Welcome to the Mountain City Council meeting. It's Tuesday, February 24th at 6 PM. Can we rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? >> I pledge allegiance 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. >> All right, we have our agenda. Do we have any amendments? There are no amendments. >> All right. Can I get a motion to adopt the agenda? >> Motion to adopt the agenda. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Those opposed. >> All right. The agenda's adopted. >> I I I guess I have a question. With this new format, >> if we want to pull something from the consent agenda, does that happen now? >> Yeah, that happens once the consent agenda. >> Okay. Item is, >> right? Just this new format has me a little thrown off. >> Yeah. All right. Number four, we got public comments. If uh you want to come up to the podium, give you three minutes, give us your name and address. [snorts] And this is if it's if your item is not on the agenda. >> All right. Hearing none, we're going to go to presentations. Uh we got a fitness challenge 2026 >> [snorts] >> uh Michael Crips and council uh woman heric. >> Right. So Michael's going to give us a little presentation based on some of the criteria that we've come up with so far just to get a proof of concept and see what you guys think, what we might want to change. Um this is at basically at no cost to the city. >> Um Michael is volunteering his time >> to help our children. Councilwoman Heric, would you explain for the people who don't know what the concept is for? >> Oh, sorry. [laughter] Yeah, I'm a little tired. Anyway, it's for a fitness challenge that will um promote our parks and the health and well-being of both children, seniors, and depending upon how many people actually register for the process or the event. Um then we'll define exactly what those age groups look like. >> So, welcome. >> Thank you. Um, good evening everybody. My name is Michael Crips. I'm an NASM certified personal trainer. That's National Academy of Sports Medicine. Um, I'm the owner of Total Wellness Fitness here in Mound and I train outside um, also in the Anytime Fitness in Mound as well. I'm here tonight because Michelle asked me to propose a communitywide initiative um a summer park fitness challenge June through August program designed to encourage residents to of all ages to get outside, use the beautiful parks that are underused and to build healthier habits together. The physical activity inactivity is one of the biggest contributors to long-term health problems. What's important to combat this is access and engagement at a community level. Mount has incredible parks. We've got Surfside, Lost Lake Shore, Three Points, our trails, but there are a ton that the families don't regularly use for intentional activity. So, the program is going to create a simple, structured, inclusive reason for residents to get out there, not to compete, not to be elite athletes, but to participate. The summer park fitness challenge is going to work like this, unless we change anything. Um, anybody who wants to be involved will receive a simple park passport, a map, um, some items to create engagement and interactivity. It'll act like a physical scavenger hunt. From June through August, they'll visit designated parks and complete a multitude of easy components. to start maybe a short walk that'll encourage exploration of the park and its surrounding areas, some body weight exercises, strength of joint and muscles, um balance, play activity, group activities, gaming, stuff like that. And everything will be scalable for kids, adults, and seniors. Participants will earn awards, bronze, silver, gold recognition based on the accumulation of the park visits, not just performance. And at the end of the summer, we can have a um recognition ceremony at a pavilion to celebrate participation at a park designated by the council. The program will increase park util utilization. It'll encourage family engagement. It'll promote intergenerational activity and build positive positive civic identity and support preventative health. Most importantly, it can become an annual tradition specific to Mount. It's simple, low to zero cost. It's inclusive and communitydriven. All I'm asking for is partnership in a few areas. Promotional support, paper, online, you know, do-it-yourself, something, you know, that maybe we can get donations from some local businesses, as well as tagging to specific social pages, the city of Mound, myself, um, any other fitness people that want to be involved, the approval of the designated parts if you don't already have it, and use of pavilion space for the closing ceremony. Also, we'll need accessible calendar of tasks, instructions, events, safety requirements, maybe a waiver if you feel like it's necessary for anybody who participates. The program is going to be pro promote um primarily self-guided. There will be additional presscheduled community workout days at some of the bigger parks led by a trainer, either myself or somebody else. And I propose a late June Saturday, a late July Saturday, early August Saturday, and a late August weekend date for the award ceremony. The goal is simple, to help make one of the healthiest, smallest communities in Minnesota. Not by building a new infrastructure, but by activating what we already have, which is our parks, our family, and our community. If you have any questions, thank you. Does >> council have any questions for Michael? >> I don't think so. >> I I just have a couple things I want to bring up. First of all, thank you for volunteering. >> Of course, >> it's a mammoth effort. I I guess if we're going to be moving forward with programs like this, who are you the facilitator of this project or will Mound be facilitating this? >> So, I'm willing to facilitate as much as Mound allows me to. I've run group sessions before. I've been training for multiple years. I've been lifting for 30 years. So, I know how to scale and lead small groups or large groups safely. Um, as far as facilitating the um activity of getting people out there, I can do that via my own personal social media. We can do it via the city of Mound and to create awareness that way. >> So, is this your program or is this the city of Mound's program? >> I would leave it up to the city of Mound. Actually, Michelle came to me. >> Well, I I mean, the only reason I'm asking is I I feel like they're There needs to be I don't know some guidelines put in place because if I and I love the program I'm not >> judging the program. I'm want to make sure that because this is new for us that we have everything in place to make sure there are no legal, you know, that that we're not >> well and moving forward >> when we do other events like this >> when we do other events. And I I want the programming to be successful, but I feel like you're you're our guinea pig. So I I feel like >> actually I do I am aware of that. You know, like for example, if somebody has a question on this program, do they call the city of mound or do they call you? This is where the disconnect is for me. >> And I totally understand. And I think that maybe if I have a connection to the city of mound, like somebody that I can talk to and integrate ideas with, they can be my, you know, my thoroughare, you know, the line to you guys, and we can work that out. Being that this just got brought to me about a week ago, I haven't had time to come up with all those answers and I you know I totally understand liability and um you know where that needs to land. I personally have liability waiverss that everybody has to sign. So we have until June to conclusively come up with a plan. My end of it just writing the programming and making you know the plan for it won't take long. I've been doing it for a long time. So, you know, as far as like your question, maybe I can have somebody work with me on that if they have time. >> Well, I think as a council and moving programming like this forward, which we all want and hope to see us successful, I just think we need to make sure >> that there are no questions out there and that, you know, the staff understands fully what their obligation to a program like this is. you know, like do we attach the city of Mound to this >> or are we just a, you know, kind of a supporter of this program? I I just >> my idea was that it's for the city >> and that it gets attached to the city and that it becomes if if you want to do it and it becomes successful that it's very specific to the city of Mound and it creates, >> you know, awareness and it creates activity and it creates, you know, exploration of the city. So, >> this is where I just feel like we as a council and working with Ryan or whoever will be facilitating these, >> this is where I think we need to add recreation to the umbrella of [laughter and clears throat] public works parks because >> I mean, if we start having a lot of recreational activities and and programs [clears throat] going through, I think we need to have somebody clearly at the helm managing something like this. Well, that was right on point with what I was going to say. This is like the beginning of our parks and recreation department in Mound. Um, but we don't have staffing for it at this point. And so I think that while it should I think it it's something that the city has asked him to do for us. He's come forward to do that. And I think that we have to have some kind of contract that's real clear as to what the expectations are for what you will do and for what we may have to do even though we don't have designated staff. >> But I think we need that clarity um established so that there's no misgivings because you know you're not going to be liable for anything that happens in this. This is it's going to be a city liability. It will be in our parks, right? if something should happen. >> Um, but I think our I think our parks are covered by city insurance or whatever, right? If someone gets gonna be self supported by that's where I that's where I I go okay but who's watching over this whole program when the self >> part of it is what I'm proposing is selfguided or self-motivated just to get to all the different parks because there not enough there aren't enough parks nor is there enough time in my schedule to lead every single physical session. So that's why I was thinking the scavenger hunt aspect of it. You know, they get they they get a map or for the kids especially, they love maps, they love stamps, they go to this certain park and I have a very specific instruction of the activities for them that they can reach via social media or pre-ordained instructions on what you do there. Great. You get a stamp. You get, you know, your name in the drawing for, you know, participation awards at the end. And then on those very specific dates, that's where I lead a large group physical activity session. >> So do you envision this as part of the parks passport that they've initiated? >> We didn't discuss that, but we do have a parks passport, which you use that terminology, which [clears throat] >> but I think it would be very similar. In other words, we could incorporate the one that we already have, but part of the thing is he's defining what those exercises and stuff should be. >> So, it's kind of a guided tour to your own self fitness. >> But that's what the passport is. I think it they could be combined. >> Yeah. >> I mean, to duplicate would would create >> y >> confusion. So, why not if we're going to use the term passport, use it for all of it. And there's there's an added physical wellness activity side to it. And then there's one just visiting the parks. >> Yeah. >> And you know, >> I love the idea of this. I just want to make sure we have procedural specifics in place >> for so everybody understands, >> you know, what their responsibilities are. >> Yeah, [clears throat] I agree. >> So I think the next steps would be for you to really work on the contract. what are the specifics? What's the city responsible for? What he's responsible for? Um, and even maybe identifying resident roles because in some neighborhoods it could be a resident who says, "Hey, let's all go down to the park and do this exercise together, you know, or it could be the nannies >> and the mamas with the little ones that meet at 2:00 in the parks, you know, do their thing with their kids at that time." So, you know, you could have informal groups [clears throat] organizing, which I think is part of what you're >> encouraging. >> Definitely. >> So, Jesse, um, question for you. As far as staff, and I know we've got a limited number of staff members, hours available. You know, we've got a new role coming on board. Would that person have the ability or capacity to answer questions? I mean, because they're not really going to have to do anything other than hand out a >> Right. I >> I mean nothing so far has sounded too daunting. I mean I think if if it's a council driven directive to you know work to come up with how you know just the division of duties here. I mean if the city's side of it is mostlyformational and not necessarily organizational that that's should be pretty easy for us. I mean, um, I would think a lot of ours would be focused on using social media or the website to to help promote the program, especially if it's part of the like the parks passport thing. That doesn't cause me a lot of concern. >> Um, I think the greater point about if this is a kickoff to a larger sort of recreational thing, then yeah, we should definitely talk more. Um, in the interest of time, if this is something the council wants to do, I'd be happy to just start rocking on this particular program and then use that to maybe launch into more. I mean, I think we're always sort of discovering what else we want to be doing and I don't want to necessarily put something on hold that the council wants to see. So, um, short answer is no. I'm not too concerned with this right now. Um, I think one reason why we were kind of rushing this and trying to get it to the council tonight was in order to do the promotions and get it kicked off in June. When's the newsletter come out? >> Early May. >> Oh, was that the Okay, so we've got a little more time. I was thinking it was the 1 of April. Okay. >> I I like the whole thing as well. Um, I think combining it with the passport for sure, >> you know, and then us promoting that >> Yeah. >> I think is great. We We could put it in our next newsletter. we could put on social or a website >> and then maybe we even do just a softer roll out, right? And just see how it works if see people show up if and then again we can with our lovely attorney we can see what we can link to you know you and >> handsome >> handsome attorney. >> Um and then yeah, >> Jesse and our attorney maybe can work up some kind of legal thing or whatever, right? >> You got to sign some. I appreciate your willing to do this very much. Yeah. Thank you. I love it. >> And you should have credit. You should be credited with this because it really is Anytime Fitness who's driving the the program. >> Yeah. I mean, I all I'm really looking to get out of this is make sure that our town I moved here four years ago from Tucson, so I've only been here for a short amount of time and I've been very welcomed here. I love Mound. wonderful little city >> and I want to help keep the residents healthy and the families healthy. So, >> well, that's >> that's my goal. >> Although, I do want to say that the final event will be in our new Lost Lake. >> Correct. [laughter] >> That's what Michelle was kind of hinting at. >> LLC is what's driving a lot of this. So, so >> when we say you're a little bit of our guinea pig, you kind of are. So, >> it's okay. um take us with a grain of salt as we navigate these waters as well to make sure it's a success for everybody. >> These things tend to get bigger and better as they go along. So, I totally understand the aspect of being a guinea pig. I've been a guinea pig in a punchy bag many times. Not a problem. >> Literally. >> So, yep. >> Jess, could we have um Leila or one of someone on staff maybe redesign the the parks uh to combine this with it? passport >> passport and then combine this with it. Yeah, >> I mean she just redesigned >> it >> uh something for us the other day. She emailed and it was phenomenal. So >> that was the priorities I think. >> Yeah, the prior our priorities list >> is uh very very nice. So if [clears throat] she could do something I mean the parks that's a nice brochure, right? So >> we'll just have to >> we might have to outsource it but whatever. >> Yeah, we'll take a look. >> I mean I think that's a great idea. >> Yeah. And then if we can get something, you know, obviously by our new next newsletter and then I don't know if you want to still kind of run point on it a little bit or >> No, I mean my initiative was to go out and find something. So >> Okay. All right. [laughter] >> THIS IS WHAT CAME OUT. THIS is what I came up with on the fly. >> So we would have you work with Jesse. >> That's fine. >> Do you have a card that you can give? >> Yep. We exchange cards. So we have our contact information. >> Awesome. Well, thank you for coming. >> Thank you for your time. >> And thank you for your willingness to tackle this. >> Of course. >> Don't mind me. I've been up for 12 hours working, so I'm [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh 5B, we got council introduction, 1801 Commerce Boulevard. >> Good evening, mayor, council, uh staff, and guests. I'm Sarah Smith. I'm the planning director. Uh, and I'm going to introduce uh Scott O'Brien uh who's going to be presenting a council introduction to the council this evening and to those attendees who are with us. The council introduction is an informal presentation by an interested party to the council. It's required by the city's uh development policy and there is no formal motions. There's no formal recommendation. Staff does not prepare a presentation or do any technical support. This is the the council's opportunity to see a concept plan before the submittal of any formal applications from an interested party. Uh and so Mr. O'Brien from Trident is here this evening. Uh the proposal is for a concept to do a companion [clears throat] project to the Harrisonbased Senior Living uh which would redevelop the property that's commonly referred to as the Huber Funeral Home at 1801 Commerce to a senior uh 55 plus age restricted apartment, basically a companion project to the Harrison Bay senior living project on the south side of this property. uh as required by the council policy, we have provided mailed notice that was sent out, I believe on uh uh February 11th to all parties within 350 ft. So, we could have some guests with us this evening to learn about the concept. And with that, I'll stand for questions or we can bring uh Scott O'Brien up from Trident. >> Does council have any questions for Sarah? >> Not yet. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. You want to come on up? >> Sure. Welcome. Can you give us your name and address? Um, >> my name is Scott O'Brien. My address is 777 Vista Ridge Lane. I live down in Shakipi, actually. >> Nice. >> Um, but, uh, as Sarah mentioned, um, we we do have a building here in Mound that we developed um, some years ago. It was the third or fourth site in the city of Mound um that we landed on finally uh and and were successful in in being able to complete a project. We were originally in the Mound Harbor district. Then we bought some or had some land under contract with Pat and Paul Meiselle. >> Um then we had another parcel with Pat and Paul and [clears throat] none of them were going to work for what we wanted to construct and and how we wanted to service the residents of Mound. So, we ended up um buying the old landscape or the nursing home or nursery site um and then and then did the uh remediation of that site in order to put what's what's sits there now and that's our our uh 72 unit assisted living facility. So, um you folks all saw this. Um I think it's part of the packet. Uh this gives you a little bit of uh background on on Trident. I don't know that I need to read through the whole thing. It's kind of a little pat yourself on the back type thing. Anyhow, but what I did want to um just talk about briefly is when you look at this the building that we have right there right now, that's a memory care building, an assisted living building. There's not an independent building. >> There's an independent component to it should you want to live there. But the the the rent on that type of unit was compressed very very closely to the rent that a regular ALF unit would be anyhow [clears throat] because if you're moving into that building, you're really close to needing those services anyhow, right? And and we can't we're not we provide them. Um, a lot of our services are all a cart, but the safety, the security, and the nutritional nutrition that you move into an assisted living building would be provided for you even if you're in there as an independent. >> The average age of a of a per we we've done this is our well, we have 24 of these buildings across the state of Minnesota. We are only operating right now in the state of Minnesota. The average age of a resident in an assisted living building is 82. The average age in a 55 plus building is 84 because those folks I technically I shouldn't say this but I technically qualify for the 55 plus building. I'm not moving in there. That that's not a lifestyle choice for for for me right now. That's a lifestyle choice that's made by somebody who doesn't want a home anymore, wants to stay in their community, and wants the amenities offered by a 55 plus setting, but doesn't want to be in a general population market rate apartment building. There's also a higher enhanced level of concier services that we provide within these types of facilities that that that aren't offered in a regular um apartment building. So, I just wanted to make that note uh or that piece of the introduction. Could you flip it to the next one? So, what we're pursuing is a campus expansion that would integrate age restricted housing with our existing assisted living and memory care facilities, enhancing our ability to meet the long-term housing and care needs of the Mound community. This is a a actual picture of the inside of of our of our facility um here in Mound. So, you can see it's it's very wellappointed, very homey. Um, next please. This is an overhead shot of our current building. Um, got the lake in the background, the lake in the foreground, Dutch behind us, Harrison Bay in front of us, the school who's been a tremendous neighbor. Um, uh, to the south of us, and then we obviously were front uh, right on Commerce Boulevard. So then if we can go to the next um [clears throat] this might be a little hard to see but if you look in the upper leftand corner where you see Dutch Lake what you see is three brown three brown um uh colored rectangles that's part of our current PUD. So we are an R3 PUD right now. The property in question which is the Huber funeral home site is C1. So, if you look at that little red, the next slide provides a better close-up picture. I just wanted everybody's frame of reference to understand where we're talking within the city of Mound as we look at this piece of property. So, this is the current site location. Our PUB wraps around it. Um, the school obviously is to the the south of us. To the north of us is the permanently restricted um wooded area that was gifted by my memory's failing who donated that to uh the park district. So if you would please just go to the next one. >> This this is a Thank you. I heard somebody in the audience say Dirks. I think that's right. Um this is an overview of our building. You can see just to the north is uh some telephone or power lines and then the entrance into the lower level um parking garage of of the funeral home. So if you could go to the next one. This is a sketch proposal. We're a little constrained on the site due to its size and due to its slope. So the the concept is we would right now you have an entrance in you go up in park you go to the funeral and you go back out on the north end. The concept would be to eliminate the north end access and then enlarge the current um south end access but then also provide ingress and egress through our build through our current parking lot. So, we would have underground parking on the norththeast corner of of the new facility and then we would have surface parking stalls that would abut our property line and then the access would be from either side just so that um we can provide that both in and out from two separate locations within the project. Go to the next one. This the concept would be just to make it look like the other building. Yeah. I mean what what this building is is we we've done this in multiple locations. We have it down in Winona. We did it in Andover. Uh we have it in Chaza and Chaza. It's joined. It's a building across from Hazeline in North St. Paul. It's joined by a skyline uh by a skyway. Um, that's not going to happen here. If this would ever go forward, this is a lot more conducive type use. I I don't know that we're going to be able to have that walkway and that retaining wall there, but we'll make the landscaping very nice if should we get to that point. Um, I don't know that the grade will let us do that, but needless to say, it'll be professionally landscaped. It'll mirror the other building from a from a well the look the um exterior building materials the difference will be this building will have more decks. The bulk of the decks on the other building are off the back of the building looking at Dutch Lake. So the concept would be to make the Huber property part of our current PUB which would provide us then with a complete or a total of 11 basically 11 and a/4 acres. We have 72 units. We're proposing a 72 unit mirrored building on the other side. Um, they'll be fairly close in square footage because there won't be the giant common areas necessary in an age restricted building that you would have in an assisted living and memory care building. We have two um dining rooms in the current building, one for memory care, one for assisted. We have a commercial kitchen. We have another kitchen. We have a lot of common space in that building. Right. this building wouldn't it would have a lot of common space but nowhere near the common space that her current Harrison Bay um building has. So that results in a net 12.8 units an acre. I have met with staff and and we're aware of um the council's view of multifamily housing and and and more larger scale projects within your town. Um, so I respect that. We thought this concept would fit in nicely because we already have the sister building. What this does is allows the city of Mound to keep that 84 year old resident in the city of Mound. Um, and it also is a is a is a good use in that it kind of fits it does fit in the neighborhood. There's other apartment buildings going down Commerce Boulevard. as you approach our property, we've got the school there and then we're sort of the last property in the northeast northwest corner of the city. >> So, flip to the next one, please. Um, I'll read this quick. The proposed expansion of the Harrison Bay Senior Living located in the northwest corner of Mound in the adjacent nearly 20 acres of protected wooded preserve is well suited to the surrounding area and designed to be compatible with the neighboring properties. the campus setting scale and quiet residential use ensure expansion would not be disruptive to the neighbors. Harrison Bay and its managing partner Lifespark, which would be the manager of this facility as well, believe that an addition of a mere age restricted housing building would allow the campus to continue serving the aging population of Mounds for many years to come. So, our ownership group, we developed it, we own it. LifeSpark still owns it with us. They still manage it. They would own this, they would manage it. So for some municipalities that's very important, for some not so much. But we've been working here in Mound for 15 years now. Um it took us half that time just to get Harrison Bay going. >> Right. >> Now we've owned it for half that time. >> Um so we're I mean I'm I grew up in Chaki. I got this in Pond Ice Green when I was 16 years old. [clears throat] So I've been around a long time. So I I'd stand for questions then. >> All right. Does council have any questions? >> I have some questions. Um what what about the Dutch Lake side of this property? How will this new market rate um units will they have access to Dutch Lake? Is there any sort of amenities? I know when when you were planning the first one because of contamination issues, you built away from the lake, farther away. Is that still going to be an issue? >> Yes. Well, there aren't contamination issues. We don't know yet on this site. I don't I don't believe there are going to be contamination issues. >> The specific parcel we're buying already has a parking lot on it. >> Mhm. >> And our we're what we're contemplating doing is removing the parking lot, removing the building, and putting the new building there. If you go back to that that slide that shows RPU, >> we wrap around it. So, I'm already behind it. So, I'm not contemplating accessing at this time Dutch Lake. >> I mean, if if it was a condition of my approval and you made me put in a little trail in the dock, I would be to that. >> It's just that it's a beautiful lake. it it doesn't have a lot of heavy residential units on it and you know it could be a great natural amenity >> for [clears throat] your residents. Um but I I just wondered I >> I think it's a great idea. >> I grew up in the Dutch Lake neighborhood so >> yeah. Um [clears throat] >> I'm kind of embarrassed I didn't think of it to be honest with you. because that whole side of the lake other than the the one little development. Um, you know, it's it's Christmas tree camp and big acorage lots. Um, so it's a very quiet lake in a way. I mean, the school now has some new docks that they use for biology class, I guess, or something. It would, Councilwoman, if it would be this if if that would come to fruition, it would be one dock, one pontoon, one staff member. >> Mhm. >> Driving the residents on a pontoon right around the lake. >> Again, they're not they're not ready for an assisted living, but they're not out there water skiing behind a Malibu at 3:00 in the afternoon. They're they're just getting on a pontoon and going for a ride. But I think it's a great idea. >> Well, yeah. I'm I'm 75. I just turned 75 and I walk around town with a walker all the time. So, you know, it's they're still active people. [cough] Um [clears throat] Okay. So, I'll I'll let other people ask questions. >> Okay. >> Does council have any other questions? >> I I have a question. >> Yeah. >> Um >> do you have any research that you've done to support demand? >> Yes. for this many apartments >> in mound. >> Yep. >> Can we can you share it with us? >> Well, I don't have it with me, but I hire we use a demographer for every project that we do. >> So, we hire a demographer to come out, study the project, study the demand [clears throat] because for a host of reasons. One, we want to make sure that we have the demand. two, we don't pay cash when we build them. So, the bank wants to make sure I have demand when I go in and ask for the money to build the building. So, it's always condition at the bank to say, "How much demand are you going to be able to generate at this site?" Um, actually, yeah, they're not always perfect either. Um, we thought there would be a a lot more demand at the current Harrison Bay site and it the last four years have been awesome, but the first three it it took a while to to fill up. >> What is your rate of >> filling up right now going on at Harrison Bay? I've had a couple of >> member, you know, family members, friends of family members that have stayed there. >> Yes. >> Yes. It's very nice when you walk in. Thank you. Um, Harrison Bay is full and it it it's the nature of that business that you're not always 100% full. >> Yeah. >> Right. [snorts] So, it's a market rate department isn't that different. Market rate apartments, you know, >> council member might move out, council member moves in. There's a lag in there of a month. That's what happens with these assisted living buildings. >> Um, but our census has been running between full [clears throat] or maybe one or two units empty and that's it because right now I mean this this is just the industry they got really expensive to build then co hit nobody built them nobody wanted to go into them for a whole host of reasons right so your aging parent or grandparent stayed at home didn't move into a facility. So then what happened is the market didn't build them. Now what hap now what now what the the demographics of the whole United States is telling us is that you have all these people looking to get into these buildings that didn't get built. >> So now we have we have a bit of a supply problem frankly. Have you had discussions with the Minnitanka Watershed District to see if there'd be any impact with that many 72 apartments? >> No. >> Okay. >> I >> we have had >> we would do all that and that's phase two. >> [clears throat] >> Um, but since we're introducing this to you and and want to I mean, frankly, I just want to know if it's something you would entertain doing because >> these aren't they're not cheap to do and they're not cheap to hire all those surveyors and, you know, geologists and all the people I need to hire and architects and then to be told, well, we don't we don't want that density there. Then >> so that step would come like later in the process. >> All that has to come. I have to get all those approvals from I have to get approvals from everybody in order to >> to build the building. >> Yeah. But you don't do that yet. >> No. >> Well, you know about the neighbors across the street have concern about the the t the um what do you call it? Street um debris that's coming into their yards and into their bay. They actually came to us two years ago and wanted us to dredge the um what is that development called channel. >> Yeah, it's a Harrison Bay town homes and they wanted us to dredge the channel and um we didn't want to dredge it. We asked the county because it's a county road and um the county was silent on it and um you know it um it's I'm sure it's probably an unresolved issue for those residents um because they feel that there could be something done on your side. Now, you already have one large ponding area. >> Um, but it's the the lot next to you, the donated land, the forest. There's some land over there where they had um projected that maybe something could be done there. Uh, and so I don't know if that will influence your development or not, but it's something you might want to just get some research on. I would have to >> have a civil engineer run all the drainage calcs to make sure that I'm compliant with the ordinance in for both the city of mound and the Minihaha Creek wershed district. I'm sure that that natural pond that is at the bottom of the Huber funeral home site >> will have to be addressed >> and changed and we will have to >> discharge either into that and or the pond that resides on our other behind our building. So part of us might be going part of part of us part of the building might be going >> towards and part of it might be going back to the west in which case we would need to enlarge that pond. >> The other question I had for you was um with the aging population um we have our fire department now says 80% of their calls are for falls. Now, you know, that that covers more than just mound, but adding these 75 units and we know because these are 55 plus and not assisted living, you don't have staff normally um available to help with falls. And I've heard in other large complexes in the metro areas that one in Bloomington and the independent livers were complaining that um you know right across the alley from them was the assisted living and they got help from staff when they fell but in the independent living when they fell they had to call um you know 911 and go through that expense. So, um, do you have, you know, you might want to think about talking with our fire department probably, um, about their concerns about that, but also, are there some remedies for that? I mean, I know that, um, Normandale Junior College or, yeah, I guess community college has a program that trains people for EMS kind of um, work. So >> I I can only exper speak to the experience we have. We don't have a large number of calls coming to our independent buildings. We used to have a large number of calls coming for falls and a whole host of other things in our assisted living and and memory care buildings. You will be hearing a lot more about Lifespark in the next 5 years as a company that's revolutionizing the way we care for folks in our residents in these memory care and assisted living facilities in that when your loved one falls in that building, most likely they're out of the building, >> right? So when they leave, I mean, this is getting into the weeds, but when they leave the building, all they pay is their rent. They don't pay for any services. they're not receiving any services. So the last thing these operators want is for folks to leave the building. So they want to triage people on the bill on site, keep them in the building, take care of them. So we have rounding physicians on call 24/7 within the metro area [laughter] that are helping alleviate that issue. And so we've seen a dramatic decrease in the frequency rate of ambulances at our buildings. That's anecdotal, but I mean I'm at some of our buildings a lot and I see it. >> So if you guys have a fall, >> do do us your staff pick them up? >> Depends on the fall. >> Okay. I think that's where we're at. We're both on the fire commission >> and and I don't think you you guys are your numbers are that high if I recall. Um, but there's another place around here that in a different town that has very high numbers and they will not pick up a resident. They fall you you see it on the news, right? Someone was pinned against the wall and died, right? >> Um, >> it's a big issue that we're working on right now of how do we address this? I mean, you know, if people fall, we, you know, we want to send people and go pick them up if it's police or fire, you know, whoever, you know, the ambulance, whoever's got to show up. But, um, at the same point, you know, you get a lot of these, then you go, okay, so the the taxpayer be playing for, >> you know, picking up people in in your place and not talking about the 55 as much probably right now, but your current place. Um, and again, that's just a big discussion going on behind the scenes right now. I would urge you to reach out >> outside of this. >> Yeah. >> To me or people at Lifespark and then we can take you up to that building and they can walk you through the protocol cuz it's different than what anybody else is doing. >> And again, I it's better. >> We've heard that yours are lower. >> We see your calls are less. Yeah. >> I think what he was kind of getting at too before was like there's kind of two types of those calls like someone fell and got hurt and you can't just, you know, pick up and move someone if they're seriously injured. But like the lift assist I think is the more >> Yeah, that's exactly >> widespread. >> And we get a lot of [clears throat] a lot of lift assist calls >> and then we're like, "Well, why couldn't you just lift them and you guys are making all this money if you to house these people? Why aren't you just picking them up?" >> It's like they're like, "Well, we can't." So, we got to call 40. >> We pick them up. >> Firefighters, right? Exactly. >> Yeah. The lift assist is a different thing. We pick them up. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, that's good. >> So, we do need to follow up on that because there are multiple cities, maple plane, that are adopting props policies around that. >> It's a management company. It's who's managing the property >> that's determining how they address it. There's no ordinances from cities that >> Well, there's a financial impact to the community as well. And that's what they're trying to address address because >> we are looking [snorts] at that. And yeah, >> we're the Spring Park mayor and I just met on Friday actually with the police chief. >> Yep. um and the deputy chief and that's in fact that's the whole reason we met is to talk about this issue uh and again it's and it's an issue in Spring Park really but remember we cover park >> that's [snorts] what I'm saying Maple Plane just wrote an ordinance >> they did and we got a copy of it and >> it depend on what we think here with >> probably the two of us we'll bring it back and that might be what we do right >> um and it might be like you know the fourth call or you know there's pe people at like 30 calls Mhm. >> And it's like I can't reach my remote. Can >> seriously. >> Oh, I know. >> Yeah. >> So, anyway, uh back to the 55 [laughter] plus. >> How does this align with our zoning, our current zoning for the 2024 plan? >> Um as I said during our presentation informally, we have not done technical review preliminarily. Uh this would be a resoning a comp plan amendment an amendment to their plan unit development um and a conditional which would be their conditional use permit amendment that that's high level. So reszoning comp plan amendment and the land use application. So they're at 12.8 eight units per acre where I just didn't take Apologies. I didn't take the time to look up where are we currently at what we allow >> um I think it's 8 to 8 to 15 dwelling units an acre in the form of a town home a twin home >> um rowhouse type of an uh product. The Harrison Bay Senior Living was built uh under the uh pre2023 24 comp plan amendment. Um, and if you saw on the overhead, I think what they're looking at is obviously is an amendment to the PUD and blending the the 1801 into the 1861. And I I think I saw a a number of like 12 something dwelling units an acre or a lot. There it is. >> 12.8. >> 12.8. Um, not not to say that that's how it'll roll out, but u because the product line is def is definitely different than what we contemplate in the in the comp plan, but I think that kind of gets to the heart of the matter of the of the density because as you saw um a lot of the a good portion of the current senior living project is preserved and that's and it's significantly larger than the hub piece. So, so the density numbers preliminarily without doing if we would consider it that way would fall in line if if but that's again that all has to be fleshed out. That isn't normally how we do it. >> Doesn't mean you can't. >> So you'd be getting creative. >> This is a again this is a unique piece. I mean, if you look at them being, you know, one project with different product lines of housing, it it seems that it's a reasonable approach certainly to consider. Doesn't mean that we will pursue it that way, but I certainly think we'd want to vent that out. >> Besides apartments, have you thought about doing like town homes or any other product? No. You like the transition of like the campus view of you're here. Maybe down the road you go to the next spot or >> Yes. The the patio home type product on on that spot means maybe 40% of the 72 unit density. It also brings in a different resident, right? um that resident that that wants that patio home is 10 to 15 years younger than the resident that is going to eventually end up at Harrison Bay. >> And it's just it's we build slab homes, we build town homes, um but we build them market rate and we build them with a lot more density than than that spot would ever afford. Do do you do you know what your mix would be between one bedrooms and two bedrooms? And would you have studio? >> It'd be primarily onebedroom plus den probably 40%. >> We put some studios in there. >> Mhm. >> Um probably 10 to 15% that's 55. Then the balance would be two and three bedrooms. >> C have any other questions for him? Other question the public? >> I do. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Was anybody else? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> I guess a couple comments, not just questions, but >> um do you feel like you have the parking pretty well figured out for as it stands now with that many units? >> Yes. >> Like with the underground, it was underground and exterior. >> Yes. >> Okay. I don't even know what that would end up coming to. >> It's one to one underground and then just a hair under one above ground. >> But it fits. as you have. >> It's almost two units, almost two parking stalls per unit. >> Okay. I like that you propose getting rid of that north um access point, too, so there's not, you know, three access points in in one block. >> We have enough of that. Um it is highly visible, of course, and I thought when I looked at the rendering, I can see how it was supposed to match the other building there. And I mean it's just like a preliminary rendering, but I think if it were to, you know, move forward, we would want to I'm not speaking for anybody else. I shouldn't say we, but we don't get nice new buildings along that area. We have a lot of aging buildings, too. I think we would want to make sure it looks as nice as possible and probably be really picky with that. I mean, I can see the color scheme match the Harrison Bay building, but I don't know. Maybe I just didn't see like the siding type and all that stuff in that much detail, but it didn't look to me quite as nice. >> It's because I when I was told I need to make the little booklet, [laughter] I I had my architect together in like two days. The other thing is there will be an outdoor patio feature overlooking Harrison Bay. So, as you drive by, you'll have that gabled roof on that end, >> you know, with the fireplace and the amenities on that third floor overlooking >> Harrison Bay. It's just something that we've like been focusing on as a council is to get, you know, we have a lot of aging aging buildings and stuff like that, too. And I don't know, appearance would be a priority, but um I was mostly just curious about the parking. Um yeah, that's about it. >> I have one more question. Maybe it's not one that you can answer, >> but you're taking out the Huber business. Correct. And so that raises the issue, where would people in Mound, Menotrista, um, Spring Park potentially go for those services? Do you know, are they planning to relocate in the area or not? >> I can't speak for >> Mr. Huber [clears throat] today other than I've had some discussions with him. He It's my understanding he plans to continue to operate within the city of M >> and I did notice that that property is for sale. >> It is on the market. >> I I could speak to that. >> Okay. >> Just give us a minute. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> All right. Any other comments? No. From us? >> Thank you, everyone. >> All right. Thank you. >> So, just remember this is a kind of a pre-introduction, so this is very very high level. um council a couple years ago uh changed our order and how we do this. So a lot of times what would happen is you would go through planning. So you talk to the city, you go through planning and then you come back to council and that's like the first time we would see it. We've, as this council in the last one said, we want to have a little bit more opinions up front, even though we're not saying, you know, you're going to get approved, obviously, uh, right up front, but, you know, give some feedback and then you can kind of go back. Um, there's been actually a couple or one for sure that came back a second time and said, you know, because we're kind of really going back and forth with that person. Um so after you hear the public and then of course us kind of talk about it after that that would be uh you know up to you obviously if you want to go to the next step then you go to planning and then come back to the council. So and again yeah thank you. >> Thank you. >> And then again so the public if you want to come up and uh just give us uh your name and address and you got three minutes. >> Yeah. Paul Huber uh 52nd Street Excelsure. >> All right. >> Uh council members and staff. appreciate. Thanks for all you've done. >> Um Scott offered us the option of a corner office, possibly a corner in this building so that we could keep our funeral business in operation. So this would be funerals re-imagined >> and we won't need a big chapel. We won't need a lot of space. We need an office, maybe a thousand square foot office or so. And we'll talk to all the local churches because as we all know, the churches took a beating during CO. Yeah. >> A lot of those people have not come back. >> So, they're watching Sunday morning services from their home in their pajamas. We will have a list of churches that would love to have a funeral service and for the church to get a thousand 2,000 something like that and for 2, three, four hours of their time. So we can still take care of the mound community >> with funeral services >> and [clears throat] continue doing pre-arrangements which is a big part of our business. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. That that's really helpful. I want to thank you for your decades of >> Yes. >> helping Mound and all the residents who are going through tremendous loss. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> I I know I can speak for myself. When my husband passed away, you completely comforted me and my young kids >> and you're such a huge part of the fabric of [clears throat] Mound. >> Thank you. Um so it does bring some relief to know that you would still be offering services. Have you noticed the re you won't be having any um ceremonies or what have you at at Huber? But is that because the the dynamic has changed with funerals? >> Yes. Um uh a pretty good number of people now have cremation. Uh some of those people, Kathy, are doing uh actual memorials gatherings in their backyards. >> Yeah. >> Uh some of them are doing them at the arburetum. Um we do a lot of things at Gillespie Center. >> And some of the churches would love to have some of those funerals at [clears throat] their church, >> right? Not necessarily the church of those people, >> but maybe they went there as kids and you know, mom and dad get elderly, they quit going to church. That happens a lot. So, we've been here 43 years and thank you for that. Um, and we'd like to stay. So, this way I'm selling the funeral business, but just the building, not the actual business. and Scott has offered for us to have a corner office there or some office space >> so we can continue on. >> That's really great to hear because I'd hate to lose the business >> and the relationship that you have with the community. >> Yeah, thank you. Well, we hate to >> uh be gone from here also, but >> I am 71 and I do >> you're young compared to me. I'm about the same age as Rich >> uh Richie and uh >> um do need to move on. My three daughters don't want anything to do with funeral service, but imagine that. But anyway, >> are [snorts] you still in Excelsier? >> Yes. And Eden Prairie. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> We started in Excelsier in 1950. >> So I've been doing it 50 years. >> Well, thank you. >> My dad started there. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> You bet. You're welcome, everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right. Does anybody else want to come up and say anything? >> I do. >> Yeah. Come on up. Use your name, address. >> So, my name is Kathy Surn and I own the property at 1766 Commerce Boulevard. >> Can you put the PUD map back up, please? >> So, site location right across one of the four directly. What direction [clears throat] is that? North >> where the beige or the >> yellowish ones >> town [clears throat] hall east. >> Yeah, one of the four town homes. >> Yeah. >> Um so I thank you for having this preliminary meeting tonight. >> Um and clearly we understand that if the property is for sale, something will happen to it. So >> um and I think you know the interest is something that is good for the community but also not delarious to us. Um, so I guess a few things I want to say. One is just kind of a clarification. I mean, I don't know if this is like a municipal term, but referring to this as a campus extension. I mean, to me, you're taking something that's, you know, two acres in the midst of all the rest of that brown, but you're doubling the density there. >> Yeah. >> Um, and to the math and the creative math, I mean, I did the math. So, 12.8 8 units per acre. But that's because the vast majority of it is coming from the brown part. I mean, if you just look at the pink part, it's 33.5. >> Yes, we that's what we were talking about earlier that that we normally calculate density on a per lot basis, but if this would become a PUB and and incorporate it as an amendment, that would be evaluated whether whether or not that's appropriate. >> Right. So that gets back to what you were saying about being potentially creative. >> So I mean to me that's doubling the density right across from my driveway. >> And I mean I understand and actually had no idea that the um 55 plus age group is essentially the same as the non. But I mean to me again it seems as though you've got how many parking spaces did you say? 142 per unit basically. What was it? Ma'am. Ma'am. >> Yeah. >> So, I mean, >> just just address us here. >> Sorry. >> Uh, just address us. We're videotaping and you got to keep keep >> So, um, you know, that's a lot of cars coming in and out of there right onto Commerce Boulevard, which already, you know, when school lets out and at rush hour, that's backed up in front of our driveways. So, that feels like a lot more activity. So, that's my clarification. Um and then you know the other thing I guess so that's the first thing how will this impact density and traffic on commerce. The other thing is though um as you had mentioned you know we clearly feel like the Can we go back to the PUD map please? Um where that is that swale or whatever you want to call it that comes right into Harrison Bay in front of us. I mean, in 2022, you know, mound to investigate runoff into Harrison's Bay. This is an article from the paper. To my knowledge, nothing has ever come of this. We had to replace our seaw wall at extensive cost to ourselves. Um, there's been dredging. Um and it was referred to that this was caused by you know uh key causes imperous surface on the west side of Commerce Boulevard which to me means parking lots etc. So to me I would want to have a clear understanding from the developer and the the city about how that would be addressed and how it would be improved because it can't keep going the way it is. It's not it's not right. So um and as a part of the development plan. >> So again >> um I think that's you know I guess in terms of not being disruptive to neighbors I guess to me it feels disruptive based on how it's being presented right now. But again I totally understand something's going to go there and it's just a matter of what it is and how it's most beneficial for us. >> So thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Anybody else? Last chance. Got one. >> Give us your name and address. >> Um, my name is JoeRum. My address is 5975 Richard Road. Um, you guys already kind of touched on the point of safety and [clears throat] speaking with the fire department about falls and whatnot. I think that's a great path to go down. Um, and as someone who's familiar with the senior living business. Um, that would be like one of my main concerns is just that Harrison Bay, as stated previously, runs pretty full. So, what happens when the independent building fills up and then you have all these residents who might need or, you know, want or anticipate to move to Harrison Bay, senior living for assisted living, but they can't. And then they're kind of stuck in independent living. you have fire department responding all the time. Like I just think that might be something to consider. Um the other piece that I would have the most consideration for would be the financial piece, like what would the market rate for rent be for these units? And would the residents of Mound really be able to afford it? What happens when people can't afford it? Like do they get to stay there? Do they have to leave? Are you gonna accept, you know, housing support or some sort of government program to have residents stay there? Um, are you going to have people getting kicked out of there and being homeless in Mound? That's kind of something to consider. Um, because the rate for independent living apartments in this area is very expensive. Not sure if anyone's familiar, but to the tune of three to$4,000 a month or more for independent living. So that's just my main input and consideration and just things to think about to serve the seniors of Mound properly. >> Cool. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Thanks. >> All right. Anybody else? >> All right. I'm going to close that portion of it. So, back to council. Um, any thoughts that we want to talk about? >> I have one more question I think that I kind of forgot to ask. Can we go back to >> for who? for the uh potential application. >> You want to come back up? >> Sure. >> Um >> uh the last person that spoke kind of brought I forgot to cross off one of my bullet points, but like what's your process for the other buildings um to get started? Like as you said, you need you need to tell the bank you have a certain amount of demand before you build. How does that work? If it were approved, if if this were, you know, approved in a form like this, like what is your process to start? Like how many >> Well, once >> units >> should it go through the prescribed process that >> that Sarah alluded to might have to be the way this is done. Um, well then I I would suspect the building is going to cost somewhere around $300,000 a door to build. That's just what it costs right now. So call it 21 and a half $21.6 million to build. So the folks that own current Harrison Bay would put the equity in to build the new Harrison Bay or what Huber Heights I guess I'm told Paul I would call it that if [clears throat] he ends up having the the funeral home in there. Um cuz then people will know where to go when they go to get their funeral services from Paul. Um that was sort of our idea. Um and and then you know I've been through the process a hundred times. So then we just it's traditionally financed. Um I didn't come here asking for because I didn't think this was the right form and I don't know that I even will any taxment financing but that's where the last gentleman that was speaking that's where that component would come into it with regard to um rent restrictions. Um, we're nowhere near those numbers that he spoke of there. That's not going to be the >> I mean, [clears throat] >> I'm just saying like do you envision it kind of being like it needs to be 60% sold before you >> I don't sell them. >> Yeah. Sell. It's rental. >> It's all rental. >> Okay. >> So, it won't be it won't be sold. >> So, it's not that process. Okay. >> That's press. We don't operate that way. [snorts] [clears throat] >> Would any part of this development say you can't fill up 70 apartments? Would any part of it be government subsidized so you can still have profitability? I mean 72 apartments is a lot of apartments. >> Haven't done that. What happens when we I mean not to tell you all the secrets behind the wizard's curtain, but what happens in a circumstance like that is the owners write the checks to the bank to cover the deficit between the rent you're collecting and the amount you owe the bank versus and the amount you collect against what it costs to operate the building and what it costs to service the bank debt and pay the taxes. Well, I mean, I understand that part of it, but I I'm saying would would Mound have any reason to believe that at one point we were 55 and over, but because we haven't been able to fill it, uh, we're going to move now to >> section 8, >> open section 8 or open open >> to anybody. >> There is no section 8. >> I haven't. No, I've never I've never twisted or changed a building into a section 8 building. we've just always kind of gutted it out until it was full. And you know that if if unfortunately if if if a person runs out of money um you know we can't keep them there if they can't pay any rent. So then it would be up to them to go contact the county. But it wouldn't be our building putting them onto a government program. It would be on it would be them searching out some sort of avenue to provide public assistance to them to afford to pay the rent. >> But what you mentioned before I think was you had commented that just with like the last several years there was a there's a lot of demand for it right now because of buildings that didn't get built. So you anticipate plenty of demand for >> the site obviously. >> Yeah. There's a total underbuilding of senior housing in the state. >> Yep. because I don't like having to write checks to make [laughter] >> it's not fun. >> Anything else? >> That's all I got. >> That's all we got. >> All right. Any other discussion between us? >> Is this where we're supposed to say if we're in favor of it or not? >> I mean, you can say whatever you want. We're not voting on anything. So, I don't know if you want to just say anything that you would be thinking about or >> Well, >> worried about or like or don't like, >> you know. I appreciate the synergy of the two buildings and the fact that you'd be offering space to Paul Huber and his services. I I just this is too big for me. It's too much density. It's I don't think it's what most people vision to enhance the small town quaint feel of Mount. you know, if it was reduced by half, I might be more interested in saying, "Yeah, I think it would be a great And with that being said, Harrison Bay has been a a really wonderful service for mound. This just feels really big for me." And that's I I'd be one of those people that is concerned about big mega apartment structures. And I agree with you who spoke to the the density and the new traffic that's going to be happening on commerce. >> Just remember, we're talking to us here. >> Any >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, we're just we're discussing with us. Anybody [clears throat] else want to say anything? Well, I would just say I think that um you know given given the demands of the baby boomer generation which is over 1 million in this state making it one out of every four motans are over the age of 55 which is his target market. and knowing that um prior to CO there was no um there was no real funding or push for aged housing and it was only after CO that the realities of the lack of units available for the aged population became critical and um and so I I think the need is there. I think that um we've raised a lot of questions and some things that we need to get more answers on. Um I would be interested in if you really can keep your rents down if it costs 300,000 a unit, you know, that is like a $3,000 a month um rent and is that affordable? You know, and you know, the other side is, you know, you raised the issue about you're concerned about affordability the low income side, but you know, everyone's going for what's the cheapest rent that they can get. And is 3,000 is that considered as low as you want rents and that anyone who can't pay 3,000 should not be in mound or whatever? Um, I'm glad to hear that we're not losing the funeral business. Um, and so, um, you know, I think we we need to see, um, better renderings of what the building's going to look like [clears throat] and its final placement because I suspect you may have to move it a little bit. Um but I think that um it's worth them exploring and it's worth this city looking at considering um that um you know I I don't I'm not so concerned about 75 units being too high a density for mound this the way this development would be built the density is not going to be visually that um that noticeable because it sits back and stuff and so um I think that it can work but I would like to see how the the whole campus layout will come out. So that's my general comments. >> Thanks. >> Yeah, I guess I hadn't um council member Pew kind of found the words I was looking for. I guess I didn't know how to say it before, but it's worth exploring. It's big, but I mean it's I think it's worth all of us looking into and having them give it a shot. >> Sarah, >> well, I would definitely say that I understand the developers [clears throat] standpoint. I mean, the feasibility of building this type of structure with the cost of construction these days is tough. Um, I'm questioning a little bit. I mean, if we're going to combine the the PUDS or whatever, you know, why wouldn't we connect these somehow? I mean, those are all things he's going to have to decide, not us, obviously. Um, it is a little high density. Um, I'm always concerned about the, you know, the voucher program and whether or not they're going to run into that problem of not being able to lease or rent out the units. Then what, you know, I mean, we've been through this with some other area developments. And, you know, obviously it was something that we were going to have to deal with if it came to fruition. Um, and I'm not even sure I understand what that type of rental assistance is available to that age group, you know, or even how that's funded. So, I mean, I think the last thing that we want is the market rate thing scares me, I guess, is what I'm gonna say at this point. >> Um, can you just can you pull up the that one? Yeah. Um, I guess my opinion, especially if I don't know how far back you can go to the to the left side since we would uh create these as one, you know, big lot here. Um, but my thought would be pull it to the west and actually I would maybe curve uh L-shape it so that there's some on the, you know, coming out this [snorts] way. So, it's a little like a L that way. What that could do is that could bring you farther away from the street and that gives us a little less in your face when you're driving down the the street. Now, the library, you know, that's that's pretty close to the road. I mean, it really is. Um, as it starts getting built, we start getting used to it, and I think it'll be amazing. But, you know, I think we're all used to seeing, you know, the Hooer, you know, so far up the hill. Um, so I think that obviously I would I would look into something like that, like a L shape. Maybe you can go farther back. Farther back the better, I would say. Um, don't make it just look like a big square or rectangle or whatever. Um, and I did like the other on the sec. Can you go one more after that? I know. I mean, I like I like the look. I like that you're tying it into the other thing. I like that you guys are owning both. You're not leaving town. You have a vested interest with us. I like your relationship with, you know, the owner of the lot. Now, um it again, that's why we did this density thing a couple years ago because we didn't want, you know, really big, massive apartment buildings. What I heard was downtown. You know, I went to a lot of doortodoor houses and they from what I heard is that we don't want huge massive apartment buildings in our main downtown. Now, this isn't in our main downtown. This is off, you know, off the beaten path a little bit. Uh it's actually just almost not in our town. Um I think it's I think it's a really good lot. Again, working around the density and figuring all that uh out. And then of course the storm water is going to be a big, you know, big thing that you're going to have to figure out. Um I from what doing this a handful of years, usually when you have a project, it's actually helps the water better that's eventually going to go into the lake. Um, so actually I think it would be probably be an upgrade uh to what's happening right now anyway. Um, but I would try to show that to us so we all all understand. And then also I mean you heard all you know the all the other comments. So I I think I would explore it personally. I would you know go to the next step go to planning but after you go to planning that they'll vet the heck out of you right and then you go to the next step and then come back to us. So, um, that's our comments and I think we'll stick to that. So, all right. Thanks for coming out. Appreciate it. >> Uh, let's go to the next one. Uh, number six is the consent agenda. Does someone want to read through those? [clears throat] I can do that. Uh, consent agenda items A through A through D. A, um, minutes from the February 10th regular council meeting. B, approve payment of claims. C, public lands permit for 6125 and 6139 Evergreen Road. And D, ordinance 222-206 amending section 5020 and 1071 of the Mound City Code. >> All right, I got our consent agenda. Can I get a or does that any council member want to talk about any of these? I'd like to pull uh D for discussion. >> Okay, we're going to pull D. So, any other discussion on A through C? Hearing none. Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Just with A, B, and C. >> I'd like to make a motion to approve consent agenda items A through C, removing D. >> I'd second that motion. >> All right. Got a motion and a second. Uh, all those in favor, please. >> Oh, I do roll call. >> Sorry, Jess is going to do the roll call. [clears throat] That's all right. That's better that we can hear ourselves. [clears throat] >> All right. We got a motion and a second on the on A through C. And roll call, please. >> Council member Heric. >> I. >> Council member Mcanini. >> I. >> Council member Pew. >> Hi. >> Council member Costellano. >> Hi. >> Mayor Hold. >> I. All right. A through C passes and we're going to talk about D. Go ahead. I I I kind of wanted to bring up I I feel like we should discuss this a little bit and how we got to raising the uh gathering number to 50. I appreciate that it's probably for the LLC, you know, for >> events and things coming up. Um, I I I feel like it should be in two categories and and the reason why is because I I feel like we're leaving ourselves vulnerable down at Surfside >> for the exact problems we've been dealing with for all these years to get exacerbated. So, I would propose we consider doing, you know, maybe two categories. one for um you know more family related picnics and kids soccer and baseball parties and maybe keep that at 1520 because that's what most people are going to the park for and then keep our number at 50 for all of our um I don't know I guess >> sponsored events >> organized sponsored events Um [clears throat] my fear if we do this not that it's been enforced that much by OPD which is always a little frustrating but the surfside problem you know as we all know it's been exasper exasperated by the unregistered businesses that go down there and that they bring you know five to 20 of their friends and family who take up every picnic table down there and move it down to the lake and then they sit there all day so they can avoid the loop. loophole of being unassisted with their boats [clears throat] or jet skis and they just move these people to just sit on them. But that's another deal. We're we've done a great job dealing with that problem the last couple years, but the first month of summer and the last month of summer, this comes up again because they all try to get away with it again. But my bigger issue with that is then the rest of the people and you know the beach is always packed. There's nowhere for these people to sit. there's no picnic tables available. So, I think and and I also feel like if we now that we have a new hope that we can I guess deal with some of these problems, you know, with our new person that's going to be hired. Um, we don't have a leg to stand on if we raise that to 50 and say to the police, well, they've got, you know, 20 people there. Now, we have 50. Not that, like I said, not that it's been consistently very um enforced, but I would like to see us have two categories of this so we can keep Surfside is the biggest problem. >> What are the two categories again? Could you find >> Well, I don't know. We can discuss it, but I'm thinking one for like recreational family type events >> and that would be like picnics and when the kids are down >> commercial and maybe that's not the right word, but are you saying kind of like residential and >> well and and I guess acknowledge sponsored events that would be for the 50 which makes total sense to me >> or residential and community events maybe. Well, I think we need to be really clear on what we call them because the the verbiage on this will be important. >> Um, >> yeah concerned about >> acknowledge um events sponsored through the city or >> that we're supporting, you know, like Spirit Lakes and for example, your program, the new program that we're discussing. I think and and even when we're meandering around through all the parks, if these grow 50 is a lot of people that all of a sudden we have no recourse to say, geez, too many gathering. So that's why I'm saying I think we should maybe just discuss having two separate um >> Well, it also makes it more enforceable for our legal or not our illegal >> for OPD. >> Yeah. For the police department. You know, you're always talking about you hate regulations. And then what we're doing is we're putting regulations. >> Well, I don't really like regulations, but if we are I I have to >> make a comment towards 50. I think it's too many. >> So, if my family came, 50 people would be the low end of me having a family event. >> Would you have a problem pulling a permit then? >> Huh? >> Would you have an issue with p pulling a permit then? >> Probably not. I guess >> well I mean even the baseball teams generally go and pull a permit. >> I just think we need to really think through this and realize what our exposure can be if we go from 15 people which is current >> to 50. That's a pretty big gigantic differential >> and that is an impact to public works because they have to go in and clean this mess up every Monday morning because the I agree with you. The picnic tables are all congregated over there by the beach side >> and and they're all pretending that they're down there picnicking and they're not. They're down there just being staged to uh sit on equipment. And and in the meantime, people that are officially down there for a picnic, there's no picnic table tables available most weekends. >> This happens. >> Jesse, do you know why we put this in here? >> Who where did it come from? >> Part of it really just comes from that it's kind of a housekeeping nightmare and that at any given time, I mean, if you think about if you went down to play a game of volleyball, you'd probably have 15 people if you're filling out the rosters. And at that point now technically we should be enforcing a permit situation. So um I don't think your average resident in any city would expect to that there would be a permit for something as casual as a just going to the park. I also recognize that cities don't have parks like we do. Surfside's very unique. So that was the driver behind it was really just if if it's not something we can reliably enforce, what can we do to make it more accessible without >> Yeah. without being a free-for-all for for large events. So um it doesn't have to change necessarily. I think prior to making multiple types of permits, I think we would prefer to just leave it as is and just continue to enforce it as it is and then maybe look into it maybe for the next year or something. I I just, you know, coming into spring, I don't know that how badly we want to try to stand up a separate program, but um [cough] that's that's where it came from. And don't we want to encourage I mean the the the purpose of Lost Lake Commons is that that's the events that's the large area. So why not keep it small for Surfside? >> Um it'll be hard to enforce but maybe we have to push the police to stand on. >> Yeah. We have leg to stand on and say you know if you want to have more people then you need to go to >> the bigger park. >> That's exactly what I'm saying. keep it at 50 for LLC if we want to make this change. >> But I think we need to be a little more conscientious about what that number looks like down at Surfside. >> We don't even have enough parking for that many people. Plus, >> you know, at Surfside, so parking would become an issue, too. >> Yeah, there's more parking at Lost Lake. >> Well, yeah. Parking ramp. >> Sorry if I missed anything, but are you saying like you want to pull it for like agenda item discussion later? and then not change anything tonight or did I miss >> I just pulled it for discussion. >> Okay. >> So part part of this too um [clears throat] amended the code that would require a permit for any type of music during the day. So it made it so that if you're still going to have something later on like a Spirit of Lakes type of event where the music goes into the evening, a permit is required. So, if if it's okay, I think we're probably going to say I don't know if it's possible to >> potentially approve it with an amendment or if we need to just come back. I'd defer to Scott on that probably if we were >> Are you Are you talking about uh going with section two and not section one >> for tonight? >> Sorry, I'll I was cool with the changing of the music. That makes total sense. >> The section two part. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I mean you can adopt this ordinance with section with excluding section one and then we can and then after the fact it could be well it would be modified and then that would administratively and then signed >> by the by the mayor and clerk. >> I think we would be fine with that and then that gives us a little more time to to noodle what you're thinking about with regards to the two parks. The music also will help >> um streamline things for folks that are having little things, but at the same time, if it's a night event or goes beyond 10:00, a permit is required and that requires council approval. And that I think will I think I think your points are well taken >> and that part of the music makes total sense. >> We appreciate it and we appreciate your input on the public gathering permit as well. So, if that's the route that you want to take is is >> remove section one, >> it would just be a motion to adopt ordinance whatever number um removing section one. >> Unless there's any other discussion, I'll take a motion for that. >> I can give it a shot. Um, I'd like to make a motion to approve consent agenda item 6D, uh, ordinance 226, uh, omitting section one and only approving section two, which would be 1071. >> I would refrain from saying se you're already removing section one because there's a third section that deals with the effectiveness. So, just to say in that motion just um, removing section one. >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion approving agenda item 6D um removing uh section one. >> All right, got a motion. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any other discussion? >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Those opposed. >> All right, that part passes. >> Sir, I can modify I can modify that in the morning and get it too. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you again. >> All right. Uh number seven, public hearings, there are none. Number eight, old business. There are none. Uh number nine, uh new business, uh a Avon Park equipment replacement plan by Ryan. >> Mayor, me, members of the council, uh have a short presentation to show you tonight of Avon Park. Why is that not in there? >> If you just give me a second, I got it. >> No problem. >> Oh, it's like Let's see. 78 >> the parks when I >> brought to the parks. >> Yeah, the one I sent emailed you. >> You sent me email address. >> Yeah, >> not that one. >> That's not it. your emails and [snorts and clears throat] look at the one you just emailed to me. >> I like the question here except this is a little meeting. I do not have children support should have also children. >> Just just remember no. >> Thank you for that reminder. >> It's just an awareness thing because >> of defendants council members, not the city. Thank you for something against that. [clears throat] Hey Jessie, the Henipin County Library System has a really cool passport. I don't know if you've ever seen it, but the designer, you might want to suggest it. >> Sure. >> It's really cool. Yeah, I've seen that. [clears throat] >> Thank you. enjoying [clears throat] those Girl Scout cookies. >> Trying not to eat them. [laughter] >> I gave two boxes away yesterday at city hall. All right. Uh, the park replacement this year, 2026, is Avon Park. Next slide. It's located uh just southeast of city hall here on Avon Drive. It has a green space, half a basketball court, back stop, and a play structure. Currently, uh, the play structure was installed in 1998 and is wood and I will say it is rotting, so it needs to go. And you can see this swing set that's still there is from the original playground set from 1977. Uh, some of the things that we're going to have to do uh or changes we're going to have to make with a new play structure. Well, uh, depending on the equipment that's chosen, it will change the size and shape of the surround. Uh, sand is no longer ADA compliant. For um, PET, you can't, you know, put a wheelchair through sand, so it's not compliant anymore. Uh, to stay with the theme and because of cost, uh, most likely we'll go with wood fiber like we have in the rest of our parks. And uh we will have to install a pedestrian ramp from the street with a walking path that would uh have an entrance to the playground structure so that any any u ADA entrance could be uh met to the street to if somebody was parking on the street and was able to not have to jump a curb. So, um, we're looking to put out a survey to the surrounding, uh, neighbors, and what we've pulled together so far consists of, uh, asking for number of children in the household, age groups, frequency of use, desired playground equipment by age group, play features, age priorities, and then I'd like to know if the back stop is used and if it's still a priority. that people want to see in the park. >> Back stop as in >> uh like for baseball. >> Yeah, just a fence that's >> 8 ft tall. And >> got it. >> Um so >> just looking for suggestions and >> I guess we have opportunity for any questions from the council. >> Well, I appreciate the survey because until we see what the residents are asking for, I have no comment. you know, um I I I appreciate the survey and I think it's a it's one good measure, >> but after the survey, I think that depending on the age group, >> you might want to have a um an event where the kids could come and they could give you their opinions because parents are going to fill out the surveys. Some parents will ask their kids. Most parents will say, "Oh, I know what my kids play on." But, um, you know, I think if if it ends up that it's going to be the younger group, it might be a useful thing to have a meeting where the kids can come and they can show you what their play preferences are. I'm not sure if that means taking them to a park that has that or having them in a room and showing them the pictures or having >> It would probably have to be after we go to the companies and have them designs. I know with last year's park, I asked them I gave them a dollar amount and said, "I need three three options um from each company and I went to three different companies and then I brought those back to the to the parks commission and we narrowed it down to what we >> wanted to see. >> We could, you know, invite people >> that night to the parks commission. We could do a separate night where we have >> some poster boards put up of options. Um, >> but I think, you know, it'd be good to figure out some way to get the input of the children >> who would use the space. >> I think we're kind of setting ourselves up to ask, you know, four and fiveyear-olds, but they I mean, they want, you know, the moon back, >> but they're the ones who use it, you know. >> Well, I understand, but but I think parents who take their kids to the playgrounds understand, you know, what they've probably taken them to several playground. I'm not disagreeing with what you're suggesting. I'm saying the answers from the kids are going to be, you know, expansive. They're going to want a lot. >> It's kind of like asking a child, "Do you want spaghetti for dinner or do you want ice cream cones?" >> Well, you don't. No. Well, you don't do it that way. >> You don't. You're right. But that's what this is kind of doing. It's like it's like when um when when we first start talking about making this a playground, you know, I go to the ice cream shop once a week to treat myself. And I'd sit and I talk to parents who were kids and I asked the kids, I said, "If if just think of what what would you want to have in this park? What would be your dream thing?" And I got some really creative things like, you know, my grandson wanted a bobsled um off the top of the parking ramp into the park, you know, which was pretty neat, but that's not doable. But, you know, you get things like that, not giving them the open-ended question. I think it's, you know, I think it would be just one more step. >> I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying you're just saying it'll be an interesting um conversation. Yeah, with five, six, and seveny olds. >> And you're right, they do. >> I love the idea. There's going to be a lot of restraints to what our budget is going to be [clears throat] able to >> right >> fit and >> how much room decide on things that that aren't that that we think are really good. Like, you know, we might think a slide is really good and the kids really don't like slides, >> you know. So that's why I think if we can if we can bring in concepts that are fit within the budget and can be ordered in a timely manner so we can get this done this year >> then they can take a look and put some input in on yeah >> which ones they like. >> Show them a picture and say what what's your priority? >> What's your favorite thing in this? And I can give direction to each company to give me three different completely different style parks. So that >> you know choosing colors and all those things that's very simple. It's but what play structures and >> I guess a lot of it will be you know what kind of feedback we get from the survey too. >> Yeah. >> Is the survey thing like a standard process for us for the neighborhood parks? >> We haven't done this in the past. >> Yeah. I want to say I don't Okay. >> You're doing the Chester part, right? >> Yeah. Chester. That was the >> kind of selfishly thinking I live, you know, on three points and I'd be really curious to see what all the residents would turn in from a survey that live, you know, that border that park, too. So >> hopefully we get a lot of >> when their time is up, they'll get the chance to fill it out. >> Yeah. I mean, hopefully we get a big response and then it' be kind of like what council member Mciny said. I don't have a comment right now. I just hope we get a lot of responses. >> Yep. >> We we got one at Hercules Park >> when we were we just moved in. We got a >> Yeah. a deal like this. >> And you know, we were psyched when you know, they built the new park because >> So people in the neighborhood do call it the Hercules Park, huh? >> We call it, [laughter] >> you know, it's [clears throat] interesting the way people rename parks. >> Yep. [laughter] >> I watched the dedication of when they gave him the sword or whatever and it was in that park or I think >> under the tent. And >> anyways, >> so Ryan, are you envisioning um Sorry, need to catch up. Um, are you envisioning redesigning the whole park or just replacing the equipment? >> Replacing the equipment, but there's fall areas that need to come into play depending on what equipment we put in. So, I can't speak to what shape that surround will be. Mhm. >> It will definitely have to get a little bit bigger because we don't have the fall areas to add swings or >> certain, you know, depending on how it lays out, what direction slides will, you know, things have changed since the last time this park was built. >> So, we should have one park just devoted to swings because it takes up so much room. [laughter] I mean, you know, and who doesn't not love a swing? >> It's a high priority usually for every family to have swings. So, um I know that is well past due [laughter] in this park as you can see with that. >> Well, this has to be one of the oldest parks, right? Or one of the parks that's had the least replacement. >> It's Yeah, it's on top of the list. We have one more wooden park like this left after this one. >> So, >> where is that? >> Dundee on top of the hill um >> out in the island >> in between the houses. Yes. Yep. >> So, you're going to send the survey out, >> correct? >> To how how far >> um we were going to do so many feet. Um it's going to be the Avon area probably Emerald. Um we can look towards the towards the school, but I think a lot of families use that school playground, too. I think you got was it Wilshshire >> the two main roads that I would just pocket that area >> that's people are probably walking over there. >> Yep. >> Um unless you're going across a busy >> street maybe there >> but I'm just saying like send it to enough people. >> Yeah. >> So it's not just like just that circle you know. No, no. Everything you see on there, we'll be getting. And then >> Emerald is kind of the pocket to the I guess west. >> Yeah. >> And then if you go up to the north, you hit Wilshshire. And then from that point north, I think >> we can do some in there. But you know, they're also, like I said, right right next door to the school. And the school's got a huge playground. So >> very popular. >> Cool. So, you're going to send that and then you're going to bring this back to parks. We >> will. Yep. And then and then we will reach out to the at least three playground companies for ideas and then we will bring that back to them and ultimately we'll be coming back to here with results. So I think the one thing in the past that we felt a little left out on is when you get those three ideas >> and then again I don't know you know >> it's the concept presentation. >> Yeah. Are you okay with this or would you want more him to come back when he get the three first before he went to parks? Well, I think it would be fun to read the survey >> and the results >> the results of the survey. And >> again, you know, we're just trying to introduce to the parks commission that we'd like to see a concept plan before they get you involved, B and Min, everybody involved. So, I guess we have to decide. >> You want him to come back here, >> but you guys always did. I mean, the parks commission reviewed, made recommendations, but it was always the council that directed. >> I know, but but we never had any um chance to really digest any of it. It just shows up. And so I think what we >> before we go to a design, you want to have a discussion. >> I'll I'll tell you this. When I first got on council a couple years ago, I remember >> uh there was an idea of like having natural logs >> and people walking on logs and I'm like that was in a workshop or something. I thought that was the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I have young kids that they don't care about walking on a log. >> No, >> I mean I get the natural thing and maybe if it's one thing out of many, but the whole thing was like natural look and >> and it never happened. I'm sure you remember that. >> It's actually a very popular thing in a lot of parks. [laughter] beautiful, too. >> My kids would never >> My kids, >> but it's the theme, but they still do all the play structures, but it looks like logs. >> Yeah. Well, the one the thing that I saw it was a lot of logs and too many logs, and that's kind of the whole thing. So, >> it's also subjective, you know. >> Yeah. >> Well, I took my kids to park every single day forever. So, >> with the logs, >> no, without logs. >> No, I parks. It's subjective, meaning your kids maybe wouldn't like it, but like my kids would have loved climbing like apes all over the wall. >> They were like this tall. That's it. >> It was like like a beam. It was like three feet tall. >> It's not like what we have at Surfside now where you know there there's like a thing and I've been on it. It's cool. That one's cool. >> This was like >> There's nothing cool about anything at Surfside in that Are you talking about >> Let's not go. Mayor, are you talking about the playground that was initially discussed to be put? >> This is before we even did anything. Yeah. >> So, it wasn't the final before everything. >> No, this is like a workshop. It was a concept that we saw and I just I was like, well, how did who came up with this idea >> and and it didn't seem like it would be user friendly? >> Well, I think a few people like did on council and a few people were like, why do we have logs? >> Well, it was based >> and it kind of went back to the drawing board. I'll add that this is a pocket park. >> Yeah. >> It's not going to be over the top crazy themed. >> Um it's more what colors do you want? What play features do you want? You know, they can look different ways, but >> cross off the list. >> Yeah. The [laughter] >> So >> the the detailed stuff like that is for a bigger, more expensive park. >> Yeah. >> So two questions. Does Bolton Mink put this out for bid or do we define the requirements and go out? >> I've been taking care of it in house and I've only gone to Bolton Mink if I need to do some kind of um storm water uh thing, but I've already talked to them. We're under an acre of disturbance, so we're not going to have to do anything with them. >> I took [clears throat] quotes from three different companies. You know, we brought those quotes in the parks commission and went through. We decided which one they liked based off of the quotes. They're all within a couple grand of each other cuz I said, "Here's your dollar amount. Give me the best part you can for this price." And that's how we went about it last year. And they all came to the table with pretty like price. >> Some of them didn't want to bring fiber, you know, fiber mulch in the price. I want to charge extra for certain things. I left it to them to meet that price point. So, >> so question number two, >> speaking of fiber, um I know when I was looking at this um online and stuff, they make this mat that's I don't even know what it's made out of. Um obviously it's going to be expensive, >> but I don't know what the lifetime expectations are. Is there any way we can get some sort of estimates on that versus putting in more of this mulch that you have to maintain? I mean, if it's a 10-year type thing, warranty for this mat, even in our climate, you know, what does it cost us for 10 years to rip out mulch and put new mulch in every spring? >> For the size of park that we're going to build, it would almost be the same price as what we're going to put into playground equipment. >> You're talking doubling to replace mulch. >> It's no to the rubber mat. >> It's It's a ground tire. Like it's we have some at Surfside on some walking paths and they use it for ADA walk uh >> right >> you know paths now but there is parks that do the full >> Yeah because there's a park just out there past Ellen Islands that's in Minatrista and that's what they've used >> it's neat tidy clean >> the one that's on the main road to the other island that one that's it's on Tuxedo I think yeah >> I'm just trying to look at it from a longterm perspective what's the difference in cost versus the work and the time and the effort that you guys have to put into it as well as the supplies. I mean, because we have a lot of mulch. >> Those are things I can bring back to the meeting, it would substantially drop down what we could afford for equipment, >> right? >> So, >> but again, if if we end up getting response back that there aren't a lot of young kids, >> you know, it might be a repurposing situation even at that point. So, that's why I think it would be fun for us to be able to see what the feedback comes in as so we can weigh in on that and then send that over to parks with a blessing to go, you know, run with the ball. >> Okay, >> we'll get it moving as quick as possible. I turn around >> once we do get through the planning and decide what we're going to order. It's 8 to 12 weeks >> and then I have to once that gets once I get the confirmation that of delivery, then they schedule install dates. So, best case scenario, we're in the fall already. >> Oh, wow. >> So, >> before replacement even happens. >> I'm sorry. >> Before replacement even happens. >> Correct. >> Oh, wow. Okay. >> So, I'll be coming back soon with information so we can keep the ball rolling. >> Great. Thank you, Ryan. >> Yep. >> Thanks, Ryan. >> Thank you. >> All right. Number 10, we got announcements, >> [clears throat] >> uh, comments and reports from council member. Council Pew, >> I think we have 9B. >> No, we have 9 city on internet. >> I'm just trying to go home. [laughter] >> All right. Sorry. 9B. >> Long day. >> It's 9B. >> 9B. >> Jesse is gonna >> introduce Lakeside Network City Hall internet repeater lease by Jesse Dixon. >> They have to move it because of >> Mayor, members of the council. I know I'm just looking at my headache of a issue across the way here, but um so staff has been working with Lakeside Networks um which I have a representative here in the crowd, Andrew Daly, that can speak to this a little bit more, but essentially we were approached to enter into a lease agreement for some space on city hall to provide internet to an area uh basically wirelessly. to anybody that's within sight of it. Um I've heard at least in my time here that there's been a lack of internet options. Of course there we've had a couple of our larger clients or not clients but uh franchi franchises start to overlay the city. This is different than that. This is a be just a lease agreement for some space and then um especially because it's just internet. We don't need a franchise agreement but we staff's very supportive of it. I think just the idea of more competition is generally good for our residents and it's a pretty low risk type of thing for us to do. So, I was going to pull up a presentation, but um more than anything, I think I would just introduce Andrew and uh maybe he can answer some questions while I work on this. >> All right, Andrew, come on up. you've endured a long meeting up on my home screen if that helps. [laughter] >> All right. So, my name is Andrew. I'm uh one of the owners of Lakeside Network. So, we're a small Lake Minnetonka based provider. We started in Spring Park. We got a office in Excelsier. We're uh we broadcast kind of wirelessly kind of like a cell carrier. So, we're going the same places that cell carriers do. Um but we act, you know, we operate a little different. So, our network's mainly line of sight based. Um, so you you need to see the top of the tower you're connecting to. Got it. >> Um, so hence the the rooftop at the mount city hall. It's a pretty tall rooftop and you can see a lot of downtown mound from the rooftop. So we ran some propagations and we figured it would be a great spot to uh have a repeater site. Can to the next slide. Um, essentially what I kind of just skimmed over. Um, yeah. So it's no secret that our area struggled with internet service. It's kind of the main reason we started up. Um, all of the owners, uh, everyone's either lived in Mound currently or we've lived in Mound for at least 10 years. Uh, so I think it's safe to say we know the city unlike any other, uh, internet provider. Um, and we're hopeful to work with the city on bringing service to more of the town. Um, and it's a little simple rooftop site. So, it's like a it's like a non-penetrating roof mount, so we don't drill into the roof or anything. It's held down with cinder blocks. Um, and then it's just basically a pole and we draw >> with the picture there. Yeah. >> The top of that. >> Yeah. So that's that's our that's our main site is Yeah. across from the water control. So we we broadcast off of that rooftop. I always grew up thinking that that was like a sale carrier up there. It's been dead this whole time. So there's never been anyone broadcasting up there. So we talked [clears throat] with the landlord there, u you know, local uh landlord, and they were like, "Yeah, this is an abandoned site." You know, guys. Uh so it it worked out great. you know, all the all the mass and everything were installed and we've slowly been taking those old antennas down and replacing them with our antennas. So, um that's kind of where we're based at. Go to the next slide. All right. So, yeah, our competitors, we got Midco. Uh few people know 49% of Midco is owned by Comcast. So, [laughter] little bit of a surprise there for some. [clears throat] Mid Co's based in South Dakota. Comcast in Philadelphia. Frontier is now 100% owned by Verizon and Verizon's in New York. Um, Mediacom, I mean, we're kind of past Mediacom at this point, but still 100% owned by the same family that's been running it since day one. And their coverage is in the Midwest in Florida. And Mediacom's based in New York for some reason. So, I I always say that they're kind of far away from their their uh clientele. And yeah, we're 100% founded and owned by Mountain Metanka graduates. I'm still going to call it Mountain. I know it's West Hanka now, but pass that yet. >> I graduated from Mound. [clears throat] [laughter] >> So, uh yeah, and we're based uh in Spring Park and we have an office in Excelsier as well. >> And uh so this is some real world data. So this is um a midco residential connection in Minitrista. So latency uh it's also called ping is kind of like a measurement of how snappy an internet connection is. Uh which can also be used to measure stability. you know, if you like look at the graph um and you kind of see like ups and downs if it's a unstable connection. Um but yeah, so a midco miniaturista residential connection is on the top there and this is uh at the bottom right is a connection we have uh an excelsier and there's three wireless hops plus the coax we uh used uh that was already existing in an apartment building and that's our connection down there. It's it's still lower than Midco's straight fiber to the the premises. So, um our wireless, you know, doesn't degrade uh the signal as much as you think it would. Um and it's still quality service. Um yeah, head to the next slide, Jesse. Thank you. Uh clients come first here. So, you know, pretty much everyone uh we service, you know, knows at least one of us by first name. Uh so, we uh try to completely excel in support versus the other providers. It's not very hard. Um, and yeah, so we have 99% or around 99% client retention networkwide. Uh, since 2021 when we started uh servicing Excelsier on their water tower, we still have 100% client retention there. Um, 4.8 stars on Google. We primarily grow via uh via referrals and we don't do lockin contracts. Um, we do a money back guarantee and got local offices, no call centers, so when people call us, you know, they call us down the road. Um, and the client retention percentages, we do not include, you know, clients like moving out of our coverage area. You know, if they're like, "Oh, I'm moving to Watertown." And I'm like, "Okay, well, I can't service you anymore." So, if we don't count them in that number, >> next slide, Jesse, thank you. Um, and a big part of our business is servicing multi-tenant properties. Um, so we can use any existing wiring, which is kind of a unique market advantage we have. So, older buildings in mound that, you know, have only phone lines or coaxs in them, we can do gigabits. We all the units. we don't need to retrofit the building in any way. Uh we just kind of change what we put on the ends of them. So we're doing that at uh uh Docside Apartments in Spring Park right now. We're reusing the phone lines and you know they don't have to tear up their building and have all these changes made to run new cabling. So uh it's a big win for uh multif family [snorts] properties. Um and we service Lakewin's condos. We service the whole um the whole HOA. So all the 191 units and they renewed their service last summer. Um, and yeah, they had just Mediacom and Frontier before and everything was super messy. Uh, it was it was a a total mess retrofitting all the Mediacom stuff, but we got it done and uh, everyone in that building I've heard from has absolutely loved our service and uh, our speeds are faster and snappier and the service is more reliable on our wireless link to the building. Um, so we got plenty of interest. We have hundreds of signups. Um, and with this in mind, you know, we kind of use a syn a synergy mix of fiber and wireless to help us grow. Um, an example of this deployment is we ran fiber on Big Island, uh, probably three or four years ago now. And we bring, uh, service in wirelessly along the lake shore. So, we kind of work with like is there like 30 or so cabins on Big Island? Um, and we work with the property owner on the west side of the island and the east side of the island. we have a little wireless receiver and we bring the service in that way and then we run fiber from there to service the rest of the houses. So that kind of hybrid approach you know allows us to tackle projects that I don't think any other internet provider would have done. Uh you know when we reached out to Orno saying hey we want to run fiber in the rightway over here they uh they were like please do like no one else is going to do this and when we were running the fiverr we literally had to like pick up uh Centry Links DSL because it was laying on the ground you know just not maintained and we had to trench under it. So uh it was it was falling apart out there and we were really happy to make a positive change out there. Um, and uh, yeah, we just hope to uh, treat Mound a little bit better than the rest of the big corporations. You know, it's kind of just a line item in their their books. You know, if if Mound goes down for two days, you know, a large telco, they couldn't really care less. It's just a, you know, 1%, you know, fraction of percentage of their network. You know, it's not a huge deal to them. If mound goes down for us, you know, our company reputation is at stake. So, we we try to do a really good job in that way. you know, we take it very seriously and our only core focus is Lake Mitaka. We don't really plan, we definitely don't plan to grow east, you know, towards the metro. Um, we might grow into Lake Wakonia as far that west one day, but our core focus at least the next 5 years is completely the Lake Mitanka area. So, um, this area is very important to us. And, um, yeah, I think that's that's it. If you, uh, have any questions, I'm ready to go. >> Well, I'm so excited for you guys. Feels like just yesterday I was racing to Jack with kids broken screens. >> Oh yeah. [laughter] >> To to fix them because nobody else could. But I've heard really great things about your service and you guys are just nailing it. So I'm thrilled that you're here in Mount. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> I'm just curious. There was a picture of a water tower. So do we also >> That was Minatrista. >> That's a Sunnyfield Minatrista water tower. Yeah. >> Okay. So, do we lease some space on our water towers as well or what's the >> We the the water towers and mound are too loaded. There's too many cell carriers on them. Um, and they can >> uh to my understanding, they can replace their their older equipment with uh antennas that take up a lot less space. Um, that's not something we're really like advocating for right now. We we would like to just start with a little rooftop site. It's kind of simple for both sides just to have a little repeater site on the rooftop. Um, and then maybe we can look at uh doing a water tower at a later point, but uh long term we're going to start running fiber in the area. So that's kind of our long-term business goal. >> Exciting. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? Doesn't seem like there's a downside to anything. So, no, not really. >> Very exciting. >> Um, it says there's an attachment, but I don't see an attachment. That's It's actually okay. But um because at this point, we're still we're finishing it up here. So, the motion would be just to direct us to finalize this to to direct staff to work with the city attorney and Andrew to get it finalized. We'll just have it um on a consent item in two weeks. So, get it taken care of. >> Cool. Well, thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Look forward to doing business with you. >> Thank you. >> Have to get up on your roof and see if you can see city hall. >> I see that. >> Exactly. >> All right. Does someone want to make a motion? >> Um >> it's not that motion. >> Oh, it isn't. >> I think I think but uh >> motion is on there. >> Yeah. 9B. >> It is right there. >> 9B. >> 9B on your on this. >> This is it right here. >> Oh, just read it out there. Oh. Oh. Oh. Okay. >> I make a motion to direct staff to work with the city attorney to enter into a city hall internet repeater lease agreement between Lakeside Networks LLC and the city of Mount. >> All right. Got a motion. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Those opposed. All right. >> Congrats. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Have a good night. >> And that'll come back on the consent. >> Yeah. Or well. Yeah, I'll say congrats next. >> Okay. Uh number 10, uh comments and reports. Council P. >> Um okay. um on parks. Um, I just want to share that um, you know, we we had our meeting and talked about next steps and everything in the the plan with the city um, council and also that um, Tyler had identified a grant through um, DNR that supports um, bike paths. And so he went in to look at our 2040 plan and has identified where it's wonderful. Our 2040 plan spells it all out. I mean, it's all there. Um so he's pulled those together and in the interim I called um Heather um El Elder >> Ed >> Eden our Hanniban County supervisor and said you know we we have this dream of doing this bike path that connects the Andrew Sisters Trail all around the lake and we know that because of the work that's going to be done on commerce this year that the county is going to come in and do its final work and is there some way we could leverage that situation? And she was all in favor of it and made contact with Lisa who is in the county's public works. And so Lisa who works normally with um Jesse, those two are going to meet and talk about how we might be able to get the first phase of that trail done. Um, and Jess, um, and the work that Tyler's done, he's going to turn that over to Jesse and may work with Jesse if Jesse needs him to, but you know, it's up to the staff to do that, you know, determination as to who will do that work. So that that is a promising piece that we can give that first part that would connect Surfside to um you know coming down commerce and stuff but there there's still a lot of work but there is a grant opportunity that the city could get some money from but there's also the greater opportunity of leveraging the county's money which is already budgeted for the road anyway. So, um, and I think that the mayor the the crosswalk, isn't it on commerce? Isn't that supposed to be dealt with in this construction? >> Yeah. So, you know, it's it's all part of that that northern route and then we'll still have to do um what is it? Oh gosh, what am I forgetting? Um, what is the what's the road that comes into 110? Um, oh gosh, Wilshire and, um, >> Bartlett, >> Bartlett. Yeah, Bartlett. Yeah. So, that'll be the next part to look at uh, for funding for that. Um the fire commission met we had our regular meeting. They went through um determinations on the pension fund which is a big contingent between St. Bonnie and Mount on because mound has we have um we have lumpsum payments and then we have annual payments on retirement and St. Bonnie just has lumpsum. And so we got the presentation. Our county um our board I guess is flexible, but they still want that, you know, they they want to try and figure out how can we merge the two um systems. And um so when the when the chief met with the chief and St. Bonnie to talk about the merger. St. Bonnie pretty much said their way or no way. >> And so we're at an impass right now with that. But that that is the biggest hangup on this um merging the departments or creating this joint powers agreement. But hopefully um we will get that done. The other thing that happened at the the meeting we did have at the Mountain Commission was that u the staff has really laid out and I know we we all got a memo from Jesse with the questions he was asking. They've really laid out a fantastic system for hiring and interviewing for the new fire chief and they're looking at having someone on early so that there'll be overlay of their time with chief the current chief and um you know I I just really was um very impressed with the the speed and the and the the whole system that staff has set up for that piece of work. Um, okay. And then that's those are the only commissions. The other thing that I did want to say something about just briefly was um last week I got invited to a meeting and it was an invitationonly meeting um and it was um a group of volunteers. There are about 60 people there. Um, not not your sort of normal high-profile people you see in involved in all the organizations and stuff, but just residents in Mound who are concerned about the well-being of other Mound residents who might be subjected to the potential issues around immigrants right now. And so, um, it was really promising and it just reinforced to me the strength of Mound residents and the commitment and the humanity that we have towards each other in terms of caring for each other, wanting to help. Um they said that they're they they numbered like 40 churches in the area that are all engaged in organizing food and gift cards and clothing and helping families out who feel that they can't go out on their own. They um they had systems to work with children and the school district. And so it just says that you know while people may not think that anything's happening here and there and it's not we're not having big raids or anything like that but there is activity and there is attention but there is a group of individuals many individuals who are working hard to put our arms around those who are in in in this difficult situation and uh supporting them. So, I just wanted to share that with the staff and the council because I think that um that it's important that we honor the volunteerism and the commitment of people in this community to others. >> Thank you. >> And that's it. >> Uh Council Mey, >> uh [clears throat] just one thing. I'm just very excited to go to the uh [clears throat] water treatment deal on Thursday so I can actually really learn about it. I'm assuming it's Bolton Mink that's going to be the present presenting it. >> There will be a presence from Bolton and Mink as well as city staff um with a series of poster board type of stations for the various stages of the of the construction and then just availability for questions. Well, just to remind the public that if you want to learn about the infrastructure, it's at the Gillespie Center on Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00. >> And I never feel like I have a true handle on it, so I can't wait to take notes when I go. And then just quickly, um, for everybody, uh, the Beat Hunger [snorts] Bash is on Saturday, March 7th at the Gillespie Center. It's a really fun event with, um, bands, food. It's a casino night and the Tonka Lions have a cash bar. New this year is Battle Golf and it does all support proceeds go to the food shelf for March food shelf month. So, it's a really fun event and I think tickets are going on sale tomorrow >> and they'll be Sher, I know you don't like these, but they'll be um >> QR codes that you'll be able to access off social media to get your tickets. >> Yeah. >> Um and I think Uh, I I didn't write down, but I believe it starts at 6 the event. Either 6:00 or 6:30 >> and that's all I've got. >> The bash of the year. >> It is the bash of the year. >> That's what it says. >> It was really I mean they have just great bands and great food. >> They put a lot of work into it. >> Yep, they do. >> Raise a lot of money. >> Anybody wants to volunteer, I'm sure they'd >> goose egg. I got nothing. All right. >> Thoughts for her? >> Um, let's see. I don't know. I just say I haven't really talked to you about this, but like the state of the city thing, have we gotten any more information on that or where that's landing? >> Well, we're working on some items as at a staff level to try to pull together um information. I met with council member Mcin yesterday regarding some of the more visual presentation type of stuff. um working with the chief and Vicki to prepare the space and uh trying to work this week to get everything I'm I feel like I need from Ryan and his staff and trying to sort of pull something together on my side of things. Sort of more on that visual side of things. So, we're we're just still plugging away. Um I think we're two months out yesterday. So um I don't know if that's an update, but >> yeah. >> Um I did speak to Dan and he is willing to do the cookies for you. >> Okay. >> So if you want to take another >> homemade cookies or >> whatever he bakes in his oven. I don't >> mean over at Yeah. >> Oh, that's fun. >> They're really good. >> I love that. >> That's what I've heard. So >> yeah, >> that was good. Okay. Um, the other question I have for Jesse, putting him on the spot here, the community development, did you have a chance to look into what we needed to do to actually set up that type of commission or committee? >> It was uh shuttered via resolution. So, >> my assumption is that if it's can be um shut down via resolution, I I don't know why we wouldn't be able to bring it back via resolution. Um that said, it's you know it's not a commission in the same sense that the park commission or the planning commission is. So um that that's my opinion. Um we can go more into the legal ease if we need to, but I mean for now I think we're talking about establishing an ad hoc committee >> through the council. So I mean I I I think it's fairly straightforward. >> So we just call it a committee rather than a commission. I think so. >> Can it be part of the HRA too? Is that what >> I suppose? I mean, I think at that point it would depend on if that committee would be tasked with spending money, which I assume it won't be. And at the end of the day, the council is the HR. So, >> that would just be a preference on whether the council would want to make that distinction. >> But for now, I think I would keep [clears throat] it simpler. Okay. All right, I'll reach out to the one candidate that we had talked about and um see what his thoughts are because we still need to come up with a mission statement and directive what we want to do. Um the last thing which is this mound fitness in the park which Michael Crips was so eloquently informing us on. Um so I guess we just need to wait and get next steps on that and refine some of the requirements and stuff that we would have based on the city's needs. Thank you for finding him. >> It was a necessity. >> Sh. >> That's all I got. >> All right. Well, I already said that I met with the mayor of Spring Park and the chief and deputy chief. So, we're going to we're working on that. Um, uh, just a reminder to the public, uh, reach out to your our representative and senator. Um, this is our shot again. 15 million if if we can get it. Um, call them, email, try to get try to help us out. >> Mayor, at the last meeting we talked about maybe putting together a um letter for I think a lot more people respond to something like if if there's a drafted letter. >> Yeah. >> Could we do that and then maybe get that online so people can download it and then just fill it out. funny you said that because I did send Ila a link to a document that I received from another community concerning the same type thing where they've got a full-blown campaign letter, email >> notifications, various ways, you know, that they're outlined different verbiage. >> So, I don't know. She hasn't gone through it all yet, but she did acknowledge it and said that she was going to look at it. >> Well, I think we might have a great outpouring from residents if we can make it easily accessible for them. >> And that's what this was. It was >> and I and we have done that in the past and I'm sure we talked about it before, but I'll uh I'll talk to Leila in the morning and >> I would assume that we would just make that part of our greater water sort of outreach on their website and Facebook and just drag people there. So, that should be >> easily doable. >> If we could get a draft of that letter, it'd be good to hand it out or make it available at this >> on Thursday. >> Thursday. Yes. >> Be really cool. >> And then also at our March meeting for water. >> Yeah. [snorts] Um, >> how how how quickly, mayor, do we need do you want us to get these letters in? >> I mean, I want people to call and email and text and >> but is there a deadline for when this is going to be? >> Uh, I think it's April. >> Okay. >> End of a middle of a end of April is when they're going to wrap up. Okay. >> Which is different than like last year was like end of May. I think the committees the deadline for Senate committees to meet is like the first week of May which the house will have been done by then. So >> end of April. >> So we want it there by midappril. Yeah. >> No later than mid April. I mean >> right. >> Right. >> Like I think like start telling people now like so we don't get too far and they're like oh well thanks but we already >> got too far down. >> Well the minute we get a drafted letter I'll hand them out to all my neighbors. I mean, yeah, >> it it's it would be really helpful for us. >> Yeah. >> Um, and then if you're doing something on Facebook, >> uh, when you do like, you know, click here or whatever, if you do like [clears throat] a change.org or whatever you're going to do, um, have it, you know, go right into their email. >> Um, and then provide their phone number and and and I wouldn't just say them. I would say and maybe you can help Jesse, but like you know like Papus, Senator Papus, like if she's is she's still the chair >> like like do the chair of maybe both of those or do >> other people that are on the committees that are going to be important for us? >> I mean, so we're not just picking on our people. I mean, I know our people are supportive, but they're all there's other cities [clears throat] that want money, too, that they're >> Could we uh Jesse, could we also, you know, for everybody who signed up for news and events to get distributed into your phones and emails? Could we send that out via that after discussing maybe a portion of the water program and maybe include that? I mean, I think that we could very easily just utilize the news or updates portion of that. I mean, it's certainly a citywide news thing. I I I just not that you were implying this, but I'm just saying generally we would try to keep it within the channels people sign up for. So, I as long as we're comfortable saying that this is certainly city news, then we would just we can utilize those same channels. >> And then obviously Facebook and Instagram. I mean, I would just keep it short and say, you know, we're we're trying to get 15 million this year, blah, blah, blah. We do have supportive, you know, people, but doesn't hurt to hear from. I mean, kind of >> short and sweet, but they need to, you know, if if they have a stack of emails that's going to go a lot more, they're going to go, you know, Mound really needs help here, >> right? >> So, that could maybe just be an added page. What can I do to help? >> Yeah. on the water funding >> page, like a new page that has all those different options. >> I know we've done this in the before and I've talked to them and I was like, "Well, how many emails? How many we call?" And they're like, "It wasn't that much." So, >> so again, let's try. >> Well, whatever we can do to assist the residents >> to make it easier. Sure. >> To make it easier. And most people are they just get stuck trying to figure out what to write. [clears throat] So, >> and where do I send it and how do I get it there? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. >> I know I don't have a stamp. Yeah. >> All right. Jesse, do you have anything you want to talk about? >> I I only was going to reiterate the Thursday meeting. So, >> okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. And then next city council meeting is Tuesday, March 10th at 6. Uh here. Um that's it. So, I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> And can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any other discussion? >> All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Those opposed? All right. We're journ. Thank you.