So they escorted us through and made sure we didn't stop. >> All right, it is 6:31. We'll call the Monday, September 8th, 2025 city council meeting to order. 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? I 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. >> I. Post same sign. Motion carries. 5. That will take us to public comments. If there's anyone who would like to discuss anything that is not on the agenda, please come forward. Excuse me. Seeing none, we'll close public comments. Move to consent agenda. Is there anything on the consent agenda that needs to be pulled for further discussion? Hearing none, I will look for a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion and second. All in favor say I. >> I. I. Post. I. Motion carries. 5. With that, we will move to the adoption of resolution granting a variance to reduce the setbacks for a driveway uh from the required 30-foot setback by 20 ft for a 10-ft setback. And with that, just for full disclosure, this is uh the council member's uh home that we will be discussing and um any decisions made tonight will have no influence at all based on her status of the city. And that would be me abstaining from. >> Okay. And council member McNeely will be abstaining um at her request. So with that, Nick, I'll turn it over to you. Thank you, mayor. So, as discussed, we have a variance request. Get down to here. Give me a little bit. We had a variance request uh come from Nikki McNeely who has property at 601 Ridge Road. Uh what they're looking at doing, I should have brought that up, is they would like to widen out their driveway a bit and then extend uh into into uh towards the parking pad area. Quick moment. Apologize for not having this up there being the property in question. So the we currently have a a driveway existing right here with a parking pad out set right here. This is approximately 6 feet off 6 feet off the property line and the request is to uh reduce the required setback. So this is public rightway here and where ordinance states that you need to be 30 ft away from that given it's a gravel road services to properties and the likelihood of it ever being a full city street on the lower end. The request came in, could we extend out the driveway further out and then come close to coming back to marrying up with the existing line which would uh so the maximum footage that can be extended out here is 30 ft to m for driveway width and that's part of the resolution conditions and then that would then come out to marry up and the distance from the lot line to the proposed extension would be 10 feet and that then preserves the drainage and utility easement area on the north side of the property. As part of the variance process, there was a public hearing that was required. The public hearing was set uh before the planning commission on September 2nd, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Uh the public hearing was opened. There was nobody in attendance uh to give comment on it. There was no comment received from the public to the planning staff. Uh the item uh the public hearing was closed. discussion was had and the planning commission voted 6-0 in favor of recommending the variance to the city council. Uh so with this variance there are some conditions uh applied with it. Those conditions are one variance expiration. The variances shall become void one year after approve after the approval date if the applicant has not commenced construction on the improvement unless an extension is granted by the city council. Two, any comments by the city engineer shall be satisfied by the applicant. My understanding there were none. Uh three, city permit. The appropriate building permit or zoning permit shall be approved and issued by the city prior to any work commencing. Four, the driveway width that the driveway shall not exceed 30 ft in width at the front property line and shall not encroach into the drainage and utility easement along Ridgeway Road. and five a service shall be required showing the driveway width, driveway setback to Ridgeway Road and lot coverage. >> If there's any other questions I can field, be glad to do so. >> So, can you talk a little bit? Was there uh notification to residents in the surrounding area that were performed? >> Yes. So, we required to send public hearing notice to all residents within 350 ft of the affected property and that was done. >> And were there any comments? None received. >> Perfect. Thank you. And for the record, in case we missed it, this is uh 601 Ridge Road. Correct. >> Correct. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions uh for the city administrator? So, hearing none, I'll look for a motion to approve resolution 2025-16 with the five conditions. >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign and abstination. >> I. >> That motion carries 40. Thank you. >> 4 Z and one absination. So with that we will move to consider approval of quotes for city hall parking lot expansion. >> Thank you mayor. We have received quotes back for the city hall exp uh city hall parking lot expansion project. Uh, Bulame Bankers solicited four quotes for the asphalt extension. Two were received back. Uh, one from Valley Paving in the amount of $28,325, the other from Northwest Asphalt in the amount of $29,830. We obtained a quote from uh CNC contracting for striping and crack filling work in the amount of $7,553. They've been the they've been the contractor of choice that the city has used historically for this type of work. For the concrete work, we had three quotes. One from Jay Reed Excavating LLC in the amount of $21,391. And I will note I talked to Jay Reed this morning. He had some additional follow-up questions and we found there was a minor error in his quote that we got corrected. He had everything in there for the concrete work, but the way he had talked with his concrete subcontractor, there was a miscommunication on the on the removals amount that was calculated. So he we updated that. Uh so his quote is actually $21,891. There was an additional $500 for removals in there that was corrected. Didn't affect the outcome. Just want to give an update on that. uh general contracting with a uh quote of $28,13. SJB with a quote of $39,496. Uh so the total of the low quotes will be uh valley paving at $28,325. CNC contracting at $7,53. Then Shay Reed excavating with the updated 21,891 which puts the updated grant to total at $58,69 on that. So the asphalt quotes came in favorable lower than we were expecting. So total project cost is coming in under. Perfect. Would you mind going to the map, Nick? >> Yes. So looking at this, is there any reason we want to extend out on the white area going north to marry up with kind of where the logs are right now to marry up with the existing paving? So kind of bring this up like this. >> Are you bringing it up to this corner here? >> Yeah. Yeah. Right up here or right near it because I know it dips down a little right here. Um, you know, so just for access in and people backing into this door, long as we're doing it, would it make sense to extend it? >> If council wish to amend this plan to go ahead and include that, it would be additional cost >> talk to Valley about an amendment on that. We certainly could. >> I just think aesthetics wise it'll look even better, let alone usability. >> Did you say there's a slope there? Well, up here near up here, it won't go. So, right now it's paved up here, right? >> Yep. So, this is the pavement line here. >> Three feet from where this one is. It slopes down. So, it might come about 3 feet, you know, to the It won't go all the way up. >> Okay. >> Seems to make sense as long as we're doing it. Um, >> is the >> Could we quote it at least and see what it would be? >> Not paved concrete. >> No. Uh, yeah. Yeah. Batumin, right? It's puminous, right? >> Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. So, asphalt. So, asphalting all the way up. And as everyone leaves, you'll see where the logs are right now is kind of where I'm thinking. >> Just seems to make sense right now. But um >> yeah, if you'd like to amend that, >> bring it back and see what it would be. >> What I would recommend for tonight then is >> get the updated quote from Valley on that so we can approve that as an alternative. >> Right. >> Then I would go ahead and still approve the other two quotes for concrete and crack filling in. No, it's about another what 50 ft, maybe 45 ft. >> But the slope isn't until the end, so there wouldn't require a lot of buildup or anything. >> Yeah, if you'd stop before the slope, I think it would >> I see the logs. >> Yeah. So, right now, >> so right now, this comes out roughly 47 feet this way and jog south. >> Yeah. So that's what we're proposing tonight. >> Yes. >> And if we could just take it up to about here. Seems to make sense. Um were was there a shed being built? >> Yeah, I was going to ask that. Is the baseball club still getting a shed? >> Uh to my understanding that the material has fallen through. >> Okay. >> That has fallen through. But the if you're asking where the shed would go, the shed was planned for this area to the north. They're talking about doing asphalt here. >> So the shed was planned for here. >> Gotcha. >> Yeah, that makes sense to me. Especially for events and stuff >> events and backing. It gives them a little more room to back in there. And I mean, long as we're doing it and setting up and staging, it seems to make sense to me. But I don't want to hold off on doing that. I think we should approve what we're doing. And do they know when any of these guys are going to come out and do the is it in the next two weeks? >> Yeah, it's a good question. I think Nick has the concrete. >> So, as a as a project as a whole, flip back to this. I talked with a little uh Jay Reed uh concrete for doing this work and then the access work. They want to get started next week on Monday with concrete work. Thankfully, that doesn't really impede what we're doing here since there's no concrete work happening up there. They can still proceed here. We will have the parking lot closed off once they do the removal work >> because they're going to take out They want to do it all in one go. >> So, they'll take out this, they'll take out here, and then take out here, pour, pour, square this all up, pour all of this in one go. >> Um, >> once that's poured, we need about a week for that to cure out. We don't have any uh for this coming week. I'm sorry, not this coming weekend, the week after. So, the weekend of the 20th, we don't have any rentals at city hall. >> But if you're going to do an amendment, you got to wait till next city council to approve to complete. Oh, you can kind of do >> we could approve, but not to exceed. >> Well, >> so this right now, I mean, this is 28 grand. So, let me let me round that out really quick. So, the concrete work is here, here, here, and here. And then the jog here. >> Yeah, >> that work can all get completed and it's not going to affect adding this in. The the pavers are looking at coming in late October, I believe it was, to get it done. >> Oh, okay. >> So, there's time >> I see >> to get this. So the concrete work will happen first, asphalt second, and then crack filling and striping will have happen after that. I talked with Tom from CNC and he says they can go later than the asphalt guys can for crack filling and striping. So it all works out on that front. >> Okay. >> So my recommendation for tonight is if you want to get the the quote alternative, we can come back for that. uh we would approve Jay Reid and CNC to do this work because we have those firm ones and then we'll just come back and make a decision on this at the next meeting. >> Why was it never really thought about before? >> I don't know if we just I mean it was just kind of keeping it straight off with our discussions were this way but and I hate to throw a wrench at last minute but that's just kind of how it was. But now when I relook at it, it almost makes sense just >> and there weren't other any other plans for that area >> and because this came in a lot cheaper than what what we had projected, >> right? We're trying to be conscious with one point, you know, >> and this this really only affects the parking scheme. So we >> this is >> my only like hesitation is just I want to think through that is like we lost a lot of trees and green space in in that area. Would that be better suited not being asphalt and more of a green area? I don't know. I'm just you know how like >> Yeah, that's a fair point. That's fair. >> I would like I don't want to just I know we want to add it to the project, but if we still have a little bit of time, you know, like actually I want to see it in person, like think through like would it be better just to have more, >> you know, because people might be driving. I don't know. I it wasn't included. I get why you didn't in the first place, but we did lose a lot of trees. Like, are you better off because of that slope by just putting in grass and some trees and some >> And that's fair. Part of mine, too, is the parking lot gets used a lot now for the city celebration. It gives more hard surface for some of that stuff. Why don't we go ahead and approve all this right now as is? Sounds like we have time to look at and get another quote to see what it would be to extend it long as you're out here. >> I would think so. >> And then that'll give council time to go look at it too on your way out and see where we're talking and see what your thoughts are. >> Correct. That'll give time for Valley two weeks should be plenty for Valley to come back with a an alternative. >> Um it's just adding, right? I mean, >> and then we Yeah, we approve everything scope as is. And then we come back in two weeks with the alternative. We look at that cost and going, "Yep, add or on." Oh. >> And where are we putting snow? >> It'd be in this area. >> Okay. >> Do people drive in there as it is >> without being paved? >> Not anymore. >> Right now, they don't because it's not paved. >> Cuz there usually is a lot of snow if we have a snowy year because usually if you think before where the splash pad was, I mean, we used to have like a big mound. >> Mhm. Um, so I'm just also thinking, >> well, it might be nice for that to be paid then because then the plows aren't ripping up the dirt. >> Take a look on your way out. >> Yeah. >> And it's really where the logs are almost exactly where the logs are laying right now is what I'm thinking. But >> and I'm sorry to last minute on that, but >> All right, with that. Any other questions? First city administrator. With that, let's look I'll look for a motion to approve valley paving for the quote of $28,325 for the current project. crack filling with CNC contracting for $7,553 and uh J Reed excavating for $21,891,000 for a total of $58,69 as current with getting an additional quote from Valley Paving. Um for the added part, >> would that add to the striping? I I'd propose we don't stripe it. We just leave it open for people. Yeah. I I'd propose we don't add striping for parking. It's more of a convenience for getting in and out >> and extending hard surface for city celebrations >> or um and hopefully we can we'll be turning that into maybe a a tent a tent and beard gardens and that sort of thing. So, >> just want to make sure it wasn't going to increase that >> but it won't it won't include striping or would not as my proposal. And then you said 58,000 but the only additional was $500. So wouldn't that be 57,8769? >> Yeah. Sorry. Yeah, >> I double added catch. Thank you for 57,8. I took the eight from up here and brought that down. I just went with what >> that's what I thought. >> Mayor math. >> I just want to make sure that it's >> I was giving >> I know what everybody meant, but I wanted to make sure that 57769. >> Yeah. 57,769. >> Motion. >> We have We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> No. >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. Oppos. Same sign. >> Motion carries. 5-0. Thank you. >> I appreciate it. And I'll look forward to seeing what the additional quote comes in at. Uh with that, we'll consider approval to write off outstanding water tower repair. >> So, welcome back to this topic. Uh this as directed uh last goround, it was earlier this year, we did have the city attorney draft letters and send them out once again at council direction. Those were sent out and we uh received no response back once again, but we made the last good effort. Uh now we're coming back as we approach the end of the year and we're starting to think about audit um bringing this back to city council and recommending uh final write off since we didn't receive anything back. So with that, I'll look for a motion to approve the write off for the outstanding water tower repairs. >> Motion. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Motion. Second. Any further discussion? And thank you, Nick. This was back from last year, if I remembers. And uh council's decision at that point was to write it off, but have the attorney send one last effort um sending a letter, get in contact with the people who did the work to try to get the money. and it was with no success. So, >> okay. >> Um, with that, all in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. 5-0. Thank you. And with that, consider approval of hot air balloon permit for Valer Rich. >> Thank you, mayor. This is our would be our fourth hot air balloon permit that we would be looking at. Valerie Rich, she uh knows the markets who was our first and original and uh they were she was directed this way to get a hot air balloon permit. She would like to fly out of Westridge Park, the same location on the south side that they've been flying out of. So down in this area here. So they they enter in off the alley here, bring the vehicles down into this area, and then they will blow up the balloon and launch from that location. And so that's the only location she's uh applying for. She's turned in her certificate of insurance and that looks to be in good order. So we are cleared on the hot air balloon per permit. >> Perfect. Thank you. I'll look for a motion to approve the hot air balloon permit. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? And Nick, we perhaps discuss that. Is there any reason we can't move this over to have this uh staff approval versus council? >> Uh you certainly could. It was just the original ordinance was drafted for these permits to go in front of city >> counc. And now that we aren't seeing issues, maybe at one of our meetings we can bring that back to maybe just have staff approve these. >> We haven't seen any concerns as far as I know in the last two years. >> People seem to enjoy watching. >> Oh, I think it's neat. I think >> it seems just staff should be able to approve these unless I'm missing something. But let's talk about this maybe in a next meeting or work session. >> And with that, we have a motion of second. All in favor say I. All right. Oppos. Motion carries 5-0. Thank you. That we'll move to uh city council reports. Council member Helton's report on >> had a planning commission report or meeting. We're still uh working on redoing uh planning and zoning ordinances within the city. So >> perfect. Yeah, that's >> things are moving along >> ongoing process. So, thank you, Council Member Fouch. >> Uh, I had a EDA meeting last week and we discussed how the businesses were doing with their grants and finalizing the grant application for 2026. >> Wonderful. Thank you, Council Member McNeely. >> Uh, same as Sam, just an EDA. >> Council member Jackson, >> uh, tomorrow night's meeting, nothing since then. >> Perfect. And for me, I don't think I've had a meeting. Uh the >> disc golf open house and tournament went well. So, I want to thank uh both Jason and Andy for all their hard work and making that a success. It was a great turnout. Um the tournament was full. Uh as could be I think 32 people had signed up for it. >> Awesome. And of course, uh, thank you to Craig from, uh, Innova, uh, who helped with the tournament, has, uh, got all that organized and, uh, played against Sports out of Buffalo who donated some gift certificates for the raffle. So, I appreciate, uh, everyone who turned out. It was a great event. And of course, uh, thank you to staff and public works for everything they did to get the course ready. So, with that, I'll look for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion. >> Second. >> We have a motion, a second. All in favor say I. >> I. Same sign. We are adjourned. Thank you. And with that, we can jump right in to the workshop and call that to order at 6:55. >> Thank you, mayor. I don't have any updates to the budget. Uh so tonight, I just want to recap where we're at overall with the budgets or with the levy. So, the general fund is sitting pretty well. Um, we're proposing to have the general fund levy at $420,445. Uh, which reflects what we've been talking about from the word go. We have the CIPs there which reflects what we've been talking about. And then the bond debt service all coming down to that total levy of $1,319,879 which matches what we levied in 2025. So, we're proposing a flat levy increase. Again, you've seen the spreadsheet plenty of times, so keeping it flat there. In the general fund, we're showing revenues over expenditures. I think it was about 8ish,000. So, in the end, if all holds true, we could still lower the levy in December. At this point, when the resolution gets passed uh at the next meeting, we can't lower it, but we or we can't raise it. We can't raise it, but we can lower it in December at this point. So, with that, um, we're looking at a tax rate, uh, h having the tax rate slide down from 37.79% to 35.69%. Assuming this holds true. >> And just a reminder that we will be approving this at the next meeting for preliminary to get to the county. So, if you have any questions going forward or concerns, make sure to reach out to Nick before that because we'll have to get this uh preliminary done by the end of September to the county. And then for our truth and taxation public hearing as required by state law, we'll be having that at the first meeting in December, December 8th at 6:30 p.m. I'll give a nice presentation on that as I always do. And with luck, we'll only have one or two people who attend who are questioning their valuation and we have to tell them that that's the April meeting over with the county. and then they can scoot on out and maybe some reminders in the water bills or uh social media would be nice to get it out there now let people know. So perfect any other questions on the proposed budget hearing none. Anything else Nick that's all I have all right perfect we will adjourn then thank you Hurry up. >> I wouldn't paid a free ticket.