Mound City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Story
Music in the Park Draws Council Attention as Mound Weighs Park Investments
Non-Compliant Roadside Signs and Enforcement
Communication Issues with Building Permits (Safe Built)
Votes (6)
Pay Request #5 to Minger Construction for Water Treatment Improvements Project 25-12
Moved by Council member Pew [00:13:31] · Seconded by Council member Mcinany [00:13:41]
A discrepancy was noted in the dollar amount listed for Pay Request #5 for Minger Construction. The consent agenda listed an amount of $1,138,736.70, which was clarified as the correct figure, correcting an earlier internal reference. Discussion also touched on the inclusion of traffic control costs for 'Phase Two' of a project, with staff confirming pay requests are based on completed work and additional sign costs would be itemized separately.
Orono Police Department Activity Report
New Police Chief Chad Centra introduced himself and provided a brief overview of the department's activity, including a business burglary. The Mayor raised concerns about consistently high numbers of DWI drivers and alcohol-related incidents, asking for new strategies. A council member inquired specifically about traffic enforcement for speeding on West Edge Boulevard, especially given rerouted traffic due to construction, requesting data on citations. Chief Centra clarified that while he can't dictate citation numbers, officers are visible and conduct stops, and he would gather the requested data for the police commission meeting.
Public Comment: Water Quality - AJ Shannard
AJ Shannard presented a jar of discolored water, vehemently stating it was 'non-drinkable' and demanding immediate city action, expressing frustration with a prolonged issue in his new development. The Mayor explained the city's plan for a new water treatment plant within one to two years and suggested in-home treatment options via the city website. Mr. Shannard dismissed the timeline as too slow and the digital resource due to his work schedule, emphasizing the urgency.
Public Comment: Water Quality - Anonymous Resident
A resident reported finding carcinogens (arsenic) and magnesium phosphates in her tap water from two Mound properties, linking these to multiple family members and friends experiencing cancer and neurological disorders. She highlighted the financial burden of personal water treatment and the city's long-standing 'don't drink your water' advice without adequate notification to all residents. The Public Works Director offered direct assistance, including involving the health department for further testing at her properties.
Avon Park Playground Equipment Selection
Moved by Council member Mcinany [01:21:48] · Seconded by Council member Pew [01:22:12]
Public Works Director Ryan Preach presented nine options for new playground equipment at Avon Park, within an $80,000 budget, based on survey data prioritizing shade, caregiver seating, swings, slides, and climbing structures. The Parks Commission recommended option 3A (Little Tikes) with a blue and white color scheme. However, council members debated color preferences, opting for a more natural palette (forest green slides, cinnamon shade, brown/tan accents) to blend with the park's environment. Concerns were also raised about slide heat in summer and the need for benches with armrests to deter loitering. ADA accessibility for the play structure and mulch was confirmed, and the overall budget was discussed to include an ADA path and potentially a new backstop.
Water Treatment Plant Newsletter and Decision Timeline
The council discussed a four-page special newsletter on water quality, aiming to inform residents transparently about the city's long-standing water issues (manganese) and the goal of building a new water treatment plant. Debate included careful phrasing to avoid fear-mongering while clearly stating the 'don't drink the water' recommendation for untreated tap water. The newsletter will detail the financial impact ($2.08/month increase for the plant, on top of other rate increases) and critical dates: August 25th for design/bid request presentation, and October 13th for the final vote on accepting a bid. The council emphasized the need for prominent disclosure of these public engagement opportunities, acknowledging past low attendance at water-related meetings. Ryan Preach confirmed the plant would address iron/rust and manganese, but fluoride injection remains legally mandated.
Notable Quotes (17)
So this is the additional traffic control which is another $4,589. Is that a different phase or is that still within the same project?
Yeah. So, that there is a type of that the dollar amount that's listed on the consent here doesn't match there. So, it should be one 1,137. together before an 82. Okay. I just wanted to make sure we were clear on what we were what we were approving and because yeah, they're saying initially 863, but then the estimated amount was 64725 which may or may not include all of the expenses I guess is what you're saying because of the signage that we used.
Um we have consistently had high numbers of DWI drivers. Mhm. And and in your report, in addition to that, there are alcohol related like people having alcohol in their car, um open bottles, um you know, all that. So rather than just accepting this is a problem or or that this is the way it is, do you have any thoughts or could you put some thinking to how could we address getting our city a little drier maybe?
I still don't see any reported traffic stops for speeding. Have any numbers on that? Including the report that I got from Jesse looks like another report from dispatch, not from [clears throat] actual tickets that have been written. Um I don't I don't have actual citations. And then um all the traffic stops I they don't have my they don't have the addresses there because uh so can you just get that together? I'm going to be at the police meeting tomorrow. So I'm on the police commission. So if you can look into that I would appreciate it. That might be tough to do though before first thing in the morning. So
I can as a police chief tell them how many tickets to write. Right. But um I can try to get those numbers for you in the morning to see where we're at.
So, this is my water quality. You guys need to do something about my water quality. This is non drinkable. This is terrible.
In August, we're going to vote on a a new water treatment plant, and we're going to hopefully vote that through, too. And in a in a year or two, that should be a lot better.
I bring this to your attention for the fact that with these carcinogens have created cancer and several people right around the areas and um hence why I'm here today. not only my mom, I've had siblings and friends and family members all within the area u just within the last 6 to 8 months and uh not only that but neurological disorders with the magnesium as well.
Well for again for sure for the last about four years right not we we we've been saying for four years don't drink your water if you have water. Six years in mound was that... we recommend for the last basically four years to only drink bottle water.
If you have some water levels like that, then I think our public's work director would love to toto see that and we can... get a hold of us with your information and I'll connect with you and I can also get Brian involved and we can come and talk to you.
I will add that the parks lead requests that we don't have a tube like this that does a U shape because we have that at one or two other parks and we're consistently spending quite a bit of money replacing it because fireworks go off in there or they melt it or they damage it because they're out of sight and they can do what they want inside of that tube. and we are spending upwards of $6,000 per year to replace parts.
So, one thing I would add to this is I I talked to several parents and grandparents and there's a question about like all these slides and they get hot and the kids can't use them in the summer because they're too extremely hot like they burn.
I'm 100% for 2B for many reasons. The cost, the natural colors. I'm not into the bright colors. They really look dated to me, especially that blue, which I think was really pretty down at by Alan Alasat Chester Park, but I don't think it has any place at at this park. Um, but again, true B, I like everything about it. I think just because we have it budgeted for 110,000 doesn't mean we can't start saying, 'Hey, we almost get the same amount of amenities.'
We're trying to phrase it appropriate not scaring you know people too much but at the same point like we just heard tonight some people just still don't I mean if they don't check the internet they don't check um I mean all the newsletters we sent out for how many years.
I think you need to be really careful with that because it's, we know it's pockets in mount that really suffer, right, greatly. And then there are other areas in mount that have absolutely no problem at all. So, I think we need to take that into consideration when you're writing this.
I just think to so that we can make sure that we're definitely disclosing this. And we disclose this for four years. I understand. But you can't leave you lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. So I mean,
The manganese and the iron, the what you see in as you call rust is the iron in the water. And that's what the treatment plant will address.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Approve appointment of election judges
Project associated with Pay Request #2 to Tanks Co.
Project involving construction management supervision and inspections by KM Engineering
Project associated with Pay Request #5 to Minger Construction
Projects associated with Pay Request #1 to GH Asphalt
Support for Southwest Trails Association for 2027 grant to Minnesota DNR
Regulation regarding compliant signs in the city
Special four-page newsletter informing residents about water quality issues and the upcoming water treatment plant project