how much debt they're carrying versus >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And that's the last page of your report. Yeah. Awesome. >> All right. Okay. Call to order the August 4th, 2025 meeting of the Link City Council. Good evening, everyone. at 6:31 p.m. All council members are present this evening with the exception of council member Feldman who is absent with prior notice. Item two is a pledge of allegiance. I invite everyone to 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. >> Okay. Item three is mayor comments. Longlike news, meeting review and updates. A few comments tonight. It's been uh summer's been moving along. I think it's maybe been three weeks since we've met last. Uh um lots of rain. Uh park is still closed. Nelson Lakeside uh beach is still closed uh for those that are following that. Uh continues to be some bacteria issues unfortunately in the water there. So uh our staff has been keeping us updated on that and that water continues to be tested by the county and as soon as uh the levels dip to a safe level that'll be open again. Uh tomorrow is night to unite. So in uh throughout the country, really big in Minnesota here, neighborhoods get together um and spend time with each other, invite public safety officials to come out and visit, police, fire, etc. So we have a few parties going on, neighborhood gatherings going on in Lawn Lake tomorrow night, and our fire department is going to be out visiting those as well as Weisetta Police. um probably too late to schedule one for uh tomorrow night if you haven't done that already, but we encourage uh residents to get together and plan those events uh for next year or years beyond. We always appreciate going to those and getting out and speaking to residents, finding out what's on their mind and just getting to know uh individuals, citizens have not met before. I know some other council members uh will be joining uh tomorrow night as well. Uh so looking forward to that event. And then on Saturday is corn days uh annual event sponsored by the church of St. George and we also have the parade is sponsored by the L carave chamber of commerce who might get an update on here in a little bit. So that is uh Saturday just one day again this year for uh corn day corn days uh parade is at 11:00 this year. So hope folks come out and to join uh that event on Saturday. Hopefully it'll be good weather. It's I know it's going to warm up here again though. So, there's a few updates since last time we uh got together as a city. With that, we'll move on to item number four to which is to approve this evening's agenda. Anyone make want to make >> I'll make a motion to approve tonight's agenda. >> I can second it. >> Thank you. A motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Item five, consent agenda. Just items A and B on the consent agenda this evening. Any questions for staff regarding items in the consent agenda? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve this evening's consent agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda for tonight. >> Thank you. >> I'll second. >> All right. Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Item six, open correspondence. Open correspondence is an item on the agenda during which the public may address the city council. No formal action is taken by the city council and comments shall be limited to 5 minutes or less. And open correspondence comments may also be emailed to city staff by noon on the date of the meeting. I know we have some special guests present this evening. Does anyone want wish to approach the council tonight for open correspondence? If so, um, state state your name and the city you're from, please. >> Um, my name is Asher and I'm from Independence. Uh, I have a couple questions about the handling of vacant properties in Long Lake. Um, I would like to know how they're handled in terms of like how you would not make them not vacant anymore or how you would uh have maintenance on them while they're vacant. >> Okay. Thank you, Asher. Um, and we and you do you know I guess you don't have to name, but are you thinking properties in Long Lake or just in general or >> uh Long Lake specifically right now? Okay. Yeah. So, we don't um we don't not aware of many vacant properties that are completely vacant properties, but what what could be mistaken for are properties that are being used, but maybe um maybe they have items gathered on them or or things like that. Uh we used to we did have a very vacant property for many uh years. Um kind of a little strip mall over by Caribou and our the city council uh at some point created an ordinance to make it so that um there was some sort of penalties for having a vacant property for too long and it kind of created an incentive to to to try to fill that property, make it so it's not vacant anymore. So that's one example I can think of when it comes to Lawn Lake. Otherwise, we try to for other properties that that uh maybe aren't vacant, but maybe have, you know, maybe un sight sightliness issues or garbage on them or things like that, we have ordinances in place that try to address that and our staff will get a hold of those folks and try to get them to clean that up. >> Are you looking at private property or u city-owned property that are vacant? Because I'm just curious, what's your concern? Do you have a specific >> reason for asking the question? I'd just like to know like business properties specifically uh properties that people use for businesses or any way of making money. >> Sure. Sure. Yeah. So, it's not city owned, but >> So, do you have an interest in um an idea for property particular property? >> No, I just I just wanted to know. >> Okay. Yeah. Well, thank you. I I hope we answer your question for the most part. Anyways, >> I'll just add an example. We have the um a vacant property that the economic development authority which is a part of the city that uh we bought. Uh there used to be an old BP station, gas station on that corner. It's on the corner of Wisetta Boulevard and uh Lake is that >> Yeah. Lake. And um and we bought that, the city did uh well the econom economic development authority or EDA bought that so that we can control what comes in there. Um and we we tore down the the the uh old gas station. We cleaned up the land because there was contamination uh from having a gas station there for many years. And um and then uh and our plan is to ultimately uh sell it and have some uh a development there that will be advantageous for our city. Um and in my opinion in particular promote the pedestrian like walkability of our city. So not just have like a drive-thru coffee shop for example is at least this is and this is me speaking. I would I'd like something to, you know, that will promote, you know, people to come and and uh meet and uh and that they can walk to and and so um we're not we're not um I guess it's for sale, but it's not actively uh we're not actively pursuing it right now. Um but we know that uh that we'll be able to um to sell it at some point. And and in the meantime, we have some other ideas like uh we might have food trucks that we'll park there. Um and uh and we've talked about some other uses for it um in the meantime, but but that's kind of an unusual situation because mostly most of the time the city does not own you know uh business properties or commercial properties. Uh but in this case we we did buy that. Is this part of a um a BA badge that you're kind of interested in government and seeing how government works? And so >> yes, >> you're just kind of >> Yeah, I can echo. We have looked at um different proposals on that land. Um but uh sometimes it's uh kind of depending on how they want to use it, there might be restrictions in zoning and um financing because the city won't doesn't finance the project. So it has to be a relationship between the city and the and the business and whether it works with zoning. So we are having that's kind of been uh depending on scale of the business that's been an issue because the lot's not that big. So do you have any other questions that in terms of how city government works? >> Um >> I'm putting you on. >> Um just one last question about the properties. How many do you think there are currently vacant? >> I don't think we have any any answer that right. >> We at one point we did have a strip mall that was substantially empty but as soon as it came under new ownership um the new owner was renting to tenants and now I think he's only maybe got a space left. But uh it generally um we did go through a period where there were some vacant storefronts. You would have observed a long ways out of Boulevard, but by and large, I think most of them are occupied now. And um it's it's been really nice to see things fill in and we love that. >> There's a few residential ones that are empty, priv private ones. I happen to know of a couple that >> we try we try to track um private vacant properties. Unfortunately, the only information that we would have on that is whether or not they're using water. Um and we build to the thousands of gallons. So sometimes it's hard to see if a property has been using water. So we look for a history of no water use. >> You also have to be respectful because some residents um travel for the winters or >> and that's residential. >> Yeah. And that's what you get. That's so for residential we try to track to see if we can identify vacant properties. >> Yeah. >> But for businesses we're they're doing pretty good these days. >> Yeah. And I'll just add to that. So when they put in, you know, Wisetta Boulevard used to be the commuter line through here, all the that took all the traffic and that's why there were gas stations here that that did well over the years. And then they put in the bypass um uh when was that about 20 >> 2001 >> 25 years ago or so. >> And uh and that really hurt those businesses that relied on that commuter traffic. In fact, that BP station that I that I mentioned, um that's why they shut down because now they didn't have the traffic because uh that they used to have. So, it didn't justify keeping that open. And so, and a lot of other businesses suffered. Uh but we've as as Janette said, we've we've kind of come back to creating Long Lake as a destination instead of just a pass through town. And uh and in doing so, we have a lot of great restaurants. We have a lot of great businesses and and that's bring and also the new residents that are right next door here and and across the street. Um all that new new uh development that brought in more people into our town has helped uh bring in more businesses. So, >> right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thanks, Asher. Great. >> And don't don't worry about taking notes because you can always uh look back on the video of this. YouTube now, right? >> Anybody else? Oh, great. >> Um, I'm Jacob Zbertson and I'm from Independence and um I go to soccer at the soccer dome by the McDonald's. And I've noticed that the road getting into it seems narrow, especially when the the team some people are coming out and we're going in. And sometimes you have to wait a few minutes just to get in. And then because people are waiting there, they park on the side of the road, which makes it even worse, especially when it's dark. And I just want to know if you're doing anything about that. And what you like could do, I guess. >> Sure. I had not heard about that one until today's. Um um and do you know do the cars get backed up onto like why is that a boulevard which is like the street that kind of goes towards the schools or does it does it get backed up on the little street right in front of the soccer dome you think? >> Um it mostly gets backed up on the little street not >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. And that's one of our wider streets actually. We do have some narrower streets in Lawn Lake besides that one. Um so that one's a fairly new modern street. But I a lot of the problems that I think that we've heard about over the years is with the parking the parking lot there. It's um it's an older parking lot and I think it's still is still gravel and needs some improvements or did they pave? >> They paved it but it's blown up. Yeah. It's and I'll vouch for this. I'll agree with you because my daughter plays soccer there and it's like driving on the surface of the moon. Uh it's it's not good. And and also yeah I I I get it too when people are coming in and out. That's kind of another issue that >> mostly the driveway that you would say the driveway entering the parking lot doesn't allow for a lot of traffic. >> Right. Right. It is kind of narrow there and so it gets kind of jammed up so people kind of like park temporarily on the street which you're right it's a wide street but um it it and it's you know it's one of those things where a lot of people are coming at the same time to pick up their kids and and drop them off or pick them up. So, uh, that that's a problem you could have at any business, uh, that has acti a lot of activity at a specific time of of the day or or evening. Um, so I'm not sure what the city can do to that, but I I agree it's it's it's an issue for me as well. So, I I I get it. Um, yeah, I don't know. As far as like the width of that driveway, is it compliant? I I don't know. um >> that I'm not certain. Um >> you can barely get like two cars in and out at the same time. >> Skinny >> and it's and and you're turning as you're going in and then turning again. So it kind of like widens it uh you know widens the the lane you need to get in and out. >> I'm not sure whether and where code would dictate the width of the driveway for that private property. Um, it sounds like the area that is the most concern isn't actually the road, but is the driveway that causes problems on the road. Would you say that's probably right? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. So, I mean, I do think we know, Mayor Ryer had called this to my attention that it looks like the soccer club's going to be doing some fundraising to try to do some parking lot improvements. They did do kind of a pave of an area, but without the drainage improvements that need needed to happen there before paving. M >> so yes, the pavement that they laid is blowing up. Um it would probably be a good time to share with them that um you know, we've had some feedback that that driveway could be um maybe relooked at um because we don't want to, you know, although it's not our property, we can certainly pass on to them that we've received a concern that there's been a bit of a safety issue and if they have anything in mind for reconfiguring the entry point in the future. >> It may be a a kind of a flow pattern for drop off or something like a big >> loop that cars can go through because it could they get kind of stuck if you go in there. Is there like a loop pattern? >> Well, if you go way around into the bigger parking area. Yeah. In fact, they kind of do that. Uh people some people do anyway to sort of loop around, but >> um >> it's not really the cities. Um, >> what I was going to say was Jenn J, we we do have a city ordinance for having to pave a parking lot like that, right? >> To pave. Yes. >> Yeah. So, so, so the city can tell them you have to pave your parking lot and >> we can't tell them, you know, how they should manage traffic within their property, but we can make suggestions based on this kind of feedback. >> Exactly. And and I have I have certainly done that times before. Um, we did actually require that they pave the lot. Of course, they paved the lot uh under prior ownership. The club didn't do that. It was former ownership and it didn't turn out exactly as we'd hoped. We're hoping it'll be a little better this time around. But if they are exploring doing something with the lot, this would be a good time to share any concerns with them and let them know that there's an issue. Sometimes when you're inside watching people come and go, >> you're not necessarily looking out the window to see where the crunch or the bad spot is. And until someone actually raises that point of concern with them directly, that's what you need to call it to their attention. So we'd be glad to share that, I think, for you. >> Great. And vice vice versa, the way the city finds out about a lot of issues is people just like yourself coming in front of us and saying, "Hey, were you aware of this?" So >> Mhm. Mhm. >> And that street, it's not even striped for parking. There's no >> I don't think so. >> Great. Well, thank you, Jacob. That was informative. Good, good question. So, does that help answer it at least? >> Oh, yeah. That's pretty good. Does it get you your badge? >> Great. Great. Does your troop have any requirements for like chainsaw use and falling trees or anything like that? >> Yeah. >> 100 opportunities. We were talking about that earlier. All the trees we need to cut down. Yes. >> Great. Well, thanks for joining us. You're you're welcome to stick around if you want. We're going to talk about sewer sewer pipe cleaning a little bit. Oh, yes. >> So, my name is Tim Uker. I'm one of the assistant scout masters for troop 206, which is the Long Lake Troop. And I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your time with the with the scouts who are working on their citizenship and the community merit badge. And part of this is to learn about how the local level of government works. Uh to to become an Eagle Scout, you have to learn you have to earn citizenship in the community, nation, and world. Well, and society. There's there's four citizenship merit badges, but they are learning about the local level of government uh with this merit badge. So, thank you for your time tonight. >> Great. Thank you, Tim. >> Yeah. All right. Anybody else? Okay, with that and no emailed correspondence, I take it. >> All right. With that, we'll move on to item seven. Uh regular business. Specifically, we'll start with 7A, review of Buckhorn Days 2025 L uh by L Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Former Mayor Schneider, welcome. Thank you, Mayor, Council, Staff. Uh just a very brief review of the Buckhorn days that occurred back uh couple weeks ago, the 12th of July. Uh first from a chambers's perspective, we want to really thank all of you. Uh Director Dirks, uh integral in pulling it off. Uh also on the admin side, uh certainly Janette, Amanda, Scott as well. Uh again, could not thank you enough for all the help uh that we had in coordination, logistics. As you know from when I was here before the event, we uh added a new feature, a couple of features. Uh specifically, the fire department reached out to us and wanted to blend in their Hot Run 5K, which we did, and there were a few, you know, minor logistical uh you know, issues, but they have indicated again they had a great experience and would want to do it again going into next year. So, that was good. Uh we had I think seven musical acts. We probably are going to cut back a little bit on that. Got a little crowded there. Um and then of course we had the Midwest Allstar Wrestling uh many of you were there experiencing it. Janette husband Mark as well. Um and uh that I think for all of you who were there uh uh realized for families, for children, for everyone there, it was uh you know their their brand as it were is just uh so well suited for a town festival like the one we had. So good stuff there. I'll give you a little advanced warning or those of you who may still be on the council in 2027. Uh we're in uh preliminary uh but advanced shall we say talks with uh the circus to come into town. Co Pepper and Merryweather if you want to take a look online. Uh they uh are in our region this year. Two years they'll be in. So we'll give you Sean plenty of advance. Notice we need a little bigger space. We're already uh we're already thinking it through. Um, interestingly enough, uh, I first saw the circus, this circus in, uh, Independence, uh, Pioneer Park many, many, many years ago. So, it's the same group. They're still around. Again, very family, uh, friendly and involved. So, uh, good news on Buckhorn Days. All of you that were there, we had a beautiful day. We'd had no uh issues, but again, I thank everyone on the city level for the interaction with Weisetta PD uh with all the logistical things that we needed uh uh exceptionally uh helpful. Sunday morning when we were there cleaning up, uh Sean correct me on the name of Noah. >> Yep. >> Noah was there early in the morning uh with the tool cat. So instead of us having to haul the big sacks of trash to public works in the back of the pickup, we were able to load him up and he took it. So I mean just again uh so grateful so grateful for all the help. Um on to uh just very briefly uh coming up and again I've invited the scouts because I know they in the past have participated in this but we've got the uh corndays parade coming up this Saturday. Still time to register. So, just give me a call. We've got always We're very welcoming, plenty of room. Uh, as I say, the tent is big and so, uh, a little change. The route is going to be the same as always. You're familiar with it. However, the start time is 1 hour earlier, 11:00 a.m. So, we'll begin our staging at 10:00 a.m. and um Director Dirks, I'll reach out to you just to do the final coordination. Again, every year very, very helpful with that. Um so, good news is we've got uh not only the Long Lake Council there, it's going to be very warm. So, again, I'd say uh skip the chocolate candy cuz that might melt. go with the hard candy. Um, but we also have some new businesses coming. Tala is going to be in the parade. Uh, the mobile sauna is going to be in the parade and I've been after this group for a long time, but Mox Cycling is going to be in the parade as well. I've been uh, you know, as you know, I I keep grinding away and finally uh, you know, we we got some >> caved in >> additional additional participants. So, good stuff. And and again, I'll I'll just uh echo what I hear from all the members on the chamber and the board of the chamber is really thank you. Uh number one, but number two, you know, our mission, it's really clear we as a community, as a chamber want to continue to foster the environment that we have. And so when you think about uh other communities where our neighbors and our community, you know, we see uh Long Lake Vet expanding, right? Uh we see multiple restaurants in our uh area of service expanding or opening up. Um those are the kind of things that I think when we all step back, not only as uh leaders of the community, but as citizens, we we value. It's so nice to be able to uh you know take your dog or your cat uh to get help or go to the hardware store and that's it's not an automatic thing. So everything that all of you do I think in fostering that environment is uh so important and we as the chamber just try to really uh help accentuate that. So uh I know you'll all be there on uh Saturday so we'll look forward to that and don't forget the early start time. So very good. Thank you again uh very much. >> Thank you Marty. Thank you for all the work you put into both of these events. You know it's incredible amount of work as mentioned a great group effort and u also many thanks to the city. Now I should get your agenda back on here. >> I don't want to run away with that. And uh uh and the and the yeah somebody runs that 5k every year. I really like that new format. I heard a lot of good feedback about that as well. The red hot run and having that end up >> Yeah. I think I think we again have to do a little finetuning on some of the start and finish and with the vendors coming in for the main festival, but uh I think the uh the recipe is uh is good is good. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you again. >> Thank you. All right. With that, we'll move on to item 7B, 2025, cleaning and televising of sanitary sewer districts 2, three, and five. And we did talk about this topic a fair amount during our work session as well. Just thought we could kind of um wrap uh wrap up any loose ends that we need to and if certainly open for any presentation you want to give as well. Sean, >> do you want to play that video? >> Sure. >> Please. We got a video. Okay, good. >> The sewer. >> You guys will like this. >> You're going to learn a lot about sewers, sewer systems tonight. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Council, before you tonight, um is a result of discussions that uh the council had last council meeting on expressing some uh interest in uh cleaning and televising the rest of the city, which is encompassing district uh 2, three, and five. Um we did district number one back in first part of June. or maybe it was April, May, May. And um so now we're upon the uh decision of the council, we're looking at finishing up the entire city. As you can see in this video, this is a portion of a manhole that is leaking and dripping into the the main invert or sewer pipe at the bottom of the manhole and it's carrying it on up into treatment. You can see roots, you can see grease. It's actually very old. So, this is to be expected. And we're in the process of trying to shore this up and clean it up to where we don't get any excess groundwater coming inside the system. >> Sean, there was So, there was no uh surface water at the manhole cover. In this in this case, it was >> all the the lids are sealed tight with a rubber seal. >> Yeah. But uh the man holes they sit in sections and they leak in between the joints and that's where you're seeing as a result of that is constant pressure pushing against that infrastructure uh water pressure and eventually it'll fail. >> Would you like another example? >> I'm good. If everybody else is good, here's another example. I can talk about this all night. So this is a different part of a sewer line. This is to where they've already cleaned it. You can see the the swirl marks of the jetting on the sides of the pipe where it's left the dirt behind and the white stuff is actually PVC pipe. So, it's cleaned all the dirt and debris off and now we're seeing sections here. >> Want to back that up just a little bit. This is where our service line is coming into our main. The service line is the line that's coming from the house. And when it transitions, it always tries to leak right here. And as you can see, it's very evident that it's leaking as as it's customary in a lot of those connections. >> Those eight 8 in lines from the house, >> four >> four >> four and six 8 in mains. But you can see it. Not only is it running down the pipe, but you can also see where it's got a little bit of a intrusion coming in from the outside source. So the next video I think shows how one of the ways that we can remedy that. It's called pipelining. And this particular pipelining is >> is uh of a residential service line and not a main. >> Not. Here we go. Apologies, Sean. I had just closed that video apparently. >> Way better than I can do it. >> You can see how organized we were we are drives here. Here we go. >> Yeah. This is a post liner inspect on Lake. Starting at the city main pulling back to the final cleanout in the garage. So you're looking at the main right there and they're pulling it back towards the house and they're inspecting this whole new surface is called the liner which they put inside the pipe and they put air to it. It expands up against the sides of the white or the the pipe and then they use steam to cure it. It's like a flexible fiberglass pipe until it gets heat to it and then it cures in place. It's very very common in the last 20 years to use this practice. However, there are practices that are equally if not better as far as integrity without having to utilize the host pipe. As you can see, there's no joints. It's all one continuous piece. Um, kind of like what we do on new suit or water manes is where we try to eliminate any joints we can to uh >> do you know if this was done in clay pipe or other >> I would say it's clay pipe cuz it was in an older part of town and it was done a couple weeks ago. So yes, >> where was this? This was >> I'm not remembering exactly where it was. >> This was here in our city. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Had a private residence on the east end. >> Oh. Oh. Oh yeah. Yeah. >> Service line coming in. Yeah, I I'm sorry. So, with that being said, and we've watched a little bit of videos, the C or the council asked me or asked staff to see what it would cost to jet and televise the rest of the city, which encompasses sanitary sewer districts 2, three, and five and see if we can't uh present this tonight and get approval so we can get this all inspected and cleaned and develop and see if we got any more issues that lie within in the pipes underneath the ground that we can't see that haven't been viewed in a very long time and to see if we can come up some kind of master plan here to move forward and see if we can't uh correct some of our issues. So, with that being said, um staff has recommend the following for considering of a motion to approve uh the 25 2025 sanitary sewer cleaning of districts 2, three, and five and an awarded to Hydro Clean LLC of De Moines's Iowa at the anticipated cost of 1772,95629 with the Cav Cave caveat that uh HydroClean has a local office located in Maple Grove. So, we're not sending everything to Iowa. So, we're looking for that uh motion tonight. Please. >> So, is there How long can when um can they get it done because I know >> I talked to Hydro Clean Thursday and probably two to three weeks before they can get in here. >> Okay. >> Which I thought. >> Yeah. pretty quick. >> Large enough project with this kind of money, they'll make things happen. >> Okay. Again, we talked about this quite a bit during work session. Any other questions? Oh, for >> did Sean >> did you find and I didn't read through all of the um provisions and understandings for each of the bids, but were they were the um uh assumptions uh or um planned uh activities comparable between like hydro clean to pipe services for example? They're all apples to apples once we sat down and got it all sorted out because we did have some conflicting bids earlier in the week that uh Okay, that's not what we're looking for. So, retry it. Now, we're all on the same page. >> Okay. >> And was there about 41,000 linear feet total? So, out of all of them, >> was there some mention by the other bidder um regarding his availability or their a >> They were the same. >> Okay. Okay. Cuz they were here before and they really like working in Long Lake. So, I suppose it's close to their staff's homes and >> they're not running all over. So, the last time they were here, they pipe services. They did a wonderful job and they were happy to be here. So, >> so the but their bid was a little bit higher than the other bid >> and their bid was higher last time, too. >> 7,000. Their communication was poor and we had some questions that were not answered by the time the council meeting. So, we awarded it to the next bidder. >> They couldn't get back to us. >> So, you feel comfortable going? >> We've used this company in district one four or five years ago. So, yes. >> Okay. So, I can make a motion. >> That'd be terrific. >> Okay. Um I have to kind of flip. Um, I'll make a motion to uh approve a 2025 sanitary sewer cleaning and televising project for sanitary sewer districts 23 and 5 to Hydro Clean LLC of De Mo Iowa at an anticipated cost of 729 $956,00029. >> Okay, I'll second that. >> All right. Thank you. A motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Amanda, where did we say we were going to pay this from? >> I verify the numbers. And this is going to come from um additional revenue that we had received so far in in the sewer fund. And I was hoping to to help continue to try to build up that fund, but we will instead use it to try to build up our >> Okay. >> So, yes, we come off the road access. >> All right. Thanks. And ultimately this is an effort to maybe you said this already sorry. Um we're trying to uh ultimately reduce our costs to the Met Council because of all the INI which is in infiltration and what intrusion and infiltration >> right >> um because we pay a lot of extra money because there's extra water going to their sewage treatment facilities. Um and we have to pay for that. And so if we can line all our sewer lines or take care of the ones that are really bad especially uh that will help to re ultimately reduce our our sewer costs and and that will then be um you know everyone will benefit from that. So >> and this will be helpful in terms of going forward when we're trying to look for a way to um get grant money to >> Right. Yeah. >> to um >> it develops the scope of our project is basically what it does. Yeah. Just because it seems like to Amanda's point, um I know we talked about this in the work session. If we just did the whole thing, assuming that it's all bad, >> we just jet and cut the price in half of this. >> Yeah, >> cuz they gave us a price just to teleise and it was 35,000. >> Well, if we're going to just televise, we need to jet and make sure it's clean before we televise. So, we make sure we see everything. So, yeah, >> one goes in with the other. By the way, when they line, do they rejet it before they line it again? >> Yep. It has to be clean. >> Clean as possible. >> Yeah, makes sense. >> That does. >> And you said they seal off the house connections >> for There's got to be >> When they did the line up by your house, oh, three, four, five years ago, whenever it was, they did in the middle of January. >> Fun. >> She was steaming out everywhere. So, that one really deep, too. like deep deep deep. >> Yeah. Okay. How do they how do they make that when they finally connect it again to break that seal? Is it just some tool that goes down >> to cut it out? >> Yeah. >> And it creates a flange like around the um the opening a little bit of a >> That does it it aderes to the host pipe. That's what it does. See, we learned a lot that we none of us ever knew anything about sewers or uh >> I don't know if it's good or bad. >> I Yes. Yes. That's that's the exciting role of local government is. >> All right. >> Especially if you get uh to the point where that's all you want to talk about >> because my big thing is skip this skip this step but then we wouldn't have the data to kind of go to um >> for the grand going to do the whole thing. Man. >> Yeah, that's what I mean. >> Because we're going to do it all. >> Yeah. >> All right. We had a motion in a second. >> But they televise before they uh before they clean it. >> No, they televise after they clean it. >> But don't we want to see how bad the roots are and all of that stuff. >> See the holes. We don't care about the roots. We want to see the holes. >> Okay. >> Cuz the roots are coming out of the holes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Sorry I interrupted. No, it's any last questions. All right. Uh, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thanks. >> Thanks for your work, Sean. And don't go too far. I think got item on the agenda here. Okay. Okay. Item 7 C. You working amending city code chapter 16 environment article 4 trees to update tree management standards and regulations. Janette, did you want to kick this one off or >> Thank you, mayor. um our existing tree code um within our as code the article we have now doesn't recognize other pathogens and infestations and primarily focuses just about entirely I would say on elm Dutch elm disease with a hint or two of oak wells in there um but um what you know we now have the much more current terminology that's been in certainly back to 2006 of a shade tree pest. Um there's actually a statute that defines a shade tree pest as any vertebrae or invertebrate animal plant pathogen or plant that's determined to be harmful, injurious or destructive to shade trees or community forests. So that's a much more broad definition intended to address things like emerald ashbor disease and all of these things under one banner. So, I think we uh have been feeling strongly, and this was on our goals list for some time, that we needed to update our code to be more reflective of um the current standard and to accommodate for um any of those hazardous conditions that can happen to trees out there. So, I have before you a very rough working draft. And uh just to identify how much it's working, I uh have even made more edits since what you saw because I'm kind of continuing to go back through it. So the intent of course is to incorporate that shade tree pest standard. Um, but also to be inclusive, we have tree preservation plan requirements in our city zoning code. And here and there it mentions in our existing code a tree preservation plan, but there's no cross reference that says where that information can be found, nor is there any inclusion of it. So, um, my working draft actually includes the language, uh, from the zoning code for tree preservation plan that would be pertinent and puts it all in one place. So, there's not a lot of cross referencing that also would make it easier for us as a staff, you know, as we're using this ordinance and working with um, applicants and developers. So, um, we also wanted to better establish our authority for inspections and abatement of nuisances. One thing we're trying to do when we're dealing with any kind of um nuisance tree abatement situations or any nuisance abatement really is make sure that we have a statement in there that well statements that identify the duties of our staff, but also a statement that um sets forth and protects our staff um and and their right of entry to a property to review, you know, the potential conditions of a nuisance and make a determination. We also needed to better clarify. I I think it can be confusing out there, but it's actually state statute that governs tree disputes between private property owners. It the city doesn't have an enforcement role in those situations. And so in writing the code, I wanted to be sure that we included a little language about that. um not to you know belabor the point but to um make that make that information accessible for residents who are looking in our code um so that they understand that that's more of a civil matter um and and also to you know clear expectations of you know the forester and city planner who have a role in all things trees in our community. So um this is very much a working draft. I have not yet put it in front of our city attorney for his review. Sean and I haven't really sat down and gone through it either, >> but uh I I I feel fairly confident that it's better than where we're sitting right now, and that's a good start. >> Since the draft that I um put in front of you, I've already made a few um edits in the ordinance. There's a section on placement and care of trees and a subdivision A under placement. I had Size, variety, and spacing must be approved in advance by the forester or city planner. I added size, variety, spacing, and location. Um, and what this addresses is trees in rightway or city- owned property. So, want to make sure that it's out there that the city has the authority to prove approve the location of any trees that would be installed in right away. Really, I don't think that there would be, but I I think we need to allow for the possibility and and be sure that that's subject to staff approval. Another thing that I discovered as I've been going through this and reviewing it is we actually have um I I recalled a code enforcement incident we had years ago with clear cutting at that occurred at a Lakeshore zoning district property and I went back into the zoning code, found um the provisions. There actually are provisions in Lakeshore zoning districts that state that clear cutting is prohibited and you know kind of goes through that a little bit further. So I >> Yeah, but it it doesn't define it though. What is clear cutting, right? >> Yeah. And uh that's another thing that's going to be >> Mhm. Yep. >> So, um you're absolutely right that that needs to be better defined and it is on my list of bullet points. Like I said, this this not only needs to go to our city attorney, but I'm going to send it to Hannah as well for the trade preservation and code enforcement side of things. and Sean and I will also go through it, but Sean's a busy guy and I didn't want to waste his time until I knew we had a better product um closer in hand. So, yes, definition of clear cutting is one of my questions um because that's not defined anywhere currently in code. Uh the other thing that caught my eye is when we were talking about tree preservation policy and the things that are technically um exempt from a tree preservation plan. That's usually minor home additions or general home improvements and construction of accessory buildings. But following the theme of what is clear cutting, uh my question was what is a minor home addition? So I have here a note for myself in parenthesis less than blank square feet. So um trying to keep reviewing this every couple of days with some fresh eyes. I wasn't looking for any action this evening. only um you know if you have feedback if there's anything that jumps out at you as a question whether now or after the meeting um I would love to hear it because this is a working document but my goal is to be able to notice this and have this on an agenda soon. >> Can I ask you a question? So you have acceptable plants and you have prohibited plants. Um why have both happens if it's not on either list? What is it? So if you just have if you have certain plants that are prohibited, could we just have prohibited plants as opposed to what's acceptable? Because what's happens if it's not prohibited? It's not acceptable. Can you plant it? >> For clarification, the accepted plants are actually accepted plant types. >> Okay, >> we do allow ornamental trees, but there are certain ones that >> okay, >> would not be. Um, we do allow deciduous trees. I don't think there's any deciduous trees that are actually prohibited. you know, we do allow shrubs, but there may be certain shrubs. Um, >> so every single plant that you could ever have is going to be in the category of what's allowed >> except for then you have to look at that it's prohibited. >> Let me just take a read here quick. So, the acceptable plant types for public and private property and this just taking over here. Okay. Um, minimum size requirements. All trees and shrubs used for new plantings or as replacement trees shall conform to the following minimum sizes. So, what that's really just talking about is sizes and acceptable plant types. The citrus trees 3-in caliber. Ornamental trees 1 and 1/2 in caliber. Bald and burlap. Coniferous trees 6 feet in height. >> What if happens if you just get little ones and you plant them by seed? >> Exactly. That that is a good question. >> Well, this should be for what they're required to have as a minimum number of trees on their lot if they wanted to plant in addition to that some little saplings or whatever. I mean, they they can do nobody's going to stop from doing that, but this is to meet the minimum requirement >> for the planting plant. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Right. >> Oh, for as a replacement tree shall conform. Correct. But a new planting, it says this for a new planting. >> All trees and shrubs used for new plantings. newer as replacement trees and I think that's leaning towards new development but I can look at that for some clarifying >> just because uh >> but again the new plantings for to meet the minimum requirement >> correct but that's >> not because you want to go out in your backyard and you want to plant a you know plant an apple tree that's a foot tall you can do that right it's >> right >> as long as it isn't in rightway >> exactly >> hey speaking of rightaways >> um and we do um Hannah was very helpful um a couple months ago, she shared with me a resource that another city had put together that was actually really kind of nice and they'd worked with um a forester an agriculturist I think on it and put together a um recommended tree list that listed um varieties of trees um their zones and and you know hardiness etc. And so we actually do have that now and have put it to use. I may have sort of snagged it, reformatted it, and placed our logo on it. Um, but >> put it on the website. >> It is on the website. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I do believe I put it up on the website um along somewhere in the building permit stuff. But yeah, we have been putting it to use actually, especially as we've issued building permits for new homes. Um, so the 905 was at a boulevard new single family home. When they received that permit, they also received attached to the planning and engineering review memo a copy of the recommended tree list. So, yeah, it's >> is that the property up by the the loose line bridge? >> Yes. >> But they have a lot of trees on that lot, don't they? >> Yes, they do. Yeah. And that that's really intended for tree preservation and replanting um because they will be doing some landscaping there, you know, after the house goes in. So anyway, this is yes rough draft rough draft the placement and care of trees in terms of um you're talking >> no on the rightway um sort of no plant shall plant remove cut above the ground disturb or attach any contrivance >> um to any street etc without obtaining the approval. Yeah. >> So, if they were to cut down their trees that are not looking so good, they still need approval >> if it's on public property. Yes. >> Okay. So, they need to anything they do in that right away, they need approval cuz >> that is why we need to visit a little bit with our city attorney on >> Okay. >> Right away, but technically, yes, they shouldn't be removing or putting anything in the ground um in right away, I believe, um without our approval to do so as a city. So, um, >> how big is a rideway? >> It changes depends >> on each road. >> Can range from 55 ft to 300 ft. Depends on the road. >> So, it it depends on where stuff is buried. >> That size and the amount of traffic that runs down the road. Uh residential streets usually 33 feet wide usually, but the rightway that's just the street part and the rightway is 20 ft either side of that. So >> measured from the center of the street, >> correct? Well, you can build a road on the edge of a rideway and still be in the rideway and have the whole road there and not take up the whole rideway, right? >> Cuz they can shift it because the rideway is bigger than the road. They can be shifted within that rideway to fit. That's what we did up on Lindlewood this go around because we had to shift it a bit to make that curve a little bit more humanely possible and put in a manhole that was laying on the outside of the street. Now we got that in the street and we cleaned that up too. So, um, like I said, it rightway is varied. >> When you take the when you reroute the street, is that does that become a a a um it's not a easement anymore. You've eminent domain that part of the >> We're not rerouting it. We're just tweaking it. >> Okay. >> We're just shifting it a bit to make it fit better in the in the rightway. We're not rerouting it. >> Okay. But you if you kind of the rightway is the easement as opposed to >> still within there. >> Clearly within it. >> Okay. No, I was just curious what the difference between the easement is and when it becomes an eminent domain issue. >> Well, the easement and a rightaway are different. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> An easement is what's something that the city has purchased to put in private property like a sewer line or a water line that's running in somebody's backyard. They purchased a part of that private property to have the ability to put this infrastructure in at a price that's agreed by the private property owner. Rideway is a street that's usually given to the city when a subdivision is built for the roads and the streets and the utilities. Easements are in addition to that rightway. So there is a difference between easements and rightaways. >> Yeah. an easement. Um, typically when we're, you know, platting subdivisions of any kind, um, easements are dedicated along lot lines. So, it actually falls on five feet on either side of a lot line. So, you essentially have 10 ft in the middle there straddling the lot line so that a city employee if they need to get in there, they could do that. >> And that's every lot line, right? >> Yes. Okay. All right. That's >> we've run into occasional um hiccups on that where >> people have wanted to >> old old subdivisions but >> well and they've also used wanted to use public or easements for private utilities >> and we don't allow that either. >> So you can't put a private utility on a city easement. >> Correct. >> Even like me like Mediacom or Central Inc. or that kind of thing. That's >> or a resident who has a home that bought another home to utilize that easement to feed the other home that he's building. Been down that road, too. >> So, what's going on right now? So, I'm trying to expand on this more. Yeah, I know. >> Um like the who's coming through the media. >> Midco. So, Midco is utilizing those easements to run their lines. >> They're trying to stay in the rightway as much as they can, >> right? Cuz there's some issues around. Seems like my neighborhood has issues like that >> to uh follow. So there's no other route. >> All right. >> And these Westshore town homes back behind Zago, we had to let them go through the easement there cuz there's no rightway unless they go all the way around up through Oro back feed at the back way. Just easier to go through the easement and be done with it. Now, if for example, cuz I think this is going to come up, especially with one of our absent council members, but uh when they want to run lines down a private area like this that's coming in, can they go and obtain from those homeowners permission to do that? And what does that look like? >> I'm not sure how that washes out, Todd. >> Okay. >> Usually, if they're going into private property is just to serve that particular property. There's no trunk lines or anything >> because that's where this is coming back and it's down Mike Street right there. There's three homes and they're going to want it. And talking to the Midco people, they were like, "No, we can't do it." >> Yeah. >> And I'm like, "Oh, so there's going to be a whole bunch of private streets that aren't going to have >> really." Yeah. Well, is is there um any easement on a driveway that goes >> So that's I was talking to one of their supervising guys and he said that if every Don't quote me, but if if the the residents of that private drive agree to grant an easement to whoever that is, they can do that and then they'll go down. But they won't provide that service until they >> whole area under Hill Circle which is private, they're not going to be allowed to go. >> They are not going down there at all. >> And my neighbor on the right side is because of the size of their easement. They're not going to come to them either because they don't have the the little 10 foot by or 10 in x 10 in box that drops in the ground. They don't have enough room to put that in. I get one. But yeah, it's >> Could you get an easement through your property? >> We've already got water and sewer line easements through there. >> Yeah, >> they feed your house. They feed uh Feldman's house. They feed uh Jane Davidson's house. They feed all them houses back there. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, it's surprising that they're not wanting to get on those. >> Yeah. I don't know. >> So, to circle back to trees, right? >> Sorry. That's right. >> I just thought I'd wrap up this little chapter. Anyway, um again, very much a working draft, so I just wanted to put this in front of you, say it's a work in progress. Um if you have the opportunity at home to give this a deep read and maybe send me any notes or questions you have or give me a call, um I'd be happy to talk those through with you. Um, I we're looking for something better and uh more inclusive of what we could encounter in the future. Uh, back when we were when we had a code that dealt with Dutch Ellen disease, nobody knew about the emerald dashboard. So, we're trying to >> modernize it. >> We're we're trying to be a little more broad um and also a little more current to operations. Um, and uh I I hope we put together a great working document here. What's a hazardous tree, infested tree, etc. Because I looked at this and it s seemed kind of um let's just say >> hazardous trees are, let's see, well, they're going to be diseased trees. Um anything that has been infected by shade tree pests um >> because they only get not >> essentially the the determination of a hazardous tree is actually made by the forester. Um, so, >> so is the forester going to go out and because I'm pretty sure that is this going to be um there's probably I don't know how many hazardous trees in the city right now. Are they gonna kind of >> what? >> There's a lot. >> Yeah. This doesn't mean that the forester is going out every day and looking at trees. No. >> What this means is that the forester has the authority to determine a hazardous tree exists subject to certain criteria. So if if we receive a complaint about a tree and someone says, "I really feel like this is a hazardous tree, like this represents a public safety danger. Can you have someone come out and look at it?" Now Sean, as our appointed forester would have both right of entry to inspect and take a look at it and be uh the authority to determine a hazardous tree, which our code already does allow for that. uh pretty much every code allows for your forester to determine a hazardous tree. It's just that rather than declaring a hazardous tree due to basically Dutch elm or oak wilt, now we can declare a hazardous tree um more appropriately and more inconsistency with statute. >> So it's complaint based because it just seems um >> every single time. >> Okay. >> Yep. I mean honestly truth is council member quali there there are throughout code there are provisions about you know what this position does and what that position does and what this position does and that doesn't mean that they're doing it every day. It means that it lies within their authority to do so and and so um this is not a new provision. What's new about it is treating it as shade tree pests, incorporating some statutory references, and just being much more current language. >> So, you didn't include the previous statute. Is that because or ordinance because it was so um like it wasn't >> I do have some of the existing code in here. >> Okay. You didn't redline it. That >> I I I did not bother to redline it because I very substantially started over. >> It's pretty much specific to a specific disease tree. >> Yes. Okay. >> Really really is I of let's say it's five pages long and of the five pages I think three pages are about del disease. >> Correct. >> So um and and that has been an issue for us at times when we've received calls about trees uh because >> couldn't do anything about it. >> Our ordinance is not as broad as it should be and I think we need to do better there. >> All right. Well thanks for your efforts on that so far Janette. I think it's looking really good and looks like got some ideas on on making it even better. >> Yes. Thank you so much. >> Sean's going to give a review as well. Our forester. All right. Other duties is assigned. >> Hopefully we can come to an decision here that makes everybody happy. >> Right. Right. Yeah. We talked about our work session. Just for those watching home, we are aware that um we've been getting some complaints about trees that are um have died due to emerald ashbor that are in city parks and on their rightways. And um if we we are looking into how best to address those and prioritize those. Every city is dealing with this right now. Some cities would go, you know, bankrupt if they if they took down every tree because there's just so many trees out there that need to be taken down. So we need to do it thoughtfully and figure out the best course of action. And we talked about that during a lot during our work session. So >> 30 years ago was it was a u >> emerald ash was the Dutch almond or 80s it was probably Dutch almond. Now it's emerald ashbor unfortunately. Right. >> All right with that then we will move on to item 7D fire department transition and future fire service news and updates. usually have the center agenda each meeting. Um from my perspective, uh things are continue to go well with our discussions with ORO and creating our jointly joint powers agreement fire department. Council member Davik and I met with our peers on the oral council um a couple of weeks ago now and had a really good discussion with them, Mayor Tunahim and Council Member Persian. We had not uh met with them for probably a couple of months because at the staff level they've been working on um draft uh perfecting drafts of the joint powers agreement and now lease agreement. So we had really good discussion about that. I know we've given our most recent draft back to our city of orno peers late last week. So they'll look it over and get back to us here hopefully in the near future. And um I think our you know kind of a target right now I met with council member Persian over the weekend was just to try to maybe see where if we can get something done in early September. You know that's a month away that'll come up quick I'm sure. But we'll continue to to plug away at that. So some prog continues to be progress there. I know there's some little budget figures going around with far as just um the you know new rebranding essentially that would that'll be needed with um if there's a if there's a new name and and new equipment that would need to be standardized and things like that. So working on some budget issues with that and what that might cost to uh to do some uh equipment upgrades there and uniform upgrades and things like that as well as the 2026 budget. I know staff is working on that as well and some ideas there and some staffing um staffing plan concepts and that sort of thing. So those are some updates from me. Anybody else has any welcome those. I'll just add that I think we're close um to signing a JPA joint powers agreement with Orno and um we're just try I think both sides are trying to be careful to try to make uh uh this very difficult to leave because we both both cities want to be committed to this um for just not only now but for the future. And so, um, we're trying to to draft it that way, uh, so that, um, yeah, so that we'll have a future, uh, joint powers agreement going forward and and ultimately a fire district, uh, to include other communities as well. So, um, uh, that's that's what we're we're trying to do. >> Yeah, I agree in all accounts. Great. Right. And then I know there's a article in the Laker Pioneer last week as well or over the weekend about uh Maple Plane Fire Department and West Suburban Fire Department getting very um close to uh consolidation as well. That looks like it would would take effect on January 1st, 2026. >> Wow. >> So there's great movement progress out in Independence and uh areas out there and that's very promising as well. So, it seems to be the wave of the future, this consolid fire consolidation stuff from what I'm hearing. >> So, it seems like they had some um kind of issues in terms of uh financing between when they originally were talking West Suburban and Maple Plane. How did they work that out? >> Right. I think we'll see with the pension the pensions plan and um I I don't know the ins and outs but I know they're out there looking at migrating to PAR Minnesota run plan public employees retirement association and and there'll be some some way to kind of sort of cost savings related to that. Yeah, seems seems promising. >> So if you're on par do you have to be could you be a volunteer? Could does that apply to volunteers or >> Yeah, be on call. Okay, >> cool. >> Okay. >> Is that something we're thinking about? >> I think that is uh something that we want to encourage uh that we're going to be looking at and see if that's a good fit for our situation, right? Kind of it's managed by the state then. The state has a state board of investment that that manages the funds as opposed to more at the local level and a lot of good benefits to it. So, I think some portability too as far as wanting to switch departments and that sort of thing. That's good. >> Yeah. >> Or not good. >> Right. >> Depending. >> Depending. Yeah. >> All right. Anything else? Todd Scott? No. Okay. All right. With that, we're move on to item eight. Other business go around. Council member newcomer. >> Nothing for me. >> All right. Council member Dyk. >> Uh, nothing for me. >> All right. Um, nothing else. uh from me. >> Nothing for me. >> Oh, I'm good. >> I do have one thing that I probably should fill you guys in on. Um the LMCC has taken possession of their corner of the public works building, I guess would be to say. And they've committed to tearing the carpet out. out. They've torn all the wallpaper out, all the ceiling tiles, and they're skimm coating the walls. There hasn't been any activity for about a week. So, that's where we sit. >> Okay. >> So, there is progress, but it kind of stalled. So, I don't know if they're waiting on new items coming in to put in. I don't know. >> Kind of I think sort of it has to do with >> the timing. Yeah. of the closing and what's going on existing facility. >> Yep. >> I know they hit it hot and heavy that dumpsters there run things and all of a sudden it was crickets. So, >> all right. >> All right. Good update. Thank you. >> That's all I have. Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Janette. Anything else? >> Nothing. Thank you. >> All right, Amanda. >> Nothing. Thank you. >> All right, John. Anything else? I was waiting for it. >> So Mox is in the >> I could put Huh. >> Mox is in the >> apparently. That's what I hear. >> So you got the Mox float or the long >> console on the lake. >> All right, we're good to go. We got banners ready to go and the fire candy. >> So we'll have to get those on the truck and all of that. >> I'll call chief and make sure they get to them. >> Yeah. Or I can help with that, too. I'll go over there early. >> Okay. >> Going out tomorrow night. Is there a plan for that? Are we just meet uh fire station. Yeah. Meet at um about a quarter to five fire station. Quarter to five. >> Anybody else plan on joining going on the trucks for the national Scott? Right. >> I don't know. >> Um maybe I'll let you know. >> Okay. Anybody to post a quorum notice for that? I believe. Excellent. All right. So, that will be fun event. >> What time is it? um would meet at the fire station about 4:45 to head out from there trucks. Yeah. All right. If there is nothing else then I'll adjourn the meeting by general consent and then we'll talk about uh just the next meeting is going to be don't forget corn days this weekend on Saturday as Marty mentioned and then next council meeting Tuesday August 19th folks are we going to be around for that as far as we know checking right now. Well, you don't have to check now, I guess, but all right. Sounds sounds promising. Let's do a quorum. That's the main the main goal. So, all right. I I'll adjourn the meeting by general consent at 7:42