Pine Island — Transcript
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Older Adults Month Proclamation
Poppy Month Proclamation
State Legislative Session and Bonding Bill Update
Federal Congressional Directed Spending Request
Library Updates
Economic Development Authority (EDA) Update
Votes (11)
Consent Agenda Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:01:21] · Seconded by Unknown [0:01:24]
The consent agenda included various routine approvals, new hires, and requests. A specific amendment was requested for the Emergency Operations Plan to include Council Member Colton's information. There was also discussion regarding the logistics and staffing for the graduation parade route road closure, with Public Works placing barricades during the workday and school staff handling placement/removal to avoid city overtime costs.
Acceptance of 2024 Annual Financial Report
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:26:15] · Seconded by Unknown [0:26:17]
The audit, presented via video by ABDO, received a clean unmodified opinion with no compliance issues. The recurring internal control finding noted that auditors draft the financial statements, which is common for smaller cities. Key financial points included the general fund balance being slightly below policy at 33%, a revenue surplus due to small city's assistance aid and investment interest, and expenditure increases from capital outlay. The significant $1.5 million Elkrun land sale led to large fund transfers and increased overall city cash balances. The Deputy Register Fund showed a temporary deficit due to recent building purchases and driver's license equipment, with reimbursement expected in 2025. Comparative data showed the city's tax rate, tax per capita, and long-term debt per capita slightly above peer averages.
Chamber of Commerce and EDA Assembly Permit Request
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:29:57] · Seconded by Unknown [0:30:05]
The Chamber of Commerce requested an assembly permit for a car show on July 27th, to be held on Main Street between Second and Third Streets. The request included a fee waiver for being a non-profit, permission to serve alcohol on public property, and an exemption from mobile food unit permit requirements. Goodhue County has already approved the necessary detour for the event. This marks the beginning of what the Chamber hopes will be a recurring downtown event.
Evergreen Place Purchase Agreement Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:34:56] · Seconded by Unknown [0:35:10]
The City Council considered and approved the purchase agreement for Evergreen Place, following up on a letter of intent from February. The purchase price, initially set at $893,617.20, will be finalized pending the buyer's title work review. City Attorney Bob Vose, despite receiving the document shortly before the meeting, advised approval subject to his final review, as the majority of new revisions pertained to the complex foreclosure of the separate Pine Haven facility, not the city's Evergreen property. A June 30th closing date is anticipated.
Sidewalk Maintenance Program Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:43:24] · Seconded by Unknown [0:43:27]
The council approved initiating a sidewalk maintenance program with Safe Step, a company that uses precision cutting to ensure ADA compliance. The initial phase will focus on Main Street between Second and Third Streets, with a budget of up to $10,000 for a trial run this summer. The long-term vision includes expanding the program city-wide, assessing all sidewalks, and exploring a cost-sharing model with residents for replacements, moving away from the current 100% homeowner responsibility. This program aligns with the city's age-friendly initiatives.
License Bureau Stairwell Demolition Quote Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:47:35] · Seconded by Unknown [0:47:36]
The council approved a request for the demolition of rotting and unsafe back stairs at the license bureau building, which serve an upstairs apartment and lower level. A quote of $3,800 from Gaki Builders was accepted for the demolition and installation of temporary safe steps. The license bureau fund, though currently low due to prior building purchase and recent driver's license equipment acquisition, is expected to rebound in 2025 with reimbursements. The upstairs is not currently in use, and front access remains available.
May 13, 2025 Planning and Zoning Meeting Summary (Beekeeping Permit)
Dissent: None
Moved by None · Seconded by None
The City Administrator presented a summary of the May 13, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. A public hearing was held for a beekeeping registration application for 405 1st Avenue Southeast, which typically would be administratively approved under City Code 10.06. However, an objection citing safety concerns due to allergies prompted the public hearing. After discussion, the commission approved the application, noting the applicant's experience and adherence to ordinance requirements (one hive, allowed up to two). The permit requires annual renewal, at which point the objection period re-opens.
Seal Coating Project Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:54:33] · Seconded by Unknown [0:54:34]
The council approved a seal coating project for Project Street, Second Street, and an area near the creamery. Pearson Brothers was selected for the work, costing $30,051, as they submitted a bid $8,000 less than Brier Asphalt and have a positive history with the city. The project is scheduled to occur after a local 'cheese' event, aligning with the city's ongoing investment in street maintenance.
Swimming Pool Repairs Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:00:26] · Seconded by Unknown [1:00:27]
The council ratified emergency repairs for the city swimming pool, where plaster had bubbled and tiles had broken. Horizon Commercial Pool Supply, recommended by the original pool designer US Aquatics, was contracted for $3,425 due to the unavailability of local contractors on short notice. Staff had already signed off on the quote to expedite the process, hoping to prepare the pool for the upcoming swim season, though filling it before Memorial Day is no longer possible.
Swimming Pool Slide Project Update
Dissent: None
Moved by None · Seconded by None
The council received an update on the long-discussed swimming pool slide project. The original pool design included a slide, which was not built during the initial bond. Following previous work sessions, a fiberglass slide was agreed upon. An official quote from US Aquatics and their vendors is pending, but the estimated cost from the school engineer, Craig Britain, is between $400,000 and $450,000. The proposed timeline targets authorizing bids in June, accepting them in July, and installation in Fall 2025 or early Spring 2026, aiming for readiness by the 2026 pool season.
Claims Approval and Legal Update
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [1:06:50] · Seconded by Unknown [1:06:51]
The council approved the claims. City Attorney Bob Vose provided a legal update on changes to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, informing council members that new legislation passed by the legislature, expected to be signed by the Governor, will allow for more flexible remote participation for council members in future meetings. This will accommodate conflicts while allowing continued involvement.
Notable Quotes (19)
I have one division um in the emergency operations plan. I would like that to include council member Colton right information. So that was left out there.
We are issuing what's called an unmodified opinion on the financial statements which is a clean audit opinion. So the opinion would be striving for in a financial statement audit.
Basically what this means is that we as your auditor not only perform the audit but we also draft the financial statements. Technically this is an internal control finding. So recurring finding for the city and probably the most common finding we issue doing these financial payment audits.
Again, our expenditures and our, um, revenues look larger than normal because of that uh, $1.5 million land sale um, for the Elcron, the excess rightway... So even though we're just transferring between funds it counts against the general fund.
And then last year with being able to do driver's license, so we had to purchase all the equipment up up front. So that's why that uh fund looks so low. We will get reimbursed in 2025 for that equipment.
So, there's a lot of requests kind of all wrapped within one. So there's the assembly permit, the fee waiver, the alcohol request, and the requirement for mobile food units.
So now we have before you a purchase agreement. Uh we've gone back and forth with um our city attorney votes and then the buyer's attorneys as well. Uh we have just gotten this agreement back today.
I think you should approve if you want to approve the sale of the property and I think you do. If you want to do that, I think you should approve it subject to my review and revisions. But I will tell you I don't think I will have many or any revisions.
The revisions that have been made in the redline document that we've gotten are to address the complication of the ownership of the Pinehaven um uh care facility, not the Evergreen facility.
Currently in our ordinances, we put 100% of sidewalk replacements and repair on the homeowner. And realistically, if we want people to if we want safe sidewalks for people to use, I think we need to uh help out our residents and make it more affordable to have usable and safe sidewalks.
I walk to the bank frequently and I've tripped multiple times myself and um, so I I want to make sure that, you know, a lot of people visit downtown so that we can try, see what the company's about.
However, I do believe that it is becoming a safety hazard and so the back stairs that service both the upstairs apartment and then the lower level, they're they're just rotting out and uh it's not safe for employees to go in and out anymore.
Per city code section 10.06, beekeeping registration applications can be approved administratively. Um, as long as the applicant meets all of the requirements in the code, a certain period of time passes and then it's automatically um approved.
I am recommending going with Pearson Brothers. They're like $8,000 less and I've used them before so comfortable with them.
Unfortunately, we have some maintenance issues down at the pool. um a portion of the plaster bubbled um and broke off few pieces of tile in one of the black tile lines.
So, we did sign off on the quote just due to the short timeline. Um but we wanted to get it in front of you for your final approval. Obviously, if you have issues with it, we can tell them not to come.
Um the original pool design did include a slide um at the time of the bond that obviously didn't happen. So we're trying to catch up with that.
Um but Craig has it in the estimated 400 to 450,000 range. Um we kind of came in high and hopes that that's not the actual number, but we will see.
And so, to the extent going forward, um, somebody has a conflict but wants to participate remotely, you know, reach out to Elizabeth who can reach out to me, although I bet Elizabeth's going to know all about it. Um, uh, and we can likely accommodate uh that a little bit more than we have been able to in the past.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Updated plan with requested amendment to include a council member's information.
Request to approve a quote for dishwasher disconnect at Evergreen Place.
Request to approve an amendment to a farming lease.
Request to approve a route for a graduation event on Main Street, involving road closure management by school staff.
Resolution accepting donations given to the city.
Request for road closure for a family-friendly event.
The city's financial audit report for the year 2024, presented by ABDO.
Permit for the Chamber of Commerce car show, including requests for fee waiver, alcohol on public property, and mobile food unit exemption.
Exemption from these requirements requested for the Chamber of Commerce car show.
Previous document related to the sale of Evergreen Place, outlining the initial purchase price.
The current legal document for the sale of Evergreen Place, approved pending attorney review.
City code governing beekeeping registration applications.
Permit type for beekeeping, administratively approved unless objections are filed.
State law being updated to allow more remote participation for council members.
State legislation that would provide funding for capital projects like the Sanford Core District.