it's kind of a mystery, right? Well, we were, uh, Parish and I and and Wyatt were in John were in Champlain today, and they're actually in the process of of doing that, replacing the media specifically like we're going to have to do. They were in the same situation. Um, they had just planned to do it rather than they were being proactive like we're trying to be. Um, I'm a lot more relaxed about it now than I was not knowing what it was all about. It's actually, how do I put this? I don't want to say the word simpler, but it's not as technical as I thought it was going to be. Um, and of course, every plant's a little bit different. One of the big concerns is the radioactivity. What we did find out about that particular piece of it, the radioactive material can stay in Minnesota, but it goes one of two places. If it's over a certain I don't remember what you call it point, it's got to go to a more expensive storage facility versus the what happened with Champlain is they didn't need to do that. It was actually able to go to a normal facility. So, we cleared up a lot of myths today. Um, it's still expensive. Uh I think just the media if I remember correctly was 700,000 for for those folks. Uh and it's comparable to an extent. So great question and I learned a lot today and and there'll be more to come on that too uh as we move closer to the replacement itself. So >> and there's also limited providers of this product as well. Correct. >> That is correct. >> Captive audience. >> Yep. Unfortunately with with the with a lot of things in the water wastewater world that is how it is. Sure. >> So, >> thank you, sir. Uh, warming house, can you give us an update on that? I saw some buildings come through. Darcy wrote a check for our design and build guys. What's his story there? >> Absolutely. So, the warming house ice rink design build. Uh, we are at 95% on on the on the design. Uh, I was supposed to have a copy of it already. It was going to share with everybody. Uh, we ran into some trust issues um at the warming house. So, uh, we didn't quite get it at that point. Park Commission didn't get to see it either. So, as soon as I get it, I will definitely share. Uh, then everybody can kind of see which way we're headed with it. So, >> and the end result, we're going to have a meeting place that we can rent out as well. >> That's correct. >> And better, uh, ADA equivalent facilities as far as restroom facilities in there. >> Correct. And that facility will be able to be used year round. Then it will become a pickle ball basketball court uh as well as uh um as well as the Philips facility itself will have an overhang. There's going to be a I would call it a burning permit, a burning pit there as well where we can a timed fire. Uh it's going to be pretty cool. Going to be pretty cool when it's all done and I can't wait to share it with council and the public. So, >> all right. Thank you. And then another one, the gazebo use. How is that taken care of during a a summer season for weddings or venue gatherings? And who takes care of that currently or what takes place there? Somebody wanted to use it. >> Uh you can you can call Jen at public works. Uh you can rent the space. Um and then public works is one who looks, you know, keeps up on the maintenance and stuff on it. >> Yep. You talk to Jennifer. She can uh get someone scheduled in. >> Okay. >> And then lastly, recycle days. you said with the personnel changes and whatnot, are you going to condense some stuff? And you had some mixed uh attendance on the last couple of last year. >> Yes, sir. Good, good question. So, uh originally uh we were going to shift or or Tom had it shifting into six different um weekends in 26. Uh I pulled that back. That's too many. Um we're going to stick with four for now. Uh we'll re-evaluate toward the end of the year. Um, however, the big thing we're doing now is by appointment as well. So, if someone wants to um recycle something, uh, they can give us a call, schedule it, and we make sure we keep an eye on everything. They can come in, drop it off, and then and head out. And it's working quite well. Jen gets regular phone calls. Jen and I kind of watch it. Uh, we're the two kind of watch that. Uh, the other thing I want to make very clear, very clear to the residents and to the city of St. Francis that it's something I changed in 2026 on the April recycle day. I we are not accepting trash this year. I'm done with trash. It's a recycle event, not a trash event. So, it cost the city about $6,000. We were the last of two cities in the in Minnesota that were doing it. We are not doing it this year. There will be no garbage. It's recyclables only. So, I'm glad you asked that. >> And the garbage portion, I've actually worked quite a few of those. And we're talking couches, lazy boys, some big stuff. And the truck can only take so much. And >> correct. >> It, like you said, it's not cheap. So, it was a nice service, but >> it's a nice service, but it's an expensive service and growing as as after over the years, it continues to get, you know, climb. So, we're going to we're going to take it out this year. So, >> very good. Well, please express our appreciation of what your guys and gals do over there and very nice report. >> So, thank thank you very much. All right. Uh, moving on to council member reports. Joe, we'll go to you first. >> I don't have a lot to report. I just would say thank you to the administrative staff as well since we thank everybody else. Um, and the fire department as well. >> There you go. Thank you, sir. Sarah, >> um, I I attended the charter commission meeting on Monday night. Um, Malcolm Beck is our chair. I am the vice chair. Um we did talk about um vacancies and office improvement and levy assessments, vendor provisions, filing fee. Um we are going to be raising our filing fee from $5 to 15. we decided on. That's the amount that we settled on. And then um they kind of we went over and discussed so that um the commission understands how orderes work and how they take place and how the readings go and everything. So um we still do have um we have now two openings. We had a commissioner resign. Um he's moving out of town. Um and so we do have two vacancies. So, if you are interested, please um contact the city office. You can find the application on our website and you can go ahead and fill that out. Um and then I also had um my parks commission meeting and I just want to give a huge shout out to uh Depal and Jen. They are going after grants like crazy and we are getting them and that is a huge benefit to our residents. So, thank you and Jen Paul for for your hard work. Um, the commission is it's a great group of people. There is still room for another person to be on there as well. So, again, if you would like to join that department, um, we do meet um, once every three months. So, it's not a huge time commitment, but um, you get to have input of what's going on in our community in a in a very tangible way with our park. So, Very good. Thank you, Sarah. Uh, report. Um, I stopped in at the liquor store to check out the new walk-in cooler. Joe gave me the 50 cent tour. Looked very nice. They were just finishing up some of the taping and painting, but uh I can see where it has a lot of added value. And we talked about marketing and and customer draw, etc. So, um, again, this didn't come out of the city budget. It came out of the liquor store funds that they actually, you know, the profits that they make. So they reinvesting in themselves so to speak to enhance their business strategy. So the place looked immaculate. The floor was clean. The aisles were straight and true. He they're doing a really good job over there. His him and his whole crew were doing a good job. And he did say that he was overdue for come in for report at some point. So he said he was going to reach out to Kate and get that done. So uh we have a work session again on the 23rd. Uh Kate says we got five items to talk about which um work sessions people are allowed to come. They're not really input requested but they're allowed to come and observe. Uh it's time we can kind of get together and we not spitball but I mean a little more casual atmosphere. We can talk uh not such a regimented situation. We kind of brainstorm on items. So trying to get a jump on hopefully some of the budget stuff this year rather than uh maybe get it all done at the end of the year. not all done at the end of the year, but we're we're taking small bites to get some something good stuff good accomplished. So, also the following work session is March 23rd, a month later after that. I want to mention again the citizens academy, the police academy. Can't speak highly enough about it. April 7th through May 12th and your cut off is April 3rd. Again, uh if you can't go to all of I mean, they prefer you to to to take every class, but the stuff you learn is is really invaluable. Uh so check that out as well. Um remember fire district meeting on the 24th of this month at 5:00 pm here at city hall. Again, you're welcome to come in. We're working on a YouTube channel or working way to broadcast that again to make it a more of a public situation. We have nothing nothing to hide. It's it's um it's a good thing that's come together. And when I went to the jail meeting uh 3 weeks ago, uh one of the council members from another city came and talked to me and asked me how it was going, what it was all about. And uh they were talking about something like that as well. So I emphasize the fact that they've worked very our administration has worked very hard Kate and the whole group um to make a template that's you know functional for in case another one of our neighboring communities wants to come aboard. So, uh, city council meeting on March 2nd up at Rem River. Sarah, that's you again on March 3rd. Thank you. Uh, city council meeting March 16th and then a planning commission meeting perhaps in March 18th. Jod's been pretty quiet over there, but with the sun shining and things going, we'll have some stuff to talk about and I'm sure coming soon. So, interest rates seem to be stabilizing, so maybe we'll see some more permits popping again, properties available. So, that is all I have. Anybody else have anything they'd like to talk about? >> No, sir. >> Well, again, it's been a privilege to sit here and for the mayor Ste. I will uh make a motion to adjourn this meeting at 6:44. May I have a motion? >> I'll second. >> You made the motion. >> Motion, sir. All right. All in favor say I. I. I. And thank you. Good.