All righty. >> I'll go ahead and call the meeting to order. We'll start with a roll call. McKe here. Lantern here >> Friedrich >> here. >> Uh Vancamp >> here. >> And Nicholls >> also here. >> All right. Please like to stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. >> Agenda approval. I know we had a handful of modifications, small tweaks that was sent out. Um >> not nothing since the last amendment on Tuesday. Uh so just minor updates to a few items. I believe it was 6P, 6Q, 8A, and 12A. >> Um council wanted Mark, you wanted to add the discussion topic at 9B. >> Yes, please. >> And anything else from council or staff? >> Nothing from staff. >> Okay. All right. With that, I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda as amended. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor say I. I >> I >> Okay, on to presentations. We have one, which is a 10-year service award for Pete Echenburg. >> I Yes, Mr. Mayor and Council. Uh we are grateful to celebrate a decade with uh Sergeant Pete Eckenberg. He joined the department on August 10th, 2015. The department has changed a lot in that time. And uh by the photo, you can see that Pete has two Uh uh but what hasn't changed is Sergeant Ekenberg's smile uh which uh even just today staff was reading something and Sergeant Ekenberg is is regularly called out for the way that he connects with people in the community. He is the face of the city to so many folks and that it's a welcome face in time of crisis and in time of calm. And so we're thankful to have Sar Neckberg here uh for the last decade and hope we get another decade from him [Applause] as although as Jay and I found out 2015 kind of sad, depressing, not a lot of great stuff. We determined that the best thing that happened in 2015 is he started working here. >> But other things that happened in 2015, uh, Force Awakens was the highest grossing movie that year, making 2.7 billion worldwide. Other top grossing film for Jurassic World, Furious 7 and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Top charting song was Uptown Punk. >> Your favorite In Minnesota sports, it was rough. Uh the Vikings had a good year and then lost 10 to N. Blair Walsh missed the kick in Seattle in the postseason. Um Twins and Wild were average to below average. One got eliminated by the eventual champion Blackhawks and one didn't make playoffs. And the other one things were hopefully looking up the Timberwolves. Uh came back. Uh Kevin Garnett came back. We traded Kevin Love and got two number one overall picks. Um and then those got cancer unfortunately and had to take a leave of absence and they had a lead or 16 and 66 record. Then they got 15th overall or the the 2015 first overall pick, making them the first team to have three consecutive first overall picks on their roster and one of only two or three times that they've had backto-back rookies of the year on the roster. But they still finished 29 and 53 was one of the worst records in the NBA. >> Cheer us up. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You're better than Kevin Garnett. >> Yeah. >> Wait, before you leave, you have the floor. Any thoughts? Nuggets of wisdom? >> No. Thank you very much for the the past 10 years. I can't promise another 10, but maybe. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Pete. >> Thank you very much. [Applause] All righty. And we will move on to open forum uh for anyone that wants to speak on items that are not on today's agenda. And Jake, can you walk us through that? >> Yes. Uh ladies and gentlemen, uh anyone who would like to come and speak on something that's not on today's agenda, please uh step up to the microphone. I have two comment cards uh when I call your name uh and then speak to the council. council uh will not at that time uh provide any specific guidance. Uh they're going to listen and then uh potentially consider future actions. Uh so if there's anything not on the agenda someone would like to come and discuss again. I have two comment cards. The first is Mr. Alan Horn. I believe I said that. Please state your name and your address for the record. >> Good evening. Uh, can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Uh, my name is Alan Horn. I live at 1017 Jack Lane. I moved here recently from home in Clearwater and it's really been an amazing journey. U I've been amazed that I would move into a house that uh had air conditioning that hadn't been wired. that I would move into a house where the windows, many of the windows are not square, uh into a house that had mud cake on the cement walls in the storage. Uh run into neighbors where they uh had faulty electrical box, where they had faulty venting into the attic. And uh another one uh who actually shared it this evening uh had a missing uh HVAC vent. So I've been amazed about all of those things, but I've also been amazed by the fact that when the final grading was done that the the company doing the final grading was uh construction debris. Uh when the side was put in and they were leveling out uh the ground, uh they were tossing construction debris into the buffer zone, into the wooded margin of the buffer zone. Now, as I look at those things that I was amazed about, something else that I was really amazed about is that spokespeople or the developer uh have told us that the foot bridge and the park that the city of Corkran uh had been looking at building this for years and just hadn't gotten around to it. Uh we did find out, however, that that was disingenuous, that that was really not the case. Uh that it was the developer's responsibility to do this. Now, you probably would not be amazed that that developer is now some of these are customer service issues. I recognize that but I'm thinking from a city's perspective what could do and I have really a few thoughts that one is I think as you look at issuing building permits perhaps there's more pressure that you could put on the developer I think there could be enhanced or more aggressive inspection of homes in that develment Uh, and perhaps there could be some other regulations or ordinances that could help make some of these customer service issues less of a problem for those of us who are really quite powerless as we try to address this. >> Hi, quick question. Do do you have anything in writing from PY agreeing to do some of these improvements or some of this work that you now claim they haven't done? >> Do you have anything in writing from >> the footage and Yeah. >> No, I don't have anything in writing, but the saleserson told us and a number of other people that I've talked to in our neighborhood, they were told the same thing. And the blame was placed on the city. Uh, and I, you know, it'd be great from our perspective if the city built this, but you know, I recognize the city is representing 8,000 other people. They're not just representing El and that I would imagine what the city does is approve plans. They don't fund plans like this. >> Are you aware of any of your neighbors who still don't have sod that that's been laid? >> Actually, all the sad was laid in the last week. >> Okay. >> And some of those people have been waiting more than a year >> to get. So, aside from SAD and and and the bridge and the park, are there are there specific work items that were expected to be completed by PY that have not been completed as of today? >> You mean in general? >> In general. >> Yeah. Like that like sad that's now been corrected. No, I think that my sense is that once the city uh passed a new rule or ordinance requiring that put in I don't know what it was within 60 days or something closing uh that they have been a lot more responsive when it comes to because again like I said there were individuals. So we closed in our house in March, but there were people across the act who closed over a year ago and had not gotten and of course their money was sitting in >> but that's been corrected as of today, right? Again, I don't know this for certain and I hate to speculate, but I think the action taken by the city was very helpful incoring that issue. >> Well, what I would urge you to do, sir, is if there are specific items that you write them down and bring them to a future council meeting. >> Okay. >> We're we're happy to listen. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Just for st notice. Uh I have heard similar stories about non-corran developments from LAR where there are widespread neighborhood issues with certain like windows leaking, things like that. It would probably be helpful to make sure that the inspectors are a breast of issues that we're hearing from our residents on so that they can look for those specific things as they're conducting their work. >> Yes, sir. I I did want to comment on one thing that came up just for the awareness of the public and just to remind the council. Um when I first came on board uh the the bridge the the boardwalk, but I called it a bridge. Uh for your benefit, I I I was the parks and recreation director in Shaki. When I saw the the plans that had been introduced at that time, they they were designed by need because there was supposed to be a water tower in that park. And in order to service that water tower, that bridge needed to have a certain capacity in order for them to maintain the water tower. When the water tower moved uh to the hope development site, uh it was no longer necessary to have it built to those standards. And so that was part of the delay is it was overengineered for what the present need was. And that took a little while to work that out. So that that's part of the delay with that. And then the other one, if you recall, I think it was the last council meeting, Steve, if you can confirm that, or it was the one before that, in which we talked about the final amenity decision regarding that. And so, uh, with those decisions in place, we we should see that project moving forward here momentarily. So, uh, just an update on the boardwalk. I believe we've hit the things that are necessary in order to progress with that. Uh next on the park itself, I did want to correct actually the city does have a responsibility for developing that park and we'll be moving forward uh to explore that based upon guidance from council in future conversations. So, right now, uh, Heritage Park is the focus for development. And as part of the 2026 budget, we'll be discussing, uh, what council would like, uh, staff to focus on for development because we have competing demands, limited resources, and so, uh, that park will be developed, but will the master planning occur in 2026 or in future years? That's to be determined in in future discussions before council. But but I did want to clarify that the park development is a city responsibility. >> Could I add just one thing, Mr. Mayor? Um, night two night was a great opportunity just to listen to some of the concerns of our residents and there was another concern with the Bellweather Park in that the developer was dumping dirt into where the park would be. And so I guess I was going to ask a question. If we already own that park area, can the developer do that? So my understanding is through collaboration, yes, because the alternative they they do have to have someplace to put those materials and and I'd actually talked with some other of you council members about this. Uh as as you have those materials, that seems a much favorable temporary solution than in the lot that's right next to somebody's house to have a 20 foot pile of dirt. Uh especially as they're moving in and out. So, while it might not be attractive, it's necessary in the construction process to put those materials somewhere. And that seems to be the the most reasonable location uh in terms of how you're moving them out. The fact that it's temporary, they're not going to be there permanently uh and as a temporary location rather than adjacent to some of our our new residents homes. Uh I I think you might find that preferable than a 30-foot active uh pile of dirt next to the house. >> Well, I would add that there are houses right next to the park though that it is affecting. So, I guess it's whether you affect the people next to the park or other people, but I think it's been quite some time since they've been experiencing that, like at least a year with with the dumping of the dirt. And it was pretty high when I drove by. It was like probably taller than me if I were standing on the road >> flat. In fact, I think it's referred to as Mount Bellweather. And I I I didn't think that was funny. You know, that's not right and it should be addressed. >> Any comments, Steve, on that? Did I speak correctly on that was identified as the right spot for temporary use? >> How do we identify a spot for that? like what is the parameters of like this was going to be the spot where you can do this >> typically just because it's a static spot so it's kind of typically building Because I would say that there are there's construction debris that ends up in those dirt piles. And I would say that if we have a park there, that's probably not unless they're moving the dirt back out so it becomes like flat dirt again or they're bringing in fill that's clean. >> Typically, it's just for construction. >> Okay. Okay, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh and then we did have one other card. Uh so Laura Horn, >> sounds good. >> Please state your name and address for the record. [Music] support issues especially with all the construction that I would like to just add that information is probably biggest issue right now in our community. People think that it's the city's responsibility to do the bridge that turns out it's true. But other people say no, it's um when people talk about it, they're angry and it isn't because they're getting the right information and they don't like what they're doing. It's the disinformation that we And so if the city could be helpful if you were to provide the correct information to maybe that would be very beneficial because it's just mention that we bridge built a year ago. And the person who told us that was the saleserson and she was very strong. She goes, "Well, the city was supposed to do it last year, but they didn't get around to it and this year they promised to do it in August and August seems to be the favorite month. That's what other people have said that well the city's going to do it in August and comes up every year and I just I think that you about um you know who's responsible for what and particularly the city at our last um get together and you were there Mark right? >> Yes. >> And people are so upset about that m of dirt and um and they don't know um you know the particular how necessary sometimes it is just to have one site you know that someplace but I think that more consideration could be given to finding a location that doesn't affect so many people in a neighborhood. Um but I know the difficulty of it and I think that um providing the HOA with information that is factual and that is sympathetic to the community members about how you really do try to make sure that your part of the equation and all of this is um in part justified. And so my focus today is just to share with you that I think is wrong. I mean it's bad and it's making people angry and by studying the facts and listening to people as and get together that I think that people people's tempers will go down and understand. >> Quick question. Are are you on the HOA? >> No, I am not. >> Do you know do you have any of the contacts? If you could get that um to staff that would be great because I think >> Oh, J. >> All right, we'll do >> Thank you. Thank you. as as you're going out, uh there's some business cards that are right on the wall. >> My name's on one. If you want to grab that, you can email me uh that information. That's probably the easiest way for you to share that. >> Mr. Mayor, real quick, >> as I I visited uh four different parties on night, a lot of what I told people was I would rather stop, I'll just say it, the gossip. And if you have questions on things in our city, contact the city. If you call the city number, ask for the operator, anything. They will get you in touch with somebody that absolutely knows the answer. >> What a great idea. >> I I just >> something else that I would like to see. >> You're you're welcome to share my information with anyone. uh C council will tell you and those here who don't I'm happy to talk with anybody for >> sure >> uh >> just be ready it'll be 45 minutes or so so it will be a long convers out there as well >> another resource and I mentioned it a little while ago another resource for folks and I know everybody gets it everybody that has an address in this town gets our newsletter and I think our last newsletter was 18 or 20 pages long I had a number of people just throw it out, think it's propaganda. That is the heartbeat of our city and it's been one piece of communication that's very good. And I think there was even a conversation in there or a narrative in there about the bridge in bell weather. Was it this year or was it the summer one or the >> those are on the city website as well? >> Those are on the city website too. But all the people listening, did you call city hall? Ask them that and then the we've got a very receptive administration. They'll they'll get you the answer >> or all our numbers or emails are on our card thread outside there right by >> and on the website with their handsome pictures. So feel free to call us as well. >> Pictures >> might not be handsome. >> Yeah, pictures. >> All righty. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else for open forum? >> Okay. If not then we will go ahead with consent agenda which consists of 6 A through 6R. Does anyone want to pull anything? No. Then I will go ahead and entertain a motion to approve consent agenda items 6A through 6R. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second. >> Perfect. >> All those in favor say I. I >> that's like a whole page. Okay, on to planning business. We just have the one item. It's the upward acres lot line adjustment and drainage and utility easement vacation. I think Natalie, >> this is the [Music] green. >> It doesn't work. It's not showing up on Oh yeah. >> Oh, why is it doing that? Okay, no one look at my notes. >> Just hit the swap presenter. >> Okay, the first item tonight is a >> You were almost there. Just hit display settings and swap. >> It won't let me. It's gray. >> Oh, I've never seen that before. >> Yeah, >> sorry. >> No, thank you. I appreciate it, though. Um, okay. So, Upward Upward Acres tonight is going we're just looking at a lot line adjustment between two lots and it is a public hearing for an easement vacation. Uh the applicant is Sky Limit LLC. They are the developer and builder for Upward Acres and the location is these two highlighted lots here, uh 9155 and 9205 under Hill Lane. A final plat for Upward Acres was approved in September 2024. It was a six residential lot subdivision located on County Road 10 and what is now under Hillane. It is just west of Betold Road. Uh and so the lot line adjustment is to provide that northern lot with just a little bit more acreage about a half acre. Um and then as part of that, the previously established established perimeter drainage and utility easements that were along the shared lot boundary must now be vacated and replaced based on the new lot line. So this is the the dash line is the old lot line and then the solid line is the new lot line. So you see we're we're going to move that just just a hair so that they get about a half acre or more of land and the proposed uh the other thing I want to add is typically a lot line adjustments that meet all of our standards and don't require a variance is something that I can just approve administratively. The reason why you're seeing this in front of you tonight is because of the public hearing component for the easement vacation. Our code says that when that is required, it does have to go to council for approval. So, um it's typically something that you wouldn't see. Uh but I did look through everything and I'm confident that the lot line adjustment complies with all of our subdivision and zoning district standards for the rural residential. Uh both lots exceed our minimum dimensional requirements and the request does not create a conflict with access or the well or septic locations for either property. If anything, it improves one of the septic for the northern part parcel 9205. And uh really the only change that I saw is one additional wetland buffer monument will be required where the new lot line crosses a wetland buffer. So I highlighted that here as little red square. Um so really fairly minor and something that's handled in the resolution for the lot line adjustment. And then for the actual public hearing, uh the final plat is what officially established the perimeter drainage and utility easements for these lots. Um that so there is an area now this top picture, sorry it's tiny, but this top picture is the area that will now be vacated. Um and then we will be establishing this bottom picture shows where we'll be establishing some new drainage and utility easements to replace it. The city engineer did and confirm there are no concerns of vacating these easements. So for the recommendation, we do need to open the public hearing for the easement vacation and then staff recommends approval of the resolution for the lot line adjustment and then there's a separate resolution approving the drainage and utility easement vacation. And the applicant is here as well for any questions. >> Um should we start with public hearing? Go ahead and open the public hearing if anyone would like to speak on this item. Looks like we're good. Can I get a motion to close the public hearing? >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. Then on to the item itself. Any questions for staff or the applicant? >> I assume there aren't actually any utilities in the old easement. >> Yeah. Nothing um nothing of concern. I don't believe there I think they were more drainage. Really more for drainage. I don't, but you could tell me if there's anything. >> Very good. >> I'd like to make a motion to approve uh resolution 2025-63. >> 81 82. >> 81 and 82. >> 81 and 82. What you got there? >> Well, you know what? I'll make the same motion for that one. >> 81 and 82. >> All right. Second. >> Jeremy second. Uh, any further discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> Perfect. >> Enjoy your new land. >> Thank you. >> On to eight, uh, which is unfinished business. We have 8A is I believe the only one. Let me get back to my my here. No, we have two. Uh, first one is 8A assessment hearing for the Chisum Trail Improvement Project. Uh, so um, thank you, Mayor Council. So, tonight we have the assessment here for the Chisum Trail improvement project. So on the consent, we actually approved the construction of the project. And so this is just to review and approve the assessment role. So the assessments were done in accordance with the city of Corkin's assessment policy where we actually get appraisals on the proper on the properties that evaluate what is the um that value that's and the value of improvement or the value to the property. And then our assessment policy is 90% of the low end. because this neighborhood was due for an overlay credit that was applied to this project on that same methodology. And so the assessment amount for the road rate project would have been $9,000 with a credit of $4,500. And so the assessments are calculated equally across all 18 affected properties at $4,500 per property. And so tonight's the assessment hearing where they've been sent letters and it's been posted in the paper noticing these assessments and amounts so they can come uh and um It's an open hearing where they could speak to those assessment mounts and then after the meeting you would close it and then either choose to take action on any of the appeals or accept the assessment role as provided. >> Sounds good. Thank you. Any questions? >> I'll go ahead and open the uh assessment hearing like to speak. Not I will entertain a motion to close the hearing. >> I'll make a motion to close. >> Second. I'll second. Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> On to the item itself. Uh, with no feedback, does anyone have any other questions or concerns with it or someone want to make a motion? >> Just real quick. >> Yeah. >> We had folks from that neighborhood talking about the traffic surveys, all of the stuff that was going on. Did we get with all of those folks and understand what was wrong or what happened? So the only concern that came after if you recall that was uh some some proactive contractors got in and were doing locates on property without communicating to them. Uh and once they understood that they they knew it was coming. They were just surprised about the timing of it. >> Yeah. But but if if you recall uh everyone was in favor of it. They thought it was long overdue and in fact rather than the overlay they were they were very happy with this proposed solution. >> So what can we do to prevent that from happening again in another neighborhood? I mean >> that was that was a me issue. So what it was is this project very frankly we just had a tighter timeline and so when we called in utility locates we have a window where we have to call them in come. So we happen to just call them in the day before and they typically aren't that on top of >> they jumped right on it didn't they? >> So we tried being a little and so you know typically going forward the project is approved we call them in and kind of go through that process and so we just know if we're doing that to just help inform people a little better. So then my other question was there was a one neighbor that had folks walking through her backyard and such. >> Those are the So those are the small utility companies which aren't us. We call them in and they have a legal responsibility to locate them but I suspect I don't sometimes they may be tying on to a gas meter or an electric because they do locate the private services themselves. So we have control over them. So we can't necessarily prevent that but some that's just part of the process. It's like Brian Henip and sending them a a meter reader into our my backyard showing up. They might just have to tie onto that utility to collect it. So, we can do what we can to restrict the limits to only our project, but sometimes, unfortunately, if they have to connect to that utility, we don't have that control. >> Thank you, Steve, very much. >> I'll make a motion to approve resolution 2025-80. >> I'll second. >> All righty. Uh, any further discussion? >> All those in favor say I. I. >> I. nine. Uh, are we at nine? >> We're on to the mural. >> We're under the mural first. >> I don't think you said >> you made the motion. I assumed you an eye on the vote. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I >> just wanted to double check. >> Thank you. Um, on to 8B, the Domino's mural discussion. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council. Um, yeah, back again to talk about the Domino's mural. Um, just a quick recap, part of the variance approval from uh the Domino's project back in uh 2024 uh included a community engagement effort to um come up with the design for the mural over the vinyl cooler on the back side of of the Domino's site. Um so through this engagement process, uh we had kind of two phases of the engagement process. One was coming up with the the I guess the >> theme. Yeah, theme. Sorry. Yeah, the theme. I'm lost of words. Theme for the um for the mural, for the contest, for the design contest. Um, and we had this online survey that was um, printed out and u with QR codes around the city and we got 33 responses to that and we were able to generate um, generate the prompt for the design portion of the contest um, in late April 2025 this year. Um and then in May we um opened the design contest with that prompt um and had that contest open for a little bit over a month. Uh and unfortunately um we did not get any respondents to it. So um we don't have any designs to um to select from from the community at this point in time. Um so we're just looking for some direction from council of where you would like us to proceed forward with mural project. Um we have um the opportunity to maybe reopen the design contest now that the school year is starting back up again and re um you know re resubmit these to teachers from school districts. Um we could just defer to some designs that are created by a professional designer uh from the applicants team. um staff has generated some designs that are included in your packet if you would like to choose from those or we're open to other suggestions. >> Okay. I had a suggestion. Um so we we have these nice photos that were submitted by residents and voted on by residents. We could use that as the public input and perhaps we could take those images and use them as the basis for something that could be scaled up. So you you could use a AI agent to take one of them, say the number one, and convert it into a artistic style uh of the appropriate resolution and size to be put in the wrap. Um I think these are just as good as the ones that we saw in um the staff report. I like that there has already been some public feedback on them and it would be less effort than trying to solicit a bunch of art that we may or may not think is better. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yeah. >> Can I add to that, too? >> Sure. >> Um, I love that idea because I love photography. Um, I love that we have a photography contest going now. I think it's fantastic and I hope we continue to get good participation. Um I I would like to bring up again uh I do have a person that works at the Rockford High School that is an art teacher and we started initially having discussions with her about making it into an art project with her with her high school students. Um the turnaround time was too quick because we were thinking we needed to have it done before summer. So she was told that it wouldn't really work out because it was the end of the school year. But since it's now extending into the school year, I think that might be a good opportunity to have some Rockford students participate in an idea that I think would be phenomenal to have some really cool artwork on that as a mural next to the dominoes. So, I'd like to review that again, too. >> Do we have a date that we need to get moving on? >> It's wide open. The only challenge is, you know, we're we're missing out on opportunity uh and delaying it. That's that's it. Uh the the other option is that we don't do anything. I mean, it was there. Uh but if you've seen it, we haven't had anybody. One of the concerns was how did we uh make this eyes sore look better >> and we haven't had any complaints about it. Uh so this is an opportunity to to do something positive, but is in the timeline. >> Well, how about this? Do you want to re-engage with >> your friend teacher? See what if if they for sure could do something and what that timeline would be and if that bring that back to council if that doesn't work or the timeline uh is, you know, wouldn't work for them. We could look at doing one of Jeremy's ideas uh scaling that up, one of the photos to scale up to be a wrap. And we could always look at doing something with the school. I think they last a couple years. So, we look at the next time around doing some school councils. >> Yeah, I' I'd like to put a timeline on it. It would be nice if we could get something by end of December. School year starts early September. Did I say December? By by September. End of September. Um the staff renditions are wonderful. These photos are obviously great with me disagreeing on the on the placement of everything just because the one in the middle was a fond person of mine. Um, but they were beautiful. They were great. They are great. Um, all the pictures that were submitted were awesome and uh it's it's cool how we might want to if we did go that route might want to reach out to the property owners. Obviously there's one that's okay. I think >> we can if we if we defer to our our attorney type deal submitting something like this is >> do we have the rights? >> They they wave it. Yeah. >> They wave their rights. We can't use their name and stuff in public. Am I right about that? >> Okay. So again, I if there's any problem, I know the one in the middle would be it doesn't give enough away, but uh no, I I think I love all of the staff ones. Goodness gracious, you guys. >> Great job. Yeah, >> submit those to the art director over there in in Rockford and see if they can do a rendition of one of those. And >> yeah, >> but I I'd like it sooner than later. It's it's been sitting there. >> Inspiration. Yeah, I would say I would want to put parameters about what they can and can't do because if it's if it's a school project, >> yeah, wide open. Okay. >> But here's some >> things to get them going. I mean, >> maybe send him the pictures and the renderings. They think in terms of timeline and then if that doesn't work, >> we ship to >> we give Jeremy rattle cans and he's out there for 40 minutes and he can do whatever he wants. >> Corksy right there. Yeah. >> Is it is it more specific to wanting like a natural landscape or are we looking for like >> artwork of landscapes or >> do we have like a general idea of what we want on that mural? >> The themes identified with the community survey were more >> natural more rural themes. So, um, yeah, >> I think more in line with what some of these photographs >> natural rural egg those three kind of >> Well, I I guess what I would say, we have a lot of good options here tonight. Why are we waiting to make a decision? >> Why not just pick one of the one of the options that we have in front of us and just go with it? So the advantage to that from staff is is we have spent a a large amount of time >> uh for staff time >> on this small mural at the dominoes. >> So so there there is an advantage and then to the mayor's point there's another opportunity uh when it comes time to replace it to consider uh if we want to do an alternative but I do think that there's benefit to having closure on it with other competing demands. >> Agreed. Uh, I do think it's a missed opportunity though. I want to acknowledge that of of how cool would it be to be the kid in town that >> our community more too. We aren't just limiting it to what we have. We're expanding it beyond just the small group of people that submitted pictures. That's my opinion. >> Yeah, but there was there was an original communication for a month, Dwight said. Then we got no submit, >> right? >> No submissions at all. saying though, if you pulled in students that have an interest in creating something. >> I I agree. But again, we we had it out for a month. We had this out for how long? >> Months >> and got 20 some fix, 15 some picks. >> How about this, Michelle? Could >> by our next meeting, would you be able to talk to her and try to get it? >> Yes, I'm actually meeting her for breakfast this weekend. >> So, how about that? If she brings that back and if the timeline doesn't work, >> well, again, we're just kicking it down the road. Why not just make a decision right now? We they we've already heard that staff has put a lot of time into this. And I guess what I would propose, you know, let's have first place and second place. Let's have council vote if they prefer the the one on the left and the one in the middle and just pick one and go. >> Pictures. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, we have >> Do we want pictures or do we want artwork though? >> Well, you would generate artwork using the pictures because they're not enough resolution to print that big. >> They have to be upscaled, but there's tools that can do that. >> We might also want to put some not necessarily the logo, but some kind of cork font too. We don't have to, but I think the pre the versions of vinyl other communities, it typically says the community name too as part of the identity. So, we might want to add a little bit. >> That would mean more staff work then. Not really. I don't think so. I think we're talking about um compared to what we've already done, I don't think that that would take a lot. I'm just saying that that would that would be one option. Um go whatever direction we will. >> So, we kind of have two two routes I feel like that people feel strongly about. So, we got to decide one. >> I I agree with Mark. I I want it done sooner than later and we do have that next rendition would be I would have loved to have a kid have responded with something very creative and stuff but we are monkeying around with something that >> but there's no >> we haven't received any complaints. I understand what the hurry is. >> I'm I'm not hurrying. I'm just I don't want to waste any more time. >> We we just need closure and time to move on. If there's no complaints about it, I don't understand what they're >> Well, then why are we doing it at all if there's no complaint? >> Well, that's a good point, too. I just thought >> if we are going to do something, we should just make up our minds and do it. >> Yeah. >> Do you need a motion or just direction? >> Okay. >> So, I'll suggest based on the aspect ratio being more similar to the refrigerator that number one is probably going to be better. >> I would agree. two because it's more vertical I think wouldn't be as good of a fit. But we could we could still maybe think about three um because it does have the right orientation. >> Three is pretty dark. >> It is pretty dark. That's that's >> the fence draws your eye through the picture. So I would say one. We're going to go with that. >> I would agree. >> Yeah, I agree. >> But for the record, I disagree. I think that utilizing our community more and especially the Rockford School District would be a better way to create some artwork for the mural. I I I agree that that is nice. Um I I understand the other points, too. and say if we do go this route, which I'm okay with, but I'd want to make sure we put it down somewhere that when we go back to it, we go to Rockford first so that we get them involved at some point down the road and if other types of similar opportunities open up because I know I I don't know the teacher that you know, but I know their superintendent and he's all about those type of partnerships and and they've been trying to be more involved in corporate. So, so with direction, if I understand this correctly to help it out here, uh we will pull this picture. We'll see what what we can do with it as as we try to look at the aspect ratios that are necessary to put on something that size. >> Uh we will add uh appropriate language to call out that this is the city of Corkran. So figure out where that would go, whether that's a top or bottom. And at the 28th council meeting, we'll bring those forward in order to to go forward. >> How much staff time do you think we'll spend on this? >> I think that could probably be done like 15 20 minutes. >> Less than an hour. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. On to 9A, which is new business. We have uh two items. 9A, the tuition reimbursement discussion, and then an added item 9B um regarding police department uh sidearm issue came up. So, we'll start with 9A. Um and Jay, did you want to kind of kick us off? >> I Yes. Um just bring this up, mayor, and council. So, uh f first of all, I want to commend the city is we have done a good job of investing in our staff. uh to help them develop uh to become their best selves. We we have I think when I talked with Matt to his recollection at least five employees uh there is probably more but five employees that that when he and I talked about it that have been able to take advantage of tuition reimbursement uh that have allowed them to either pursue undergraduate degrees or uh advanced degrees, master's degrees uh and at least three of them are still employees. So it's also a helpful retention strategy when people feel like you know the organization is investing in them and it's helping them progress their career. There's that's helpful to us. So we get the advantage not only of their increased uh knowledge understanding skill but then also we get to continue to get the benefit of that. That's not always the case. Sometimes you see people bounce after they've gotten an advanced degree to another organization. So I think the fact that three out of five are still here is significant. Uh so there were uh really four questions that we asked council to consider. Um uh admin put together some uh feedback on comparable cities with reimbursement and just so for the benefit of the public I wanted to throw that up quick. Uh so uh we looked at Rogers, Dayton, Madina, um Minatrista and Orno, Weisetta and Maple Grove. And uh what we discovered is that first of all, again, thank you. Uh council has been very generous in supporting uh our staff. So, uh, above and beyond, the the U Minnesota Office of Management and Budget establishes non-T taxable reimbursement at $5,250, and we have historically exceeded that. None of the other comparable cities have have uh provided that much. Similarly, uh, comparable cities have historically not uh provided um, tuition reimbursement for part-time employees. And uh we have had two employees that started out as part-time that have been able to take advantage of that that are now full-time employees here. And so that has been a helpful uh strategy uh again for retention and and developing their competence. Uh so the questions that we had asked council to consider were uh these four. Does the city want part-time employees to remain eligible for tuition reimbursement? In my discussions with you, uh there was a lot of question about if we should and some of those questions uh were tied to equity. Uh so we currently don't have a large volume of part-time employees. In contrast, when I was in Shakipi, I had 250 employees and uh more than 200 of them were part-time employees. So you have a large pool of potential future candidates. Uh most of our part-time employees are seasonal at this point. Uh, and so that's a variable in the equation. Uh, if the part-time employees are seasonal, does that change your consideration of part-time employees when we have them here for 120 days versus a part-time employee who's here 20 days or 20 hours a week? Currently, our part-time employees that are are 20 hours a week are all retired and and working another except in the police department. So, our part-time employees in the police department uh are working for other agencies and they may have this as a benefit as full-time employees with other agencies. Few exceptions, but that's generally true. So, part-time employees eligible or not? Uh I did hear some of you say yes, but I would raise that. Do we want to provide that to seasonal employees who are here for 120 days? Uh and then tied with that is the last question. If we do what's what's the timeline that they should have? Uh and so some of the cities had as much as five years. Uh other than our snowplow drivers and lawnmowers who are also retirees, uh we haven't had a part-time employee here for five years. Uh so so some of our part-time employees except for those that transitioned into full-time positions. Uh and they were not part-time employees for five years at that time. Uh so they if if it were that type of threshold they would not have been eligible when we provided that. Um so that's the first question that I wanted to open up for discussion is uh guidance on part-time employees eligibility for tuition reimbursement. >> Thoughts? My initial thought would be that the seasonal be pretty unusual to that too. Seems like part time in general is is not common but to seasonal very seasonal. >> So that category then would probably be permanent part-time employees as a like someone who is in order to have longevity of years they would be >> yeah I'm not even sure I'm saying that yet. >> Okay. I'm just saying eliminating that part. I'd be open to hearing what counseling's about. Part time in general. >> I was going to suggest allow it for part-time as long as they've been with us for three years. I hadn't really distinguished between seasonal and nonseasonal. If somebody has, you know, come back and driven plow for three years, that to me shows some level commit commitment to the city that might merit some level of reimbursement. Sounds like we don't have anybody at the camp that would use it a lot at all right now. But good policy, >> but rest year for nonseasonal part time. >> I think it should be fulltime. >> Just full. >> It's a benefit of working full-time. >> I think I'm going to agree with Michelle. >> Okay. There is an emerging trend in the law enforcement industry for community service. officers and cadets blending that agencies are considering tuition. So, I don't know if there's a consideration for that distinction or not or if that's a separate conversation, but it's definitely a trend in the uh in the law enforcement field that's they're hiring folks as CSOS or cadets while they're just graduating high school and giving their having part employees and getting assistance through there. that isn't in a field of work that I feel like we're society is trying to throw everything they can at it to try to help with numbers. >> I think there's grants available too for students that are looking for tuition assistance in in those types of roles that transition into full-time eventually. >> We actually just finished a grant on that the IC grant. >> Yeah, we just submitted for that. they didn't fund it again this year. So, they're using remaining funding. So, I think in that grant application, we are competing for eight grant positions in the state of Minnesota. So, they there were quite a few more. Um, and then there's also some federal grants that are pathways to policing, which is separate from the ICO. Um, and there's legislation right now contemplating changes or additions to the pathways grants, but we don't know where that land yet. >> To to address Matt's concern, would it be uh acceptable to council if there was a concern that it was only full-time that as we come forward with a potential cadet program or other strategies to try and bridge this that we consider tuition reimbursement within the language of those particular programs. >> Yeah, I would I would support that. >> I'd support that. >> I'd like to talk more about it. >> Yeah. >> Um so that would be >> fulltime only is what I understood is the is the direction. >> Yeah. With then coming up with some sort of other polic So, so fulltime only. So, that answers question one and question four. Uh, and then the second question uh is about the dollar amount. Uh, should the city set a maximum dollar amount? So, uh the policy previously was tied to tuition related to the University of Minnesota. uh and um we did have a situation in which uh an employee wasn't aware of the tax implications of receiving reimbursement above and beyond the non-t taxable income policy with MMBA Minnesota management budget. Uh and so um one recommendation would be at the very least uh we set the threshold at the Minnesota Management and Budget non-T taxable income threshold which is currently $5,250 but rather they they update that annually. And so rather than tying it to a dollar figure, tie it to the non-t taxable income or non-T taxable tuition reimbursement as established by Minnesota budget. >> So has that changed over time? So then if it does change then we don't have to come back and change the policy there. >> Is there a federal equivalent that we should maybe key it toward instead? Is the Minnesota one just applicable to state income tax? >> No, it is tied to federal as well. >> Okay. So, those will always be the same. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> What about considering like I mean because you might have a person that wants to do their MBA, another person that wants to do a BA. What about if you did just 50% of if if if I don't know what the amount would be, but the city would pay 50% and then the individual that's obtaining the degree would also have some skin in the game and be submitting 50% for that tuition. >> So, my caution with that is uh I've currently, we've talked about this before, I've applied to doctoral programs and the doctoral program at Vanderbilt is $190,000. uh the doctoral program at St. Mary's in Minnesota is $48,000. So if we established a policy of 5050, there'd be a very inequitable benefit >> to employees depending on where they chose to go to school. >> That's why I think they established the threshold tied to University of Minnesota >> uh to try and establish some standard. Yeah. >> Uh but as we looked at comparable cities, it was actually spelled out as a dollar value with all those cities and many of them was as low as $500. >> Well, I think it's something to consider because it's taxpayer dollars that we're using to fund someone's education. And if it can benefit the city, that's why I think it should be full-time employees. And maybe we do do a limit then. >> Yeah, I I would support the limit that Jay mentioned with >> Minnesota management budget. Is there a requirement to maintain passing grades? I would hate to spend taxpayer money for >> many cities do. I don't know if ours >> I think it's C or better. >> As a data point, my company prorates the reimbursement depending on the grade. So to get 100% you have to get an A. to get 80% you have to get a B. >> Okay? >> And it scales down from there. So it's trying to ensure that people are working hard at their studies and and not just barely learning to get the paper at the end. >> Right. And I still struggle because it's public dollars. Should we even be funding that? >> So one of the challenges with some discussions and I've had this with some of you is uh equitable access. So coming here with an undergraduate degree and me advancing towards a a potentially a master's degree uh that that helps me advance in terms of my earning potential in a way different way than if I'm in certain roles in the city in which uh I don't really have if I'm a police officer and I'm working 12-hour shifts and I have a family at home. It's a different kind of challenge for me because of the role that I have in the city to have access to education. Uh so that's one of the challenge in terms of equitable one of the ways that I ch I tackled that in Chakapi was was we provided the same professional dollar amount for each employee and that either could have been applied to tuition assistance or you can use those dollars for your other professional development whether that's conferences, certifications, those sorts of things. So that that's a way but it was because they had so many employees. Could staff use their their um their allotted amount for wellness towards education? >> At this point, there's no prohibition. >> Okay. >> We haven't had anyone do that yet. >> We've had saunas and electric bikes and Disney World trips, but no tuition assistance. And and I do want to say thank you. That has had a really positive effect on morale. Uh I think that was a really helpful response to the concerns that were expressed during the cultural assessment. >> But the well aren't taxable. >> Yes, that is a different >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They are taxable. >> It would appear based on the comps that you did. It's a typical benefit that's offered at all of the cities at some level. >> Some level >> 2000 and a lot of the ones that have the lower numbers have it where you can go back like you did a course for 10 grand, you can go back the next year and apply for another 2000 and another year after that where we're talking more be one time >> within that year. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So maybe a little bit higher of a number than the 2000s or whatever that are in there that allow you to go back year after year. It's an interesting retention approach to prorate when you get the reimbursement. >> So if if to the mayor's example, if they took a course that they have to stay with the city for three years to get fully reimbursed because of the limit that's imposed. >> I know Jay, you had a concern with that. Yeah, I I think administering it, we have so many things that we're trying to track >> uh that that becomes a heavy thing. Like that's a lot of attention for $2,000 benefit. >> One thing I would add is I think we have a 20 or a 12-month clawback. If someone leaves that to pay, I would be in favor of bumping that to two years. So kind of get some of that >> 20 months seems kind of arbitrary. Yeah. >> Is it 20 months right now? >> Is that what you said? >> It's currently 12 years. >> 20 would be arbitrary, but 24 two years I think better and I think it's still reasonable. >> Yeah. I'm assuming somebody is going for a higher level degree to get some benefit from that degree from the work they'll do those two years. >> So what I'm hearing from council right now is full-time employees only uh threshold to be established by the Minnesota management and budget. Is is that is there any more discussion about the the dollar value? >> What is that? What amount is that? >> It's currently $5,250. That could change year after year. They publish it in January of each year. >> I don't think it's changed much. It hasn't. >> I always remember that being very close to >> So, could we split the difference with with the employee of that amount versus paying the whole amount? >> So, you're saying establish it at $2,500, half of what? >> Yes. >> I think you'll see less people take advantage of it at that level. I I prefer increasing the retention period so that they get it more fully funded. Probably not entirely fully depending on what they're doing. >> I know the last but in by the person as well wasn't fully covered. >> Yeah, >> they the city didn't pay for my master's degree, but my master's degree was $60,000. So 5,650 while that I'm sorry, 5,250 while that would have been very helpful if I'd been employed by the city at that point. Um Considering it was a two-year program, um that would have been maybe one4 I'm sorry, not even one/4 of the cost of it, >> right? >> So, and master's degrees are the degrees that you're not going to get a lot of scholarship. >> No, and I totally get that. I'm just trying to balance that with the idea of that being paid for with public funds. That's what I'm just trying to provide a point of reference of how much the class >> I get. I know they're they're incredibly expensive. >> So, the benefit of two years usually master's degrees, first of all, no one's going to be able to go full-time. So, uh, full-time M's program is typically 24 months. If someone is only taking a few classes, because that's what you're going to have a reasonable amount of time to do if you're a full-time employee, it could take five to eight years, right, >> to finish your master's degree. Some would have >> caps on how long it could take. And so this might if every year we're extending it by two years as a retention strategy, it could develop further skills and keep an employee here for 10 years if they're finishing a fiveyear program >> if they're doing it one class. >> Yeah. If it's one or two classes at a time. >> So the city would pay for $10,000 over two years in that type of program. >> So So they would pay they would be submitting $5,250 a year probably each year. It wouldn't just be 10,000. So, uh, so over the course of five years, the city might pay $25,000. Uh, but when you're looking at what's happening to try and replace an employee, >> so back to Natalie's point, trying to get somebody who has a master's degree who also has the knowledge and experience of the city. Yes. >> And they're applying that new knowledge. >> Uh, there's a synergistic benefit, >> but they are getting paid an hourly wage for that though. >> They are. Yeah. I'm not discounting that. They're paid for their work, but not for their school. on over time when they're taking that. >> Correct. Yes. Yes. That's what I'm saying. >> So, there's a benefit to the city because there's that experience, there's that knowledge, >> but there's also a benefit. So, I'm trying to find the balance of what that looks like >> because the full amount >> because we operate so lean. And I actually just had this conversation with staff earlier today. Uh we rely on collaborative, synergistic, multifunctional activity. And so, uh, if every time we lose, and thankfully we haven't had an employee leave in a while, uh, because people like it here and and some of those people that we would have lost are still here because we invested in them. Uh, yeah, exhibit A, >> he doesn't like being um, that that that would have been very marketable in a lot of other cities. And then and then that skill has been applied in ways I mean it's so so um a different way if if I had been in Shakipi with that staff I would not have been in favor of this at all uh because we had too many people and the cost of it I would had so many people applying for it. We in the last Matt's been here 10 years and we've had five people that have applied for it. So, we're not talking about every employee going to it, but it's positively impacted the lives of three employees who have stayed here because of it. When you look at the size of our staff, that's significant. And all three of those folks have stepped into more significant roles of responsibility as a result of that investment. >> I think I I don't disagree with you. I just I look at the future and we're going to be growing staff-wise. And so what we set in place now, once you set something in place, it's hard to retract that back. >> We'll need to revisit. >> So I'm trying to find >> We'll need to revisit it as as we grow. >> So So we're talking about retracting it back. I mean, when you talk about that concept, >> that's exactly this conversation is it's been this wide open >> and we're talking about changing the aperture >> just a little >> just from part-time employees to full-time employees. That's a change in the aperture. We're talking about from unlimited, well, not unlimited, based on University of Minnesota threshold for tuition to the Minnesota management budget non tuition. That's bringing down almost $2,500 or $2,000. >> Uh so, so this discussion is about recognizing the new circumstances and reconsidering our present policy. We can definitely do that as staff change. >> I think for where we are now, that that number works for me personally and the other we talked about >> and then I think we want to assess it as we grow as a city if there's much larger maybe that number changes we have more people that would actively be be applying for it certainly want to take a look at it like we're doing now is there a general consensus that PM management and budget >> I'm not sure I'm behind it yet but but that's on one vote >> we're just discussing we're here voting are we >> no we do need guidance Yeah. >> Direction. >> I I also think that increasing the >> timeline for retention before having to repay to 24 months. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That takes us to the last question then. Uh and this talks about the benefit that someone's getting. Third question is should employees receiving tuition reimbursement also be eligible to participate in additional training opportunities? So as this question went out, I do want to point out that some training opportunities are mandatory. we need them to take we we have to invest in them either because it's part of their post requirements or so there are some training opportunities that we need them to take uh annually. So I think the only clarifying on this question before we get your guidance is these are uh preferred or desirable training opportunities that are not required. So for example there's city clerk training that our clerk has to do. uh that there are other training things that there are CEUs, you know, for certain roles that have to be completed. >> I think there was a good discussion a bit ago. Could they use their wellness benefit for that instead? So maybe it's self-funded through that benefit if they're going to do something beyond the tuition program >> if they're participating in the tuition program. >> If they are. So, so that statement I would take that that uh employees receiving tuition reimbursement then would not be eligible to participate in non-required training. >> But they could if they're not using not doing tuition assistance, they could use it. >> No, no, no. What I what I was saying is if you're in the tuition program, if you want to do an LMC conference, you're paying for that out of the wellness funds that you have. So mix mix mixing that becomes a little bit we we could present that to them as an option >> but we we can't just >> mix that right now. >> What about what about if you said if you are participating in the tuition assistance program you balance it out with whatever training you need that year. So that's what you would you would so like if LMC is $1,000 you get 4250 for your tuition. So reduce the tuition by any other training that you >> based on what your current training is necessary. >> So so available tuition reimbursement would be what uh based on that then like right now we do not budget $5,250 per employee for a professional development. >> Uh and candidly we can't afford to >> but we would have to if we were to apply that principle in order to be equitable to other employees. That that is exactly how I did it in Chaki is we used a $4,000 amount for every employee >> and then how you used it was was dependent on you >> and if you didn't use it for tuition then it goes back into the budget. >> Uh if you didn't used it for tuition then you're expected I required folks to do some sort of training but to your point few people used all $4,000. Some of the folks use a couple hundred dollars, right? >> Um and so for instance, like our police officers, that's a little bit different. There's this outside of the policy because they're part of that's dictated by the labor agreement, which has some other terms. But if that were to be similar, um that could create some pinch points as far as officer development. So if we had somebody that was going back to school, getting a master's degree in public administration, a relevant field, if they were progressing and satisfactory in the police department, we still want to police specific leadership like BCA leadership and Minnesota chiefs. There's other leadership stuff that would be um collateral developmentally and beneficial for the agency to if they're they're seen as a fit to meet our need for leadership that would be considered not a minimum training, but we would want them to have that in order to make them there's an organizational interest in those duties. So whether maybe there's some should be some discretion as far as supervis this person. I think this person has a good chance to be one of our next sergeants. Like to try and flush that out and continue to develop them with law enforcement specific leadership trainings that might be collateral or separate from their master's degree or whatever else they're working on. So I don't know if it should automatically limit depending on because they they serve different purposes sometimes. >> Well, to speak to that, I think a great way to handle that is that department has determined what's required and what's not required. So if it's in the best interest of the department to develop this person with this training, you know, uh >> you balance it out. >> You balance it out like like like I I may need someone to go uh to Edam uh which the economic development conference. I may need someone to go to that and the person that I need to go also happens to be on tuition reimbursement. It's in the best interest of the city still to send them. >> We might have people enrolled in school and one of them's not being standard. So we would elect not to send them to some of the advanced stuff but we would elect to send someone. >> Yeah. So so having having discretion on what is determined as required. >> I think it's like dependent on our budget, right? I mean that's what we have to keep focused on is is how is the sector budget and how much training and schooling and leadership conferences do we need to attend in a year. If we're focused on our tuition and that's what we were trying to do to incorporate that into our current job, that's what our focus is going to be. And then maybe the following year, maybe there's one last class and then you do go to whatever conference is necessary for that leadership skill. >> I I think that's a really helpful point. We can revisit this if it becomes a budgetary concern. >> So for 2025, we don't have anyone using tuition reimbursement in 2026. Right now, I'm aware of two employees that are interested in pursuing that. We're trying to build that into the budget. And so, uh, council has the the prerogative to revisit our tuition policy if we see it as a problem with budgetary constraints. >> Agreed. >> I think we go with what we've kind of laid out and then we'll have a somewhat of a sense as we dive into budget in the next three, four months. >> One last question. So, we said two years. Um, what if the program takes four years to finish? I >> think the reimbursement's at the end. So, >> no, for each year, each year you're incurring $5,000. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> You would have to pay back that $5,000 if you leave within two years of that tuition payment. >> So, it'll rise as the total number of years increases and fall as the years last. >> Thanks. I think that's helpful. Perfect. And then on to the last that was added >> 90 >> 90. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Um Chief, I'm glad you're here tonight. I have a concern uh with an aspect of the police department that I think that there's some urgency in in correcting. It's um our officers are issued uh firearm Sigour P320s. Six Sour is a fantastic company and I I'm I'm a big fan except there have been uh I believe dozens of uh reported um inadvertent discharge or accidental discharges and these are coming from multiple states, multiple departments. >> It's my understanding that the Air Force uh no longer permits its officers from carrying this weapon. Uh, I know for a fact that there are several police departments in Minnesota that prohibit their officers from carrying that specific make model. Uh, I would like to make a motion to uh immediately uh authorize the funding of replacement of those weapons with a uh with a a weapon at the dur you know chosen by uh by the officers or you know I mean by the uh by the chief. I don't think that this is something that that can wait. Um I see it as creating potential liability. Um and uh I am I am told that it'll take uh approximately uh $20,000 to fund this. So I would like to make a motion to immediately fund $25,000 to to make this happen. And uh I would I would urge the the chief to um act on this as quickly as possible. >> Question. How where would a suggested >> What do you mean how >> for for funding it for nonbudgeted expense? >> Well, I don't know, but we have to find that. I mean, you know, you know, >> I I don't disagree. Yeah. >> I I guess this is something where you got to find the money because if there's an accidental discharge, you know, we're all going to be sued because we all know about this flaw now. We all know that this is happening and we better act on it. >> Yeah. So, I appreciate you bringing that up. Um that's been on our radar when they first um when news of uncommanded discharges coming started coming out last year. It was something that we've been monitoring to try and find um try and find back in and I think um there's been a lot of new information over the last month or two that has that has changed the landscape. There's about three to three and a half million 320s in circulation and there is you know plus or minus 100 uncommanded discharges that they depending on which which data source you look at over the past you know eight years seven years since that firearm came out. Um, we have been doing our due diligence and the plan was that next council meeting to bring forward a proposal. It was and the due diligence we've been doing was not if we're going to do it, it was which one is the correct one. Um, we've been able to visit with those vendors. I think we have one more last one next week. Um, and the plan was to bring you the specific item for purchase, but if you know you're, you know, if you'd like to authorize it, we certainly already have the plans in place already are doing the due diligence to achieve that. And You know, I think the the 25,000 should be enough to do it. Obviously, we wouldn't spend more than we needed to to uh get up to where we needed to be for it, but appreciate your your trust in our decision making and that would be very helpful because we were going to have this decision coming to you guys um next meeting once we have the specifics, but we're just in the final stages of dialing that in. So, thanks for bringing up the discussion. >> Where would the money come from then? You've already got the money identified. >> I believe that that would probably have to come from long range planning. I think the I know was brought up potentially the governor's state aid money, but that's there were some restrictions on that, especially as it related to crowd control and weapons systems. I don't think that we want to wait into that. >> I think I think that's something we should keep an eye on in terms of hopefully recouping down the line whether there's a lawsuit like a class action. Bunch of police departments in the Air Force are understandably pissed off about this and private gun owners and all sorts of people should keep an eye on that or if there's some sort of buyback from the company. Um certainly keep an eye on that as well as stay in touch with our legislators and if uh future funding public safety funding bills hopefully would not have that type of restriction because bunch of departments are affected by something like this. So, >> and I I would also urge you uh I know that there is a uh a tendency to sell used firearms to other police departments. I would urge you not to do that and to uh maintain these uh weapons until uh until these lawsuits flush out. And and again, perhaps, you know, perhaps we can look into some kind of reimbursement from Sig Sauer, but at the very least, uh if if these weapons are not good enough for our officers, we should not be selling them to other officers or to the public. As far as funding, the only caveat that I'd say is uh as we look at, you know, when we get closer to year end, uh I I prefer to keep an eye on the police budget and if there is any flexibility to keep it in there and not touch. So, we definitely can use long range planning to do this if necessary, but uh what I would prefer to do is we'll we'll code it to the police department and then if we reach the end of the year and we find that there's insufficient funds, we'll transfer appropriately from wrong range. wanted to make a motion here. We I just leave it to staff to >> figure out how to find >> Yeah, I'll make that motion. >> Can I Can I ask one more question? >> Uh can Yeah. Can I get a second on that? >> I'll second. >> Perfect. Go for it. >> How many arms? >> Sure. >> So, we have right now our full staff capacity is about 14. We're hoping that we have are able to add one or two officers next year. Bring us to about 16 deployed for full-time officers. Uh we keep three not deployed in case of a critical incident y those officers go back to the streets they can be armed. So >> u there may be one or two officers that elect to opt out of the department issue gun if there's appropriate approval but we also provide it for a parttime if there's a need. So about 19 would be my estimate. >> And then along with that would be >> um 19 firearms run just a little over probably $12,000 12.5,000. >> The holsters are about $210 to $230 a piece. So about $4,000 in holsters. >> Um an extra magazine for each officer would put us at about another $800. Um extra mag pouches one extra magazine be about four or 500 bucks. And then the uh >> magazine pouch. >> Yeah, the magazine pouch. And then also we we're going to need a couple of boxes of training ammo as they're transitioning platform. So probably going through a couple box of training ammo and another box for qualification with their new firearms. So >> um that along with the uh the extra couple that we'd be adding, we have red dot optics on our firearms as well. So we'd be needing to purchase two or three of those. Our plan would be to the ones that we have now to try and transfer those over to the new weapons so we don't incur that new cost. There will be a couple of those purchased. So those estimates came in about yeah between 20 and 25,000. >> That's good. Motion a second. >> All those in favor say >> I. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks, Chief. >> All righty. Staff supports. >> Uh so mayor and council, there's been a couple questions. Uh, we got positive feedback on the trees that were removed from Heritage Park and I've had some of you ask me who the vendor was. Uh, so I have that information. I'll email that to you so you can share it with residents if you would desire. Uh, so they did a good job for us and uh, we did talk with them. Uh, Steve spoke with them and and they look forward to hearing from potential other future customers. Uh, another thing uh that I received some uh questions about was where we're at on closeout with some of our um developments. And so rather than us go line by line with those, uh I I will email you a current status report on where we're at with closeouts. And if you have further questions for staff, um but the one in particular was uh concerns about Ravenia and where we're at on the staff with uh the status with Ravenia. If you recall, we established uh some protocols for punch list because there was concerns about not seeing that advance to the degree that we wanted and uh we anticipate half of the additions uh to begin warranty by the end of this year uh and then to remain uh the remaining will go into warranty in 2026. Uh so we have uh those those that don't get so we have Revenia 1 through 15 So, uh, the the last parts should be into warranty by sometime next year. I think that's the right number. Uh, >> what remains until next year? >> Those are details that I'd have to I I don't have those in front of me. I I I got I got a status from Kevin and he's not here tonight. So, I just wanted to provide that update that the good news is a lot of them are going well, the majority of it is going to go into warranty here momentarily. Uh, but there are still some that will outlay. And also with that, there's escrow reconciliation that's required. Uh, and if you recall, one of the challenges that we were having with closeout was the reality that our escrow was not in a place to do closeout. And so the progress that we've made, we're in a good place to be able to to do that. So the financial portion, we're we're ready to do close out and then with some punch list stuff. Uh quick update, Vast Lake Crossing South has been accepted. Best Lake Crossing one and two has been accepted in a warranty. And then all through the rest of them, I'll send you an update. >> Okay. >> On what those are. >> I I am concerned about 2026. I'd like I I think about a year ago, we wanted them to be done by the end of 2024 and we threatened to pull letters of credit to complete work at that time. So, we didn't really see much progress. They responded to the threat, but we're still continuing to see slow progress from what I'm hearing. If they're not going to finish all of the work until 2026, >> I don't know the scope of the work should be. >> My understanding is yes. Uh so I I do see the the punchless progress, but it's it's also complicated. One of the things that we were talking about, uh Council Member Nichols and I is for example with the trails. So this I think is the third time in some cases that they've replaced a section of trails because where we've put trails, uh the it's it's a challenging thing. the stuff grows up through the trails because we live in a wetland area and some of our invasive species are very difficult to get rid of. And so um in some cases we we could they could say that um their punch list would have been complete faster and now it would be our problem. The reason it's still a problem is because we didn't complete the punch list so quickly. Uh, so that would be a a counter if if I were them. Like if if we had completed this in year one, I wouldn't have trees coming through this right now. So, it's been the timeline to redo it. And part of the reason that we couldn't do it because we weren't into place with reconciled escrow to be able to close that out. >> So, this isn't completely their fault. Part of it is where stuff is. It's going to be our problem. It's not going to go away as a problem just because uh they're not doing something negligent. It's it's a hard problem. For example, >> I would say we take a look at the email that comes out from see what specific issues. >> Yeah. If waiting until 2026 gets us a permanent fix to that problem, it's worth it. >> Yeah. >> I will I would not expect that that's going to completely solve that. Some of the things that we talked about like issue. >> Um, it's not going to go away. It might be, you talked about materials. Uh, so for example, for your benefit, what we talk about is concrete makes sure it doesn't come through. Concrete isn't tenable at the scale that we're doing trails. Um, it's too expensive material. Uh, but but trees don't go through grow through the concrete. >> Maybe there's select areas that have concrete stuff we can look at in the future. >> I'm sure it'll take some creativity. We have a very creative group of people working with. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Uh that's all I have. >> Only thing I have is that uh country days is obviously this Friday and Saturday. Hopefully it won't rain out. Um family day from 10:00 to 4 at Lions Park. I'm planning on being there as much as possible. Hopefully, you will swing by. I will be there with you, Mr. Sounds good. >> Bring your cowboy hats and come boots >> and >> and your rain coats. >> Yeah, especially if you're going to the concert. It's going to be muddy down there. The forecast stays the same, >> but who knows? >> All righty. Um, city council schedules in there. Believe it was updated with some of the latest additions that are upcoming. Um, >> Mr. Mayor, I got a couple of things quick. Um, I'm getting inquiries on ditch mowing because it's that time of year again to mow ditches and such. If somebody could check in with public works, that would be great. Um, we've had a lot of growth and I think I I my ditches have been mowed twice this year and uh some people are saying they haven't been mowed at all. I disagree with that. I think we've got a good staff. It's just people are wondering when more ditch mo will happen. 19 new night was fantastic. I think we all agree on that. Um the the silt fence in Heritage Park a concern with all of the work that's being done next to the creek in the northeast corner. Shouldn't there be a silt fence preventing that from running off? There's been more activity. It's more exposed dirt. The roots in the stumps are all gone now. Shouldn't there be a sil fence there? Just standard construction stuff. >> I will double check on that. Sometimes they wait for the should. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it wasn't there. Um, city property, native grasses, all of our city properties and such. What is the status of those? Um, we've got farmers that are talking with me telling me they would uh have plowed mode. um done stuff and not much has been done other than the early spring this year. So just if we could get an update on that. Um Cook Lake Highlands, not necessarily then, but the JB Homes group. Are those houses nearly complete? Those 19 or 21 houses done? >> Okay. >> And I'm looking and I'm more on the all of the flags now for sale. There's four flags on property that's not theirs. Should they still be up? >> Probably not on property that's not theirs. >> So flags are a gray area in our code because I don't believe what we can So that's usually a workound, >> but it's not their property. >> Yep. But flags we don't regulate at this point because what we say in code is not something I think we can enforce because it's not content neutral. >> Um so that's kind of a workaround for developers. So, as far as if it's a construction sign, then it does need to be on to entrance to the site, but that is they aren't construction signs. So, um >> but if the homes are nearly Aren't we 85% no advertising? >> That's a requirement of the construction sign. Okay. So, that's why we're Yeah. >> Is it on a homeowner's property? >> No, it's across the street from the storage facility. >> Eert for that because Eert owns that land. >> And then >> Oh, they have an agreement >> on the Cook Lake Highlands. I think we've talked about this before. The sill fence all the way along Ebridge property, north side of New Horizons is still up and there's still fence in all of the deep grass. Is there any way somebody can clean up the rightway across from Corkran Lions Park between the road and New Horizon and such >> I was told that fence was removed. So maybe it'd be helpful if you and I go outside and see what you're talking about because I I don't know if we're talking about the same thing with the developer then. So, um maybe we should >> Sounds good. I just the the sill fence is still around the Eird property where the flags are. Um there's no development, no nothing. Everything is done all the way along that road and then cutting across to um Bass Lake Road. >> It's still a bordering Eerts protecting Eerts, whatever. Well, I think what may because I was told the sil fence was removed, but maybe it was on the wrong site. So, that's why I just want to go out I think with you to just get eyes on it. So, I know for sure that I'm telling them the right thing. >> Okay. And then that whole easement I know I've talked to Beth about is there any way that that can get mowed? It's she says it's not hers. It's public right away and that's not her responsibility as the counties. But it looks awful coming into our city. You're looking at every conceivable weed and everything on that whole side hill burmum or if that's the way it's supposed to look. >> We can take a look and see if anything that we can use. So we'll take a look at that. >> Opportunity for gateway site. >> Yeah, somebody's going to put it in. >> Anyhow, thanks. >> Well, with that, I'd like to make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All righty. All those in favor say I. >> I. Good job.