Just the biggest thing is this is authorizing us to use these institutions and firms for the cash balances and also investments.

So last year, PTMA was added as one of the firms that we have our cash on hand for, which we have different investment options that we had with MSLOF. So there's a balance between the two. So that one was added in last year. And then I think the other one that we're potentially looking at is just the OPEB funds and making sure that we have the best rate of return on there for the district.

This resolution does identify the specific authority to open or cause to be transferred funds within the institution, and it is specific in that it identifies our contracted director of business services, Jessica Olsen, and our controller, Emily Westrum, as the authorized individuals to make those transfers and those wires as well.

I did reach out to Adams Multimedia, AKA the Sun Sailor, and they did provide some current rates for us. This is a little bit higher from what I noticed was in the board packet last August of 2025. There was a slight rate hike in November, so they are honoring that price from last year technically. But it is a slight increase, but it would be my recommendation that this would continue to be the official newspaper of record.

Related to the rates, what you do see are the rates for the services that we use when we look to Ratwick, Rozek & Maloney, specifically for their particular work with us as a district and general representation of counsel. A reminder that if we do have specific action that is necessary, so for example, immigration matters that may be more particular to specific legal services, we do sometimes need to look at services that are beyond the general provisions that we have here.

I do support a 2% increase that will cost approximately $125 per person or under $900 in total. And then it is always important to put that increase in context. It's below the, I don't know, approximately 3% increase in inflation from the last time we voted on this, meaning that in real terms, the wages paid to board members decline compared to the cost of living. And for context, I think that we all recognize that the cost of living is way above 3% increase in the past couple of years, and also that no one at this board table, I think, is here for the compensation. And as has been noted in the past, I think by you, Treasurer Hartland, and also by you, Vice Chair Roper, that having a school board that is at least somewhat compensated is important because it becomes a barrier to participation for people that literally can't afford to be here without it.

I definitely feel like we say this every year, but I definitely agree with all those points. It is important. But also, just explaining some of my thinking, that we have just come out of a year where we cut a few million, $3 million. And this year, initial projections, I don't know exactly, I don't think it's ready yet, but it's going to be another year where we're going to be looking at cuts again. I'd be willing to wager that. So, and again, it's not a material amount of money, but it is a signal to the system, or whatever, that we need to control costs where we can.

The first is the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, AMSD. This is a composition of about 40 districts in the general metro area that serves a strong purpose for advocacy, for lobbying, for professional development, and a host of other K-12 or pre-K through 22 supports.

I would also say that in addition to the many things that you mentioned that MSBA provides, there is also the delegate assembly, which Hopkins has delegates that we send too, and that's where they lay out their platform for the upcoming legislative session- Mm-hmm ... and what we're going to be advocating for with our state representatives.

So, a little bit more information on the easement agreement. So this was required as part of the plan review with the City of Minnetonka. There were three additional components that came after the primary plan review pieces, one of which was the easement agreement, otherwise known as the rainwater easement agreement. So as part of that, we had to initiate the process and then get submitted through the city, as well as two other additional items. This all, in turn, leads to the issuing of the permit, which is what we're looking to get now as we move forward with these final pieces.

Unfortunately, with the permit process just taking the time it has taken, we have been pushed back two months or probably four to five days over two months of construction. So October 28th was our initial timeline to be completed. We will not be able to reach that with the two-month delay, so now that has pushed us back. As far as can it be used this winter, that is highly unlikely. We are going to work as fast as we can and do everything we can, but that is unlikely now.