[Music] All right, it is 6:30. We will call the Monday, October 13, 2025 city council meeting to order. If you could please join me in 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. Thank you. Do we have any additions to the agenda tonight? >> Have no additions tonight, Mayor. >> Hearing none, I'll look for a motion to approve the agenda as presented. >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Same sign. >> Motion carries. 50. That will take us to public comments. If there's anybody who would like to discuss anything that is not on the agenda, please come forward. And if you could please state your name and address for the record. Um yes, Juling or Cold Water X. Um it's come to my attention that um I guess my land's been targeted by the city uh with no notice and uh which disappoints me. I've been a property owner in Hollywood Township since 1990. But um uh when I bought my large tracks here um adjacent to mayor, I did explain right away to the city council that uh what my intentions were and that was to uh be uh I would commit to the trail, the Dakota Trail and L sign being joined. And that was going to be a nest egg for me as far as making money and selling that. And uh Three Three Rivers is still planning on doing that. And so I don't know what your future plans are, but uh but uh that should be in consideration. I had also offered up two parks in return for me to develop 28 houses on the seventh edition. And um I did explain I was going to be putting my house in the middle of my property and that this middle trail up along this uh how can I this quote unquote road that is not a road. There's a Supreme Court ruling on that. Uh but at any rate, you know what? We have a lot of issues. Uh the city still owes me approximately 3 million bucks for the seventh edition. I have a bond outstanding as well as um the letter of credit, which it appears to me, but I don't know for a fact that you gave it to Lumis, who is not my partner. We had uh no discussions on any of what he uh supposedly gave you guys. And that should be of concern for you guys because uh the city has no easements on my land. And Lumis put that pond on my property so far off where it should be. It does not adjoin to any of the storm water system. And um and I'm not giving it to anybody. And I have a wetland credit program going myself and the city has seized my uh one pond. It ends in 300 and it's not part of the seventh edition and I don't know about your wetland credit program that is uh based on surface acreage but I've never heard of that. See, all of them are based on volume based. And that one pond of mine is 16 feet deep for that reason. And it's my rockstar pond. It's worth a couple million bucks in my eyes. And you might be able to knock it down to a million, but uh all you guys, how can I phrase this? First thing you do is you take an oath and you swear that you will uphold the US Constitution and the great state of Minnesota's constitution. And that fifth amendment clearly states that uh in no way, shape, or form is the government going to be able to come in and carve out any of your property without notice, without compensation, which you guys have done here. And along County Road 30, that was all my land. And the reason why it was is because the city when they built the water treatment plant did not get a survey. Okay? And so the land owner, Benny Quas, at the time, his compensation, the city gave him all that land rather than giving him back uh his land, his farmland. And now you guys have taken that and it's just taken it without any notice, any consideration. It's against the law. It's against our constitution. And um and it's I'm not going to let that happen. Okay? And I can't believe that you guys would not engage me because I'm open to selling my land. Okay? I've clearly stated that along that uh river, you know what? I want to see it remain how it is. It's a great piece of land. And uh you know what? I've been a member in 1990 of the DNR um forest stewardship program. And so I understand these things. Water quality. You know what? The reason why you guys aren't paying for any sediment removal is because you're not removing any sediment. My ponds have been filled with 10 to 12 feet of silt and I would request a close meeting session on water quality, but uh but I'll leave that open for right now. But the city's got some real issues there. And these are not holding ponds. These are my ponds. Okay? and they were built there to have good water quality on my little lake. Okay? And uh that's why I bought the land. Okay? If it's going to be my little estate, so to speak, and it bothers me greatly that you guys are not communicating what your plans are. And um I'm willing to talk, but the city needs to have a survey first and foremost. And you guys let Lumis um who claim to have a overlay on my 28 parcels a 32 parcel overlay. But if anybody actually would have counted, this is what you approved. He had 33 lots there. Okay? I mean, come on. Is it one lot? No. It It's a half an acre of my land. Okay? It's 50 70 grand. Who cares? It's just dues. Okay? I mean, this is the little things that you guys have hanging out here. And I don't want to get in a big lawsuit with you guys, okay? But I just want what I have coming to me and I'm not going to let anybody steal anything from me, okay? I've had to deal with Lumis. I went to jail because I bulldozed on my surveyed line. Okay? I have over 17 surveys on my property and I don't and nobody produces one against me. GIS, I mean, somebody's making up all this GIS crap and it's it's unacceptable. Okay. So, I beg of you guys to uh just have a closed door session where we can, you know, talk about what your goals are and I think we could reach a agreement, you know, or an understanding and but but we need to start there. I don't have any clue what you guys are up to, but uh I do know that you've grabbed land, you're changing my zoning, and um you know, it's getting costly and uh like I said at the last meeting, I had a 48 u acre piece of land and the the value shot up to just shy of 900k and it went from 48 acres down to nine. This is in Hollywood Township. So, I lose a building eligibility, you know, only along the river. And again, I don't know where this is coming from. I don't know who's doing this and uh if it fell under that DNR easement stuff, but I'm telling you guys, you don't have any easements on my property right now. And you should really talk to me about that because what Lumis has presented, starting with the wetland delineation, who did that? It reads like I presented it. I did not. It's not mine. Okay. It contradicts my two wetland delineations and it starts there. Okay. And again, the water quality stuff, but uh I want to further the discussions with you people. I I don't want to take up everybody's time here and I do appreciate and respect what you guys do and uh but um and I'm all for that river staying um you know in its current condition for future generations and and but I do want to join up with the uh with the loose sign trail and that really is a payout for me and um and if if you guys want you're going to have to pay for is what I'm telling you. So, I will leave it there and um I hope to hear back from you. Thank you. >> Perfect. Thanks for your comments. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> All right. With that, if there's anyone else who would like to discuss anything not on the agenda, please come forward. And seeing none, we will close public comments and move to consent agenda. Is there anything on the consent agenda that needs to be pulled for further discussion? Excuse me. Hearing none, I'll look for a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Motion >> second. >> We have a motion, a second. All in favor say I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. 50. And with that, we will move to B first business item. Nick, if you'd like to make the introductions, that'd be great. >> Thank you, mayor. I'd like to welcome Darren Scheler, superintendent for the Watertown Mayor School District, back with us once again to give his state of the schools update. Wonderful. Thank you. Welcome. >> Good evening, uh, Mr. Mayor, council members, and, um, see Administrator Johnson, thank you for the opportunity once again to, uh, speak on behalf of Wiretown Mayor schools in our annual, uh, state of the schools address. So, uh, hopefully be fairly brief tonight, but just want to share some of the highlights. Um, next slide, please. Um again the purpose in which we do this um presentation is just to strengthen the partnerships between the communities um in our schools and that's a really important relationship uh that we cherish um and again share some progress and the great things happening at Watertown Mayor public schools and in addition to uh focus on on some of the strong uh focus on strong schools that fuel a strong community. So we think that's uh also very important. Um, real quickly, just a quick look at where we're at by the numbers. Uh, right now we have about 1,428 students, uh, K through 12. Um, 103 certified teachers. So, certified basically means that they have a a four-year degree in in the area of education or in teaching. Um, 38 pair professionals and most of our pair professionals work with our special education students um, in a really um, high level work there working um, with those students. And we have about 30 members of our kids company staff which is our child care and uh preschool staff. We also have 17 food service staff um between uh three buildings and uh nine custodians uh three technology team members and uh two nurses across the district. So that's a little breakdown of of our staff. Um, as I've shared in the last couple of years, our strategic plan, uh, continues to be kind of our northstar in terms of, uh, where we're going as a district, our strategic commitments there on the left. Um, and on the right side, you can see our profile of a graduate, which again means that um, those six areas are areas in which we feel all Watertown mayor graduates should leave our schools with. Um the next piece on that, the next u slide kind of focuses on um one area of our profile which is um um just partnerships in our communities. I just want to highlight real briefly uh because I don't think a lot of people always know that uh currently we have about 60% of our students in in our high school who are seniors that are collegebound. The other 40% are looking at a trade possibly um or military or some other um avenue. But what's kind of unique right now is our work experience program has really grown immensely in the last five to to six, seven years. Um so currently this fall um we have 20 students who are out uh part-time of their day out and working in the trades in some form. Um and that's usually about half of their day that they're doing those opportunities. uh eight students are working in the medical field. That might be a nursing home. It might be at the hospital. It might be at a clinic um where they're working uh having a work experience there. Um child care, again, we have three students working actually in our own child care program. Um three are doing farm work. So that may look um again at a farm, a local farm here in our area. Um four are working in restaurants and and coffee shops and those type of things. uh five are doing manual labor and seven are doing customer service type work. So again these are students typically juniors and seniors who have completed um the necessary coursework to have a work experience and are in good academic standing to do that. So kind of unique. Um the other thing I wanted to bring to your attention I know uh back in August we had a very tragic event uh in the Twin Cities um with the school shooting. Um, and I just wanted to highlight I think one of the things that folks don't always know is is how secure our buildings are. Um, one of the things um that we have recently remodeled our middle school and our elementary, these are their two front entrances. Um, one of the things that we do uh requires that all parents if they do or any visitor has to swipe their license. We do an automatic check to see whether or not u the visitor um has any uh violations on their record. Uh obviously if you're a volunteer, you've already gone through that process and and you can gain entrance by just scanning your license. Um but someone who's coming to be a visitor for for a day um has to go through the process of scanning their license and doing a background check before they can come in. That's done fairly instantaneously. But um all of our front doors, we have one that's open, but the the vestibules that you see there, the one on the left is our elementary, one in the on the right is the middle school where it's again uh you have to be buzzed in order to get access to the office. You can't just get entry into the school. And those of you who haven't been in schools maybe for a long time, that is a pretty major change. Um it does at times feel a little bit um restrictive. I think, you know, that's not the way of schools, but in order to keep our staff and students safe, uh that is our our new method over the last couple of years since we've made those remodels. Um and again, just a much more safer environment. We also have about 250 uh cameras throughout all four of our facilities um that are monitored throughout the day as well. So, um pretty secure site. Um how are we doing is the next question. Um some cute uh elementary students there. Um next next slide please. Um just a little bit more on we do an annual spring climate survey and how our staff, our parents and our students are telling us how we're doing. We take a lot of pride in that feedback. Um 97% of staff um agree u strongly agree that we have a clear understanding of the district mission and goals which is really important to me. It it hopefully tells us and our school board that um our staff understands where we're going as a district. We feel that's pretty important. Uh 96% of district staff agree or strongly agree that uh we're very satisfied with the role that I'm performing in the district. Uh hopefully with satisfaction uh there very being the key. Uh 93% of district staff agree or strongly agree that our district provides effective academic supports for all students. And that could be inter intervention support for students who are below grade level, but also those mental health supports that are so key right now for for all of our students uh kindergarten through 12th grade. Um our parent climate survey um which was given out last spring as well. Uh 94% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they are very satisfied with their child's overall educational experience. uh 96% agree or strongly agree that their child has a connection with one at least one adult in our school and that again is is a pretty unique piece I think what makes Watertown Mary unique and we're small enough in that every uh every student has an opportunity to connect with at least one adult um which again pretty neat and then uh lastly you have a couple of students uh climate surveys our third and fourth grade students uh are surveyed in the elementary but 98% of students agree or strongly agree that my teachers believe that I'm capable of learning uh and provide me with challenging learning opportunities. So again um teachers feel strongly that uh they believe in in all of their students and then 97% of students in third and fourth grade agree or strongly agree that there are adults in the school that care about how they're doing. So again just um that whole caring and uh connections that our teachers make. Um, lastly on the climate side, we have some high school student survey results. And again, I know our high school staff is is really proud of of this as well, where 98% of high school students say they have a connection again with one adult in the building, at least one adult. Um, 99% of our high school students say they have one classmate that cares about their success. And I think as we talk a lot about mental health, uh to have at least one person, either a teacher or a fellow student that says, "Hey, I I care about you." You know, that's a big deal. Uh and 95% of high school students indicate that they feel safe at school. Um so again, kids are coming and feeling like they're able to learn and and put everything else besides and be safe. Um community education, just a quick update there. Um, I'd like to share some of the unique things that are happening in in our community ed program. Um, we offered about 585 uh programs last year in community ed um across the board. You can see the breakdown there of of how many are broken down by seniors, adults, aquatics groups, uh youth groups, and our early childhood family education. Uh aquatics as you can see um continues to be a huge um boost recently and the numbers continue to go up for aquatics. Uh a lot of people accessing the pool probably the same ones are accessing your new uh splash pad out here. It's uh it's a definitely a hit. Um but um the enrollment you can see our numbers uh continue to go up um postcoid and I think certainly um people are getting back into classes and even on-site classes. Um and again um over 1,800 almost 1,900 youth participated in courses um this past year. And on the right side um we have eight preschool classes right now. Um we have 112 students currently in our programs for young royals which is awesome. Um and again um our kids company Caring Hands Child Care is a huge um boom right now. Um the numbers continue to go up. uh 244 students are in our child care program. And again, that's from six months all the way to grade six. Uh obviously we have before and after school, but uh the the preschools uh or infants and toddlers are there during the day. Um and again, we're trying to knock down our weight list. We've expanded our child care this last year. Um we had over 60, I think 60 u children on the waiting list to get into our programs. Uh that's a huge concern and uh there's definitely a need in in both communities, Watertown and Mayor for highquality uh center-based uh care. So we continue to look at ways uh in which we can expand that. Our biggest issue is um literally hiring. Uh we can't find people to fill these roles. Right now we've had postings for probably two years. Um but that continues to be uh the our biggest issue in terms of expansion is just um getting high quality people uh in those roles. Um, real quickly, our MCA growth rate comparisons, um, and again, what I shared here, um, is just a four-year, um, average, um, which we're really excited about. And, and I shared a little bit on this last year, um, but we've looked over the last four years, and again, uh, we saw a pretty significant dip during COVID. um coming out of COVID, you can kind of see how we have transitioned from 22 to last year's MCAs and 24 in terms of math uh percentage rates. So again, these are the percentage rates of students that have met or exceeded the standard in math and then our reading rate is on the right hand side. Um but really what excites us is that the state average is is certainly uh we're outpacing that by quite a bit but you can see that the districts on the um uh below us again on our ratio um in the last four years we've gained a little bit over 6% um in math over the four-year period excuse me 14% our closest competitor um Gleno Silver Lake was at 6% so we're nearly over doubling um the growth rate and that really excites ISIS. That tells us that our staff and our students are are doing a fantastic job in terms of moving that dial. Um reading rates. Um same thing there. Uh we're the top district in in the local area and we're last four years in terms of growth. Um and you can see some of our neighboring districts around us um as well. But again, it it's very exciting to share this with our staff and this that you're you're making a difference. Um, and again, um, we're really proud of that. Um, last year, again, I know I shared a little bit on enrollment. Um, as you can see, uh, the history and where we have been. Uh, we peaked at 2017 at about almost 1,600 students. Um, and we've slowly seen that drop um, continue uh, to this year where we're at about 1428. Um, again, you know, and I I've we appreciate uh Mayor Dodge and and city administrator Johnson for taking some time to meet with us in the last couple of months just to talk about growth and enrollment. Um, it's been on our minds and I know our board chair uh Hunterfelt has has also met um with you and uh again, it's just one of those things where uh demographically speaking, we're we're not growing and our numbers are staying um you know, pretty stagnant but also, you know, trending downward. So again, that's that's still our major concern uh as as we speak and we've certainly are talking to the mayor, excuse me, the Watertown uh city council as well about just what can we do um you know to look at that as you know we're dependent on enrollment and that's a that's a big piece for us. So um we continue to look at ways to market and do show people the great things that we are doing. Um but when we have limited folks and again we have some great private schools here. We have folks that do homeschool. Um so you know there is a lot of competition out there as well but um again our retention rates are good. We're keeping the kids that are here. That tells us a lot. Um but again we just need to continue to work on that um upward enrollment trend. Uh again to that end one of the things that excites us as well is uh niche.com is one of those school search sites that um uh families look at when they're moving to communities to see tell us a little bit more about your schools. Um, so really cool data. Um, wire mayor is loc is is really in the top 11% of Minnesota public school districts, which is is really cool. Um, again, we're 11th out of 100 or 366 uh Minnesota public schools for best teachers. So again, they're rating your teachers, and that really comes down to uh the education level of your teachers. How many teachers have master's degrees? How many are reach going towards even further than their master's degrees? Uh specialized licenses. um they take all those licenses from the state um and they come out with a number that you ranks us 11th. Uh that's pretty impressive. And again, 40th out of 362 best districts in Minnesota and um 60th out of 382 best places to teach in Minnesota. So, um some really cool data to share as well. Uh just this past uh month uh we learned that our elementary school uh has been named the Minnesota School of Excellence and uh there's a smiling Miss Okonnell, our elementary principal. Um but really is the work of that whole building and and getting that designation. Um pretty pretty unique. Um and again uh we'll be celebrating in the spring uh with a celebration and I know um certainly uh the folks you'll be invited as well to attend that uh celebration u for our students and staff. Um also something that I thought we would share tonight. Um I haven't had the opportunity to share this since I've been here. This is my sixth year in Watertown Mayor. Um, but we've had two uh National Merit Scholarship Award winners. Uh, and that not award winners yet, but uh Riley Delaney, who is a senior on the left, is a commendable student, which means she's still in the running uh possibly uh to become uh one of those National Merit Scholarships. And Zach is um Lman is a semi finalist. So, he's moved up even further in the process. But again, you can see it's one of approximately 16,000 high achieving high school students who have scored in the top 1% um nationally on the PAP test. So again, some pretty high flyers uh in our district. So again, haven't had a chance to do that. That was pretty exciting. I know high school principal Mr. Hennon is very excited to share this as well. And you'll certainly see this out uh we need to celebrate these kids. That's pretty cool. Um, also we're continue to do uh 111 reasons to be a royal. Uh, some of you know Miss uh Sisync uh middle school teacher in fifth grade um shared there. But again, just you know our water mayor community has proven to be an invaluable support system for everyone who lives and works here. The importance of helping others begins not in our schools but from our youngest learn to our re recent alumni. our students learn the value of community service and giving to others is the core value which our students um during our students time here at warare. So again I know Mr. Dodge I know you're going to be writing one of these up soon. I know we got you on the hook. Anybody else in the council would like to do 111 reasons to be a royal? We'll take you up on that. Um and uh we'd love to publicize that. So thank you. And lastly, just again, uh, some great ways to follow us, um, in Facebook, Instagram, and myself on, uh, LinkedIn. So, hope to hope you can follow us, but any questions that I can answer for you? >> Any questions for the superintendent? >> Just one real quick comment. It was >> It was nice to see uh, your students coming down and utilizing our splash pad this year. I think it was three perhaps even four times >> caught you out there. >> Those child care kids over the summer, that's a great avenue. So, we appreciate that. >> Yep. They all seem to really enjoy it. >> Absolutely. >> It was great having you. >> Thank you. One other thing, too, we're looking hopefully this spring is to do some community outreach, some city cleanup. So, I know we'll be reaching out probably to you, uh, Nick, in regards to having high school students come over and doing some community service work, kind of a day of service. So, we're in the preliminary um stages of that and we hope to come to Mayor and help out wherever we can. So, think of some things that we could help you with. So, >> sounds good. >> Otherwise, yes, we appreciate the partnership and um it's been great working with the council and certainly Mayor Dodge as well. >> Likewise. We appreciate you coming out. This is great just to get the state of the state and where everything's at and >> um I just appreciate the open communication we're having now and getting together more often. I think Absolutely. I think it's really valuable. >> It is. I know 1.2 too. We talked about having one of our um our schoolboard meetings here in your chamber and just bring a schoolboard meeting to mayor. Um I know that's something that we've talked a lot about. Uh we just have to figure out the logistics, but um again, just shows that partnership of, you know, we're not just in Watertown, we're we're here as well. So, >> yeah, we'll we'll pull that off. >> That would be wonderful. Yeah. Yeah. I look forward to that. All right. >> Perfect. Anything else for Superintendent Scheler? >> Well, thank you. I appreciate your time. Thanks for coming in. All right, with that we will move to approval of the 2026 prosecution contract with Carver County. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh we've received the renewal prosecution contract with Carver County Attorney's Office. So we contract them for civil prosecution services. And just a quick quick recap, in 2023, the total uh amount in the contract was just a little over $2,000 at 2091. In 2024, that dropped to $1,870. In 2025, that dropped even a little more to $1847. And uh the 2026 proposed contract rate is $1,5443. Where that comes from, just for some background, Mark Me was not able to make it. He is out of the office this week. So, I'll do a quick pinch hitting here. So what uh the big thing that they do it on is they take the uh number of cities in Carver County. They have the number of try to blow this up a little bit. There we go. The number of cases and it's a case-based over three-year average. So in there they take all the cases from the prior three years. They'll average those out and then the total proportion of those then goes into the formula calculation for how much each city pays. And you can see over the last handful of years that our case loads have been decreasing. So that has earned us a bit shorter drop in the rate that were being provided. So with that, any questions from council I may field hearing? None. Then I'll look for a motion to approve the 2026 prosecution contract with Cover County. >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. I. >> Post same sign. Motion carries. 50. And with that, we will move to water tower mixer and scattera equipment proposal. Thank you, mayor. Uh we had talked about this at the last meeting. Uh the water tower mixer was uh pretty well ago, but wanted additional information on the SCADA equipment proposal that had been included. and Greg and I did some digging on that. So, the control box, there would be a control box that would be mounted in inside of the water tower. From there, it could be included or could be routed to into our dark fiber ring that we have and hooked up to our SCADA system that we have at the water treatment plant. uh the control unit on the water tower itself, you can manually control the mixer there, turn it on, turn it off, and then it would also provide values for monitoring as well if that's working. And with the remote access, all of that would get ported in as well. Uh Greg and I talked about it further and uh we believe this would be a good addition to our system. We've been working on integrating a lot of our SCADA equipment in this housing, so it would make sense to move forward with it. Greg, anything else you'd like to add on that? >> Perfect. >> Nick, could you remind us of the cost, please? >> I was just going to ask that. >> Uh, let me grab that. >> I think we had the mixer cost, but we didn't have the SCADA add-on cost. >> We had both >> memos. So to replace the existing mixer in the uh would be in the amount of $13,7 uh $797 and the optional SCADA control box would be $213. >> So then is our whole system SCADA then? >> Uh this would connect up the water tower to it. I think we have some lift stations that are >> we have just that one out here. That one in Fieldstone. That lift station's not two. >> I think we have two that are still on the auto dialer system. When we get drops with fiber, then we can >> Would we get any deal in doing those at the same time? >> So this the KM is the one who's doing this and they just deal with the water tower. >> Okay, that answers that question. Any other questions? Hearing none, then I'll look for a motion to replace the exist existing mixer in the amount of 13,797 along with the addition of the scatter control box in the amount of $2,13. >> Motion >> second. >> Have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Post same sign. >> Motion carries 5-0. Thank you. Thank you both. I appreciate it. Uh with that, we'll move to adoption of ordinance 250 amending the city code chapter 95 regulating hot air balloons and city parks. Thank you. At the last council meeting, we introduced this ordinance that is required by law. We have to have a 10-day period where we post the ordinance amendment and that was posted to our city's website immediately after the last council meeting. So, we are ready to go for final adoption. >> Wonderful. I'll look for a motion to approve ordinance 250. >> Motion. >> Second. We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. All fair say I. I. Post same sign. Motion carries. 50. And with that, we will move to city council reports. Council member health. Anything to report on? >> Had a personnel committee meeting today. Um finished I think we finished up on the personnel policy. It will be uh typed up and ready to go. >> Next meeting will work on it. >> And had a planning commission meeting. Still working on zoning and ordinances. Probably have that finished up by the end of the year. Hopefully, fingers crossed. Doubtful. I don't know. >> Went from hopefully to doubtful. >> It's a lot. >> Perfect. Thank you. Council member F. Anything report on? >> I have nothing. >> Council member McNeely. >> Nope. >> Council member Jackson >> meeting tomorrow. >> Wonderful. And I just had the same I was in the personnel committee meeting with Chad this afternoon and like you said the personnel policy or draft proposals should be at our next meeting. >> So with that I will look for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion second. >> Motion second. All in favor say I. I. Post same sign. We are ajourned. Thank you. >> Next meeting. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. With that, we'll jump right into the workshop and call to order. >> 2026 budget update. >> Doesn't want to stick around for budget, huh? I tell you. Uh 2026 budget update. So, we'll got a couple of things here and then I'm going to do a 2022 25 year end projections update. So we'll get to you very minor updates uh in the budget formation process uh in the general fund under expenditures uh under the general insurance that's been decreased from uh was 18,000 to 13,05 and you'll see this on the water and the sewer end as well. Not a decrease but an increase. So in looking at our proper our workman's compensation insurance, it appears that all of the public works were entirely lodged within the the general fund even though they have duties that pertain to the utilities. So I'm reallocating the that workman's comp insurance to be proportional to what the payroll is and making those adjustments. So that's the only change I have in the general fund. on the water fund end of things that here's where you'll see it right here. It got increased from 13,000 to compensate for that reallocation of insurance on that end on the sewer end. Uh bumped didn't have the amount on there. Let me go back. So this was at 560 looking to bump it up to 575. Our sewer uh revenues are coming in higher than anticipated on the budget. So this reflects more al along the lines of what we're seeing for revenues coming in. And then down here on the insurance like you saw in water uh increase from 21,000 to 24,500 for that allocation. And then on the storm sewer end slight increase on here. I believe that was was 82 bumping up to 86 on there to reflect the storm sewer fees that we're seeing come in. And that is the long and short of this round of budget updates. Any questions on any of that? >> N thank you. >> With that, we will go back into that. >> Uh you're in predictions. did this last year just because we had some variation going on in the budget. I want to make wanted to make council aware of it, but I thought it was a good practice. So, I'm going to do it to you again this year. Thank you for bearing with me on all this financial information I like to give you guys. So, what we'll cover uh 2025 year end predictions for the major funds and those include the general fund, water, sewer, and storm sewer fund. For general fund revenues, the original budget was1,165,275 and predicting a year end of 1,264,175 or a difference of $98,900 above budget. The bulk of where that's coming from, building permits once again outperforming the budget by about $75,000 I'm predicting will end at. And then there the remainder is a various number of other cal categories. A couple thousand here there throughout the remainder of the general fund budget uh that we're seeing revenues come in slightly higher on to make up the rest of it. So we're looking good on that front. On the general fund expenses end of things, the budget being the same as the revenues. Uh predicted year end of 1,146,275. So a decrease of 19,000 coming in under budget. Uh the bulk of those we're seeing those coming in uh consulting services. So auditing, engineering, and legal and legal are down by about 15. Planning services is up by 15, but that's our zoning update. We initiated that. That's would be about $20,000 we thought, but based upon the what the work he's been doing, it' be about 15 on the whole. And then if we recall, we have the grant from the CDA where we'll be getting 10,000 back on that. Uh building inspection services up by 15,500. And this is reflective of what we saw on the revenue side for building permits being up by 75,000. We have more building permit activity. We have more building inspection that goes on and they go up proportionally. Streets are down by 13,000 and parks by 10 due to staff turnover because we've had two staff situation for a chunk of the year. We're realizing some savings in those areas and then various departments up or down slightly to balance the remainder of it in the general fund. So overall we're looking at 98,900 above budget on revenues with a decrease in expenditures of about 19,000. So a bit over a 100,000 110,000 on the whole. This graph here shows uh trend history that we've had starting in 2020 on this end and then going to 2025 on this end. And what this tells you is the orange is the budget figure. So that's where the budget is at and then our actual fund balance is in black and then where our fund balance policy says we should be. So if we're above that yellow line, we're in really good business. Um but that's our bare minimum where we want to be. Uh but as if we continue to see these uh general fund revenues over expenditures like we seeing give preliminary thought if you want to transfer money out of the general fund into other areas to supplement it would it could be CIPs. It could be other areas where you could switch those funds too if we're seeing that there would be one-time shifts. We don't want to make tales of any of this because some years the budget might come right on the nose and there's nothing to transfer over at that point. But as long as we're riding pretty well up here versus down here, we could certainly think about even next year making a transfer of some way, shape, or form. >> Yeah. >> To the water fund with an uh water fund revenues with an original budget of 537,760 predicted year end of 521260. We're once again seeing uh water usage on the lower side. I should have brought that one up. Take a quick look. So, we've been keeping track of residential usage and residential irrigation non-usage on that. And long story short on these, actually the ones to the right are better. So residential water, we've been seeing just a peak in 2020 and then over time it's just I think just conservation efforts of people have been kicking in. So we're not seeing growth even see we're seeing new houses go up. residential irrigation here. Here's where we're seeing back in 19 we saw a low and then we've had four years of higher irrigation usage and then the last two years have been lower irrigation usage. So that's where we're seeing that fluctuation in the water fund is the fluctuation in the irrigation side of things. And here is the commercial usage. 2021 it was on the higher side but then it's since flattened out to what it historically has been and there. So the big culprit is this guy right here going from way high up here. That's where rates were set at figuring this is the norm, but then they've dipped down on that. So that ties into our budget here. Uh difference of so predicted year end of 521 260 a difference of 16,500 below budget. Water sales are down I'm going to predict by 70,000 on lower irrigation use as we se saw. WAC fees are up by about 30,000 to year end. So that helps offset. And then we have had special assessment income that we weren't budgeting for of 145 to round out to offset some of that and some other things here and there within the budget. Uh interest income is likely going to come in higher. So that offsets there. So even though water sales are down because some of the other revenues, it's buffering that. So it's not quite as bad. On the expense side of things, uh lucky to see a decrease in expenditures as predicted. Um difference of 16,000 below budget, water treatment plant, electric usage down by about seven and then similar to the other funds, uh wages down by 10,000 due to staff turnover. So, in the end, you've got you're still losing money, but we did have planned losses for this year and next year as we go into 2027 with the debt falling off. And then we'll do the adjustment to the the rate structure when we hit there. So, we were planning a loss, we're still in a loss, but it's not as bad with the water loss in general. So, if you go back, can you go back one slide? So, wack fee revenues, uh, more houses built and budgeted. Do we go zero? Do we budget number of houses or did we did three? >> We did three. We do three. >> Okay. >> Three houses we budget for. >> Thank you. Anything over and above? >> Right. Okay. Thank you. So, there's the water fund balances over time getting close to that 50% mark. But when we do the big uh utility rate adjustment for 2027, that'll make sure we continue to stay above that policy mark of 50%. Even though so 50% of policy on the utility funds, that's a very that's a good healthy bare minimum you would likely want to get to is three months worth or 25% of your annual expenditures. So we're still doing all right in that front. It's just not as performative or as high performing as some of the other funds we've got. So look at that in within the context of that. Uh on the sewer fund with an original budget of $615 uh,760 with a predicted year end of 706760 or 91,000 above budget. Expecting sewer use charges to be up by 36,000 above budget. Interest income uh up by 25,000. uh keep waiting for the uh water plant or the wastewater plant expansion to come in and then we will spend down reserves which then will reduce the interest income because we won't have as much invested. But as that continues to ride, so shall the higher interest income earned because we haven't used the money. And then sack fees similar to water up by 30,000 more than uh build. On the expense side of things, the original budget of 466075 with predicted year end coming in at 42 421,575, a difference of 44,500 below budget. Again, 10,000 due to staff turnover. Wastewater treatment facility costs are down o overall by about 15,000. Chemicals, electric repairs, and capital outlay all coming in lower than expected. And then we did have a line item for engineering in the amount of 15,000. We haven't spent any of it and I don't anticipate we will with anything related to the sewer end of things. So revenues coming in nicely uh as well as expenditures coming in less than we thought. So we're still riding this but we plan to spend a huge chunk of this when we go for the wastewater treatment facility upgrades. So we're just holding that until the project takes place. On the storm sewer end of things much quieter. original budget of $89,750. Predicted year end of 91250 or $1,500 above budget. On the storm sewer expense end of things, original budget of 53,500. Predicted year end of 32,000, a difference of 21,500. Engineering down by 3,000, repairs and maintenance down by 3500. We put 3500 in the budget. Sometimes a little bit gets used, sometimes it doesn't. this year. We're just not anticipating a lot coming out of there. Well, hardly anything coming out of there. And then capital outlay down by 15. And that's related to the sonar project. And uh quick real quick update on that. We're going to have some of the ponds sonared yet this year and then the rest in the spring is how they wanted to split it out. We have to do some brush hog work to get some tracks moved uh into some of those ponds. They were a bit uh overgrown than we thought for access path. So, we just need to get those in there. And then the company didn't quite have the capacity to hit them all at once this year, but then they'll come in next year and take up the rest. That did not copy over correctly because that is sewer fund balance. That's okay. There's stor this should be storm sewer. Oh, come on. >> Doesn't like you. >> No, no, it doesn't >> because we're all watching you >> messing up. >> So, there storm sewer fund balance is a correct graph for that. So, that's where we're looking at for end of year. Uh, as we get into November, December, I'll give a quick update uh if anything changes drastically on that. Any questions on the year-end update? >> Oh, it looks good. I appreciate it. >> All right. >> Anything else for Nick on that? >> Thank you. >> All right, then we will look at the new nove online portal utility billing proposal. Um, so this came by this came uh by us by way of New Germany. New Germany implemented this online portal system and functions very similar to anything else. You've created an account for you sign up for an account. You have a portal you log into. It will show your uh utility billing amount. You can access your bill online. You can pay via text or email or by phone or by a provides all those options. People can still drop off their check or cash if they want to. That doesn't go away. Um, but in here, uh, we like this. Uh, we all paid functionally works. Uh, it's not the easiest to navigate around, but it does work. Uh, this would also cover you, uh, permits, uh, building permits. There we go. This would also cover building permits as well. So, this would replace all paid as an easier option for people to go into to pay for stuff. Um, it provides that customer service portal where you can actually go back, check your utility bills. It'll keep a history of it. So, if you want to say, "Well, what did I spend four months ago?" It'll keep track of that. Nice. >> Helps on the administrative end of things. So, we're not emailing people's out bills out as frequently. We're taking less calls. Well, we very much enjoy talking to our public. We really, really do. The less interruptions allows us to get more things done throughout the day. And we've had some we've had some issues with our email uh option that we recently implemented. I don't want to go throwing too many companies under the bus, but we've had bills that got sent out a second time during the month for no explainable reason. People have had trouble opening their bills with the email system we implement that thought was going to be better. So, really just it has not worked out nearly as well as we were hoping that was going to. Um, so we see this as an option that could really help out with this. New Germany reports that they've really enjoyed it. They I think they have about half of their citizens have signed up for it. Uh, they enjoy the interface interface. Um, as part of that, you can send out email reminders. You can send out text message reminders to people. Bill's coming due be reminded. In my perfect world, in our budget, we don't have any revenue generated for penalties because everybody's paying on time and uh they're getting that taken care of. So, that's one more functionality that we can do with this. We can also send out text or email reminders that the newsletter is ready and available on the city's website that they can look at it that way. I know previously we had talked the cost of printing the utility or the newsletter in that $45,000 a year range. If we can get that all digital, then we're not printing it in anymore and then we don't have to worry about that cost. That helps on that end. On the customer side of things, uh, in the proposal, they actually had uh couple things incorrect that I want to clarify. On the debit and credit card, it says the rate is 3.95%. That is incorrect. I cleared that up this morning when I caught it uh during our discussions. It was 3.5%. How that differs is all paid right now is 3%. So it would go from 3 to 3.5 if you're using a credit card payment. AC is 199 per AC transaction. Um and how this works out on the utility billing end between the 3.5% and the AC if you don't use any water during the month and you have zero usage those two are equivalent. So, an average utility bill on that at 3.5% is going to be about $2 in credit card fee, which is about the same as the AC. If you use more than zero gallons of water, it is going to be cheaper for everybody to take the AC option because then because the uh 3.5 is on the bill itself and that's the flat fee. So we would be recommending everybody if they wanted to go with this go with the AC option at $1.99 for AC. One of the flip sides we have is right now the AC's are all so this all integrates with Banyan which is our utility billing software. The flip on this is the AC fee is $1.99. Right now we absorb the cost of AC when they're pulled from the bank as a as a bulk pull which is about $40 per month. We pay for that through the bank and that is not charged to our customers as is. Right now, if you're signed up for direct deposit, there is no direct deposit fee for doing that or direct pull fee. Whereas, if they went to this, then it would go from nothing to $1.99 per transaction. So, we want to make sure we're being open about the changes and all of that. >> So, you people who currently do the bank pull now would be forced to move to this system. We would encourage them to go to the system so we're not having two bank pulls that we're trying to reconcile. We might have accidents because they're going to be trying to pull on the new side of things and then if we continue to keep having a list there might be >> would you be reaching out to residents to say hey we're moving to this new system and then >> sunset the other way. Um, we didn't think about a sunset period on that. We just want to try to encourage it, get as much as possible to people who are on direct. We can pull mailing list for them. Let them know this is now an option. They can get signed up for it. >> But it's cost them more because now I have to pay $1.99. >> Yes, it will. Yes, it will. That's why I feel like if you really want people to move, it's not a option. >> You have to move. >> You have to move or you're going to keep it >> because in all honesty, like I probably wouldn't make any changes >> if I wasn't forced to. >> I'm just being honest. Yes. >> Because now I have to go into a new portal, create a login when what I'm currently doing works fine for me. the fee, whatever. But, you know, if I'm not getting charged that fee, I'm just being honest. >> No, >> that that's one more step that now I have to do even though I've already have it set up and I haven't had to do anything with it. >> Yeah, I have the AC too. So, >> so that's just something to think about is are we going to move to this because then everybody get it's electronic. I think that's cleaner, but you don't have to say like do it now. I mean, it could be like >> what's the total cost for the old system versus the new system for like a year? >> Is it comparable? I mean, >> as far as what we're paying? >> Yeah. So, the the city's in on this. So, they're waving their monthly portal fee. They're waving their setup fee. Uh the only thing we the city will be paying is this. Uh this is actually not accurate as well. It's $9.99 per month, not $9.95. This would be what the city is pay would pay per month to have the service available. >> That's it. >> Yeah, >> I like it. I mean, I think that it it's a good option for people and to get uh I mean, I like the paper copy of my of the newsletter because it just makes me read it. I don't know if I would open up the newsletter if I had an email. >> We can send aggressive text messages reminding you to read your newsletter. >> Right. I like this because you have access to your bill and everything online. Whereas you're kind of pay I don't have the a so I don't have the automated so I have to go and find the bill see how much and then put it in there. It's not like in there for me to see and just pay it there which is all other billing system all you know metronet electric they all I can go on and see my bill and see exactly what I'm paying. I like that a lot. >> I'm down. I think it streamline things. >> Right. I think you guys just have to make a decision. >> It should be an option. >> No, it can't be >> because people like Nikki said like people aren't going to >> I won't I probably wouldn't move over. I'm just being honest. Okay. >> I I honestly I agree. I I I loathe >> your French fry money. >> I loathe the idea of forcing people to pay a little bit more. But >> isn't there a percentage you pay when you do it online? >> Yes. With all paid right now, if you go in and pay by phone or by credit card, I think it's well, it's the credit card transaction is 3% on it already if you're doing it that way. >> Yeah. Because that's why we do check right now. Don't want to pay the fee. I don't know what I set up a long time ago, but you guys auto take my money every year month. So, I've been meaning it was through a check. >> Yeah, >> I've been meaning to set up auto and so we have to pay that stinking. Well, I mean, what if you just >> I'd be open to bringing this on for as a better option for people that just pay online and then you guys we can make have conversations about >> make it like six months >> what to do with the other process and then you can decide if it's you know something that you just sunset over time >> you know like with new people coming in this is the option. >> Yep. And if >> you know and people are gr I don't know people are grandfathered in. I don't know. >> I think people will like >> makes me want to jump in and get mine auto set up >> website that has history and >> more information for your individual house. >> And if you sign up for the account on here, you're not required to pay by a credit card. >> You can still look at your bill like an Excel or whatever. >> Check it and throw it in the box. >> Yep. >> I think people would really appreciate that. >> Yep. >> Okay. I can sign up for it but not pay through that. >> Correct. >> You you can sign up to see your bill >> check in the box >> and then you can drop a check off >> if you don't want. >> Oh, I'm not doing that. >> If you don't want to pay anyway, >> could you put together a sidebyside comparison with the system today and this system? >> Yeah. Pros and cons, advantages. >> Um I think it helped me to understand >> because I tend to agree. I think we should probably if this is the way to go and this is more transparent and people can do more that we'd switch over I would think instead of running two but >> well well I think there's three processes well there'd be three because there's the AC that I'm signed up under >> and there's the all bill pay all pay which I don't do and then we'd have this so you get rid of all pay and this replaces all pay correct and then people still had the option of what I'm doing >> the only downfall is if I am running AC's here and then the systems also sign because if you sign up for this portal you can sign up as an a going through for staff time recordeping who am I running aes for and who is new bay running AC >> so that's why I'm telling you you need to sunset the process and get everybody on to this process. >> But then this would just replace the all paid >> all pay and the what I'm whatever you call what I'm doing. >> Yes. >> That' be one system >> and I think you do that over a sixmonth period or >> and it would replace email billing system or the e billill that we recently implemented that hasn't been working out as well. That's what I'm trying to say is like there's yeah there's two processes and you're going to move to one and get rid of so you're not pulling which I agree with you but me as a resident I probably wouldn't if you didn't force me to do it I probably would just keep it as is. I think the trade-off is you get a lot of good convenience out of it. It being an online portal, being able to access a number of things. >> It's the only bill I receive that I actually enjoy because I get the newsletter. All the other bills I just wanted in my email again. Just telling you how what it's like to sit at my house. We're all getting a picture. >> Oh, look at Nikki. I mean, >> I I'm I'm with you. I like getting it and opening it and looking at it and forcing me to read it, but I also throw it in the garbage right away. >> Correct. No, I I got it. >> So, I'm with you, but not with you. >> But with this new one, isn't there a there's a discount for going electric? So, you can choose paper still, right? Is that what the e bill is saying? It says a 20 cent per bill waved by going. >> Oh, the those are if you signed up for e billills. >> Yeah, save paper. >> There would be 20 cents, but it's waved. So, it's not going to be included at all in the system. So, they're not there won't be a check mark that says save me 20 cents. It just will never be a part of it, right, >> when you sign up for it. >> It will there be an option to have paper bills still? >> No, >> you No, you're not required to sign up for ebilling. >> Yeah. I know. I'm saying like, can Nikki still get hers in the mailbox? >> Yes, she can. >> If she wants to. >> Yeah. >> If you want paper, you can get paper. >> I'm just just like how people want everything in the newspaper, you know, like >> it's fair. A lot of residents are going to think like you. So, it's good to hear this. I mean, >> wrong. It's just No, >> there's going to be differing. I mean, people are going to see the $2 charge and be like, "Oh, you're forcing me to pay $2 more, you know, or like you, they like >> people already think our water prices are high." So, I mean, I Yeah, if you could come back with like an like a plan like on what you're thinking of timing. They don't want to force anybody into doing something, but you know, I don't want people to say, "Well, I'm not gonna pay because I want to sign up for this." So, budgetarily, if if that $2 is a concern, they end up paying the $2 because it's on their end when they do it. On our end, if you wanted to look at something like adjusting utility rate structures, base fee, for example, you reduce the base fee by $1.99. Problems. >> Yeah, I I think we should come to the table. We'll just all like >> the whole scenario and then have an action plan on how to how do we encourage residents to move over to this especially the people that are on the current AC system >> however I'm build or you know pay you know do you have their email addresses like are we able to contact them >> some >> some because that's the other problem is how do to get a hold of some of these people. >> Send a letter. >> Yeah. Then I >> would be sending a letter. Yeah. A hard copy. >> Like what is some >> for the ones that like to read it? >> I mean, New Germany switched from a different system. Did they get any push back when they switched? >> It was pretty well adopted. I think they have about 50% uptake on a >> I think it will be too for the most part, especially in the newer developments. Yep. Appreciate it more. >> You know, West Ridge and stuff, the the older parts of town, you might have a little discrepancy, but >> that's not on you, Nikki. >> Okay. >> I'm just saying generationally, it seems like the the newer developments are younger. >> Wow. >> I would prefer it. It's how I Water Town or I mean the water bill is the only one I pay differently than all my other bills. I would love I would >> and this is more convenient. So I I'm not against it. I think it's a great I think we just need to like have an action plan for people who are not currently paying through the all pay. >> Yes. >> Correct. All right. Yeah. I want to get this in front as long as everybody's nodding their heads. Yes. This is a a direction we want to go. >> Pursue those action plans further. Bring something more concrete with a plan in place. If I presented this and everybody goes, "No, we don't want this. Keep everything as is." then I wouldn't have had to go through the action plan process. But since everybody looks consensus seems to be, let's go further. >> We'll get that pulled together. >> Let's do it. >> Sounds good. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> With that, we can move to utility access for the Drew property. >> Thank you, mayor. This one will be a quicker one. So, got the map up here. We have Nick Drew's house right here. Dan Lippy's right here. City limits ends right there and it goes like that and it goes like that. This house is in city limits. This lot is in city limits. Uh there's been discussions historically on these properties. Uh this blank lot has been put up for sale and we discovered this after we started getting some phone calls about how do we get things connected to it. Um so that brought up discussions on how we get that there. I've spoken with a property owner here. They are open to having utilities come up and then in this way. However, that has to be a private agreement with that property owner. The city really isn't involved on that front. If this were to fall through for some reason, what are the other potential options? The other one would be to take the stubs from here, come across the city-owned property here, cross over and in this way. So, the purpose of the discussion tonight is given this as a potential option, is city council okay with the potential to have service lines run across our property here to service. >> Okay, I have a lot of questions. I wasn't at the planning commission meeting. So, we've had this conversation before. or there was a previous person that was going to purchase the property. Um, our last discussion was that whoever was purchasing that would be then paying the cost of con making the connection. >> Correct. >> Is that still the case? >> That is exactly what I would propose. Whoever wants to come across here, this is the developer's cost to install those lines. >> Okay. My other concern was I know we've always talked about it and I'm not saying the the remaining of the 62nd Street has always been a a an interesting topic of conversation just for at some point, you know, are we looking at annexing the rest of those homes into the property >> or into the city >> at some point in the future? Yes. >> Correct. So if I if I was So would that let's just pretend that that was annexed into the city next year. I'm just playing. I know it's not >> the rest of 60 seconds. >> The rest is 60 seconds or is it 60 >> 62? >> 60. Is that where what would we do? Is this going to be like some unique situation where now this house is going to be tied in? Is is Nick Drew's property tied into water right now or is it just sewer? >> Just sewer. >> Oh, just sewer. That's what it was. >> Right. The well, but the sewer line, >> but he's grandfathered. They're grandfathered in. >> Yes. >> So, my concern is so now this one property is going to have like an exception to the rule for everything. >> Not really, because they're paying for the lines. >> Well, I understand. But then is that going to change flow if all of a sudden now we have we're going to probably come off of Seventh Street for the main water if we ever annex in the rest of the line and then that property is now going to be standalone. Is that going to create a dead end? >> So >> because that's kind of a dead end to you know like whatever. So here's my point. We made exceptions for Nick Drew's property a long time ago by annexing them into the city because they were having a hardship. We did this mock sewer attachment line so they could hook up to city sewer because they couldn't at the time. And now this other piece of property is an orphan and it's in the city. So now we're just putting band-aids after band-aids on a variance and projects we did to solve a problem and not looking at it holistically. That's all I'm >> I was I'm not super thrilled to even if they paid for it. I just think it's could be problems like 10 years from now. >> So the answer is yes. It's a temporary solution and that would be part of the agreement they would sign if it were to come across the private or the city's land here this way. In the agreement that we have them sign, they are responsible for it. They are responsible for whatever level of maintenance we work out between the city engineer, Greg, and the developer. when we have those in the weeds details on it and then in the circumstance five years from now or a year from now we annex these in and we decide we're doing a project we pave this road we extend it all the way down as public access and then we install water and sewer >> because we did talk about making a loop and not making it a dead end >> those engineering details to be figured out. I mean, I'm not a water expert, but I know that was one conversation. >> Yeah, you could you could have a main here, come across and then come up to loops it. Well, you do it. Not >> necessar. >> So, if we create a main, then the city owns that main by that house. But right now, because it would be priv private, it's a private conversation if they went from that house. >> Uh, >> I'm confused. >> So, we're getting multiple things here. So, I'll focus back on this one. That's my how my brain works. >> Service lines, whatever they may be, they are considered service lines. They aren't going to be mains. >> Okay? >> So, they would be service lines that come in here to feed that property. If we were to do a project here as part of that agreement we have here, we tell them, "Yes, you have service lines here. If and when this project occurs, you will be connecting up to that new >> and then you'd have to pay those connection fees." >> Correct. So they walk in eyes wide open that yes, you're going to be paying for this connection and down the road you're going to be paying for another one >> because that's what's best for the >> Okay. So I'm going to play a game. So if we do the service line, let's say there is a break in the service line for some reason, that homeowner is then required to fix it because it's kind of like my house. Anything that happens from this the line to my home I'm responsible for. So if I had a rrook go through my water line like I have to pay I know it's more for sewer but like if I have a drop in my line >> I have to pay for it. >> Correct. >> So they have a very long length of pipe that they are responsible for if something fails. >> Right. Similar to Nick Drew has a very long length of pipe that goes. >> Okay. So if there's something wrong there they are responsible. Does he have an agreement with that property owner for the sewer line? >> I would need to look that up. >> Would have been grandfathered in years ago. >> I just Well, there would have to be easement. >> Yes. >> Because you just can't >> because that used to be a road. So, there's an easement there. >> Okay. >> So, in So, splitting it back up. If whoever wanted to develop this, put a house on it, if they talked with the owner of this property and came to terms in agreement for a utility easement, they could set that up and then they could connect their private utility service lines onto that to get it into there. >> I think that's his best bet. >> It is the best bet. However, >> might not fly, but >> they win the power ball and move to Hawaii. next week. New owners, nope. You're not doing anything about it. >> So So what happens if >> But once it's in, it's done. >> Yes. Once it's in, it's done. >> So then when you when they go to sell their home, they have to let Do the new owners know that there's this weird >> It would be in the abstract. >> Yeah, it would be in the abstract as reported on the property. >> Okay. I don't know. I'm just really struggling with all these exceptions. I understand it's a piece of property that's like in city limits and We do want to try to to make it okay and helpful, but it just look at the mess. It's already kind of >> But to me, we kind of got to take responsibility as a city because we screwed it up before with allowing this stuff. So, to me, it's partially our fault for allowing it. It's a city property that should be able to be built on. It is a city lot. >> No, I mean, I I do agree with that. So I feel, >> you know, shouldn't have to sit on land that's a city lot because we can't figure out a good solution. >> Matt, did you have a question? >> Yeah. No. And I talked to Nick before and from what our understanding was before we purchasing the property north there that that build that lot was unbuildable. this one. >> Yep. >> It's buildable. >> It's buildable and always has been. >> It's just very cost prohibitive to build there >> because with enough money you can build there. >> Okay. Nick told me the same thing. It was unbel. >> There's no water and sewer and we won't allow well and septic. So it has to be connected to city. So I think what what you have is a legal definition of unbuildable versus it's unbuildable because it's going to cost a lot of money. >> I have another question. >> Yes. >> So it's not just water, it's sewer because he they can't put in a septic. How are they going to take Can they tag off of the Nick Drew's property to put in? >> They're going to tag in right there. >> All of it would be >> all of it. See the orange line and the blue line? One's water, one's sewer. >> I know. But what? So, okay, I get that. But Nick originally said, "What if they came off and went off our city property there? That's just water. That's not sewer." Cuz they they have to do water and sewer. It's not just water. >> Yes, it's both. >> So, both would come off that one. >> Well, we have >> two corners. >> There. >> There is one option. Water and sewer. >> I'm not really talking about this because this is a private transaction. Correct. >> So the origination for the discussion tonight is this lot. If somebody wants to build, I was asked by somebody who called me, if I can't accomplish this, let's say the deal isn't here on the private land, would the city be open if I connected water and sewer here and drug it across their land to get it to this lot? I don't know enough about sewer, but is that even feasible to like that's a long distance for your sewer to have to travel? >> There is a lift I think there is a small lift station down there, isn't there? When Drew connected >> uh that's Drew's lift station, but we're not talking about Drew's line. >> I wasn't sure if that lift >> because they'd also have to put in a lift station like >> that's a private utility. It's not city main. >> Got it. So that goes back to I don't want to create more band-aids by having a private line on another private line that both feed into the city system because everybody else >> as a sewer line, sewer service line here, sewer service line here, sewer ser these three aren't connected and then go to the city's line. >> So that would be spiderwebing it on private. >> Yeah, that's what I don't want. >> So the is it possible to get it here? Absolutely. With enough money, you can accomplish anything. >> There's our answer. >> And so what? >> But we would allow a private So how does that work though? Like you just said, I don't want another private line on a private line because the sewer right now is a private line to Nick Drew's property with the home on it. How do you create another sewer connection? Cuz that's a private line. So this section right here is ours. So they connect onto this point where it ends at ours and go into the lot. So it's connected. >> So there'll be two >> Yes. >> private lines off of our one main. >> Yes. Just like this is a main and we have one, two, three, four. They all connect to it, >> right? It's just figure it's a house that has >> Is that line big enough to withhold two homes? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Well, the blue line looks like the same size. >> The blue line does not exist. >> Oh, or the >> That's actually an error in GIS. >> So, that would have to connect right up into here and then be brought in >> 10 for >> Yeah, we've been working on clearing up the GIS errors. >> Oh, that's some really nice homeowner. Now, does that home, that empty lot, they own both those lots? that same homeowner. That one and >> yes, these are under these are under the same ownership. >> Okay. >> That's really nice of them. But the question before us tonight is somebody who was interested in this parcel called me and asked, "Would the city be okay if I hooked up here and drug lines across or buried lines, not drug lines, made connection off of the ends here, private private service lines to here." And to me, if they're paying for it >> exactly if they're willing to pay, >> I don't know how it >> can't really say no >> because and when you talk about future things you Well, they paid for it. I mean, it's >> exactly. >> I don't know. I just think that's opening the can. But that's just me. >> And council is well within the right to say no. We don't want that. I >> I just I really struggle with not knowing what all is going to happen. And >> yeah, but what if it's 25 years from now when we finally do 62nd and he's had to sit on that lot for 25 years now because we don't want to move an inch. That's not fair either. >> Well, I could be 25 more years. >> Well, that's what I'm saying. I mean, >> but he knows that, right? I mean, it's still up to him, right? >> So, who who who manages that project? >> Uh, the city does. >> The city does. And then we >> they are responsible for hiring the contractor to do the work. But because they're connecting to our system, >> we approve, we approve all of it. There will be agreements in place. The city engineer looks at it. City staff looks at it. >> How do you confirm they will pay for it? >> Like I could say, "Oh, yeah, do it." And then I'm like, "Oh, have money. It's their people that they hire. >> They just we just have to sign off on everything. We oversee it. >> We oversee it. We inspect it. They pay for the contractor to come in and put it in. >> So, they're making all the payments the contractor. We're just approving it. >> We're making sure they're doing it according to our specs, our standards. Yeah. >> So, we will tell them how deep to put it. We'll tell them where to put it. >> I mean, clearly, he's had an advantage of contacting the private owner, but I don't see if they were paying for it why it's >> So, if we did allow it 10 years from now, I'm just throwing out a number. We do annex in all those properties, bring down another line, tie everything in. Do we just abandon that one then or does it get dug up? >> You abandoned it. >> Just abandon it, leave it there. >> That's what you do with uh when you do infrastructure projects with utility mains. You unless it's in the way, you abandon in >> Well, yeah. That's never going to be developed. It's a swamp. So, I don't foresee it being a issue in the next 50 years. Yeah, it's it's always wet there. >> I don't see a downside. >> Yeah. As long as they're willing to pay, >> right? >> And as long as they're aware of every, you know, all the consequences and the costs and if we do annex in five years, it was for not. >> I mean, you could tell them that. So, >> I just don't foresee that. But that's I mean >> it's all going to be legal. It's all going to be contracts and it's not we're just going on an honor system here. >> I I understand what you're saying, Chad, but unfortunately I just I feel like we're just putting more band-aids on it. So that's just kind of where I stand on it. >> And see, to me, I don't look at it as anything different than like Nick showed. It's just a longer line to a house set back further. >> And it's not costing us anything. >> And it's not costing us anything. Are there a lot of other properties like this in the year that may need this in the future too? >> No. >> So I don't know how it I mean >> they >> That's fine. >> It got messed up years ago. >> Yeah. >> Plain and simple. >> So then you got to deal with the hand you're given. >> Exactly. >> Nope. That's fine. >> Everybody else anything more on that? >> Nope. I do believe I have my general consensus. >> All right. Keep us in the loop. All right. Anything else? If not, >> that is all, mayor. >> We will adjourn. >> Okay. >> Oh god.