Call to order the meeting on Monday, April 7th, 2025 at 6 pm. Please rise for the pledge. 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. I'd like to start this meeting a little different. I' I'd like to spend one minute please of just for the tragic accident at 47 and ambassador for all those involved obviously for Brady and for the family and the bus driver and all of our first responders. So I just ask for one minute of silence please. Roll call, please. Jenny, Mayor Bogle, here. Council members Muower here. Fes here. Advig here. Robinson here. Uh, approval of agenda. Do I have a approval of agenda? Do I have a motion? I have one question. I I have one question. Oh, I'm sorry. That's not Never mind. Sorry. I'll make that motion. Motion by Advig. Second. I'll second. Second by Mulebower. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Pull the same sign. Agenda passes. On to the consent agenda. I'm just going to start right off the top on that one. I would like to uh table it, but I would like to continue D the authorization to post the position of fire prevention captain. and some of that. Dave, I apologize that I didn't have time to get out to you about it, but I just feel like I've got a lot of questions and I know two council people reach out with a lot of questions. Sure. And uh I feel like I let it left it gray at the last work session. So I know I know you're under time crunches, whatever, but I'd like to move put move that on to a work session that we could discuss that further. Whatever you guys need, we're more than happy to object. Okay. And so just I thought discuss it with Kate a little bit. Some of it is I I don't it's my own lack of knowledge. I want to know more the structure, you know. Sure. And I want to see an organizational chart with names and kind of what what roles each person's taking on to really make an informed decision on this. Absolutely. So, I don't know if that No, like I said, whatever you guys need, we can we're happy to provide it. Does anybody else have anything they would like to see from Dave more so we so we can put that together for No, I think you covered it. Okay. So thanks. That's So I'd like to continue D. I don't know. So it would be motion on the balance and then a separate motion to continue item D to a workshop. Okay. Anybody else have anything else on consent agenda they'd like to discuss? I have a question for Jenny on Jay. The permit uh gambling permit. What type of gambling is it? Pull tabs on one time shot. It doesn't say unless I overlooked in the two different pieces of paper there. So, a premise permit is allowing them to host gambling. Um, so each business needs to have an organization that actually is able to host gambling. Um, so it's a premise permit just for them to be able to pull in pull tabs or a raffle or bingo or they would be basically the ones supervising any type of event that happens, not the actual bar owners or restaurant owners. is the organization that then brings that gambling item in. Did they have to file permits for that as well or Yes. So then they'll file separate permits for bingo or raffles or Okay. That's I was just curious what it was though. Thank you. That's all. Mayor, anybody else? So like a a motion. Somebody make a motion to go forward on all except D. I'll make a motion. Motion by Councilman Robinson. Do I have a second? I'll second second by Councilman Muawer. All those in favor signal by by saying I I pull the same sign. Then on to D. I I I like I say I'm open to discussing it but I I just assume continue that discussion. So I don't know if everybody's on board after me. Sure. I'm good. And what do you I continue it to a workshop. Workshop. Work session. That would be set up. So, do I have a motion to move D to a work session? The next work session? I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor. Motion by Councilman Muar. Do I have a second? I'll second. Second by Fis. All those in favor? Second by saying I. I oppose the same sign. Okay. On to meeting open to the public. So, anybody who'd like to speak, please come forward. State your uh name and address and feel free. Welcome. This is the first time I've been here. My name is Kelsey Marine. I live at 23337 Arrowhead Street Northwest. I've lived here about 5 years. Um, but visited frequently before that cuz my boyfriend's lived here about 15 years and we've been together for 10. So, I am here today just remembering in 2018 the kids that were mowed down in that crosswalk on 47 and then this new tragedy that occurred. I'm wondering what are the interim fixes that are going to be done to fix that road to slow traffic um before the 2028 if that will happen. Before that will happen. what are you doing to slow the traffic on that road? So, typically we don't answer question, but I I I I typically allow them. So, I'm I'm going to pass the baton to Kate here on on this. So, so Mayor Council, so we are working with both Mindot and Anoka County in regards to the highway. As of right now, we don't have a solution, but we are looking into several different options. Okay. Um, since the incident on the 28th, 10,000 plus cars have traveled that stretch of road daily. So, we're looking at over 100,000 cars have gone through through that road since the incident. Um, statistically, something else will happen before 2028. We would like a resolution. Real quick just just I know WCB is talking about a one-time trying what was that? So mayor and council so the state and WSB have discussed a potential interim demonstration project but what that looks like or what that is has not so that it it isn't something I can point to saying this is what they're considering. Um but they are again they are looking to see if there is a temporary solution be while we wait for our long-term fix. So WSB is our engineer one of the engineers with the state with the state. So hopefully they're aware obviously that we want to try and do something prior to the hopeful date of 2829. So they have talked to Kate about they've got some ideas in mind but we haven't seen them yet. So, right. I'm also wondering in regards to the 2028 project, um there is quite a bit of a shortfall in the funds we have for that right now. What are the plans if we don't get the funds in place before the 2028 deadline? Okay, Kate. Yep. So, mayor and council, so that is difficult. We received our $7 million grant uh that we were awarded from the state. Uh there is a $10 million shortfall right now. They are working at looking at financing options, but as of right now, that is a gap that we are still working on. So, so if the gap isn't covered, are you saying it would be pushed back yet again? That is up to mind. Okay. Um, that is all that I have. Thank you. Anybody else? Good evening, Mayor and Council, staff. Um, most of you guys know me. My name is Mike Roger. I reside at 2770 232nd Lane Northwest. I've been a resident of St. Francis for 25 years. has been uh visiting this town since I was knee to a grasshopper. Um couple things I want to speak to you about tonight. Um the other day I was watching your um work session. Love it now that it's all online. One thing, we used to have a canine in town. That canine left with the officer. I'm all for a canine. I think every police officer in this country should have a canine. After watching your work session, I was a little disappointed in a couple things. So, I thought it was my duty to come before you guys and take this opportunity to discuss a problem we have in this town. But keep in mind, with every problem, there is an opportunity. I was taught by that by some very influential people. Our problem, the 25% water increase. What is that going to do? It's going to affect every single one of us. Everyone. You that are on waste on well and septic don't think it's not going to affect you because you don't think Bob King's not going to add that onto his groceries. You don't think that the school district's going to say, "Hey, we need more money. Our water rates went up." What are you going to do when city hall, the fire department, and all the city facilities have got a 25% increase? Somebody's got to pay it. It's going to be all of us. Everyone in this room. We have an opportunity to fix this problem. That opportunity sits across the street. I was also one that was against TIFF. I worked for one of the largest developers in the country and almost every project they had was tiff. TIF is misconstrued. Everyone thinks that we're doing a handout. Think of it as as planting a seed. I know you garden Amy. Think of it as planting a seed. You put that seed in the ground, it sprouts. In months, it becomes futationist and you pick off of that vine and you get produce from it. So before you guys say no to the tiff money, especially the ones that said we don't know nothing about it, we're going to vote no. Take the time. do the due diligence for everybody in this city and find out what tiff is really about. I'll give you an example. TIFF is a tool. It's a tool to help cities address blight promote neighborhood stability. Let me say that again. Promote neighborhood stability by raising these water rates by 25%. You're going to ask some of these citizens in this town to choose between taking their meds or paying their water bill. You're going to choose to not promote development in this town. Do you think anybody's going to go down to the Rum River in and buy it and look at the water rates in this town? We have some of the highest that already are, but we have an opportunity. Remember that we have an opportunity to stop the hemorrhaging. Don't look at this tiff as a bad thing. Look at as it an opportunity to stop the bleeding in this town. Once again, if you have questions, give me a call. I've talked to many in the industry, developers, builders, their projects are being put on hold right now. They're pushing them off and that's because of the uncertainty that's going on right now. We have a purchase agreement that's based off a tiff, which can help stop the bleeding and give everybody that opportunity to succeed in this town. You guys right here, you have something. You have the opportunity to make something great and you're looking at it through rosecoled glasses. Do everybody in this town the due diligence to look what TIFF actually does. It's very very misconstruing what's out there. I'm with Joe. I don't like TIFF. I never did until I actually sat down with some of these hireers up in the industry and they showed me what TIF does. You can take an area, Lake Street, the Sears building that was all tiff money. Look what it did. It redeveloped the whole area. It's booming now. The Ford plant, St. Paul, same deal. Go take a view on it. It's beautiful. We had we got an opportunity to make something beautiful. This place here, we made something beautiful. Let's keep it up. Approve the tiff. Thank you. Thank you, Mike. Just just my only comment to is I I'd love to talk to you. So, I I'll get a hold of you or you get a hold of me, whatever. But just just so you know, I pretty much understand TIFF, but I I have an open mind about it. So, I'm I'm just going to let you let you know. So, I'm meeting I'm meeting with Northshore developers here this Friday with And and just so everybody knows and and the people watching this, I am the president of the EDA. I've sat on this board. I've denied TIFF in this town. I said from day one when I took that oath. I would never ever sell anybody in this town short to a company that didn't have a solid business plan. Northshore has got a solid business plan. I like I says, I've talked to many in the industry. I'm I spent 30 years in the trades. I talked to many in the industry. They're solid. They're absolutely solid. Maybe they'll come in and do something with the old county garage land. Maybe they'll some do something with that corner. But if we're not open to work with these people, they're not coming here to work with us. That's plain and simple. Appreciate your point. Thank you. The the uh Saint that was done with tiff money also. So something to think about most projects get refinanced within 7 to 10 years. So like I said that plant comes to futation then we start picking the fruit from it. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Uh seeing no no further questions. Uh meeting uh to open to the public is closed on discuss on down to new business. The uh gate replacement all mayor and council report before this evening is the lease and public works west gate replacement discussion. Um in the last three weeks we spent about $2,000 on it. So, I had Jeremy go back and pull receipts for me in the last three just to kind of see where we're at on it. We don't we don't want to continue bandating this thing. It's been a problem uh many times. It's uh it's locked open uh in the middle of the evening. Uh it won't open. Um he he came up about in the last three years about $10,000 in bills on it. Um I don't I don't want to continue throwing uh money at this particular gate. So, we we invited the gate company out. We talked to them. Apparently, when it was installed, uh these were several of these were oneoff. The components are not universal in the industry. Um there are three left in the state that our gate company works with and we have two of them. Um the the board each time it goes out is $3,600. Uh it's a special order board in it. And the biggest problem is we're lucky we have a second gate because with the officers need to get in and out of it, it it's creating a terrible problem. So I also talked to the company. I said, "Hey, what what if we rearrange the front? What if we remodeled it? If we remodel it, that opening is too big. There isn't a slider gate that'll that will actually span that that distance." Uh, and that the most reasonable repair or remodel is using the current footings and all the electrical, the camera, everything that's there already. And then just to remodel the two units that actually open and close it. And if uh anyone has any other questions, I can ask for them tonight. I know it's expensive. Questions? Uh, Joe, I would just hope that the new gate is going to be more universal and easier to maintain. That's something while we're looking at, but no, I understand it. It's disappointing when you see things like that, but it unfortunately it happens. Well, Mayor Council, we just we sat down and we thought, well, let's just try and figure out just get an approximate number how many times that has opened and closed since the building open about a quarter of a million times. And so the next one we're looking at to be a little bit more maintenance-free. So, we've already looked at the design of the new one, and I I agree with the new design a lot better than the one we have now. Oh yeah. And is is there a warranty on the is there a warranty on this one? Is there a warranty on many? There will be a warranty on it. It's it's maintenancefree for the first year and I have to see all the breakdown. I can get back to you on the rest of Yeah, for the first year it's under full warranty. So I don't have any other questions. Is there any government uh contracts out for bid people who provide gates and whatnot? And have you seen what they're offering on paper? Have you seen something in a video of what they're talking about or gone to see an actual sample of something in place? Uh, no. I haven't gone out and looked at other gate simply because in in this we thought about doing that until we found out to pull these footings out and and not to replace it to go with the brand new system was even more expensive. Sure. Uh I think it was I think the I didn't I didn't have it I don't have it in front of me. I think it was about $62,000 to do a a brand new gate there. So, I didn't go out and look because I figured it was more reasonable just to remodel the ones that we have. And I see bids here, but any references to the people that you've got bids from as far as the work they did, etc. Yes. So, so we're very familiar with Barnum. We've used Barnum several times both for our gates and we've got references from an open county as well. So, um I trust their judgment on this situation. They're they're the ones who actually do the majority of the work anyway, uh both install and repair. So the majority work for who? Or they actually install these and repair them as well. So they do both. All right, that's all I have. Thank you. Only question I had is both of both bids had a heater cabinet there that they were recommending. Is that we already have it or what's the So I So I mayor council I asked about that. Uh the heater cabinet it's not required. Um some companies put it as an extra layer. I know that the our current gate has heaters in them and it we actually had more troubles with the heaters than we did with the they actually overheated the electronics a couple of different times. That was one repair. Uh so this time around we're we're opting out of that. So there'll be no heaters in these new cabinets. So and this and just so the public knows or whatever else this falls under your department of the capital improvement, correct? Uh yep. And I so I've been working with Darcy on this. Um we're going to be taking out the building fund. Okay. Oh, to replace it. Any other questions? So, do I have a motion to approve the gate replacement? I'll make that motion, mayor. So, move. So, move a motion by Robinson. Do I have a second? I'll second it. Second by Fness. All those in favor? Second by saying I. I. Pull the same sign. Motion passes. On to the Department of Transportation limited use permits. Craig, Mr. Mayor, item 9B is uh has to do with the limited use permits we currently have with mind. The city currently operates and maintains non-motorized trails within the trunk highway 47 rightway between 227th Avenue and Ambassador Boulevard and a snowmobile trail between um the north and south corporate limits. The city currently has two separate limited use permits to own to operate and maintain those trails. Um the existing permits will terminate and need to be renewed. Attached for your review are the two termination notices from MDOT, the two existing limited use permits and a draft of the two new limited use permits. Um with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. Amy questions. I don't have any questions. Sarah, I don't have any questions on these. Kevin, no questions. Mayor Joel, nothing. Thank you. Only quick question I have for you, Craig, is just other than staff time or whatever else, is there any fee on these permits or is it No fees? Nope. Thank you. So, do I have a motion to approve the limited use permits? I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor. And M. Go ahead. Clarify. That's resolution 2025-18. Thank you. So, do I have a motion to approve resolution 2025-8? I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor. Motion by Neil Bower. Do I have a second? I'll second. Second by Fonis. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Pull the same sign. Resolution passes. On to a work session request. Kate, mayor, council, before you tonight is a request for two different dates. uh Monday, April 28th, which we will uh discuss the storm water process, kick off our annual budget, and then we will add the fire position to it. And then on June 9th, we do have a an attorney from LMC that is willing to talk to us about the charter questions. So, just looking to set those two dates. So, I'm currently on call on the 28th, but that could change and I could probably switch. So, I think I could make that work. Anybody else have conflicts or Nope. They're both Mondays, right? Correct. I'm good. What was the second day, Kate? June. June 9th. And what was the topic? Uh, that's when I've got the LMC attorney here to discuss the charter. Oh, all right. June. All right. I'm good there, sir. Yeah, I can I can make the April one's going to be tough, but I can enjoy. Thank you. I think we got the go on that. Okay. Thank you. Meeting open to the public again if anybody like to speak again. Mike, you want to speak again? You want me to speak again? Complete up to you. I can speak all night. I'll talk to you. So, thank you. Somebody will listen. Thank you. Uh on the council member reports, uh Sarah, um I attended the work session on March 24th. Um I know our meetings sometimes appear to be quick. Um our work sessions are are long. Our last one was about three hours. Um we we discuss things at length at those and that kind of helps us keep these a little more condensed. But um I we we get a lot done in our work session. So, just know that we're not we're not wasting time. We're we're actually putting in our work. Okay. Thanks, sir. Kevin, um I also attend the work session. Um I also want to remind people spring recycling is April 26th. That's a time to get rid of the stuff that's behind the garage, between the garage and in the garage. Um it's a good the leaves and whatnot. Everything the uh they have plenty of volunteers and they do a good job as far as the circuit out there. So, April 26, mark it down, rain or shine. Um, that's all. Joel, um, is at the work session as well. Um, I'm going to use my time, I think, just to kind of point out a few things of the people, uh, people that care enough to listen. What I like to thank the people that came here today to speak. Um, appreciate it, Mike and Kelsey. Um, one of the things I think too that people need to understand that goes into a lot of this stuff that it's not just that cut and dry. I was happened upon the lovely Facebook um after the accident that happened. Uh seen a lot of comments uh very disappointed to read what I read but just to spare the details I guess to me there's there's a lot that goes on with a lot of these things. So the decisions that we have to make um factor into things that affect many different people in many different ways. Um some of the comments on there were disparaging for that building um that is being proposed uh behind subway. Uh they're going to add more traffic, this and that. We're going to have more accidents, so on and so forth. Uh things of that nature. And it's um as you can see, Mike brought up the water rates in regards to if that building gets built that helps that the increase will not be nearly as much. Um so there's a lot of things that we have to consider as council people. um how are things going to affect everybody in many different ways and none of it's easy. Um I just want to throw that out there because it's I mean there's some of the disparaging remarks were really unsettling and one from a a gentleman I went to school with back in the day too and I was kind of disappointed to see what he had to say, you know, saying that we don't care about things unless it happens to somebody close to us. And it's it's not true. Um you know, the tragedies do happen. Um, accidents happen unfortunately far too much on the roads. Um, you know, it's one thing I can say is too, you know, like Kelsey stepped up tonight to to ask what are we going to do in the interim? Well, if I think back to what happened with those girls, um, previously, you know, state politicians, whatever, came out hot and heavy. Um, we got a temporary stoplight, which is there, the stop light is there now, and yet there was still another accident on the road. There's been other accidents even with the stop lightss there. Um, a lot of that comes down to you controlling what you can do when you're behind the wheel. Uh, thinking about driving while driving. Um, nobody's perfect. Accidents do happen. Um, I don't blame anybody for what happened. I have no idea how that investigation is going to come out or where it's at, but uh, my heart goes out to everybody involved um, and to our responders that had to respond to those things. Um, I can't imagine that's easy. Uh, but I just want to put that out there for people to think about. That's all I have. Thank you, Joe. Amy, um I also attended the work session on 24th and I like everyone said, it was very long. Should have packed a snack because um it was very long. Um and I think that's the only meeting that I attended between the last meeting and now um ex unless um the meeting we had with the school district about maybe um um talking again about Bridge Street connecting to 47. Uh that was a good meeting. I think that it was the first meeting, so I think that was good. Um, that would probably address some of the traffic or it would make it worse. I don't really know. But, um, the traffic definitely is a concern of mine here. And again, the the accident that occurred on the 28th, um, thank you for first responders. Thank you for um, for being there. Um, obviously, it was the worst possible outcome. Um, please just make sure you take care of your people. Um, PTSD for first responders is a real thing. Um, I travel through that intersection several times a day bringing my kids to and from school, but there was a good long time that my husband asked me not to go through that intersection when the kids were little. It PTSD for first responders, especially where in towns in which they live, intersections, it they avoid them. They it it's very difficult. So please take care of your people that were there. So and thank them for me. Thank you. That's all I have. Thank you, Amy. Uh for my report, this Amy mentioned we sat down with the school district. I thought it was a very good just general initial discussion. Uh just so you know, we have our engineers just obviously that we got a lot of old information. A lot of people have looked at this in the past, but uh they're they're taking a fresh look at it again just to give us a wild some wild starting points so we have something tangible to discuss. But both both parties seem eager to go ahead with with this project. So we'll see where it goes. Work session as everybody said and again move along but I I I find them very fruitful. I I I appreciate all of you and staff for just the the good conversations we have. They're not heated. They're not I I like the tone. So, I appreciate that. I sat down with our police chief, Todd. Sat down. He gave me a tour of the police department over there, and we sat down and talked in general about the police. And I think we're in a good position right now. It's good to hear. Um, I spent probably a couple hours with Kate here, so I really am honed up on the Highway 47 stuff and it's it's it's a lot. I mean, just ballpark numbers, just so our public understands ballpark numbers to try and push everything through. It's it's potentially $28 million just from ambassador, a little past ambassador down to our public works. When you talk about the underground stuff and the above ground stuff, it's not cheap. But we have a concept plan. We're still kicking around some ideas on the concept plan, but the concept plan is pretty solid. And unfortunately, we are somewhat depend upon this. It's a state highway. It's not ours. But I I think everybody's working well together on it. It's just takes time and it's expensive. So, I also sat down with Malcolm Beck, the uh uh with our charter commission, and we had a good discussion about charter. And so I'm looking forward to the work session where League of Minnesota Cities comes in and discusses it more. I I mean I I just think we need to discuss it more. And so we'll we'll we'll see what happened. And lastly lastly, I got to thank uh Sergeant Stemi. I did a ride along Friday night. Greatly appreciate the it was it was fun. Very fun. And I I hope to do some more in the future here. So uh that's all I've got. Anybody else? Anything? I just want to promote the citizens academy again. Um May 6 it starts. So there's time to sign up. Um definitely a an awesome experience when I did it. Um I've heard nothing but good things from the other people that I know that uh have attended it. And again, May 6 it starts and signups are available. So please get out there and sign up. And on that note, do uh chief has informed me. I mean, obviously there's a limited number you can do, but he encourages PE rialongs with people, our citizens, so you understand and know and see firsthand what our police do. And little joke between me and Sergeant Stemmy, he says every time he does a ride along, it's pretty quiet. And it was pretty quiet. So there's a there's another uh if you want to boost uh boost reduce the numbers of of crime, just do a ride along. So every night, that's all I've got. Anybody else? I have a motion to adjurnn. I'll make that motion, Mr. Mayor. By council MBA, second, second by Fis. Meet adjourned at 6:34 p.m. Thank you, everyone.