Rogers City Council — Transcript
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Police Department Staffing and New Hire Approval
Public Data Request Software Adoption
North Community Park Playground Replacement Plan
Votes (3)
Hiring Zachary Wells as Full-Time Police Officer
Moved by Unknown [0:02:40] · Seconded by Unknown [0:02:51]
Chief Wills introduced Zachary Wells, highlighting his educational background in criminal justice and previous experience as a water patrol officer and community service officer. His hiring completes a series of backfills initiated by the approval of a Deputy Chief position. A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for November 24th, 2026, upon his successful completion of field training.
Approval of Data Request Software Project
Moved by Unknown [0:18:03] · Seconded by Unknown [0:18:08]
Director Grener outlined the challenges with the city's current manual, email-dependent public data request process, including limited redaction tools and communication bottlenecks for 200-400 monthly requests. After evaluating two products, 'just FOYA' was recommended for its ease of use, unlimited file storage, lower cost, and positive peer feedback. The software will provide a public portal, automated workflows, and built-in redaction, addressing legal obligations and staff time. Concerns about a 5% annual cost increase were acknowledged as common for tech vendors.
North Community Park Playground Plan
Moved by Unknown [0:38:43] · Seconded by Unknown [0:38:49]
Director Bower presented the North Community Park playground replacement plan, citing the existing playground's age and safety issues. Following an RFP, public engagement, and resident survey, Minnesota Wisconsin Playgrounds/Game Time was selected. The $971,574.01 plan includes fully accessible features, age-specific play zones, adaptive swings, shade, and a water misting area. Dan Lanes and Ron Blake from the vendor detailed specific inclusive design elements, such as wheelchair-accessible components and an intergenerational expression swing, noting the project will be a 'national demonstration site' to collect data on community health and wellness impact.
Notable Quotes (10)
What tonight I'm looking for is a motion to approve resolution 2026-57 hiring Zachary Wells as full-time police officer effective June 24th, 2026.
Just want to say thank you very much for the opportunity and thanks everyone for being here.
We currently have a couple challenges um with data requests. Um right now we have a manual process that really relies only on email to communicate among staffs and the public.
The fact of the matter is both just generally and then specific to litigation we're just seeing a lot of increase in data practices act requests so having the ability the functional ability as a city to respond competently to data requests is really important.
I can just tell you that at least technology costs in terms of computers and hardwares and servers, all that is drastically gone up over the past couple years. And I think it's due to the chip shortage.
So, instead of Stacy emailing our department and us emailing her, we now have just one format where we can work really is the big benefit is saving staff time internally with this.
Our goal here was to deliver a fully accessible, inclusive destination level playground for the community.
We had 178 residents um take the survey and overwhelmingly they picked um Minnesota Wisconsin playgrounds um/game time for the replacement.
This playground is wheelchair accessible all the way up until um it's going to be hard for me to point, but do you see that 90° bridge right there is where they have to transition to get to the upper half.
A place where people have an equal opportunity to participate, not only access the environment or participate in the environment independently while also having the opportunity to play.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Approving the hiring of Zachary Wells as a full-time police officer.
Budget document that approved a Deputy Chief position, leading to the current police officer hiring.
Legislation governing public data requests, cited in context of increasing requests.
Request for Proposal issued in November 2025 for the North Community Park playground plan.
Plan outlining the North Community Park playground replacement project.
Statute cited for adjourning to a closed session regarding attorney-client privilege.