Oh, I bet. >> Okay. >> Well, that's probably true. Her body heats, too. >> Do we need the red light or not? >> Yes, we do need the red light. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mark. All right. Calling to order the December 16, 2025 meeting of the Long Lake City Council. Good evening. Council member Diver will be joining us in about 10 minutes late this evening. So, let's move on to item otherwise all council members are present. Let's move on to item number two, which is the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands nation indivisibley and for all. >> All right. Item two or I'm sorry three is mayor comments news meeting reviews and updates. Just so everyone knows, we did not just have a city council work session. Sometimes we have a work session beforehand, but there was no items to have on to discuss tonight as part of that. So, we're just getting started with our council meeting here. Otherwise, some events that have occurred since we last met on Friday, December 5th, we had a really great holiday treeing event at Hullberg Park. Um, good turnout. Weather was perfect this year. We had fresh snow on the ground and the the tree lit up and and everything. So, we had a really uh good showing from some supporters and we want to thank the Lone Lake Park Board for their planning the event and actually hosting the event. L Area Chamber of Commerce for some donate a donation. Gulf Race Hardware, Hotton Brothers Garden Center Landscaping, Orno Lion Club, Bj Bjornstead Planning and Development, and we even we even had a DJ that had there new this year, DJ Chime was was playing some festive holiday music, so that was great. We had a guest appearance from Mr. Mrs. Claus all the way from the North Pole. That was a hit, especially with the kids. And then we had some really good craft vendors this year. We had Kindred Bees Bakery and hats by Abby as well. It's a really really fun event uh different than years past. They're mixing up a bit, adding some new components to it. So, really thank you to staff and uh our public course director as well for getting the park ready for that. And then then the following day, we have the Long Lake Fire Department auxiliary food and toy drive at station one. That was another great event. a lot of nurses there that were assisting with the event from um a local nursing program. Santa was there as well and they collected food and toys as part of the food drive. So, the Wild Lake Fire Department auxiliary put that event on. We appreciate their efforts in that. Otherwise, um, as far as I've had a few meetings since last time, last meeting, but I guess one I'll just mention is the Northwest and League of Municipalities meeting last week that was, uh, we hosted all five of our legislators that represent the cities that are part of the that association. So, our own um, Representative Andrew Meyers and Senator Johnson Stewart were there and and we just got kind of a preview of what's going to be happening in the legislative session this year. and you know it sounds like still kind of a 5050 split amongst Democrats and Republicans. So they're not uh really expecting a whole lot of progress unfortunately but hope that they all had we're optimistically that wouldn't be the case. talked about the bonding bill that that we've always been a part of in recent years and there's you know renewed hope with that as as there always seems to be otherwise just uh we expect that the local that issue with planning and zoning and maybe having that uh control more at the state level than the local level is going to be back and there's a hope that there'll be more input from cities this time around so good good um event there otherwise Guys, that's um all the major things that occurred since last time we met. All right, so with that, we'll move on to item number five or four, I'm sorry, which is to approve this evening's agenda. So, do we want to add that 5G? >> Thank you. That would be under the consent agenda that will be, you know, you can address at either location. >> Okay. Well, um I'll make a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of 5D into the consent agenda. >> All right. Thank you. So, we'll start with item four there. Um motion to approve this evening's agenda. Um I'll second that. And any further discussion? All right. All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Item five, consent agenda. So items A through G now on the consent agenda that was added by council member Feldman and G being a resolution adopting the Minnesota paid family medical leave policies. >> Can we have a Can I pull that because I wouldn't mind hearing a little bit about it. It's 50% that the city has opted to pay and have we discussed that before. >> Okay. Well, >> we can we can absolutely discuss it. >> And then with the other 50% to be paid by the employees. >> Correct. >> Okay. in um okay 44% and44% >> the premium is the new tax is8 wages >> okay >> and the new law allows for cities to support that with personel contribution >> and because I know um this issue came up at the LMC and you handled it a little differently a little bit more favorable the the employees. >> So the employers covered more. Is that what you're saying? Yeah. >> Um that was an option that we we could have done. The employers could not have covered less. >> Okay. >> Um I think for the city of Long Lake, we will actually be getting a benefit in 2027 because we should be qualified as a small employer because there is a look back period. At that time we will have um much less employees. um given that the fire department will be moving over to shoreline and so at that time the city of long lake of course will go on quite a bit and I think if we were going to be looking at doing an allocation that would be a good opportunity. Okay. >> Um this here with a 44 when we looked at what it comes down to in dollars it's not going to have a massive impact and I was in a few of the training sessions most businesses will be doing the 50. Okay. Yep. As of right now, that's pretty common among >> you. That's nearly offset by the 3%. You know, we have a 3% pull out at 6%. >> Yes. And no. 44% of your 3%. >> Exactly. >> Okay. was sort of I think probably because of the would you say that sliding scales LMC is a very small employer and it was a very nominal amount that >> if the LMC didn't qualify if they if they were um reporting appropriately the last year and a half and they they would have received a letter then in October that their um portion as an employer would have actually been um I believe 22% and so they may have opted to cover more because they would have qualified as a small employer for 2026. >> Oh, okay. >> So, that might have >> it was a it was like a nominal number like >> correct. Yes, I do believe that for us when we um look forward, you would qualify for that in 2027. Okay. >> Given that there are no major changes within the law, um what you're seeing before you is our our attorney advises that we should probably have a policy on record effective for January 1st. That's why this was added last minute. I wasn't been thinking about having an official policy. This has been budgeted um and we are prepared for it starting in January. Um but did advis us that it would be appropriate to have a policy in effect and the policy is nothing um it's nothing unique. It's >> redis Yep. It was redised. It's we're using the state insurance policy and we we're using a recommended um split and then rate was determined by the state. >> Okay, now I understand. >> Yep, no problem. >> All right. And yeah, it's just a just a typo, but just for historical purposes, it's um 2026 listed as as the date of today's meetings. >> Oh, somebody was excited about the new year. >> I was 2026 meeting files today. That is >> he actually helped me. Yeah, he helped me prepare this because I was in another meeting and we had a John called us both and we were doing >> last minute. Yeah, kind of last minute. Thank you for for getting it processed so quickly. >> All right, any other questions? And then I see, you know, item F is u approve approve layoff of all uh save on Lake Fire Department personnel effective December 31st to facilitate transition to the service of the Shoreline Fire Department beginning on January 1st, 2026. And that's obviously more of a formality type thing. And I believe Sabo did something similar to the last meeting if I'm not mistaken. >> Correct. I did um I took an opportunity to attend one of the fire um training nights so that I could explain in person that this was going to be happening um prior to their letters being mailed to them. So there was no confusion. >> The letters have been sent and so this is just a motion for council to approved the layoff of all of our longtime >> since you person it was very well >> received you did I know we have to get them on the payroll that the board approved the fire board approved all the >> correct the fire board did approve the hiring of the list that was provided to them by the chief and so they are ready um for January 1st for the start date >> for the payroll um January 15th. Is it do they is it by monthly? >> No, they will be paid every two weeks. Um or their fiscal agent will be doing payroll. I believe their first payroll is already January 8th. So we are working very diligently to get that to get everyone set up so we can be ready for their first peril on January 8th. >> Well, you guys have done a lot. Yes, that was >> correct. >> Correct. Um, and just for a little clarity, we we are treating this more of a merger and so we had every firefighter sign every firefighter that was interested sign a rel so that their payroll and their employee files could be appropriately transferred to our line. So there was not the necessity to um redo background checks or any evaluation. >> So did you have the 100% cooperation on that or >> um I have three that were not that have not um signed at this point. I did reach out with them to them today to see if their intention is to Fire Department and just remind them that the Long Beach Fire Department would be enacted on December, December 31st. >> It's coming up. >> It is. >> It is. Yeah. All right. Any other questions or for staff on items on the consent agenda? >> All right. Um >> motion to approve the consent agenda. Oh, a second. You want to you want to add the G to that or we talked about it enough >> with A through G. >> You want Okay, I'll >> Yeah, you you >> I'm jumping in interrupted. >> Okay. I don't Nobody's made a motion to approve consent agenda. Correct. >> You did. >> I did. I'll make it a F unless you want >> No, G. >> You want G. Okay. >> G is this one. All right, G's been added. >> Mention it. >> Yeah. Enthusiasm. Great. All right. Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carries unanimously. All right. Item six, open correspondence. Anybody submitted open correspondence this evening? >> Nothing. Thank you. All right. So, on to regular business end 7A, resolution nominating Janet Schaffer to the Minihaha Creek Wershed District Board of Managers. >> Amanda, I'll I'll actually tackle the signs. I know I was in the emails. um former mayor and uh longtime oneway resident uh Janet Chaper had reached out to me a couple weeks ago to mention that she would be um pursuing a nomination for appointment to the Mihaha Creek wershed district board. If you weren't aware, she's been a member of the MCWD citizen advisory committee. Um she's also, you know, an active member of our local waters association. Um there are two incumbent MCW board members that are seeking reappoint for their position, but she just really has an active interest in putting putting her name um into the pool um for you know to potentially serve on the board. And as part of the process, um there's actually a watershed appointment law out outlined in statute that uh requires that the city um consider adoption of a resolution to nominate their candidacy for the board. So um seems for sure the let's see what is his title. >> Executive director, >> executive director or district supervisor or something of that nature. um he was kind enough to send along a model resolution um for us to work with which we have prepared. Um I I think we we've all had experience but Miss Schaefer um her experience in our local government, her professionalism over the years, her active involvement and commitment to water quality issues as well as to our community. Um I I I think you know we really have lots of reasons to support her intent for consideration to the board. It'd be lovely to have someone from Long Lake advocating a little bit for us and working with that. All right, I'll make it motion to adopt resolution number 2025 44 nominating Janet Scher to the new district board of managers. >> I'll second that. >> Nice motion in a second. And yeah, I spoke to Jan a couple weeks ago and definitely support her and this isive in in association and and knows a lot about our city and the water foundation. So fabulous. All right. All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Okay. Moving on to item 7B, adoption of 2026 city schedule. >> Again, >> yes, sir. Thank you. Um, this is one of those items that really could be on a consent agenda every year, but given that that it's adoption of an ordinance, uh, we really do prefer a separate motion. Um every year at the end of the year we are spending a little time reviewing all the fees um for goods and services um and you know permitting um provided by city and city or by the city and by city staff and we compare that with our neighboring cities see if there's anywhere where adjustments might be warranted. Um we also update the city schedule to be inclusive of the utility rates that were adopted back in November. Um, so that action is usually done before we get to this point. Sorry, I think I heard the live stream behind me. Um, after we uh reviewed this year, we have only minor adjustments to the schedule recommended. Um, one pretty much goes without saying that we do need to remove some of the uh fire department fees that were in the schedule, specifically uh your false alarms and incident billing fees. We used to have a whole schedule of those. Um but uh that will not we will not have along fire department for 2026. So we've removed those from the schedule. >> Well can I just ask about that because um is there a plan with shoreline because I know like even or they under you know lake fire cutting or my understanding was handled there's a false alarm they build you know the residents and and under their fee schedule for that. So um we're not doing it like who will be doing it. And if there are repeated false fire alarms, do we know? >> I'm I'm assuming there would be fire department to do that. >> I know for a long time Long Lake was not we had the option to go. Um but for many many years our did not feel that >> doesn't come up that often. I think we have not been utilizing that. So I don't think it's going to be a major issue. It's something that becomes an issue. >> So I guess you might have just So, does does the fire department have that authority or do they need the city to exercise that authorized if they have the authority to do they can't create ordinances you guys can't create ordinances I guess I'm talking you and the other two members but I don't know if that's possible I thought I city level >> I think that would be something we probably need to check with our attorney on and you know kind of discuss authority at the board is is that's not something necessarily that would be like ordinance adoption as much as it might be policy and invoicing. I I guess I'm really not certain there without consulting with our attorneys. Um but we can do that. >> So tonight is we do what we're doing here is >> yes >> we can always add it back in and we probably will be making speeches throughout the year anyway. >> How does that >> that remains in how do we have a charge for that? How does that all work? >> I I track that on a monthly basis to receive a report from the PD. >> Okay. >> And we according to the fee schedule, I believe the first three are included. >> Same deal. It's mostly >> I receive I receive a report and so I'm I'm actually wondering if we could um if we decide to do any changes, we would probably just remove the word on that and then the fire department would send me reports of um repeat issues. Like I said, right now there was a lot of question as far as what constitute as a false alarm when you're dealing with a lot of times you have it's a little bit easier because there's door alarms and so forth. Um, I know that with the prior chief who would talk about it and he felt like he didn't want to ever deter anybody from contacting the fire department that had even there was an issue and so he really did not like for false alarms but I think the fire department will have to make a decision. >> Okay. >> So, quick question. Um, so they sent us a report is this income that we keep or is this the past we pass it along to the We keep that um we keep that. It's not very often that you're going to have someone that has more than three false alarms within a year. Um it's only happened a handful of times, but it is something that it allows us to reach out to um businesses or and let them know that we've been having repeat issues and to have their alarm looked at so that we're not using resources. might go up. >> Correct. >> To be very diligent about it, but thankfully we haven't had any any major issues. >> Okay. I just >> So, you're going to follow up with the attorney and >> we can do that. >> I'm going to actually meet tomorrow. >> I'm actually going to mention um it might be something that we want to wait a little longer on because one thing that we'll be talking about as a board, I think we've already started talking about a little bit, the fire department will have its own attorney. And it might be a good opportunity for whoever's going to be in that role to help make that decision. >> Hold up. I'm going to hold off on it until >> position. Couldn't the line fire department get revenue to pay the attorney? But >> this probably might be better. Hi. Sorry, Janette. I I interrupted you. So, back to our rightway permit fee, I think. Next. >> Yeah, just a couple quick adjustments here. Um, right away permit fees. That's these are really about 100% issued to uh utility um companies for work in public rightway. Um, particularly underground, you know, on over a municipal right away or under it. Um, our fee hasn't been updated in quite a while. So current right ofway permit fee is $75. Uh Dillow Research um local area cities are charging anywhere between 50 and 250 for these permits. We do recognize of course that public works has a manual component that comes into play with these permits and that they have to be located. So I'm recommending an increase in that permit fee to $100 permit. Um, also one other minor adjustment here, the tobacco product license fee, um, recommending an increase in that from 150 to 175. Um, that's the first increase for us since 2007 in that fee. Um, and also again based on a review of fees charged by neighboring cities. >> All right. So that's it. >> I kind of really through it a little bit and I did. So when you kind of charge plumbing permits and building permits, >> if you build a building, do you have to pay all those? If you build a house, you pay all three separately. The structure, the plumbing, >> there are different contractors that are doing the work. So yes, um the the builder pulls the building permit based on the building valuation, the plumbing permit, the HVAC permit, that's based on the value of that component of the work. So, for example, a $200,000 house. Um, the plumber isn't going to be pulling a permit based on the cost the project valuation of a $200,000 house. It's just going to be for the $12,000 in fixed installation they're doing. So, um >> I kind of like Yeah. Yeah. And so um also once like for example a residential building permit um residential work once the building permit's been approved the plan review charge goes with the building permit the subs you know the HVAC and the plumbing they're not getting plan reviews every time it's just a fixture charge so >> okay >> all right anyone want to make a motion on this item >> I'll make a motion to approve ordinance number 1025- adopting the 2026 piece table for the city of Long Lake and to direct staff to publish the summary or second. >> All right. Thank you. Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. All right. Thanks, Tette. >> I do want to just mention in closing that adoption of the CE schedule tonight doesn't prohibit us in any way from continuing to review it. And we do do that on a regular basis and um you know maybe maybe making some changes in 2026. We'll see how we go but uh we have to have this in place by January one. So thank you very much foring that. >> Yeah, thanks work on that. Okay. Item 7 C is adoption of final payable 2026 levy city budget capital improvement plan and pay pan excuse me pay plan resolutions. Amanda administrator. >> Thank you. So tonight before you we have four resolutions and the 2026 fund transfers for your approval. I wanted to u make note that the that the fund transfers will be in 2026. I didn't add that to my report. I noticed that as I was reviewing it this evening. Um, so all of this has been previously discussed with council, but I wanted to point out a few areas for a reminder. So the first motion here is going to be for the tax levy. If you recall, we have approved a tax levy, a tax rate of 34.031%. This is going to be a rate change of 0.564%. Um the other we are also going to be approving tonight the 2026 city budget. There are a few factors that I did list that I felt had a pretty large um contribution to the budget that we had and that was going to be for our police and fire contracts. Overall there was an increase for the two of them of 103,000. Obviously, most of that was for the establishment of the Shoreline Fire Department. Um employee wages is another area in budget that we could see some changes throughout 2026 as we're staffing um in different areas that will and there are some staffing restructuring that will be going on. And then engineering costs. We've also added engineering costs to various areas as we start to prepare for future projects and possible bonding in in years to come. Um, as I'd mentioned at one of our prior meetings, the utility fund, the largest increase we're going to see in that is is the pass through of the metro housing council fee and that was an increase of $7.98 per connection. So that is going to be the largest impact in your 2026 city budget. Also for approval tonight is going to be the capital improvement plan. This is something that we is included in your packet, but we will be adjusting as the years go on. This is just our starting point based on information that I've received from the council the last few years. Um and then motion number four is our 2026 pay plan. As you will see tonight, we have actually updated that last minute. Um and so there is an updated 2026 pay plan that that has been provided to you. The two areas that have been updated are going to be the maintenance worker labor one and the maintenance worker labor two. We we found a need to in to update both of these items based on feedback that we had been receiving from interviews that we had been conducting for our public works department. After Janette and I looked at it a little bit closer and compared to surrounding areas, we felt like um an increase was necessary for both the laborer one and the laborer two. You will see in your pay plan the percentage increase over 2025. The last item for approval tonight will be fund transfers. And I have I have included a outline of those, but I've also listed them out separately on the second page of the report so that you can see it clearly. The first section, the section will be transferred out of 101 into individual capital funds. And the second set there will be transferred from our existing capital funds into the into the capital funds based on my capital improvement projection. Does council have any questions for me about anything? >> This is the updated pay plan, >> correct? >> And why was the maintenance worker lead line taken out? I've taken that out because as Janette and I were talking a little bit, right now the the maintenance worker lead was established as someone that would oversee the the employees. It would be more of an assistant to Shawn. However, right now, if we are able to hire and maintain both a maintenance worker one and a maintenance worker two, the need for a lead is not necessary at this time and might be something we revisit in the future. So, are we looking on maintenance worker hires? >> That will be dramatically helped by this conversation. >> I have two very strong candidates. Do you mind if I jump in? >> Yep. I was gonna um working on their offer letters, please. Yes, we have um a very strong candidate for worker one and a very well experienced candidate for worker two who has their water and sewer lensures and CDL on board and years of experience. um that that individual is um has a background in cities like Hopkins and Plymouth um for example and um what we're finding it's fun I had some conversations with other cities actually today and um I think what we're finding is because that's the applicant pool we all as smaller cities need to draw from we're in a situation where unless we our wages. We simply cannot compete and attract them. But we need them. We need qualified staff to maintain the infrastructure in our city um and our parks and you know our streets. We we need them. So why is this person moving? I'm just curious. I think they're looking for an opportunity for advancement and this could be that. Um you know, Sean has already made noise about, you know, five years from now, who knows, he might retire. And that creates an opportunity for someone who's been working their way up. Um, we had a very positive both first and second interviews with lovely candidates for worker one and worker two. Um, Mr. Noki and I participated in the first round. Tom Mittens interviewed them in the second round, including a tour of the city, and both indicated some enthusiasm, but indicated that um it would be they would be taking quite a cut to come here. And so we started to brainstorm solutions including the potential maybe what we get is three strong public works employees and when we start looking in the future at our administrative support staff person perhaps that person is helping both public works administrative work and city hall administrative work. question. Is this salary something that he or she would take a big pay cut or is this commensuring to what they would expect as a salary? In other words, it was still too low. This new pay plan both puts them in range for potential acceptance of offer letters and an opportunity to um we may not start them out at step one, >> right? >> But we want to make sure this pay plan is not geared to this individual person, but Exactly. The future, >> okay, >> the future hires as well. >> What is right for us? One thing that we are noticing in our city and actually in our neighboring cities too is the um laborers are now in high demand. And so it's getting a lot more expensive to try to hire labor. And so we have we put out with this first with a first place K plan that we had originally proposed the applications that we were receiving weren't weren't going to fit our needs as a city especially a small city where we need each and every one of our employees to be absolutely independent and um and have a variety of skills and tasks. So this was our proposal. It also is intended to in my opinion anyway um serve as some level of assurance on the quality of the candidates that we receive. Um, we're we're looking to try to attract some folks with experience, >> experience with power tools, experience with operating a snowplow, a little more experience. And to draw from experience, you need to be able to unfortunately also pay for it. And so I think this in part was our brainstorming attempt to try to resolve that. Well, you went from from this p plan to this one and because it's not a big difference, >> it is but it makes all the difference >> and that's why we were able so I I was both and asked are we going to have a problem with the budget and because it's I felt like this small change was going to was going to fulfill our need for qualified candidates to get >> I'd say it's really important to get good qualified public works employees that is what we are trying to achieve to do it as a city. We are no are not able to be a training city or to have inexperienced workers. We thought that we could um kind of hire and then train within and but our our city is very demanding for as anything that can come up. Our public works department is expected to um do parks, streets, utilities and so forth. And we need to make sure that we have staff that is able to do it >> 100%. >> So >> So if we got these two then do we have others right now that or would it be? >> We have one other employee that's currently employed as a public works. He's a um he is a maintenance worker one step two. So then the three would be what we would stay with or including plus. >> Yes. Yes. That would give Sean time to um train if they both accept their letters. Give time to train them. Um >> and then when you were talking about if we had an admin sphere that could then also work public works We had some brainstorming. I I think we were planning to brainstorm solutions today. >> Um and some of the brainstorming was maybe the while we were initially envisioning maybe more of like a parttime to 30-hour a week employee. Uh if we make that a full-time position, maybe that person could be assisting with um you know making public work. Sean has to be out in the field. We need someone to check the email and make sure we're not missing anything and um >> responding the phone calls. >> Responding the phone calls. Exactly. Um those would be great duties for that person to help us. And so that that is part of the over the next few months phasing plan if we just uh are really hopeful that we might be able to extend some offer letters and um potentially put some hires we hope on the January 6th council agenda. In the meantime though, what this revision to the pay plan does after I spoke with a couple others is it really does put us competitive and that is something that we weren't amazing what a small team can do. >> Something happened to Sean. I think a little bit of trouble. >> Exactly. We we need to be able to attract staff and I hope that this will help. >> So quick question. Um I know we're looking at the department administration fulltime and admin salaries. It went down from what we budgeted in 2025. Um but is that a not that include somebody >> the admin process is split between um city administration which is >> that's ours and that I it should cover a lot of it um especially because we won't have somebody hired right away. It will take us a little bit of time to get them in. Um and then the public works budget items and I will be having to watch these throughout the year. But if you recall those are going to be divided between the enterprise funds ju just water sewer and storm and then the and the general fund. So their budgets are divided among four different accounts and so it's a little bit easier to um track. And so that was if you got somebody I mean different 43k I don't know what the other ones were envelope >> we once it got mentioned today ideas are already we're very excited. I think one thing that's very important to us as city staff is that residents are being responded to timely and that even if they if they have a concern that we're addressing their them right away. um at least giving them a phone call back to let them know that we're looking into it. And I think that having someone here to check those voicemails, to check emails, and then to not only inform, but follow up on different things will be invaluable. I think that that will be really beneficial to our residents >> and we budgeted somewhat for it anyway. So, >> correct. Correct. We were already planning on like hiring um some assistance for >> Yes. for both permitting um elections and so forth. And so I think it will just make my job a little bit more exciting this year. >> All right. Did we stop you, Amanda? Were you >> No, that's that's all I have. Like I mentioned, all of this we've actually we have discussed in great length in prior meetings. So there may be things that um if you need a refresher, I'm happy to mention. I did include in the in the packet um summary pages of each item that that you will be approving tonight, but I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have. >> I have more questions for Amanda. I have one um you know in your summary you show the proposed final is the 4% increase is 1.815 million but in here on the property tax revenue line it shows different for the budget and it's 4.3%. >> Um because the debt services which are listed underneath bonds 2016A and 201A um are not included in general fund revenue. Those actually go into another fund. And so what should happen is the property tax revenue plus the debt service revenue should equal our levy amount for the resolution for the resolution. So levy operations is the one >> and then and the fiscal disparities. I apologize. So it's property, fiscal disparities and debt services. Those three numbers should equal 185. >> So we know that it's always with disparities going to be >> pretty close to that. Correct. It's going to be in the um property tax revenues right underneath it. It's at 60,000. I split that out because I'd like to track how much we get individually yeartoear. And so two years ago I started splitting that out and adding it as it own budget line items so I could see how much of our resident how much of our commercial tax are coming back to us. That's exactly >> if you recall those. >> I wasn't 100% sure. >> It sounded like you wanted me to check. >> Trying to do the math quick in my head. >> All right. Other questions? >> Oh, okay. I had a comment. >> A comment. Go ahead. No, I'm just really pleased that uh you know from the preliminary of 9.4% we were able to achieve a final if we pass it of 4%. And um when I looked at the um the page of property tax uh increases for all Henipin County cities that came with our property tax statements. Um that would be the second lowest of all the Henipin County cities. Now, maybe some others have also come in less than what, but that was those are the preliminary amounts. And so, I think that was a that would be, you know, a really impressive accomplishment if you can make this budget work for um uh an increase that is the second lowest among I don't know how many Hen County cities are, like 40 or something. >> Yeah. So, um that that's a significant accomplishment and that's the credit to to you Amanda and and Janette for helping with with getting uh that number uh that increase so significantly lower. In fact, it's about a h 100,000 well $95,000 less than what we had for the preliminary number. So, that's a big benefit because I have been, you know, hearing from people, oh man, my property taxes just keep going up and up and up. And I said, well, this year we're working to not get such a big increase especially um one of the lowest you know in Hampton County >> in addition to the year that we started a fire department >> right yeah that's my favorite >> yeah so I I I there's efficiencies that are being found that I appreciate >> and I really appreciate the presentation too >> yeah right >> all my numbers balance passed the test. We thought we had you, but I guess I guess not. >> I do ask when you make a motion um just for audit purposes when you're doing the motion for number five, if you could add 2026 in there. I feel like that is a little clear so that the audit knows that those were approved for 2026 and not 2025. So if we could just add those are >> to be transferred in 2026. >> All right. Okay. All right. We need to do these individual motions. >> Unfortunately, >> I ask that every year every year next year. >> All right. Uh I'll make a motion. Let's kick it off then to adopt resolution number 2025-48. Establishing the final tax levy collectible in 2026. Second. Thank you. Motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Um make motion to motion to adopt resolution number 2025-49 establishing the final 2026 total city budget. Second motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Motion three. I'll make a motion to adopt resolution number 2025-50 establishing the 2026 capital improvement plan or CIP. Second. Thank you. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Motion number four. Motion adopt resolution number 2025-51 establishing the 2026 pay plan. Thank you. Motion and second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries unanimously. And the final motion number five, motion approve general fund transfers as presented in 2026. A second. You guys were going to try to take that second. I'm I'm going to be I want to do any 2026 and get so far ahead of this deal. All right. Motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion carries Anderson. >> I have a question, but combining the police and fires into uh one fund. I mean, we'll still track them. They have separate line items. We actually added um a few years ago when we were starting to track legal use for who's the fire department. Yeah, >> we changed that fund from police to I believe this is public baker police and fire. I'd have to look what the official fund name is. So, we did change the name at that time. >> And so, I thought it'd be a good opportunity now to just continue to add line items for the fire department, but then we can track um public safety all in one area as one department >> roll up, but then also we can track them individually. They were They're completely separate line items with separate budget items. >> All right. >> Good job. >> Yeah. Yeah. Really good job. >> Great job. Your first city budget. >> That's awesome. And like deer just said, it was really it was laid out very well, very organized and clear. >> Yes. All right. So, with that, we move on to um eight other business. It comes from a newcomer. >> Oh, did the Christmas tree lighting. Um, bought the bread from what is it? I can't >> back again few days ago and bought more bread from our house. >> Wow, >> it is good. >> We were big fan out of her house actually. Well worth the drive. >> Did you call ahead kind of thing or is they're all set up? Yeah. I mean >> if you're interested the contact >> can you I can here I think I have it. >> Yeah. Jalapeno sourdough bread. >> And you look at the ingredients. >> I know. >> It's like four. >> That's where she was really adamant. She's like if you don't eat it right away freeze it. I'm like no >> not going to see the freezer. I disappeared with a pot of white chicken chili. >> Yeah, perfect. Yeah, >> that was my highlight of the week. Highlight. >> All right, um nothing. Thank you. >> Did you already share that we had a fire board meeting last year? >> We talked a little bit about it. Basically, that's the job layoff kind of an administrative thing because the moment that they get laid off, they offer position and we're going to be reviewing um deputy chief. Oh yeah, I think they're um yeah because I think they've done all interviews and I think in January they'll do the inerson interviews too. Sounded like we have good candidates for that position. So um or uh the thing I was going to mention was uh I missed the holiday lights on our on our street lamp and I was Um what's going to happen? >> I can respond to that. Um I was notified today that there was miscommunication and that the vendor that normally does the Garland on the streets was not able to do long lake this year and that communication was missed. And so I'm not really sure what's going to happen about that because they actually have all of our garland. >> Yeah. And it's our it's our life that they eat store, right? >> Correct. >> So, we pay for that. >> Correct. And they are out of town this season. >> They're out of town. >> Yes. That is the message that I >> do. We get a refund or what? >> But we don't we pay them. >> Oh, we pay them to put them up. >> Correct. >> But >> do we pay for a refund? >> But isn't the storage kind of wrapped up in there? >> We don't pay for any of that. Yeah. So, >> we haven't paid for anything to be refunded. Um it's going to be a really big inconvenience. Like I said, there was they had notified us that notification was missed. Um and so I I don't know what the answer is going to be now. >> And we also had the holiday banners, but um are they getting >> I was told by Sean that the holiday banners will be up tomorrow. >> Going up tomorrow. I know that he's probably got a lot on his plate, but u just wonder and actually there those are getting a little tired and worn probably. So we should, you know, we talked about having new summer banners and we should probably get new winter ones as well. >> Correct. I thought that we had a lead on that and I then when I was checking because I check on a regular basis which properties the Mong Lake are going to be selling because this looks like it's for sale and so I'm not really sure if that lead is still going to be um >> we have those made locally right >> banners not so much. um only the spring and summer banners, but the holiday banners, >> those are actually pretty good. They're sold by just about everybody. And the display sales and all you, you know, there's a number of >> designs and you just plug in your name. >> That's what we did with those. Yeah. Those weren't custom or anything. >> But wasn't was it a local wasn't it a local uh business that we got those from or not? >> Not those ones. No, no, those I believe I they might have been from display sales. I can't remember. I We get so many mailings from those companies all the time. So, we always have options to look at for the standard holiday banners. >> And were those the ones that were a little bit short or was it the summer ones that I I thought that there was ones that weren't sized? >> There was. I can't remember which of the >> We just need to make sure we can Sean probably can tell you like >> Yes. >> Some are more difficult to get on than others. >> Yes. Well, it sounds like if we are able to hire a maintenance worker, then some of this can get straightened out >> moving forward. Yes, >> I might have a few challenges to get through and do our best this season with us. This will also be we're having um we're utilizing the administrative assistant for public work. >> This would be an example. >> This would be a good example. >> Great example. Yes. of putting them right away in terms of getting >> and we know we could have made sure we got our inventory back out of their store with another vendor to put it up. >> We can't do that. >> We're not sure. >> Do you know how it sounds? >> That's what it sounds like. But >> we should get it back and kind of I don't know if I hire that vendor again. >> Well, they did store it for us which was convenient and actually install it. But I don't know how many installers there are. >> There are so many actually. >> I see there's a lot of residential installers now. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, >> well, couldn't we sell it? The public works has some >> I will tell you that um we had old ones that I I decided to take one strand of and it almost didn't fit in my car. I think they Oh, >> plus plus they would they would uh replace they would you know when BS went out or whatever they they would maintain them did they or replace them. >> That's at this point I don't I don't know exactly um what the what the communication error was. So I'm not going to say that it falls on the vendor. I don't know that at this point there's I don't I haven't seen that communication and where the disconnect was and so I don't want to right away say that it was a vendor if this vendor's fault. I don't know. But it's kind of I have to always scramble and find a new vendor because this one is away for the holidays. >> And like I said, I I haven't seen the email directly >> so I don't want to say >> okay for sure maybe there's an opportunity to do it. I don't know exactly what was what happened until I just email directly. >> Okay. >> I don't want to make any vendor changes. I know what happened. >> That was it for me. All right, let's see here. I totally forgot to call one of the events that occurred in the last two weeks, and that was the Long Lake Area Chamber of Commerce holiday event sponsored by Marty Schaffer or Schneider and the uh and the um the chamber and it was their 75th anniversary, right? So, it's kind of a big deal in in Burchches. So, that was a great event I was able to participate in for a little bit. Anyways, thanks to Marty for all the work putting that on and the others that participated. The um non fire department blamed their firefighter of the year yesterday. Any guesses? Maybe not. But former Long Lake firefighter/assistant chief Shane Gardner is the as the mound quickly became a a star at the Mountain Fire Department after leaving Long Lake and he was named their firefighter of the year yesterday, the day before. So congratulations Shane. I continue to work on the gate issue, the highway 12 counter 112 gate issue and I think we've made an administrative decision that's kind of move forward on that as our city to get the gate ordered and um and we'll we'll handle the billing and and we got to um it does appear there'll be some form of a partnership with both Mindot Hen County and then it's most likely the Wise Crime Prevention Coalition which I'm a part of they're most likely going to cover one leg share of the um contribution as well as the YZ share of the contributions since the crime fund represents both cities. So that and that that's very amazing not quite official yet but it was discussed at last last week's meeting thanks to Chief Baker and she brought this up and it sounds promising. in their words. And then, you know, just yeah, long back to Long Lake Fire Department. You know, it was um kind of bittersweet as we end the chapter here with maybe about 14 15 days to go with it being uh under the name Long Lake Fire Department. I just want to thank all those that have served uh the city of Long Lake for the last uh 18 years or whatever it's been, 1915, I think. That'sundred probably would have had 10 years some bad math there. So, in that era there, but onto a new chapter with the Shoreline Fire Department. We're great that the vast majority of the firefighters are continuing to serve as shoreline members of the Shoreline Fire Department and wish them all the best as they go off into the new new start venture as a jointly operated fire department with Steve Orno. Um I noted the city of Managa Beach has officially um accepted the contract from Strong Fire Department last week or two. So that's fantastic as well to have a celebration um you know for the Long Lake Fire Department and their 100 plus year existence and invite you know former fire long firefighters or something. I I don't know maybe something like that would be appropriate. Yeah, we kind of tie because I think there is talk of having something in the spring when it warms up a bit with the shoreline as a way to kind of tie both together, you know, starting out with the old and it's a new kind of >> celebration. Kind of nice. >> Next year's also the birthday of the fire truck that we have >> all like 100 years old probably >> I believe it is. >> Yeah. I I didn't want to put that on record, Charlie. So my facts, but she was telling me next year it's birthday. So >> that's probably about right. >> So we can have a dual celebration, >> right? Bottle of champagne over the over the hood or something. >> All right. So that's yeah, the next chapter we're next chapter in fire service for our communities. All right, that is it for me. >> After all that, nothing for me. >> Um, I have a couple updates for council. I'd like to first start by thanking Janette and all the work she did for the street lighting. I wasn't able to attend. I was on vacation. Um, but I've heard wonderful things and I've done just the photos and the videos and it it was it was really special to see that. um it was good representation of our city and our community and what we're all about. I also wanted to let council know that on Monday we had our 2025 preliminary audit. Things seem to go really really well. Um we worked with ADO and I will continue working with them in the next couple months as we get the 2025 audit completed. Um and then for fire transition that's also going extremely smoothly. I've been working with Shoreline Shoreline future shoreline employees chief in Orino and it's I think that the transition is going to be it's going to go really well for all of our firefighters and the community. So I'm excited to see how this is going together. >> And so they had a push in ceremony last night I believe for their new the new utility vehicle at station one and that big uh one that we purchases on Lake. That was fun to see a picture of that on Facebook. Nice. All right, Janette. >> Um, nothing except for this. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone to you, all of you, and all of your families. Um, wishing you a wonderful time and um, next year I am voting that the second meeting in December, maybe we should do an ugly sweater. >> Oh, there we go. Crazy look down when he says that a little holiday fun, right? >> Great idea. Great idea. >> I'm already wearing one. >> All right. Um, oh, and last thing is I've got word today that the plan is for public horse to begin flooding the uh whole Brook Ice Rink on Thursday is the plan is today. So, hope that doesn't change. Is cooling off again. Winter appears to be here. Look forward to having some ice this year. All right. So, we're looking at city offices closed December 24th through 26, which I think is Wednesday through Friday. and then uh closed again the course holiday on J Thursday January 1st of the new year and we'll meet again on Tuesday January 6 and possible work session >> you reminded me uh is the what's the warming house like at at Brook Park you know the pipes frozen >> yes the pipes had frozen um >> damage >> there will be damages that will need repair. Yes, the water is turned off to the building. >> We do have the heat restored, of course, because we found out that Center Point has turned off the gas to our property without notifying us. We rectified that the day before the tree lighting, but unfortunately, by the time uh we discovered that it's frozen, um there may be some sixear damage as well. So, we'll be working through that process over a couple of months, I would imagine. >> I didn't we we're not subitting insurance. I know the extent of the damage and what can be done by public works and what we think that those costs would be the deductible and such. I want to see what we're looking at. >> We have we've had that conversation. I mean, we can prize or not. I've worked with them in some other areas. Um, and I I can absolutely try to collect them and maybe Yeah, the insurance trust maybe would try to track that down first too is an option. >> That may be a benefit of going to the insurance. >> Why did they turn it off? Like was there was there a notification? >> Yeah. Um, what I discovered, Mandy, I am so happy for you that you were on vacation when this occurred. this was not a fun day. Um, when I reached out to Centerpoint, um, they said someone named Dana had called it in and, um, I I was able to convince them to get someone to come out ASAP to get the heat back or else to get the gas service restored. Of course, someone from public works had to be on site. There always has to be someone on site when they do that. Um, and in talking to that to that check who was uh restoring the service, he said that it appeared that it had actually been um related to a smell coming from underground. So, not actually the warming house, but a repair that was done in the vicinity elsewhere underground. Um but of course by then it had already snowed. So, you know, Sean went around trying to see if he could figure out where there had been any signs of digging, but there was too much snow on the to be able to figure that out. So it it it was a s it was a passer by who called it in. >> So park user >> some park user. Yeah. >> I'm saying like if I'm I'm a snowbird I'm in Florida and somebody walked by my house and get turned off my house. >> Yeah. That's what I don't understand about any of this. I >> the fact that there was no notification to the city is the problem. That exactly 100% because had we been notified when that happened apparently back in September. >> So it again it wasn't until the day before the tree lighting ceremony on December 4th. There wouldn't have been anything unusual with the bill that would have been a red flag because it was center pointing. there would have been no heat necessar, you know, especially with the warming house, but there would have been no unusual, it's not unusual for there not to be any charges activity. So, yeah, we were pretty disappointed that we weren't notified. The fire department mentioned that they didn't recall any should have probably received a call there was >> yes shut off. >> If they did, the firefighter I was speaking to didn't recall. So the whole the whole thing is odd and um >> it sounds like the liability would be on center point for that. We can set off an emergency situation but there has to be a plan to bring it back on. >> Yes. >> Yes. And if they reached out to anyone and we haven't investigated that side of it yet. Uh it certainly wasn't city hall. I'm pretty sure if I got a call that, hey, we turned your gas off at Hullberg Park. I I That is a call I would remember enthusiastically. But did we did we pay the bill? >> Maybe they called Dana. >> I'm literally thinking in my head, how many Das do we have in town? I'm literally plugging my memory brain going, okay, this one or this one. So yeah, it was actually kind of funny, but yeah, random passer by whether it was a resident or a park user. >> Maybe we can get the phone number because they would have recorded the phone number of Dana who called in. >> Well, it's really not. >> Yeah, >> but it is relation. >> Well, it's not Dana's fault. Dana was not an authorized place for the city. I mean, they should have contacted the city. >> Well, I think if you do it, then yeah, you notify the fire department. Yeah. >> None of that happened. Turn off power and property. >> Feels wrong on all of it. >> Exactly. Exactly. And >> right about that. >> Yeah. I mean, many thanks to actually Donnie Tilstrom. Donnie Tilstrom. Blessed him. Um took it upon himself to ask his supervisor at Goperase if he could go home and pick up. He had some propane heaters and other plug-in heaters and he grabbed those and he brought them up to immediately start getting in there um so that a the cleaners who were working to get it ready for the next day would have a little bit of heat and b so we could start figuring out what had happened and how bad it was. Um so he brought that stuff up there and uh kept on company for a little bit so Sean wasn't uh dealing with a mess entirely on his own. So major kudos really to Donnie Chilstrom um for just being truly wonderful and for Gopher Ace for allowing him to take an unscheduled break in his day. It was very kind and incredibly supportive. >> So quick question. I know that you looked there was the balance was zero and that was not unusual but was there anything on that thing that said the gas has been turned off? >> No. And I I was actually We have a bill our center point bill is a combination of all of our properties. >> So it's not just we don't get one for every so it's a combination and >> marginal difference would have been nothing. >> Well correct and we actually go line by line when we code them >> but it wouldn't have been >> I actually just looked when I did the last bill after she notified me and there's there's actually still I believe a minimum there might even be a minimum charge on there. So there's nothing >> nothing that would have alerted me. We wouldn't have heat in the September, October, early November anyway. >> But unfortunately, the timing of this was it just happened to be the week that it it dropped so cold. >> And it had been just a couple days earlier, we would have caught it with getting the warming ready. But >> I think if it had actually been a couple days later before we discovered it, the damage would have been even worse. >> But I think it's not your responsibility as a consumer of a service to be a detective. Right. Well, it's frustrating me as we were talking about communication. We still have access to um Scott's phone and we check it regularly. So, if there was any messages left on there, we would have received it. Um the only thing that's possible they would have emailed an email that's no longer valid. However, I can tell you if I ever missed a payment, >> I know quickly if that would ever happen, I'm just a little frustrated. >> So, is there a thermostat in there that would have turned it on automatically without us having to go in and turn it on? So, I know there is a thermostat in the building and I know that um you know, usually it's set at a you know, pretty low level and then once we get into the colder months it up. Exactly. So, it's >> the fact that it would be at a minimum charge is not unusual. Um because >> um we really don't crank up the heat in there until this time of year. And even then, we're not heating it till 70 degrees. So, >> um but we have heat in there. Now, um the water is turned off because if we turn the water on, you will see dripping. >> I mean, we have pipe damage is probably materials damage consumed. How much public works time? >> Not quite sure about the restrooms and the fixtures and there more to explore. >> Yeah. Whoever the centerpoint tech was, anytime they discontinue or activate the service, they have to pull a card and put it in. So, they would have a full description of why they did what they did and it should be easily >> back. documentation and background. Correct. >> Who they contacted, at times of the contact, when they contacted all that without an RP cont. And it was turned off for quite some time. September, October, November. >> All right. We um if there's no objection, I'll turn the meeting by John cons. All right, hearing none. Me being adjourned. Happy holidays everyone. We'll see you next year.