Follow me. Order. First order of business would be the flag of algiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to [clears throat] the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. like to welcome everybody to our 18th regular council meeting with our consent agenda first which includes our October 21st regular council meeting minutes letter of support for the GCPW for the LRIP for our 2011 and two project letter of support for the Biji County co-op electric request to approve the LMC IT waiver request to approve the fire chief candidate list and a request to approve the purchase of public sites. >> I'll move the consent agenda. >> I will second. >> We have a motion and a second that you have a discussion with de >> I cop >> I >> Paul >> I >> David input. Do we have any written report? No, >> rightation to the end. So, we'll call Aubrey Dson up. Please introduce yourself and your address and we will have two and a half minutes. >> My name is Aubrey Dirkson. address is 340 Prairie View Drive Northeast on an island. I want to begin with a proverb from the Creed tribe. Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money? My question to the city leaders of Pine Island is when will you realize we can't eat money and life is more than just money? Residents have asked multiple times for you to show your work, provide financial impact statements, an economic benefits analysis showing the potential economic benefits of the status center, and to this day, you still have nothing to show for yourself other than empty claims from a developer promising jobs. Community economics educators at the U can provide community economic benefits analysis such as this for free. They have done it for neighboring towns such as Fairbelt and Northfield just in the last few months last few months. Here on this side, Pine Island has not taken advantage of free resources that already exist in your community to address a need that you are being requested to provide and should have already done. City leaders are public servants and the challenge to you all has been to show that you have guided principles other than greed, to demonstrate humility, to demonstrate that you know what it means to truly listen and be a public servant. I just returned from a work trip in Guatemala where I had the privilege of working with the mayor of a rural town that only recently obtained access to clean drinking water. This town is the same size as Pine Island, only has one road. Much of it is on a 30° angle or more of an inclined and is on an ancient volcano. Residents have to carry on their backs everything that they get at the port back up to their homes. Getting clean drinking water is no small feat and it's a critical need. But yet when this massive project of getting a water treatment and clean drinking water came to that town, the mayor grabbed his walking stick and went to every single home. He personally ensured that his residents knew what was happening, had their questions and concerns addressed instead of dismissing them. And he even went to the step of engaging multi multid-disiplinary team through the public university to ensure the project caused no undue harm. And he did it because he truly valued the well-being of his residents, not because he were driven by greed or motivated by ego. and he would never jeopardize the trust that he put intentional work to build in his community or jeopardize the natural resources such as drinking water that's the livelihood and the bedrock of his town. And then I had to come home to Pine Island. Uh Rod Lanners, 18 Island Heistport, Northeast Pana, Minnesota. And good evening, mayor and city council and city administrators. Um what I'd like to talk about for a few minutes here is um my comments are about the project Skyway. more accurately to me should be called the data center project. I want to clarify uh that contrary to what PI leadership has stated or suggested, the concerns raised by residents are not misinformation. In reality, many of us believe that the developer may be presenting an incomplete or misleading picture of the project's true impact. I strongly encourage you to look beyond the developers asurances. Across the country, communities with data centers have not seen the promised benefits. These centers often fail to deliver on economic growth, high-paying jobs, or lower property taxes. In fact, tax incentives given to data centers frequently reduce local revenues and increase the burden on our communities and schools. Before moving forward, we need transparency. Please provide a thorough cost benefit analysis, a detailed environmental impact statement, and impact analysis backed by concrete facts and not and guarantees and not just promises. Developers are skilled at negotiating with experienced lawyers. They may agree verbally to to requests but not include them in the binding commitments to in contracts. Non-disclosure agreements, while common in business, should not be used to hide crucial details from the public. The secrecy erodess trust between residents and leadership. I ask that you respect all residents during meetings. Threatening to remove or minor actions like eye rolling or quiet conversation discourages open dialogue, makes people feel unheard. As our elected officers or officials is your responsibility to listen and respond openly to everyone you represent. Thank you for your attention. I encourage you to read the article and I'll send it an email to you. It's an article. It's named what happens when data centers come to town. And I'll send it an email so you can have the opportunity to read it if you like. And final s we need to wake up what's happening here. You think Alon was bad? I think this could destroy our town. Thank you, sir. And David Dirkson, >> Reverend David Dirkson, 340 Purview Drive Northeast, Pine Island. My comments are related to Project Skyway, as you probably know. Um, thank you for the opportunity to address you all. Uh at a recent meeting, I appreciated hearing that there's going to be a step back and trying to get more time to consider the project. And I just want to bring to attention something that should impacts us all. And that's with this project when it comes, if it comes, our energy prices are going to go up and we're not protected like we've been told. The law that was passed into in the state just recently has certain things set aside for heavy users. All right, heavy energy users. But how do you enforce a law if you haven't define who those heavy users are? Can you tell me? Can that be enforced? That definition is not going to be made by the Public Utilities Commission until December of 2026. So until that date, there's no possible way for that law to be enforced because you haven't had a definition set to categorize those users. So right now we're in this interim period where we're not protected in the least. That's just something to keep in mind as we go forward with the considering the project. Another thing, even though they talk about how our energy prices are not going up based on this project, it's a chicken and egg problem. What comes first, the the systems upgrade or the data center? Cuz utilities are going to be upgrading their their their transmissions lines just as it says in the AU going from what was it 161 kilovolts to 345 kilovolts transmission lines. They're not doing that for you and I to have another appliance in our home. They're doing that in anticipation of these heavy users. They even say as much when they propose the 13.2% increase in Excel rates from 25 and 26. Now, I grant that it's not the only reason why that's being increased, but it's certainly a reason why it's being increased. So, as I stand before you, when you vote for this this project, you are voting for an increase in our rates of electricity. They're already it's already happening. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Two events happened during this month. One, we I want to publicly thank the high school and their continued uh programs with the veteran services. So on September uh excuse me, November 11th, we were able to have a program uh both at the elementary and the high school uh to honor our veterans. And I want to say thank you to the city employees. We are able to participate in Operation Greenlight with recognizing our veterans. We have veterans that are employed with the city. So I want hope we thank them. Um, also we've I think this is our third year doing this one, but our proclamation for whereas November is recognized as National Native American Heritage Month and whereas there are 574 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaskan Native entities in the United States, 11 of which call Minnesota home, including seven Chipuan, Ojiway, and Florida Dakota tribes, including the Prairie Island tribe, those were who are born of the waters with Canadians. And whereas November is a time to celebrate the tradition, language, and stories of Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated island communities. Whereas whereas we want to ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. And this month and every month throughout the year, we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our nation. And whereas we celebrate Indian country with its remarkably diverse with the remarkable diversity of American Indian, Alaskan native culture and people. And whereas we look to strengthen and support our mutual communities through consultations, considerations, cooperation, unity, and respect. And where I therefore, David Freeze, mayor, do hereby recognize November as Pine Island's Native American Heritage Month. I call this obser this observance to all our citizens and call upon our citizens to seek our ways to learn and educate themselves in our local Native American histories. Uh respectfully David Freed, mayor of Pine Island on this day, November 18th, 2025 and to recognize our friend neighbors um from Harry. We appreciate their work and partners partnership. We are going to jump right into administration council with resolution 25-49 which is approving the 2026 tax assessments for unpaid debt for good andstead counties. >> Mr. Mayor, if I >> I will. Um there is an updated resolution, updated memo before you. um the amount was lowered due to um the city only assessing for unpaid utility bills and then um mowing charges as allowed by state statute. So there were some uh assessments removed from the original resolution so that updated resolutions before >> the two counties >> this is post each item every year. Um, I'll move resolution 2549 approving the 2026 tax assessments. >> I'll second motion and second to approve 2549. Any questions for staff? That is Delena. >> I >> Hton. >> Hi. >> Vernon. >> Hi. >> Randy. >> Hi. >> And David will be I which brings us to our next one which is resolution 2550 authorizing the write off of unpollectible debts. These are debts that we are unable to collect. >> Correct. These are debts that um are owed to the city. However, the city has done um everything they can to try to collect the debts um unsuccessfully and so we're asking the city to write them off so that we can end the year with a balanced budget. >> I'll move resolution 2550 authorizing the write off of the uncollectible debts. I'll second. >> A motion and a second for the unlected uncollectible debt. There we go. Any questions from councel? Delena >> I >> Hton >> I >> Vernon >> I >> Brandy >> hi >> and David will be I we've got our list of business license which will be for resolution 2551 which6 business license. Yep. So in this resolution we have all the business licenses for 2026. These are all the businesses that we have received uh complete applications from. Of course different entities can apply for business licenses throughout the year. >> Any questions for the city staff? Otherwise it's pretty straightforward. I'll move resolution 2551 approving the 2026 business licenses. >> I'll second a motion and a second on the business license. >> Hearing no questions. Delena. >> Hi. >> Colton. >> Hi. >> Vernon. >> Hi. >> Randy. >> Hi. David is that one. >> And we got think about elections next year. The midterms for resolution 2562. Still [clears throat] doing fire stations. >> Yep. >> So each year the city must designate its uh polling location whether or not we have elections scheduled. And so this would be the annual resolution establishing the fire hall as our polling location. I'll move resolution 2552 declaring the polling location for 2020 state. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second for the polling location. Any questions from staff or for staff? >> Hearing none. Delena. >> Hi. >> Hton. >> Hi. >> Veron. >> Hi. >> Randy. >> Hi. >> David is I. As always, we thank our staff and election judges for taking the time to do that for two years. Very interesting. >> Right along, we are going to go to item E, which is request to approve data practices policy update. Who wants to explain this? >> So, um, periodically the city updates its policy requirements. Um the Minnesota Department of Administration changed some of the items in their model policy. So that is what you see before you. Um and so essentially by state statute, the city must have um its data uh practices policy on file in addition to naming um responsible authorities and um designates. I'll move the request to approve the data practices policy update. >> I'll second a motion a second. >> That figured out on the website. >> Yes, this will once um approved it will be placed on the website. >> Any other questions from council? >> Hearing none. Delena. Hi >> Holton. >> Hi >> Vernon. >> Hi >> Randy. >> Hi >> David. >> Hi. >> Item F. We have a request to approve of S bone application for me on. >> Yes. Good evening mayor and council. Uh so as most of you I believe are aware the uh EDA has a program a facade program for C1 district which is our downtown district in an effort to improve buildings downtown. We uh have a program that allows uh businesses or building owners to apply to get up to $2,500 uh in a forgivable loan um that covers 50% of the project up to that $2,500. So, with that, uh, the Oddfellow's building, which is the post office, and then the old embroidery shop downtown, uh, applied for, um, some work in their building, including some, uh, rear business entrance, the roof floors, some windows, uh, different things that they're getting ready for a new tenant that they have coming in. Um, and Mayor F uh, applied on their behalf as a member of the Oddfellows. So, what they're requesting is that $2,500 in the forgivable loan uh to help cover part of the $46,000 project that they're applying for. >> Um, I'll move the request to approve the PAD loan application. >> I'll second. >> Motion second. Any questions for Mitch? >> Is that still going to happen this year or is it going to probably happen in the spring? >> When's your plan? >> Is it still this year? The windows and everything. Okay, thanks. >> Approve downtown. >> Yes. >> Any other questions? >> No. >> Delina. >> Hi. >> Holton. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Brandy. >> Hi. >> I will abstain. Nothing under planning commission. So, we are going to jump right into the public works of engineering, which is item a request to purchase a grapple tent for the motor. >> Mayor, council, good afternoon. Yeah. Um, we'd like to get uh your blessing here to purchase a grappler for our 624 loader to help with uh burning the brush pile. Um, we started doing that two years ago, Bryce, and it just would help speed up the operation a little bit. Now, we've gotten a couple quotes. um one was at 19,000 and 23,000 and Midwest uh John Deere came in at 11,600 and the guys have looked the grapple over pretty good and they believe that that will do a good job. So, we're recommending to go with the Midwest Grappler. >> That's a significant difference. >> Yeah, it's a big difference. Well, the the other ones are pretty heavy. They're kind of made forestry. >> Oh, >> doing that real heavy duty stuff. And and the other thing with this too, we can use this during any kind of emergency storms or so. >> Okay. >> I'll move the request to approve the purchase of the grapple attachment for the loader. I will second. >> I have a motion and a second for the draft of the >> Mr. Mayor, if we could um reiterate that this would come out of our capital equipment fund 250 215. >> That's the parks one or the >> Yeah, the parks. >> Which quote? Um the John Deere quote from Midwest Machinery. >> Yes. Right. We have the amended motion and we had a second correct >> else. Todd >> this will be a good thing. So >> be a good thing. >> Hi >> I Vernon. >> Hi >> Randy. >> Hi >> David. Hi. >> All right. Thank you. >> Where do you want to? We should have a couple times. Very long. >> Yeah, this winner. >> All right, we're going to jump right into Bob. Can you hear us? >> Mayor, I sure can. Can you hear me? >> Yes, sir. Welcome. >> Great. Uh, hi everybody. Sorry I'm not there. I have a brand new hip and I could have gotten there because they do hips now uh so well that you feel fine right after you get it done. So, but uh we had set this up. So, here I am. Um I don't think I have anything to report. Um uh we've been busy uh starting to process the applications that we must process by law uh that we've received from Project Skywick. uh and uh you've heard something about the timeline on that, but there are state statutory timelines for our um processing um as you know. Uh and so there's been a little bit of work going into that. Uh and otherwise all is quiet. Uh and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Also, any questions for Bob? >> Bob? >> No. >> Get some rest. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Good luck on the recovery. Yeah. >> Thank you. Thank you, sir. All right. We have claims council. >> I'll move claims. >> I'll second motion a second. I claim Delena. >> Hi, >> hi. >> Vernon, >> hi. >> Randy, >> hi. >> I brings us to our department. Got anything you want to share? >> The only thing I would like to discuss is um 2026 budget. And so as we move forward, it does look like that it would be staff's recommendation to keep the prelim preliminary levy where it was set. Um this is due to health insurance premiums coming in higher than what we had anticipated. And uh so we're we're cutting some other funds to cover those pre. >> That's something we've hit in every single city. Yeah, >> I I do believe we still have the lowest levy increase in both bedroom and homestead counties. So, >> yeah, ours is the smallest out of the areas. >> Yep. >> Appreciate staff's help. >> Rachel, >> Miss Rachel, >> how are you? Good. >> How are you guys? >> Doing well. >> It's cold finally. Um, just a couple of things. a couple of programming notes that we have for the library. We have one coming on board in January called Granny Squares. We're going to be learning a new granny square each month. First Monday of the month, 4:30 at the library. I will have uh beginner hooks and some acrylic yarn, but people are willing or able to bring their own stuff as well. So, any level is welcome with that. Coming on board, we are suns setting the sip and not sip and spell. our sun setting books and bruise um just due to lack of participation. We've had it going and going down over the last year. So, we're going to refocus um and do other things. Sip and spell is coming up on uh the believe uh December 11th at the brewery. That's our adult spelling bee. Everyone is welcome. Uh so, please think about coming out if nothing else to watch and enjoy. Um it's just a good time. We we have a lot of fun with that. And the other thing I have is that we have a board opening coming up on the library board of trustees at the end of the year here. Hope Carol Rizzo, as I've mentioned in the past, has served nine years on the board and she has uh this is her last opportunity to do that for now. So if anyone is interested in uh serving on that, we are accepting applications to the library. Does the council have any questions for me? Yeah. And loving the new furniture. >> Yes. [laughter] >> So, when does the Sorry, the granny square thing start >> uh first Monday of January. >> Are there compliments on your furniture after the Veterans Day? >> Oh, good. >> Well, fabulous. Well, thank you. >> Thanks for your work. >> Yeah, anytime. >> Works. I'm not going to say the yes word. getting everything ready for winter. >> Did we get any road patches and stuff done before the plant shut down? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, the extra mill done. >> Okay. Yeah. Excellent. That's awesome. >> Nice. >> Um, I want to say thank you to there was a fixed down behind Rusty's kind of down that area. [clears throat] >> What happened over there or else it collapsed? >> It just Yeah, this whole >> So, are we [laughter] falling dirt? So, here Great. Um, >> uh, one thing I wanted to point out, so we did receive a $10,000 grant from Smith, uh, their small towns grant that is going to the community mural. Um, and along with that, we also got a donation from the Chiefs Festival for $2,500. the image committee is going to be putting in $2,000 and we have a request in from uh to the community foundation um to cover the rest of that. Uh so we should have the entire uh $17,000 raised that we need to complete the mural. Um with that, our next steps will then be to put together a committee of uh residents who will sit on a board to advise the muralist on ways to proceed. And we don't have all the details there yet. Um but we're still working that out. Oh yeah, just want to let you guys know. >> Nice. >> Thanks. Sorry. I think we're good. That one's anything else really good order. So, >> no. >> Move to a journ. >> Yeah. A quick one. >> 31 minutes. 30. Yep. 31. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. Lena. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Vernon. Hi. >> Brandy. >> Hi. >> David. I think you're right.