00:00:08,130 Agenda item approval of the September 1st, 2026 meeting. Agenda. Staff. Three things change. Yes. Thank you. Mayor. Members of the council. Um, I’ve got three additions or changes for tonight. 00:00:33,370 Um, the first one is going to be, um, the addition to consent item number six zero is the addition, which is, um, uh, I’m sorry, the HyVee event with the car show happening, which is on Monday, September 7th. Um, so that’s one addition to your consent item. 00:00:48,770 Uh, the next edition is going to be to New business item C, which is authorize the mayor and city manager to execute a purchase agreement to acquire real property from North Memorial Healthcare. Um, the this item was emailed to council earlier and added to the agenda packet that’s posted online. So it is available publicly. Um, but we’re adding the actual purchase agreement to the agenda packet for tonight to that item. 00:01:07,900 And then your last item is for other business item A, which is the voucher request pending approval for disbursement. Um, we’re just adding the report to that item which is printed tonight was sent to council and also has been added to the publicly available packet that’s posted online and printed over there. If you want to look at it. Um, and those are our three additions to tonight for the agenda amendment. 00:01:22,770 Great. Thank you. Uh, Council, anything you’d like to move in the consent or the agenda for tonight? Hearing none. I’ll make a motion to approve tonight’s agenda. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye, aye. Those opposed say no or nay. Agenda has been approved. Uh, okay. 00:01:46,570 Next on to the consent agenda. Pursuant to Council rules, one motion non debatable will approve the recommendation noted. Any member of the council may ask for an item to be taken from the consent agenda for discussion and separate action. Such items removed from the Consent Agenda shall be considered immediately following approval of the balance of the consent agenda. 00:02:06,530 Council. Anything to move and discuss tonight. Nope. Do I have a motion to approve tonight’s consent agenda? So moved. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say no or nay. Okay. Tonight’s consent agenda is approved. What did we approve? A lot. 00:02:33,930 All right, we approved, uh, city Council meeting minutes from August 3rd, 2026. Uh, we received the sustainability meeting minutes from June 17th, 2026. We approved the city council work session. Meeting minutes from July 14th, 2026. Uh, we received the deputy registrars monthly financial statements. Uh, we received quarterly financial information for general water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and solid waste. 00:03:01,170 Uh, we received Ramsdale Wines, spirits, monthly financial statements. We scheduled a public hearing on October 6th, 2026 to certify the assessment role for delinquent utilities. We scheduled a public hearing on October 6th, 2026, to certify the assessment role for unpaid administrative penalties. And we scheduled a public hearing on October 6th, 2026, to certify the assessment role for forest tree removals. 00:03:28,270 We also scheduled a public hearing on October 6th, 2026, to certify the assessment role for emergency water, sewer and sump pump repairs. We approved City Council work session meeting minutes from August 12th, 2026. We authorize the mayor and the city manager to execute a contract for criminal prosecution, legal services. 00:03:49,130 We authorize staff to execute amendment two to the MOA between FTA and Minnesota Historic Preservation Office and Metro Blue Line Extension LRT project. We authorize the closure of City Hall. On Wednesday, October 7th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a staff event. And we also received a high or approved a Hy-Vee event. 00:04:17,400 Okay, moving on to presentations. Next is the recognition of growth through opportunity, better known as GTO cadet Andrew. Mister mayor, Council members and city staff. Good evening, John Elder, captain with the Robbinsdale Police Department. This past July, Andrew began working on Mondays and Wednesdays along with job coach Paul Rapp. 00:04:54,800 Within multiple departments within the city, including the police department, fire department, engineering, parks, RECs, Public Works, Human Resources and Communications. City staff truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Andrew, the city staff and council are grateful and extremely proud of Andrew for his hard work and dedication through the growth, through Opportunity program. 00:05:28,330 We would also like to thank Paul Rapp and all the Empower Inclusion staff members for being with Andrew through every step of this journey. On his last day, Andrew got to pick his favorite department in which he was going to work with. Well, obviously it’s the police department. I was humbled and shocked to find out that engineering was his favorite place. 00:05:57,500 He loved the GIS data. Yeah. Uh, I’m sure the police department was a close second. Our very sincere thank you to Andrew and Paul for their hard work and dedication to the City of Robbinsdale. There he. Is. May I say a few words for starters, and then I’ll present Andrew with the certificate. 00:06:30,970 Is that work in council? Please feel free to chime in. Andrew, I heard nothing but great things about you, and I am also surprised that you found Richard’s department in engineering. It’s probably the Australian accent, I’ll be honest with you. And the charms. Everybody. 00:06:48,530 But, uh, I’m so glad you were here with us this summer. And I gotta tell you, I hope you leave with, uh, Robbinsville in your heart, because you were definitely leaving. Uh, us with you in our hearts. So thank you very much for your time, your dedication, and just just for being a joy to, uh, to be around. 00:07:04,570 I mean, everybody just has great things to say. So thank you very much, Council. Anything you’d add? I’ll echo the same thing. Andrew, congratulations on completion of this program. Thanks for all of your hard work. Uh, and I also want to extend my thanks to Paul and the rest of, the crew who has made this experience. 00:07:31,800 So, uh, enriching and wonderful for both Andrew and for the rest of us at City Hall. Um, thank you. Yeah. I’ll just say really quick. Oh, yeah. Just really quick. Thank you so much for all your hard work. Thanks, Paul. And, uh, thanks to the staff that help support this program. It’s really a great thing. We really enjoyed having you. Thanks, Andrew. Um. 00:07:53,100 Yeah, this is a great program. I want to see more of this. Um, I would just ask you, Andrew, what’s next on the horizon? Because I’m seeing you have, you know, our experience with our PD, fire department, engineering. Like, what else piques your interest? Anything that you want to do next. 00:08:14,970 What, are you in school? What are you going to school for? Um. Um, high school. Followed nothing. Bullet biology. For biology. Oh my gosh. Oh, great. It’s never good at biology. Well, thanks for sharing. And you’ll be great at your next venture. And we we wish you the best of luck. So thank you. Thank you. Yeah, I feel the same sense. Oh. 00:08:40,100 Turn this off. I’ll get the same sentiment. Thank you so much for your, like, being present and being valuable. Vulnerable, uh, to work and be a part of Robbinsdale. And then one thing I want to do really quickly, because I don’t think that we do this enough, is talk about empowering inclusion. 00:08:53,600 And so I do want to kind of reiterate some things that they do. And I read their mission, um, right from the website as well too. So it says up front why we do what we do. 00:09:08,330 And our mission is to empower schools, businesses and communities to create inclusive opportunities and to recognize strengths in everyone. And then our vision is to create an inclusive society where all people and all people, regardless of ability, feel valued and included and academic, professional and community spaces. And so truly thank you to your organization, Paul, and creating opportunities for this um, as well too. So thank you. Excellent. Yeah. 00:09:29,170 Mr. Mayor, Council, I might suggest we start to throw together a quick slideshow. Paul, thank you for grabbing a few photos. If we can show that first, and then we’ll, uh, do the ceremonial thing. Yeah. That’s great. Sounds great. Thank you. That’s cool. It’s a big triangle in the middle. There. 00:11:38,370 Is it something where we all can present the certificate to? I don’t know, is there a picture that people want? Mayor, council. If you’re up for, I’d say jump in front of the dais and you’re. Are you okay? Coming up and getting a word from the mayor here? Yeah. Let’s come right. 00:11:51,270 Down there. On behalf of the Brownsville supervisor, present you with a certificate of achievement. Thank you very much for your time with us today. And as someone. Thanks so. Much. For. Thank you. Okay. That’d be some. Work. Oh. Thank you. Okay. Um, thank you again. Okay, so moving on. 00:13:04,900 Uh, we’ve got public hearings. None. No old business. But we do have a new business. Uh, updates to the public purpose expenditure policy. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council, this is something staff brought up in a work session earlier in the summer. 00:13:22,470 Uh, a few clerical items and a few definitions we wanted to call out. This is a policy that gets updated from time to time. Notably, we haven’t updated since 2014. Uh, I think some of the things that we’ve been doing fall within the spirit of some of the language within. But being explicit, uh, is helpful. Uh, for good reason. 00:13:40,430 All expenditures at the city level, uh, goes through scrutiny. Uh, as an example, as your auditors come through, might ask about how did this qualify as a training or does this launch actually fall within your expenditure? Some of the things that we’ve been looking to bolster up, uh, that we’ve talked about are our luncheon linens as an example, 00:13:55,600 that these are, uh, periodic throughout the year, uh, dedicating existing training dollars towards some internal. Not only is the content valuable, but bringing together multiple departments to review those materials, but also to be able to connect that without making that intentional space, those kinds of things don’t happen. 00:14:12,830 A red line version is attached here, but do you want to call out beyond the luncheon, Lawrence formally adding a second staff event for which you approved a closure on October 7th. Uh, recognition of work anniversaries between nominal city branded items. 00:14:30,270 That coffee cup on the desk is one of those things that staff like to feel appreciated, and we find a good investment for for a small amount, uh, formal recognition of the volunteer appreciation event. 00:14:47,200 Again, I think this falls under the spirit of existing language, but you’ll recall, we hosted the, uh, what I hope is the first of many, uh, type of, uh, events like that recognizing committee and commission members on that Wednesday of whiz bang days, uh, week, and then updates to language just generally clarifying when there is existing policy in the employee handbook that already exists. So staff is certainly happy to respond to questions, comments or concerns. And of course recommends council adoption by motion. Thank you. Tim. 00:15:17,230 Uh, Council, any questions, concerns, motions? I will make a motion to adopt the updates to the employee Commission committee and volunteer public purpose expenditure policy as indicated in the memo. Second. All those in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. Ernie, updates have been adopted. Thank you. Tim. Thank you. Council. Uh, next. 00:15:43,600 Under new business, we’ve got, uh, the authorization. Authorization of the mayor and city manager to execute amendment number two to the JPA between Hennepin County and the Three Rivers Park District and the city of Robbinsdale. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 00:16:04,400 Council, uh, as noted here, this is a continued effort between Hennepin County, Three Rivers Parks District in the city. Uh, staff referred to the most recent action items that are attached, uh, requesting continued partnership. Uh staff, including the Robbinsdale Police Department, continue to find incredible value with this joint Powers Agreement, or JPA, that has been formed. Uh, we’ve won a partnership with both Hennepin County overseeing the program and having a bit more capacity. 00:16:25,600 That gives us flexibility as, uh, maybe personnel moves or having some redundancy when we need a little extra help, but also to work with three rivers that they’ve, uh, roughly the way we covered all this, about a third versus two thirds that they have an amount of service that they can utilize this 00:16:42,670 towards. Uh, and as we continue to bolster this up, there may be a time where we request this to be closer to a full time position. But again, have found great value. I know that you, as council have been provided updates both, uh, qualitative, anecdotal. 00:16:58,730 Um, the successes that this has brought in recent years. And again, for all those reasons, staff is making a recommendation for approval. Uh, we do have all those items as attachments on here. Uh, and as noted, that amendment really extends this contract going forward. So, again, staff is happy to respond to questions, comments or concerns. 00:17:16,800 But recommendation is to, by motion, authorize the mayor and city manager to execute the amendment. Um. Council, any questions? Okay. Yeah. Yes, please. Not a question, but a comment. 00:17:45,870 I just want to, um, state my continued support for having a social worker, uh, available for, um, for our community and, um, really grateful for the opportunity to even if it’s not a full time position, something that’s right sized for Robbinsdale. Um, I suppose something that I would be interested in the next year or so. Um, I know in the past we’ve invited the social worker in to give a presentation to council. 00:18:04,000 I think that would be really beneficial not only to the council, but also to the community to understand more about this program, but otherwise fully supportive. Uh, likewise grateful to, uh, see this continue. Um, Council, could I get a get a motion? Yeah. 00:18:28,930 I’ll make a motion to authorize mayor and city manager to execute amendment number two to the JPA between Hennepin County, Three Rivers Park District in the city of Robbinsdale. I’ll second. All those in favor say aye. I oppose. Say no or nay. That is approved. All right, moving on. Uh, authorize the mayor and city manager to execute a purchase agreement to acquire real property from North Memorial Healthcare. Yeah. Thank you. Mayor. 00:18:54,070 Council, what do you have in front of you as the assistant city manager noted, some of this back and forth is happening in real time. So, uh, well, we did have a placeholder in Friday. Uh, the formal, uh, purchase agreement draft was sent out here this afternoon. 00:19:09,100 You’ll note, and I’ll get to the motion. Uh, does call for a caveat. We’re just at the point of, um, semicolons and a few grammar things and a couple of words here and there. Uh, of course, very important. Uh, but timing is of the essence here. 00:19:25,670 Uh, going back a little ways, we have long identified the need for a second water tower to bolster this system and add resiliency and redundancy in our water distribution system. Of course, the first new water tower going up here a few years ago now made way for the second on the south end of town, uh, geographically as well as topographically. 00:19:43,270 Uh, we’ve identified a number of spots, and we’ve discussed pros and cons throughout the last 3 or 4 years with council identifying the property at 3400 Oakdale Avenue, uh, as our priority. Uh, this is for a few reasons. Again, beyond the geographic and topographical, um, benefits. Uh, it’s a vacant piece of property. 00:20:03,570 We’ve been working with North Memorial now here more recently, in the last couple of years, to identify a way to move forward in a purchase that’s amicable. We have achieved that. Uh, council has been provided updates throughout the last couple of years in closed sessions authorizing the city manager the not to exceed negotiation level. 00:20:24,730 Uh, again, I’ll note the motion. Uh, does, uh, note to approve the purchase agreement, uh, substantially in the form included, again, meaning some grammatical things may be updated, but does call out that the price is listed may not exceed what it is. 00:20:41,330 There’s still not looking to do any last minute negotiation on pricing. Uh, just getting some of those pieces dialed in. Uh, finally would share out, uh, maybe this feels like we’re lacking some details, to be fair, because we are the technical pieces that come with construction of the actual project. 00:20:56,300 Uh, those will come here in the coming months and next couple of years. Uh, it would be the goal to start this process as soon as we can. Again, as this purchase agreement comes to fruition, we would solidify as we’ve shared all the PFA loan that will come with substantial cost savings at a low interest rate. 00:21:10,270 Uh, really sets us with a green light to go for in these other technical pieces. So while some design work has happened, approvals for certain things will be coming forward. So, uh, why it may feel like the project details or technical components aren’t included in this. It’s because they aren’t. 00:21:24,570 This is for the purchase of the property. Uh, to really be that next, next step forward. So, uh, again, staff is happy to respond to questions, comments, concerns, um, recommending uh motion as listed in your updated packet here. And if anybody doesn’t have that, please let me know. 00:21:43,230 Staff I’m sorry Council. Any questions? I see you got one finger up already. Yeah. Councilmember Greenberg. Thanks. Um, so I’m supportive of this. I’m just curious from a technical standpoint, uh, this purchase of property, is it is it included as far as, like, the budgeting for the entire project of building Water Tower two? Or do we treat 00:22:07,830 this land purchase as something separate in a separate budget? Uh, Mr. Mayor, Council Councilmember Greenberg, uh, good question. Uh, we would consider this as a part of the project. 00:22:22,900 So one piece we’ve shared out that the project in totality would be I don’t mean to jump ahead, but maybe this is where it’s going. The project in totality, uh, has utilized, uh, funding from utility fees. Of course, some general fund dollars have been sent over to that utility fund. 00:22:41,470 But we also, uh, some years ago, when there were Covid dollars made available to communities, we were able to essentially offset some public safety dollars if we transferred appropriately, which we did. So we did have to go through a second audit to achieve that. But some dollars have been set aside for a few years from that, uh, federal funding. Um, every city utilize those different dollars differently. 00:22:56,400 We put them away for a rainy date, so to speak, and now we’ve got a big project ready to go. So again, this is a part of a bigger project that will continue to get more updates on. Perfect. Thank you. Yeah. So member. Uh, thank you. Um, just one question on the interest rate. 00:23:11,370 I know what’s mentioned here in the brief that it still qualifies for that PFA loan. Um, do we know what that rate is or. Um, not yet. Mr. Mayor. Council, Council member. Rhonda, we don’t know that yet. That hasn’t been locked in. 00:23:25,270 Uh, I can share out the most recent PFA loan we were able to secure for the water treatment plant was at about 1%. Uh, if you can think at the going time for bonding funds. We were in the neighborhood of low threes to low fours. Uh, our most recent bond issue, 2025. So separate from that process, that was about 3.35. 00:23:45,130 So, um, if the magnitude again, apples and oranges, uh, saved us about 2.5% interest. I don’t want to call it free money, but is this a substantial cost savings? Uh, we’ll have that again. As we get those terms put together. We’ll have that in front of you. Okay, great. Yeah, I think just transparency. 00:23:59,170 Once we know those figures, especially if we get a good deal on it, it’s worth noting. But thank you. Um, and I’ll just more of a comment. 00:24:22,830 Um, because I hear the water tower come up from time to time, and, uh, that usually comes up in the same, um, breath as, gosh, our utility rates are high. And this is one of those things that, um, if you remember, the water main breaking up on 41st, this, uh, spring that that happened, um, I don’t know how much water was spilled, but if you don’t know what a water tower does, it holds water. It pumps water to the top of that tower. 00:24:44,030 It creates pressure in your house. I didn’t know that, actually, up until, like, I started working as the mayor. So, um, so I think that’s important because to know when we had that water main break, um, the pressure in that tower or the water level in that tower went 00:24:59,270 to like half or below, which puts you in a situation where if it gets much lower than that, you no longer have water pressure. That’s a really big problem. Um, so the second tower is really there for redundancy, and it’s just one of those things that you just kind of need to do. 00:25:15,170 Another question might be, well, gosh, there’s a water tower up there already. How can you guys aren’t using the one in the middle of North Memorial Hospital? And that’s because they do. 00:25:26,000 That cost a couple of million dollars just off the bat, just to get it out of there and get a new water tower in. So, um, I just I don’t like people, I think, think that we go into this sometimes and just throw a dart at the dart board, and that’s not the case. There’s a lot of discussion that took place, and a lot of considerations were put into what we’re doing. 00:25:40,870 And so I just it’s not easy saying yes to these kinds of things, but it is something that we need to do. And I I’m appreciative of the due diligence that staff has put into this, as well as the due diligence that the council has put in over many conversations. So with that, I will digress and take a motion. 00:25:58,930 I’ll make a motion to approve the purchase agreement substantially in the form included in the meeting packet, together with any modifications to terms other than price that the City Manager and city’s attorney approved for inclusion. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye, aye. Those opposed say no or nay. So moved. Um, okay. 00:26:22,430 Other business voucher requests pending approval for disbursements. Uh, any conversation they’re needed. About a motion. I’ll make a motion to approve the voucher disbursement report. I’ll second. Excellent. All those in favor say aye. I will say no or nay. Approved. All right. Next is administrative reports. Nothing for me tonight. Oh. All right, Mr. Mayor. 00:26:52,430 Council, I’ll be brief. Uh, just want to share about upcoming, uh, meetings for the council work session next week. Uh, we’ve got a couple of items that will be posted here in the next couple of days. And then the not to exceed preliminary levy. 00:27:06,700 Of course, that’s the big one that will get approved on the 15th. Uh, I want to share my continued thanks to council for, uh, robust and thoughtful conversation over the last several months. Is that’s come together a lot of materials on the city website encourage folks to reach out to city staff. 00:27:20,100 Uh, if you’ve got questions as to how we got here and what we’re doing looking going forward, uh, a couple quick, funner updates. Uh, September certainly maybe feels like we’re moving into fall. Uh, not necessarily with the weather, but timing wise, Labor Day next week. We know we’ve got a slate full of events coming up. Uh, the 13th Wheels of Italy will be back in town. 00:27:36,700 14th, uh, meet and greet. 18th movie in the park. 19th vehicle fair 24th. Music in the park. Uh, maybe a little less fun. We’ll have some for fun. For some people, a free paper shredding event on the 26th. 00:27:52,170 And then early October, we’re bringing back the, uh, Bird Town Boo bash. So look forward to all those things in the next month. Excellent. Thank you. Tim. Uh, Council general communications. Council member. Rhonda. Yeah. Just wanted to put a plug in on the city council meeting at last Friday. The, um, Sanford and North Memorial merger went through. 00:28:18,830 Um, about after, you know, extensive rounds of negotiations with the AG’s office and North Memorial. Um, it did go through. And I think the big important thing for us as council is that this remains open. 00:28:38,600 Um, you know, the kind of the backstory is just, um, after not getting funding from the state legislature, um, this was the only opportunity, only way for it to stay open. And as a level one trauma care center here, one of the bigger hospitals in the whole state, it was essential to keep it open. 00:28:52,230 And I think that the whole process from start to finish, from the CEOs coming and presenting to us to the forums and everything that council put into attending and, you know, hearing from constituents is just something that I’ve gotten a chance to see. And it’s been fantastic working with you all on this. And they just announced Friday that it’s it’s going to remain open. 00:29:10,100 And, um, there’s ten year oversight as well with the AG’s office. So, um, just wanted to shout that out. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Council member.. Parisian. Thank you. Thanks. Council. Uh, I’ll be brief. I would just love to thank the folks who came out to the chat with the council. 00:29:31,430 Uh, thanks to council member Greenberg for organizing and setting that up. We had a great time at Manas. Great discussion. Um, also thanks to staff for being present as well. Excellent. Um, yeah. I mean, a thank you for being there. Council member Parisien. And, um, it was nice to see people and have conversations and that’s really what it’s about. 00:29:53,170 So thanks to staff and thanks to Manas, um, the other thing I just wanted to point out is that, um, construction has begun on the tennis courts and the pickleball courts in Sanborn Park, which is really exciting. 00:30:10,430 Uh, and we got a grant from the Usta to, uh, to help pay for that, which, uh, the US open is going on right now, which they also sponsor as an event. But, um, anyway, just an an exciting thing. Um, I know there’s been a lot of changes around Sanborn lately, and, uh, I was just by there the other day. 00:30:24,430 The the sod looks great. And this improvement is going to be, uh, great for the park. So I’m excited for us. And, um, for residents and in the community to, uh, to be able to use it. Excellent. Beautiful. Um, yeah. Briefly. 00:30:43,230 Um, excited for all the events happening in Robbinsdale in the fall. Um, really a fun time to be around. Um, school is back in session. Uh, officially for Robbinsdale School District as well, too. And other surrounding districts as well. So, um, this congrats to everybody for starting up and those who might start up in the next week. 00:30:59,100 And like I say, say hi to your neighbors. So appreciate the council and the work that we’ve done and continue to do. And staff, just thank you for your support and due diligence.. Excellent. Thank you. Um, I really don’t have much. Uh, I just wanted I think I told you ten, but just formally, I’m not going to be here next Tuesday. 00:31:18,700 I’m going to be in the country so I won’t be able to, um, zoom in for any of the meetings. So, um, I just wanted to give you guys a heads up. So we had ample time to let the public know. And, uh, other than that, enjoy. 00:31:30,970 I can’t I can’t believe it’s September, but, uh, hopefully you’re getting out to the fair or whatever it is that floats your. Floats your boat this time of year. So thanks, everybody, for being here. And, uh, thanks for listening online. Um, do we have a motion to adjourn tonight’s meeting? So moved. Second. All those in favor say aye. 00:31:47,030 Aye, aye. Those opposed say no