Now chicken although I don't get as many emails which will be good Call to order the meeting on Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 6 p.m. Please rise for the pledge. >> 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. >> Roll call, please. Jenny. >> Mayor Bogle, >> here. Council members Fanes >> here, >> here. >> Robinson >> here. >> Joe is out. Uh, approval. Do I have a approval for the tonight's agenda? Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Robinson, second by >> I'll second. >> Councilman Udvig. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Pull the same sign. On to consent agenda. Do I have a motion to to accept tonight's consent agenda? >> Make the motion. >> A motion by Councilman Robinson. Second. >> I'll second that one. Uh uh. Anybody have any discussion items under here? >> No. >> Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I pull the same sign. On to meeting open to the public. Please come forward and just state your name. Anybody? Uh, good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh, Mike Roger. Um, first of all, thanks to all you for everything you do. Um, I know it's a thankless job. Uh, Mr. Mayor, can I uh ask uh city administrator a few questions? >> Okay with Kate. >> Perfect. I got to get my notes out. Um at the last city council meeting, there was a community member that asked about uh the EDA. Um, can you explain to us how somebody is appointed to the EDA? >> Mayor, council. So, the EDA members are appointed to by council through the annual appointments and the three residents through council as res. >> Thank you. Could you also um they asked a question and I don't think it was really answered. Um how is the EDA funded? >> So mayor council right now the EDA is funded through um we have used bottle shop funds for acquisition. We have used Anoka County HR EDA funds for acquisition and we have also used general levy funds for acquisition. >> And who approves those funds? >> City council and an Elka County. >> Perfect. So, the council does have a say in what the EDA does. Um I think it was around 2016 we did uh um a comprehensive plan. Is that correct? Is that about the year it was? >> No. Mayor uh Mayor Kel. So we do those every 10 years. We would have started that Yeah. probably about 2016 with it being final in 201819. And so a lot of those things that were basically done by the EDA was also asked for by the citizens of the city through that comprehensive plan. Correct. Updating downtown. >> Correct. EDAs and HAS are required to follow the city's comprehensive plan. >> Perfect. Um back in 2016, um this is a question going to mayor and council. There was an economic plan um that the city paid for somebody to come in and do an economic study. Have any of you read that? >> I have not. >> Well, I suggest that uh that's a really good read. Um and it is something that mayor and council and staff and the community should read. Um, if the city wants to move forward, that's something that we should think about. >> Um, >> got a question for Mike. Can I ask question? >> Absolutely. >> Where did you find it? I mean, I can go I have all six years of my notes. I can easily dive in there, but where did you find it or is it readily available? >> It's right on your website, my man. Right on the city's website. >> Thank you. every everything that's ever done through the EDA, the city council staff, it's all it's all there. It's all public information. You just have to look for it. And that's something that uh the 2016 economic report is is definitely something that we should look into. And um I didn't read Cambridge's um the city of Cambridge has not risen taxes in since 2020 and there's a reason for that and I'm sure it's because they follow an economic plan. Um that's all I have. Any questions? Got a question for you. I know you're trying to resolve yourself from being accused of the EDA spent money on authorized purchase agreement. I understand where you're going. At least I think I know where you're going. Now, as a council member, I I did not see the purchase agreement. I didn't agree to the purchase agreement. If I would have, we would have had an opportunity to talk about it. But it was through the channels and he is allowed to have some prerogative to do what they want to do with, you know, regard. But, uh, I can see where you're going as far as the you didn't have a part in it. I didn't have a part in it and I kind of wish I did and but you did have a part in it. And can you tell us how it came about? how you got the purchase agreement on your desk or at the board and how you voted on it or what did you what did you think of it at the time? I guess that was a because several weeks ago I'm sure this has been festing for you for a while. >> Well, there's a couple things. Um uh two weeks ago at this council meeting, the EDA was called corrupt. And not one of you up there stood up for the EDA knowing that the EDA is corrupt. Correct. >> A me a member of this community. Um, and I took offense to that personally cuz I'll guarantee you one thing. As a member of the EDA, I would never give anybody any tiff money in this community unless they had a solid business plan. In fact, we and I think Sarah sat on EDA at that time. We denied tiff money because of not having a solid business plan. Question for Cape. In every one of our applications, we have language in there that protects this city. Is that correct? And every contract we have with >> with the EDA >> with with anybody that applies for TIF money and we grant that. What kind of stipulations are in there? Uh correct. So mayor council so with an EDA application there is um there is well first it has to meet the but four test. So the city has protections that it's required but then in regards to if they were to foreclose default or not build the city then basically the tiff then wouldn't be applied. So >> has is has that ever happened here in this town >> where this >> that the tiff that was provided did not was not successful. >> Correct. >> No, we've we've since my time here, we've had one tiff application, maybe two. I'd have to look to Darcy, but it uh was successful and then it refinanced. So, we haven't had a problem with default or >> what about the um town houses over there by uh I don't know what the project was called where the city took that project back. >> Dave, >> I would say we put language in the contracts to say that if you do not perform, the EDA has the ability to pull back the property. And that is something that we work and put into the the language um because it's per statute that if they do not perform then the EDA is taking the project back and and that's pretty standard language. Correct. >> That is correct. Okay. See, I I understand that. I'm just trying to clarify a few things for everybody and everybody in the community um that the EDA really isn't a bad thing. Um, it's done some wonderful work and uh, this building wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for the EDA. Kevin, I saw that first uh, purchase agreement at the EDA meeting. Um, the the EDA only meets once a year by law unless there is something that comes up that requires the attention. >> Wouldn't something like that require the attention? Something like that. I guess the Katie or Mike wouldn't know something like that acquired attention of a group think think tank rather than just a >> we we did meet for that >> that's all it's all in the city records every bit of it uh you can go back and read all the past minutes from the EDA as as park board as planning and zoning every one of those meetings is recorded and it's put on the website every everything the city does is on on the website. Um, shame on you guys if you haven't followed that. >> Second, shame on you. You still haven't zone yourself from being part of the $5,000 uh purchase or the purchase agreement. So, don't cast a spursion. >> So, here was my thinking, Kevin, and let me ask you a question. If you were walking down the street, you found a million dollars sitting there, would you pick it up or would you keep walking? I knew the city was struggling with our wastewater and treatment and that was part of the conversation also that this million-doll whacking sack charge would have helped tremendously. >> Now, so you're talking about tiff or the 5,000. >> They all they would have went hand in hand, sir. >> No, I don't I don't agree with that. >> You don't agree with that? Well, that's that's your that's you're right. >> You're right. You're right. >> You're right. And that's my right to think the way I think. Um, it was an open meeting. you you could attended. >> Again, I'm not casting us versions on you either. I'm just saying it's a choice you made. >> Yeah, you're right. And I thought it was a great choice for the city. That piece of property sat for sale for $1. Um Kate, maybe you can ask how long we had that on the market for a dollar. >> I'm not questioning any of that, Mike. I really not my concern. I'm concerned about the advancement and development of the city as well. But you're you're bunching TIFF with the 5,000 purchase. Then they're two different items and I >> Kevin the purchase the purchase still stands at $5,000 without the tiff >> facts put in front of you. We make choices every month on the facts that are put in front of us. You do the best you can. >> That's all you can do and that's all I ask from any of you. I'm not accusing any of you anything. I'm just saying that maybe we lack a little bit. Um, as the president of the DEA, I asked many times why don't we sit down together? We apparently one hand don't talk to the other. >> I don't know. I never get an answer back. So, >> may I go ahead? >> I just wanted to respond to Kevin. >> Can you speak into that? >> Oh, sure. I wanted to respond to Kevin. Um, I'm on the EDA and it was at my first meeting. So, I think it was maybe in February that we looked at the purchase agreement and I I think you asked about the votes. Um, I was the only one who asked why are we selling this property for $5,000. I understand that I'm coming into it new at that point and the vote was everyone voted for it except myself and it was it just didn't make sense to me and I understand that that property and other ones that we've talked about maybe have been for sale for a dollar but if literally if there was a property in town that anyone would buy it for a dollar >> it was listed you had the opportunity >> I I never saw it so I mean what who wouldn't buy it for a I mean that, you know, to do something with it. If that property was listed for a dollar and the people that lived around it were able to buy it for a dollar or $5,000, almost any one of them would have bought that. So, they could have kept it the way that that it was. Um, that that's my understanding anyway. But it was it was probably in February. You could go back and and look at it. I'm guessing that's when our meeting was. Um, but it it the purchase agreement was there and everyone voted yes except myself. >> I perfectly understand that. And again, the $5,000 enticement was to create some development, which is what the EDA's job is to do, to create development. So, I'm not disputing that. Am I happy about it? No. I I wasn't happy with the t the tiff business. So, and I didn't vote for the tiff business. So, but again, I just didn't want the two lump together as one one mistake, you know, that the city was doing. So, let's dial back a little bit. Um, it it it just didn't happen that night. That's something that had been worked on many times. And correct me if I'm wrong, Kate, but I believe they came and they talked to the council and I think Rob Bower was still around at that time um about tiff for that. And I we were under this understanding that we had an agreement with mayor and councel at the time that tiff would be approved for this project which you were there at that time Kevin. Um, you may say so. I'd like to check the notes on that. But again, >> but I'm not I'm not making any accusations, but that's the understanding we had as as the EDA is that there was a there was an agreement, a gentleman's agreement, so to speak, that uh TIFF would go through with this project. Otherwise, the EDA and staff wouldn't have dumped all that effort into this project without having some. So, maybe one hand ain't talking to the other. I I don't know. But that's something in order to go forward we need to do. Um Mike, you and I have you and I have had our discussions about this a lot. And I I I one thing I can respect here is I I honestly think that we should set up a future work session with the EDA and council. I'm >> I'm I'm open to sitting down and talking. >> Perfect. Um, one more question for you, Kate. We have one more piece of property on Ambassador Street listed. Have we had even had an offer on that? >> The old county garage. >> Oh, Bridge Street. >> Yep. Bridge Street. I'm sorry. >> So, mayor council and and I want to clarify. I know I know the idea that neighbors, right? Right? I don't want to give a false impression that just anybody can buy these properties for a dollar or for 5,000 or for 10,000. When these properties are sold, it has to have a development. It has to have a purpose. And that is by state statute. And it also has to be done within a certain amount of time. So when somebody buys it, whether it's for a dollar, whether it's for full price, the minute we close on that property, that time starts ticking as to what they're building based on what's approved by council. So, there's a lot of layers and timelines um where if if residents wanted to buy it for a dollar, they should have done it before the EDA bought it or or even buy it for full price. Um in regards to the property on Bridge Street, yes, that's listed. We have discussed a potential project with one buyer. Um that is another being on the river, it is another complicated property, but as of right now, we don't have any um agreements or or interests moving forward. So, >> and I'm sorry, Amy, I should explain that to you at the EDA meeting that not just anybody could buy it for a dollar. >> Well, and I I understand what you're saying, but you're saying it was for sale for a dollar for years and nobody bought it. >> Right. And that was kind of the the reason why we sold it for what we did. Was I happy for selling it for $5,000? No. But I was looking at the long-term, and I shouldn't say I, we as a community. Um, and I and I and I understand there's some that disagree with that, but I was looking more at the long-term benefits. Um, it kind of goes back to planting that seed and all summer long you water it and you baby it and you talk to it and then it sooner or later it starts giving flowers and you you reap the rewards of what you've planted. Um, it's kind of a crappy analogy, I guess, but that's the only one I have for you. >> Well, and I understand that not everybody could just buy it for a dollar. I didn't mean to make it sound that way, but but by you saying, "Well, we had it for sale for a dollar for years and nobody was interested." You should continue that sentence by saying, "Well, they have to have a plan and it has to be approved and has to done on the timelines." So because because that could be confusing as well. >> So in so when I first got appointed to the EDA I went and I read econom economic development authorities and the book is huge and it's long and there's tons of yeah it's boring and you think I don't have a life but I I do a lot of reading and u that's something that all you should read really. I mean, you're kind of in the business of it now. Um, and and honestly, it's kind of a boring but good read, if that makes any sense. Um, it might open up some doors or windows or whatever. Since my big fear right now is is that even with the comprehensive plan, we don't have a vision anymore. And and that's what I fear. The city doesn't have a vision. What are we going to do next year? We going to be going through the same thing asking for more money in taxes. Somehow we have to have a vision to prosper in this town. And and uh that's part of what the EDA was designed for. Um whether we like it or not. But I'll guarantee you this. As long as I'm on the EDA, there will not be a developer that comes into this town without a solid business plan that I give him tiff money for. I can guarantee you that. We've already taken that away from one and it can happen again. Anything else? Well, I thank you for your time. Um, and again, I thank you for what you guys do cuz it's kind of thankless, especially in social media, especially you, Todd. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Tina, >> hello Tina Carol. Um, thank you for the explanation, Mike. Um although we are going to agree to disagree on this I'm guessing because in my opinion we elect the council to fund or figure out what we're going to do with our funds. I personally do not believe that a citizen, a community member should have any say in what we do and how much we we sell a property for because first of all they don't see the books. Do they actually see how much we paid for it? How much money we have put into that property? Because any business owner, I don't care what kind of business you are, you would never sell a property and lose money like we did on that property. So, I'm sorry, but I don't agree with the EDA whatsoever. And what is the reasoning behind the city actually buying property? There's no what can anybody tell me that why does the city own property other than city own like actual city functioning buildings and lots? Why did we buy that empty lot or that lot over there? Can anybody answer that? >> Mayor and council, would you >> I I mean I'll I'm going to defer to Kate on it for the exact answer. I mean, some some of them some of them I know were basically given to the city, but Kate can explain this better than I can. >> This one was acquired by the city as it had an extremely dangerous and dilapitated building that nobody in the community or elsewhere was buying. So, for the purpose of safety, for the purpose of economic development, the city acquired it. >> Okay. And do you remember offhand how much we paid for that? >> Got that in front of me. Mayor Council, we paid $170,000 for that property. >> Okay. So, if we paid $170,000 for that property, then spent another 25,000. That's what you had figured out last meeting to take down all of those trees. Look at how much money we have lost. We are continuing to spend money that we do not have and we've got to stop that. To me, there should be no what what other reasoning do we have to own any other property in this town. Look at how many big buildings and big things that we have done in this city in the last 5 years, but yet not one of them has paid off. >> Why can you say that? Have you paid off the bills for this building for the sold? >> I understand that. But there are other buildings that you that have been built in this town that are they paid off? >> What? What other buildings? >> Okay. The uh public works and where the recycling areas. Is all of that paid off? >> No, it's not. >> Okay. Then paid off. Is your home paying off? >> I understand that. But did we need this city hall, this big of a city hall to spend this kind of money that we don't even have full access to? The fire department is in here. Why can't Okay, with this big of an office, why is the police department not in here? Why is the Why are there so many empty offices here? >> For expansion in the future. I mean, let me say something too. Like I said before and many many before, we had 28 people, 28 people after numerous accounts and and public uh outcry to get people to come and see the two buildings that they used to be. Our old city hall and our fire station, they were beyond repair as far as or they weren't worth putting more money back into. So would you like to see us keep the old chilapy, put some tires on it, slap some more band-aids on and whatnot, or have our guys doing laundry and stuff next to that? that the microwave oven was standing next to their dirty clothes that just came back from a fire. Now, these are all small increments, but again, 28 people came to our open houses. We let people know. We let people know. We let people know that we were going to spend $13 million. And we didn't hear except for 20 people came the the U renderings look good. Da da da da. It's either that. It's either stay still or go forward. And we had no choice. We combined two buildings and put them into one. We sold the other building for 260,000. We still utilize the space that we had the other space on. There's some things that do you have to do for the future, not just because the here and now. We uh Darcy, what a year and a half or two years ago, you paid off one of our bonds early, but nobody seems to recognize that or say >> that's why I'm asking what have we done? >> There's a timeline that, you know, you and I Tina could sit down and probably increment, you know, question and answer, question answer. All all my answers might not be good ones, but there'll still be an answer. It's it's kind of hard. >> Well, and that's fine. I mean, I understand that I'm not going to like everything that the council does. Nobody's going to be 100%. But when we're spending this kind of money, we need to rein that in when we're continuing to ask people for more money, but yet all we're doing is spending money and losing money. >> I I strictly disagree with you as far as losing money. There's, like I said, for the six and a half years I've been here, I'm very conscientious about my home money and I'm very, very conscientious about city money. So, I would have never voted and and like Mike says, go back in all the records and the minutes to see what we talked about. We've had numerous discussions about things. This has been one of the quieter years as far as meetings go, but I I can guar freaking vented very hard and long hours in work sessions. Well, with your customer, the person the citizens of come to our work sessions too. We take it very seriously about spending any money around here. It's not like a just a money machine with the dollar bill guns going off around here. I I really take umbrage when people say that unless you know all the facts. It's easy for people to come here and go and get us for us to sit here and be quiet about it. Like Mike said, you can go in all the meetings if you got the time to do it or come to all the meetings while we're doing them, which I'm glad you are and you're here now and we get a chance to >> Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't live here until last year, so >> I've only been here because it's in there. Well, but you understand my frustration though >> as well >> that to me would you sell a business or would you sell your house for less than you paid for it? >> No, but that's not >> Yes, it is. It is valid. It's the same concept >> city to buy land and stuff. And I don't agree with the cities being in the real estate business either. When I was 20 years, they bought some properties here as well and they're still sitting on them with some for sale signs in. >> But at some point, the city has to like Kate said, they sat in in disrepair for years and years and years. So, it's like, well, we might we should step forward. It wasn't the best thing to do at the time, but nobody else is doing anything about it. So, it helps the city shape and on how the city's going to look and come together. I don't agree with the main street concept. I don't agree with street lights and you know, we're Mr. and Mrs. Smith walking up hand in hand down a main street that we have. A lot of cities have created main streets, but there never was one. Uh, but again, it it takes shape over time. But as far as building and whatnot, I I I really disappointed that I'm My taxes went up too, by the way. >> Oh, I understand. Everybody's all over the entire state, all over the country. Everything's going up. I get it. But I just we've talked about this over and over and over again that we need to tighten our purse strings in this in this town and continually doing things. And I mean I had an amazing visit with Paul last week. Amazing. This man spent three hours with us showing us around to everything and explaining things that he does, how many grants that he gets to do different things and I commend him. So, thank you very much because that's what we need to do more of is get grants and try and spend, you know, try and pay attention to what we're spending. And I understand we need to grow. I understand that. And I know Kate, you and I don't agree with this on a lot of things. I know that we have butt heads on many things. I know you don't necessarily agree with some of the things I talk about, but one thing I'd like to understand is on our website, who made that decision to actually put on there about development in the town that to ask us about TIFF money? Why are we giving people money and what is the city getting in return? That is promoted on our website. I'm not I'm sorry. I don't I'm not sure of the question, Tina. So, >> why is that promoted on there? Why do we continue to promote that we will give TIFF money? >> I don't know. It's a standard. It's a standard standard way. I'm not saying it's right. I'm not saying that, but I'm I'm assuming. >> Where is it a standard? >> Mayor and council, we have the city adopted a business subsidy policy back in 2016, I believe. Um, so it is an option just like somebody applying for a variance, just like somebody applying for a cup. These are all legal open access applications and 100% of them come back to council to decide yes or no. So it is an option for a business to apply. It does not guarantee that they'll receive funding. Um, so with our city adopted business policy, that's where the TIFF application sits is in our economic development on the city website. >> Okay. And what do we have to do to bring it back to the council to actually approve how much, unless I misunderstood what Mike was saying, to approve how much a purchase agreement is made for. >> Mayor Cessels. So this is getting deeper and deeper. Um so the EDA is its own authority. Every one of the projects that have gone to the EDA have been predised at different points with council. So other than probably the two of you who were newer to council, the the apartment was a great example. We've had work sessions and we'd been talking about that for two years. So, by the time it gets to that point of the purchase agreement, we had already been through two letters of intent, the purchase agreement was the third legal document we entered into with Northshore. Um, and then the TIFF application was the application that then proceeded with their concept plan to move them towards their greater site plan and platting. Um, there are no secrets to council. There are steps along the way in which council is either approving funding, um, giving a greater opinion on a site plan, reviewing the concept. So, it's not that the EDA is ever doing anything outside of council behind council's back or without council knowledge, especially with two of the five being on council. Um, but there is a legal process there. Each party has legal authorities that are different. If the EDA wants to sell something for a dollar, they have the legal right to do that. It comes with all of the requirements um of the state statute tied to HRA and EDA. Just like the Ramiker property that used in Noa County HR and EDA funds, those were um approved by the county, approved by the city council to apply for those funds. Um and and right the the EDA had three offers before Northshore for a dollar um on different housing concepts that did not move forward. So actually Northshore was the fourth one. Um but there there are no secrets to council. They are they walk through it with us. >> They do. They walk through the actual price that you're putting on the purchase agreement and actually vote on it. >> Mayor and council in the past. Yes. You have even approved an RFP for the Bridge Street River property that we have now marketed for full price. >> Okay. So, what what is the reasoning? I mean, by state law, do we even need an EDA in the town? >> Mayor and council, cities and counties um have economic development authorities and housing redevelopment authorities for the intent and purpose of redevelopment. Um, every city around us has structures in place. The county taxes on our behalf for HA and EDA purposes. Um, it is to I I guess the great examples is is the Ramacher property where we bought that property and it had a dilapitated home that was a safety risk for our public safety teams as much as people hiding in it. It's tipping over. Um the EDA and HRA allow the city to address properties and problems that aren't being addressed by the general public and with that effort then jumpst start or push further growth tax base whacken sack and greater development in the area to meet the needs of the area. >> So can that be moved over to city council versus the EDA? Is that something that can be done like disband the EDA in the town? >> Mayor Council, I'm sure there's a process. Um, however, by doing that, you would be giving away all the ability to do clawbacks and substantial improvements for economic development. >> And I'll >> I'm sorry to do what now? >> And some of those funds are by the county and those be used for a different purpose. >> And I'll let Dave >> Dave go ahead. And I would say mayor and councel statutoily EDAS have different powers. His have different powers. They are different entities. It's under a different part of the statute. They have more authority to actually move forward on these projects. But it does require that the city council approve final documents on a lot of the these things. So we're it's take off one hat, put on another hat. >> So that's the difference between an EDA and an H is HR has to have city council approval. Is that what you're saying? Confused? >> Both both will need that for land use approvals. Um but again, an H is going to do redevelopment. It's going to do housing development. An EDA is going to do economic development. And so it's called out in statute what the exact powers are, but it's also subject to the city council. >> So the actual we could change the verbiage on that to change the power of the EDA. Is that what you're saying? >> No, because and mayor and counsel um it's laid out in statute and so >> it's a state statute. >> Correct. >> Okay. That's what I wanted to see. I wasn't sure. >> Correct. Yep. No, there there's separate statutory authority under Minnesota statutes 469 on what HAS do and what EDAs do. >> Okay. And then also what cities can do which is more limited and that's why cities create an EDA or an HR so that they can take on those powers to redevelopment property in the community. >> Okay. Well, thank you for the explanation. I appreciate that both of you. All of you. I appreciate it and I appreciate you listening to my rants. I know I can get heated, but I I care about this town and I don't want to see people leaving because prices have gone too high or things have changed that that we're not going to have the small town feel anymore. And I know that's a big thing for a lot of people around here. So, thank you, >> Dina. I my just final comment still I still think down the road here, I think this is probably a work session item. If we could have the EDA and sit down with the EDA at some future. I don't think I think we got enough on the next one, but I'm saying maybe a a future one here. I think we should have a discussion with the EDA. So, anybody else? Representative Lawrence, you want to Mr. Mayor, Councilman, uh Brian Lawrence, state representative for this area here and just honored to be able to sit in and listen. appreciate the uh public's comment to be able to hear that firsthand as far as some of the concerns. Um, one of the things that I think about when you mention all the different um segments of your uh of your city is the amount of different people that get to be involved in that process which I've always valued from being a part of local government for many many years. Um getting other individuals to come get their viewpoints and be involved in that that stepping stone of those decisions is wonderful. And so uh um I appreciate those of you that do sit on the economic development or the other committees as well. Thank you for being willing to serve in those areas in addition to that because as a as I was on a town board, it's very helpful to have that input in addition to the input that we gather as elected officials as well. Um I'm here tonight just to listen in uh to say hi and uh um the one good thing I I guess I'm going to report. I'm sure you all know already, but as of today, I believe we have a date with the bonding committee and the bonding tour. They're not necessarily going to stop here, it doesn't sound like, but we're going to have an opportunity to give a presentation for your requests. Couple of the good things regarding that is um water uh treatment, water projects, our priority in the bonding tour. That's what we're requesting. And so, uh when we talk about uh concerns for money, grants, and other issues, your city council is reaching out. And on a state level, uh um as we give our presentation, I hope it'll be found favorable. Um I think you have a good request and a good petition to put forth regarding uh the need in St. Francis here and uh and so hopefully that'll go well. Looking forward to that November 13th and I do have it on my calendar to be there as well. Um unless something foreseen, I wouldn't be able to. Uh a special session won't keep me away, it doesn't sound like. So um with that, Council Meers, unless you have any questions for me, uh anything you want to ask? I didn't have anything real to report. Just wanted to stop by and uh see how things were going. >> I just want to thank you for taking time to come to our meetings because we have not had that with our other representatives. So, it really is nice to see you here. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Happy to be here. >> I agree with that as well. We've seen no one in the last seven plus years here or prior. So, it's like we're out in no man's land. So, we do appreciate what you've done and looking forward to your help also with anything that as Highway 47 situation comes uh comes through with PA. We'll see what the upcoming legislature has in store and hope we can keep that thing moving move forward. >> Yeah. And that's my goal as well is to come alongside and be able to uh speak on behalf of the city of St. Francis and maybe get some of those bonding dollars to help support that project. So, >> thank you so much. >> Yeah, thank you. Appreciate your comments. I may wind up leaving early because Zimmerman says tonight as well, but they don't start till 7. So, if you see me step out, that's where I'm at. So, >> thanks much. >> Yeah. Have a good night. >> Thank you, sir. >> Aaron or Pam? Anybody else want to speak? >> I'm going to get my two cents in, I guess, earlier than November 13th. >> Just Just please speak to your name. Yes, my name is Pam Gonzalez. I live at 22538 Zia and this November I'll be have been here lived here 34 years which goes I can't believe that but it has uh this is a person who has lived a life at this residence and I'm not just a number and Minnesota has so much beauty but the ugly is taxation We're in 10. We're in the top 10 in the United States and always it's always so more and more it seems and I've I've experienced it. Um, I have seen that through the years and I if I as a homeowner need to watch my spending and live within a budget and I do and I'm a widow now. So, for sure I got to do that and I work a quick trip part-time to help supplement that. How is it so much more for an elected representative to be responsible to do right with someone else's money? There is an accountability and you need to do the right and not cause more financial hardships on the citizens of St. Francis. Think harder and longer about what you are doing. That's all I'm asking. Thank you. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Only one person left. Aaron, you good? Okay. Thanks. Thanks everyone. on to new business. Uh Kate, >> actually I'm going to take this one. Mayor, >> sorry, Jenny. >> Okay. Um so staff was asked to make an amendment to the city code to remove um the address portion from um a line in our city code for proceedings at regular council meetings that asks residents to state their name and address. Um so the ordinance is presented to you with the um amendments. However, also while I was going through this um part of that section was the agenda and how that is laid out in our code and it wasn't current with what our current agenda looks like. I don't know when it was updated um but it just never got updated in our code. So I also put that in there as part of the amendment because it happened to fall on the same section too. So, we're asking to approve the ordinance 350 amending the chapter 2 of the city code. >> Thanks, Jenny. I'm I'm just I'm the one who requested it, but it was it was it was Mike's idea. I appreciate the idea. I thought it was a good idea. So, I got the Jenny with it and I and this day it's sad. It's a sad comment on where we're at as a state, as a country that we have to go to some efforts to protect people. But I just I think keeping the address out I think is a good thing. So I don't Anybody else wants would want to speak to it here? I don't >> Amy. >> Nope. I'm good. >> S. >> No, I agree. I agree that I mean I are they're still signing. Are they still signing in? So it's still available. If somebody wanted it, they're still going to be able to see it on >> I don't we're not currently is correct. Actually, we do have a signup sheet at the back of the room that we require people to sign in and it puts their name and address on there and their subject. It's mainly for the um record for the minutes for documenting it. Um we can I do keep those along with my records for the the retention period that there is. Um but if that's something that we're removing from city code, it would no longer be in the minutes. >> Dave, go ahead. Oh, Mr. Mayor, members of the council, just to note per the charter, this is roll call vote. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, right now, Jenny, correct me if I'm wrong in that >> some people are and some people are not filling filling out. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> I mean, if it's something we as a council want everybody to come up and hand a card to Jenny, I I then I think we'd have to rewrite this again. Correct. Because what we're suggesting right now is anybody could come forward, just state their name and and that's it. So if we really wanted their name and address, but if they put their name and address on there, Jen, Jenny has to enter it and then it becomes public information again is is the problem. So Jenny and I, >> we can remove the signup sheet back there and people can just come forward and state their name and discuss their subject that they are coming with counsel for. We just wouldn't record any. If they're not stating their address, it would not be recorded in the minutes. So I I I'm I'm very comfortable with that. I think it's I think it in this day and age, unfortunately, I think it's the smart move, but I'll listen to whatever the rest of you guys >> No, I was just questioning No, that's a good question. Paper's still back there, then somebody's going to >> Good question. Absolutely. >> That's what I was asking. >> We would remove it. A big part of that is the spelling of names is to help us document how because we can create our own spelling in our heads, but it's helpful to have the actual spelling. And I mean I I can definitely make a better effort at asking them to spell it out if we need to. So that's that's fine. >> Kevin, any I'm >> fine with. >> So that's what it is. So we're going to have to uh I need a motion and a second. >> I'll make a motion. >> Motion by Councilman Odvig. Do I have a second? >> I'll second it. >> Second by Councilman Fis. This is a roll call vote. Uh Jenny, >> Mayor Vogle, >> I. >> Council members Robinson. I >> fes. On to meeting open to the public. Think we're good. Yes. No. Okay. On to reports. City administrator report. >> Mayor council. I don't have a lot tonight. Um just an update where we we are still working with the highway design. We again as I put in the off week, I have a copy of that design in my office. Like to see it. Uh soil work is being completed by WSB. So we should see them around the highway. Um, and then we are working on a lot of housekeeping with city codes in regards to zoning. So, that'll go to the November planning commission. We'll definitely be a full meeting with a lot of housekeeping items. Um, we're trying to get some efficiencies in there and then council will see those code, but you heard about our bonding tour. So, other than that, um, I don't have anything else right now. >> Any questions for Kate? >> I have none. Any? >> I have none. No, >> sure. Okay. Thank you, Kate. Fire department monthly report. Dave. >> Yes, sir. Mayor and Council for your review is the fire department monthly report for the month of September. I'm happy to report that we responded to 60 total incidents on the month. That is a pretty significant drop from our upper 70s and low 80s that we saw sustaining over the summer with an average in route time of 4 minutes and 47 seconds and an onseen time well below our goal of 10 minutes at 8 minutes and 42 seconds. You can see how we classified our calls once we arrived on scene in the chart below. Uh we are now projected under double-digit increase in volume for this year at 7.69%. Um and that trend seems to be continuing into October thus far too. So that's encouraging. An average daily incidence of two per day on the month of September. Our busiest hour of the day for the month of September was at 5:00 hours. So that's pretty consistent throughout the year that we're seeing that late afternoon, early evening hour as our busiest. Tuesdays was our busiest day for the month. Our firefighters responding by hour of day took kind of a weird shift for us. It was 5:00 am for the highest, which we're a little bit busier at that time of day than what we normally are, but it was encouraging to see that number up at 6 at that 5 a.m. hour. That's typically a pretty hard to staff hour for us. Um, and our on for firefighters responding, uh, we had the highest amount of firefighters responding on Wednesday at 4.5, which it helps that that's our training day and we usually have a fair amount staff that day. We had 16 fire events on the month, 44 EMS, and our average onseene time was just shy of 40 minutes. We did report a total of $1,000 in fire loss, 500 to contents, and 500 to property. We're meeting our goals about 50% of the time on both our turnout time and our arrival. We did give mutual aid three times on the month, twice to Oak Grove and once to Andover. And we did receive mutual aid twice or twice on. Um, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. I do not have any questions from another great report. Um, appreciate all you and your crew do. Thank you for that. >> Thank you, Amy. >> I don't have any questions. >> Kevin, >> um, sure. Do can you give us a report on your French toast, how it turned out as far as people and whatnot? I heard it was overwhelming. It >> It was a busy day. It was a great morning. We figured we had about 400 people come through um the station that morning. Um, everybody left wellfed and happy. We had wonderful weather which again for this time of year anytime we can get a day that's in the 60s and sunny we'll take it. Um we had a great amount of staff helping out. So it was a really good event this year again. >> Very good. Also can you give us any report on uh it's really none of our business but yet it could be some of our business now then are they getting their house in order over there? Are they having any luck recruiting? >> I don't have anything specific. I know they did a large recruitment for the heritage festival over there the end of September. I don't know any of the results of that. We have helped them out a few times here in the last month on some training burns. Um, but I haven't heard anything specific on how their recruitment turnout went. >> You know, if they're still are they using much of your time at all? >> ES and flows. We didn't go other than some chief chief questions and conversations. We're starting an early conversation with maybe doing some joint EMS trainings in 2026 um to try and create some cost savings for both cities. Since we train on the same day, we're going to have the same training provider. makes a little bit more sense if we can combine those services and get a little bit of a cost break for each city. Um, we're still working through that, but as far as I know right now, things are are fairly stable, as stable as they can be. We didn't provide any mutual aid for them on the month of September, which is usually a good sign. >> During your during your tenure there, did you do some EMS training for those guys already? Were they fresh introductions to practices that you your guys still carry on here? >> Correct. >> And they're still carrying those through, have they? Correct. >> They haven't cast any off, have they? Do you know? >> Not to my knowledge. Not to my knowledge. So, >> isn't that interesting? >> Yeah. >> And yet, O Grove doesn't have any of those skill sets in their toolbox. >> Not nearly as many, but again, I can't speak specifically to everything that they're doing. Sure. >> Sure. All right. Um, that's all I have. Thank you very much. Let the guys and gals know we greatly appreciate what they do. >> We'll do. Thank you. >> You got nothing other than Thank you for the report. So, thank you. uh police department third quarter Todd for the third quarter reports of the police department the third quarter is generally known for all the community events that we're doing throughout the summer uh this year is no different we hosted and are participated in a number of events over the course of the summer including home of the cop stay safe at home program of course in August these are just a great way to get out there and have some positive interaction with all year. Call for service did decrease slightly in the second quarter in both group A and group B offenses. We ended up at about 1,760 offenses for the third quarter. Um group A offenses again include serious attempts offenses to crime such as burglary, robbery, homicide, assault, theft, etc. These are offenses that give report to the FBI for their annual uniform crime report. Repeat offenses include crimes such as disorderly conduct, DWI, trespassing, and the all other offenses category which includes things like vehicle accidents, medical, or related checks, etc. There were 36 cases referred to investigations in the third quarter which included crimes such as stalking, secondary burglary, fraud, damage to property and financial exploitation amongst others. Officer officers conduct compliance checks during the quarter and this is to predator offenders who arrive in St. Francis apartments. Traffic enforcement continues to be a priority for the department. Officers are doing a very good job in getting out there and being visible. Uh they're being very proactive and they stopped 764 vehicles during the quarter and issued 165 citations. St. Francis officers uh also dedicate a lot of time over the summer working TZD initiatives as they as they do every summer as long as we have the funding from the TZD grant. Um the initi the initiatives over the summer included speed DWI move over law and seat belt enforcement. Um and again as I just mentioned these the overtime hours that the officers put in working these initiatives are reimbursed through the state TCD grant. Uh statewide traffic related related fatalities are fortunately down uh from this time last year at 298 compared to 371 last year. Uh, so I'm very proud of the work our our officers and staff are doing both on the enforcement side and the on the community outreach side, educational side. Um, as always, we hope to round out the remainder of the year safe, healthy, and we look forward to 2026 and and what has to bring. With that, I can answer any questions. >> Amy, >> I don't have any questions except um what's the status of the K9? >> The canine everything is in place. Um theou has been signed and uh off to the union. Everything's been agreed upon. Uh the squad is ready to go. Um everything that needs to be in place is in place. That took several months here to to do. Uh the dog should be if it hasn't already, unless Ryan has an update out here, but um if it hasn't already, should be getting ordered. So, as soon as we get possession of that dog, our handler will will start traveling with that dog and and spending time with that dog. Um, and once that happens, we will definitely at that time, we want to do a big recognition of all of our sponsors. Um, and we'll obviously let you guys know, but it's still anticipated at this time to be a a spring um implementation for the program. Late spring probably. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Um, no other question. Well, I have two questions. One, can you refresh us what a seat belt infraction is and the various grades of you pull pull me over, I'm not wearing my belt. What's it going to cost me? >> Oh, traffic related questions. Um, fine questions. >> I didn't mean to put you on the spot if it's too much. >> Our sergeant doesn't even know that question. So, um, answer that. I There is no cheap ticket right now. Um, unless, you know, some cities offer administrative tickets for things like speeding and things like that. Um, which are much cheaper. Um, but a state ticket, I would venture to guess it's going to be a couple hundred dollars. No matter what you get cited for, >> it'll cost you well more than a dinner for two at a nice restaurant. >> Y >> and then cell phone. Same situation, I suppose. As well, are you seeing any age differential as far as blocks of a certain age group of I mean, I actually saw the other day on the internet, you can actually buy a device that's clicking in your seat belt while your butt's in the seat and it it doesn't alarm. So people are actually buying products like that to forego a seat belt which I don't get but >> the seat belt enforcement was I think our last uh enforcement way that we did probably a month ago and I believe we were the highest agency in the county for seat belt tickets believe it or not um with all the bigger cities in our county. So the officers did an awesome job um finding those violators and I think you know as far as age groups and things like that I it's all over the board. I don't think it's any one particular age group in that, but yeah, there's still a lot of people that don't learn. >> Depending on attitude, do you write uh a warning rather than a citation? >> Oh, when I was on patrol? No, absolutely not. It it it never made a difference. I was >> You did it. >> Yeah. No, it it can. I mean, it depends, didn't it? >> You know, our officers, they all kind of have different standards and then what they write tickets for and and thresholds that they go by. Um, so I think they're pretty consistent with that. Do attitudes play a place have a place in some of that? Possibly. Some people could buy themselves a ticket from time to time, but >> All right. Well, please tell your group thank you and show our appreciation. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, sir. >> I don't have any questions either. I just again appreciate seeing them out and about and always taking time to talk to citizens and children when they're out in public. That I cannot I cannot express how much that just builds community and how people feel so much safer and more comfortable calling when they feel like they've seen you guys out there and it just gives them that sense of comfort that in their time of need that it's not a face that they've never seen before. makes a huge different s just thanks and again especially with the whole school incident. I just know how much you had to sacrifice your plans and everything else and I I appreciate what you and your team do. So, thank you council member reports. Uh Sarah, >> um I actually don't have anything to report. I was on vacation last week. So I can read >> Amy >> I don't have anything to report as well. >> Heaven I attended the Jayl joint law enforcement council meeting last week with the chief and he said it was a record 53minute meeting which was and they could have even been shorter than that but >> it's still informative the county attorney speech and the various fire uh police chiefs and mayors and other elected officials there. So, it's interesting to hear what's going on in other cities. As I was sharing with the chief earlier that Centennial is uh pulling out of there, going to shut down their own fire department and joining another group today and the elected officials exact words were it's going to save us a lot of money. So, that was encouraging to hear. Um and then we also had our first meeting of the rem the new our new fire entity will be called the Rum River Fire District and we had a meeting last week and and chose directors and chairpersons etc. And we'll be meeting how often do we meet it again? >> We'll schedule our next meeting for after the upcoming months. >> Yeah. So, it's coming together. And again, that's a finalization of a joint powers agreement between the city of Bethl and ourselves again to to save both cities some money and run more efficiency. Not it's not about just the money. It's efficiency is key and safety for the citizens. That's all. >> Thank you, Kevin. So, as you all heard the bonding tour on November 13th where we have a little pre-huddle before that where we're going to put together a presentation for that bonding tour. Uh I also was at the fire district meeting. Kevin failed to tell you he's now the the chair chairman of the fire district. >> Uh it was I thought it was a very good meeting. I you know it was just preliminary meeting. I no major decisions have really been made other than leadership and the name and we got we have a lot to go over yet. So, uh I also attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting on October 15th and I I know we can't all be there, but if you if you want to if you want an uplift, go to one of those meetings because the energy and the enthusiasm is fantastic. The only big takeaways is they've got I'm not I'm not going to steal their thunder. So, they have some exciting things planned for the next uh Pioneer Days next year. They got some great ideas there. And then uh the Vista Prairie Eagle Point uh November 12th, they're going to start moving people in on November 12th. They're going to start, it's just a slow roll in. It'll be uh independent livers moving in November 12th. And then in December, they're going to start moving in some assisted living folks and so forth. So, it's going to be a slow load. so to speak, but they're going to start November 12th. The first independent people are scheduled to move in. They also have a lot of it'll have to come before us. But they have a lot of great ideas for how they use that facility. They want to be a very public facility. So down the road, obviously there's license and everything else involved. They would even like to have a restaurant open public and maybe a bar, blah blah blah, but that's all futuristic thoughts. But they want to try and be a part of the community, which was good to hear. So then that I don't have anything else. >> And one thing mayor also gohead on the Chamber of Commerce they have they started a podcast Michelle and then the vice president um we listened to it the other day. It was pretty informative. Sometimes you might hear some nuggets on there that um that not everybody knows. They they might have the inside track on some businesses coming in or starting etc. But it was it was entertaining. It was interesting to listen to. You'll find it on the chambers website. There's a link there and you can click on it. And it was u it wasn't a snoozer. They did a really good job with their very first one. You could tell they were a little nervous and they really smoothed out and did a nice job. So I recommend uh listening to that podcast if you get an opportunity and noise in the background while you're doing stuff. So that's all. Thanks Kevin. So on to upcoming events. So two we'll just highlight here everybody knows about our work session on October 27th at 5:30 p.m. that is open to the public. And then the other one we'll highlight real quick is trunk or treat on October 28th at the public works. So last year was I was there and I I think we were all blown away by the turnout at that. So we'll see what this year brings. So uh anybody anybody got anything else? Okay. Do I have a I think I can just adjurnn, right? Or do I need a motion to adjurnn? >> Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Councilman second. Councilman Fonis. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m. >> started. >> Oh.