might have to bring that back for Christmas. >> All right. Calling to order the July 21st, 2026 meeting of the Long Lake City Council. Good evening. It is uh 6:30 p.m. All council members are present this evening with the exception of Council Member Feldman who is absent with prior notice. Item number two is the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join me in the pledge. All right. Item three is Mary's comments law news meeting review and update. Uh first of all the city council just finished a work session just an hourong work session where our only topic was uh introduction to civil engineering firm. Um, we gave direction to staff regarding a firm that we received a presentation from. Besides that, it's just been warm uh in Lawn Lake and elsewhere obviously last couple weeks. Uh, hope everybody's surviving heat. Okay. No major events have taken place over the last couple weeks since we last met. Uh, I think I think there was another beach closure today. Didn't seem to happen on the Tuesday of council meetings that for whatever reason. So, thanks to staff for getting that out, but that's unfortunate. I'm sure the warm weather plays into that. On the coming up though, this Saturday is Buckhorn Days, the annual Buckorn Days event sponsored by the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and in partnership with the oil lion. So, in Nelson Lakeside Park from noon to 1000 p.m. A lot of great events going on there throughout the day. Weather looks uh looks pretty good from last time I looked. So encourage everybody to come out to that great event and to um have a good time at Buckhorn Days. Okay. Item move on to item four though, which is to approve this evening's agenda. I'll entertain a motion on that. >> I'll make a motion to approve tonight's agenda. >> Thank you. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Item five, open correspondence. Open correspondence is an item on the agenda in which the public may address the city council. No formal action is taken by the city council and comments should be limited to 5 minutes or less. And open correspondence comments may also be emailed to the city staff by noon on the date of the meeting. Anyone wish to appro wish to approach for open correspondence? Yes, come on up. Um please state your name and address and speak into the microphone. Um, my name is Gretchen Crashmore. I live at 303 Lake View Avenue. Um, I actually am here to speak about not having curbs and gutters put on our road. We just want to pave. We have a very small, very quaint, tiny neighborhood. Um, I don't really see the need for them. The ditch in front of my house is like this hard. I'm 65. I don't need to be mowing it anymore. But I was trying to weigh the pros and cons between how much it's going to cost us as homeowners. Do you have an exact number for that or >> No, we're really um too soon to and this project may not occur till next year at >> right. So um yeah, the main focus from what I get talking to the neighbors is we just want it repaved. it has not been paid for 30 some years. I mean, that's ridiculously long. Um, again, the cost to the homeowners to have this done. I've heard rumors of having a sidewalk put in, you know, all that things, but we we're kind of a quaint little neighborhood and that's kind of the way we want to stay with it. You know, we have kids and everything else. And I think if we widen the road too much, we're going to have a lot of uh more traffic. Um, we have some young kids. Of course, everybody was young here before, but a little on the foot. Um, speed bumps and repaving would make my life wonderful, but I just without knowing the exact cost that would be passed on to the homeowners. Um, I know in some cities they have programs if you're and we do have an older neighborhood and a lot of the people that live there are 65 or older that you can um defer your payments till later. Um, I don't know if that's an option in the city of Long Lake, but that's something to think about too. >> No, kind of on the side with the curb, not with the curbs and gutters on the sidewalk. I just the size of our neighborhood. I just don't think it's called for. >> I don't think we were ever talking about sidewalk there. That was >> okay. I heard that. >> That was information. >> Yeah. I would rather see like no semi traffic go through. My neighbor's corner is just disintegrating every time um a truck goes by. Even the snow falls, they cut it close. They cut the corner very tight. Are we going to be responsible for all the repair of the curves and gutters on that corner as they accumulate? Because they will. >> So, just that's all I really had to say. >> All right. Well, thank you, Gretchian, for >> speaking this evening. >> Yeah. Been living on long wait my whole life. Going anywhere for a while. >> Good. Good. That's great. All right. Thank you. Anyone? Anyone else? honorable mayor, members of the council, Brian Miller, 295 Lake U Avenue, and I think it's Gretch and I mentioned last meeting generations old Long Lake resident. Um, and it's funny that she should mention that uh the northwest quadrant of Central Avenue and Lake View Avenue is just I just wanted to point something out to the new city staff, city administrator and stuff. Uh, back when they were building the stack. Um, there's a lot of heavy machinery that came down Road and they made their U-turn to be Central Avenue, then Lake Shield, over to Orchard and back over. I'm talking huge machines, uh, really long trailers, uh, giant back hose on them, stuff like that, too. So, I actually took some pictures and nothing I reported it twice to the previous city administrator that this was going on. And, uh, like Gretchen stated, that corner has been crushed, that northwest corner there. um by this heavy machine it's been going through. And what's ironic is there used to be a weight load limit sign on Central Avenue as you enter Central Avenue off of Brown. I don't remember what the weight restriction was, but that sign is gone. I don't know exactly when it disappeared, but >> removed it so that the construction go ahead and drive down there or what, but >> so >> I Well, we usually do seasonal low limit signs on all city streets in the spring, but um I don't if there was one there year round, we're not familiar with it. >> Oh, well, 27 years I've been here. >> Yeah. It's not jammed into the ground. So maybe it is seasonal. >> Yeah. >> And it would have sandbags on it. >> Yeah. That was a four tons per sign. Yep. >> Thought it was ironic though that that sign was missing and we had all that traffic. So if you ever do do a walking visit uh site visit of Lake View Avenue and stuff, >> come down and meet the residents and stuff like that. That's uh something we'd like to point out. >> That's all I got. >> All right. Thanks, Brian. >> Mayor, when we have construction projects that go on and there is damage to public streets and all that, what's the responsibility of that? And maybe it's not even public, but I'll use my own example, like new construction in my neighborhood with streets and gutters with all the equipment. Where how does that work? >> Yours in particular is a private street. So, it's a different situation because you're a private driveway. So, we actually collected a >> we actually did a cash escro >> um to be sure uh you know and we I actually went out my shelf and took I ran into you that way. >> Yep. That's why I was out taking pictures was to document the condition of the private drive um before it happened. Now, um, if I were the previous city administrator and had gotten the call that those local streets were being used for U-turns, I would have probably immediately gotten some no through construction traffic signs up there promptly. Um, I don't know if that ever occurred or not. Um, and you know, we would have followed up with the developer at that time. So, construction. I just I'm just not aware. >> I think a lot of times too when some of these larger projects are in development. Um Janette's working very hard to make sure she puts parameters in in some of the building, you know, in any of their building permits. Janette has usually like an attachment of a lot of things because she is trying to think of okay I don't want to affect this I don't want to affect this I don't want to and then um like she said and then as a city if if we are getting a call that we are noticing that traffic is not staying in a certain area then we're trying to address it for example that is why on a project that is being done near your home Janette and I talked very closely with the attorney on what what mechanisms we had to um anticipate possible issues. >> Now, in some situations, there's nothing we can do. Um, I've worked with Mindad. I've worked with Mindad. There was a neighbor that recently wanted to put um pool in and block off this part of the road. And so, I work with Mindad um and we we try to come up we're trying to think worst case scenario. And so, yes, like she said, and I actually think that both attendees in this know me very well. And so, if they call me, then they know that we're going to work on it um to try to figure out and start getting signs up right away. And as soon as those signs are up, if some situation we didn't think about, that gives us a mechanism for police. >> But until, you know, we don't even know that they're going to be going I'm looking at the map. Why they would have went down that far? I don't know because there was a pretty open area. But >> And how do you assess the damage? I mean, is it was there physical damage, too? Like maybe >> Well, after the fact after the fact. Yeah. After the fact I mean there's a lot of >> That's what Janette said. she went on and started taking photos. Um, if if we know a project's going to be done in the area, there may be situations where we start taking photos right a right away, looking at things right away to see precondition versus post condition. So, >> it's just trying to be um proactive in some of these things and >> withhold. >> Yes. and follow up with the with the residents, keeping a good relationship to that when they do call. Like a private drive was an example of a situation where you would be able to hold an escro on our public street if that were occurring. Um well, quite frankly, the moment we got a report about it, we would be making two calls. One is get some signs out there and the second is stop that. Um >> but as far as recourse, um it would depend on the situation and how it was documented and what we saw while it was happening. Um you have to so that we have evidence based you know um this is why we need to address this and this is not going to be our responsibility. You will be involved with me that turn That's >> right. >> Yeah, it would be part of our >> because when they're doing these engineering projects up front, those are things that hopefully that they're taking consideration >> or putting a proper sign to avoid. All right, back to open correspondence. Anybody else for open correspondence? Nothing submitted. >> Okay, move on to six, consent agenda. Items A through C in the consent agenda. Any questions for staff regarding those items? >> One through nine. That is that >> I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> I apologize. Um, no. Tiff one through nine. Yes, we receive a payment twice a year from Henipin County with our property taxes and then um I work with Ellers to determine amount that we issue to the bank for >> Okay. So I was just >> No problem. >> I also want to entertain a motion on on approving the consent agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda. >> All right. Thank you. Motion a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Item seven then regular business starting with 7A Sherland Fire Department 2027 operating budget from capital improvement plan. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um this item I have pulled from the consent agenda to give council the opportunity to ask questions because this is our first shoreline fired um operating budget and capital plan that is being approved by council. So tonight in front of you you have um the 2027 shoreline department operating budget as well as the 2027 capital improvement plan. For the past several months, the operating committee has been working together to create this plan with the fire chief, the assistant fire chief, the fiscal agent, and then both representatives from the city of Long Lake and the city of Orno. On July 8th, 2026, this this budget was presented to the Shoreline Fire Department board and was approved at that meeting. In summary, the city of Long Lake's contribution to the 2027 Shoreline Fire Department will be 14.285%. I felt it was important to add the addition because when I was checking the number adding up for me and so I did think it was important if you're looking at any details to have it full percentage. This um results in an operating contribution of $194,938 for the city of Long Lake. This is a 9.0% increase over our capital expenditure contribution would be 70,567. However, please keep in mind that 50,000 of it is paid by Orino for 2027 and the remaining four years. So, the city's total cash contribution will be 2000 215,5 215,000. That is not $215,000. Um, so tonight I'm asking council if you have any questions for me about the Shoreline Fire Department budget specifically or the capital improvement plan. One note I would like to make included in your packet today is the fire facility capital improvement plan. This is for information only and needs to be approved by um either by both cities if a repair were to be completed. If you'll recall the facility is owned 50% city of Long Lake and 50 station one is owned 50% city of Long Lake and 50% um city of Oro. So as repairs come up we would be approving those separately. That is not included in today's and we did just before it turned over to store we um did have new HVAC put in. So we kind of address some of the big ticket items that we've envisioned for the near future at least. Right. >> Correct. According to a facilities um report that we have looked at as an operating committee. I think the next large ticket item that our city will be responsible for will be the roof. Um, one of them that caught my eye curious about was like the the salary full-time employees salaries are decreasing by like 14% and then the part-time are increasing by 43%. Um, any insight as to why that is? >> Yes. I believe that this is um at when the original 2026 budget was created, I believe it included a full-time >> fire. >> We did not hire >> we did not hire And I believe that position it and maybe going down to a part-time position now. >> Yes. >> Um and the other the change in part-time employees um from paid on call is is going to be your duty crew and I believe that fire marshall is now included as a parttime employee. >> Okay. Part time fire marshal. >> Correct. Okay. >> So were there more parttime employees because got an increase in This was um when the when the 2026 budget was developed, they weren't sure exactly the duty crew hours that we were going to be utilizing nor um how many of those shifts would be full. And we're kind of um year to date for this the 288 was a better estimation with the inclusion of the fire marshall. All right. And we've got more calls to date than we've had before. >> Yes. >> And uh and I believe when uh pay on call guys are serving in duty cruise block, does that come out of that bucket? >> They get paid at that level, right? They get paid the part-time. >> I don't believe that does come out of that level. I believe because it goes I I I don't understand because I don't do the payroll anymore. I just approve it. I don't see or how the hours come in. I do believe those are still considered a paid on call employees. >> Right. They are. >> But so I think that that's the increase in the paid on call employees. >> Well then that increase is largely due to the fire marsh bills part going to be part-time and then the increased um calls. >> Correct. The increased calls. Yes. And at the time when we did the 2026 budget, we weren't even quite sure of what hours we would have crew, but >> correct. Yeah, they're serving. >> There's a lot of guessing. >> They're uh I don't know when the start time is, but it ends at 8:00 p.m. I think it's 7 a.m. >> 7 a.m. 8 p.m. >> There are a lot more calls >> there. There are. And actually, um >> I I think that the trend is going to continue the way that we're seeing it. Um, just in the last couple days, the calls have been very high. >> You know, we went with four to four to between four to 600 to almost 1500. >> Correct. >> Yeah. And I'm and I'm receiving I do receive the um alert from my phone and it is a variety of calls. Everything from um medical, a small fire, um some mutual aid. It's just a vast variety of calls. I believe over Fourth of July weekend, I think I I believe they had seven. >> That was a lot. >> So, and three of them are water related. So, yes, they've been working very hard >> and many over in the middle of the night as well. So, I can say that having it on my phone. >> That's just the sum of all our calls, by the way, >> over the last three years. >> Thank you. I apologize. No, >> jump. >> There is a big jump still. It is. We haven't gotten 2026 yet. Yes, it is still um >> But where are we at? You think for 2026 it'll be like 300 or so or beyond? >> Correct. It's above 300. >> Okay. >> And there is going to be um a new they're rolling out a new system that will allow us to track calls even better. And I'm very excited for us to start really utilizing that. Um, so that will show calls. There's graphs that show calls by type, calls by location and so forth. So I I have been working with um the fire chief and the assistant fire chief. They will be presenting to council in the next couple months. So >> great. Okay. And as far as capital, vehicle capital, anything noteworthy there that purchases or >> vehicle capital improvement plan was a little interesting. Um, if you recall, Jed Axelson is a Long Lake resident and he is the on the operating board with me. One thing that him and I were very concerned about is making sure that we didn't go in the negative in the outears. However, there are a few um there are a few areas of the vehicle that could change when we look at this same chart next year. If you recall, we had that grant to look at shared fire services. One area that Grant pointed out was the opportunity to share um the ladder truck with Weisetta, like ladder truck with Weetta um and figure out a contract with that. So that might be an opportunity for us to develop and then that would save us money in the future. Um, we're also looking at trying to state um share reserve vehicles and so forth. So, um, >> and they're and they're they've sold some vehicles and gotten more than they thought they >> correct. >> So, that's good. >> And I believe there's one more, if not two more that they're looking to sell. We just have to look at um >> and if I could just add so the capital improvement plan is going to be an evolving document. I mean, because at first I thought when I first saw it, I thought really, you know, I know that we were exactly bad place before, but I kind of felt like, you know, maybe we were kind of going a little bit too too hard to get to the, you know, to the desired goal because it was going to be a big increase. But, but, you know, after we talked about it, for example, they ordered an engine just recently, right? And then there's plans to order another engine in next year. And I thought, man, we're stacking up engines when we've got, you know, Some of them are older, but we've got I don't remember how many engines we have, but like three or four or something like that. So, but it's going to work itself out as as we go. And um and we want to have, you know, um obviously good equipment for the firefighters. So, um I felt more comfortable after we discussed it a little bit, but at first I thought it's kind of coming in pretty, you know, fast on the spending here. But, but um I I get it. It needs to be done. And uh so it's like a little bit like ripping the band-aid off now and have a good plan, you know, going forward so that um you know, so that everybody all the firefighters have what they need. >> More gradual instead of all at once. >> Yeah. Yeah. One other thing that I think is important to mention is um unlike the city of Long Lake when the fire department when our capital here was going in the negative in 2030 2032 you know one of the first drafts that we had looked at there isn't a cash fund like with the city. So, if you recall when the city of Long Lake purchased our fire vehicle, we had that fund go into the negative um until we could recoup it with future um with future years. There's not that ability in the fire department. There is no other checking account. This is their checking account. And so, we want to make sure that like John was saying that this is a moving document, but also that we do have the funds in the account um to cover the purchases as they're needed. because we've been planning the best we can but we still isn't that would have to come out of our city >> right but I I guess I was getting at too when I say evolving document I mean I I don't remember what the the time was for an engine for example the life of an angel engine I mean there there sort of the uh what NFPA standard >> but you know most fire department don't necessarily meet that in every area right so pick a number list. Let's say it's seven years. You know, if you if you tweak the schedule a little bit and go eight years here, you know, maybe maybe you can say you stay out of the red, for example, >> right? >> And so that that's the kind of thing that the operating committee is going to be continuing to work with the firefighters on to to find the right schedule for replacement. >> But um >> so 190,000 for engine. No, that's well that's one payment that one >> that's an interest in >> that might be a lease payment actually >> so the city of Orno um >> oh yeah that's the one that was just >> I think that's recently >> correct lease so that that lease payment then is what is going to hit the >> correct and so wow that's a a large lease payment so the very expensive. >> Yeah, it's over a million. >> Okay. >> And then the line down below the order the bar >> that seems more reasonable. >> 13. Yeah. Yeah, that's the one that we would order >> in 20 >> in next year. >> I don't know if that one was the one that we ordered in 2026. I apologize. There was one that that you mentioned that we did order because a three year leg from >> from the time that we receive it. >> Oh, that's the one that has been ordered. >> I believe that that is the one. >> Oh, there there was a plan to order um another one. >> What's the backup engine? >> Which road is all >> I believe that's also released. So we we have the engine that's in the Navar station that we bought in 2017. That one we would hang on to. And then the Acceler engine that we bought, you know, a few years ago, that would probably get sold. And then I think there's another engine that once the new >> I believe it is a backup engine that was that was just mentioned because um that I mentioned in the when we were trying to decide which engine to sell, we also have to take out the liability. It might be more profitable to sell that one right now, but if we have a liability of four years left on a lease, we have to We have to consider that, >> right? There's there's an engine that's still being paid that we might sell. >> I believe that the most value out of it, >> right? And so we're we're waiting that. >> Yeah. So those are the kinds of things they're figuring out. >> So the lease um the lease to the engine cost 190,000. How come the lease it says current year 45? I'm just >> I think it was partial year. >> Oh, okay. I just kind of make sense of the number. >> So when they uh start up and rebranding, is that like some legal fees? All the legal fees are starting up. >> No, a lot of it was the um rewrapping the vehicles and the uniforms. >> Okay. And I don't Okay. Any other >> I was going to point out um too that if you look at 32 shows the allocation and if you recall we we're changing the formula uh as was negotiated to use a model that would as an example the the League of Minnesota cities used in an example that they had where oneird call volume, one third market value and one third population. You can see on the weight factors on the left side of that >> where before it was 70% um >> market value market value and a 30% call volume. So there wasn't a population there. Anyway, uh this was something that was negotiated and and you can see what our percentage is of 14.28%. So our our percentage went up a little bit. Uh well also now Madina is not part of the equation. So >> correct because before I think you know we were closer to 10% then Madina was 5% and then was 85% and so Orno stayed >> close to the same and then our went up as you can see there >> and then Medit Beach course isn't factored into this. Okay. >> Yeah. So that revenue through the operational >> operating west at this time. Yes. >> Has uh has there been any conversations with Madina since this? Um >> I don't believe so. I um I could easily reach out to the city man, >> you know, now that we're now that we're settled in because when I talked to them, uh at one time they thought maybe they would consider being a contract city but not a, you know, not a JPA member. >> Um and I just think about, you know, the Morningside neighborhood and and just how close that is uh to us and far for them. And you would think that they might be interested in having that coverage. So I think having for contracts. That would be >> that was another area that I believe was um mentioned a little bit in the um cost sharing plan was um whether it be a contract city or a paid mutual aid type situation, you know, as a first response type, you know, that we would charge when we do get things. >> Um there are there are definitely couple different options. All right. Any else? If not, I'll make a motion to approve the Shorland Fire Department operating budget and capital improvement plan for 2027. >> Okay. Second the motion. >> Thank you. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Both approve the budget. The board approved it but first but then the cities have to approve it to get paid. >> So we approved it at our last fire. >> Looks like there was a lot of work went today. >> A lot of details. That's great. Of course, a lot of the capital g estimate estimates how much things are going to cost in four, five, six years, but there's no way to do that unfortunately. Okay, motion and second made. All those in favor I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. All right, thank you Mr. Noki. What else do we got here? Seven. >> The next item that I am bringing to council is our second quarter 2026 revenue and expenditure report. Um, some quarters I put this on consent, but today I decided with expenses ranging a little bit higher than the 50%. I wanted an opportunity for council to ask questions if they had any. I will say that as I mentioned, expenses are are coming in a little bit higher than the 50% for this time of year. In on the report, I did outline some of those reasons. One of them is I have entered all annual expenses by this point such as insurance, bond payments, depreciation, those have all been entered and so those do affect the the percentages um in some of the funds more than others. Other things is in public works we tend to see an increase in cost. Over the summer we had we ended up having to re remove 91 dead ash trees from just parks and um trails in city rightaway. If you recall when city when city council originally approved the tree removal, um we were concerned that we would start removing trees on private property. Well, I can state today that that has not even been an issue. We have come we are quite a bit over budget on our tree removal this year by $35,000 in parks and trails. And that is because 91 of them were necessary to remove because we were noticing from last year to this year the spread. and we felt that it was important it was important to try to eliminate the problem um and cover the cost versus have it spread even worse for next year. Um another another item that has affected the budget this year was extensive repairs to our public works fleet. Um it was brought to our attention that we had not done our DOT inspections for a few years. Um, and so bringing those up, bringing those current and the repairs that were affiliated with that and then as well as some other large engine repairs and such have caused um, our public works fleet to be over budget this year. Um, one other area that I did not anticipate in the budget but will be anticipating in the 2027 budget is I did not plan on paying property insurance for fire station one. didn't think about it as a separate insurance I would I would need to purchase. So that was um I was it was unbudgeted. >> Do we split that with ornal or >> we have to have our own >> insurance? Yeah. So it wasn't it wasn't >> insurance policy. >> Yeah. >> I think because for each owners it was it was weird. Yeah. My insurance has covered our it wasn't a very large expense of $6,000 but >> do you know what they pay for their house? I mean, that doesn't really make sense to me because it doesn't seem um I mean, we're we're probably the sum of those two is probably more than what it should cost to ensure that building. >> I agree. And actually, it's an item that I'd made a note of um to talk to our insurance this year to make sure that we're covering >> because you have multiple owners of residential homes and they don't need separate insurance policies. assuming that it's >> right. >> So I will I can look and it's possible that knowing the situation >> it's possible that they just um quoted us based on a percentage of the building but it was my nevertheless it was un budgeted item and then water usage in our enterprise fund has decreased 5% compared to last year. Um, so with water usage going down, our revenue goes down and therefore so does our sewer revenue. But I'm thinking that could that could change a little bit in the next few months now that we're in drying out. >> Correct. >> What made our our sanitary sewer fund go up so much from last year >> in cost? >> Well, no, in fund balance. >> I'm back. >> No, sorry. >> Oh, on the first page. Um, >> it's double what it was. >> I would need to look specifically at that. Um, I do know that the engineers we did a transfer out of the tip nine or 16. to do the sewer lining. >> Do the sewer lining. >> Um, and I believe some of that was was put into their otherwise I think if you recall, we only recently implemented that Metropolitan Council sewer treatment fee. Um, and that was $400,000. >> Really? >> So, um, that was fun. >> That was a very >> That was very high. So, It wasn't that long ago where I think that was about a hundred,000 or something. You know, maybe it was maybe it was a while ago. Maybe it was 10 years ago or something. But >> yeah, it was we phased it. If you recall at first when I first introduced it, it was a $10 charge. >> No, no, no. I'm saying what the Met Council fee. >> It was Yes, it was 10 a few years ago. It was $10 flat fee and then >> No, no. I'm saying what we pay the check we cut to them. >> Yes. >> I thought it was like closer to 100,000. Well, I'm talking about 10 years ago or something. >> It probably was because I can remember that when it was more than the >> It more than I remember one in front of it, not a four. >> Yeah, it more than doubled. If you recall, it more than doubled um two years in a row. So, >> the patient management fund has a lot of money. Um, one thing when you're looking at the fund um, allocations, please also keep in mind and this is actually this is probably part of the the increase in the 602 fund. I did a dispersement this year for capital. I don't believe anything went to the sewer fund, but some of the um, payment management did get a dispersement out of capital. So you'll see that fund um 401 had a major decrease because I redispersed that money into um other capital funds in accordance with the >> okay >> and the capital fund is what we used to call the turnback >> we called it a lot of things >> but that was turnback fund >> it was yes however I wanted to try to have that so what I use that capital fund for now I try to keep it close to approximately one year of operating expenses Um and it can be a through rainy day fund. The rest of this is supposed to be more in line with our capital improvement plan. Um so that is where that dispersion happens >> and we're still earning interest rates on these. >> We are I just did a um I just did a transfer, an interest transfer this week for the first four months and it was um really good. I can't think off the top of my head what it was, but I can I can I know the range >> we're be we're around averaging around 3 to 4%. And one other thing I wanted to let um council know I if you recall I mentioned to council A few months ago, I started working with Mid Country to find a way to better to better um get interest for the money that we had in our checking account. And at that time, she recommended I changed our savings um to a different savings account. So, we were getting around 02% and now we're we're getting 2.5%. >> So, for our city that only receives money um twice a year, I just did a $500,000 transfer. into savings out of our checking. So, it's still liquid and it's actually I think it can be used as a um overdraft if something were to happen. I I still keep a good amount in our checking, but I did just transfer into savings so we can start utilizing that 2.5% on the money that we keep on hand. So, the the $68,000 was transferred for the first four months, first five months, I apologize. $68,000 of interest we earned in investments. >> Right. >> Mr. the asht removal. What what's in store for the last half of this year? Do we have more to do or are we getting >> I would like I've asked staff to um just take a minute to um spending and look at necessities only. Um we're going to have the doors here at city hall replacement. Hopefully there are a few more public works done this year and so I don't think we're going to be doing any more ash trees. >> Yeah. Um residents have we calls lately is that kind of that did that help that we remove quite a few as far as complaints we were getting from resways. >> A lot of ours were done I don't even know if as many residents noticed the sheer quantity because so many of them were done on parks and trails. rightways are a very small portion. I should mention though that we did receive Sean um did a reimbursement for CAM fund. If you guys remember cam funds um and we did a reimbursement for the rightway trees >> when they do the trees they grind the stump too >> some of them. Yes. If we do if for some reason they are done in there a danger on in on private property in right away we will not grant us something. we alleviate the danger by removing the tree. It would be the property owner's responsibility to um handle the stump. But in all these ones, we had to do the stump because they were on city property. >> All right. Any other questions for staff on this item? Why do you do a a one time transfer to payment management of 110,000 >> that was in the budget? Um >> you don't split it between first half, second half, you know, just do one. >> I don't I do it middle of the year just so I don't forget to um I just do it in the middle of the year and and honest to live a little bit frugal this time of year so that it doesn't so when I send the budget to department heads that they don't think that they have a lot more money to spend than they do >> and then and then and then steel coating is another 30,000 I used >> but we don't often spend that >> no and so that's why we move that into a fund itself if you recall a couple years ago um it was always in the budget as a line item and the problem we were running into was um I believe it was 60,000 a year we were seeing added into the budget every year. Well, so if we didn't do a project that money goes away essentially just stays in the general fund and then into the next year if we were going to do a steel coating project >> we had to stick within that 60 um where this because we know that we have so many steel coating street projects coming up. I wanted to start coming up with a funding mechanism to to set that money aside >> and earmark it knowing that okay then we this is what we need um for future coding projects. >> We spent some of it. >> Yes, you did. >> I just thought that would have been part of the pavement management fund, you know, because I see different levels of pavement management. one being steel coating, one being mil and overlay and one being you know full recon and but >> steel coating was created I steel coding was created just for that at one point I might end up merging them together I just think that for a while we were not so responsible with our street savings we might have to look at that too because the way the pavement management fund was created was as a direct co correlation to the franchise fees and the franchise fees were established for pavement management plan projects Correct. Yes. >> Is more maintenance than it is pavement management plan projects. Your PMP projects are more of your recon your mills and overlays. >> Yeah. Yeah. We just have to make sure we don't forget about sil coating. I would say just to maintain the roads we have replaced like water tons you know was replaced eight nine years ago but you know I can use the silic coating just to make make it last longer. as one example. All right, unless there's any other questions, I'll make a motion to approve the second quarter. 2026 revenues and expenditures as of June 30th, 2026 as presented. >> I'll second that. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. All right. Thank you again, Amanda. And now on to another topic. 7C. Authorize staff to advertise for a full-time public works lead maintenance worker position. >> Yes. So today we um for a proposal to reestablish our um public works lead maintenance worker position. position was created a few years ago when our um longtime employee Luke Lockman thank you Lockin was employed. Um at that time we thought that it was important to recognize his senior level employment and we developed this position. After much consideration and the vacancy that was that we recently had in public works for a public work maintenance worker once we decided that it was it was a good time to bring maintenance worker. This person would would um help Sean over the staff report directly to Shawn, but also this should give um another person an opportunity to train from Shawn on areas of the city. We have we're recommending that this person be hourly, which is a change from the original position because that would allow the lead position to be paid for his on call time and any overtime. He wouldn't be salary, therefore could assist on the on call schedule. It is our hope that this person would be a good transition from our staff um and help them train and learn areas of the cities areas of water sewer um in areas of basic public worker of basic public worker position as well as like I said from Shawn um assist him in areas that he needs to be a better director and fill up free some of his time. I have talked to and he's extremely supportive of this. So today I'm asking council to amend again the 2020 salary pay plan to reestablish the maintenance worker lead maintenance position to approve the position description and to authorize staff to advertise and solicit for this position. Does have any questions for me? questions and this would be um an most like an external candidate. We don't have any do we have any internal candidates would be eligible to apply? >> We do not. >> We do not. Um currently we have one maintenance worker, one who on today's consent agenda just finished his six month probation and is he continues on probation to fulfill his one year and then hopefully test for the water and sewer lensures. Um and then we have a maintenance worker which is also he is not qualified for this level. >> And so what step will be these piece of grants? >> Um it would >> like I know that's a separate issue but >> it would be dependent I'm going to be um honest it would be dependent on the on the candidates that we receive. Um if getting the right candidate means that we would need to offer um in a midstep range I would be open to that. I have looked at this year's budget and I feel that I can that the salary range can still be manageable for 2026 and I have included it then in the 2027 planning. Um so depending on who the right candidate is, it will leave us some flexibility. >> Can I just ask the question to the exempt and the non-exempt would people be more willing to apply if it was nonexempt? I don't believe so because not >> because like >> Yeah, I I believe it was not exempt. Yes, because um right now with having such a small staff, there is a lot of on call responsibility. And so right now if Sean were to work in on call shift, which we we try to um deter him from doing, but he gets vacation time instead of we cannot pay him additional salary when he works on call. So we he gets rewarded an additional vacation. that's not always um as beneficial. Some people want to be paid overtime when so on call to get a statement of seven hours per per shift week that they're on on call. Um and then this person would also receive overtime if they were have to come in in the middle of the night. And I think sometimes when their salary um >> they resent it. if you get to the position that if you have other employees that are getting overtime that it can unbalance things a little bit. So, >> okay. >> I think another importance too of hiring for a lead maintenance worker is right now we really do only have one individual with the water sewer lensure background and experience in case we have an emergency. Now, what if he has an emergency and we have an emergency at the same time? So I >> back up too. >> Yes, backup. Not just backup but support too. Like when we were dealing with some wellrelated issues recently, it would have been really wonderful to be able to have two people with that level of experience so they could each be focusing on a respective well or working together um to, you know, make the most out of their education experience and maybe even be able to get repairs done in less time. You never know. But I I I think yeah, we don't want to be in a situation where he has an emergency and we have an emergency. And uh I I think it's important we make sure we have someone with experience on board. Do you turn just to try? Oh, I can make a motion, but I'll have to um >> uh motion to amend the the 2026 salary pay plan to reestablish a salary range for the public works lead maintenance worker position and to approve the updated description for the position dated July 16th, 2026 and to authorize staff to advertise and solicit applications for the position. Thank you. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. Okay. Final item. Um under regular business 7D, approve city council meeting schedule changes and established Long Lake Canvasing board meeting. CL. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, as you may see, we have some equipment testing going on in the room. State primary day is coming fast and furious. We'll be here before you know it. Um, and as I'm looking ahead, um, I'm already looking to the general election and, um, as council member may recall, um, we are unable to have public meetings um, to do business on the same night as an election. um historically what we've done given the schedule in November um and the fact that we also need the council to meet as a canvasing board to canvas the city's election results uh between three and 10 days post election date. What we've historically done is bumped the meetings all down on Tuesday uh to allow for us to be meeting as a canvasing board to canvas within the required window um and also um uh address our obligation to move our meeting date. So with that, we uh are recommending that the council meetings previously scheduled for November 3rd and November 17th be rescheduled to uh November 10th and November 24th. and also that a meeting of the candidacy board be scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th at 6:15 p.m. >> Okay, makes sense. Any discussion? Any obstac major obstacles for that night to those tonight for health centers? >> One thing I do want to mention is we do always do this and yes, that second meeting always falls in the week before, you know, Thanksgiving there. Um, if we that the agenda looks pretty light for that. Um we might consider templing that meeting altogether if we don't have much in the way of agenda business that can wait. Um alternatively if we find that um that time might be better spent in a dedicated um budget work session only maybe prior to you know final levy review and presentation that might also be an opportunity. Just wanted to put it on the radar that um we might reserve the right to change that a little bit at a later date um or cancel if the business is like I'll make a motion to schedule a meeting of the Long Lake Canvasing Board for Tuesday, November 10th, 2026, beginning at 6:15 and to schedule the Tuesday, November 3rd and Tuesday, November 17th, 2026 city council meetings to be held on Tuesday, November 10th and Tuesday, November 24th, beginning at 6:30. p.m. I'll second that motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Thank you again for bringing that to us. Okay, with that we'll move on to other business. Item eight starting with council newcomer. All is well. >> Good. Good. All right. Council member Dick. >> Um, nothing. I just attended um a relief a fire relief association relief association meeting um yesterday with Amanda. I was filling in for Mike Selvin since he was out. Um so um I don't know if you're going to talk at all about that, but they're, you know, they're talking about um bringing to the to the board, you know, a proposal for an increase to their annual payout, which, you know, they've done with the city here before, but now they they would go to the board to do that. So, nothing nothing um noteworthy other than I just want to say I was there and it was my first time. So, >> thanks for being here. interesting >> any proposals from them to reduce the uh number of years until they're fully invested. >> Uh well, there was talk about that too, but um I think first they're going to do and have an audit done so that they can, you know, they're kind of using that 110% guideline like has been established over the years even though they said it's not really in an agreement or official contract or anything, but that's, you know, that's what it's been. and um and they're at 121% now they said. So um which means they can raise the the payout uh some so they're going to put that together and then I guess do that have that audit done and um yeah and then there was talk about changing the the investment period but I don't think they're ready to do that just yet. Right now it's 60% at 10 years and then 100% at 20 years. And there's some that talk about having a reduced like 40% at five years. Um but I think that's for future discussion. Sure. Okay. All right. That's all I have. All right. Uh, I know we got we have meetings set up with the lake or the Miha Creek wershed district next Thursday, Councilman D and I and staff to meet with them. >> What time is that? That >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, thanks for changing. >> Yeah, I just didn't expect that on my way here. >> Yeah, looking forward to that. Um, uh, corn days coming up this weekend. Maybe you can spot on that when you get to you if you have anything to add. And I just wanted to mention the I know the city of Maple Plane had a um pretty significant water outage, you know, a week or two ago and and I read about that and I know they did an after action report. I just need to ask, you know, staff to maybe just if you have my right just follow up and just make sure that those things the the things that kind of went wrong in that scenario don't don't go wrong here, you know, as far as the communication, failures that technical. >> Fantastic. All right. Thank you. a warm summer day or anything like that. So I was unfortunate that that happened to them. Uh so thank you for that. I figure you're on top of it and that is it for me. >> I can echo Buck and Dave. >> Yeah. >> Going to be fun. Um and I could just say driving the the flowers and the baskets and everything looks really really nice. >> Yeah. >> Want to compliment and Are you gonna be wrestling at popcorn day? >> No, but I can use the most >> um for another day. I can't remember where else. >> Yes, Janette and I will be at Vorn Days this year. We have a table. >> So, we're very excited. Um, we're trying to show faith to the community and um, be more present at some of these events. And Janette and I have we talk and >> are you going to be handing out some swag? >> We are very excited to get rid of some of the swag. Um, I also want to thank public works and for getting the 250 flags up so quickly. Um it wasn't on my radar and it's didn't think it I didn't think about doing it and so um >> yeah it all looks great mentioned it and yeah >> they went up I I sorry I didn't notice >> no that's okay look on it on your way home I didn't notice either did they go up >> last week last week. >> Oh really? >> Yes sneaky for doing that. >> Yes. And so um we chose a play the options weren't I mean there weren't a ton but we made sure we chose a play that could stay up for the remainder of the summer. So, that looks good. I'm really excited. Um the banner company did mention that a lot of folks are planning to just leave their stuff through Veterans Day this year um you know, given the um America theme. So, they're simple, very straightforward, and there were ones we could get >> um expedited and without additional cost for the expedition. So, um yeah, we excited to receive them as quickly as we did. Thanks, Jar. Well, credit to a certain someone for the idea for bringing it up to us. >> Council member David, >> you didn't notice them. >> Well, no, but I I know I know they've been working on getting them, but I mean 250 is a big birthday. So, >> it was Yeah, we were good idea. >> Yeah, that's >> actually I thought it drove to another city. I can't remember where, but I said, "Hey, look kind of cool if we did that." We weren't able to get the same ones. Um, but I'm satisfied once again. Yeah. >> All right, Janette, what what do you got for us tonight? >> Um, lots of work ongoing behind the scenes on the um unfortunately necessary upgrade to the agendas and meetings management um software that we use. Um, but that that's going to go actually very quickly now, I think. So, um it it's going to include um much to my surprise um it'll change the public facing portal on our website for how our meetings are presented. It won't affect availability of anything. Um originally I was told they'd only be migrating over three of our meeting types and they said, "Well, we saw you had four. We'll take care of it for you." So, that was lovely um that they're doing that without proposing additional fees. Um but It looks like they're also establishing a board portal and they mentioned that if board members use it, you might it sounds like you might actually be able to look at your e- packet and make notes somehow. So anyway, more on that to come if if it does prove to look and appear like something useful. Um I would, you know, probably offer training on it and see what that looks like. Um but I think we'll your first practice on the new meetings and management solution will be the first meeting in September. Otherwise candidate filing update the candidate filing period is still open. Um we have one filing for mayor and one file for council member and there are two seats available. So for names of who's filed check our website on lakemn.gov and uh still one seat to file for for council. It's a wide open wide open race. We do not want a writing candidate like Bart Simpson to win. So, please please uh let's hope we see someone else before the filing period. >> Well, yes, you're not wrong. You're not wrong. Um >> well, that's I thought about that. I was asked that question earlier today. If there were only one actual candidate, would the highest writing candidate? >> I do think that that is a likely possibility. Yes. And I in the back of my head a list of names that >> came up when that happened to be aware of. So >> I talked to beach. I had lunch with them today and they said Mickey Mouse tends to be written in >> Yeah. So they're having the same >> I don't think he lives in the city so I don't know. [laughter] >> What's funny is almost every cycle too I see writings for Marty Schneider and some Pman. So um and so things to be aware of. Um but yeah, candidate filing period still. >> They would have to accept. >> No, exactly. Which honestly if we had no one there, I mean, >> but then we would >> actually you'd probably need to try to go through a special election because you have somebody term that needs to be filled. So talk to your friends and neighbors. Talk to your friends and neighbors. If anyone's interested in filing >> the filing date end date is >> believe it's 28 today >> or sorry Tuesday the 227 >> next Tuesday >> I can't remember I don't have it on me >> were you gonna mention something but that was what I >> mentioned something about XL like how they kind of got back >> oh >> yes >> um thanks to those books who submitted permissions for us to um have encourage Excel to check out their outage histories. Um it turns out that um they did have an area engineer look at the outage histories and they were noteworthy and um they uh Excel responded that over the next couple months they do have some repairs in mind um some environmental stuff trimming um but also kind of segregating areas um so that they're not all on the same for lack of the correct terminology a node or whatever. um so that it isn't always 900 households getting blown out of the water every time there's an outage. Um so they do have a they've replied back with a list of improvements and we hope that's going to happen and um just glad we were able to point to something a little bit more concrete in a target area >> and get it on their radar as well. Yeah, I was impressed with their response and be impressed that they follow through with all that, which I'm assuming they will, and thanks for their work on that. >> I knew something was wrong, seemed wrong about all that. >> I think maybe just even asking the question perhaps helped them pinpoint it because it seemed to be clear that, you know, there was one certain target area that it really is coming down to. So, >> they got first place and you don't want to the first place. >> I'd like to work on something to put out um you know to this community, but I am also kind of waiting to hear back from myself a little bit on that before I do that. Um I'd hate to put something out there and then, you know, have it not come to fruition. So that would be my greatest fear is uh you know, if I put out news that says this going to happen and this is going to happen and it's all going to happen in the next few months. I wouldn't, you know, want us to be in a position where um we look like we've provided misinformation because it didn't come to fruition. So, a little meeting needing to make sure Excel's commitment will have more of a timeline involved, I think, before I'm ready to put something out there. >> Well, you've done your details again. >> Right. Right. And thank you to those who participated and took the time to send those emails because they really did help. >> Yeah. Terrific. Okay, last call. Anything else? All right, so our next meeting is we have some a lot of activity going on there the week of August 3rd. It's my invitation Shoreline Fire ceremony on Monday 3. And then night, that's right, night on Tuesday, August 4th. um contact city staff to be added to the um to a visit. I think there I'm sure you'll put out a reminder email before then. Um I do we just do we have more just have one official as far as you know or >> um I do not know all the applications are going away. They have the form on their website. Um I did reach out to one particular group that typically has done one and they said, "Oh, thanks for calling that to our attention. We'll go ahead and sign up for that." Um so hopefully I kind of did another round of publication and tried to do it in a pretty graphic. So >> a great >> So we'll see if uh that got a little more attention to it. >> Something else that week on >> Yeah. No, I mean even besides that, >> we have the cleaning ceremony tonight. >> Yeah. >> And I think we scheduled something last night. >> We did something last night and >> I don't remember what that was. I'll think about >> department related. >> Yeah, >> it was. >> So by indication >> handling a form notice if if council we were we have been given um some mis information. According to the meeting yesterday, they you are planning and tending to RSVP. >> Okay. >> So, I was told specifically not to RSVP and then yesterday they're like, well, no, it' be nice to I think go ahead and RSVP. We'll we'll play a safe um and for that ceremony, as I mentioned, they apparently six o'clock will be time for the firefighters and then 6:30 elected officials and staff is invited. What's the deadline for? I can take that outline. >> No, is the week. >> Oh, that's what's also that week. >> Yes. Saturday. >> Saturday. >> It will be a very busy week. because we have to we have to talk about like what are we going to do >> well you know we have them on the lake still want to have sort of or do we have >> I think the first question was as council who was planning on attending and locking the parade stuck either way. >> Yeah, maybe right. >> Yes, that's Saturday. >> Board can talk about or the operating committee can figure out like best options >> if you meet with them. I have an I have an operating committee meeting tomorrow. Um so I was planning on actually talking um individually to a few members today to find out what your preference is, but this is a group that kind of is any If council was planning on being at the parade, tell me. If they weren't, then it's a null and void issue forward. >> Well, I I think the fire board needs to be there together. >> Um, >> and I do I just don't know what the mechanism is, what what you how they're together, what they're riding on next, >> and then and then the council members, you know, could also then be, you know, doing something. Uh, and then or else could council members in it too if they choose. >> Um, but I think the fire board has to be representative >> at the board. I agree. >> As long as you bring candy, >> oh yeah, >> pop some hay bales in the back of a public works truck and works. >> That's a good idea. >> Get the fire engine. We get the dump truck. >> You know what? I'm just gonna say I might have more fun in the dump truck. I was thinking walking it. So, this is actually a step up. >> Yeah, >> it's a long way to carry that banner. >> I I was I've done my time. >> Well, we we would always walk anyway. >> Correct. >> And staff might be willing to go with council to >> Yeah. Take your guidance on that or whatever. >> I I can I can bring it up tomorrow. We have an operating meeting. So >> I can talk to them and try to get some feedback from their board members and to see but and then we can as a city I believe a state student maker is our property. We will >> I mean the city could continue to do that. >> No I think I >> for too and then board can have a a different truck or >> fire truck with the shoreline logo >> except we can have the board decide let them have first maybe Mandy and I can carry the banner on a stick for you guys so the walkers can follow. >> I mean that banner said u city council. >> I mean there's nothing wrong with having that you and then require board something. >> I can check with the board because I mean it might be kind of fun if you guys do the baker. So it's up to you. I can check with them like fire department. >> Yeah. >> We don't want to erase our history. I mean >> yeah and we do that is a good point. So, I'll find out. I'll bring you that up. I'd like to get the board. >> Oh, you're saying putting the board on something that says won't fire. Yeah, I Okay, now >> I knew what he would I would think the board something that says shoreline fire obviously and then but that's that's why I was saying we could still have the food maker in >> you know >> not to give the fire image. Lucy expect >> the public works struct. So yeah, whatever figure it out and let us know. >> All right. So that's going to be a busy week and weekend with corn days or corn days. >> Correct. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. >> All right. I'll ask all for anything else. All right. If there's no objection, I'll join the meeting by general consent. Hearing none means adjourned at 7:47